Happy Easter!

SYTYCS#13 - Love

I made it to round 13 over at Colorful Creations - So You Think You Can Scrap! It is now done to just 16 of us!  Here is my submission for this week:

This weeks challenge was to use the following sketch and: You MUST use ALL of the following!

1. Use only PURPLE papers (printed, cardstock, or home made) - I used three purple papers
2. All embellishments must be BLACK OR WHITE (all of my embellishments are white)
3. 2 Hand made flowers - I used two handmade Yo-Yo's
   
4. 2 Different Stamps (your flowers will not count) - I used a jounaling stamp on the lower left, and 2 heart stamps along the bottom.
5. 2 Hearts - I used one on the right of the word Love and one on the left of the journaling block.
6. 2 Different Ribbons I used a floral ribbon behind the photos and a second under the sub-title "more".
7. Faux Stitiching (hand drawn) - I used faux stitching in black ink around the photos, similar to the sketch.
8. Bling (clear bling will be accepted) - I used clear bling in the shape of the paranthesis on either side of the large photo and additional little corner bling on the "Love" title.
9. Feathers - I used white feathers on the title behind the Yo-Yo.
10. Stay true to sketch (using a 12 x 12  OR 8.5 x 11 double page layout) - I used a double page 12x12 spread and matched the sketch.

I also played along with Apron Strings - March Madness day 17. This challenge was to take inspiration from the following photos: 

They inspired me to use this years Easter photos. Maddie with her colorful eggs in her adorable Easter dress. What more inspiration do you need? 

Here are a couple of close-up photos:

Materials used - Quick Quotes Paper and unknown; stamps - CTMH; bling - Hedi Swapp & Scrap That; ribbon - unknown; feathers - Zucker Feather products; alphabet stickers - Thickers; ink - CTMH.

Thanks for visiting!

Vote for ME - Create with 8 - Wonder Layout

PLEASE PLEASE VOTE FOR ME! I just completed my submission for the Create with 8 contest on Joann's facebook page. Winners receive gift cards to JoAnn's! Please click on the link here and vote for my entry, I would GREATLY appreciate it. Everyone is allowed to vote once a day through March 31st.

Here is my layout:

The eight items from the list I used to complete this layout: acrylic paint (white used with a stipple brush on the background, and the pink on a stamp in the upper left hand corner), ribbon, tulle, floral stem, scrapbooking embellishments/stickers, scrapbook paper/cardstock, buttons, and yarn.


I used Prima's March BAP sketch:

Here are a couple of close-up photos:

Thanks for visiting, but more important, thanks for voting for me!

SYTYCS#12 - Sleeping Beauty

I have some exciting news, I made it to round #12 in the SYTYCS (So You Think You Can Scrap) challenge over at Colorful Creations! Here is my layout for this week's challenge:

The left side is actually for the SYTYCS challenge. This week the challenge is even more difficult! We were to use

1. Masking - I used a lace cardstock as my stencil and then used textured paste over it.
2. Textured Paste - I created my own with baking soda, elmers glue and white acrylic paint.
3. Some sort of inking - I used black ink around the edges of entire page, although it is hard to see in the picture.
4. Sketch below
5. Stay true to sketch

I have never used paste before and I'm not sure I liked it. It crinkled my paper quite a bit. 

I also played along with Apron Strings - March Madness - Day 3 to use masking.  This worked perfectly on the second page of my double page spread to balance the masking done on the left side.  

I also played along with Archi-Scraps March challenge #9 - a photo challenge

Their theme this month - Fairytales.  I played along and titled my page "Sleeping Beauty".  I also played with the greys and whites in the photo and the mimic'd the slats on the house with textured paste.

Here are a couple of closeups:

Materials Used:  paper - DCWV, thickers - Dear Lizzy; textured paste - created my own; sticker journals - Creative Imaginations; Lace cardstock - KI Memories; punches - EK Success and Emagination; pop dots - All Night Media; glue dots; chipboard hearts - unknown; ink - CTMH.

Thanks for visiting me!!!!!

Project Life - Week 11

Welcome to Project Life 2013! If you are new to my blog, welcome! I hope you will stay a while. I'm Jessica, wife to Juan, mommy to 1 year old Maddie. I am also an electrical engineer by day and I am participating in Project Life, a different way to record our lives by taking one photo a day. This was inspired by the fabulous Becky Higgins who has put together a wonderful kit to make this challenge easier.

I am using the digital kit on shutterfly (hopefully Olive once it has been released), find more info at http://www.beckyhiggins.com/blog. This digital version uses Shutterfly and is SUPER easy to use! See my completed pages for 2012 using the Shutterfly Cobalt kit HERE.

And finally, my POTW (pictures of the week):

Tuesday - Daddy and Maddie went to the Arboretum today to do Maddie's FAVORITE activity - "Walk, walk, walk," and outdoors is her favorite place to do it. She is obsessed with rocks and often comes inside with hands full of them. Juan said he let her walk down the path alone to see how far she would go before she looked for him. Scary, but she never did....he finally had to run after her as she was headed straight to the water. My fearless little girl. Also today, we found Maddie with Juan's shoes on. She could barely walk in them, but was determined to try.

Wednesday - We started planting our garden today. We still have a lot to do, but at least the vegetables are in the ground. Maddie loved "helping" and absolutely LOVES to be outside. She says "gar-den, gar-den" and stands at the back door asking to go outside.

Thursday - Maddie got her first haircut today by Tu at Hair Fair. It was only her bangs, but she was a little champion. She didn't cry at all, although she was definitely not excited about what was going on.

Friday - Daddy started a little sandbox today for Maddie, underneath her clubhouse. It still needs more sand, but Maddie loved it!

Saturday - Daddy fertilized the yard today in both the front and the back. Maddie wanted to go outside and help so much. She stood in the window the entire time watching him.

Sunday - We went back to Brumley Gardens today to get our free flat of Impatiens and the metal flower/butterfly that was on sale for their Open House. I loved it and have been thinking about it in our garden all week. We also bought a couple more herbs, Zinnia's for the front yard, a couple of bush flowers, snapdragons, and many more flowers.

Monday - I learned today that one of my layouts was selected as the top 3 over at the Scrap Your Story blog. We also took Maddie for her 18 month Well Baby appointment with Dr. Hubbard. She immediately started crying as soon as we walked into the exam room. She cried hysterically when we tried to get her to stand on the digital scale as well as when they were measuring her. Once the nurse left and we were waiting for Dr. Hubbard, she got curious and started exploring the room. She even let Dr. Hubbard exam her while sitting on Daddy's lap. She did end the appointment by getting one shot - her last DTap shot. She weighs 29lbs 10 oz, is 35" tall, and her head is 19.25" around (all over the 95th percentile). She is still a big, healthy baby.

Thanks for visiting!

Project Life - Week 10

Welcome to Project Life 2013! If you are new to my blog, welcome! I hope you will stay a while. I'm Jessica, wife to Juan, mommy to 1 year old Maddie. I am also an electrical engineer by day and I am participating in Project Life, a different way to record our lives by taking one photo a day. This was inspired by the fabulous Becky Higgins who has put together a wonderful kit to make this challenge easier.

I am using the digital kit on shutterfly (hopefully Olive once it has been released), find more info at http://www.beckyhiggins.com/blog. This digital version uses Shutterfly and is SUPER easy to use! See my completed pages for 2012 using the Shutterfly Cobalt kit HERE.

And finally, my POTW (pictures of the week):

Tuesday - Daddy and Maddie finger painted today for the first time. I think she had fun, but was a little scared of it. Afterwards, Daddy gave her a bath and noticed that she had broken out. We were worried that maybe it was an allergic reaction to the finger paint. When I arrived home, Daddy said he thought Maddie was warm, she was very warm. We took her temperatur and it was 104.1! We called the Doctor and they couldn't get her in until 8:30pm.  We went back and forth as to whether to take her in that late. I think we cancelled and re-booked the appointment 3 times! They told us to alternate Children's Tylenol with Children's Motrin Suspension every four hours as they have different active ingredients. She really didn't seem to be acting any different, although I don't think she was feeling too good. She is such a tough little thing. I was worried all night about her fever, but she never even woke up. She definitely does not like taking the medication. Daddy had to hold her down while I gave it to her via a syringe.

Wednesday - Juan called me at work to tell me that he made an appointment for Maddie for 3pm. He said that she broke out all around her little mouth with little fever blisters. I met them at the doctors, although Dr. Hubbard wasn't available to see her. The alternate doctor said it was viral and that she may break out with those little blisters in other places in the next 24 hours. He said to give her lots of fluids as they were inside her mouth as well and she probably wouldn't eat very well. Poor little thing. We gave her juice and juice-popsicles (which she had never had). She definitely liked the popsicles and they seemed to help mouth. Daddy also put her hair in a ponytail for the first time today and I made dinner. A new Pintrest recipe for 3-Ingredient Pulled Pork. It was fabulous!  Here is the recipe by "girlwhoateeverything"

How to Make Pulled Pork in a Crockpot

Easy Pulled Pork Recipe

4 Ingredients Pulled Pork

Easy Taco Casserole

Crockpot Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese

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Recipe

Recipe
Versions

Nutrition

Tips &
Techniques

Ingredients

• 1 (2 pound) pork tenderloin (pork shoulder or butt can also be used)
• 1 (12 ounce) can of root beer
• 1 (18 ounce) bottle of barbecue sauce
• 8 hamburger buns

Directions

1. 1Place the pork tenderloin in a slow cooker and pour the can of root beer over the meat. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until pork shreds easily with a fork.
2. 2After pork has cooked, drain and discard the root beer. Shred the pork and place it back in the slow cooker. Pour the barbecue sauce over the pork and stir to combine. Serve immediately or keep warm in slow cooker until ready to serve. Serve on hamburger buns.

Thursday - Maddie has definitely broken out. Her poor little booty seems to have taken the brunt of it. She cries every time we change her. Thankfully her fever seems to have broken and she isn't acting like she is in too much pain, other than at changing time. Nana came to visit this afternoon and brought Maddie an old-fashioned toy that act similar to a boom-A-rang and returns to you when you roll it. Maddie thought it was quite interesting.

Friday - I tried another new recipe tonight: Kale and Sweet Potato Casserole by Sarcastic Cooking. It was interesting and different, not too bad; but I don't think I will be making it again. 

Kale and Sweet Potato Casserole

 

Print

Prep time

7 mins

Cook time

45 mins

Total time

52 mins

 

Author: Sarcastic Cooking

Recipe type: Side Dish/Vegetable

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 3 Large Sweet Potatoes, peeled
• 12 Cups Chopped Tuscan Kale, stems removed
• 3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
• 1 Teaspoon Thyme Leaves, chopped
• 1 Shallot, minced
• 3 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
• 1 Cup Non-Fat Greek Yogurt
• 1 Cup Non-Fat Milk
• 1 Cup Shredded Asiago Cheese
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• ½ Teaspoon Pepper

Instructions

1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.
2. Cut each peeled sweet potato into 6 large chunks. Drop the potatoes into the boiling water. Boil for five minutes, remove from heat, drain, and then leave the potatoes in the pot covered.
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
4. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium/low heat. Once the butter is melted, add in the onion and thyme. Sauté for two minutes.
5. Whisk in the flour until it is absorbed by the butter, one minute. Whisk in the Greek yogurt until combined. Pour in the milk slowly while whisking. Whisk for a minute or two until combined.
6. Turn heat down to low. Add ¾ cup cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth yet thick. Once combined, shut heat off. Taste sauce and adjust salt and pepper to your taste.
7. Add kale and sweet potatoes to a large casserole dish. Pour in the cheese sauce and mix to combine. Top with remaining ¼ cup shredded cheese. Bake dish in oven for 30-35 minutes. Let dish cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce time to set up. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven.

Saturday - We have been letting Maddie have Juice Popsicles since she got the little blisters in her mouth this week and now that is all she wants, "pop, pop, pop". Not sure what we are going to do once she is well. We will definitely need to find a substitute. Juan made dinner today, pork, corn, avocado tacos and cucumbers. It was quite delicious! We also went to Brumley Gardens this afternoon, our neighborhood nursery to get vegetables for our garden. We bought baby squash and zucchini squash, roma tomatoes, celebrity tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, broccoli, strawberries, cilantro, rosemary, mint, and oregano. Now we just need to get it all planted! Maddie loved the nursery and ran around non-stop smelling and pointing to the flowers. She is going to love our garden.

Sunday - Today we attended Kaitlyn's 4th birthday party at Pump It Up. We thought Maddie, being the little monkey she is, would love it. Instead she was scared to go into any of the blowup obstacle courses.  Daddy forced her in one and took her down the slide, but she wasn't too thrilled about it. The older kids had a blast and even Alice who is only a couple months older than Maddie were climbing fools. 

Monday - Abuelito and Abuelita came over today and Maddie played with Abuelito's hat. She loves her Abuelito!

Thanks for visiting!