Let's Scrap 1-26-11 New Sketch & LO

This week there is yet another new sketch over at Let's Scrap.  This one Cheri O'Neill created from Sarah Mullanix's winning layout.  It is full of wonderful details, layers and depth.  Here is the sketch:

And here is Sarah's adorable winning layout:

And here is my take on this great sketch:

This is a layout of Juan and I at Viansa Winery in Sonoma. 

Here are a couple of detailed shots of the banner and journaling:

Materials Used:  papers - scraps unknown; decorative edge rounch cardstock - Little Yellow Bicycle; banner - cricut cartridge Celebrations; border - K&Company; grapes die cut - Deluxe Cuts; title - Thinckers Sunny; border punches - Martha Stewart; journaling blocks - K&Company; ribbon - unknown; arrows; unknown.

Thanks for visiting.

SC Sketch 237 & New Layout

Hello friends, I am finally feeling better today.  I finished a layout today for based on the sketch #237 over at Scrapbook Challenges.  Here is the sketch:

And here is my take on it. 

I'm not very happy with how this layout turned out.  It was a great sketch for lots of photos, but my page is just to simple for me.  I felt like I needed to add more to it, but then it would be too busy.  Anyways, it's done, right?  :)

Materials Used:  paper - unknown from years ago; brackets - CTMH, paint - Making Memories; wine stickers - Creative Imaginations; border stickers - Creative Imaginations; title - K&Company & CTMH; arrow - K&Company.

Thanks for stopping by!

Let's Scrap - Resolution #8 & #9 LO Complete

Afternoon Friends! Thanks for stopping by. I've been ill all day, with what I hope is food poisoning; but this is my day off so I have been adding finishing touches to another layout inbetween naps and well never mind (TMI)  My layout is about Old Faithful in Calistoga, CA. 


Here is the LS sketch my layout is based on 2-24-10:

And here is my layout:

The left side of my layout is for Bev's Resolution #8 - Using black and white photos, blue and yellow embellishments and a Let’s Scrap sketch create a layout.  The right side was for Mandy's Resolution #9 - Laughter is the Best Medicine. So your challenge is to scrap something that makes you smile or laugh and make sure to add some journalling so that you can look at this years from now and reminisce what was making you smile or crack up.

This page is about how excited I was to learn the "Old Faithful" was only a couple hour drive to Sonoma.  We started out early to beat the "People".  Imagine our surprise when we arrived that this was just one of a handful of "old faithful's" in the world that erupt at regular intervals and was piddly in comparison to the real thing. They also had fainting goats and llamas so we were confused as to if this was a zoo or a natural phenomonen.  Of course the REAL Old Faithful is in Wyoming, which I really should have known!  I will definitely never live this one down! 

Materials Used: circle templates - Creative Memories; papers - My Mind's Eye & unknown; gems - IRock; flowers - unknown; ribbon - CTMH and unknown rick rak; ink - CTMH  Lagoon; blue embellishments - CTMH Mini-medley Lagoon.



Thanks so much for visiting! Have a wonderful weekend!

Ashlyn's Surgery Update!

Thank you to everyone who prayed and posted such supporting comments and on my POTW regarding my little niece's surgery.  She is only 4 weeks old and went in this morning to have an abdominal growth removed.  This is me holding her at 6am prior to surgery!

There were lots of possible complications and they were not even sure what this growth was.  It ended up being a cyst caused by a twisted ovary.  The ovary had to be removed, but there were no complications and none of her intestine's had to be removed!  She did not even have to go into the NICU.  She is now resting comfortly in her room at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.  The doctors and nurses there have all been fabulous.  Hopefully she will be returning home by Sunday or Monday.  Thanks again for all the prayers!!!!!  They obviously were answered and the Lord was watching out and protecting our little one. 

300+ Pages in 2011

There is a new group over at Let's Scrap called 100 or more LO's in 2011.  I join the group but set my goal a bit higher.  I even added a countdown ticker on the main page of my blog at the right.  It is a fairly lofty goal for me, but I've already completed 38 pages this year and it's only January.  If you want to set your own 2011 goal, come join the Let's Scrap group!

Let's Scrap - Resolution #2 & #14 LO Complete

Hi all! Thanks for stopping by. I can't believe I haven't posted a layout since last weekend.  Being back at work definitely has reduced my creative time!  I finally completed a couple more resolution challenges over at Let's Scrap for their blog hop. There are 15 different resolutions, so there is something for everyone. My layout is about the Benzinger Winery that we visited in Sonoma. 

Here is the LS sketch my layout is based on 3-31-10:

And here is my layout:

The left side of my layout is for Kristin's Resolution #2 - Use at least 3 of these colors on your layout and use one of the wonderful Let’s Scrap sketches from last year.  Here are the colors:  The right side of my layout is for Tracey's Resolution #14 - Numbers challenge – Make a card or layout (the card doesn’t require a Let’s Scrap sketch but you must use one if you do a layout) with the following on it 1 x lace/ribbon, 2 x pattern paper, 3 x flowers and 4 x bling/gems.



So I really goofed these resolutions up. I originally created my "Cannery Row" layout for the color resolution.  With all of my California photos, this color combo was very difficult for me.  When my "Cannery Row" layout was complete I got all confused and posted it for two different resolutions (stitching and grommets) and completely forgot that I specifically created the layout for the color challenge.  So for the past few days I have been trying to get these photos to work with this color combo.  I also wanted to use it for the numbers challenge.  The problem was that I used three flowers on the left and planned to use the left side for the numbers challenge but then realized I had used three patterned papers.  The right side only had two pattern papers, but it only had two flowers.  To make things worse, I had four bling on the left, but only two on the right.  I had even photographed my page and was getting ready to post when I realized I had goofed up again!  I ended up adding an additional flower on the right as the dot on the eye and added two more small bling on the black border punch just adjacent to the flowers.  It all turned out ok in the end, but obviously my brain is not working well.  LOL!

Here are a couple of detail shots to prove there really are four blings on the right hand side!

Materials Used:  stamps - CTMH Whimsey, True Love, and Playful Flourishes; papers - Mustard Moon & misc. scraps; brad/gems - unknown; flowers - Prima floral embellishment; border punches - Martha Stewart; wood sign - Karen Foster Design; riboon - unknown; ink - CTMH Vineyard Berry & Pansy Purple; grapes and glasses title - Paper Wizard.


Thanks so much for visiting! Have a wonderful weekend!

Project Life Tuesday - Week 3

Welcome to Project Life Tuesday 2011! If you are new to my blog, welcome! I hope you will stay awhile. I'm Jessica 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.
Don't worry, I'm not leaving traditional scrapbooking behind. This just gives me the opportunity to focus my scrapbooking on trips and things that are important to me right now and not get all bogged down with every birthday, dinner, and holiday that comes along.


Each Tuesday, I will post my pictures/journaling from the previous week. Project Life Tuesday was created by Jessica Turner over at The Mom Creative and she hosts a linky for readers to link up their pictures. So if you want to join in or want to see others POTW, just click the Project Lift button at the top of this post.


And finally, my POTW:

Saturday - Babysitting Jakob.  Juan thoroughly entertained him by playing horsey.  Check out the video here!

Sunday - Typical Sunday afternoon.  Juan curled up on the couch with MY blanket watching Barcelona soccer.  He loves the blanket my friend Janet got me for Christmas!

Monday - Yet another food photo. I am trying more new recipes this week. Tonight it was Superfast Salisbury Steak and Corn and Smoked Mozzerella Mashed Potatoes. YUM!  Best part about it, they are both from Cooking Light!
Recipes:
Ingredients for Salisbury Steak:
3/4 pound ground turkey breast

3/4 pound ground round
1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs
2 large egg whites
Cooking spray
3/4 cup water
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons Madeira wine or dry sherry
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (10 1/2-ounce) can condensed French onion soup (such as Campbell's)
Preparation for Salisbury Steak:
Combine first 4 ingredients. Divide meat mixture into 6 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty. Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add patties; cook 6 minutes or until browned, turning after 3 minutes. Remove patties from pan; keep warm. Stir in water and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; add patties. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Uncover and cook until wine mixture is reduced to 3/4 cup (about 10 minutes).

Ingredients for Corn and Smoked Mozzarella Mashed Potatoes:
Cooking spray

3 cups fresh corn kernels (about 6 ears)
2 1/2 pounds red potatoes, quartered
3/4 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded smoked mozzarella cheese
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper


Preparation for Corn and Smoked Mozzarella Mashed Potatoes:
1.  Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add corn; sauté 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool.
2.  Place potato in a saucepan, and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes or until tender.
3.  Drain and return potato to pan. Add milk, cheese, and butter; mash to desired consistency. Cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly. Add corn, cilantro, and remaining ingredients, stirring to combine.

Tuesday - This has been a common view for me lately.  I've been scrappin' a lot and shrinking photos is one of my new favorite trends!  This is the scanner at Wal-Mart.  For $0.28 I can print (2) 3x4's or (4) 2x3's.  I have been going to Walmart every couple of days when I start a new layout and figure out what sizes I need for that layout.

Wednesday - Wednesday's are the day that Let's Scrap posts new sketches.  I was so excited this week to see the sketch of the week based on MY CARD!  They had a contest in December and my card was one selected.  They took the winners and are creating a sketch each week in January created from one of the winning projects.  This week was my turn.  I was very honored and super excited to see all of the design team create cards from my card sketch.  How fun!!!!

Thursday - This week my counselor and I had a long discussion about whether my decisions are being made based on my intrinsic values (my wants and needs for a balanced and healthy life) or systemic values (things I feel I should do, or what society and others expect me to do).  It really opened my eyes and I am making a committed effort to think about what each of my decisions are based on every day.  This is the post-it on my computer screen at work.

Friday - My baby niece Ashlyn turned 1 month today.  Isn't she cute?  I'm sad to report that she is having major surgery next Friday to remove a growth the size of a lemon that extends from her ovary to her liver.  We are praying that everything will go smoothly and she will be a healthy little one soon.


Thanks for visiting!!!!

Let's Scrap - Resolution #6 LO Completed

Hello again!  I completed another resolution challenge over at Let's Scrap for their blog hop. There are some really great challenges, so head on over and check out the fun inspiration. My layout is about Juan and I and how much fun we had together in Sonoma.
I actually used two different LS sketches, one for each side.  The left side used LS card sketch 1-20-10 and the right side used the LS Hour Sketch.  Here are the two sketches:

And here is my layout:

The left side of my layout is for Roulien's Resolution #6 - Use Let’s Scrap card sketch # 1-20-10 and create a card or layout for or about your valentine.  Juan is definitely my Valentine and I wanted to do a layout for him from our trip to Sonoma with photos of the two of us.  We had such a fun time together. 

Material used: pattern papers - Basic Grey & unknown; letters - Quickutz Lucy; ribbon - unknown; always in title - Heidi Swapp; Arrows and Corners - Quickutz; brads and layered stickers - My Mind's Eye (Lost&Found); border punch - Martha Stewart; sticker strips - Creative Imaginations; stitching - Bazzill In Stitch'z; felt border - queen and company; metal heart - unknown.  
Here are some detailed shots:

Thanks so much for visiting! Have a wonderful week!

Let's Scrap - Resolution #4 & #13 LO Complete

Hi friends! Thanks for stopping by.  I hope your Saturday was fabulous.  I completed a couple more resolution challenges over at Let's Scrap for their blog hop.  There are some really great challenges, so head on over and check out the fun inspiration.  My layout is yet another about the adorable cottage we stayed at in Sonoma, last one I promise.  :)
Here is the LS sketch my layout is based on 9-1-10:

And here is my layout:

The left side of my layout is for Cori's Resolution #4 - Use a Let's Scrap Sketch to create a scrapbook layout or card that contains a list. Any type of list will do!  I used a CTMH stamp set to list the adjectives about the Bed and Breakfast. 

For the right side I used Dawn's Resolution #13 - Dawn - Using a Let's Scrap sketch make a layout using Cardstock only (no patterned paper allowed).  This was the hardest challenge I have ever done.  I wasn't sure if we were allowed to used embellishments or not, so I did everything on the layout out of cardstock.  It took forever.  I used quickutz for the rock path and grass.  The iron gate was the cricut cartridge "Ornamental Iron" and the tickets were cut by hand. 


Material used: cardstock - unknown; cricut cartridge - ornament iron; quickutzs - small rocks, large rocks, and grass; stamp set - CTMH; title stickers - honey thickers and making memories corrugated alpha stickers; ink - CTMH


Thanks so much for visiting! Have a wonderful weekend!

Let's Scrap - Resolution #1 & #5 LO Completed

Happy Friday! I hope you are planning an awesome weekend. I completed a couple more resolution challenges over at Let's Scrap for their blog hop. Yeah! There are some really inspiring challenges, so sneak over and check out the fun! My layout is about the adorable cottage we stayed at in Sonoma.



Here is the LS sketch my layout is based on, LS108:

The left side of my layout is for Betty Anne's Resolution #1 - Pick a favorite layout in the Let’s Scrap Photo Gallery and scraplift it. Make sure to tell us, why it’s a favorite, what you scraplifted from it and give a link to that layout. Note: you have to use the same sketch as the one you scraplifted from.  I scraplifted Sara Shumann's layout - "Zach Starring as the Ring Bearer".  Here is Sara's layout:

And here is my layout:

I loved that Sara used swirls in lieu of flowers.  I took her idea and used my cricut to cut a swirled frame around my main photo.  Then I used more swirls at the flowers.  I also liked that her sub-title was angled parallel to her main photo and that she split the main title on two pages.

For the right side I used Carolina's Resolution #5 - Make a layout or card using a Let’s Scrap sketch and you can’t open any new packs of ANYTHING when making it.  This was VERY hard for me.  I love opening new stuff for a page.  So I instead used scraps, my cricut to cut out my embellishments and flowers that were left over from another page I did for my 2007 albums. 

 

Material used: Flowers - JoAnn Craft Essentials, paper - CTMH, sub-title sticker - CTMH, brads - unknown, cricut cartridge - Sentimentals.  Wow, I don't think I've ever used so few materials on a layout!!! 

 

Thanks so much for visiting!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Core'dinations Paper Giveaway TOMORROW!

Hola friends! Thanks for visiting.
Core’dinations is giving away all 5 new paper packs from Fancy Pants, Basic Grey, My Minds Eye and Jenni Bowlin Studio! The drawing is TOMORROW, so enter today!!!!

Here is the awesome giveaway:    

Who wouldn't love that?????  All you have to do to enter is click on the link below and fill out the info. Super quick and easy……best part: If you win, I WIN!!!!! So click on it NOW!

http://pages.email.darice.com/coredinations/p?eKey=icRRFSl4dSS1bXSgE

A Let's Scrap Card Sketch based on MY Card!

Let's Scrap had a contest for cards and layout creations.  Those creations that won were converted to sketches by the wonderfully talented Cheri O'Neill!  Then that sketch is featured as the sketch of the week.  My Christmas card WON for the card sketch!  How awesome is that?  The sketch was created from MY card and is currently posted over at Let's Scrap.  The awesome design team has created amazing cards with this sketch.  It is such a great feeling for people to be creative based on a sketch that I was involved with!  HOW FUN! Oh yeah, and there is a great weekly prize randomly selected from everyone who posts a card based on this sketch.  Jump on over and see!!!!

Here was my winning card:

And here is the sketch Cheri created from my card:

Project Life Tuesday - Week 2

Welcome to Project Life Tuesday 2011! If you are new to my blog, welcome! I hope you will stay awhile. I'm Jessica 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.
Don't worry, I'm not leaving traditional scrapbooking behind. This just gives me the opportunity to focus my scrapbooking on trips and things that are important to me right now and not get all bogged down with every birthday, dinner, and holiday that comes along.

Each Tuesday, I will post my pictures/journaling from the previous week. Project Life Tuesday was created by Jessica Turner over at The Mom Creative and she hosts a linky for readers to link up their pictures. So if you want to join in or want to see others POTW, just click the Project Lift button at the top of this post.


And finally, my POTW:

Saturday - Still on my cooking kick!  Today it was Easy Pork Roast

Recipe
Ingredients:
3 lb pork roast
1 can french onion soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can golden mushroom soup

Mix soups in crock pot.  Add pork roast, fat side up.  Cook 5-7 hours.

Sunday - We got a surprise at church today.  Sarah Kelly, two time grammy award winner, was visiting.  We got to hear new music off her latest album that is not even in stores yet.  She was also signing copies of her new CD for those of us who wanted to purchase it.  She is a really good singer, song writer and producer!

Monday - Yet another food photo.  I am trying a lot of new recipes this week, as I have to return to work next week.  Tonight it was Beef Stroganoff and Herbed Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese.  YUM!
Recipes:
Ingredients for Beef Stroganoff:
1.5 lb beef for stew cut into pieces
2 tablespoons margarine
1 can beef broth
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
8 oz. mushrooms sliced (canned or fresh)
1 medium onion chopped (about 1/2 cup)
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup sour cream (8 oz)
4 cups hot cooked noodles (12 oz)
1-2 teaspoons poppyseeds

Preparation for Beef Stroganoff:
1. Cook and stir beef in the butter over medium-high heat until brown.  Measure 1/3 cup beef broth and set aside.  Add remianing broth, ketchup, onions, garlic, and salt to beef.  Heat to boiling, reduce heat and simmer until beef is tender (1 - 1.5 hours).
2. About 10-15 minutes before beef is done, cook egg noodles according to package (they should be ready to drain about the time you are finished with the following step).
3. Stir in mushrooms and cover. Simmer 5 minutes. Add the flour to the 1/3 cup beef broth you set aside earlier and whisk until it is mixed in. Gradually add to beef mixture, stirring constantly. Heat to boiling and boil and stir 1 minute (or until thick). Turn off heat, add sour cream and stir until mixed and heated through. Stir in poppy seeds.
4. Drain noodles and add to beef mixture.

Ingredients for Herbed Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese:
2 pounds thin asparagus, cut into 2-inch sections
4 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon fresh, italian parsley, chopped.
1 tablespoon fresh, chives, snipped.
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped.
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
4 oz parmesan cheese

Preparation for Herbed Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the asparagus. Simmer until just tender, 1-1/2 to 2 minutes. Drain well. Combine the butter, chopped herbs and pepper over medium heat in a skillet. Add the aparagus and toss gently to heat through. Pour the asparagus onto a warm platter and shave or grate parmesan cheese over it. Serve immediately.
Refrigerate any leftovers.

Tuesday - Us girls met today for lunch at Patrizio's!  Great food and lots of girl time!

Wednesday - Dad and Sheryl came to visit Vanessa's new baby.  Juan and I met them at the Cheesecake Factory for dinner.  Juan and I spent most of the meal entertaining Jakob.  He is so hilarious!

Thursday - I went to Vanessa's to visit with Dad and Sheryl and Juan surprised us after his hair appointment.  We put together a huge train track for Jakob and he showed us how to use the remote for his train.  Once Tio arrive, Jakob wanted to pour him coffee over and over and over.  Juan would make drinking sounds and Jakob would pour him more. Jakob thought it was hilarious!

Friday - My last food photo for the week.  This one was AMAZING!  Mexican Chicken Casserole and Mexican Rice (rice recipe from Juan's mother). 


Recipes:
Ingredients for Mexican Chicken Casserole 


1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 (4.5-ounce) cans chopped green chiles, divided
1 3/4 pounds skinned, boned chicken breasts
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup evaporated skim milk
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup (2 ounces) tub-style light cream cheese
1 (10-ounce) can enchilada sauce
12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
Cooking spray
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1 ounce tortilla chips, crushed (about 6 chips)


Preparation for Mexican Chicken Casserole:
1. Combine broth and 1 can of chiles in a large skillet; bring to a boil. Add chicken; reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until chicken is done, turning chicken once. Remove chicken from cooking liquid, reserving cooking liquid; cool chicken. Shred meat with two forks, and set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350°.
3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 can of chiles and onion; sauté 3 minutes or until soft. Add reserved cooking liquid, milk, Monterey Jack, cream cheese, and enchilada sauce; stir well. Stir in shredded chicken; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. Place 4 tortillas in the bottom of a 2-quart casserole coated with cooking spray. Spoon 2 cups chicken mixture over tortillas. Repeat layers twice, ending with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and chips. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.


Ingredients for Mexican Rice:
1 cup basmati rice
2 tablespoon olive oil
2 cup hot water (divided)
1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons Caldo de Tomate by Knorr
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon cumin powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
Preparation for Mexican Rice:
1. Brown rice with olive oil on medium-high.  Add 1/2 cup hot water, caldo de tomate, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin powder, salt and pepper to rice and stir.  Add remaining water, bring to boil.
2. Cover and simmer for 20 min.  Remove from heat and let stand for 3 min.  Fluff with fork.



Thanks for visiting!!!!

Let's Scrap - Resolution #3 & #12 LO Completed

Happy Sunday! I hope you had a wonderful and productive weekend.  I completed a couple more resolution challenges over at Let's Scrap for their blog hop. There are some really inspiring challenges, so sneak over and check out the fun!  My layout is yet another about our visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, specifically Cannery Row.





Here is the LS 4-7-10 sketch my layout is based on:

And here is my layout.  I wanted to play off the Steinbeck book, so I included the beginning of the book as my introduction to my journaling.  The left side is for Debby's Resolution #12 - use a Let’s Scrap sketch to make a card or layout with eyelets on it.  The right side is for Beth's Resolution #3 -use a Let's Scrap sketch to make a layout with at least 3 different patterned papers and some stitching. It can be hand sewing, machine stitching, or "pen stitching".  I used grommets in multiple locations on the title and on the corners of the small photograph at the bottom. 

Materials Used: papers - CTMH, K&Company, and misc. from my scraps; cannery title - heidi swapp and CTMH; stickers - Jolee's; star fish die-cuts - jolee's by you; stitching template and thread - In stitch'z by Bazzill; border punch - Martha Stewart; grommets - unknown.

Here are a couple detailed photos of the journaling and stitching/grommets:

TFL!!!!