Happy Thanksgiving 2011

What better on a Friday night then a bit of Scrappin! DH put DD to bed, so I had all evening to enjoy what my little passion. I finished this layout from Thanksgiving 2011. An oldie, but goodie.

I used a sketch from the fabulous Pamela's World of Scrap! I just love her double sketches. She has a monthly sketch challenge and once you finish the sketch challenge, there is a bonus for completed one of her other sketches.  This is the bonus sketch #28 I used (the middle one):

I also played along with Sketch N Scrap's Birthday Bash - Monica's Recipe Challenge. The challenge was: 

1. Multiple pictures: the more pictures the bigger story you can tell. - I used 13 photos, whooo hoooo

2. Twine or ribbon: it can be a small detail or a big feature. - I used twine to tie a bow on the title die-cut.

3. Brads: an easy way to add a little something extra to a blank spot - I used one on the 2011 title and three more down on the "Family" title.

4. Gems: no page is complete without a little bling (I sometimes get carried away with this one) - I used a bling arrow to highlight the pumpkin pie photo.

5. Multiple alphabet sets: use up those half alphabet sets that you have stashed away - I used aqua thickers for the 2011 and Anna Griffin for the Family portion of the title. I also used rub-ons and a die-cut to finish off the title/sub-titles.

Finally, I played along with Paper Issues - Lifestyles to Die for challenge.  The challenge was to use a die-cut or link up a project showing your life.  I used a die-cut on the title and a large circle die-cut for the main page. My layout definitely shows my life.

Here are close-up photos:

Materials Used: paper - WeRMemory; die-cuts - WeRMemory; twine - MME; gems - Kaiser Scrapbooks; tickers - American Crafts; Alphabet Stickers - Anna Griffin; rub-ons - AMM; brads - SEI.

Thanks for visiting! Have a wonderful weekend.

4 Generations - New Layout

I am so glad it's Friday! It seems like the days are getting shorter; where did May go? I completed another layout today. Just put the finishing touched on a 4 generation layout for Maddie. This is another layout of older photos from when Maddie was just a couple of months old.

I used the sketch from Sketch - N - Scrap's Birthday Bash - Lynette's Double Page Layout Challenge.

I am definitely a double page gal! This layout provided space for LOTS of photos and was perfect for my page. I used 4 different patterned papers, ribbon, bling, and a mixed alpha title. 

Here are a couple of close-up photos:

Materials Used:  paper - DCWV, unknown; bling - Want 2 Scrap; flowers - Prima; title letters - Tim Holtz, Basic Grey and Thickers; paint - Making Memories; ribbon - unknown.

Thanks for visiting!

Hello Little One - New Layout

Hello my scrappy friends!  I have not been feeling well the last couple of days and have slept a lot, but this evening I was feeling better and spent some time creating these layouts of Maddie with her Grandparents, Aunt, and Cousins when she was just 2 months old.

The left side was created using the Let's Get Sketchy - Week 3 May sketch.

The right side of my layout was created using the Page Maps - Border Challenge.  This challenge was to use both the sketch and use borders in your layout.  I used 8 different borders from K&Company.

I also played along with Sketch N Scrap's Birthday Bash - Heather's Inks and Stains Challenge. This challenge was to make a layout using inks, stains, &/or sprays.  Go out of your comfort zone and make a mess!  I am typically a very "clean" scrapper, so this was way out of my comfort zone, which you can probably tell.  I used A lemon metallic mist from Maya Road, but it wasn't quite bright enough so I spattered white paint and then used blue ink with a wire brush. It was definitely not something I'm used to. I ended up splattering more paint on my pictures, table and myself then I did the layout. Not sure how everyone else manages such a nice even splatter.  LOL!

Here are a couple of close-up photos:

Materials Used:  paper - Crate Paper; borders - K&Company; paint - Apple Barrel and Making Memories;  mist - Maya Mist; buttons - unknown; chipboard - Maya Roads; data sticker - LYB; stickers - LYB; stamps - CYMH; ink - CTMH; rub-ons - LYB.

Thanks for visiting!

Project Life - Week 21

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 - So You Think You Can Dance, season 10 just started. Maddie has been watching it and mimicing the dancing. She is quite adorable, even spinning and sitting on the floor to spin as part of her dance moves.  Here are a couple of videos HERE, HERE, and HERE. I surprised her when I leaned over backwards and offered her a kiss. Sht thought that was quite funny.

Thursday - Maddie is a huge fan of popsicles and pretty much anything that Daddy is eating. This coconut juice pop is no exception.  

Friday - While making dinner tonight, I made the mistake of putting the salad bowls on the table early. I returned a few minutes later to find Maddie digging into mine and chomping away on the croutons. When I grabbed my camera to snap a picture, Maddie immediately said, "Cheese!" I think I take too many pictures of this little girl.

Saturday - Yet another new Pinterest recipe tonight for dinner, Spinach Lasagna Rolls from SkinnyTaste.com. It wasn't too bad. We even ate the leftovers, which says something in our house. I do think it would have been better with a little meat thrown in. Maddie wasn't too much of a fan, which was odd as she loves pasta and cheese.

Spinach Lasagna Rolls
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 9 • Serving Size: 1 roll • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 6 ww pts
Calories: 224.9 • Fat: 5.1 g • Fiber: 3.4 g • Protein: 13.0 g • Carbs: 31.5

Ingredients: 

• 9 lasagna noodles, cooked
• 10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and completely drained
• 15 oz fat free ricotta cheese (I like Polly-o)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• salt and fresh pepper
• 32 oz tomato sauce
• 9 tbsp (about 3 oz) part skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Ladle about 1 cup sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 12 baking dish.

Place a piece of wax paper on the counter and lay out lasagna noodles. Make sure noodles are dry. Take 1/3 cup of ricotta mixture and spread evenly over noodle. Rollcarefully and place seam side down onto the baking dish. Repeat with remaining noodles.

Ladle sauce over the noodles in the baking dish and top each one with 1 tbsp mozzarella cheese. Put foil over baking dish and bake for 40 minutes, or until cheese melts. Makes 9 rolls.

To serve, ladle a little sauce on the plate and top with lasagna roll.

Sunday - Juan spent the afternoon taking care of the yard. He really does a good job at keeping it looking nice. He mowed the front yesterday right in time for the rain, but mowed it again today as he didn't think it looked good enough. Then he edged, weed-eated, and also took care of the backyard. Our lawn is so nice. He is really proud of our house and the yard.

Monday - Today is Memorial Day. We were planning on having a BBQ, but Vanessa wrecked her car and didn't have transportation, plus I wasn't feeling well. Nana came over to visit and brought Maddie some bubbles. Maddie had a blast, although she did try to lick them. Then Maddie took everything out of her toy bucket and climbed inside. She then had Nana add every toy back on top of her. She laughed and thought it was quite fun! She also played the upside down game with Nana. This girl loves to be upside down.

Thanks for visiting!

Project Life - Week 20

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 - My two lovies, both eating fruit with naked bellies! Like father, like daughter!

Saturday - We hosted a play-date today for Maddie, Ellie, Alice, Kaitlyn, Ryan, and Audrey. We started in the backyard, but moved inside with the bees frighted Ellie and Alice. I made snackies and quiche for lunch. Maddie wasn't quite sure what to think about all of the little ones running about. This afternoon Juan, Maddie and I all got our hair cut. It was quite a process. Juan went first while Maddie was napping. When he returned, I went as Maddie was still napping. Then Juan brought Maddie and she got her hair trimmed after me. This time we trimmed both her bangs and her little mullet, so it would be more even. She didn't cry, but was definitely leery. 

Sunday - Daddy tickling Maddie's feet. She would laugh and then say, "more, more" and stick her feet back up to Daddy to do it again.

Monday - It's been raining for days. There was a terrible tornado in Moore, OK. This season is such a worrisome time. We no longer live in tornado alley, but tornadoes will always frighten me. We've stayed close to the house.

Thanks for visiting!

Project Life - Week 19

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 - Maddie found a bottle of glue in one of my scrapping drawers. She immediately said, "Gooo" and then took it to her dolly and began to feed her like it was a bottle. She is such a funny girl. I love her imagination.

Wednesday - Another new recipe from Pinterest - Herbed Chicken Legs and Potatoes from Food, Family & Finds. This was another slow cooker recipe. It was good, one I will probably make again.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1-1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• ½ teaspoon ground thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon browning sauce (Kitchen Bouquet)
• 8 fresh chicken legs
• 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the first 8 ingredients.
2. Toss chicken legs in the mixture and place in a 5-7 qt slow cooker.
3. Pour the chicken broth in the slow cooker.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 – 5 hours, until tender.

Friday - Maddie loves her alphabet puzzle and can tell you every letter and then put it in its spot. She struggles with getting Q to fit and struggles saying the letters F, H, L, and S. She knows the sounds each makes, but struggles with the letter itself.  I recorded a video of her HERE, not bad for a 20 month old.

Saturday - We celebrated an early Mother's Day with Maria and a belated birthday with Adam by having brunch at The Nodding Donkey. We gave Maria a blender for Mother's Day and Maddie was only too happy to help her "op" open it.

Sunday - Mother's Day was a great day. Not only am I Mom to a wonderful little girl, I have a terrific husband that hosted a Mother's day bar-b-que for my mother, sister and her kids. This morning a was gifted with an awesome drink dispenser in which we made strawberry lemonade today. Maddie was inthralled by the peanuts and wanted to put all of them on the fireplace. See the video HERE.  We had a great time this afternoon watching the kids play together. They had a blast in the sandbox and on the swingset. We gave Mom a photo of the three kids together, something she has wanted since Maddie was born. It was a lovely day.

Thanks for visiting!