Checking in Again

I took a break from blogging this past week and a half. Tho I know I've been gone longer from this blog than that short time. Still it was a good break. Being on the computer less time equaled more time in my craft room. I'm working on some cards for upcoming Mother's Day, weddings, new babies, graduations and house warmings. Seems like May is going to be a crazy month.

My computer is giving me fits as well. I'm writing this on the hubster's computer and don't have access to my pics. I'm hoping to get my computer back to tip top shape soon. I'm doing it myself, out of lack of finances, so I'm having to learn as I go along. Thankfully, hubster is pretty good when I get in over my head.

I was able to continue some knitting as well. I'm working on a delicious pink scarf for myself, just in time for next winter! and a skinny purple, textured scarf to give away. I've got my eye on a couple other projects but need someone to instruct me in a couple new-to-me stitches.

For those of you who paper craft: when you work with chipboard, do you paint it? or cover it with paper? and if you paper it, what do you use to adhere it? do you adhere the sides as well, or just the top part? I'm new to chipboard. I love it! And want to do more with it.

Have a wonderful crafting, sewing, knitting weekend!

Some Valentine Cards I Made

I know, I know! It's already 10 days past Valentine's Day, but getting my act together has been difficult of late. But anyway, I wanted to show off 3 cards I made for special people in my life. I'm pretty proud of each of these. I'm still finding my style design as a card maker, but I think I'm getting better.







I'd still love to see what you are working on, so if you have a blog or website, leave me a comment and I'll come visit you! Promise!!!

French Toast Souffle

i decided (awhile ago, this post is long overdue!) i wanted to make an overnite casserole for my family. looking at what supplies i had on hand, i decided to go with a recipe in my "try these recipes" notebook that i keep. it was called french toast souffle, but don't let the simple name fool you. it was heavenly goodness.

my son devoured his portion and asked for more. if i had not halved the recipe i think he still would have eaten the whole pan. here's the recipe and a shot of the goodness before it was devoured by the 3 of us.


French Toast Souffle

10 cups white bread cubes
1 (8oz) pkg lowfat cream cheese, softened
8 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
2/3 cup half n half
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp confectioners sugar

Directions:
place bread cubes in a lightly greased 9x13 baking pan.
in a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. stir in milk, half n half, maple syrup and vanilla until mixture is smooth. pour cream cheese mixture over bread, cover and refridgerate overnight.

the next morning, remove souffle from refridgerator and let stand at room temp for 30 minutes. meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees. bake uncovered for 30 min or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. sprinkle with confectioners sugar and serve warm.

we poured more syrup over it, but #1 son and i like things sweet. hubby liked it without the extra syrup. so use your own judgement.

Enjoy!

Card Making Extravaganza

back in dec, i joined my friend mandy and her best friend heather for a card making morning. we all brought papers, tools, stamps, and ink and had a great time chatting, playing and eating.



mandy made some yummy goodies for us.





i love crafting with friends. i may not get as much done as when i craft alone, but it sure makes the time fly by as we laugh and chat. have you done any group crafting of late? or do you prefer to craft alone?

new cards, old cards

as promised, i have some cards i made a month or two ago, to share with you. these are cards that i made for my sister for her Christmas gift. when she got them, she LOVED THEM! so i guess i'm doing something right. i'm still working on my photography skills. close ups are not my forte.

this is a simple friendship card i made. easy peasy.

the word hi on this card is chipboard and adding the button for the dot tickles me every time i see this card.

this is one of my favs, as my 11 yr old son loves baseball and this little guy reminds me of him. i made this one on a 5 1/2 square card which is a new to me format. i'm really liking the extra room a square card gives.

i was in a purple mood when i made up her cards. can you see the glitter on the snowflake?

these colors are more to my sisters liking. she's a natural brown and beige kind of gal. (tho she does love purple too)

this is probably my all time fav of all the ones i did. i love the golfer with his baggy shorts and grumpy look contrasted with the happy green and purple colors and sweet sentiment. my sis has lots of men in her life so i'm sure she'll find someone to give this to.

hope you enjoyed the cards i created. i always love to see what others create. i'd love to see what you have done. leave a link in the comments and i'll come visit!

100 tutorials of 2008

did you see this blog yet? the long thread has the best tutorials of 2008. 100 in all! and she has divided them into categories--how cool is that?!! i can't wait to go thru them and find the ones i missed.

and, i do actually have pics of cards i made this month and last month. they have actually been uploaded and are ready for me to blog about. soon, peeps, soon!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

i made some chocolate chip pumpkin muffins awhile back and decided to blog about it. of course, it took me awhile to upload the photo. but boy were they good. mmm! are these just the best things since pumpkin pie? between my son and i, i think we have devoured half the batch in 2 days. i got smart tho, and put several muffins in the freezer for later consumption. and those disappeared in a week or so.

i got the recipe from allrecipes.com and it was terribly easy. my son loves muffins so i may need to bake some more. of course, blueberry muffins are pretty delish too. lets just say i'm in a baking mood.