December Album - A look back, part 2

Here is part 2 of the look back on my past December/Christmas albums.  For 2008 I used a clear, tabbed album, and all kinds of odds and ends from my stash, and some Stampin' Up paper and stickers.  I approached it a bit more like Ali's December Daily this time, but it was more like December Weekly, or December When I Remembered the Camera.  My favorite parts are O-dizzle's chubby cheeks and the fact that his first steps are captured in here.  Here it is:

2011 December Love album coming up next!  Thanks for looking!

December Albums - A look back, part 1

I've decided to do a December Album again this year, and I'm actually doing pretty well with it, progress-wise.  More details on that one later...for now, I thought it would be neato to look back on the December/Christmas albums I've made in the past.  I don't usually do a daily entry because I'm not programmed to be that disciplined, or maybe life just gets in the way of my fun-time too much. 
Here's the first one - from 2007, our first year with Owen.  It was made using my first every Studio Calico Kit, Happy Ending, and a clear mini album for the base.  Then I just wrote a letter to each of us about my wishes for the coming year.  I can't believe how far we've come, and how many of those wishes have come true.
Here's a peek at it.  Enjoy!

Fridge Pickles

These are the pickles that have launched a thousand ships, or at least a couple of impetuous car trips to find dill. Luckily, our garden is busting with the stuff so J decided we needed to participate in the pickle craze. Not that I mind, I heart pickles. So here it is – the coveted pickle recipe. They are good too. Dilly, garlicky, and nice and crisp.

Dill Refrigerator Pickles

In the bottom of a large jar layer:
2 heads of dill
1 onion, cut up
1/4 clove of garlic, cut up
Cucumbers, sliced however you like, layered half way up the jar

Next layer:
2 heads of dill
1 onion, cut up
More cucumbers until jar is almost full

On top of cucumbers, layer 2 heads of dill and another cut up onion.

Next, make the brine.
Brine
1 quart of water
1 pint of vinegar
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup salt
Bring to boil and boil for 3 minutes. Pour over cucumbers until covered.

Leave on counter for 24 hours and then put into refrigerator. After 3 days in the fridge, they are ready to eat.
Enjoy!

Chalkboard Scraproom Organizer

I was so very inspired by another Studio Calico Member who found and prettied-up this great spinning organizer, I needed to try my hand at it too. My hubby was at Fleet Farm getting his oil changed and spotted some stack-able spinning shelves in the tool organization. Jackpot! They are sold individually and you can just keep on stacking them. Since it was already black and everything in my house is in danger of being covered with a chalkboard surface I figured this one would be no exception. I love the way it turned out, and it's not even full yet - lots more room for goodies! Check it out!



Thanks for looking!

It's a Robot Party

I'm pretty sure the robot party was more for me, than for Odizzle.  He probably really wanted a Wow Wow Wubzy party, but that was just a little too...specialized for me I guess.  But, there was cake (2 actually), and there were presents so he was as happy as can be.  The party did creep up on me a bit so I didn't get to do all the little things I wanted to get done.  Here's what I did do:

Funny little robot cake pops, 100% inspired by Bakerella.

I drilled some holes in 1x4 boards, covered them in foil and poked the cake pops in.

I had a different backdrop planned, but ended up just propping up some robot scrapbooking paper behind the cake pops.

O helped me make these fun 3D paper robots using the Cricut Robotz cartridge.

A centerpiece made of a box covered in aluminum foil.  Ha ha ha.

The lanterns that have been a part of birthday decor ever. single. year.

Ice cream cake, plus some robot pics also from that Robotz cart.

Finally, the cake, courtesy of Grandma J.  How cute is he?

Thanks for stopping by!

Around the house: Valentine's Day Edition

I love Valentine's Day. The hearts, the red and pink, the flowers and cards, and extra reason to be sweet and romantic. What's not to like?
So here's a little peek at some of our Valentine's Day decor. Some of it has been up since the end of December. That's right - that's just how excited I am to make the transition from winter to spring.

Our hutch - all kinds of odds and ends come together in the hutch vignette. That's really the way I like it. Almost everything in here is special to us in some way.

Here is a shelf above the couch. I painted a branch from the yard white and stuck it in those water-storing crystals that actually feel like really gross Jello. But hey, they look like crystals and sort of make it seem winter-y. Then some silver pieces and random pink flowers, cookie cutters, and paper doilies.

Then a fun, kitchsy yarn-wrapped wreath. I actually planned to make this for Christmas, but it just never happened. It was very easy to make. Here is the tutorial I used from CraftStylish.com Then some felt roses, felt hearts, and some tiny heart pins. Easy-peasy. It hangs in our basement.

For dinner, we are planning to cook at home. Our menu is Grilled Tuna Steak with Grape and Caper Salsa, an arugula salad - maybe like this one, Mustard Mashed Potatoes, and Broiled Grapefruit.

And this wine, Naughty Girl - Exciting!
It's tradition. We get it from Von Stiehl Winery in Algoma, WI.
Now I just need to come up with a super decadent dessert....Suggestions?

Maybe some Red Velvet Cake Pops...I so love cake pops. :)

We have a full week ahead so I am trying to clean and plan to cut down on the craziness, but we all know that's so much easier said than done. Wish me luck!!
I have you all have a very wonderful Valentine's week.
Smooch!

SC Wishlist

Sure, it's been months. Literally months since I've updated anything. But there is nothing like an opportunity to post my Studio Calico wishlist that takes me out of blog-hiding.
Here are my wishes:
My first wish is a lofty one. The SC paper - the woodgrain letters - is just fab. The B-side if my favorite part. Somehow, someway, I hope to get my hands on just one more sheet of this paper.

Next is this doily stamp set. I can see these getting a lot of use.

I love these little birdies. I think they would be a really sweet touch to Christmas layouts.

These 3 mists are last on my list. I love the SC mists. The colors and coverage and just perfect.




Thanks SC for giving me the chance to post my favs! Happy Holidays!
The picture has nothing to do with anything...but it makes me laugh.

Big Days

There is a day that I look forward to every year since Owen was born. And that is the day the NICU quilt square comes in the mail. There is a huge framed "quilt" that hangs outside of the NICU at Children's Hospital in St. Paul that we walked by every day for 4 months while Owen was there. It was one of the biggest inspirations I had to keep going every day while he struggled though so many obstacles. There were pictures of babies born just like him, some even smaller, and they were thriving and beautiful.
I can't express enough the joy I feel to put a picture of my baby on that wall now. And look at him thrive. We couldn't be more blessed to have been close enough to this hospital. A huge thank you to the nurses and doctors that helped Owen and babies just like him.
If you love preemies like I do, please contribute to the March of Dimes. Their help was invaluable to us, and I know it is to others as well.

Project 12: February 2010

There it is...our February, the abridged version. Those little Scrapworks fabric tags have been in my stash for a very long time, it felt pretty good to finally use them. I have lots and lots to do today so it's a short and sweet one. Have a happy weekend!

Project 12: January 2010

When I saw Davinie's Project 12 from the Scrapbooking & Cards Today Site, I thought that I should make a scrapping commitment to participate this year. What better way to keep tabs on our lives for the entire year? So, here's my layout for January....I decided to use all October Afternoon paper because I have a huge stockpile of it and it all goes well together. Then some misted borders, a little ribbon and Elles Studio vintage calendars.

That's all for now...

The big V-day

The big V-day is here...and here's how our day shook out:

I tried to make heart-shaped cinnamon rolls in the morning, but they just puffed up to their original shape. The taste was not altered by their non-heart-shaped status. :)

Owen did some coloring in a Cars-theme Valentine's activity book.

Jason and I started prepping dinner pretty early on...

...and when it was all done, it looked pretty amazing. I tell you what, that man and I sure know how to cook together.

He, of course, gave me a gift, although it was discussed that no gifts would be given. I have been wanting this necklace for a long time. I am just tickled to finally have it, especially since it meant that he had to shop on etsy.com all by himself to get it. It's from Tiny Tokens Designs. Lots of adorable stuff there.

And this is the man and I, celebrating another dreamy Valentine's day.

Hope you had a lovely holiday.
Kisses!