Thursday, May 23, 2013

Taking a break...


 spending some time with my family.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Are these "manly" enough?

The theme for this month's card exchange is "manly cards."  The first card I designed definitely has an Arizona/western theme:
The boots were made by Grapevine Designs and etched/cut out of the Core'dinations line.  The detail of these boots is very cool.  I left the inside blank for whatever the occasion might be.
My second card was inspired by a card that I saw in a magazine.  I changed it up a little bit and came up with this.  The "splat" background was made by using the Tattered Angels dauber bottles.  The color of this one is Brushed Corduroy.  You literally drop the dauber on the paper to make the splat.  I then sprayed it with Tattered Angels chalk paint in a green/teal color.  It was fun to do.
I then stapled the tag onto the top layer.  No ribbon.  A little more manly.  I am done - with a little time to spare.  Yeah!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Zippidy Do Dah

I started making my dad a lap quilt and I found an older fabric line called Zippidy Do Dah by Moda which has a red, white and blue theme.  My dad has always been very patriotic, so I thought this would be appropriate for him.  My dad has never been a "quilt kind of guy," but was diagnosed about 5 years ago with liver cancer.  My dad is now 88, soon to be 89 in August.  He recently was given not-so-good news by his doctor.  His goal is to make 90.  I just feel that he might be at a point in his illness, where he will start to slow down and he may want a lap quilt.  I added some additional red and blue fabric, which are part of the PB&J line by Basic Grey/Moda.
I separated the strips by colored patterns,
Sorted the stacks and started sewing, end to end.
I finished the inside panel of my dad's quilt.  I really do like the colors.  I feel a little funny about using the floral prints, but ... it is what it is.  I don't think he will mind.  I just hope he will be comfortable while using it.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Remember Lucy's Crab Shack?

This weekend I spent some time crafting doing some card making and some quilting - still working on jelly roll quilts.  I got back the Lucy's Crab Shack quilt - it was machine quilted by a gentleman in California and I recently got it back.  Now I have the task of sewing the edging on the quilt and ... then it's done!
I am excited that it is almost done.  This one is mine - and the beach theme makes it fun!

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day ~ 2013!

Kate and Kim took me out for breakfast at a restaurant by the name of The Grove Cafe.  
It is located in an old pecan grove.   
 Kate ordered pecan crusted french toast.
 Kim ordered a belgian waffle.  Plus, we all had complimentary mimosas!
 I ordered biscuits and sausage gravy.  
I LOVE biscuits and gravy and it is hard for me to pass it up when they have it on the menu.
Thanks, girls, for breakfast and the tulips.  I just love spending time with you.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

A Fun Night to Remember...

You might remember that I won tickets to the Phoenix Theater's production of "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder.  I did a little research and it first played in New Jersey in January of 1938, so it has been around - and quite popular - for many years
This is one of my absolute favorite plays, so I totally lucked out when I won two tickets at Myah and Kylee's "Little Mermaid" musical back in February, I think.  Well, Friday night was the night and it was wonderful - even better than I remembered.  I invited my friend, Pat, to go along because I know how much she loves the theater.  She had never seen it, so she had no expectations whatsoever.  Before the play, we went out for dinner and based on a recommendation by Nicole, we went to Postino.
This was my first time at Postino and Pat and I ordered the bruschetta plate - you get to pick four different bruschettas and they come out on a board - they were wonderful!  I probably won't get this 100% right, but we chose (1) white bean hummus and tomato,  (2) prosciutto, fig and mascarpone cheese (3) fig, pistachio, and ricotta cheese, and (4) apple with brie cheese.  Two were a little sweeter and served as our "dessert."  They were phenomenal.
Meet Pat.  We each ordered a bowl of pasta fagioli soup and it was extremely hearty!  I could have gone with a cup of soup, or none at all, however, it was delicious. I would love to find a good recipe for that.
I didn't get a picture of our server, Jenny, but she was so sweet and brought us a COMPLIMENTARY creme brulee to share.  I think I ate more than my half.  It was so wonderful!

We had such a nice night.  It was late when I got home, but it was a lot of fun!  I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Kumquat Preserves

Yep, that's what I said.  Kumquat preserves.  Geri, one of my friends at work, gave me a small bag of this wonderfully unique fruit.  If you are not familiar with kumquats, they are small citrus fruits that are extremely sour on the inside and sweet on the outside (the peeling).  So the idea is to eat it all at one time, the entire fruit.
 I sliced them into small thin slices so that I was able to take out the seeds at the same time.  
I started off with 26 kumquats.
I also used the juice of one-half grapefruit, along with some blended pineapple.
 I added sugar, water, and Pectin and then brought it to a boil.
 They have such a pretty color.
The ultimate goal?  
To share the kumquat preserves (and fresh baked biscuits) with my co-workers.
Once I make another batch, and get the proportions right, I will share the recipe.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

April's Card Exchange

The theme for last month's card exchange was birthday cards.  Here's my contribution:
I created two cards, using the same design but different papers.  I used Glimmer Mist on the card on the right, and really liked that rustic look.  Paper lines were old lines by My Mind's Eye.
 The colors seem a little washed out in these photos, but I was really happy with how they turned out.
However, I am not so happy with the big drawer that holds my cards.  I knocked it over the other day and realized that I need to either re-vamp the current system or create a new one.   An event for another day.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Happy Birthday, Isaiah!

Isaiah turned 1 on Saturday and my daughter, Kate, and I went to his birthday party. Mom, Sondra, is Kate's best friend since Junior High School and I have always called her my third daughter.
Here are some of the highlights:
 Opening presents - Mom is holding him while they open presents.
Help from his cousins was essential. 
 The theme for Isaiah's party was Curious George.  
His aunt created this banana tower with a stuffed monkey perched on top.
It was cute, but the bananas started turning brown before they expected. 
 The cake was made by Grandma.
 Dad (Dave) and Isaiah right after singing "Happy Birthday."
 Bring on the cake (a combination of banana and chocolate cakes).  
Mom was a little worried about the size.
Isaiah starts in, a little slow at first...
 ... but then he figured it out and cleaned up his plate.
Happy Birthday, Isaiah!
Here's to a great beginning!

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Thanks to my great friend, Cindy, for creating this Cinco de Mayo Kahlua cupcake!  
She made the sombreros using candy and a little Karo syrup.  
Mmmmmm.  Very good!