Tuesday Treats featuring...Close to my Heart Giveaway! {CLOSED}

I am SO excited to introduce you to another one of my sponsors. If you are a scrapbooker this line of product might be very familiar to you, if not, let me introduce you to  Sharesa and Close To My HeartSharesa is an independent sales consultant for Close To my Heart and absolutely LOVES what she does! Close to my Heart is a company dedicated to helping you preserve and make memories through easy to accomplish layouts, cards and albums. The two are a perfect pair. To be honest, I had never used the product before Sharesa sent me some to play around with. I love scrapbook paper! I am a horrible scrapbooker, but oh do I love a pretty paper! I use it all the time. She sent me paper from the Wings collection.It is really beautiful paper! Bright and fun colors, full of  butterflies, damask, polka dots and the greens and blues are just the right shade to match my little girls {desperately in need of decorations} bedroom. I have a few projects to share with you tomorrow...

Close To My Heart’s product line is designed to accommodate the needs of novice and expert crafters alike. With scrapbooking products in Levels 1, 2, and 3, there is something for everyone at every stage of crafting, beginner to rock star.

I did some serious checking out of this company and really liked what I found. The stamp sets are fantastic{and acrylic}, the papers are beautiful {and double sided},

and they have some super ideas and projects to share.

Plus a digital page creator system that allows you to design your pages online using their papers and embellishments!

{You can check out Studio J here , play around with a page design for free by clicking on the "not ready to create an account" link} 

The Workshops On The Go are neat, they come with everything you need to complete several 12x12 page layouts, cards and projects to match! And the best part in my opinion-they come with an idea book that includes all the instructions for completing the projects!

 {Check out the pictures in this post, they all come from the Wings kit...}

  Sharesa is so excited to share this company and its products with us she is sponsoring a great giveaway.You can choose between receiving a Wings Workshop On The Go...The Wings Workshop on the Go comes with Wings level 2 paper packet (12 double sided patterned paper and 10 coordinating white core cardstocks), an exclusive stamp set to the kit, mini-medley accent in black (a collection of black embellishments) a spray pen and a workshop guide. Click the link to really check it out! orA $25 Credit toward the CTMH product of your choice!!! Pretty cool, huh? Here's what you need to do to enter: 

1. Click on the link above, look around, come back and leave me a comment...would you choose the workshop kit? If not, where would you spend the credit?

 2. Jump on over to Sharesa's Blog and become a follower. She is always posting projects featuring the CTMH line. You might find a great dose of inspiration!Come back and let me know about it! 3. Share, share, share! Tell a friend or two on facebook, twitter, or your blog. Leave me a comment and a link and you're in for enrty #3. That's it! 3 chances to win a prize full of possibilities. This giveaway will close at 11:59pm on Monday, January 31, 2011.The lucky winner will be announced on Tuesday, February 1!Good luck and Happy Crafting!

Our fight against Cancer

I have to start by saying I am SO glad last week is over! It was a tough one. Driving back home I made the  to my husband that I hadn't felt that emotionally drained and just plain tired in years.  Thank you to so many of you for your sweet and uplifting words. Your thoughtfulness touched my heart and your prayers were indeed felt.Our grandma spent a few days in the Huntsman Cancer Institute early last week. While waiting for another series of treatment she and my husband ran across a small 12x12 tile with the following quote: Cancer is so limited.It cannot destroy love, it cannot shatter hope.It cannot corrode faith.It cannot destroy people, it cannot kill friendship.It cannot surpress memories, it cannot silence courage.It cannot invade the soul, it cannot steal eternal life.It cannot conquer the spirit. She commented to my husband how true it was and that she wished she had a copy of it to share with all of us dealing with her illness.  

We put our heads together and quickly came up with something we could give her. She asked that I share it, so that others might find the strength and comfort that she did in those words.I hate cancer. It took my mother, mine and my husband's grandfathers, and now our sweet grandma. It's mean and ugly, and hurts so many. I do hope that any one that has been touched by this disease can find strength in these words and hear the truth in them. Cancer can take pieces or all of our bodies, but it cannot take who we are! Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. I've included a link to the document I created for our grandma. Please print and share it with anyone you think it might help.  

Cancer Cannot quote

 

Baked French Toast and Banana Crumb Muffins

Monday Munchies...

I will be the first to admit that my eating habits are really lousy.I never eat "meals" until it's time for dinner, I kind of forget to eat,and breakfast? I don't think I've had breakfast in the a.m. hours since elementary school ...unless, does a Coke Zero count?{I do however, make sure my girls start off the day on a good note!}But breakfast in the p.m....YES PLEASE! It has to be one of my favorite ways to end a day. Here is one of our favorite breakfast for dinner meals...  

Recipe and photo via Country Door Recipes

Baked French Toast 

1 loaf of French bread
3 eggs
1 cup of half and half
1 cup of milk
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon

Cut the French bread in to 1 1/2" slices and place in a baking dish, sprayed with a nonstick spray. Mix all of the above ingredients in a large bowl (until fluffy) and pour over bread evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

{I make it in the morning after the girls are gone to school and then keep it in the fridge all day}


For topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp. corn syrup
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) of melted butter

Mix all the ingredients well, and refrigerate as well.

The following morning, thaw out the topping or place in the microwave for 30 seconds to soften. Spread over each piece of French bread, preheat oven to 350° F and bake for 40 minutes. Serve hot with pure maple syrup.

 No time to cook in the morning? Bake these up the afternoon before and you're ready for the day...Banana Crumb MuffinsThis recipe was linked up to my first T.G.I.F. party, and I couldn't wait to try it. Muffins are a BIG deal at my house, {we call them breakfast cupcakes} and these didn't disappoint! You can find the recipe and directions at It's All In My Head!Thanks Stef!Happy Eating...

Tuesday Treats featuring...YOU!

Another great weekend of fantastic links, and HOORAY! we grew!!! You all seriously ROCK my little world and make it a happier place to be-  Thanks again to all of you that shared your goodies, here's a few I've added to my list of things to try... First let me say this is ADORABLE! Second let me tell you it came from toilet paper rolls! I have seen some amazing things popping up out there made from those little cardboard rolls-this has to be one of my favorites. I to this point, only recycle them. Guess I need to rethink my "green" ways.You can find this and pictures of the inside pages at Cherished Treasures.  This next one is screaming at me...MAKE ME NOW!!!We don't have a lot of rain or snow here in our part of Texas, but for some reason we have a ton of mud {and saw dust-I do all my cutting on the back patio!}that finds it's way in through the back door.This would be so much prettier than the ugly rug that's there now. Find the tutorial to make this shoe/boot tray atClean and Scentsible And this, is sheer brilliance in my book!Homemade Bathtub Paints. Maybe it's because I have a painter in my home that paints everything but what should be painted, wait-she's 3 and shouldn't be anywhere near the darn paint! But, this little gem gives me hope, as it's washable it means less ruined everything! Plus, it would make a great gift. A super tutorial on how to make these can be found at Our Seven Dwarfs and last, every woman needs a great bag {or two or three...}and I want this one! You need to go read Amy's post, would you have ever guessed this was not how it was supposed to look?She shares the link to the pattern and a great story atAmeroonie Designs Amazing! Thanks again to all of you for linking, I love getting to know and visit more of your blogs.

<center><a href="http://www.wmcraftgoodies.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5R0E7lcgbSq2rf0EVKi2Ogoee_M7eJ-SWd-cDohjJ2IRXS5TCopgksJz5C11C81-Oh2azWGarXKvhQ6IqU_BN1-8EyIbQFMkwTa_YtuIYi-adSNUvD95QodsgCwyFcSv58eKs4JyftcUC/s1600/featured.png"/></a></center> Please grab a featured button and let your world know how awesome I think you are!Happy Crafting!

Life Changes...

My husband and I received a phone call late last week that caused us to hastily load the car and get back to Utah as quickly as possible. After a long and hard fight with a nasty illness we were losing a very dear and important part of our family and needed to get back to say good-bye. As such, my blogging plans have been a bit side tracked. I was in the middle of the 2x4 bee tutorial when everything went crazy, so it will have to wait, sorry. I had this week's posts written and pre-scheduled so they will still show up but my responses to questions and emails will be delayed as I spend this time with my family.Thank you for continuing to check in on me and for understanding, until next week... 

Sausage Pasta and {Easy} Mini Apple Pies

Monday Munchies...

Winter always makes me crazy for those warm and hearty comfort foods. You know the kind that make you feel at home. The ones you've shared with family and have built memories around, just plain, old, good food. These are two of those for me:

 Creamy Sausage Pasta{ Recipe serves 4 generously, I always double it-my girls LOVE this! } 8 oz ground sweet italian sausage2 C sliced white mushrooms1 tsp Worchestershire sauce2/3 C evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed!)1 tbs dried basil1/4 tsp ground pepper1 (10oz) pkg frozen peas4 C of a chunky pasta, we like penne or rigatoni, cooked and drained1/4 C grated Parmesan cheese 1. brown the sausage in a med sized pan. remove sausage and set aside, reserving the drippings.2. add in the mushrooms and saute until lightly browned, about 3-4 min. add in the Worchestershire sauce then stir inthe milk, bring this to a simmer.3. stir in the basil and pepper and return to simmer for 3-4 min. stir in the peas and sausage then cook until heated through.4. toss the sauce with hot pasta, sprinkle on a little parmesan, and serve. *this is one of the few things I will eat as leftovers, it tastes even better the next day!* and for dessert, skip the hassel of making a traditional apple pie with these {easy}little cuties: 

 Mini Apple Pies{from the Great American Home Baking Cookbook/Recipe makes 8}the easy way... CRUST3/4 cup all purpose flour1/4 cup butter1 tbs sugar1tsp baking powder1 egg2 tbs milk FILLING & TOPPING1 large apple1 tsp ground ginger1 egg, lightly beaten1-2 tsp sugar for crust: place flour in a large bowl, cut in the butter until course crumbs form. stir in the sugar and baking powder. combine the egg and milk in a small bowl and mix well. add to the flour mixture, stir until a dough forms. cover and set aside. for filiing: peel, core, and coursely grate the apple. place in a small bowl, stir in the ginger. roll out the dough into a large rectangle{about 16x8 in.} cut into 8 equal squares. spoon a tbs. of the apple mix onto the center of each square. brush the edges of the dough with the beaten egg. fold in the corners to the center and pinch to seal. place on an ungreased baking sheet.

 brush the tops with the remaining egg mix and sprinkle with sugar. bake until lightly browned, 8-10 min. cool for 1-2 minutes before serving. the easier way... roll out a pre-made crust and cut into squares. spoon a tbs of APPLE SAUCE into the centers. follow same directions for sealing, topping, and baking.then enjoy {with a scoop  of vanilla ice cream!} easy-peasy and YUM! Happy Munching!

T.G.I.F.-thank GOODIES it's Friday! #2

Happy Friday all!

 Hope it's been a great week for each of you. The weekend is here and it's time to play!First, a reminder to sign up for the

Re-Vamped Valentine Exchange! It's sure to be a BLAST! Sign ups are open until the 29th. Click the link for all the details.**Remember there is a great {exclusive} giveaway too. You're automatically entered just by participating!!! Also, check back in tomorrow for the tutorial on this little man...

 

He's super easy, only requires a few supplies, and {he has a secret} that let's you use him for more than just Valentine's Day!  Check back tomorrow to find out what it is... Alrighty, on to the party! Time to strut your creative stuff! I had so much fun checking all of last week's enrties out, let's see what you've been up to this week...  A few rules to follow: Enter your project (up to 4 links), tip, idea, recipe, whatever. Visit others. Leave comments. PLEASE NO ETSY SHOPS! {Unless you offer a tutorial with the product} Come back again in the next few days and check out the goods. Link will be open until 11:59pm Sunday night. 
**By linking you give me full permission to feature your links, tutorial, photos and blog giving credit back to you of course! And feel free to grab a button and spread the word...

<center><a href="http://wmcraftgoodies.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n563/Wendy_Gardiner/CG_buttonlink.jpg"/></a></center>  Happy Weekend & Happy Crafting!