Verde Pork chops and Homemade Chicken Soup

I have been so busy at work this month, I have hardly made anything in my craft room. I haven't even finished the birthday cards for my mom, great aunt, and grandma for September. I have made some things to eat though, however, do not have pictures for both of them.

Verde Pork Chops (no picture)

For my Verde Chops, I actually threw items in the crock pot that I had on hand and then went searching for recipes. lol. A lot of the time, that's what I end up doing. I have to say...I was impressed. Just remember, I rarely cook with an actual recipe so it's hard for me to tell you how much you need to add.

2 bonless pork chops (thicker ones)
1 can Herdez salsa verde
1 can diced green chilies
1 can petite diced peeled tomatoes
4 or 5 gloves of minced garlic
Black Pepper
1 tsp onion flakes
Some shakes of chili powder
Some shakes of garlic powder

Throw all ingredients in the crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours. Turn to warm overnight. Let cool and put in the refridgerator until you serve them. I got a veggie bowl at Chipotle so I could have some rice and beans with it. I ate half a chop and half the salad each night for two nights. I took one chop to work and shared it with two of my coworkers and myself. It was a mere taste but they both asked for the "recipe".

Chicken - Veggie - Noodle - Rice soup

I made some chicken breasts in the crock pot for the soup base. I used one of the chicken breasts and added the other ingredients into a big pot for soup. I used the other chicken breasts with potatoes and gravy. I make this after Thanksgiving with fresh turkey so thought it  would be good with Chicken as well. I think I liked the chicken version best.

4 breasts of chicken
3 cans Swanson chicken broth
1 can petite diced peeled tomatoes
1 box chicken Rice-a-Roni with seasoning
1 cup egg noodles (cooked)
4 potatoes diced (cooked)
Half a bag of frozen corn
Half a bag of frozen French-cut green beans
Mrs. Dash Onion and Herb seasoning
Black Pepper
Garlic Salt

Put chicken breasts in the crock pot with pepper and chicken broth. Cook 6 or 8 hours until tender. Take one breast or two and shred to add to your soup. Add 2 other cans of chicken broth, tomatoes, veggies, rice-a-roni rice, and seasoning packet (no need to cook rice), add seasoning to taste. In a small pan, cook diced potatoes and wide egg noodles until tender. Add into soup mixture. Simmer for about an hour. Top with fresh parmesan cheese and serve with bread and butter if you want it. I didn't eat bread with mine this time. It makes a pretty big batch. This was good the first night, and better the second.

Wishing you the Best Max

I made this card for the host at my friend and my favorite restaurant. He is leaving to go to culinary school in Rhode Island on the 31st of August. He is so awesome, he always seats us and keeps our ice tea filled to the brim. We also gave him a gift card to Starbucks. I don't think many (if any) customers thought of him before he leaves like we did. He was so excited that we thought of him. The owner of the restaurant also thanked us for thinking of Max.

I found the chef in an online coloring book and shrunk it down to the size I wanted. I could have actually used a smaller chef so more of the cute pattern paper could be seen, but I had already colored this size in so went with it. I used the VLVAUG2011 - week 3 sketch for this card. I really liked the kitchen pattern paper but didn't want the card to look too girly.

Supply list: Bazzill (white, green), Recollections (red, orange and white polka dot), Doodlebug designs (kitchen pattern), Making Memories (black and white check), SU (cool caribbean, tempting turquoise, daffodill), SU Riveting, digi chef, circle punches, aqua painter, SU ink (really red, creamy caramel), black ink, Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug square embossing folder, nestabilities.

Happy Birthday Colleen

I was supposed to go to my friend's 50th birthday party on Saturday night. I didn't make it. Spent too long visiting with family friends and getting dishes I inherited from my grandma. For a quick note on the dishes...I now have an extra 14-place setting for dinner parties - now though, I need more seating space. I used the VLVAUG2011 (week 2) sketch. The 50 is cut from glittery fun foam. I paper pieced the balloons. I added them after since it didn't seem to look finished without them. I stamped directly on the white and have sent off the card, so there's no going back now.

Supply list: Bazzill (white, purple), SU daffodill, SU melon mambo, Papertrey Ink border die, Ribbon, Cricut, Elegant Edges cartridge, Glitter fun foam, SU Cute Converse, Making Memories foam stamps (50), Rubber Stampede, pop dots behind main panel, Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug Happy Birthday embossing folder, SU lattice folder.

Pork chops with gravy

I decided to make myself a meal of comfort food on Friday. I put two boneless pork chops in the crock pot with 1 can of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup and 1 packet of Lipton Onion soup mix. I cooked the chops about 6 hours and used the gravy to top my mashed potatoes and made myself some frozen peas.

Easy and delicious. The gravy was a little salty the first day, but was better the second day.

Ingredient list: 2 bonless pork chops, 1 can Campbell's cream of mushroom soup, 1 packet Lipton Onion soup mix. Do not add liquid. Potatoes, skim milk, butter, peas.

Wild Wild West

This saying is the best...I made this card for the AUGVSN11MINI6 challenge to use the Eurythmics Song Wild Wild West as inspiration and add gingham. I didn't have any stamps that would work, but when I asked Laurel, she had some that worked perfectly! She came out with that Greetings from the Wild Wild West stamp and some Southwestern stamps that would be perfect. She was the one that recommended I use the gingham paper for the rosette. Originally, I was going to use a gecko but he was too skinny in the center and you could see the top to the rosette so I switched to the turtle. Not the best photo because I couldn't get good lighting Sunday night. The edge was cut using a plastic template. The old stuff in our supply cabinet is new again!

Supply list: Bazzill (white), SU daffodill, SU (tempting turquoise), Recolletions (red, and yellow and white pattern), SU (gingham - old), Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug dots embossing folder, Score Pal, Rubber stampede.

Just Because

This card was made for the AUGVSN11MINI4 challenge to use sequins. I knew I wanted to fill in a stamped image with sequins and the bird seemed to work. I originally tried a cupcake but wasn't using glue on the sequins and ended up scrapping the idea. You may see it someday after it's finished. Due to the time limits on the challenge, I used a simple sketch, FTL149. In real life, all this matches and really is SU Rich Razzelberry. Couldn't get a good picture and I tried from 3 different rooms in the house Sunday night.

Supply list: Bazzill (white), SU Rich Razzelberry, SU Old Olive, SU Daffodill, DCVW orange, MME Chester (pattern), SU border punch, Cuttlebug, SU dots embossing folder, Recollections half pearls, Craftsmart stamp, Sequins, SU Mini Mates.

Hi

These cards were made for the AUGVSN11MINI challenge - bring in the clown's - to use at least 4 bright colors, and pop something up on dimensionals. I made two cards and will use them to send to Grandma and Aunt Maddona during the winter when they will need some bright and cheerful colors. I got the hot air balloon stamp at Michael's for $1. I love it and it has a lot of possibilities. I didn't think I had enough ribbon to make the cards the same so I made them different, and realized I did have enough ribbon (I had just misplaced it in my pile). The clouds were made from a plastic template. Can you tell I love that black and white polka dot paper? I love how versitle it is.



Supply list: Bazzill (white), Recollections (black and white polka dot and red on top card), SU bashful blue, SU pixie pink, Offray ribbon (turquoise and pink), Studio G stamps (hot air balloon and hi), SU label punch, Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug dot embossing folder, Sharpies, SU Creamy caramel marker.

Whale

I made these for the AUGVSN11MINI2 as well as used the VLVAUG2011 - week 1 sketch. I will be sending these off to Grandma and Aunt Madonna for the month of Aug. This was for the Queens Wave challenge. To use something that waved, was in waves, etc. I decided to use a whale, wavy paper, a swirl embossing folder, and I had to add the blingy crown because it was the Queens wave afterall. Originally, when I made this card, I just had the whale on it due to the time constraints for the challenge. I posted it anyway, but didn't really like it. I added to it, and now, like it a little better. I was making the cards at my neighbors during craft day, and didn't have my paper scraps with me so the pinks are different. I posted the before and after pictures. The digi is from an online coloring book that I shrunk down. I had the whale printed and colored and just couldn't get it to work on my card (too big) so I cut it down to fit and remarked the edges. The waves by the whale are hand drawn and cut. The baker's twine is homemade. I like having the whale on the circle. It doesn't look like I just stuck a whale on the strips of paper.



Supply List: Bazzill (white), SU melon mambo, SU pixie pink, Sonborn (wave pattern), Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug dog and swirl embossing folders, SU silver embossing powder, Silver Encore ink, Sharpie, bling, Baker's twine, button, Nestabilities.

Fun in the sun!

As soon as I saw the sketch for the first week of the Verve challenge, I knew I wanted to make this. I think I will send it to my coworker for her birthday because she is going to spend it in San Diego with her family. I cut out the crab and placed him on some SU kraft paper to give him a sandy looking base. The scallop shapes were cut with my Cricut and Elegant Edges cardridge. I made the little rosette using my Martha Stewart scoring tool. I took a close up of the top two elements to give you a closer look. I had to add googlie eyes to the crab. I think it makes him look even cuter. I made this into a square to follow the sketch. I sure like regular-size cards better. I think you can get more out of your scraps.

Supply List: Bazzill (white), SU (daffodill, kraft, melon mambo), Recollections (red, orange and white polka dot), Unknown (pattern), googlie eyes, Heidi Swapp paper distresser, Martha Stewart scoring tool, Martha Stewart punch, Ribbon, Cricut, Elegant Edges cartridge.

heart u

I made this card for the VLVJuly2011 - week 4 sketch. I used a letter sticker, paper pieced the little heart, used corregated cardboard paper for the heart, a heart shape to trace. There is a double bow but it doesn't show up that great in the photo. I made the stick pins myself. I took a close up of the heart cluster as well so you could see the detail a little better.

Supply list: Bazzill (white), Recollections (red and black), coregated cardboard paper (unknown), DCWV (pattern), Studio G, Making Memories sticker, Ribbon, Stick pins, SU top note die, Sharpie, Cuttlebug, SU dots embossing folder.

The best is yet to be...

This card was made for Ceylan and Mark for their anniversary and for the VLVJuly2011 - week 3 sketch. I will send it off in the mail tonight. If she happens to look here, she will see it early. I used the free digi from Taylored Expressions for the cute penquin couple. I think their wedding colors were purple and black but I'm not sure. If they weren't...she loves purple.

Supply List: Bazzill (white, purples, black), Recollections (red), Basic Grey (patterned), Taylored Expressions digi, button, bakers twine, SU chipboard shape to trace, other heart traced, SU Love Matters, Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug circle embossing folder, sharpies.

Well Wishes Christen

I made this for a coworker who is leaving the company for greener pastures or bluer (wasn't sure that is a real word but I looked it up and it is...lol) waters. She is moving to Cali so I had to do a beach-ish theme. I used Verve July sketch, week 2 for this card. I hope she likes it. My sewing machine was a little wonky at the top, but I hope it's not overly noticeable. In real life...this card is much brighter and more vivid.

Supply list: Bazzill (white, turquoise), SU daffodill (yellow), DCWV (orange), MME front porch (stripe and polka dots), sewing, hand made bakers thread, Martha Stewart score tool, Cuttlebug, SU lattice embossing folder, SU scallop border punch, SU Garden Greetings (masked what I wanted from two sentiments), Inkadinkadoo flipflop stamp, Sharpie markers (turquoise and yellow), SU clear button.

Happy Birthday Little Ballerina - Ceylan

I made this card for my friend Ceylan. She collects elephants and owns a dance school. What is more appropriate than a dancing elephant in ballerina slippers? I found this picture in an online coloring book about 5 months ago and saved it so I could make it for her birthday. I just love this card. (Yes...I said it). It makes me smile when I see it. I paper pieced all the pink, dark pink tutu, and then I hand sewed the netting for the pink tutu. I wish I could see Ceylan open it so I could see her face. (Also hoping she isn't hopping on the computer to look at my blog in the next few days before she receives it in the mail--yes, it's mail bound and even early at that). There is a lot of hand cutting on this one.

I used a sketch from The Pink Elephant. The only exception was that there are supposed to be 3 flowers at the top sideways and I used a larger flower with a second center flower instead.

Supply list: Bazzill (white and black), Recollections (pink and white and black and white polka dot), Ribbon, Prima flowers, rhinestones, SU Circle of Friendship, Making Memories bling brad, Circle punches, Cricut shape hand cut. The digi is from either Coloring.ws or coloring-pages-kids.

VLVJune2011 (week 3) - Happy 4th of July

This is my June card for my grandma and great aunt. I used the VLVJune2001 week 3 sketch. I rarely send 4th of July cards...and will have these mailed for June so they can enjoy them for the 4th of July. It seemed like if I sent them for July, grandma and Aunt M wouldn't be able to enjoy them as long for the holiday. This is one of my very favorite cards I have ever made. The firecracker definitely is my favorite part. I stuck a piece of silver ribbon inside the rolled firecracker and made cuts down it to resemble the spark for the firecracker. The papers are shimmery and the cardstock is shimmery also. I made the rosette with the Score-Pal (thanks Laurel for letting me use it). I scored a lot of paper strips this past weekend so I can have them to make more rosettes in the future. I'm sure the Post Office will love me!!

* Updated to say: I have not mailed the 4th of July cards yet. I forgot they were in my craft bag. Guess gram and Aunt M will get two in the month of July. Geeze.

Supply list: Recollections (red, shimmery white), SU Night of Navy (navy), Reminisce Freedom Collection 2 (blue stars, both red/white/blue stars), Cricut shape, ribbon for card and firecracker Offray, SU scallop border punch, Score-Pal, SU star punches, bling from JoAnn's, button Michaels ($1 bin), SU silver cording through button holes, SU stamp - Liberty for all set, black ink, cuttlebug, SU Lattice EF.

Happy Father's Day Dad!

I made this card for my dad for Father's Day. It's an explosion card. The inside, looks like the guy on the motorcycle is driving off the page when you open the card.

Supply list: Bazzill (orange and black), Harley Davidson papers (not sure of manufacturer), Harley Davidson embellishments (not sure of manufacturer). White gel pen.Yes, the inside piece I wrote on was straight in real life.

Hi - Mojo194

This is the first time I have actually made a card for a Mojo sketch the week it came out. WOW. This is the MOJO194 sketch. It's mostly paper. This was a great sketch. Especially if you are like me and have lots of patterned paper.

Supply list: Bazzill (white), Recollections (red), SU (carribean), American Crafts (patterns - including flowers and leaves), Hero Arts, Offray ribbon, acrylic paint, stylus, Corner rounder, circle punch.

Fresh greens with Strawberries, Blueberries and Citris Vinegarette

Wow! I must say I'm impressed. This salad is so good. I wanted to try and duplicate a dressing that my friend gets on her salad at one of the restaurants we go to a lot. I think I did it, maybe even like this better. I also made some of this same sauce (minus the poppy seeds) for marinade and have chicken breasts marinating for me to grill tomorrow. I have assorted greens, fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries (they were on sale and they are so good for you so I am trying to make me like them), fresh avacado and the dressing with a little salt and pepper added. I don't really follow recipes exactly. I just kind of dump stuff in and hope it's right. This salad would be perfect with cold grilled chicken or accompanying either quiche (I don't make that but our restaurant does...lol), or with a steak, or simply by itself as a healthy meal. There really are more slices of strawberries, more blueberries and more avacado in the salad. The restaurant serves this salad with just spinach and usually adds pineapple. I think they sunk to the bottom when I was taking the picture.

Ingredients: Fresh assorted greens, juice of one fresh lemon, juice of one fresh naval orange, fresh avacado, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh garlic, poppy seeds, garlic salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. YUM!

More Vere sketch challenge cards

Here are the rest of my VLVMAY11 sktech cards. These cards also worked for the Ways to use it challenge on Splitcoast Stampers to use die cuts (WT325). Yes...used the Cricut with the Elegant Edges cartridge. Weeks 2 and 5 are already posted below (Congratulations Gary and Best Wishes).

VLVMAY11 (week 1)

Here is a link to the sketch

Supply list: Bazzill (white, black), The Paper Studio (polka dots), SU green galore, Cricut, Elegant Edges, paper piecing, brads, prima, SU cute converse, Studio G.

VLVMAY11 (week 3)

Here is a link to the sketch

Supply list: SU Very Vanilla, SU chocolate chip, My Minds Eye Tres Belle, SU border punch, Cuttlebug, Quik cuts Embossing Folder, Sewing Machine, Primas, brads, corner rounder, SU chocolate chip ink.

VLVMAY11 (week 4)

The butterfly, sentiment, and blue element are all on pop dots for added dimension.

Here is a link to the sketch

Supply list: SU Very Vanilla, Bazzill, My Minds Eye Tres Belle, Cricut, Elegant Edges cartridge, SU Best Blossoms, SU So Very, Ribbon, SU Old Olive ink, SU Chocolate chip ink, Bling. 



Congratulations Gary!

This card was made for my friends son who graduated high school. It also fits for 3 challenges on Splitcoast Stampers.
- VLVMAY11 (Verve sketch)
- F4A66 - (Free for All - must use something free)
Free digi from Bird @ http://www.birdscards.com/
- WT324 (Ways to use it - stars)

These were fun challenges.

I made this card faster than any other one I think I have made. I made it before finishing the food I made for the party.

I made 10 pounds of potato salad (using Grandma Wallace's special recipe), a double batch of pasta salad (my special recipe I concocted a few years ago), a huge veggie tray with ranch dips mix, and spinach dip (the best from Knor). My potato salad was pretty darn close to grandma's even though there is NO Seven Seas creamy Italian salad dressing in the entire state of Arizona and I had to use the only "yellow" creamy Italian available. I emailed my aunt on Facebook. Luckily for me (and the party goers) she had written down the recipe years before when we all watched grandma make it, and took it to TN to see my cousin over Memorial Day weekend, and typed it all out for me.

Supply list: Bazzill, SU Night of Navy, SU Old Olive, Scenic Route, SU Year Round Fun, Star digi from Bird, Ribbon, Cuttle Bug, SU dots embossinfg folder, corner rounder, pop dots under sentiment and hat.

May VSN Challenge Cards

Last weekend was May Virtural Stamp Night (VSN). I only had time to make four cards for the weekend. I was helping my friend Ceylan on Saturday at her dance school's recital. I even had to speak on stage...I will be prepared next year.

The first card was for MAY11VSNA - Blue Waters challenge. It was a color challenge to use kraft, aqua, light green, and the dessert was to use yellow.

Supply list: SU Kraft, SU bashful blue, Recollections green, Cuttlebug, SU lattice embossing folder, SU dot embossing folder, Cricut, Elegant Edges cartridge (imagine that!!), SU bodacious boquet, Katie & Co, Offray ribbon, sewing machine, Sharpies (for colors around border and to color the bling, bling, Heidi Swapp paper distresser.

This card was for the MAY11VSNC ARRR! challenge. We were to use 3 things that started with R for this challenge. I used ribbon, the color red, ric rak, and a round image (I know...I used 4 instead of 3. That tapped out my R supplies.

Supply list: Bazzill (white), Recolletions (red, black, striped paper, and polka dot paper), Paper Trey Inc ric rak die, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Corner rounder, Offray ribbon, Hole punch, Katie & Co.

This card is for the MAY11VSNE - Land Lubber challenge to make a beach scene or something you would see at a beach. I really had invisioned this to look more real in real life. That didnt' happen.

Supply list: Bazzill (white, charcoal, navy), SU kraft, SU bashful blue, bright blue misc, SU orange from in color a few years ago, DCWV (wood grain paper), Cuttlebug, SU lattice embossing folder, SU dot embossing folder, Cuttlebug swirl embossing folder, studio g (clear, 2 sets), twine, paper piecing for the beak and stumps.

This last card is for the MAY11VSNF Polly wants a cracker challenge. We were to use bright colors and a bird image of some sort. I cased myself from an earlier Verve sketch challenge (see older post of Blue Bird of Happiness). I bet you are suprised that I used SU melon mambo...lol. This card just makes me smile. The bright pink and bright colors just makes me happy.

Supply list: Bazzill (white), SU melon mambo, SU daffodil, SU orange from in color a few years ago, DCWV (patterns), bling, Cricut, Paper Lace cartridge, Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug circle embossing folder, paper piecing.

Wishing you the best!

I made this card for a co-worker who is leaving the company and on to greener pastures. I used the VLVMay2011, week 2 sketch for this. I paper pieced the drink, umbrella, and orange slice (yes...they are very small pieces). I added gel over the top of the drink to make it shiney and look like liquid. Also used my Cricut, elegant edges and lacy labels cartridges. To make the tag look more like the one in the sketch, I added red dots around the inner edge.

Here is the link to the sketch.

Supply list: Bazzill, Recollections (red, orange and white polka dot, and red and white polka dot), Sonborn (yellow), Offray sheer ribbon, VAP stamp ($1 Michaels a long time ago), SU Riveting, Cricut, Lacy lables cartridge, Elegant Edges cartridge, SU circle punch, Fiskars circle punch, SU border punch, Marker, paper piecing, button, bakers twine.

Beautiful Tulip card from Laurel

I can't take credit for this pretty card but I wanted to post it for you to see. Isn't it beautiful??? Laurel, my neighbor and friend, made this for me for my birthday. WOW. I love it. I don't know how many of you know this, but purple tulips are my favorite. I love them. When I go back to Iowa, I hope to see them. I'd grow them (or the royal purple climatis) in AZ but they wouldn't hold up in the heat here. : ( I could sit and look at these flowers all day.) It's kind of strange because I don't normally love purple but I sure do love those purple flowers and this card is no different. LOVE it Laurel. Thanks for giving it to me. It's made my card board!!! Isn't the white on white under the main element awesome?

If anyone wants to know how to make the tulip, let me know and I will ask Laurel. All I know is that she used the SU owl punch and some ovals...but that's all I know. The SU top note was used and I cut the center ovals for Laurel using my Cricut and Elegant Edges cartridge.

Thinking of you Mom - F4A64

This card will be mailed off to my mom for a belated Mother's Day. I called her that day but didn't get the card made in time to send. I'm running on normal time...late. Mom, as I know you check my blog, this will hit the mail tomorrow! It's much prettier in real life. I liked the sunburst look so much I wanted to try to see what it would look like coming from the center of the card. I really really like how this turned out. I love the colors and the overall look. It's a Shannon card for sure. I used my Cricut and Elegant Edges cartridge again. Can you tell I really like that one? It has so much to offer card makers. I stamped in the center of the sentiment area again. I like that look and what a way to use more stamps and the inks we already own. This was for the Free for all challenge on Splitcoast Stampers (F4A64) where we were to have the sentiment on the card be the main focus...that's most of my cards, so I had to participate. I added the felt flowers tutoril on Betsy Veldman's blog here. I also used Prima bling on this because I know it won't be thrown away. : )

Supply list: Bazzill, Me and My Big Ideas, Mira-Mi, SU in color from a few years ago (orange cs), SU Melon Mambo, Prima bling, bling (two sizes), Felt from Joann's (major sale after Valentine's Day), Offray ribbon, Paper Trey ink rick rack die, Cuttlebug, SU dots embossing folder, corner rounder punch, Cricut, Elegant Edges cartridge, i-cling stamp, studio G clear stamp, SU scallop border punch, sweing machine.

Thinking of You - May cards

This card is my May card for my grandma and great aunt. I used the VLVApr2011 Week 3sketch. I loved the sunburst look and wanted to do a momocromatic card. I normally do not do monocromatic cards as they seem hard for me. I used my Cricut and my favorite Elegant Edges cartridge. The flowers are sillk. I stamped in the center of the white with a new i-cling stamp from the $1 bin at Michaels. I left the border of the yellow (daffodill) cardstock showing on the side. This was for the Free for all challenge on Splitcoast Stampers (F4A64) where we were to have the sentiment on the card be the main focus...that's most of my cards, so I had to participate.

Supply list: Bazzill, SU delightful daffodil, Barely Banana, Sonborn, DCWV, stack, Cricut, Elegant Edges Cartridge, Cuttlebug, SU dot embossing folder, SU victorian embossing folder, SU scalllop border punch, silk flowers, ribbon (purchased several yards from someone, but do not remember who), i-cling flower stamp, studio G clear stamp, sewing machine, SU yo-yo yellow ink, SU apricot ink, non SU black.

I will miss you Cosmo! RIP. 11/28/1998 - 05/10/2011

I'm not sure if you have heard yet or not, but my beloved Cosmo passed away this am. He waited until I went to sleep and passed sometime between 1:30 and 7:00 this am. Helen came over this morning to help me with him. Thank goodness. I coudln't have done it without her. Cosmo loved Helen as much as she loved him. He was an awesome dog. I got him when he was 1.5 from a girl I worked with because they were moving and "couldn't" take him. That worked out to my benefit. He was so smart and such a great dog. He wanted nothing more than to please his owners. He wasn't much of a swimmer. He would swim a little with me, but sure wouldn't with others. He would however, walk by the edge of the pool if Calista or Diane were in the yard. He must have somehow known they weren't strong swimmers. He was great for sitting on the steps though. He begged for me to put socks on his feet (picture below later) when we went to the Cinders up in Flagstaff. When I was laid off, I taught him how to understand spelling, Spanish, and English for some words. He knew the difference, too. When he got older, I wouldn't make him switch between sitting and laying because I knew it was hard on him. When we would go walking with him, he would strut around like he was the "man". He was so handsome and he knew it. I even helped him "have" his puppies. That's a whole different story but you can probably figure out what I had to do to help him. If you want the story, ask either me or Amanda...I still laugh at her reaction. I will miss the noise of him brushing the floor to make his bed. He has done that since he was a puppy. I am so thankful I got our Christmas pictures taken last year. He still looked happy and healthy, even though he tried to jump out of the car without help and hurt himself and was getting eaten by ants during the photoshoot. I had hopes of having one more picture taken of the three boys and me before his passing but didn't get that done. : ( Below, is a scrapbook page I made a long time ago for Cosmo. Several names - One dog. I will miss him so much.

Here are some pictures I took of him recently. Cosmo laying on the tile floor one day when I was working from home. His normal spot. The one, is him laying on his back. I'm sure it helped ease the pain if he had any and I'm sure the cold tile felt really good on his shoulder with the lump. The other was just one of Cosie being Cosie.

Cosmo a few months ago. Hard to believe how he blends in with the tile on my floor isn't it? This was pre-lump in his shoulder but I'm sure it was there, just not pronounced.

Cosmo laying on his back on the cold tile to help his shoulder with the lump feel better.

One of the last pictures I took of Cosmo. Have to love the upside down ear.

Cosmo as a young dog. Back when he had no grey hair and actually played with toys. We used to shave him in the Summer.

Cosmo with Blake's socks on at the Cinders in Flagstaff. He begged for these socks so he could walk around.

Rest in peace big boy. I love you.

I have had it! No more contests for me at work!

I normally wouldn't even give this much thought or much energy but it's REALLY getting to me. Today, we had a salsa contest at work for Cinco de Mayo. My coworker asked me to make salsa for it and make an extra batch for her and Andrea (those two...I can't even make enough salsa as they both like it sooooo much). So, anyway, as I was having fun last night at Jimmy's for Zalena's birthday celebration, I left much later than expected. I had to buy my ingredients from Walmart since our grocery stores close down by me (near retirement villages) at 11. I get home at about 11:45pm and begin making the salsa. I was up til 2 making it, then was overly tired and couldn't sleep until 3. Yes, had to still work today. So the reason of this post is for me to put it out there, just to gripe, get it off my chest, and then I'll be over it and will feel better.

I make this huge batch of salsa (14 cups to be exact) for the contest. Plus, I make a second batch for Belinda and Andrea to share. I bring my cute little chili pepper chip and dip holder that Madonna (dad's wife) gave me a long time ago. The girl in charge of the contest, knew which bowl was mine in the fridge and filled up the chili bowl at least 3 times which emptied out the bowl I brought it in, except for a tiny bit. I am taking home about an a 16th of a cup (which isn't much...reminants in bottom of bowl really). I didn't place. Not first, second, or third. Wow. That just seems crazy to me. I could totally understand if I left with almost as much as I came in with...but that wasn't the case. This happened one other time for a similar contest at work. I made chili for a chili cook off and calico beans won. Are you kidding me? At least this time, all salsa's were entered. So here it is...I'm saying it out loud...I'm done with contests at work. No more. It's too expensive for me and I really didn't even want to do it in the first place. Belinda talked me into it because she wanted some for her home and I knew Andrea would want some also.

Normally, I'm not one to even be perturbed about this kind of thing, and I'm not even sure why I am! It's a dumb contest at work for crying out loud. It's either the fact that I'm competitive more than I thought or I'm just mad that once again I leave with nothing and didn't even place.

Ok, I'm done. Hopefully, this will be the last post on my blog where I'm a negative Nellie.

Belinda and Andrea...I know you two will at least enjoy it and it can be your own personal first place winner salsa! Happy Cindo de Mayo everyone. Time for margaritas...or Pepsi in my case! Isn't it 5:00 somewhere?

Happy Birthday Zalena

Yesterday was Zalena's birthday - from Jimmy's of Chicago. I made this card for her. We didn't know it, but her favorite color is blue. I had Helen text Kerry to ask. It's strange...she never wears blue but yet it's her favorite color. We did know she loves bling so that part was easy. I ended up casing myself on this card. I used three sizes of dots instead of just two like I did in the VSN challenge over the weekend. She loved it.

Supply List: Bazzill (white and black), SU brilliant blue, SU pink passion, paper piecing, bling, SU Garden Greetings (sentiment), Katie & Co (cupcake), Cricut shape, bling, Offray ribbon, pop dots, circle punches.

MAY11VSNMINI Challenges

These cards are for the May VSN mini challenges on Splitcoast Stampers. I will add all the four new cards all in one post. The fifth card was posted on Saturday morning. I did that one first because I needed to give it to the family at the Habitat for Humanity house dedication.

The first challenge was Weigh Anchor and hoist the mizzen! (In English, that means to use material of some sort on the card). I'm not up on my pirate talk. MAY11VSNMINI1. I used pink material for the strip of the material, the handmade flower and the smaller heart. For the large heart, I used the SU chipbboard shape to cut out the paper. For the smaller heart, I used another piece of chipboard to cut my heart. I covered it in material. Apparently, I can't seem to figure out which way I need to put the paper in my dot embossing folder. I wanted the shiney side to be out with the embossed dots, but that didn't happen so I used it anyway. Still like the look, just not as much. I made this little flower by ripping the material into strips (already had that done), freying the sides, and pleating it. I then stitched it together quickly and added the pearls. The rest is pretty straight forward. In real life, the background is shiney (Bazzill bling) and the color is a soft pink for the accents.

Supply list: Bazzill (white), Bazzill Bling (charcoal), SEI (pink and white polka dot and reverse side for solid pink), Recollections black, pink material, Studio G stamp ($1 Michaels), handmade flower, Pearls from Recollections, non-SU black ink.
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This was the second challenge. MAY11VSNMINI2. We be going on the account. Which was a sketch. I turned the sketch upside-down and changed which corner the do dad to the right. This was a fun sketch. The bonus was to use something "piratey". I found this paper at Hobby Lobby a while ago and this was the perfect opportunity to use it. I just realized that the panels beneath the main panel are two different sizes. I didn't notice that before.

Here is the sketch:


Supply list: Bazzill (white), Recollections Red, Me and my big ides (skeleton), The Paper Studio (pirate skulls), Inkadinkadoo stamp, ribbon, non-SU black ink.
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This was for the MAY11VSNMINI3 challenge. Ahoy land lubbers. We were to use a picture or colors for inspiration. All of this is paper from various stacks I have or cardstock. I think it's the ugliest card I have ever made. It needs something. I didn't take the entire 45 minutes on it, so may add to it later. Paper pieceing was done for the tree and the Umbrella.

Here is the inspirational picture.


Supply list: Bazzill (white, green), Stack sand, sky, and water paper, SU chocolate chip, SU Delightful Daffodil, Recollections (red), Inkadinkadoo clear stamps, Katie and Co umbrella stamp, non-SU black ink, SU garden green ink.
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This is the fourth challenge for VSN. MAY11VSNMINI4. Pretty polly. Using colors of a parot (green, red, orange, yellowm and a spash of blue). I used the embossed technique on this card. Paper pieced the cupcake and added a rhinestone to the top. I love this look with the bright colored circles.

Supply list: SU kraft, SU chocolate chip, su brilliant blue, su delightful daffodil (yes, both yellow dots are this color), bazzill (white,green), recollections, misc orange, Cricut shape, cuttlebug, SU embossing folder, Offray ribbon, SU garden greetings stamp, Katie and Co cupcake stamp, circle punch, hole punch, SU chocolate chip ink.

Semra

Ceylan and Mark's baby girl turned one. I made a scrapbook layout for them as their gift. I had acutally made a layout for Matthew when he was a baby that Ceylan had framed. I asked her once why she didn't have a layout for Semra...the answer was simply put, "I'm waiting for you to do it so I have one for both kids from you." I had completely forgotten I made Matthew's layout. I thought it was one Ceylan had made and mine was in the book. Guess I was wrong. I asked Ceylan for a picture long ago. I received two, but made this one since I have a completely and more "modern" look in my mind for it. Ceylan was so excited when she saw this. I'm glad she liked it. I was so excited yesterday. The frames just happened to be on sale at Michaels. That made my day especially since I was going to buy one anyway. Click on the photo below if you would like to see the details of the layout. I used a sketch from Prima Marketing although, I'm unsure of which month it is. I didn't use the 3 pictures, just the one. I used my sewing machine to create the lines around the heart (which was hand drawn and cut). Do you know how hard it is for someone like me to intentionally sew crooked? It just wouldn't have looked the same if I had. I drew the lines on first so I would have them there and be able to follow them.

Here is the link to the build-a-page sketches.

Supply list: Bazzill (white), CTMH (pink, dark pink, brown, and pattern), Wilton doiley, Cricut, Don Juan cartridge, Heritage cartridge, Prima bling flourish, circle punch, scallop punch, homemade pink material flower, pink flower on top to match the ones in the dress from Walmart.