I am so bummed I can not go to see Ree Drummond tonight. Her cookbook is FABULOUS!! But The Surprise Lily Blog (http://thesurpriselily.com/) is giving away a signed copy of her cookbook today. Go to her blog and read the directions on how to enter. They are very simple. Good Luck! Hope everyone has a Blessed Day!!!

I just realized that it has been 2 years since I began my blog. I know I haven't kept up like I should and I think I said it last year that I would try to be more up on it. We have a lot going on right now but I am going to try to be here more. The last 2 Octobers I have blogged I have used the following verse. I just love it. I really enjoy our summers. Hanging out with my daughter in the pool and fun trips to the beach, glasses of ice tea and BBQ. But winter is great to. I love hot tea, the cool crisp morning, baking all kinds of goodies, and the decorations. And with 3 back to back fun holiday: Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.



Being a good person is like being a pumpkin.
God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.
He opens you up, touches you deep inside & scoops out all of the yucky stuff -- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.
Then He carves you a bright new smiling face & puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.
This was passed on to me from another pumpkin.


Happy Scrappin and Stampin Ya'll
and Happy Halloween..

Hello fellow bloggers.. I am sorry I haven't posted in several weeks. I have been creating things here and there and venturing off into new ideas. So far so good. I will share soon. As most of you know we are still waiting for God to show us where we are suppose to be. Where we thought it was well it didn't workout. Of course we have way to many opinions on here and there but I believe our decision is coming soon. Until then I sit and wait. And create. Here is my Halloween Card. I was very happy with the way it turned out.
What do you think?


My recipe:
Bazzill Cardstock: Dusk, Orange, and Bling
SU Cardstock Basic Black
All Images from Cricut Cartridge Paper Doll Dress UP

Also I made this cute Birthday Card for my Aunt.


Not sure where the paper and flower came from I am sure Hobby Lobby or Michael's.
The Stamp is from SU retired set She's All That.
SU ink in Basic Black

Enjoy.
Hope everyone has a Happy and Safe Halloween.

Happy Scrappin and Stampin Ya'll

Good morning fellow bloggers. It is a beautiful morning here. Well okay the sun isn't out and it is very cloudy however it is 66 degrees I have blueberry scones in the oven and sitting here with coffee enjoying the smell. lol I am working on Halloween Cards today and my printer is working again so I can scan again. I can't for the life of me find my camera cord. I know it is here but it must be under something. I have a few dozen pictures to post here and on my facebook but no cord.

Oh boy these scones are smelling good. I didn't make them from scratch this morning though. This past weekend while we drove into the city and while grocery shopping I came across this new item in the biscut section.. It is made by IMMACULATE BAKING COMPANY "ALL NATURAL BLUEBERRY SCONES". They come in a biscut can. You bake them at 350 for 18 to 20 minutes. As an extra they say you can sprinkle turbinado sugar on top. (I did yum yum) The company was started in this guys garage back in 1995. His website is www.immaculatebaking.com . They also have a couple of other flavors and cookie dough too. I think the bright colored label with the peguin is what caught my eye.. then the all natural part.
Okay scones are ready so I am going to enjoy a hot scone with my coffee and get into the studio to make my cards.

Happy Scrappin and Stampin Ya'll......

Cutting Above Blog Giving Away Two GYPSIES!!

Cutting Above launched a new blog and to kick off their new blog, they're giving away TWO Gypsies!

Here's how to win per their blog:

So how can you win? Well it's really easy.

1. On your blog, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo or email groups and /or forums (where allowed), create/bump an existing post about the show on HSN airing September 24th. Please also post about the Cutting Above blog and its debut. (Note: If you do not have a blog, please get the word out in at least 3 ways to be eligible)

2. Become a follower of this blog

3. Put our blinkie on your blog or any other forum/group etc. you belong (again where allowed)

4. Comment to this post with your follower information, links of your 3 shout-outs along with a description of where your blinkie is located.

5. Comments should be posted by 12:00 midnight EST on October 2nd


So, head over to Cutting Above by clicking HERE and follow the steps for your chance to win! Don't forget their blinkie while you are visiting!

Good Luck!
Happy Stampin and Scrappin Ya'll
Larissa

Cricut Meme!

Do you have a Cricut and want more cartridges? Do not have one and you want one for your very own? If so, read below!

This is contest entry for those crazy folks at TodaysMama and Cricut. Be sure to check out Cricut's cool new cartridges and the chance at $30,000 in travel for you and your friends at the Great Gypsy Escape site!

Great Escape Meme
1. If you could escape to anywhere in the world where would it be? Maine!
2. What song do you play when you are by yourself in the car? I'm a survivor by Reba
3. If you had a night to yourself, and money was no object, what would you do? order from my favorite restaurant in my favorite pjs a movie on the tv, scrapbooking all night long with every new tool out there.
4. What is your guilty pleasure? Scrapbook stuff
5. What is the farthest place you have traveled away from your home? Cancun
6. Last book that you couldn't put down? Sisters Ink by Rebeca Seitz
7. When you want to escape into another time, what movie do you watch? Pretty Woman
8. What is your favorite local escape? Scrapbook 911 or Scrapbook Cottage
9. How do you escape on a budget? scrapbooking in my scrapbook room by myself or homemade dinner with a dvd with hubby...
10. Best food you've ever had while on vacation. garlic spaghetti...


Good luck!

Happy Stampin and Scrappin Ya'll

Larissa

So yes it has been awhile since I posted. I haven't had to much to say. I guess I am just in that mode. I can't shake it. I go to my studio and sit starring at all my stuff and nothing pops. I have to force myself into make birthday cards. The only things I have scraped is what needed to be done for my group swaps. This past Wednesday I was invited to attend a woman's bible study. I did attend and am looking so forward to it. We are doing the study by Beth Moore titled Steping Up.
I have done the homework and it has seem to lift the spirit as well. I actually created a page layout today. I did the fall card the other day and promise to post it as soon as I get it scanned. I will also post a pic of the layouts I am working on. Until then I got the following post in an email this past week. It gets you thinking and I want to try a few... Have a scrapin stampin weekend...


If you’ve been scrapbooking for a while, you know how easy it is to get burnout and lack of motivation to create pages. It seems we still tend to pile up a stack of photos just waiting to be placed in an album, but we haven’t found just the right paper or embellishments yet, or maybe we can’t decide what scrapbooking techniques to use on them. Here are a few ideas to help overcome scrapbooking burnout.

1. A new scrapbooking technique may be just what you need to spark your imagination. Grab some photos and try one out today.

2. Don’t think you have to get through your entire photograph backlog. Just pick one photo today, and showcase it on a page. Just getting started may be just what you need.

3. Give yourself permission to throw out poor quality photographs. Your backlog will start to shrink and just looking through your photos may inspire you.

4. Start organizing your supplies. Just seeing all the cool materials you have to work with may spark your creativity.

5. Flip through scrapbooking magazines for inspiration. They are filled with great page ideas, techniques to try and information on the latest products.

6. Enroll in a scrapbooking class. The excitement of taking a class can often spark your interest to start scrapbooking again.

7. Plan a scrapbooking crop for your friends. If you don’t want to plan one yourself, attend a crop at your local scrapbooking store.

8. Browsing your local scrapbook or craft store may encourage you to start scrapbooking again. Try buying a scrapbooking kit that has everything you need to make a complete album.

9. Don’t think you have to be perfect. Scrapbooking doesn’t have to be complicated. Allow yourself to make mistakes and make simple pages. Not every page needs to be a work of art.

10. Scale down your scrapbooking supplies. Give away or sell some of your stash and cure supply overload.

11. Try it page by page. Don’t set a goal of creating a scrapbooking album a night.

12. Sign up for a scrapbooking challenge. You can find these online in scrapbooking community message boards. Joining the competition and excitement will start your scrapbooking creativity going again.

13. Join the digital scrapbooking craze. It’s a lot less messy than traditional scrapbooking.

14. Join a scrapbooking community online and read their message boards and forums. Most of these communities have galleries where members upload their scrapbooking pages for others to see and make comments.

15. Show off your scrapbooks. When was the last time you pulled out your scrapbooks when family comes to visit or let your children read through your albums? When you see all the pages you have designed, you just may be motivated to create some more.

Just a few of these scrapbooking ideas will chase your scrapbooking burnout away.

Is it ever going to be straight again??? I do at least have the paper in order by colors and patterns but I can't seem to find room for the stuff on the air hockey table. I move one thing and ten more appear. I am in the mood to create today so I have cleared a space and got a few things together to start in. I want to try these new SU In Colors. I have a few Birthday and Anniversary cards to make so I am going to get busy while the house is quite. Oh did I tell you everyone is gone.. YAHOO!!! Had the house to myself since about 8am it is great. I have cleaned a little tried to organize a little got the music on my favorite channel cranked up loud. So now I create. I will post pictures later.
Have a wonderful day.

Happy Scrappin and Stampin Ya'll!

Okay so no the new studio is not complete. I can't figure out how to organize this stuff. I didn't realize I had that much stuff. My family has been asking how did you fit all this into that little room. Yes I up sized but it still doesn't fit. I am not sure what else I am needing besides maybe to knock the side wall out and move it out about 6 to 10 feet and then add more shelves. Ha Ha Well we know that is not happening. But that is one of the have to's on my new house list. I have a couple and that is one. My other of course is a big kitchen with a nice size island in the middle.
Okay so the unorganized studio space is effecting my creative mood as well. I started my 4th cards 4 times. I went with fireworks, a Hanna Beach Stamp, blue and white checked ribbon with a red star in the middle, and a flag. This was my final decision and I actually thought it was plain at first but really liked the finish product. What do ya'll think?

All Stampin Up products are copyrighted by Stampin Up.




Happy Scrapin and Stampin Ya'll

Well it is almost done. Last weekend I packed up my scrapbook room and moved it out of the extra bedroom and moved into our nice big family room. I have to share the room with our fullsize airhockey table but I am okay with that. All though I am having touble getting everything organized. Since this room is seen from our kitchen and dinig room area I have to have it presentable. Wow I didn't realize I had so much stuff. I should have things organized the next couple of days and will post pictures.
Hope everyone is enjoying your summer.

Happy Scrapin and Stampin Ya'll

Fathers Day.
Happy Fathers Day to all the real dad's out there. We have a quiet weekend as Brittany is still in Wyoming with Chris. They should be home to stay the first part of the week. I am still moving the scrapbook studio and have plans to complete it this weekend. Probably tomorrow since Sunday will be a day full of BBQ and NASCAR...

I did however get a chance to take a picture of this years fathers day cards. I made them and sent them out. I have yet to make hubby's but will do that probably tonight while he is sleeping. It was kind of weird this time. I cut 5 cards as I usually do for family and sat there thinking opps don't need the 5th one since I can't send it to heaven. As slow as our postal service is no telling when grandpa would get it.. lol

okay here is a couple of shots of the cards:


Recipe:
Only Stampin Up Products are listed. (all Stampin up products are copyrighted)

Stamp Sets: Under the Stars, Just Beachy, And Many Mowers
Cardstock: In Color Cool Caribbean and Kraft
SU Sampin Write Markers: Bear-> chocolate chip, close to cocoa, creamy caramel
Fish-> real red, green galore, orchid opulence, only orange
Enjoy!

Happy Scrappin and Stampin Ya'll
Larissa

You say: 'It's impossible' God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: 'I'm too tired' God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: 'Nobody really loves me' God says: I love you (John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )
You say: 'I can't go on' God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: 'I can't figure things out' God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5- 6)
You say: 'I can't do it' God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: 'I'm not able' God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: 'It's not worth it' God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28 )
You say: 'I can't forgive myself' God says: I Forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: 'I can't manage' God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say: 'I'm afraid' God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated' God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)You say: 'I'm not smart enough' God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: 'I feel all alone' God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

Enjoy.

Happy Scrappin and Stampin Ya'll
Larissa

This has been a week. I didn't get hardly anything done. I tired but it just wasn't there. I lost my grandfather early Tuesday morning. It was somewhat expected. Well that is we knew it would happen but is death ever really expected? If we knew what day and time we would die would we live life to it's fullest and say goodbye to our love ones before we went to sleep? I would not want to know. I would be afraid I would not get everything done. I have realized over the last few months I have realized that it isn't the materialistic things you have in life that mean the most it is the smallest things that matter. The I love yous or the hey thanks, or you look nice that matters. My grandpa was 84 when he passed away. He was told 2 years ago he had cancer and was only given a few months to live. Well 2 years later... The best thing I can thank God for is when he did finally get sick a couple of months ago he was in no pain. The worst part about the whole thing was about 2 weeks ago he started losing his appetite. But still no pain. He went home to God peacefully in his sleep. He will be greatly missed.

As I said this week was a non creative week. But I finally gave my mom hers and my dad's 40th anniversary card so I can now post it.
This week I will be moving my scrapbook room into our game room. One good thing I am not downsizing I am up sizing. We are having a house guest for a few months and I needed to give up the bedroom. But I am happy to have a new space for a while.
Before I go here is that anniversary card and I will hopefully be posting Father's Day cards before I unplug to move.
Enjoy.


Happy Scrappin and Stampin Ya'll

I tell you being off your feet is not fun. I am starting to move around a lot more.. Still moving slow but moving. I have appreciated being waited on hand and foot though. It was nice. Hubby only complained a little hear and there and it was mainly because I would tell him things to bring one by one and wouldn't tell him all at once.
I got to work on some recipe cards and wanted to post them. I am almost finished with the Thank you notes for my daughter to send out for her graduation presents. I have just been slow at making them. Here are 3 of the recipes I have finished this week.



HAPPY SCRAPPIN AND STAMPIN YA'LL
LARISSA

I'm Back...... Thanks for all the emails wondering where I have been. And thanks for all the get well cards they are all treasures. In case some of you don't know.
Over a month ago I was at Brittany's school doing the talent show run through. I was in charge of the show again this year. I had a little one fall on stage and bust her lip. And as most of you know I sub as the nurse when she is out. Anyway I had taken a step up a few steps.. and I told the mom someone just hit me in the back of the leg with something and it exploded. We looked around and there was no one there. That was odd it felt like something hit my leg hard and just exploded. But there was nothing no one.... Odd!!! Well not really cause in just a few seconds I went to take another step and realized it was me I am II could not put any weight on my right leg the pain was really bad. I managed to get to the clinic and of course the child was already there being taken care of no more tears and she was off to practice. Me on the other hand.... wow I sat in a chair and the pain just kept getting worse I had ice all over it but we did not know what happen. Hubby took me to the Urgent Care Clinic since it was close and we found out I tore my calf muscle. Then I heard him say those bad bad words.... It will take 2 to 3 months to heal.. You will be off your feet... Excuse me there DR.. You don't understand I have a talent show to put on tomorrow and then we start count down to graduation+ Luncheons, Awards ceremony's, Chapels, Parties, Graduation, National Tap Dance day... What do you mean off my feet.. Well if we go anywhere that we are going to be for long periods of time ie the mall, walmart I go in a wheelchair or get to use the power cart there. All the other times I am on crutches. Needless to say not much scrapbooking.
I did manage to finish the grad announcements and will scan and post in a few. But here is a card I did yesterday. Hope you enjoy it..
Happy Scrappin Ya'll...

Finally..... The block was lifted. I came into the studio this morning and had a mental block. So I cleaned my table off yet again and went through some paper and then I read my usual morning blogs. And I had missed the SCS Challenge last week. I went through pages and pages of the challenge and it worked... I first picked out my colors then grabbed my Cricut Cartridge Walk in My Garden. Then it all came together. I cut enough flowers leaves and pots to make several cards. I since changed the design a little bit but it is so worth it. I love them. And who doesn't like getting flowers....
Hope you enjoy it..

Recipe:
Cricut Cartridge "Walk In My Garden"
Sizzix Texture Plates for the Big Shot: Weave, Damask, Small Dots (Weave and Small Dots are copyrighted by Stampin Up)
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder: D'vine Swirls
Bazzil Cardstock: Ladybug, Orange, Limeade, Mexican Poppy
SU Cardstock: Close to Cocoa
Ribbon and Happy Mothers Day Stamp are from Michael's

I really had fun making these today. Plus all the other stuff I started on and finished. I am almost finished with some more recipes so I will post those soon to.
Have a good evening....
Happy Scrappin and Stampin,

HAPPY SATURDAY!
Yesterday we attended the Coronation ceremony at my daughters school. The kids wore formals and tuxs and walked down to the center of the stage set up for them. There are 10 boys and 10 girls so it was perfect the boys escorted the girls down to the middle. Once there they read a little about the student and then a letter from the student to the parents and there friends and teachers. Then a letter from the parents to the student was read. I was sitting in the front row which was cool in a way. However once the letter reading began with my daughter the tears poured out. She looked down at me and quickly looked on to her grandma who was crying then onto her dad and then to other mom's. She said everyone she looked at had tears in there eyes. She finally decided to look at the wall. It was very nice and we took lots of pictures. Tonight is the final or the Coronation ceremony. It is like a prom. Dinner and Dancing and the senior parents are to be there. We had to have two dresses this year. The formal for yesterday and a semi formal tonight.
I can't wait to scrap these pictures. I was going to actually started to do that today but didn't feel mich like it. See I am fighting what I believe to be a double ear infection. No I have not made it to the dr yet. But plan on it very soon.
So off to nap before the big dinner.

Stress is beginning. Brittany informed me yesterday there are 40 days left till graduation. But only 14 days of class. Which means I am running out of time to make these announcements. I think I have one picked but still deciding. This weekend is the Coronation Ceremonies. It is exciting but kind of not looking forward to it. I am going to have to invest in some really good waterproof mascara. When i attended last year those kids weren't even mine and I cried. So... and I can just imagine what graduation is going to be like. I will post a picture of the card when I decide which one to use.
Everyone have a stampin scrappin happy day. I am off to school to hear all those sweet children audition for the show next week....

Good day all my fellow scrappers. I have been working in my room the last few days. As you could see I needed to get organized. I have moved things around and actually don't feel like I am too packed now.
I finished Easter cards and wanted to show you.
I thought they turned out cute. Today I am working on future recipe swaps. I will post them when I am done. As for now here is the Easter card.

Recipe is simple I used my Cricut to cut the letters, basket, eggs and bunny head.
Hope you enjoy.
Till Later.

Happy scrappin and stampin,
Larissa

Well after looking at the pictures I posted last night I decided to get busy and get things moved around and cleaned up. So I spent about 3 hours rearranging and weeding out today. I hope to finish it tomorrow. I have a list of things to get done this week which include Easter cards that need to go out no later than Tuesday.
So I will be taking pictures with my new Cannon camera and will be posting them very soon. I got some new ideas on the Internet last night.
Happy Scrappin and Stampin
Larissa