Sunday, February 24, 2013

A Card For A Loved One

I will say, I really like to challenge myself. 


I am part of a card exchange where there are 16 ladies that get together once a month to exchange handmade cards of the same category (pre-chosen). I usually get my ideas from Pinterest and then alter then depending on the materials I have or use the idea to inspire me.  When I am looking for an idea, I try to keep it simple. Simple means I hopefully can complete 16 cards in one evening adding up to 3 or so hours.  Yeah, this card on Pinterest looked easy but it took longer than I thought.  Check it out below to see how I made it!



You will need (6) 2x2 pieces of paper. This was a great opportunity
for me to use up my scrap paper. As you can see below, I have already
made 3 envelopes and still need to make 3 more. The next step will
 show you how I made an envelope.
 

 
Take the 2x2 piece and fold it in half but just add pressure to the center
of the fold.  Then unfold and turn the paper and fold again in half with just pressure
causing a crease to happen in the center.

 
Open up the fold.
 
 
As you can see, you will need to flip the paper over with the design facing
the bottom.  Bring in two corners to the center so the corners meet in the middle. This
takes some practice. HINT: Follow the the fold line from your initial creasing. This will
help you keep things a bit more square so the next step turns out.

 
With the two corners meeting in the middle, take one of the ends and
 fold until it meets the other corners in the middle. If you initial two corners don't
meet up correctly,this fold may not either. This is where practice comes in.  If you
tried and it doesn't cover the white completely, try the other end.  Once you
 have this step completed, take the other corner and bend in half way. 
This end will be folded again 3/4 of the way up the envelope.

 
Once folded 3/4 of the way up, add glue as seen below. Avoid glue on the tiny
triangle since that area will need to be cleared for the paper once glued together.
 
 
Pressure down and allow the glue to dry. I had placed my envelopes under
stacks of books to make sure they were flattened during the drying process.

 
I am a fan of Stampin' Up so as you see I have ink, a Big Shot Die Punch, and a
 stamp below from their product line. We tend to use Invitation Envelopes for all of
our cards to that we don't need to include envelopes in our exchange.  I have
 folded my paper, 5.5 x 8, in half as you can see below. I also glued
my 6 envelopes to the Big Shot Punch to add some dimension. 



 
Here is the final Product.  I also cut little sheets of white cardstock to
add to each envelope waiting for a special message. This card could be
used for an Anniversary, a Thinking of You, or anything you wanted.
 
 

 

Hope you enjoy this card as much as I do. Thanks for Looking!!
 
 

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Adult Diaper Cake

It's been too long since I've blogged! I have some awesome post coming that I want to share with everyone, so you will have check back. But for now... 


Something that I'm really excited to share with you is a diaper cake I made for my mothers 50th Birthday Party. I'm definitely at the age where everyone is having babies and so I thought how fun would it be to make one with Depends.  I am proud of it since this is my first experience making this type if cake. I think it turned out cute; What do you think?


 
 Items I Used To Make The Adult Diaper Cake
 
20 Adult Diapers, I used the cheapest I could find
20 Rubber bands
Black Charger (from Michael's)
Hot Glue
Black Ribbon
Black Flowers
Happy Birthday Table Decor
Over the Hill Accessories I used:
   Glasses
   Bunion Cushions
   Alka Seltzer Tablets
   Denture Adhesive
   Pill Container/ Organizer
   Hemmroid Creme
 
 
 

Saturday, December 22, 2012

A Bit of Organizing

I want to share something I use to organize my ribbon. I do believe I have a ribbon problem. I can't turn down a ribbon deal. If Michael's has it 50% off, I buy. Ok, I over buy. Don't you! Please share your organizing secrets.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Life is crazy but I've accomplished so much!

Life gets crazier and crazier but I love it. I don't even have kids, yikes!

I know what your thinkin, how can it be crazy without kids? I do it to myself. One thing that kept me busy was organizing a Scrapbooking fundraiser in November. I offered a 6 ft table to scrapbook all day from 9am-9pm at a local church for a cost. I prepared all the food, did all the organizing and in the end donated all the profits. I was able to donate $250 to a local Church youth group. What a great feeling.  I think I'm going to do it again in Feb to help out a local family dealing with cancer. I need to deal with Christmas first,

I've decided to open up an etsy account since I enjoy crafting so much. I want to share my creations with others.  What I've been the most interested in at this point is baby things. I'm at that point in my life where every is having babiesnornadding to the family. Currently listed on etsy are fashion headbands for little girls. Check it out!

www.etsy.com/shop/UtterlyLovable?ref=search_shop_redirect

Well I hope thebHolidaysnarent stressing you out. Take a deep breath and enjoy each moment you can. Happy Holidays!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Oatmeal Mini Pieces Cookies

I found the best cookie recipe ever, ok maybe not the best, but the best in awhile.  I love to bake.  Of course if you bake, you must try.  I did more than try and taste these cookies. I ate 3 at one chance. If I don't freeze most of them, betweeen my husband and I we will eat them all.

 

Oatmeal Mini Pieces Cookies

2/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons milk
1-1/2 cups rolled oats
1-1/3 (10-oz pkg) REESE'S MINI PIECES Candy
 
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheet.
 
2. Beat shortening, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large bowl until fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; add alternately with milk to sugar mixture. Stir in oats and candy pieces. Drop by scant 1/4 cupfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.
 
3. Bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 10 minutes on cookie sheet. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.. Cook completely. Makes about1 dozen cookies.


Thursday, October 25, 2012

Casserole or Hot Dish?

One of my favorite recipe books is the one I've had the longest, my family Church Recipe Book. Even with online resources, I will start first by looking in this book for a specific recipe. Easy, homemade recipes with no strange seasonings, you are guaranteed a good recipe with each one made. One of my favorite recipes that brings me to my younger years is the Tator Tot Hot Dish. Five easy ingredients and a meal all in one dish. It's a must try and a Midwest recipe that you'll make again.


 
 I omitted the onion today.


Tator Tot Hot Dish

1-1/2 lbs ground beef
1 med onion, chopped
2 cups Tator tots
2 cups mixed vegetables, frozen
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Add hamburger and onion in frying pan and brown. Fry until hamburger fully browned.

2. Mix hamburger, frozen vegs, and cream of mushroom soup. Put in ungreased 8x8 pan and add Tator tots over top.

3. Bake at 350 degrees F for one hour.




 
Enjoy!



Sunday, September 30, 2012

A Nascar Weekend

It's funny what things I've ventured into since I've been married. 

I am the oldest of three girls. Growing up in a small rural community, I was surrounded by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. My parents made the best with the money they had. Not poor, nor wealthy but truly content as a whole.  We never really traveled. My first airplane ride wasn't until I was 17 when I didn't travel with my family but a friend. As a family, we made yearly outings to Wisconsin Dells doing tours, riding go-Karts and enjoying our time away from  home. We didn't travel far around the Midwest. Being married just ONE year, it has been filled with some new adventures.  One that is the most recent was a weekend in Chicago surrounded by Nascar Fans. My husband is a sports fanatic like most guys in this area.   He enjoys watching almost anything related to sports including daily viewings of "Sports Center". 

Our trip to Joliet was an eye opener to me.  Nascar for most isn't the most exciting sports to watch.  On TV, watching a race is like watching a fly buzzing around your head.  You know there's a reason but ya just don't get it and you wonder when it will end.  For those who don't really get into sports you know what I mean.  Again surprised, I enjoyed myself. When going to a race, you purchase tickets for the whole weekend, watching qualifying and final races for both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup series. 
 
As you probably can tell, Shane likes Dale Earnhardt Jr. and so I guess I support him too! Sitting in the stands and experiencing a race isn't something you can explain. The noise, the smell and the overall environment makes the sport exciting.  Spending the weekend at Chicagoland Raceway was a weekend that I will never forget leaving me with a positive impression of the sport I had never watched before taking this venture.
 
Have you attended a sporting event that you were unsure about?