Thrifty Thursday, er um...Friday!

I purchased this cute little frame from my local SA a while back. I hung it on my wall where I wanted my photo collage to go and there it sat...for months I tell ya. Until, finally, I was issued a challenge and I actually scrapped a photo!!! It's been way too long and I thouroughly enjoyed myself.
I began by painting the picture frame Heirloom White by Rustoleum.

I removed the picture of the li'l country bumpkin and traced it onto a piece of white cardstock. Then I created my sunburst background in yellows and grays.

I added the family photo and the "love is spoken here" silhouette cut, a little washi, a doily and some enamel dots and called it good.

Here's a side by sid comparison of the before and after. I'm pretty happy with it.

And here it is in it's place of honor on my living room wall.

I think it's found it's happy home. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you have a great day.
I get to celebrate with one of the most amazing people in my life, my beautiful daughter is turning TEN!!

Sweet Stamp Shop April Release: City Scape and Drops Background

I'm so excited to share Sweet Stamp Shop's newest release with you. The stamps are so fabulous.
Nicole is introducing two new sets this month.
City Scape 
Drops Background
The possibilities of creations with these are infinite ;)
Here's a card I made with City Scape.

I stamped a band of paper with the "hollow" building images and then proceeded to watercolor them with a really intense blue from Stampin' Up. I flicked a little white ink here and there and then added some Studio Calico Mr. Huey's in Bluebell to finish off the buildings. The fireworks were stamped in Versamark and then embossed with Desert Rain embossing powder which sparkles like crazy!!

I banded this card and called it good. I like the imperfectness of it.

The next card I made with an image from the Drops Background

When I first saw the heart I had the feeling of love raining down on someone. I grabbed a cloud from my October Afternoon sticker pack, Versamarked and embossed the hearts in gold and added the MUCHAS GRACIAS sentiment for fun. I'm from New Mexico, what can I say ;)

Head on over to the Sweet Stamp Shop Blog
and see what all the other crafty ladies have cooked up.
Trust me, it's GOOD!
Have a super day!

Framed Burlap Earring Display

Good morning blogland. Thought I'd share a non paper project with you this a.m.! I made this framed display for my earrings. It hangs in my closet. I love having all of them out the int open so I don't have to dig through a drawer to find matches. 

There's my little grouping of earrings without their mates...I know they're hoping one day to be reunited with their long lost friend. :)
It's super easy to make. Just paint up a frame, stretch some burlap across the back and staple it to the back of the frame.
I also stapled a piece of  ribbon on the back of each top corner and tied a bow in the middle to hang it by.
Hope you have a super day.

Meatball Stew- Simple One Pot Meal

Meatballs

3 eggs, beaten

2/3 c. bread crumbs

1/3 c. parmesan cheese

pepper to taste

1/2 lb ground beef, 1 lb ground chicken

OR JUST USE FROZEN ;)

To the pot add with meatballs add

4 med potatoes, chunked

3 sliced medium carrots

1 1/2 c. chopped celery (3 stalks?)

1 med onion, wedged

1 zucchini, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

4-6 mushrooms, sliced

1 envelope onion soup mix or make your own *(recipe below)

Water, if you want it to really be more stew like add a minimal amount of water. I added 10 cups and it was great. You can also add beef or veggie stock instead of water for more depth of flavor.

10-20 snap pea pods, cut in half and added the last 10 minutes of cooking

Simmer 30 minutes until veggies are tender

*Onion Soup Mix

from "Self Reliance by Jamie"

2/3 cup dried, minced onion

3 teaspoons parsley flakes

2 teaspoons onion powder

2 teaspoons turmeric

1 teaspoon celery salt

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Fox Artist Trading Card ATC

I really do adore this stamp by PTI. It's is ever so sweet. I was working on making some ATCs for an upcoming exchange and these were few of my first attempts.

I'll show you the final ATC in few weeks. I hope you all have a great weekend. We've got lots going on.

Hello Foxy Papertrey Ink Card

I made this card for my cousin's birthday. She's one heck of a gal and super foxy! :). I adore this little fox from Papertrey Ink. He also has a coordinating diecut. Double bonus.

I used regular crepe paper and cut petals out of it that I put together with glue dots. I added a bit of glue on the edges and sprinkled on the glitter. I also used SRM stickers that I got as a prize from the Practical Scrappers card contest for the dotted lines. Hope you're having a great day.
Take care and stay crafty.

Cowboy Ben Kanobi

Aaron's friend turned 8 this last week and he said he really liked Aaron's card when he saw it. He really likes Star Wars  so I asked him if he wanted a card with a cowboy too and he nodded a fervent "yes". :) So, that was that.

I'm so glad I bought Stampin' Up's Cowboy Kid stamp set when they had it. It's so fun to color and I love using it to make cards for young'ns ;).
Hope you're having a sweet day.

Oh, Hello!

Seriously love this set from Stampin' Up. I couldn't resist. I'm okay with this card, my first card made with the set. There were some hiccups along the road.

Attended another beautiful baptism today. I love my church family!
Have a wonderful weekend.

Sunshine Bringer

My friend recently had a birthday and I wanted to send her a little something. I love the sentiments in this SU set. Enjoy your weekend.

Thrifty Thursday: Orange Fossil Purse

So, I have to say happiness is...finding an ORANGE Fossil purse at my local Salvation Army for $2.00. YES and thank you very much to the person who must not love orange like I do and never used this purse!!!
Have a great day and stay thrifty.

Best Dinner Rolls I've Ever Made

So, I've attempted many different bread and roll recipes over the years. I got this one from my friend who makes awesome cinnamon rolls with it! So far this one seems no fail. I've used the recipe for cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls and even calzones.
Enjoy!

3 c. warm water

1/2 c. sugar

2 T yeast

(I let these three ingredients hang out in the bowl for a little while before adding the other ingredients)

1/3 c. oil
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
7-8 cups of flour (I live in a dry area and always end up using the full 8 but not much more)

Make a nice soft round of dough and let rise in the bowl for 20 minutes. I cover with sprayed saran wrap
Pinch of rounds of dough and make into rolls. I like to tuck the ends under so I get a nice even top on my roll.
Let rise for half an hour or so. Sometimes my dough starts to rise TOO MUCH.  So,  when they get to a nice looking size pop them in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes at 350.
These rolls stay nice and soft for a few days if you cover them.
BTW this recipe makes two 11x13 pans full of rolls.
Have a great day!

Oh yeah, and I confess. I ate that missing roll-right from the oven-buttered up and delicious.