Finished mom's gift!

 Here is the final product.  It's a gift for my mom.  The last pic is the inspiration for her look.

Can you say saddle shoes and bobby socks??

Mom had super short curly hair.  It was so hard to get right.  Not quite there I don't think.

All dressed up and ready to go to STL.

This was taken for my dad.  I think that she sent it to him while he was in the service.  I am sure that it was taken in Forest Park.

More canvases, part 3

Okay.  Here are a couple of teasers for you. 

This is the face of the original girl that I made for mom.  I love her white bird rub-on and her bouffant 50's 60's retro do.

Okay.  This looks really weird, but it is a landscape type view of the girl's dress.  Very dimensional involving lots of mod podge and yummy, messy hands!

The face of my latest girl.  She is a kickin' redhead!!

More canvases, part 2

Okay.  The theme for this canvas is vintage memorabilia that is personal to you.  I made a girl for my mom's bday (so I thought) and then I had this lesson and this will be hers.  The canvas is copies of things that I have of my mom's.  I then kind of 'whitewashed' the whole thing with Tattered Angels, wet brushed that, then kind of washed it off.  It still left a brownish tint which is what I wanted.  I dry brushed the edges and randomly through the finished background.  I will finish this one this weekend.

This is nearly the whole canvas.  I love my new typewriter stamp!!!  

The 'passport' is another roller stamp  The blue chicken wire looking thing is actually blue paint on the bottom of a spring basket that I cut up.  I got it at the dollar store and it so looks like chicken wire.  The background is a recipe in my grandmother's handwriting.  Thought that mom would like that.

This background is my great grandfather's conductor's pass that I found.  It's from 1922.

Okay, this is funny.  The blue background is a copy of my mom's college 3-ring binder cover.  I can't believe I have that.  She wrote Carl Edward Day all over it (dad's name).  I think he was all she was thinking about.  He was at Ft. Leonard Wood at the time.

Note the Fort Leonard Wood stationary.  Here you can see the remnants of the mist I used.

The top document is a copy of the letter dad sent to mom.  I have all of his love letters to her from when he was in the service.  She gave them to me for some reason.  Okay now I am not going to read them because I tried at it grossed me out.  Yuck.  Some things aren't meant to be shared.

More canvases (is that a word?)

Okay.  I am posting a few pics of a couple of my newer canvases.  This first one I made for Lauren.

This is the finished product that I sent up to Alaska since Lauren was going to be there for her bday!  She is an OC beach girl so that was the inspiration for the girl.  Can you see the sand castle, shells, starfish and dolphins??

Now how did that get in here???  Oh well.  Total concentration on that lady bug.

We learned how to do backgrounds in this lesson.  The teacher did grass and sky, but I did it differently due to Lauren.  Note the headband.  I think that was my favorite part.  And the pillow ticking stamp is one of my favs!

I am having a love affair with rub ons!  Especially white ones like the zig zag stitching on the dress!  The white paint is both positive and negative effects using punchinella which is the backing from sequins.  I know, weird.

Well, I figured Lauren wears a lot of shorts!  The bumpy stuff is called glass beads and like gesso and modeling paste, you can add color to it.

I love her little top.  Happy Birthday, Lenny!

Irish Soda Bread

Hey.  I got this off of patch.com and it is a really good recipe.  I made it tonight and we ate the heck out of it.
http://clark.patch.com/articles/need-an-irish-soda-bread-recipe-weve-got-you-covered Enjoy!

My First Mixed Media Canvas

This is the entire canvas.

Yes, I painted the hair myself.  I used an ink pen for outlining and doodling.  There is a doily as the decoration on the shoulders, a button in the hair, a tp tube circle and rubons on the belt part.

The canvas background is a cut up pattern from a dress pattern dry brushed with some paint.  The dress is paper.  The white bits are rubons as are the flowers.

The dark edges are ink and there are stamps throughout the canvas to give more texture.  They don't show up well but that is okay.

It's amazing the textures you can find:  bubble wrap, grippers, shelf liner, the back of sequins (punchinella), etc.

The funny green stuff is actually tinted patching plaster as I didn't have any modeling paste yet.  It is too thick for my taste, but it gets the point across.

Okay, here are some pics of my first canvas from the fab class that I am taking.  I didn't do too badly.

Some things I have been working on...

I made this one for bucko using an embossing folder for the numbers, some gears and spinners from Tim Holtz, a page from an old dictionary and an old book, and some Maya Mist.  I think that he will like it.

I made this one for Hannah.  I doodled the stems and leaves, stamped and embossed the yellow flower and greeting and then stitched on all the sides with my machine.  I am using my machine more now than I ever did to make clothes.

This is for Nancy.  The doily is sprayed with a pink mist but doesn't show up well.  I made the flower with a die cut that makes it easy to accordion fold.

This is for Uncle Glen and I cut the little flags out using my Gypsy that my wonderful kids gave me for Christmas.  A little embroidery floss and stickers and you have a banner.

I have been doing birthday cards for the family and finally finished all for the year today.  I just have a few anniversary cards to do and I'll be done.  Then I can just fill in with new cards as needed; sympathy, thank you, etc.  I thought that I would show you a couple that I have done.  

Egg Casseroles for Adam

Here are a couple of the egg casseroles that I used to make for swim practice.  They are super good and you can eat off of them for a few days.

FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

This one is good for large groups.

ATTENTION:  Needs refrigeration before cooking.

Recipe:

1 – 16 oz loaf cinnamon bread

8 – 10 large eggs

3 ½ cups milk

5 t. sugar

¾ t. salt

1 T vanilla

2 T butter

Grease 9 x 13” inch pan.  Cut bread into 1” slices and arrange in a single layer on bottom of pan. 

In a large bowl, beat eggs with milk, sugar, salt and vanilla.  Mix thoroughly and pour over bread. 

Cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 – 36 hours.

 

To bake, uncover pan, dot with 2 T butter and put in oven.  Turn oven to 350 degrees and bake 45-50 minutes, until bread is puffy and lightly browned.  Remove and let stand 5 minutes. 

Serve with syrup, fruit or your favorite yogurt topping.

FRENCH TOAST STRATA

I can’t remember where I got this, but I have made it a lot for swim breakfasts and for when we have a lot of company at breakfast. 

ATTENTION:  Requires refrigeration overnight.  Make the night before.

Special equipment:

Blender

Recipe:

1 loaf (1 lb) cinnamon bread, cubed

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed

8 eggs

2 ½ cups milk

6 T butter, melted

¼ cup maple syrup

Arrange half of the bread cubes in a greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish.  Top with cream cheese and remaining bread.  In a blender, combine eggs, milk, butter and syrup.  Cover and process until smooth.  Pour over bread.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.  Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean and a thermometer reads at least 160 degrees.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.  Serve with syrup.

FYI:

-I have only ever used a blender to make this.  If you don’t have one, use a hand mixer or just stir really, really well.

SAUSAGE STRATTA

Granny gave me this recipe.  I have made it a couple of times for the swim team breakfasts.

Recipe:

1 lb pork sausage, fried

2 cups milk

6 – 7 slices bread

6 eggs

1 t. dry mustard

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

3 T butter

1 t. salt

¼ t. pepper

Spray 9 x 13 inch pan with cooking spray.  Break bread into small pieces and cover bottom of pan.  Beat eggs, milk, dry mustard and salt together.  Pour over bread; add drained sausage over bread and egg mixture.  Sprinkle with grated cheese over top.  Dot with butter or margarine and bake for 30 minutes or less in 350 degree oven. 

May be made ahead and kept covered in fridge.

Finally!

I walked upstairs this morning from working out (and watching Eclipse) and Dad had left a list on the table.  It was his Christmas list!!!  If you need it I will publish it later, but I know that Lauren has already got him covered.
Also, I made sugar cookie dough yesterday.  If any of you need the recipe for either the puffy ones or the thinner, crispier ones I can post it here.

Recipes

Okay.  A couple of you needed some recipes.  Below are the recipes for the special marshmallow brownies that I used to make all of the time and the white chocolate trail mix Julie likes.  Good eatin'.

CRISPY MARSHMALLOW BARS

This was a super hit at swim meets.  All of the girls loved them.

ATTENTION:   Requires chilling time!

Recipe:

1 (22-ounce) package fudge brownie mix

1 (10 ½-ounce) package miniature marshmallows

1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips

½ cup creamy peanut butter

1 ½ cups Rice Krispies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. 

Prepare brownies according to brownie mix directions.  Spoon into prepared baking pan.  Bake until brownies test done, about 25 minutes. 

Place marshmallows evenly on top of brownies.  Bake until the marshmallows are golden, about 5 minutes.  Transfer baking pan to a wire rack to cool. 

Combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a medium saucepan.  Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate chips melt.  Remove chocolate chip mixture from heat.  Stir in cereal.  Spoon over brownies.

Chill until set, about 45 minutes.  Cut into bars.  Serve immediately or at room temperature.

WHITE CHOCOLATE PARTY MIX

This recipe comes from Granny.  I have made it every Christmas since she gave it to me.  I usually make two batches.  One with nuts and one without.

Recipe:

1 package (10 oz) mini pretzels

5 cups Cheerios

5 cups Chex cereal (or Crispix)

2 cups salted peanuts

1 lb M & M’s

2 packages (24 oz total) white chocolate chips

3 t. vegetable oil

Mix oil and chips and melt according to package directions.  Pour over remaining ingredients.  Spread onto 3 waxed paper lined baking sheets.  Cool.  Break apart.  Store in a covered container.  May be frozen.

FYI:

-I use the red and green Christmas M & M’s and the Christmas tree pretzels, if I can find them.

-Really read the melting directions for the white chocolate chips.  They are very tricky.

-You may decide to put more of one thing and less of another.  I always use less Cheerios and peanuts and add more Crispix.

-I make two larges bowls out of the ingredients as it is difficult to mix all of the ingredients together in one large bowl or pot.

Computer

Okay, so I caved and went in to Best Buy yesterday.  I discovered that the hinges to the screen on my laptop are broken so the only way I can keep it upright is to have it lean against something.  This apparently has been going on for a while but it always leans against the wall in the Bat Cave, so I never noticed it.  This has, of course, made the decision to finally get a new laptop, easy.  I have no choice.  I was looking at PC's, but this kid gave me a crash course in Mac and I think I am sold.  They are pricey and the screen is smaller, but I may go there.  The only additional program I would need is Iworks and then a protection plan.  Done.  Heavy sigh.  They are so expensive.
Oh, by the way, someone is getting something from Best Buy.  Tee hee.

Couple of Links

Here is a link for an ad on Best Buy that has the sound bar thing I was talking about for the basement tv.
http://bestbuy.shoplocal.com/bestbuy/default.aspx?action=entryflash&adref=header

Here is the link for the Gypsy that I want.  It is down to $129 which is super great.  Plus, 7 cartridges for free (they retail for $79 altho I rarely pay over $30.)
http://www.hallmarkscrapbook.com/cricut-gypsy-machine-accessories-c-238.html

I was thinking that I might want an Ipod, but now that I have my droid, I may just use it.  Not sure how all that works yet so I am counting on help from you guys.

I'll let you know if anything else crops up.

How do I do this blog??

Numero un!

Well.  I am finally starting a blog.  This blog is mainly for my family.  Thanks for reading.  Lets move on to the important stuff, my Christmas list.

Here's what I have so far.

1.  At Penney's, they have a very cool jewelry box that hangs on the wall and has a collage on the front for pictures.  There are lots of spaces inside for necklaces.  This is what I need.  I would like the bigger one, dark wood, if possible.

2.  Gypsy - This is a really cool remote device for my Cricut.  I will be able to work without the Cricut (designing, etc).  The main thing is that I will be able to separate elements and weld letters to form words.  They retail for about $280, but hallmarkscrapbook.com has them for $159.  Right now, Cricut is running a promotion and if I register a Gypsy by the end of the year, I can download 5 cartridges for free.  That alone is a $300 value or better.  Plus, the 5 cartridges are ones I don't have!  Rate this a high priority item.

3.  Robe - Cotton terrycloth.  No microfiber or slick stuff.  Cotton and knee length please.

4.  JJill gift card - my favorite store

5.  New computer

6.  HD TV for our bedroom.  Our old TV's remote is almost inoperable and I can't find one on Ebay or anything.  I can't hardly set the time!  Still works though, so this isn't huge.

7.  Speakers or something for the TV in the basement.  I have to crank that puppy up to hear it over the furnace, treadmill and humidifyer.  I know these TVs are notorious for having lousy sound.

8.  Jewelry - earrings, necklaces, nothing fancy or expensive

9.  New wallet with checkbook holder that will hold my license.  I like having my license on my checkbook as it makes it really easy to pull out.

10.  New kitty (just kidding)

11.  Some of those good jelly chocolates from Wild Berry Products in AK.

12.  Kindle

 If I think of anything else, I will post it.  I really like anything anybody gives me.  I am not picky.  You guys don't have to spend a lot of money on me.  Thanks.