Freckled Star

Just stuff.........

These are the cuffs I finished yesterday........

 

The rosary I made Lindsay........

 

I also made her a box. Which is still drying so it looks a little milky. But once the Diamond Glaze sets it is crystal clear..........

 

This is dry.........

 

Don't know how well you can see it in the pictures:)

And this book. The "white" book I finally completed about 2 weeks ago. After a marathon craft day!! This is by far the longest it has ever taken me to complete a project. But it was so fun getting together with the girls to work on it:)

It is gorgeous.........

 
 
 
 

Just about everything on it is handmade. The flowers, the wreath on the door, the lace house with lollipop flowers. Lots of little touches! And that is just a few pictures. Oh and YES this is a Christmas book lol:) Just a wee bit late or you can think of it as early for next Christmas!!

I got the kit from Carol Wingert. Creatologie is her website. I did get the NEW "Bon Voyage" kit. It's now sold out but take a peak over there. There is a video all about the new book:) You'll see why I bought it! It still is sitting in it's box. Waiting for another girls craft day:)

Have a great day!

I have some more crafting to do;)
 
 
 
 

 

My desks today:)

First my roll top.........

My Gilding the Lilly finds from last week. Let's just say I LOVED making Lindsay's rosary so much I had to buy stuff to make about 20 more lol:).......

 

Some sweet things from Antiques Etc. in Upland. I got some great deals:) All the earrings $3-4 a pair and the pins all 5 for $6.50! And even the  vintage bracelet was only 9 bucks. Score!!

 

This is my desk downstairs. These are my Romancing the Cuff kits from Diane Cook. She was featured in Jewelry Affaire this month. Which I highly recommend! It is one of the best issues I have got from Stampington in a LONG time. Totally worth the $14.95 price tag:) So many beautiful ideas!!

 

Diane is also the lady teaching my Heartstrings class at Gilding the Lily in May.

 

And by the way I did finish these:) You see while I was in the middle of writing this (one of the things on my to do list today:) my computer was attacked by some Russian Whores!! It was fantastic! So fantastic the entire thing crashed in like 10 seconds but apparently I ripped the plug out of the wall in time because when I restarted it and ran my anti virus thingy it found it. Thank God!!! It only took 3 hours (literally) for the virus scanner to do it's job (I am NOT complaining!)!! The Russian Whore virus was identified as dungeons and dragons. Ughhh I hate people sometimes. I mean really WHY!!!!!??????

Well guess what you stupid little hacker with NO LIFE I won!

Hahahaha! Ha! Me one you ZERO!!!

Moving on..........

Here is my finished belt buckle. Isn't it to DIE for????

 

Now I just need a belt lol:)

Well I am so sick of this stupid computer I could scream! So it's off to do some beading. Maybe make another rosary. That whole Russian Whore thing stressed me out! They weren't even cute;)

Oh and I went to Garden of Beaden and it was great:) They had a lot of great things. Those wood bead strands pictured above are from there. They also had some great pieces out by Robin Dudley Howes. I am so bummed I did not take that Mermaid Cuff class!! The sample was still there and it was gorgeous!! But I am taking one of her classes at Create in May so now I am super excited about that!! Another cool lady to check out is Lisa Loria. They had some of her altered display pieces out. So cute!! She was also in Jewelry Affaire. You really need to get that magazine:)

Ok I am DONE!:)




 

Recipe 411.........

Here are my most requested recipes from Sunday:)

You can find Fontina Mascarpone Baked Pasta on that link.

As an aside the My Recipes website is pretty neat. Sign up for their emails and you will get a new healthy low fat recipe every morning. I have tried several. The pasta dish above was a keeper:)

Kid's Favorite Mac:

16 oz. cooked pasta (elbows, bow ties, shells whatever you have in the pantry)

1 cup 2% milk

1/4 cup butter cubed

1 tsp. each of garlic salt, garlic pepper and lemon pepper

2 cups shredded colby jack

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup panko crumbs (or bread crumbs)

1/3 cup grated parmesan

Cook pasta according to directions. Meanwhile in a big pot combine milk, butter and seasonings. Once hot toss in cheese and let melt. Add sour cream mix well. Add hot pasta. Mix. Top with panko and parmesan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Now I do it all in a dutch oven that goes straight from stove to oven but it can be transfered to a casserole dish.

 

Champagne Vinaigrette:

2 Tbls. Champagne Vinegar (they have it at Vons)

1 Tbls. finely chopped shallot

1 tsp. dijon mustard

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

Mix well.

Add about 4-6 Tbls. GOOD olive oil

Mix with a whisk and you are done!

 

Vanilla Frosting:

2 sticks unsalted butter. Room temperature.

3 and 1/2 cuos powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/8 of salt

With a hand mixer I cream the butter for about a minute and a half.  Then I slowly add powdered sugar. Maybe a 1/2 cup at a time until incorporated. Mix in milk, vanilla and salt. If the icing is not spreadable you can add a little more milk. Mix just until smooth and creamy it is possible to over mix and you'll just have a huge separating airy mess:)

 

So there you have it!!

Wow 4 posts in 4 days. I am on fire:)

And I have been crafting every night.......

Except tonight.........

We have baseball and it's cold outside!

This weather is really starting to be a downer:(

Anyway.......

Won't be back til next week.......

Have a wonderful Easter!!

 

 

 

 

 

Belt Buckles:)

As you know Denise Hahn came and taught a class at my home this past Sunday..........

This time it happened to be belt buckles:)

But more than that it was a chance for us all to learn a new technique, get in touch with the creative part of our brain and have some girl time.........

Oh and there was eating involved:)

Such sweet kits and Denise had out quite the spread herself............

 

Denise really has some beautiful, unique finds. And she wanted to share with all of us. So great!!

Everyone working........

 
 

Here is my work in process........

 

I would show you the finished piece but a little someone (I won't mention any names:) took it home on accident. Or did they............;)

Here are few finished ones that I lovingly stole off their Facebook pages..........

Don't worry everyone knew they were fair game to be on this silly blog:)

 
Deanna's. GORGEOUS!!

 
Susan's. WOW!!

 
Ruby's LOVE IT!!

 
Erin's SO PRETTY!!

 
Another one of Denise's STUNNING samples...........

And there were so many others.........

But once again I was a little lacking on the picture taking being in the kitchen and all;)

I had such a wonderful time and I think everyone involved left feeling inspired and ready to tackle the next week:)

I know I was definitely inspired I have been using that technique on some vintage glass boxes I found.....

Which for now are a little bit of a surprise for someone but I'll give a little peak because I can't resist........

 

Fun, fun, fun!!!

I haven't forgot about the recipes ladies!

Coming next!!:)

 

 

 

 

 
 

Next up........

 

Another sweet adventure! I swear Kim knows where it's at lol:)

This was about 10 miles from Urban Barn back in the country! But after lunch, a quick u turn (I missed the turn:) we made it!

 
 
 

So sweet and you know how I love gardens!! And they use all kinds of beautiful flowers and plants throughout the barn to decorate..........

 

Really a neat place! I found a really nice vintage type set print tray for $18. Score:)

Quite the adventure and so much fun!

Who knew two barns in one day lol:)

 
 

Click on pictures to take a closer look:)

Have a good Tuesday!!
 
 

 
 

 
 

Here we go.........

I have a weeks worth of posts so bear with me:)

I'll start with the Urban Barn's 1 Year Anniversary.........

 
 
 

And more..........

 
 
 

Loving it!!!!

 
 

It was pretty awesome:)

Next up Matilda's Mouse..........

See you tomorrow!

 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 

"Among the Butterfiles"

Hello Ladies!

I have posted my entire "Among the Butterflies" album to the left..........

Earleen, Kim and Sherry you can use it as a reference if you are unclear about something in the instructions:)

 
 

Just look at all that gorgeousness:)

If you need any help let me know!

Well it's almost the weekend!!

Tomorrow I am taking a little road trip HERE with my friend Grace! And we'll be meeting up with Kim:) Going to be a fun girls day!!

 

I am really looking forward to it:)

And just a little while ago I got some little things done for Denise's workshop on Sunday........

 

Just a few little things for attendees:)

I am getting ready for the weekend!!

Have a good one!

Talk to you next week.............

P.S. Love the album? You can find Jennifer Preist at the Hydrangea Hippo. You may just become addicted to mini books!

Don't say I didn't warn you lol;)

A little rusty.........

And a little late........

Who knew looking for a package of butterfly stickers for a side project would lead me to completely reorganize my scrapbook room!!!???

So that's what I have been doing:)

Just went to Target and bought one last container and now I am done and feeling good;)

You're probably wondering where my latest class project is.........

Let's just say I have discovered I have a lot to learn about scrapbooking lol:)

What happened to paper, stickers and some journaling???

Now there are Zutters, Color boxes, Smooch Spritzes, Distrezz it alls,Tiny Attachers and on and on and on!!!

It was overwhelming!

And it took me the full 3 hours in class and a full 3 hours at home to finish it!

Anyway Collective Journey is a great place to do classes.........

 
 

Love all the displays:)

Had to get down to business though.........

  

Our kits came in this really cute rusty tin suitcase. It was optional but I had just had to get it. Especially after I saw that we were going to be able to stencil butterflies on it:) Sooo cute!!

Here is some in process which was mostly what I was:)

 

This is the cover.........

 

And a few of the inside pages.........

   

Now those were the sample pictures because I was no where even close to being ready to embellish and I had 3 kids at home asking me "When are we going to Ontario Mills, we're hungry!!??"

But I am happy to say mine is complete and if I remember I'll take some pictures of it tomorrow and post them:)

It was really a neat class.

And Jennifer Priest was a really great instructor!! Check out her blog for upcoming workshops she'll be teaching:) Looks like she has an Etsy too!! JOY:)

Bye for now.........

 

 

 

 


 
 

 

 

 

On the move........

Finished the chandelier..........

 

I LOVE it!!!

 

So what's next???

                                               

It is the "Among the Butterflies Mini Book" with Jennifer at Collective Journey. I went in and saw the sample Tuesday and just had to do it:) One thing about being with Annette and Earleen all weekend was they love some mini books!! Made  me think about going back to my scrapper roots:) But now scrapbooking is like on crack since the last time I did it. I did do the "Love Nest" book (you can see it in the side bar) back in February and really enjoyed it at Collective Journey. So I said what the heck........

Added bonus Jennifer will also have the little vintage suitcases you see the book in for sale!!! JOY! $15 and we can embellish them using the techniques we are going to be using in our book:) I know the picture is small but I don't know how to enlarge it. Maybe if you click on it you can see it better......

There were still a few spots left if you care to join. It's this Sunday 1-4 pm and the cost is $40. And you should see the inside of this book. GORGEOUS!! We will be using tags, canvas, Spellbinder dies with Colorbox chalk, embossing and papers from Bo Bunny Press and Pink Paislee. Oh and Collective Journey is in Redlands:)

Well I have about 100 emails to send out for Little League. Just shoot me now!!

Have a great weekend:)

First things first..........

I want to thank Annette so much for letting me sleep in her ummmmm........

Scrapbook house!!

Not just a room but a HOUSE!!

A couple of snippets to make you swoon..........

 
 
 
 
 

Isn't it great!! Again thanks so much Annette you were a fabulous hostess. Oh and thank Robert again for me for dinner Friday night it was awesome:)

So Sunday started off with this..........

 

Our kits were in the watering can!! Sooooo Cute!!!!

 

The letters spell nest and the birdcage is hung from the middle when all is said and done:)

 

Those pictures were took by my phone. Sorry they are a little fuzzy:( The ones I took with the "beast" did not turn out well. So there you go I need to take a damn camera class!!

This is not done:(

Because there was a wee little problem with our stupid flight!!

Apparently part of the roof blew off one of their airplanes when it was in the air!!

I knew on Friday this airline SUCKED!

But because of that a bunch flights got cancelled. (but really what are the chances of two roofs blowing off the same planes and company on the same day???? Unless all the crazies are right and Jesus really is coming this weekend. I find it a little unlikely but I guess safety first:)

So because of that it ran into Sunday and guess what..........

All flights cancelled up to Kim and I's and guess what..........

They were delayed.......

First a 1/2 hour then an hour then an hour and a 1/2........

It wasn't looking very promising and we had pretty late flights as it was.........

So what do girls with suitcases packed, half way done projects and kids at home do..........

We rented a car and drove:)

Because we are crazy like that lol:)

And it was an adventure that only cost us $38 plus $27 for insurance!!

Ever been to Quartzsite???

Well now I can say I have:) Wish the "Addicted to Deals" was open!!

Anyhow I made it to my driveway in about 5 hours and that was with a side trip thru the Quartzsite McDonalds.........

Which was the hotspot of that town let me tell you:)

Moral of the story:

Never fly Southwest! I know it's cheap but........

I'd rather be on time, comfortable and in a plane with a roof:)

Here is my banner.........

 

It's done and hung up over my bedroom window. Jesus this room will be so chic-a-fied when Frank gets home he may just sleep in the garage. Just kidding;)

 
 

So cute!

I hope to have my chandelier done tomorrow and I'll post pictures:)

These were both great projects and totally worth the price of admission:)

A special thanks to Earleen for putting this together and doing everything to make us all feel very special. I know it had to be exhausting!! Thanks friend:)

And if you are interested in going to, having one or buying some of her beautiful things go to Breathing Beside Us. Deb Hodge is fab:)