Here are a few of my recent creations. I have been on a roll lately even with being sick. UGH..I hate colds. But anyway back to the topic at hand.
Most of these were quick and simple...my favorite style most of the time..lol.

I love these photos of Patrick helping me bake our annual Christmas ornaments to paint.
What you see: Him being very helpful and cutting them out like a good boy. What you don't see: Him screaming, crying and throwing a fit because I want to take his picture and am trying to help him out.
I love this picture of Patrick with his special blankie...Isn't he a cutie!!!
I had planned to have a picture to go with this layout but Patrick screamed the entire time and clung to me so hard that I forgot to take the picture. I love those grungeboard wings!!

I never do layouts about my birthday but I thought I would give it a try. I love these noteworthy papers. I hand cut the scallops. I also used another of Sheila's wonderful stamps...aren't they great you should check out her site.

Pecan Pie

So I was challenged to blog about a recipe or two that I am famous for, one that everyone asks me to bring. Well it is not that unusual or that much different than anyone elses but everyone always asks me to bring it. It was my moms recipe and since she is gone now it is up to me to supply it. It is pecan pie...it isn't as sweet as most peoples...I also make my own crust. It makes a world of difference from the store bought kind. ( Just a note: it isn't all that complicated really...it just seems that way ;))

crust
1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup ice water
1/3 cup very cold margarine (cut into small pieces)

Sift the flour. Combine the flour and salt in a bowl. Mix the dough with a pastry blender or 2 knives (this works best for me) cut in the margarine. Working quickly, work the margarine into the flour until the mix looks like marbles, and every piece of margarine is covered with flour. Sprinkle with water, 1 Tbs at a time. Stirring with a fork or hands (this works best for me) until mixture begins to come together. Form into a ball and wrap in plastic. Chill for 1 hour. Chilled dough is easier to work with and makes a flakier crust. You can freeze it for later use as well.
Roll the dough. Working on a floured surface, roll the dough into a 12 inch circle. Don't use too much flour our your dough will be tough. Place dough over a 9 inch pie plate and press into the bottom so no air bubbles form. Cut excess dough from the edges.

pie filling

1 stick butter
3 large eggs beaten
1 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup

Mix all ingredients together...adding pecans in last. Pour into pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.


This was the only way my dad would eat pecan pie because it wasn't quite as sweet. Sometimes I still cut down on the sugar and syrup...but just be sure to cut in equal amounts.

Enjoy!!!

Finally my YITL cards 1 thru 6

So I have finally gotten around to taking a picture of my year in the life cards. I have been following along with Suzanne's challenge. She posts a new word every week. It has been alot of fun and I am making them 4x5.
The first word was Resolve...this one was simple for me resolutions of course.
Winter was not so easy for me...I don't like winter it is so drab and yucky here...no real beauty everything is brown and we are always sick.


Blue was easy it always means water to me.
Proud..I am always proud of Patrick and proud to be his mommy.

Red was a bit of a stumper for me...I don't really like red..I don't wear red often so I wasn't real sure on this at first. But the more I thought about it the I thought of Christmas...
Love...I love my family

I know not that exciting but it is me..lol. I hope to actually get these posted everyweek from now on. I just kept forgetting to take pictures.

Do you want to know my middle name?

So I have been tagged by Carrie...So here goes
Here are the rules:
1. You have to post the rules before you give your answers.
2. You must list one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name).
3. After you are tagged, you need to update your blog with your middle name and your answers.
4. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and that they need to read your blog for details.)

L-loving
E-Energetic
E-Easy Going (most of the time)

Now to tag three people----Sheila, Wendy and Dana!

How would you like to win???

Catherine Scanlon's new book. She is a super talented instructor over at Heart in Hand Scraps. She is giving away two copies of her book, Art from the Heart. Just go and check out her blog here.

Blog Challenge #4

Suzanne's challenge this week was to post a picture that we love that we took this month.


Honestly, I had several others that I was trying to decide on, but then I got this shot today of Smokey and Jack. The decision was made. Not that there is anything spectacular about this photo except for the fact that Smokey did not eat Jack. Our cat is known to kill lots of birds. Everytime he goes out he drags up another one. So we have always been really careful with Jack and Jeanne. But today they were sitting on Nick's shoulder and Jack decided to take a little flight and THIS is where he landed...lol. Of course this was not to Jack's knowledge until he landed.
I just lucked out that I had my camera near by and got that first look of "fright" and "ohhhh dinner." I was shocked there were no flying feathers. This went on for several minutes, Smokey was very patient....until Jack started picking at his fur...That was enough...it was time for him to GO.
So this is my pick for favorite photo this month..just because of the laugh value.

~~~More stuff~~~

Just a few more things I have been creating. I am not sure when I started doing so many one page layouts. It is sure not like me. But what ever...I am loving them anyway.

This is a scraplift of Naureen's jocks layout over at Scrapdango. It was for a contest over there and how fun is this Spice kit?? I love it! But then I love all the kits over at Scrapdango!
Everything on this one is from Moxxie. I thought these papers were so fun.


I love these Noteworthy papers. This was one of the layouts I did for the Dec. GDT spot at Paper Popsicles. I loved working with all the wonderful products Melissa sent me. She has two wonderful kits every month to choose from...You should go check them out at Paper Popsicles.

I love these bright papers from Reminisce, it is actually the halloween line but I thought they worked well with my pictures. Just a few pictures of Patrick painting. He loves to paint and draw.
Everything here is from the Dec kit at Paper Popsicles...aren't those the best papers ever!!

Recent Creations

Looking back on my blog I have realized in the past several months I haven't really posted anything I have made. So I thought I would share a few projects I have been making.

This countdown calender was so much fun. I used the Christmas Theme pack from Paper Popsicles. And some Miss Elizabeth stickers and Moxxie rubons from my stash. And that adorable little reigndeer stamp is from my friend Sheila who has followed her dream and started her own stamp business. Where she designs and makes them herself. You should go check out her site.

I made these ornaments for some friends at Christmas.
I loved these papers from the monthly kit at Scrapdango. They were so much fun to work with. Carrie always has wonderful kits with lots of goodies.


This was a Christmas sign I made because Patrick was concerned Santa wouldn't stop since we would be out of town. Everything is from Moxxie except for the ribbon, snowflake brad and the stickles.


This was a fun project. It was for the monthly contest at Paper Popsicles. We were suppose to scrap something we like about january. I thought with an altered cd case I could keep it out so I could see it and remind myself why...

Blog Challenge #3

Okay here is this weeks blog challenge from Suzanne. To pick a holiday and rant and/or rave about it.

I would have to say that all holidays are too commercialized. It drives me crazy. It is insane that they put out merchandise months ahead of time for specific holidays. But if I have to pick just one I would say Easter. It has been turned into just another holiday about candy, fun and a big fluffy bunny. Now I am all for candy...boy do I love candy. But the real reason behind Easter is being forgotten. I do believe it can be fun for the kids but also a learning experience too. A chance for them to learn about Jesus and his sacrifice for us.
I think we should all take a step back and think about the real reasons for the holidays we all celebrate.

What does your name mean?

What Regina Means:
You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.
You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.
You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life.You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone.Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs.
You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.
You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.
You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

Do you want to know what your name means...they find it here....http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz/

Most of this is true of me but I don't really see myself as being flaky, jealous or paranoid. But I guess that is a matter of opinion..lol. And I always finish projects..I hate leaving things undone, but that goes back to the perfectionist in me.