Spring Cleaning

I've been busy trying to organize my craft area and while I was looking for some help I found this and I thought I would post this list I found on Just A Scrappin'


Organizing Your Craft Room - Here are some tips to organize your space

1. Separate your work area

If you do not have separate room for hobby/crafts then try to partition off an area of the room with a screen or by arranging bookshelves or furniture in such a manner that it creates a physical separation to the room. This will help restrict THE MESS (as others commonly call our craft addiction) to one area.

2. Think about storage

Have a place for everything and everything in its place. This will make your work time much more fun and efficient.

Get yourself some cardboard file boxes or the more expensive see-through plastic Rubbermaid boxes and organize your embellishments, fabric, ribbon, flowers, etc. Group things with common themes.

3. Easy Access to Tools

Have your scissors, glue gun, sewing machine, etc all close at hand. Make holders for your markers, your glue gun and your scissors. Get in the habit of always replacing these valuable tools BACK where they came from. This will save valuable time and reduce your stress level.

4. Lighting

Don't forget to spend some time and give thought to proper lighting. It is essential to your health as well as your mental attitude.

5. Worktable

Purchase an old table from the second hand store and it will be well used and you won't have to worry if that paint or glue that spilled will come off. If you do spend a lot of time crafting, an investment in a higher table will result in fewer backaches. You can raise the height of a display table if you cut four pieces of PVC pipe. A display table is the kind that you can buy at your local home renovation store. Their legs fold up and lie flat on the underside of the table. The length of the pipe depends on the distance you will need to raise the table to the right height for you. Fit the table leg into the PVC and tape on.

6. Music

Place your sound system within easy reach. Select your own music, don't just get in the habit of listening to the local station. If you choose your own music you can set the tempo and really increase you output. Try it and see if it works! Take advantage of all the information now available on CD. There are many motivational books and seminars. Learn while you work. (My personal favorite is right on my laptop - Pandora.com.)

7. Use your walls for storage

Get things up off the floor and off the counter tops. Invest in some shelving units or place pegboard on your walls.

8. Be realistic

Do you have craft supplies from BC (Before Christ)? Perhaps it would be a good idea to do a thorough cleaning and donate your old and unused craft supplies to a day-care, retirement center or community arts council.

9. Put it back!

My mom taught me this one, and it's so important it's mentioned twice! Now that you’re organized, once you're finished with it – put it back.

10. Tidy up

Spend 10 to 15 minutes at the end of EVERY day cleaning up. Set a stopwatch if you have to. Leaving your workroom clean and organized for the next day will make your more motivated to start.

Now you have some tips, here's the bad news. It is impossible to simply rearrange one area of your craft room. You must organize everything. Just as you go about clearing one area you will need to have a place to put things. Before you clean one mess it will take making a bigger mess. But it will be worth it. Remember to break down the job into smaller parts. "The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time." Good Luck!

I have to thank Linda for the help. I am getting there slowing but at least I can see some progress.

Snowing Again

Can you believe it! We got 3" of snow last night. The weather has sure been crazy around here.One day we are in the high 70's and the next it's snowing. Come on Mother Nature what gives? I can't take much more of this. Are you having hot flashes one minute it's cold and the next it's hot. Poor Mother Nature I think you may need some hormone therapy LOL! Anyhooo this is what it looked like this morning. Thank goodness it is all melted now!








With Mother's Day and National Scrapbooking Day the same weekend I kind of skipped over Cinco De Mayo. Look at these Margarita Cupcakes I made the girls for dessert on Cinco De Mayo to go along with Mark's Enchilada's YUMMMMM. I have to say this was one jam packed weekend with Cinco De Mayo, National Scrapbook Day and Mother's Day all in one weekend!

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dressing

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day and a great time on National Scrapbook Day. We had a lot fun both at the retreat and on our fan page. There where giveaways,contest and prizes!

As many of you know I am always looking for new recipes. I tried this one this past weekend and the girls loved and wanted the recipe so I thought I would share it with you too.

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dressing
Serves 6

INGREDIENTS
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 Cups cherry tomatoes,halved
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 (15 1/2 oz) can chickpeas,rinsed and drained
1 garlic clove,minced
1 (7 oz) jar roasred red peppers,
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
drained and thinely sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (6 1/2 oz) jar artichoke hearts,
1/4 teaspoon pepper
drained and queartedred
1 small head romaine lettuce,
tron into bite size pieces (6 cups)
1/2 Cup crumbled feta

6 pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
1 medium English cucumber,peeled and diced



DIRECTIONS:

1. Whisk the lemon juice,oil,garlic,oregano,salt,and pepper together in small bowl.
2. Arrange the lettuce on a large platter; top with the diced cucumber,tomatoes,chickpeas,peppers,and artichoke hearts.

Drizzle with the dressing and sprinkle with the cheese and olives. Server at once, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. I hope you enjoy this....let me know if you try it. I'd love to how you like it.

Happy Mother's Day

Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day. Don't forget we are having a drawing on our fan page later today for a 3 day weekend to Scrap-N-Away.

Happy National Scrapbook Day

Happy Nationsl Scrapbook Day everyone! They are having a giveaway on the Cricut Circle Blog. You have to post a picture of you in your scrapbook room so here it is.










You can't see much of my scrapbook room but here is a picture of me in it. Happy National Scrapbook Day.

Spring has finally hit Frazier Park

Well it's finally starting to feel like Spring around here. The weather is warming up during the day, however it's still chilly at night. The buds are popping out on the Lilac trees. In fact the Lilac Festival is in a couple of weeks. Mark wants to go every year maybe we will actually make it this year!

I'm not sure what happened to the Poppies this year but we didn't have any in our yard and there where very few a long the 5. We didn't get a chance to go out to the Poppy Reserve this year. I'm really disappointed I didn't get any pictures. I love taking pictures of them especially when they cover the whole hillside.

Some of you are already having 80 and 90 degree weather so if you need a break from the heat you should come up. We have some great specials going! Speaking of Specials have you joined our Fan Page on face book? We are giving away a free 3 day weekend to Scrap-N-Away on Mother's Day! All you have to do is become a fan.

We have had some many animals this year I thought I would post a picture of the dove. They have been coming up and sitting on the rail of the deck. This is the first year I've seen so many......usually we are lucky to see one or two all Spring and Summer. Not this year I've been seeing them daily and they are even coming right up to the house.


I'm still waiting to see the baby quail. Last year we had two covey of about 18 each. They are so cute waddling across the yard.....and they grow so darn fast. If you don't see them for a few days they are almost all grown. I hope I get to see at least one covey of babies this year!

I hope you are enjoying the nice weather....have a great day!

Happy Easter

Easter Story Cookies

Here is a great way to share Easter with your childern Easter Story Cookies go over Tiffany's blog and she has the recipe and the story.

I also found these adorable rice crispy treats....I can't wait to make them both!

It's been a very busy day today. Fixed brunch,got the girls off,made DH cookies for his lunch tomorrow (he is starting at a new store),found some of the Easter recipes I wanted,finished a couple of projects around the house and I just put dinner in the oven and decided to sit down and start this post.

I brought my scrapbook supplies into the living room so I can work on some projects after Mark goes to bed. I've got some more Easter die cuts I want to get made and I need to finish up my Easter cards so I can get them in the mail tomorrow.

Here is a layout of my grandson. He was excited about turning 7....he is growing up way to fast! It seems like just yesterday he was learning to walk.














Here are a couple of easy craft projects for the kids to make with egg cartons aren't they adorable?



Have a great evening, Bonnie

More Easter Layouts

We are leaving on Friday to see the grandkids for Easter so I've been busy making Easter layouts. I thought this year I would get a little a head of the game and have some of my layouts done before I take a million and one pictures over Easter weekend.

My grandson is waiting to color eggs until I get there so I made this layout. I can't wait to get his picture to put on it. I also have some Easter charms and flowers I want to add after I have the pictures

Here is the other side....isn't that the cutest little rabbit in the cart?



This week I'm also going to be busy making Easter Candy. I'm going to paint some chocolate and make these adorable little chicks and peeps





I better go make dinner. Hope you have a wonderful day. Leave us a comment we'd love to hear what your planning for Easter.

Layouts

These aren't the greatest pictures but I wanted to show you the adorable Snowball fighting Penguins and the Monarch Butterfly boarder I found.

I really need to get my scanner hooked up so I can scan these layouts. I will work on that this coming week. I have more layouts to show you but I think I'll wait until I get the scanner hooked up.

Easter Eggs

Do you remember these adorable Easter Eggs?


I thought I would make them again this year.
Here's what you need to make them
1 dozen eggs
Food coloring
Sharp Knife

Directions
Hard boil your eggs and peel. Place in food colors of your choice. Leave until they are the desired color you want. Let dry then cut jagged edge with sharp knife and fill with your favorite deviled egg recipe.

We took a mini-vacation and got out of the snow for the past 4 days. It was so nice to be in warm weather....short sleeves and flip-flops :-)

I got to have lunch with girl friends I haven't seen in awhile. It was a great time. Now it's back to the Retreat and back to work!

There was no snow when we got back yesterday....in fact the weather is beautiful today. It's still a little brisk out but the sun is shinning and the sky is a beautiful shade of blue.

I best go get ready for the Retreat. Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Easter Layouts

Here are a couple of the layouts I made for Easter. Sorry the pictures aren't better. I still haven't figured out a good way to take pictures of layouts. Anyone have any suggestions?

It's snowing again today. Right now it is coming down pretty good here is a picture of just before I started to write this and here is one about 5 minutes later. It sure didn't take long for it to turn white! One thing about this cold weather I love to stay inside and bake. I'm off to make some cookies and banana nut bread. Have a great day!

Do you know what this is? Yes it is the Yudu and Michael's has it on sale for $99.99 today! That's a great price if you've been wanting to get one of these this would be a great time.

I've heard mixed reviews on them. Some people say the are really difficult to use and others just love them. Here is their website Yudu just in case you want more information.

If you have one or get one let me know how you like it I'm still trying to decide if I need one. I've heard to many negative things so I've been putting off getting one however this is a great deal. It's probably a good thing I live so far from town or I might be at Michael's picking one up!

Today I am busy making bread and cookies so I will post some Easter ideas either later today or tomorrow. Hope you have a fantastic day!

Easter Carrots

Ok ladies remember these Hot Chocolate Bags and I told you you can make them for any holiday or party favors?

Well how about a cute little carrot for Easter. All you have to do is fill them with orange jelly beans,gumballs or M&M's.

Looking for something for the little guys who can't eat candy or just want something a little healthier? Fill them with Fish Crackers. I saw this cute idea on The Moody Fashionista's Blog.

What you need to make Carrots

1. Piping bags (1 per carrot)

2. Green Ribbon

3. What ever orange filling you want....jelly beans,gumballs,m&m's, crackers

Directions

Fill piping bags with jelly beans and tie the end with green ribbon.

These are Cute and Easy.....what could be better?

How about Chocolate Dipped Peeps

I can't remember where I saw these sorry if any one knows I would be happy to give that person the credit.

Since the rage this season seems to be everything taste better on a stick I'm going to add a sucker stick and put them in a vase for a center piece for the kids table on Easter Sunday.

Ingredients

Peeps

Chocolate for melting

Easter Sprinkles

Directions

Melt chocolate in microwave or on top of store. Take your peeps and dip them in melted chocolate and roll in Easter Sprinkles

I would love to see or hear about what you are making for Easter. Have a great day!

Easter S'moores

Druuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum Roll and the winner of a Weekend trip to Scrap-n-Away is Debbie. Congratulations! If you e-mail me with your address I will get your gift certificate out to you. I've been busy getting stuff together to start making Easter goodies. I'm off to get groceries in the morning. Here is one of my favorite things to make for the grand kids. I've posted it before but thought it was worth posting again since it is so easy and they love them. directed. *This gift jar may be created to suit any holiday for which marshmallow candies are available. Easter S'moores INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS: 1. 1 1/4 cups of Easter M&M's 2. 8 marshmallow bunny peeps 3. 1 package of Graham Crackers 4.1/3 Cup Brown Sugar Spoon M&M's into jar first, then Peeps, then put combined brown sugar and graham cracker crumbs in baggie. I put a cute Easter napkin over lid before closing. Attach a gift tag with the following instructions: 1. Empty the jar contents into a bowl. Snip the bunnies into bits with kitchen sheers or cut up with a knife. Return the bunny bits to the mixture. Mix well. 2. Melt 1/2 cup butter; add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pat into a greased 9" square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Cool and cut into bars. (Makes 9 to 12 bars.) *Option - leave bunnies whole; combine remaining ingredients and place the bunnies on top; then bake as directed.

Finally the snow is melting and I am done with my taxes whooooooooohooooow! Now it's time to play. I've been wanting to get started making some Easter crafts. I will post them as I get them done....I will also post some cute ideas I've been seeing around.

The animals have been out in full force lately..... I guess they are enjoying the nice weather too. The birds and squirrels have been fighting over the bird feeder. I wish I could get a picture of this crazy squirrel. He gets on the gate and jumps onto the window trying to reach the bird feeder. Of course he falls off every time.....you think he would learn after the second time Oh no he keeps trying and trying. This poor little guy isn't going to give up. I felt so bad for him since he kept falling and never did make it to get any food so I put some out for him. We have also had jackrabbits playing in the snow. I didn't get a picture of them play but here is a picture of one of them the other one took of as fast as he could.

If you click on this picture you will see a woodpecker eating out of the bird feeder. Have a great day!

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Snow,Snow and MORE SNOW

Ok enough is enough it can quit snowing anytime now. It's been snowing since Sunday. Ok not continuously but off and on. I am so OVER WINTER!!!! Poor Mark has been shoveling snow for days now and can't get caught up....it's kind of like laundry and dishes no matter how many times you do them there is still more :-) Poor Guy!

Today snow is just now starting to stick so there is only about 2" so far and accumulating rapidly. We still have power,sporadic phone service and absolutely no CELL service....text come in once in awhile but we can't return them. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or bad. It sure has been peaceful with no TV,Radio or Phone.

So enough about our situation here on the hill have you seen the new Pantone Colors for this Fall.....well here they are.....aren't they gorgeous?

WOMEN

MEN

No Power for over 24 hours

There was no late night scrapping here on Sunday even though the girls where stuck here until late on Monday. We lost power at about 7 on Sunday and didn't get it back until Monday night after 8. Just as I was trying to fix dinner by candle lite.

It was very quite around here. You could hear the branches and trees falling. All day Sunday and Monday you heard snow blowers from sun up til sundown. The snow in the driveway was over 3' deep. On the patio it was up to the railing.

We lost two trees and I'm not sure how many branches but they are all over the yard.

We are suppose to be getting another STORM tonight. I'm not sure how much longer we will have power. There are still a lot of power lines done and we could lose more if the winds get as strong as they are predicting.

I'm trying to decided if I want to go to work with Mark and stay at a friends house or just be here in the storm by myself. I pretty sure he won't be making it home until probably Sat.....we are suppose to get snow the rest of the week. I don't mind being here if we have electricity but it's a little hard around here with none and I'm not sure I'll have enough firewood to last that long. I'm sending Mark to get more wood now.....I don't want to be without heat. I can live without everything else but I draw the line at being cold.
....

Snowed In

It's the first day of Spring and we are snowed in. Here is what it looked like at noon today

Here's what it looked like at 3 and it is still snowing. The trees are so heavy with snow the branches are breaking and we have one large pine tree that fell over. They say it's suppose to be like this for the next 7 days. I feel sorry for the girl's families that are stuck here. Don't you wish it was you ;-)