awesome printable

I'm sharing my 5x7 "awesome" printable today.

It's another version of the fill-able frames we're doing for Super {Simple} Saturday 2012. This is Ella's favorite and the one she chose to be framed for her room.  

It's such a simple way to let someone know you appreciate them or give your littles--or bigs--positive reinforcement.

We love it when Ella willingly shares her "special" toys with Madi.

Click here to download. (*For personal use only please.)

Place the print in a frame and use a dry-erase marker on the glass to write in the details. You can wipe it off (no water needed) and use it over and over.

*Remember, when you have this printed, make sure the "auto enhance" is turned OFF, otherwise the colors will be very, very different and that would not be awesome.

Enjoy,
Kim

P.S. I'd love it if you'd leave a comment, letting me know who you're printing this for and one reason you think they're awesome. :)

It's Fall About You

I am so loving fall colors and the new set by The Alley Way Stamps called It's Fall About You is the PERFECT set to use these colors...


I had to use these colors from the color throwdown - isn't that inspiration photo amazing!

And I used these week's sketch from Technostamper.

Card details at the bottom of this post.

I have had the busiest weekend.  We spent all day yesterday on hard stadium bleachers, in the Colorado sun, watching my son compete in marching band.  This is the 6'4", 200+ pound son whom I have told you about in the past - "Are you sure you're not a football player??"  Nope - THIS is what he does...

He's the saxophone looking right between the drums.  

I am so proud of him.  Just last week, in Theology class, they were discussing stereotypes.  The teacher looked at Andrew and said "Just look at Andrew...you would think football...but NO...marching band!!"  In my day, I would have crawled under my desk at being a band geek.  But my son owns who he is and is extremely proud of being in the band!  (And the teacher knew that about him - it was a PERFECT example of stereotypes)

He's almost right in the center looking VERY serious.Their show started with them all marching in the old-fashioned style, fife and drum style...

Then they broke into a funky rendition of Katy Perry's Firework...
They were extremely upset that they didn't make the finals of the competition (top 12), but when we saw the final scoring - they scored 5th in group musicality!!  I am guessing they will be drilling their marching even harder over the next few weeks before the next competition!

• Stamps: The Alley Way Stamps It's Fall About You, sentiment is from Cover Up
• Paper: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake and Summer Starfruit CS, Pumpkin Pie and Sahara Sand dsp
• Ink: Memento black and Copics
• Accessories: Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie Taffeta, Lifestyle Crafts embossing folder

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef and Potatoes {Muy Bueno Cookbook Spotlight and Cook-off}

When I first received my copy of the soon-to-be-released Muy Bueno: Three Generations of Authentic Mexican Flavor Cookbook, I did what I always do. I grabbed a notebook and pen and sat down to explore my new book.  One of my favorites things to do with a new cookbook is write a list of all the recipes I want to try.  Usually my list is about half a page long. This time, however, I opened my Muy Bueno cookbook and once my pen hit the paper it never came back up.  Soon I realized that I literally wanted to make every single recipe.   

Instead of listing every recipe in the book I decided to catalog the top few that drew my attention the most.  The recipes destined for my kitchen right away.  Let me tell ya...that took awhile.  However, there was one recipe that was so colorful it drew me in, bell peppers in a rainbow of colors stuffed with a hearty mix of ground beef and potatoes. 

Stuffed peppers are special to me.  My Mom's specialty always was and continues to be her stuffed peppers.  She makes an awesome stuffed pepper filled with beef, rice, tomatoes, and cheese.  They are a real hit around here.  Mom's stuffed peppers are so good that I never even attempted to make stuffed peppers myself.  Until now. 

This recipe, from the Muy Bueno cookbook, is different enough that it simply can't be compared to Mom's stuffed peppers.  My Mom's recipe is more about the filling where in this Muy Bueno version I feel like the bell pepper itself is the star.  You really taste the pepper.  This version is very fresh and feels almost virtuous, perfect for this time of year when temperatures still remain high but comfort food is calling.

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef and Potatoes

Pimientos Rellenos con Picadillo

Makes 3 stuffed bell peppers

3 bell peppers (your choice of color)

1 batch picadillo (recipe follows)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco (I subbed feta cheese)

cilantro, for garnish (optional)

For Picadillo:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup chopped white onion

1 pound ground beef

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped roma tomatoes

1 small russet potato, peeled and finely chopped

To make picadillo: In a large skillet heat oil over medium heat.  Add onion and cook for about 2 minutes, until translucent.  Add ground beef and brown,  Using a potato masher, mash meat so you have small pieces of meat with no big chunks.  Drain off excess grease.  Add garlic, salt, tomatoes, and potatoes and cook over low heat for about 15 minutes, until potatoes are done.  Salt to taste.

To make the stuffed peppers:  Preheat the oven to 350F.  Make picadillo for stuffing the bell peppers (see above). Rinse the peppers, Cut the tops off and remove the white flesh and seeds.  Rinse out the inside of each pepper.  In a large stockpot parboil the peppers, about 3-5 minutes, depending on how soft you want them to be in the final dish.  Remove the peppers and drain any excess water that is inside them.  

Brush each pepper with olive oil.  Heat up a comal (or griddle) and place the peppers on their side on the comal, about 1 minute on each side, just long enough to sear the sides of each pepper.

Prepare a baking dish (about 10.5 inches by 7 inches/a bread loaf pan would be perfect) that will accommodate your 3 peppers.  Spray the dish with cooking spray to keep the peppers from sticking to it.  Pour about 1/4 inch water into pan.  

Stuff each pepper with some picadillo and place it in the baking dish.  Cover with foil and crimp the edges onto the dish creating a seal.  Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes.  

Remove from oven and let rest for about 5 minutes.  Plate 1 pepper per plate, top with crumbled queso fresco (or feta), and garish with cilantro. 

This post is part of the Muy Bueno Cookbook Spotlight & Cook-Off sponsored by Hippocrene and hosted at girlichef*

Stay tuned for next week when I will be hosting a Muy Bueno Cookbook Review and Giveaway!  You don't want to miss out on a chance to win a copy of this gorgeous book!

As You Wish: Boo to You

It's just a short scroll down for Dynamic Duos!

I was thinking that I was done with Halloween cards, but as I was spending an exciting Friday night sorting through my digital images, these eyes from As You Wish Designs kept following me...


I also knew that I had this fun Authentique paper in my Halloween stack and knew they would be a good fit.
I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch:

• Stamps: As You Wish Designs Card Quotes Word Art 3 (in the Hybrid section)
• Paper: Stampin' Up Tangerine Tango, Papertrey Ink Fine Linen, Authentique Enchanted Collection "Glowing"
• Ink: none
• Accessories: Memory Box spider, Papertrey Ink Fine Linen ribbon and Linen/Canvas Impression Plate, Spellbinders squares and circles

Dynamic Duos: Cherry Plus One

This week's Dynamic Duos is a Mix and Match week - we pick one color and you get to pick the second color.  This week's color is Cherry...although by looking at my card, you might think it is Pool Party!!

I love the richness of the cherry against the soft background.  There's lots of sparkle on this card also which is somewhat easier to see in this close-up.  I put a little dab of sparkle on every snowflake and across many of the branches.

Be sure to check out the rest of the design team - there's an amazing variety of cards this week!!  Then create your own using Cherry plus one other color and link it up.  We love to see what you have created!

• Stamps: Papertrey Ink Through the Trees, the sentiment is actually from a Sweet 'n Sassy set that I have just realized hasn't even been released yet - check back on October 11th for a full preview of the set
• Paper: Stampin' Up Pool Party
• Ink: Stampin' Up Pool Party, Cherry Cobbler
• Accessories: Stampin' Up Glitter Glue, Cherry Cobbler twine and embossing folder (retired), Spellbinders circle and lacy circle

...milky way...

This month over at Once Upon a sketch we had the opportunity to team up with CSI challenges, it was fun to play along. I was a part of the fourth round challenge. We had to use this image/sketch/colour combo for inspiration.( Don' t forget as always there must be journaling on your layout somewhere to be eligible to win a prize. I hope you can play along too!

 Oh how I love these speech bubble buttons from Greatest View.

My journaling is hidden under my photo that completely comes away from my layout, I have used magnets to hold the pieces together!

                                                            

Santa's Christmas Wish

I was playing at my friend's house again - the one with the massive Stampin' Up collection.  Everything on this card is hers - except I had to come home and add the twine!!


I used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.

• Stamps: Stampin' Up Christmas Wishes, Petite Pairs
• Paper: Stampin' Up Poppy Parade, Polka Dot Parade dsp
• Ink: Stampin' Up Poppy Parade, Old Olive
• Accessories: Stampin' Up Bitty Banner Die, Delicate Designs Embossing Folder, Martha Stewart twine

Cathedral WIndow Blog Hop!!!!!

Y'all know I LOVE me some Cathedral Windows!!!!!! They are STUNNINGLY beautiful and so much EASIER than you would think!!!! I am a day (or two) behind posting this wonderful quilt along but I sincerely hope that you will join in on the fun, make some beautiful blocks, pat your self on the back, share with us all on flickr and then get ready for some AWESOME prizes!!!!!!

This FABULOUS Blog Hop was organized by and being hosted by Bree at My Crafty Crap and I TOTALLY copied and pasted  the following from her blog!!!!!

Cathedral Window Sampler Quilt Along Blog Hop

Well, that's quite a mouthful, isn't it?!  I'm so excited to finally be able to announce the big event that's kicking off next week!  Yes, next week is already October, I can hardly believe it!

I am so excited to be teaming up with Pellon and FreeQuiltPatterns.info, along with 8 other amazing designers, to bring you a fun 9-block Cathedral Window mini sampler.  Each week in October, there will be two block tutorials featuring each designer's take on the traditional Cathedral Window.  

Oct 1 :: Sara @ Sew Sweetness
Oct 4 :: Bree @ My Crafty Crap
Oct 8 :: Jill @ Made with Moxie
Oct 11 :: Emily @ Mommy's Nap Time
Oct 15 :: Rachael @ Imagine Gnats
Oct 18 :: Jessica @ Sew Crafted
Oct 22 :: Elizabeth @ Don't Call Me Betsy
Oct 25 :: Kim @ My Go-Go Life
Oct 29 :: Heather @ Olive & Ollie

And of course, what would a quilt along be without prizes?!  We have some truly amazing prizes for you from some amazing sponsors.

Pellon

FreeQuiltPatterns.info

Aurifil

Fat Quarter Shop

I'll share the full prize run down later this week, but there will be prizes for completing each individual block and for completing the full 9-block sampler top (does not need to be fully completed with back & binding).  You will have until November 15 to complete all the blocks, so you should have plenty of time, even if you're lucky enough to be attending Sewing Summit or Fall Quilt Market.  

Here's a quick peek at my block I'll be sharing next week.

Stay tuned for more info this week, and get ready to kick things off next week!

Until next time...

There's a New Sketch in Town....

It's just a short scroll down for the TAWS Blog Hop!!

There's a new sketch challenge in town...

and it's CAS (Clean And Simple)!!

Two of my favorite things in one place!

Check it out here!!!

Then it gets even more exciting for me...I am on the design team!!

The excitement for you is checking out the rest of the design team (just click on the above link).  If you love CAS and you love browsing blogs and ooohing and aaahing over amazing creations, this is a group of ladies that you need to follow!  I have been following and getting inspiration from many of them even before we gathered for this design team - and those that I hadn't discovered yet immediately went into my blog reader.  I spent an enjoyable few hours catching up on their work.

You do have a short wait before you can play along - the first challenge goes live at 8 a.m. Mountain Time (10 Eastern) on October 11th.

See you then!

TAWS New Release Blog Hop

It's one of the special days of the month...the new release blog hop for The Alley Way Stamps (TAWS)!!

I am definitely hopping today...


Check out that face.  He could be angry, or surprise or confused.  I'm not sure how I am going to use this - probably for some nasty "you're not really old" birthday card!!  The frog comes from a new set called Kid 'n Caboodle which is the same type of set as Priceless Joy.
Another new set this month is called Trees Company - trees and birds...could it get any better??  I used a few of the "pieces" to put together this little scene. 
The colors on both cards come from Papertrey Ink: Aqua Mist, Limeade Ice, Summer Sunrise and Kraft.
I used the third new set on Monday's sneak peek post - this set includes my favorite little turkey BIGGED!  I love him so much!!
Here's all the official details on this blog hop:

One person will win ALL 3 NEW SETS!! YEP!! So if you want that person to be you.. all you have to do is comment on the hop! 

Here are ways you can win.. You can pick and choose which ones you want to do.. but the more you comment, the more chances you have to win.. 

1-Comment on The Alley Way Stamps Blog

2-Comment on the DT girls blogs (below)

3-Post about it on facebook or your blog

4-Like us on Facebook

(leave a seperate comment for each that you do)

 You have until September 30th by 9:30 PM TAWS time to leave comments.

Here are the DT Blogs to visit

Alison
Annette
Arielle
Audrey
Danielle
Jessica
Kim <===You Are Here
Lyndal
Tracy

The layout on the frog card is the Fall to Layout from clean&simple stamping.

The layout on the bird card is from iSpy Sketches.

Have a great hop!!

simple solutions: Easy Lunchboxes

You know I love anything that can simplify my life.

Our little Ella is the pickiest eater on. the. planet. The other day she told me, "I think by the time I'm 32, I will try a vegetable." Ughhh! But she lives on Grape Nuts. It's the "go-to" meal when she doesn't like what we're eating. And she'll even eat plain yogurt--with Grape Nuts. Go figure.

Needless to say, I was a little concerned about her eating lunch at school now that she's in first grade. Not only is she a picky eater, she's also a grazer, preferring little snacks throughout the day instead of full meals.

I was intrigued by all the Bento Boxes around and looked into different options. I decided to try these Easy Lunchboxes because they were one piece instead of a bunch of smaller pieces that fit inside a larger box. I couldn't be happier with them.

I love them because they're easy (and even fun) to pack. They come in a package of four, so I can put them together for the week on Sunday night and stack them in the fridge. Ella eats school lunch on Friday (pizza day--cheese only :)), so it works out perfectly. The drink looks frosty because I freeze them and they keep the rest of the meal cold until lunch.

Ella likes them because they're a lot like a Lunchable (which she loves). She enjoys choosing what goes in each of the little sections, but sometimes she tells me, "Just surprise me!"

The boxes are meant to be opened by little ones, so they aren't leak-proof. They fit pretty snug though. I simply add a large rubber band for assurance. (You can also purchase a cooler-type bag to hold the lunchboxes, but they fit right in the bottom of Ella's backpack perfectly, so I haven't yet.)

I packed a couple with different snacks on our last road trip and they worked wonderfully. Ella and Madi also love them for picnics. I love simple solutions!

I purchased mine on Amazon.

Easy Lunchboxes

Have a great day,
Kim

Quilters Take Manhattan {and a giveaway}

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!!!!! The Quilters Take Manhattan event in NY was a whole lot of everything that one could LOVE about quilting,sewing, and the arts!!!!  When they come to your neck of the woods...GO!!!

The day event was filled with an amazing interview with Denyse Schmidt and Meg Cox that had everyone on the edge of their seats not knowing what to expect next.  There were tales of tutus and Andy Worhol...Denyse is a VERY INTERESTING lady! The quilt behind the lovely ladies was hand quilted by Denyse and was just incredible!

The next speaker was Jennifer Chiaverini, the author of the Elm Creek Quilts series.  This wife and mother also has TWENTY books to her credit. I must bow down to her greatness since I can barely get my thoughts together on a daily basis much less write books!

Her book Sylvia's Bridal Sampler is where I found the Courthouse Steps I used for my scrappy quilt!

Sadly, Mark Lipinski could not attend but the organizers made a special area to write love notes to Mark...complete with Hello Kitty stickers!!!! Hope you are better soon Mark!!!!!

I was so fortunate that I was able to attend with one of my dearest friends, I have known her since I was  16...so that makes it THIRTY YEARS...anyway, she is a phenomenal artist ( she does set design) and has her site up and running (YAAY Shari!).

It brought me so much joy to be able to share with Shari the beauty and artistry of the quilts.

Then there were fabulous giveaways ( I didn't win any but just being there was SUCH a treat)

We took a short break, had a late lunch and went for the wardrobe change for the evening...first I had to get a glimpse of one of my MOST favorite secret gardens in NYC! Isn't it GORGEOUS!!!!!!

Then it was off to Quilters Take Manhattan...AFTER DARK!

The hostess with the mostest was Victoria Findlay Wolfe, a talented quilter, author and super model ( I have not verified this but she HAS to be...she is a stunner) with a lovely family and ROCKIN studio!!!!!! She was very kind to have all of us crazy quilters up in her space although I did notice that since there was alcohol being served there were NO rotary blades to be found,LOL!!!!!!

The party was HOPPIN when we walked in after being graciously welcomed by Victoria's wonderful husband. Some of the shots are blurry since I need a new lens for my camera (sorry).

On the left is the OMG talent LUKE Haynes...if you do not know him...go to his site and check out his  quilts...GAH!!!!!! I really have no words to describe is awesomeness!!!! I love this guy!!!!! In the middle is the lovely Paula Natlestern And of course we ALL know Denyse Schmidt!!!!!! She apparently knows how to do a jig too!!!!! Beautiful, intelligent, talented and fun :o)

In the studio there were precut ( Accuquilt) pieces for us to make a block to put up on the design wall.SO FUN!!!!! The quilt will be put together by Victoria and auctioned off to raise money for the Quilt Alliance.

 This is Shari's FIRST ever quilt block...I will get her hooked ;o) MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

The art work in the loft was so much fun and we had to get a shot of the Motley Crue,LOL!!!!

So, after ALL of that fun I had to say good-bye to NYC, I am really looking forward to going back already!!!!!  Many thanks to ALL the Quilt Alliance Board Members for doing good work and keeping our quilting history intact!!!!! You guys ROCK!

Now for the giveaway...

The work that the Quilt Alliance does is very important! I would like to spread the word, get people involved and show some support for this organization that works to promote the quilting arts...past, present and future...

At the event they gave away goodies bags...

One winner will receive...

TWO charm packs of the new Michael Miller Cotton Couture 

One roll up ( four ten inch squares) of Denyse Schimdt's new line Chicopee

FOUR small spools of Aurifil 12wt

ONE pkg 20x2yds of Mistyfuse

ALL in this AWESOME reusable bag!!!!!

Giveaway entries are closed...

Thank you everyone that participated!!!!!!  There was a whole lot of liking going on :o) I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments!!!!!

The winner has been chosen by the random.org widget and it chose...

JLVerde...from Just Something I Made

CONGRATULATIONS and I will be sending you an email later today!!!!!!

Thanks again everyone!!!!!!!