Friday, December 23, 2011

i{heart}2stamp: Unselfishness

I have been playing along with Jen's i{heart}sketches all year long and this is my card for the final sketch.


I normally follow sketches almost exactly.  I know they are supposed to be an inspiration and we are to use our creativity, but I find it more of a challenge to come up with ideas to make the exact sketch work.  But I broke my own "rules" this week - I flipped the sketch sideways, I used a standard sized card instead of a square and the three circles became three clouds!



The stamp is from Eat Cake Graphics.  Years ago, I made a Christmas card for our church card rack - the image on the card was so popular that I have had people request cards with this image every year since.  If you want a good chuckle to start your day - check this out!  (BTW - this image and other popular Eat Cake Graphics images are also available in quilt patterns.  That's one hobby I refuse to even try because I seem to fall in love with EVERYTHING I try and I have enough card supplies, knitting yarn and patterns, and...going back in time...cross stitch floss, cloth and patterns to last a dozen lifetimes!)

By following along with Jen's sketches all year, I am eligible for a prize package - but to qualify, I need to list all of my previous posts here.  If you are a follower, you have seen all of these before - but I need to show Jen that I did it!!  Fingers crossed!!

January: With Love From Me to You
February: B is for Birthday
March: Asian Artistry
April: Field Birds AND You're a Star
May: Bird Cage in Brights
June: Hang in There
July: Colorful Kite
August: A Nostalgic Halloween
September: Musical Bird
October: Winter Owls
November: Snowman with Copics

For today's card:
  • Stamps: Eat Cake Graphics, Hero Arts Envelope Background (cloud pattern), sentiment is a part of a stamp from Stampin' Up's Very Punny
  • Paper: Stampin' Up Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight CS and dsp, Lucky Limeade
  • Ink: Colorbox Frost White, Memento black, Copics
  • Accessories: Papertrey Ink Cloud Dies, Nestabilities circle and zigzag circle, Martha Stewart grass border, Stampin' Up Baja ribbon and Round Tab Punch

Check out this post for Copic tips and hints

Thursday, December 22, 2011

The tree decorations

It was time to say good bye to the Hambly DT this month, I want to say thankyou to Allison for the most incredible year and giving me my first real break overseas.
I decided to create some Christmas Decorations for our tree this year using a Hambly Screenprint Overlay, and I really love how they turned out!

 Thankyou to the lovely Leanne for the handmade flower!

 It's a bit hard to see but I added glitter to the edge of the crepe paper frill.
I want to wish each and everyone of my friends and family near and far a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, I hope the time spent with family this year is fulfilling and warm and fuzzy just as it should be!
Till next time...

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

a little Christmas inspiration: it's all in the packaging


Ella has had a difficult time with so many packages arriving on our porch and none of them being for her. Finally, the UPS man brought a great big box just for her and Madi. (It's from my brother, Mike, and his wife, Lynn. Thanks, guys!). As excited as she was, you'd have thought it was Christmas! Oh wait, it is. :) One of the things I love about the holidays, is having boxes arrive on my porch.

I, on the other hand, received a nice influenza bug for the holidays. Really? Really? REALLY? I went to Instacare on Sunday and the doctor loaded me up with meds and a "wait and see" prescription for an antibiotic. I can fill it on Christmas Eve if I'm not feeling better. In the meantime, I've watched every last Hallmark Channel Christmas movie EVER made and more HGTV than I need in a lifetime. (And I love HGTV.) This stinks! I have so much to do.

Thank goodness I had my shopping done the first week of December. My kids know they'd better have their finalized list done on Thanksgiving or they get what I choose. (And thank goodness the older ones wanted gift cards.)

I did manage to wrap a few more gifts today. I love wrapping gifts. And I love beautifully wrapped gifts.


Like these. I found this darling idea on Pinterest and when I went to the source listed on flickr, it said NanaCompany. Well, of course it did, because I love everything that girl (Amy) does. :) She sews and stitches beautifully. Here Amy used two different coordinating patterns on each wrapped package, tied them up with ribbon and/or fabric strips and adds a simple snowflake tag. So simple. So doable. So doing this.

photo by: Merissa Revestir

I may just wrap up some of those gift cards like this: white envelope, candy cane and baker's twine. Couldn't be simpler and so sweet.


How fun is this for a gift card? And very simple to make. There's a great tutorial on The Creative Mama.

To make your gift wrapping more fun, gather your supplies, make some hot cocoa and watch a Hallmark Channel Christmas special while cutting and taping. If you finish early and need to know how a story ends, let me know, I've seen them all! *cough, cough* :)

Let Go & Let God

I was pawing through my supplies looking for something entirely different when I came up with this stamp and it spoke to me.  I have had a very difficult time this year letting go of my own expectations of my life. 
  • I have an unemployed husband (but no worries, we are in MUCH better shape than so many others in this situation - I am just tired of having him around the house!!). 
  • My oldest son is now home being home-schooled (a blessing - but I am already tired of having him around the house too!!) 
  • I'm heading back to school to freshen my credentials to find employment so I can get out of the house since everybody else seems to be here!! (I did have a career prior to a family, but it's been 12 years)
I had definitely envisioned a more stable and relaxed life.  (Of course, I had also envisioned myself 30 pounds lighter - but I am working on that!)

Life really isn't bad...I have my God by my side and I know with all my heart that He has a plan for me.  But I do have to be reminded of that once in awhile - even if it is by a rubber stamp!!


  • Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Let Go, Let God and Serene Silhouettes
  • Paper: Stampin' Up Groovy Guava, Early Espresso, Afternoon Tea dsp
  • Ink: Stampin' Up Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi and Early Espresso
  • Accessories: Nestabilities Circle and Scalloped Circle, Martha Stewart ribbon

A Unique and Delicious Banana Bread

You know how you make a recipe with no intention at all of posting it and sharing it?  That's the case with this recipe.  I'd been craving banana bread and I had plenty of ripe bananas on my hands so I set about making Tessa's recipe for banana bread. 

I noticed a few unique things while making the bread.  First, the recipe didn't call for any white sugar, only brown sugar.  Second, the recipe called for mixing the baking soda into the warm milk...something I'd never heard of at all.  I wondered if Tessa's variations would yield any differences in the final product and boy did they ever.  This is probably the best looking banana bread I've ever made.  It rose wonderfully in the oven.  Not only was this a good looking loaf of bread, it was utterly delicious.  Everyone who tried this bread ended up exclaiming "Wow, that is some great banana bread."  They all had two slices, myself included. 

If you're a fan of banana bread or if you have ripe bananas on your hands, then I really urge you to try this recipe.  It's tender, fragrant with spices, and just plain fantastic when served warm with a little butter.  This will be my new go to banana bread recipe.

Banana Bread
Adapted from Apples for Jam by Tessa Kiros
Serves 10 or so

Tessa says, "This is my schoolfriend Alexia's recipe:  Her mom was a fantastic cook and she always made this.  It is a healthy snack or breakfast and an excellent way to use up bananas that otherwise might be on their way out.  I always end up making this because bananas in my house just never keep the pale waxy complexion that they have in the shops.  For some reason, they start deteriorating the minute they come home with me.  You can add some chopped walnuts or hazelnuts, too, and some cinnamon.  Serve it on its own, or even lightly buttered and with your favorite jam."

1/4 pound plus 1 tablespoon butter
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
3 or 4 medium ripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
salt (a good pinch)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
4 tablespoons warm milk

Preheat the oven to 350F and butter a 12 by 4-inch loaf pan.

Cream the butter and sugar until smooth and then whisk in the mashed bananas.  Add the eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of so of salt and whisk in well.  Sieve the flour and baking powder and beat until smooth.  Mix the baking soda into the milk and stir into the batter.

Scrape the mixture into the panand bake for about 50 minutes, until the bread is crusty on the top and a skewer poked into the middle comes out clean.  Turn out onto a rack to cool

Serve warm or cold, plain or toasted with butter, but allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container, where it will keep well for several days.

Note: I mixed the batter for the bread by hand in a mixing bowl.  I did not use any type of mixer at all.
Theme: Holiday Goodies



Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Attention to detail {a review and a giveaway}

If you have ever been in the military, been married to someone in the military, or just known someone in the military you have probably heard how important  "attention to detail" is to everything. There is a thread company that also has high standards for it's product line.  The company is Aurifil  and I have been lucky enough to have been able to use this fabulous thread for the past couple of weeks to see if it really is wonderful and I am happy to report that it is all that and a bag of chips!


Here are the projects so far...

Today I am finishing up these stockings for the kids


The table runner I made last week, even through burlap and batting no issues!!!!! And no I STILL do not have ornaments on my tree :o)



I used it on my Bernina 440 to play a bit. My Bernina has hiccups with some threads when I do free motion quilting but...

BEAUTIFUL and no worries about skipped stitches!

I tried this thread on my sweetie pie old Singer 301...

and she LOVED it!!!!!

and this is the thread I used on this cathedral window pin cushion


Look at those beautiful stitches!!!!


I also am using it for the fishy friends quilt but I have to make time for that after Christmas.

The nice people at Aurifil sent along this set of thread so that you can try it too! And did I mention this thread is sexy? It is from Italy and I am also convinced that EVERYTHING from Italy is sexy,LOL!



and since it is hard to try new thread without having some new fabric I am also including this charm pack from Moda!





Monday, December 19, 2011

Scorpio Rising blog Tour!!


Announcing the Scorpio Rising Social Media Whirlwind Tour!

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Scorpio Rising eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.

What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including 2 Kindle Fires, Amazon gift cards up to $100 in amount, 5 autographed copies of the book, and 5 autographed copies of its recently released sequel, The Sting of The Scorpio. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 23rd, so you don’t miss out.



To Win the Prizes:





  1. Purchase your copy of Scorpio Rising for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble


  2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes


  3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!


  4. BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!




...And I can win too!


Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.



The Featured Events include:


Monday, Blogaganza on Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We’ll ask the writer 5 fun and random questions to get everyone talking. Leave a comment or question in response to the post, and you may win an autographed copy of Scorpio Rising or its sequel, The Sting of The Scorpio. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!

Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. Autographed copies of Scorpio Rising and its sequel, The Sting of The Scorpio, are also up for grabs. The winner will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: Looking for a read that's full of love, drama, and betrayal? Scorpio Rising has been reduced to 99 cents! http://ow.ly/7zA2s #whirlwind

Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the Scorpio Rising book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. Autographed copies of Scorpio Rising and its sequel, The Sting of The Scorpio, are also up for grabs. Three chances to win! How about that?

Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the Scorpio Rising book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. Autographed copies of Scorpio Rising and its sequel, The Sting of The Scorpio, are also up for grabs.

Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Win a Kindle Fire! Two are up for grabs! Visit Monique’s website to leave a comment on any of her posts and sign-up for her author newsletter. One person will win for each method, so be sure to do both.



Remember, it’s all about the books!


About Scorpio Rising: Set in New York and Paris amid the glamorous and competitive worlds of art and real estate, Scorpio Rising takes the reader from the late 1940s to the 1960s through the tumultuous lives of its heroes. Alex Ivanov is the son of a Russian immigrant and part-time prostitute. He yearns to escape his sordid life and achieve fame and fortune. His dreams of becoming a world-class builder are met with countless obstacles, yet he perseveres in the hope of someday receiving the recognition he craves. Half a world away, Brigitte Dartois is an abused teenager who runs into the arms of a benefactor with
an agenda all his own. When she finds out that her boss has an ulterior motive, she flees again, determined to earn her living through her art. This career brings her fame, but also the unwanted attention of her early abuser. Monique Domovitch’s debut novel, Scorpio Rising, is a compelling tale filled with finely etched characters and a superb understanding of the power of ambition. Scorpio Rising promises to resonate with all who once had a dream. Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About The Sting of The Scorpio: In Scorpio Rising, Monique Domovitch presented a compelling tale filled with colorful characters and the manipulation of power, ambition, and greed. Now she gives us its spellbinding sequel, The Sting of the Scorpio, where Alexander Ivanov returns to New York with his new bride, Brigitte. The real estate industry is ripe with opportunity. Blessed with irresistible charm, ambition, and the single-minded obsession to succeed, Alex plots and manipulates his way to almost mystical success. Everything he touches turns to gold, but it’s never enough. When a hostile takeover bid leaves him struggling to save his beloved company, he suspects those closest to him of plotting his downfall. Brigitte, the beautiful redhead who abandoned her country and her career to become his wife, feels alone. In return, Alex has betrayed her time and again, each indiscretion cutting deeper into her soul. Brigitte’s son, David yearns to be an artist, but Alex’s plans leave no room for such frivolous goals. He grooms a reluctant David to become the heir apparent until a devastating tragedy attracts the attention of another young man. The Sting of the Scorpio is a rich tale of a man at the mercy of his own greed and a woman bound by her need for love. Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the Author: Monique Domovitch began writing at the age of fifty-five. Two years later, she has two self-published novels—her Scorpio Series—and a three-book deal with Penguin, for books she has written under the name of Carol Ann Martin. Never seen without her laptop, Monique and her husband travel the world and divide the rest of their time between their homes in British Columbia and California. Monique loves to hear from readers! Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.



Now please enjoy this beautiful excerpt from Scorpio Rising...




Half way around the world, Brigitte Dartois also liked drawing. Rather than buildings, her pictures were of her family—Papa, Maman, and herself under a bright sun. Sometimes she drew trees and flowers. Her subjects were the same as any other child’s her age, but her pictures were different. They were strong and arresting.

“Viens voir, Colette,” her father called her mother. He held up a bright drawing of a garden. “Regarde, don’t tell me our daughter is not talented.”

Colette Dartois looked, but to her, those colorful scribbles were no better than those of any other nine-year-old.

She shrugged. “You shouldn’t compliment her too much. It will go to her head. Brigitte, put that away and go do your homework.”

Often, Colette would look at her husband and her daughter with vague discomfort. He paid so much attention to Brigitte and so little to her. Every day when Louis Dartois burst through the door after work, it was Brigitte to whom he opened his arms after a perfunctory kiss to Colette. Gradually, Colette’s love for her husband and daughter festered into resentment and jealousy.

Then, when Brigitte was thirteen, her father died suddenly. Three months later, her mother married Lucien. “Consider yourself lucky. Not many men are willing to be a papa to a grown girl like you. You better be nice to him.”

Brigitte was filled with anger, betrayed by her mother's indifference. One night, when Brigitte was alone in the house with her stepfather, she awakened to a pair of rough hands moving over her body. “This will be our little secret,” Lucien told her when she opened her eyes. “If you even think of telling anyone, I'll kill you,” he said. Then he raped her.

Her mother worked the evening shift as a barmaid at a club down the street, and for the next three years, it became a nightly ritual for Lucien to stop in for une petite caresse, as he called it. Every night he gave her the same warning. “You tell anyone and you're dead.” Sometimes he went into gruesome details of what he would do to her if she ever told. Brigitte believed him. So, she kept her mouth shut.

Once, she was the top student in her class. Her grades began to slide until she was close to failing. She slept at her friends' flats whenever she could. At home, she was silent and withdrawn. Her mother barely noticed.

“What's the matter with you?” Colette asked. “Get your act together. You keep it up and you'll be kicked out of school.”

One night while Lucien was in her bed and forcing himself on Brigitte, the bedroom door flew open. Her mother stood in the entrance, an expression of horror on her face. Lucien jumped up and fumbled with his trousers. “It's the girl's fault,” he said, his voice coming in halting breaths. “How's a man supposed to resist? She's always coming on to me. As soon as you leave in the evening, she takes off her camisole and lets me see her body. Colette, you've got to stop her, she's trying to break us up!”

“Get out!” Colette shouted, and her voice was like ice. The girl sobbed in relief. At last, her ordeal was over. She would never have to see her stepfather again. “You're no daughter of mine. Get out you putain.”

In shock, Brigitte realized her mother was speaking to her. She had lost! Lucien had won! She dressed as quickly as she could, threw a few of her things into a pillowcase, and slipped silently down the hall to the closet where her mother kept her purse. Sorry, but I'll need this more than you will. She took all the cash she found. Then she left.

Two days later, a sales-help-wanted sign in a store window caught her eye.