A Little Ode to Making Memories!

Most of you that follow my scrapbook work (and probably a few of you who don't follow it, but know I'm passionate about scrapping!), know that Making Memories is far and away my absolute favorite scrapbooking company. I love everything they produce from the fabulous papers and embellishments, to the awesome tools, to the stylish and useful storage. And of course there's a little tool I don't know how I ever lived without...the Slice!

Well, you should also know that in my busy schedule, I don't always have time to cruise the 'net like I did before Carter came along. My must reads every day include my email, Facebook, and the MM blog! I was a little excited to log on today and see they are looking for people to feature on their blog! Oooh, pick me, pick me! Of course I couldn't resist adding my name to the list...and just in case they decide to cruise on by MY blog...I figured a little ode to Making Memories was in order.

Here are a few of my favorite projects designed with MM product. Some have been nicely scanned and posted, some have been quickly snapped away at with the camera...but regardless I love all these projects either by design or subject matter... :)

Enjoy!

This first on is the photo I took of Carter and used it for his baby announcements. Such a cute photo, needed a stellar LO! It remains one of my very favorite LO's ever! This LO was one I love for the papers more than the photos ((blush)). However, I must tell you, I'm not the only one that loved it. This layout won a ribbon at the county fair last summer!

This one...come on, cute little boy...cute flocked bunny paper? Can't go wrong!

This one looks so much better IRL. I should scan it. I ADORE this product line.

Look at my little pumpkin!

Nothing special design-wise, I just love the holiday lines - so festive!

Carter and his favorite gift from last year!

A clock I designed (and it hangs in our living room)

I've got a big old stash of "Misteltoe" on my desk right now just itching to scrapbook some of this years holiday photos. Better get on that!

So...MM, if you're reading this - thanks for stopping by, and pick me! I'd be so honored! :)

More Layouts!

I was lucky to be asked to design for We Scrap the last few months. I love their kits, and their friendly online community. As a guest DT member for them I also participated in their newsletter. Each month I designed a LO based on a sketch from another DTer.

Here is the LO I designed for their January newsletter. I love this pic of me and Nancy. It was during her visit to SF in November. We went to the Academy of Sciences one morning while Carter was in preschool. This photo was taken outside when we were walking around the park.
Papers are by Bo-Bunny. I realized I never posted my LO from the December newsletter either! I made this LO using the November WeScrap monthly kit - lots of fun stuff in there including bright and cheery papers from WRMK and Cosmo Cricket. I thought they went well with this photo of Carter and I at Legoland last summer.

I've been hard at work designing layouts and an online tutorial for my A Page in Time Design Team. I'll be back to share them after they debut in February! :)

In the meantime, all my scrappy friends can be excited for the upcoming online crop over at WeScrap. It's the last weekend of the month, and will be lots of fun. Guess what? They are giving away a CRICUT!!

A few more WW recipes

5 point Macaroni and Cheese

5 point laughing cow chicken recipe

7points Shrimp, Peas and Rice Meal

6 point baked chicken parmesan

Enjoy!! :)

PS - Off topic from Weight Watchers. I just realized that my last 3 photo blog posts (all photos taken on different days) feature Carter wearing the very same shirt. Believe me, this kid has a wardrobe nicer than Steve and I combined. His "cows on the bus" shirt is his favorite though, and he must wear it whenever it's clean! LOL

Poor Carter

My poor baby hasn't been able to shake this wheezy cough he's had for ages. He was at the doctor and got a clean bill of health, but he's still be coughing and wheezy - especially if he's been running or talking a lot (which we all know my chatterbox likes to do a lot of!). His preschool called me on Weds upset because he had a full blown attack at school - so bad he had to lie down and they had to calm him to breathe. Very scary! So, off to the dr we returned. This contraption is what we came home with.

We're hoping that he'll just need it short term until this clears up...but we'll see!
He's quite the trooper with it. He need to sit still and breathe it in for a minute or so. He gets a little antsy the last few seconds for some fresh air, but he's doing well.

As requested!

I've spent a lot of time the last few weeks trying not not only trim our family's grocery budget, but our waistlines as well! I've been making up mealplans for the week based on the weight watchers program. I really think WW is one of the best programs out there for not only losing weight, but creating a healthy lifestyle. It's a plan where you really can eat what you want and you don't have to feel deprived by saying no to that piece of cake at a party...you just need to keep it all in check.

Anyways, many have asked for my meal ideas. I admit, I haven't tried these all yet, but they are on my plan for the next 1-2weeks. Overall, they all got great reviews. I also chose recipes that were quick and easy for a busy mom to pop on the table...and I'm hoping most of them are picky 3 year old friendly.

All these meals will be paired with a fresh, or steamed veggie(s) as a side. A salad, or a one point whole wheat bun (the WW brand ones are awesome). I plan to mix that up depending on the dish and what's on sale each week.

Weight Watchers Mexican Chicken Breasts. 4 portions. 4 points each portion.
1pkg taco seasoning
4 (4oz) chicken breasts
I cup salsa
1/4 cup non fat sour cream

Put the chicken and taco seasoning in a bag and shake to coat well. Place in a non-stick cooking pan and bake 30mis at 375F. Remove from oven and pour salsa over top. Bake an additional 5 minutes. Serve with dollop of sour cream on top.

Weight Watchers Mini Turkey Meatloaves. Makes 4. 4 points each.
mix 1/2 small minced onion
1tsp olive oil
1lb lean ground turkey
1/2 cup quick oats
1/4 cup ketchup
1 egg
use a mini loaf pan and shape the mixture into 4 mini loaves
Mix 2 tbsp ketchup and 2tsp worch. sauce and add as a glaze on top of the loaves
Bake uncovered for 40 minutes at 350.

Stay tuned...I have more, I'll keep posting them!
I'd love to see what WW recipes your family loves too - post a comment with a link!

Creative Play!

I haven't been too creative lately (hoping to change that tonight when I go cropping with some friends!). This was my last creation...

My friend Sam, who owns Scrapbook Star asked me to design a double page layout for her to teach in her store. It's a fun new series of classes she's calling "Scrap Rats". Designers, new and old, for the store are providing her with layouts to show off some of their personal style.

I had fun working with this line from Bo Bunny. I'm not too much for the Valentine's paper lines (of which this is one), but I think I sucessfully transformed it so it could be a layout to showcase almost any photo or theme. The layout features techniques for paper pleating, making your own flowers, and lots of handcutting. I also am completely in love with shaped papers right now!

I'm not sure when this class will debut at the store - it's in transit to Montreal right now!, but if you like it and you're local to the Montreal area keep your eye out for the upcoming class! Hope it's a success!

Loooong time no blog!

Ooops! It has been a long time...

Truthfully, not too much has been going on though, but here's a short update!

We enjoyed a nice Christmas and New Years in Calgary with our families. It was mighty cold and snowy there though, so we have enjoyed coming back to California! The photo above is Carter with one of his favorite Christmas gifts...a camera from Auntie Nancy!

We had a good trip back despite having to go through international customs just days after an attempted hijacking. It actually went pretty smoothly. Got to the airport really early, checked in fine, sailed right through customs, but hit a small snag at security. When they say they are really cracking down, they are. The were doing body searches on everyone...and they were realllllly searching you. Even Carter got searched. No problems there. They also swab everything you have on your body - watches, jewellry etc. They also swab all carry-on items. Carter and I did just fine...but not so shockingly, Steve's watch, cell, and computer all got flagged for swabbing positive for chemical substances. Guess that's what you bring home when you're a chemist! Anyways, they did some questioning and a lot of paperwork, but it all worked out fine! Whew!

Now we're back home and preparing to move into our new house! We're supposed to get the keys a week from today, but snags keep coming into play with everyone...so it might be a few extra days. C'est la vie. Looks like we won't actually move in until March-ish. We've got some remodeling to do first anyways. Exciting though!