Just digging Echo Park and Graphic 45

Do you have a list of your must have's from CHA - the new fall, Halloween and Christmas lines are being revealed all over the web !!! Whimsical - my pals at Echo Park have it covered and Vintage Lovely - Graphic 45 does not miss a beat !!!

Found this last night - thought it was pretty cool !! Not sure where on the web I found it , sorry cannot give credit where due but just think it is uplifting !

Graphic 45 sneak peeks new CHA

Okay I am totally in love with Graphic 45 and the new papers being released at CHA are to die for - just love the colors, the kids, the words , the paper - so vintage and so lovely !!

3 bugs in a rug have NEW papers that are darling

I have ordered these two paper lines - they will be to the store soon !!
Ashlyn & Bake Me a Cake !!!

thought for the day

"If you expect to be successful, you will eventually be successful. If you expect to be happy and popular, you will be happy and popular. If you expect to be healthy and prosperous, that is what will happen... Always think and talk positively about the future. Start every morning by saying: 'I believe something wonderful is going to happen to me today.' Then, throughout the day, expect the best." — Brian Tracy

 This is so powerful , I had to share it - expect the best !  Mackenzie's PE teacher , Hendu, always said this to the kids - do your very best !!

check this out !

New store stuff !!!

Hi ladies -

We have restocked - all- of  the local schools' papers and it is loaded onto the store shelves - we have tons of graduation stickers, rub ons and papers too !  I made a simple layered card and tag for ideas for you - simply put the stickers onto a white sheet of paper and create your own subway art !!! This is a totally awesome art form and one that I am hooked on !!

We have new sports stickers - the coolio letterman stickers which go with each school - restock of glue and Bo Bunny Albums !!!

Coming this week is the new Graphic 45 "OZ" paper - which we are soooo excited to see in person - we have checked out their web page but seeing the paper in person is tooo cool !!  Nikki - it is on the way - just have to wait for Mr. UPS Man !!!

We also have a restock of the fabulous Cosmo Cricket odds and ends paper line - this vintage paper is darling - our Kim ( fabulous card teacher ) will adore it !!!

Memorial Day

Just had to send a picture of the flags at the cemetery - thank you for all who have served.

New recipie - Rachel Ray did it again !

 I made mine with ground turkey - no veal for me !! Turned out great and the cheese is fantastic ~~~

 

Baked Ziti with Spinach and Veal

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

Ingredients

• 2 bundles farm spinach, trimmed, washed and dried, chopped
• Salt
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound ground veal
• 1 small carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 large shallots or 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 to 4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons very thinly sliced fresh sage (a small handful of leaves)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup dry white wine or chicken stock-in-a-box
• 1 pound ziti, whole wheat pasta or whole grain ziti
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3 rounded tablespoons flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• Freshly grated nutmeg, to your taste
• About 1 1/2 cups grated Italian fontina (recommended: Fontina Val D'Aosta or 6 ounces Gruyere cheese)
• About 3/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to boil for pasta.

In the skillet heat the olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, over medium to medium-high heat. Add the ground veal and lightly brown and crumble, then add the chopped carrot, shallots, garlic, and sage and season with salt and a little pepper and cook to soften carrots and onions, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, add the wine and turn the heat down a bit to simmer gently.

Meanwhile, drop the pasta in salted water and undercook by 2 minutes from package cooking directions.

In a saucepot over medium to medium-high heat, add butter and melt, whisk in the flour for 1 minute then whisk in the milk, bring to a bubble and season with more salt than pepper and a few grates of nutmeg. When the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon taste and adjust nutmeg and pepper to your liking.

Add the spinach to the veal until it is wilted and incorporate, then stir together the pasta, veal mixture, and sauce. Pour the mixture into a casserole and top with the cheeses. Cool, cover and store for a make-ahead meal.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Place the casserole on a baking sheet to catch the drips and bake in a hot oven until brown and bubbly, 35 to 45 minutes if reheating, 15 to 20 minutes, if not.

NEW paper is ON order - Graphic 45 " The Magic of OZ"

Okay , you all know I adore , love, have piles of Graphic 45 paper ( well those that did not know , now you do , any old Graphic 45 papers that you don't want I do !) This paper line is so adorable !!! It is all on order and will ship from their warehouse right after the first of JUNE !! I will post on facebook the very day of arrival :) GO to the Graphic 45 web site to see all of the papers - I think that the poppy paper is my favorite but when the papers get here I am sure I will love it all !!!
Our altered book gal, Nikki, is dying to get this paper - soon friend soon !!! Did you know that she is a great cook - next time you see her ask about her Prime Rib recipe !!

New Papers OH MY

Ladies - We have new papers from Pink Paislee - the most beautiful butterfly paper I have seen !  We also have the new Echo Park Summer line - check out the patterns and colors !  We also have many many many new Prima flowers - so lovely ! Darling stickers from the Sticker King - full shelves of Bazzill paper ! Also in - drum roll please ..... Cosmo Cricket 5 and DIME !!!

Don't forget to sign up for our super crop June 18th !!

Happy Mothers' Day Everyone

My Mom is so precious - Happy Day to you MOM !!

Starbucks Frappachino Day

Today from 3 to 6 there are half price frapp's at Starbucks !! 

Get some juice to get the creative energy flowing !!!

Echo Park Summer Days

Ladies - this new fabulous summer line is on the order table with Madison at Echo Park !!!  With all the rain we are having , I had to get something summer in the store !!  Be on the look out and check the web page and facebook to see when it arrives !!! This paper is so festive, colorful and totally cute !  A bicycle, a tree, banner, birds, flowers and even a Ferris wheel !!  Wait until you see the papers that compliment  the sticker sheets - oh what will you create ?

New Maya Road chipboard albums

Check out these darling new chipboard books we have at the store - beach pail and dress forms - perfect for that summer beach trip and how cute would the dress form be for a Mother's Day album.... there are some fabulous ideas are on the Maya Road blog !!!  If you make something out of either of these or any creative crafty project ~ please bring it in for us to check out - we would love to take pictures for our web page !!!

flowers - just flowers

My honey brought me these beautiful flowers for my desk at work - they bring a touch of springtime inside during these rainy days ..... spent the evening last night working on the finishing details for the sports papers we have for all of the high schools in our area - details for each , making sure the colors are correct, mascot is right - you know the things that make the paper so wonderful for each school !!!  We will have a ton of new school papers in the store just as soon as it gets printed and sent to us !!!

New Papers --ooooohhhh my !!

New in TODAY :

Timepiece - Bo Bunny / fabulous vintage pages in our future !!!

 

Le Cirque HAT - ohhh my

You know I just adore, love, admire,  and can't have enough Graphic 45 - so when I was at lunch today , I checked out their blog/gallery and found this over the top HAT - table decoration. extra ordinary for sure !!  This would totally be a perfect table decor for anyone's birthday party -

Just a quick Saturday morning post .......

Just surfing the net and found this out there in blog land - I remember reading this to my daughter so many years ago - tho it feels like yesterday as I look at it - my heart sings......to the moon and back!

NW Paper Chase Finished Passport and Charms

Totally cool - here is a finished passport and bracelet !!

This is darling and we have all the making's

This tag is soooo cute - we have tags, we have tons of papers , we have the bird die cut downstairs , we have ribbons, we have bling,  we have prima flowers and we have maya road pins ------ everyone hurry and make one !!!

Echo Park For the Record - love it !!

JUST THE BEST PAPER OUT THERE AND WE HAVE IT ALL !! THANKS MADISON :)

Wonderful Shop Hop Weekend - thank you ladies

What a fabulous weekend - thank you ladies for such a great two days !!  Well, actually all week, but with me this weekend - laughter, hugs, primroses, creative minds working together, finding albums you just cannot get anywhere else ( thank you ) - just tons of fun !!!  Your bracelets are marvelous and look really festive all put together - what a great idea !!!
We had a special heart felt moment that I just have to share because it was such a nice gesture - a gal from the peninsula did the entire shop hop - but missed one stamp from a store in Centralia..... her husband was so cute showing me the pictures he took of his sons' doing the pirate thing & to show me that they had really been there !!! It was too far for them to drive back so the next wonderful lady in line lives down there and offered to take her passport , have it stamped and mail it to her !!!  Now that is pretty stinkin' cool if you ask me and just so NICE !!!
I am just loving nice lately - so simple to do or a kind word to say but such a big impact !!
Leaving you with a snap shot of the over the top fantastic " Curtain Call " paper from Graphic 45 - totally lovin' it and can't wait to see what everyone creates with it !!!  I have a gift card holder that I am almost finished with - just letting the stickles dry !!!
Happy Shop Hoppin" - see you all next weekend :)

Happy St Patricks Day everyone !!

Today is the day of green - you see people with light up necklaces, green t-shirts, green hair - you know everything green to not get pinched !!  I went to Starbucks this morning and one of my favorite gals - Traci - noticed that a lady did not have any green on - sooooo she took one of the coffee sleeves and put it on the ladies wrist as a bracelet !!  So funny !!!

I am totally into cupcakes lately - seems to be for every party that I make them - trying to decorate them different each time !!!  They are all over every magazine , there is a new store in Southern California that is a dogie bakery which makes cupcakes for dogs, they are all over the scrap-booking and paper crafting world ...... just cannot get enough of the dainty treats !!!

NW Paper Chase Shop Hop - wahoo !!!

This weekend was FABULOUS and I am not exaggerating one bit - ladies thank you so much for making the trip to the store in the pouring down rain storm this weekend !!!  To the gals from up north , down south and the peninsula EVEN Vancouver Island - thank you so much !!!  Our store was totally full with our friends the Rubbermaids downstairs crafting all day and upstairs we were loaded to capacity!!!

We hope we had everything you need to make your first shop hop weekend fun and fabulous !!!  This next week we have Curtain Call ~ Graphic 45 , re-stock of Bo Bunny Gabrielle ( that new awesome peach, turquoise and brown line ) , more sports papers, bare naked albums from Bo Bunny  and the too cool anytime dotted Swiss from Bo Bunny !!! I found this picture of the Gabrielle line and the picture of the father and child is priceless !!!

Once Upon A Springtime - Graphic 45 Blog share

Just had to share this amazing art work that I found on the Graphic 45 web site - let me tell you it is stunning.....the colors , the idea and my oh my the beauty - this would be so perfect on a little baby's wall - just brings joy. So lovely !!!

Tuesday Mardi Gras, Shop Hop , St Patricks

Today is a day of celebration in Louisiana - something and somewhere I would love to go to.  Celebration, colors, joy and festivities .....sounds like fun to me !!

Our store is decked out in all things for OUR celebration - The NW Shop Hop which starts this very next weekend - we still have a few passports to sell which will include you in the party !!! You get a passport and a darling bracelet to add charms from every store ...... totally fun !!!

We have new Bo Bunny, New Prima flowers and papers, the Bazzill paper room is full , New Echo Park paper, re-stock of Once Upon a Springtime and Le Cirque from Graphic 45 , Tim Holtz is on the truck, new stock of Stickles, adhesives and flowers ~~~~ looking forward to a fun three weeks with our friends we have met over the years participating in the Shop Hop. Just looks like a party waiting to happen !!! 

I am up early and found this fabulous St Patricks picture on the internet - just had to share with you. The colors are spectacular ~~~ Happy Tuesday and Happy Anniversary Starbucks :)

Another Friday post and a tid-bit

We have stocked up on Once Upon a Springtime from my totally favorite - Graphic 45 ..... This paper line is so sweet and it just speaks kindness.  My friend is having a baby girl in April and this paper will be the base of my baby book for her.  The book will be flowing with ribbons and lace, glitter and tags, quotes and sweetness just for her and her baby.  I will have it all ready so the only thing she will have to do it add the photographs - it is her first baby so I know she will be busy being a MOM !! 

Today is also national PEACE day - this paper just sends out peace !!

Echo Park For the Record

This paper stole my heart - just adore it !!  I hope you all like it too :) What caught my eye at first were the colors - so so so pretty - then the details.   This paper line could work with vintage and new photographs - maybe a mini book "recording ______" you fill in the blank......The typewriter is totally the cutest ....the suitcase and the page tabs......I will be creating something , I can feel it !!!

pwerful quote for sure

I came across this quote today, and found it to be very powerful:


"Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again."

It caused me to pause and think. It certainly could be challenging, especially to those people who are “not so nice” to us. However, I think it’s a challenge worth trying. Maybe you’ll join me?

Graphic 45 Le Cirque - oh my

Just checking out some blogs today and found this from Graphic 45 - WOW !!! Check out the CLOCK !!

Super Saturday !!

A big thank you ladies for such a fun day yesterday at the super crop - we had such a fabulous time !! We had crop bags, cricut machines, tons of paper, altered projects, mini books and albums, embossing, glitter, ribbon and totally fabulous photographs.... We hope you were able to get lots done !

Carole Ann and my Mom made some great food - which we all enjoyed - thank you - thank you - thank you !!!

We appreciate all of you coming to our fun crops - keep your eye out for the next one !!

Carole & Jodie

American Crafts New PAPER

We have new "campy" paper from American Crafts - it is sooo cute !!!  I look at it and it reminds me of the days when my family used to go camping , seemed like all summer long - little trailer, seemed to always rain, the best samores ever and always pancakes for breakfast - it would be so funny to find those old pictures and make a mini book of our family camping trips !!! You should see my old glasses - tee hee !

Happy Scrappin'

Will we see you at the crop Saturday ?  We have a few spaces left - just for you !!!

New papers are HERE - Graphic 45

The papers we have been waiting for are here ladies - Le Cirque and Once upon a Springtime ..... ohhh so lovely. 

NEW Graphic 45 is ordered ....will be here soon

I just received confirmation that our order of the new Graphic 45 paper lines - Le Cirque and Once Upon a Springtime has been received at the order desk of Graphic 45 ------ will be here soon !!!  Remember we have to wait for shipping and the UPS man to arrive !!! We will let you know upon arrival and check the web site and facebook for updates !!!

CHA peeks - what do you love

There are so many new papers coming out at CHA next week - what do you love?

I am in love with :

Teresa Collins Sports line

 Echo Park Girls line already out but ohh so cute

Bo Bunny Timeless and the new boys line

Graphic 45 - all three new lines

Crate Paper

Cosmo Cricket

Pink Paislee

Okay so I am now off to buy a lottery ticket .....I think we need it all !!

New Echo Park Valentine Papers

Check this over the top marvelous, fabulous, all new , paper line out - weddings , valentine, girls, graduation , diva girl - totally love it music sheets, stripes, dots, words - LOVE IT ALL !!! We have it and it is flying off the shelves - I am working on a page for my dear cousin's graduation picture - some valentine cards and even the music paper for my daughter's band photographs !!!

motivate my word for 2011

I have joined Ali Edwards , one of my favorite gals, in her BIG picture scrapbooking class - one little word..... I have had several words over the years: simplify, believe, carry on and the word I have chosen for 2011 is motivate !!

We will create an album with prompts from Ali every month and create an album over a one year's time - it is really fun and I look forward to a new year and my new word !!

"auld lang syne"

New Year's Eve is one of those love-it-or-hate-it holidays. But no matter how you feel about celebrating, odds are you're going to hear "Auld Lang Syne" at least 500 times. There is no escape.


Naturally, Web searches on the song pop like champagne corks on New Year's Eve. Our guess is that folks simply want to know what the song actually means. After all, it's not often that people belt out a tune that they don't really understand. Well, wonder no more. Here's the scoop on the song that is mandatory for one night every year.

According to the good people at TLC, the song is an "extremely old Scottish song that was first written down in the 1700s." The poet Robert Burns often gets credit for the words.

Or at least some of them. People often belt out their own lyrics. A site dedicated to the great poet explains, "In spite of the popularity of 'Auld Lang Syne,' it has aptly been described as 'the song that nobody knows.' As for the the music, it's more of a traditional folk song."

So, what do the words actually mean? Basically, the words "auld lang syne" translate into "for days past," "days gone by," or "for the sake of old times," depending on whom you ask. But no matter what the literal translation is, the sentiment is the same. It's a song that aims to honor the good old days on a night that's all about ringing in the new.

Wishes for many song sung -------

Jodie and I shopping in New York - tee hee

Fashionista's for sure !!!

end of the year SALE

It is that time of year - we have to do inventory and need your help - take it from us at the fabulous sale prices so we don't have to count it !!!


End of the Year Inventory Reduction

SALE

35% off your ENTIRE purchase
Tuesday thru Thursday
December 28 to 30th !!!
( excludes new Bo Bunny & Bazzill paper stock : gift certificates, classes and crops)

Christmas is right around the corner

Christmas is coming soon and how cool would it be to go for a sleigh ride with your honey in the snow !!!  Just having to share this picture - would love it to be me !!

At the store we have our new order of Bo Bunny Chirstmas paper and Echo Park ----- for all of your scrapbooking needs we have both cutesy and vintage papers and embellishments for you.  We also have tons of card making supplies too ! Tons of new stickles, bazzill paper and those cute gingerbread cut outs - I also made a banner using the new pennant shapes we have , Echo Park paper and bling - cute and soooo easy - use the sample as a pattern and make one for a friend - it will take you less than an hour !

Last night , I was finishing up a Christmas project that I am making for family members and  had the Christmas tree lights on, a few candles lit and just sat there for a minute and totally enjoyed the peace.  The dogs were laying at my feet , the cats were somewhere , Mackenzie was sleeping and Clarence was dozing on the couch - just peaceful and family ~~~~~~ all together at home.  Lovely.

Have you finished your cards?

I just finished my cards and they are ready for the postman to pick up - thank you Kim for the vintage inspiration - used Pink Paislee papers to complete them - added a separate sheet with this oh so good popcorn.....you should try it !! It looks like a lot of work , the directions are pretty detailed it is really easy to make !!

Peppermint Bark Popcorn



Recipe by Our Best Bites


16-20 C popped popcorn (fresh, or about 2 bags microwave popcorn)
1 lb Almond Bark

1 6oz box candy canes, crushed. (About 1-1 1/2 C total and Bob's are the best!)

3/4 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
*one bag microwave popcorn has about 10 cups in it, so if you're air-popping, do about 20 cups.

Place popcorn in a very large mixing bowl.

I put my candy canes in a large zip-lock bag and have a whack with a heavy marble rolling pin.

One they're crushed, dump them into the bowl with the popcorn.

To melt the almond bark, follow the instructions on the package. Pour over popcorn and candy canes.

Stir it up really well until the candy is evenly distributed. Pour the popcorn out onto a piece of waxed paper, parchment, or foil. Spread it out into an even layer and leave it alone!

While the popcorn is setting, place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until melted and smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the popcorn simply put it in a zip-lock bag with the corner cut off.

Leave it until the almond bark and the chocolate is hardened. If you need to hurry it up, do this whole process on lined cookie sheets you can pop in the fridge.

When chocolate is hardened, use your hands to break up popcorn into chunks. Toss in a bowl, a jar, a cute package, or in your mouth :)

Tim Holtz Tags - total goodness

Tim's 12 tags of Christmas is totally amazing - he is creating a tag a day with all of the instructions for us to make it - I think today's is my favorite , well so far !!! GO to Tim Holtz website for inspiration - you will be glad you did !!!

Pumpkin Chocolate Bread

This is a great recipe I found on the internet over the weekend - yummy

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread


3 standard loaves, or 8 mini loaves

Notes: You can swap out the nuts for an equal amount of extra chocolate chips.

1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin

1 cup vegetable oil

3 cups sugar

2/3 cup water

4 eggs

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 and 1/2 teaspoons salt

3 and 1/2 cups flour

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup chocolate chips tossed with 2 tablespoons flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 3 standard loaf pans. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, oil, sugar, water and eggs, mixing well. Add in cinnamon, soda and salt. Very gently, stir in flour until just combined. Stir in walnuts and chocolate chips. Separate into 3 separate loaf pans. Bake for one hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool on a rack for ten minutes before removing from pan.

Its beginning to look alot like Christmas

Holiday Season is upon us and if you haven't been in the store lately then let me be the first to invite you to come check out all the fun and exciting item's we have added to bring in the Season.

We have so many fabulous classes - our teachers are creating so many new and exciting items !!!

Beautiful Afternoon

Hi everyone -

The holidays are fast approaching and our store sure shows it !!  We have fabulous new classes with others coming on soon - get a head start on Christmas presents galore !!! We have Christmas papers from Teresa Collins, Basic Grey, Pink Paislee, Echo Park, American Crafts, Making Memories, Best Creations and coming soon Bo Bunny.........tons of new ribbon from May Arts and Lion Ribbon Company.......new albums in all sizes and shapes.........more Glue Gliders and Jodie found some in triple pack refills - WOW !!!

We are teaching at CKC Bellevue/ Seattle the weekend of November 12th and 13th - our classes are sold out and we are sure to see many of you there !! 

Thank you for your patience with our web site - we had a few computer problems with the web host and we are finally now up and going !!!

We appreciate you our fabulous customers - thank you for making our store such a fun place to be !!

Echo Park Chirstmas Paper

I heard from my pal Madison at Echo Park that the NEW Christmas paper will be at the store soon - it has shipped and if UPS is on schedule it MAY even be here Friday  - I will track it and let you know !!! Cool turquoise, red and white - a fabulous color combination for your holiday cards, page and banners !!! 

wonderful PINK weekend-thank you !

My annual Crop Pink was a huge success - thank you fabulous ladies for making the crop fun !! I saw some wonderful pages, some darling cards and tons of new ideas that were shared !!! One of the ladies is a survivor and her story was touching - thankful for everything ~~ we had enchiladas, mexican rice and salad - pink desserts - I printed the story about Susan Komen in case the guests did not know about the foundation and one of the ladies had tears in her eyes......

Again - thank you ladies , our store will make a nice donation to the Susan Komen Foundation -

Graphic 45 Halloween, Calendars, Jenni Bowlin bingo cards,OPEN HOUSE

 Jenni Bowlin Bingo cards both the large and small ones - perfect for cards and scrapbook pages or how about a mini book !!!

We have calendars - 12 x 12 calendars just for you to make for holiday gifts !!

We have our fourth order of the fabulous Graphic 45 Halloween in Wonderland papers - totally darling !!

Dont' forget tomorrow night - Friday from 4 to 8 we are having our Fall open house - everyone invited and tons of good stuff on sale !!!

Sharin Memories Fall Open House THIS FRIDAY and ETC !!!

Mark your calendars ladies - this Friday October 8th from 4 to 8 pm we are having an open house - hot cider and yummy cookies , a cute make and take and sales - yes we have to have a sale for our guests !!!

We have darling Halloween Classes on the schedule - check out a darling Halloween House and a Halloween Countdown book and a Tombstone Album - "witch" one will you choose - tee hee

A fabulous FAMILY album is also coming up, a seashell book to die for and a vintage box - how cute !!!

I have heard that our designers are working on Christmas classes - keep checking the class lists , I am sure there will be one just for you  !!!

Have you signed up for the super crop - NOVEMBER 6th - an all day event !!! Call the store for details .....

Have a great day - the sun is out and it is beautiful - good day to take pictures for your fall scrapbook pages !!!