Reveal Day!

Goodness, the 28th comes by fast.  And it is one of my favorite days because that means it is reveal day at Sassy Lil' Sketches!

This month's sketch is one of my favorites evah!  And when I saw the cute litle digi stamp our sponsor had generously shared with the design team, I knew exactly what I wanted to do!

And my take...

Ainsley was so little.  sigh....Lots of yummy Websters Pages goodies to go with that cute little digi stamp.

We are blessed again this month with two generous sponsors! Please take a moment and check their sites out!

Paper Sponsor:

They'll be giving the winner this stamp set!!

Digi Sponsor:

To be eligible for the November prizes, your layout/card must be uploaded via Mr. Linky below by January 5th at 11:59 PM EST.

Specific rules regarding Sassy Lil' Sketch challenges can be found our "SLS Rules" page.

*The paper prize is open to US residents only.

The digital prize is open to all US & International residents.

My Take

My good friend Heather did a sketch a few weeks ago for Ideas for Scrapbookers.  I promised her I would try it out, and I finally got the chance!  I decided to make it for the Ideas for Scrapbookers designer challenge as well.  hee hee...Love killing two birds with one stone, and since it was such a great sketch.....

Glitz Papers, Prima flowers, bling, and leaves, My Minds Eye alphabet, Tim Holtz Distress Inks.

My sweet Mackenzie on Thanksgiving...I promise, it isn't crooked in real life, I was just having a hard time with getting the photo straight.  Lots of girly pink goodness here.  I am fairly confident that Heather did not have this in mind when she did the sketch.  hee hee.

Well, thanks for dropping by, and have a great holiday.  I think I am going to take a few days off and spend some time holidaying with the fam.

Hugs.

Nancy

Menu Monday

Well, I do have a menu for you this week because I did cook...hooray me!  I don't have many photos of what we ate, well, I do, but you have seen them before and I don't want to bore you.  So without further ado....

Monday - Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli
Tuesday - Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Biscuits, Salad

I don't know what possessed me to make such a big meal on a weeknight, except to say that we were all going to be able to eat together and that seemed deserving of a bigger meal.   Of course, that also meant Phil poured me a glass of wine.  hee hee

Wednesday - Chicken Caesar Salad
Thursday - Short Ribs.  I made Pioneer Woman's recipe....Most everyone loved them.  So tasty.  I think next time I make it though, I am gonna add more veg.  I just really need more veg in my diet.
Friday - Well, we went out.

Since I don't have much to share in the way of recipes and photos of food, how about some layouts?

This is Brighton and Phil goofin off at my sister's on Thanksgiving.  What is it with boys and wrestling?  They never do outgrow it, do they?  lol

 Bo Bunny Cambridge paper and embellishments, Basic Grey Basics background

And my sweet little niece, Lili with Ainsley on the same day.  So the boys wrestle, and the girls sit nicely and draw.  hee hee

Sassafrass Mix & Mend papers and chipboard, Prima vine, Basic Grey Rub ons, Jenni Bowlin buttons, American Crafts Thickers and chipboard, Basic Grey rubons. 

Well, off to get something constructive done around here.

Hugs.

Nancy

Sorry

Sorry I haven't been around much this last week.  Life has been very busy with the end of the semester and getting ready for the holidays.  I haven't hardly had time to breathe, much less stop by to say "hi".

To make it up to you, I have a ton of cards to share.  Over at the new Sassy Lil' Sketches forums there was a weekend challenge to make cards and tags using their sketches.  So....

I did.  And since tomorrow is the last day that the Post Office is guaranteeing delivery of first class mail before Christmas, it wasn't a moment too soon.  Funny thing was, I wasn't going to do cards at all this year. I read an article in Real Simple magazine about how impersonal cards have become and that really, you could learn more about me here on my blog, or facebook.  lol  And I had been guilty of sending out cards the last few years that I didn't even touch.

In the end, I caved...and by then it was too late to have cards made. So I had to make them myself. And really, isn't that nicer?  So, here are the cards I made for some of my friends and family this Christmas.

This first one was inspired by Tim Holtz 12 days of tags.  Lots of inky goodness.

Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Ranger embossing powder, Basic Grey and Fancy Pants stamps

These next few were for the weekend challenge at Sassy Lil' Sketches.  Such great sketches, how could you go wrong.

Basic Grey Wassail and Figgy Pudding, dyed seam binding with Glimmer Mists, stickers unknown

And finally, this one.  Because I saw something similar on the Fiskars blog made with punches and it was just too dang cute. Since I don't have all the punches needed, but do have a Cricut with Sure Cuts a Lot.....my good friend Heather helped me design this.  And you know I couldn't keep it simple like the Fiskars one.  Had to add some embossing and a sentiment.  Why couldn't I leave simple alone?  lol

Melissa Frances paper, Basic Grey stamp, Ranger embossing powder, Cricut title

Well, I hope to find the time in the next day to upload the svg to share.  Heather has given me permission.  Big props to her!!!!  Cross your fingers that I can find the time!  lol

Hugs.

Nancy

A Sassy Card

It's reveal day over at Sassy Lil' Sketches today.  I have this fun card I made with some leftovers from another project....

and here is the sketch....

I also made this one with my Cricut and some German glass glitter.  I love the shine and sparkle.

Well, be sure to head over to Sassy Lil' Sketches and link up your card...you have a chance at winning a fabulous prize from this month's sponsors.

Paper Sponsor:

They'll be giving the winner this stamp set!!

Digi Sponsor:

Hugs.

Nancy

Menu Monday...NOT

Well, since I was gone most of last week I don't have any menu to share.  sigh....and since I was gone, I have no scrappy goodies to share either.

I will however have a post over on Ideas For Scrapbookers tomorrow.  Fun little stocking stuffers that are perfect for school parties.

hugs.

N

I know, I know

I have been an incredibly bad blogger this week.  But, I have a good reason!  I snuck off with the family for a few days at DisneyLand!  Woo hoo!!!  It was so much fun!  I can't wait to scrap some of the photos.

Brighton was having issues with some of the characters.  First he got in a fight with Chip about sports...you know, Sharks vs. Ducks, Giants vs. Dodgers, etc.

And then with Captain Hook, something about Hook being taller...well, when he wears his platform shoes.  hee hee

This is the night view of the California Adventure park!  So pretty and the World of Color was fabulous!  If you get a chance, it is a must see!

Can't make a trip without seeing the big guy himself.

Phil has decided he is so over the villains and has decided to have a thing for "hot fairies".  I try not to get too jealous.

The kids let me ride Small World twice!  They know it is my absolute favorite ride.

And how beautiful is the castle all lit up for the holidays.  Now if only I can get Phil to do our house.  hee hee

We weren't able to see all our favorite characters this trip.  We missed Pooh every time, and Cinderella and Snow White were busy performing.  We did get to make some new friends tho.  Tiana from The Prince and the Frog.....

and Jack Skellington and Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas.

I know some of these aren't the best photos.  I just grabbed them quickly to update the blog.  But, not to worry, with over 450 photos taken, I am sure I will find the right ones to scrap.

Well, a few quick updates before I sign off....

Catch the Moments Kits is having another Big Sale!!!  Devon really wants to make room for all the new goodies she will be getting after CHA!  So be sure to check it out!

And my friend Sara is having a DT call over on her challenge blog, Scrap Fit.  Check it out!

Hugs.

Nancy

Another fun Sketch

at Sassy Lil' Sketches this week.

And we have two generous sponsors! Please take a moment and check their sites out!

Paper Sponsor:

They'll be giving the winner this stamp set!!

Digi Sponsor:

So, head on over to the blog and link your project using Mr. Linky.  And don't forget to check out the new forums at http://www.sassylilsketches.com/forum.  

Hope to see you there.

Hugs.

Nancy

Monday almost got away from me

but...I am here.  dinner is on the stove, and I have a week of menus to share.

Yep...Menu Monday!

Monday we had this yummy soup I got of off Pioneer Woman's blog a month or so ago...Corn Chowder with Chilies.  Ainsley wasn't much of a fan. I think there were too many chipotles in it for her...the rest of us tho...mmmmmmmm

Tuesday I made simple pasta bolognese.    Delicious for a cold rainy evening.

Wednesday I made an adaptation of my good friend Valerie's New Mexican Green Pork Chili.  Again, Ainsley thinks it is too spicey, everyone else loves it.

Thursday Phil had to work late, so I went for super simple.  Sandwiches and Salad.  Everyone had their favorite toasted on the panini grill.

And Friday?  What was I thinking when I set out to make Paul Prudhome's jambalaya.  Well, not exactly his, because that would have involved chicken fat and tasso...both of which I don't usually cook with.  We settled for some olive oil and andouille.  Yummmmm!

So, this weeks recipe?  How about Valerie's Chili?

New Mexican Style Green Chili

2 pounds roasted New Mexican (or Anaheim) Green Chilies
2 large roasted red bell peppers
2 pounds lean pork, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt to taste

Brown pork in a Dutch Oven.  Add other ingredients, mix well.  Bring to a boil, then simmer with lid on for 1 1/2 hours.  Serve with fresh hot tortillas and shredded cheese.

How easy is that?

Hugs.

Nancy

Phew - Holiday Paper

What a weekend!  It was a really good one, I got a lot done, and much of it had to do with playing with paper.

Friday night I snuck over to Memories Live On to check out Holly's take on the Tim Holtz tags and see what card she was making.  Well, while I was there she handed me a few pieces of paper to play with for the store and guess what happened next?

I couldn't wait to get home and bust out my Cricut Winter Woodland cartridge to get to work.

IOD by Creative Imaginations and Graphic 45 papers.

Lots of fun papers, stickles, Martha Stewart glitter, and a bit of diamond dust....so fun to make.

Well, then, Ainsley decided she needed to have a Christmas tree in her room.  And, being that I already have three other trees in the house, who was I to say no?  And, since we already had a few artificial trees boxed up in the garage....Well, the only real problem was, we had no ornaments.  I hadn't set up the 18" tree in years.  Well, Tim Holtz and Twisted Papers to the rescue.  I had downloaded some awesome vintage Santa Images and with the Tim Holtz fragments and a bit of glossy accents.....

Ainsley was even able to do most of the work herself.  She would have been able to do everything, but in the interest of saving time, we went with the exacto knife to cut the images as opposed to scissors.

Ainsley had the best time making these.  She did the gluing and the sanding of the edges.  

Oh, I also made my Christmas cards...but not sharing till after they are in the mail.  And I made a Christmas present, again, not showing till I give it away.  Add to that piles of laundry and tons of housework and I would say it was a very productive weekend.

Well, off to finish tidying up.  Hope you had a productive weekend as well.

Hugs.

Nancy

Sassy Lil' Sketches - DT Call

Sassy Lil’ Sketches is a growing sketch and scrapping community.  We are looking for fun, creative layout designers and card makers to join our design team. The term will run for six months, February through July 2011. 

We welcome anyone to try out!  Design Team experience not required.  

Please send your DT application to sassylilsketches@gmail.com with the following:

1. Let us know if you are applying for the layout or card design team in the subject line. Please pick one.
2. Your first & last name and geographic location.
3. Your email address.
4. Links to your blog, a current gallery, and any forums in which you actively participate. 
5. Any current DT information.
6. Share a little bit about yourself (this will be your SLS bio if you are chosen for the DT)
7. One layout or card (based on the DT in which you are applying) based on any Sassy Lil’ Sketch.  Sketches can be found on our blog: http://sassylilsketches.blogspot.com.  Be sure to let us know which sketch you used. This DOES NOT need to be a new layout or card. 
8. One layout or card that you feel represents your current style. This DOES not need to be new, just reflective of you. 
9. DT Applications are due by TUESDAY, DEC 21st, 8 P.M. EST. 

A little of what we expect from our Sassies (SLS DT members):

1. One layout a month from layout Sassies or two cards a month for card Sassies
2. Submitting DT work by the due date
3. Sharing DT work on your blog and any forums in which you participate.

We welcome you to join our brand new forum to get to know us a little bit and for us to get to know you. You can find it here: www.sassylilsketches.com/forum 

At this time, Sassies are not compensated for Design Team work.  

And it Just Keeps Coming

Another busy day here, but a bit more news to share as well as a few projects....

Catch the Moments Kits is has a little blog candy this week, a package of Dear Lizzy Christmas products!  How much would you love to win that!  You can find the details over at Catch the Moments. But become a follower of the kit blog as well as the fabulous designers involved and leave a comment at Catch the Moments before Sunday night!  Also, when they reach 150 followers there will be another huge sale!

Be sure to check out the Scrap the Moments challenge site and Scrap that Baby.  Both are being sponsored by Catch the Moments this month.

And now for a few projects....

As you may remember, I went to a crop at Our Paper Place on Saturday.  Well, it was easier to print the photos I had just taken than look for older ones.  lol

From our tree trimming on Friday....

 Catch the Moments Vintage Kit, Jenni Bowlin Buttons, Sassafrass Flower, Prima flourish and butterfly

Thanksgiving day at my sisters.  Brighton and Ainsley playing around on the sofa before dinner.

 Catch the Moments Retro Kit, AC Thickers Stroll, Graphic 45 buttons, Prima Flowers.

Ainsley at the tree cutting.  She was having a ball playing with sticks.  Pretending they were a guitar and antlers.  lol...Who knew stick could be so fun!

Catch the Moments Retro Kit, Crate Paper Chipboard & Stickers, Graphic 45 buttons.

Well, looks like it is going to be another busy day!  Hope yours is great.

Hugs.

Nancy