thursday . . .

** edited to add ending date of drawing below **

thank you . . . thank you . . . thank you . . . to ALL YOU WONDERFUL READERS of my little blog :) The comments & emails I received regarding my last post were SO SWEET & HEARTFELT & so VERY appreciated . . . I am doing much better & looking forward to a new "start" in 2010. We did a little investigating (thanks for all your suggestions) and will be sending my hard drive away to an computer forensic expert who will hopefully be able to save all those pics (fingers crossed). In the meantime - we are purchasing this (lesson learned folks):

An apple Time Capsule - this gadget wirelessly saves my files/docs onto an external source whenever I use my computer - if only I had this a week ago!!!!!!!!!

I did spend the last 2 days immersed in scrapping (very therapuetic I might add). Tara over at Magpie Club sent me this FABULOUS kit - so cheery I couldn't help but get excited.

Luckily I had printed off about 10 pics or so for a project I didn't quite get to before the holidays so I had something to work with. Here is the January sketch for Magpie Club:

And here is my take on it using Tara's kit - that is my little music man - playing the harmonica :)

Speaking of good times . . . what better way to remember them then a photo calendar :) I have 4 Basic Grey 2010 Photo Calendar kits to give away!!!! Check it out -

How can you win one of these awesome calendars - just comment with something "new" you want to try in 2010 - doesn't have to be scrappy related :) I will randomly draw 4 winners on Sunday :)

Thanks again everyone!!!

ttyl - julie

sunday . . .

they say when it rains - it pours - there must be a flood in my house . . .

it began a little over a week ago, busy with the holiday, wrapping, baking, family on their way into town - typical Christmastime hustle & bustle. I always hate how hectic it becomes at the end - rushing to do everything that you had hoped to finish weeks ago so that you wouldn't (once again) vow that next year you would be ready months before so that you could simply enjoy December. In the midst of it all I discovered I was pregnant - we finally decided to try again after losing our second son about a year and a half ago. After that whole experience I never thought I could do it again - the thought of carrying a child for months & months as I did with Emmanuel, only to lose him so far along - well it scared me to death. But finally, my husband & both decided to try and just see - if it happened, it happened - it would be meant to be. If not, we knew Ryan was enough, more than enough . . . Anyways, much to my surprise, the first month into trying it happened. I was ecstatic & decided to keep it a secret until Christmas. I was nervous & scared a bit, but excited . . . the doctor confirmed I was pregnant but that it was very early along - 2 weeks maybe - advised me to come in 2 days later to check the HCG levels. The night before Christmas Eve I began to miscarry - so early on that my doctor had said I would have never known if I hadn't been trying & checking - I would have just thought I was late. I know people miscarry all the time - I just can't help but wonder why it would have happened after everything we went through a year & a half ago. I keep reminding myself how blessed I am to have Ryan - and he is MORE than enough - but I still can't help but be sad . . . then last night my husband dropped my computer - just a simple accident - but somehow in the fall the hardrive internally smashed & I lost EVERYTHING - I am one of those idiots that never backed anything up - every picture of Ryan from birth was on that harddrive - I could just throw up over it. So, as you can see it is pouring at my house . . . I promise to be back later this week with something inspiring (fingers crossed) - as you can see - I need the distraction/creative escape of scrapping to get my mind off of things . . .

ttyl - julie

wednesday . . .

No "Wish List Wednesday" today folks - I was hoping to squeeze in one final Wednesday of ideas for all you last minute shoppers, but unfortunately my day has slipped away from me :) I am working away finishing some gifts & getting ready to cook up a storm tomorrow, as Christmas Eve dinner is at our house :) Wishing all of you a FABULOUS holiday!!! Check back this weekend as I will have some scrappy goodies to share :)

ttyl - julie

monday . . .

Busy, busy, a weekend full of family & holiday :) I am now just trying to play catch-up a bit & give this blog a little attention :) I worked away last night on some DT work for Imaginisce - these Polar Expressions papers are just so adorable, aren't they??? I'll admit, I used this pic before but it was with a few others & it was not given the proper attention it deserved because it is one of my absolute favs of Ryan - so here goes :) I am a big fan of circles these days & love the overlapping of these:

Here is a close up of the "o" I created using the AWESOME I-top tool, a clear snowflake, and a button tied with string - love playing with the little details on a layout :)

Also - I came up with a sketch of this for those of you looking for a little extra inspiration these days - enjoy :)

I haven't forgotten about my promised recipe so here goes -

Sauce Rosee (from Allrecipes.com & tweaked by me)

6 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons minced onion

2 tablespoons minced green bell pepper

1 tablespoon minced garlic

7 ounces tomato sauce

1/2 teaspoon chicken soup base

1/2 pound cheese tortellini

6 fluid ounces heavy cream

(FYI - I typically triple this for a meal for 4 - 6 people - don't worry any leftovers will go - sometimes I add more garlic - but I LOVE garlic - also when tripling I don't always increase the chicken soup base accordingly - sometimes it ends up being to strong if you triple that part of the recipe - I would add some & taste - then add some more if needed)

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat and add basil, thyme, oregano, parsley and dried red pepper flakes; stir together.

Add onion, bell pepper and garlic and cook until onions are transparent; add tomato sauce and bring to a boil, stirring well. Add chicken bouillon and stir.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

Reduce heat, add cream; bring close to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower and let simmer for about 10 minutes - take off the stove and let it thicken a bit. Add pasta and serve.

I make this all the time & it is always well-received. You can totally make it a day ahead & just warm up - although I wouldn't make the tortellini until right before you are serving the meal. I usually serve it with green beans sauteed in olive oil (add in some shallots/onions, garlic, crushed red pepper, italian seasoning, salt & pepper) and a tomato-mozzarella salad. Yum!!!! Let me know if you try it :)

ttyl - julie

thursday . . .

I am alive - really - I know I missed "Wish List Wednesday" but the holidays have a way of making things a bit hectic & crazy :) Justin has been out of town so I am playing single mommy - we have family coming in town today until Sunday - then again Wednesday - I will be cooking up a storm!!! Check back this weekend for a dinner recipe sure to win over your guests & guess what - you can make it ahead of time!!! If you are looking for a little inspiration this week & the chance at an AWESOME prize - check out my new sketch for The Scrap Room:

Oh - and the prize - the Very Merry Collection Kit by October Afternoon - how awesome is that??

The challenge closes on Monday - just head over to their blog for all the details!!

Next Up - the belated "Wish List Wednesday" :)

Check out these fabric covered brads by Aphidesigns - so adorable!!!

Just lovin' this mini rolls of vintage flocked wallpaper by Under the Red Roof - I think this would be awesome to use on a page or in a mini album :)

Finally - just adore this vintage/shabby goodies from Angela Harris' shop!!

Hope you enjoyed all these goodies - I am working away on some DT assignments - unfortunately my scanner is in the repair shop until tomorrow so hopefully I can share some pages this weekend :) I'm looking forward to a big snow this weekend {fingers crossed} - maybe I'll have a true winter wonderland for Christmas :)

ttyl - julie

wednesday . . .

Hello everyone - I am still in New York but will be making the long trip home tomorrow. Secretly I am excited to get home & get some scrapping done :)  I think I am in withdrawal!!  Of course I won't even be able to touch anything until Saturday because we will most likely get back late tomorrow & friday evening we have Justin's work party :)  December is quite the busy month this year!!  I didn't want you all to think I forgot about "Wish List Wednesday" though - so I am popping in to share a few goodies I've found :)

First up - don't you just love these vintage style tickets from Pacokeco Scribbles?

Check out these adorable chipboard frames by AR Creations :

Take a peek at this lovelies - Smart Lil' Cookie has come up with these fabulous layered flowers!!

Have a fab Wednesday!!

ttyl - julie :)

monday . . .

Hello!!!!  I am here - just out of town until Thursday night.  We left Friday for DC & stayed overnight, then headed back on Saturday - only to turn around & leave for upstate New York Sunday.  Thought I'd share some pics :)

Friday - Here we are at the BEAUTIFUL Gaylord National Convention Center just outside of DC - it was decorated so awesome!!  Total Christmas spirit here :)

Friday (late afternoon) - Headed to the Ice event outside the hotel - all these awesome scenes completely made of ice.  Here is my favorite - a beautiful angel - all lit up around with candles:

Here is Ryan - all bundled up in the parkas they provided - it was -11 degrees in there!!!

Saturday - After a full day of kid activities - we headed home - here is what we came home to :)

Monday - After arriving late Sunday night, we spent Monday enjoying the snow in New York - here is Ryan playing outside:

And we spent our afternoon making these - I did the cooking & Ryan did the decorating :)

On to some scrappy stuff :)

Pam over at My Creative Scrapbook sent me this gorgeous kit - full of classic gold, red & green - tons of embellies in this one!!

Here is my December sketch:

And here is my sample - I added in the corrugated cardboard & decided to try something a little new.  I added a little white paint on it & sprinkled some red & gold glass glitter.  

This sketch will be posted in the MCS forum on the 10th - be looking for it here :)

I also received this adorable kit from Cecile over at Scrapbook Studio - full of fabulous Bella Blvd. goodies!!!  Just loved the bright, fun prints on the papers :)

Here is my December sketch:

And here is my sample ( I apologize for the quality of this pic - my scanner is broken & I am hoping it will be fixed soon!!) :

Check back in this week for Wish List Wednesday - hope you have a great start to the week!!

ttyl - julie :)

friday . . .

Yes it is 1:30 am & I am still up - I'm a late night scrapper :)  Oh the days when Ryan used to nap for 2 - 3 hours and I could squeeze in a little scrapping time during the day - long gone - no napping these days!!  

Tonight I played with some more of the adorable Polar Expression line by Imaginisce. I found this cute shadowbox frame in the clearance section of TJ Maxx - only $3!!  It was pretty beat up but I thought with a little paint & the right scrappy goodies I might be able to bring it back to life :) Unfortunately I took the pics tonight - not the best lighting.  The really tricky part was taking a picture of glass - with all the glares & shadows it was tough!! I'll try & take some better pics later & replace these!! 

** now edited with better pics **

I just LOVED the winter wonderland rub-ons by Imaginisce - the perfect border to frame this!!! I wish you could see it in person - the pic doesn't show the cool depth to this shadowbox. Here's a close-up pf the little trees I made:

By the way - Imaginisce has 2 new lines coming out - Lucy Bird & Scooter's Vacation - they are both just too cute!!

There are some fabulous ideas using these lines here - check it out!!

We are heading out later today to DC for the ICE event at Gaylord National Resort - if you are local - check it out here!!  Have a wonderful Friday!!

ttyl - julie

wednesday . . .

Hello everyone!!  It has been quite a busy, exciting week - hoping to get a little scrappin' time in tonight.  I will be out of town all next week in snowy upstate New York (well at least that is what the forecast is saying) - can't wait!!  

First up - a Design Team Creation for Imaginisce.  I was given a HUGE box full of all sorts of goodies from Imaginisce & was so excited to play!!  This project features their Polar Expressions line which is too cute!!!  When I saw this little cardinal I was so excited because I had this alterable wood bird house just waiting for it!! I am a secret hoarder of mini-albums & alterable items - but sadly they are all in baskets in my scraproom - I just end up usually doing layouts.   But, finally I used one :)  

I will have some more projects for Imaginisce later this week so check back :)

Michelle from Color Me Daisy sent me this gorgeous kit to work with - such classy Christmas papers - a mix of Pink Paislee & Fancy Pants.  What I especially was tickled over was this music sheet fabric - how awesome is that????

Here is my December sketch for Color Me Daisy:

And here is my layout featuring this fabulous kit:

I also received this adorable kit from Mimi over at That Scrappy Girl - full of Pink Paislee papers & a mini set of Elle's Studio goodies!!  

Here is my December sketch for That Scrappy Girl:

And here is the layout I came up with using this awesome kit:

This is my little man 2 years ago - how time flies!!

Finally - I can end without sharing my Wish List Wednesday :)

First up - Tessa Ann - she makes these adorable buttons - I have to get some!!!

Next up - Evalicious - I love these felt goodies with the typed sentiments - definitely need these!!

And my last share - White Serenade - I LOVE sheet music & book paper & the fact that this artist incorporates it into everything - so cool!!

Thanks so much for everyone's well wishes in regards to yesterday's post - you are all too kind!!!

ttyl - julie :)

tuesday . . .

I am jumping up & down :)  I finally get to share the good news - I will be designing for . . . 

Thanks so much to Heidi & Scrap Within Reach for choosing me!!!!  Below is a recent layout I did using their products (some of you may have already seen this one) - just love the distressed feel to these papers!!

Check their site out HERE & their blog HERE!!!!

Stop back tomorrow for "Wish List Wednesday" &  some fun DT projects to share!!

ttyl - julie