Recipe Box

I made this for my son Matthew for Christmas but actually just finished it. I know it's June but don't be too hard on me. He actually ended up moving back home for a while so he hasn't needed it recently. Hayley has requested one too. I liked this project!

He is always asking me how to make this or that and I realized most of my recipes are in my head and not on paper. I really had to think hard on how to make a recipe box for a guy. I wanted to make it fun and not too feminine. I also wanted it to be something that he could share with his wife someday. - I loved this paper!!!!The background looks like recipes and clippings you would find in your grandma's kitchen. There are even a few food stains thrown in for fun. I sanded & painted the $3.00 box inside and out and then added the paper to the ends, "recipes" to the front and mod podged the whole thing. I wanted it to wipe clean easily in case it gets dirty. The mod podge achieved that. I bought some chipboard dividers and had to trim them just a little and covered them with different colored papers and used my label maker for the tabs.

I used lined large index cards for the recipe cards and ran them all through my printer to personalize them a little. I added several favorite recipes and had his aunt add some as well. I think it's important to have them in our own handwriting to make them a little more special. I have one recipe that my mother hand wrote for me years ago and I have it preserved in a zip lock bag because it is beginning to deteriorate. I have a special feeling when I see it in her own hand writing. I need to give some blank cards to his great aunts so they can do the same. I printed plenty of blank cards so he can add to it as needed.

I hope you like it!

Happy Father's Day!

I made this card very quickly today. I saw a photo on a great blog I stumbled on. The name escapes me right now but I will find it so I can give her credit. I used my Cricut Camp Out cartridge and colored the artwork with ink and craft sponges. I am very happy with it and will say that the picture doesn't do it much justice. Trust me, its great! I cut the fish twice and the top one is pop dotted to give it dimension. It doesn't look like they line up well but that is just the angle of my photo. I used twine for the line & he even has a hook in his mouth! I posted it already because we celebrated today and I already gave it to Mike. He really liked it! he kept calling it his 3-D card!

We went to Texas Pride BBQ. He has wanted to go since he saw it on Diners Drive Ins & Dives. It was just ok but we had a good time. Happy Father's Day Honey, the kids and I are blessed to have such a wonderful husband and father. we love you!

Night in Downtown San Antonio

Last Wednesday night Matthew talked Hayley & I into a trip downtown to see the newly opened extension of the riverwalk. I believe it was 102 degrees that day so I wasn't too eager. But since Mike was sleeping and going to work in a few hours I agreed. We started out by having dinner at Josephine St. Cafe. If you haven't ever had a meal there, you should. It is nothing fancy but they have excellent steaks. There is always a coupon in the Entertainment Book so it is a reasonable meal. Then we drove next door to the old Pearl Brewery and parked there. They are renovating that area so nicely and it makes me happy to see some of the buildings I remember from childhood getting new life. We parked there and walked right down the stairs to the riverwalk. Now, for those of you that are from San Antonio, don't think it is anything like our famous stretch of river with restaurants & shops. It is so pure and clean, I love it. People were riding bikes, walking dogs and sitting on benches enjoying the beautiful night. It was amazing how cool & breezy it was! The kids did give me a hard time because they said I had to say "hello" to every person that passed us. I have no idea why they have a problem with that, I have always been that way and see no reason to change at this point in life. It was a fun evening. We got home just in enough time for me to pour Mike some coffee & kiss him goodnight. I want to take him next time.

My cute kids.

Lots of neat artsy type features line the banks. This is the top of a waterfall/cave feature. I took the kid's picture (above) inside it but it was too dark to pick it up well.

These sunfish lights are under the IH35 bridge. You need to see them in person to appreciate the art. They sway in the wind and are like nothing else I have seen in our Fiesta oriented city. This is also the location that the Mexican Free Tail Bats fly out of at 8:45 pm. We missed that but I wasn't sad. If you've seen one bat you've seen them all.

We will be taking this in again soon. From what I understand it will eventually extend further north to the zoo. The Pearl Brewery has recently started having a Farmers Market on Saturdays and several friends have said it is worth a visit. Condos and office space are in the works.

Good job San Antonio. I am happy to see a pet & family friendly environment where people can take a peaceful walk and not worry about the congestion and chaos that has taken place in our city. We do hope you have restrooms planned for the new future down there though!

I GOT AN AWARD!

They like me! They like me!!

This morning I got a message from Wanda that she had something for me on her blog. I was so touched to see she gave me this award!! She recently returned from WDW and is creating the most amazing layouts from her trip. She also makes fabulous cards. Go see why I want to be just like her when I grow up. http://myscraphappyplace.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Wanda!

A couple of cards

First card is my version of a card featured on the Cricit Chirp. It is similar to the one posted but has my own touch.







The second is a little out of season but I just came across the picture of my first attempt at making my own Christmas cards. I think I made about 40 before running out of steam.
This is also the card that got me hooked on card making.


I hope to get back to blogging real soon. Life has been busy lately. I was supposed to go to Cheryl's tonight but decided I need to stay home with Hayley tonight - she isn't feeling well. I plan on cleaning my scrapbook room this weekend and that's about it.

Happy 90th Auntie Jean

Saturday we met at Tomatillo's to surprise Mike's Auntie Jean for her 9oth birthday. I personally don't think it's a great idea to surprise someone who is 90 years old but Jeannie handled it all just fine. She shed a few tears but quickly joined us for a fun afternoon with family we just don't get to see enough of. She even had 2 margaritas!

These are all the cousin's kids. and one grand kid that snuck in the photo.

Mike's sister, Debbie & her husband Bron.

Matthew & Brent. These two are trouble!

Paula helping her mama in for the big surprise. She cried when she realized it was a party for her.

Mason, giving his Nana (great grandma) a birthday kiss.

The Neels

Jeannie, the only living sibling with her daughter, Paula and her nieces & nephews

Me & my boy, Matthew

Debbie reading Jeannie her cards. She was just over whelmed!

Me & my man!

Jeannie & Paul. They are so sweet!

Auntie Jean, Norman (Mike's cousin) & Debbie

This cake was terrific! One layer for each decade and 90 candles. She managed to blow them all out (really)!

Wearing the Tomatillo's sombrero while we sang happy birthday.

Getting a hand back to her seat after all that work blowing out the candles.

Ballerinas and Bears

I really like how this page came out. I saw the cute little bear months ago while blog stalking (as I like to call it). I fell in love with her but didn't save the location. Rachel sent these great pictures she took of her 2 little ballerinas, Savannah & little sister Adelyn. I knew the little bear belonged with these pictures. I searched forever before finding the cutie again. It is from Jill's Paper Jems, she creates paper piecing patterns. I got the pdf from her and the rest is history. I just loved cutting out the little girl and making her cute outfit. (drawing her eyes was a scary event) You will be seeing more of her, I am sure -dressed differently of course! I framed it and gave it to TJ to deliver for me. Rachel called today to tell me she really likes it. Whew!

My future business partner

I spent the evening with a little friend that I haven't seen since she was a little baby. The Kee's were our favorite across the street neighbors for a few short years but moved to Houston when Kellie was a baby & her brother Robbie wasn't even in school yet. Then they moved even further away to Naperville, Illinois. I have missed seeing the kids grow and have missed their parents, Lea & Jim as well. Shortly after Christmas I was happy to hear Jim's work brought him back to San Antonio. I know Naperville had become home for them but they were happy to be close to family again. Lea told me Kellie, now a 2nd grader is quite artistic & would enjoy spending some time with me making something. They came over tonight and after we visited for a while we sent Lea off to HEB so Kellie & I could collaborate on what to make with the great pictures she brought with her. This design was all Kellie & very fitting to her personality. Bright & sparkley!

We had a great time! We decided to make a mini album with some cardboard coasters I picked up (with permission) at Chili's last week. Since it was our first we made a few mistakes but were pretty pleased with the overall outcome. First off, either punch the holes on the side or flip the pictures before punching the holes so the Kee's aren't standing on their head.

We decided we are so good together that we are going into the mini scrapbook business. She has already picked her title. Director of Sparkles. She is my kind of girl, she loves sparkles!