Friday, April 22, 2011

Another train ride

Spring Break came and went.
I planned some fun activities for us including another Amtrak ride.  This time we went North to LA's Union Station.

San Juan Capistrano Station

I love the architecture here.



Waiting patiently for the train to come.


Finally!

Union Station



Then we walked across to Olvera Street for lunch and some shopping.











Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Doesn't happen often but.....

occasionally I come across a blog of someone that just makes my jaw drop.  I've been bookmarking blogs for about 4 years now so I have a long list but the ones I love go to the very top so I make sure I check them every day.

I saw her highlighted on the Echo Park blog and fell instantly in love....

Amy Heller

Where has her blog been hiding all this time???

Monday, April 11, 2011

Tubie the Robot

I've been waiting to scrap this one.  I had to have the perfect papers.  When I saw the Fancy Pants To the Moon line at CHA, I found them.

A little different from my usual line of papers but this picture required something 'out there'.

I used the star transparency backed with a more basic B side from the line.  I stitched around the star not only to adhere the transparency to the regular paper but also to give the star some personality.  I used the WRMK Sew Easy tool (available in the store) to poke holes.  It didn't work so well with the transparency, but I was able to get the indent and then I went back over it with a needle.  This tool works great on paper - not so much on transparencies.

I also used some AC Zing embossing powders.


My son created Tubie the Robot from diaper boxes and paper towel tubes.  They painted him.   Used frosting can lids for eyes and foil for antennae. He was the class mascot for the summer program last year.  Every day, I'd walk into his room and a piece of Tubie was missing.  the kids slowly picked him apart.  Poor Tubie.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Right now.....

Haven't done this for a while.

listening: Sweet Disposition by the Temper Trap
eating: roasted almonds
drinking: water in my favorite Starbucks cup 
wearing: tshirt and boxers
feeling: a little bit of everything :excited for the crop tomorrow, anxious because I didn't have enough time to fill orders this week, angry at manufacturers for not coming through....
weather: cold and rainy - just like I like it
wanting: more hours in the day and an extra pair of hands
needing: a lot of things - an employee that I can count on, more hours in the day, a second one of me
thinking: that my hard work will pay off eventually
enjoying: a quiet evening working
wondering: if I can totally zone out tomorrow and enjoy the day instead of stressing out over orders.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Spring Program.

12 years

Last November marked 12 years for us.  12 years ago I was just getting out of a horrible relationship and wanting nothing to do with men.  And then you came into my life.

I actually knew you were coming.  My mom took me to a psychic - not one of my better moments.  However, the odd things she told me ended up coming true.  She said I would get a new job.  I found out I was getting laid off shortly after that.  She brought things up - random things.

Then she told me there were 3 men in my life.  One from the past, one from the present and one from the future.

Past - an old friend who I'd lost contact with because of the present man.  He plays an important role in my life now.

Present - well, he doesn't need to be discussed.  He's now 'the past'.

Future - she said I would meet my husband in the next 6 months but I wouldn't know it.  After that layoff, I got a job working for a company the same week Bryan got a job there.  It took us a few months to actually 'meet'.  We'd meet after work for drinks and talk.  Just talk.

Then dinner.  He thought my food quirks were 'cute'.  I don't eat dressing on salads and I like my sandwiches plain - no condiments.



12 years.  (Journaling is on the pull out journaling tab under the '12'.)  I used Echo Park 'Be Mine' collection and KI Memories Sew Cute Calendat paper.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Dads and Doughnuts day

Nicks school had a Dads and Doughnuts day last month.  Just Dads.  I really wanted to go and take pictures but we weren't allowed.  No moms.

So Bryan took some with his phone (but you know he missed out on the good ones).

I heard there was shaving.  The kids got to shave daddy with shaving cream and popsicle sticks.  No pictures of this.....

They colored, played outside and then had doughnuts.

Oh and the kids drew pictures of their dads and answered some questions.  The answers are funny.  One kid said his dad 'played with money' when asked about his job.

Nick is obsessed with snails.  He finds them and makes sure everyone sees them.



Before they left, I snapped a quick picture.  Nick didn't want his picture taken.
And Nicks answers.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Rainbow Cupcakes

Its time for Spring!  Nicks school has its Spring Program and Party tomorrow (next week is Spring Break!).  I was lucky enough to beat out the other 23 moms and get the lucky cupcake slot.  Thats right.  I'm not bringing napkins or fruit or cheese this time - all important items for a party of course BUT, the cupcakes are always a hit with the kids.

So I hit up some of my favorite cuppy sites and planned these out last week.  Nothing says Spring like a rainbow right?

I went with the random rainbow version where the layers are kind of swirled together but there are still layers.  I didn't want it to look too perfect, although that cake looks fab.

Mix up a white cake - must be white.  Yellow cake will make your dye look funny.  I used a combo of the regular food coloring and the neon set.  There are 2 neon sets, this one just had more of my favorite colors in it.
Separate the batter out into equal cups and start coloring!

Once you have the colors you want, start layering.  I did pink on the bottom and built up.  You could put purple on the bottom and go up the rainbow.  I decided to be different.


Bake according to the box.  I noticed that I had to cook mine a little longer because they weren't finishing in the time on the box.  But don't leave them too long....

Mine are a little browner on top.  The second batch was perfect though.  You can see the layers here.  It was after 10pm and I was trying to get a decent shot.

Time to make toppers!  Pinwheels.  I grabbed some spring papers from my stash - mostly Echo Park.
I used Stickles to color in the centers.  Buttons, brads and anything else were out of the question since these were going to be eaten by 3 and 4 year olds.  I don't need a mother freaking out because her kid ate a brad.....
And by 2 am I was ready to hot glue gun the candy sticks to the backs.