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We decorated our house for Halloween all of an hour before Mac's friends arrived to carve pumpkins last Friday.
We got out all of our usual decorations, including the Halloween memory board from last year, and I made up some orange and black washi tape tea lights.
Now we're all ready for our annual pizza party, trick or treating with our nephew, nieces & BamBam...and lots of hot apple cider.
Hope your day is full of treats too!
As I mentioned when I first announced the class, in 12 Tags for Christmas there will be tag themes shared on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So what are we going to do on Tuesdays and Thursdays?
We are going to get organized for the holiday season! I have used a holiday planner for six years now and have updated all the forms I use to share with the class. This little book has helped me keep track of all the important festive details and has been invaluable as a resource to look back into when I am trying to remember what gift we gave or recipe I used in the year's past. I hope it will help everyone feel ready to tackle all the tasks with lots of holiday joy and peace.
I am also so excited to share a couple more class sponsors with you...Erica Hernandez and Joscelyne Cutchens!
Erica is sharing some of her digital card sets to giveaway and has designed an additional card to give to everyone enrolled in the class. I have loved using her chevol paper pack and this set of journaling cards. Joscelyne has shared some badges from her super cute shop Bossy Joscie. How cute would this set or this one be on gift tags?
Also don't forget the other class sponsors Life.Love.Paper. and Catslife Press. I can't wait for all these great giveaways!
Finally there are more chances for you to win a spot in the class...
In addition to contributing her amazing designs to the class Erica Hernandez is giving away a spot on her blog.
Laura Kurz was sweet enough to post a class giveaway before she lost power due to Tropical Storm Sandy. Hoping her little house in the big woods and everyone else's home on the east coast stays safe.
And keep an eye on one of my very favorite project blogs, Eighteen25, for another class giveaway.
It is no exaggeration when I say that half of the visits my blog gets each day are due to posting a recipe that I scanned in from a Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate magazine that I had purchased years ago to read while I waited for Sean to have nose surgery.
Random right?
I guess a snack mix called Scarecrow Crunch is just too cute. And it came in handy when we wanted to have little party favors for Mac's friends to take home from his pumpkin carving get together on Friday night...
Here is the recipe from the magazine...
I use M&M's instead of the peanut butter candy it calls for. All you do is mix it together which is super convenient when you don't have time to cook something up. It also leaves you a little more time to package it up...
I made these Halloween tags for Mac's party...and I couldn't resist making up a Thanksgiving one too. You can download a sheet of both of them here...Download Halloween Tags & Download Thanksgiving Tags
Hope they might help you package up a little scarecrow crunch or anything else you're whipping up in the next few weeks.
#4 kayla said...pick me, pick me! you are so fun, nora. i'm so excited to get into christmas mode since it's snowing here in MN.... :) October 25, 2012 at 12:49 PM
It's October 25th which means there are officially two months to go until Christmas! With the countdown on I have planned my very first on-line class to help you get ready for all the festivities!
If you know me, you know I love to craft up gift tags for the holidays. I have taught tag making classes in the past and am very excited to try this new format. I hope after this class you’ll agree how quick & easy it can be to start digging into your stash of crafty supplies to include a little handmade tag on the gifts you give this year.
12 Tags for Christmas is focused on making holiday preparations fun. The class will also include an organizational component with plenty of resources to help you make all of your lists and check them twice!
The cost is $12 which includes twelve different days of gift tag making themes that will be shared on a private class blog on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays from November 5th until November 30th. The class will also include numerous PDF files that you can download to create your own holiday planner...gift lists, party planning, and much more.
There will also be giveaways each day from amazing class sponsors like rubber stamps from Catslife Press and new holiday collection items from Life Love Paper.
You can purchase the class by clicking the Pay Pal link below. You will receive an e-mail later next week with a link to the blog and password so you'll be already to start holiday planning on November 5th.
Without fail when using our kitchen aid mixer to make frosting I create a cloud of powdered sugar. This was tonight as we prepped for Mac's cheer squad's last team dinner of football season...
We are having penne with braised short ribs, salad, and garlic bread. Dessert will be called "Golden Velvet" cupcakes...basically we just took this recipe from Picky Palate and didn't dye it green. The school colors are cardinal and gold so I thought calling them golden might make them more fun. Speaking of fun, keep an eye on Instagram tomorrow because at some point there will be school colored cupcake toppers shared...I just have to make them first. I can no longer have them plain ever since my sister my taught me a life-changing way to decorate cupcakes.
Oh and while we're on the topic of kitchen aid mixers...did you know you could shred chicken with them? Check this idea out from Lisa Russo...talk about life changing.
1. Often happens in a matter of minutes.
2. Is a sign that something new is going to be shared around here.
3. Makes me very happy.
Especially when I get it all cleaned up.
Over the weekend Sean and I cut 3,467 wonky triangles into felt and black sweat pants.
And somehow, thankfully, that turned into Bam Bam and Pebbles Halloween costumes for Mac and a friend of his...
I was incredibly fortunate to be asked to be a part of the winter issue of Artful Blogging. My issue arrived over the weekend and was filled with amazing images and so many blogs that I admire. It was too good to be true that when I flipped to the very back of the issue that my blog was included as well.
Here are a few of the inspiring images shared from other blogs...
Doesn't seeing all of that make you want to surround yourself in craftiness?
And then there's a little something from me...
I had bunch of mushy thoughts about trying things out and what you can discover when you share on-line...
"This blessed Internet has given us the opportunity to gather with imaginative souls at any moment of the day. What an astounding time that we live in that we can share our handiwork, our recipe, or a clever idea with the creative cyber collective. Sharing on a blog, and most especially reading others, can create energy. It can spur on an inspired enthusiasm like few things can. There is an endless opportunity to learn and, to me, that pursuit of all things crafty is downright magical."
Even if my thoughts were a little over-exuberant, they were completely sincere. I wholeheartedly believe we are so darn lucky to get to have the community that develops when we share ideas...and I really cannot thank you all enough for being around this little corner of the internet where I get to share mine.
Just like two years ago, this weekend our friends came to visit and we all went absolutely crazy in our front yard. If only I could laugh this hard every single day.
1. Untitled, 2. Mini Envelopes - CHA -W 2012 Collections, 3. The real deal... The kitchen is a mess!, 4. a new obsession, 5. Fav 4 - mini, 6. home office, 7. colors, 8. a snippet of my inspiration wall that reminds me of ada
Somehow I have not shared a post with favorite finds in over two months! It's time to catch up...
{Starred posts include recent Flickr Favorites and the blog entries I've found & saved (with a star) in my Google Reader}
I have this charming trait where I begin to mourn something being over before the end even comes. Over the years I have done this with vacation time, with favorite television series finales (Friday Night Lights especially), and I am the absolute worst with the holidays.
I guess I just love things a little too much...I adore all the moments looking forward to something and am so happy as it occurs. Then I fall prey to saddness towards the end that it will have already come and gone.
Now it's football season...
Mac cheered at his second to last game tonight...somehow almost ten games have been played in the blink of an eye. Yes, there will be basketball soon and more pep rallies...not to mention three more football seasons in the years to come. Even with so much ahead, there has just been something extra amazing about Mac's first time to get out there doing what he dreamed of doing since he was little.
At least I have one more game to look foward to next week.
I'm guessing that if you are reading this blog right now you are well aware of the endlessly cool resources available on this whole vast internet thing. I wanted share three of my recent finds with you...
I really love this this print that Jennifer Pebble's shared on her blog...she has always been one of my favorite crafters.
Free fonts are the one of the most generous offerings on the internet...I am loving Typewriter Condensed and Pea Mily Mix.
I have shared over the years about the Friendsgiving celebrations we have had. Our group of friends just scheduled our 8th annual dinner. Apparently we are not the only ones with this tradition since Crate and Barrel is now sharing about it. They even have links to send out cute digital invitations for free. Love the sentiment on that invitation...in fact I think my theme for the rest of this fall will be a "cornucopia of awesome".
My friends have been calling our house "Hotel Griffin" since we purchased it way back in 2000. They ask to make reservations, they give us a hard time for not having a turn-down service for the guest bed, and not placing chocolate on their pillows. Because of these on going jokes I crafted up a sign in 2006 that hangs on our guest room door announced the hotel. Today I updated that sign...
As I switched out the frames, it was easy to see the differences between these two. That had me thinking about style...when it is consistent and when it is fleeting. Personally, I never have really gravitated towards the idea of having a specific style...a distinct and committed set of creative choices to rely on. I admire those who can thrive within those choices, when their creations can stand the test of time and clearly indicate a dependable theme of who they are.
I don't think my little crafting life has demonstrated that kind of commitment. I happily fall prey to trends. I usually make stuff based on a momentary whim. Sure some things have stayed the same, like my love for mixing colors and patterns. Yet everything else has a fluidity that I have decided to embrace. I guess instead of having a style, I end up with each project being a little time capsule of creativity.
1. Today I took out a bottle of gesso for the first time since 2008. It was a rock solid.
2. I love sending Mac e-mails when I've found something that I think he'll like...today it was these hamburger cupcakes.
3. Last year we ended up hosting five get togethers in eight days. This year somehow, someway it's going to be six different dinners or parties between October 25th and November 4th. At least there aren't three different events in one day again.
4. One of the first parties is Mac's annual pumpkin carving get-together with his friends. Invitations went out today...
5. If you were to crack open my soul inside you would find Simon and Garfunkle's greatest hits album...therefore I am completely in love with this cover of The Boxer by Mumford and Sons.
These leaves started out looking like this.
Years ago at a craft show someone was selling various shaped ornaments that had a beautiful warm wood grain. I asked her how she made them and she kindly explained they were actually cut-outs from the craft store that she had painted with watered down craft paint.
A little jar holds this homemade "stain"...a generous squeeze of dark brown paint and about three times as much water. It's amazing how well this concoction works.
And now these poor leaves have been sitting on my desk for a week, half strung on twine, and practically begging to be part of a finished project.
After a night of Homecoming game fun we were up early and dressed in orange for our Team Caleb Albert Walk on Saturday morning. After two years of white t-shirts I was the annoying sister asking if we could have a color this year...Caleb requested "red-ish orange-ish". In addition to our matching t-shirts, Mac was typically teenager-ish in expressing horrification that he ended up in the same color shorts as his nerdy step-dad. Despite that unfortunate situation for someone as cool as Mac, we all had a really great time on the walk.
After the walk we caught up college football (woohoo Notre Dame 6-0!) and waited for Mac to get dressed up for the Homecoming. It was very fun to do our first round of high school dance corsages, boutonnieres, and annoying amounts of photos. Mac and his date had dinner and not one, but two different desserts before we dropped them off at the dance. After all that sugar they were really ready to dance the night away...but somehow there were requests for even more food when we picked them up.
1. This was the first morning that it was cool enough to want to stay warm in bed 2. The canine trifecta sleeping the morning away 3. A fall craft that's been taking forever to come together. 4. Getting some thank you notes ready for the stores that donated to the cheer team 5. Needed a new notebook from the office supply cabinet 6. Loved today's cloud filled sky 7. The alma mater at the end of the Homecoming assembly 8. Decorating the stadium for the Homecoming game 9. The girls got head wreaths and Mac got a boutonniere 10. Mac and the mascot (she's his Homecoming date tomorrow) 11. Nachos at the football game...so bad, but so good 12. An exciting moment in the game...we almost tied it up.
{I'm keeping track of the 12th of each month in 2012...you can see all of them here}
Mac has been requesting muffins to take as a snack at school and this week I thought they should be pumpkin muffins since that's what I wanted as a snack too. Sean does all the baking around here, but I do all the recipe searching. I found this recipe on Delish and we decided to try out a few changes and bake them up as mini muffins. These are an official new favorite around here...
Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Ingredients:
1 2/3 cups flour
3/4 cup brown sugar; packed
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
2 large eggs
1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin (do not use pumpkin-pie filling)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter; melted and cooled
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray two mini muffin pans lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
In large bowl, mix first six ingredients; add chocolate chips, tossing to coat. Make sure melted butter is cooled before mixing with the eggs. In another small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients; add to flour mixture and stir just until combined (do not over mix). Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full.
Bake for approximately 12 minutes, until muffins spring back when lightly touched. Cool muffins on rack.
Over the many years that I've spent sticking scrapbook pages together I continually remind myself that there are no rules. You get to try whatever you want with creative endeavors and when I come up with an idea I don't want to spend too much time worrying.
In keeping with that crafty ideology I made this card last week...
Fall colors and neon pink totally work together, right?
Next weekend we will participate in our third annual Team Caleb Albert walk for Autism Speaks. Our nephew, Caleb, has just started kindergarten and is starting to become an incredibly effective fundraiser himself. Last week we gathered for a taco night in support of his team and he made his way around the room with a donation basket...even singing songs as the dollars were stuffed inside. Every single dollar meant the world to him.
Just like last year, I wanted to get the word out and help him fundraise in support of his team and for all children who have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum. This link will take you directly to Caleb's own fundraising page.
While I don't have Caleb available to share a rousing rendition of "Hello Dolly" or "Amen" if you are able to donate any amount please let me know (with a comment or e-mail) and I would really love to send a little crafty package out to you as a thank you.
Or I can sing for you...just say the word.
1. This weekend I will make something with these wood leaves...
2. I will accomplish this craft after Sean and I feed 90 people at a fundraiser for Mac's cheer team on Saturday. Tonight I am kind of kicking myself for signing up to be completely in charge of food, but hopefully it will all work out well.
3. If I were teaching a Sociology class right now we would have class discussion on why a CEO giving birth this week is newsworthy and the Before I Die community project.
4. This week I made a tea wish list that includes Red Velvet Cake and Buttered Rum.
5. Sean came home with his school photos today since the company that takes photos of the students generously sends some home with each of the teachers. Last year we received more photos than we could have ever wanted of Mr. Griffin, but this year there was an even better surprise waiting inside the photo envelope...
I have warned Sean that these two signs will be popping up around the house. That's while I was laughing so hard that I was crying.
The front room in our house is multipurpose, so we jokingly call it the "Guest Wrap Gym". It's primarily a guest room that also is home to my completely gratuitous gift wrapping area and has my old treadmill and Sean's weight bench.
We first put this room together a few years ago and recently decided that it could use a little update. A can of paint, a bedspread, and little rearranging did the trick...
The huge bed is actually the two twin beds we have pushed together. It has worked well over the years, to be able to switch them back and forth, depending on who is staying with us.
The "Staples" cabinet is on the side of the bed. We started calling it that because it holds every office, school, or mailing supply you could ever need...like we have our own little office supplies store.
The boards hold magnets from our various travels over the last five years. Since our honeymoon Sean and I have been collecting Christmas ornaments at each destination, but when we went on our first long road trip in 2008 Mac started collecting magnets. They're in the guest room now, because Mac's way too cool to have silly travel magnets in his room.
The wrapping area also ended up with a new place to hold some supplies. With these shelves in place I needed to rethink a favorite quote I had framed and hanging over my wrapping table. I put together a little 5x7 digital version and wanted to share it with you...
There are actually two different versions...one with each letter color mixed up like I have framed Download Love Giving Multi Print copy and also a little simpler one with each word in a different color Download Love Giving Print.
How was your morning? Did any of your front teeth completely break off as you were biting into a piece of sourdough toast?
One of mine did.
Thankfully there was just enough tooth left to stick a titanium rod into it and put on another crown. Thankfully I had a root canal in this tooth when I was ten years old so the nerves are dead...otherwise I can only imagine how painful it breaking could have been. Thankfully I have known my dentist and his office staff for years so I could just call and say, "Hi, it's Nora, my tooth completely broke" and be seen in his office twenty minutes later. Thankfully our dental insurance covers 70% of a crown replacement that is five years or older. And thankfully this is crown was five years, two months, a week and 4 days old.
I am one lucky girl.
And now to share the luck a little, the {make a wish} stamp goes to comment #12 Amy Harle said...I'm wishing for a better work/life balance, too :) October 02, 2012 at 7:07 AM
Amy please e-mail me your address so the stamp can be sent on its way to your house.
Oh and if you were wonderfing, that other "L" shaped rod you see is my nose piercing. It really does help me feel extra cool when it shows up in dental x-rays.
My very favorite Catslife Press has new stamps, including more versions of the cute little bracket stamps I have loved making cards with for years now. This time one of them is a {make a wish} stamp, perfect for birthday cards...
I have one of these stamps to share with you...so I am wondering what are you wishing for right now?
Mine is for it not be 101 degrees and to get rid of the cold I managed to catch today.
Oh and a million dollars please.
Feel free to leave any comment, share a wish or type a good old "pick me" and I will do a random drawing on Tuesday night.
I am really going to try hard to ignore that this first day of the month is supposed to be over a hundred degrees, but I am looking forward to all the other days October will bring. I am eager for pumpkin purchasing, simmering pots of soup, friends coming to visit, a high school homecoming, apple pie with whipped cream, and the little bit of holiday planning that I can never resist this time of year. I love that this month is starting off on a Monday...it makes it feel like there's extra momentum to get started with every last thing I can possibly think of. Here we go...
