A Bit of Serendipity

love love love ~ this site

2012-01-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine showed me a site today that i just LOVE! Lots of pictures to pin to my style board and just wish i had all these lovely things. Check out the site, I did get a little something for myself.

I can't wait to get it...

Party ~ Party ~ Party

2011-01-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

I was wandering around the internet today and came across a wonderful website for party ideas {at least it sparked that idea part of my brain} This was such an easy thing to do to bring color to a table set up.

We want to have a child's party for my grand-kids soon and I think we may have to try this for the cake plate. It will be for several age groups so I think we well have to do a rainbow color theme. I also saw this party theme that we are thinking well be perfect! Thank you howdoesshe? for the great party idea.

xoxo

New banner

2010-12-29T13:27:00.000-08:00

I figured it was time to change the banner on top. My grand daughter is over a year old now and I needed to include my grandson. So here is the new and improved banner with them both!

I did it myself!

2010-12-19T15:41:00.000-08:00

Doesn't it feel good when you figure out something that has been puzzling you for a long, long time. Well yesterday I finally did it! I figured out how to make my about me page and it worked! Such a good feeling inside kinda like hot chocolate with whip cream in the shape of a heart. (wish I had one right now. Anyway I thrilled to have this off my "to do" list. Oh I guess I should show a picture of what I accomplished, oh why not just send you to the site... here it is. I will be updating the page as I get better at this html thing. This has taken me a while of practice and searching the web to figure it out. I'm sure there are lots of people who will laugh because they already knew how to do this, but I just really wanted to learn and now I have that wonderful feeling of accomplishment.
On another note I was at a yard sale yesterday, the only one I saw open, probably due to the fact that it was raining here in Southern California, anyway I started looking through all the "stuff" at the sale and there was alot of old VHS videos, cheap plastic storage keepers and a bunch of kitchen gadgets - some that had seen better days, well as I turned the corner in the kitchen I found a Wedgewood dinner plate on a plastic stand in perfect condition tags still on the back. Of course I got it and I put it up in my store and already several people have been looking at it. I sure didn't expect to find any treasures yesterday with all the rain pouring here, I almost fell in a huge puddle of water getting out of my car to get this wonderful plate.

So if you need a replacement or just love this plate to add to a collection, I have it for you.
xoxo

when life was so easy

2010-12-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

Remember when life was so easy... all you had to do was share a moment (and some candy) with your uncle. How fast they grow! and then they are adults with adult ideas and problems. Boy I wish time could stand still and we could always be this happy...

Here's my favorite picture from our trip to visit great grandma in Colorado. I've enetered it in a contest over at

I would be so pleased if you could stop by the contest page and vote for my pic!
Thanks to all!

Sunday Creative

2010-11-16T10:08:00.001-08:00

The Sunday Creative! Each week, on Sunday, they offer a creative prompt; just one word that you can use as kindle for your creative fire in a project!
The reason I joined like it says: to continue to foster creativity, stretch my creative muscles, and grow in this creative community!
Check out the others at The Sunday Creative!

Come follow the fun of learning and expanding ourselves...
November 15, 2010,

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This week's prompt:

Lonely

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lonely: 1. lone; solitary; without company, companionless. 2. remote from places of human habitation. 3. standing apart; isolated.

I took this picture of my son because he wouldn't let me get one of his face, you know that 15 year old attitude!

No words, just peaceful pictures...

2010-11-15T11:22:00.000-08:00

my newest try at eating better

2010-09-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Okay for the past few months I have been really trying to eat better, you know no more of the "white foods" (sugar, flour, bread, anything white) Well I have been making smoothies everyday. Recently I have been adding different veges to them. I have become very adventuress at adding things I would never have added before. Like cauliflower, cucumber, squash, kale, cabbage & lettuce.

The next one I will be trying is green beans. How brave is that. I haven't become brave enough to add other things yet, but I'm working through that. But I just went to the Clean House yard sale this weekend and the only thing I bought was a book! I sure am excited to get this book. It is "Virgin Coconut Oil" by Brian & Marianita Shilhavy. I was very surprised that I had never heard of this book before, but I was pleasantly surprised that I was already doing most of what this book said. I have changed my vegetable oil to coconut oil now. I still use olive oil too. Has anyone read this book and found it to be beneficial for an ailment? I'm just curious how others use the coconut oil. Leave me a comment about how you use the oil, I would love to hear from you.
xoxo

ps... I found two new blogs I'm loving... alicias homemaking and happy foody. I found some really good ideas from them.
* * * * * Update* * * * *
I cut back on all my food intake for the past week and since I posted this I have lost 4 pounds.I have been trying to eat only raw foods. Well I still have a bit to go to get back into my size I have worn for the majority of my life! I still have a few lb's to get off these old thighs. But now I think that I can get there and stay that size.

Yard/Tag/Garage Sale Mapping

2010-07-06T10:53:00.001-07:00

For quite some time now I have had a cork board with a city map glued to it, then on Friday I would take pushpins and put them in the map where each yard sale was. This made it pretty easy to find all the sales and be able to make a trail of where I wanted to go. It took me about an hour to get all the addresses and then push in the pins, then if a pin fell out I would have to figure out which sale it was. Also this is pretty bulky and cumbersome while driving or if I have someone with me they have to maneuver this board around and worry if they drop the pin box.
For a while now I have been looking online to find some app that I could use to do this a lot faster I found one but it only worked on the Penny Saver ads and there was no way to ad in extra addresses. But while I was on another blog today I think I found the best app ever! It's called Yard Sale Treasure Map.
I was testing it and it seems to work exactly like I would have created it. {if I was that smart} It is linked with your local Craigslist garage sale info {it includes the ad from Craigslist, so you'll know what items you might really want to look for} A super plus is you can add in other addresses from the local newspaper, or you can delete an address you don't want. It will map out your route and then you print it out. How cool is that!!!
There is also a How To @ About.com, so if you get confused or just need extra help go to that link.
This also works when you travel, all you do is put in the address you'll be starting from and it will map the rest. Now I can't wait for Friday to test this!
The next time I have a yard sale and I list it on Craigslist I will be putting the map and the How To links in my ad so that others will be able to use it too.

xoxo

Yo Yo's all around me!

2010-07-05T10:56:00.000-07:00

Today I don't know what got into me {maybe it's the free time with NO ONE home today} Yeah!... I started making yo yo's. I have oodles of fabric from the quilt I made for my grand baby and the two other quilts I'm making for my friend who is having a baby {Girl}. So I must be out of my mind to think I have time to make anything else, BUT, I started making yo yo's for a couple of bibs I'll make to go along with the gift. They will at least match. Our local Joann store is having a great sale right now so I might pop over and get the terry cloth to make the bibs with.
Here's my great find for the week....

And now for my crafty & frugal friends, I was at Goodwill last week when they had a half price day and as I was digging through the bags of clothes and other misc items, I found a bag of fabric. This fabric had the tags on it, they looked like someone had used them to go to different stores to show the new fabric for the next season. They were all fat quarters size or bigger. So after looking through and finding several I could use on the quilts I'm making I decided to get them all. {I ended up using 6 different fabrics from this great find} So up to the register I went and asked the price. The wonderful lady {who I'm sure does not sew} said $5, well I hemmed & hawed and offered her $4 and she said sure! Oh yeah I also got the bag too!

I know the gray looks glossy in the picture but it isn't, it is just a canvas bag, great for grocery shopping. I was so excited to get this deal!
So if there is anyone who sews and uses fat quarters, we all know that they cost at full price $1.99 and on sale $.99 plus tax (7.75%) I got 111 pieces of fabric. so even if I got them all for $.99 I saved $113 easy, and if it was full price I would have saved over $200. Best thing is there is no tax at Goodwill.

xoxo

Cake Bites are done!

2010-06-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

Okay now that the cake bites have frozen really hard, it's time to dip them
With a double boiler (or a pot with a metal pan on top) boil the water and melt your candy/almond bark.
I bought the Wilton's candy melts, available at pretty much any craft/baking store in lots of colors. I got white because I have some food color gels that I was trying to see if we could achieve the right fushia color we need. It didn't come out the right color but I will have to work on that. I used a fork and spatula to dip in and roll around.

At first the candy mix was going on the bites really nice, no drips, no mess, but then when the melted coating got too melted and hot it doesn't stay put on your pop as well, it got gloppy and grainy. So I learned it's best to let it be a bit cooler. I also read the package and that was what it said. The cake even started to crumble off and go into the candy. Well here are the bad ones...

So the lesson here is to keep the candy at a constant heat and be quick about dipping. I didn't do any decorations.
Here is a site that will amaze you and possibly make you feel bad about yourself, be sure to check out Bakerella's blog.
Let them set up in the fridge.
Okay so as I'm now sitting here eating these watching my thighs expand, I was talking to my friend who wants to have these at her daughters baby shower and we decided to make cupcake pops. This blog makes them look sooooooo easy. I think I might have to practice before the shower!

xoxo

"Celebrating Teens" Photo Challenge

2010-06-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

At I heart faces they are having another contest for

Celebrating Teens” Photo Challenge

I was trying all day to get a good picture of my son who by the way was 15. He kept turning around so that I couldn't take the picture, so like a good mom I decided to just take a picture of his back. This turned out to be my favorite picture of the day.

Cake Bites Cont......

2010-06-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

Okay I forgot to take a picture of the cake when I was crumbing it and before I made the balls. I am kinda bad at this for blog land people. I will try harder from now on. So I'll just go ahead and just describe what I did....

The next step is to crumb your cake. I had just cleaned the kitchen and put all the dishes away from dinner so I used two forks to just start making crumbs of the cake, you want to make it into very fine crumbs with no lumps. I did this in sections. You can just use your hands to do this if it seems easier to you.
Now we need frosting. These cake bites can be made with canned frosting or homemade. I made cream cheese frosting from scratch. Here's the recipe I used:

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup cream
2 tsp. vanilla extract

6 oz cream cheese

Cream butter and cream cheese with mixer on low speed. Using a spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the confectioners sugar and mix on low speed, about 30 seconds. Drizzle in the extract. Mix for another 30 seconds, or until smooth.
I have to say I just added the ingredients without measuring (I'm that kind of cook) so these are not super accurate measurements, I'm one of those taste as you go bakers.

Add your frosting to your cake crumbs (in a large bowl).
Add the frosting a bit at a time until you had a consistency that would roll into a ball, but not too mushy. Mine was a bit on the mushy side but I put it in the fridge for about 1/2 an hour to stiffen it a bit.

(Okay don't laugh at my lopsided balls - my family laughed and made comments on what they looked like, but not one of them disliked the taste, remember these are the first batch and only a test)
Roll all that mushy cake into balls. I made mine smaller than a ping-pong ball. I just kept thinking I wanted them small enough to just pop into my mouth. I used a Tupperware container to line up the balls, then put waxed paper on top and made another row, then I put the cover on and put the whole thing into the freezer.
Well the cake bites are in the freezer right now and I'm on my way out the door to go to Michael's to get the Almond Bark to make the coating for the bites! I'll make the next post and tell you how they turn out.

xoxo

Cake Pops {Bites}

2010-06-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

While looking around the internet at some really talented people who are baking wonderful tiny desserts, I found this really cute idea to try.

I'm really mad at myself because today at a yard sale I passed up a tartlet pan (for a quarter, that is 25 cents!) that I didn't think I needed. Well now that I've been asked to make cake bites for a baby shower, I of course need that pan. Oh well such is life.
There are so many different methods of making these. So I spent a whole afternoon researching just how to make these adorable little treats.
So I'm starting a trial batch of the cake bites tonight. I'll let you know how things went.

Later that night...
Here's an overview of the way I'm making the cake bites
Bake a 13x9 cake.
You can bake any type of cake you like. Boxed mix or from scratch. I decided to use a mix, just because I had it handy and this is only a trial. I am going to make these and bring a few to my neighbor who just got home from the hospital, as a happy little gift to feel better. I'm cooking this tonight so it has plenty of time to cool before I crumble it tomorrow.
Okay here is the pan of chocolate cake mix I mixed up. I think next time I will be making it from scratch. just to test the difference.

Alright now one last tap on the counter to get the bubbles out and into the oven. Tomorrow I will show the crumbled up cake and the frosting mixed in, with more directions. See you then.
xoxo

♥ it's all about babies ♥

2010-06-13T22:43:00.000-07:00

Over at i ♥ faces this week's photo challenge theme is "All About Babies"

Okay so here is my entry of my grandbaby. She was 2 months old here. I LOVE photographing newborns... so I was thrilled when I saw this challenge.
She is actually laying on top of my daughter because we couldn't get her to be happy any other way.

Check out more babies at their site

Organic

2010-06-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

My good friend has an organic house cleaning business and today I was at her house, when I just happen to open a jar of her cleanser, just to smell it. I was so surprised that it smelled so good and it felt good too. Okay so does it really clean? I just had to try it and it cleaned good too. I just might have her come clean my shower (I hate cleaning it) She has a very nice web page too, If you live in Simi Valley or Conejo she's the one to clean your home with an organic touch. I had to give her a plug. I really am proud of her for starting up this cleaning service and making her own organic cleaning products.

Just a New Friend Friday

2010-06-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

I was leisurely reading this morning on The Girl Creative
They are having a giveaway... too cute! Go by and check it out. I really need to get my time scheduled better to be able to get all the projects done like these great people.

Key West Vacation

2010-05-30T09:05:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled across this slide show I made a couple of years ago, forgot that I had it. This was long before the oil spill that is now creeping towards Key West. Hopefully they (BP) will get it to stop gushing oil into the ocean in the next couple of days so that these beautiful places won't be ruined by people's greed.

Pumpkin Ravioli

2010-05-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

I have to say it... I am not much of a cook. I would rather do something artsy before I cooked. But I did have the cooking bug bite me yesterday, I was on a mission to make Pumpkin Ravioli. I found some Rachael Ray Everyday magazines last weekend at a yard sale and I saw this recipe for Pumpkin Ravioli, let me tell you it is hard to find canned pumpkin in May! I went to 5 stores before I found it, everyone had the pumpkin pie stuff, I just wanted plain ole pumpkin. Here is the recipe I used. It turned out perfect and the family seemed to like it too. I made a cream sauce to dip it in just in case it was a bit dry, but it tasted good both ways.

Anyway that is the extent of my culinary expertise. If you like pumpkin and ravioli you'll like this. Enjoy!

"Flower Power" Chair

2010-05-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

While I was at a yard sale yesterday I found a really cute child's chair with horrible fabric on it. The lady wanted $3.00 but she took $2.00. Then when I put it in the car I remembered I had just bought some adorable fabric to use on the car seat, but now I changed my mind and decided to use this fabric on this new chair. Of course I was so excited to start this project that I didn't remember to take a "before" picture of the chair. But I did take a picture of the old material

And yes it was very faded material. This took me about six hours to recover. It had about a million staples in it. {so now I have a really sore spot on my hand where I used the tool to dig out the staples} This took a while to do but felt so good when it was done and it was very easy to do too. There are even little rocking feet on the bottom.

Okay so here is the finished product.....

I love the way it turned out, now I can't wait for Morgan to start sitting in it. Sorry I didn't get a picture of the before, I think it might have been more dramatic to see it before I changed the fabric.

I'll be linking this post with these sites:

Wow I just had to share....Squint - Saturday Sharing

2010-05-22T07:28:00.000-07:00

As I was wandering around the internet this morning, I came upon the most interesting web-site. I don't know if I could be so brave as to put this in my home, but it sure is great to look at. {wish I could go to London to see and feel the furniture} They have an exclusive collection in Harrods! Each piece is unique. Here is the description straight from the site

"The fabrics used are woven English damasks and shot silver and gold satins with Swarovski rose crystal and pearl detailing. Trimmings are 18th and 19th century from France with woven silver and gold thread. The accessories range includes mirrors and lighting wrapped with Japanese ceremonial Kimono silks which have been embroidered and appliquéd and finished with turn of the century lavender glass beads."

Lisa sure has fun creating! Here is an interview that I was reading about the designer.Okay so I really need to get to my artwork now that I have been inspired....

xoxox

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-19T17:38:00.000-07:00

kids - they never grow up

2010-05-18T17:07:00.000-07:00

New Header

2010-05-18T16:28:00.000-07:00

I was practicing in CS3 today, so I decided to make a new header. That is my grand-daughter Morgan. I was just playing around with the torn edge effect and I think I like it. I will have to practice a bit more, but for now it's good!. I thought it was about time for a new header, kinda getting tired of the old one.
xoxo
cristi

Quilting Foot

2010-05-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

I have been scouring the internet to figure out which is the best quilting foot for my machine {in fact my head hurts} I think I have it narrowed down and I will be getting the darn foot in the next day or so. Yeah then I can finish my baby candy wrapper quilt! I think I'll go with a simple quilting pattern since this is my first time ever to quilt. I can't wait to start testing this quilting foot, before I quilt the real thing. I just love the internet and all the very helpful and friendly people who have shared their wealth of knowledge and show us newbie's the "How To" on pretty much everything. Okay I must go to work now, I'll share more later.

necklaces, bracelets & chockers...

2010-05-12T18:39:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been sitting at the computer and found yourself daydreaming and just wandering around the internet... Well I did that today and after a couple of hours I realized I didn't get anything done at home. But I did find lots of fun ideas and a whole lot of things I would like to buy. Here's an etsy shop I like that has great prices and cute things. Here's my favorite necklace.
I also found this bracelet I think I will be trying to copy with my own treasures.

I have a ca-zillion things to use with all the ideas I have floating in my head. Now just to find the time and peace & quiet at my house to do them all... I think that is a problem for all creators and crafter's. Well I must be off to work on a few pictures I took of my friends little girls.{alas it's back to work for me, no fun creating today}

xoxo
have a great evening!

Finally... Pictures of my Apron

2010-05-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

I did it! I finished the apron. I really finished it a while ago and just today got to take pictures. Well I love it! It fits me perfect. This was so much fun to make.

I also caught up to my whirlwind daughter to wrestle her down to model this for me.

I used a shirt I got at Goodwill to make the gathered part on the top and bottom section. The bottom ruffle is a raw silk material (I'll have to hand wash this) The purple thread to make the small knots was from the raw silk material, I had some scraps for the yo yo flowers, then I finished it off with some trim pieces I had in my stash. I do have to give credit where credit is due... I got this idea from Donna Downey I saw her apron and thought "how cute is that" so I tried it. I just might do some more in lots of colors to match my mood, or maybe to sell. We'll see.....

xoxo
Cristi

way too fast

2010-04-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

Of course my daughter came flying in the door then blitzed out, and when I caught up with the whirlwind I remembered I needed a picture (of the apron) So the plan is to catch her today and get a picture up as soon as I can. Sorry about that, I hate when you remember something, then later when you needed to have it happen you forget. Meanwhile I am going to practice that machine quilting today, more on that later....

Neglect

2010-04-27T15:30:00.000-07:00

I know I have not been the best blogger. I
have sorely neglected my blog. I did however finish the apron that I started, I will have a picture later today when my daughter gets home so that I can have her model it for me to take pictures. Stay tuned!

I was up at my friend's cabin last week, stuck in the cabin due to snow falling, so I started a quilt for my granddaughter. So adorable! (oh the quilt is adorable too) Being inside with nothing else to do I finished the top of the quilt. Check it out I saw this pattern in the McCall's Quilting magazine. I just happened to find this and thought I can do that, well I did it! I just need to quilt it now. I have been very busy trying to search the internet and find out how to machine quilt. So far I have found this site and this one to be the most helpful. I have never done machine quilting before, so I thought I should read up on it first. I still have a few questions but I think I have decided what quilting pattern I want to use, now I just need to practice it on a sample so that I can make sure that I can do it. I'm really excited and a bit scared. I think I can make this work though. I guess I'll go to the store and get the batting and the back material so I can get this done this weekend.
xoxo
Cristi

Santa Barbara Wine Day

2010-02-22T11:29:00.000-08:00

Boy has my life changed in the last month. I've just been to busy to write anything. First my daughter found out that her husband had been cheating on her for several months while she was pregnant. Bad news, then she waited several months to see if things could be saved, but alas, no they couldn't. So now she is back at our house to live for a few months while she is getting back on her feet. Well I said all that just to say why I haven't been online. Things are working out wonderful for my daughter now, so in the end I think she'll make it and be just fine. Okay enough about that...

I had such a great day with a few of my friends last week. We went to Fess Parker Winery. Just a beautiful place, right past Santa Barbara, California. The weather was just right. Oh by the way if you are older you might remember Fess Parker, he was the guy who played Davey Crockett and Daniel Boone on TV in the 1950's. We got a personal tour and had too much fun tasting the wine. (if you know what I mean) (I won't put the silly pictures up, just to save our reputations) Then we went done the road about 1/2 mile to Curtis Winery. Another great place to taste wine. We got the best Raspberry Honey Mustard to eat with our pretzels. Couldn't ask for a better day! Okay I'll put one of the silly pictures on here! (Boy are they going to hate me!)

Oh I almost forgot, I don't know how this could have slipped my mind. We had dinner at the most amazing place. Brothers Restaurant at Mattei's Tavern. We just happened to see this place while driving home and decided to stop. They serve complimentary bread served to the table and they had the best variety I have seen, not just the same old thing. For dinner everyone had something different and some of us shared a plate, they split the dinners onto separate plates and it looked as though it was a dinner for each of us, but it was half, so much food I would have never been able to finish it all if I had not split it with my friend. I had the chicken with goat cheese - just as good as the chicken I had in Paris, France, WONDERFUL. I hate when chicken is dry and this was not anywhere near dry. Sorry we didn't have any room left in our tummy's for dessert or I would tell you about it. It looked good what I saw from the other people at the surrounding tables.
If you are visiting the area of Santa Barbara or Santa Ynez Valley, take a look see at these great places.
xoxo
Cristi

today

2010-01-09T19:58:00.000-08:00

Well today I cleaned the studio and found quite a few scrapbook items to put in my shoppe. I didn't realize I had so much in there to sell. Well I'll have to get busy putting it into the shoppe. Of course my cat decided to help me today, she found the yarn that I put up high on my bookcase. She had it in her mouth looking at me when I walked in. She is such a stinker. I guess I'll have to put the whole basket in the closet out of her sight.

I did put the cutest hummingbird feeder on though. I'm really tempted to keep this one and possibly give it as a gift! Well I'm off to take a nice warm bath and read a good book.
xoxo

missed the rose parade

2010-01-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

I love to go to the rose parade in person and take pictures every year. It is just so beautiful and smells wonderful. But alas this year I couldn't go... I had foot surgery and on the first I was still limping around. There was just no way I could walk all the distance it would take to park and then walk to the parade, then the walk back, sooooo I guess it was okay to watch it on TV just not the same though. My grandson wants to go again next year so I'll have to plan it with him. 2011 theme is Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories. Can't wait to go....

Silly Cat!

2010-01-02T10:44:00.000-08:00

While I sat here so busy putting inventory in my little web shoppe, my silly cat has decided that a ball of yarn is a great play toy. As you can imagine there is yarn from one side of the house to the other, really all the way to my bedroom. Now as I am winding all the yarn back into a ball she is thrilled that I am now playing with her. So as I wind she grabs some more. Uh oh she just wandered off to the studio again, probably in search of more fun and exciting toys...... I just put a really cute cat book in the shoppe, come see it.

cutest jewelry found here!

2009-12-16T15:08:00.000-08:00

I was searching the net this morning and found the cutest site ever for silver jewelry. gwynniebdesigns I think I might just have to get a thing or two or three from this site. I love that the maker of these fine trinkets is going green also. I found her trinkets to be quite whimsical and creative... love that! Just thought I would share this.

sipping chocolate...

2009-12-12T14:40:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been sipping hot chocolate, you know the rich deep dark creamy kind and just relaxing by the fire watching a good chick flick movie while it's raining outside, well that is the kind of day I'm having. I'm savoring every moment too. Husband and son are both working. It just feels so good to sit around with nobody to cook or clean for today. I did add a few items to my store. A really cute coffee/tea mug from Hallmark (not sure what year this one was made). I got it at an estate sale and it looks to be unused. I also listed a Pampered Chef Anniversary Heart Cookie Mold Stone (very cute).
Anyway, I'm going back to my chocolate and sipping it while watching another movie.

Giveaway.... Check this out!

2009-11-24T09:33:00.000-08:00

I've been following Donna Downey on her blog. Well today she has a giveaway for all the scrapbookers out there, check it out here. Here's a picture of the giveaway goodies.
If you sign up for the giveaway tell her where you got the link! Thanks xoxo

sale, sale, sale

2009-11-23T17:14:00.000-08:00

My favorite word! I love when things are on sale. Michaels is having a 55% off sale on the Jetmax storage cubes. I have 3 right now and I will be adding another 5 or 6 when the sale starts. I had a picture of my studio room in a post on March 12th of this year and now I am finally getting it together. I will need only about 9 more than. Maybe I'll splurge and get 9 this time and next time get the 6 more I'll need. As soon as I get them together I'll show a picture. As you can see from the previous picture my room is in serious need of organization. I'm getting there. Check out Michaels if you are collecting these great cubes.

My new favorite snack

2009-11-19T09:48:00.000-08:00

While on my diet to lose the extra few pounds that are lingering on my thighs, I found these great crackers to snack on. At first I wasn't sure if I liked them, but as I finished off the first box I started to really like them, plus I noticed that they are very filling to me. So far 12 pounds have come off. Now I know it's not because of these crackers, but they help me to not want to snack on the really, really good things (you know like cookies, cake or brownies)Anyways, here's the website to check them out. My favorite is the Sticks & Twigs Curry flavor, again at first I didn't think I liked these but as I worked my way through the bag I decided they were good. The website has a store locator so you can see if there is a store near you. Hey if anyone else likes these let me know.
xoxo

Following one of my fav's

2009-11-18T21:48:00.000-08:00

I just read a great book on blogging and in the book they mentioned another blog that I found I really liked. You can see it here. They have freebies and wonderful ideas.

Here's a sample of one of the words they have.
I'm sure I'll find so many ways to use this new found website.
I think with the new grandbaby, I will have many chances to take quite a few pictures and make a few scrapbook pages using this little gem.
Speaking of the baby, she is growing like a weed (she's hungry all the time). Okay here's a new picture of her.

She is almost 2 months old already.

New Blog Template

2009-11-16T12:45:00.000-08:00

I just made this new banner for the header^ up there and I also found a new background for my blog. There are so many great people out on the internet with wonderful ideas. they inspired me to start creating. Check out shelscraps for the backgrounds. But the banner is my creation.

I took a picture of the flowers my husband gave me on our 25th anniversary, They were so pretty I couldn't let them go without a few photographs. 2008-28 years^

There is a good story to go with how many flowers I get each year.

^2005-25 years

From the beginning of our courtship he brought me red roses, because he knew I liked them. Then on our first anniversary he brought me one red rose, he told me there was one for every year we are married and of course he has brought me one more every year. 2008-28 years^
At first I saved the roses, but after we moved a few times and then the kids, those roses got pretty beat up. So I decided now that I take a picture and really make it look spectacular in a photo, then I'll always have it.
Please leave a comment, let me know what you think.

She's here.............

2009-10-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

Well baby Morgan is here! And of course she is beautiful (I just might be a bias nana) Ten fingers & ten little toes she is perfect. Born Sept 30th weighing in at 6lb 5oz. I'll be putting up more pictures on my flicker account.

Bigcrumbs

2009-09-18T10:34:00.000-07:00

Browsing around I happened upon this site that helped save money, I don't know of anyone who doesn't want to do that.

I was curious to see if this was a legit site - sure enough it is. I watched for a while after signing up and then started to sign up a few family members and friends. Now I have bought a few things on ebay just to see if they really give you the money they say they will. So on the 15th of September 2009I got my money in my paypal account, it wasn't very much but things are picking up now. I now have started to purchase more from ebay {and hopefully they will add ebid.net soon} and I will be getting around $4.76 back next month. I also get my ebay bucks from ebay at the same time, so I was very pleased that when I buy things I get money back from both, so this was a plus!
Here is the link to check out what I'm talking about.

Oh I forgot to mention that I signed up as a CrumbEarner so this means that when people sign up under me and start to buy things I will also get a percentage of what they buy. So now I will be increasing my money made faster. It goes down 5 generations, so it can multiply pretty fast. When I go visit family this next week in Oregon I'll be signing them up also. Can't wait to see how fast this starts to add up. I'll keep you posted.

xoxo
Cristi
ps... sorry I just had to make a 2nd posting today. I also put it on twitter yesterday. I may even add it to facebook too.

Ebid.net the new ebay?

2009-09-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

Well in 2 weeks I am going to be moving some things from ebay to ebid.net.
It is so much easier than ebay and for sellers it has so many more advantages. If you are thinking of buying anything online check out ebid first. It is auction style and buy it now. You can set up 5 stores {for FREE} I really like the set up. I will have about 200 things in my store when I am done. Please take a peek....
xoxo

2009-09-07T11:56:00.000-07:00

My cute little cat in the picture has disappeared! We try to get our cat's inside each evening, but about 2 weeks ago he got out of the house and has not returned. My neighbor has seen coyote's walking down our street before and I think that my cat has become coyote food. He was such a lover cat, he would sleep on my desk everyday while I was working. He was actually quite smart too. He would tell me when he had to go out to use the litter box. He knew what he wanted and wouldn't be distracted by something else. I know any of you cat lover's know how I feel, it's so hard to lose an animal that brings so much joy and love to you. I think we might start to think about getting another cat, I just keep hoping he wandered into someones house and somehow will escape and come home. But the longer he's gone the more I think a coyote got him. This has made me rethink the collar issue though, I'm always afraid that a cat will get his collar caught on something and then he will get hurt, so I don't have one on him. I think I might look into the micro chip a bit more seriously.
My apron is kinda sitting in my studio room I'll try to get a few more things done during this week, things have been so hectic though, what with my daughters new baby trying to come out too soon. I've been busy helping her to stay on bed rest to keep the baby in.
xoxo
Cristi

Best Laid Plans......

2009-07-28T08:28:00.000-07:00

Well my best laid plans have gone astray. My grandson came to stay for a week then he went home and came back for another 5 days, so I put real life on pause & I didn't have a chance to work on my apron. I was very busy doing kid things - like playing at the park, going to the beach (got a little sunburned) swimming in several friends pools and of course watching kids slide on the slip-n-slide. Now I'm trying to get back to all the things I need to do. I do have to say I am very close to being done though, just a few more steady hours and it will be done.

But for now I have a picture of Kennedy at the beach, he loves to dig in the sand and build roads and castles.

As a side note..... I just put a bunch of things on sale at my store, so take a peak, see if there may be a few things you're just dying to have.

about halfway there....

2009-07-01T18:17:00.001-07:00

As promised I have been working on the apron. It will soon be up on etsy.... hopefully by the weekend!

I keep thinking that I like this so much I want to keep it. But I think I will put it on etsy. It's just coming out too cute. Almost too cute to use it. I'm sure whoever does get it will be just as happy to wear it as I am to make it. Okay I'm off to the machine to try to get more sewing done.

Inspiration has hit me....

2009-06-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

I have finally started on my items to create for etsy! I have decided to make aprons. I know that might not sound exciting, but these really are exciting. I was shopping at the mall at Anthropologie
When I came around the corner I saw the cutest apron ever. {they seem to be popping up everywhere} I think because the economy is bad that people are staying home to eat, so there is more need to have an apron again. Anyway I love them. So I am putting together a very different one than any I have seen. This one is probably better for those who love to create with mixed media art. Stay tuned I'll have pictures soon. Be sure to check at my etsy store , that's where I'll be selling these little beauties!

* * * * Update* * * *
Okay here is a very small picture of the apron. I told you I don't want to give too much away. Check back to see my progress. I'll be working on it some more today and try to get it done by the end of the week.{maybe sooner if I get off this computer}

I'm on my way to being thin

2009-06-16T18:46:00.000-07:00

I have been working really hard to get about 30 pounds off my body. I have lost 13. I am now going to try this new diet it's called "cheat your way thin". I'll give you the details as soon as I start losing more weight. Here's the link
I've been walking every other day for 30 minutes. This seems to be helping, since I normally sit all day at a computer. So I definitely need to get up an make sure I do some sort of exercise each day.
Also one more important thing I have been changing in my diet is what I eat. I know, I know it is really hard to cut out the junk food or all the great restaurants, but I have been buying more organic foods. We have a farmers market on Friday afternoon at our mall I've been going to also. The veges taste better than store bought ones. Better color and flavor. So let me know what you are doing to lose weight, I can use all the suggestions I can get.

xoxoxo
Cristi

confusion or just a better place....

2009-06-09T10:02:00.000-07:00

Maybe you're just like me in this auction thing... I have been selling on ebay for quite a few years now, BUT..... I hate the fees & the new changes to feedback, regulations & on & on. Anyway rather than complain I have started to look elsewhere. Oh I still sell there because things still sell, but I wanted to expand my horizons & check out the rest of the internet world.
Let me tell you I have found several really good sites in my internet travels.

Okay so sit back ^ and enjoy the benefits of my traveling around the internet looking for other places to sell!
Alright my first stop on my internet travels...

Etsy is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell items that are handmade, as well as vintage goods and crafting supplies. {So this one caught my attention for the artsy side of my personality. I think I will be starting to work with mixed media to put a few things on this site}

Bonanzle is an online marketplace for buying and selling items faster while having more fun. Our specialty is helping you buy and sell items that aren't shiny, new and mass-produced. {This can actually replace my ebay store for a whole lot less moola}

eBid is an online auction, just like ebay, only the fees are pennies on the dollar of what ebay charges. No insertion fee, very small FVF (final value fee) { Again this site can replace my ebay store & auctions}

ecrater is both a free web store builder and a free online marketplace. Sellers can easily create their own free online store in minutes. Buyers can easily browse and compare between thousands of products. {This has got to be by far the best site ever...... everything is free for the seller.}
So there you have it, my favorite auction/store sites so far. And I signed up for them all. Now I might have to narrow down to just one.... or maybe.... I'll keep them all!
One last thing I have to mention is Big crumbs.....
Not an auction or store site, but it works for when you are the buyer!

Okay this is the best thing since sliced bread.... you get paid to shop! That's right when you sign up you go through this site and they will pay you back.
Get Cash Back On What You Already Buy.
Big Crumbs the free service that pays you the highest overall
cash back available at eBay and over 391 popular retailers.
{I know ebay charges way to much for sellers, but this is my way of getting paid back to shop on ebay! I do like that.... I did't see any catches, or jumping through hoops to get your cashback. So take a minute and see if you would like it too.}
Okay so there is my 2 cents worth here, has anyone else found any sites they like, let me know.....

Now I need to get back to learning how to put things on these sites. Work, work, work! I guess I'll have to go Twitter about this too.....

Big Crumbs

2009-06-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

This is such a neat site I just found.

If you love saving money while shopping check this out!

Learn Photoshop in a Nutshell - Graphics & Design

2009-05-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

Defining and describing every tool, command, palette, and sub-menu in Photoshop 4, this guide contains unique nine-graphic grids that show the effect of different command settings on a single image--eliminating unnecessary work and saving time. This book helped me to get the basics of Photoshop, very easy to follow. Even though it is not for the most current version, it still is very helpful and you can still get alot of info from this book.
Actually this book teaches you to make informed choices as you work, eliminating time spent searching for just the right combination of filters and effects and reducing the risk of incorrect editing decisions. I have found this book an invaluable guide.

the beach

2009-05-18T17:52:00.001-07:00

Well the baby is a bump. 16 weeks... I think she is pushing it out a bit more to make it show. Very cold day at the beach, we huddled up under the towels to keep warm. The seagulls got quite close, trying to get some food.

Wow ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Twittering

2009-05-14T12:21:00.001-07:00

Oprah went from 0 to 1 mill in just 28 days. Wow why can't everything be this simple! I don't really watch her that often but I do have to say that is impressive.

I'm increasing my knowledge of cs3 & having a great time in the process.

interesting observation

2009-05-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

I was looking out my window yesterday & I saw a humming bird. He or she was just hoovering there by my mexican sage plant. I don't really know much about the humming bird so I looked up about them. Did you know they can fly backwards and are the only group of birds able to do so. Also they can fly at speeds exceeding 34 mph. Besides eating nectar they eat insects & spiders for protein. When hummingbirds feed on nectar, the bill is usually only opened slightly, allowing the tongue to dart out and into the interior of flowers. Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas. There are between 325 and 340 species of hummingbird. Their English name derives from the characteristic hum made by their rapid wing beats.
So now we know.....

tag sale going on right now

2009-05-04T07:19:00.001-07:00

Summer is coming sale! I have new things being added to my store, so I thought I would have a sale to get the ball rolling on summertime....... I can't wait to get to the beach & be on vacation.

love, love, love, the smell of soy candles

2009-04-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

Don't these look yummy!
I found these at a yard sale & now I have them on ebay. They smell heavenly.... I love the colors too. I wish I knew more about how to make candles. I also wish I had more time to figure it out, it seems like a fun hobby. I know that I love to burn the candles....

You get hungry just saying the names! These candle scents really last a long time. I have other candles that I have bought before and they burn really clean & still smell just as good when you get to the bottom of the candle. I think the orange creamsicle is my fav.... I'm going to keep it by my desk so I can smell it while it is for sale.
Check back often for new things I find to put up for auction!

speaking of shoes.....

2009-04-14T13:52:00.000-07:00

Well I know everyone is thinking of icky old taxes today & tomorrow, but isn't it better to get a pair of shoes. Well I just put a pair on my ebay auction. Cute American Eagle green strappy sandal. Anyway in the next few days I'll be putting up some storage boxes that I no longer need, now that I'm getting my Jetmax cubes. I'll have pictures soon to show how the cubes look. Stay tuned.......

xoxo
cristi

ps... I just added more rose parade pictures, check them out!

Shoes - shoes - shoes

2009-04-11T18:15:00.000-07:00

Shoes - my favorite thing to buy & wear. love love love them!

We had a yard sale to clear out all the junk collecting in the house... now I can get some storage for the scrapbooking. I decided to go with the jetmax cubes. I now am the proud owner of one cube. Tomorrow I will be off to Michaels to get 3 more cubes and put them together. I'll see how that goes and put up some pictures of the process.

Learning all the time ----- Scrapbooking

2009-03-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but I'm learning all the time how to do such fun things on this computer. Here's the newest thing I learned.

Flower for nana
by Get Serendipity
Scrapbook.com

I learned how to embed an image from scrapbook.com. Really it was easy & I kinda knew how but just now got it perfected. Anyway enough for now...
xoxo

simply storage!

2009-03-12T17:18:00.000-07:00

I'm working on my studio. Boy do I need too. I am one of those who now has a room just for me... to have as a studio to create in. This weekend I'll be moving the things I sell on eBay out of the studio room into the office & then I'll need to start thinking & looking on the web for ideas of how I would like to store all the oodles & oodles of things I have for scrap booking! The way I have it now my things get pretty dusty on the open shelves (I am pretty lazy when it comes to cleaning up) I'm almost embarrassed to put these pictures up here. Oh well here goes!

(I told you I'm pretty lazy about putting things away) It feels even more messy just looking at those photos.
I did see one studio by creativejamie that has inspired me. I have to say I am a drawer & cubby type of person so this room really appeals to me. But..... I saw this studio by Donna Downey & it feels nice too, with the baskets to put things in (I do tend to get messy & did I mention lazy when I am creating)(oh yeah I also love, love, love those tags hanging off the baskets). So my problem..... I guess I need to decide if I should have everything neat & clean feeling or should I go with the open feeling to lend itself to being creative? If anyone has any other ideas or maybe you have a studio that you found has worked for you... I would love to hear your comments, ideas or links.
Feel free to leave a comment....
xoxo
Cristi

oh yeah i like this idea......

2009-03-10T14:40:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I had a few minutes to surf the net and found the best site ever to have fun with your photos! I really like the old newspaper look photo when I do a scrapbook page and well you look at that, this site can take your new photo and make it look old like you had it printed in a newspaper.....

It's really easy to do, just remember to click on the english button on the top right-hand corner of the page, it sure makes it a lot easier to figure out what the directions are! {unless you can read japanese}

Have some fun!

xoxo Cristi

A Bit of Serendipity

2009-03-06T14:06:00.000-08:00

Well I'm feeling the need to start a blog! I've had a spot on ebay for quite some time, but I would like to be able to work more on my favorite pastime..... creating>>>>>
Scrapbooking
Photography
Card Making
All things I love to do! I have been working with a wedding photographer for about 5 years now & I have progressed from forgetting to put film in the camera to taking more & more beautiful wedding pictures.
My plan is to write about the things that helped me to become better at what I do. So come back often to see my journey.

Oh btw that is my grandson with me in the picture.

xoxo
Cristi