Gail's Cafe

I believe I forgot the sugar...

2012-01-21T11:16:00.000-08:00

This past week, Reno had yet another fire. AND because of the high winds, burned out of control, spreading like (pardon the pun) wild fire, destroying at least 26 homes, burning over 3000 acres and completely closing a part of Hwy 395 which is the lifeline to commuter going to and from Carson City area. The day after the fire started, we got a flash flood warning and finally snow in the mountains of Lake Tahoe! This helped tremendously in the fighting of the fire. Now we have winds again :( If there is anything I dislike is when wind blows over 15mph with gust along with it. You don't want to go out because your hair will be all messed up, you don't want to go out running because somehow.. all of a sudden a GUST of wind sneaks up behind you and trips you. You fall and hope that no one was peaking out their windows as you ran by making their dogs bark. LOL. Hubby and I went to the movies last night and saw the Underworld 3D. It was great! I was the only laughing when one of the 'Likins' blew up from the inside. I thought it was comical because it was so fake LOL The rest of the movie... real. Yah, for sure.

Anyway, when we got home, tired but not sleepy, I snuck back onto Pinterest and found this recipe for Blackberry/Lemon Muffins. I had some blue berries and strawberries left over still from the Strawberry-Jello-Cheesecake so I used them inside the muffins instead of Blackberries. I used Meyer Lemons instead of regular also. I got the recipe from Jessica from Sunny Side Up in San Diego.

Yep, I think I forgot the sugar. When I bake, I take everything out of the cupboards that I need and after I've measured them and am done, I usually either put it away before I go onto the next or place the item behind my work area. Well... after I made the mix and put the batter into the muffin pans, I noticed my sugar haddn't moved! So, just incase I did forget, I made some lemon glaze to put ontop of the baked muffins.

And, Yessssss I did forget. Not that the muffins tasted bad without the sugar on the inside but I'm sure that it would have tasted much better had the sugar not had been forgotten. The Lemon Glaze was a really nice addition. These turned out sweet at first because of the fruit within but then the lemon sneaks up and grabs you for a refreshing finish. I'll be making these again for sure, but next time I'll remember the sugar! HAHA

Have a beautiful weekend!

Non sick day Holiday!

2012-01-16T19:45:00.000-08:00

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday and I had the day off! Firs of all, we have come a long way since his speech and I'm glad for that. What a closet world this would be if things had never changed.

Hubby had to work so I had the whole day to myself, and not sick! Besides playing with the dogs and cleaning up the kitchen before I messed it up again, this is what I did with the day...

Made a card. I actually inked again! It felt real good taking my Copics out again. I realized how much I miss them. This stamps is one that I purchased back in October at the Scrap Exp in Sacramento CA. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. One of those moments that you say ' gotta have that'

I made dinner but I don't have a picture of it. It was a Taco Pizza. The crust was just made with Bisquick. I topped it with refried beans, then taco meat, then tomatoes, olives and cheese. Baked it for about 20 min. Served it with a dollop of cream cheese and fresh cilantro. Hubby actually got seconds and wanted to save it! That's a good thing.

Then, I served this dessert I found on Pinterest (love Pinterest)

The recipe can be found on Køkken69 who also has amazing photo's of this yummyness. This is what it looked like before the Jello was poured on. Hubby is now on his seconds ;0)

The Strawberries were cut out with a heart shaped cookie cutter. Such a refreshing idea for dessert.

Didn't do a whole lot today but it was nice and relaxing.

Christmas card #1!

2012-01-14T19:39:00.000-08:00

Well, booooo that the Saints didn't win today against the 49'ers but WOW what a great game! Good job guys! And now that it looks like my other team, the Patriots, are kicking the butts of the Bronco's (hee hee) I feel a little better :0)

In the spirit of trying to keep some of the goals I made in an earlier post... I've started my Christmas cards for this year! I've also purchased a couple Christmas presents for the girls too! LOL Hubby thinks I'll have Christmas done by the end of the month! Silly man. I got the sketch idea for my card from MFT.

I purchased this stamp a couple years ago because I fell IN LOVE with it hard! Inked it up with a burgundy ink, roughed it up a little around the edges and then attempted to make it look like it's been hanging around for a while.

I used some glaze for his glasses but apparently the ink wasn't dried so either Santa has pink eye or he's got some cool rose colored glasses :)

I was unable to use anything from MFT on this card but hope to on another one of their sketches soon!

Mojo time

2012-01-11T21:29:00.000-08:00

Not that my mojo is back, but since I had been summoned to stay home today by the Dr. I thought I would at least try and see what kind of mojo I might have. Why waste time right? So the sketch is...

And this is what I came up with...

I used the 'U and i' stamp collection from Verve. LOVE VERVE! Although I only have a few sets, I do love how they ink!

I'd say there's room for improvement! LOL Ahhhhhh who cares! I'm doing what I love doing :)

Flower Giveaway!

2012-01-05T19:45:00.000-08:00

Has it really bean since the 20th? Wow. Well, I don't have anything new to show you yet, but I wanted to let you know of a give away at Paper Compulsions!

Your chance to own some of these gorgeous flowers!

Such great detail in these

And the colors knock my sox off!

The roses are my fave... ahhhhhhh so pretty

and so many designs!

So if you want to be one of the two lucky winners and get your paws on some of this goodness, head over to Paper Compulsions and enter for your chance to win them!

Gingerbread Man...

2011-12-20T04:00:00.000-08:00

Now that the computer is back and all the programs back onto it, it's time to play!

This week at Cuttin' Up With Class, the freebie is a Gingerbread Man!

So easy to cut and put together! I'm thinking Christmas Tags would look sooooo cute with this little man. I HAD to use the Santa. I had some puffy that was just dying to get out of the tube and be heated :)

Come on over the Cuttin' Up With Class and join us in the Challenge. No purchase necessary but you do need to use the file given on the blog.

Don't forget to enter a comment on this post to win a free My Memories Suite!

Entering this cutie pie at:
Fresh Brewed: Christmas
Papertake Weekly: Favorite color Christmas - Reds and pinks - Love Valentines :)
Little Red Wagon: Christmas
Simply Create Too: Embossing (snow stuff)
2 Sisters Challenge: Kids Christmas
Hiding in My Craft Room: Embossing
Card Makin Mama's: Christmas
Make It Monday: Link it up
Delightful Challenges: Anything Goes
Stamp and More: Red

'Tis the season for regrouping...

2011-12-18T18:45:00.000-08:00

Instead of waiting for the first of the year, I've decided to write down my goals (not new year resolutions) for 2012... Goals are better. New Years resolutions always break.

1) Get back to training. GF invited me to fly out to Atlanta to compete in the Iron Girl Triathlon with her in May. That's not a lot of time!
2) Have Christmas completed by the end of the summer. Making most stuff. Since I have a dedicated craft room I really have no excuse. Maybe I won't be so made at my lazy self.
3) Minimize... I find myself making more non stamp items, buying more great paper unnecessarily, entering competitions for free stuff that doesn't get used, while my cute stamps and pretty paper sits on the shelf getting dusty. Time to use what I have and stop losing time scoping out new awesome stuff.
4) Spend less time blog hopping, Pineresting, FBing and spend more time doing things that need to be done around the house. Yard work for one thing!
5) Compete in health... Triathlon ~~May~~ or Bike race in September and a 1/2 marathon (maybe a full) in Vegas in December. I have my health and take way too much advantage of it.
6) Motivate DH to get off the couch and away from the XBox car race game and get fit so he sticks around longer then 4 more years.
7) Make enough cards for the years Birthdays, Weddings, Sickies, Thank You's and Holidays by the end of April. See this way I can work more out in the yard when good weather hits ;0)
8) Get my girls back into their Higher Education studies.
9) At least attempt to go white free... sugar, flour, cream, pasta, rice... Skim Milk is the exception. We are big rice eaters. Whole wheat, brown or nothing!
10) Be kind and don't sweat the small stuff.

There... it's in writing.

Edit... DH just agreed to do the Bay to Breakers 12k with me this year! The Tri in May will have to way until September unless he agrees to do the Edible Pedal 50 or 100 mile bike ride LOL

Lable Christmas Tags... Sighhh

2011-11-28T22:29:00.001-08:00

I think my rubber and digi stamps are getting a little lonely. However, I DID get my stamps in just in time for doing some Christmas cards! Hubsters is heading out of town for a few days AND I'm feeling so much better.. so I'll be able lock myself away after work in my girl cave! In the mean time... I have something to Show and Tell ya...

I joined a swap for tags with a Christmas theme.

I really like how these turned out.

First time ever that I've made this huge tags!

I'm linking this up to Cuttin' Up With Class' Show and Tell. Link your new post of a project you made. Any project. No other rules! Cool hu? Go see what everyone else is showing off ;0)

I'm also sending this off to some challenges:

Fresh Brewed Blog: anything goes
Papertake Weekly,, Little Red Wagon, Pattie's Creations, The Poodles Parlour, Simply Create Too, Totally paper Crafts Christmas Theme.

HAVE AN AWESOME DAY!

Family Challenge

2011-11-22T18:59:00.001-08:00

Augghhhh! I've been getting slowly worse with this cold/flu crud :( I only have 1 more day to get rid of it before Thanksgiving! I haven't even had time to be at one with my craft room. Today is the kick off for another great challenge at Cuttin' Up With Class!

Today's freebie file....

Check out what the DT has come up with. I still plan on making mine as soon as this stupid crud leaves my body. Yuck. Oh, how I wish you can just see the cutie I have up in my head by using this file :)

Stampin and SVG? I'm a happy camper!

2011-11-16T02:00:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this stamp set? I just ordered mine and can't wait to get it!

Not only is there endless possibilities with my Christmas cards but they also have a downloadable SVG which cuts for a perfect shape for each stamp! and that's FREEEEE!

HOW COOL IS THAT? But that's not all!

I just got this cool SVG file! And will go perfectly with my new stamp set! YAY! I just love that Mrs. Clause :)

Stay tuned for some awesomeness!

CUWC - Turkey

2011-11-15T04:00:00.000-08:00

I'm one happy camper! Both of my girls are coming home for Thanksgiving! AND both of them are bringing home their boyfriends! I'm so excited! Dinner has been way too quite since they've both flown the coop.

Speaking of coop... Cuttin' Up With Class has a stinkin' cute turkey file for you to play with.

Since I'm having 6 at my dinner table this year, I thought it would be fun to make these for each seat :)

He's so cute. CLICK HERE and you'll go right on over to the challenge blog where you can see what the rest of the DT has made with these cute little gobble gobbles. (this is just one of them!)

I'm also entering this in...
My Craft Spot - Easel card
Celebrate the Occasion - Thanksgiving (must use a punch [check out my name plate])
2 Sisters - anything goes!
Mark's Finest Papers - favorite techinque - SVG! I'm lovin' Jani's and SVGcut files!
Hiding in My Craft Room - Almost a card using paper from my scrap pile again!

Thank You!

2011-11-08T07:04:00.000-08:00

Has it been another week already?

This week, Cuttin' Up With Class is offering you an SVG or Digi 'Thank You' file. The file has a few different font too!

As you can see, the 'Thank You' also comes with a background for that extra POP!

The leaves I've used is from CUWC Leaves file used for Challenge #3.

The tubes were purchased from a bar supply store on line. They are not 1" wide but as you can see... M&M's in the tube holder help keep them upright! I'm sure the recipient won't throw a fit because the tube don't fit tight :)

Come on over and pick up your 'Thank You' file and play along with us at Cuttin' Up With Class. You may also use any other digi/SVG you like with our challenges. Let your creativity begin!

Entering this puppy in:
Catch The Bug Challenge: Anything Goes

Pizza Box

2011-11-05T17:20:00.000-07:00

Today has been windy and freezing outside!
What better reason to stay in and hide in my room.

I've made this for a swap

Sharing Christmas paper

Plus some extra goodies for her :)

As always, thanks for stopping by and scoping my stuff out :)

CUWC #5

2011-11-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Oh Jani's out done herself this time. This challenge was to use her Scare Crow file.

This was way too fun! See all the little details?

I even tried my hand with my Copic Air Brush and masking clouds.

All of the files are Jani's except for the grass. I already had this cut up and placed before I found out she had some :0(

Your turn :)

Cuttin' Up With Class challenge begins today. Click on over to our blog and grab your file and get playing! Jani is offering up the cut files and digi files for the Scare Crow and the Crows! So even if you want to print and color it you can! How great is that? You can still get her pumpkin HERE

I'll be entering this in:
Speeky the Cat - Use your scraps (again... everything was from my scrap pile)
Card Makin Mama's - Cut it Out (well I think this fits the challenge LOL)
Pattie's Creations - Halloween or Autumn colors
Make it Monday - Anything goes
The Paper Shelter - Anything goes

Enquiring minds want to know

2011-10-27T22:37:00.000-07:00

I'm so glad you liked my haunted house! it was so much fun to put together! It had been such a long time since I've played with craft glue I forgot how more quickly it dries than Elmers! LOL I've had several enquiring e-mails as to where I found the file because apparently I don't know how to put the right address in my posts! LOL It's not SVG.com :( My bad. Click on this picture and it will take you right to their shop where there are several wonderful files!

They even have the cutest stamps and will be making the SVG files that will cut out the exact size of paper for each stamp! They've already gotten their Halloween stamp set's SVG done! Those will be offered as freebies! YAY! You can click on this picture to take you right there too!

See... eventually I'll place you in the right direction :)

I have tomorrow off in celebration of Nevada day so I hope to get some fun stuff done while the laundry is in the machines :)

Quickies...

2011-10-26T22:37:00.000-07:00

This is just a quickie... well the post will be. I thought I would enter a card in at least a sketch challenge but when I got done with that card I ended up throwing it away. Seriously, horrible. After I spent at least 2 hours out of my life I will NEVER get back I decided to go solo and these are what I came up with.

Flower Girl from MFT

Paper and ribbon from SEI

Kenya Ketto stamp

Paper from Basic Grey

All colors from Copic. Totally blank on the inside because they are both group birthday cards. :)

Don't forget to link up your Show and Tell Cuttin' Up With Class!

Show @ Tell at CUWC!

2011-10-25T19:42:00.000-07:00

Cuttin' Up With Class is having a show and tell party. Just link up your new post of a creation and link it back to CUWC! Then sit back and go see the others that linked their creations :0) Easy right? You can link up ANY project. We just want to see what you're up to ;)

I totally fell in love with this as soon as I saw it! I just had to have it and now I got it! Seriously, this looks like it would be hard to make but one tab at a time and it finds itself coming together! Such a fun project. I got the file from SVG.com. The cobweb on the roof tips were embossed on grey paper and brushed over with a black chalk pad. I didn't have yellow or orange vellum BUT I did have some clear with white stripes. After it was cut out I simply used some Yo Yo Yellow Craft from SU! and then clear embossed so it would dry. As you can see... it worked out perfectly!

Sorry about the sink

Sorry, the only place I could really get any pictures were on my sink. I see now that I should have done something with the back ground but I've since given the house to my daughter... But it gives you an idea of the size right? :) I took it to work and they LOVED it! I even got a couple of requests for their own! LOL It really looks soooo much better in person!

2011-10-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

Did you hear? Punkin Patch has free shipping this weekend! Use code HALLOWEEN2O11SHIP.

Just click on this blinkie and I'll take you right there :)

It's a girl!

2011-10-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

My youngest daughters BFF is having her daughter right now as I type! I've watched this young lady grow up for many years and now I get to watch her daughter grow! Yay! Nothing like waiting for the last minute to make a card for the little princess LOL

I used a file I purchased from Lettering Delights and welded the two together. Made her name using Lucinda all in my SCAL and embossed with hearts. The card opens up backwards but does it really matter? I think not. :)

Welcome Home Kylee!

CUWC Challenge #3

2011-10-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

It's that time! Join us over at Cuttin' Up With Class! This week Jani has treats for you or is that tricks. Well I'd rather have treats so I made this Frankenstein boxes and this next one from her collection of awesome files.

For this challenge you will want to tell us who you're treating... I used hubbies candy to fill it up. So it would only be fair to give this treat box to him. He gets so excited when I make something for him from this clustered craft room! (even if it's filled with his own stuff haha)

This files is super easy to use. I used my SCAL and Expression. For the window, I used some old protective plastic from a cutting mat that I no longer use. Are you one of those too that save almost (if not all) of those scraps?

I like playing with Jani's files so much! It's such a great way to use all those saved scraps espessially using the SCAL program where you can place your scrap right where you KNOW it's going to cut!

Freebie!

Trick

Treat!

Please stop by Cutin' Up With Class and get your freebie files to play along with us! Yes, I typed write. FILES! You can instantly download a super cute freebie and then let her know if you choose to trick or treat! This challenge ends Monday night!

San Fran

2011-10-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

Hi... It's me again :) I just wanted to show you a digi scrap page I did yesterday for Sunday Speed Scrap! This program just might get my pictures in a book after all! YAY! Notice the frame around us? The color was picked out by using the actual color in my scarf! How cool is that?

This picture was taken in San Fransisco this year when my girlfriend and I ran the Bay to Breakers. So much fun! Our hubbies came with us and there 2 year old daughter too cheer us on during the run. What great guys :) This was the first time her husband had been to San Fransisco AND on a trolly car!

Stay tuned on my program giveaway for your very own!

Bosses Day!

2011-10-16T15:33:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Bosses Day! So what better time to make a card then for a fellow crafter and Boss, right? My Boss makes mini albums and seams to like the grungier look so this is what I came up with. I got the layout idea from Pickled Paper Designs. Thanks Amy :)

My lace and flower were both died with tea. The flower had a couple dropps of rich razzleberry added into the watter. Notice anything new? Yup! First time sewing on a card! Now my fears are put to rest LOL. The sentiment was printed out from word.

Entering this into the following challenges: (duh)
Woodware USA anything goes
Top Tip Tuesday designer paper
Joyful Stamper anything goes
DYSU use your scraps (that's all I used!)
Forever Friends use a sentiment
MelJen's Designs use ribbon
Shelly's Images show us your layers
Truly Scrumptious destressing
Whimsy Stamps die cut/punches (butterfly)
Mami Doodles mother nature

Fall / Autumn colors:

Delightful Challenges
Pile it on
Wags 'n Whiskers
Stampavie and more
Digital Tuesday
I hope you enjoy it as much as I hope she will!

CUWC #2!

2011-10-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

This week at Cuttin' Up With Class, the freebie file is a MASK!

this one was a tuffy for me because silly me wanted to do something 'different'. My first idea was to put them on as tamped image of a girl and boy trick or treating. But then my mind changed again and decided to go crafty and make a mask.

I clued pink glitter over the whole thing, made some green flourishes, added some pecock feathers I've hade 4-ever and then added the ribbon.

Make sure you stop by the other team members: Cheryl, Anna, Tammy and Rhonda, . They are posted on the right hand side and join us at Cuttin' Up With Class!

There's still time!

2011-10-02T17:59:00.000-07:00

There's still time for you to join us at Cuttin' Up With Class. The challenge is to use a FREE punkin SVG or PNG download. Easy Peasy :) Jani's also put up another freebie file for you.

Scoot on over , download and PLAY along!

(all creations here are Jani's)

I've been playin'

2011-09-28T23:28:00.000-07:00

I was asked to try out this digital program and see how I like it. So far it's kinda cool! I'll share with you which program it is later. I want to play with it a little while longer and see what else it can do. When I do I'll have a surprise for you all too! YAY you!

So... I've been interested in the whole hooplah of digital scrapbooking. I have all the paper and emelishments I could ask for to do paper scrapbooking but I just haven't gotten into it. As you can see... my girls aren't getting any younger :( (this is my youngest 2 years ago) tear...

Now, remember, I'm just playing and this is my first page. I know the rules of using the proof pictures and wont be printing this one out but I just HAD to share my first layout!

I'll be trying out the card section next!