tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361631508198395962026-10-08T07:36:58.885-04:00this is my blogKristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.comBlogger602125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-89148270578392813132013-09-03T07:28:00.001-04:002013-09-03T07:28:11.348-04:00

Hello, and thank you so much for coming to my blog. I have consolidated my older and newer blog now, and from now on, will infrequently post here. My new venture is now at CreativeMeInspiredYou, a blog filled with crafty bliss. I post recipes, home crafting, crafts for kids and teens, clothing, and much more. Please stop by and see, I'd love to see you there!

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-89380557839270267122013-09-02T16:42:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:42:17.926-04:00

Hello my friends. Another not so crafty post today. I have been wanting to share my girls' Halloween costumes with you. Since Sandy had just hit us, and there was widespread damage to trees and power lines, our Halloween was postponed until Friday after Halloween. We settled for a quick jaunt around a close by neighborhood, since we don't actually live in one. ( which is perfectly fine with

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-81776418044655065122013-09-02T16:41:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:41:51.755-04:00

I have been creating and putting off finishing my halloween creations. When we moved here, I sold all my halloween decor, and haven't decorated for fall/halloween in a few years. I have recently over the past 2 years begun to miss it. I think I have drawn away from the fun/cutesy looking items into more, creepy, spooky items. You'll be able to see that with these creations, nothing cute

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-88567373444635766692013-09-02T16:39:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:40:02.072-04:00

I have been on a Chex mix kick. First we experimented with Nutella Puppy Chow, big big hit. Then I tried Cake Mix Puppy Chow. Also delicious. However, I think we all get a bit tired of the 10x sugar taste- which to me tends to over power the other flavors. Plus - like any powdered donut. It's a MESS to eat. So, on to Almond Bark and what flavors can be created. I was buying on a whim,

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-67670437437300785562013-09-02T16:38:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:38:14.431-04:00

Hello Friends! I have two fun Chex treats that are sure to please your little goblins. This Chex mix is fun and perfect for Halloween treats- for class or friends/coworkers. I know my kids have taken this to school and gotten raves from friends and teachers. You'll need 1 box Rice Chex mix 1 1/2 blocks of Almond Bark- can find this at the Walmart. Yes, one whole and one half package, I like

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-3871895081620793552013-09-02T16:35:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:35:31.815-04:00

Jul 12 2012 WhooHoo you can YUDU!! Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Hey, Circlet friends! Kristen here today with a YUDU post. I know, it’s been a while since I’ve shared something created with my Yudu, and I’m sad about that. I love Yudu-ing. I keep trying to get my children’s teachers at school to let me print them up some AWESOME screen printed T-Shirts. but so far no one has asked.

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-61985490937534444342013-09-02T16:34:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:34:16.251-04:00

Hi! Kristen here with my take on the THINK PINK Challenge! I used two different layers of scallops, plus glitter and pink! First, I cut out the bracket piece from the background off this Cosmo Cricket Pixie-licious paper, then trimmed one part off the side, keeping both pieces.  I  cut out the three borders, two scallop and one latticework using the Elegant Cakes Cartridge, I added

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-19219591451813078802013-09-02T16:33:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:33:26.663-04:00

Feb 4 2011 Weekly Challenge #19: Whatevah! Challenge Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Each week join us for “Challenge Friday” where we will announce a new creative challenge. We want you to feel inspired to use your supplies in new ways. Have fun with it! Check back often to see the beautiful entries from your Circle Friends . . . you are sure to leave with a desire to get cutting!

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-14275588435279073072013-09-02T16:32:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:32:21.640-04:00

Oct 21 2010 Apple O’Lanterns Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Thoughtful Thursdays are all about the little things we do to brighten each other’s day. Cards, gifts, treats, party favors, and more! It *IS* the thought that counts! Hey there! Kristen here today with two cute projects for you today.  First are some treats!! There are no tricks involved with making these super cute fun

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-77903244022653576372013-09-02T16:31:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:31:24.032-04:00

Nov 1 2010 Taking the CRICUT CAKE MINI for a Spin! Cricut Circle Blog Design Team member, Kristen Swain, shows us all kinds of AMAZING projects we can create with the BRAND NEW Cricut Cake Mini available today, November 1st, and Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores across the nation! Your local Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores has a Cricut Cake Mini with your name on it! Designing your own

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-56496189228039344782013-09-02T16:30:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:30:13.871-04:00

Nov1 2010 Thanksgiving Cornucopia Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Good morning! Kristen here with my Thursday post,  today I am sharing with you  a tutorial on making a lovely Thanksgiving Cornucopia for your holiday table. Not only is this decoration beautiful, but it’s edible too! And DELICIOUS!! This lovely fruit filled cornucopia is made with Pie Crust! And I used my new

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-84033225047600161462013-09-02T16:28:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:28:22.740-04:00

Nov 18 2010 Hostess Gift set Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Hello! Kristen here today with a hostess or host gift set.  This year my sister is hosting our Thanksgiving. Along with bringing some menu items, I thought I would bring this nice gift set along with us, to truly thank her for including us at her holiday table.   You could add more items, perhaps make a matching

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-81837223331730392642013-09-02T16:27:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:27:10.423-04:00

Make an Unmeltable Snowman Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Hello! Kristen here with a fun home decor project for your Christmas and Winter holiday decorations. How about creating a tiered stacking snowman? He’ll never melt and he’ll last for years and years! To make my snowman, I needed cardstock, Echo Park’s Everybody Loves Christmas paper collection, felt, buttons, a little strip of

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-57872029617004543442013-09-02T16:25:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:25:41.078-04:00

Dec 8 2010 Snow Family Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Hi! Kristen here with a fun and personalized Christmas Home Decor item for you. I just can’t resist snowmen, they are so sweet and adorable! I have a whole tree that I decorate every year at Christmas that is full of snowmen, and sometimes I leave it up into the winter months as well.  I have been chopping up lots of styrofoam

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-23573374494084571082013-09-02T16:21:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:21:39.205-04:00

Dec 14 2010 Traditional Trees Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Hello Circlets!! Kristen here with a fun layout and ornament combo for you today! Today is all about the trendy non-traditional colors being used on our paper crafting projects. What I love to do is mix up my color combos, not just using only non-traditional colors, but adding in a few traditional as well. It really brings

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-52465633970296846632013-09-02T16:20:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:20:33.535-04:00

Hi Circlets, Happy New Year!! Kristen here and I am sharing a fun new project with you today. Today is all about scraplifting.  With the Monthly challenge here today, we are scraplifting projects seen on the Circle Blog. I had shared my paper mache snowman decor box, and I was so totally smitten with him,  I decided to scraplift myself ( LOL!) and create another snowbuddy to sit

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-33520668879621360182013-09-02T16:19:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:19:34.080-04:00

Jan 18 2011 Occasion Baby Cards Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Good morning Circlets!!It’s Kristen with some sweet baby cards.  We are celebrating baby girls this week, and I have a whole card set for you today! And you can use these images as a jumping point for creating other occasion cards as well. Today I want to share some ways to add dimension to your project. I use a variety

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-69928031411532874892013-09-02T16:18:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:18:32.137-04:00

Jul 16 2012 Inspiration from Your Photos Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Hello Circlets! Kristen here with you today to talk to you about where I get my inspirations from. This week’s theme is About Me, and I’ll be honest with you, the first thoughts through my head were ACK, YIKES, EEP, and BLEGH! I don’t like to chat too much about myself, I don’t think I’m very interesting, and

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-49792053302544602782013-09-02T16:16:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:16:15.064-04:00

Mar 6 2011 Wearin’ O’ the Green Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Hello Circlets! Kristen here today with a fun Knifty Knitter project for you.  Wouldn’t you like to create your own green accessory to wear this St. Pat’s? Here is my daughter Alizabeth helping mom out and modeling this scarf for you. I used a soft yarn in a soft lime color, with the flowers in a deep gray with threads

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-34154657370825106352013-09-02T16:12:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:12:36.326-04:00

Mar 25 2011 Weekly Challenge #26: Just Because Challenge Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Hello Circlets! Today is Challenge Friday, where we have a fun new challenge for you. Today is all about scrapping your everyday! If you don’t want to scrapbook, you can also create a “Just Because” card. As I was thinking about this challenge, and what I wanted to create, I thought about our pets. I

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-44505049772249824492013-09-02T16:11:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:11:37.597-04:00

GOULASH *Shiver* Doesn't that food name send a shiver up your spine? oh So CREEPY! GHOUL-ASH!!! Hey make this for Halloween, it's a great recipe to make for a night trick or treating! hey I'm always up for a new recipe. And I like the flavors of this dish, you can use ground beef ( you know you forgot to pull out something for dinner and you have a block of frozen ground beef- NOT SPAGHETTI

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-43569939848380304452013-09-02T16:10:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:10:36.042-04:00

Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Good morning Circlets! This week is CREEPY CRAWLIES week! ICK! Being a total girl, and a mom to two girlie girls, we don’t have a lot of icky creatures in our lives, thank goodness! But occasionally my husband convinces the girls to handle some creature- a worm, cricket, tiny snake, etc… and it always makes for a good story. This layout is all about a toad

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-6722504331816414362013-09-02T16:08:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:08:43.437-04:00

May 4 2011 My tidy little office Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Today we have Kristen Swain here to share her spacious scrapping space with us! I love that she has a spot for family and other visitors to hang out so that she can work on projects, yet still feel connected to the family. Her desk is a whoppin’ 4 feet by 8 feet. What a dream to have all that surface area to spread projects

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-27451746504004255862013-09-02T16:07:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:07:43.099-04:00

Mar 8 2011 St. Pat’s Tea Party Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Good Morning Circlets! Kristen here with a fun party idea for St. Patrick’s Day.  I was thinking and thinking about this post today, and thought, well, it’s not a huge day of celebration, but wouldn’t it be a great excuse to get some girlfriends, daughters or grandkids over for a little tea party?  My card invite

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-736163150819839596.post-77626967168476676892013-09-02T16:05:00.001-04:002013-09-02T16:05:42.231-04:00

May 24 2011 Road Trip! Posted by: Kristen Swain · Edit Happy Tuesday, Circlets! Since this week is all about travel and road trips, I am showing you a cute mini album I created of a family outing we took a couple years ago.  Every year at least once, we pile the kids in the car and go on a day trip. We bring some snacks, water and tunes, and just explore the country side. We have

Kristen Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04588906737177717518noreply@blogger.com0