Hanging Christmas Basket

Earlier this weekend I went to Greenland Garden Center to make this hanging winter basket.

Unfortunately, the temperature outside has been cold so when my husband was home last week, he did not get the Christmas lights or the hanger up, so I had to put the basket on top of the planter when I brought it home, and then it started snowing....

Oh well, it does look sort of festive in front of the house.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Quick "Top Drawer Gift"

At this time of year there are always unexpected visits from family and friends, and times when you need a quick gift.  I guess I could just not bother (probably what most people do).  However, I feel that if you had the thought to stop by I should reciprocate with some token.  Now of course that cannot just be any old thing...., so I make up throughout the year these table runners called 20 Minute Table Runners.  If you Google it you will find lots of patterns for these.  The runner is made basically from 2 different widths of fabric sewn together and then stitched down.  The really do only take about 20 minutes to make, and I definitely think this is ":top drawer" as it is not something you can get just anywhere.  Off to sew some more of these....Valentines, St. Patrick's, Easter......  Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

What's For Dinner?

Spaghetti, or whatever this long curly stringy pasta is (looks your hair my son told me).

Last evening I was going to an event at our local gardening center and since I live in Alberta where dad's are frequently away at work, my son had to accompany me to this event, and that meant dinner before I could leave.

While the noodles boiled, I stir fried in canola oil an onion, some celery and a red and yellow pepper, added a can of Vege-Burger, and a jar of pasta sauce.  Once heated through some Parmesan cheese and a glass of milk, spinach salad and dinner was served.  Eat the apple in the car on route!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Penguin Christmas

It's snowing outside again.  There is something peaceful about snow until I have to shovel it all, and then as the aches and pains set in the silence is disturbed........but, I digress.

For today's craft I chose a Baja Breeze card stock and coordinating snow paper from the Snow Festival Designer Series Paper. 

The penguin is so cute I think.  He is cut from the Skating Penguin die from Cottage Cutz.  He was so much fun to put together.  I used blue Stickles over the "ice"
 and on the snowflakes to make it sparkle!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Oh S"crap"! It's Monday...

I am still trying desperately to diminish that pile of scrap paper in my craft room, I am almost to the point where I may have to "give up" and donate it to the junior kindergarten class at school!

For today's card, I used a piece of random brown (from where - who knows), the Sweet Shop Designer Series Paper and stickers from the Summer Mini Catalogue of Stampin Up.

I even used one of the rows of stickers on the inside just to use up stickers and same with the Whisper White.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Jam Cookies

I think it's time for the Christmas baking to begin.  Today my son and I went to the SCARS Christmas Bazaar, and then to kids scrapbooking at Scrapbook Memories & More where he made three Christmas cards and two Christmas ornaments.  Got us in the spirit of the season.

I used my home made raspberry jam for these cookies, and they are delicious.

Here is the recipe:

Jam Cookies

1 cup butter (not margarine)

3 ozs cream cheese

- cream together then add

1 cup sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla

- mix well then add

1/4 cup Birds Custard

2 1/4 cups flour

Roll dough into 1" balls.  Make an indentation in the center of the cookie and fill with jam or chocolate.  I use an icing bag to put the jam into the centers.  Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 - 15 minutes.  Wait til cookies cool before you try one (the jam gets very hot).  Enjoy!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Shopping Small Business

I am a big believer in shopping locally and at independent stores.  Yes, I shop at Safeway, Costco, and The Bay, but for a lot of things I try if at all possible to shop from local merchants.  I appreciate the customer service and that a lot of these retailers have loyalty programs for my shopping there.

Today Chartreuse Decor in Sherwood Park had their Annual Open House.  This is the second year I have attended this event.  My friend's aunt works there and my friend and I 

go and sample the delicious treats, and look at all the beautiful things that they have.  Lots of the decadent foody things find their way home with me.  The gift bag was so adorable I had to get it, I think I will make some of these for gift giving this holiday season.  

The white bird in front was my son's contribution to the adventure as was the almond soap (wrapped in the bird paper).

Just think of the tasty things I can make with all these ingredients - Crafting With Food!

While my son was at art class, I ventured over to another classic Edmonton establishment, the Bon Ton Bakery.  If you are in the Edmonton area, I encourage you to check this place out.  The mini cinnamon buns are AWESOME.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

On Friday We Eat Fish

and on Sunday, and Tuesday, and anytime we need a quick dinner.  

Growing up on the prairies I hated fish.  It always tasted like swamp!  Now that my husband has tried it, he agrees.

The first time I traveled to Nova Scotia with my husband to visit his family, my mother in law cooked salmon for me, and since I had already not eaten her roast beef, for which she then cooked a ham (even a worse choice), I had not much choice but to eat "the fish". It was awesome!!  Ever since then I am able to eat fresh fish (not canned) three times a week.

I buy the large piece of Atlantic Salmon at Costco twice a month.  Once home I cut it into thirds, and freeze between sheets of parchment paper.

On nights such as Friday's when we need a quick dinner I take a piece out of the freezer.  Place in a Corningware baking dish.  Top the fish with something - tonight I used a bit of mayonnaise and mustard and added some dill weed.  Baked on high for 10 minutes in the microwave and TAH DAH!

Dinner is served along with rice, vegetables, and a side salad.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Mmmmmmm, Candy

When I saw this fabric a few weeks back at a quilt shop in the Edmonton area I new I had to get some it.  The shop will remain nameless, because every time I go in there the staff annoy me.  Of course the obvious solution would be to stop going there, but they have the best selection of flannel in the greater Edmonton area, so, alas I do go in there (sad face here).

I made  a pillow case with the fabric.  At this time of year I sew a lot of pillowcases, because not only are they awesome gifts, they can also be used to gift wrap presents.  Therefore I feel that I am cutting down on the amount of paper that is making its way into garbage bins on Christmas morning

Now, off to to find some kind of chocolate munchie.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Blogathon Canada: Alberta Day

Welcome to everyone participating in the Blogathon Canada sponsored by Sew Sisters Quilt Shop.  Check out their website (I have - found some things I had to "have"). 
Make sure to stop by  Apple Pie Patchwork and comment on Shena's blog as she is the Alberta Host of this Blogathon!

Today's red eye craft was finished at 2330 hours last night at which time my blog/computer was crashing, so I am a little late in the posting for today, but I hope you enjoy your look around.  This blog is all about the  creative adventures that I embark on to keep my hectic life "balanced".

This quilt is for my son.

Last fall he picked out the fat quarters and border fabrics used in it at Woodland Quilting in Spruce Grove, Alberta.  It is a fun little shop, and if you have the chance, check it out.

The assembly was quick, and the quilt was then taken to Sewing with Class in Stony Plain, Alberta where Melinda did her magic and got the quilt back to me.  Then.........the quilt with it's wonderfully lush black minkee backing sat on the bureau in the spare room until now!!  OMG.

It was placed on my son's bed early this morning and he and the cat were delighted to find it this morning - I think cat had likely been sleeping on it for most of the night!

The pattern for this quilt is by The Rabbit Factory a Canadian company which I thought would be perfectly appropriate for today.  The pattern is called Under the Stars.  

Hope you enjoyed your visit to my part of the blog world, and Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Slow Cooker Split Pea Sausage Soup

"What's for dinner" is a question that is often asked around my house.  Well, yesterday I decided to be proactive in regards to this question.  While rummaging (yes, I do that) in my cupboard I found a good Saskatchewan staple - yellow split peas and red lentils!  Not quite enough for any particular recipe, but if I combined them (oh what a pun! - okay outsiders will not get it, but it is funny), I could make soup.  

A quick look in the other cupboard for my Pulses Cooking with beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas booklet and dinner is served.  I of course substituted the smoked sausage with some turkey sausage that I found at Safeway, and topped it off with cheese just before presentation on the dinner table.

My son loved it and ate it all, and even my husband had a second serving!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Oh S"crap"! It's Monday...

Well, it's that time of week again, time to use up some scraps!

Of course last night it was also time to make muffins for lunches so I got out my Mostly Muffins cook book and made the Basic Oatmeal Muffins.

However, there was this bag of left over wild blueberries sitting ever close to the precipice of the refrigerator freezer and rather than have a casualty with my accident prone brother I added the blueberries to the muffin batch.

Fresh from the oven, these muffins taste just like a bowl of warm oatmeal!

Hope this inspires your own creativity....

Kathy

Blush Table Runner

I finally finished my Blush Table Runner last night.  I got this kit last spring from The Quilt Patch, and after numerous "starts" I finally got it done.

The top piecing came along easily enough, it was the quilting that got me stuck.

Last week I finally just decided that I would free motion quilt it myself, and I did.  By the time I was done, I was quite proud of myself because I did an all over stitch between the flowers, and then outlined, and highlighted all of the flower parts.  It turned out to be quite fun, and when we were in Canmore last week, I spied the new toy that I want:  HQ Sweet Sixteen!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Knitting in the Toyota (again/still)

I'm knitting in the Toyota (either still, or again)!

It's Thursday and of course that means my son has riding lessons.  While my son rides, I knit.  Now, I am not a bad parent for knitting in the car while he rides, I simply have to do this as I am VERY asthmatic to horses.  I have tried wearing the N 95 Respirator, however, it frightens the horses as well as the other parents who think I am contagious.
While in Canmore last week of course I went to Knit and Caboodle to look at all the pretty yarns.  Of course I took home a few, but this one in particular I thought was extra FUN.
This yarn is made by Biscotte & Cie.  It is a company based out of Quebec so of course the web page is en francais.  The laugh here is that "Mon français n'est pas très bon", and I attempted for quite some time to read the web page and even navigate the blog until my son asked my why I did not push the ENGLISH link in the upper right hand corner of the page!  DUH.....
The name of this yarn is: CUPCAKE!  See, why I love it?
I started a pair of socks with it on the way home from Canmore, however, I fell asleep between Cochrane and Red Deer, so not much was done until today.
This is a picture of my son and the ducks that gathered around him by Spring Creek.  He is such a gentle soul...

 Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

I'm Bored

Yesterday evening while waiting for my son's school uniform pants to dry (at 2300 hours), I decided to play with my new Stampin Up toys that arrived last week.

The Winter Memories stamp set was a must for me as it reminds me of this old sled we had found in an old barn at one time, and my brother and I played on it until I think it just dissolved (or however wood matter just disappears with age).

I also loved the Woodgrain embossing folder, well, just because.

I stamped the image and colored it with my Stampin' Write markers.  I used Dazzling Details in clear and Cherry Cobbler colors because everything is better with rainbows and lollipops and unicorns and GLITTER, and finally a brad in the middle of the big bow to make it BIG.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Quinoa Burgers

I bought a really big bag of Quinoa at Costco recently.

What to do with it?  Make burgers!

For dinner last night we had Quinoa burgers with Tzatziki Sauce, and a pepper/cucumber salad.

I think it was delicious!

Here's how to make Quinoa Burgers:

2 cups of cooked Quinoa

3 eggs,

1/2 cup cottage cheese

1 cup shredded cheese

green onion chopped

1 small shredded carrot

1 tbsp ground flax seeds
3 tbsp flour
1 tbsp sugar
salt/pepper/garlic powder to taste

Mix all ingredients together.  Drop by ice cream scoop into hot frying pan with 1 tbsp canola oil.  Cook for about 5 minutes on each side on medium heat.

Serve with Tzatziki Sauce and enjoy!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Knitting in the Toyota (again)

This weekend while en route to Canmore I finished an Estelle Yarn Frill Seeker scarf!

I had actually picked up the yarn almost a year ago at River City Yarns when they had a BIG shipment of this yarn come in.

It took a few attempts to start on this, but after a few trials I got it!  This is definitely not a beginner project.

I actually plan to give this one away to a friend.  Hope she likes it.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Remembrance Day Eh

It is Remembrance Day today and so I will again post my blog at 1100 hours.

This card is similar to the one I made last year ressemble the Canadian Flag.

When I got the Wonderfall Stamp Set this fall the first thing I saw was how close the "e" and "h" were to each other.
Now, it used to bother me when people from other places would stereotype Canadians as saying "eh" because growing up in Western Canada I did not know anyone who said that.  After meeting my husband and his Eastern/Atlantic Canadian friends and relatives I found out the expression is used out there.
I have attached at link here to an Alberta Musician of which the song is likely appropriate for today:

I Wanna Be In the Cavalry .
Appreciate your freedoms, and Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Let it Snow!

One of the things that I love about being Canadian is the snow.  Yes, the cold gets awful boring about February, but it does have its advantages.  We do not have the insects, critters, and diseases faced by warmer parts of the world, and snow can be FUN.  I actually find it fun to go driving around with the Toyota in 4 x 4, and or the F-350 trying to see what kind of snow I can conquer!

The snow also means the start to ski season and one of the great things about living in Alberta is that I am only three hours away at most from some of the best skiing anywhere in the world.

This weekend we are at Sunshine Village, and thanks to the recent snow it is awesome.

To celebrate the arrival of winter and all that is alpine, I made this quick card for my crafting.

The card base is Cherry Cobbler, a layer of Whisper White run through the Snow Burst embossing folder (retired product - some Stampin Up snob will likely have something to say about it), the snow flakes are cut with the Snow Flurry Bigz Die from the Silver Glitter Paper.

The mitten is cut with my Cricut - but if you can draw or find a template that would work too.  I used the Simply Charmed cartridge for this shape.  

After the shadow was cut in Cherry Cobbler I ran it through the Stripes Embossing Folder to look like a mitten cuff.  The the knit print from the Snow Festival Designer Series was cut, layered on and run through the Lattice Embossing Folder to give some "knitted" texture.  The ribbon at the top is 1/4" sweater trim from the Christmas Mini Catalogue.

I used 2 layers of foam dots underneath to lift it off the page.

Now after a day of skiing one of the things I love about Canmore is to check out the quilt and yarn store in town before going for dinner!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Dinner

If you read my blog yesterday you will know that I had to go out and buy a box of the mystery ingredient for the Quick Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Now, what to do with the left overs?  I could make more cookies, but the way my son and husband consumed them bigger pants might be in order, so I have to look for other ways to use this up.

Dinner tonight used this product again, along with all the mystery vegetables in very small quantities in the crisper.  This is great because we are away skiing for the weekend, as well as the leftover chicken from earlier in the week.

This is the link for the Impossibly Easy Mini Pies, of which we had pickles and a side salad, and the last of the cookies!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Snow Day Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today is a snow day.  Traffic Reports were slow moving traffic this morning, lots of accidents and snow still falling!  Good day to stay home.  My son's teacher sent homework home via email last night so that the children did not have to come in this morning, as the children are all dropped off at school by their parents.

What to pass the time on this Snow/Pajama Day?

Bake cookies!

One of our clerical staff brought these in to work one day (she is a BIG fan of Pinterest).  The cookies were very tasty and when she told us how she made them we just all stared at her.

I have attached the recipe link for these Quick Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Snowmageddon

I am a little late in my blog posting this evening because unbeknownst to the weather man Snowmageddon was about to descend on Edmonton today.

Here is what the front yard looks like now:

Keep in mind there was no snow in the front yard at 0400 hours today (it had all melted), the snow started some time after that and snowed all day.  Now, of course this is Alberta and we should be used to this right?  So, to keep it in perspective, while all this snow was falling in Edmonton, 150 kilometers (90miles) south this is what it looked like:

My brother sent me this picture because I was texting him to let him know of the road closures etc.  

So, after playing in the snow, my son and I made this:

It's a Snowmageddon Card!

I used all kinds of craft products that I had in my craft room.  I love when I can use them all together!

The card base is Baja Breeze and then layered with Snow Festival Designer Series Paper, the markers are from the new In Colors.  All of these products are from Stampin Up.

The snow man stamp is from  Close To My Heart.  I purchased it last year.

I used Stickles for the snow flakes and my Pearl Pen for the thick snow that is out there.

Now to drink my hot chocolate that is cooling and maybe eat popcorn.  I think tomorrow is a snow day!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Merry Christmas Card

I made this card as a last possibility for Christmas Card Making with friends.

For this event I have chosen to use one package of Designer Series Paper - Snow Festival and three colors of card stock, Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green and Whisper White.  

The stamp set used are Snow Much Fun, and Christmas Lodge.

It has been a challenge to design cards using two stamp set and stay within my papers budgeted for this project.  And, of course: GLITTER. TAH DAH!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Oh S"crap"! It's Monday

So, my post today is about S"crap" food.  What is wrong with me (that's another post...)?

Last week I accidentally opened up a can of peaches. Hmmm, what to do?  Put in refrigerator and leave for a week.  At work we have a running joke about the difference between a Registered Nurse and Registered Dietitian.  A Registered Nurse will simply clean the mold off of spaghetti sauce and cook it to a boiling temperature, a Registered Dietitian will refrigerate for three days and then discard of it!  What a waste...

Since the peaches had been in the refrigerator for almost a week, it is now time to do something with them, so last night I made muffins!

Here is the recipe I used:

Peach Muffins 

1/2 cup canola oil 

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla 

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 can chopped peaches (not the liquid)

Watkins Cinna-Cream Sprinkles 

 

Mix ingredients together in order listed.  I used the Cinna-Cream Sprinkles on the top just before putting in the 350 F oven for 20 minutes.

 

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

 

Kathy

 

Cinnamon Bun Sunday

After making Fresh Baked Buns the other night, my son decided that for Sunday breakfast he should have Cinnamon Buns.

I used the exact same recipe as I did for the Fresh Baked Buns but added to 2 eggs to make them a little lighter.

Otherwise same process used, baked for 20 minutes and they were delicious!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Merry Merry Merry Merry Merry Card

Once again, I have made a Red Eye Craft.  Late last evening, well really this morning, I was sitting looking at my craft desk, overwhelmed by the stuff on it and the need for sleep, when I decided to make this!

The base is Cherry Cobbler, layers from the Snow Festival Designer Paper, Whisper White for the layer of which I used my Holiday Collection Framelits Dies to cut out a tree that was backed with Gumball Green put through the Lattice Embossing Folder.  

The other trees were also cut from the same Framelit Die and the Middle Tree used Foam Dots and Glitter to make it all pretty.  

Remember life is all about rainbows, lollipops, unicorns, and glitter!!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Stamp of the Month

Wow!  It's already November.  Where does the time go???  I feel so old when I ask that question...

For this month I chose the Zoo Review Stamp Set.  This is one my son has been asking me got get for some time, because of course he loves the animals on it.

I LOVE Stamp of the Month Club.  Each month you pick a stamp set and Karina designs three cards to coordinate with the stamp set so that you get some ideas of things you can do with this stamp set.  If you are interested in this club give her a shout, I'm know she'd love to hear from you!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Mitten Snow Much Fun Christmas

I decided to make this card today because as I will show you next, WINTER has arrived!

I used Gumball Green for the base, Snow Festival Designer Series Paper and of course Bakers Twine and a left over button.

I have heard several people complain about the mitten punch and coordinating stamp set.  I have not had any problems, if you simply turn the paper over you get the other "paw"!

This is Victoria Trail at about 1100 hours this morning while I was trying to get to one of the new subdivisions.  It was not a great day to drive, but so far nothing has stopped me and my Toyota...

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy