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