Off to the CK convention

I'm on my way to volunteer at the convention. Last year when Paige and I attended we both came home with a pazzle. This year I'm volunteering to keep those purchases in check. I might take a class or two tomorrow if the ones I want to take are still open. I'll have my camera and will post some of the great products and people that I meet.
I just baked a couple batches of Almond Butter Cookies-I was on my 3rd batch when I realized that they are a vegan recipe. Here's a link to the site where I copied it www.lovelikeavegan.wordpress.com :
I thought I'd share-these cookies are soft and melt in your mouth delicious!

1 C all-purpose flour
1tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 TBS sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 C almond butter
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
3 TBS canola oil
1-Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a cookie sheet
2-Sift flour, baking powder and baking soda. Stir in sugar and salt.
3-In a separate bowl, combine the almond butter with the maple syrup and extracts. Stir in the oil.
4-Add the dry mix to the wet mix until combined
5-Place tablespoon-fulls of dough on cookie sheets. Bake for 7-8 minutes until golden brown.
Cool on racks

I didn't use the vanilla and increased the almond extract to 1 tsp. This gives a really strong almond flavor (which we all love!) and I omit the salt. The almond butter I use is salt free. I know some has salt in it but I get the big jar at Costco.
Oh, this is the first time that I made them actually sifting the flour and I think it really made a difference. But, it could just be me.
Enjoy

Camping Explosion Box

Here is my box that I created at the beginning(ish) of summer. I thought we'd fill it with this years camping pictures but, we did no camping. Not that we didn't try, it's just really hard to pull a camper that has no tires. ~long story~

I may not have any pictures but the box is really cute!

Enjoy

Fall Fun

We are having such a beautiful fall here in the Seattle area. So far the weather has been great with not a lot of rain. What rain we have has fallen all at once so we've had alternate rain and no rain days. Not a lot to complain about (yet!).

This year Robby got to carve his own pumpkin. Putting a pumpkin kit carving knife in his hand was pretty scary but he really did a good job carving ALL our pumpkins. We exhausted all the "easy" but scary templates on the web but still had more pumpkins to carve. We decided on a ghost but, of course, my freehand ghost was not good enough. So, off to the pazzle. I cut out the ghost that came with the Holidays CD and our last pumpkin became a carved piece of art. Have I mentioned how much I love this machine????

My sis sent me some pictures of my too-cute nieces and this one was just screaming to become scrapped. So, I did.

Enjoy

Quick Calendar

Here's a quick calendar that I did yesterday. It uses bits and pieces from just about every scrapbook company out there (and then some). Fall is my favorite season so I have SO much fall themed items. I'll journal on it and use it to help with my fall pages.

Enjoy

I really wanted to do some major pazzle playing this weekend but things never work out like they should. I went to bed on Thursday night and woke up Sunday for dinner. Really, I don't know what I had but a good 4 day nap and I'm feeling much better.

I wanted to do something for my neice in Texas-Olivia-for Halloween. I have to assume that my sister isn't into letting her have a ton of candy so I found myself at Target in the $ section and picked up stickers. Then I put my pazzle to use and drew her her very own coloring book. Not bad for a first attempt and it opens the door to so many possibilities. Now, Peyton needs something fun.

Enjoy!

New Layouts

Wow, I can't believe it's been over a month since I posted last. We've had quite a few hectic last couple of weeks with Ryan catching swine flu. Andrew got a mild case but other than that the rest of us stayed healthy. Honestly, it was a little scary as I didn't really know what to expect and the sore throat and cough lingered on forever. It was the sickest I've seen my child in a really long time.

Fall is officially here! And with the record heat we've had lately I'm actually ready for it. The trees are trying really hard to change color but with temps over 80 it's been a little rough for them. Alas, my birch is turning yellow!!

On to scrapbooking-I've been playing with the pazzle and having a total blast with the pen tool. It doesn't fit my CTMH pen collection but with a little tweek here and there I did get it to work. Here are some layouts I did. I'm working on a few cards that I should have posted tomorrow.

Enjoy

Ribbon Storage

The last week before the kids go back to school is more hectic than I ever expected. I have not gotten near as much scrapping done as I would like. But, I have had a few moments to organize my craft area.

I love ribbon on my projects and found myself with more ribbon spools and scraps then I thought I had. Here's my solution. All it cost me was some good Italian themed meals so I could use the empty cheese container.

Enjoy!

Birthday Cards

Ok, I know that I said I was going to be away for the week but...I can't stay out of my craft room for too long. So, today I made my mom and dad their birthday cards. As you can probably tell, I am not a card creator, I like to stick to scrapbook pages. Even so, I wanted to share.

Mom's card used mostly the tickled pink set from CTMH, the happy birthday is a sticker (I couldn't for the life of me find my stamps). It's a pop up card and was actually fun to make. Dad's card was a father's day card that we did at a CTMH workshop that I altered for dad's birthday (I found my stamps for his).

Toni, your fall paper and embellishments are on their way. I'll mail them out tomorrow.

Enjoy

This week

I can't believe the summer is almost over. We've had a wild ride here outside Seattle-record high temperatures and record lows temperatures. We used to say in Texas, If you don't like the weather wait a couple hours and it will change. I think we can definately substitute Washington for Texas.
There will be a lack of activity on my blog this week! I need to do some "spring" cleaning and back to school shopping. I'll be back on Monday with a new giveaway-new video and-new scrapbook layout! Have a great week.
Enjoy

And the winner is...

Toni!!
and Shelly is the runner up! Yep, my number pickers (the kiddos) each picked a different number so we decided to have a runner up. Send me an email at kimberly@snovalleyphoto.com and let me know where to send the goodies to. It will go USPO and I'll get it right out to you'all.
Enjoy and check back every Monday when I'll post another giveaway.

My first Give Away

One reason for starting this blog was to get my "pictures in life" out for my family to see. While Scott's brothers live close by, my family is all in Texas. The other part was to have some fun. I am a scrapper who has a hard time saying no to a product (even if I don't need it). I just love everything about this hobby. I think it's time to combine the fun with the everything and do my first blog giveaway.

If you have watched my latest video you know what my favorite season is. What?? you have not watched my Matchbook Album video?? Ok, I'll tell you again, it's Fall. Moving from Texas to Snoqualmie was like moving around the world. There are seasons here, leaves turn colors, the days get shorter, the moon a little brighter. Now it's your turn. Leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite season is and why. On Monday, August 17th I'll randomly choose a comment and get this goodie bag out to you. It contains Close To My Heart paper and 2 spools of coordinating ribbon and brads and buttons-yours free!!!
This is going to be fun.
Enjoy

Matchbook Album Video

Once you see how easy these mini albums are to put together you'll be just as hooked on making them as I am!
Enjoy

Snoqualmie Falls at Night

Not really scrapbooking but this is such an amazing shot that I had to post it! Scott took off last night to shoot some pictures and this is what he came home with. My hope for him is that one day he is able to quit his day job and become a full time photographer, he takes the most amazing shots and is so talented. His portraits are pretty darn good too!!!

Enjoy!

Matchbook album

Whew,,,the heat wave is gone! I cannot believe how many days we had above 90 and to hit 106! . Luckily, we have central air and a pool out back. But, it was so hot outside my kiddos stayed inside (even with the pool). Every time I think about taking a trip back to Texas during summer I have to remember how my guys would melt. I guess living up here has thinned their blood. Not mine-I spent hours in the pool soaking up my vit.D! I finally have a "Texas" tan again.

On to scrapping. Here are some of my match book albums I did. I'm thinking of all my relatives who would enjoy these filled with pictures of the kids. Notice I said kids-a couple years ago my parents came up to visit and I "asked" them to watch the kids so Scott and I could escape for a while. Mom's response was ...we come up to see the kids not you...

Love you mom!!!

Enjoy

Envelope Album

I was so excited to get my video out that I forgot to post some pictures of the finished albums.

Enjoy

Envelope Album

Wow, my first video! I hope ya'll can see just how fast and easy the Envelope Album is to make. I'm thinking this is great for all gift giving occasions. As I was cleaning out my craft area I came across written instructions from years ago in my "to do" file. I'm trying to remember just were I found this so I can give proper credit where it's due but..I can't, it's been too long.
Enjoy

Blueberry Pics (for mom)

My mom (and dad) are on their way to their 50th class reunion. Mom can never have enough pictures of my guys so I took a few after we picked blueberries. (They were so good and actually smiled for the camera). So mom, here are a few more pictures to show off!!

Enjoy

Scavenger Hunt game

A while ago my guys received a card game scavenger hunt. It's one of those timeless classics that keeps them busy for a while. I thought my niece Olivia might enjoy a take on the game. Plus, it will allow mom a moment to just sit and catch her breath.

The cards are 4x6. The front is decorated (I used my stash of pink stickers) and on the back are the items to find. I used CTMH textured card stock, I love the darker front and lighter back.

I could see these being altered a bit for a car trip, camping trip or birthday party, or to find outside items. You can make as many or as few as you need. My niece is 3 but you could get more specific or more generic to fit the age of the child. You get the picture....I have a tin that I'll alter to package them up in.

Enjoy

A little OT

While scrapbooking is something I really truly enjoy, I have to be honest when I say my first love is gardening. I had a beautiful butterfly garden in Texas along with yummy tomatoes, peppers, melons and herbs. However, the Pacific Northwest's short summers make veg. gardening a little tough. Plus, we camp quite a bit during the summer so the garden has to be able to stand it's own. Here are a few pics of my backyard garden. While I have a fairly large lot (for Snoqualmie Rigde homes) 2/3 of it is a huge slope. Lately, I've been letting the wildflowers take over. Some would say weeds but the bees and butterflys love it so I've been letting it grow. Plus, calling it wildflowers makes me sound less lazy. Most of my garden is made up of Dalhias but they are not blooming quite yet (next week).

Enjoy

Family Album

I've been working on this album for a while. I love the Bella papers from CTMH so I used them with the 9x9 chipboard album. If I'm lucky I should have the album done by Christmas!

Enjoy

My Grandma

I decided that for quick pages I would add pictures to the CTMH divided page protectors. I had these 2 pictures of my mom and Robby that I couldn't make work in a traditional layout. I used the the divided page protectors and I think I have a cute page. Plus, I was able to use some pink! In order to get a decent picture I had to take them out of the protectors. I'm sure my husband could stop the glare but I couldn't.

Enjoy

A new day

I say that because the 4th is over. No one went to the emergency room and my house didn't burn down!

My magnificent husband surprised me with a CTMH goodie box. He bought me the $125 mystery box. I really think that it's the little things he does that reminds me what a wonderful person he is and how lucky I am to have him for a husband.

Well, my box had cranberry base pages in it. Lucky for me I love the cranberry and it matches one of my favorite paper packs "blue ribbon". So I did a quick layout with it. I purchased the retired "snap, crackle, pop" fireworks stamps and just had to use them for this layout. I don't have a title for the page yet. I'm sure something will pop into my mind soon and I have a couple of hours before the pictures are developed so there is time.

In lieu of a new post, I just added the title page. I knew it wouldn't take too long to come up with a title.

Enjoy

Embellishment Storage

If there is one thing I love to do on my pages it's embellish them. I love buttons and chipboard! Storage has always been an issue for me as I didn't always have a dedicated scrapbook/craft area. Now that Scott and I split his office (our office as it's now called) I do. However, it's a tad tiny. Not a complaint as I am thrilled to have this space!!! I used baby food jars for button storage for a while but they can be a space taker. As I was trying to corral the buttons I put them into a CD case and it worked so well it's my new storage option. Here's a pic!

Enjoy!

Camping Explosion Box

Our family enjoys camping every summer and fall. So, this weekend I put together an explosion box for something a little different. The layout of the box was easy, embellishing it took some time-My cuts are a little askew so I'll do another with my pazzle making the cuts tonight.

Enjoy

My Challenge entry

I wish I could say that this was so much fun that I'm going to do it all the time but.....
I decided to enter a scrapbooks etc. challenge using stiching. My first idea actually jammed up my embroidery machine so I went to plan B. I really like plan B. I cut the stars from old jeans and stiched around the inside using a thin crochet yarn. Never stiching before this took a while. The first needle was too big and frayed the stars. So I started over and cut bigger stars. Bigger stars didn't show the thread. Not having any embroidery floss I broke into my crochet basket and pulled out a crochet lace yarn. Expensive but it worked. The All American boy stickers and A chipboard is CTMH as is the ink pad to color the A. The star paper is left over from the 4th page. The pictures are all Robby.
A little OT but thought I'd add it here. I've been wanting to do some video tutorials on the blog but realized that my hands really need a manicure before I put them out for everyone to see. Too much hot glue and gardening. So I'm off to get a spa manicure and a pair of gardening gloves. So, be on the lookout for video coming soon!
Enjoy

post it notebook instructions

Thanks for all the great feedback on the post it notebooks! Here are the instructions. My pictures are not doing too good today. We took a trip to the sound this past weekend and I'm thinking my auto settings were changed when Andrew went picture taking. Again, I'll get it fixed tonight.

You'll need 2 cover boards at 3 1/4 square and a binder board at 1/4 x 3 1/4. You can use chipboard or cut it from heavier cereal boxes. I haven't used cardboard but think it would work. Then cut your cover from cardstock to be 8 1/4 x 4 1/2. Come in 1/2 from each side and top and bottom and mark a score/fold line (don't score yet). Then notch the sides out. Doing the notch gives you a perfect corner. Cut your inside liner to be 3x6 3/4

Place cover boards on paper then place the binder board. Glue or tape down as shown in picture. Then score the fold lines along the top, bottom and both sides. Adhere the top and bottom first then the sides. The outside is done.

If you want to add ribbon to tie the book closed do so now on the inside cover boards. Then add your inside liner.

Run your finger along the joints and press the liner into the adhesive. Be sure to get a good fit around the binder board. If using glue let it set up.

Score around the joints and fold book closed.

glue along spine of post its and add to the book.

4th of july

My kids absolute favorite time of year. I think it even beats Christmas. But only because there are fireworks involved AND they get to light them off. Here is my layout for this year. I took the first picture and thought that it was a little bland so I added some bling and took another. The picture quality could be better (sorry) I'll be sure to take another when Scott gets home and can help me.

I'm not sure of the paper I used. I found it at Michaels last week. I did use the pazzle to cut out the July. After watching Klo's tutorial I just had to go find some fonts and dingbats and turn them into cutting files!

Enjoy.

post it notebooks

I'm so hooked on making these little books. They are so easy to do. The first time I used a purchased template for the 3x3 book cover (ArnoldGrummer.com) but have made so many that I don't even need it anymore. I think I'll give these as teacher gifts for the end of school. Again, using CTMH products.

Let me know if you want the instructions posted and I'll be happy to do so.

Enjoy!

Little things

I absolutely love making little (mini) albums. Here is a 6x6 chipboard accordion-style album made for mom. She asked for some albums dealing with friendship. Everything here (except for the blue rhinestones on the front) is CTMH. Nope, I'm not a consultant but totally love how things match so perfectly and effortlessly. I have a new paper-pack coming in today (Bella) that I can't wait to play with. I might have to break into it before the Tuesday night crop. The tags were easily cut with my Pazzle.