Four

I was searching for a title for this layout - and then it hit me, four ... simply four, that's how old she was when I took this photo.  I love the way the ruler turned out.  The background page is from the Ledger Pad from Prima - I'm really loving that pad, there are 48 sheets of varying colours which make for great backgrounds or cut-outs for the Julie Nutting dolls.  For the rulers I used gesso (black for the one on top, white for the bottom) and I added Inca Gold to highlight the numbers in red, and gold for the remainder of the ruler.  The roman numeral was from Finnabair's Mechanicals collection which I added gesso and then gelatoes.

Short and simple - sometimes the best things are left simple.

Sunrise Sunset collection and a farewell...

Oh how I love the colours in this collection from Prima - Sunrise Sunset.  I love combining it with black and ivory too.  I know that Finnibair combines a lot of metal in her projects with her line.  Here are a couple of layouts I put together at the last all day crop at Auntie Em's

Notice that light bulb?  It came with something else written on it, not sure what  but it didn't work for my layout, so I used rub-ons to put my humor onto my layout.  

I love my retractable awning!  This page looks thick, it's not.  All the flowers are Prima, but not a particular collection, they were pickings from the "candy bar" as were the leaves! The photo is of a butterfly that was fluttering about on the Lilac tree in front of my Parent's home on the one week a year that the lilacs actually bloom.  Not my favorite tree, as they only bloom for one week and look terrible for the other 51 weeks a year.  Anyway, this photo is kinda bittersweet, as I spent my last day at that home last week.  We had to sell my family home after my parents passing, and it closes next week.  Goodbye old house, you will be missed, but your memories will live strong in my creations!

Love my Prima Stamp!

Woohoo, I finally got one!  A Julie Nutting doll stamp from Prima!  Emma got 6 different ones into the store last week and as soon as they came in they were sold out!  I'm waiting for the next shipment to get the rest of them.  In the meantime I put together two quick tags using the Sunrise Sunset collection for the dresses, hairband, and banners.  I used my Copics to colour the girls and add a little detail to the pockets and neckline.  I also used the Tags that are being sold with the doll stamps - they fit perfectly!

It's a Rat Trap - well it was a rat trap - I am loving my new obsession with transforming mouse and rat traps into art.  I used the Prima Lyric line for this, and a very vintage pink flower from my stash - can't even tell you what year it's from, but it's probably as old as my kids!!

Be kind - leave a comment!

Shower the bride!

One of my besties is getting married in a few weeks - this weekend was both her Bridal Shower and her Bachellorette.  While I've never been to a Bridal Shower before, I knew I had to make something for her that would be extra special.  I have this die that has been begging me to create with it, it's a Stampin' Up framelits die called Dress Up.  Add in some fantastic Prima flowers, a doily and some Perfect Pearls and there you have it folks!  I added a 'diamond' pin for the engagement ring - I don't know that Jenn even noticed that part :)

How to eat for under $0.50 a serving

I love to cook, I love to prepare food, I love to experiment with different food combinations and spices.  I will follow a recipe, but not to the letter, it is my practice to look at 2 or 3 recipes for the same dish and take from each and come up with my own. This scares some people.  It is unbelievable to me how many people don't use the kitchen in their home.  I am dumbfounded at the amount of prepared foods and convenience foods that are consumed by some families.

It amazes me how many people these days do not eat home cooked meals. Has society given up on passing down the knowledge of how to cook, how to prepare a meal, how to spice and get creative with food? When I grew up I watched my parents cook every night. Every meal was prepared. I could count on one hand the number of times a year that we would eat out. Now, I can't say that about myself, I can count on one hand the number of times I eat out in a week; including my trips to Tim Hortons or when I'm 'on the go' and out shopping and I just grab a wrap.

Today I made Chicken Noodle soup.  When I say I 'made' soup, I mean I made 14.5 Litres of soup!  I do it in the stock pot.  I bottle it in mason jars for a quick home made meal, or when I am working late for my husband to serve to the kids. My husband who considers himself to be 'unable' to cook ... he can, it just takes him longer and it frustrates him, the time management and planning of it.

So, here is my breakdown of my soup - I don't really have a recipe, but I keep to the same basic ingredients.

Chicken Noodle Soup
6 Chicken Thigh
8 large carrots, peeled and sliced
1 head of celery, chopped
1 onion chopped
2 bags of fine egg noddles
10 Litres of water
thyme
poultry seasoning
parsley
black pepper
bay leaves (1 per litre of soup)
Epicure dry chicken stock
salt

I keep the drippings and stock when I roast chickens - fat and all and any left over chicken.  I put it into a Ziploc and into the freezer until I make my soup.  Cook chicken thighs in oven - remove skin, bones and fat and discard.  Tear chicken into manageable bite sized pieces.  Saute the carrots, celery and onion in olive oil.  Combine all ingredients in stock pot except egg noodles in stock pot, simmer on med-low heat for 30-40 minutes.  Boil egg noodles for 3 minutes (do not overcook), drain and add to stock pot.  Bring to a rolling boil and divide into mason jars.  Total preparation and cooking time 2 hours.

 

Here is the amazing part - the cost of this project:

Chicken                                                  $7
Celery                                                    $2
Carrots                                                   $1
Onion                                                     $0.50
Chicken drippings and leftover chicken      $5
Egg noodles                                            $2
Spices/electricity/water                            $2.50
Total                                                       $20.00

The ingredients produced 14.5 Litres of soup which is 43.5 servings
This gives a cost of $0.46 per serving!

I challenge you to go anywhere and get a serving of chicken noodle soup for under 50 cents!