polka dot chicks

Hard to believe Thanksgiving is here

unfortunately Preston won't be here to indulge in all the food and good company this year.  It won't be quite the same.  The first time in 25 years we will celebrate Thanksgiving without him.  :(

Looking forward to turkey, homemade potatoes and gravy, rolls from Logan's Steakhouse, Costco pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce and Honey Baked Ham.  Jenaye is here and will help prepare the feast for our clan.  After the dishes are done, it's off to Scrapbook's Etc. to work during one of the funest nights of the year.  Santa will be there as well, of course he won't be running the register, but he will be visiting with children and taking photos, so if you come, bring your camera.  We will be there from 6-9.

Friday I will  be busy kitting for the "B Chic" workshop I am teaching with Jamie Andersen.  Team teaching with Amy is on hold for now with her super popular "Cardology" class.  Here's a sneak peek of the project Jamie and I have created for Saturday's workshop.

This cute wreath is perfect to hang on your door or give to that special someone as a gift.  It's 18" which is such a great size.  The class is from 1-4 on Saturday and students will leave with it completed ready to displaying or gifting.  The wreath is wrapped in burlap before adorning with fabric flowers, trim, lace, rick rack, jute, bells, glitter, a dictionary page covered dimensional heart,  spanish moss, a vintage ornament and an adorable bleached and dyed-to-match tree.  The flowers are simple to sew and putting together the wreath is quick and easy with the glue gun. 

No black Friday shopping for me, but I will be back at Scrapbooks, etc again on Saturday to support the shopping small businsesses movement.  Scrapbooks, etc is a family owned small business that carries the best fabric and papercrafts supplies around!  AND the LOVE their customers.  It doesn't get any better than that!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and hopefully you will find yourself surrounded by good food and good company tomorrow.  We'll miss you Preston!

Kelli

:)

 

Do Me A Favor Class Prep

I am done. The projects are created, the instructions written, the supplies cut, scored & kitted and the kit bag decorated. 

On Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 I will be at Scrapbooks, Etc teaching my Do Me A Favor class.  Here's a peek of the projects incase you haven't seen them at the store lately.

 
As you can see, 2 of the 4 projects are Halloween themed, but the other 2 are more general.  Of course when you switch the paper up, the possibilites are endless.

Hope to see some of you there!

Kelli

:)

Recipes from Card.ology

Here are the last 2 months of treat recipes from class,sorry i forgot to post last months.

September- Gourmet Popcorn

makes a large batch

4 boxes of crunch-n-munch ( any kind)

1 bag of mini marsh-mellows

1 bag of mini pretzels

1/2 bag of  Heath toffee bits

1 package of White Almond Bark

take dry ingredients and mix in large bowl

microwave the almond bark per instructions on package

pour over the dry mix until evenly coated

pour mixture out on parchment paper and allow to cool.

you can pretty much anything else that you think would be good to mix: m&m's, sprinkles, nuts or whatever you are craving at the time.

CAUTION: if you take this to a party.....you will be asked to bring it again!

 

August Recipe

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2sticks of Blue Bonnet Margarine (soft)

2 eggs

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup white sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

mix until smooth

add:

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

mix until even

add 3/4 to 1 bag of chocolate chips

bake at 350 degrees for about 8-10 minutes

this is the very recipe my grandma taught me to bake cookies using. I hope you enjoy!

Do Me A Favor prep completed

Today I was much more emotional than I ususally am. I was thinking back on 2001, the year my dad passed, followed by my best friend Valerie Jones and then of course...9/11.  I got to thinking about how much I have accomplished over the last 10 years and how much I miss my dad and Val.  I thought about how lucky I am to have been safe and sound, getting to enjoy all the things I love to do...junking, baking, creating, teaching, and such.  I am one lucky girl!  :)

Here are the kits for class on Tuesday.

The only reason they are hard to see, is my photography skills {or lack of).  They did turn out cute, you are just

gonna have to trust me on this one!

And the last two projects look like this

 I have the one on the right propped on a mason jar lid so that you can get a better glimpse.  The little one on the left has a tag that says "oh happy day!". The little carton is made from Bazzill Cardstock and adorned with Bazzill's new printed paper (oh so sweet!), poms, lace and black and white checked ribbon. 

The other two projects are Halloween themed. 

  

It's good to be kitted with the instructions written.  I was productive today!  :)

Hope you found time in your day to reflect on 9/11/01 and how lucky you have been the last 10 years.  We all have many blessings to be thankful for.

Make it a great week,

Kelli

:)
 

 

It's time for another Do Me A Favor Workshop

Some of you have been asking for sneak peeks of the projects and others have signed up not having a clue what we will be doing.  :)  I wanted to share a couple of the projects with you.  These are 2 of the 4 projects we will be doing and while  these two are Halloween themed, by simply changing the papers and color schemes, you can create a favor perfect for any occasion.

 

 

 

 

Bring a friend, or make one in class.  And remember, all you outta towners, this class comes complete with instructions and photos so these can easily be created from your class kit.  However, due to the heat we have been experiencing here locally, no chocolate will be shipped.

Hope you are having a super week,

Kelli

:)

Creative Escape Countdown

Well...it is hard to believe that CE is less than 3 weeks away!  We are so excited...we can hardly stand it.  It will be so much fun seeing everyone and meeting new people.  It seems like there is still much to be done and some how it will all happen.  :)

Before the big event, I am participating in the Altered Cigar Box Swap at Scrapbooks, etc. and thought I would share a peek of my finished project.

 

I covered the box with some of my favorite papers, made a fabric and lace pocket on the lid (thanks Earleen, for the great idea!).  After tearing the lid from the backside, I had to come up with another idea...remove the lid and glue it inside the box in the open position.  I made a perched nest by gluing an old wooden thread spool to a vintage metal mold.  The nest is made of shredded pages from an old dictionary misted with Glimmer Mist.  I filled four vintage metal jello molds with "goods" for creating including glass glitter, and added a spoon for easy use.  I used a vintage brooch in the center of a premade Prima flower, draped some chain from the flower trim in the front and filled the pocket with old tickets and trim, before raising it up on an old candlestick holder that I bought at a second hand store.  It was so much fun!  I can't wait to see the box that I get from the swap.  I saw the one Debbie C made and it is to die for...very clever!

I am also heading to Colorado before CE to see Preston and Ashley.  It will be great seeing them both and our visit won't be complete without a trip to Cake Crumbs...an adorable little bakery near their home.

Amy is busy getting her kiddos ready to go back to school this next week and she is also kitting for her upcoming Card-ology class...yes, what was she thinking?  She teaches it before CE!  If you haven't taken this class before, you really must.  Her cards are incredible and super creative!  And if that isn't enough to tempt you to sign up...she always serves up something yummy to eat for everyone.  If you have already been to a class or two, you know exactly what I am talking about.  And honestly, if you are like me...you are always in need of cards. 

Well...with only 18 days until Creative Escape...let the countdown begin! 

Kelli

:)
 
 
 

July Card.ology Recipe

Here is the super yummy dip that was served at this months card class. Thanks Terri for the wonderful recipe.

8oz pkg of cream cheese ( used low fat)

1/2 tsp. mustard

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup carrots (chopped)

2 radishes (diced)

3/4 cup pecans

1/3 cup sour cream ( I used light)

1/2 tsp horseradish

2TBS chopped green onion.

 

all I did was wait till the cream cheese had softened, then mixed all of the ingredients together.

enjoy

Twelve Squared Preperation

Yep...it is that time already.  Amy and I are busy creating and kitting for our upcoming class on Saturday.  The color scheme is yellow, white, gray, black, gold and a splash of ruby red.  We are using the Authentique BLISSFUL line that everyone is raving about.  If you haven't seen it or aren't familar with this incredible new line...head into Scrapbooks, etc. to see it in person. 

Here's a sneek peek {just to tempt you a bit!}...

 

 

 
 

These are just 3 of the 12 total 12X12 layouts you will create with your class kit.  We still have some spots if you would like to escape the heat and join us.  Remember, if you sign up on line, you will receive a 10% discount.  :)

 

Thanks for a great class!

I had a great time in class today...thanks to all you chicks who joined me!  :)  I feel bad that I didn't get photos throughout class, but I did manage to get one in before class and one in at the end.  Of course lots of you had already left...but at least I remembered before I got home.  lol

 Here's a snapshot of the kits.

And here's a shot of some of the gals who joined me today.

 
 

 


And now with this class behind me...it's time to get busy for 12.2.  Amy and I teach 12.2 two weeks from today.  We are so excited to use the new AUTHENTIQUE Blissful paper line.  The colors are incredible - yellows, grays, black, white and a splash of Ruby Red.  It's a great color scheme and will certainly work for many everyday occassions.  Watch for some sneak peeks on the blog. 

Stay cool,

Kelli  :)

 

The other four favors are done!

Yippee!!  Not only are the projects created and all the pieces cut...they are ready to be packaged up for the DO ME A FAVOR WORKSHOP that is a week from tomorrow!

This simple and easy to make favor can be super elegant for weddings and showers or less casual for Birthdays and graduations.  This favor can be made in many sizes depending on what you want to include inside.  Custom tags are created by printing the printwork on Bazzill and cut using a cute tag shape punch.  The tag is secured to the favor using the seam binding Earleen has me hooked on!  Scrapbooks, etc. carries it in so many colors, and it's only 40 cents per yard! 

 

These cute little open top favor boxes are made out of good ole Bazzill cardstock, House of 3 printed paper and House of 3 tissue paper {which is so cu--ute!}.  And of course the little stand is a must have for the recipient, so we'll be creating one of these as well.

 

The next little favor is perfect for larger items, such as Amy's famous popcorn!  These sweet boxes were a find!  They are brand spanking new, but were destined for the landfill {thanks to my friend, Joyce, for rescuing them}.  We loved em so much we contacted the supplier and are now stocking them {at Scrapbook's etc} in 3 sizes including 2X2, 3X3 and these big guys, which are 4X4.

 

This little favor is ideal for a planned event as well as in a pinch.  Using Bazzill and coordinating printed paper you have on hand, you can create a cute little favor box and lid that is secured shut with seam binding {or ribbon}.  In case you are wondering, this adorable paperline is another Authentique product...it's from the "uncommon collection". 

 

As of today...the class is only half full.  Take a break from the heat and come join me for a fun and inspired workshop.  Save 10% off the $24 class price by signing up on line.

Hope to see you "locals" there.  And anyone living out of town will be happy to know that the kit comes with instructions and measurements so the projects can be created in your studio or at your kitchen table! :)

Wherever you are...I hope you have found a cool spot to hide as summer sets in!