"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Friday, July 8, 2011

When life gives you lemons...

When life gives you lemons…
This week has been a very disappointing.  Tony and I were scheduled to go to Pine Springs Summer Camp for the week.  However, due to the drought and fire danger camp was cancelled for our week.  We are so sad.  We look forward to being with the kids for the whole year.  But we also know that the best decision was made for the safety of everyone involved.  
So life gave me lemons this week, so I decided to make something yummy!  I found this recipe through Pinterest. If you have not tried Pinterest, you should!  But I am warning you…it is addicting. 
Strawberry Lemonade Bars
Strawberry Lemonade Bars
From Baking Bites

Crust
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt

Filling
1 cup fresh lemon juice
2-3 tsp lemon zest
1/2 cup pureed strawberries (about 3/4 cup berries)
1 1/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.

Begin by making the crust.  In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter, until smooth and fluffy. Working at a low speed, gradually beat in flour and salt until mixture is crumbly. Pour into prepared pan and press into an even layer. Bake for about 17 minutes, until set at the edges.

While the crust bakes, prepare the filling.  In the bowl of a food processor, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, strawberry puree, sugar and eggs and process until smooth. Add in flour, baking powder and salt, then pulse until smooth.  I used a blender.

Gently pour the filling over the hot crust when it has finished baking. Return pan to oven and bake for 23-26 minutes, until the filling is set (There will be a light colored “crust” on top from the sugar in the custard – nothing to worry about).

Sprinkle the bars with some powdered sugar.  Cool completely before slicing and use a damp knife to ensure clean slices.  Store bars in the refrigerator, especially on a hot day.  Makes 24 bars.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Making the most of it!

 I am so thankful to have an extra day off next week.  I am going to spent most of the day crafting...I am not sure what it will be yet but I am sure that I will be inspired.  Gotta make the most of my free time before my next graduate class creeps up on me!  I was thinking about that today as I was creating and realized that as soon as my class starts...my crafting will cease for a few months.  Good thing is does not start until October.  Just two more graduate classes left and then I will be a Master.  Master of what?..I don't know.  It has been a fun journey but I am ready to be finished with this chapter of my life. 


Today and part of yesterday, I created a treat for great friends who is expecting in a month or so.  Lauren and Adam have blessed my life so much.  I can't believe they are going to be parents soon.  Little Laikyn is going to so blessed to have such amazing, loving parents.  I wanted to create something special for the nursery and needed inspiration.  I turned to my favorite svgcuts.com.  Of course, they had tons of cute cut files and I had to make a decision on what it would be.  I decided that since Laikyn's name is spelled differently it would be fun for her to have it in her nursery.  So I chose to tackle the 3D Alphabet SVG Kit.

Before I started on Laikyn’s name, I decided I would try my own initial first to see if it was very difficult...(remember, I had not read the instructions or watched the video yet.).  Needless to say, the S was harder than I expected as you can see from the picture. 
My first attempt

After watching the video tutorial and reading the instructions, I realized that the S is the hardest letter to master and Mary recommends that you start with other letters first.  I am such a hard-head sometimes.  But the S didn’t turn out that bad…and it is just for me anyway!  It will be my little momento to "not" reading directions first!

This is the final project for Laikyn.  I hope that her mommy likes it.  I tried to match the colors of the nursery while trying to create a vintage, feminine feel.



I used LetteringDelights for the butterfly. I made the crochet flowers with a little instruction from my crafty mom.  Please feel free to comment.  I am always open for suggestions.  Don't forget to check out SVGcuts.com if you are interested in really cool cut files.


Thursday, June 30, 2011

One of "those" days!

Have you ever had one of those days when you would just like to crawl back in bed and cover up your head?  Well today is one of them for me.  I am trying really hard to not be frustrated or grumpy but it is taking an extra measure of patience today.  I would love to be locked in my craftroom doing "my" thing, but alas I am at the office trying to work. 

Thinking about my family always cheers me up.  I have been so blessed...two amazing parents that love and support me, a incredible Godly husband, two fabulous boys who are the joy of my life, a wonderful daughter-in-law and many family and friends.  I guess I just needed to count my blessings to get a better perspective on my life. 

My mom is the most amazing woman I have ever met.  She is talented beyond measure.  I would love to post some of her crafty creations on my blog although she would put me to shame.  You should see some of the quilts she has made...so very talented.  I don't think there is a craft that she has not tackled.  She is a seamtress, a cook, a quilter, a painter, a "rug" hooker, and many more.  Some of her quilts are done entirely by hand...simply amazing!  I guess I got some of my "crafty-ness" from her.  She inspires me to work hard, to do my best, and live a faithfully.  On top of all my mom does, she is the primary caregiver for my grandfather (97 years old).  Can I just say that my mom is my Hero?..because she is, along with being my best friend.  I know I can always count on her to pull me through the rough spots and rejoice with me in the victories.  I am posting the bracelet I made for my mom for Mother's Day. 
Mother's Day Bracelet
The bracelet is from the Jewlery Shoppe Findings Collection.  I used DSWV spring brads for the insides of the jewels.  I filled in the rest of the bezel with ICE Resin.

Monday, June 27, 2011

H-O-T in Texas.

Yesterday, I spent most of the day being crafty...making cards, baby gifts, and other assorted paper crafts.  I got some really cool cut files from from SVG Cuts this weekend.  (Pictures coming soon!)   After several projects, I ran into a "craft" roadblock (actually I was bored with my paper selection.  I guess a trip to the scrapbook store is in my future.)  I decided it was time for a break from the craftroom and was time to be crafty in the kitchen.  I don't know which I love more, baking or crafting!  Both give me an outlet to be creative. Although being on a diet has curbed my desire to bake recently  because I live by the rule "If you bake it, you must eat it!"

It has been incredibly hot in Texas this summer...everyday has been in the 100's.  Yesterday, was at least 107 and there does not seem to be any relief in sight.  I wanted to make something cool and refreshing...Key Lime Pie was the winner. 
My Key Lime Pie
Recipe:  This recipe came from Key West, Florida. 

Crust
1 1/4 cup of graham cracker crumbs
3 T. sugar
1/2 cup of shredded toasted coconut
1/3 cup of melted butter

Mix together and place in a greased springfrom pan.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  Cool completely

Filling
1 can of Eagle's Brand Milk
2-3 T. of key lime zest
2 egg yolks (no whites)
1/2 cup key lime juice

Mix together

Topping
1 pint of Heavy Whipping Cream
3 T. sugar

Whip until stiff peaks appear

Lightly fold 1/2 of the whipped cream into the filling and place in cooled crust.

Use the remaining whipped cream for the topping.  Garnish with key limes.   Freeze for a least 3 hours.  Store in the freezer.  Makes 10-12 slices. 

Enjoy!  Let me know what you think.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Being Thoughtful...

This is a concept that I am working on.  I made a decision at the beginning of this year to try harder at being  thoughtful and mindful of others.  Have I perfected the art of being thoughtful?  NO WAY but I am trying and struggling at times.  I want to be someone that thinks about others first.  Most of my life, I have spent way too much time thinking about myself and doing what is best for me.  I pray that God will continue to guide me on this journey. 

This week I made a couple of gifts for co-workers...(shhhh, their birthdays aren't until next week)
The Candy Bar wrapper holds a 4 oz candy bar!
Who doesn't love chocolate?

The front cover
The Candy Bar Wrapper is from SVGcuts blog (Bonus...it is a free file) The rosettes and flowers are from the SVGCuts "Made in the USA" set.  SVGCuts is one of my favorites.  Be sure to check out SVGCuts for lots of cool cut files and awesome tutorials,  click here to check them out.  I also used some cool Baker's twine from the Twinery.  I just got my order yesterday and could not wait to put it to use.   Check out the Twinery's blog.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

A glimpse of my "crafty" haven

Today, I thought I would share my "crafty" room with you.  I am blessed to have a room all my own...with a house full of boys this was no easy feat.  Especially with their love of music and all the equipment that goes along with their passion...drums, guitars, amps, saxophones, keyboards...just to name a few.  My haven is not perfect but it definately fits my personality..."not perfect".  Actually, I prefer it that way.  Here is a glimpse of my "crafty" haven.  If you  have a suggestions to make it better, I am all ears.  Can you tell I love the color, aqua?  It reminds me of  the cool waters of the caribbean...sometimes a girl just has to have an escape.  Truthfully, I love my life!  I am blessed beyond measure! 
My Crafty Haven


My life is filled with blessings so I made this cute banner to remind myself to count them everyday!

The banner was made using the Cricut "Tie the Knot" Cartridge.   


Hopefully, this weekend I can upload some of my previous projects so that you can see some of the other "crafty" things I have been creating.  I welcome your comments and suggestions.  It is my prayer and dream to submit some of my projects to a design team in the near future. 

Monday, June 6, 2011

My First Post

I decided that it is about time that I get on the band wagon and start posting some of my crafty "creations".  I will always try to give credit to the original owner of the files I use and send you to their blogs if possible.  There are so many "crafters" out there and blogging is a great source for creative ideas. 


Next week is a crazy week at the university.  Our summer camp, Encounter will happen.  We will have about 800 guest on our campus.  The Admissions office always hosts several events for the incoming freshman.  My creation for today was the invitation I made for one of the events.  We are taking the students to a local Shaved Ice Place for a treat.  The invitation is designed to attach to their name tag so they can remember the details during the week. 
I designed the svg file of the surfboard and used the school logo to accent my invitation.  If you would like a copy of the svg file, feel free to email me.  I am learning how to post links so you can download the files.  Hopefully, I will have lots more coming in the future. 
Surfboard Invitations