Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Yummy Chocolatey Goodness!

Okay so I know that I should be hard at work on all of those kits for the up coming class, which I will go and do in a few minutes, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to spread the great news.  So here it goes!  I was blog hopping at work the other day (Hey, I was on a break!  Lol.) and came across a recipe for chocolate cake.  Not just any chocolate cake, it's 'the best chocolate sheet cake ever'!  It's even called that.  So I've been thinking about said cake for days now, trying to persuade myself why I need not make this cake or 'the best frosting I've ever had' that goes with it.  After only one day my will power was broken and I was in my Mom's kitchen this morning slaving away...lol.  I made both the cake and the frosting and I enjoyed every minute of it. :)  And you know what?  It was indeed THE BEST chocolate cake and butter-cream frosting that I have ever had!  (For those of you who know me, I'm not a huge butter fan, but in this frosting it's pretty darn tasty.  Yeah there's a whole cup and I used the real stuff too, none of that mmm it tastes like butter but it's really not...lol.) 

 The best cupcake you'll ever eat.  Other cupcakes, eat your heart out!

Damn the scale today!  I'm eating cake!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Mwahhh-haha! My craftroom is almost complete!

My paper trays that I ordered have finally come in!  (It sounds like I had to wait forever but I really just ordered them on the 7th...lol.)  Well at least one of them came in.  I am still waiting for the other one to come in the mail.  It'll probably come tomorrow...cross your fingers for me. :)

I searched far and wide for a paper tray system.  One with efficient storage capacities that still takes up a small amount of space.  There were many to choose from, but I felt that this one best went with the modern, yet eclectic, decor of my home...oh who am I kidding?  I bought the cheapest one that looked like it wasn't going to break about 5 minutes after being assembled...lol.  (Yes it's been longer than 5 minutes and the paper tray system is still standing...haha very funny.)

Here's the view from the front
And the side

A picture of the box...see I put it together correctly :)

I put it together all by myself!  My husband will be so proud...well he'll mostly be relieved that I didn't ask him to build it...lol.  It only took about 20 minutes to put together and I only got hurt once (That's pretty good for me!  Assembling things = injury every time).  One of the bolts that holds on the wheels had a sharp spot on it and of course my finger found that exact spot with little to no effort...lol.  (Don't worry I washed it with soap.  Hey, you can never be too careful.  Plus the system was really dusty in the box.  I should have wiped it down, but I just couldn't wait to put it together!)  

If you would like to buy one, I bought mine from Target online for $29.99 and about $6.00 for shipping.  (On a tangent, the store's name is pronounced Target, like 'I'm going to shoot at this huge red and white target', not Tarje.  It's a big box retailer not a French boutique...lol.)  Like I said before, it was the cheapest and looked like it would hold my paper with minimal issues.  Plus it has wheels, so I can wheel it all over the room if I want.  I just hated having to dig through my scrapbook chests looking for paper.  Now I can just wheel these babies right next to my desk.  Voila!  Paper at my finger tips!  

Now all I need is a mini fridge in my craftroom and I can live in there for days...lol. :)

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

March 21, 2010: Mini Milk Carton and Card Class



Okay so now it's time for the big reveal...the class that you all have been waiting so patiently for is finally upon us!  This month we'll be making the cutest little Easter treat holder that you have ever seen. :)

The milk cartons are made with the new SU mini milk carton die for the Big Shot (I LOVE mine!  If you don't have one yet you need to put it on your must have list.).  The carton holder is a variation off of the one that Ruth Norton created (You go girl!).  This project takes a little brain power, but it's easy none-the-less.

Here's a close up of the side of the holder and the individual milk carton:
Cute, cute, cute, right?!?  We'll also be making a card or two to go with this gift.  Maybe a set of 3x3 cards!  I'll work my magic and see what I come up with.  :)

I can't wait to make them with you all on Sunday, March 21, between 1-4pm.  RSVP by Monday, March 15.  Class fee: $20 (plus $5 shipping if you can't come to the class or pick up your kit from me).  Please contact me personally for more information on the class.

Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Ahhh those were the days...

WARNING: A mushy moment is about begin... don't say that I didn't warn you...lol.

March will always have a fond spot in my heart.  Not only is it the month where spring finally begins, but it is the month where my husband and i started dating and, 9 years later, finally married.   March 16 to be exact!  :)  *Insert "Aawwww...so cute! and a huge smile here*  This year will be our first anniversary.  Just think last year I was pulling my hair out trying to balance a wedding budget.  A blog wasn't even close to being on my mind...lol. 
Our first dance!  We were so young...wait that was only last year...lol.

Now looking back on my wedding photos (Props to Carol Oliva photographer extraordinaire!  She's a rockin' photographer and a super sweet lady.  Put her on your list of vendors for your next party.  You won't be disappointed!), I can see that all that stress was worth it.  We had a great time and I can honestly say that it was perfect.

Just to bring this back to stationary (my second love, since my hubby would have to be my first...lol.  Although there are some days that the order feels like it should be switched...just kidding.), here's a photo of our wedding invitations:
 

I came up with the design and my husband did the computer-ie parts  of the invite (The wording and the background paper.  Yes he designed his own background paper because he didn't like what I chose from the store...and he says that I'm obsessed...lol.)  My mom and husband started calling me the invitation nazi because i wanted them to be perfect.  Each time they stuck something together even 1/16 of a inch off I would make them do it again.  (Told you I was crazy about stationary...and you thought I was just kidding.)   Well I didn't make them do it again every time...I just gave them the eye.  I think that they even started putting the 'ugly ones' at the bottom of the pile so that I wouldn't see them until later...lol.  Ahhh memories... :)

*All photographs from this post were taken by Carol Oliva.