Lori's Kitchen Shower

It was a beautiful day yesterday for Lori's Kitchen Shower.  We had 21 attend for Brunch and she was so blessed with many lovely gifts that she needed for her kitchen.  At the end of the shower she announced that she "can now cook".   It was a great day. (For those of you that might not know, their house burned to the ground in February and everything was a total loss)

The menu was Quiche, Scones, Fruit Slush and Chocolate Covered Strawberries.  I had 2 tables set up in the family room and extended the kitchen table to seat 8.  Everything looked very pretty and I am happy to say the food turned out very delicious.  I always worry about that when making pie crusts, especially for that many. 

 

 

 

 

Lori Opening Gifts

 

 

 

Lily (oldest Great-Granddaughter, Kara, Lori, Joan and Kelsey

After the shower.

 

 

The guests in the Family Room

 

 

 

 

Sherry

 

 

 

 

Fruit Slush, Scone, Quiche and Chocolate Covered Strawberry

 

Kitchen Table

 

Two tables like this in Family Room

 

I had purchased paper plates, cups and napkins for the shower.  But, something just kept gnawing at me everyday and I finally gave in to it and decided to use my china etc.  I am just not a paper plate kind of "girl" for these kind of parties.  I was so tickled that I listened to myself and even though it was a ton more work (still washing dishes today) I was so very please with the way everything turned out.

I can't thank my friend Sherry and my two granddaughters for all their help.  They dished up the food, cleared the tables, stacked the dishes and moved all the furniture back to put the house back in order.

I was so very thankful!!!

It was a great day indeed!!!

Blogger still not fixed!

Blogger still not fixed and everything that is normally on the right hand side, is now at the bottom on the left side.  Please bare with me until they get it fixed. Thanks!!!

Blogger is at it again!

This morning when I opened my web site, everything that is normally on the right hand side, is now at the bottom on the left side. When I go into the layout, it is correct. Nothing I do is correcting it, so I do believe it is a problem with blogger. Please bare with me until they get it fixed. Thanks!!!

And the Winner is~~~

  You can see all last weeks challenge entries by clicking here!

This week's winner was chosen by a random drawing and

Ginny is this week's winner.  

Congratulations Ginny!!!!!

 

A big thanks to those of you who created a card for the challenge.

I will be sending Ginny a badge for her web site and Terri will be sending a gift from Joan's Gardens.

 You can see Ginny's adorable card here!   Ginny was very clever using a recycled doily from a restaurant.   If you haven't left Ginny a comment yet, please do so. It is always nice to read how others enjoy our cards.

 

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

10	

Timestamp: 2014-04-22 11:29:06 UTC

Challenge #10

 

Please click on the  picture for a larger view.

 

Yesterday was a picture perfect day in Indiana.  It was in the 70's, slightly breezy, sunny and a fantastic celebration of Easter.  We spent the afternoon/evening in Michigan at our daughters new home.

Since Lori's kitchen is not completely outfitted with all the essentials yet, we had a great non-traditional dinner of Spaghetti, meatballs, salad, corn and garlic bread.  If course some yummy deserts too.

It was fabulous and much easier especially since Philip (Lori's hubby) is an Italian and cooked

the Spaghetti and Meatballs with his fabulous sauce.

It was a day of much thanksgiving and blessings.  I will try and share some pictures tomorrow.

 

I have discovered several European card makers work and I just love their style.

First I started with a new paper pack I recently purchased called Maja Designs Vintage Spring Basic.

This paper is manufactured in Sweden and it very strong and easy to work with.

The card is a 6x6 and after distressing the layers of the 2nd layer, I sewed it on to the base, added tulle by again stitching it to the paper.  The round circle was cut from another piece of the paper line and popped up. 

 

Several flowers of  Spellbinder's Rose Creation die were cut, conditioned with the Tool kit, crumbled, opened and baked in the oven for a few minutes to set the crumbles.  After cooling, I assembled the flowers.

Several layers of  Magnolia Summer Foliage leaves were cut and conditioned.  Then I put some white Gesso on them and went over the entire leaf with "Pickle" by Art Anthology.  I loved how this turned out.

 

You can't really tell, but the little bird nest is inside the lantern and the door is open.  In the background are Peacock Feathers by Magnolia.

 

I really wanted to add a bird in the top left corner, but I did not have any that I thought looked good.  Once I added the Small Lace Faerie Queen Butterfly I was pleased with the results.  I still do want to find a lacy kind of bird for my die collection.

 

All the products below are available at www.atjoansgardens.com

Products Used:

Small Lace Faerie Queen Butterfly  DL 161 - Cheery Lynn

Summer Foliage - M40229  - Magnolia

Lace Coaster - M43763 - Magnolia

Peacock Feathers - M43732 - Magnolia

Rose Creations Dies - S5050 - Spellbinders

Lantern Die - MLR0190 - Marianne

Gesso - Ranger

Best Glue Ever

Neenah Paper

 

A badge will be sent to the winner and Terri at Joan's Gardens will be be sending a prize to the winner.

Here is what you need to do for this week's challenge!

You can make 3 cards this week

Below is what you need to do for this week's challenge

• Use something from Nature
• Purple and white
• distressed edges
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens.  Also, mention that you are doing the card/project for Joan's Touch Challenge. It would be nice if you would add this link to your post: www.joanstouch.com

 

You will have until next Monday, April 28 morning 6:00 AM EST to link your project.

A winner will be chosen from a random drawing for week #10 and the winner of the challenge will be announced April 29.

Happy Easter!!!

Happy Easter to you and your family.  I hope this is a joyful day for all of you.

                 He is risen! Praise God for His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord!!!!
       Oh glorious victory! Jesus is risen from the dead. Freedom is mine! Hallelujah, what a Savior!

 

 

Lily and Mazelee (Great Granddaughters) came to visit Thursday after school for the weekend. We had our nightly Tea Party (just like I did for their Mom and Aunt Kelsey)..candles, Ice Cream, Vanilla Pirouette Rolled Wavers. So much fun. LOVE these girls and they are growing up so fast. 

We took them shopping for new Easter clothes and 3 hours later we found just the perfect things.

They looked beautiful for church this morning.  Will post their pictures

later in their new outfits. 

And the winner is~~~~~

 

  You can see all last weeks challenge entries by clicking here!

This week's winner was chosen by a random drawing and

Priss is this week's winner.  

Congratulations Priss!!!!!

 

A big thanks to those of you who created a card for the challenge.

I will be sending Priss a badge for her web site and Terri will be sending a gift from Joan's Gardens.

 You can see Judy's adorable card here!   Don't miss the cute Magnolia stamp she use.   If you haven't left Priss a comment yet, please do so. It is always nice to read how others enjoy our cards.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

2 

Timestamp: 2014-04-15 10:43:06 UTC

Challenge #9

Please click on the  picture for a larger view.

 

Sunday we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and I wanted to create a card for this special day.

The is a 6x5.5 inch card and the top was cut with 2 of the Curve Borders #2.  Lace Corners were attached with Glue and Seal, the Lacy Square was popped up for dimension.  The crosses are some that I had in my stash and I believe they have been discontinued.  The large cross was embossed with the Sizzix Lattice Embossing folder and also popped up.  The small cross was inked with Ranger's Gold Ink Dabber.

 

All the products that are available can be purchase at www.atjoansgardens.com

Products used:

Spellbinders Curved Borders #2 S5-201

Sizzix Lattice Embossing Folder 658483

Joy Lacy Square Die  JC 20147

Cheery Lynn Lacy Corners B165

Neenah Paper

Ranger Glue and Seal

Ranger Adirondack Metallic Acrylic Paint Gold

 

A badge will be sent to the winner and Terri at Joan's Gardens will be be sending a prize to the winner.

Here is what you need to do for this week's challenge!

You can make 3 cards this week

Below is what you need to do for this week's challenge

• Use Any Color
• Dies Only (no stamps)
• Use at least 2 layers
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens.  Also, mention that you are doing the card/project for Joan's Touch Challenge. It would be nice if you would add this link to your post: www.joanstouch.com

 

You will have until next Monday, April 21 morning 6:00 AM EST to link your project.

A winner will be chosen from a random drawing for week #9 and the winner of the challenge will be announced April 22.

 

 

Our daughter

We are praising God and giving Him all the glory for our daughters new (to them) home.  We started moving things in on Wednesday.  They had 3 storage units full clothes, food, furniture, etc. that had been donated to them after the fire which destroyed everything in February.    How awesome is that! 

This new home is perfect for their family of 10.

 

 

 

And the winner is~~~~

 You can see all last weeks challenge entries by clicking here!

This week's winner was chosen by a random drawing and

Judy is this week's winner.  

Congratulations Judy!!!!!

 

A big thanks to those of you who created a card for the challenge.

I will be sending Judy a badge for her web site and Terri will be sending a gift from Joan's Gardens.

 You can see Judy's gorgeous card here!   Don't miss it. If you haven't left Judy a comment yet, please do so. It is always nice to read how others enjoy our cards.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

8

Timestamp: 2014-04-08 09:32:21 UTC

 

Challenge #8

Lori's Kitchen Shower Invitation

 

As some of you know, our daughter Lori lost everything (except their jammies) in a house fire in February.  God certainly has blessed them through all of this and Thursday they move into a beautiful 5 bedroom home.  (they have adopted 4 children and are in the process of adopting 4 more)

Since she has to completely furnish a house I am having a Kitchen Shower for her on the 26th of April.

 

As I had time this week, I have worked on her invitation. 

Lori's colors are red, green and cream, so this plaid was perfect. She also will be decorating her kitchen in a retro theme.   I am asking everyone attending the shower to bring one of their favorite recipes and at least one ingredient to make it.  I will have a drawing for a door prize using the recipes.  I liked the addition of my Mom's Roll recipe for more interest.  I

 still have to design the inside of the card yet, but I have almost everything cut out that is on the front of the card. 

 

Below are the products I used to create this card.  You can purchase them at www.atjoansgardens.com

Spellbinders Labels one - 2 sizes

Spellbinders Long Scalloped Rectangles

Graphic 45 paper

Spellbinders Ribbon Banners

 

The challenge for this week is the following:

You can make 3 cards this week. 

 The winner will be chosen by a Random Drawing.

 

A badge will be sent to the winner and Terri at Joan's Gardens will be be sending a prize to the winner.

Here is what you need to do for this week's challenge!

 

Use a plaid, check or striped paper -

Put a border around an image

Use any color

You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens 

 

 

 

 

Donut Recipe

While visiting Florida, I purchase 2 of these donut pans at my favorite Kitchen Store (Sur Table)because I wanted to be able to bake donuts for Jon.  Today, I tried them and they turn out great (recipe below) and he loved them. 

 I finished getting my taxes ready today for my tax appointment on Friday.  What a relief to get that done so that I can move on to things that are much more fun.  I want to start working on Lori's (my daughter) Kitchen Shower invitations.  I am planning a brunch so I  need to get my menu decided and figure out what I need to do to be ready.  Seems it takes me longer these days to do things.  Anyone else have issues like that besides me???????

 

 

 

Ina's Cinnamon Baked Doughnuts

 

12 doughnuts

• Baking spray with flour, such as Baker's Joy
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 1/4 cups whole milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• For the topping:
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 doughnut pans well.

Into a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined.

Spoon the batter into the baking pans, filling each one a little more than three-quarters full. Bake for 17 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then tap the doughnuts out onto a sheet pan.

For the topping, melt the 8 tablespoons of butter in an 8-inch saute pan. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Dip each doughnut first in the butter and then in the cinnamon sugar, either on one side or both sides.

And the Winner is~~~~

 You can see all last weeks challenge entries by clicking here!

This week's winner was chosen by a random drawing and

 Diane is this week's winner.  

Congratulations Diane!!!!

 

A big thanks to those of you who created a card for the challenge.

I will be sending Diane a badge for her web site and Terri will be sending a gift from Joan's Gardens.

 You can see Diane's gorgeous card here!   Don't miss it. If you haven't left Diane a comment yet, please do so. It is always nice to read how others enjoy our cards.

 

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

14 

Timestamp: 2014-04-01 15:37:46 UTC

 

Challenge #7

 

 

 

 Front of card

Inside of the card

This card is made with 2 new B-Line stamps that I purchased in Florida.  I just fell in

love with this line of stamps and Terri at Joan's Gardens is considering carrying them.  If you would like her to do so, please email her with some encouragement.  It is a great line of stamps.

 

I first started out with some prescored paper I purchased at the Owl and the Pussy Cat Store in Fort Myers, Florida.  I covered each section with coordinating paper from Secret Garden by Graphic 45.

I wanted the pattern paper to be seen under the stamp, so I stamped this gorgeous stamp on Clear

Acrylic with StazOn Ink. It was then colored with Wendy's Archival Inks.  I had a hard time deciding how to attach the acrylic to the cardstock, but finally chose to use 2 matching brads and I liked this way the best.

 

I stamped this adorable Victorian girl with Wendy' Archival Ink twice, once on the pattern paper and once on plain paper.  I did not want her face to be plaid, so I cut out the face and glued it onto the pattern paper (paper piecing).

 

Cheery Lynn Corners are added and the Victorian Girl was popped up only on the right hand side and removal tape held the card together on the left side.

 

The challenge for this week is the following:

You can make 3 cards this week. 

 The winner will be chosen by a Random Drawing.

 

A badge will be sent to the winner and Terri at Joan's Gardens will be be sending a prize to the winner.

Here is what you need to do for this week's challenge!

 

Use some pattern paper -

Use a stamp 

Add some corners

You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens     

 

Below are the products I used to create this card.  You can purchase them at www.atjoansgardens.com

Peacock Feathers Die - Magnolia
Summer Foliage Die
Corners B165 by Cheery Lynn
Secret Garden Stamp by B-Line (inside of card)
Devon Stamp by B-Line (girl)
Secret Garden Paper by Graphic 45
Orange Blossom Archival Ink by Wendy Vecchi
Glue and Seal by Ranger (you can see my Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjMIIhrZKHQ

 

Florida Pictures

  I thought you might enjoy seeing some more pictures of the park we have been staying in during March.

We are leaving Florida bright and early Wednesday morning heading back to Indiana.  We will stay in Georgia Wednesday night and then hopefully arrive home late Thursday night.  Please pray for our safety as we travel.  

Next week I have to get my taxes ready for the accountant, but I sure hope I have a chance to sit down and do some crafting. 

  I plan to have a Kitchen Shower (brunch) for our daughter Lori, whose home was totally destroyed by fire in February.   I sure hope my creative juices start flowing when I get home as I would like to make the invitations.

Thanks so much for sticking with me during these 3 months of no crafting.  I promise to try and make it up to you.

 Beautiful palms trees line the entry way to greet us as we enter Crystal Lakes Park where we have lived during March.  Beautiful Red Geraniums and white Dusty Miller plants surround

each tree.

We love the gorgeous waterfall and beautiful flowers located near the trees.  The upkeep of the grounds are done by lots of volunteers and many of the plants are purchased from funds that the "Junkies" donate.  They earn this money from donated items that need repair or paint and then they sell them and give the money to the park for upkeep.

A miniature golf course with the club house in the background allows the guests to practice their swings.

Isn't this fountain gorgeous.  Every time we pass by, I tell Jon I need one for my garden.  Don't you think it would be a nice addition?

  I just love it.

This is the view out our front window across the street.  Usually there is an RV park there, but they moved out last night.  It is already rented and a new one there now.

There is a large room that is used for crafting, painting, stained glass, scrap booking and anything you want to do,  

There is also a woodworking shop for the guys,

As of now, we don't have a place here for next year, but will be staying in the same Condo we had in Fort Myers during January and February.  We really liked it there too, so we are blessed!!!

 

There is this wonderful restaurant here called Fords Garage (named after Edison Ford) that we just love.

Old cars and trucks make up the atmosphere for the restaurant.  It is really a cool place.

  This is the sink in the bathrooms.

And the winner is~~~~~

This week's winner was chosen by a random drawing and

  Lori is this week's winner.  

Congratulations Lori!!! 

A big thanks to those of you who created a card for the challenge.

I will be sending Lori a badge for her web site and Terri will be sending a gift from Joan's Gardens.

 You can see Lori's beautiful card here!   Don't miss it. If you haven't left Lori a comment yet, please do so. It is always nice to read how others enjoy our cards.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

3 

Timestamp: 2014-03-24 15:29:10 UTC

Challenge #6

Spring has officially arrived, but from things I am hearing it has forgotent to appear in many areas of the United States.  So, for this week's challenge I thought we would do something springy and bright.

The challenge for this week is the following:

You can make 3 cards this week. 

 The winner will be chosen by a Random Drawing.

A badge will be sent to the winner and Terri at Joan's Gardens will be be sending a prize to the winner.

Here is what you need to do for this week's challenge!

Use some kind of lattice -

Use pink and white

Adds some flowers

You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens     

 

Below are the products I used to create this card.  You can purchase them at www.atjoansgardens.com

Fancy Lattice S5152	SOLD OUT	Tiffany Frame 98401	X-Press It High Tack Foam Mounting Tape	Rhinestones	Glue Dots 03669	Ink Blending Tool	Neenah Paper
Distressed Ink Pads	EBosser	Scissors by Honey Bee	Tool Kit	Glue llider	Round Pliers for Making Flowers	Fanciful Flourish B117	Ultimate Glue
Kasssie Embossing Folder	Black Mat	Glue and Seal	Gesso	Royal Rolled Rose

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