Confession #3: I Love Free Stuff!

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This week I started an online Photoshop Frame-Ups and Special Effects class from Jessica Sprague. Why? I've been interested in her classes for some time, but I'm always skeptical about spending money for something I can't really evaluate beforehand. I like to read the reviews on products before buying them, or check it out in a store first. So up until a couple of weeks ago an online Photoshop class was definitely not on my to-do list.

So what does my love of free things have to do with Jessica Sprague's class? When I saw she was offering a free class I jumped all over it! Here was my chance to truly evaluate her classes, and experience first hand, for free, something I was skeptical about. I completed my second assignment this morning. I'll confess, I wasn't overly blown away by the class (as in, I already knew 70% of the material) but what I did learn were short-cuts, easier methods, and I've got a better understanding of the why behind the how. I'm already glad I'm taking the class.

Could it get any better than that? Honing my photoshop skills for free? Yes? Oh, did I mention free Photoshop Frames, Brushes, Word Art, Masks and Texture Overlays? Yup, throw in a few of each of those for free! Ha. I love free!

Here's Project #1 working with PNG Frames and Word Art:

By the way - while working in Photoshop (CS3) I got stuck. I'd changed all the settings as suggested for the class and then all of a sudden I couldn't do a thing. Photoshop would let me select any tool, but I couldn't use it on the photo. All that showed up was the hand tool. Closing and re-opening the program didn't work. Finally, a quick internet search gave me the answer: I found the topic discussed here, and someone replied with this answer: Go to Edit>Preferences>Reset all Warning Dialogs. Thank-you Internet and dev47 for a quick resolution. I was able to move on.

Here's to Free Stuff! Don't forget to enter my Giveaway.

100 Posts, A Holiday and a Give Away

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This post marks my 100th Blog entry. I know it's been over a year since I started this blog, and that it's changed drastically since then. What started out as a family blog turned into a way to share my creations and thoughts with my friends. It seems fitting somehow that as I change and grow my blog does too.

This week I'm so lucky to be able to celebrate the remarkable independence of two countries: my native land, Canada, and my home, the U.S.A. I'm proud to be part of both places. I'm grateful to live in a free land, to be able to believe and live as I do, and that is truly what I wish to celebrate.

So on this lovely 4th of July I want to show my appreciation to my friends, family, and readers with a give away that shares a small part of my beliefs!

This is a unique item, and is specifically for young women. The values listed on this plaque are the values of the Young Women's program for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I believe that these are values that should extend beyond that program, however to all people. If we all knew about, understood, accepted, and acted upon these values there would be much more cause for celebration today! I love the fact that in November 2008 Virtue was added as a value to the program. (Hence, I was not able to get the matching font for the last word as I got this prior to the addition. I think it actually works well though, highlighting the newness and importance of the new value.)

This is for all those of you who have a beautiful Young Woman in your home, whether part of the LDS Young Women's program or not, or if you know of a Young Woman who could benefit from this special gift. Please enter.

How to Enter:

1. Post a comment below sharing your favorite value and why. I have comment moderation on so your post will not show up until after I approve it.

2. Only enter if you live in the U.S. or Canada, I will not ship anywhere else.

3. Give Away ends Friday, July 10th at midnight PST.

The winner will be chosen randomly and announced by Monday, July 13th. If I know you I will directly contact you when I post the winner, if not, I will need you to email me using the link in my profile.

*For those of you interested in making this project I will post instructions later this week.

Camping and Photography

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We went camping this week and had a fantastic time with our many friends that came along. I was able to have fun taking lots of pictures. Here's a little peak at the beauty we witnessed!

As a side note to my photography loving friends. I've been learning a lot about specific styles of photography online from Digital Photography School. I've also been having fun learning about photo editing from Coffee Shop (this blog also has free tutorials, textures and actions) and The Pioneer Woman (again with the free actions, etc.).

I'm sure that some of you are sitting there thinking "that's all great and wonderful, but I don't have Photoshop, nor will I be able to afford it for some time". In that case, I'd suggest you look into the free online photo editing programs. One I've recently looked at is Aviary. It may not have everything Photoshop does, but it looks like it will work well. Let me know if you try it and like it.

Child's Tote Bag

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I've been busy making more Strawberry Jam, organizing around the house, visiting with my parents, and sewing. I've actually done a lot of sewing lately. It's been awesome! Here's something I've had done for a while:

I made this tote bag for my son for taking his toys, books and coloring things to church on Sunday. It was my hope for Sacrament survival. Needless to say, he's still getting hauled out of Sacrament weekly, but this does help. I used canvas fabric from one of my old diaper bags. I made the pattern myself and bought some cheap fabric to line it with.

My other recent projects are from this fabric: A new diaper bag, and a tent for my son. I'll show you those soon.

Strawberry Jam

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Do you love Strawberry Jam? It's the favorite flavor at my house. But we're picky. Both my husband and I prefer smooth jam. No lumps of fruit that you just can't spread. No seeds to get stuck in your teeth. Now that's jam! So where do you get jam like that? At home! Just a few weeks ago I made my first jam ever. We love it so much we've already gone through 2 jars. I guess that means I'm going to have to make more!

I followed this recipe for the jam. Of course I pureed the jam in our blender and strained the seeds. It was a little extra work but well worth it. After cooking the jam to 222 degrees (just a little over what the recipe calls for) I canned it. It's a true work of art. After making more strawberry jam my next attempt will be blackberries. Yum!

Where I disappeared to...

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I disappeared for a while. Other than close friends and my husband and child I'm not sure many other people really noticed. But for a couple of weeks I spent days designing with the bride and her sister-in-law and redesigning. Luckily the sister-in-law did most of the sewing and I only holed up to do alterations and to finish the skirt. Finally I handed off the dress. With a prayer that the bride does not change in size before her wedding, and that with the few final touches and especially a good press and steam job that it will look picture perfect on that day. Here's the blushing bride in all her glory, the day the dress left my sight.

Congratulations Dear Bride and please do have a wonderful wedding. We will be cheering you on from this continent and praying that your day is as special as can be! Thanks for giving me the chance to remember a few long unused skills.

What Do You Think?

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Sometimes there are craft or home decor trends that I just drool over. I mean it. I see it and want it. Final. But then I get to thinking about them. Is it practical? Will I use it or like having it in my home? Or the ultimate question for me is always can I make it myself for less? Often after some serious thought I end up not making the purchase. (My husband is probably in complete shock over that last statement.)

So recently my Mom asked me if I knew anything about the current trend: Blackboard Vinyl, and how it works. Let's just say I've seen the item all over in the Blog world lately. I think it's absolutely adorable and seriously for about 5 minutes almost bought some for my house. (That was the first time I saw it.) Then, however, I got to seriously thinking about it. Thank Heaven.

Sure it is really cheap and cute. It's not only a decoration, but it has practical use. BUT, when it all boils down I HATE CHALK. Why then, would I ever want a blackboard in my home? In Elementary School we all took turns cleaning the chalkboard brushes. (Yes, when I went to school there were still blackboards.) So maybe that's why, or was it the sound of scratching nails on a blackboard that I associated with chalk? If you ever write on a cardboard box with a Sharpie it's pretty much the same sound as chalk on a blackboard. I did for a job. That just brings back memories of boredom. Then again, I don't know if that sound would even exist with the vinyl. Anybody out there know? But even more than all that. I just don't like the texture of chalk in my hands. It makes my skin crawl to think about it. I'm still wondering what crazy idea caused me to buy my son sidewalk chalk. I suppose this should be a confession, but no, it's merely an explanation. I'm so glad I thought that purchase through. Although, I suppose this one I could have given it to my Mom as a gift. Unless reading this is making her reconsider as well.

Overall - for looks I must say I approve. Adorable. But for practicality at my house it scores really low. As to the how it all works? It's really easy to put up and install just like all the Vinyl Lettering things out there. Just remember, the larger the piece you get, the more difficult it will be to align perfectly. Of course, considering the textured finish it will be thicker than the vinyl used for lettering. But it's still going to be a lot thinner than actually buying the blackboard.

If you do end up buying this product I sincerely hope you enjoy it. I'll be sticking with my Whiteboard and Dry Erase Markers. Thanks. Actually, one of these days I'll show you our own little system.

*images taken from Say it On the Wall

Delicioso Marinade

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I discovered this marinade one afternoon a few years ago while I was searching for a good marinade for Shish Kabobs. That night we enjoyed the most delicious Kabobs I think I'd ever had.

Delicioso Marinade

1/3 cup Soy Sauce

3/4 cup Olive Oil

1/8 cup Worcestershire Sauce

1/4 cup Lemon Juice

1 tsp Dry Mustard

2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Parsley

1 1/2 tsp Pepper

1 clove Garlic crushed

Place all ingredients in blender and blend thoroughly. Marinade meat for about 40 min-1 hour. Store in fridge.

We use this marinade on Chicken, Beef or Pork Kabobs or not. When we make Kabobs we like to marinade the mushrooms with the meat. It gives them wonderful flavor. If you're not grilling you can use the left-over marinade to marinate and fry mushrooms for on top of steaks too. Just don't over-do it.

Confession #2: I'm a Procrastinator

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If you want to know the real reason I need a large craft room or area it's because I have so many projects that I haven't started or haven't finished. It's not my tools that take up the space, or even my sewing machine and serger. Nope. It's all the things I have on a list of projects.

Last week I actually went through almost all of my craft things. This was because it was moved out of the old guest room so we could give our growing son the bigger bedroom and prepare for the second baby. It was so much work. I re-discovered things I had forgotten about. Like the skirt that I made for myself 4 1/2 years ago, but never finished because it was too small. Or the pajama bottoms I had cut out but never got farther than that. The quilt I began for my son, still unfinished. Scrapbook pages I have yet to put together, and oh so much more waited for me in my piles. My true identity became very clear to me.

I am a Procrastinator.

Procrastination at my house means:

1. I should really never be in charge of something major. Like a girls night out or a wedding dress.

2. I should not be allowed to shop. Period. I'd say just at craft/hardware stores, but pretty much any store can be dangerous. Trust me.

3. I shouldn't blog. This habit causes serious delay as I take pictures of the before, during and after. It also takes precious time. And yet I won't stop, don't worry.

4. I shouldn't read other Home Decor/Craft/DIY blogs. It makes me want to do more.

5. Projects shouldn't take priority over dinner or cleaning. Yet they often do, and seldom get finished. Sorry Honey.

6. Productivity in front of the TV is minimal. Even if there is something I could do while watching. I can't even knit while watching TV.

7. There are things that always need to be sorted through: Papers, crafts, mail, boxes of junk, etc.

8. Distraction by a craft idea or project is always welcome when the alternative is not interesting (ie. All the random phone calls, grocery shopping, folding laundry, etc).

9. Actually profiting from my projects is impossible. I take too long.

10. 80-90% complete is often good enough.

So I confess my true nature to all my friends and family. Maybe I should join Procrastinators Anonymous. But for now I will go sweep and mop my floor. It has been over a week since I actually did that. Then I think I'll make dinner.

Taco Soup with Black Beans

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I love a good soup. But make it Chili and I'm in heaven. It wasn't until much later in life that I discovered the joys of White Chili, Tortilla Soup and Taco Soup. Once again, I found myself in Heaven. Yesterday some of my friends got to sample my favorite Taco Soup recipe. So here's the recipe for everyone else to enjoy too:

Taco Soup with Black Beans

1lb Ground Beef, browned and drained

28 oz can Crushed Tomatoes

15 1/4 oz can Corn, undrained

15 oz can Black Beans, undrained

15 1/2 oz can Red Kidney Beans, undrained

1 envelope dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix

1 envelope dry Taco Seasoning (1/4 cup)

1 small Onion, chopped

1. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.

2. Cover. Cook on Low 4-6 hours. (This can be cooked on med-low heat on the stove in about an hour, but it tastes way better done in the crock-pot.)

3. Garnish individual servings with: Corn Chips, Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Avocado, and Spinach as desired. A little fresh Pico de Gallo is always delicious too.

I usually use Ground Turkey instead of Ground Beef. I prefer to brown the onion before mixing it in, otherwise the onion is a little too strong for my taste. I put the Cheese, Sour Cream and Spinach at the bottom of the bowl so that it will melt, or wilt better. Then I stir it all up.

How does your Garden Grow?

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This year after attempting to late to sign up for a plot at the Community Garden we decided to try Square Foot Gardening. I'm excited to say we've got the boxes made, almost filled, and we have the seeds (and their locations) planned. I'm especially excited to try some things I've never grown before: Cantaloupe, Jalapenos and Round Zucchini.

Anyhow, as we've planned the locations of the vegetables, fruit, and herbs I realized we would benefit from plant markers. For two reasons: it makes it cute and so we remember where we planted things.

So I've found two really cute and crafty ideas for making them. I started the first idea and

then saw the second one. I'm not sure which I'll end up making in the end, but I will show you the finished product. In the meantime, if you are planning to make your own markers here are the ideas and tutorials from the online craft world:

1. Marble Garden Markers

2. Polymer Clay Herb Garden Markers

I Love To See the Temple

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This weekend I spent a few hours at the temple with my dear Sister and her son. I arrived and it was raining, but when I came out and there was glorious sunshine. I decided to take a few pictures of the gorgeous flowers there. By the time I drove home it was raining again. Go figure.

Have you been impatiently waiting to see pictures on my new camera? I'm still learning just how it all works. All I can say is it takes me a lot longer to download photos and sort through them. Not because it's slow or anything, just because I take WAY TOO MANY pictures!