Showing posts with label Miscellaneous. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miscellaneous. Show all posts

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Announcing...

...the arrival of:

Sadie Rain Jones!!

6 Lbs, 14 oz - 20.5" long!
Miss Sadie was born at 4:00PM on Saturday, March 24 - just over 3 weeks earlier than we were expecting her!  (Can I just say, it's totally strange to think that technically, she's still not supposed to be here... not until next Tuesday!)

Everything went well, and if I had been allowed to, I could have happily gone home by 6pm that same day.  Talk about short and sweet; I wasn't sure, but I thought my water broke around 11am.  After a shower, a pb&j and some Google research, I decided that in fact, it had... so I woke up Mr Jones (who had gone back to bed in an attempt to sleep off the last lingering effects of a migraine) around 12:30, and we hit the road at 1:00pm.  At 2:15, we were admitted to the hospital via the ER (being a Saturday, that was the only way in), and I think the poor woman who admitted us was thoroughly confused.  I was perfectly fine, albeit uncomfortable because I was soaked (tmi? sorry) and Scotty was looking/feeling a little worse for the wear (thanks to the migraine, the abrupt awakening, and the stressful-for-him drive in not knowing if he was going to possibly be delivering a baby on the side of the highway because the hospital is roughly 140kms from where we live), so I was getting all the paperwork done, etc, and I don't think at first she really knew which one of us we were trying to have admitted! (LOL!)  Anyway, we headed up to the 4th floor of the hospital, and got settled in the pre-assessment room, where they hook you up to the fetal heart rate monitor, and the contraction monitor thingy, and they go over your chart (which I didn't have, since I was supposed to pick it up Friday - like, the 30th - ha!) and/or do whatever they need to do.  Since I didn't have my chart, we had to go through an extensive questionnaire, and while doing so, my contractions finally began - as in, at 2:29, I was fine, and when they started at about 2:30, I couldn't talk.  The nurse was funny; I think she thought I was over-reacting, since it started so quickly and I had been perfectly fine a minute previous, but then she looked at the monitor about 10 minutes later... and her eyes got really big.  (Keep in mind, we just answered the question about how long previous labours/deliveries were - about 1.75 hours for the first one, and 1.5 hours for the second one!)  She tells us that she's going to check me quickly, because I'm starting to freak her out - when the contractions started, they were already off the chart, and they were 3.5 minutes apart.  When she decided I was 5-6cm dilated, she ran out of the room and informed the other nurses that they were moving me to the delivery room NOW... and of course, me being helpful like I am, I reminded her that I never did make it out of the pre-assessment room with the FIRST baby! (lol)  Meanwhile, there were two other women already in labour, that were pretty much abandoned (lol) because I don't waste any time with matters like this!

So... I get moved to the delivery room.  It's around, oh... 3:10 at this point.  For the first time, I'm told that if I want, we can try an epidural - of course, no promises, since we were running out of time, but at least we could try.  (Which impressed me, as with the other two, I was told I didn't have time for any sort of pain killers.  I had the gas to help get through the remainder of the contractions, but that was it.)  Well, of course, I was all for trying, so we did.  They got the test dose into me... and then one of the nurses ran out to the hall to see if the Doc was on his way; upon spotting him walking casually down the hall, she yelled at him that he better get a move on! (lol)  Annnnnnddddd.... after one little push, and then one big push, Miss Sadie was born at 4:00pm.  The nurse was saying afterwards that if I hadn't gotten the test dose of the epidural, Doc wouldn't have made it in time for the delivery!

Yeah... all of you with horror stories related to your labours and/or deliveries, you can hate me.  Heck, I'd even hate me for you! (lol)  Before this, I thought my other two L&Ds were super quick and easy, but this just takes the cake!  I do have to say, though... with all the people who have commented that I'm just 'made for making babies', I'm thankful that we farm grain and not cattle... or else I might find myself put out in the barn with the heifers!  (haaaa!)

Needless to say, I haven't been doing much - readjusting to life with a newborn, and all that... I've been working on a card set for the last two days (thank yous, of course!), and it's going to be another day or two before I'm done, but I'll be sure to post them when I finish.

Laters!
Steph

PS -  Crap.  I forgot what I was going to PS!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Chocolate Mousse Cake

It's my mother-in-law's 70th birthday today... so I figured since my husband decided what she's having for her birthday supper, I'd at least make her a cake I know she'll love!  I used this Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe, and didn't run into any of the problems mentioned in the comments section with the mousse part not setting.  (And I even screwed up and added the salt & vanilla to the egg whites instead of the yolks!)  I had everything put together & ready to go in the fridge at 6pm yesterday, and took it out around 9:30 this morning to add the ganache layer & the walnuts (even though the recipe says it needs to set for 1-2 days, and I wasn't really expecting to be able to do anything else until at least this afternoon, curiosity got the best of me, and I'm glad it did!).  Keep in mind, I'm generally a 'grab a box mix & throw something together' kind of baker (because I never plan this far in advance - lol), so I'm pretty proud of how this turned out:


I added the chocolate covered strawberry to the top, because the cake looked naked without it... but since the top of the strawberry wasn't very pretty (the leaves were all gnarly), I cut them off, hollowed out the top of the berry a little bit, filled it with more chocolate, and sprinkled on some crushed walnuts.  Not exactly what I had in mind, but it certainly seems to do the trick!

Now it's just the hard part left - waiting until after supper this evening to cut into this baby & find out how it tastes!

Laters!
Steph

Monday, January 9, 2012

Moxie Fab World's "Map To Your Heart" Challenge!

Hello, hello!

Just wanted to share the card I made for my Dad's birthday this year; it uses a bit of Echo Park's 'For The Record' line, as well as the Herringbone background technique (with vintage sheet music, some sort of Asian newspaper, and an old map - from one of Gauche Alchemy's kits).


You can't really see it in the photo, but the image panel has been stamped with PTI's "Background Basics: Sheet Music" set in their Chamomile ink for a wee bit of added interest, and to help convey the whole 'Birthday' theme.  The sentiment is from PTI's "Sending You" set.  The image panel is also adhered with pop dots, again for a little more interest - but that's about the extent of it.  I didn't want to add too much to the card because a) it's for a man, and b) I really wanted to focus on the background - definitely a go-to technique for me.  (Thanks Beate Johns, for coming up with it - or at least for putting the tutorial on SCS!)

I also discovered that this card fits with the Moxie Fab World's "Map to Your Heart" challenge, so I'll be linking it up over there.

In other news, I'm officially 'free' from all Design Teams, and plan on keeping it that way for some time.  I'll be  posting here when I feel like it, and/or I find a challenge that something I've created fits into or that really inspires me.  My big New Year's Resolution is to actually use a bunch of the product I've accumulated over the last 7 years, which wasn't happening when I was making sure to use 'dt-ok' product.  (Besides, if the world's supposed to end in December, I don't want my whole stash destroyed without having ever been used! LOL!)

Anyway, thanks for stopping in - I hope 2012 has been off to a great start for everyone!
Steph

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Back -

with TWO crafty posts after this one today - so make sure you check 'em out, 'cause there's a new release blog hop in there that you do not want to miss (that goes live at 10AM CST)!

Anyone else have crazy holidays?  Mine weren't even actually all that crazy, but the time sure flew by fast.  I forgot what it was like having BOTH girls home for a solid 14 days!!  LOL!!!!

Christmas went well - the girls both got everything they wanted (how do I know what Lily wanted?  Why, I took her shopping... then proceeded to go home with the things she picked out & wrapped them.  Ahhhh, the beauty of being only 1.5!).  Wanna know why I don't scrapbook?  That'd be because I totally forget to take pictures.  I did get a few shots though - Emily's Southern Grandma sent her a couple boxed sets of Junie B. Jones books, and they were a major hit.  Here's Em (and Lil, aka Emily's Shadow) checking out her new books while on the phone with Grandma Sheryl to thank her:


See that little barn in the corner of the photos?  Lily got that from Scott's parents.  She also got the cutest little maid's cart (JUST like the ones in hotels!) from us, because it's forever a battle to get my broom away from her so I can actually use it.  Ever since Boxing Day, Lily's morning routine has become:  wake up, yell at dad: "SHOW!  Mouse!!  please?!" (to turn on the tv, because Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is usually on), pull out the farm and move the animals and farmers around going 'do do dooo do dooooooo' as they 'walk', put the farm away, and get out the maid cart to sweep and mop the floors and the coffee table.  After all that, she comes to the kitchen counter, stands right under where the bananas are, and says, "Mum!  NAAAAAA!!! please?!" and there had better be bananas in the house, or Ms. Stubborn will refuse to eat anything else for at least an hour.  Did I mention she's 19 months now?  Holy crap.  She's definitely got a much calmer vibe to her (she doesn't remind me of a hummingbird the way Emily does) but she's definitely got her own spunk.  Who wants to bet I'll be Clairol's biggest customer by the time I'm 30?! 

Emily started back to school today.  She was quite excited about that - even despite being hit with a spelling test that we both totally didn't realize she was going to have.  (One of those things; we know she has spelling tests on Thursdays, but it just didn't register that today was Thursday, I guess.)  Even so, she wound up with 9/10, plus the bonus word.  Her mistake?  Mis-hearing the word 'brim' - thought her teacher was saying 'grim'.  Ooops.  (Wanna bet she just wasn't listening in the first place? LOL)

Lily had her first nap since Christmas today.  She doesn't sleep during the day if there's anyone else around - totally a combo of 'boring mom' and 'she might miss something if there's someone else around'.... or, it could be that Emily's just loud... and that she's had a different friend over pretty much every day.  Those of you with multiple children probably know how it goes.

I've been on the hunt for my mojo.  It went missing with the holidays... and when I have been getting crafty, it's almost always for PSA Essentials, which requires me to work a month in advance - and then doesn't allow me to blog my creations 'til at least 7 days after they're posted on the PSA blog (and I have no idea what days things are supposed to go live).  I don't know if anyone else is in that situation - but I find the way it is results in me totally forgetting to watch for my projects, and then not remembering to actually come back to blog them.  Pain in the arse, really.  It's a good thing those stamps rock... and that I feel totally honoured to be on the team, since I truly was asked if I'd take it on - I had no idea they existed, so I didn't go through the full application routine.  That's pretty cool... and the fact that there are opportunities for my projects to be shown on HSN totally helps ease the pain, too.  (Check out the PSA blog - there's a little info on there about the HSN debut February 1)

Annnndddd on that note.... I have a zillion and four things to do still, and it's already 11:30.  Taking on all of the posting and organizing duties at Gauche maybe wasn't my swiftest move... but it had to be done - and I'm glad to be able to help Amy out any way I can.  {Heart} that chickie, that's for sure.

Like I said - check out the next 2 posts - one's GA-related, and the other's PWCO & Rachelle Anne Miller's LOVE Release!

Laters,
Steph

Monday, October 18, 2010

Halloween Candy!

Alright, so the birthday blog candy has now been set aside for so long that it's become Halloween Candy!!!!

Here's what's up for grabs:
What's all in it?
- 3x Rhinestones (Teal, Hot Pink & Lilac)
- 2x Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze (Cowboy & Icicle)
- 1x EK Success Skull 'n Bones Medium Punch
- 18x Mulberry Paper Roses (Teal, Pink & Lilac)
- 2x Gauche Alchemy Mixed Media Colour Kits (Pink Parts & Scarlet Fever)
- 2x PaperWorks Co. Stamps (Peppy & Alfy Tinheart)
- 1x Bombshell Angel Stamp Set
- 5x Clear Rhinestone Border Embellishments & Flourishes
- 1x Tim Holtz Grungeboard Mixed Minis Plain Alphas
- 1x PaperWorks Co. October PaperCard Kit

What do you have to do?
- Become a follower if you aren't already
- Post about my candy on your blog
- Leave me a comment letting me know where I can find your post, and telling me what your favourite Halloween treat is!

This candy will be open until midnight, October 31st; I'll draw & post the winner on November 1st.

Thanks - and good luck!!
Steph

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Some things for sale...

Hey folks!

I'm still immersed in Studio (re)Vamp... and have discovered that I've got doubles of some Cricut cartridges that are new & in their boxes.  If you're interested, I've got:

Cindy Loo ($45 + shipping) - still in original plastic packaging, too
Office Help ($35 + shipping)
Cricut Sampler ($40 + shipping)

I'll charge you whatever it costs me to send them; if you're in Canada, they'll go Canada Post, and if you're in the US, I'll send them via USPS - then neither of us have to deal with international shipping/customs/extended wait times.  Send me an email at PinkStarCreations(at)hotmail(dot)com, if you want 'em.

Thanks!
Steph

Thursday, October 7, 2010

PSA Essentials...

Dudes.  Check this out: PSA Stamp Camp!

And look at these: Skelanimals - can hardly wait to  play with these guys!!!!

Oh yeah.... and candy?  It's coming.  The housework/studio revamping has been eating me alive - especially since my last weekend (weekend? Almost a full week!) in September was spent taking Emily to meet this lady:
And the first weekend of October was spent watching this team kick serious ass in their Homecoming game. (48-0...sick.)  Yay, Tylar Kist - maybe you'll actually get to play next year?  (Yup.  Drove 8 hours & blew $200 on hotel rooms, thinking I was going to watch my cousin play....but apparently freshmen only get to hang out on the sidelines, looking like hitmen...seriously, go look him up on the roster.)

How about a completely off-topic but super adorable Lily photo?

Look at those pig-tails!  (Awwww....)  Em came home from school & decided to dress Lily up... and then we went back to school for the open house.  Cute.

So.... lots of DT projects happening behind-the-scenes.  Candy coming when I get to it.  Photos of the Studio (re)Vamp coming soon.  Princess Party invites in dire need of some attention...along with Princess hair clips... and Halloween decorations to create, along with a party for the dance crew... oh, and two loft beds to put together, Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday, and possibly some sleep...if there's time. ;)

AND... I'm blogging over at Gauche Alchemy tomorrow.  Check it out. =)
Yup, laters.
S

Friday, September 3, 2010

Just doing a little updating...

...on el-bloggo... and have come to realize two things.

1) It's my big 2-5 on the 16th (ummm...ack!  *insert panic attack here* LOL).  Better get some candy together!!  (Watch for that... totally not ready yet!)

2) I'm at 187 'companions'.  (<-- There. That sounds better than 'followers'!)  If I hit - or surpass - 200 by my birthday, I'm thinking I better double up the candy offerings!

Y'all just think about that for a few days.
{smooshy hugs, 'cause I'm feelin' the lurve...}
Steph!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Hey all!

Just wanted to post some more recent photos of the littles... If you're here looking for my Oh, Alice post, just scroll down a bit!  =)

She's Crafty - of course, Big Sis helped her write her name first!
(And I believe those are blueberry stains on her little outfit, from breakfast...)
Blondie + Paint = Hours of Fun!  (This was piece # 3; you can see the other two on the floor behind Lily.  Obviously, laundry was sadly neglected!  LOL!)
Blondie + The Camera = Full Memory Card!  (lol)

I don't know who ate all the raspberries, mumma... but it wasn't me!

 Don't know who was nibbling all the rhubarb, either...

Question of the Day:  What the heck am I supposed to do with a full garden row of 'salad mix' lettuce?!  I'm a city girl, folks - The Farmer (aka, my hunny) was supposed to plant a reasonable amount of lettuce... well, if I make salads every day with what's out there, we're all going to grow fluffy tails & floppy ears by the time it's done!  And apparently it can't be frozen... so what the heck do I do with it all?!

Laters,
Steph!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

PWCO Blog Candy - WINNER!

Hey all!
Well, this past week has been quite an adventure.
We didn't win The Greeting Farm's Royal Battle (Boooo!) partly because I wasn't able to ask anyone I knew to go vote for us... it's a little hard to worry about your online life when you're in a real life ER getting emergency surgery to quell internal bleeding. Eeek. And that really sucks, since Sheena worked so freaking hard on her project for the final round. I'm sorry, Sheena!
As for the ER: I went in Sunday morning, came home Tuesday afternoon, & have been resting up ever since. A week later, I'm starting to feel pretty good again... just have to make sure not to overdo anything! I did get some crafting done Thursday, because we learned last-minute that Emily was invited to a birthday party on Friday... and there really isn't much at all in the stores here. Lucky it was a girl's birthday! =D I'll show you that a little later. (Haven't been on the computer much, and still not really feeling like being on here.)
Annnyway, why you're probably here: the announcement of the candy winner from the PWCO Blog Hop!!!
Very, very cool - have to admit, I was glad Random.Org chose #1 - especially since I know you'll actually read this post! =D
Shoot me an email with your mailing addy & I'll get the PWCO candy out to you.
(Let me know if you're interested in sampling some GA stuff, too - no one ever claimed the candy from the GA hop, so you're welcome to it.)
Anyway, better go rest some more. Tummy's still a bit tender. =)
S

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Weekend News!

Extra, extra, read all about it!

There are some exciting things happening in the Blogiverse/stamping/mixed media/art world!
FIRST OF ALL: Thanks to everyone who voted for our team, International Ink, in The Greeting Farm's Royal Battle - we've made it to the 5th & final round! Things are switching up this week, though - the projects WILL NOT be shown in the Gallery AND there will only be 24 HOURS TO VOTE - Sunday, a poll will appear in one of the sidebars of the TGF Blog - PLEASE just click over & place your vote (for us!)!!!!!! Let me tell you, Sheena created our project (I'll post photos when I get the go-ahead) for this last round... and she even took Thursday & Friday off work to do so! LOTS of hours went into this project... You should see my email inbox... LOL!

Second - PaperWorks Co has teamed up with Rachelle Anne Miller!! 4 new stamps debuted yesterday; they're high-quality red rubber, mounted on cling cushion, cut & ready to use! (like ALL PWCO stamps are!) You can get your singles here - $7.75CDN and if you're like me & 'need' them all, you can pick up the bundle (4 stamps + 4 sentiments) for $27.75CDN here! And what's even better than that? The Queen of Awesome even gives you back ANOTHER 5% to keep in your Emergency Craft Fund - how great is that?!

Thirdly - The COPY + PASTE PROJECT is currently accepting applications for a guest designer spot for their celebratory blog hop. Should you be accepted, you'll be rubbing virtual shoulders with some very well respected artists - lucky you! Check it out here!

#4thly - Bombshell Stamps is in the midst of their three monthly challenges for April: 1) Sketch challenge by our DT Captain herself, Kathi Rerek! 2) Ms. April, Cheryl Valadez, has issued a NO PATTERNED PAPER challenge - use your Bombshells to make your own! and finally, 3) Our Blog Hop Captain, Chaotic Kas, has inspired us to either think pink, or rock out to some retro 80's! You've still got until Monday to sign up for the Hop; it will take place on Wednesday morning. Wanna reallllly rock it?! Combine all three! (And remember - every comment you leave along the hop garners you an entry into this month's prize pack...as does every challenge you enter!)
Cinco, more PWCO! Don't forget to enter Peg's Sunday Sketch challenges! You can find this week's here - and Sunday morning, there will be a new one up!

And lastly - there's still time to enter Gauche Alchemy's first ever monthly inspiration challenge! You can find the deets here!

Have a great weekend, all!!!!!! (And mostly, don't forget to vote!)
Steph

Monday, March 15, 2010

Houston, we have a problem...

The beautiful Ms. Emily has killed my camera.

I'm going to take this week 'off' from blogging; I have a zillion things I need to get done, and that includes finding/buying a new camera... So, I'll see you next week!

In the meantime, check out the Bombshell contests here. <--click And the PaperWorks Co. sketch here. <--click

Laters!
Steph

Friday, March 12, 2010

Card-Worthy Occasions... January.

So like I said, I ran out of things to post. Here's the January section for my card organizer:
(Left Page)

There's a 1/2" deep pocket on every other page; I left the page simple, because it will (hopefully) just be covered with cards inside the pocket.

I used the Winter Fairy digi image from The Greeting Farm, and coloured her with Copics & Spica pens. I used the Danielle Young Designs Pearl Polka paper set for all of the interior pages. Can't remember who makes the month stamps, and I don't feel like getting up to go look.
(Right Page)
Oh yeah, and a Bo Bunny clear set was used for the 'note section'. The fairy is very sparkly IRL... maybe I'll take some close-ups of my favorite fairies for another post.
Later,
Steph

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Gauche Alchemy BLOG CANDY!!!


WOOO HOOO!!
Look at all that!

Nina at Gauche Alchemy says this is what's in that pile:
There’s some Japanese-English dictionary pages in there, some Chinese text, pages of a vintage book called “My Man Godfrey”, some vintage images from an advertising catalog, some Webster’s dictionary pages, and some encyclopedia pages.
You've got until March 31 to head over & enter - go show those GA girlies some love!! (And check out their Art Fire store while you're at it!)
Later,
Steph

Card-Worthy Occasions...

So I built a card organizer back in January, and haven't blogged it yet...
This is what you're going to get peeks of when I run out of things to post. =) Today, you get the front & back covers.
Both were created digitally, using Corel PaintShop Pro X2 and
Danielle Young Designs Drama Queen kit.


I got pretty excited about putting a 'label' right on the back there... Sad, I know.

The page bases began life as 8.5 x 11 plastic report covers, intended to be used as office supplies and 'real' binding machines. I picked up about a zillion packages of them on clearance at Staples for like, $2/pack of 25. Everything went through the Bind-it-all and the book was born.

Maybe now I'll actually remember when peoples birthdays are, and have the forsight to make something in advance... check back tomorrow for January's pages.

Later,

Steph!

Friday, March 5, 2010

One More Oldie...

Sorry for the crappy picture; no one ever accused me of being a good photographer.
Here's a cookie sheet message board I made back in July (?)... I found these magnetic dry-erase calendars at the dollar store, but they were really ugly colours. Black spray paint fixed that. Then I made month magnets for it, because I spray painted over where you were supposed to write that in. The round yellow things underneath the calendar are also magnets; I just used the polka dotty paper, punched out circles (1/2"?), adhered to the magnet, and then covered in UTEE. The three circle boards on the left side are wood pieces from M's; the top one was painted in chalkboard paint, the second one has a layer of foam covered in a layer of cork (which was stamped in white ink; the yellow flower centers are actually tacks) and the third one was just spray painted & then I attached a stack of yellow sticky notes. I also put a magnet on the back of a binder clip, so I could include some chalk... and the dry erase marker came with the calendar. Oh yes, and the cookie sheet was on sale at WalMart. It was something like $2.

Taaa-Daaaaaa.... super-easy gift that looks great and didn't cost an arm & a leg.

I. Will. Get. Some. Crafty. Time. This. Weekend. <~~That's my new mantra.

Laters,
Steph

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Another oldie...


This one uses a High Hopes dragon; they used to have the cutest dragons, next to Dustin Pike - but now that they've merged, there's some major cuteness happening. Anyway, this was last year sometime. Seymore the Dragon is coloured with Bic Mark-it's and Spica pens were used in strategic places, including the background. This whole card is very sparkly IRL... and it's a spinner, too! (WOOO HOOOO! Love those cards!)
Still no crafting time.
Laters,
Steph

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

An oldie...


but a goodie.
I made this one...two (?) years ago and realized it's never been blogged.
I think it might be oldies for the rest of the week, too... I haven't had any crafty time.

Laters,
Steph

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

With Sympathy...


A simple sympathy card for a dear friend... Looks a lot like the last sympathy card I did...Minus the shimmer.
(Said 'dear friend' is male... pretty sure he won't miss the shimmer!)
Bermuda Bay, Ivory & White... not too loud, but not depressing, either!
Laters,
Steph

Monday, March 1, 2010

HAPPY MARCH 1!!

And the winners are...

*Drumroll please....*

Hmm.
Not sure how I want to start this post.
Nothing witty & fun is coming to mind, SO, let's just go backwards.
The 7 extra names I drew as a result of winding up with 156 followers are:
(And I haven't exactly figured out what all these packages will include, so it'll be a surprise!)
7. Randi at The Dark Mermaid
4. Ruthie at her blog here
3. Stempelientje at her blog here
1. Vel at Halcyon Dreams
AND THE WINNER OF THE BIG HAUL IS....
FIBREJUNKY
at Ramblings of a FibreJunky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CONGRATS everyone,
and thank you to all who entered!!
If you winners would be so kind as to contact me at
PinkStarCreations (at) Hotmail (dot) Com
by March 7, 2010 with your (complete) mailing info,
that would be great.
Have an awesome day, all!
Steph