tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67309617336288820372024-03-05T13:05:21.525-05:00Gardens, Crafts n MoreShelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-37907782411502949032015-11-17T00:58:00.000-05:002016-02-12T18:19:41.588-05:00A Hike to the Lookout!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiv8HBH8_LEPjOUv8t5HZQz4NL5mkcLRZL8c-9CD7gdPFBLE0Yta0ya0DUfZ-BDKO-KAgRAC5-BYwdXXXNeQ4t1NZwDib9q9mG8dtniY0PH36OxRTA1EDb_9e6YpjryjSm9v8wZ5VqV9X/s1600/IMG_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiv8HBH8_LEPjOUv8t5HZQz4NL5mkcLRZL8c-9CD7gdPFBLE0Yta0ya0DUfZ-BDKO-KAgRAC5-BYwdXXXNeQ4t1NZwDib9q9mG8dtniY0PH36OxRTA1EDb_9e6YpjryjSm9v8wZ5VqV9X/s640/IMG_0505.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from my front yard.... Beautiful blue sky!</td></tr>
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In the winter where I live, it can be overcast and gray and drizzly 90% of the time... or at least it seems so. Needless to say, last Sunday, when it turned out to be such a sunny day, I decided to take advantage of the fact! After church, Cody and I took a hike up to the Lookout. I haven't been there since I was in my early teens - before proper trails or roads went up to the top!<br>
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It took Cody & I about and hour and a half to hike to the top. It was about a 10% grade all the way. Boy, I need to do this more often!<br>
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First of all, no comments on my choice of footwear LOL! I live in my Birkenstocks! Even in slush! (Sad, I know!) Actually, it was so nice I didn't think I would need anything else on my feet to keep them warm.<br>
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View of the road up to the Lookout. Most of the trail was in the trees, so no direct sunlight.<br>
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The higher we got on the trail, the more varied the plants were. Nice to be in a forest of ferns. We may get a lot of rain here (79 inches/year, most of it in the winter).... but we have green! I can't tell you how much Cody was enjoying this hike!<br>
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He did insist on walking through all the puddles.<br>
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Looking upwards along the railway tracks. Still a ways to go. </div>
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Views just getting to the lookout! <br>
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Cody, of course was the first there! I was barely able to stop him from rolling in the grass at the edge of the bluff (darn dog!). This, I have to say, is my favorite picture from the hike.<br>
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And oh the views of the valley! <br>
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Yes, I have proof I was there too!<br>
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So here is me hoping for more good weather, and more hikes around the valley! Be sure I'll share more pictures of the places we go!<br>
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<br>Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-80091072435255169112015-11-11T20:03:00.001-05:002015-11-11T20:27:45.063-05:00A Day of Rememberance<div class="MsoNormal">
Had a very good day today…. Traveled to Gabriola Island to
attend the Remembrance Day Ceremony there. My mother’s family has quite the
history on the island, and are one of the pioneer families there. Silva Bay is
named after them. Four Silva’s served in the World Wars… 3 in the 1<sup>st</sup>
one, and 1 in the 2<sup>nd</sup>. It was an honour to be on their island to
honour them. It was a really nice ceremony as well… everyone was invited to
participate in singing some hymns in the service, so it felt a lot more
personal. Here are some of the pictures
I took. Sorry, no selfies!<o:p></o:p></div>
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There was a log boom sorter going past the ferry berth on
the way over… couldn’t resist taking a picture. I love the west coast and the
logging history… combine that with the life on the water, and how much better could
it get than that?!!!<o:p></o:p><br />
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A
picture of the cairn after the services.</div>
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The next two pictures are of the
family plot at the Gabriola Island Cemetary. First is the view from where the
plot is … the trees are oaks. It was a beautiful day, and the sun was shining
just right! It was nice to see the family has put a marking stone down as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yrMaoNEYrhC_kxYLNuznJ3gzd6thdAja_J4NSqyXp_ZZQchNWVK-9N_Uttq8NcOSKWaAVy3DWesEQh_laHGX7AUj2f3kEAmHEcTnYCGzHgHCE80GHepii_ghO5-TeItPbcWZWQ0vlYkV/s1600/IMG_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yrMaoNEYrhC_kxYLNuznJ3gzd6thdAja_J4NSqyXp_ZZQchNWVK-9N_Uttq8NcOSKWaAVy3DWesEQh_laHGX7AUj2f3kEAmHEcTnYCGzHgHCE80GHepii_ghO5-TeItPbcWZWQ0vlYkV/s320/IMG_0503.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gxUK1-3vA0JEZUSN9UZOioYnXj4cpGiDXU5aZNYXXT9POCLiuQGTCshVOakLGjJ6vu_LTaxYdR9OQlU_zve1-pxzvcd-fLOf3kCwlwGVwyQgeYGiIWW9_nMzC4qfdB6QcCn901sYKRaV/s1600/IMG_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gxUK1-3vA0JEZUSN9UZOioYnXj4cpGiDXU5aZNYXXT9POCLiuQGTCshVOakLGjJ6vu_LTaxYdR9OQlU_zve1-pxzvcd-fLOf3kCwlwGVwyQgeYGiIWW9_nMzC4qfdB6QcCn901sYKRaV/s320/IMG_0502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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When
I get a chance to download the pictures I took on my phone, I will update this
with the picture of Henry Silva, who served in WW2. I can see the family resemblance
in some of the Hall’s I know. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Right
now I’m listening to Belleau Wood by Garth Brooks… so suitable for this day of
remembrance! I know it’s a Christmas song, but I think of all the hardships and
hope those soldiers had, and the peace they must have felt that night.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Belleau
Wood"<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here
are the lyrics from <a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/garthbrooks/belleauwood.html">http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/garthbrooks/belleauwood.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh,
the snowflakes fell in silence<o:p></o:p></div>
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Over
Belleau Wood that night<o:p></o:p></div>
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For
a Christmas truce had been declared<o:p></o:p></div>
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By
both sides of the fight<o:p></o:p></div>
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As
we lay there in our trenches<o:p></o:p></div>
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The
silence broke in two<o:p></o:p></div>
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By a
German soldier singing<o:p></o:p></div>
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A
song that we all knew<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Though
I did not know the language<o:p></o:p></div>
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The
song was "Silent Night"<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then
I heard my buddy whisper,<o:p></o:p></div>
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"All
is calm and all is bright"<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then
the fear and doubt surrounded me<o:p></o:p></div>
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'Cause
I'd die if I was wrong<o:p></o:p></div>
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But
I stood up in my trench<o:p></o:p></div>
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And
I began to sing along<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then
across the frozen battlefield<o:p></o:p></div>
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Another's
voice joined in<o:p></o:p></div>
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Until
one by one each man became<o:p></o:p></div>
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A
singer of the hymn<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then
I thought that I was dreaming<o:p></o:p></div>
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For
right there in my sight<o:p></o:p></div>
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Stood
the German soldier<o:p></o:p></div>
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'Neath
the falling flakes of white<o:p></o:p></div>
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And
he raised his hand and smiled at me<o:p></o:p></div>
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As
if he seemed to say<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here's
hoping we both live<o:p></o:p></div>
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To
see us find a better way<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then
the devil's clock struck midnight<o:p></o:p></div>
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And
the skies lit up again<o:p></o:p></div>
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And
the battlefield where heaven stood<o:p></o:p></div>
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Was
blown to hell again<o:p></o:p></div>
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But
for just one fleeting moment<o:p></o:p></div>
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The
answer seemed so clear<o:p></o:p></div>
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Heaven's
not beyond the clouds<o:p></o:p></div>
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It's
just beyond the fear<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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No,
heaven's not beyond the clouds<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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It's
for us to find it here<o:p></o:p></div>
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Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-55971943567999316042015-10-21T11:02:00.000-04:002015-10-21T11:02:03.821-04:00A New Beginning, and a Poem for You!It’s been a while since I posted to my blog… I guess life in a new town, work, and fracturing your ankle (last May) can do that to you.<br />
I’m doing this post as a new beginning…. In the past 50 posts or more, it has been mostly greeting cards I’ve made, but I haven’t got my craft room set up and running yet, so there won’t be many of cards posted. Today’s post is a fresh start and hopefully will be more of a reflection of who I am, and things I’m thinking about or doing. Enjoy!<br />
I tried to think of how I would send this poem I wrote while in high school to the producers of The Deadliest Catch on A&E… well, they are out of luck, because I’m sharing it with you!<br />
<br />
Neptune’s Power<br />
The sea in her wrath roars<br />
At what she may devour<br />
Challenging any man<br />
To fight against her power<br />
<br />
Neither here, neither there<br />
She stalks the balmy sea<br />
Until she finds incautious man<br />
And batters him with ease<br />
<br />
Blowing gales she bellows<br />
With arctic cold she blows<br />
Sending fear into hearts of men<br />
Who’ve heard of woe ne’er slow<br />
<br />
It happens so quick and fast<br />
There’s stories that could be told<br />
Of men who’ve battled and lost<br />
With no chance of becoming old.<br />
<br />
I was living in Ucluelet at the time I wrote this. I loved walking to Johnson’s Beach and the way the sea changed during the seasons. Nothing quite as good as watching a full out winter storm! The danger that you could feel, even when you were in a safe place was exhilarating.<br />
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I have to admit that most of the poetry I have written has been when I have been upset…. Kind of my own therapy to work things out. This poem was written for the love of being by the sea, and my respect for it. In that sense this poem is even more special to me. I hope you liked it!<br />
<br />
Below: a picture I took last month of a sailboat at Rebecca Spit, on Quadra Island. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczryURn92aX8iNCVKYotw4r08khHehHL3woJPOXWIDucCLs8NmbwiZm51lStcmp4eZfgE8UfOl75K8HhPkv_B1PywI6alq-V7CbKTTLFt9fCtuhxWl4W9QiLKpagH4tIqx9IHkQnyEJ7L/s1600/IMG_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczryURn92aX8iNCVKYotw4r08khHehHL3woJPOXWIDucCLs8NmbwiZm51lStcmp4eZfgE8UfOl75K8HhPkv_B1PywI6alq-V7CbKTTLFt9fCtuhxWl4W9QiLKpagH4tIqx9IHkQnyEJ7L/s400/IMG_0201.JPG" /></a>
Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-86429202489336692862014-09-08T23:16:00.001-04:002014-09-08T23:16:10.198-04:00You are in my heart MomToday my family laid our Mother's ashes to rest with her Mom. Mom had died last January, and we were waiting for a time that all the family could be there. It was a simple, heartfelt farewell. I read the story that to me summed my mothers life up from:<div>http://ldsparenting.blogspot.ca/2012/09/motherhood-journey-poem.html?m=1<div><br></div><div>I've seen the poem before, but it still broke my heart to read it for Mom for this last time<br><div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-1590387952006141231" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; position: relative;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-1590387952006141231" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; position: relative;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-1590387952006141231" itemprop="articleBody" style="width: 300px; position: relative;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Quote:<br><br>The young mother set her foot on the path of life. ‘Is<br>this the long way?’ she asked. And the guide said: ‘Yes, and the way is hard<br>And you will be old before you reach the end of it.. But<br>the end will be better than the beginning.’<br><br>But the young mother was happy, and she would not<br>believe that anything could be better than these years.. So she<br>played with her children, and gathered flowers for<br>them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and<br>the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried,<br>‘Nothing will ever be lovelier than this.’<br><br>Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was<br>dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother<br>drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said,<br>‘Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come.’<br><br>And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and<br>the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary.But at all times she said to the children,’ A little patience and we are there.’<br>So the children climbed, and when they reached the top<br>they said, ‘Mother, we would not have done it without you.’<br><br>And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up<br>at the stars and said, ‘This is a better day than the last, for my<br>children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage..<br>Today, I’ve given them strength.’<br><br>And the next day came strange clouds which darkened<br>the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped<br>and stumbled, and the mother said: ‘Look up. Lift your eyes to the light.<br>‘ And the children looked and saw above the clouds<br>an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the<br>darkness. And that night the Mother said,<br>‘This is the best day of all, for<br>I have shown my children God.’<br><br>And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and<br>the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent.<br>But her children were tall and strong, and walked with<br>courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her,<br>for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill,<br>and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And<br>mother said, ‘I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end<br>is better than the beginning, for my children can<br>walk alone, and their children after them.’<br><br>And the children said, ‘You will always walk with us,<br>Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.’<br>And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates<br>closed after her. And they said: ‘We cannot see her<br>but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She<br>is a living presence…….’<br><br>Your Mother is always with you…. She’s the whisper<br>of the leaves as you walk down the street; she’s the smell of bleach<br>in your freshly laundered socks; she’s the cool hand<br>on your brow when you’re not well.. Your Mother lives<br>inside your laughter. And she’s crystallized in every tear drop.<br>She’s the place you came from, your first home; and<br>she’s the map you follow with every step you take. She’s your first love<br>and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can<br>separate you.<br><br>Not time, not space… not even death!<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXM-I_Sx8fbT8KJP4PNb2QvceatCaSmjB43JsQMd4TAfzYzjN-IXEI83UZ5svPiKddBqyrcwkWECFNalWvBjQPha5xf3Udwr1FOlXD402J5XBrPTtUikmRKlErr4mdxnTwIndWfozUw5CU/s640/blogger-image-1345801573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXM-I_Sx8fbT8KJP4PNb2QvceatCaSmjB43JsQMd4TAfzYzjN-IXEI83UZ5svPiKddBqyrcwkWECFNalWvBjQPha5xf3Udwr1FOlXD402J5XBrPTtUikmRKlErr4mdxnTwIndWfozUw5CU/s640/blogger-image-1345801573.jpg"></a></div><br>Love you Mom....<br></span></font><div class="fw-paragraphbottom"></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="fw-paragraph"><div class="fw-paragraphtop"></div><h3 class="fw-title" style="margin: 0px; position: relative;"><font color="#000000"><span style="font-size: 17px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="383676383" style="text-decoration: none;"></a></span></font></h3></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="post-footer" style="margin: 20px -2px 0px; padding: 5px 10px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238);"></div></div></div></div>Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-71377069266747032582014-05-07T14:54:00.001-04:002014-05-07T14:54:55.888-04:00What an idea for a muffinCheese, apple & pecan<div><br></div><div>Sweet & savoury! The cheese is just on the top. Will have to arm wrestle the cooks at West Coast General Hospital for the recipe!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Yt-E6x0vY0nmtRD2VT_NTnuUGKOXY0M7wf6V27p9xK3bloVFdGeEJCS63SwzFFSGDxRfWykAFcQEF1kA9phWZak2Hz7-BHETpUYwq6PprH4H-ZZWtVUQjvIPm926U6558OD5D1vykuZk/s640/blogger-image--764067398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Yt-E6x0vY0nmtRD2VT_NTnuUGKOXY0M7wf6V27p9xK3bloVFdGeEJCS63SwzFFSGDxRfWykAFcQEF1kA9phWZak2Hz7-BHETpUYwq6PprH4H-ZZWtVUQjvIPm926U6558OD5D1vykuZk/s640/blogger-image--764067398.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-51239482557741207162014-02-01T12:30:00.001-05:002014-02-01T15:55:26.496-05:00Card a Day Blog Invitation!<p>I’m in the middle of moving, and almost all of my craft items are packed (EGADS!). In the back of my mind I’ve been thinking about how I was going to make a card with so little available to me to use… thankfully I had a bunch of scrap cardstock available, as well as some old “cut” scraps.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aW6m3z1hZWw/Uu0vKkw-UNI/AAAAAAAAEgk/yORCzNuPWCA/s1600-h/IMG_0159%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0159" border="0" alt="IMG_0159" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dHiiL_WaJYQ/Uu0vLpZbZ_I/AAAAAAAAEgs/F8mklfAPpOU/IMG_0159_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="484"></a></p><!-- end LinkyTools script --> <p>The card base is an ivory cardstock from Staples. (Cover stock actually, as I find that is the thickest my laserjet printer can print on). The card is a 1/4 fold size (4.25 x 5.5 inches).</p> <p>The blue card stock was embossed with Crafts-Too Embossing Folder “Daisy & Swirl”, and distressed by gently trying to rub a silver ink pad on top and rubbing gently with paper towel.</p> <p>The red polka-dot paper was actually a scrap piece from another project I had cut a bracket frame out of (don’t you just love keeping scraps! They come in so handy!).</p> <p>Now, if I would have had all my craft supplies available (even my Silhouette cutter is packed!), I would have made a better bracket shaped “You’re Invited” shape, but you get the idea of how easy it could be with just a couple of pieces of paper can inspire a neat card.</p> <p>Here is an example of what you could change the card into with these “shapes”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZT4Xwid4Ujk/Uu1fOMNgAqI/AAAAAAAAEg8/5A4WvkQDiSw/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-weqxhPo0UBY/Uu1fPBRXxYI/AAAAAAAAEhE/xmoUCAmGe5k/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="546" height="239"></a></p> <p>Enjoy! And remember the challenge at the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com">Card a Day Blog</a> too!</p> Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-76712487578742315352014-01-24T11:26:00.000-05:002014-01-24T11:31:48.471-05:00Two weeks until I move! And a poem...Last December I applied for and got a job in a town about 148.9 km (92.5 miles) away from me. I got it, and start in just over 3 weeks. I start moving my stuff over there in 2 weeks! This is the first time in 30 years that I have moved by myself (and definitely could not have got this far without a LOT of help from my family and friends!)... and it is definitely the farthest move I've done in over 35 years... this time is different as well, as I have a house to sell, and another to buy --- I've not done that before, and am just hoping that things go alright. So, be aware that there will be lots of posts in the future about my new place, but not for quite a while, as I expect there to be a 4 month period between starting to sell, and getting the keys to my new place. But, there will be a lot of posts about things I've discovered that are new in the town I grew up in :-) It has been almost 40 years since I have lived there! Now I'm feeling old! This year is bound to be a year of change, some good, some bad, and some definitely sad. But then, right now I'm thinking of this coming weekend.<br />
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Tomorrow I go there to attend my Mom's memorial service. It will be bitter sweet to attend. She fought a brave battle with cancer. I hope that if I ever face that battle, that I will do it with such calm determination that she had. Sweet, because I know she is now at peace and out of pain.<br />
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My niece Tina, and Aunty Joy did a wonderful job on her obituary:<br />
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I wrote another poem for Mom... it is very rough around the edges, and I don't know if I will ever try to polish it up so that the rhythm is better. I don't think doing that matters, as I was just writing down memories of what made my Mom, Mom... a classy lady that I hope I reflect as I grow older myself.<br />
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Our Mother</div>
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motherless at 12, </div>
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her Grandmother raised her</div>
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she married Dad at 18</div>
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and was mother shortly after</div>
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she learned to cook for a crowd </div>
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making the most of hamburger</div>
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the budget was tight</div>
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with 8 mouths to feed</div>
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and a pantry to keep</div>
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with gardens to grow</div>
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chickens to pluck</div>
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and clothes to sew</div>
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she loved to try new things</div>
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harvesting wild crafted plants</div>
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like skunk cabbage and nettles</div>
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and learning which </div>
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vitamins or herbs to use</div>
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to help cure our sore throats</div>
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at every river or beach</div>
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there was a treasure to find</div>
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as she looked for the rocks</div>
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for her rock polisher to fill</div>
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or fungi and shells to paint</div>
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for gifts that were made</div>
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there were laughter and tears</div>
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as families will have</div>
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but firm faith she held</div>
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'though sometimes it made her sad</div>
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to let her children grow</div>
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and go their own way</div>
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growing old with our Dad</div>
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their smiles were glad</div>
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as they walked their lives</div>
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together hand in hand</div>
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down the road of life</div>
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until he passed</div>
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by herself she let</div>
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her spirit enlarge</div>
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to study and help</div>
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those who'd let her impart</div>
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her love of the LORD</div>
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and the hope she held dear</div>
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her hope was secure</div>
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until the end of her days</div>
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her thankful heart</div>
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around her shone</div>
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and touched all who knew her</div>
and felt her sweet spiritShelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-12859059619063358382014-01-13T09:20:00.000-05:002014-01-13T09:22:17.042-05:00For my MomMy mom is in hospice, and my sister and I have been blessed to be able to spend some time during these last final days she has left... she is still with us, but I wrote a poem for her that I thought I'd share --- I tend to like to write poetry when I'm upset or facing my fears.<br />
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For Marion<br />
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Shallow breaths<br />
fighting for time<br />
memories fading<br />
forever mine<br />
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Patiently waiting<br />
the family near<br />
talking so softly<br />
of things they hold dear<br />
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Dreams, aspirations<br />
things they have done<br />
where they are going<br />
where they've come from<br />
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The joy and the sorrow<br />
of the final goodbyes<br />
sad thankful tears<br />
for the peace obtained<br />
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as the last soft breath<br />
brings . . . silence.Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-81930025670055322162014-01-05T12:05:00.001-05:002014-01-05T12:05:30.022-05:00Love You Card<p>Sorry for the delay in getting the first card of the year for the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com">Card a Day Blog</a> up! I’m in the middle of a move, and slept through my alarm this morning.</p> <p>So, this is an example of what type of card you can do in under 1 hour, from design to finish.</p> <p>I did it as a simple print and cut (but I cut it, as it was really simple). I chose some plaid and plain hearts and a vinyl expression that touched me (thinking of hubby). Print them out and adhered them to a blue card base. I think you can see that the hearts are on dimensional tape, where the expression is just taped down with double sided tape.</p> <p>Sometimes love is simple too, no? </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R01mKd9hEmA/UsmQxdmC-zI/AAAAAAAAEe4/sbTXZ1_07bQ/s1600-h/image%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R6qzIJ7ShrA/UsmQxwRbojI/AAAAAAAAEfA/CcEPSMdBVWg/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="190"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ROWIRwo663U/UsmQzbrndxI/AAAAAAAAEfI/G7rWG81F6Os/s1600-h/IMG_0144%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0144" border="0" alt="IMG_0144" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N9TBVeI3ILU/UsmQ0MXFUMI/AAAAAAAAEfM/T52rraHx1s4/IMG_0144_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFV_jp2VzpY1R5fpPZ2xIBAMJgsJZ1ccFgCY6QfMKn5OnoCH3JyRtp4eUWilteoTlefbbCp6tcwM7Xds4USGT_jOzdnOo1R9zLlzaT4Zs5VnU7TdrOJcVTz4-xcLrTGAvVFl8AinieMIH/s1600-h/IMG_0145%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0145" border="0" alt="IMG_0145" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A7qC88Ic3lE/UsmQ2HmJuqI/AAAAAAAAEfg/2da1WRt9lLY/IMG_0145_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="500"></a></p> Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-19493519247481140312013-12-15T00:00:00.000-05:002013-12-15T00:00:03.006-05:00Snowman Greetings CardThis is a card I made three years ago. Super simple, and easy to mass produce. Sorry I have no pictures of the actual making of the card, but here is what I did - its pretty easy to do.<br />
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I used a 6"x12" piece of white cardstock, and folded it to make a 6" square card. I had some neat plastic like wrapping/tissue paper with blue and silver snowflakes on it, and cut that to 5 1/2 " square, and glued it onto the base. Then there is a 3 1/2" square of white vellum that frames a 3 1/2" circle that I printed a cute snowman and the Season's Greetings phrase on. The snowman just bursts out a hello I think! For the inside I actually cut a 5 7/8" square of paper, and stamped with a versa pad and used silver embossing powder for the sentiment... one of the rare times I actually put something inside a card! I've really got to get back to doing that more often!<br />
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I tried to show how the snowflake paper is almost iridescent... hard to show in photos sometimes!<br />
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Enjoy your holidays! This is my last card until the New Year, and the last card of the year for the Card a Day Blog, as we start our winter break there tomorrow! Take good care, and keep crafting!Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-60794354630123623182013-12-14T10:47:00.005-05:002013-12-14T11:24:16.295-05:00Home-made Shake and BakeJust sorting out my kitchen and decided to make up some Shake 'n' Bake... it is a pantry item I always make ahead of time... it usually is slightly different each time I make it up, as it depends upon what bread or crackers I use to make the crumb base. This batch turned out exceptionally well, so I thought I would share the recipe on the blog so I have it for future reference too! The original recipe I got was off of All Recipes, but it had 10 different spices and herbs to measure out... What I did below definitely simplifies it!<br> <ul> <li> <div class="tr_bq" align="left">4 cups fine, dry bread crumbs (or mixture of crackers or cornflakes and bread crumbs)</div></li> <li> <div class="tr_bq" align="left">2 cups panko bread crumbs (I had these, and wanted some extra crunch in my mix)</div></li> <li> <div class="tr_bq" align="left">1 heaping Tbsp Mrs Dash</div></li> <li> <div class="tr_bq" align="left">1 heaping Tbsp Kirkland No Salt Seasoning (I prefer this blend, there is no citrus taste like Mrs Dash)</div></li> <li> <div class="tr_bq" align="left">1 Tbsp Paprika</div></li> <li> <div class="tr_bq" align="left">1 tsp Roasted Garlic Powder</div></li> <li> <div class="tr_bq" align="left">1 tsp Salt</div></li> <li> <div class="tr_bq" align="left">1 1/4 cups Parmesan Cheese (approx.)</div></li> <li> <div class="tr_bq">1/3 cup oil</div></li></ul> <blockquote> <p class="tr_bq"><br>Simply mix up in a large bowl, and store in a sealed container.</p></blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq">To use:</blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq">1/4 scant cup of mix per piece of chicken or pork. Shake together in a plastic bag and bake @ 375 d. F. until done.</blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq">Another great use for this mix is to sprinkle on top of casseroles instead of crushed potato chips... really adds some color and great taste!</blockquote>I made a large mayonnaise jar (1 1/2 quart) in about 15 minutes. I like doing this so much I printed the recipe and stuck it to the jar... Enjoy, this staple - it is so cheap to make compared to the store bought, and you can customize it to suit your taste too! Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-16868323766278478422013-12-09T02:52:00.000-05:002013-12-09T02:52:23.438-05:00A Snow Globe Card for MarcelAt the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com/">Card a Day Blog</a>, the theme is Snow… I just had to do this card for my husband’s memory, to help me remember to believe in the reason for the season and to find some joy in it… it may be a few years until I do.<br />
Snow globes are one of my favorite ornaments… I love snow too, and thought that it would be a great idea to have snowflakes as the highlight of the snow globe. I took a few items off of a couple of cutting files from my silhouette Studio… a hexagon base from one item, and a snow globe from another, then the Believe phrase. I digitally colored the items, then combined everything (the snow globe is actually three layers). <br />
Here is what I cut out:<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nvcv8kwq528/UqV15Kes5FI/AAAAAAAAEck/CzZttOOLB1s/s1600-h/marcels%252520snow%252520card%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="marcels snow card" border="0" height="328" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HMxbAkjL2Vg/UqV15v_GjVI/AAAAAAAAEcs/k9XddXfrO_g/marcels%252520snow%252520card_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marcels snow card" width="254" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UNSzXRb4zXQ/UqV16vbIvcI/AAAAAAAAEc0/bxTjicZc2QA/s1600-h/marcels%252520snow%252520card%252520base%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="marcels snow card base" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F-tykrLsXIw/UqV17K_W1HI/AAAAAAAAEc4/Nn-5DGGZZHs/marcels%252520snow%252520card%252520base_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marcels snow card base" width="328" /></a><br />
A hint of the layering with dimensional tape:<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FjD87T7hWPY/UqV18gKfjJI/AAAAAAAAEdE/uS4BoQhYn0w/s1600-h/IMG_0136%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0136" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5X0jdSjEvF8/UqV19bwvDAI/AAAAAAAAEdM/cBtnqBCdKuE/IMG_0136_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0136" width="504" /></a><br />
And the final card:<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LlJq5Obnuz8/UqV1-naMOOI/AAAAAAAAEdU/CFWslJbCiRQ/s1600-h/IMG_0135%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0135" border="0" height="564" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WNCO6lO4JFg/UqV1_uKtb3I/AAAAAAAAEdc/4RJi9KeRVRM/IMG_0135_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0135" width="605" /></a><br />
Thanks for visiting! Hope my card inspired you to remember someone too!Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-38922219669629341972013-12-07T13:40:00.001-05:002013-12-07T13:40:29.876-05:00A Clean New Year Card<p>Hi! I made a quick and clean designed New Years Card, taking my inspiration from the Freshly Made Sketches <a href="http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.ca/2013/11/freshly-made-sketches-112.html">here.</a> I made it with my silhouette, so I could co-ordinate all the colors of the items in the card. Used the honeycomb embossing die to make a base for my 5”x7” card.</p> <p>My computer is acting up a bit, so before it dies, I will just share some quick pictures of the before part of my design and then the final card…. enjoy!</p> <p>The picture of what I cut out… used everything except the rust colored buttons.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-euHh5vohM3M/UqNrhs_dPJI/AAAAAAAAEbY/XsKrFBS4hGE/s1600-h/Dec7CADB%252520New%252520Year%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Dec7CADB New Year" border="0" alt="Dec7CADB New Year" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-18GVP9ui7C0/UqNrilt9_pI/AAAAAAAAEbg/hk8sOJ5fcts/Dec7CADB%252520New%252520Year_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="393"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5AAerR1EB5E/UqNrkO8j-qI/AAAAAAAAEbo/77QaFVhnMts/s1600-h/IMG_0121%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0121" border="0" alt="IMG_0121" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vGEbtPExDSs/UqNrk2NsFAI/AAAAAAAAEbw/Gmgua2hepX4/IMG_0121_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404"></a></p> <p>Then a bit of the detail that I got by just painting on some glue to create a textured, somewhat glossy surface on the flowers and buttons.</p> <p>I really like it, I hope you do too!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7LT3a1sWAVc/UqNrmZyRe0I/AAAAAAAAEb4/qjVJEoUFKeY/s1600-h/IMG_0118%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0118" border="0" alt="IMG_0118" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zJn2tz3YwmU/UqNrm2jsQrI/AAAAAAAAEcA/rKOJd3UCSTM/IMG_0118_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a> </p> <p>Visit the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com">Card a Day Blog</a> tomorrow when we start one of my favorite themes! Snow! (And yep! We’ve got snow where I live so I’ll have some great inspiration!)</p> Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-70382799447985320062013-12-01T01:20:00.001-05:002013-12-01T01:24:30.656-05:00A Very Happy New Year CardOver at the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com/">Card a Day Blog</a>, I have the pleasure of making the first card of December, with a new theme! New Years! Its hard to believe that we have to start thinking about the New Year already! That means I’m really behind! I made a really simple card that I hope inspires you!<br />
In this card, there are 5 layers, some I did digitally (no cut) and others I print and cut out, adhering them to the card with dimensional tape. The layers in order, back to front:<br />
<ol>
<li>5”x7” rectangle filled with a red texture pattern I had on my computer.</li>
<li>4.5” x 6.5” rectangle filled with a pattern I bought at the Silhouette store.</li>
<li>A snowman that I colored digitally</li>
<li>A birthday banner I changed into a New Year banner</li>
<li>Wavy “snow” edge made of a scalloped border that I ran through my cuttlebug, using a new favorite embossing plate from Cricut, designed by Anna Griffin, called “Foulard”</li>
</ol>
Here is what I print and cut to adhere dimensionally:<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i8eTxqqd2yI/UprVIemI1RI/AAAAAAAAEaM/40KP7XJ8_ls/s1600-h/new%252520year%2525202014%252520embellishments%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="new year 2014 embellishments" border="0" height="230" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6ArFbgY-Qp0/UprVJB24F7I/AAAAAAAAEaU/qC_USBfghqU/new%252520year%2525202014%252520embellishments_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="new year 2014 embellishments" width="304" /></a><br />
Here is what I printed as a card “base”:<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OS1KF3_aYIo/UprVJ1MjAGI/AAAAAAAAEac/RnrOUjVf4vs/s1600-h/new%252520year%2525202014%252520backgrnd%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="new year 2014 backgrnd" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kZGm3sHk4P4/UprVKmSWpqI/AAAAAAAAEag/QUCWv71JQqA/new%252520year%2525202014%252520backgrnd_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="new year 2014 backgrnd" width="304" /></a><br />
And the final result!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6ILIdj4HXq8/UprVMZji1-I/AAAAAAAAEas/pqpMGH4NTvY/s1600-h/IMG_0094%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0094" border="0" height="466" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0267EF0Ssf4/UprVNawWrXI/AAAAAAAAEa0/ptqVFQc5pAU/IMG_0094_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0094" width="644" /></a><br />
Sorry that I didn’t have time to note all the file names I used… I do hope you like the card though!<br />
At the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com/">Card a Day Blog</a> there are just two weeks of card making posts to do before our Christmas/Winter Break! Its almost as good as an advent calendar, the excitement of the end of the year for our card making! Enjoy!Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-46520251350191301662013-11-27T00:00:00.000-05:002013-11-27T11:50:22.452-05:00A Warm Thank You CardOne of the first quilt blocks I ever made with my sister was a Maltese Flower Cross, hand appliqued quilt square we did for a block of the month in the Quadra Island Quilters group we belong to. I thought it made a very festive looking block that using Christmas colors would fit right into being a Christmas thank you card! Its as close to a paper piecing card that I’ll ever make (really don’t like fiddling around too much with cards…the quicker the better is my motto)<br><a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/quilt-patterns/table-runners/wool-flower-table-topper">Here is where I got the inspiration!</a><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F516fY6I794/UpToYehQ23I/AAAAAAAAEYI/q4NMIutzd4E/s1600-h/Maltese%252520cross%252520pattern%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Maltese cross pattern" border="0" alt="Maltese cross pattern" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fsoQq1O5evg/UpToZGRdXnI/AAAAAAAAEYM/dwRs9F4w4ng/Maltese%252520cross%252520pattern_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="244"></a><br>I downloaded the pattern and copy and pasted it into my Silhouette Studio Program… traced the outside edge, digitally colored the pieces, and resized them to make an approximately 5 inch square card. I made a background piece with a word border which repeated “Thank you” (you could have lots of fun with the program doing this, or opt to hand write a message around the edge too.<br>Here are the two screens in my Studio program showing the pieces ready to print and cut.<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6yHtnFiIXuQ/UpToZjIi-sI/AAAAAAAAEYY/vhuuEH5uAWY/s1600-h/thank%252520you%252520maltese%252520cross%252520background%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="thank you maltese cross background" border="0" alt="thank you maltese cross background" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sVKPqzrjWqU/UpToaA7d3OI/AAAAAAAAEYg/PnF8qNWVbN8/thank%252520you%252520maltese%252520cross%252520background_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="293"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VjrjbGAwpas/UpTobW5YBhI/AAAAAAAAEYo/RTK01JKWvjU/s1600-h/thank%252520you%252520maltese%252520cross%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="thank you maltese cross" border="0" alt="thank you maltese cross" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OV3XY529idc/UpTob2oZm8I/AAAAAAAAEYw/gu8OjcVP0ek/thank%252520you%252520maltese%252520cross_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="430"></a><br>It looks complex, but it is really assembled quite easily… Attach with glue or double sided tape as necessary:<br> <ol> <li>Cross the green stems, corner to corner and centered… <li>Put the crown like golden flower petals down, almost touching both sides of the green stems. <li>The center red circle should just cover the bottom of all of the golden flower petals. <li>Arrange the golden buds topped with the white strips on the arching stems <li>Attach the leaves and red flower buds on the remaining stems towards the corner. </li></ol> <p>All in all, I think it will be a special card for someone on my list who loves quilting <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qlyYYqwxTo8/UpTocSU0_sI/AAAAAAAAEY0/aYERS-9HVsA/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJCLeaBIQSm85acuGshXaQs7DocYyEEcycCkUeJ58GzZR65aqLU4xR2JHZpg8Cmm76inM_HXOulsA_8vvqiLVmoPQxK4Z-EjF5VCuJKNTMPdLAqzkCJTMyBbfHPE2EkI2p16dtjPTmSSN/s1600-h/IMG_0081_thumb5%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0081_thumb5" border="0" alt="IMG_0081_thumb5" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tQVzCUUIAlk/UpYizI8-N8I/AAAAAAAAEZo/wT8Lc0EGVNY/IMG_0081_thumb5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="511" height="484"></a></p> <p>I’ve really been enjoying what other card makers have been posting on this theme at the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com">Card a Day Blog</a>, I hope you have too!</p> Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-84072543821454308292013-11-23T12:32:00.001-05:002013-11-23T12:32:23.711-05:008 Little Lights, a Card for Hanukkah<p>I am posting a card for the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com">Card a Day Blog</a> today, and the theme is Hanukkah. Its not a card that I would usually make as I have no one to send it to, so I am a bit out of my comfort zone… therefore the reason to try to make it even more special <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MQLC97p5Plk/UpDmg-4ALZI/AAAAAAAAEW4/dWYVh7HXWaY/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"> I decided to do an easel card, and I adjusted the easel card file by Bird - “<a href="http://www.birdscards.com/christmas-pudding-easel-card/">Christmas Pudding Easel Card</a>”. Using the cut file with my Silhouette, I basically by just used the card base and adding an extra colored circle. The menorah was a cut file I found in the Silhouette store. </p> <p>The pictures below are from the start of my project to the finished, folded card. All that is left to do is to print or stamp Happy Hanukkah in the space that is viewed when the card is opened. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vpw9R0-C7jw/UpDmhzzREEI/AAAAAAAAEXA/9lY7wwPpV6s/s1600-h/hanukka2013%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="hanukka2013" border="0" alt="hanukka2013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2MtjSECFYDI/UpDmiUyC0EI/AAAAAAAAEXE/5ZmzCvIYqS0/hanukka2013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="233"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-03wSkHuAhPc/UpDmji08msI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/LsDwMmE9M8U/s1600-h/hanukkah%2525202%2525202013%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="hanukkah 2 2013" border="0" alt="hanukkah 2 2013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-95nlZfEd72o/UpDmkhVhb_I/AAAAAAAAEXY/UIgvTk0vVRg/hanukkah%2525202%2525202013_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="206" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XtnKmvt4r1A/UpDmmK7eroI/AAAAAAAAEXg/c9AZi9fob2I/s1600-h/hanukkah%2525203%2525202013%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="hanukkah 3 2013" border="0" alt="hanukkah 3 2013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UfElMzr93II/UpDmnNmFmdI/AAAAAAAAEXk/6fFx0WtUPQY/hanukkah%2525203%2525202013_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="213" height="229"></a> </p> <p>Simple, yet special…. my favorite thing to do when making a card (K.I.S.S.) <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MQLC97p5Plk/UpDmg-4ALZI/AAAAAAAAEW4/dWYVh7HXWaY/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pjnA6A3sgpU/UpDmoh6VriI/AAAAAAAAEXw/tcTF-vBjOto/s1600-h/hanukkah%2525201%2525202013%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="hanukkah 1 2013" border="0" alt="hanukkah 1 2013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tIf3bb9M-so/UpDmpu6tp8I/AAAAAAAAEX4/0AuSsjZJchA/hanukkah%2525201%2525202013_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="363" height="484"></a></p> <p>Have a great card making day!!!!</p> Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-50978355041265690782013-11-15T11:23:00.001-05:002013-11-15T11:36:32.108-05:00… Silent NightI’ve got another card for my post at the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com/">Card a Day Blog</a>! The theme of the week is Christmas ornaments, and this card reflects one of my favorite ornaments… I bought 24 tin stars from <a href="http://leevalley.com/">LeeValley</a> (search for victorian ornaments), and have had them on every Christmas tree since. I didn’t want to lose one to a card, but I looked through my recycled stash, and found a star a similar size that I got from a quilting gathering (yep, another interest LOL). The rest of the card is all Christmas wrap, cut and taped on with double stick tape. I wrote the …. silent night with a Pen-Touch Extra Fine Point metallic ink pen. I just needed to remind myself to keep things simple at this time of year, and remember the silent night that made it all possible.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OeHifplRhlk/UoZKbPU9psI/AAAAAAAAEWM/5xiRuOIvi_s/s1600-h/photo%2525201_2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="photo 1_2" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9UC0HLuTSXc/UoZKb0BhcPI/AAAAAAAAEWU/wgsxL6hyvrA/photo%2525201_2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo 1_2" width="483" /></a><br />
Now as promised, some recycling card tips I use:<br />
<ol>
<li>Cut out parts of the images for embellishments… simple ones are best, unless you like doing fussy cuts with really good scissors. My favorite types are snowmen (easy!), although if the background is plain, you can cut out with a narrow border around the image too.</li>
<li>Sort out your old cards and pieces of paper in color types…. reds… greens… blues… etc. It really helps find the right ones. I also use zip lock sandwich bags to sort some special papers that I want to keep from getting dog eared in my stash box.</li>
<li>Once a year, trash your stash (well, that’s what I should do, as my stash is much too big, but I do make an effort to go through my stash of cards and cut out the unnecessary parts of them and throw out the ones I don’t think I will use. </li>
<li>Sort by season and occasion. </li>
<li>Don’t forget the Flyers… I’ve got some great cards just utilizing junk mail! Remember the post I did <a href="http://gardenscraftsnmore.blogspot.ca/2012/01/simply-get-well.html">here</a> using a Boston Pizza ad? </li>
</ol>
I love recycling cards, it helps me get a designers eye when I see all the different designs out there. If I’m stumped for ideas, I look at some card sketch sites or my stash of cards to get my creative juices flowing.<br />
The main thing is to keep having fun, and don’t worry about being perfect (or the card!). <br />Enjoy your day!<br />
Remember that the Card a Day Blog has a challenge going on for November…. for more information on it, click <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.ca/p/challenges.html">here</a> Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-13725574976074233132013-11-09T03:00:00.000-05:002013-11-09T03:00:09.927-05:00An Elf Gift Card<p>I had a lot of fun making this Christmas gift card. I wanted to show that you don’t have to have much on hand to make a super cool card. Most of this card was just plain cardstock, but with a bit of embossing, coloring (thanks Xyla), and a smidgeon of wrapping paper, it turned out well IMHO.</p> <p>I did have to make some lemonade out of one blooper - I had initially hand printed a sentiment inside the card, from one I found in another Christmas card --- which would have been perfect for a gift card --- then I discovered that I misspelled one of the words, sigh. For future reference the phase was going to be:</p> <blockquote> <p>Hope it glitters, Hope it sparkles, Hope its beautiful!</p></blockquote> <p>I made the card based upon the size of the elf my niece made for me (its so cute, don’t you think!). The card is 4”x6”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zKc7uct-i0Y/UnspSJcObOI/AAAAAAAAEUY/bcL46hKbLgk/s1600-h/photo%2525203_1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 3_1" border="0" alt="photo 3_1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tTdtVr1hRwE/UnspTQVcnCI/AAAAAAAAEUg/a2U5Q8iGeEQ/photo%2525203_1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="316" height="484"></a>.</p> <p>Elements of the card:</p> <ul> <li>Christmas Elf, drawn and colored by my niece Xyla… for more of her artrwork, see her site at <a href="http://randomeries.deviantart.com/">http://randomeries.deviantart.com/</a></li></ul> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MKMjk4ldVrg/UnspU7dXMFI/AAAAAAAAEUo/wWhQVg6Psso/s1600-h/photo%2525202_1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 2_1" border="0" alt="photo 2_1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xqtdaQGifbQ/UnspWAkGizI/AAAAAAAAEUw/VzvOjgh73_A/photo%2525202_1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="244"></a></p> <ul> <li>Cuttlebug “Twill Stripe” embossing folder</li> <li>Christmas wrap, scrap green cardstock, and a salvaged sentiment from the inside of an old Christmas card. </li></ul> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LKATLgj2McU/UnspXr4d9vI/AAAAAAAAEU4/T-11VG4m7Tc/s1600-h/photo%2525204_1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 4_1" border="0" alt="photo 4_1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aVOx9fkEWT8/UnspZ-O5v1I/AAAAAAAAEVA/zdlaGRC3hfI/photo%2525204_1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="610" height="484"></a></p> <ul> <li>Gift card slider constructed from plain cardstock (see picture below). Sorry, no dimensions, I put it together using scrap paper and a credit card for sizing. Decorated it with Christmas wrap, and taped it to the inside of the card. The card holder has a built in paper bow that I colored with metallic and plain markers.</li></ul> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iTG-eQZnhho/UnspcL9iTGI/AAAAAAAAEVI/ZbGf03seWAI/s1600-h/photo%2525201_1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 1_1" border="0" alt="photo 1_1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j8bArH-wZS0/UnspdP3vAdI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/VwTtnmNg_Kg/photo%2525201_1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="425"></a></p> <p>I hope you have fun making some cards for the season. I don’t really like giving money for gifts, but sometimes it makes more sense to send a gift like that through the mail, vs spending so much on postage by sending a parcel. I’m glad that I had the opportunity to make two gift cards….. now, who to send them too!</p> <p>Remember to visit the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com">Card a Day Blog</a> for more ideas too!</p> Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-29264359241106700252013-11-01T12:47:00.001-04:002013-11-01T12:47:02.934-04:00A Card For Santa’s Helper<p>Here is my card for the new theme at the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com">Card a Day Blog</a>!</p> <p>I love recycling cards… so much so, that my co-workers give me their cards after Christmas (usually just the card fronts, but sometimes the whole card (which can be a bonus as sometimes the area around the sentiment is blank, and I can use it in a new card too!)!!! My husband always new if the card he chose for me was a good one if I wanted to cut it up right away. Actually, one of his cards did not make it until Christmas - I cut it up the next day and decoupaged it and stuck it to magnetic paper and it was on my fridge for over 5 years!</p> <p>The card I made today is a recycled card… the card base is 5 inches square. I used a card front that I cut out the Santa, and the bottom strip, and then the sentiment that was above the Santa. Well, you’ll see from the pictures below. The red and gold snowflake paper is actually tissue paper, which when glued onto the card stock kind of crinkles and gives a decoupage like texture… I’ll do that again!</p> <p>First, the elements I used… </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MuI67uwNp6E/UnPa7_B7NVI/AAAAAAAAETg/dvOwLLaobGU/s1600-h/photo%2525201%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 1" border="0" alt="photo 1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n74fNHdvoyQ/UnPa8yS36LI/AAAAAAAAETo/53iZwqwnnL8/photo%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="363" height="484"></a></p> <p>The outside of the card…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8WRFvjDxxJA/UnPa-NjCUaI/AAAAAAAAETw/O29czEdxwa4/s1600-h/photo%2525203%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 3" border="0" alt="photo 3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M6i_ocuWmmc/UnPa_qAwRCI/AAAAAAAAET4/rvNES2-qCD0/photo%2525203_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="532" height="484"></a></p> <p>The inside of the card</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3Cah3orj19s/UnPbAoGlvFI/AAAAAAAAEUA/rDH4hKqYT78/s1600-h/photo%2525204%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 4" border="0" alt="photo 4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QFsXrNADuGs/UnPbBUVw9LI/AAAAAAAAEUI/H3vQo-bRC9c/photo%2525204_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="484"></a></p> <p>(I created a “pocket” for a gift card holder I cut from another piece of card stock, and a place to slide it into the card - I think you can figure it out by the picture!)</p> <p>Thanks for visiting, and remember to take time to enjoy the holidays. Its hard not to get caught up in trying to do everything!</p> Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-61529942807977769302013-10-30T06:30:00.001-04:002013-10-30T06:30:43.683-04:00Ah, A Ginger Bread Man Card!<p>I chose to do a simple card for the Christmas at Home theme…. what says Christmas at home better than the smell of cookies and gingerbread men???</p> <p>I made this card by diving into my scrap and salvage box (I save all sorts of card fronts, ribbon etc off of gifts from previous years). I chose this delightful gingerbread man ribbon, an embossed glossy beige and a rich brown cardstock. The sentiment is from a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/116014239/digital-printable-stamps-sentiments-word?ref=br_feed_50&br_feed_tlp=gifts">Christmas digital stamp from BrossArtfull Designs</a>, I found it at their Etsy shop. I simply chose the phrase I wanted, print and cut it out to glue on the card. Sometimes it is just easier and more time efficient to buy something like that <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LYjSQYbm6k0/UnDfw0hGenI/AAAAAAAAESI/Gx13cqp6kVk/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiz0gB8KCW-1ZKK1x3CiaDuhnXekuQkggrqjva0ZTlw56vIKxakcOPDhtS-oWeSoaz4ma-4bfWdZWCoktWITXvb36hs8C1SFLzfKj6owB2pS-Ss88PCclSqEnlXb1vfeY1eEFGevpsNQXr/s1600-h/photo%2525201%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 1" border="0" alt="photo 1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WYHidtipq_4/UnDfycrW7OI/AAAAAAAAESY/UjDB_W-myBg/photo%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="484"></a></p> <p>The card is 3 1/2 inches by 5 1/4 inches, top fold. The ribbon was a wire edged one, so to make it easier to glue to the card, I just cut it to size and then removed the wire.</p> <p>Hope you like it!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IZtgJLEZtzU/UnDfzTpR0OI/AAAAAAAAESc/c0OMYlUlKzY/s1600-h/photo%2525202%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 2" border="0" alt="photo 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yRsl3EGV5jY/UnDf0T_M5KI/AAAAAAAAESo/aD53gP-Y95Q/photo%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="482"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>What is your favorite thing to do at Christmas? Looking forward to see how you inspire us with your entry for our challenge at the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com">Card a Day Blog</a>… </p> Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-52400191023528867072013-10-28T11:54:00.001-04:002013-10-28T22:02:12.562-04:00I’ll be Home for ChristmasWelcome from the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com/">Card a Day Blog</a>! Here is my entry for the Home for Christmas theme this week.<br />
To me, nothing says home at Christmas better than some of my favorite Christmas tree ornaments. I’ve had some home-made toy soldiers on my tree for the last 20 years or so. <br />
Like many of you (I hope!), I’ve been running short of time lately, and don’t really have a large stash to sort through to find items to inspire me, so I’ve opted to go all digital in this card. I splurged and bought the <a href="http://shop.scrapbookgraphics.com/Home-for-Christmas-Bundle.html">Home for Christmas Bundle</a> and <a href="http://shop.scrapbookgraphics.com/Holiday-Charm-Elements.html">Holiday Charm Elements</a> from Scrapbookgraphics, for some great background papers and elements I could see myself using a lot.<br />
Here’s what I did!<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iS3ePlSZilA/Um6NO9BLxuI/AAAAAAAAERY/ow59xi9zkH8/s1600-h/image%25255B4%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="772" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-161zUXQa6hI/Um6NTSMql5I/AAAAAAAAERg/-Ny1qG81D-s/image_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="549" /></a><br />
I’m planning to print the background paper with the holly and the word art on it, and cut the toy soldier, red strip of paper, and the three gemstone flowers to glue and layer on…. I think with a bit of dimensional tape and perhaps some spray acrylic gloss it will turn out wonderful!Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-4559526803706937982013-10-21T11:38:00.001-04:002013-12-22T10:59:35.162-05:00My favourite hot chocolate mix<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Based upon various recipes online, but adapted to using the large container of my nutri-bullet. The secret is to finely blend everything together, it makes the mix dissolve easily.</div>
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1/3 cup coffee whitener (I used lite)</div>
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2/3 cup white sugar</div>
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2/3 cup instant slim milk powder</div>
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1/3 cup cocoa (the dark, cooking stuff)</div>
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Blend with the flat blades of your nutri bullet until it all mixes together - you should find that it is a consistent powder. If you don't have a nutri bullet, try 1/2 the recipe in a blender, pulsing to mix. </div>
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Use 1 heaping tablespoon per cup, add boiling water. For an extra special treat, add a splash of coconut milk for "cream"... it really adds a special flavor!</div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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UPDATE, December 22</div>
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Just made a huge batch for my pantry...</div>
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done by parts:</div>
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4 parts sugar (measured before powdering)</div>
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8 parts skim milk powder</div>
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3 1/2 parts coffee whitener</div>
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3 parts cocoa</div>
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Much creamier, and not so sweet... really like this, although may up the cocoa to 4 parts too.</div>
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Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-61967482999869880062013-10-19T10:44:00.001-04:002013-10-19T11:48:17.738-04:00Christmas from the Netherlands<p>Welcome to the last day of the theme, Christmas Around the World at the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com">Card a Day Blog</a>! </p> <p>Today, we are visiting Holland… I was trying to think about where to visit with this card, and was browsing the theme of Christmas Around the World and settled on the <a href="http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/holland.shtml">Netherlands</a>. It seemed to be an easy thing to focus on their Santa Claus (dressed a bit different than North America’s one). But then I also found more tidbits of their traditions, like “Sinterklaas” rides on a horse, and the children leave their clogs out with a bit of hay and carrots in the hopes that they will receive some sweets themselves! Out goes the milk and cookies at my house this year (I really don’t like baking).</p> <p>I googled for images of Sinterklaas, and came across this <a href="http://www.sinterklaashardinxveld.nl/page1.php">png</a> file that was so cute… I also downloaded some free christmas papers <a href="http://www.freedigitalscrapbooking.com">here</a>. </p> <p>I used my Silhouette to help me compose all of the “elements” to make my card. Here is what I decided to do. If you look at the white dashed lines, that will be the outer edge of my card. The white strip will be embossed, and Sinterklaas will be cut and adhered with dimensional tape. Prettgie Kerstfeest translates to Merry Christmas in the Netherlands.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WE3Njhir9hw/UmKazC99gnI/AAAAAAAAEOo/D4oHR13CvIg/s1600-h/Oct%25252019%252520prettgie%252520kerstfeest%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Oct 19 prettgie kerstfeest" border="0" alt="Oct 19 prettgie kerstfeest" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KZuP5Ty2lnw/UmKaz-TvncI/AAAAAAAAEOw/BRo3NXu4tQ0/Oct%25252019%252520prettgie%252520kerstfeest_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="243"></a></p> <p>Here is how all of my card’s elements are cut out on one sheet of cardstock, for printing and cutting:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xBF9HW-qc20/UmKa0qzcIWI/AAAAAAAAEO4/DEhVDVZLBwc/s1600-h/Oct%25252019%252520card%252520in%252520silhouette%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Oct 19 card in silhouette" border="0" alt="Oct 19 card in silhouette" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gNmdte8P-Gg/UmKa1CRPO_I/AAAAAAAAEPA/dAspXpajDAo/Oct%25252019%252520card%252520in%252520silhouette_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="190" height="244"></a></p> <p>I’m off to make my card now, and will be back shortly with the results! Sorry I’m so late this morning… Its 7:40 am Pacific now, and will be an opportunity to show you how quickly a card, once designed, can be done as a print and cut… the best thing is that once you save it, you can do it again, and again, so easily! I’ll update this post with the card and time in a flash!</p> <p>Well, the best laid plans of mice and men…. first spent 5 minutes updating some of my post at the Card a Day blog…. Then started my print and cut… everything looked great and then I didn’t set the cut parameters correctly… thought, hey, I’ll try the trick of using a piece of sandpaper to sand the back of the paper so the picture would be able to be taken out (didn’t work, I really had set my cutting parameters wrong!). So, back again to the printer…. cut again, and everything turned out except the lettering… print and cut again, but this time setting up the white strip that I was going to emboss with the lettering, and forgetting about cutting out the lettering… no embossing for me today!</p> <p>So, an hour later, after updating the post at the Card a Day blog, here I am, posting the final version of my card. BTW, the “cord” of the balloon was too small to cut, so I opted to use a felt marker to draw it in… it would have looked cool if I could have found a thin piece of cord or ribbon. Will leave that for another day <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ge6dAm15eSM/UmKpuORI7MI/AAAAAAAAEPw/7o4igX54BU0/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p>And the moral of the story is…. keep trying, and if it doesn’t turn out the way you expect it to, work with what you have, and be happy <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ge6dAm15eSM/UmKpuORI7MI/AAAAAAAAEPw/7o4igX54BU0/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"> Have a great day!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-okUwTMnvaIQ/UmKpvaCF4yI/AAAAAAAAEP4/9yQXCsiVs-M/s1600-h/DSC03162%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC03162" border="0" alt="DSC03162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-Dp9GXXOKiii1b5I0lm0L6iqRUZCK8iLClrmg9GXKVZN-k8qbAgv2Sgwpp1k8VTMJBkkeLCYYuH2_Bj2vtjZgXyVGSR9_n_tVtxWXXgPzbEXRX-z5H5BElOqNWoUiNid7fF_-xEVaUcn/?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-56893961260308649872013-10-15T03:34:00.001-04:002013-10-15T03:34:01.719-04:00An Italian Christmas<p>For those who have followed my blog, you know about my trip to Italy last month… With the <a href="http://cardadayblog.blogspot.com">Card a Day Blog</a> theme of Christmas Around the World, how could I not focus on Italy? I got my inspiration from this <a href="http://italian.about.com/library/weekly/aa120600f.htm">website</a> that tells about traditions in Italy at Christmas, particularly where it discusses the Urn of Fate, where a large decorated bowl is filled with presents, and each family member takes one until the bowl is emptied. </p> <p>I used my Silhouette, and the following cut files:</p> <ul> <li>basket weave card by <a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/?page=view-artist&artist_id=19210">Samantha Walker </a></li> <li>presents border by <a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/?page=view-artist&artist_id=27011">SEI </a></li> <li>presents by <a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/?page=view-artist&artist_id=27011">SEI </a></li></ul> <p>Hope you get inspired to find a new tradition for your family this year!</p> <p>Here are the elements of my card… the part of the bow and the presents have to be put onto another page to print and cut out…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OoHxNEvBbsM/UlzvxmhBkcI/AAAAAAAAENs/WBh9-e7A_QE/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5wgVV2VJqis/UlzvzDRxBiI/AAAAAAAAEN0/KdLhTPxg0UU/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></a></p> <p>And the final product…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YndRKXzyi8A/Ulzv35MvxkI/AAAAAAAAEN8/M-Zz7-YnBKU/s1600-h/IMG_0227%25255B1%25255D%25255B1%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0227[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_0227[1]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iCwBUWUfKP4/Ulzv6PxjikI/AAAAAAAAEOE/vPnFii6_5tI/IMG_0227%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="363" height="484"></a></p> <p>Thanks for coming by! See you at the Card a Day Blog tomorrow too for some more Christmas Around the World!</p> Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730961733628882037.post-53388306585889598572013-10-14T16:53:00.001-04:002013-10-14T20:42:51.600-04:00A Lazy Thanksgiving<p>Like a lot of families in Canada, yesterday was our turkey day. I had Thanksgiving dinner at my sister’s, who cooked chicken instead of the traditional turkey. Chicken and gravy, mashed squash, basmati rice, home-made cranberry apple spiced sauce, and salad. Mini angel food cakes with home-made cherry pie filling (from their garden) and whipped cream. Yum! I thoroughly enjoyed the dinner, and Cody was definitely a gentleman by not whining too much under the table for scraps.</p> <p>So, today I’m having a lazy day. I initially intended to get a lot done, but thought it would be fun to do a couple of things that have been on my radar to do.</p> <p>1. Harvest a tray of worm castings from the Worm Farm I started in this <a href="http://gardenscraftsnmore.blogspot.ca/2013/05/ive-got-worms.html">post</a>. I could have done it last month before I left for Italy, but never got around to it before my sister started to look after them. I will say that there are loads of worms now! I harvested over 1/2 of a large dish pan of castings, and put back about 4 good cups of mostly worms into the bin. Note to self, make sure that you don’t over water the bin before you go to separate the worms from the castings --- it was more difficult than it needed to be.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LsjpNR3VH3Q/UlxZolHViyI/AAAAAAAAEL8/ApSTI-4a8pI/s1600-h/photo%2525201%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 1" border="0" alt="photo 1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_SI1wZIXmGU/UlxZpUsoCsI/AAAAAAAAEME/2HNYcT09yX0/photo%2525201_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="363"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>2. Break out the Sun Oven I bought, to see how I can cook a meal inside my house on a sunny day without using the oven! I’m still learning how to focus it, but I think it is a feasible thing to use, even in my house (I have a large window that faces south). </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qlFsg1DtZfQ/UlxZqiFzKOI/AAAAAAAAEMM/QcdN9hi1s1w/s1600-h/photo%2525204%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 4" border="0" alt="photo 4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n4yevUY0UmM/UlxZrIBYinI/AAAAAAAAEMU/ghq8eJqIh1I/photo%2525204_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="338"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AUOGTHgskVg/UlxZsGSuifI/AAAAAAAAEMc/XEXrdKUyFVM/s1600-h/photo%2525205%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 5" border="0" alt="photo 5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-72KMe5u3NRs/UlxZsn8EEmI/AAAAAAAAEMk/K7rNyFC3UTQ/photo%2525205_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="339"></a> </p> <p>You can see by the temperature gauge that its getting up to almost 250 d. Fahrenheit (and that with just being focused for about 1/2 hour. I just read the temperature after 1 hour of it being in the sun, and its holding steady at 250 d. That’s about high temp on a slow cooker, and it is supposed to retain heat and be able to be used as a heat retained cooker, so I’m going to monitor the temperature and hopefully by dinner time, everything will be done! I still have 2 good hours of cooking, and have 2 casseroles inside, the bottom one with mushroom rice, and the top one with a 1 lb meatloaf and tomato sauce. Judging by the temperatures so far, I can see why they say that in the summertime the Sun Oven will get up to between 350 d. & 400 d. Fahrenheit! I know I’m going to be doing some baking when I’m camping next year!</p> <p>Such a good day to count my blessings. Hoping you and your family have a great one too!</p> <p><strong>Update!</strong></p> <p>Here is what the meatloaf looked (temperature test), sliced, and with the rice I made. Its supposed to be sunny all this week, so I’ll be trying to make some dinner to be ready for me when I get home from work this week!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MTlN6HMtFXI/UlyPemKXwVI/AAAAAAAAEM0/e9c79258TYQ/s1600-h/IMG_0224%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0224" border="0" alt="IMG_0224" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WEDqsAHPPvU/UlyPffftxeI/AAAAAAAAEM8/hYHn6LsjyBI/IMG_0224_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="202"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lP7efXCY8Hc/UlyPgsYd7aI/AAAAAAAAENE/JIXY-ic5MbI/s1600-h/IMG_0225%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0225" border="0" alt="IMG_0225" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-172XXX8dri4/UlyPhKy7oeI/AAAAAAAAENM/_GbmlawJGTQ/IMG_0225_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="203"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Hx3YMo0q77o/UlyPiOmYAMI/AAAAAAAAENU/uCq-9yFmyLg/s1600-h/IMG_0226%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0226" border="0" alt="IMG_0226" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bH_S6C6UHlk/UlyPihJqIEI/AAAAAAAAENY/PTb2x7DIXw4/IMG_0226_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="204"></a></p> Shelley Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15339671504127302894noreply@blogger.com1