Sometimes Things Don't Finish As Planned

For part of my mum's birthday present, I started to decorate an accordion book with black and white pics of my kids taken when they were born, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months. Unfortunately, the first lot of ribbon I placed on each side on the middle photo, did not like folding up and as I was unable to peel the double sided tape back up, I put some other ribbon over the top of the glue. I had to cut the pages from the accordian book and here is the final result. Sorry for the ordinary pics. Just as we were about to leave to go and have tea with mum for her birthday I realised I hadn't taken any pics of my creation yet. So here it is, one side for Logan and one for Ky.

Merry Christmas From My Daughter

A little video to amuse you

http://www.dancingsantacard.com/?santa=10441

Trying Out Some Of My Hodgepodge Hardware

One of the new advantages of my little boy being placed on a special diet, is these small formula tins which are a great size for decorating. I have made this one up for my sister who's nickname is Mit for her to put on her office desk for scissors, pens etc. She is also a book nut so I have made her a matching bookmark. The back side has "bookmark" stamped on it. I used my first 2 pieces of Hodgepodge Hardware on this little project.

I've just come back to edit this initial posting as I have now made a matching post it note holder. This is a very easy little project courtesy of Keesh. Here is the link to her easy to follow instructions.

I'm Home And Check Out My Welcome Home Present

Just a quick post to say we are home from hospital and hopefully little Kyan is on his way to a fatter life (our little man has had a lack of weight issue). He is sitting on my lap now helping me type while his sister is resting. Anyway, what a great surprise to come home to..... A few weeks back, Keesh was giving away some blog candy. All you had to do was leave a comment on her blog with your favourite and least favourite Stampin' Up colours (see the link below) and guess what... I was the very lucky winner.
http://www.makeeshabyl.com.au/index.php/2008/10/26/so-what-do-ya-think-and-some-blog-candy/
http://www.makeeshabyl.com.au/index.php/2008/10/31/blog-candy-winner-2/

I received a Hodgepodge Hardware set in antique brass, a double pocket bag, post it note holder and some great cards all made by Keesh. How lucky am I. Thanks heaps Keesh, you are a very generous person.

I'm Still Alive Just Temporarily Out Of Action

Hello any readers of my blog. I know I have thousands of fans out there, lol. Just letting you know I am still alive but I may not have any posts for a while or attempts at any challenges to share. I am currently in Brisbane with my little boy in hospital. All is well but we may be here for another week. Take care and see you all hopefully soon. Chook

Stamp and Stack Night

Last night my fabulous mate Gina held a stamp and stack night at a friends house. I had a great time gas bagging and making cards. Here is a sample of the cards we made. I've used 2 of them already so it was great timing. Can't wait for the next one Gina.

Melissa's Stamping Blog Colour Challenge

I've become a bit of a blog stalker of late. Another blog I have been looking at lately is Melissa's Stamping Blog. Mel has a colour challenge going at the moment using this picture as inspiration.

Now, I was suppose to use Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Gable Green and Whisper White, however I think the pattered paper I have used may be certainly celery, so I may have played outside the rules a bit. While I'm confessing, the layout of this card was inspired by a birthday card I received from my girlfriend Tracy years ago. Although the cards are totally different, the idea of the punched hole and the thread to hang the wish label from is inspired from the card I received. So here is the card.

Second Time Lucky

How exciting is this.....A couple of weeks ago I was checking Kari Hughes's great blog (here's the link http://karigail.wordpress.com/) and she was asking readers to post a comment with a link to a cupcake card that you had made.

Back in July I made a cupcake card for one of Gina's sketch challenges but it wasn't the winner but this time around Kari picked it, how lucky am I!!!!, and today in the mail I received a lovely card from Kari and the level 1 hostess stamp set called "For a Friend". That is the stamp set featured on the right hand side of this picture from the current catalogue.



Thanks so much Kari. I'm looking forward to having a play with it. Here is the link to my lucky cupcake card. http://chooksscrap.blogspot.com/2008/07/ginas-july-challenges_31.html)

Chicken Kiev with Bacon and Asparagus

Well it's been awhile since I have posted a recipe so I thought I'd share this one I made last weekend. Isn't it funny how you dislike certain foods as a kid and then you change your thoughts when you are a bit older. I used to dislike asparagus very much (maybe because I had only tried it out of a can...shame on you mum) but now I really like it fresh (still dislike the canned version).

I found this recipe on the internet when googling chicken, bacon and asparagus to see if I could find any inspiration (god bless google). The site is called foodtv. I have just cut and pasted the ingredients and instructions, however I just halved the ingredients to make 2 not 4 kievs. Also it says to cook at 350°F, I'm not sure what that is in celsius but I think I used 180 and I cooked it for about 40 mins not 20. This dish turned out really nice, better than I expected. I made my own bread crumbs and I think that is what made it. So here it is. Sorry, I didn't think to take a picture until I was half way through it and then I was enjoying it too much to get up and find my camera. Next time. I hope you give it a go and enjoy :)

Ingredients:

8 strips bacon
12 tips of asparagus, (top 2 inches only)
4 large skinless boneless breasts of chicken, tendons removed
2 egg
2 cup breadcrumbs, (coarse if possible)
1 cup flour
5 tbsp butter
salt and pepper

Directions:

1. In a frying pan, cook bacon until almost crispy.
2. Steam asparagus tips for three minutes.
3. Using a mallet, or other blunt instrument (the kind you keep beside your bed to ward off mad burglars), flatten chicken breasts by placing them, one at a time, between 2 sheets of wax paper or plastic wrap, and pound to 1/4" thickness.
4. Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
5. In three separate bowls place: (bowl #1) flour, (bowl #2) eggs (beaten) and (bowl #3) bread crumbs. Line the three bowls in a row.
6. Complete the following procedure for each portion.
7. Take one flattened chicken breast, season with salt and pepper. Lay two strips of bacon side by side, on the top side of the chicken breast. Place three asparagus tips crosswise at one end and top with 1 tablespoon butter.
8. Starting at the end with the asparagus, roll up chicken like a carpet around the bacon, butter and asparagus, and tuck in the loose ends underneath.
9. Dip rolled chicken in the flour, then the egg, and then the bread crumbs, covering thoroughly at each step. Place in a shallow pan with the seam on the bottom. Place 1/4 tablespoon butter on top of each piece of chicken. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until cooked throughout. Towards the end, baste with pan drippings.

Gina's October Challenges

Gina challenged us again this month with another sketch and colour challenge. I even managed to be able to participate in the sketch this month after my disasterous attempt last month that ended in the bin. So here is the sketch template, however you didn't have to use a versamarked background or the ripped vellum just follow the layout. I liked it however and came up with 2 cards, a baby boy card which will come in handy as a friend of mine just had a little boy and also the card I made for the K Werner challenge displayed earlier or here is the link http://chooksscrap.blogspot.com/2008/10/k-werner-color-inspiration-25.html.

And for the colour challenge you needed to use this funky bedroom photo for inspiration. This card was a double up with Makeesha's challenge and is displayed in the post below or this link http://chooksscrap.blogspot.com/2008/10/makeesha-and-ginas-challenges.html. I didn't want to bore you with posting the same cards twice.

Makeesha and Gina's Challenges

I have been following some great blogs lately and gaining some inspiration from participating in their challenges. This is the first time I have played along with one of Makeesha's challenges. This week is a trifold card challenge. Here is a link to Makeesha's blog. She does some great work. Make sure you check out her trifold card examples. http://www.makeeshabyl.com.au/ .

This is also my entry for Gina's colour challenge this month. I will post more about the inspiration for these colours at a later date when I post the sketch challenge cards. There never seems to be enough time lately so sometimes doubling up with the one card is the only way to go. I learnt this style of card through a Splitcoast Stampers tutorial (infact I still have the link http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/Joy_fold_card). They actually call them a Joy Fold card. I hope you like it.

K Werner Color Inspiration #26

I decided to have a quick go at the latest K Werner colour challenge tonight. Now to any Aussies reading this, I do know how we spell "colour" here but I have always kept the title spelt the way Kristina does. I don't know why...I think I just cut and pasted the first one I ever did and have just kept following suit. Anyway, the colours this week are as below and then my very quick card follows.

K Werner Color Inspiration #25

Now Shhhhh Everyone.... I had a thousand things to do this afternoon, so no one telling my husband I stopped to make a card. It has been a while since I've had a go at one of K Werner's Colour Challenges, so this arvo I made a card. The layout is also for another challenge so at least I have killed two birds with one stone. So using the colours from the inspiration picture below, I made a birthday card. There are balloons versa marked in the background, raised butterflies with linen thread coming down and tying up on a blue button on the top of the present which is stamped on vellum. Although I have all the papers in these colours, I don't have the inks so I have snuck black into the card too. Anyway, here it is, something a bit different for me.

Double Pocket Gift Bags

I really enjoy going to Gina's classes but unfortunately, I have missed the last couple. Luckily for me, my mate Mel showed me how to make these great double pocket bags they learnt how to make at one of the classes. I just love the Stampin' Up Berry Bliss paper and being that the paper is double sided, I think it just adds something extra to these little bags. I have made both of these for birthday gifts. The one on the left included a card and a mini photo album and the one on the left included a card and a gift voucher. I can see me making more of these in the future.

Gina's September Challenges

Well Gina issued us with some more challenges for September. It was such a challenge for me that I couldn't even put anything together for her sketch challenge. After seeing the entries, I wonder why I was having so much trouble. The girls cards look great. I did however manage to contribute with the colour challenge. I made 2 new cards and had another I had already made that suited the colours that I gave to Gina to use if she was short on entries at all. So first is a picture for the inspiration and then my cards. Apologies again for my photographic skills. (Just doing an edit...forgot to mention the layout for the first card I made was inspired by something similar I saw in a stampin up catalogue. Don't want to be getting into any trouble).

Heart to Heart Blog Candy

Tonight I came across this amazing blog. It shows the power one person with an idea and willingness to make a difference can make. In recognition of World Alzheimer's Day on 21/09, Cammie has asked you make a card for a caregiver. She has recently lost her grandmother to this disease. Everyone making a card has the opportunity to win a fantastic prize donated by companies and individuals. Only 3 weeks ago I lost my grandmother. She was 96 and sadly developed dementia in her last couple of years. Grandma lived at home until 94, a fantastic achievement before being placed in special care. I will send my card to the home where she was living. Here is Cammies blog http://myblogbycammie.blogspot.com/ and my card. I started this card some time ago and now have finally finished it for a good cause.

One Sheet Wonder - Part Two

Some time ago I started making some cards using the One Sheet Wonder template. The template gives you the basis for 12 cards. Here is the link to the first 6 cards I made and for the instructions for the template if you are interested http://chooksscrap.blogspot.com/2008/08/one-sheet-wonder-well-nearlypart-one.html and here are the last 6 cards I have finally had time to complete. I wouldn't usually add green in with my pink and brown tone cards but this was the colour combination in one of the K Werner Colour Challenges and I ended up using it a few more times. If you double click on the photo you should be able to see the cards a bit bigger.

A Few Pics From Our Holiday Up North

We have recently returned from a little holiday up north. We thought since it had been 3 years since we had layed eyes on our block of land at St Helen's Beach north of Mackay, it was time to go check it was still there. My sister and her husband also have a place at the same place and we stayed with them on their block (they are right on the waterfront overlooking the Witsundays and have some facilities our block doesn't offer like a toilet and shower). I have taken heaps of pics but just thought I'd pick out a few to share.

This is a photo taken from the front their block with a lovely rainbow.

Here is Logie going for a little spin in the dingy with her uncle and dad.

On the way home we stopped at Capricorn Caves north of Rockhampton. This is in the cathedral cave.

Little Ky at Lake Awoonga near Gladstone where we spent a couple of nights on the way home.

Lake Awoonga

Gina's August Challenges

That Gina is getting a bit tricky!!! Not only did she give us an unusual sketch challenge this month, she also through in the requirement to use a button in her colour challenge. This time I had a couple of attempts at the challenges. The "wild about you" card was done with the ever helpful Logan, to give her dad on Father's day (she wanted to use the animal stamps but I think we will do him up another card from the whole family). So here are my cards for your viewing pleasure (cough cough).

Sketch Challenge


Colour Challenge

K Werner Color Inspiration #20 Take 2

I decided to have another go at the challenge tonight, however after I put the card together and went to place it with my first card, I realised I had used Rose Red in it which wasn't on the list. Thought I'd share anyway.

K Werner Color Inspiration #20

I decided I needed to try and destress today so I attempted a card for the latest K Werner challenge. So here it is.

Wedding Acceptance Card

My parents have been invited to a beach wedding so I made them an acceptance card to give the happy couple. I thought I would stick to a beachy theme and as they used blue on their invite, it was the obvious colour choice. I am happy with the way it turned out. Slowly getting more creative...

Baby Shower Time

It has been a pretty full on week for our family this week, but we made it through. So tonight, when I should have gone to bed as soon as the kids were all tucked up in theirs, I pulled out some craft stuff and made two very quick cards for two girlfriends who are having baby showers over the weekend. All going well I hope I can make it to both of the parties. Anyway, here are my little cards with very minimal creativity involved.

I Finally Made That Card

On a previous post, I mentioned I wanted to make a card for a baby shower that I will be going to using the colours in one of K Werners Colour Inspiration Challenges, refer http://chooksscrap.blogspot.com/2008/07/k-werner-color-inspiration-16.html. Well I finally got around to it but I don't think I'll use it for the baby shower now, as I know this little baby will be a girl and I just don't think this card is girly enough. What a great excuse to make another card later. It is just a simple card, hope you like it.

One Sheet Wonder - Well Nearly...Part One

One of the blogs I stalk for ideas is Mae's Cachet http://maecollins.blogspot.com/. That is where the trifold cards idea came from I tried in an earlier post. Anyway, I had this template printed out for a while but finally decided to do something about it when I seen how great my mate Mel's cards turned out when she gave it a go. Basically with One Sheet Wonder, you can turn one piece of 12x12 paper into 12 cards... and that is when I say, well nearly. It gives you the basis, but you do need other bits of paper and embellishments, depends what you choose to do. Here is the template if you would like to give this a go. If you double click on the image you should hopefully be able to read the measurements.



I used a double sided piece of paper to give me more options when putting the cards together. This sheet is from the Berry Bliss Stampin Up papers. I love pink and brown as you may have guessed already if you have been reading any of posts. Below is my piece all cut up ready to go.



And here are my cards. If you double click on the picture below, you should be able to see a bigger picture. Now this little project has taken me a bit longer than I expected. I only have limited resources and time at present so I have decided to post the first 6 cards and part two will be added when the next 6 cards are completed. I have done this as I want to use a couple of the cards I have made. So here are the first 6.

Gina's July Challenges

Gina gave us another colour and sketch challenge for the month of July. I must admit I found completing a card in just black and white for the colour challenge very difficult. I was very surprised to be the winner for the colour challenge for the month of June. It was the first challenge I had ever gone in and although there were only 4 cards to choose from, I was very humble to be the chosen one. Thanks Gina for my little prize of dazzling diamonds (a stampin up glitter product) and some other yummy treats. Gina has just advised us the winners for the July challenge below and I am very surprised to have won the colour challenge again, must be beginners luck!!! So here are my cards for the July challenges.

Sketch Challenge


Colour Challenge - use this cushion as inspiration to make a black and white card

Winter Warmer

I thought I might share my favourite winter recipe. I still can't believe I haven't made it this winter yet. I'll have to do something about that.

Yummy Lamb Shanks

Lamb Shanks (I usually use 4 but you could make this with as many as you like)
Onions (I think I use 1 or 2 chopped in wedges)
3 Cloves of Garlic
Chopped Carrots (about 3 or 4 cut in chunks)
1/2 cup Pearl Barley
1 cup Red Wine
1 cup Beef Stock (or a beef stock cube in 1 cup of water)
1 can Tomatoes
1/4 cup Tomato Paste
1 tablespoon Thyme (fresh if you have it)

Use a big heavy based saucepan. Brown lamb shanks in a little oil and remove. Then fry the onions and garlic cloves until soft in the same saucepan. Return the lamb shanks and then add the carrots, pearl barley, red wine, beef stock, tomatoes and tomato paste. Put the lid on and simmer for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours. About 15 mins before you are ready to serve chop in fresh thyme leaves. Serve with mash potatoes (mandatory) and other vegies if you wish.

I am unsure of the origin of this recipe as a lady from work gave it to me. Is very yummy, enjoy :)

K Werner Color Inspiration #17

Just a quick, simple card for the latest K Werner Colour Challenge. The colours are inspired by this very pretty vintage dress below. I am thinking about sending this card to my girlfriend Chris who lives in Brisbane. We don't see each other very often and she has been in my thoughts a lot lately for various reasons and I know she would love a card over an e-mail from me any day. The picture of the card was taken at night so I hope it is ok.