Been awhile since I posted a cake

So it has been a while since I have posted a cake that I have done. It has actually been a while since I have done a cake at all. O.k. not totally true. I made a couple of cakes for a Christmas party at church a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't take pictures of them.

But tonight is the Christmas party for my husbands company. A bunch of drunken soldiers. What a fabulous time it will be! *rolling my eyes*

Anyhow, I signed up to bring a cake and when the 1SG (First Sergeant) found out I was bringing one and that my husband had signed up to bring something as well he said that no matter what, I had to bring the cake. *blush* He has apparently heard about my cakes and he is anxious to try it.


A couple of weeks ago I bought some disposable cake pans and one of them had a picture of this cute snowman cake. So I used that as my inspiration. The "snow" is covered with edible cake glitter sprinkles. Because of the sunken cake pan I couldn't use my letter press set for the writting so this was done freehand.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Look what my honey made me!!

So a few weeks ago I posted the new ink storage that my husband made me. It was not completely finished at the time. He still had to build the drawers for the bottom. In the meantime I was looking for marker storage for my SU markers and my Copics. Well, the one thing that I found that I would like the best were these Xcubes from Office Depot. I know several people who have them and they work really well, not to mention look nice. My problem was that I wanted something to match my ink storage. Reason being, when we buy a house next year I want to be able to over time build my dream craft room. The cabinetry in that room will be white, which is why my ink storage is white. So I wanted my marker storage to be white. I guess clear cubes would be close enough, but I still wasn't satisfied. So I showed my husband the Xcubes. On my birthday last week he surprised me with this:

They are very similar to the Xcubes but are made out of wood and painted white to match my ink storage. There are 8 cubes in all, 4 on each side of the storage. The great thing about this is that I can put them in any configuration that I want because they are 8 seperate peices. I don't have enough to fill all 8. I told my husband that, and his response was, he planned it that way. That way I have room to put new markers as I get them. What a husband!

As if that wasn't enough, this last weekend my honey had time to make the drawers for the ink storage unit.

As you can see the ink refills just nestle nicely in there. There are 4 drawers in all, one for each SU color family. Perfect!

So what does the entire unit, refill storage, ink storage and marker storage look like?

Seriously! How awesome is that? I am so completely thrilled! Don't you love it?! I know I do!! It turned out so much better then I imagined! Thank you honey!!

ETA: (August 8, 2009) Because we are getting ready to move in a few weeks and have to get our new home ready for our ammended home study for our adoption (nope, haven't been chosen yet, just trying to get the word out, hopefully soon though!) we have decided to temp. stop selling these units. If you would like to be put on a list to be contacted when we do start selling them again, or if you would like pricing information, contact us: crownscreations at yahoo dot com.

A card, a Stocking, a Ball, and a tree

A few months ago my husband went to my daughter and told her that he wanted to give me a hand made card for my birthday but asked her if she could make it (since she loves to do that kind of thing and he really doesn't.). She excitedly said o.k. The other day my hubby handed me the card. I love it! She is becoming quite the stamper! She used the Grumpabella from Stampin Bella along with some Gable Green and Orchid Opulence CS (cause purple and green are my favorite colors) and colored the bella (the robe is turqiouse which is her favorite color. hehe) and she added some light green brads. The sentiment is from It's Your Birthday (SU).

I had absolutely no clue, which is saying something because neither of them can keep a secret. It was a pleseant surprise and I love it!

Speaking of my daughter, as you know I have been working on Cross-Stitching Christmas Stockings for the last little while. I haven't made a huge amount of progress on T's, but it's getting there. I haven't been able to work on it as much as I would like but that should change soon. I would really like to have her's done by this Christmas.

And a shot of the details so you can see what it is taking me so long!

So anyhow, last night was the 8th Anniversary of my first date with my hubby (he actually remembered that, not me. I knew that our first date was on the 5th of Dec. but yesterday for whatever reason it didn't click that yesterday was the day. I know, I'm brilliant, aren't I?) So anyhow, where we live does a Holiday Ball every year for those that live here and since our unit just got here we were included. J got dressed up in his dress greens (similar to Class A's but instead of the green shirt and tie it is a white shirt and bow tie) and I did my hair and makeup and put on a nice gown and we went to a ball. It was a lot of fun and a great way to spend the anniversary of our first date. On our first date we went to dinner and played miniature golf afterwards. We doubles with his brother and his brothers wife (who also happens to be my friend, she is how hubby and I met). This picture was taken at our house just before the ball last night. We did get a professional photo taken there but we won't get those for several weeks.

And just for kickers, I thought I would post a pic of our Christmas tree this year. It doesn't look as good as what it has in years past, but still not bad. That and we got a new tree this year, not sure we like it. We'll see.

One Layer Christmas Cards

On SCS there is a thread about Easily Mass Produced, Flat, Wow Factor Christmas cards. I was reading it and came across this link posted by AmyR. Her cards are GORGEOUS! Just screaming to be CASE'd. Who am I to ignore the call so here is my version.

Even though I have the Snowflakes set (it is one of my all time favs. and always will be), I wanted to use Snow Swirled. I started off by stamping the larger of the snowflakes in Elegant Eggplant (stamped off on Scratch paper once) onto my Whisper White CS. Then I stamped the snowflake just smaller in Elegant Eggplant as well. (This time not stamped off.) Next I stamped the sentiment in the lower right hand corner using Versamark and poored my Silver Embossing Powder and heat set that. For the inside I stamped the sentiment using Elegant Eggplant, next stamped the snowflake (stamped off twice) and then the smaller snowflakes (stamped off once). I love how these turned out. Thank you Amy for the inspiration!

I had so much fun creating those that I couldn't stop stamping. So I looked at my sets and my eyes fell on Riley. Riley needed to be used on a card. I stamped Carrying Tree Riley (from Hanna Stamps) onto the Whisper White CS using black ink. Then I colored him with my Copic Markers. Stamped the sentiment on the bottom (sentiment from SU hostess set Best Yet) I'm not sure how mass produceable these are unless you really like coloring, but I made 5 in about an hour, with a phone call and a visitor at the door in that hour. So not too bad. I'm still getting the hang of my copics, but I think I'm getting there. I did have to put a peice of cardstock on the back of the fronts because of the seep through that you get with Copics. I haven't gotten any of the Gina K paper yet, but I will. Then I won't have the seep through issue. Until then, cardstock on the back works.

All of these cards are so much better in person. Sorry for the bad pictures. We really need a new camera.....

The BIG 3-0!

A couple of months ago my friend Shelly posted on her blog saying that according to her kids she is now officially old because she had just turned the BIG 3-0! I told her that must mean I wasn't old yet because I hadn't turned 30 yet. hehehe

Well, I can no longer brag that I am not old, because today I turned the BIG 3-0! That's right, at 12:12 this morning I officially turned 3o! And you know what? So far I love being 30!

I spent the morning shopping. I had to find a new tree topper for our Christmas tree because the one we had is broken. I also bought some cute ornaments. I was tempted to buy a bunch of Green and Purple ornaments because they had some gorgeous ones there. Purple with gold swirly patterns on them. Gorgeous! And of course if I get Purple I have to get Green too. So I almost ended up with a Purple and Green Tree. But I opted not to go completely off my rocker and just bought some other cute ones to add to our already large ornament collection.

I then went to Hobby Lobby to look around and would you beleive, I didn't find a thing! O.k. so I did buy some Gum Paste for cake decorating, but other then that I didn't get anything. *shock*

I went to the mall too to try to find a wrap for my dress that I am wearing to the ball on Friday night but I couldn't find anything that wasn't gaudy and horrible, or would have made me look like I was way older them I am. (Explain to me why retailers think that plus size women want to look like they are 60 years old?)

I then came home after getting Subway for lunch and after a couple of hours of resting (cause I was worn out after all the mall walking, seriously, I walked everywhere in that dang mall, some of the stores I searched twice)

When I was rested I decided to try to break this stampers block I have had. After all, it's Dec. and I haven't done my Christmas cards yet. Can you say, procrastination?

I figure if you are still with me I should treat you to some cards right? So, here are the fruits of my labors today. I got the Snow Swirled set when I got my large order of goodies a couple of months ago. I haven't been able to figure this set out. I keep running into road blocks where the cards that I make look o.k. but not good enough. I think.... I think I broke through that road block today. What do you think?

This first one I did for the Color Challenge on SCS today. The colors are Sahara Sand, Basic Black and Very Vanilla. I looked through the gallery of samples of cards that had already been done and noticed that some of the ladies did Christmas cards. I was really struck by how elegant these were using this color combo. So I decided to give it a try. First I stamped the different snowflakes randomly onto the Sahara Sand using Black ink. Then I punched the bottom of the peice using the Scallop Edge Punch. I mounted it onto a Basic Black card base. Then it was onto the main image. I stamped the tree using black ink onto the Very Vanilla cardstock and then mounted it to more Basic Black. It needed something so I paper pierced around the edge using my crafter's tool kit. Sadly I don't have any black ribbon so I needed to improvise. I used a peice of black cardstock and paper pierced the edges and mounted that. Then before placing the main image I stamped the sentiment on a peice of Very Vanilla and mounted that. I added the main image with dimensionals. I am so pleased with how this one turned out. I am going to create more and this will be one of my cards for this year.

The other design I came up with was a headache and a half. I have been wanting to do a white and gold card with an embossed gold tree. After 4 dismal attempts I came up with this one. My hubby doesn't like it. He thinks it's too busy. I like it. I embossed part of the card base using my cuttlebug. The main image is embossed with gold powder on Shimmery white cardstock and mounted on gold. Gold ribbon was added. The colors are off in this picture. The gold embossed tree and the gold cardstock don't look as gray in real life.

I will share my daughters stocking tomorrow. It's not done, but coming along nicely. For now it's time to go to the store with my hubby who is going to make me a nice dinner tonight. We are going to eat and decorate the tree while we watch a Christmas movie. *grin*

Favorites and facts

A couple of weeks ago my friend Shelly did this on her blog, it was meant to be a tag but seeing as how she had just done the random facts tag she decided to make it a fun post. I thought it looked like so much fun I wanted to do it too.

So here we go......

Favorite Vacation- When we went home right after my husband came home from Iraq (in between Iraq and Afghanistan deployments). We went to visit for 3 weeks and we got to see so many of our friends and family. Not everyone we would have liked to, but most everyone. While we were there we also went and stayed in the same room at the same bed & breakfast where we spent our honeymoon. It was a great vacation. We haven't been to any places like Disney or anything, but hopefully next year after we get out of the Army.

Favorite color(s)- If you know me at all, you know my favorite colors are Purple and Green. Our wedding colors were purple and green (with white thrown in), most of the rooms in my house are purple and green. Love the combo!

Favorite Treat- I would have to say anything with peanut butter and chocolate combined. I am allergic to most nuts, but I can have peanuts (cause they aren't actually a nut) and thank goodness, cause I love me some peanut butter and chocolate.

Favorite Fruit- Granny Smith Apples

Little Known fact about me- I love antiques, I actually have a lot, and would love to collect more. Oh, and I collect Antique colord glass pitchers, and vases. My favorite peice is a purple vase that my mom gave me for Mother's day a few years ago.

Traveling- I would love to go to Ireland. I don't know why, I have just always wanted to. What's funny is that my husband has always wanted to go to Ireland as well. We are thinking of saving up our money and going when my daughter gets out of high school as a graduation gift to her. We'll see.

Where I grew up- Most of my growing up was done in Maryland and Utah. I was born in Texas, lived for a little while in California, then it was on to Germany, then to Maryland until I was 13 when my parents divorced and we moved to Utah.

Where I live now- New Mexico, for the next hopefully less then a year and then my hubby will have completed his Army service and we can move back home to Utah.

Middle name- It starts with an M. That's all you're getting, sorry!

First Name- Sharon

Biggest Pet Peeve- There are so many to choose from. Right now it would have to be people who get angry at someone and then won't tell that person why they are angry, they just hold a grudge for forevah! But yet, they will tell me why they are angry.

Favorite Animal- Of course my dog! Although while I was growing up we had a miniture Lassie dog named Dusty who comes as a close second, but my favorite is of course my Sirius.

Past Love- I was watching my DVD's of Charmed (favorite TV show btw) the other day and I watched the series finale'. In it, there is a line that perfectly sums up my answer to this one. "While I had loved before, I had never really known love until I met" my hubby of course! I had boyfriends before I met my husband, and yes, some of them I even had a love for, but my first and only real love is my husband.

My greatest wish- Is that we can get our van paid off by the time we buy a house so that our only debt will be the house.

I've been tagged.... twice!

I was tagged a couple of weeks ago by my friend Shelly. I have known Shelly for years and years. Wow, that makes us sound old. We met while we were in Jr. High about 16+ years ago. Crazy how time flies.
Anyhow, Shelly's tag was to list 8 random facts about myself.
I was also tagged the other day by Robyn. Robyn and I met at church back in Kansas a couple of years ago. Robyn's tag was to list 6 random facts about myself.
I'm not sure if I can come up with 14 total random facts, so I am just going to combine the two. I'm not going to tag anyone back, just do this if you want to k!

1. I'm double jointed, in fact my pinky on my right hand can bend at the first knuckle without bending the rest of the finger. It's kind of gross.

2. I played the flute for a year and a half in elementary school. (In fact, that's how I learned about the pinky thing, I went to go play the last note at the end of the flute and my pinky wouldn't bend except at that first knuckle.

3. I have never read the Twilight books, and don't really plan to. I may see the movie someday but I'm not in any hurry.

4. Speaking of books made into movies, I didn't start reading the Harry Potter books until I saw the 1st movie. My SIL and Aunt took me to go see it on opening night and kept teasing me before the movie started about being a muggle. I loved the movie so much that I went home and told my hubby that we had to get the books. Both hubby and I have been hooked ever since. Thanks Andrea and Lisa!

5. I love to cook, but my husband loves to cook more, so he does most of the cooking in our house.

6. I haven't made a cake since my friends Chelsea had me do her daughter's 1st birthday cake and that was many months ago. I really need to make one again. Gotta keep the skills up.

7. I hate large crowds, I get panic attacks when I am around a lot of people that I don't know. To include traffic, when I am in heavy traffic I get panic attacks so bad that I hyperventilate.

8. I love looking at houses for sale online. Even though it is still at least 9 months before we move back home and buy a house but I love to look and see what's out there and dream about our future home.

O.k. so there are those two tags, combined. That was harder then I thought! Like I said I am not going to tag anyone else. Just do this if you want.