Happy Halloween

A quick post.....just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween.  Be safe....don't eat too much candy. 

Hugs and Boo-wishes....
Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Today I'm Fiber Crafting

And you thought the fiber was fabric.....nope....I went to get my flu shot today.  BTW...if you haven't gotten yours, you'd best take that little arm of yours and get protected against that nasty bug.  Anyway, while waiting at the pharmacy I started reading the booklet Rite Health.  In it is a recipe for Roasted Squash Soup.  It sounded yummy so off to the grocery I went and got what I needed.

 Let me tell you....it is yummy as is, however, I like things a bit more spicy. So I added 1 tsp of cumin.  Still not enough so I added 1/8 tsp hot curry powder, ground black pepper and a bit of salt  to my cup....now we're talkin!  When I make this again, I am going to reduce the orange zest and orange juice to half the amount.  I think the orange is over powering.  Perhaps I used too big of an orange, and it was really, really juicy.  I am also going to add 1 tsp each of curry powder and cumin. 

The recipe made exactly 8 cups and the Weight Watcher points value is 4 PP per cup.  It's one of those smooth soups that taste so good on a cold and wet day.  The soup and 1/2 a sandwich is the perfect anytime meal. 

Per serving 136 calories, 4 g protein, 23 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber, 5 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 43 mg sodium (adjust if you add more to your cup). 

Here is the recipe:
3 lb butternut squash, peeled, cut into 3/4 inch cubes.
1 cup onions chopped fine
1 TBL olive oil
4 cups low sodium chicken stock
1 orange (zest and juice)
1/2 cup orange juice. 

Heat oven to 375 degrees and spray roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Add cubed squash and spray the top of the squash.  Roast 20 to 25 minutes. 

Add squash, chicken stock  to the pot and simmer for 10 to 20 minutes, or until squash is tender.  Add contents to  the blender  and blend until smooth.  You may need to do this in batches.   (I used an immersion  blender in the cooking pot). 

When smooth, add the orange juice and zest.  Continue cooking for another 10 minutes.  Enjoy!

The recipe also had a Coconut Puree Garnish, which I did not make.  Here's the recipe for it. 

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes, 1 Serrano chili pepper, 1/2 bench cilantro - leaves only, and juice and zest from one orange. 

Blend all ingredients.  If it's too thick, thin with water.   Garnish each cup with approximately 1 tsp.

I'm off to take a quart to a friend.  I hope it warms her tummy and brings a smile to her face. 

Hugs from Northern California....
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

WOYWW

Hello, for rainy Northern California.  It's Workdesk Wednesday again.  Where did last week run off too?  Before I go any farther, here's what my desk looked like as I worked on a birthday card for a friend....

The die should be a hint what the card will look like.  I'll show the card on Friday after I've given it to Michael.  Not a totally exciting desk, my favorite glue is laying on it's side.  I store it this way and it seems that the needle point doesn't dry out nearly as quickly.  The die is from Cheery Lynn Designs and I love it.  The step card is easy peasy using this die...Sadly Cheery Lynn has retired this one. Boo Hoo!

For those who do not know about WOYWW, it's the brain child of Miss Julia.  She gives us all a place to air our sometimes very messy workspace.  But here's the upside, every week our desks are changing, which means that every week we are creating.  We are not just sitting still watching glue dry!  So as our desks show various stages of disarray, we proudly craft on.  Check out WOYWW.  And maybe share your work space with everyone.

Now I need your help.  Last week I saw a card I wanted to CAS, from memory I made this....

I think it's kind of close....I used scraps of white and ran the base and the pieces through embossing folders.  The snowflake is from Memory Box.  The finished card is 5x5.  Does anyone know who made the original one?  I'd like to give credit where credit is do...

Update on the above card....Di solved the mystery...the original card was made by Debby Yates.  Please check out her blog page to see the stunning card she made.  Her card is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!  Thanks Di for solving the mystery.

One more thing.  On Monday in my post I mentioned the Sharpie pens I used to color the tiny lines in the Ho Ho Ho stamp.  I said they were Sharpie Micro Tip.  Well in fact they are Sharpie Ultra Fine Point Permanent Markers - 80's Glam.  They came in a set of 24 and the purchase price was $19.99,  I bought them at Office Depot.  I checked and they are available on line also.  Want to see the colors?

I've had them for about a year and all are still working well.

That's it for now.  Happy Crafting.  Happy WOYWW....
Hugs,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Ho Ho Ho

Yesterday I had a fun play day with Brenda and as she die cut, I colored.  Today was a great day with the Monday group and I assembled my card with them.  Aren't girl friends the best way to spend time.  I don't know what I'd do without them!

Isn't this Santa the best?  I always get emails asking what I used to make the card.  The Santa is called Jolly Santa-80126 and  it's from Stamps Happen.  The Ho Ho Ho is from Northwoods and it's number 08231.  During Karen's Anniversary crop I was lucky enough to win the 6x6 paper pad by Echo Park Paper Co.  It's called tis the Season.  I colored the image using my new Spectrum Noir pens, and the tiny detail on the Ho Ho Ho was colored using my Sharpie pens with the micro tips.

The inside is about as simple as you can get.  I like to repeat something from the outside and I think this worked well. There is enough room for a sentiment or a short note.  I can't decide what I am going to do, but there's time to think about it.  I'm thinking maybe my granddaughter will get this one.  So a note is probably what I will put inside.

Enough said....actually I can't think of anything more to say, other than I had fun coloring this image.

I'm going to add this to Craftyhazelnut's Extra Christmas Challenge Extra - Anything goes, and then I'm also sending this over to Di at Pixie's Crafty Workshop - Snippet's challenge. 

For now it's sending wishes for a most crafty week.
Hugs,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Blue and White

Another quick one.  This card kick started my mojo.  If you want to know the rest of the story,  head over to the Poppystamps Blog Page.  It's my day to share.  If you have a minute to sit and visit....I'd love knowing you were there.

Yikes.....I almost forgot, well actually I did forget to add my card to Stamping For Pleasure.  It's Rudolph day again.  How could that be?   Can you believe it's almost Christmas again?  Where has this year gotten off to?  Well, for those who don't know, Rudolph Day is a place to not only post our Christmas cards, but also a page that keeps us heading in the right direction.  One more card done and one more month closer to Christmas....and one for time to spend time with blog friends....Happy Rudolph Day!  Check it out here!  

Happy Saturday.  May your weekend be W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!!!!!!!

Hugs,
Mary Mac

What's On Your Workdesk? I'm glad you asked.

My son was home for the weekend. I sent him home with some Halloween decorations for his office and a few candy bags for the good Trick or Treat boys and girls (ok, men and women).
Here's what my desk looked like:  Julia is basking in the Spanish sun, as we struggle with projects on our desks...ok, struggle might be a bit of a stretch.  If my math is correct, this week is WOYWW 229.  Check out what's going on by clicking over to Julia's blog page.

And here's what the finished project looked like....

Spooky no?  Not even a little? 

Here in California we are having absolutely beautiful weather.  Fall is supposed to be here and we should be bringing out the sweaters and caps....but where did Mother Nature hide her most colorful season?  A friend sent me a photo that I think is soooo cute. 

The tiny bird is a Townsend Warbler and I think she is enjoying the music the frogs are playing. You may have to enlarge the photo to see the bird.  I told you she was tiny!

Happy Wednesday.  Hugs from California,
Mary Mac

Birthday Cards

Two girlfriend Birthdays.  Karen gets a card made in pink and Virginia's card was made in blue...

I was looking at photo of cards I've made and realized, it's been awhile since I last posted.  I will try to be a bit more regular. 

Guess what.... both cards were made from snippets.  Virginia's from a card class kit that I've been hoarding.  If you look at the sentiment, and I hope you do.  I mixed some glitter and some embossing powder to get this color.  The sentiment was first stamped in Black Color Box.    Lucky break?  Maybe, but then if you check the bin, you'll see there were lots of mistakes before I stumbled on this success.  Karen's card is from a piece of card stock I purchased when she was in the Paradise location, seems like forever ago.  I guess I'd best slip onto the playground and post these two cards.  Want to see more snippets?  I hope you do!  Click on the link below....

My dog is sitting by my feet whining....he thinks when dinner is done he should be able to sit on my lap and watch TV.  He is my little Rain Man...he is a creature of habit and this is one he insists that I keep.  The upside, I can sit with him and browse Di's blog page.  Commenting one handed might prove interesting! 

Until next time.....Happy crafting,
Hugs,
Mary Mac

I Did It....It's Finished....

It's been a year and a half in the making.  Can you believe I let it sit undone for so long?

I'm 98.5% happy.  There is one thing that is bugging me, and I'm still thinking about one thing I'd like to add. Long story short, if it sits this way for another year....I'm good with it.  Want a close up of two windows?

This is May....you could have guessed that right?  It's also the month my husband was born.  Thus, the 19.  And this is the month I was born....

Karen has miniatures and I thought the chair was so sweet, then I saw the bunny and then the box of fruit.  They found a little home here.

My honey built the shadow box for me.  I think he did a fantastic job...don't you? Here it is with the glass front.

Sorry about the photo....the glare is pretty bad.  I absolutely love it.  And I thank Karen and Deb for keeping me on track. 

I promised to send more photos from our fantastic paper crafting weekend.  So sit right down and enjoy....I sure did!  When we walked in this table caught our eye! 

What did we find waiting for us.....

There are enough supplies to make several projects.  Want to see just a few?

This is just the cover of a beautiful album.  All the papers are from the most beautiful collection called Mad Tea Party, by Marion Smith Designs.  Each page is more beautiful than the one before. 
This little hat is so pretty.  And what a great tree decoration it will be. 

There were many more samples, but I was so busy looking and touching, I forgot to snap the photos.  I do have a few more photos to share.....these aren't of projects, but of the sweetest desserts ever!  This was our Friday night sweet treat....

And then mid-day Saturday we were met with this.....

Then......Saturday evening as our two days were winding down Karen treated us to this....

Nope this isn't Karen it's her daughter Rachiel.  We had tons of other foods to a fantastic sit down dinner on Saturday, a Pizza Party on Friday night. Snacks all day long.  It was a feast that's for sure. 
Want to see some of the table decorations?

 One of the fabulous food tables.

A coffee service table.....and the coffee was wonderful.....

A perfect little decoration on the snack table.  And now....a photo of some of us.  There were so many girls I couldn't get them all in this photo.  But you get the idea.....

Karen, Deb, Cathy, and Rachiel outdid themselves this year.  Every year Karen's Anniversary party gets bigger and better.  I don't know how they do it!  A big thank you to Karen and the girls!

That's it for now.  I need to put my toys away and get ready to think of what I might design for my November card class. 

Hugs and Happy Crafting,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Happy 7th Anniversary Paradise Scrapbook Boutique

More photos to come, this is a photo Karen posted on Facebook. I can hardly wait to see what she has in store for us.  Yesterday was amazing.  Great friends, fun project, super finds, wonderful dessert....today it's a full day of fun.....off I go!  

I'll take a photo of what I'm working on.  It's one I started core a year ago....about time I finish it....agree?

Hugs and happy crafting. 

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Merry

This is a quick card to make and if you want to see the inside of this card, you'll just have to check it out on the Poppystamps blog page.  I'll give you a hint, this is completely made from snippets.  The reason for so many, I am working on a project for later next month, and I thought I knew exactly what I needed to do.  Guess what, I didn't!  Anyway, my not so happy accident turned into a very quick make. 

Don't you love the Merry die....I sure do.  Well, I said this was a quick card and I need to make this a quick post.  For more, check out the Poppystamps blog. 

Later....
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Happy Birthday Aaron

When my son Aaron was about 2 years of age, I made him a stuffed Panda.  Mind you this was almost 40 years ago.  This Panda was very loved.  It was also very dirty.  It’s ear had been chewed off, not sure whether it was a dog that did the chewing or a little boy who chewed on stuffed animals, pajama’s  and most things made of fabric.  Speeding through the years, the Panda now sat alone in the corner of Aaron’s bedroom.  Years later the Panda made it into a box in the closet and when Aaron married and moved to Australia, Panda ended up in a box in an outdoor storage shed.  Over the years, the shed leaked water, and the temperature went from cold to warm, to hot , to freezing.  Never during those lost years did my son ask about Panda. 

Speeding ahead to this year’s vacation.  What was a question Aaron asked…what happened to Panda?  I had to tell him the truth, Panda went to Panda heaven.  He was shocked….how could I have been so mean?  Well, maybe that was an exaggeration!  Anyway, he then asked if I’d really made that Panda with my two little hands.  This question arose because he thought  through the years I’d been making homemade pies….well, guess what, Sara Lee made his pies, I just baked them.  Another moment of truth!  Now he even questioned my ability to make a Panda bear!  Truth be known, I don’t sew.  I can spend hours working on a card, but to get out the sewing machine…..not fun for me.  I did however actually make that Panda with my two little hands,  during a class taught by a very talented lady.   Had I been thinking, I would have unstuffed the Panda  washed him and re-filled him.  Too late now!

This is the card I made for Aaron’s Birthday.  Lots of Panda’s.  I also sent him a little something that I hope will find a spot in his heart…..I used the Cheery Lynn  Designs B348 – Step Card #1 die.  My buddy Brenda gifted it to me from Joan’s Garden.  This die is amazing. Not only does it cut the card frame, it also cuts the patterned pieces.   Sadly, because of the cost to produce,  Cheery Lynn Designs is no longer having it manufactured.  When my die was ordered Joan had two remaining…..if you are interested.  Contact Joan at:  Joan’sGardens.  

Well, I’m going to close for now…..lots to do and with the rain, I just want to curl up with a book.  Maybe I can do that later….

Happy Crafting, have a most wonderful week,

Hugs,

Mary Mac

Happy Halloween....BOO!

I don't make many Halloween cards, I did think maybe I should make at least one.  This card is a result of my Sunday play day.  I think she's the perfect little witch. 

We live in a neighborhood that doesn't have many children.  We also have no sidewalks and at night it's pretty dark.  The result of this, we get very few little goblins on Halloween.  We do have two precious neighbor girls that manage to find their way to our door.  This year the candy will be in this little bag...

A very quick and easy make, thanks to dies and a border punch.  And a great way to use up the snippets I created while making the card. 

And last but certainly not least....this is the desk that was clean and tidy before I started. 

Oops, I almost forgot to show you the inside of the card....

For the insides of my cards, I like to repeat at least one thing from the outside of the card.  I must say, I think I used much more than one thing....

I think I need to fess up about one little thing.  My desk looked much worse when I was creating.  I forgot to take a photo. The desk photo was taken as I was trying to find enough bits and pieces for another card or two, and maybe a few more bags of candy.  Now that I've come clean, I feel sooooo much better!

This is where I'll share my little sweet treats:

Pixie's Crafty Workshop  Di is off traveling this week.  She gave the keys to the playground to Parsnip.  Somehow I think the the mischief will go on, even if Parsnip is being watchful. 

Jules has a great place to play.  Well, usually we are showing the results of our play and some of us tend to be a bit messy.  How about checking out  Stamping Ground.  You won't be disappointed.  Lots always going on there.  Just maybe you'll bravely show your work desk!

Until later, Hugs from Northern California,

Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Let It Snow

Quick post today.....If you want to learn more about this card, head on over to the Poppystamps Blog page...It's my day to play over there....Love these step cards!  And the Grand Town House Window is one of my favorite dies.  Can you tell?

Off I go, I hope you find a bit of time to play!
Hugs,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Happy World Card Making Day!

It's World Card Making Day......I'm sure all around the World, cutters are cutting, embossers are embossing, glue is gluing and crafters are smiling!  I know in my world that's what is happening.  And I know that in the  Poppystamps world there is much celebrating and this card is what I made.

The theme of the Poppystamps blog hop is friendship....now what does this card say about friendship?  I'll tell you....The Charming Stars die, signifies the four directions on a compass.  Through my blog posts, I've met people from around the world.  Most I've met, through their posts.   Through our comments back and forth, I feel a bond of friendship.  Over the past years I've shared the births of children and grandchildren, marriages, sickness and even the sadness of death.  I've also learned about different cultures through the cards others made.  So today we celebrate with the talented people from around the world who put a little of themselves in each card they create.

My design team friends at Poppystamps are celebrating in a big way.  We are having a blog hop.  If you are following along on the blog hop, you should have found me by visiting Lezlye Lauterbach  If this is your first stop along this World Card Making Day hop, and you want to start from the beginning, hop over to the Poppystamps Blog page.  You can find out all about the hop and the prizes, you heard me p-r-i-z-e-s......we all like that word don't we!  I know I sure do!

This card was made from bits and pieces, well mostly.  The sparkly white pieces are what fell from the white sparkly frame I'd cut earlier.  and the red inside is a snippet...

Trust me, it wasn't originally meant to be a snippet, but when I was die cutting, I didn't have the paper lined up properly and the top was cut off.  So, I made lemonade from the oops moment.  I really think this was a happy accident. 

Before I say thanks for visiting my blog page and I say goodbye for today, I want to tell you the next stop on this World Card Making Day blog hop is Michele Henderson.  Hop on over to visit Michele and don't forget to comment on this post, who knows....maybe you'll win!

Happy Crafting.....and Hugs from my side of the world! And a MOST HAPPY WORLD CARD MAKING DAY!

Mary Mac 

aka:  Glitter Grammy