Pup Pictures

It's brag time for me.....my daughter Amy is a professional photographer.  I love the photos she takes at weddings, her food photos for restaurants, her baby photography but I think what I love most is her pet photography.

Having recently lost my boy Baxter, I know how much I cherish my photos.  The above photos are of her little Boxer friend, Olivia.  I think she is ready for Santa.  Amy lives in the Chicago area (just sayin!)and she's taking bookings for Christmas pet photography.  I have friends living in the area and I wanted to make sure they knew Amy would love to come to your home (ask about travel) to get beautiful photos of your fur baby.  For a special offer be sure to mention that Glitter Grammy sent you....or just say....your mom sent me.  

If you want more information?

Want to see more of her art?   You can see more here.

Ok, I'm done bragging.....and now it's on to baking for a cookie exchange.  

Hugs from me to you,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

A Sparkly Noel

Well this is it.....It's December already and this will be my last Christmas creation for 2015.  I'm going to tell you I am cheating a bit.  Last year I designed a card for a Gift Workshop at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique.  I loved the fact that I could use left over glitter paper to  cut the letters.  So, this year I saved any piece big enough to use for one of the letters.  I also used scrap to make the solid portion of the ornament.  Well, what's left?  Yup, the silver glitter portion is also a scrap.  And at night while watching TV, I put the pieces together.....good idea?  I thought so.

As luck would have it.  The Sparkles December Challenge just happens to be Die Cuts.  Which is my very favorite.  I love dies and I use them as often as I can.  I'm not an artist, so using dies makes my life easier and often times much faster.  So, now that my card is finished....how about sharing how you create with dies.

Santa isn't the only one to gift.  Sparkles has two sponsors this month:

and

So, How about heading over to  Sparkles Christmas Challenge and enter your project using dies.  Who knows, you just might be a lucky winner!  

Until next time, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings and Happy New Year!  I hope wherever you are you are safe, healthy and surrounded by those who love you.  

Hugs from my world to yours,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Christmas Concert....and more!

Cake always gets my attention.  My friend Marsha and her husband are part of the Paradise Community Chorus.  They are having their annual Christmas concert next weekend.  This post is for my local followers.....if you haven't gotten your tickets you still have time.  There will be some available at the door, but I'd be thinking about getting them early.

So.....every year it's a fantastic concert, but it's also a bake sale fund raiser to support the chorus.  Marsha purchased some commemorative mugs, and I contributed  my favorite  recipe for this single serving cake.  To the mug, we added mix for one cake and instructions for making more.  I love having the mix on hand for those nights when I want a sweet, but can't be trusted to eat only one piece of an entire cake.    

I hope to see you at the concert and if your sweet tooth is calling to you, please think about this easy, yummy cake.

I love their poster......everything you need to know can be found here:

You may be interested in knowing, I won't be singing....and that is important information, especially if you've ever heard me sing!

Until next time,  Happy crafting/baking and Hugs from me to you.

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Yummy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

The Thanksgiving feast is over, however, with cold weather upon us, what could be better than Turkey Soup.  I posted this photo on FaceBook and I've gotten requests for the recipe.  So.... here it is.

This year I didn't want noodles, I wanted rice, and I didn't want white rice, I wanted wild rice.  So, the inspiration for my soup was wild rice, and what better use of turkey bones than soup.  I've got to tell you, I didn't roast a turkey.  We were invited to spend Thanksgiving with our neighbors, Marsha and Michael.  I did bring mashed potatoes and gravy and a pie.  To make the gravy I purchased turkey wings and cooked them first in the oven (425 degrees for 45 minutes) with carrots, onions and celery.  I then put the wings and vegetables into a large stock pot and simmered them for hours and hours.  I then strained the juices, discarded the vegetables and removed the meat from the bones.  (I couldn't believe how much turkey meat I pulled from those bones.)

Sound like a lot of work?  Not really, but here's the easier way, use left over turkey and either turkey broth or chicken broth.  Below is the easy way....

2/3 cup Wild Rice
2 cups of water.

I cooked the rice according to package directions.  It takes about 55 minutes.  I think there is also an instant wild rice blend if you don't want to invest 55 minutes.  Set the rice aside.

1 TBL butter
1 TBL olive oil
1/2 cup diced onions
1 cup sliced carrots
1/4 cup celery

In a stock pot or large pot, simmer the onions, carrots and celery in the butter and olive oil.  Until the onions are translucent.

4 to 5 cups turkey or chicken stock

Add the stock to the vegetable mixture and simmer until the carrots are nearly fully cooked.  It takes about 20 minutes.

2 cups diced turkey

Add the turkey to the mixture and heat to boiling.

Salt and Pepper - season to taste.

 Add the cooked  wild rice to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.  If your soup needs more liquid add additional stock.

This soup is very hearty and a great way to use left over chicken or turkey.  I served the soup with a crusty roll.

Enjoy and let me know how you like this soup.

This is as crafty as I am this weekend.

Hugs from my world to yours,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

It's Been So Long Since My Last Post

It's been awhile since I've posted.  It's not because I haven't made things to post, I've just gotten busy with life and time has been flying by.  Maybe I should post all the cards I've made at one time.... This card was made with a paper Karen just brought into Paradise Scrapbook Boutique.  I love it.  The graphic is from a sheet with 12 equally sized vintage graphics.  It's a box of cards on one sheet.  The collection is Christmastime, by Authentique.  The papers are double sided and both sides of all the papers are gorgeous.  The red paper is called Peppermint (the opposite side is candy canes) and the green paper is Evergreen and the opposite side has gorgeous writing on it.  I love it when I can find papers that make creating a card easy.  

The inside could not have been easier!  The dies I've chosen are new and I love the sentiment.  Both are from the 2 die set by Echo Park.  I purchased mine from PSB.  The word Merry is in beautiful script and Christmas is perfect sized bold print.  The Snowflake is also from Echo Park and both dies cut easily through the thin glitter card stock.  

I guess I should close for now, I have 10 more cards to make!  Until next time, wishing my US followers a Happy Thanksgiving .  While searching the web I found this calendar site - http://www.holidayscalendar.com/month/november/?year=2015  Who knew there were so many reasons to celebrate!  Yesterday was World Hello Day and I missed it....so Happy belated World of Hello Day.  

Until next time, hugs to all, Happy Crafting,

Mary 

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

A quick update

Another class has been added.

I'm happy that this little step card is being so well received.  Karen and I are adding an additional class.  If you are interested the class will be November 14th at 1:00 PM.  Give Karen a call to reserve your space.

Ha....I said this would be quick...bet you thought I couldn't do quick!  Have a great week!

Happy Crafting,
Mary Mac

Sparkles Christmas Challenge - November! Already!

Oh my, where did October go?  Honest, even though I've not posted for a month, I have been really, really busy!  Before I go any farther let me tell you this month's Sparkles Christmas Challenge was chosen by Debs and the theme is Decorations.  Mine might be a stretch, as it is a card, with a decoration.  I'm on a rosette kick of late....thank you Karen, Deb and Chris....so, my decoration is the tiny rosette!  I had a bit of time to color, so I did!

How about showing us what you've got.  Just make sure there is some sort of decoration, either by making one, or showing one on a card or project.  And, you could win a great prize.....thanks to:

and

You can check out the ins and outs at:  Sparkles Christmas Challenge.   I'm looking forward to see what you create!

Ok, so here is the inside of my card....you know me, it isn't done til the inside is complete!

Remember I said I was on a rosette kick?  Well let me tell you why.....Karen - Paradise Scrapbook Boutique - had aa 2 day  anniversary crop.  She gave us projects we could make with the beautiful paper pad.....One of the projects is a rosette Christmas Tree that she and her sister Deb created.  

Here's the one I made....mind you it's not done yet, I still have to refigure the tippy top and I want to cover the back too....but here is what I have so far......

The finished tree is about 18 inches tall....not too big and not too small!  And, I've been playing with two snowmen cards.  I saw the pattern on Pinterest, but I forgot to pin it, so this is what I think it looked like.....These two snow people were quick, easy, and flat for mailing!

So see, I have been busy......and if I want to get my tree finished, I'd best get moving!  Sending wishes for a happy crafty week.

Hugs from me to you,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Sparkles Christmas Challenge

Getting closer to Christmas....I know, what happened to Christmas being months away.  This year has flown by and I wish I could put the breaks on.  The winds of Autumn are pushing us all to quickly into the Christmas Season.

We can thank Sparkles Christmas Challenge design team member Sandra for this month's challenge - Distress It.  My graphic is from Graphic45, and my paper is from a 2012 Authentique collection.  The dies are new Memory Box and Poppystamps.  I love how they cut out the corners.

Before I show you the inside of my card, I want to thank......

and

For gifting some lucky folk a chance to win.  For more on how you can play along....Check out the ins and outs of playing along with us as we head toward the holidays.  I'll be watching and I hope to see you there.  

Now on to the inside of my card.  It's a pop up card......(though you wouldn't know from this photo... The tiny little die cuts and the trees are from Poppystamps.  

Here's a little better look......My friend Mary Jane made a card using this layout and, well, imitation is the best compliment.  Right?  

Off I go for now.  I think I'll go and see what kind of trouble I can get into.....

Happy Crafting and Hugs,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Time To Play

I've been working on organizing my craft room....but I was distracted by something shiny and had to stop long enough to play.

For my birthday I was gifted The Fuse.  I played with it and was pleased to see how easy it is to make sealed envelopes.  This card was totally made with bits left over from a previous project, which always makes me happy.  The leaves are  Poppystamps dies, the stamped image is an old one.  One I found in a Dollar bin at a JoAnn's store.  Or I think it was a JoAnn's store.  I did finish the inside, but forgot to take a photo.  Silly me!

So that's it....now I need to get back to organizing....

Have a most wonderful crafty weekend.
Hugs from me to you....
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

WOYWW

Hi a quick one today....Here's what's on my work desk....I'm working on a card for an October post, so I won't show you that, but here's what the old desk looks like.....

Not too bad....If you look closely you'll see some dies, some paper and ink and a sort of clean spot in the middle.  If you are new to the internet and WOYWW you are probably saying What?  So here's what....head over to Stamping Ground and you will learn all you need to play along.  Notice, I said play along, so grab your camera and head to your craft room.  Come on, I want to see.....

Off I go, I'm heading to Paradise Scrapbook Boutique to play with paper!

Until next time......Hugs,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Autumn Splendor Challenge

I could not help myself....I had to play along.....

Autumn/Fall is my favorite time.  The temperatures are cooling down (well, usually but not this year) the trees are sporting beautiful leaves in glorious colors.  I was at my local Scrapbook store... you know, Paradise Scrapbook Boutique, and Karen just received a new line of Graphic45 papers.  I found one with lots of graphics and decided to cut one and frame the pieces.  So that's my focal graphic.  Then, I added my favorite Poppystamps leaf dies, see them peeking out from behind the graphic?  And I needed to say Happy Halloween, so I used a Memory Box Border, which I cut to fit the 1/4 fold card.  I added some ribbon a bit of leaf confetti and the outside is done!

And the inside could not have been easier.  My buddy Mary Jane gifted me some 6x6 paper, which is what I used for the background both on the front and inside.  A little rubber stamp witch and some bling and the inside is complete.

I love the monthly challenges and I think you will love playing along.  You could win a super prize, so, how about joining in.  It's easy!  Check out how:  Right Here!  For a bit of inspiration and the rules check out what the Design Team has created.  

That's all for now,  Have a super crafty week,

Hugs,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Oh Christmas Tree

Sparkles Christmas Challenge this month is "Oh Christmas Tree and you can thank Caz for giving us this boost to our creativity.  I'm using my newest die for this card and I think it fits the bill for this month's challenge.  I think this is a pretty little tree.

This month the sponsors are:

and 

To find out how you could win one of these great prizes, click on over to The Sparkles Christmas Challenge ... you could be a winner!

Now about my card.  The die is from IO.  I like this die because it comes in 2 parts.  For the front of the card I used the entire die.  On the inside, I only used the top portion....

A stamped sentiment, a bit of sequins and my card is complete.  I framed the die on the front of the card and I cut the die from glittered card stock.  To make this card clean and simple you could omit the glittered frame.  I'm trying to keep my Christmas cards simple.  With postage what it is, any way to keep costs down works for me.  

Off I go.  I'm going to play with this format and make a few more cards.  Until next time,  

Happy Crafting and Hugs from me to you!

Mary Mac

AKA: Glitter Grammy

Big News and a Wedding Card

Here's a sneak peek of what my wedding card looks like, but if you want to find out about my big news, you'll have to check it out on the Poppystamps blog.

To find out more info about my card and to see both the inside and outside, you'll just have to hop on over to the Poppystamps Blog.

Hope to see you there,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

A Quick End Of Summer Card

Happy End of August.  We are looking forward to Fall and Winter  here in Northern California..  And hope for a very rainy winter!  So many fires in our neck of the woods.  Thankfully this year, thus far, we have been spared.

My post yesterday was very long, I'm keeping it short today.  I made this card as a thank you for a friend.  I think of August, my family in  Wisconsin and the lovely time my grandson and I had while visiting them on their farm.

I really love this Graphic45 paper.  Lots of images to cut and the patterned papers are gorgeous. Here's the inside.....

I said I'd be short today.....so, off I go.  I'm taking a card class today and spending time learning something new with my craft ladies. Always  a fun time.

Hugs from my world to yours,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Surprise - WOYWW and Rudolph Days

This is going to be a LONG one, with tons of photos.  I'm trying to do one post to cover several events.  So, I shall start in reverse of the title.....That way if you only want to see My Rudolph Day entry....you need not go too far into this post.....

Here's my Rudolph Days Challenge card.  I'm thinking about doing this for a class, so it's not quite where I want it for teaching a class, but here's what I have.  The outside is finished, the inside....not so much....

Briefly, the trees were cut using the Karen Burniston Pop It Ups.  I embossed the paper and the outside trees using an Elizabeth Crafts folder, and the sentiment is part of a die from Impression Obsession.  I've got to tell you, the inside tree was really easy to assemble and there is a fantastic You Tube video that shows you how.

For a change it's Wednesday when I am taking a photo of my desk for WOYWW.  Not real exciting, but it is what it is.  I've been playing around with making paper flowers using a Memory Box die that I've always loved, however, I just haven't used it much lately....

There's not much excitement here.  There is one thing that I am loving....my daughter and son came to surprise me for my birthday.  Amy brought me a little wooden box that has a so true sentiment....It says, If I didn't have you as a mom, I'd choose you as a friend.  Thanks Amy....and here is Amy....and me..  If you don't want to see family photos....stop now....if you do I hope you enjoy my birthday as much as I did......

Amy flew in from Chicago  and met with  her brother Dan in San Francisco.  To say the least, I was totally surprised.....

This is a re-enactment, however it's darn close to what I looked like!  I knew my son was coming, but boy did they keep a secret.  They were so secretive they didn't even tell my honey.  I found out later they kept this secret for an entire month.  

After a way too late evening, we spent the following day driving around.  Both kids wanted to see what the California drought had done to Lake Oroville....Not very pretty is it.  The water is normally up to the tree line.  

Here's a shot of Dan and Amy 

We went to dinner at my favorite restaurant.  Nothing fancy, but really yummy.....

Finally a shot of my honey....Always wearing a baseball hat and if allowed a T-shirt.  

So, if the kids visiting and phone calls from the others, wasn't enough, the plan was to go out to breakfast before the kids went back to the Bay area and home.  When I walked into the restaurant, I was met with this surprise.....

What a surprise.  These are my local craft ladies and they even brought their husbands.  Amy planned from 2000 miles away a surprise party.  And I had NO idea.  Can you believe these people kept the surprise for a month.  I can't.  What's even more surprising.....I am a hard cookie to surprise. Working in law enforcement for 20 years, married to a Highway Patrolman and having 4 kids, always kept me trying to stay one jump ahead....well this time, I had no clue.  Thank you Amy for forming the plan, Dan for planning the trip from the Bay Area, Shell and Karen for giving her the contacts, and my Chico, Magalia and Paradise group for being so closed mouth even though we were spending time together....I'm not sure I could have done it.  I have the best family and friends.  I love you all....

I should probably sign off, but I want to share two more photos.  A neighbor told my husband about a nest in the English Laurel bushes dividing our property.  It's too big for a bird, unless it's a hawk or an Eagle...we should be so lucky, so we are thinking it is a squirrel.....what do you think?

Baxter was a bit miffed, how come no pictures of my old buddy....so here's one of my little old guy...

Until next time...

Hugs from me to you.....

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy 

Too Early For Christmas?

Today I'm posting on the Poppystamps blog page.  Here's  a bit of my simple Christmas Card.  If you want to see more, and I hope you do.....check it out Here

I'm off to put 10 more of these together.....I am on a roll!

Happy Crafting from me to you....
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

The Heat Is On.....and I'm looking forward to Autumn

Good morning.  I'm back from vacation and hoping that just maybe things are getting back to normal. Last night  I was playing with paper and checking in on my favorite blog sites (ah, multi-tasking).  I should add I was also watching my San Francisco Giants playing ball! Anyway, When I checked in on the Poppystamps blog page I saw the August Challenge #11 - The Heat Is On.  Well guess what, I was working on this birthday card.  Well, summer + heat = playing in the water.  I'm going to enter my little card  into the challenge!  And.....wait for it.....this card was made with scraps.  Yup, before I went on vacation I was making thank you cards for the people we stayed with.  These are pieces of Graphic45 papers that were left over.  Well, the sailboat was cut from white scraps that I colored with my Spectrum Noir pens.  I haven't been here in awhile and I do hope Di at Pixie's Crafty Workshop  doesn't think I forgot about the playground gang, because they've never been far from my blogland hopping.

I've been having fun playing with my dies and you can never have too many on a card...Right?  And here is what the inside of my little card looks like.

Wait....what day is it?  

Last night I pretty much cleaned up my mess, but here's a picture of my little family room desk and it isn't looking too bad! I've got my coffee, my iPad, a new die I've not tried yet, my notebooks that I jot down ideas, water (because I'm trying to drink more) and under the desk dog toys.  So that's what I have on my desk this morning.  I'll head on over to show off my cleanish desk.  How about posting your desk on What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday?  

I'm off to teach a class today.  I guess I should get my act together and head out the door.  Until next time, and I hope to be posting more.  I admit, I've been a bit absent.  

Wait!  .....can I add one vacation photo?  My granddaughter and I spent time paper crafting.  I brought an album filled with lots of fancy cutting.  And there was a lot of paper to do more.  She isn't quite 10, but she caught on quickly and did a great job.  Then we put an "I Am" album together.  I assembled the base from a kit I bought at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique.  Bridget cut all the papers for the album and she decorated it all by herself!  I am one proud grammy!

Ok, now I really am off.....Until next time, Happy Crafting and Hugs

From me to you!

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

A Quick Get Well Card

We are more than half way through our vacation.  We've been having a wonderful time.  Sorry the posts have been so infrequent, but it's more fun to live in the moment with the family, than sit at the computer and write posts.

That said, here's a little Get Well card I made.  Seems when I need one, I don't have one and I have no time to create.  This little card was quick and fun to make.  If you want to read more, pop over to the Poppystamps Blog page for the rest of the story.

Until next time,  Happy Crafting and Big Hugs from me to you.

Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy