Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Homemade Strawberry Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe - Great Valentine Treat!



Super Yummy! Great Valentine Treat!!!

Dry ingredients:
1 ¾ cup All Purpose Flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt

Wet ingredients:
1 egg
½ cup oil
¾ cup milk
¼ cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 tsp pure orange extract

For folding in:
½ cup almonds
½ cup chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet)
1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, chopped


Method:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.

In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well till the whole batter comes together. (Too much stirring/mixing will result in muffins that are too dense/heavy.)

Fold in the strawberries, chocolate chips and almonds. Spoon the batter and place in each paper-lined muffin cup till it is two-thirds full.

Bake for 25 minutes or so till the tops are nice and brown or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the muffin comes out clean.

This recipe yields 12 muffins.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Cleaning the sensor on my Canon

Found this video clip showing the proper way to clean the sensor if needed. I actually had noticed a few specs on my own sensor this week, while taking photo's of Mallie, and I was not sure the proper way to clean the camera. These below video tutorials helped a lot.





Also, this is a great tool to purchase: http://www.copperhillimages.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=2

The Happy Hat



I finally found where to buy these adorable hats. The hat is called the "Happy Hat". You can pick them up at Etsy. I wanted one of these for a baby photo shoot. I purchased the one that is the rainbow colors below.









Saturday, January 17, 2009

In loving memory of our wonderful dog Mallie Rose



Glitter Graphics

To our Mallie Rose Dog...


Mallie was laid to rest on 1/17/09 at 1:35 PM.

Our hearts broke to see you go but we know your pain has passed. We love you our loyal 4 legged friend. You will never be forgotten and you will always stay close in our hearts.


A poem to you our special pet:
The dog name "Mallie Rose" who shared our lives.
In subtle ways she lets us know
her spirit still survives.
Old habits still make us think
we hear a barking at the door.
Or step back when we drop
a tasty morsel on the floor.
Our feet still go around the place
the food dish used to be,
And, sometime, coming home at night,
we miss her terribly.
That one true place in our hearts
belongs to Mallie dear...
we'll never forget those hazel eyes and
how close she cuddled near.

All our love, Eric, Kristy, Kate, Jill and Em

Note to friends/family: This pet was so special to our family. Thank you for your heart felt love and prayers.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Bits and Bites - Camera Strap for my SLR

I found this great site thru my link at Fabulous Fun Finds (see on the right toolbar on my page.) The site that I purchased this strap cover from was Baubles and Bits's Shop. See the adorable strap pattern that I picked for my Canon SLR. I love it!!!


Thursday, January 15, 2009

Shimelle's Free Online Class Fun!



Please stop by http://www.shimelle.com/classes/404/a-free-mini-class-to-say-thank-you/to see her amazing blog and to download her generous free mini online class. Once you arrive on Shimelle's site you will find a pretty 3 page pdf to download.
Not its in your hand's now...it's all about you!!!
Join in the crafting fun!!!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Honest Opinion - Valentines Cards

Your honest opinion please...

Okay, I am trying to get a really cute picture of my girls and then play with some neat photo effects for our Valentines family card. Tell me what you think about this photo and the effect. Should I just try again for something better and forget this effect??? The funny thing is that their faces/heads kind of shape the outline of a heart. I wish Katie would have opened her eyes more. Do you think black and white would look better?





Template from my good friend Kim Bear Photography.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Neat Site!

This is such a neat site, so I had to share (check it out): www.scrapblog.com


Sunday, January 4, 2009

Organizational Fun! Kristy's Clothespins

Just wanted to show the cute clothespins that I created after lifting this cute idea from an organizational store. I made these pins to keep my daughter's homework organized. I created a set that was just the days of the week and then I also made some foofie decorative clothespins just for fun. See below:




Thursday, January 1, 2009

My NEW Sewing Box!

Well, Eric bought me the sewing box that I really wanted...(thank you hubby!) These boxes really can get expensive!!! I was so happy to get this and of course it is all filled up to the brim with all my odds and ends :). My first alteration was ribbons added to the handle of the box...lol! I need the box raring and ready to go for my next big project, see below.

Here is the next major project that I will be taking on. I am making aprons for Mother's Day 2009 gifts. I have to plan this far in advance or else they will never get done. Also, I wanted to try to make a 2009 Christmas Apron for my mother and mil. I found some great holiday fabric that I purchased in the sage green and red, which will look adorable!!! I am also thinking of making an Easter aprons for me in the purple and green dot along with the gingham green and white check. I still need to find a matching floral and also fabric for the brown and pink dot pattern to match. Nothing jumped out to me at the fabric store. I was going to look online later today and see what I can find. If anyone knows of a great site with more designer fabrics, please share or post a comment. Thanks!!!


Well, I said that I would be getting crafty during the time I am off work and this is it!

Happy New Year 2009!!!


To all my friends and family or anyone stopping by...Happy New Year!!!
Another year is dawning
Dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with thee
F.R. Havergol
Seek ye first His kingdom and His righteousness,
and all these things will be added unto you. Matt. 6:33