Digital Scrapbooking

Recently, I decided that I really need to figure how scrapbooking fit into my overall life priorities. With the birth of my daughter, I really have A LOT of stuff that I need to make sure is accurately and beautifully chronicled. However small she may be, another human residing in our 1300 sq. ft. home has really cut down on the crafting space in this house. Therefore, I decided to give digital scrapbooking a go since all I need is my computer to do it.

I purchased the My Digital Studio software from my Stampin' Up demonstrator Paula Hodges. So far, I'm really excited about how it works. Another customer told me that it was similar to MS PowerPoint in use, and I'm finding that to be true. Sure, there are plenty of other ways to digital scrapbook using some free photo editing programs, or Adobe PhotoShop, but My Digital Studio appears to be really user friendly. It all uses all the Stampin' Up colors, punches, stamps, etc., so you can combine it was some actual paper crafting.

Right now I'm working on a photo book of my daughter's first few months and a calendar for my husband and I to use at our offices. Here's a sample of one of the pages I will use for the calendar.

(Excuse some of the lines...things hangover because this will be printed and cropped to full bleed.)

Knitting endeavors

So, it's like totally been forever since I've posted here. I've been a little busy--having given birth and started to raise a daughter and all. I've tried to make some time for knitting though.

I've started a really comfy pair of socks for Jason with my Socks that Rock superwash marino from last year's MDSW.

I've also completely fallen in love with Sarjeet's booties. I made these two pairs for a friend expecting twins. I also made a larger pair for my daughter, and they are SO adorable. Just adorable.

February Lady

My February Lady Sweater is coming along!!! Looks like I'm still on
track for enjoying it this fall :)

Been a while...

I've definitely been neglecting this blog! Our life has been full of home renovations lately, including those that have rendered my craft area unusable. I am going to try to get to those "She's All That" cards like I promised, especially because I need one for a baby shower this weekend!

However, my knitting guru, Laura P., was in town this weekend, so I thought it would be an opportune time to cast on my February Lady Sweater. I am using Brooks Farm Solana that I purchased last May at MDSW. It's difficult to describe how much I love this yarn and how lovely it's knitting up. Just scrumptious!!! I'm trying to get this finished by the end of the month so I can wear it as the weather cools off.

Ice Cream Sandwiches

This past Sunday, I really had an itch to try out a new cookie recipe. What I did not have an itch for, was going to the grocery store. So, I raided my box of baking goodies, and came out with a bag of Andes Candies baking pieces. I also had cocoa powder on hand, so I tried to find a recipe for chocolate cookies that would ultimately lead to chocolately-minty goodness. Thankfully, I came across this recipe.

They came out so nice and flat, that I immediately thought they would make the perfect outer components to an ice cream sandwich. I love it when I'm right.

I Have a Problem

Hi. My name is BigR, and I am a rubber stamp-o-holic.

Yikes! After several weeks of procrastinating, I finally got our office/craft room organized this weekend. It was a task that involved a big mess and a lot of filing, so I had been putting it off by claiming that other areas of the house were much higher priorities. However, this weekend, I really didn't want to go in to work, so organizing the office became a much higher priority. Obviously. (You will start to note that this post is a true Chronicle of Procrastination.)

In the midst of organizing, I started to notice how many Stampin' Up rubber stamp sets I have that have been neither used or mounted! I lost track of how many sets that actually was. I am happy to say that all of my stamps are now ready for immediate use, as I got all of the newbies mounted while watching season 4 of Weeds.

It's been difficult to make going to work after hours a priority, when I have such an urgent need for thank you, birthday, and graduation cards. For that reason, I spent a few hours last night getting reacquainted with my paper supplies and making the following cards:

Since I realized how many stamps I have that I never actually use, I've decided to challenge myself to use all of them. I think this will reintroduce me to what I have already purchased, and get my creative juices flowing for Christmas card design. Stay tuned for the results from my first personal challenge, Stampin' Up! set "She's All That."

Alright. Back to work. Really.

Tiramasu Cupcakes

I'm not sure I can really describe how thrilled I have been with Martha's new cupcake book. I'm so anxious to try every recipe in there!

This past weekend, we were guests at our friends' Italian feast. This was an opportunity to try out a new recipe from the cookbook. I decided to take a stab at Martha's Tiramsu Cupcakes.

The cake part was a dense sponge cake, which to me, sort of seems like an oxymoron. Since the cupcakes are drenched with a syrup made of espresso and Marsala, the cupcakes need to be able to stand up to a bunch of liquid. However, for me, the balance wasn't quite right and I think they need a bit more liquid to more closely resemble tiramsu.

The icing was scrumptious! Whipped cream, marscarpone, and powdered sugar. No problems there at all.

Overall, I think the cupcakes were enjoyed, and I'll try this recipe again.