3/31/12
12/15/11
Cookie Exchange Madness!
So I decided to host a cookie exchange/ Tupperware party this holiday season. I think it is a great way to share a last party of the year with my girlfriends and an easy way to get lots of cookies! What I didn't realize at the time I scheduled this thing (way back in June) was I would be part of a new club also having an exchange. What this means is I have to bake 6 dozen per party! The good news is that it is all the same cookie. YAY! So this is my cookie.
White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or grated peel of 1 orange (or orange extract)
3 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Combine, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract in large bowl. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats, cranberries, and white chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 1 - 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or grated peel of 1 orange (or orange extract)
3 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Combine, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract in large bowl. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats, cranberries, and white chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 1 - 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
10/30/11
9/22/11
5/1/11
3/21/11
Want a chance to win a hostess prize without having a party?
Thirty One Gifts by Janice & Co. is having a MYSTERY HOSTESS PARTY!
Janice Guazzo
Thirty One Gifts Consultant
Holden, MA
423.220.7157
http://www.mythirtyon...
Janice Guazzo
Thirty One Gifts Consultant
Holden, MA
423.220.7157
http://www.mythirtyon...
2/12/11
Do you know what Thirty One Gifts are?
The first time I saw the products of Thirty One Gifts was at my son's preschool in TN. All the kids had the insulated lunch bags with their names embroidered on them. They looked so cute all lined up on the cubbies. I never did get anything there in TN but something prompted me to seek out a rep online to order one of the really cool Skirt Purses they sell. It is such a brilliant concept for someone who likes to match/change their purse but hates emptying it out. You buy the black or brown base purse and then additional skirts for them. They slip on like a pillowcase and have 4 hook and eye clips on each side of the purse with 4 snaps on the band. It is such fun. I ordered them without ever touching them in person. I was very happy with what I got in the mail!
Well after loving the purse, I have decided to dabble in selling it here in MA. There aren't a lot of reps here and with all the Vera Bradley I see around it should sell well. The prices are FAR less and frankly I think the quality is way better.
I absolutely love all of their purses and the lunch bags. I can't wait to do my first party...who will be FIRST?
This special in February is too good to be true! We've never done this before: for EVERY $31 you spend, you get your favorite item - ANY item - at 31% off! That means if you spend $62, you'll get 2 items at 31% off and so on. Whether you need a cute new purse, a Beach Towel for your vacation, or a Thermal Tote to pack summer lunches in, it's up to you. What a great way to start shopping from our new catalog! You'll definitely want to take advantage of this fantastic special. Can't wait to hear what items YOU'D like to buy!
http://www.mythirtyone.com/602 79/
My launch party is going on this week and next...if you want to place an order please just let me know or order online. Click this link to go to the launch party. http://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/catalog.aspx?eventId=E521878&from=DIRECTLINK
Well after loving the purse, I have decided to dabble in selling it here in MA. There aren't a lot of reps here and with all the Vera Bradley I see around it should sell well. The prices are FAR less and frankly I think the quality is way better.
I absolutely love all of their purses and the lunch bags. I can't wait to do my first party...who will be FIRST?
This special in February is too good to be true! We've never done this before: for EVERY $31 you spend, you get your favorite item - ANY item - at 31% off! That means if you spend $62, you'll get 2 items at 31% off and so on. Whether you need a cute new purse, a Beach Towel for your vacation, or a Thermal Tote to pack summer lunches in, it's up to you. What a great way to start shopping from our new catalog! You'll definitely want to take advantage of this fantastic special. Can't wait to hear what items YOU'D like to buy!
http://www.mythirtyone.com/602
My launch party is going on this week and next...if you want to place an order please just let me know or order online. Click this link to go to the launch party. http://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/catalog.aspx?eventId=E521878&from=DIRECTLINK
1/15/11
The Cloud
Well if anyone out there is wondering what those stupid commercials are all about….this new Windows Live Writer for my blog is pretty cool. Sorta like WORD and a webpage all in one.
I heard you an also use WORD, EXCEL and POWERPOINT for free if you have Windows 7.
I am still trying to figure it all out.
1/11/11
DIY water colors
This is amazing...I love this idea. I have to do it with Jeff. He loves to paint.

DIY watercolorsI woke up early this morning to complete one last Christmas gift for my 2 1/2 year old son: watercolors! I had seen a DIY watercolor recipe in Whole Living some time ago and saved it, but you can find the same recipe all over the internet. It's really easy, non-toxic and the colors turned out beautifully!
{photo by Heather Hackett}
You'll need:
- baking soda
- cornstarch
- white vinegar
- light corn syrup (or simply boil one cup sugar and 1/2 cup water until clear, which is what I did)
- food coloring
Combine 3 tablespoons each of the baking soda, cornstarch and vinegar and add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the corn syrup/sugar substitute. Allow the fizzing to subside and mix completely. Pour the mixture into whatever you'd like to use to hold your paints. I bought a $2 paint tray at Michaels, but you can also use a plastic egg carton. Add the food coloring to create your desired palette and leave out to harden for three hours. Make sure you add the food coloring relatively quickly; the mixture actually starts to solidify almost right away.
Career path for my kids
I have chosen the career path for my children...
They way that they stretch out the the simplest and most mundane tasks, to take much longer than needed. The way that they make me scream like a lunatic. The way they've been talking back with an air of entitlement. These are valuable skills to have and I think they will fit right in at the TSA, the DVM, or any other government run facility. (thanks for the idea@Bob Lynn)
12/31/10
Cutting File Sites
FILES - Freebies and purchase
http://myscrapchick.com/
http://einnej.typepad.com/

http://www.littlebit.com/cutter/cutter_files_index.html

http://scrapola.com/index.html
http://scrappingklo.blogspot.com/search/label/Free%20Files

http://www.scrapmag.info/crafty/index.php
http://letsbescrappy.blogspot.com/search/label/free

http://www.hinkeltje.com/freebees/fbgal.php?album_id=21

http://thatsscrapinc.com/cuttingfiles.aspx

http://freesvgfiles.com/category/free-svgs/
http://gsdjunkie.blogspot.com/
http://scrapncreations.com/blog/
How to file conversions! http://scrapncreations.com/blog/?page_id=494
http://einnej.typepad.com/
http://www.littlebit.com/cutter/cutter_files_index.html
http://scrapola.com/index.html
http://scrappingklo.blogspot.com/search/label/Free%20Files
http://www.scrapmag.info/crafty/index.php
http://letsbescrappy.blogspot.com/search/label/free
http://www.hinkeltje.com/freebees/fbgal.php?album_id=21
http://thatsscrapinc.com/cuttingfiles.aspx
http://freesvgfiles.com/category/free-svgs/
http://gsdjunkie.blogspot.com/
http://scrapncreations.com/blog/
How to file conversions! http://scrapncreations.com/blog/?page_id=494
How To-File Conversion
I have received many questions regarding how I create the many file conversions for the different cutter machines. So I thought I would put together a How To…, to show you how I do it.
I own the Klic-n-Kut Element, that is where I create my files and convert some of the files from Klic-n-Kut Studio software.
Alot of the files can be converted with the Inkscape program. which is a free program
SVG to DXF,PDF,EPS,PNG
1-Use the Inkscape program to create or open an SVG file.
2-Select all-Path-Object to path
3-File- Save as-choose from the list of file types to save- choose your folder to save to.
(I create a different folder in My Documents for each file format-I have a separate folder for AI,SVG,KNK,GSD,PNG,DXF,EPS,SCUT,PDF and so on)
4-Thats it, your file is now converted to which ever format you chose.
DXF to SVG
1-Open the Inkscape program.
2-File-Import-a window will open for you to find your DXF file.
3-A new window will pop up called DXF input-make no changes and click ok.
4-File-save as-(I save it as a plain SVG) Thats it!
SVG to SCUT 2
You will need the Sure Cuts A lot (SCAL 2) program to create Scal files.
You can download the trial version of the program and use it to convert files.
1-Open Scal 2
2-File-Import SVG
3-File- Save as-Thats it!!
SVG to GSD
You will need the Robomaster Software program to convert any files to GSD.
Here is a link to the program(Free and Legal)
Robomaster Software Link
1-Open Inkscape-Open your SVG file
2-File-Save as-(save it as DXF)
3-Open your Robo Master software program.
4-File-Load DXF
5-Save as- GSD, Thats it!!
GSD to SVG
This file conversion is a little more labor intensive. But if you just have to have a file that is only in GSD this is how you do it.
You will need to Robomaster software program:
Here is a link to the program(Free and Legal)
Robomaster Software Link
You will also need CutePDF program to create a PDF of your GSD:
Here is a link to the free program
Cute PDF Software Link
You will also need Inkscape
Inkscape
1-Open your GSD file with Robomaster program
2-If all lines are not black go to the line settings(at the bottom-little pencil with 2 lines at the bottom)click that and select modify-select black-click ok and ok again.
3- Object selected-Click output settings-(7th icon from the top left)
4-On the printer setting choose CutePDF- and check Print cut lines.
5-Output to printer-Box pops up-copies is 1, page range is ALL.
6-Save PDF file to a folder.
7-Close Robomaster.
8-Open Inkscape- Find your PDF file. Open it-PDF import settings box pops up,just click OK. (this takes alot of resources so I get alot of program not responding,so I just click 2 times on the OK button until I see the wheels turning ,so to speak).
9-Go to Edit-Select all-Then Edit-Make bitmap copy.
10-Go to View-Outline Mode(a red x will appear,thats Ok)
11-Make sure Everthing is still selected.
12-Go to Path-Trace Bitmap-A box will pop up-Under the mode tab make sure brightness cutoff is selected- Click the update button(you should see your traced image in the preview. If not adjust the threshold up (to the right of the brightness cutoff selection) and hit update again, keep adjusting the threshold until you do see a preview.
13-Click OK and close the preview box.
14-Go to your image- hover over it until you see the 4 arrows and move the newly traced image to the side- Select the image with the red X and delete that.
15- Now save your file as a SVG. Thats it!!
DXF,AI or EPS to WPC
It has come to my attention that DXF files created and saved in Inkscape will not work when importing into Funtime software. I have found a fix for this. Download this zip file(it is an extension for Inkscape)
Click here Download the better DXF output zip file, follow the instructions that they give, restart Inkscape and and you will now have the option to save as- better DXF output- file format.
I have tried this and it worked. YAY!!
This same problem arises with the EPS files also . I have not found out how to fix this yet.
1-Open Funtime software
2-File-Import- (You can import, DXF, AI, or EPS files)
3-File-Save as WPC
4- Thats It!!
SVG to WPC
It has come to my attention that DXF files created and saved in Inkscape will not work when importing into Funtime software. I have found a fix for this. Download this zip file(it is an extension for Inkscape)
Click here Download the better DXF output zip file, follow the instructions that they give, restart Inkscape and and you will now have the option to save as- better DXF output- file format.
I have tried this and it worked. YAY!!
This same problem arises with the EPS files. I have not found out how to fix this yet.
1-Open Inkscape
2-Open your SVG file
3-Save as DXF, AI, or EPS.
4-Close Inkscape
5-Open Funtime Scrapbooking software
6-Import-DXF,AI, or EPS
7-File save as WPC. Thats it!!
SVG to KNK
1-Open SVG file in Inkscape
2-Save as an EPS file (when asked,check the boxes next to Make bounding box around full page and convert text to paths)
3-Open KNK studio software
4-Import EPS file (select-Use PDF import filter)
5-Select All-Arrange-Break Path
Thats it!!
I have a GSD to KNK tutorial here:
GSD to KNK
SUPPLIES
12/19/10
Sweet Something Designs: Chocolate Candy Ornament
This is such a cute idea...I think I am going to make these next year.
http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2009/12/chocolate-candy-ornament.html
http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2009/12/chocolate-candy-ornament.html
Sweet Something Designs: Chocolate Candy Ornament
Chocolate Candy Ornament
How would you like to make some chocolate candy? What? You don't cook? Hmmm....don't worry this chocolate candy ornament is easy as pie, or whatever......
First of all, I purchased glass ball ornaments at the end of the season last year, knowing I wanted to make these as gifts for friends and family, this year....but these boxes are so inexpensive anyway....It would be ok to pay full price. :)
Next whip out the glue gun, load that thang up and keep the sticks handy, because this step will take a lot of sticks. Begin by taking the little metal hanger thing out, so you can stick a pencil (eraser side down) into the ornament to keep it steady.
Next, start right along the top and glob on the glue, letting it run, working your way around the entire ornament, until you've got something that looks like this:
I like to do several at a time because really, who doesn't have a zillion yellow no. 2 pencils laying around, when you have school age kids Hu? I use the pencils as a cooling rack and stuck them where ever I can find a place until they cool....the glue looks cloudy when it's cool
Now you are ready to paint. I highly recommend this type of spray paint, because it is a specialty paint, that has the perfect shade of brown...I haven't tried regular spray paint, but this is the perfect chocolate brown.
Now honestly folks, you very well could stop here. It looks really cute, just like this...but I can't leave well enough alone...
So, I use Mod Podge to coat the runny area only
Quickly sprinkle sugar looking glitter on
And well, you could really leave it looking like this...it looks really cute with a little bit of sugar on top...
But no, not me...I have to keep going...I mean well enough doesn't like to be left alone...
So with little red crafty berries
and crushed peppermint sticks
I decorated the top of the chocolate ornament...I did a random gluing of the berries and candy cane, you can do as much or as little as you want....
Ok, I'm going to leave it alone now! I added a little ribbon string and bow in the cutest check ribbon
Don't pay any attention to the glue strings, I'll get those off...
That's it! Now you have a super cute Chocolate candy ornament to keep or give to friends and family!
Thanks for stopping by!
I hope you're inspired! Try a chocolate candy ornament today!http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2009/12/chocolate-candy-ornament.html
10/31/10
Happy Halloween
It has been a busy month...
Pumpkin Farm
Open Gym Play
Fall Foliage EVERYWHERE
SOCCER
Jeff's 5th Birthday
Pumpkin Farm
MAYFLOWER II and Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth MA
Is this what Alex thinks of math? I know it sums up my feelings about it. ROFL
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