Work in Progress

This past weekend I was going to attempt to get back in the groove and 'create' something well...you know...cute!  The lure of watching the olympics and old movies on tbs (I'm a sucker for almost famous..."I'm a golden god", it never gets old) got the best of me.  I did get something accomplished, my taxes and a few cards.  No photos of the cards yet...I did make them I promise.  Just forgot to upload the photos.  For now enjoy the product pictures and imagine the work in progress.

Pile of new products to keep me busy.  Lemonade paper and rub-ons from Basic Grey.  Other misc items from Cool Scrapbook Stuff in Poway.

Amuse stamps from Paper Tales that made an adorable card...semi-valentine part just because.

I think I might just have to post on the finds I get from the Michael's dollar aisle.  These adorable stamps were yes, just a dollar.  I couldn't decide between the bunnies.  They both pulled at my crafters sense of cuteness.  Plus at a dollar each I could afford to get both.  Also in the dollar aisle was a chipboard book bound with a binder ring in the shape of a teapot.  I am obsessed with all things alice.  Alice in wonderland that is.  I plan on using that teapot book along with the teacup chipboard I got at Cool Scrapbook Stuff to make some type of alice themed book.  Possibly for a disney trip or just for photos of us riding the teacups.  Another 'work in progress'.  Have you noticed a theme here? I think my problem is that I have too many supplies and waaay too many options.  And the only way (lately) I've been able to complete something is if I have it all in one place at one time.  So, the goal for the next month....complete a project using the dollar aisle finds and the alice project.

Valentine DVD's

This past November I went to Disneyland with the extended family who was in town for my sister's wedding.  I took an insane amount of photos for most people, but for me it was about average.  Now I love to scrapbook but the hobby is expensive and a little hard to replicate for multiple people.  This gave me the perfect platform to use my mac and create a photo project with iMovie.  For those of you who don't use a mac iMovie is a program that lets you integrate photos, video clips and music into a seamless Sundance film level family movie.  Their instructional videos on apple.com are the easiest way to learn how to make your own.  Next came how to package it for shipping.  A simple dvd case with a ribbon just wouldn't do.

First came the card to hold it all.  (The lion is from K & Company from their zoo valentine collection.)

Supplies needed: 

2 sheets of cardstock, one red and one white (both 12"x12")

Adhesive

Glue dots

Scissors

Ink pad for edging

Felt vine pattern (adhesive backed)

Two gift tags (one large one small)

Paper Trimmer

Red ribbon

Black Sharpie

First cut both pieces of cardstock in half. You will have two sheets that are 6"x12".  Set the red aside and cut the white in half again.  With the two pieces of white you will need to trim them down about a half inch on two sides so that they fit into the card (for your sentiment) and onto the front of the card for the background on the lion.  

Glue down your pieces and adhere the lion to the front of the card.  Also add any embellishments to the front you wish.  I added a vine-like felt ribbon that is adhesive backed.  So simple and adds just the right amount of detail without taking away from the lion.  

The glue dots come in handy when placing the dvd inside the card.  This interior shot showcases the dvd with a tag inside the dvd case.  It reads: "Play me in your DVD player.  I'm in HD!"  That's right the dvd is in HD!   Gotta love a mac!

Next was making the mini tags to denote who's card was who's in the package (I made two of these, one for grandma and the other for my future aunt).  The K&Company paper was just too cute and I thought the little lions on the full size patterned paper was just too adorable not to use.  

I edged the sides of the small tag and adhered the cut-out lion to the tag.  On the reverse side I wrote the recipients name.  Tied it all together with some sheer ribbon and its off to Philadelphia.  Not as jaw dropping as a scrapbook but close enough.  Plus it can be played over and over by my two year old cousin who will no doubt love watching herself on tv.  And I'm sure my family will too! 

(sidenote: once I figure it out I'll attempt to upload the dvd project here)

Buttercream Frosting

I love sweets.  Period.  Very rarely will I turn down a sugar infused treat.  My family knows that I must not feel good if I don't jump at the chance to scarf down candy, baked goods or ice cream.  This past week my mom decided to clean out the closets and make some of the box mixes we'd had for a while.  Of these was a package of three types of cupcakes each with distinct flavors.  Lemon Poppy, Strawberry Vanilla and Chocolate Caramel.  Um, yes please!  Included in the package was a mix to make Buttercream Frosting.  Mom placed a can of whipped icing on the counter thinking that we didn't have the ingredients for buttercream.  Turns out it was just butter.  Well that small amount didn't last long, especially since we kept putting our fingers in for tasting.  So I had to make some from scratch.  I had never done this before, but it turned out amazing.  And its relatively easy.  Just a mixer, powdered sugar, salt, butter and a little milk and you're good to go.  I got the recipe off the back of the package of powdered sugar or you can find one here. 

My favorite cooking utensil, the best mixer ever, KitchenAid

Buttercream! Yum!

Iced and ready to enjoy!!

My dog, who watched me ice 40+ cupcakes and patiently waited for me to drop one. Sorry Pixie no sweets for you dear.

Scrumptious and sweet no more can frosting for me. 

Cups

Do you live in San Diego?  Can you get to La Jolla?  Do you like cupcakes?  If the answer is yes to all of these questions than I have the place for you.

Cups is a new bakery/lounge/retail space that has the moistest gluten-free cupcakes I've ever had.  Make that one of the moistest cupcakes I've ever had. Period.  I got a six pack (if you buy 5 you get 1 free) that included Red Velvet, Milk & Cookies, and Mozart (vanilla cup, dark chocolate inside, with hazelnut frosting).  For the six pack I paid a little less than 20 bucks.  Now, I know what you're thinking...20 bucks for 6...that is about $3.25 a piece and seems pretty steep.  But at Starbucks their new cupcakes are about this price and do not even compare.  And if you think about it you could go to the grocery store and spend 20 bucks and get ingredients to make two dozen of your very own.  So why spend $20 bucks on a pack of cupcakes?  Let the photos speak for themselves...

Convinced yet?  Now, get into the car and drive up to La Jolla and get yourself a cupcake!

Happy Friday

Whilst I sit on my bed surfing the internet I stumbled upon this new blog...

http://notebookdoodles.blogspot.com/

Its adorable, uplifting and full of wonderful messages that accompany beautiful photos.  While I listen to the rain here in San Diego...(yes it does rain in San Diego) peruse this site and enjoy.

Disney Details

Disney is known for amazing architecture in their theme parks.  I have been to Disneyland countless times since I was in pre-k but there are even things that I have never noticed before.  This trip was true to that  notion.  While walking to breakfast I looked up and saw the following sign.

Its right above the Pinocchio ride as you head towards the carousel.  I'd never have found it If I hadn't been looking up at the flowers.  Small details like this abound in Disneyland mostly in the form of 'hidden mickeys'.  And you never really pay attention whilst running from ride to ride clutching your fastpass.  Here are some details I've noticed in previous trips that I shot this weekend.  

 

(Left - Dumbo's Flight) (Right - White Rabbit's House)

(Toontown windows)

'

(Giant Jack in the box on Paradise Pier)

Ok the last one really wasn't a disney detail, it was just a great looking desert, too pretty to eat.  

No matter how many times I visit there is always something new to see.  Can't wait for the new shows and rides coming this year to California Adventure.  

Antiques

Today started out as an adventure with my friend L.  I have known her for almost four years and she is a dear friend and always up for anything.  We had plans to visit a few craft stores, some resale shops, and a couple cupcake bakeries along the way.  Well, with my trusty garmin plugged in and programmed with the addresses (thanks to my sister and brother in law...best christmas gift ever!) we were off and running.  First stop was a bust...too much stuff in one place.  Gotta love a well stocked thrift store but it was overwhelming.

Of the places we hit it was Vignettes that really surprised me.  Let me back up.  We went to one of my  favorite scrapbook/craft stores in Point Loma, Paper Tales.  I purchased some new valentine themed stamps and paper that I hope to use on Valentines to be made next weekend or possibly this week after work.  While at Paper Tales the customer in front of us was being told about a great antique store in Ocean Beach that had a black and white awning.  The clerk said that it had a well-edited selection of cleanly laid out antiques that weren't at antique prices.  The thought crossed my mind to ask her where it was but I thought against it since we already had a list of places we wanted to go to.

Next was our craft shop for my friend L.  She recently got into beads and jewelry making.  She is quite good and found some great deals at the Black Bead in OB.  Its a tiny shop that is packed with literally wall to wall strands of beads, cords, chains and anything you can put to good use making jewelry with.  The ladies were extremely helpful and had a huge selection of items at 50% off.

After leaving the Black Bead I noticed that the black and white awning was about two blocks up the street and convinced my friend to walk up the street to see what the fuss was about.  Well...now I know. I have always loved the french aesthetic.  But when I walked into this shop I knew I was going to love this place.

Vignettes is an adorable and well stocked store that is separated into different rooms that are all maintained by 24 different designers that travel the world to bring back the french style to San Diego.  This store has been open for 10yrs but seeing as I rarely get down to OB I never knew it existed.  Now I am dreaming about their apothecary tables and chandeliers.  I want floor length distressed mirrors with crackle insets in the oval panels.  For now I could only justify the item pictured below.  At $18 bucks I couldn't resist this charming bird cage that somewhat resembles a greenhouse I once saw in San Francisco.

I am in love with this shop.  Its like visiting anthropologie...but at an affordable price tag.  Sorry anthro, I love you, and you know this...but I can't afford your amazing products at regular price tags.  If you're in OB visit the shop with the black and white awning and you'll be transported to France and come home with a new item to transform your place.  

For the record we never made it to the cupcake store...they were prepping for a 944 magazine party to officially open their shop.  This was the second weekend in which I had tried to get there.  Next weekend I am headed up the coast again for a birthday breakfast for a friend and I hope that on the way back down I'll make it in time to visit Cups.  It looks like more than just a bakery, its a lounge and a place to take baking classes. 

While driving along the 5 my friend L turns to me and says, 'where do you find all of these places?'  Well I watch the news in the morning as I am getting ready and they are always featuring new restaurants to check out and then of course there is Yelp.  I rely on the reviews of others to send me into different directions around San Diego.  

Tomorrow I am off to the 'Happiest Place on Earth' to do a bit of shopping, lunch and relaxing in the heart of Disneyland. Pictures to follow.