Butterfly Cards

Well, I'm almost done making and mailing out all of my Thank You cards. I wanted to post some of the different designs that I made. Since I was making a bunch at once, I made sure to keep with a theme with pretty simplicity. Butterflies! I'm hooked on my new Stampin Up Butterfly Punch and Apothecary Accents Framelits used on most of these cards. I hope you're inspired! 

 

90th Birthday Celebration

My Grandma turned 90 a few weeks ago and we celebrated with a party at Perico's with close family and friends. My Grandma is such a lovely woman, she's got a quick wit and

(as my mother would say) is as sharp as a tack!

I was in charge of putting together a display of photos for the party. My Grandma had them stored in her skate case that she's had since she was a teenager! It's so amazing to see these photos and I was SUPER EMOTIONAL!! I cried everytime I sat down to work on the project. My Grandpa passed just over a year ago and looking at these photos and how young they were and all of the things they've seen together - Wow!! I'm tearing up now.

The story of how they met is one that I love - They met at the skating rink and how is was back then was when the organ player stopped playing during the skate, you changed partners so you got to meet everyone in the rink. Well, I guess they made a connection because they made a beautiful life together and were still so in love when he passed. He used to call to her 'You sweet thing'. 

She still has that skate case and keeps her special memories in it.

A couple of the photos had writing on the back. One was to my Grandpa, I assume when they first met, 'Best of luck, your skating pal, Esther.' I wonder if that went with him when he went to war. Where have these photos traveled? What rooms have they been put up in to be remembered?

90 years is a long time. Seeing her through her life allowed me not to just see her as 'Grandma' but as a woman, a wife, a mother, a sister. This lady has moxie! I adore her and I'm so happy that we live closer so that my kiddos can get to know their Great Grandmother.  

  

My Mom, Grandma and Aunt Beverly

 

The display table

I made her a name banner too!

The photos were backed on beautiful papers and hung on curtain

clips and hung inside a jewelry frame from hooks.

Of course she needed a crown - It was her Birthday for goodness sake!

 

A pretty paper pennant garland to embellish the frame

 

AND a pennant garland for the cake to tie it all together. I LOVE a theme!!

Glitter Gathering - Austin and San Antonio

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - Not Really!!

It's like 100 humid degrees outside in Austin Texas but, I'm inside listening to The Drifters sing White Christmas so, life is good. I'm getting in the holiday spirit by prepping cardstock and ribbon for a Glitter Gathering. I usually start in June but, with having a new baby in the house, I wasn't ready. I'm finally feeling back to myself and getting in the groove of teaching classes again - YAY!! If you don't know what a Glitter Gathering is well then, you are missing out sister!! We make Christmas cards and little gifts, a few each month, so by the time the holidays are here it's not so daunting to have a homemade Christmas.

For the first Gathering we'll make 8 cards (2 each of 4 designs) and 2 small gifts. I'll provide all of the supplies and some light refreshments.You'll learn some fun techniques with dry embossing, heat embossing and sponging. It's always bunches of fun!! I've got pics of the cards here but, you'll have to check back to see sneak peeks within the next few days for the little gifts.

Here are the details for the class:
Date: Sunday, September 2nd
Time: 2:00 - 5: 00 PM
Cost: $25.00 Per Person
Location: South Austin Texas
Please email me ASAP if you'd like to sign up. I have space and supplies for 10 people.
Email: amybrianmccollum@msn.com

** I'm also working on finalizing dates for a class in San Antonio within the next few weeks! **

I'm looking forward to crafting with y'all!!

Cutsie Ornament Card

Vintage Ornament Card - This one is heat embossed with Metallic Platinum.

This photo doesn't do it justice, it's beautiful!

Reindeer Card

Snowman Card

Cooking Basic: Pork Tenderloin

 

Pork Tenderloin makes it onto our menu in some form or another just about every week. My sister in law made tenderloin for us this way once and I have been  Following this recipe I can make BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Green Chile Pork Enchiladas, Shredded Pork Tacos, or just about any other shredded pork recipe.

                                                                                                                                                                                               











You will need a pork tenderloin, a jar of El Pato Jalapeno Salsa, a few dashes of cumin and your Crock-Pot. Toss everything in on high heat (or low if you are going to work) and that's it. When it's done, shred with 2 forks and you are ready to make whatever you'd like. It's that simple.

Happy Ever After in Your Eyes

Welcome to the world baby Jameson!!

Amy welcomed lil Mr. Jameson into the world this past Saturday, June the 16th. 

He weighed 8 lbs 6 oz. and He.Is. Perfect! 

I used to sing this lullaby to Roreigh when she was just a tiny little. Amy, sing it to Jameson for me. 

Love you honey! Can't wait to meet your precious little prince!

Summer Indulgence - Aromatherapy and a GIVEAWAY

After a great conversation the other day with a sweet friend, I realized that I needed to have a little Aromatherapeutic indulgence. It's been awhile since I got the Essential Oils, Sugar and Salts out and whipped up a batch of something lovely. Thank you Cynthia for reminding me that I had something else to share. I used to make Handmade Bath Blends on a weekly basis when I had my shop years ago but with a kiddo (my 4 year old princess) and one on the way (due in like 4 days!!) things er, indulgences get tossed aside. So, here's a recipe for some Summertime (body) Indulgence...
SUGAR SCRUB
Slough off dead skin with a Sugar Scrub! Scrubs are easy to make and fabulous to give as gifts. I keep a little jar in the shower and a bowl of it next to the kitchen sink so after I scrub, everything just washes down the drain. Enjoy!
2 cups brown sugar
1-1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 - 1 cup Apricot Kernel Oil or Coconut Oil - I don't want my sugar floating in oil, more of a wet sand texture.
Essential Oils of your choice (see combination suggestions below)

Mix together ingredients and package in a mason jar, or plastic jar for the shower. Scoop out @ a Tablespoon and mix with a little water - scrub, scrub, scrub. Your hands, feet, body will feel slickery. (that's the technical term for Mmmm....)

My summer faves for Essential Oil are:

PEPPERMINT AND ROSEMARY
Super Invigorating!
Peppermint - 15 drops
Rosemary - 12-15 drops

LAVENDER AND LEMON (OR LIME)
Happiness in a scent. :)
Lavender - 20 drops
Lemon or Lime - 12-15 drops

CITRUS AND SAGE
One of my favorites.
Dalmatian Sage - 20 drops
Sweet Orange - 15 drops
Grapefruit - 12 drops
Lime to your liking - 5-8 drops
{{ I must give an Aromatherapists warning here: DO NOT use Citrus Oils on your skin in the morning before going out into the sun all day. Citrus Essential Oils will react on your skin with the sun. No Bueno!! But, you should enjoy this if you plan on relaxing or being indoors and you'll LOVE how soft and yummy smelling you are.}} Also, the floor of your shower or tub may be slippery - be careful when exiting.














GIVEAWAY TIME...
I've made a batch of Bath Salts for little gifts recently and thought it would be perfect to do a GIVEAWAY!! Love a little Blog Candy!!

So, for the first 3 people that email me at: amybrianmccollum@msn.com (with the subject line as:Bath Salts) I'll mail out a sweet little bag of Bath Salts to you.**
**As previously noted, I'll be going into labor any day so, if it takes a little longer than expected to get your salts - that's why! :) I'll get them to you though! Make sure you include your full name, address and what scent combo from above you'd prefer. I'll whip it up just for you sista!
Smooches, Amy

We're taking a trip

                                                        image courtesy: L'affiche Moderne

Payton is about to start kindergarten in the fall but first I need something to keep her occupied this summer. We are going to visit all of the continents and do some fun activities, all from the comfort of home.

As soon as we get back from California, we will be jumping right in and spending a week on each continent. 

Our tentative schedule is:

                                  week of June 25th - Africa with stops in Egypt, Morocco, Tanzania & Madagascar

                                  week of July 2nd - North America with stops in The U.S. Costa Rica & Mexico

                                  week of July 9th - Europe with stops in Germany, Italy, the UK & the Netherlands

                                  week of July 16th - South America with stops in Brazil, Argentina & Paraguay

                                  week of July 23rd - Australia with a stop in New Zealand

                                  week of July 30th - Asia with stops in India, Japan & Russia

I made Payton a passport using printables I found online. I used this cover (printed only page 1 at 85%) and paired it with these pages for the inside (printed full size, trimmed and cut in half, then folded down the middle. Staple all of the layers together.)

I found a paper mache suitcase measuring 8 1/2" x 11 1/2" at Hobby Lobby (about $7 with your 40% off coupon) and found some vintage travel posters online. Payton will be modge podge-ing the posters to the suitcase after I trim them down. 

Each Friday I will post the stops for the following week with the craft, recipe, movie, coloring sheet, etc. that we will be using. Feel free to deviate from our plan to fit your "travels" into your summer schedule. I hope you will all leave comments and links to your personal blogs if you are participating. Also, please don't forget to "LIKE" WestsideABQFamily on Facebook. I'll be posting over there about this and other activities we will be doing and I'd hate for anyone to miss out on some summery goodness.  

We are going all around the world this summer! Not literally, unfortunately, but close.