This week's papercrafts

  This week, I decided to post all the papercrafts I've made this week together in one post. Like one big Thank-Goodness-It's-Friday-Let's-Have-Dessert! kinda post. At least that's how it makes me feel. :) 

  

  I was able to squeeze in some scrapping time this week & yesterday I had the treat of scrapping with a friend for the afternoon. Isn't scrapping with friends the best? I love it. 

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." ~Proverbs 27:17

  Before I go any further, though, I must give a shout out to the newest scrapbooking store in Saskatoon. The Scrapbook Studio is a fabulous new store in the Lawson Heights area. It just opened yesterday, so me & two of my scrappy friends went to check it out. We didn't know what to expect, but were THRILLED at what greeted us!! It is amazing. Go check it out. And 'like' them on Facebook while you're at it. 

  Without further ado, let us move on to my projects this week. The first layout was a part of a challenge for a focus group that I am part of. I recently was "chosen" to be on the focus group for Crop Chocolate. 

  I'm in the midst of working on a album of my childhood, hence the vintage photos of me & my family. :)

  I drew that tree with the help of a ruler and cut it out free hand. Added patterned paper circles, & buttons, & viola! 

Here's the layout I was working on yesterday afternoon while scrapping with my friend, Vanessa.

 Card creations:

Free printable "Thank You" label available here

I tried my hand at a rolled spiral flower. Not a bad first try. 

I also wrote my sentiment in freehand. I've never done that on a card before. I like how it turned out.

Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend (and eat some dessert)!

~Steph

Old Books

  I have an affinity for old books. I love how they cozy up a room & call to a me: "Open me up. Discover another time. Learn about another culture."

  I have some favourite authors I keep my eyes peeled for when I am looking at second hand books. L.M. Montgomery, Jane Austen, & Charles Dickens to name a few. Hardcover classics catch my eye. The colourful fabric covers with the metallic titles.... Mmmm. My favourite one of all? My copy of Heidi as seen in the top photo, second book from the left. Just the way it looks makes me smile. The vintage-y fabric is so cheerful.

  And they just plain look good on a book case. :) I've also used old books as part of a display on a side table or dresser. They usually add just the right touch.

  Speaking of bookcases... Remember that little postal scale I bought on my vintage shopping day last week? Well, it now holds a place of honour beside a stack of books on my book case. I quite enjoy it.

Side note: the fun 60's photo effect on the above photos is available here.

This week's papercrafts tomorrow! Woot!

Enjoy your day!

~Steph

Dad's Caesar Salad Dressing

My dad makes the best from-scratch Caesar Salad dressing I have ever had. I thought I'd share his "secret" recipe with you today:

Please note: If you don't like anchovies or just fish in general or can't find anchovies at the grocery store (as was the case with me the last time I made this) just leave them out. It's still very good without them.

Dad's Caesar Salad Dressing
dresses a large salad

1/4 tsp. Dry Mustard
4 cloves Garlic
1 tin Anchovies drained into measuring cup then add
Olive Oil to make 3/4 cup (if you're not using anchovies, use 3/4 cup olive oil)
2 Eggs
1/4 cup White Vinegar
1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 tsp. Pepper
1/4 tsp. Sugar

Puree all ingredients together in the blender. Cover & refrigerate unused dressing for up to 2 weeks.

Enjoy your day!

~Steph

Before & After home tour (part 2)

  My Before & After home tour continues today. I've got a few a photos to show you of our home makeover.

  This is our main bathroom before. It was truly awful. In fact, when we first viewed the house, I think I laughed out loud when I saw this room. It was SO dirty & outdated. Pictures do not do it justice. Mauve toilet & tub, dirty lilac walls, dusty lace curtains for the shower curtain & on the window. Nasty, grimy lino floor. The tub surround only went halfway up the wall so we couldn't use the shower. The list of nastiness just went on & on.

BEFORE

BEFORE

This after picture literally makes me breath a sigh of relief! 

AFTER

  We (and when I say we, I should give credit where credit is due. My fabulous husband & DIY expert, James, did most of the work. I just picked the stuff out.) started by ripping out everything but the tub. We had it refinished in white since it was in good condition other than the awful colour. We did the tub surround in a simple white tile, tiled the floor, painted the walls a pale green (it doesn't make me look sick, I promise!) put a new toilet in, new vanity, light fixtures, & towel bars. 

  I'm so pleased with how it turned out. Since we painted this room, I've heard that you should never paint a bathroom green because it can make a person look sick. This shade doesn't. It's General Paint's Ocean Bath CL 2041W. Check it out if you want a nice, soft green.

Recap:

If you'd like to see our living room makeover click here.
If you'd like to see our kitchen makeover click here.

We're very happy with how our renos have turned out & I'm enjoying sharing the journey with you all.

I've got recipes, highlighting some favourite vintage finds, & this week's papercrafts coming up later this week. 

Enjoy your day!

~Steph

Park Tour 2011

At the beginning of this summer I had a brainwave. My kids are always asking to go to the park, so why not make it a bit more interesting & visit some parks that we've never played at? Thus began "Park Tour 2011". It's simple. Once a week, we seek out & play in a park we've never played in before. I've been taking photos along the way to remember where we've been. Here's a few we've gathered.

Do you have any summer traditions that you've started with your kids? I'd love to hear about them!

Enjoy your day!

~Steph