Holy Options Batman!

Playing with my new toy.... I bought a new DSLR camera yesterday in a somewhat spur of the moment decision. I had been thinking about one for a long time and when I saw a great deal at Costco I decided to go for it.

I know these pictures aren't masterpieces or anything, but being able to get a better depth of field and all the other options were fun to play with. It's going to take me a LONG time to really figure it all out. In the end, most of the pictures that came out the best from this first shooting session were taken on 'Auto'. So much for creativity huh?

April Fools Day 2012

My twisted sense of humor rears it's ugly head again....

Inspired by the Battle of the Bozos (see also this link), and celebrated on April 2, I left this in my friend Evan's office.

I know it's weird, but I found it funny and he did too.

4 year old Owen is an Awesome Snowboarder!!!

So proud of my awesome nephew!!

BIRDHOUSE IN YOUR SOUL

This is one of my most favorite songs ever. Makes me groovy happy! Don't ask me what it means, it's just cool!

Latest Craft Projects

I've been meaning to post these for a while.

These are some cute Temple recommend holders I made for my two new Beehives, Hope and Emma. I made some a few months ago for the other Beehives but didn't take pictures. I found the idea on the internet (where I get all my ideas) but I think mine look even cuter than the inspiration.
A few weeks ago we had Young Women in Excellence and I volunteered to make the refreshments. Inspired by the current cupcake fad, I had fun trying to make a slightly jazzed up cupcake with cute little decorations. The theme was 'One Virtuous Young Woman Lead by the Spirit Can Change the World'. The homemade cream cheese frosting got rave reviews.

Small Covered Book of Mormon

Several months ago I saw this great project that my niece Brittni's YW group had done. I loved it and decided I needed to make some for my girls. So, after getting some verbal directions from Brittni's YW leader and fumbling thru my first one, I made several more and decided to write down the instructions for anyone else who liked the idea.
I purchased the small military size books from the Church distribution center. To start you want to buy super heavy duty magnets and glue two to the front cover. Recommended: Darice brand from Joann's, 18x3mm. I used a tacky glue for the whole project.

Cut your fabric 6 1/2" x 18" and iron on a heavy pelon or Wonder Under (cut size 5 1/4" x 17").

Fold your fabric edges up over the lining. You can finger press or iron them.

If you want to add the ribbon embelishment, I glued the first end to the left edge of the fabric, about 2 1/4" from the bottom. Fold the left side over about 2 3/4".

Spread the glue on the frabric from the fold out to the left edge and on the cover of the book. I didn't spread the first one I made and it seemed to get a few air pockets so get it covered and pressed on well.

Fold your glued edge over into the inside cover. Be careful to keep glue from squishing out and getting stuck to the first page. Continue gluing and wrapping around the spine and back cover.

Cut two pieces of metal plumbers tape, approx. 4 1/2 " long. Glue the first one down almost up to the edge of the back cover and the other one about 1 3/4" from the edge of the back cover. Spread your glue on the rest of the fabric and top of the plumbers tape.

Fold the remaining fabric over and into the inside of the back cover - leaving about 2" (the space with the plumbers tape) coming out from the backside. This will be the piece the folds up and over to make your magnetized clasp/closure. Finish by gluing your ribbon around the outside and add any other embelishments.

Ta da! The finished product! I'm excited to give these away, but I'm not sure when I'll do it. I may end up saving them for Christmas presents. (Shh! Anelieze, don't tell : ) The yellow/orange one in the top right is the first one I made. I think the blue polk-a-dots might be my favorite now that they are done.

Bow Tie Pasta & Spinach Salad

This salad is so yummy! I hung out with Mom and Dad on Sunday afternoon and made this for lunch. (Thanks to Corrine for the great recipe!)
1 package of fresh spinach
1 package (8oz) of bow tie pasta (cooked, drained and cooled)
2-4 TBLS sesame seeds
1 small package of sliced almonds (basically 3/4 to 1 cup)
1-2 cups bean sprouts
chicken (two cans of the cooked chicken from Costco works great)

Dressing:
1/2 cup oil (vegetable or olive)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sesame seeds
3 TBLS soy sauce
2 TBLS seasoned rice vinegar
1/2 tsp sesame seed oil
1 tsp fresh garlic, minced

Stir ingredients well to dissolve the sugar, store in refrigerator. Let dressing warm to room temperature before tossing with salad.

Harry Potter Movie Night

I had a few of the young women over on Friday night to watch Harry Potter 7, Part I. As part of the festivities we made butterbeer.
Half a glass of cream soda, 1/4 cup butterscotch topping, and a tablespoon of butter. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute and then stir. Voila!