the.amanda.sewell

Happy WEDNESDAY! We have made it through half of the week! WOOHOO! Ooh, and I have so far avoided doing laundry! *giggles* So I had been seeing these peppermint patty holders around SCS, and so I decided to make one, but I decided to make mine the size for a large peppermint patty (because lets face it, I am addicted to chocolate, top of the list, york patties and junior mints, and THEN PB M&M's). The paper I used measured 4 x 8 inches to start. I made it in the same style as this box . Hope that helps any of you who are going to attempt this. Anyway, it did not take too much time and came together well. I really like the results and I think I might figure out a way to add a ribbon strap so I can put these on a few of my friends doors as a little surprise treat at Halloween! Anyway, hope you are enjoying all the samples from the new sets that the design team has been creating for you ! I will upload a picture of the inside of this a little later today. (It is after m

If you are a teacher, or if you are always looking for ways to surprise and delight your childs' teacher, look no further than this adorable new set. So many fun things in it - lots of sentiments and fun items to make your card or project a masterpiece any teacher will love. I had LOTS of fun playing with it on this card! I made a simple thank you (because I can always find a way to use a thank you card). This one features, the abcs & 123s in the set, as well as the main Hanna image and that tiny apple in the center of the circle is also in the set. How darling eh? Stamps : SU Think Happy Thoughts, Hanna Stamps - Teacher Paper : Deja Views Sharon Ann Timeless Collection - Plaid, SU Bashful Blue, Creamy Caramel, Whisper White Ink : Onyx Black Versafine, Versamark Accessories : Prismacolor Pencils, sansodor, blending stumps, Pale blue Prima Flowers, Red Stitched Grosgrain, chocolate brown brads, sewing machine, white thread

Did you know that Talk Like a Pirate Day is in September? I heard about this hilarious holiday during my first couple years of marriage, my silly DH celebrated it and actually talked like a pirate. It is hilarious! Well guess what? Hanna Stamps has a Pirate set that they are releasing this Thursday night at midnight (technically Friday), which is just in time to make some fun stuff to celebrate the holiday. I made this card as a combination of Dare to Get Dirty Challenges that I am still catching up on. So much fun!!! Let me know what you think! I have even more samples of the new release sets, so check back again soon! Stamps : Hanna Pirate Paper : Prism Classic Orange, SU Whisper White, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie Ink : Versafine Onyx Black, Really Rust, Creamy Caramel Accessories : Prismacolor Pencils, Sansodor, Blending Stumps, Sponges, sewing machine, white thread, Heidi Swapp edge distressing tool

I just wanted a place to link all the cool things I found today that I want to check out again at a later date, but do not want to have sitting in my browsing tabs forever: Baby Stuff: Gate -- http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2267704 Nursing Wrap -- http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2908502 Burp Cloth Directions: http://anewchelseamorning.blogspot.com/2007/03/such-mystery-not.html http://www.jcarolinecreative.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=JC&Screen=BURPCLOTH http://projectsforyournest.blogspot.com/2008/03/basket-o-burpies.html Cute Sunday Bags -- http://allenfamilyupdate.blogspot.com/2008/07/and-now-for-something-completely.html Vinyl Lettering -- http://wallwords4u.blogspot.com/ Hooded Towel Tutorial http://www.skiptomylou.org/2007/11/29/hooded-towel-tutorial/ Cute Cookie Flower Buckets -- http://adventureswiththeprovosts.blogspot.com/2008/03/day-before-1st-day-of-month.html Accessory Jars for Girls Gift Idea -- http://creativeholidaygift

I was playing a little more with creating clippies. Seriously, they are so addicting to make because they are so easy, take so little time and have a great result. Here is a summer stars, strawberries and daisies set of clips. I love them! SO much fun!!! Here is a link to my previous post with more of my little clippie creations. I think I am off to read a bit or maybe stamp. Hope you are all having a marvelous Monday and will check back later for more Hanna Stamps Sneak Peeks and other fun.

It's that time again, can you believe it? This month has just flown by, in fact, this summer is just flying by. Not that I mind, once the summer goes away, so does the mega heat here in AZ! I am absolutely in love with this new mini set by Hanna Stamps! (Not that I am partial to their stamps or anything . . . . hehehe) Hanna makes the perfect hula dancer - don't you think??? Hope you will check back everyday this week to see a new sneak peek of the Hanna Release and Thursday night until midnight there will be a party in the Hanna Stamps Forum on SCS , so pencil that in, hope you can come! Stamps : Hanna Luau, Studio G Clear Stamps "Aloha" dollar stamp set. Paper : Floral - The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby), Prism Baby Blue Dark, SU Pixie Pink Ink : Versafine Onyx Black Accessories: Sewing machine, white thread, prima flowers, glitter brads by the Paper Studio, SU oval punches

OMGosh, you so need to go check out this weeks outfit on grosgrain. I really NEED to learn how to sew. Such an adorable outfit. Pray that I win this one! I am seriously getting more and more obsessed with this site - I so wish she had a store that I could just buy some of these absolutely charming outfits at. Run, don't walk so you can enter!!! http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2008/07/reverisble-bird-seed-skirt-giveaway.html

We went for our ultrasound today. Wait, no that sounds like that was an easy process, let me explain more how my afternoon went . . . M came home, J, came running in, excited cause daddy was home early, I turned and at that moment, he bounced into me and hit his head on our occasional table by our bed. At first I could not see the wound, but then I found it and it was inside his ear, like against his skull -- hard to explain, but weirdest spot I have ever seen. Seriously, it is impressive that he hurt himself there. It was a good gouge too, lots of bleeding, so we bypassed going out to lunch together and went to the Urgent Care in town. They cleaned it, stopped the bleeding and then used skin glue (the purple goo area) to glue it back together. We got out of there about 8 minutes before my ultrasound. Fortunately it was in the same plaza as the urgent care, so we made it in time . . . I did not get a chance to drink lots of water before though. Oh and none of us had had any lunch at

I made this one for Jenn's challenge -- it was an inspiration challenge ... we were to use this image as inspiration: My challenge for you is to make something, anything, inspired by this amazing cake. Draw from the colors, the patterns, whatever. My lime color is not quite the same as the inspiration, but in real life it looks really close. I chose to use the black and white with a POP bright color, rather than the pattern on the cake. I like how this cute little Bella turned out. I think I would like to try this with an electric blue color or a super bright pink. The way the color just pops is amazing. I also discovered I need to stock up on my black and white designer paper stash (shame on me for having such a limited selection). Stamps : Cupcakeabella Paper : DCWV Tiny Dotted, Basic Black, Whisper White, Prism Iced Kiwi Ink : Onyx Black Versafine Accessories : Black gel pen (to color details), prismacolor pencils, sansodor, blending stumps, silver and black brads, bla

Oh my goodness, I spent the whole morning working on the first of the three challenges -- the one that seemed to be the most challenging to me and I am still not satisfied completely with the results. I need to revisit this simple white card again in the future to see if I can come up with something that just knocks my socks off . . . these three just turned out okay. Maybe I should try one without any cuttlebug embossing? Anyway, here is JulieHRR's challenge: One of my most favorite cards to make is a clean, simple white one! I encourage you to try letting color, imagery, and just the right amount of embellishment shine on a simple white base! Here are the details for the three cards! I will be back later with some more challenge cards as I finish them! Merry Christmas Snowman -- Stamps : Snowman - High Hopes, Sentiment by Amuse Paper : Whisper White, Handsome Hunter Ink : Onyx Black Versafine Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Sansodor, Blending stumps, diamond sti

I decided to take some time to participate this year in the Dare to Get Dirty SCS celebration. After all, I am a wannabe, aspiring dirty girl . . . I can use all the practice I can get right?? I made this card for Jody's challenge: It's time to think like a ribbon addict! Your task is to create a card using ribbon as your inspiration and starting point. Dig through your stash and choose some ribbon you love. Then choose everything else for your card with the ribbon in mind. Let it set your color combo, style and maybe even your stamp set. The ribbon is in charge here... because it's all about the ribbon! This card kind of just came together for me. I found this ribbon when I was shopping on the weekend, and when I was looking through my stamp drawer for the perfect stamp that would match a friend theme, I came across some pre-stamped images I had, including these huggybellas. I also picked up the brown felt Heidi Swapp flowers on the weekend -- just because I knew I w

A CRAYON COZY I have been feeling like doing some random craft stuff since I went blurfing the other day. I finished my first "crayon cozy" Friday night (in black and white). It turned out pretty decently considering I had never done it before. One day I will be able to sew straight. I got the idea on this Etsy store and I found some instructions which I used some pieces of here . I will totally be making these to send out or give out to family and friends with kids our age! They are perfect to tote in a bag and they look cute!!! On Saturday I went shopping with the kids and we chose fabric to make some more of these. I am excited to see how they all turn out! Oooh, and crayons are on sale (back to school sale) for like 22 cents for a box of 24 right now at Target -- so it is the perfect time to make one of these. Super duper cheap and cute!!! HAIR CLIPS FOR ALL SEASONS My second crafty thing that I worked on is some girls hair clips. I saw these on an Etsy store al

Okay, I admit, I am a bit obsessed with Grosgrain , but how could I not be? And guess what? This week is no exception, they are giving away another GORGEOUS outfit . This one is just SO cute! I want one in my size for when this pregnancy is done, that is. Anyway, stop by and check it out!!! I have been playing and being crafty for the past couple days -- I will post pictures as soon as I can find my camera, which will mean cleaning off my desk, so it could be tomorrow . . . I have not been feeling great this afternoon and I need to go rest!

I made this card to accompany my check to Jody (if Jody is reading this, I apologize that you saw it before you got it) for sticky stuff purchases I made. If you have not gotten in on one of these, you need to! Head on over to Confessions of a Ribbon Addict and get yourself some sticky stuff for cheap. She always has some sort of share going on. Todays card was a combination of the Mojo Monday sketch posted on Poetic Artistry and the color challenge posted on Splitcoaststampers. I added photo corners in each corner to add a little more of the almost amethyst into the design. The colors are a little light in this photo, but it is wild wasabi, so saffron and almost amethyst. I also accidentally changed the sketch a little bit because I did the bottom strip across the whole card, rather than just in a rectangle at the bottom (I noticed after I had sewn it down of course), so hopefully you can all just let that slide and forgive me on that one. Sophie's face is popped up as well

Today I have been feeling kind of blah . . . a little nauseated. Anyway, I have been blurfing (blog surfing for those of you who did not know what that meant) and came across so much fun stuff and some cool sites I decided to share with you. It all started when I googled "Playroom Decor Ideas" and went to this one site, Tip Junkie . I know I will be going back to that one again and again. SO many fun ideas. That site lead me to this other blog, Jackaroos Boutique with the most beautiful childrens dresses and bibs and burp cloths I have ever seen! I can't wait to find out if I am having a boy or girl now because I totally want to order!!! I love that you can get them personalized too! Tip Junkie also lead me to this site -- Grosgrain. I absolutely cannot believe it but she is giving away one of these gorgeous outfits she made -- apparently she does it all the time! If you have a little girl in the 2T-4T range -- go check this out Pinata Pinafore GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

I decided that I craved potato salad when I came home from church today (I have craved potatoes like crazy this pregnancy for some reason). Anyway, I went online to allrecipes and came across this recipe, which I only altered slightly. It is AWESOME if you are a fan of dill -- totally delish! INGREDIENTS * 10 red potatoes, cut into chunks * 3/4 cup mayonnaise * 1/4 cup red wine vinegar * 1 tablespoon seedy mustard * 1 tablespoon dried dill weed * 1 teaspoon celery salt (I left this out) * salt and pepper to taste *2 green onions, chopped DIRECTIONS 1. Place potatoes in a pot with enough water to cover, and bring to a boil. Cook 15 minutes, or until tender. Drain and cool. 2. In a bowl, gently toss potatoes, onions, mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, mustard, dill, salt, and pepper. Cover, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving. *** I also had a lot of leftover fruit in my fridge, so I decided to toss it altogether and make a fruit salad to go with dinner too. It turned out y

So we planned a FUN birthday party for J, and no one showed up. So SAD! We had invited only three boys from J's sunday school class, so I was not expecting a huge party, but at least that one would show up. People are so bad at RSVP'ing these days. We had a 4th birthday party for E and no one RSVP'd and I was nervous no one would show and we ended up with 8 kids there. Darn summer birthdays are so hard, with everyone traveling and all. So, lesson learned here, ALWAYS RSVP to parties so that someone else does not have to feel worried or frustrated like I did. Anyway, M called one of his friends that has a son who is a year younger than our son, and invited him to come over to celebrate with us. They had a daughter who just happened to be at another party and it worked out perfectly for them to come play with us for awhile. They were super awesome and brought J a whoopee cushion (hello, perfect gift for a 4 year old boy) and played. It was fun! J was so excite

Mmmm, just finished eating this for dinner tonight. I served it with toast and grapes as sides. It really would be great for breakfast. I made two changes which makes it use more eggs and less milk, because DH and I don't prefer milky eggs, and used turkey bacon instead of ham. I also made it in an 8x8 pan, not a pie plate, and absorbed some of the greasiness off the top while it was cooling -- it made it just perfect. Enjoy! Hash Brown Quiche (By Jan Peters, courtesy of Taste of Home Magazine adapted by Amanda Sewell) Ingredients: 3 cups frozen hash browns, thawed 1/3 cup butter, melted 1 cup turkey bacon, cooked and cubed 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/4 cup diced green pepper 3 eggs 1/4 cup milk 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper Directions: Press hash browns between paper towels to remove excess moisture. Press into the bottom and sides of ungreased pan. Drizzle with butter and bake at 425F for 25 minutes. Combine turkey bacon, cheese and green pepper; spoon over crust. In a