the.amanda.sewell

Our family had an opportunity to participate in the Disney - Give a Day, Get a Disney Day program.  The kids school was making cooling ties to send to the troops, and by the time we signed up, that part was done, but they wanted to send a handwritten note or picture from a child with each tie that they had made, which is where we came in.   I was excited because I am a card maker and what a perfect opportunity to spend some time doing some good.  I worked hard on the cards I made and I think they turned out cute.  Then afterward my hubby and I wrote a personalized message in each one.  I hope they bring some cheer.   If not, I KNOW the kids pictures are sure to!  They made me laugh out loud.  My favorite one is J's picture that says "Have fun" and has a dude with a sword fighting - like war is ever fun . . . lol - it made me smile!   

Salsa Festival was fun, but kind of crazy this year -- I was just not digging the layout so much . . . and I WAY preferred the way they gave out chips in your own bag in previous years.  So much more sanitary and no lines -- the lines were RIDICULOUS!!  I also think the event as a whole was too spread out and awkward. Because of this, we did not end up staying as long as we have in the past. Still, we had fun and got to taste some yummy salsas while we were there.  I decided I would try and vote on the "Unusual" salsa entries this year, and Michael tasted and voted on mild salsas. (I think our favorites were M1 and U2)  Michael says he would like to enter a salsa sometime.  We will see  in the coming years!  

If you go out in the woods today You're sure of a big surprise. If you go out in the woods today You'd better go in disguise. For every bear that ever there was Will gather there for certain, because Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic. Picnic time for teddy bears, The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today. Watch them, catch them unawares, And see them picnic on their holiday. See them gaily dance about. They love to play and shout. And never have any cares. At six o'clock their mommies and daddies Will take them home to bed Because they're tired little teddy bears. The school where my children attend put on an event called "Teddy Bears Picnic" and everyone was told to bring their favorite teddy bear.  There was a picnic lunch, of course, and were activities such as bear target toss, bear in the air, bear sack race, bears over and under, bearsketball, bear relay, bear bowling, and a bear obstacle course, all of which the children

Life with four kids is sure busy busy!  I decided that this weekend I just needed some down time (well, besides church and soccer for the kids).  I tried not to make plans so we could just chill out, spring clean a bit, and rest! Not sure why but I have had the most wicked sweets craving ever.  I decided to bake some stuff this weekend, cause my bananas were going bad (funny enough, I never did end up using my bananas), and I came across this recipe and remembered I wanted to try it.  Hope you are having a sweet weekend too (and if not, go try this recipe and you will be). Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars INGREDIENTS: 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 1/2  cup sugar 1 egg 1/2 cup coconut, if desired 1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated chocolate chip cookies DIRECTIONS 1.  Heat oven to 350°F. In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and egg until smooth. Stir in coconut. 2.  In ungreased, 9- or 8-inch square pan, break up half of cookie dough. With floured fingers, press doug

Today we had the opportunity to go see the short film that E was in called "Copper" on the big screen at the Phoenix Film Festival (as part of the Arizona Short Film Showcase) .  It was so much fun!  E was so funny to watch -- she totally loved every minute!  She felt like a movie star and told everyone we met that she was, and because we were at the Film Festival, they all reacted excitedly which was cool. She got to see Kimber, and Diane and Bivas again, and was excited about that.  Baby E was crazy out of control in the theater, so we left after E's short was finished.  We then went and participated in some of the Kids Day Activities.  She gave out her first autograph to the girls running the Bookmans table there.  She was so proud of that moment. We kept the Film Fest guide and also our tickets so she would have them to save forever.  Maybe one day I will scrapbook them, who knows?   E's movie star attendee shots  At the theater with Dad and Baby E Making sounds i

Sorry I am a little late with this post this morning . . . my excuses are 1) I had to feed a baby  2) I am on the west coast, so it is actually only 9 am here, not so early for me and 3) I had leftover pancakes, strawberries, whipped cream and maple syrup in my fridge which caused me to create an overly indulgent breakfast for myself, but darn it was good!  Anyway . . .  Stamps :  Chick Chat (Skipping Stones Design)   Paper :  Red with Dots - (American Crafts- The Goods), Let's Pretend - Tea Party (Imaginisce), Real Red (SU!), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah), Intense Yellow (Prism)   Ink :  Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko)   Accessories :  Sewing machine (Singer), white thread (Gutermann), blue dotted organdy (Hobby Lobby), 1 1/4 circle punch (SU!), long rectangle scalloped nestabilities dies (Spellbinders), cuttlebug (Provocraft), copic ciao markers (Imagination International Inc.) ***** I cheated varied a little on this sketch!  The sentiment just would not fit at the b

Last week I got a fun message from my friend Tami.  She asked me if I would be interested in designing a card for the Facebook Featured Fan for Friday on the Card Positioning Systems facebook fan page ( which if you aren't a member of this yet -- go over and join! ) Of course I agreed (*flattered*) and this is what I came up with for the sketch!  Hope you like him.  I adore this little bunny!  He is just too sweet and perfect for Easter! I am not sure if you can see it really, but I glittered up his ears, cheeks and pads of his feet!  I think it really adds something in real life (darn cameras).  LOL!  Have a lovely springy day! Stamps :  Gray Hares (Skipping Stones Design)   Paper :  Pristine: Pretty Posies (Paper Salon), Frosted Teal (Prism Papers), Pink Diamond Gemstones (Core'dinations), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah)   Ink :  Rich Cocoa Memento Ink (Tsukineko)   Accessories :  Pretty in Pink brads (Stampin' Up!), sewing machine (Singer), white thread (Guterma