Connecting Threads....

Oh my goodness.


Just as I was clearing out my emails, I got this one in my mailbox.  Hello...there couldn't be a better surprise!  A whole email about my book.  Go check it out!

Thank you Connecting Threads, you made my day!

Neglected

The blog has been seriously neglected.....

What have I been up to?

Life.  Taking care of a toddler is a seriously busy job.  I thought I was busy with a newborn.  HA!  I was, but man, this is pretty crazy here.  He is one serious toddler.  Even the Dr. commented on how active he is. I have to agree.  He is active.  We are working hard to keep the lids on the rice and flour, as he is all about spreading the love all over the pantry.  He loves to play outside, climb up the ladder, and scare us all to death.  Yes, I have been busy watching my baby.

I have also been working hard to get back on track with our scrapbooks.  Gone are the days of perfect scrapbooks.  I thought I could document every little thing, and now that I am 3 years behind I am painfully aware that life gets away from you.  So what am I doing?  Project Life.  I started last year, and I just finished it up.  All that is waiting is a nice proofreading session before printing that bad boy.  I have also been working on the past years....but just doing a month by month scrapbook.  It's not  perfect, but it will be a completed scrapbook, and that is all that counts at this moment.


So, what have you all been up to?  Were the Holidays good to you?  Do you have any new goals?  Starting any new quilts?  Enquiring minds want to know!

Black Eyed Pea Salsa

I tried this salsa the first time when I was at Red Dirt Retreats....HELLO.  So super fabulously yummy.  This is totally my style of food.  I love avocado, beans, cilantro, etc.     Everything about it is amazing.  LOVE it.  Thanks Krista for the recipe.


So, I am providing you the original recipe.  You will love it.


***Something interesting to note is that I fudge with recipes all the time....even this time.  So, what did I do different?  I added frozen corn (about 1 cup) instead of shoepeg corn, Lime zest  and the juice from 1 lime, green or red pepper chopped, and instead of making my own dressing...I just used good seasons dressing made with red wine vinegar.  Also, you can use number of different bean types....depending on what you have on hand. The white beans are great, and I love to add a little color in there with a black or red bean.     I know, I know....I don't follow recipes.  Oh well.

Black Eyed Pea Salsa

1 can black eyed peas-drained

1 can shoepeg corn

2 Roma Tomatoes-diced

1 bunch green onions chopped

2 avacados chopped

1/4 bunch cilantro-chopped

2-3 cloves garlic minced

1/4 c olive oil

1/4 c red wine vinegar

1 t cumin

1/2 t salt

Making Snow

When you live in sunny AZ, there are few chances to see any snow.  We decided to make some of our own snowflakes.  Wanna know how?  Here it is:

1st: make a square out of your paper, by folding opposite

corners together, and trimming off the extra.  Save the extra

for later....to make tiny snowflakes.

Fold opposite corner to corner again.

And...again.

Now start cutting.  You can round off the top of the snowflake 

to make it a circle if you want, but I didn't.  Start cutting nicks, curves

lines, etc.  out of your snowflake.  The most important thing to

remember is to keep connecting points.  If you don't, your snowflake 

won't be sturdy.  There are many cuts in the flake above, but 

there are enough connecting points that it is still

robust.

Unfold that baby and see what it looks like.  This is 

my favorite part.  I am always surprised at what awaits

me.  My cute hubby made one that looked like

a transformer, and I made a tiny one that looked

like 4 tiny skulls.  Neither of us did it on purpose...just

the fun that comes from being crazy.

Display those babies, wherever you can.  On windows,

hanging from  your ceiling, etc...

Merry Christmas!

Dying to know?

Are you dying to know who won?

Joyce won the Bloom Creek and Treasures from the 30's

SewCal Gal won Charmed I'm Sure and Country Comforts

Sonia won Sew the Perfect Bag and the New Handmade

and BillieBee won Simple Blessings and McCall's Fast Favorites from Quilting

Thanks so much to everyone for the fun. If you won, send me an email with your address.

 I really really really super duper want to share some fun ideas with everyone.  It's crazy how Christmas takes over your life.  My days are filled with school parties, neighbor gifts, church assignments, making food, more food, and loving my babies.  But, soon, very soon, I will have some fun ideas for you.

Super Big Book Giveaway

Just in time for Christmas, I am doing a huge giveaway.  Are you ready for this?  A BUNCH of you are going to win, and you are going to win....not 1 but 2 fabulous books from Martingale Publishing.  This is going to be perfect for your loved ones who loved sewing, quilting, or crafting.  Sweet!  Or, maybe this is for you...to secretly love and cherish.  Whatever...I just hope you enjoy.

What do you have to do to win?  Put this giveaway on your blog, facebook, twitter etc., then make a comment and let me know which prize you want to win, and where to find your blog, facebook, or twitter, etc. You will receive 2 chances to win per medium.  (ie. 2 chances on your blog, +2 more chances when you facebook it, +2 more chances if you twitter it).

 Want an extra chance to win?  Follow my blog and I will give you an extra chance to win.  Have fun and Good Luck.   The contest ends December 13th.  

Here are the Prizes:

Prize #1: Country Comforts and Charmed I'm Sure

 

Two seriously fun books.  You are going to love all the simple inspiration.

Prize #2:  Sew The Perfect Bag, and the new Handmade

These books are going to be perfect for someone who loves accessories!

 

Prize #3:  Simple Blessings and Fast Favorites from McCall's

Tons of great designs any quilter would love!  This is some great stuff.

 

Prize #4  Bloom Creek Quilts and Treasures from the 30's ***** There will be 2 lucky winners here.

I loves these two books.  The simplicity of Bloom Creek Quilts speaks to my soul, and the fun quilts in the 30's book brings a smile to my face!  You lucky ducks.

 

My Loss, Your Gain: Free Christmas Goodies

A few weeks ago I entered a contest for Becky Higgins free Christmas card templates.  Unfortunately for me, she didn't choose my cards as a winning template.  But, fortunately for you...I am still going to give them away.

Feel free to use these for personal use.  

The size is 6.5 x 7, the Costco size.  The best deal out there...I say.

I hope you have a very very very very Merry christmas.

Go here for the card above.

Go here for the card above.