Wednesday ~ Heart Flutter

BUTTERSCOTCH OATMEAL COOKIES

Ingredients
    * 1/2  pound (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened
    * 3/4  cup firmly packed brown sugar
    * 1/2  cup granulated sugar
    * 2  eggs
    * 1  teaspoon vanilla
    * 1-1/2  cups all-purpose flour
    * 1  teaspoon baking soda
    * 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
    * 1/2  teaspoon salt (optional)
    * 3  cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
    * 1  cup Nestle Butterscotch Morsels

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add oats and raisins; mix well.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

    * Prep Time: 20 min
    * Cook Time Time: 10 min

HIGH ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT: Increase flour to 1-3/4 cups and bake as directed.

Makes 4 DOZEN

These are my FAVORITE cookie!!!

Enjoy : )

Carrie

Thank You Summertime.....

.....for giving everything that special "glow".  Normally, you and I don't get along very well.  I can't stand the heat or the blazing sun.  I would rather it be cold, wet and rainy.  Thank you for the "June Gloom", and the cool ocean breezes that has made my days so much easier.  Lately I have been enjoying all sorts of little treasures, like this adorable cupcake pair.  Pistachio and Chocolate Raspberry.  Perfectly delectable, and soooo yummy!!!  They were so cute, that I thought they deserved their own little scrapbook page in your book.  There was this cute saying at the bakery, "Forget love.....I want to fall into chocolate!"  And Mr. Pistachio totally fell for Ms. Chocolate Raspberry, so it was the perfect addition to page 3.  

Well, I'm off for another adventure.  Today I get to hang out with Miss P. at the "Eclipse" movie premiere, and I'm super excited!  Oh, and thank you summertime, for your lovely summer nights (actually, my favorite thing about summer).

<3 Carrie

Pink Ninja Monday!

Made some delishous strawberry lemonade with Gloria the other day for the first time in a long time.  You know, where you buy the fresh strawberries, and real lemonade (not from concentrate), muddle the strawberries, and stir in the lemonade.....yummm.....soooo good.  I made it again today and yesterday too.  I think it's the perfect refreshing beverage on a hot summer day : )

The little 6x6 layout above is made from the Pink Ninja Addicts June kit *Sing for the Moment*, and also the May add-on kit *Stay Beautiful*.  I took the photo of the lemonade last week for one of the Summer of Love on-line class photo prompts.  It has a very slight lens flair (which was the prompt for that day).  Combined with the lovely Pink Ninja Addicts product, I thought it had the perfect feel for a refreshing summer layout.

Happy Pink Ninja Monday!

<3 Carrie

Some summer inspiration.....

I recently created this little piece of inspiration.  It's hanging in my craft area.....my inspiration for the summer.  I have this really great French 60's CD that started it all!

Here is part of one of the songs....just click HERE to listen to the whole song.....

• Moi je joue by Brigitte Bardot

More Brigitte Bardot music on iLike

Today will be fun because I am making some goodies.  Some crafty goodies to sell in a alleged Etsy shop, and hopefully some oatmeal butterscotch cookies to munch on this weekend.  I think Ryan and I are going to make some turkey burgers at home tonight, watch a movie, and take is easy.....will be nice.....I'm looking forward to some rest (have another busy weekend ahead of me).

I have been updating my flickr every day with my versions of the photo prompts from the *Summer of Love* online class.....so there should be more inspiration for you to check out this weekend HERE.....I am learning some really cool techniques.  You might even want to try some of them out : )

Enjoy & see ya on Monday!

Carrie

For me to remember.....

....this summer.

This is one of the tutorials from Esie's Red Velvet Art Summer Camp.  Lovely Gloria and I are taking this fun on-line class together....there is a new project every day for 6 weeks!!!  Awesome, right?!?!

So far, page 1 is the postcard I received in the mail from Amber (and her trip to Ireland).  It is clipped to the book, so I can take it out to read the back whenever.  She wrote that she was inside the exact bar on the front of the postcard while writing to me, drinking a Guinness to boot!!!  I love that.  So, for the journaling, I have the date I received it on the pink tag on the right.  All I have to do, is lift up the butterfly to see.  And on the left, the pink tag says "received this postcard from Amber today".  It's simple and makes me SO happy!!!

Page 2 is inspired by one of Esie's recent layouts.  You can see her layout HERE.  The journaling in my head bubble says "i love Ryan".  I really do too : )

I sewed the pretty floral fabric on the outside of the book (one of my favorites for this summer), and it is actually almost the exact same size as displayed in the picture.  I am looking forward to documenting my summer here in San Diego with this little book.  I have another one that I am preparing to remember my summer in WA.  So far so good.

Smiles to all!

Carrie

Wednesday ~ Heart Flutter

*Summer of Love* online class by Kara Haupt

I am in heaven with this wonderful online class!!!  I am working on the cover to my book, and still need to get caught up with the journaling prompts, but I seem to be keeping up with the photography prompts.  The best part is that I am learning to do night photography.  So cool.

Here is my first night shot ever.....

This is the top of my driveway at about 10pm last night.  It was tricky taking the photo, since the camera can't move at all, but I think it turned out kinda cool.  At least I'll have a special pic to remember the driveway :P  

Oh, and I don't have a DSLR, so Gloria was kind enough to let me borrow hers....Thanks, so much G!!!

And here is the other fun photo I took yesterday for class (with my trusty Canon Powershot).....



I am all about the colors and perspective....the way I see things, and this class is giving me so many great ideas.  I think I'm going to use this photo on the dedication page of my book.  Since the book is titled *Summer of Love*, it would be fitting to have a dreamy pic there, right?!?!


See ya tomorrow!
<3 Carrie

Two Chicks, Four Sticks

I had a yummy lunch with Gloria yesterday.  Spider rolls, California rolls, and Sapporo on draft.  Perfect.  I am so craving sushi this summer!

OK....I also had my first oyster shooter.....no photo of that, thank goodness.  I know I made the craziest face because there is a short video that I will not share.  It tasted very slimy and fishy.  Not my favorite, but since it's kinda crazy, I bet I'd do it again.  Good times, G!  ; )

Info on the Pink Ninja Addicts Blog Hop is in the post below, and don't forget to enter for your chance to win one of the giveaways (now through, June 26th).  Thanks for stopping by!!!

Kampai!

Carrie

Pink Ninja Addicts Blog Hop w/ Debee Campos!

Debee is a constant source of inspiration for me, and I am so excited she is our Ninja In The Spotlight for June!!!  She uses spray paint to perfection, and makes and sells the cutest little embellishments (that I admit, I love to buy from her sweet Etsy Shop.....she is my second favorite Etsy Shop after the Pink Ninja Addicts, of course)!

You can see all the beautiful layouts she made with this month's kit, *Sing For The Moment*, on her blog, and/or on the Pink Ninja Addicts Blog.  They are perfect.  You'll see : )

On this blog hop, you'll also get to see all the other creations from the Pink Ninja Addict girls, using both the *Sing For The Moment* Main Kit and the *Fireflies* Embellishment Kit.....so, there will be lots of inspiration.  Plus, there are giveaways!!!  You can enter for a chance to win one of these beauties:

• a *Sing For The Moment* kit

• a *Make A Playdate Journal* created by Gloria

• a *Summer Journal* handmade by Carrie (me)

You have through Saturday, June 26th to enter for a chance to win one of the giveaways.  The winners will be announce Sunday, June 27th on the Pink Ninja Addicts blog :-)

And here are the rules to enter.....

• you have to be a follower of the Pink Ninja Addicts
• you have to be a follower of the Pink Ninja Addicts Girls
• you have to talk about this blog hop on your blog, and the Pink Ninja Addicts have to see it
• you have to leave a comment on the Pink Ninja Addicts blog
• you have to sport the Pink Ninja Addicts blinkie on your blog 

 And for my piece of inspiration here is a layout (for my sweetie), that I recently created with the June kits.....







I used a leaf mask and spray paint on the background, stitched most of the elements together, and painted the yellow thickers with white paint.  Easy and fun.

Here are all the other girls for our blog hop, Pink Ninja style.....

• Pink Ninja Addicts - http://www.pinkninjaaddicts.blogspot.com/

• Ally - http://www.allyserrato.blogspot.com/

• Nely - http://www.nelybarger.blogspot.com/

• Gloria - http://creatingfreespirit.blogspot.com/ 

• Debee Campos - http://www.debeecampos.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!!!

Carrie

FOUND

At an antique store in Port Angeles.....This little pair was in a dusty glass case, just waiting for me to take them home.  They now currently reside on Gloria's mantle, as happy as can be.  And that's that.

This weekend I plan on celebrating Father's Day with Ryan's family, drinking Guinness, eating sushi, working on lots of art projects (which hopefully inculdes some blog design stuff for a sweet friend, and an extra special inspirational project for me, plus other fun stuff), and I'm keeping my finger's crossed that Ryan and I make it to Nighttime Zoo ; )

Happy Weekend!

I LOVE YOU DAD, sooooo MUCH!!!

Carrie Grace

What a great day of art!

I know this is a blurry photo, but I LOVE it!!!!

Gloria and I visited our friend, Jane for an afternoon of creating on Wednesday.

Jane has this really awesome home with a view of Balboa Park....there is so much natural light, it glows.....super perfect for our playdate!!!

We embroidered (which I had never done before, and found lots of fun), started art journal pages, drank chai (yummy LOVE), listened to music, and chatted.

I just adore all the colors Gloria adds to her art....perfect : )



The the picture below on the right side of the collage is the drawing for my art journal page....it was a little scary.  I hadn't drawn in like 20 years.  I almost gave up, but then started to get the hang of it, and it's fun.  I'm excited to finish.

On the left side of the collage is my embroidery...it's a camper xoxo.....I decided that I am going to bring it with me when I visit WA this summer.  Since my Mother is letting me stay in her 5th wheel, I thought it would be a cute decoration for inside, and maybe even bring some pink twinkle lights too!!!  Would be cute, right?!?!



I forgot to get a picture of Jane's art page, but here is one of the embroidery pieces she finished....so sweet....



 <3 Carrie

Wednesday ~ Heart Flutter

This week I am sharing with you my love for movie credits.  They are one of the places were I often find inspiration for my art (scrapbooking, digital art and photography).  

There is something about a movie, a motion picture with a certain feel to it, when that feeling is carried through to the credit art shown either before or after the actual film.  Especially when the credit art is usually done in a different format, but you still see the connection.  I love that.

Here are just a few of my favorite examples to inspire.....

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)

by Jamie Caliri with Axiom Design and MWP/Caliri Productions

Sherlock Holmes (2010)

by Danny Yount with Prologue

WALL-E (2008)

by Jim Capobianco and Alexander Woo with Pixar

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007)

by ReelFX

Napoeon Dynamite (2004)

by Aaron Ruell

Love,

Carrie

Two Red Shoes

I just LOVE my new red shoes!!!  And here they are keeping me comfy amongst all the scrappy goodness that was my afternoon!

The weather was perfect for relaxing in Gloria's backyard today.  I was in the shade per usual, as Gloria and I worked on some summer log books.  We ate apples with potato chips, listened to good music and chatted.  Perfect.  My book is still a work in progress.....

.....and I will have to get a picture of Gloria's book, once it's finished.  She said she had never made a book before, (which I did not know), and did a beautiful job as she always does with her art.

And here is a perfect example.....she made this paper garland with her little girl, and hung it outside the entrance to her front door....

It is magical walking by this pretty garland, to say the least :)

Tomorrow will be a good day too.  We have another play date, and exciting plans with a lovely friend.  I am a happy girl!

Well, I'm off to do some reading on web design, and prepare for tomorrow's *wed ~ heart flutter*....

Big hug!

Carrie

Pink Ninja Monday!

I just LOVE the June kits from the Pink Ninja Addicts!!!  Lots of GREEEEN......my favorite color!  And perfect for creating this new layout :-)

When I saw the delicious Studio Calico paper that was in this kit (*sing for the moment*....I also used the *fireflies* kit), I knew I wanted to print out my photo directly onto that paper.  It took forever, but I finally figured out how to print a borderless image with my printer.....and taadaa....all I had to do was add a little something above and below the photo for an instant layout!  Of course, I also sewed a bit, spray painted the daisies to give them a little texture, and inked the green fabric flowers to alter their hue.

Now, when I look at this layout I remember, peeking through the beams of a greenhouse on a cool, wet afternoon, seeing all the colorful flowers that seem to be smiling, and my golden haired sister tending to them.  Sigh.  A very peaceful, bright, happy memory.

Have a great week everyone!

Carrie

Today is special

Today is (my sister) Amber's first day in Ireland for her summer vacation!!!  I am sending her happy thoughts, and hope she gets a good nights rest.....it's a long plane ride there : )

She plans on traveling all over the island, and there are so many beautiful places, I know she is going to love it!  Everything is "brilliant" there.....don't you just love that word?!?!

The photo above is from when I visited for a lovely Christmas back in 2008 (to Dublin).

I already have my plane ticket to go back to WA for a whole month this summer (starting the end of July)!  It's going to be awesome....my sister, Sarah, is getting married, Ryan will be visiting half the time, and I can't wait to be back in paradise.....(at least it's paradise to me).....

Any special plans for your summer?

Smiles!

Carrie

I just finished watching.....

....this Starz TV series, "Spartacus: Blood and Sand".....and boy was it entertaining!  It is shot beautifully.  Like a piece of art.  (It's not for everyone, though...there is lots of sex and violence.)

I watched all the episodes instantly on Netflix.  According to Netflix, I like movies that are "exciting".  Giggle.  I kinda get a kick out of computers telling me about myself  : )

What have you been watching lately?

Love,

Carrie

Wednesday ~ Heart Flutter

I just LOVE making these little yarn pom-poms right now!!!  There are so many different colors and textures of yarn to choose from, and they are just perfect for adorning a pretty gift box!

I have a little kit at home that I use to make them, but I found some instructions on-line HERE, where you can make some with supplies you already have.

Enjoy!!!

Carrie

Lazy Afternoons With Ryan

This is the other layout I created for our Creators' Circle meeting in May.  I remember the day in the photo well.  Ryan and I took a blanket, snacks, and books to the park.  We relaxed in the shade, and enjoyed each others company, and reading our books with a beautiful ocean view.  It was a great afternoon together : )

I wanted this layout to be fun and colorful, since the photo has such pleasant memories.  For some texture, I layered the green sticker trim over the yellow velvet ribbon.  There is also a little sewing, and the white paper heart was cut out freehand before I layered the red buttons and letters over it.

This afternoon I have a date to meet Ryan for lunch at a local coffee shop.  I'm still kinda head over heels for him......but I am also looking forward to hanging out on the coffee shop balcony with an warm drink and the cool ocean breeze.  It will be nice.  I think I'll get a vanilla chai.....it's my new favorite.....what's yours???

Have a lovely afternoon,

Carrie

Pink Ninja Monday!

I created this layout using both the Pink Ninja Addicts June main kit *sing for the moment* and June add-on kit *fireflies* :-)

It's fairly simple, but the everything is just so pretty (I love this paper), I thought it was perfect just like this.  For some of the details I did a lot of sewing, and ended up outlining the text with a blue pen.

And here is our beautiful Ninja In The Spotlight for June.....

.....Debee Campos!!!

I am so excited she is the guest designer this month! She has an amazing eye for design, and her art is absolutely beautiful.  Debee has made some gorgeous layouts that you are going to love!  Make sure to check for them on Pink Ninja Addicts blog : )

Have a great week!

Carrie

On my way home....

I am returning home today, and am sad to leave my family and this beautiful place, but excited to see Ryan.....so it is good.


Here is a special layout I put together for my Creators' Circle meeting back in May.  I used a photo I just love, of me and Ryan holding hands <3

Have a fun weekend!

Carrie