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Continue reading →: Family Fun and Disney Magic: Our Weekend AdventureLast week, we had the pleasure of hosting my cousin, Michelle, and her family, Chris and Molly, from South Bend, Indiana, for an exciting visit centered around a trip to see Mickey Mouse. We always cherish our time together, and this visit was no exception. It was an action-packed few days filled with laughter, fun, and unforgettable memories!
They flew in to Orlando and we met up with them there on Friday evening. Saturday was a relaxing day of college football and Disney Springs.
They arrived in Orlando on Friday evening, and we met them at the hotel, eagerly anticipating the adventures ahead. Saturday was a laid-back day, perfect for catching up while enjoying college football and exploring Disney Springs. The vibrant atmosphere, delicious food, and unique shops made it a great way to kick off our weekend.
On Sunday, we dove headfirst into the magic of Hollywood Studios. We had an ambitious agenda and managed to experience nearly everything on our list—except for Rise of the Resistance. Unfortunately, after waiting in line for two hours, the ride broke down! Though disappointing, we didn’t let it dampen our spirits. We found plenty of joy in the day, exploring other attractions and making the most of our time together. Tip: the Cantina is a must do experience!
Monday was extra special as we celebrated Molly’s 20th birthday at Epcot. We kicked off the day with the must-ride attractions and then leisurely made our way around the World Showcase. The Food and Wine Festival was a highlight, with its incredible culinary offerings. Sampling dishes from different countries while shopping up a storm was the perfect way to celebrate her milestone birthday.
We wrapped up our trip with a visit to Magic Kingdom on Tuesday. Although Nathan and I had to leave a bit early to head home, we still enjoyed the enchanting atmosphere and some classic rides before we departed.
Reflecting on our time together, I can confidently say it was a fantastic trip filled with family bonding and Disney magic. We’re already looking forward to our next adventure together!
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Continue reading →: Christmas Ornaments Kit by Stampin’ Up! – Easy Package ToppersThis Kit by Stampin’ Up! creates beautiful ornaments. Every year, I love to create small ornaments to adorn my gifts. The receiver can then add them to their Christmas Tree. This year, Stampin’ Up! has taken the effort out of ornament-making with their new kit, which includes everything you need to craft nine beautiful package toppers. This kit comes with metal rings, precut paper greenery, pinecones, bright berries, and festive details.
Video from Stampin’ Up!
Stampin’ Up! products used to create this project:
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Continue reading →: Another Hurricane, Another Cookie Adventure: Baklava Sugar CookiesAnother hurricane for Florida! Just two weeks after the last hurricane, we were bracing for another round. We were lucky and sustained no damage again. I utilized my extra time to complete my fourth and final make-ahead cookie: Baklava Sugar Cookies!
Nathan describes these cookies as a Snickerdoodle with a yummy Baklava center. Intrigued? You can find the recipe here: Baklava Sugar Cookies.
A Few Tips and Lessons Learned
Wile I followed the recipe closely, I discovered a few tweaks that made the process smoother:
- Chilling the Baklava Center: After preparing the Baklava filling, I chilled it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before forming it into balls. This extra chilling time helped the mixture firm up nicely.
- Freezing for Later: I also decided to freeze the Baklava centers overnight. This way, they were perfectly ready to go when it was time to bake.
- Size Matters: I made my cookies a bit smaller than the recipe suggested. This adjustment gave them a more traditional cookie size, making them perfect for sharing (or sneaking a few for myself!).
- Batch Management: Since I was making multiple batches, I couldn’t bake them all at once. I wrapped each Baklava center immediately after preparing it, ensuring they didn’t thaw before getting enveloped in dough.
While these cookies do require a bit more effort than your average batch, trust me—they’re absolutely worth it! The combination of the soft, sweet cookie and the rich, nutty Baklava filling is simply divine.
So, if you’re looking for a fun baking project, give these Baklava Sugar Cookies a try. Stay safe out there, and happy baking!
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Continue reading →: Season of Elegance Suite – Four Our Home To Yours CardI’ve previously shared several cards featuring the Season of Elegance Suite, and my enthusiasm for this collection hasn’t waned. I was so inspired by the beautiful samples in the Stampin’ Up! catalog and online that I couldn’t resist creating more. This particular card involved a fun technique that I thoroughly enjoyed, despite a small mistake I made when I first tried it.
To create this card, follow these steps:
- Background: First, emboss the Basic Beige panel with the Painted Trees Embossing Folder. Then, using a Blending Brush, lightly go over the raised image with Mossy Meadow. I originally started with the Sponge Dauber; however, I kept getting blotches (see the top of the tallest tree?) I found a little brushing with the Blending Brushes worked much better.
- Stamping: Stamp the saying “love from our home to yours” and then use your Stampin’ Trimmer to cut it out.
- Heat Embossing: Heat emboss the word “Happy” with gold embossing powder on Pretty Peacock cardstock. Fussy cut it out with your Paper Snips.
- Die Cut: Die cut Christmas out of Cherry Cobbler and the Christmas outline out of Basic White.
- Assembly: Attach each of the word pieces to the front of the card using Mini Dimensionals for a bit of lift.
- Finishing Touch: Add a touch of sparkle with Gold Textured Adhesive-Backed Dots for a bit of festive bling.
Here’s how I decorated the inside of the card: I stamped on the bottom with Pretty Peacock and added a coordinating design on the envelope. I stamped the sentiment in Cherry Cobbler.
Cardstock Cuts for this project:
- Pretty Peacock – 11″ x 4-1/4″ card base scored at 5-1/2″, scrap for the word “Happy”
- Basic Beige – 5-1/4″ x 4″ panel (inside card), 5-1/2″ x 4″ panel
- Basic White – 4″ x 1″ for Christmas shadow die, scrap for words
- Cherry Cobbler – 4″ x 1″ for Christmas die
Stampin’ Up! products used to create this project:
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Continue reading →: Black Cats and Halloween DecoreAs Halloween approaches, it’s the perfect time to introduce you tot he most important members of our household – out beloved cats! You’ve met my husband, but now it’s time for you to meet our furry babies. Since our last name is Black, you could say we have a little bit of a black cat theme going on here, with four black cats in total. We also have a gray-and-white handsome devil and a charming tortoiseshell.
Olivia
First up is Olivia, who joined our family this spring. At around 10 years old, she took a bit of time to adjust to her new home and our other cats, but now she’s thriving. Olivia adores people and is a certified cuddle bug. Honestly, if we could sit still long enough, I’m sure she’d happily snuggle with us all day!
While I don’t go all out for Halloween decorations like I do for Christmas, I do love adding some festive touches to our living room each year.
Ortensia
Next is Ortensia, who became a part of our family last November. At just 1.5 years old, she’s already faced quite a journey. Born on the streets, she caught a disease that left her completely blind, leading to the removal of both her eyes. When we met her through a high-needs rescue, we fell in love instantly. She is a true testament to resilience and has a heart full of love.
Watch Ortensia’s first reaction to her Halloween costume!
II also decorate our dining room a bit for Halloween, keeping the spirit festive throughout the house!
Thalia and Calliope
Thalia and Calliope, our inseparable sisters, joined us in the spring of 2021. They were found abandoned in a Starbucks parking lot, and we were ready to welcome a couple of black cats into our family. Nathan had always wanted siblings for our pets, and these two were the perfect fit!
We make sure to bring some Halloween cheer to our foyer as well, showcasing our festive spirit!
Berloz
Then there’s Berloz, our only male cat, who is 2 years old and still very much a playful kitten at heart. Our good friends rescued him from a storm drain shortly after Hurricane Ian in 2022. They knew we were cat lovers and called us right away. We were thrilled to welcome him into our family! Berloz and Ortensia share a special bond and have endless fun together.
Mochi
Last but certainly not least is Mochi, our wise old girl at around 15 years old. She made her entrance into our lives in 2016, appearing on our back porch looking a bit rough and hungry. After feeding her and bringing her inside, it became clear that she had once been loved. Though she prefers human company over her feline siblings, she tolerates them and finds a way to coexist happily.
As Halloween draws near, I’m excited to celebrate with our quirky, lovable crew. Each of our cats has their own unique story and personality, making our family complete.
Wishing you all a spooktacular Halloween filled with joy and cuddles from your furry friends!
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Continue reading →: Whimsical Holiday Card with Decorative Trees Bundle: Step-by-Step Guide
I always enjoy creating at least one whimsical card during the holiday season. This year, I decided to use the Decorative Trees Bundle paired with some shimmering Glimmer paper to achieve that playful touch. This combination not only adds a fun and festive element but also offers great versatility, making it perfect for crafting a series of unique and eye-catching cards.
Here’s how to create this whimsical card:
- Stamping: Stamp your chosen sentiment in Garden Green ink, then die-cut it using a Label Die.
- Trees: Die-cut two trees—one with a pattern and one as an outline—from Garden Green and Granny Apple Green Glimmer papers. Use fine-tip glue to adhere the layers together.
- Embossing: Emboss a Granny Apple Green panel with the Birch Embossing Folder for added texture.
- Assembly: Attach the stamped label and the trees to your card using Mini Dimensionals to give them a bit of dimension.
And there you have it—a bright and whimsical card ready to share!
You can add versatility to your card in several ways. By using Festive Glimmer Paper along with Garden Green and Granny Apple Green cardstock, you can mix and match layers and colors to create a variety of looks. Additionally, you can explore different tree patterns from the Decorative Trees Dies to further customize your design.
With the Give a Bow DSP, you have the flexibility to choose from a variety of patterns for your 3″ x 3″ square. Each design adds its own charm, so feel free to select any pattern that complements your card beautifully.
Here’s how I decorated the inside of the card: I stamped trees along the bottom edge and added a matching design on the envelope, all in Garden Green. For the sentiment, I used Granny Apple Green ink to keep the look cohesive and vibrant.
Cardstock Cuts for this project:
- Garden Green – 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ card base scored at 4-1/4″, 3-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ Tree Die
- Basic White – 5-1/4″ x 4″ panel (inside card), 5-3/8″ x 4-1/8″ panel, 3-1/8″ x 3-1/8″ panel, Label Die
- Granny Apple Green – 5-1/4″ x 4″ panel,
- Take A Bow DSP – 3″ x 3″ panel
- Festive Glimmer – 3-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ Tree Die
Stampin’ Up! products used to create this project:
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Continue reading →: Season of Elegance Suite – Christmas is in the AirOne fantastic option for crafting elegant, classic Christmas cards is the Season of Elegance Suite from Stampin’ Up!. This suite offers beautiful gold accents that make it easy to add a touch of glamour to your designs. If you, like me, enjoy incorporating a bit of sparkle into your cards, this collection is perfect for achieving that sophisticated look.
The card base is crafted from Old Olive cardstock and beautifully embossed with the Peaceful Evergreen Embossing Folder. For a detailed look at how this card comes together, be sure to watch my video.
Video Demonstration
Cardstock Cuts for this project:
- Old Olive – 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ card base scored at 5-1/2″
- Basic White – 5-1/4″ x 4″ panel (inside the card), 4-1/4″ x 3″ panel for tree
- Mossy Meadow – 3-3/4″ x 2″ for Tree Die, Label die
- Cherry Cobbler – 4″ x 1″ for Christmas Die panel
- Gold Foil – 4″ x 1″ panel
- Season of Elegance DSP 5″ x 1″ panel
Stampin’ Up! products used to create this project:
Price: $16.50
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Continue reading →: Hurricane Helene: Baking Italian Lemon Drop CookiesAt the end of September, Hurricane Helene came through Florida, bringing everything to a standstill. Thankfully, our home sustained no damage. With some unexpected downtime on my hands, I decided to make the most of it by preparing my third batch of make-ahead cookies.
This time, I made Italian Lemon Drop Cookies – a refreshing change from the traditional holiday flavors of chocolate and gingerbread. You can find the recipe here: Italian Lemon Drop Cookies. These cookies pair wonderfully with team and are perfect for the festive season!
To streamline the process, I prepped the dough, baked the cookies, and then froze them before frosting. When it’s time to serve, I’ll top them with the same icing I use for my cutout cookies, finishing with festive red and green sprinkles.
Since the dough is quite sticky, I keep in in the refrigerator when I am not scooping it out.
Typically, I aim to make around 100 cookies, but was a little short this year – thanks to a bit of taste testing. They were delicious on their own, but I can’t wait to add that sweet frosting to take them to the next level.
Here’s to baking through the storm!
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Continue reading →: Discover the Fun of DIY Spooky Decor with Stampin’ Up Haunted Home KitThe Kits Collection by Stampin’ Up! is all about making crafting fun, accessible, and inclusive! They’re always working hard to design a collection full of different product options to allow us oodles of options when it comes to finding that perfect project or gift.
I love the kits that are 3D projects! They are so much fun and I usually add them to my decor and have them for years.
This kit comes with all the paper pieces you need to assemble your very own haunted paper house. You’ll start with cardboard walls, precut vellum, and other paper pieces for accessorizing. Assemble the house following the instructions then add your own ghostly touch to it.
Video from Stampin’ Up!
Stampin’ Up! products used to create this project:
