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Happy Spring!

2011-03-21T21:00:00.000-06:00

Spring is finally here! I've been inspired to create with beautiful, bright colors lately and the new Coloringz from Shimmerz are so bright, lively and gorgeous! These sprays are all color with no shimmer. You can order them directly from the Shimmerz website here. Check them out!!

You add the shimmer of your choice over the top with these beautiful babies...

My favorite of the Shimmeringz is Goldie Lox! I used it on these butterflies over the Coloringz on this card...

To make the clouds, I used a template, stipple brush and Under The Sea Blingz paint.
(I also used a little bit of the Under The Sea Blingz on the blue butterfly)

I've got lots of Shimmerz projects to post here (I'm playing catch up!) so check back soon!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Another pillow project...

2011-03-15T14:07:00.000-06:00

My friend Wendy wanted to give her sister Shannon a special gift for her recent birthday. I mean really, what do you give the woman who has everything? ;) So... Wendy asked me to make Shan a pillow and here's the result...

I made the flowers on this pillow with ribbon as well. Shannon loved it and that makes me happy!

Blessings,
Lori

Sewing project...

2011-03-13T12:29:00.003-06:00

Hi there! Recently I completed a couple of sewing projects. Here is one of them that I made for my bestie Wendy, aka "Wonder Woman". :)

I made the brown flowers out of brown satin ruffled ribbon. I made the taupe and brown flowers by twisting a double sided ribbon.

Wendy really loves this photo pillow that I made for her for a birthday gift. I love giving things that I make myself. It means so much.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Valentines Day home decor project

2011-01-25T10:19:00.001-07:00

Here is a Valentine's Day home decor project that I created using the new Coloringz from Shimmerz Paints called My Bleeding Heart. It is my favorite new color, a gorgeous bright red!
I used Goldie Lox Shimmeringz over the red. I also used Goldie Lox Shimmeringz on the little heart in the middle.

I got the idea for this ruffled heart from a video that Rhonna Farrer but on her blog about a year ago. She used some tan colored (unbleached) coffee filters and hot glued them into an empty heart shaped candy box. I loved the project she made but thought it would look so hot in a bright red! I used My Bleeding Heart Coloringz over the tan coffee filters and the coverage of this paint is so amazing!

Check out the Shimmerz Blog for a cool video and some more ideas for these fantastic new products!

A New Release from Shimmerz Paints!

2011-01-19T14:44:00.000-07:00

Shimmerz Paints will be releasing NEW products tomorrow, January 20th!

Check out names of the new colors:

Mama Sings The Blues – a bright turquoise color
Mandrin My Tie – an orange / yellow color
My Bleeding Heart – deep bright red
Anchors Away – deep navy blue (I call this one Patriot Blue!)
Valentino – similar to the Pantone color of the year for 2011
Ivy League – an olive green with rust tones
Lime In Da Coconut – a bright lime green
Mon-Shari – a vibrant blue/purple
No Yolking – a super bright yellow
Pink Stiletto – a hot, hot pink
Tropical Tan Line – a vintage tan

Check back in tomorrow to see some projects that I created with some of these new colors!!

My Wicked Whisk...

2011-01-08T12:39:00.002-07:00

Today I am launching my "foodie" blog dedicated to cooking, baking and all things food! I hope you'll check it out here and say hello!

xo,
Lori

Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes!

2010-11-13T13:25:00.002-07:00

I made these cupcakes yesterday a BSU Bronco party and they were a big hit. So yummy!

Ingredients for cupcakes:
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs
2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tsp grated orange zest
red and yellow food coloring

Ingredients for frosting:

2 8 oz bricks cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp orange juice
3 cups powdered sugar
Red and yellow food coloring

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 24 standard sized muffin cups with paper or foil liners.

Beat butter, sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla, orange juice and zest in a large bowl with mixer on high 3 minutes or until fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each. On low speed, beat in flour and milk, alternating in 2 additions, just until blended, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Add a couple of drops of red and yellow food coloring until the batter is orange. Spoon evenly in muffin cups 2/3 full.

Bake 22 to 24 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in center of cupcakes comes out clean and tops are golden. Cool in pans on a wire rack for 5 minutes before removing from pans to rack to cool completely.
For the frosting, beat cream cheese, vanilla and juice in a bowl to blend. Add
powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Beat in a couple of drops of red and yellow food coloring until light orange. Refrigerate until firm enough to spread.

Recipe makes 24 wicked yummy cupcakes!! Enjoy. :)

Love and blessings,

Lori

oxo

Words to live by...

2010-11-13T12:48:00.000-07:00

A friend sent me this via email and I love it. Thought I'd share it with you...

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. Its OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. Its OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Boo to you!

2010-10-25T14:02:00.000-06:00

Here is a little Halloween banner that I created for Shimmerz Paints. I used Fiery Fiesta Vibez on the chipboard letters.

How beautiful is my sweetgum tree? Oh, how I LOVE the fall colors!!

xo,
Lori

Back to basics...

2010-09-30T02:31:00.039-06:00

Over the last few months, life has been crazy so I have not had the opportunity to get creative as often as I would like. I created some cards recently and figured I better get back to basics and start off simple... ease myself back into my creative groove! Last Spring I bought these beautiful papers and embellishments from The Girls Paperie. I have been dying to create with them. I grabbed my Baby's Breath Spritz and made the pretty floral paper even prettier and shimmery on these first two cards.

On this third card I used some of the latest and greatest colors from Shimmerz Paints. On the flower, I used Pop Art Pink Vibes mixed with a little Ruby Spritz to get just the shade of pink I was looking for. I used the new Peas Be Mine Pearlz on the leaves.

I guess it's time to put away the Spring and Summer papers and start creating with some warm fall ones! I suppose I'm in denial that the cold weather is coming because of this HOT weather we are having here in Idaho lately!

Happy Fall!

Lori

Seafood Chowder Recipe

2010-09-03T10:57:00.000-06:00

Once in a while I am asked for one of my recipes that I don't have written down. I just wing it with chowder but my friend Mary Alice asked me to write it down for her. Thanks, Mary Alice! I really need to do this with many of my recipes but need a little kick in the ass. :)

This recipe makes a big ol' 8 quart pot full, which is probably about 18 to 20 generous servings.

Seafood Chowder

Ingredients

3-4 cups chopped clams (this would be about 10 pounds in the shell)
1 pound bay scallops
1 pound small shrimp (deveined and tails off)
1/2 pound bacon or pancetta, diced small.
1 stick unsalted butter
2 cups finely chopped onions
1 cup finely chopped celery
4 cloves of garlic (minced)
12 sprigs fresh thyme
3 bay leaves
3 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 quart heavy cream
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
3 teaspoons kosher salt or to taste
hot sauce (optional)
8 bottles Snow's Clam Juice (8oz each)If using pre-shucked clams
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Normally I bring clams home from Washington already shucked and I freeze them. I chop them up while they are in a big brick just slightly thawed. I use the store bought clam juice when I don't have fresh whole clams.

If you are using fresh clams, transfer the clams to a large bowl or baking dish and strain the broth twice through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, being careful to strain out the sand. You should have about 8 cups of clam broth. If not, add enough water to bring the volume up to 8 cups. When the clams are cool, remove them from their shells and chop into 1/2-inch pieces. Set the clams and broth aside.

Cook the bacon or pancetta (I prefer the non-smoky taste of pancetta) in a large heavy pot over medium heat until crisp and the fat is rendered. Pour off all of the bacon fat except 2 tablespoons. Add 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, onions, and celery and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add the garlic, thyme, and bay leaves and cook until the vegetables are thoroughly wilted, about 3 minutes, being careful not to brown.

Add the potatoes and reserved clam broth or clam juice and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer until the broth thickens slightly and the potatoes are very tender, about 30 minutes.I like my chowder very thick so at this point I melt half a stick of butter then stir in half a cup of flour. Cook this down for a couple of minutes then add to pot of chowder and stir. It will get very thick!

Discard the thyme stems and bay leaves, stir in the cream. Bring temp up to simmer. Add seafood and simmer for about 7-8 minutes just long enough for seafood to cook. Add salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste.

If you have the time, set the chowder aside for 1 hour, covered, to allow the flavors to marry. Place the pot over low heat and slowly reheat, being careful not to let boil as this will over cook the seafood. Garnish each bowl some chopped parsley.

Holy Smokes... three months??

2010-08-28T11:53:00.000-06:00

How crazy is it that I've not blogged for three months?? It's not for lack of material, that's for sure! All three boys start school on Monday and Nate will be in first grade (ALL DAY!) so I'll be back to creating and blogging but also tackling my "I'll do that when the kids go back to school" list!

It's been a wonderful summer full of happy memories and I can't wait to recap and scrap it :)

Love and blessings to you!

xo,
Lori

Change of direction!

2010-05-27T09:08:00.000-06:00

I love making banners! (can you tell?) I decided to change the direction with this one and make it vertical. I photographed it on my front door but it's paper so I can't leave it there. I'll have to find a place in my home for it because I just LOVE it!!

I used papers from Teresa Collins Designs Welcome Home and Mr. & Mrs Collections. Thanks for stopping by today!

Blessings to you!
Lori

A mini...

2010-05-26T14:44:00.000-06:00

I don't do a whole lot of "mini books" anymore. I just don't know what the heck to do with them after they are done! :) I created this one for Scrappin' Girlfriends as a store sample. It is very simple. The book and the papers are from Bo Bunny. I just love love love these pictures of Joe and Nate hanging out in the back yard. They make me so happy! You can click on each of the photos if you want to see the details.

I used the new Shimmerz Pearlz color "Espresso" which is a very dark brown, to distress the edges of the pages. The stickers are from 7 Gypsies.

Thanks for stopping by today!

xo,

Lori

Inspired...

2010-05-25T11:34:00.000-06:00

I made this banner to hang in my studio. I used Teresa Collins Designs Chic Bebe Girl collection. Love the crowns!

Find your Spahkle!
xo,
Lori

Oh, Happy Day!

2010-05-22T12:28:00.001-06:00

Here is another banner I recently created. I got a Design Team kit from Scrappin' Girlfriends with a Maya Road chipboard album in in and a bunch of these bright colorful Fancy Pants papers. I decided to make it into a cheerful banner instead of a mini book. I used some of the new Shimmerz Pearlz on the letters and flowers. I'm so digging the color "Samrock" which is the most gorgeous shade of green!

Oh, happy day to you!

Blessings,
Lori

Graphic 45...

2010-05-20T09:44:00.000-06:00

made me their Featured Artist for May for the banner that I created with their papers. How fun is that? You can check it out HERE and leave some love.
♥♥♥

Back to reality!!

2010-05-19T11:06:00.000-06:00

I had SUCH a lovely time in Arizona! I'm glad to be home because I missed my guys but it was very hard to leave this paradise...

I got to hang out at the J.W. Marriot in Phoenix over the weekend and man, was it POSH!

I'll post more pics soon!

xo,
Lori

Banner Happy!

2010-05-12T10:52:00.003-06:00

Hey there! I've been a little banner happy lately and have made several of these fun colorful decorations! Here is one that I made for Scrappin' Girlfriends, my favorite scrapbook store! I used some of the brand new Shimmerz Pearlz paints on them. Love, love, love the opacity and vibrant sparkle of this product! I used Carrot Top Pearlz on the chipboard letters and some of the flowers and Sunny Side Up Pearlz and Jeni B Bleu Vibez on the other flowers (all flowers from Petaloo!)

I used Graphic 45 On The Boardwalk papers for this banner. Love this paper collection, so vintage but yet vibrant colors all at the same time! To tie the banner together I used some beautiful hand dyed silk ribbon from my friend Cece of The Thread Gatherer! Check out her ribbons and fibers, so gorgeous!

Hope you have a BANNER day filled with blessings!

♥♥♥

Lori

Shimmerz Pearlz has 11 new colors!

2010-05-11T08:20:00.000-06:00

Just released today! Check out the video with some inspiring projects!
(Don't forget to pause my playlist.)

Bloom and Grow

2010-04-30T07:49:00.000-06:00

This beautiful, sweet, gorgeous little girl is Gracie. She is the daughter of Stacey McElyea, owner of Shimmerz Paints. The pictures were taken by Samantha McElyea, Stacey's oldest daughter. She has recently started a photography business and I think she's gots some mad skillz, how about you?

I used lots of Jenni Bowlin stuff on these pages. I just love everything she makes! I used Shimmerz Vibez in Sunset Strip, Red-y or Not, Hermit the Frog and Vertigre. I also use some Mello Yellow Shimmerz.

I made the flowers with some rolled up paper and red acrylic paint. I spritzed them with a little bit of Red-y or Not Vibez to add some shimmer.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Have a great weekend.

Love to you!
Lori

Blossoming with Petaloo...

2010-04-29T21:02:00.000-06:00

Shimmerz Paints has recently teamed up with Petaloo. Petaloo makes fabulous paper flowers and are a match made in heaven with Shimmerz Paints. Like peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, peas and carrots... you get the point!

Recently I received all of Teresa Collins Design's new paper lines and I used Chic Bebe Girl and Chic Bebe Boy for this layout. See, these lines are so versatile, not just for babies!

I love the way the Shimmerz Pearlz really stuck to the white printed flowers on the transparency. I also used the Pearlz (in Ballet Slipper and Morning Mist from the Teresa Collins exclusive line of colors) on the paper edges, the chipboard embellishments, the title banner, and of course all of the pretty Petaloo flowers!

The cute girls in the pictures are Sarah (my friend Denise's daughter) and Hailey (my friend Stacie's daughter). Stacie is a photographer in Arizona and she took these adorable pics of the girls.

I have some more creations with Petaloo flowers that I will post this week so check back soon!

Blessings to you,

Lori

Rain or Shine

2010-04-17T15:17:00.001-06:00

I hope it is "shining" in your neck of the woods today! It is definitely shining here in Idaho. We are having a lovely Spring day, finally!

Here is another layout that I created for my bestie Denise. Photo was taken by Stacie.

I used Vibez in Sunset Strip to brighten up the look of this layout. The Jenni Bowlin paper I used was a very pale yellow so I made the color pop on the title, the background and the journaling spots with some Sunset Strip Vibez.

Blessings to you,
Lori

Quote for today...

2010-04-14T13:06:00.000-06:00

To be human is to be creative. You don’t have to go outside yourself to find creativity--You already have it. It lives in your heart and mind in every moment of every day.

Sandra Magasamen

Mixing it up!

2010-04-11T09:24:00.000-06:00

I'm still playing around with all of the gorgeous photos my friend Denise sent me that her friend Stacie took. She takes gorgeous photos! I love this beautiful photo of Sarah playing the violin. I was so inspired to do another Springy layout.

I love mixing up my Shimmerz paints! It's fun to mix the different products as well. On this layout, I mixed Island Salsa Blingz (bright and glittery) with Ballet Slipper Pearlz (soft and opaque) and I came up with the perfect shade of sparkly coral to match my layout!

I hope you'll try mixing it up too! So fun.
Blessings,
Lori

Nate loves his Peeps!

2010-04-04T12:44:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I was attempting to use Peeps to decorate my cupcakes but the "Peeps theif" was stealing them faster than I could finish!

A happy and blessed Easter to all my "Peeps"!

xoxo,

Lori

World Autism Awareness Day

2010-04-02T16:37:00.001-06:00

Today, April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. You can go to http://www.autismspeaks.org/ to learn more.

Lots of businesses and groups are Lighting It Up Blue for Autism Awareness. Last night the Empire State Building in New York City was lit up blue also Fenway Park in Boston! I can't wait to see pictures of that!

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 110 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

My youngest son, Nate has Autism Spectrum Disorder and has been receiving IBI (Intensive Behavioral Intervention) therapy almost three years. It has made such a difference in our lives. He started at three years old and early intervention is definitely key.

Blessings and peace,

Lori

Lovely Ladies...

2010-04-01T14:54:00.002-06:00

I love creating girlie layouts! I've never been a big fan of the color yellow but this Spring it's everywhere and it's really speaking to me! My friend Denise sent me the cutest pictures that her friend Stacie took of their daughters.

Aren't they just lovely little ladies?

My camera battery died after just one photo so I'll have to wait until it charges to take some pictures of the shimmer. I used Pixie Dust Blingz and Aqua Marine Shimmerz for lots of distressing and shimmer on the edges of the papers, the title letters and on the bird.

Thanks for stopping by today! Happy April.

Blessings,
Lori

Spring Break!!

2010-03-31T22:19:00.000-06:00

I wish I was showing you pictures of beautiful tulips and daffodils but um... nope. Guess I didn't need to break out the flip flops just yet this Spring Break.

Doesn't look like Natey's too happy about the weather either. :(

Blessings,
Lori

Love this blog...

2010-03-31T10:51:00.001-06:00

Well, as you know, I haven't been the best blogger lately! I've neglected my own blog but I have been spending lots of time reading inspiring blogs and I want to share some of my fun favorite blog finds with you.

My favorite for today is this one.

Even her name is cute... Katie the Scrapbook Lady. I think her idea of doing a monthly recap is brilliant! I also like how she reminds us to do things at the end of the month like back up photos and such.

I'm going to try and take the time to do a round up for March. How about you?

Here are a few quotes that came through my inbox today. They are too good not to share.

“To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to.” —Kahlil Gibran

“Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push—a smile, a word of optimism and hope, a ‘you can do it!’ when things are tough.” —Richard DeVos

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” —Leo F. Buscaglia

“Be sensitive to the plight of others. You have to know about the tragedies as well as the triumphs, the failures as well as the success.” —Jim Rohn

Blessings,
Lori

Shimmerz News...

2010-03-30T13:21:00.002-06:00

Elizabeth Kartchner | Newest Face of Shimmerz Paints

I have some Exciting News to share......
Liz Kartchner is the newest Face of Shimmerz!!!
She is excited to become a Shimmerz Endorsed Instructor and will be using Shimmerz Products in her upcoming classes!
Liz writes a monthly column for Creating Keepsakes Magazine called "Dear Lizzy", she wrote the book "52 More Scrapbooking Challenges" and has a fun craft line called "Dear Lizzy" from American Crafts.
To learn more about Liz you can check out her inspiring blog here!

The Prettiest Easter Eggs...

2010-03-29T13:16:00.000-06:00

Aren't these lovely? I saw an article at Southern Living Online HERE on how to make them. I think I'll do just that and then maybe add just a little sparkle to them. Hmmmm.

How do you all decorate your Easter eggs?

xo,
Lori

Springy cards...

2010-03-04T16:02:00.000-07:00

I have lots of birthdays coming up this month and I recently noticed my stash of handmade birthday cards is all gone! Even though it is rainy and oh so dreary today, it has been lovely out the last couple of days. My tulips and daffodils are coming up. My pussy willow trees are all budding and my forsythia bushes are about to burst out into a beautiful bright yellow display (can't wait). I'm in a springy card making mood so I put together some cheery cards today!

Wishing you blessings, peace and a little sunshine!
~Lori

He's my little...

2010-03-02T17:07:00.002-07:00

lucky charm!
I used a little Four Leaf Clover Spritz from Shimmerz Paints to add a little green shimmer to the title and the butterfly on this layout. I also used a little bit of Licorice Spritz on the butterfly:

I got to spend some time creating today. It made me SO happy! I just took these pictures of Nate. He is getting so big! No, not big, huge! I just love him to pieces. He is star student this week and I went to his class yesterday to do show and tell with him. I spent some time trying to explain Autism to a class full of Kindergarteners. It wasn't easy but I think it helped. The question and answer period was hilarious!

Blessings and peace,
~Lori

I {love} me some new TCD!

2010-02-21T14:07:00.010-07:00

Teresa Collins Designs, that is! I was lucky enough to win all four of her new collections for taking part in a raffle for Haiti she had on her blog. How cool is that? I would have bought them all anyway so winning them was sweet. I was planning on spending the rest of February cleaning and organizing closets, hahahahah! I was so inspired by all of my new stuff and my Shimmerz Vibez, I haven't left my studio much the past week! :) It feels so great to be back on a roll creating again. It makes me SO happy!

Here are some projects that I created yesterday...

The first is a layout I did for my friend Paige. She is a fabulous photographer and also the daughter of one of my bestest friends in the world, Kelly. Paige got married a little over a year ago in Chicago. The wedding was amazing and so much fun! She had some really cool pictures taken by her dear friend Erin (also a fabulous photographer!) and she sent them to me to create with! I've only just begun to create with these pictures and the beautiful new paper lines from TCD. I mixed the Mr & Mrs and Welcome Home lines. The great thing about these lines is that they are all black, white and cream. You can add colors that compliment your photos and projects. I used the new Vibez color called Rolling in The Hay. It is a soft yellowish gold and so perfect for these photos! I also used some Tuscan Sun Spritz and some Coal Shimmerz paint (on the chipboard letter W).

Here are a couple of close ups...

On this next project I also used the Rolling in the Hay Vibez and the Tuscan Sun Spritz. The frame looks so shimmery in person. The ribbon was off white but I just sprayed a little Vibez and got the perfect golden yellow color I was aiming for. The background is actually one of two flocked, black on black chipboard covers for a mini album but I was thinking "outside of the book" and thought it would make a great wall hanging.

I have more creations to share with you tomorrow and a new Shimmerz Ed video as well so check back in!

Blessings and peace,

~Lori

Birthday cards...

2010-02-17T11:38:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of birthday cards that I created with some mini bingo cards from Jenni Bowlin Studios and a little bit o' Shimmerz paints.

Thanks for stopping by!
~L

Sweet As Candy

2010-02-11T13:18:00.000-07:00

Here is another layout that I created for my friend Denise and her daughter Sarah...

I love this line of shimmery paper from Reminisce and I wanted my background paper to be shimmery and for the color to match the colors in the papers. I layered two shades of Shimmerz new Vibez to get this color. I used Red-y Or Not on top of Razzle Dazzle Berry and the color turned out perfect. The background is now super shimmery just like the patterned papers!

Love to you!
~L

Sweet 16!

2010-02-11T12:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my oldest son turned 16! Wow, time flies. Seems like yesterday he was this bald little baby!

I'm so proud of him and the young man he has grown into. Speaking of growing, geesh, the years have not been kind to my figure! Oh, to be that thin again! :)

Blessings,
~L

Sweethearts

2010-02-09T16:14:00.012-07:00

I've been in kind of a Shabby Chic kind of mood, design wise lately so I decided to do a shabby type layout. My friend Denise sent me these adorable pictures of her kids taken by her friend Stacie Petrini. I'm going to scrap some of them in color as well because the color ones are so cute but for this layout, the sepia toned ones worked better.

I made the flowers with rolled up patterned paper and then spritzed them with Cotton Candy Spritz. I also sprinkled on some pink glitter from Making Memories. One of the flowers I made with rolled up silk ribbon and also spritzed it with Cotton Candy. The "S" in the title was made with rolled up paper and spritzed with Hot Fudge Vibez. Love that color! I also used it on the chipboard key, on the large doily and the edges of the small doily. I used Razzle Dazzle Berry Vibez all around the edges of the layout. It is such a bright, pretty color!

The color of Vibez that I am just crazy about right now is Vertigre! I used it on the leaves on this layout. I folded the leaves in half before I spritzed them and the coppery shimmer pooled in the fold and dried that way. I think the look is fantastic!

In my next Shimmerz Ed Video, I will teach you the rolled paper flower technique as well as the paper roses on my latest canvas. I'll let you know when it is filmed and posted! In the mean time, you have to watch the latest video from Lucy Edson here. She made some fabulous flowers with quilt batting! Check it out!

Blessings and peace,

Happiness

2010-02-05T10:17:00.002-07:00

Here are a couple of quotes I received in my in-box this morning that I thought I would share with you...

HAPPINESS

Simply seek happiness, and you are not likely to find it. Seek to create and love without regard to your happiness, and you will likely be happy much of the time.
- M. Scott Peck

A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience.
- Sydney Smith

Love 'em! Happy Friday! I'm going to try to squeeze in a Five Faves Friday post later! It's been a while!

Love 2 U!
- L

Here's just a few...

2010-02-04T17:05:00.000-07:00

of the Valentine's Day cards that I have created this week. I've got a huge pile of them that I am working on putting the finishing touches on but I thought I'd post a few for you that are done...

I honestly can't remember the last time my husband and I went on a date for Valentine's Day but this year we are! Special K's brother Joe is coming to town and is insisting that my honey and I get a little one on one time. Date night... YIPPEE! Now, what to do and where to go? Any suggestions?

Blessings,
Lori

Winner!!

2010-02-04T07:07:00.003-07:00

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

15

Timestamp: 2010-02-04 14:04:36 UTC

Congratulations to Lillian Child! You had the 15th comment on my Vibez posts! Email me your address and we will get you a bottle of my favorite color Redy Or Not asap!

My Sweet Nate

2010-02-03T07:21:00.001-07:00

I dug out a box of chipboard letters (tons of them!) that I've had forever to finish up this layout that I did a year ago! Do any of you do that? Start a layout and then put it aside for a while? :)

On the "My Sweet" letters I used the new Shimmerz Pearlz. I painted them with Ballet Slipper and then stippled them with Pearl. I love the opaqueness of this product!

On the "Nate" letters I used the new Shimmerz Vibez in Before Dawn which is a wicked shimmery dark charcoal, almost black. I can't believe the saturation you get with just one coat of Vibez on raw chipboard. Amazing!

Hmmmm, now that I look at the layout again, I think it needs some handwritten journaling strips on the bottom left! I'm always adding more to my layouts after they are "done"!

Blessings and love,
Lori

Shimmerz Vibez Love Canvas

2010-02-02T18:56:00.002-07:00

Hello! Happy Shimmerz Vibez premiere day! I'm really loving visiting the Shimmerz Ed team and Design team to see all of the projects they have created. Such inspiration!!

I started playing around with making some paper roses after seeing some in the craft store and seeing how expensive they were. I made the red rose below out of a paper grocery bag. I just cut a big circle and then cut it into a spiral. I wrapped the paper around and around until it resembled a rose. You could cut into it to make petals but I liked the rustic look of leaving it rough. I then sprayed it with Vibez in Red-y Or Not (my fave). I cut the leaves out of a paper bag as well and sprayed them with a beautiful green shade called Vertigre. Now, believe it or not, the pink roses are sprayed with the same color but since I made them out of plain white copy paper instead of the paper bag, the shade looks totally different! I really loved the way the flowers came out so I decided to put them on a canvas. The chipboard LOVE is from Making Memories. I painted it with some crackle paint for some texture and then sprayed it with a couple of coats of Jeni B Blue. Love that color too! I think it is my second fave! For the background of the canvas, I painted it with some copper acrylic paint and then sprayed it with Penny Pincher, a gorgeous shade of copper.

For the finishing touches, I added a little bling from Prima, some ribbon and a corsage pin from Making Memories and some T-Drops (love those!!) from Teresa Collins. I found the cute ruffled ribbon at our local scrapbook store. I'll do a little video tutorial on how to make the roses very soon, so keep checking back. I also have a Valentine's Day layout that I will post for you tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to leave a comment on any of the Vibez posts below for a chance to win a bottle of my favorite color!

Blessings,
Lori

Vibez are finally here!!

2010-02-02T09:12:00.005-07:00

Introducing VIBEZ....16 Vibrant Colors with intense Shimmer and Shine!!! Shimmerz is giving away a FULL Collection Set of Vibez Miniz to one lucky blog reader that makes a purchase from the Shimmerz site today! Set contains all 16 colors!

I am so excited about this product! The bright, vibrant colors are fantastic!
Watch this video to see some gorgeous creations made with vibes. (Make sure you pause my music playlist before you play the video.)

Leave a comment below to win a bottle of Vibez! I am giving away my very favorite color which is Red-y Or Not!!

Be sure to check back later for a couple of my projects and some HOW-TOs!!

Blessings,
Lori

Feel the Vibez!

2010-01-26T15:13:00.001-07:00

The release of Vibez from Shimmerz Paints is just ONE WEEK away and I am so excited about this new product. The colors are bright and vibrant and gorgeous!

Here is a little preview of one of the projects I have made with the new Vibez:

Aren't the colors fabulous? You can see all of the colors on the Shimmerz website here

Can't wait to share more with you next week!

Blessings and peace,
Lori

BIG Announcement from Shimmerz Paints!

2010-01-13T10:21:00.006-07:00

Today is the DAY we announce our super Fun News and one of our New Product Releases!

Please check out the video here and find out how you can win our latest products!!

I am over the top excited!!

Hey hey, it's a Shimmerz giveaway!

2009-12-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

Hurry up and go check out the Scrapbook Trends Blog for a Shimmerz giveaway!

Peace,
~L

Ginmabread house...

2009-12-11T10:05:00.001-07:00

Nate's very favorite thing about Christmas is building a gingerbread house (he says ginmabread which is so cute!) He and Cristina, his therapist, make one every year. This is the third! He decorates it and then the next day, he eats every little piece of candy off of it. He even tries to eat the house!

I am so very sorry that I forgot to post a winner for the Shimmerz Paints. Carmen, email me your address and I will send them out to you! Thank you for the link!

~Blessings,
Lori

Warm Winter Wishes (and a Shimmerz giveaway!)

2009-12-03T11:11:00.003-07:00

It is very chilly here in Idaho this week, definitely mitten weather! Here is another card design that we created at my recent Shimmerz Ed class:

We used a stipple brush with Pixie Dust Blings on Bazzill Swiss Dot white cardstock on the top of the mitten to give it a little texture.

We used Angel Wings Shimmerz on the flowers. Did you know that you can add embossing powder to wet Shimmerz or Spritz and then heat emboss it? Well, now you know! I added clear embossing powder to the wet flowers. I love the way the heat gun curled the edges. Embossing them puts a glossy coating over the shimmer. I purposely left the heat gun on a little too long and burnt the edges for a shabby look.

We stamped a little message inside:

I made up a bunch of these cards and plan on giving them to friends and neighbors with some of these:

Here is the recipe for my sugar cookies:

Sugar Cookies

1 ½ cup powdered sugar
1 ½ cup (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups flour
2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients (I use the paddle hook in my kitchen aid mixer) until well blended. Roll out dough on floured work surface. Cut into desired shapes. Bake for about 15-18 min. depending on the size of your shape, until golden.

Icing

3 cups powdered sugar
1 cube butter, melted
2 tbsp warm milk
1 tsp vanilla

Combine all ingredients. Mix well. Chill icing for about 15 min while cookies are baking. Ice cookies while they are still warm. Add sprinkles before icing hardens. Icing will smooth when cooled.

I like to put them in the freezer for 15 minutes to let the icing get hard and then I package them in cello bags.

Enjoy!

Leave a comment here with a link to a recipe for a yummy holiday treat and I will choose from the comments for a winner of two jars of Shimmerz Paints! I've got Green Olive and Candle Light to give away. I will choose a winner on Saturday, December 5th. These colors are perfect for your holiday projects.

I can't wait to start baking. I love being in a warm kitchen in this cold weather!

Keep warm!
~Lori

Shimmery trees...

2009-12-02T14:30:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is another one of the Christmas cards we made at my recent Shimmerz Ed class.

We used some finger tip sponge daubers to add some Pixie Dust Blingz to the trees. I love this neutral color and find myself using it more than any other! I love the extra "spahkle" in the Blingz paint!

We then used another finger tip sponge dauber to dust the edges of our patterned paper and the label with Hotty Pink Blingz. I have always been a big fan of using distress ink on my edges but I love using Blingz even more because of the shimmer factor.

Blessings!
~Lori

It's not too late...

2009-12-01T10:42:00.002-07:00

...to get yourself some Shimmerz and make some handmade Christmas cards to send to those special people on your list. All this week I'll be sharing with you the cards we created at my November Shimmerz Ed class!

For this card we punched out lots of little hearts from scraps of green patterned paper. We then Spritz them with Bamboo Leaf and dried them with a heat embossing gun. I love the way heat drying makes the ends curl up a little bit to give the tree dimension. We then arranged the hearts upside down to create a tree. You can make it your own by adding bling, garland, buttons, brads, whatever!

I also want to share with you that the Shimmerz Education team has a new blog dedicated to sharing all of our video tutorials with you! You will learn so many new techniques from these videos! I will be posting a brand new video next week so check it out!

Blessings to you this holiday season!
~Lori

Spiced Hot Chocolate

2009-11-21T09:09:00.003-07:00

The weather is chilly AND I'm craving something chocolatey!
Gonna make this today for the gals coming to my class...

Spiced Hot Chocolate

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients:
6 (12-ounce) cans evaporated milk
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg Pinch cayenne pepper
2 (12-ounce) bags semisweet chocolate chips
Cocoa powder, for serving

Directions:

For stovetop:
In a large pot over medium heat, whisk together milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. Add chocolate chips. Stir until chocolate is melted. Cover and turn heat to low for 5 minutes.

For slow cooker:
In a 4-quart slow cooker, whisk together milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. Add chocolate chips. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 2 to 3 hours, stirring every 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with a dusting of cocoa powder.

Stay warm!
Blessings to you,
Lori

Shimmerz Paints Design Team Call

2009-11-17T15:05:00.001-07:00

CALLING ALL DESIGNERS!

Shimmerz Paints is looking for designers that love all things Shimmery. Can you think outside of the box? Are you a team player? Do you love to promote products you believe in? Do you want to design with some cutting edge products of the craft industry? If so, we want to hear from you! You can get all the details on the Shimmerz blog.

Pumpkin Scones

2009-11-10T13:06:00.003-07:00

I've never been a big fan of scones. They are usually dry and crumbly and not sweet. Well, my friend Wendy has gotten me addicted to the Pumpkin Scones at Starbucks! They are more like little cakes than scones. They are so delicious! I did a little searching online for a recipe and I found one that is the EXACT recipe for these.

I made them today and they are even better than the ones at Starbucks. Pretty much one of the best things I have ever tasted! I doubled the recipe because I knew 6 would not be enough!

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups all-purpose flour
7 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
3 tablespoons half-and-half
1 large egg
6 tablespoons cold butter

Plain Glaze
1 cup plus 1 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk

Spiced Icing
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
pinch ground ginger
pinch ground cloves

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ginger in a large bowl.
3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together pumpkin, half-and-half, and eggs.
4. Cut butter into cubes then add it to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry knife or a fork to combine butter with dry ingredients. Continue mixing until no chunks of butter are visible. You can also use a food processor: Pulse butter into dry ingredients until it is the texture of cornmeal or coarse sand.
5. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, then form the dough into a ball. Pat out dough onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a 1 -inch thick rectangle that is about 9 inches long and 3 inches wide. Use a large knife or a pizza wheel to slice the dough twice through the width, making three equal portions. Cut those three slices diagonally so that you have 6 triangular slices of dough.
6. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes on a baking sheet that has been lightly oiled or lined with parchment paper. Scones should begin to turn light brown.
7. While scones cool, prepare plain glaze by combining ingredients in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed. Mix until smooth.
8 When scones are cool, use a brush to paint a coating of the glaze over the top of each scone.
9. As that white glaze firms up, prepare spiced icing by combining ingredients in another medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed. Drizzle this thicker icing over each scone and allow the icing to dry before serving (at least 1 hour). A squirt bottle works great for this, or you can drizzle with a whisk.
Makes 6 scones.

Enjoy!
Blessings and Peace,
~Lori

Creative Cuts & More Mega Recipe Blog Hop!

2009-11-09T09:00:00.004-07:00

Hi blog hoppers! Weren't Jen's projects fabulous? (If you didn't arrive here from Jen's blog, you don't want to miss what our designers have in store for you! The CC&M Mega Recipe Blog Hop starts HERE.

Welcome to the first day of the Creative Cuts & More Mega Recipe Blog Hop, which will feature the 8"x8" Treasured Family Recipes Kit. There are 24 designers who will be creating recipe book pages to inspire you. Plus we all will be sharing some of our own delicious treasured family recipes. Make sure you check back at http://www.diecutdiva.com/ tomorrow for the Holiday Treats Apron Recipe Kit Blog Hop. There will be 24 designers who will be showcasing their great creations and sharing holiday treat recipes! YUM!

Here is a link to the kit that I used to create this recipe book:

Treasured Family Recipes Kit

As part of the celebration CC&M will be having a great sale. For the next six days, we will offer 20% off the entire store. But act quickly, it is only for six days – this sale will end on Nov 14th. Make sure you enter this code recipebloghop2009 during checkout.

Here are some of the pages I created:

I am going to print out my recipes and laminate them to put in between the chipboard pages. This way I can take them out and use them. I am a messy, messy cook so laminating is key! I also plan to include lots of handwritten recipes of my late mother.

Speaking of my mother, I want to share with you a recipe that she often made for her girlfriends for their card playing nights when I was a little girl:

Nana Pat's Apple Cake

Ingredients:
3 C all purpose flour
3 tsp baking powder
2 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 C oil
1 1/2 C granulated sugar
4 eggs
1/2 C orange juice
4 apples, pared and sliced (not too thin)
cinnamon and brown sugar for sprinkling in pan

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients except for the apples in bowl. Mix by hand until smooth. Grease a bundt pan with butter then sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar. Pour in half of the cake batter. Add the apples. Sprinkle with more cinnamon and brown sugar. Add the rest of the batter. Sprinkle with more cinnamon and brown sugar.

Bake for one hour.

Now, continue on our hop and go to Michele Kovac's blog to see what she has done with the kit and what she's cookin'!

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings and Peace,

~Lori

Quote for today...

2009-11-05T11:46:00.002-07:00

I just got this one in my inbox from Inspiration Peak and I had to share:

Creativity is your birthright. You miraculously appeared from nowhere. The Unseen that gave you Life is still nourishing you - and, if you remain open, it will inspire you endlessly.

Metta Zetty
American Author and Spiritual Mentor.

Love it!!

November happenings...

2009-11-02T18:37:00.001-07:00

Hey there!
I am so excited that November is here. I kind of do a little happy dance on November 1st because I am not the biggest fan of Halloween but I love fall, Thanksgiving and getting ready for Christmas!

I wanted to fill you in on a couple of things that I have brewing for November...
I was asked to be a guest designer for Creative Cuts and More for their Favorite Recipes Blog Hop. This is so "up my alley" because I love to cook and I love to create. I have been wanting to create a recipe book for quite some time but put it off. Well I received a fabulous kit in the mail from Creative Cuts and More and I've been working on it since it arrived. It's totally got my mojo flowing!

Make sure you check back here and their blog next Monday for the finished projects. I can't wait!

Also I have another Shimmerz Ed class this month! I will be teaching you to create four Super Shimmery Christmas cards!

Where: My home in Eagle, Idaho
When: Saturday, November 21st from 2pm to 5pm
Cost: $15.00

October's class was so much fun. I got great feedback from all who attended. I will post the projects and some fun stuff about that tomorrow!

If you are interested in the November class, please let me know by November 12th so that I can prepare enough kits. I will have a special Shimmerz gift for all who attend. My email is lorirenn at msn dot com. Space is limited so it is first come first served!

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween! I survived it!

Blessings and peace,
~Lori

House Tour...

2009-10-27T09:03:00.001-06:00

I just ADORE this house!! Take a photo tour! You'll be glad you did!

click here!

So inspiring!

So, what did you think??

xoxo,
L

Sneak Peek...

2009-10-21T16:25:00.000-06:00

It's beginning to look very pink and shimmery around here! I'm excited for my class here Friday night! Here's a little sneak peek of one of the cards we will be making...

:0)
Lori

Quote for today...

2009-10-21T11:47:00.003-06:00

"A smile is nature's best antidote for discouragement.
It brings rest to the weary,
Sunshine to those who are frowning,
And hope to those who are hopeless and defeated.
A smile is so valuable that it can't be bought,
Begged, borrowed, or taken away against your will.
You have to be willing to give a smile away
Before it can do anyone else any good.
So if someone is too tired or grumpy to flash you a smile,
Let him have one of yours anyway.
Nobody needs a smile as much
As the person who has none to give."

~Dale Carnegie

Fall Foliage...

2009-10-15T12:27:00.000-06:00

Today is the most beautiful fall day here in Idaho. It is truly my favorite time of year! Blessings are abundant and God is so good!

Love to you!
Lori

Shimmerz Pink Challenge...

2009-10-08T14:30:00.000-06:00

For the whole month of October, the Shimmerz Blog will be showing off Pink projects created the Design Team. We want you to get involved too! We want you to create projects using ANY Pink Shimmerz or Spritz that you have! Any shade of pink. Then, upload it to the Shimmerz Flickr Group! Make sure and tell us what Shimmerz product you have used. Each Design Team member will choose their favorite project, and each winner will receive something Pink from Shimmerz! We are excited to see your Pink creations.

Here are a couple of cards that I made for the Challenge. I used Ruby, Cotton Candy and Licorice Spritz on these flowers. I was inspired by the beautiful flowers that Jeni B. made on her Shimmerz tutorial video.

We will definitely be making some of these pretty flowers at my Shimmerz Ed Class on the 23! Hope you can make it to that. In the meantime upload your pink creations!

Blessings and peace,
Lori

Birthday Cupcakes...

2009-10-08T13:05:00.001-06:00

Natey loves anything with cinnamon so I decided to make him Snickerdoodle cupcakes from the Martha Stewart Cupcake book. They taste just like the cookie only better, because they are frosted!

I don't really like the frosting that Martha calls for in this recipe (seven-minute frosting) so I made a cream cheese frosting instead and then sprinkled the top with a little cinnamon-sugar. You can find the recipe online here.

Try them sometime!

My Baby is Six!

2009-10-06T11:38:00.003-06:00

Six years ago today, I was lying in bed at Chandler Memorial Hospital in AZ, loving on my newborn and watching baseball playoffs! Nothing has changed! My baby and I will be sitting on the couch for the next few weeks watching baseball playoffs! He's just a little bit bigger now!

Happy Birthday, Nate and Go Red Sox!!

xoxoxo

Save The Date!!

2009-10-02T20:21:00.005-06:00

Friday, October 23rd at 7:00 pm...

I will be teaching my first "Shimmerz Ed" Class right here in my home in Eagle, ID! So, all of you locals do NOT want to miss this!

Think Pink! I will be raising money for The Susan G. Komen Fund by donating $5 for every participant who signs up for this class! We will enjoy "pink" drinks, create "pink" cards and go home with a jar of "pink" Shimmerz paint (3.99 retail value)!

We will be creating three cards using Shimmerz, Blingz and Spritz! I will teach you new techniques to make three OVER THE TOP, fabulous PINK cards (plus envelopes) to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

All this for only $20! For information on how to reserve your spot, please email me at lorirenn@msn.com

Blessings and peace,
~Lori

This is Natey!!

2009-09-29T20:46:00.001-06:00

He is almost six years old! I can hardly believe it! He was the best little baby in the universe. I sound like a typical mom when I say that! Nate was officially diagnosed with Autism when he was three. (And he is impossible to photograph because he never stops moving, unless he is sleeping!) He has been receiving IBI (Intensive Behavioral Therapy) for two years and has made so much progress. There are angels here on earth that work with Autistic children and we were blessed to have one of the best sent to us!

I had to post these pictures of Nate's haircut. My husband had him in a "straight jacket" hold and made me buzz his beautiful blonde mop off. :( He won't stand haircuts so I have been cutting his hair in his sleep for four years!

He is still a total cutie but I miss that mop! I am seriously considering doing the gluten free/casein free/everything free diet for him soon but I am scared. It is so hard and I am afraid of depriving him and afraid of failing.

I will pray about this and hope to decide what is best. Worth a try, right?

More about this later.

Love to you,
~L

Winner!

2009-09-25T13:24:00.003-06:00

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

13

Timestamp: 2009-09-25 19:22:31 UTC

I want to thank you for your outpouring of encouragement for my first video tutorial!! I am simply blown away by all of your comments and kind words!! I want to congratulate:

Kirsten

You won a beautiful, SPAHKLY jar of Shimmerz paint!!

Email me your mailing address at lorirenn@msn.com.

Have a great weekend everyone!

~Lori

Shimmerz Video Blog Hop!

2009-09-20T21:16:00.008-06:00

Welcome to the second stop in the Shimmerz Video Blog Hop! Hopefully you arrived here from my fabulous team leader, Jeni Boisvert's blog. If not then get yourself back to the Shimmerz Paints blog and follow along our blog hop route! If you follow along, you have an opportunity to win one of five of our whole new Vintage collection which is available for purchase today! If you are on the right track then read on...

The Shimmerz Paints Education Team will be bringing you a tutorial video each month to give you lots of tips and techniques on how to use our fabulous products! We will also be providing online and in store classes featuring Shimmerz products! My first video is a little rough, so cut me some slack and be kind! I hope you are all bilingual, meaning you speak Bostonian AND English so that you will be able to understand me!

September's video is all about the new release of the Vintage collection from Shimmerz Paints. There are four new colors of Shimmerz and three new colors of Shimmerz Spritz in new little Miniz which are smaller than the original. The colors are beautiful and I had so much fun working with them!

Here are the two canvases that I have created:

The first one "The Girls" is a canvas I did for a 40th birthday gift for my Bestie Becky. She emailed me a picture of herself with her two girls and I wanted to create something special for her. Just click on the images to make them larger and to see the detail.

This canvas "Through Thick & Thin" is for my other BFF, Denise. I create a layout for her for her wedding anniversary every year and this one is for #5! She had a photo shoot done by the FABULOUS photographer, Chea Lamb and I asked for permission to use one on my canvas. You must check out Chea's photography here.

I also want to give a little shout out to Teresa Collins and say thanks for the Friendship collection that I used on these projects. I love this line and it was so sweet of her to send it to me!!

Ok, lastly here is my video! Oh, how I cringe when I watch and listen to myself, but I guess I'll get used to it! Now, pay attention to when I mention my favorite color from the new line! You will need to remember this for a chance to win the whole Vintage collection! Make sure you click "pause" on my music playlist before viewing.

Leave a comment here on my blog and I will pick one lucky reader/viewer on Friday to receive a jar of beautiful Shimmerz Paint! (Colors will vary)

Now, hop on over to Tanisha Long's blog for the third stop in our blog hop and watch her brilliant video tutorial!

Thanks for watching and keep Shimmering!

~Lori Renn

My New Gig...

2009-09-14T11:40:00.000-06:00

I am so excited to announce that I am part of the new Shimmerz Paints Education Team! This is going to be so much fun! We are going to bring you online video tutorials and classes as well as in-store classes, teaching you lots of fun ways to use Shimmerz amazing products. Sound like fun to you? I'll be working with Jeni Boisvert (our leader), Tanisha Long, Michelle Lanning and Leslie Ashe. What a talented group of gals just full of inspiration!

New Shimmerz Vintage colors!

2009-09-08T11:11:00.008-06:00

I can't wait until September 21st! New vintage colors of Shimmerz are being released! And a big huge announcement of something that I am so excited to be a part of!

Also... you have got to go check out what Jennifer Beason has been doing with Shimmerz! Check it out here. She is our guest designer right now and she is fabulous!

Catching up with Shimmerz!

2009-09-02T10:26:00.001-06:00

The Shimmerz Paints design team recently got to work with Patter Cross's Triple the Sketch blog. The cards and layouts from both teams are so creative and inspiring! You can view them all here.

We also got to do a swap with Cornish Heritage Farms stamps. They have lots of great stamps. The ones that I received to work with were fun to color in with Shimmerz, even though I'm not usually a "color in" type of stamper!

You can check out the rest of the creations that the Shimmerz Paints design team did with the stamps here. Just scroll down to view them all! (I'm a little late in posting this but now that my boys are back in school I'll be on the spot!!)

Happy September everyone!

~Lori

Whidbey Island

2009-08-18T10:53:00.000-06:00

My poor little neglected blog!! Here are a few pictures from our annual summer trip to Whidbey Island.

My dad and stepmom are coming tomorrow for a week. Then it will be a mad frenzy to get back to school stuff done! In September I will be a creating fool. Got lots of stuff to create for Shimmerz and our partners. Can't wait!

Hope all is well with all of my friends in Blog Land!

Love,
~L

Scentsy Shout Out!

2009-07-29T13:18:00.004-06:00

My friend Denise is selling Scentsy products (which I LOVE and I'm totally hooked on!!) and I told her I would give her a shout out here on my blog. She is always hooking me up with fabulous stuff so it's the very least I can do! :o)

Here is a link to her web site:

Denise's Scentsy Site

Now go get yo' self some Scentsy!! You will love it! :)

~L

Fast and fabulous...

2009-07-28T08:37:00.000-06:00

My scrapbook style has been described as a little over the top by some. :) Sometimes I can keep it simple and do a quick and easy layout! My friend Jenny and I got in the tube together while boating at Lucky Peak Lake recently. We laughed so hard!! I created this layout the other night:

Hoping to get some creating done today. We shall see!

Happy Tuesday to you, my friends!
~L

Golden Girls

2009-07-24T16:57:00.002-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Jenny and I had an afternoon at the mall. It was a such a blast because we both just love all things sparkly. We found some fun black and gold shoes and she talked me into buying them. Of course then we needed to find some fun faux gold jewelry to match which we very affectionately now refer to as "ghetto gold"! lol. We got all glammed up and went out that evening to dinner with the girls.

I am once again designing for Shimmerz Paints and I am so excited to be working with such talented gals. I knew I had to use my Shimmerz for this layout! I used Beeswax Shimmerz and Candle Light Shimmerz on the title letter stickers. I jazzed up the plain flowers with Beeswax Shimmerz as well. I used Coal Shimmerz on the black button and Candle Light Shimmerz on the journaling spot. I added a little sparkle to the digital frames directly to the photos with the Beeswax Shimmerz. The paint gives the frames a great 3-D effect!

I hope you will stop by the Shimmerz Blog today and check out the new summer releases! I love them!

♥ Lori

I miss...

2009-07-23T09:18:00.001-06:00

teaching classes!

I would really like to start teaching paper crafting classes again but right here out of the Renn Ranch! Leave a comment here and tell me what kind of classes you would like to attend!

~Lori

Birthday Countdown...

2009-07-17T13:33:00.001-06:00

So, my friend Denise saw this Birthday Countdown creation that Heidi Swapp made and sent me a picture of it. She just had to have one!! So I put my own twist on it and made this:

I'm gonna have to make another because I want one too!

Happy Friday!
:0)
~L

Missing my Mom...

2009-07-10T07:59:00.000-06:00

...I miss her everyday but today is the 4th anniversary of her death. I'm not going to be sad. She would not have wanted that. Going to have a fun day!

I haven't done any scrapbook layouts of my Mom in a while but here are a few from the vault:

Have a fun Friday.
Call your Mom.

Love to you,
~L

Can't wait for this...

2009-07-09T11:50:00.002-06:00

I love Sheryl Crow. Always have. She is doing a benefit concert on MLB.com to raise money for Stand Up for Cancer.

Read more here.

Happiness

2009-07-08T11:01:00.002-06:00

I just got these quotes about happiness in my inbox and I just have to share them with you. Love them!!

“I believe the recipe for happiness to be just enough money to pay the monthly bills you acquire, a little surplus to give you confidence, a little too much work each day, enthusiasm for your work, a substantial share of good health, a couple of real friends and a wife and children to share life's beauty with you.” -- J. Kenfield Morley

"I am more and more convinced that our happiness or our unhappiness depends far more on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of those events themselves." -- Karl Wilhelm Von Humboldt

"We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world." -- Helen Keller

"You will find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people. Why not make earnest effort to confer that pleasure on others? Half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy." -- Lydia M. Child

♥♥♥

I love this quote...

2009-07-08T08:27:00.000-06:00

I decorate my house with my layouts. They are in frames on the wall and on easels. I like to be able to look at them and share them with others without obnoxiously pulling out all of my albums! Well, for months I've been looking at the layouts around the house and thinking I really need to update them. This one is a start! It has the colors of my house so I think it would look great. I love the quote and I try to live it. We all should!

Have a great Wednesday, my friends!

Love,
~L

Lipgloss!

2009-07-07T11:34:00.001-06:00

Because it's fun and girly and we love it!

Oh, and Stacey...
I even busted out the Shimmerz today! Yeah!

Kiss kiss!
xo,
~L

Two days in a row??

2009-07-07T07:55:00.001-06:00

I got to do a little creating last night while watching the Red Sox lose! Bummer. Oh well, I was happy to be creating again! I found these totally cool digital frames called Thrift-Store Chic Picture Frames Deux
By Kitschy Digitals at 2 Peas. Aren't they fabulous? I've been playing around with them lots lately. This layout just cracks me up. My girlfriend Denise is the one person who just might be as obsessed with lipgloss as I am so I created this layout to make us laugh! I changed the quote a bit, LoL!

Speaking of lipgloss...

Here are a few that Denise and I have been digging from Sephora lately:

Smashbox
Hourglass
Guerlain KissKiss Gloss

and of course my fave:

Buxom Lips!

♥♥♥
~L

Surfer Dude...

2009-07-06T10:01:00.000-06:00

Big SHOCKER...
I scrapbooked for the first time in four months! I made myself a yummy mojito last night and sat down in my scrap room. At first I did not even know where to begin. Denise sent me this picture of her son Daniel at the beach so I printed it and the mojo started flowing! I'm so excited to get creative again.

Hope you all had an enjoyable Fourth of July weekend. Mine was quiet and relaxing. This was the first time in years we weren't in Washington for the Fourth. I really missed our friends that we see every Fourth. Next year!

so lucky...

2009-06-29T18:08:00.000-06:00

So, it's been a while since I've created anything. It's also been a long time since I've opened up mail to find a publication that my creations are in. Today I received a copy of Paper Crafts Card Creations Vol 7 and my So Lucky card is in it! It's my first time in Paper Crafts Magazine so I'm excited. I am so feeling the itch to create and get back to digging into all of these fabulous papers and supplies. Denise brought me some cool new scrapbooking stuff from AZ so I think I may just have to pull out the old Glue Dots this week!

Deuce!!

2009-06-29T14:11:00.000-06:00

Yes, Friday was my wedding anniversary but we put off our celebration a few days because my BFF, Denise aka Deuce came to town! It was a lovely, fun, relaxing, perfect weekend! Way too short.

Love you, Deuce. Come back soon!!

Sweet 16...

2009-06-26T09:29:00.001-06:00

Today is our 16th wedding anniversary! Wow, that's a loooong time!

Here are a few of my favorite quotes about marriage:

Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate. ~Barnett R. Brickner

More marriages might survive if the partners realized that sometimes the better comes after the worse. ~Doug Larson

In every marriage more than a week old, there are grounds for divorce. The trick is to find, and continue to find, grounds for marriage. ~Robert Anderson

And my favorite:

Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without. ~James C. Dobson

tgif!
♥♥♥
Lori

Life's tiny delights...

2009-06-24T19:06:00.005-06:00

Most of us miss out on life's big prizes. The Pulitzer. The Nobel. Oscars. Tonys. Emmys. But we're all eligible for life's small pleasures. A pat on the back. A kiss behind the ear. A four-pound bass. A full moon. An empty parking space. A crackling fire. A great meal. A glorious sunset. Hot soup. Cold beer. Don't fret about copping life's grand awards. Enjoy its tiny delights. There are plenty for all of us.

Author Unknown

But Very Much Appreciated!

Happy Father's Day to Special K!

2009-06-21T12:30:00.001-06:00

Here is one of my favorite Dad quotes:

Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice.
- Unknown (but very much appreciated)

Cherry Season!!

2009-06-20T08:23:00.004-06:00

We have a beautiful cherry tree in our back yard and we have been harvesting like crazy lately. I've been "Googling" cherry recipes like crazy!

Here is what I am going to make today to top off Kirk's Father's Day cherry pie:

Cherry Ice Cream with Chocolate Chips Recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups pitted ripe sweet cherries (from about 3/4 lb cherries)
3/4 cup milk
1 3/4 cups cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon lemon juice

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine, keep in freezer until used

1 Put cherries, milk, one cup of the cream, sugar, and salt into a medium saucepan. Heat on medium heat until the mixture is steamy, then lower the heat to warm and just let sit for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Pour mixture into a blender, or use an immersion blender, and carefully purée. (Careful because you are dealing with a hot liquid. Make sure you hold the cap down on the top of the blender while puréeing.)

2 Put mixture into a large bowl. Stir in the remaining 3/4 cup of cream. Chill for several hours in the refrigerator until completely cold. (Can also place bowl over an ice bath, to speed up the cooling process.)

3 Before putting the mixture into your ice cream maker, stir in the lemon juice, Churn the ice cream in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

4 Once the ice cream has completed churning, the ice cream should be pretty soft. Gently fold in the finely chopped chocolate. Put in an airtight container and place in the freezer for at least an hour, preferably several hours.

Makes about one quart.

I have a Cuisinart ice cream maker that I am sad to say, I've only used once! Well, I vow to get it out at least once a week this summer!

Life is a bowl of cherries!

Love to you,
~L
♥♥♥

427?

2009-06-01T21:08:00.002-06:00

Wow,
You know it's been a while since you've read blogs when your Google Reader tells you you have 427 posts to be read. Um, I just exited and thought I would tackle that another day. Wow! Ok, most are baseball blogs but seriously?

xoxo,
Lori

Some pursue happiness...

2009-06-01T09:49:00.002-06:00

...others create it.

My adorable Nate, cooling off yesterday. We have one of those five foot round plastic pools for him but he prefers Kelly's bucket. So cute! Thank goodness our next door neighbor invited us over to go swimming for real. LoL!

Ahhhhh, summer is here. Yes, I realize summer does not officially start on the calendar for three weeks but today is June first, a brand new month, and time to have fun! Joe and Nick have three more days of school. Can't wait to turn off the alarm clock. I'm even planning on getting creative again and taking some time for ME. No, really, I am!

Happy June, my friends. Hope it's a great one for us all!

♥♥♥
Lori

insanity...

2009-05-04T22:07:00.002-06:00

the only way i can describe my life these past few weeks. just lettin' you all know i'm still here. alive and kickin'. i'm even creating tonight for the first time in weeks! crazy. sometimes hobbies and blogging take a back seat to people in need and a crazy life. i am looking forward to reconnecting with all of you and creating some pretty things very soon. love to you!

~L
♥♥♥

A meaningful message...

2009-04-20T11:23:00.001-06:00

There are fine things which you mean to do some day, under what you think will be more favorable circumstances. But the only time that is surely yours is the present, hence this is the time to speak the word of appreciation and sympathy, to do the generous deed, to forgive the fault of a thoughtless friend, to sacrifice self a little more for others. Today is the day in which to express your noblest qualities of mind and heart, to do at least one worthy thing which you have long postponed, and to use your God-given abilities for the enrichment of someone less fortunate. Today you can make your life significant and worthwhile.

Grenville Kleiser, 1868-1935

American Author

I've got a bunch of recipes to share with you so I'll be back later!

Five Faves Friday (on Saturday)

2009-04-11T15:32:00.004-06:00

I haven't blogged my Five Faves Friday in a while so I'm totally due! I'm just one day late.

I just can't go another minute without sharing this find with you. It is by far my favorite find this year and it just goes to show you that I have spent the first part of 2009 in the kitchen, not my scrap room...

the kapoosh knife block

My biggest pet peeve in the kitchen lately has been my knife block. The slots are just not the right sizes for my knives, especially my big santoku knives. Problem solved. This knife block has no slots. You just put the knives in any which way! Love it!!

I'm also loving this pot. It's a big oval shape so you just throw your long pasta in it without breaking it. Nate is obsessed with "ghetti" so we use it a lot!

I love Bake It Pretty. I've been ordering lots of cupcake wrappers and cupcake boxes from them. Check them out!

I can't get enough of Chef Tyler Florence. He has this show on Food Network where he has the "Ultimate" recipe for all of your favorite dishes. I recently made his Chicken Cordon Bleu. Absolutely to die for!! You have to use the best ingredients when you cook for the best results and Tyler Florence always does.

I was given a challenge recently from my good friend Jenny L. to make a big, soft, chewy Snickerdoodle cookie. Well I came up with one that is pretty darn good. I'm not a big fan of the Snickerdoodle because there is no chocolate in them (lol) but everybody I gave them to loved them! Now my friends are blaming me for their weight gain! Whatever! So this is a fave of my family and friends.

Here's the recipe:

Lori's Big, Soft, Chewy Snickerdoodles

Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup Hershey's cinnamon chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar and eggs thoroughly in a large bowl.
Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.
Blend dry ingredients into butter mixture. Fold in cinnamon chips.
Chill dough
Meanwhile, mix 3 tablespoons sugar, and 3 teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl.
Scoop tablespoon size globs of dough and coat by gently rolling balls of dough in the sugar/cinnamon mixture and bake 12 minutes.
Remove from pan immediately to cooling racks.

Those are my faves! Hope you love them!

Special K's job is going great. One of the company he reps is a candy company which makes the most amazing chocolate. Starts with a d and is a type of bird. YUM! Loving the samples!

♥Lori♥

just a quote...

2009-04-11T14:19:00.000-06:00

As a child
I was told and believed
that there was a treasure
buried beneath every rainbow.

I believed it so much that
I have been unsuccessfully
chasing rainbows
most of my life.

I wonder why
no one ever told me
that the rainbow
and the treasure
were both
within me.

Gerald G. Jampolsky, MD

A tragic death...

2009-04-09T22:59:00.005-06:00

I had a wonderful time tonight with my best friends at Bunco. I came home, got my jammies on and read a few of my favorite baseball blogs. I didn't expect to read about a very tragic accident which took the life of a young pitcher for the Angels. Please read Cyn Donnelly's post here and Ted's blog here.

God Bless Nick Adenhart and his friends and loved ones.
I am so very saddened.

Cupcake Factory...

2009-04-09T09:30:00.002-06:00

That's what my kitchen will be today. I'm making cupcakes for Bunco tonight, for Easter Sunday and well, just because it's FUN!!

I'll be making the Red Velvet, Chocolate Red Wine and these...

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar (I use superfine sugar for baking)
1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 extra-large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour (I use Softasilk cake flour)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3 cups grated carrots (less than 1 pound)
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

For the frosting:

3/4 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pound powdered sugar, sifted

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Beat the sugar, oil, and vanilla together in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the eggs, 1 at a time. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer on low speed, add 1/2 of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Add the grated carrots, and chopped nuts to the remaining flour, mix well, and add to the batter. Mix until just combined.

Line muffin pans with paper liners. Scoop the batter into 22 muffin cups until each is 3/4 full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes then reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and cook for a further 35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a rack.

For the frosting, cream the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the sugar and beat until smooth.

When the cupcakes are cool, frost them very generously and serve.

♥YUM!♥

Happy New Year!

2009-04-07T13:07:00.003-06:00

For most baseball fans, yesterday was New Years Day.

170 days since October 19th.
55.2 inches of snow in Boston.
34 games in Florida.
1 Opening Day postponement.
It's about time.

WELCOME TO 2009!

The Red Sox were rained out at Fenway yesterday so today is Opening Day! I'm watching the pre game show now and I am so excited for the first game of the season! I can only watch half of it and then I have to go to work so I will DVR the second half... bummer!!!

Go Sox! I love ya!

Peace, Love & Baseball!