Happy New Year and new Kitchen

 It's taken me awhile to get back on the Blog. I've been working quite a bit and started a huge renovation on Oct 5th. As any of you know, that have gone through this, there is so much prep work to be done both before and after and so much cleaning. I finally got the final piece installed on Thursday(microwave) so now I can show off the final project. (I'm still waiting on a new door for the Dishwasher-there was a small dent)

Of course, the reno just continued growing. I ended up doing the whole main floor, then I switched all the electrical outlets in the house to white (my house is circa 1966) so it needs a lot of updating. Then I redid the flooring in the Main bath, then I needed a new toilet. I was only going to carpet the stairs and then the hallway, then I decided to do the whole upstairs (pending), then I decided to paint the Master bedroom before carpet. Then I wanted new windows and door in garage and laundry room. Well you can see how things have gone but I have put my foot down and no more renos for awhile. I'm blaming Covid for being trapped in my house. 

So lets start with the befores:

And now for my dream kitchen:

So many decisions, take the wall out? Yes, vinyl plank vs hardwood? Vinyl, Dark cabinets? Goudy black, Countertop: Quartz, Layout? Light fixtures, Hardware, Appliances, Cabinet style?

I could go on forever. But I had an amazing Kitchen designer; Randy Kraemer of Kraemer Kitchens and a terrific Contractor J&H Contracting, Waterloo.

I just LOVE every aspect especially the open concept but I still got my pantry and privacy from the street by maintaining a small wall separating the living room.

I will show you the details in another post. Maybe! 😊

October Swap Cards

 So I think Keri made her card for the You Pick challenge but as previously stated, I can't find anything or remember where her "real" swap cards is, so I'm going with this. Again, it's a stamp and die set from My Favourite Things and I believe the Celebrate is from Stampin Up.

How cute is that?

I did another Fall card using the Lawn Fawn set....

I love making Fall cards, the colours are always so rich and so nice to work with. Now lets hope my reno is done soon so I can get back to making some cards.

Sept Swap Cards

 It's been a hot minute since I've been one here and sadly our Swap streak may be broken. I was away in Sept for 10 glorious days with my NBF's. So much fun and laughter and crafting and some much needed mental wellness from the stress of the pandemic and the fears of a long winter ahead. Just as I arrived back, I launched into a massive reno of the house and now I'm entering Week 7 of chaos and let's just say I can't find anything, I can't remember anything and I certainly haven't had the time or the space for crafting.

At least, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now so I'm going to make a feeble effort to catch up.

So I know I made this cute card and exchanged it with Keri. You cant see the clouds in the background but they are there. This card has a lot of different elements including my favourite paper piecing. I just love the MFT girls to fit the various themes.

Sadly, I can't find or remember which card Keri made. If I find it I'll be sure to come back and edit.

August Swap Cards

 Wow, it's been a hot minute since I've been on the Blog and the entire program has changed up. I guess I'll be learning another new system. Here it goes....

I've had these cards for awhile and never got around to posting. It's been super busy getting ready for my reno and living life. Haven't touched a craft since I did this card. Hopefully a little more time in the craft room once the summer activities are wrapped up.

I decided to get a start on my theme cards for the Fundraiser (which sadly is postponed until next Fall) I used the Lawn Fawn set. Can you guess the theme?

Nicole also used Lawn Fawn. She's our interactive girl, she likes the challenge this type of card presents. It's really cute..

You press down the tab and PRESTO..

Keri used a Stampin Up die set. Isn't it clever to do the sunflower in white?

There you have it. I'm so behind on the challenges but I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet.

July You Pick Challenge

I'm starting August off right with a Blog Post, a card and a new book.

When I'm in a reading slump, I like to go back to Dystopian Young Adult to get going again. This trilogy got a lot of good reviews so I picked it up. Yes, I actually went inside the doors of my library and did a collect from the Entrance. Couldn't go inside but its at least open now.

Keri and I are continuing the You Pick challenge. For her I picked Sunny Studio Sweet Shoppe from my collection and here's what she made....

I just love the glaze on the donut and I never make Shaker cards so this is a real treat!

Keri picked MFT Birthday Chicks for me to use and I made this card..

I even put a little guy inside...

This is the stamp set that I used...

I'd say August is off to a good start!

Zucchini Pie

As most of you know, I have a small plot up at my local community garden. It isn't always that productive except for growing a big patch of weeds but it does seem to support my love for zucchini.
I'm at 37 and counting. So while I give a lot away, I wanted to try a few new ways of using it up.

Along came a recipe for this DELICIOUS zucchini pie. I made homemade Bisquick(remember all those Bisquick recipes we used to make?) Fun Fact: General Mills introduced Bisquick in 1931. Can you believe it's been around that long?

Try this recipe, you'll thank me. I can vouch for the fact that its just as good reheated for breakfast.

Zucchini Pie

3 cups zucchini (grated and water squeezed out) I used almost all of that bad boy pictured above

1 small chopped onion or bunch of green onions chopped ( I grated mine)

1 cup Bisquick (I used homemade, recipe to follow)

5 large eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp ground mustard

1 tsp parsley

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a large pie plate.

Dump all ingredients into a big bowl and mix.

Bake for 50 min.

Homemade Bisquick

3 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 Tbsp baking powder

1/2 Tbsp salt

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

You can use a food processor to pulse this until mixture resembles cornmeal or I just used a pastry blender.

Store the remainder in the fridge for up to 3 months. Can be used for lots of other recipes.

July Swap Cards

Well it's been a hot minute since I last posted and its been crazy hot this summer. Not terribly conducive to sitting still (at least for me). Pathetically our guest participant had her card done and exchanged 26 days prior to mine. Whoops!

Anyway, it's always such a fun surprise to see what we are getting each month. I chose a Penny Black stamp that I was going to put in a garage sale because I had never used it. I only worked on it here and there a few minutes a day and it came together not too badly. I never do CAS cards so this was a good change of pace...

Keri used a new set from Stampin Up. Who doesn't love goats?

Nice to have a card that's a little more masculine. Isn't' it clever how she knotted the twine instead of tying a bow?

Nicole used a set from Simon Says Card kits from way back when. I think I gave away this bikini die and stamp set and know I'm regretting it..

I've got a few more blog posts ideas so maybe I'll step up my game. Stay tuned.