Drill #19 : Ice Cream Love

Good morning! It's time for another drill with SWAT! The holiday season is upon us, and let's face it, These times are all about the food. This challenge asks you to complete a layout that features a picture of food or a recipe. 

For my layout, I chose these fun photos taken at a birthday lunch for my dear friend, Hannah, where we indulged in ice cream. Sadly, I didn't have any ice cream papers or die cuts in my stash, so I worked with the Finely collection by Glitz Design. 

I love the 12x12 sticker sheets from Glitz. It makes it way too easy to embellish a layout. I used my finger to round the corners of a few of the stickers in order to add some dimension and movement. And I can never complete any project without a bit of paper distressing!

Make sure to head over to the SWAT blog to see the beautiful layouts my fellow design team members created. Then link up your own project for a chance to win this BoBunny Collection Pack!

SUPPLIES :: Glitz Design Finely Collection Pack, A Muse Studio Winter Sky Spray Ink, BIC Mark It Black Marker

TOOLS :: Fiskars Scrapbooking Rotary Paper Trimmer, CTMH Paper Distresser, MyStik Permanent Adhesive

Yummm

Wisconsin takes things seriously. A few of them include football, beer, and cheese. And I indulged in a few of those last night at one of our favorite places, Titletown Brewing Co. As you can see from the photo above, we may have had one too many home crafted root beers. They're so good, you need two. or three. or seven. Along with cheese fondue and a bison burger. with more cheese.

A New Office

Hello! Just days ago, it was cold and windy, and I was fully expecting more snow. Fast forward to today, and it's just shy of 80 degrees. The sun is out and so are the people. All of this makes living downtown great fun. I took a stroll down the block to one of my favorite coffee shops to enjoy the changing of the seasons and get some work done.

Do you have a special place that helps you recharge? This place certainly does it for me-Not many can say their office served iced chai and baked macaroni! Thanks for visiting my tiny part of the globe today.

Free Treat Tray Template :: Decorate for any holiday!

Looking for a last minute Thanksgiving treat for family and friends? A Muse Studio has a FREE downloadable template of this adorable tray. The tray, which you can fill with any homemade (or storemade) treat, can be decorated for any holiday. Download the template here. I recommend using Super Stick tape or Scor-Tape, not your regular adhesive, to make sure it stays together.

Of course, A Muse Studio paper, stamps, felt, and twine make this package so pretty. You can find some of these supplies on sale as part of November's Spotlight products. Head over to my webstore to purchase any of these products. 

TRAY SUPPLIES

All A Muse Studio

Cardstock: Squash, Wheat (10% off in November)

Ribbon: French Roast Satin

Twine: Toffee

Felt: Sky

Die: Leaf Trio Die Set

Stamp: Fresh Foliage (10% off in November)

Ink: French Roast

My weekend in pictures... Memorial Day Family Time

Hello! How was your holiday weekend? I'm back to reality and wishing I was still relaxing at the cabin. But summer has just begun, and there will be plenty of more opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Here are a few pictures from my phone to show off from the nice time away...

(clockwise) 1. An afternoon of exploring... came across loons, an adorable porcupine, and some turkeys. 2. A fruit pizza, the first one I've ever made, and was it ever delicious! 3. Good morning! Taken at 5 AM while getting my fish on with pops and my brother. 4. Our nightly bonfires where we reminisced about the day's events and years past. 5. A little trail riding. This pic was taken before we ran into rain and lots of mud puddles... too much fun!

A little taste of Wisconsin

It's been a while since I've shared an illustration in a post. So I sifted through my sketchbook and found one that was dear to my heart. But first, a little story... 

How I Met Your Mother is a favorite TV show of PJM and I. In the series, a wonderful tradition was started with arguably the cutest TV couple in history. The tradition? 

Marshall picks up Lily wearing a chauffeur hat and a handmade sign,

Lily brings Marshall a six pack of beer from wherever she traveled,

and they live happily ever after.

On my way to visit PJM in New York, I thought up a cutsie little plan. TSA doesn't allow more than 3oz. of liquid on the plane, and alcohol is completely out of the question. I had to improvise. While in the Milwaukee airport I sketched out the six pack instead. A nice picture of Wisconsin's best:

We're still creating that happily ever after.

For the love of We R & Chai Lattes...

Anthologie, the new collection from We R Memory Keepers arrived to Creations Galore and drew me in with its nostalgic and eclectic style. For today's edition of Layout Tuesday, I created this page using the collection. Head over to the Creations Galore blog to view more of the layout. 

I should probably insert a sweet picture of my roommate and I... maybe my mom... or that adorable boyfriend of mine... But if I can be honest with you fine folks, all I'm loving today is this:

Can I get a hooray for some baked macaroni and a chai tea latte?!

What would you like to dedicate a LO to today?

Reliving Childhood Memories

An unexpected drive through 'the old neighborhood' brought tears of joy today as my family discovered a favorite deli of ours still open for business. We stopped in for some delicious eats... and BLUE MOON ICE CREAM. This cone sure brought back some delightful memories. 

A Day Trip To Trinidad

My dear friend Ketson welcomed us to his humble abode over the weekend and treated us to an authentic Trinidadian lunch, full of (in my own American words) baked macaroni, rice, bbq chicken, potato salad and more... It was delicious and a great experience. We were able to hear more about his culture, family life, and customs. Not to mention pig out on some of the most flavorful dishes I have ever had! Here's a look into the unforgettable Sunday afternoon...

Those cucumbers were an appetizer and soaked in a hot pepper concoction. He explained that in Trinidad, while his mom prepares the food, they create chow, anything mixed with peppers. The hot peppers increase your appetite. That it did... along with a desire for liquid! It took two glasses of kool-aid to calm the fire. Have you eaten any new foods lately that shocked your system? 

Thanks for stopping by!

My Weekend In Pictures

Happy Monday! It's been a while since I've shared my crazy-filled weekends with you all, so here you are: A small glimpse into the last few days via cell phone snapshots

This weekend I discovered a rare moment of responsibility... I woke up early, made breakfast, and even watched the morning news. I am a grouchy bear in the morning, so it's hard for even I to believe it! 

I finally took down my Christmas tree. We've had such a mild winter here in Wisconsin. I had kept the tree up in hopes of a snow storm. The news predicted 50's for the upcoming week, so I faced reality, embraced spring, and took it down. It's hard to believe my whole tree fit in this tiny box at one time. Now only 1/3 does... and not completely! Help!

Oh, right... I took my tree down, only to wake up to a snow storm! Oh the irony.

I ended the weekend catching up with my dearest friend, Hannah. We talked all about my trip to see PJM in New York and got excited about her upcoming trip to Florida. She put on her coat to leave and discovered an unpleasant gift in her pocket... fake nasty fly. HA! It was rather funny for me to watch. Poor gal. Or should I say, "poor whoever-put-that-in-there-you're-going-to-be-dead-when-she-finds-you"?!

Hope you all had an enjoyable weekend. Was yours filled with any surprises?

Money, Music, & Food

Last night I met up with P.J.M. in Union Square 

where his school is located. It looks like this:

New York Film Academy

We walked around a few shops full of gorgeous home decor 

that I could never afford. Here's a few of our finds:

$865 plastic, unsteady table

$200 flimsy, everyday whisk

After gauking at pretty things and overcoming the fear of possibly breaking something worth more than my house, we headed on to things a little more our style. We wandered through four floors of Barnes & Noble and attended a concert/interview/book reading.  

Here's Joseph Arthur, a truly talent singer, songwriter, and artist (he has done most of the cover art for his CDs). We were so excited to chat with him after the show! Make sure you check out his music... you can even download one of his albums, Redemption City, for free here. We also got to hear from British novelist, Edward St. Aubyn... After hearing a few excerpts of the Melrose series, I must pick up the first novel. 

On our way home, we came across Goodburger. Growing up in the 90's we couldn't help but quote a little Kenan & Kel and head in for a tasty burger.

"Welcome to Good Burger. Home of the Good Burger. Can I take your order?"

My time in New York has been fun, but I can't wait to get back to WI and enjoy a nice Krolls burger... and a walk down the street without stepping on a dog, running into hoards of people, and almost being hit by taxi cabs. Happy Thursday, friends.

Yummm

What happens when you've just made homemade pizza dough, haven't washed your new round stoneware, and don't own a metal pizza pan? 

You spread the dough into a pie plate and have really thick, delicious crust. 

Home

Yesterday was p.j.m.'s birthday. I was practical and got him a set of Moleskine journals... but couldn't help but add a little sentimental gift too. He's currently attending the New York Film Academy and working hard following his dreams. After NYC he'll be off to California for awhile. Needless to say, it may be a bit before p.j.m. will indefinitely plant his feet in the dairy state. The project started out with just a 5 x7 frame and a map of Wisconsin, and turned into this: 

I drew the state of Wisconsin, colored it in with Copics, and stamped it with a Market Street background stamp and distress ink. I couldn't help but add the heart and star brad... what girl doesn't have an urge to add bling. The lyrics are from a John Legend song and seem rather fitting... 

"It may be long to get me there

It feels like I've been everywhere

But someday I'll be coming home

Round and round the world will spin

Oh, the circle never ends

So you know that I'll be coming home"

I hope it will be a perfect little reminder of what's back "home" - all us crazy cheeseheads rooting him on.

I may have also made him some cookies... I hear the way to the heart of any man is through food. I know they sure turned my heart light on... cookies were darn good!

cotton candy love - sketch 02

My go-to buddies, Anna & Rachael, and I have been waiting in anticipation to see the movie 50/50. I'm crazy in love with Seth Rogan and his annoying laugh. Anna & Rachael can't get enough of Joseph Gordon-Levitt - also known to us as Sexy Vest Guy (please see his wardrobe from Inception). Not to mention, the movie seems to be the perfect blend of comedy and drama.

Last night was to be the night we FINALLY were able to all get together to view the movie. My roomie, Rachael insisted we go out to dinner beforehand and that I pick the place. I first sent her a picture of Ryan Gosling's rock hard abs with the caption 'I'd like to eat here.' But given the fact that wasn't a realistic option, I chose an upscale deli that she had yet to try.

We ate in a private tent with it's own chandelier that created quite the red creepy effect when taking pictures. Everything was delicious and the company exceptional. However, at the time we needed to leave for the theatre, we were only finished with the bread and oil course and halfway through our salads. I may have had a minor temper tantrum right there in the tent, throwing my arms up, pouting and yelling, 'I want to see Seth Rogan. I hate you.'

The waiter felt quite bad and brought me, the pouty three year old, a wonderful martini glass full of cotton candy to make up for it. I was completely mesmerized and therefore it became today's inspiration for my morning sketch...

 

In the end - one fruity drink, an exceptional entree, a mile of the world's greatest cotton candy, millions of laughs, and two hours later - this conversation ensued:

Girls: We're sorry you didn't get to see Seth Rogan tonight.
Nicole: Who's Seth Rogan?

Proof that food and good friends cure everything.

artsy?

anna

rachael

wearing my foxes wearing scarves shirt
classy foxes wear scarves