softie fun

Although softies can be a challenge to make, I was really excited to make this little guy for Angela and her soon to come baby. This picture doesn't do it justice, but this orange fabric is fab. I've been hoarding it for years (literally), which I have a habit of doing when I find fabric or paper that I like. It's nice to finally put it to good use so it isn't sitting on a shelf somewhere unappreciated. And don't you worry - I still have some left for another project!

What are your favorite baby shower gifts to give and/or get?

back in action

Here I am - back in blogging action! It's been a busy month - lots of driving, baking, creating, etc. I'm ready to get back to posting, so I'm committing to 7 blog posts in 7 days . Keep checking back because not only am I going to be sharing some fun stuff, but I'll also be doing a little giveaway at the end - oh yeah! Still not sure what it will be, but I'll come up with something.

As for the picture above, this is what the sky looked like as I pulled into Shelley over Labor Day weekend. I see an alligator in the clouds - what do you see?

amber waves

happy 5 years

to Jeffrey and me!

daisies

I'm not sure I will ever tire of taking pictures of flowers.

cookies 'n' cream fudge

Seriously, one of the best recipes ever. If you love Hershey's Cookies and Cream bars, you are going to la la la love this. Not only is the end product delicious, but it it practically* fool proof.

Enjoy!

Cookies 'n' Cream Fudge

INGREDIENTS
3 (6 ounce) packages white chocolate baking squares (I use white chocolate chips instead)
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 cups coarsely chopped chocolate creme-filled sandwich cookies (use fingers or knife to chop and throw away fine crumbs)

DIRECTIONS
In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt white chocolate squares, sweetened condensed milk and salt. Remove from heat; stir in crushed cookies.
Spread evenly into wax-paper-lined 8-inch square pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm.
Turn fudge onto cutting board; peel off paper and cut into squares. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

For more tips/suggestions, read reviews at the following link: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cookies-n-Creme-Fudge/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

*Please note that despite the simplicity of this recipe, it will not prevent you from forgetting to add 6 ounces of white chocolate chips and/or dropping the whole batch on the floor while pouring it into the pan. Don't worry - I did both of these things on the first batch I made yesterday. Apologies to those who won't get any fudge as a result. :)

monochrome

girls' camp beads

Per Angela's request, here is a picture of the different beads I made for Girls' Camp last month. Each girl has a necklace and they get beads for passing off certification requirements.

Each necklace also has a pendant. Here's the one I made for my necklace.

pssst...jeff...

Our anniversary is coming up, and I think you want to get me this GORGEOUS letterpress calendar.

lunch break

mmm...juicy grapefruit + Martha Stewart Living

jewels

Accessories are so fun, but I can rarely bring myself to spend much money on them because I know I can make them for so much cheaper. So that's what I do! Here are some of my latest.

Not pictured are the approximately 100 beads I made for Girls' Camp. I am our ward's Camp Director, so I got to spend most of last week in the great outdoors with some amazing ladies. I don't know the last time I was away from cell phones and e-mail for 3 straight days, but was a nice break. :)

ostentatious orange

I love orange! It brings such a happy, bright pop of color. Here are some of my favoite orange items in my craft room.

A little orange wallet - I absoluetly adore this print!

Gorgeous letterpress flats from Angela with coordinating envelopes. Love!

My little journal, which keeps track of the dimensions/measurements of my self-made patterns.

One of my handmade bags in a pretty print I call "Orange Blossom."

pretty pink

mmm...

In the past week I have made or helped make the following:

1. Buckeyes. I randomly found this recipe online a few years ago and LOVE it! If you are a fan of chocolate and peanut butter, this is a MUST try!

2. Dutch Oven Cobbler - we tried both Cherry Chocolate and Raspberry Chocolate. Sorry, no picture, but it was dee-licious!

3. Strawberry Turnovers. They turned out to be pretty good, but I'm not sure they were worth all the effort.

What are your favorite summer treats?

girls only like guys with great skills

As you may or may not know, Jeff has been working on getting his CPA for the past year. We found out last fall that he passed all the tests (woot! woot!), but still had to wait for him to acquire the required hours to claim the prestigous initials. Jeff got the *official* letter back in March that he was finally a CPA. Very impressive, considering that many people don't pass the tests on their first try, let alone meeting the requirements within a year of graduation. :)

Then, to make me even more proud, Jeff noticed this little gem in the Idaho State Board of Accountancy Newletter last week:

That's right folks - Jeff scored 4th highest on the CPA exam in all the state of Idaho for 2008! What a genius - what a man! He's definitely got skills!