Washi Tape From Japan

My DH was on a work trip in Tokyo, Japan this week and when he came home this evening he handed me a small bag with "MDays" written on it.   MDays is a stationary store located in a shopping mall that was near his hotel.  On his last day in Japan, he popped in the store to see what unique Japanese craft related items he could find to bring back for me.    And what an excellent surprise:  he brought me washi tape, how great is that?!   He picked up a cute selection of different patterns and widths.  To be honest, I don't have one roll of washi in my stashi!   Sure beats (another) Hard Rock Cafe shirt!

Tulle Halloween Wreath - Revisited!!

I created this quick and simple black tulle wreath last Halloween to hang on the door that leads to our basement.  I decided to embellish the tulle wreath by adding some ghost Peeps - what else, of course!  Eeee !!!

Supplies Used:
8 inch green Styrofoam wreath form
Black duck tape

Black Tulle

Hot glue 

Ghost Peeps
Orange ribbon
Black bow

Disneys Did Ya Know?!? (non-crafty)

Ok, I realize this isn't craft related, but recently, I have been getting more and more emails from my blog readers asking Disney World advice: where are the best places to eat in EPCOT, best time of year to visit, or any other well kept secrets.  Since my DH and I go a few times per year, we do have a few opinion on the matter, and thought this would be a nice place to share them.

Our favorite times of year to go are:
End of September through end of October - Specifically, anytime the week AFTER Food and Wine Festival in EPCOT begins.  The first weekend is just over crowded.  The beginning of September is usually a bit less crowded, but the weather might not be on your side.  We know this because we spent three days sequestered in our hotel waiting for Hurricane Frances to pass in September 2004.

May -  The crowds are a touch higher than in October, but still manageable.  The event happening in EPCOT at that time of year is the International Flower and Garden Festival.   In 2013 EPCOT started to take a page from their Food and Wine days and now they have booths set up with special food and drink offerings.  I recommend heading home before the Memorial Day weekend begins!

First half of December - The parks are all decorated for the holidays but the crowds are not as large as they definitely will be later in the month.  The weather is chillier than October or May.  We've never been to a hotel pool during this time and we tend to stay at a hotel with a 'warmer feel' - Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge.

January -  We usually go for a long weekend in January, just to get away and put our faces in the sun.  The crowds are minimal!  Although this trip is usually only a few days for us, it is well worth it!  Temperature can be downright chilly or pleasantly warm.... it's a crapshoot.

One of my go-to sites for all things Disney is All Ears.  They have a great section under Planning which also details the best times to visit.

FOOD!
Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar for a quick sandwich or snack.  This place is only about a year old and they seem to still be working out their menus, but it's our go to place to get out of the heat and crowds.  It's located in EPCOT in the Italy pavilion.  It is mostly adults and the staff is very friendly.  Only downfall....cell phone service is very spotty.  I am quite fond of their sangria.

50's Prime Time Cafe (PT) is located in Hollywood Studios and serves comfort food that is over the top.  I will admit that we usually only eat IN the restaurant when we bring people to Disney World for the first time.  When it's just the two of us we always go to Tune-In Lounge (which is connected to PT) and sit at the bar and eat.  The bartenders (especially Dave, Alana, Julie and Enzo - they have all been working there for YEARS) are just the best!  Here's a little interesting thing I found a few years ago while strolling the internet looking for some tips and tricks for Disney World.  I discovered this blog and was reading about the Tune-In Lounge, and when I saw the picture at the end of their post.....IT WAS MY HUSBAND, OUR FRIENDS AND I sitting at the bar having a great old time.  Here's the LINK.  Ha!  How crazy is that?
 
If you're a foodie, here's a great blog: Disney Food Blog (they are on Twitter also)

I've mentioned before that my husband and I are Disney Vacation Club members.  The club gives us the ability to go to Disney (and other places) often.  We enjoy it.  There are hotels in Disney World which are designated as Vacation Club Resorts.  The rooms in the resorts a little different from regular rooms at Disney, as they are larger, have kitchens, and multiple bedrooms.  Here's the thing, you don't have to be a DVC member to book those rooms.  If you go to the Disney site, they are referred to as Deluxe Villas, check 'em out.

Just a few tips to start. There are a many others to share!   If you have specific topics you'd like me to touch on, comment below.

Ink, Ink & Even More Ink!

I just received my first shipment of ink from Stampin Up!  Something tells me I may have enough ink now.  I've been enabled.  I can't take full blame for the ink explosion that just slapped chaos on my craft room.  Christina has been showing videos this week on the Stampin Up! products and she lured me in.

Trying new ink is a pretty big step for me.  I've been a loyal and true Papertrey Ink girl since the beginning.  I love, love, love the weight of their cardstock but I haven't been so happy with the results from the inks lately.  I've been going back and forth trying to find ink colors that would coordinate well with  PTI's paper.  I placed my order on the 1st of August and it was at my door on the 8th!

I thought I'd show the 'chaos' part of this new found ink.  Here is where I currently house my ink pads in my 5 x 5 Expedit from IKEA.   Something tells me the 30 new ink pads are not going to fit in the same space.  I'm back to the constant battle of finding a home for new products (while still having my room feel 'pretty' and organized).  Maybe I should just move myself into a Michaels or a Hobby Lobby and take up residence.  Think they would mind?  Oh, they would have to be pet friendly, I'd need to bring my Yorkie with me!

While I started to unpack my lovelies, I decided I would make an ink swatch deck for myself.    I also came up with a cross-reference chart to match the different ink colors across the brands I use.    The chart is a work in progress as I add colors, but here it is so far.

Enjoy Your Retirement

It's been awhile since I've been in my craft room creating new things.  Summer took so long to get here and yet it's coming to an end so quickly!  Is it flying by for you as well?

An Administrative Assistant at the company my husband works for is about to retire (lucky girl).  My husband spends most of his time at work on the "road" and she has been a huge help to him when it comes to travel arrangements.  He's really sorry to see her leave.  He asked me to make a card for him to tuck a little gift card in as a thank you.

I have been anxious to use the supplies I received in June from the Hero Arts Warehouse Sale.  All of the paper came from the card set.  I decided to turn the PTI Mat Stack 7 dies on their side so my sentiment could fit on the bottom of the largest layer.


Supplies Used:
Paper:  Floral Mixed Folded Cards
Stamps:  Scrolling Script, On the Links
Ink:  Wisteria, VersaMark
Other:  Floral Mixed Accents, Mat Stack 7 Dies, White Embossing Powder

God Bless America Card

I made two color versions of the same card to wish our family and friends a happy Fourth of July.  It sure took a long time for summer to get here and now it seems like it's flying by!




Supplies Used:
Paper - Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening, White
Stamps - Red, White & Blue
Ink - Enchanted Evening, Lipstick Red
Other - Super Star Boarders Die, Limitless Layers Circle Die, Ladybug red embossing powder (Martha Stewart)

S'mores in a Jar

I'm back with another 'in a jar recipe'.  I'm obsessed with finding desserts to serve in these cute little Ball Jars.  I've made pie, cheesecake and now S'mores!  Here's the recipe I used:

Ingredients:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1 3.4-ounce package instant chocolate pudding, prepared to package directions
1 1/2 cups marshmallow fluff
12 large marshmallows

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Add graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar in a bowl and mix well together. Transfer crumb mixture to a foil lined baking sheet and press mixture into the bottom. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool then break into pieces.

Layer crumbled graham crackers, then a layer of pudding, then marshmallow fluff, repeating layers until ending with the pudding layer. Place 3 large marshmallows on top of the pudding, and broil on a top rack of the oven for 2-3 minutes or until tops begin to brown lightly. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

I think 3 marshmallows on the top was a bit too much, next time I'll only top it with one.


My DH is my official taste tester and so far, he liked this 'in the jar' recipe the best.  (He is a huge chocolate fan, so maybe that had something to do with it).