It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

So last night the artsy bug bit me and it hit again this morning.  I looked out my windows and saw massive snow.  If I didn't know there was a main roadway beyond our tree line, I'd think we were alone in the world. As beautiful as it is, I hope the roads are clear by 2:30 as I have to get my daughter to the stables for her riding lesson. Maybe I'll take my camera and get a picture of a horse shivering.  ;)

 In the meantime, dress warmly as we take a walk through my yard.

The snow is really heavy and damp.  It weighs down one of the younger trees. Luckily,
I can still drive under it when I leave later.

 We have 2 streams you have to cross over to get to our house from the road, this is the second from the road.

 I felt bad, I disturbed a doe getting ready to bed down. 

 Whatcha doin?

 The edge of the pond.

 The foot bridge and our house.

The view from the footbridge.


I hope you enjoyed the walk through my yard.  Now get inside and have a cuppa cocoa. 

First Real Snow

Some of you may know that I am an amateur photographer.  My loving husband bought me a Nikon D80 for Christmas in 2005 (or thereabouts).  I love taking it out for fun when I can find a spare minute and good subject.  My kids make great photos but every now and again it's nice to get something a little more artistic.

We had a fabulous snowfall today and it's just damp enough to stick to the trees.  If it stays cold, I see snowmen in my future (tomorrow) ;)

Anyway, here's some pics of the snow at night on my dogwood tree.

 

The light on the barn gives a blue hue to the snow.

 

A little blurred from shivering.  Burr, it's hard to be still for a no flash picture.

O Battenburg, O Battenburg, we love your cakey goodness! ~Quick'n easy recipe

I did it again!  

It's been a while since I've made the favored cake of this house because of diets. The reason for this time is my eldest daughter requested it for her 10th birthday.  I'm about 20 days late for that due to the lack of ingredients and time.  

It requires Almond Paste which is not always easily found in our area. I've seen recipes call for marzipan but I prefer the stronger almond flavor found in the paste. Almond paste is similar to marzipan but marzipan is about 2x the amount of sugar.

Battenburg cake is most commonly found in Britain this day in age, but it is claimed by Germans, French and the English. Food History Jottings has several bits of history on this cake if you care to take a look.  

Mab's Quick and Easy Battenburg Cake (makes 2 cakes)

•  2 prepackaged boxes of pound cake and listed ingredients on the box
• 1 jar of Baker Apricot Filling
• food coloring of your choice (you will need a lot if you don't want pastels)
• 2 boxed tubes of Odense Almond Paste 

I follow the mixing on the box of pound cake and add the food coloring to desired color.  Pour into bread pan, bake then cool.  I trim the edges of the loaf and cut each loaf into four long pieces.  I roll out the paste between 2 large pieces of wax paper until it's big enough to cover four pieces of cake.  I trim here and add it in over there until it fits.  I will wrap the 4 pieces in wax paper and actually place them on the rolled out paste to see if it's big enough to wrap. Once rolled out, remove wax paper, spread apricot on the paste in a thin layer. (you can leave the outermost piece of wax paper during assembly to make it easier to work with, it will get sticky otherwise)  Place 1 piece of cake on and spread apricot on the side that will touch the other piece.  Spread apricot on top of the two pieces and repeat until you have the 4 pieces lined with apricot wherever they touch other cake.  Then wrap it up, cut it up and enjoy!

I've made St. George's Cross inside for my All Things British loving husband by making 8 pieces of white and 10 of red cakes. I add a lot of dye for a true red cross.  Here's a pic I found online since I couldn't find one of the last one I made.

Holiday Ornament Exchange

So after I got the flat-fold for my Halloween / Fall Ornament Exchange from Jennifer M., I was thinking of trying to make one myself.  Luckily mom was asking for suggestions of how to finish her ornie for the exchange.  I suggested the flat-fold and decided we'd figure it out together.  I grabbed mom's stitched piece, her selected fabric and got to work.

It turned out fabulous!  I was so happy with the result.  I twisted the red and green bead strand we picked and hot-glued it around the edge instead of using regular ric-rac.  Made my little bow for the handmade with love charm that mom wanted included.

Special thanks to Meari for her Flat-fold Tutorial .


 

The piece I stitched for my ornie was too small to make a flat-fold.
So I decided to finish another way.

I made a last minute run to the craft store for some supplies and inspiration.  I didn't like the various ways I had thought to finish the ornie.

Luckily I found this ceramic tree and a light-bulb went off.   I drew my favorite swirls and some wood grain with some metallic permanent markers to spice it up a bit.  I cut around the stitched part 2 squares the whole way about.  I dug out my trusty Modge Podge and finished it. 




This is the ornie and handmade card I received in the exchange from Joyce.  Beaded snowflakes, blended thread and can you believe it?! Tiny brads!  I would have never thought to use brads to attach a ribbon or assemble a stitchy craft at all.

This is part of why I love exchanges, I can get so many great ideas.

Haloween Freebie

I love Halloween! 
In honor of one of my all time favorite holidays here is a freebie I brewed up.  (insert cackle here)
Enjoy!

And the key....

Halloween/Fall Ornament Exchange

I participated in an exchange in one of my groups for a Fall or Halloween Ornament.

This is the one I sent out.  My partner wasn't particular on which type of ornie she received.

 This is the one I received.  A bunny family riding on a broom!




As you can see I chose Halloween.  I adore All Hallows Eve. 

A flat-fold was made for me.  This was my first ever to get and I think it's really fabulous!

Biscornu Exchange

I participated in an exchange in one of my stitching groups.
This is the Biscornu and goodies sent to me...










The one I sent took 7 weeks to get to my partner and get through customs. 

Pic to follow when I find it....

Rubber Ducky, You're the one! You make Pittsburgh lots of fun!

 That's right folks, the giant Rubber Duck is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!

It's an Honor to lend our rivers to this wonderful guest.  He'll have many friends to play with and Pittsburgh has been hit with Duckie Fever. 

So the kids and I went down with some friends to see the Duck.  They had a huge bridge party to welcome him Friday night.  FUN!!!!  The bridge was closed down for a the "block" party and we a local radio station was there for the event.  It was like a big fair with food vendors and art booths not to mention all the ducky stuff to buy.

We plan to go back down once he's anchored for a less crowded look and to get pictures of the girls actually standing close to it.  Today it was just way too busy and crowded to get the touristy photos. Today's main accomplishment was to be there to see him swim into town.  Off to bed for me now.  I'm just plum duckered out. 

We Have a Winner!

And the Winner is......
 

I assigned everyone a number and then used the number generator at http://www.random.org/

Congratulations to Jennifer!  

Check your inbox for an email from me requesting your address.  


Thanks for playing everyone!

Mab's Give Away

It has been forever since I was able to post a legitimate post. I posted 2 today (this being the second)

I am going to make up for it by hosting a Give-A-Way. The prize consists of Dimensions Shells chart that I stitched for my Step-mom(found here), remaining floss (should only have to buy a few to be able to complete), a handmade frogging needle, and a few other little surprises that I can find as filler .
Yes, I'll ship overseas.








To enter do ONE of the following:

1. Post a comment here leaving an email 
2. Email me privately at mabscraftmail@yahoo.com writing "blog give a way" in the subject line.

I'll draw names out of a hat on September 24th, 2013.
Good Luck!
~Mab

A Finish YAY!

Woot Woot!

Dimensions Gold Collection Seashell Treasures Counted Cross Stitch

Finished in July 2013






I finished a Biscornu for an exchange but I can't post pics of that yet.  

I am currently working on a chart that I created for my Hubby.

This is the picture that the chart is created from.













I also signed up for an Autumn/Halloween exchange, so I'll be starting that shortly.

Cancer Societies

Now, I will do anything to win a Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Give Away but this I really want to promote simply for its greatness.

She is sponsoring a friend through the Irish Cancer Society.  All the information is in the link that follows:
http://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com/2013/01/new-kits-new-give-away-and-fundraiser.html

If you would like to sponsor Gaynor Click on the link below. 
http://www.mycharity.ie/event/sponsorgaynor/

There are Cancer Societies all over the world.  Being in the US Here is the American site as well.
https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/donateonlinenow/index?gclid=COSUpMqgp7UCFQTe4Aodr0UA9g 


Thank you!

Yikes! it's the New Year!

Hello all!

I have a brief update.  Girl Scouts first.

I am having a weekend retreat with the Gold Award Committee this weekend. We help the girls through the process of earning their Gold Award (the highest award in Girl Scouting).

Next weekend, my troop, the 2nd grade troop and the 6th grade troop are having a weekend camp-out. We are staying in a lodge at a scout camp near to us.  If there is snow on the ground we'll be getting out the huge old-style toboggans. We'll be doing some fun crafts.
Most importantly, we'll be working on the frame work for one of our community service projects.  Two weekends in a row, the second with about 40 girls ranging 7-9 and about 10 tweens.... if you don't hear from me by Feb. 5th call in a search party please!!!!



Stitchy update:

 I did not get my shells finished for my step mom.  The confetti stitches were waaaaay more trouble then I was expecting. My Step-mom says that her bathroom is not going anywhere so there's no rush.  I am almost done with it though.

Mom was awesome and got me 6x6 Q-Snaps for Christmas so I'm finding that much easier to stitch the project.

For relief from confetti stitches, I participated in a Stitched Valentine Card exchange in my online stitch group ILCS.  I sent it out but forgot to take a picture.  I can't post it until it's received, but now, unless my partner posts a picture to our group, I won't be able to post it anyway. It was a lovely, freebie chart and very simple.  I used variegated thread and added a little metallic thread to spice it up a bit.




Take care all and thanks for stopping by!

Tribute Winter Freebie 2012 -Calvin and Hobbes

It's winter here, in Pennsylvania.  The time for snowmen and er snow-creations is upon us.
The kids made their first snow castle today. (who needs sand?)

One favorite thing about this time of year is the emails containing Calvin and Hobbes snow creations.

Keeping this thought in mind, here is my contribution.

Just email me at mabscraftmail@yahoo.com if you'd like a copy.

Work in Progress

This is what it will look like.

 

Seashell Treasures   

Gold Collection Petites by Dimensions, Inc.

This is what it looks like now.


Wish me luck!

I have been so busy!

So you've not heard from me for a while.  Summer just flew by and I barely stitched a thing all summer long.  We just fill our summers with so many activities. It seems a crime to spend it sitting down, not that the kids would let me anyway. ;)

• I am almost done with the wedding chart for my Sister-In-Law.  I'll do a big reveal for that.
• I get a few stitches in my Haed every now and again.
• I have started on my hubby's Ganesha and then stopped even though he is bugging me.
• I have a shell chart for my step-mom in progress trying to get done for Christmas
• I have a small picture of a candle ornament in progress for a gift
• I also have the Luna Moth that needs a bit of back-stitching. (this was for a class that I just ran out of time for)

I am an active volunteer with the Girl Scouts so my time is precious.  I am buckling down though.  I think I'm a more active stitcher in the winter months.  I also have a ton of holiday baking to do. I plan on making apple butter for gifts and packaging some of an awesome soup mix with recipe card to give out as gifts.

In other news..................My eldest has started horseback riding lessons this year. Isn't she cute? 

My little one, loves when her sister gets to lead her about for her very own ride.

 Thanks for listening to my rambles.  I'll post some more stitchy updates soon.

A Week In Pymatuning

Pymatuning is a lake about an hour and a half from my home.  My Dad and Step-mom invited us to spend a week there in their motor-home with them.  We spent most of the week playing in the lake.  One day we went to Waldameer Park and Water World and another we rented a pontoon boat.  Enjoy the Pictures!

 Feeding the Carp and the Geese at the Spillway "Where the Ducks walk on the Fish!"

 

 Captain Lily!  and her Pappy the Co-Pilot

  

Captain Kayla! and backseat driver Lily.

Mimi and the girls.

A young Bald Eagle at the old Tuttle Point Campground.

Tag I'm IT Now you are too :P

I have been Tagged by Shaunterria over at http://www.ca11i0pe.blogspot.com/


1. Post the rules
2. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post
3. Come up with 11 new questions
4. Tag 11 people and link to them in your post
5. Let them know you tagged them so they can answer the new questions


Here are the questions she had for her 11:
1. Which is your most favorite book ever? My Grandma's old Good Housekeeping Cookbook
2. Which is the one television character that you simply adore? Greg Sanders on CSI
3. What kind of music do you like? 90s Rock (anything played on octane Sirius radio)
4. Which is your favorite genre of movies? I like most, my recent favs are mirror mirror and Beastly
5. Which is the best vacation you've ever had? Nova Scotia We saw a good bit of it but I loved Peggy's Cove.
6. If given complete freedom to start afresh, what profession would you choose and why? Art teacher
I missed my chance to go to college due to unforseen circumstance and I would love the oppurtunity
7. Which is your favorite time of the day? evening/ night
8. What is the funniest prank played on you or played by you? I ran my friends Daughter's backpack up the flagpole with the help of her other daughter and my eldest daughter. (this is only one of the MANY pranks that occur frequently within my social circle)
9. If given a choice, which animal would you want to be? Why? Dolphin to live in the oceans
10. Which is your most favorite place in this earth? My hubby's arms
11. If you were stranded on a lonely beach, what are the five things that you would want to survive?  
1.Kindle (with internet connection so I can get more books)
2. mom's giant bag o' floss and aida
3. kids and hubby oh you said lonely.....comfy pillow and bed
4. huge jug of sweetened  iced tea
5. Fettuccine Alfredo and Double Stuff Oreos. 

Now for my questions and who I tag.
1. RhondaWoman71  http://allthisabagofchipstoo.blogspot.com/2012/06/award.html
2. Chrism  http://merrickblogspot.blogspot.com/
3.  Anne Sans Tete http://www.mad-stitches.blogspot.com/
4. Dulcinella http://ladulcinella.blogspot.com/

5. Colin http://colin-nash.blogspot.com/ 
6. Kelly http://mabscraft.blogspot.com/2012/06/tag-im-it-now-you-are-too-p.html
7-11.  I know I'm missing some but I had to share with the Liebster Blog too.

??????
1-  What is your favorite amusement park or fair ride?
2- What is your favorite vegetable?
3-  What country would you chose to live in if you could go anywhere in the world?
4- Do you have fuzzy slippers and if so what color?
5- What is your favorite childhood cartoon?
6- If you could be a genie for a day who would you want to grant wishes for?
7- If you have children, pick one and explain how you chose their name or if you know how yours was picked please share.
8- Where are you tickilish? everyone is ticklish somewhere
9- What color is your house?
10- Are you a do it yourselfer or a call a repairman kind of person?
11- What is your favorite cookie and can you make them?




 

Liebster Award

I've been Awarded the Liebster Blog Award by RhondaWoman71

Some background: Liebster is a German word, meaning favourite, dearest or beloved and the Liebster is awarded by bloggers to other, newer bloggers, who have fewer than 200 followers, to spread the word and help the new(er)bies gain wider recognition. The award comes with four conditions that each recipient must satisfy when accepting:

1. Choose five up-and-coming blogs (with fewer than 200 followers) to award the
Liebster to.

Maud http://pointscroises.blogspot.com/
Melinda http://melindasue10.blogspot.com/
Elena http://stitchaddict-elena.blogspot.com/
Leslie http://lesliescraftstore.blogspot.com/
Agi http://worldaccordingtoagi.blogspot.com/


2. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
Thank you RhondaWoman71!

3. Post the award on your blog. List the bloggers you are giving the award to with links to their sites. Leave comments on their blogs so they know about the award.


4. Share 5 random facts about yourself that people don't know about you.

               1. I became Vegetarian after I turned 20
               2. I love to paint
               3. I am afraid of heights, but would skydive if given the chance
               4. I can't cook anything without adding my own "something ingredient" spice or just another veg etc.
               5. I don't like politics.         
        

The Mad Stitcher

Move over Mr. Hatter, there's not room here for the both of us. 


So here's why I'm a  Mad stitcher.  Next week I'll be volunteering at a day-camp from 9-3pm M-F.  There will be over 100 little girls.  EEEEK!  lol  I have done this for the past 2 years and I really enjoy it but it is soo exhausting.  This year I am supposed to be in charge of the crafts. Wish me luck and if you don't hear from me by Next Sunday call a search party. ;)



I managed to finish my Needlebook to Debbie Jo and sent that off to her today. I am really proud of my first attempt. I just hope she likes it.  I got the one she made yesterday and it was truly lovely.  I'll post a pic of the one I sent after she gets it.

I did not finish the wedding chart but it is getting closer to being done.  I'll post pic as soon as it's done.