Easy Taco Recipe

I found this super easy recipe on Pinterest.  It was super tempting for a night like tonight when I am super tired, and want dinner to be as easy as possible.  We are not a casserole family so just throwing something in a dish and baking is not an option.  The recipe is three ingredient chicken taco meat. The original (and there are several on Pinterest) call for chicken breast, a jar of salsa, and a packet of taco seasoning.  I usually change the Pinterest recipes just a little and this was no exception.  Instead of chicken breast I used dark meat.  I think it holds up a little better in the crock pot.  I used three legs and three thighs.  Instead of jarred salsa I used a fresh salsa.  Jacks Special is our favorite.  I buy the taco seasoning in a a sprinkle container, so I know I didn't use a whole packet.  I put the chicken in skin side down in the crock pot.  I sprinkled the taco seasoning on top of the chicken and then put the whole container of salsa on the chicken.  I cooked it on high for 3.5 hours.  It came out fall off the bone tender and juicy.   My husband who does not like chicken tacos (did not find that out until tonight) loved it.  I wish I had pictures to post.  I need to get better at taking pictures while I am cooking.  I was delicious!  It was a great fresh meal with little prep.

Valentines!!!

I made these for my daughter to hand out on Valentines Day. They turned out pretty cute.

Getting crafty for Teachers

Here are some cards and gift bags I made for teachers this year.  The cards are from the cartridge Christmas Cards.  I have had this for awhile, but never really used it.  I really like the way they turned out with addition on some glitter.  I love glitter!

Christmas Treats

I lead the Pathfinder Unit for the American Heritage Girl Troop at our church.  I have eight girls and wanted to do something special for them.  I saw this on Pinterest and thought I would give it a shot.  The one on Pinterest had a scarf, but I forgot to get fruit roll ups so I just omitted it.  I made my own little tag and even though it doesn't really show in the picture I added glitter to the snowman.

The finished product

Here are the finished tree ornaments. The girls did a great job. I love how they all look different!

Christmas Craft

This is my ornament craft for my pathfinders at American Heritage Girls.     Mine is not decorated, but the girls will have gems and glitter glue to decorate theirs. I have hot glued a loop made of pipe cleaner to the back so they can attach it to the tree. I also wrote AHG 2013 on the back.  For a last minute idea I thought it turned out pretty cute.

Crafty Gifts for Teenageers

My sisters were coming in to visit and I wanted to have something for my oldest sisters two teenage daughters.  What do I get them that they would like?  If they were 10 or younger I could have nailed it.  What do I do for teenagers that they would like and appreciate?  I thought of this while wandering around Walmart one day.  I actually got the cups from Dollar General.  They were the only place that carried the plain ones.   I had some white vinyl and cut out the letters using Life's a Beach.  The flowers were done with a border punch I had.  I just punched out the vinyl and stuck it on the cups.  I thought they were very cute, and we also added a little surprise inside.  We stuck some money in the cups.  That way they could spend it on whatever they wanted and had a little souvenir from their trip.  I think they turned out great and they still use the cups.  I think I nailed that one.  Now I just need to start thinking about what to do next summer when they come up. ;)

Card Swap

Here is a card I did for a swap.  It had to have rounded corners.  I inked the edges and then chalked an image that was dry embossed using my Cuttlebug.  I think it turned out okay.  The stamped saying needs to be better, but I liked it.  This was a fun and easy card to make.

Celebrate Card

Here is a card I did for a friend of mine who just found it she was pregnant.  I thought it was pretty cute.  She didn't know if she was having a boy or a girl yet so I thought this one was the best fit.

Teacher Luncheon Decorations

I was going through some photos on my phone and found pictures of stuff I haven't posted yet.  This one is of the teacher luncheon decorations I did.  I work for a small preschool at our church.  Each year at the end of the year, the parents help with a lunch.  They bring all of the food, and some decorations.  I love to do scrappy stuff, so I helped with the decor.  I made the napkin rings, little houses that held candy, and paper flowers in little buckets.  It was all very cute.  

 

Smelly Stuff

So I live in a house with two sons and a husband.  It can get pretty smelly in here.  I have my own little corner of the living room to do my scrappy/crafty stuff.  I was offered to try the Glade Expressions Diffusers and Sprays for free through BzzAgent.  I did and I am glad I did.  The difuser makes my corner smell so good.  It combats the boy smell and makes me so happy.  It lasts for 30 days and that is amazing.  It is a very nice compliment to my desk.  The Pineapple Mangosteen smells amazing.  I can dream of being in paradise with a nice slushy drink and the sand between my toes.  Of course that dream does not last long at the sound of laughing children crashing into the furniture.

Butterfly card

Here is a card I made for a friend who is changing jobs.  She  was the teacher in the butterfly room.  I think it's a pretty good card.    I wish I had a stamp for the saying, but it turned out okay.

Votive Holders

Here are some votive holders that I made for my best friends birthday.  She loves all things beach and summer.  I wanted to something special for  her.  I found this really cool sea glass at Pier1.  I got this great idea for a votive holder. I found the perfect size at Target. They are actually glasses!  I put the votive candle in the glass filled around it with the sea glass.  I cut the words with my Cricut (retreat, peace, relax, serenity) out of vinyl and put those on.  I really like the way they turned out.  I see these on her patio with her having a drink after a long day.

Smile Card

Here is the card I made for one of Zach's teachers. She has been out for a while with an illness. We've been sending cards, and this one is my favorite so far. I love the colors. It is from last years DCWV Summer Stack. I am going to have to find it somewhere because it is my fav and it is going pretty quickly. The cartridge used it Everyday Pop Up Cards. I am not thrilled with the pop up parts but love the other artwork with it.

Here is the layout I did for our camping trip we took last July. It was so stinking hot. We only stayed one day, but had a blast. We went with friends and the kids had so much fun! When we go this year we will so be taking some water-balloons! I love my little trees. I cut everything with my cricut. I love that machine! It saves me so much money.

Easter Center Piece

Here is the Easter table centerpiece that I made. I used a bunch of different cartridges. I think it turned out great. the little white one Josh made in Sunday School. I think it all looks great! I also made the little boxes and filled them with jelly beans.

Birthday Party

Here are the props for my daughter's birthday party. The purses will hold the make up they used while at the party, some jewelry and some fun treats. The wands were just fun and the large tiara will go around a small cake. I love the cupcake holders. They will just tie everything in. I don't know why I love the pink and gold together I just do. There will be a little boy so I made a knights mask and chest plate. He will be fighting a 'dragon' (my husband) to save the princesses while they get ready for the ball.

Princess Invitations

Here are the invitations I made for my daughters birthday party. She wanted to have a debutante ball, so we are going with a princess party. The girls will dress up and put make up on and get their nails painted and dance the afternoon away. We are going to have little tea sandwiches and other snacks, plus mini cupcakes for desert! It is going to be a blast!

Easter Card

Here are the cards I made for Easter. I had so much fun doing them. I have found that I can manipulate sketches. I don't have to put dots, I can use little bunnies. I don't know what I would do without my Cricut!

Iris Folding

I recently tried iris folding and though it is a little time consuming, it is really fun. I love the look it gives.