No Foolin'!

It's April 1st..and that means you can now order from my A Muse|studio website - just go to http://amusestudio.com/elizabethterry

Sweet Sunday Sketch

Reconnected with an old friend this weekend..and in my haste to clean up studio space came across some old papers that i hadnt used for a bit that sparked my mojo. That along with going through the blogs with my Sunday coffee and the need to make a birthday card for my godson, inspired a little fun with a Sweet Sunday Sketch, hosted by Karen Giron. This was super easy to do..and my godson (who just turned 21 YIKES!) loved it (he's a bassist in a death metal band)!!! Cardstock: Neenah Solar White B&T papers & stickers- Stardust CTMH (retired) Stamps - a muse studio Ink - Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Chipped Sapphire and Tumbled Glass Dies - Spellbinders nestabilities - Labels One

Introducing amuse|studio

Isnt that little "Seattle Girl" cute? She's from A Muse. How apropos that as I post the March Calendar Page using A Muse stamp, a musestudio is off and running. I've wanted to apply to teach the last couple of years for A Muse and I'm happy to see this new venture come to life. With such great people involved and tried and true A Muse style product, I just had to become an a musestudio Creative Consultant!
If you haven't seen the new Inspiration Guide yet, take a little peek! I would love to hear your thoughts.

2011 Catalog and Inspiration Guide

Just have to have one in real life, I'd be happy to share! Contact me at elizabeth@ilovetoscrap.com to order a copy.

So what does that mean for you? It means…

matching ink, paper, ribbon, markers, stamps and dies, oh my!

a beautiful catalog and inspiration guide ($9.99 or free to hostesses)

you can shop on-line at my website at http://www.amusestudio.com/elizabethterry beginning April 1

personalized workshops/classes with your friends at your place or mine – learn what you want to learn/make what you want to make – and earn generous hostess bennies all the while
monthly hostess clubs where you can earn free stamps or COPIC markers (yes I did say COPIC markers!)

you can join my team and start your own business on the ground floor ($99 introductory Starter Kit offer - normally $175 with a $325 retail value). For more information and my team bonus check out Join My A Muse Studio Team

To kick it all off I will have an A MuseStudio Open House Event on Saturday, March 12 at my home. There will be treats and a make & take. Email me at Betsey@ilovetoscrap.com to get the details.

Check out these links:
as website
my facebook page – I would love it if you would {LIKE } me!

super Blog Candy

Hmm..just entered a contest over at Cats Whiskers for some Fabulous Blog Candy, She has over 250,000 hits to her blog...some day..my followers will come.

In the meantime, it's pretty flipping fabulous!! Just look at all the stuff!

Granddaddy (and grandma) of all garage sales

We're gearing up for the 2nd Garage sale at my grandparents this weekend. I hate garage sales (selling) with a passion, but as my grandparents are downsizing, they really need to clear out 36 years worth of accumulation (in this house..who knows what they may have brought with them..and they're married 69 years this year!). Not looking forward to an early dark Sunday morning...or the yawns of the afternoon..but as a friend mentioned..I love love love my grandparents and am happy to do this for them. Wish us luck..and well if you need any holiday decor (you name the holiday, they probably have the decor) email me..i might be able to cut ya a deal.

Cute Giveaway

The folks over at Paper Variety have a cute giveaway as they get ready to announce their new Design Team. The giveaway is a cute paper pack from Echo Park...love how whimsical this paper is!!

Neglected blog

My blog seems to be so neglected.

For those looking for crafty goodness, please head over to my crafty blog (ilovetoscrap.wordpress.com), although i must admit other than a few new product announcments havent posted anything too crafty there either.

My laptop seems to be on the fritz..short in the hard drive..or some other nastiness. I can run google chrome in regular mode..or IE or MS Office in safe mode....but of course..nothing to do with pictures or sound etc.

I've decided to declare this "the Summer of Betsey" , do you remember "The Summer of George" from Seinfeld..George's didnt turn out that well...but i'm determined to have a fantastic one.

Started the summer off by visiting my sister and her family in St. Louis..it was hot hot hot..and humid of course..which made it seem hotter, but luckily got to lounge by the pool most days..and had some fun outings to the Zoo, Grant's Farm and to see Beauty & the Beast at the Muny and took them both (4 and 2 1/2) to their first Movie, Toy Story 3.

Back home have been having a fabulous time with friends old and new..on the search for the Best Burger in on the Peninsula..Music in the Park, 4th of July weekend in Yosemite, movies, dates...lots of fun. Oddlyenough...that would be the best blog update as i regularly update Foursquare on outings with them.

My sister arrives tonight..I'm so excited to see the littles again..they're both at such fun ages..and love that i can bribe them for kisses by just letting them play a game on my iPod. Hoping to get to take them to Happy Hollow now that it has reopened..and they'll go off to Yosemite..and then we'll all go to Tahoe before they leave. I wish i could see Yosemite and camping through their eyes..but will have to try for another year. I cant wait to go to Tahoe with them..and hope we can have a quick trip to the Magic Carpet mini golf course...i think they'll find it hilarious.

Blog Candy

Allscrapbooksteals.com is giving away some holiday blog candy. I'm still in full halloween mode..but that new Eskimo kisses line..sure is cute and can put you in the mood!! Check out their site and their blog for your chance to win!

I've wanted to capture these guys for a while. They feed off this Spanish sage outside my living room window. There are about 4 or 5 of them that come regularly. I never knew hummingbirds chirped until I heard these guys. they're pretty brazen too..will dive bomb you if you're interrupting their feeding time. They have the most beautiful throats..a ruby red..or metallic pinky red color. Hearing them makes me regardless of the time of year.

PaperTrey Ink Blog Candy

Wow..check this out...Passion for Paper Trey is giving out some blog candy with PTI goodies (stamp set & paper!)If you'd like to win some free stuff, head on over to http://apassionforpapertrey.blogspot.com/ and see what they're giving away! ;)

Stampin' Blog Candy

I've totally got back into stamping. While I've been scrapping since I was in high school in my early 20s i regularly stamped..and stamping was my first foray into crafting with other people. As I got into scrapping ('the safe way') and all the tools and crops etc in my late 20s early 30s..stamping fell by the wayside..but there are so many cool stamping companies out there again...I've been bitten. Of course I now stalk so many stamping blogs...and here's one to boot!

Wendy over at Paper Therapy is having a great blog candy contest. I became a follower and perhaps you could support this gal too. Take a look, you will be glad that you did.
Now..hope to get some stamping done with some relatively new goodies this weekend!

New Client Project

Photobucket Album

I need a Marine Air Horn!

Seriously...i've been deluged with spam telemarketer calls..what's with the Do Not Call list..is that just a waste of a server/website somewhere? How do these people continue to call when you've asked them to remove you ..and you're on the list. The latest one has been a series of hangups from a 239 area code, of course you call it back and it has a random' the # you've reached is out of service', except it rings a couple of times first! I found this great site while googling the #..and one of the posters had a great idea about blasting an air horn in the callers ear...I'm all for it. I mean I know there are actually honest people out there trying to get by as telemarketers, and those people I ask nicely to be removed from the list..and maybe even give them my own DS spiel..but these people are pure scam artists and deserve to lose a bit of their hearing!!

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Post it Like you Stole It

and that is exactly what I did! I stole this from Laurie's Blog. The idea is that the things in bold are things you've done.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run **grand slam baby!**
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke (something else you don't want to hear again)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt *the Calistoga one*
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater *makes me sad my nieces and nephews etc wont!*
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (A very long long time ago)
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone **bummer made it 381/2 years without no less too
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (A few times in High School)
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake &**blech..not so Great!**
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day (many times!)

Got Grass?

As I rounded Laguna Honda one evening, I was amazed to see several hundred goats eating the dry grass on the hill. I had seen a story about this on the news for use in the South bay and East Bay..but have never seen it used in person..and certainly not in San Francisco. They were there for a couple of days..but i never had my camera when i passed by, and didnt really want to carry it on the bus.

By the time the weekend came they were gone. But one day as I took the bus back up the hill, I noticed they were on the backside of the hill. By Wednesday they were up to the road as people stood and gawked. On Thursday, I took the bus up the hill, and it seemed they were all on the road side of the hill, I got home, grabbed my camera real quick hopped in the car down the hill parked, and walked to the fenced area. Most couldnt be bothered with me..of course there's always one. this one falled me up and down the entire length of the goats...with this piece of grass sticking out of his mouth..not sure if he wanted me to feed him more (most likely) or didn't even know it was there. I leaned over the fence at one point to take a picture of a couple of kid goats.and he felt the need to nudge me to pay attention to him...I snapped one last shot..and told him goodbye.


Have you seen the goats used for eating the wild grass in your area?

Wednesday Hero

It's been a while since I posted...(although see my Twitter updates down on the side..i post there many times..a DAY!)..and I know tomorrow will be a great day of heros and remembrances..but this Wednesday hero is another hero, here at home!



Staff Sgt. Andy Pena performs in-flight calibrations on a HH-60 Pave Low while flying Sept. 3 over Ellington Field, Texas. He and members of the 55th Rescue Squadron deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., to Ellington Field in response to Hurricane Gustav with less than 24 hours after notification. Sergeant Pena is an aerial gunner.These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To LookThis post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero

A coworker was just asking how my ankle was and i said healing..although small and looked almost artificial...I now feel small in comparison to this Hero!!!

Spc. Kisha Makerney23 years old from Fort Towson, Oklahoma 120th Engineers, Oklahoma Army National Guard. Spc. Kisha Mackerney isn't being profiled today because of something she did on the battlefield. She's being profiled because her spirit and determination. In 2002, Makerney joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard out of a sense of patriotism, because, as she put it, "I love our country and our people." Between 2004 and 2005, she served in Iraq as a gunner and helped provide battalion security. She returned home in early 2005 and was in a terrible motorcycle accident on June 25, 2005. The front wheel of her brand new bike had blown out and sent her flying into a highway sign. She looked up at her now mangled bike and was angry. That's when she noticed that her left leg below the knee was missing. The first thing she thought of when she saw her leg was that her military career was over.Makerney pulled herself out of the ditch that she had landed in and was able to flag down a passing motorist. She was taken a hospital in Hugo, Oklahoma before being flown to Dallas, Texas. As soon as word spread about her accident, her fellow soldiers, her second family, rallied and rushed to her bedside. "Even before I was out of surgery they were waiting in the halls," she said. Continue reading Spc. Kisha Makerney's story here. There are some despicable comments by a few readers on the story. Just ignore them. These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look. This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Iron Chef - Secret Ingredient Limes

I belong to a cooking and recipes meetup with my friend Anjanette. Neither one of us has been able to make the actual meetups, but they started a new 'event' in april..a virtual event called 'Iron Chef'. Basically the organizer picks a secret ingredient, and then you make a recipe, post a link to the recipe and post pictures. You're supposed to post it at the meetup site, but I thought I'd post it here...then Shell will be happy I blogged..and I'll have posted. I actually made items for April (Secret Ingredient - Rosemary) and May (secret ingredient - vidalia onions) but never got them posted in time. I'm barely making this months posting.

I had picked a few recipes for the limes, but a drink..a dessert..and finally settled on an entree, in the interest of time, and killing two birds with one stone. We wanted to BBQ yesterday, use up some of the freezer o beef, and get to using some limes...so Grilled TBones with Chipotle Chili Rub and Cilantro Lime Compound Butter it was. I thought I'd post in P-Dub style..without the fabulous photography (hopefully it will be better by end of September).

the Cast of Characters - T bone steaks, lime, cilantro, butter (we used I Can't Believe It's not), ground chipoltle pepper, sweet paprika, Steak Seasoning (we used a combo of Seasoned Salt and a Salt free seasoning blend).

Preheat a two-burner grill pan over high heat or a table-top electric grill to high or preheat the outdoor grill.

Combine the steak seasoning blend with hot chipotle pepper and sweet paprika. A tablespoon is about a palm full of powdered or ground seasonings. Rub the seasoning blend into the steaks, distributing the spices evenly among them. Go wash up. Using tongs, place steaks on screaming-hot grill, carefully place the thin tip of 1 steak facing the wide end of the next so that all 4 steaks fit onto the grill pan or grill grate at the same time. Cook steaks 6 to 7 minutes on each side for medium doneness. Remove steaks and let them rest so that the juices can redistribute, 5 minutes.

So the recipe calls for Butter, but Pierre doesnt have butter, so I was a little scared, but used I can't believe it's not butter (i'm leary about melting it..but it did ok, and tasted just fine...and I'd use it again for this purpose (use it on toast and veg all the time )

You need to zest and juice the lime(s).

Cut butter into chunks. (or as we did..scoop a couple tablespoons) Place butter in a bowl. Place bowl in microwave and cook on high for 15 seconds.

To chop herbs super-fine, hold the tip of your knife on a cutting board and move the back of your knife up and down very fast going over the herbs again and again.

Stir in chopped cilantro and lime zest and juice into the butter using a rubber spatula. Transfer the butter onto a large strip of plastic wrap. (we left in the tub..since it had never been a cube..and had been 'soft' to begin with, i wasnt sure it would 'harden' in the roll). Gather the ends of the plastic wrap in on 1 hand and use a straight edge, like a small cookie sheet pan, to push the butter back and away from your body making the butter take on a log shape. Gently roll the log wrapped in plastic back and forth on the countertop to evenly round out the shape. Twist up the extra wrap on the ends and place the compound butter log into the freezer to make the butter cold enough to slice again.

NOW! Grab that glass of wine sitting on the counter. Take a big swig. Thank God for grapes. Then…

When ready to serve, top steaks with disks of sliced compound butter and serve with salad or vegetables on the side.

The actual ingredient listing.

• 2 sticks butter


• 3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro leaves


• 1 lime, juiced and zested


• 2 tablespoons steak seasoning blend for the grill


• 1 tablespoon chipotle (smoky) ground chili powder or dark chili powder


• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika


• 4 T-bone steaks, 1 1/2 inch thick
  

I would definitely make this again...we even had leftover 'butter'. Keep in mind..the rub is VERY spicy, so you definitely need the butter to 'tone' it done a bit . I also used leftover cilantro on our biscuits (my family should buy stock in Pillsbury), and leftover lime juice on the grilled asparagus.

Happy iced Tea Day!

My google home page, has a module called 'reasons to drink' (not that I'm looking for one..but they're funny). Today it notes that it's National Iced Tea day..and suggests Long island (i think I've had a couple in my life..but not something I'd order just because anytime soon)..instead I opted for some Sweet Tea.

Mind you..i didnt get the Sweet Tea because of National Iced Tea day..but because I was able to escape and drive myself to the ortho and grocery store, and decided to reward myself with one of these...actually I got two!

I actually prefer with splenda..but for the price, who can pass up. I wish we had it in the gallon jugs at the grocery store like they do at my sisters!!!

On a side note left leggged driving is pretty unnerving! I need to let my carpool buddies know i'm not going to be able to drive on the freeway!!