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sending-happy-thoughts

Sending Happy Thoughts

It’s time to send a card to someone very special. (Hey, Sis, if you are reading this..don’t look! It’s on its way up to you)!
And I had a great time figuring out how to “Send Happy Thoughts” with my card.

sending-happy-thoughts

I love this glitter paper that I used for the backing, and it just happened to match my embossing powder I used on the word “Happy” almost perfectly! I cut circles out to serve as balloons and drew on the string…”attaching” it to HAPPY. So THIS is how you transport a little bit of happy. 🙂  After I finished this card, I decided to add a little shine to the balloons with Glossy Accents.

Sending a few Happy Thoughts your way, too!

{Linking up to Simon Says Stamp Transport challenge!}

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6-13-relationships-fabric-of-our-lives

Dose of Sunshine Monday – We are here for each other

Hello to a fresh new Monday! This week is going to be a great one.

I’d like to share gratitude for people in my life who have been there for me. I really believe that we are here to help each other. To mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those who need comforting; to help through hard times, and encourage and motivate. Sometimes the work of God is done through people here on Earth (for that I am grateful).

I sometimes start my week off by asking, who can I help this week? What can I do? Who needs a little sunshine or a smile? And usually I just know. One of my favorite things to do is help someone to smile.

6-13-relationships-fabric-of-our-lives

So dear reader, thank you for your encouragement, your kind comments, your support in my efforts to bring sunshine to you in my little space of the blog-o-sphere.

What can you do this week to inspire a smile? This week, be kind to others and to yourself. 🙂

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doritos-pict

Taste Test Tuesday — Chips for dipping

It’s Taste Test Tuesday! I love this day. And today I am reporting on our taste test for TORTILLA CHIPS.

tortilla-chips-taste-test

Here are the Tortilla Chip Contestants:

1) Santitas
2) Food Club
3) Doritos
4) Mission
5) Tostitos

This was a “blind” taste test. I numbered the bowls for each brand of chips #1-5. Then all the judges took one (or more) of the chips in each numbered bowl.

When I first tried all the chips, I liked them all. But we had some judges who are true “chip conneseuirs” and took this taste test VERY seriously. You may be just like me and not really care about a dipping chip…but many judges INSISTED that there is a big difference in chips and that you’ll be much happier with a truly delicious chip.

In fact, my sister and brother-in-law had already done some chip research for me and told me to make sure to include a couple brands of chips in this particular taste test. (Thanks Wendi & Kevin!)

We started out just trying the chips alone, then added homemade salsa to the mix. And most of the judges agreed on the TOP TWO chips. Care to make any guesses?

Here are the WINNERS:

first-and-second-place-winners

First, Santitas and
Second, Tostitos!

Interestingly enough, these two chips are very similar AND they are both made by Frito-Lay in Texas!  I was actually happy to learn that Santitas chips are very similar to Tostitos, but they cost much less (see the bag: $2 only!)
(Note: Doritos are also made by Frito-Lay, but they are only available in a yellow corn chip; Most judges liked the white corn chips better).

doritos-pict

I always like to include a generic brand (ie: inexpensive) for each taste test. In this case, our generic brand did not fare so well.
Last place: Food Club & Mission. Judges reported that Food Club chips were “bland” and “boring.” They reported that Mission chips were “too thick” and “too crunchy/tough.”

{A BIG thanks to all the judges for this taste test!}

So, dear readers, let me know what are YOUR favorite tortilla chips. And comment if you have any suggestions for future taste tests you’d like to see.

Until next time…

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i-ruff-you-inside

“I ruff you” Card

If you know me at all, you know that I make mostly “girly” gifts, packages, tea parties, cards, etc. I LOVE all things ribbon and lace, pink and curly. So when it comes to making more “manly” things, I have challenges!

My nephew had a birthday recently (he just turned 8), and he came down for a visit. I knew this was my opportunity to make something that he would like. I know that he loves dogs and so I got the most adorable doggie stamp set from Lawn Fawn to try out! Here’s the card I made for Porter:

i-ruff-you

and here’s the inside:

i-ruff-you-inside

I tried some “masking” by cutting out a cloud from white paper and sticking it temporarily on the card front, then I used some distress ink on a cotton ball to rub on the sky color around those clouds. When I removed the cloud masks, I was left with a beautifully calm sky with the clouds left white!

I think this card turned out adorable (and not too girly). What do you think?

So guess who’s going to be using this set to make a nice Father’s Day card?! I think my Dad will smile.
Linking up to the Simon Says Stamp Challenge.

Comments { 2 }
6-13-i-can-do-all-things-thru-Christ

Dose of Sunshine Monday — I can Do All Things Through Christ

Happy Monday! I can’t believe it’s Monday already again. I have had the BEST weekend with my nephews who are down visiting from Utah. We had a birthday party for my 8-year-old nephew whose birthday is just a week before mine.

This Dose of Sunshine comes directly from my watercolor practice book. It’s a favorite scripture of mine and it applies to everyday life. If you are feeling weak or overwhelmed or sad, or you just need a reminder that there’s always help…this is for you.

6-13-i-can-do-all-things-thru-Christ

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