Tutorial on It's a Colorful Life blog.

Please go check out my elastic waist skirt tutorial at It's a Colorful Life. Feedback is welcome seeing as this is my first tutorial! Let me know what you think!

Thank you ~

Until next time...

Wow it's been a long time...

Hello blog world! I have been away far too long and I apologize. Life was very crazy for awhile and not in a good kind of crazy, my life is changed. Things are calming down a bit now though and hopefully I can get back to some blogging!

I knew I needed to at least say hello again since I will be guest blogging at It's a Colorful Life very soon! Caitlin Bell so kindly asked me to be a guest blogger with my elastic waist skirt tutorial. Now I have never done a tutorial before, I do hope it is easy and understandable. So in the mean time while we are waiting for my tutorial to post please check out Caitlin at It's a Colorful Life and don't forget It's a Colorful Life Facebook page!

Here is a teaser of the tutorial...

The tutorial should be up soon so check back! Have a great weekend!

Until next time...

Weekend...

Saturday morning my friend Irene and her family were passing through to go to California so they stopped by to say 'hello'. I haven't seen Irene in 3 years and was my first meeting with her husband James and daughters Brianna and Ashley. Sophie really loved meeting the family because they brought her 3 toys! Lucky pup lol. It was so great to see my friend but wasn't long enough. I hope their vacation in Cali. goes great!

That evening John and Creative Backstage was doing the Ostrich Festival. The bands that night were a Led Zeppelin Tribute band named Heartbreakers and Eddie Money. I hung out with John on the light tower during the first band and this is the hubs working hard making those lights shine...

This is the Heartbreakers

And this picture I took of all the rides from the light tower. There were so many people there, I personally haven't seen a crowd that size at the Ostrich Fest before. I'm pretty sure it was the weather, that day was beautiful!

However the dust was horrid. Me having asthma had a rough couple of days but this a.m. I'm feeling pretty good!

Sunday I spent the day with my dad. They had my nieces over so I got to visit with them for a short time - I love those girls! Then my dad and I went to see my tata (grandpa) who is in hospice. He has diabetes, other health issues and well age is catching up. I feel he doesn't have long which is heartbreaking but know that the pain he feels isn't a way to be either. I plan to go visit him tomorrow and then Friday Julie and I will take the kids to see him. He is amazing though - I asked him how he is and he said 'no point in complaining so I'm good'. Gosh I need to remember that! I don't know what the 'right' words would to be at a time like this except I do hope in my heart of hearts he doesn't suffer much longer. After our visit we went to lunch and talked, it was a great lunch - thank you pop.

Then I went home and rested! Good thing to so today I can get things done! Like laundry ugh, I guess I better post this so I can start chores - so fun. I hope your weekend was great!

Until next time...

Frustration and other things...

Well about 2 weeks ago prior to getting sick I got a new computer, my old one is dead so it was definitely needed. I am currently trying to change my business website to a new storefront but now that my new pc is windows 7 my new storefront doesn't work with windows 7. Agghh!!! I have done so much work on this new website (I will admit I cried myself to sleep with frustration last night). I will of course get in touch with customer service and see if this can be fixed. I hope so, to have to do all that work again would not be pleasant. So cross your fingers for me this gets resolved please!

When the day comes that there is a new website I will have a giveaway! Hopefully that will be sooner than later!

About 3 years ago (yes 3 years!) I asked my dad to make me a storage box, he is a wood crafter and makes great things! Well finally after all this time he made it! I need to cover it still. I was hoping to do that 2 weeks ago but got sick, so hopefully this weekend/ next week it will be done.

Here is what it looks like prior to being covered

The inside

I have so many things to fill this with! I can't wait to get it covered and use it. Mainly it's all the wii extras and the stuff that should be hidden in the living room.

 John and I are going to go to AZ Science Center - Body Worlds Exhibit sometime today. I got a coupon on groupon and it expires on the 8th so we better get down there! Otherwise just hoping to make progress with the new website! I hope you have a great day all!

Until next time...

Notice anything different?

I felt it was time for a bit of change. I changed the header - hope you like it!

I changed a few things on the side as well.

Trinity turned 6

Some catching up to do after being down and out with sickness, there will be more blogs throughout the week...

My niece Trinity turned 6 last Wednesday and we had her party the Saturday before here at my house. She is ever the picture poser...

I thought her mom (my sister) was clever for getting her a cupcake separate from the big cake - we all know kids spit on the cake when they blow out the candles lol.

This is Trinity opening the dress I made her - umm I think I was more excited about the dress than she was lol. I do have to make a matching belt though because I cut the shirt too high - my first dress! Got to give myself a break.

And here is the dress I made for Miss Trinity. It turned out pretty good, just a little on the empire waist side.

I have a few more sewing projects in the works and jewelry of course. I just need a few more hours in the day, or rather need to stay away from Jo-Ann's. It's not my fault though they keep sending me coupons...

I am having a giveaway at TDT Designs Facebook just go there and 'like' or comment before tomorrow night and you will be entered!

Until next time...

I was a giveaway winner!

I entered a giveaway from dreamfctry a bit ago and while I was sick last week it came in, and just in time to cheer me up! This is what I won...

The pretty packaging

 This is when I first opened it, i laid it on the couch...

 And this is it hung above my window in my office! I just hung this tonight - love it!

You should check out her blog dreamfctry she is also on dreamfctry Facebook so go add her!

Now that I am feeling better I should have a few blogs coming up and will be having a giveaway of my own. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Until next time...

Teresa's Salsa Recipe

There are variations to this recipe. I will give you the one I made the other night but as with any recipe you can add or subtract what you like.

You will need:
2 bunches of green onions
1 jalapeno
3 can petite diced tomatoes (I use Del Monte) 14.5 oz
3 cans tomato sauce (8 oz)
1 tsp cilantro
1/2 tsp pepper (to taste)
1/2 tsp salt (to taste)
1 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp garlic minced (jar)
Squeeze lime juice
Some shakes of tobasco sauce (optional)

Chop the white of the green onions and de-seed and chop the jalapeno.

-

 I then put it in the chopper to have it finer (don't like chunks of onions ick)

Grab a big bowl with a lid and then throw all the ingredients in, stir and refrigerate for a few hours.

This batch is a bit thick because I use more petite cut tomatoes than just sauce. If you'd like it less chunky just use more sauce. I suggest taste testing after a few hours and adjust as needed. I sometimes throw more red pepper flakes in cause I like it hot. If it tends to be too hot add more tomatoes. That's it! It was strange for me to measure everything because I just throw it all together. I've been making this for quite a few years now so I could probably do it in my sleep, so I'm not sure the measurements were good lol. If you make it let me know how it turns out!

Just a bonus picture - when I let Sophie out in the am the other morning these guys were huddled trying to stay warm. Sophie's friend she plays with is on the left, the middle is a sibling and the right one is momma.

Until next time...

Teresa's Veggie Chili Recipe

IMAGE HEAVY! I took pictures of the whole process...

So this the base recipe I used for veggie chili - however it didn't work to well for me because for one there was no bell peppers? What? That seemed crazy to me, they use a yellow squash. So I eliminated the yellow squash and added red and green bell peppers. I also added a jalapeno this time, and my recipe is larger. Well I wanted to post this in case you'd rather try this one instead of mine, frankly I prefer mine ha.

 So let's begin - you will need:

3 red bell peppers

2 green bell peppers

2 yellow hot peppers (these really aren't hot, or the ones I've had haven't been)

1 jalapeno (optional)

1 small - medium white onion ( I chop the onion cause I don't like onions but if you prefer chunks do so)

2 can Bush's chili beans

3 cans Del Monte diced tomatoes (I used petite cut this time)

1 tsp diced garlic (from jar) - I might add a bit more for flavor

3 tsp chili powder

1/2 can tomato paste

salt

pepper

olive oil

(picture below shows 3 cans chili beans. I just used 2.)

Cut and de-seed bell peppers into chunks.

Since I'm not using meat I like to make my peppers in big pieces. 

 Then de-seed and de-vein the yellow hot pepper and jalepeno.

And chop the peppers, also chop the onion.

Add bell peppers and olive oil to pan and saute (we like the peppers to be tender so I saute them for about 12 mins)

 While those cook combine diced tomatoes (I drained them this time so it's not so runny), garlic, chili powder, salt and pepper in pot and let simmer.

 After your peppers are cooked to your liking push them to the outside and add a little olive oil and the yellow hot pepper, jalapeno and onion - saute for 2-3 mins.

 Then add your 1/2 can tomato paste and stir it in for 1-2 mins.

 Add the 2 cans of chili beans, tomato mixture and simmer! I usually simmer at least 45 mins.

I hope it turns out for you if you make this. I'm more of a toss this and that in kinda girl so it's interesting for me to actually write it all down. My next recipe to write down will be my salsa and then I will take requests lol. If you make this please let me know how it turns out, or if you add or take away anything. Also if you have any questions please feel free to ask! 

P.S. I'll let you know how this recipe turns out later after dinner lol, since I changed a few things from last time. My taste tests were good though!

P.P.S. I don't know exactly how much this makes but I filled 3 Tupperware bowls of 2 cups and one of 4 cups so seems to be about 10 cups.

****Review of this chili: yummy! I would like to say though if kids or anyone with a low heat tolerance is to eat this you might want to skip the jalapeño and less chili powder. It was perfect for me but I like a kick.

Until next time...

Some projects complete, some things to look forward too...

We are getting a new hot tub in a few weeks! My father-in-law came out Thurs.- Sat. to help John take apart the old and redo the deck. Instead of wood they put down the composite wood stuff. It looks so nice and I'm not afraid of falling through the deck now lol.

The hot tub in the picture is the old one, it has been broken a few years. Sophie checking out the new deck

 Some of my personal progress - I built this for storage and to put my sewing or embroidery machine on when not in use.

 My Uncle has a party every year for the community it was this past Saturday and this was my pretty dress.

 This was today. I was a bit under the weather and so if I'm laying around you'll find Sophie pretty close by.

I'm so excited for the last weekend of the month for the Phoenix Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival Jan 27, 28 and 29th! I plan to be there all 3 days. It is their 17th year but I've never been so I'm not 100% sure what to expect but am so looking forward to it. Is anyone else attending?? As soon as I get the itinerary I will post it. The email says they will send it out a week before. I heard that if you want to take classes you must bring your sewing machine so I bought a rolling bag for mine just in case.

I'm going to try to make it to Tucson this year for the gem show but not sure that is going to happen. Hopefully I will find out this week. Then mid-Feb is the Arabian Horse Show and my mom-in-law has a booth there so I'm sure I will be going a few times.

So as it stands I don't think there will be any serious sewing or jewelry making until the end of Feb. I'm looking forward to it!

Until next time...

Pretty much my best day ever...

****Image HEAVY! Lots of pictures!

The day was yesterday 1/10/11. For one it was my sister's birthday, but the other reason was my birthday present from my amazing loving husband...

Anyone who knows me knows for the past 5+ years I have loved 30 Seconds to Mars.

 

I found out back in December they were playing the BCS Party and called my concert buddy Jeremy. However we decided not to go because we figured it would be insane, which it was! We had to walk a long way - there were SO many people in the whole area for the BCS Championship I've never seen a crowd like that.

 

Then my amazing husband said he would find out who was putting the show on -

(John owns Creative Backstage which he does lighting, video, sound and stage etc.)
so the next day he called and told me he found out who was doing the show and he made them an offer they couldn't refuse on the lighting and video.

Amazing husband right? I was a bit sick to my stomach and crying lol. What a huge sacrifice just so I could get close to the band. The results = backstage passes and free show. However I hope great opportunities for Creative Backstage as well. Here's hoping he gets shows out of it...

 

This picture below was taken from the stage - they were singing Kings and Queens

 

Sister and I onstage - Jeremy took the picture

 

This is Tomo - he is so nice, my first time meeting him.

 

And *drum roll please* Jared and I!! Happy Birthday to Me!

 

Awhile ago I got a picture with Jared but it was terrible lol. I'm not sure this one is much better but it was so nice to be able to talk to him without screaming fans all over. So in all my husband absolutely gave me the best birthday present ever!

The only thing I was disappointed about is neither Jeremy, Julie or I thought to get a picture with each other ha.

More pics will be on my facebook.

So far 2011 has been great!

Until next time...

Finally finished!

I finally finished my studio this morning. What a great feeling to have a clean studio! So I figured I better take pictures right now to show you, err as it may not be THIS clean for very long...

 My L-desk for sewing purposes as well as pc.

 This will be the jewelry making table. Note sign says "Caution Teresa's Room" ha gotta love the husband!

 That big cabinet has all my beads and jewelry items in it.

 Sizzix kick ass machine! Just some of the things it can do.

My Christmas present from my fabulous mother-in-law Barb! Thank you again Barb! I can't wait to jump in and start making things!

Unfortunately in all this re-decorating it has injured my back. I have back issues to begin with and just got carried away. Since the weight loss has started I haven't had to see the chiro in 3 months which is a long stretch for me, so I got carried away and am a bit sore now. I did go to the chiro yesterday though and am feeling somewhat better it's just my back feels like someone took a bat to it lol, I'm hoping to be fine very soon!

Otherwise just some resting today! Hope to get to the crafting very soon, as soon as the back is better.

Have a great weekend!

Until next time...