Chocolate Valentine Candy

Friday, I bought the candy chips at Pat Cataan's. I already had candy molds for Valentine's day that I had never used, so I got them out yesterday. I put the candy in microwave bowls, and microwaved them for 30s at a time. Every time they were done, I would take them out and stir them. I did this until the chocolate melted.

When the chocolate was melted, I took a large spoon and spooned the chocolate into the molds. I then placed the molds into the freezer while I did the next one. I only had 2 molds. By the time the second mold was done, the first one was completely set. The candy just pops out of the molds! It was so easy! I'm going to make my own Easter candy too. I found out that you can buy different fillings such as peanut butter cup filling to put in the middle layer. I made red lips, sayings such as I love you, be my valentine, etc. The red chocolate is white chocolate, and I used milk chocolate too.

Check out Scrapguy.blogspot.com. He is having a lot of giveaways including a
Cricut Imagine! So definitely sign up! I know I will.

I have just started to move around the house, and get some small housework done. I haven't attempted the stairs yet. I can't wait to scrap and stamp again!

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Goodie Haul

I went shopping on Friday, and I bought the new DCWV lemon paper stack at Jo-Anne's for $11.99. I had a hard time just choosing one from all of the new stacks that are out! I just ordered a bunch of stuff off of Blitsy.com too. I love that store! I ordered 4 Tim Holtz reinkers for the destress inks & a 6x6 paper pad & with shipping, it will come to $21! I also went to Pat Cataan's on Friday. I bought a couple skeins of Red Heart yarn for 2 for $5, a 5 in baby doll for $6, a butterfly album from 3 gypsies for $2, a large stamp for $1, 2 skeins of cotton yarn for $2.79 each, 8-10 sheets of cardstock for .10 each, and I think that's it. The cotton yarn is to finish the tank top that I started last month. The pattern was published in Crochet Magazine, July 2011, Vol. 24, NO. 4. The design is "Picot Shell" by Margaret Hubert. I will be showing pics in a couple of days when I finish the trim on the bottom of the top. It's a really pretty blue and white.

Since I won the Itty Bitty Fashion Doll Book, I bought the baby doll, and I plan to start crocheting clothes for her soon. I also bought a blue and brown twist 4-ply that I think I would like to make pillows out of or maybe an afghan. I am getting better daily, or at least I would like to think so. LOL! I would like to get at cardmaking at least in the next few days. I can't stand sitting her all day long. I'm used to doing the housework most of the day. I can't wait to use some of that pretty lemon colored paper. I have 2 birthday and one anniversary cards to make. I also need to get my pics deveoloped for the next crop, so that I can have them organized by the time we go. My husband is going to make me a desk for my scrapbook room using doors and 2x4s. You would never know they used to be doors. My dad did it for my mom, and I thought it was bought countertop for kitchens! I'll take pics throughout the process, and have a how-to so that you can do it for literally dollars for your craft room. It will have to wait for another month or so until I heal from the clots so that I can help.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Glad to Be Alive! & Please send cards for Aunt with Cancer!

Hi everyone! Sorry it's been a little over a week since I have posted. I had a pulmonary embolism (blood clot) in my lungs and arteries. It was touch and go last Monday. The docs didn't know if I was going to make it. I knew I would though. I remember thinking that they were crazy, because I wasn't going anywhere. It was a scary experience. I am only 40 years old. The symptoms that I had, I simply explained away with fibro and a virus that I thought that I still had. If you are short of breath just walking across the room, your heart races, any of your extremities go numb, and you get nausea or vomiting. These are the signs of a PE. Also look for extreme pain in your legs. They still don't know where the clots came from. However, I am still here (god willing), and I am now on a diet, going to quit smoking the e-cig, and I will start exercising once I am healed. They said I didn't have a heart attack, but my heart tested as if I did. I wonder what is in store for me. I believe that I have a higher purpose to fulfill.

Anyhoo, I am eagerly awaiting a copy of the February issue of Cards magazine and the Yours Truly paper pack. I won these from the Northridge Publishing company. I was really lucky right before I almost died. Strange isn't it? Tomorrow is pay day, and I am going to load up on rechargeable batteries so that I can start to make my videos and take pics. I am having troubles loading my pics onto my blog. Is anyone else having the same problem? I can't get any of my pics to load. I'll have to fix this before I take more. I just finished crocheting a purse for my aunt. She asked for one, when she saw the one I made for my daughter for Christmas. My aunt only has 4 or 5 more chemo treatments, then she'll be done. Pray that she'll be cancer free. If you want to send cards to her to cheer her up, Her address is:
Theresa Lalic
647 Baldwin Avenue
Sharon, PA 16146
She has colon cancer, and she is mentally challenged. She has been feeling depressed lately, and could use a boost.
I don't have anything on my hooks yet today, but I will find something. I'm currently reading a Laura Childs book, "Bedeviled Eggs". It's a country restaurant murder mystery series. I absolutely love her books. She also has a scrapbook series too. Her latest book in the scrapbook series was released last October. I have yet to acquire that book. I'm dying to be creative, but I can't get upstairs to my stuff yet.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

In the past 3 days, we have gotten about 7 to 10 inches of snow! Since then, my asthma has kicked up, and I can't walk a couple of steps without having an asthma attack. I wish I could go outside and play with the pups and build a snowman. :) I am currently working on a purse pattern I found for free at JoAnne Fabrics by Red Heart. It's called Crochet Posey Purse. I made one for my daughter for Christmas, and my aunt wanted one for her b-day which is on Tuesday. I don't think it will be done by then, but she won't care if it's a couple of days late since I'm not feeling well. I'm using a 4-ply purple baby yarn which is really pretty. I can't remember which brand it is, but I bought it at JoAnne's in the one pound. I believe it is Caron. I will be posting pics of slippers and a cancer cap later when I feel better. These will be made available on Etsy. I changed my store name to Cropperhopper so that everyone will recognize it from my blog. I had to miss a crop today. I'm hoping to go soon. I will probably have to see the doc if this doesn't ease up. I hate going to the docs since I have to go at least once a month to get my meds for fibro. I have good news! I won the Northridge Publishing contest. I won the 6x6 Yours truly paper pad and the February issue of CARDS magazine! I'm on a roll this month! I should play the lotto, but I never do. I'm never this lucky this much at once! It made me so happy since I didn't have the money to go buy Valentine's day paper! Now I don't have to worry about it. I got 3/4 of the way on my tank top that I was crocheting, and I ran out of yarn. I have to wait until payday next month to get more to finish it. I just finished reading "Shutter Island". I give it 5 out of 5 stars! I was so surprised by the ending. I loved it. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I wonder if the movie did it justice? You'll have to let me know. I usually don't like the movie as much as the book. Another book I just finished is "A Reliable Wife". I give it 4.7 out of 5 stars. Let me know what you're reading.

Happy scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Current Crochet Project

I am currently working on a Picot Shell top for the summer for myself for a change. The pattern can be found at Crochet Magazine, July 2011, Volume 24, No. 4. I believe I recently got it for free in one of their newsletters. I'm using the Handicrafter Bernat cotton. I forget the color, but is blue and white. I buy the 1 lb skeins. I had less than a skein to begin with, so I'm positive that I'll have to buy more to finish it. I like my tops loose and big, so I make them a size larger. Check this pattern out. I figure that by the time I finish it, it'll be time to wear it, because I have other things in the works at the same time. I wanted to show pics of finished objects, but the internet isn't cooperating tonite. I'm thinking of entering the 2013 Herrmann's afghan contest this year, but I'm undecided. I've never taken on a project that large before. However, one has until June to finish it. Let me know if you plan to enter. I'd like to hear from you. I think I'm going to be digging out my more romantic DCWV stacks to work on Valentines next Saturday. I'll have to wait to get my film developed from X-mas until next month. I'll have lots of pics of the work I did then. Right now, my craft room is overcrowded and unorganized. Our battery back-up broke and make a high-pitched whine so that I couldn't stay in the room for longer than to dump stuff in. LOL! We replaced it, and I'm dying to get in their and get busy. I've been sick for over a month, and I'm slowly building back strength again. Fibro is such a pain. I have been sleeping all day for the past 2 weeks, and feeling weaker every day, so I force myself to do things around the house to build back up. I'm not complaining, just explaining why I'm so inconsistent. Hang in there with me. I really want to do a lot of different things this year with my blog. I'm really starting to like alternative mediums like Gesso and different paints.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

I Love All Free Crochet!

I just received an e-mail from AllfreeCrochet.com, and I won an "Itty Bitty Dress Up Fashion book in their giveaway on the 11th! Now, I have to go get some Itty Bitty dolls to dress up! LOL! I just finished a dog sweater for Sweat Pea my basset hound, and now I'm working on a summer tank for me. I feel a little burned out after Christmas, and I needed some inspiration. I just don't have two pennies to rub together this month. Next month will be much easier. So this is a nice break. So for all you doubting Thomas's out there, this website actually gives away their items to strangers. This is the second time I have won. I won a complete set of circular knitting needles previously.

I will have pics of some of the projects that I have completed, but my batteries have died, and I can't take more pics til next month. Scrappin Doodles has great digital art that is cheap! I love the templates that you get that match the art and nothing seems to be over $4 or 5. They have a Friday freebie too. If you click on the button thru my web site then I get partial credit for the sale. Also take a look at Born Pretty! They have awesome nail art that you cut and peel and stick on your nails. It doesn't chip like polish! These are 2 of my favorite new things. If you have a chance, stop at my blog at pynoblem and give me some feedback. The work I have up is not some of my best, and I think it may be part of my problem not to mention that I don't have anything up to date. I need help.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Merry Christmas!

I forgot to take pics of the presents that I made for people before I wrapped them, so I will be posting pics of people with their gifts so you can see why I have been so busy. I made all of my cards and tags this years of which I forgot to take pics of too. LOL! You wouldn't think that I have a blog! I am starting to learn my video camera after 5 months, so that I can post video logs. I went scrapping last weekend with my mother. I convinced her last month that it would be relaxing. We looked at each other last week, and said we were crazy to go scrappin one week before Christmas. We just exchanged gifts with extended family last nite, and I think one of the neatest gifts was the Steeler's party bag. It was filled with mugs, hats, ornaments, pencils, noise makers, etc. for the big game day. My hubbie and I loved it! Right now, I'm trying to win the Cricut mini cake machine on e-bay. Wish me luck! I can't afford the big one. I'm using x-mas money to try and buy one. I hope your holidays are going well. I will post our scrapping results within the next few days.

Happy Scrappin & Hookin,

Michelle

Hi everyone! You have a chance to win $25 by shopping at a locally owned store. Just click on the link above and enter. Sorry it's been so long since I posted. I've been busy with my aunt who has colon cancer, and then I've been sick for 2 months since her roommate in the hospital had something and we all got it. I have no immune system, and it totally wiped me out, while everyone else was better in a week or two except for DH. He has no immune system either. He also has fibromyalgia. Anyway, I've been very busy crocheting and knitting Christmas gifts, and I will be posting pics. I want to start working on tags and cards soon. I am working on a granny square blanket using up my scrap yarn, and I am finding that my stash is seriously depleted. I am going to have to stop buying scrapping supplies for a while and concentrate on yarn until I have enough. Let me know what you are working on, I'd love to hear from you. Happy Scrappin and Hookin, Michelle

ATC Cards Made for the First Time!

Hi everyone! I just learned how to make ATC cards. For those of you who don't know what they are. They are 2 1/2 in. by 3 1/2 in. cards made out of file folder material or out of playing cards. You decorate them all identical in sets, and then number them in the order they were made. For instance, 1 out of 10, 2 out of 10, etc. Then you sign your name on the back of the card. People trade these cards all over the world. You keep them in plastic sleeves to protect them. You can use rolodexes to store them, or 7 gypsies has a storage system for them. You can also store them in tins. Some people prefer library drawers. They are very collectible, and some are very valuable and worth a lot of money. One that I know of just sold for almost $300, because of the rare picture of a rare horse on it. You just never know. So start saving all your tiny pieces of ephemera, hardware, etc. You will need it for these ATC's. These are so much fun, and a good part of the fun is trading them for cards that you want that you didn't make. It also feels great when someone else loves your art. Here are some pics of my cards from the class that I'm in.

Can you tell how excited I am? I know they have been out there a while, but they are new to me. I was just starting to get interested, and they introduced them to us at our scrapbooking Mystery book club at the Scrapbook Studio in Niles, OH. I love that store. I am hoping I can take the class on making 2 albums from paper only for $25, and they provide all the materials. Along with making the albums, they teach you about weight, and how to make pockets, tags, movable parts, etc. You learn so much! There's also a class for breast cancer for $25, and you get the I-rock tool, the jewels, and a template with the jewels! I think it's well worth taking just for the product! It sounds like a lot of fun too. Take along a survivor or someone going thru cancer with you.

I have a pic of my latest crochet project. I made sock monkey water bottle holders for myself and my mother. Everyone loved them at the Scrapbook Studio. I will make them for anyone who wants them for $4.50. Shipping will be negible and at cost. I will also be selling them in my Etsy store in Pynoblem's Etsy Store. I will accept Paypat, cash, money order, or cashier's check.

I have wonderful pics of my father and mother holding my granddaughter. They would be her great grandparents. The pics are below. Isabella is now 1 month old!

The young lady opening the gift is Jeni the mother of my grandbaby. Our family bought her a stroller with a carseat and a base for the carseat with Pooh bear of course!

I made a bunch of miniature die cuts with my Cricut today, and I'll be working with my friend Anne and hopefully my mother tomorrow afternoon on our ATC's. Anne is really talented and artistic, and it's starting to rub off on us. LOL! I just bought some wonder Red Heart Collage yarn. The color is Art. I got it on sale at Ollie's for $1.99! a skein. I also bought a pound of baby yarn (purple) for $8. That wasn't so much a great deal, but I needed baby yarn for all of the projects for Isabella that I want to make. I even have plans for when she is a couple of years old! Is this normal?

Gotta go, it's getting late.

Happy Scrapping and Hookin,

Michelle

I'm a new Grandmother!

Isabella Rose born on 7/27/11! She was born with a full head of hair just like her daddy! I have been so busy with her birth and my son moving back home again. I apologize for not keeping up with the site. I am having difficulty with uploading pics. You can see her pics up on my facebook page.

I did go to the Dove chocolate crop where we made a mini album of all the Dove chocolate recipes that we tasted at the crop. We all had such a good time. It took place at the Scrapbook Studio Cafe in Niles, OH. They have been having a ton of classes, and we have been learning so much! I don't know how to fix this picture thing. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. It's been over a month now since I have been able to post a picture. I may have to move to another site, and I really don't want to do that. I am learning how to bind books with paper to make them really strong. Once I feel comfortable, I want to make a video to demonstrate how to do this technique. Please let me know what other types of videos you would like to see.

Keep in mind for those of you who crochet or knit, I will also be making how-to videos. So please feel free to request certain videos.

Happy Scrappin and Hookin,

Michelle