Avocado Feta Dip

As promised here is my favorite year-round dip!

2 Roma Tomatoes (diced)
1 Ripe Avocado (peeled, pitted & diced)
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon parsley
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
4 ounces crumbled feta cheese (I like to use the feta herb kind)

Directions:

In a bowl, gently stir together tomatoes, avocados, onion and garlic. Mix in parsley, gently stir in olive oil, vinegar and feta. Serve with taco chips or pita chips!

Enjoy!

Pat

SOMETHING SWEET....

I hope everyone had a super weekend and I'm not sure about you but I'm glad that the snow is finally here!

I was doing my daily blog hop and came upon some super sweet cards, colors and recipes.

Check out Lilybean Paperie here!

I don't know about you but I love how Melissa uses stamps, color, and lot's of vintage goodies! If you are looking for some great inspiration, be sure to check it out!

I'm right now working on a new mini album, just to post on the blog and it's sure turning out cute!

I'll be back soon!

Sheri

CHECK IT OUT...

I'm not sure about you but I can't believe how fast this week is going...

Have you ever wondered or taken the time to check out the links on the left side of our blog page? We have some awesome links for amazing scrapbooking and even from some of our favorite manufacturers. Customers are always asking where we get our ideas and inspiration and checking out the links is a great start!
Do you ever find that you really want to use a product or paper line but don't know how to use it? Well check out the manufacturer's links/blogs and you are sure to get some great ideas!
Just this morning I was checking out the American Crafts blog and I thought they had some great ideas for the junior line and even an awesome page idea using the new glitter paper!

Because you asked for it I'm going to start working on a mini album tutorial for the blog... Do you want to play along? I can share the supply list before hand and then we can make it together? Please let me know!

Tomorrow night is demo night at The Urban Scrapbook and I hope you can make it by...
I'm going to be demoing Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Maya Mist and the new and fabulous Smooch Spritz... we are also going to be working with some Tim Holtz product... Can't wait!

Have a great Wednesday!

Sheri

HAPPY MONDAY!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!
It's so hard to believe that here in Edmonton we still have NO snow! Crazy!
I know some of us canucks don't like the snow, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE winter!
Can't wait for a good dose of snow - please don't hate me:)


I know the blog has been a little quiet but I appologize now, the flu hit our house really good for 2 good weeks and I'm still trying to enter the world of the living!

I am featuring "me" in todays interview... I really want to make this blog a fabulous place so I'd love to hear what you want to see? I was thinking of doing a mini album tutorial, all on the blog? Would you be interested? Please let me know!


Now on to the interview....



For those of you who don't know me, my name is Sheri and I've worked at the store for 2 years now. It's a great place to be and you can't help but be happy surrounded by wonderful and talented women!
I have a hubby and four kids at home, as well I run my own photography company. Please feel free to stop by our photo blog! (Just a note: I was thinking that if you have any photo questions, I'd love to answer them on here... also, if you have a photo you'd love "fixed" please send it my way and we can feature it here on the blog)

How long have you worked at The Urban Scrapbook?
A: Uh Oh! I already answered that!

Q:What is your favorite technique?
A: I think I edge distress almost anything.. is that a favorite technique or a bad habit?

Q: What is your favorite product line?
A: I can't pick just one... My favorites include Cosmo Cricket, October Afternoon, Collage Press, Jellibean Soup, WER Memory Keepers, Fancy Pants, oh and PInk Paislee too! I am also addicted to American Craft thickers and my Zutter bind it all!

Q: Where do you find inspiration?
A: I find inspiration mostly when I am working... I love being around creative co workers and customers. Im also a blog stalker!

Q: What comes first... picture or paper?
A: Almost always, the picture

Q: What camera do you use?
A: I have 2 sony 700's and lot's of fabulous lenses... I'd rather buy a super good lens:)

Q:What is your favorite blog/website?
A: I love to check out the pioneer woman for photography stuff. As for scrappy goodness I love to check out Christine, Ali, and Kimmi. I also check out a lot of manufacturer and photographers blogs... like I said I'm a blog stalker.

Q: What is one thing people may be surprised to find out about you?
A: I'm not sure if there is anything people would be surprised to find out about me... I HATE planes, thus have no interest in travelling to Australia... I am a morning person... and I HATE showers, I only like baths:)

Q: What product do you use the most right now?
A: As for paper I'd have to say Cosmo Cricket patterned paper... lot's of chipboard too. I also use my Zutter way too much! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my slice and I think that right now I just love what I can do with it! I've also recently switched from my prized glue sticks, to the pink Glue Glider which I think rocks!

Q: Who is/are your favorite scrapbooker(s)?
A: There are so many wonderfully creative and talented scrappers.... Jan Hobbins, Kimmy Thylaine, Ali Edwards, Alexis Hardy (though I'm not sure she's scrapping), Stephanie Howell, Davinie, Keisha Campbell, Janet Hopkins, and I think Pat Carson makes the nicest cards ever and I think her cards should be on the front of every card magazine out there.... Just putting it out there!

Q: (fill in the blank) I do my best scrapbooking when....
A: Well, I'd probably do a lot of amazing stuff at work because that's usually when I have my best ideas, but since I do have to work I'd have to say at night, after the kids are in bed and when I have lot's of new goodies, and just after a good purge... I purge a lot!

Q: Are you getting paid to answer this?
A: I hope so... isn't that the idea? Just kidding! I love this hobby!

Anyways, I am super excited about this Thursdays demo night. It's going to be a lot of fun and it would be great if you stopped by!

Have a super fabulous week and don't forget to send any comments, questions, photo questions, photoshop questions, technical questions, or what you want to see... my way!

Sheri

It's a Good Thing

I love to share new tips/techniques or products and this time it's a new product! We just received these amazing mosaic tiles by Harmonie and they are soooo cool! They are about a millimetre thick and about 1 centimetre square. They weight nothing so when you do a project like I did it literally weights ounces! I adhered them with red tacky tape but we do sell an adhesive that they recommend to use. This frame/layout only took about 1 1/2 tins. I definitely have some great ideas for cards and other stuff with these little gems! Oh, and I add some of these amazing glittered leaves and butterfly by Prima!

NOVEMBER ALL READY!

I can't believe it's November already. Where did the time go?

So I guess it's now time to get ready for Christmas, yikes! Well we have lots of Christmas projects going in the store and amazing Christmas product which is on sale 30% off all week and all Halloween is 40% off. So if you're just getting started or need to pick up more be sure to stop by for some great deals.

Jan and I will be decorating for Christmas this week so hopefully that will get you in the mood for the holidays and inspire you to get started.

I have been working like crazy doing Christmas Card classes and I think I am almost carded out! I can't remember a time when I have done so many card classes. Thanks to everyone for your support it has been so much fun. I am now going to have to start thinking about Valentines!

Our November kits are out and they are great. This was a really fun challenge this month which takes you back in time remembering moments of your childhood. We all had a great time with this one. I can't believe we are almost finished a year of scrapbooking about ourselves. Can't wait to see what Jan comes up with next year!

Have a great week and hope to see you at the store.

Pat

SO SORRY I'M LATE...

I really did mean to have this posted on Monday but the days have slipped right past me!

Without delay... here they are!

This is Lisa's fabulous layout...



Here's Sandra's layout...



Love that one...

Here is Denise's layout of her sketch!



WOWEE ladies, you blew me away!

I'd really like if more people played along...
As for voting, since there were only 2 submissions, I have a prize for both of you. You can pick it up at the store after Tuesday!

Thanks so much for playing along!

I'm thinking that i'm going to switch it up and give you a little more time (me too) to get your layout done and emailed to me...
Keep an eye out for our next one!

I hope you are having a great week...
We have some awesome new goodies in the store...

1. October Afternoon... yes you heard that right!
2. Some new prima flowers and raja centers
3. Maya Road
4. Hambly
5. Scrapbook Trends magazine
6. Creating Keepsake Magazine
7. Cosmo Cricket... yes it rocks!

Make sure you stop by and check it all out!

Sheri

PHOTO WALK

So our photo walk is on! We will all be meeting at 12:00 noon at the Praire Garden Pumpkin Farm. There is a map on our website! If you are late just let them know you are part of our group and you will get the discounted rate. This is a family event so if you want to bring your kids and husbands you are welcome to do so. It might be chilly so make sure you bundle up and wear comfortable footwear. Don't forget you're spending the day in the country!

Food and beverages are available if you choose to eat there! Kids can also dress up as it is a Halloween event!

Hope to see you all there!

Pat

SORRY FOR THE DELAY...

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all had a fabulous and yummy Thanksgiving weekend! I also hope you stayed comfy and warm!

I know I am a day late with this post but yesterday was a holiday and we JUST got back from winter camping for the weekend in Jasper!

I'm not sure if our biweekly challenges are a hit, but I'm hoping this is just the start of something wonderful! We had 3 awesome layouts submitted for our weekly challenge but NO VOTES! Seriously, these layouts were awesome so I am hoping that todays challenge will have MORE submissions and MORE comments/votes....

Courtesy of the amazing Denise, we have a page sketch. If you don't know what a sketch is, basically it is an outline/guideline for your page... you can find out & check out more sketches here! You can switch it, flip it, turn it, bend it but you need to use the sketch as inspiration and general guidline for the layout of your page! YOu have until Monday the 19th to email me a picture of your layout... email it to colautti@telus.net
I'm hoping I can convince some of the amazingly talented girls at the store to play along, too!





As well, our monthly photowalk is this Sunday. If you plan on attending with or without your family, please email me and let me know so that I can add you to the list so that you get a discounted admission rate! If you have any questions about this you can email me or give us a call at the store...

I am off to warm up, unpack and start laundry!

Have a great week!

Sheri

OCTOBER PHOTO WALK

Okay, so here are the details!

WHO: You and your family... friends
WHAT: Photowalk with fun Urban Girls, hang out at the farm, cornmaze, petting zoo, yummy food and so much more! (Check out the website to see what's there!)
WHEN: Sunday, October 18th (2009) 10am - 5pm (You are free to leave whenever you like!)
WHERE: Prairie Gardens

The group cost is $8.00/per person if you let us know before hand that you are coming. Otherwise they will charge you $9.75/person at the gate. This is a family friendly event, so feel free to bring your spouses, children, whomever you choose. Those that are 2 and under are free. Please email Sheri at colautti@telus.net and let her know who's coming... that way you get in for the group rate. Go here
to sign up and get a $5 off coupon.

You can find a map on the Prairie Gardens website.

We have reserved a campfire site so anytime after 2 you can meet us at the campsite and if you bring along marshmallows or hotdogs, you can roast whatever you wish... condiments will not be supplied so if you plan on picnicing (is that a word?) with us bring whatever you wish. There is also a concession there! This is a great photo op and it's a lot of fun!

If it's chilly, dress warm! If the weather is questionable, check back here to see if it's a go!

If you have any questions or to let us know you'll be there, email Sheri at colautti@telus.net

It is sure to be a lot of fun!