Santa Tag Freebies

This Lucky Seven family would like to wish each and everyone out there a very Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year! There is a rumor going around the man who delivers presents every Christmas has many, many helpers who help him get the job done. I've heard those helpers look a lot like Mommys and Daddys all over the world. Santa wants everyone to know that you are doing a great job and thanks for making his "job" look so easy.

And for a "Thank You" for all your hard work, here is a freebie this Christmas: Free Printable Santa Tags. Just download and print on card stock paper to go on all those presents that Santa "delivers."

Download Here: Santa Tags

Merry Christmas!

High Point Market 2015

Sooooo many people always ask, "What exactly does your husband do for a living?" When you tell people he works in the wholesale art industry, it's the very abridged answer. He does so much more then "just makes picture frames" for a living. In short he is like a general manager / production crew all-in-one. Other then painting of the actual artwork, Hunter does everything from start to finish for the company ArtZone. Basically his work week consists of pulling orders, building frames and mattes, fabricating all the framing for artwork, touching up all the artwork, boxing and packaging all the artwork, and delivery of artwork. So like I said, he is a one man show, from start to finish.

All of the orders from ArtZone come from the spring and fall markets. And then during market months (April and October) you can add the travel to and from High Point, North Carolina where the market crew goes to set up a whole new show room. ArtZone is partnered with the Natural Light lamp company so this show room is nothing but lamps and framed art. After market is over, Hunter goes back up to market for the "tear down" and I have had the privilege of going with him on this trip for the past few years. I LOVE seeing the market show room. It is really just beautiful, and you see all the hard work that was put into the past six months to bring such art and talent to fruition. 

I must admit, even before I went to market for the first time in 2008, I really didn't even understand exactly what Hunter did either. Since seeing is believing in some cases, I decided to record a show room walk through during my last visit.  Now, you as an audience can see exactly how BIG the market show room is and the scale of the art work that is created each year. 

So here are a few snapshots of the Fall 2015 Natural Light Market.

Till Next Time!

    

                                   

Yummy Chicken Pot Pie

Everyone who knows me knows how much I have loved my crock-pot over the years. This past Christmas my parents bought me a pressure cooker and I fell in love with what I have deemed "A crock pot on steroids!" I seriously love this thing! I especially love cooking chicken in it. Its great for chicken and Rice, chicken for enchiladas, pulled pork, carrots, potatoes....the list goes on and on!

So recently Hunter went out of town for work and we had some fall weather come through that made me want to make a Chicken Pot Pie. He is not a big fan of chicken pot pie, so I seemed like good timing to make one with him not here to eat it!  This pie turned out amazing and I used my pressure cooker for the chicken. This is a pretty straight forward recipe so I wanted to share it with Y'all. Even if you do not have a pressure cooker you can cook your chicken in your preferred method and add to pie.

Yummy Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients

• 2-3 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast (Cooked and Shredded)
• 1 Pkg refrigerated Pie Crust
• 1 Bag of Frozen Vegetable Mix
• 1 16 oz Cream of Chicken
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Sour Cream (optional)
• Chicken Broth (if not using a pressure Cooker)

Directions:
Preheat Oven 350 Degrees

For Pressure Cooker Chicken:

1. Place chicken in cooker on metal grate. 
2. Add about 1/2 cup water. I seasoned chicken with garlic powder, s&p, and cavenders. 
3. Lock cooker and set for HIGH pressure for 20 Minutes. 
4. When finished, take chicken out and shred. 
5. Save chicken broth in cooker to add to pie filling.

Pot Pie Filling:

1. On stove top, heat vegetable mix, cream of chicken, sour cream, and add broth from cooker (about 1 1/2 cups).  ***Note: You can make this without the sour cream, but I love food with rich flavor and this did it for me!
2. Add shredded chicken and cook until sauce thickens enough that it is not runny. 
3. Remember to grease pie pan and mold bottom pie crust in pie pan.
4. Add pie filling 
5. Cover with top pie crust. Round edges & cut center
6. Cook in oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees
7. Enjoy!

Hope this meal warms your hearts and bellies as much as it did for me and the girls!

Till Next Time, 

Lucky Scraps

Here is just a quick update on a few things we have been working on in the Lucky household. I am going to start listing some of my Lucky crafts on Etsy and Facebook for sale. First to load up are the Lucky Scraps Wreaths and Bow Holders. I will eventually add some of the other boutique items I will be selling such as pacifier clips, ribbon garlands, and handmade crib mobiles. Hopefully, after I set up over on Etsy I will have easy ordering and payment options.

The Lucky7s Studio portion will be party stationary and printables. That will take me a while to go through about eight years of files and parties to update and package for Etsy and home blog (so bear with ME as a I bear with chasing around the year and half year old =)

I am also going to be doing a few collegiate wreaths soon and will update as soon as I have more then just the Florida State beauty that I am keeping for myself ;)

Till Next Time,

Lucky Scraps: Handmade Ribbon Wreaths

Lucky Scraps: Bow Holders

Customized / Made to Order

Full Size 16x20      $15.00

Half Size 20x8       $10.00

Exciting New Page Coming Soon!

Month of the Karebear!

So our August became the month of all things Karabella, a.k.a the Karebear. Our sweet girl turned the big -5-!!! She got her OWN first pet. She even got her ears pierced!!! She also started at a new school and she became a kindergartner! So many B-I-G girl things happened for our little Karebear last month.

Kara's Island Beach Day Bash (5th Birthday)

For her birthday this year we had a "Beach Bash" at one of our family's most favorite places, Shell Island. It was simple and fun. All of our friends + their kids as well as the grandparents met out at our local spot at the Island. We had to move it back a day from when we originally planned it due to weather, but it turned out perfect. It was probably one of the most beautiful days of the whole year out there. We set up a small "party tent" and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs (which we do almost every weekend anyway!) Add some chips and drink, and our cupcake cake and you have a beach bash. So many kids and puddle jumpers in one spot at one time! Great day for a great girl!

Meet Tinkerbell, Kara's First Pet

Kara's birthday present from us this year was to grant her wish to get a new pet. We already have two dogs (and we were not getting another!) We tried the turtle thing, but Hunter brought home a snake (Lord Help us!) and took over the aquarium. And once the turtle quit hibernating it moved around alot...and we were having to clean the aquarium every day because it smelled nasty. Eventually Ralphie found a great little park near our home and was returned out to the wild. Checkers (the snake) unfortunately (for me) is still with us. Our home is like our own little farm! 

So Hunter and I did a little research and decided a guinea pig would be a great choice for Kara. Hunter also did some research on the best cage environment for guinea pigs and came across what is called a C&C Cage for guinea pig owners. One box of wire cube storage, some coreplast, zip ties, washable bed pads, and fleece fabric later....this was his creation! 

This thing is like a Taj Mahal for cavies (guinea pigs). Hunter built this about a week before we got the guinea pig, and I was so impressed at his thoughtfulness and thoroughness in making this not only for a new pet, but also for our daughter. He even had my mom teach him how to use a sewing machine so he could say he did everything himself. Our girls are so very blessed and {lucky} to have a father like him. 

So next we were off to the pet store. And this is who we found...

Kara named her (we think it is a female) Tinkerbell, but half the time we call it Piggy. She really is a doll. It has been about a month now and she has gotten accustomed to us. She loves to be scratched on her back. Her favorite thing ever is romaine lettuce and carrots. And if she hears you rummaging in the crispy veggie drawer of the fridge  or the sound of plastic being messed with she starts squealing/squeaking until you bring her some veggie snacks. 

Karabella Gets Her Ears Pierced

Karabella's other wish for her birthday was to get her ears pierced, and so this is what her Nonnie KK took her to do for her birthday. Her first set of ear rings are small gold dolphins with diamonds. When asked what kind of ear rings she wanted, she specifically said (I want them to have diamonds!). *Tears* A girl after her momma's heart.

Karabella the Kindergartner!

And finally the day arrived this year when the precious angel that made me a mommy took the walk to her first day of Kindergarten. I must say I was not emotional like some mothers are where they dread their children starting school. I was excited for this to happen. I was excited FOR KARA. She has been in daycare before and she went to VPK last year. She loves social interaction and she loves to learn. I was excited for my little girl to take another little step into a big world. I know she is destined for great things and has greatness inside her. I am excited to watch her grow into that greatness. I love you baby girl. 

Till next time, 

Katrina