Friday, April 18, 2014

Funday Friday Challenge #46

Welcome to another Funday Friday Challenge. This week's Challenge is:
“Sketch!”

Create a card, layout or project from this sketch!
 Our sponsors this week is:

StampArt Designs

Make sure to play along this week~you don’t want to miss a chance for a great prize!
 Starts: Friday, April 18th 12:00 AM (eastern time)
Ends: Friday, April 25th 6:00 PM (eastern time)
Here is what I created for this week's challenge:

 I colored in the digi image with my pastels and of course had to add some stickles for accent and a little bling! The sentiment is 3 Twenty Craft, Simple Sentiments. And the ribbon is actually two pieces of ribbon tied together (I really wasn't sure I was going to be able to pull off make a bow with two pieces...lol!). And I inked the edges of everything with some SU chocolate chip ink.

Make sure to stop by my DT sister's blogs to
check out what they made for this challenge.

  Well my friends, it is YOUR turn to show us what you can do for this challenge!
Just link up using our link up tool at the bottom of this post for your chance to win top 3 and get entered into our monthly prize drawing.

What do you need to do to enter? The rules are simple…
Challenge Rules
1. Please post a direct link to your card/project post that includes your
challenge, using the linky tool below.
2. Be sure to include a link back to our challenge
3. Three (3) entries per person and you must post a separate blog post for each entry.
4. All entries must be NEW and created for the current challenge.
5. You may combine with other challenges as long as
you link back to us in your post.
 * All entries that do not meet the challenge requirements will not be eligible for
the top 3 or random/monthly wins.
The monthly prize drawings will only be mailed within the US and Canada only
You have until April 25th at 6:00 PM (eastern) time to link up. All winners will be announced on Monday, Apri 28th.
Have fun and we look forwlard to seeing what you create!


Friday, April 11, 2014

Funday Friday Challenge #45 - Happy Easter!


Welcome to another Funday Friday Challenge. This week's Challenge is:
“Happy Easter!”

Create a card for Easter!
 Our sponsor this week is:

Bugaboo

Make sure to play along this week~you don’t want to miss a chance for a great prize!
 Starts: Friday, March 11th 12:00 AM (eastern time)
Ends: Friday, March 18th 6:00 PM (eastern time)

Here is what I created for this week's challenge:

Bugaboo has some really cute digi stamps. And they have Freebie Friday - a free digi stamp each week! Be sure to check them out. I choose this digi because I think I can use it for scrapbook layouts too. How cute would it be to show this little bunny leaving a trail of eggs behind??? I colored the digi in with my SU water color pencils. and then embossed the clouds afterwards. I did also add stickles to the sashes but I couldn't get the stickles to look good on with the scanner (and can't find my camera....).  And I layered the card with the matching cardstock. It's been a very busy, crazy week so this week's card is a quickie....but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. And a little tip, when I print out a digi stamp for a card front, I print the full page with four evenly spaced digis so I have four card fronts. I usually color them all at once, playing around with different color themes. I've only completed one card so far, but I now have three more fronts colored and ready to play around with when I have a few minutes...or when someone asks me for a last minute card. 

Make sure to stop by my DT sister's blogs to check out what they made for this challenge.

  Well my friends, it is YOUR turn to show us what you can do for this challenge!
Just link up using our link up tool at the bottom of this post for your chance to win top 3 and get entered into our monthly prize drawing.

What do you need to do to enter? The rules are simple…
Challenge Rules
1. Please post a direct link to your card/project post that includes your
challenge, using the linky tool below.
2. Be sure to include a link back to our challenge
3. Three (3) entries per person and you must post a separate blog post for each entry.
4. All entries must be NEW and created for the current challenge.
5. You may combine with other challenges as long as you
link back to us in your post.
 * All entries that do not meet the challenge requirements will not be eligible for
the top 3 or random/monthly wins.
The monthly prize drawings will only be mailed within the US and Canada only
You have until April 18th at 6:00 PM (eastern) time to link up.
All winners will be announced on Monday, April 21st.
Have fun and we look forward to seeing what you create!


Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Tasty Tuesday - Simple Garlic Hummus

I enjoy eating hummus with pita chips and with carrots. For me it makes both a great snack or a quick and tasty lunch. It's one of the easiest things to make. I always say I'm going to make my own...and now I do!


I did treat myself to a Nutra Bullet type machine - it was a special on Groupon. It's the Cuzen brand and seems to work very well for a fraction of the price. It makes little jobs like this so easy.

Here's the recipe straight from my Tastefully Simple blog:

Ingredients
16 oz. can garbanzo beans, drained (reserve 2 Tbsp. liquid)
2 Tbsp. Garlic Garlic™ 
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Juice from ½ a lemon
½ tsp. cumin

Directions
In a small bowl, combine liquid from beans, olive oil, Garlic Garlic and cumin. Place beans in blender or food processor; add lemon juice. Add seasoning mixture; blend on medium-high for about 30 seconds. Scrape sides of blender, move larger pieces or seasonings toward the middle. Blend again for about 10-15 seconds, or to desired consistency. Serve with pita chips or vegetables.

Tips and Hints
  • Try using the juice from a lime instead of a lemon just to mix up the flavors a bit.
  • You can use Roasted Garlic Infused Oil in place of extra virgin olive oil. It has amazing flavor, but remember garlic flavors linger a bit so be sure you’re a “garlic lover.”
  • Want it spicy? Try adding ¼-½ teaspoon Spicy Four-Pepper Dip Mix or Fiesta Party Dip Mix™.

I love to add the Garlic Garlic to mashed potatoes - instant or homemade. Just remember...a little goes a long way with the Tastefully Simple seasonings!

Enjoy!
Joyce

Friday, April 4, 2014

Funday Friday Challenge #44 - Anything Goes!

Here's a challenge I can't mess up....lol! 


Welcome to another Funday Friday Challenge. This week's Challenge is:
“Anything Goes!”
Create a card, layout or project of your choice!
 Our sponsor this week is:

Paper Nest Dolls

Make sure to play along this week~you don’t want to miss a chance for a great prize!
 Starts: Friday, April 4th 12:00 AM (central time)
Ends: Friday, April 11th 6:00 PM (central time)
Here is what I created for this week's challenge:
I choose "Popcorn Ellie" from Paper Nest Dolls to make this card. I just think the whole Ellie line is great...she's an adorable digi! After coloring her in with my Stampin' Up! water color pencils I layered her in the colors of her tights. The sentiment is from 3 Twenty Crafts Simple Sentiments stamp set. I embossed the card front, using the color of skirt to tie it all in together. I then added stickles to the popcorn bucket and her bow to give her a little bling...because we all need a little bling! 

Make sure to stop by my DT sister's blogs to check out what they made for this challenge.
  Well my friends, it is YOUR turn to show us what you can do for this challenge!
Just link up using our link up tool at the bottom of this post for your chance to win top 3 and get entered into our monthly prize drawing.

What do you need to do to enter? The rules are simple…
Challenge Rules
1. Please post a direct link to your card/project post that includes your challenge, using the linky tool below.
2. Be sure to include a link back to our challenge
3. Three (3) entries per person and you must post a separate blog post for each entry.
4. All entries must be NEW and created for the current challenge.
5. You may combine with other challenges as long as you link back to us in your post.
 * All entries that do not meet the challenge requirements will not be eligible for top 3 or random/monthly wins.
The monthly prize drawings will only be mailed within the US and Canada only
You have until April 11th at 6:00 PM (central) time to link up. All winners will be announced on Monday, April 14th.
Have fun and we look forward to seeing what you create! 

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Tasty Tuesday - Overnight French Toast

Who doesn't enjoy a hearty breakfast of french toast on the weekends? I found this great overnight french toast recipe on the Deals to Meals website. The recipe has some great recipes on it plus the site is a great way to save money on your grocery bill. I've been using it for probably close to a year now and have saved a lot on my grocery bill without sacrificing the products I like.


The recipe on the website calls for peaches. The first time I made it I didn't have any peaches in the house but had some blueberries and it was awesome! I think any fresh fruit you enjoy or even canned peaches would be delicious in this recipe. I've made this a few times already and each time it's just as good no matter what fruit I use - so use what's in season and enjoy. I am looking forward to strawberry season this year and having strawberry french toast.

Here's the recipe copied right from the Deals to Meals website...for me is was perfect "as is":

Overnight Peach French Toast

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter

Bring to a low boil and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until sugar is dissolved. Add 2 tablespoons of milk, let foam and remove from the stove. Pour into a 9x13 pan. In the bottom of the pan add:

2 cups sliced peaches (canned, bottled or fresh)

Spread the peaches on top of the butter/brown sugar. In a bowl, whisk together the following:

6 eggs
1/4 cup peach jam (optional)
1 1/2 cup milk
1 Tbls. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt

9-12 slices of french bread or white sandwich bread

Whisk until smooth. Lay french bread pieces evenly over the top of the peaches. Pour the egg mixture on top of the bread. Sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar (optional) and cover with tinfoil. Keep in the fridge overnight (or cook immediately) and then bake uncovered at 350 for 50-60 minutes, or until the center is cooked through and no longer soggy.


Enjoy!
Joyce

Tasty Tuesday - Italian Garlic Baked Salmon

Today's tasty dish is Italian Garlic Baked Salmon. I am trying to eat healthier by making better choices. One thing I have been trying to is cook fish once or twice a week. Here's a deliciously easy recipe for salmon. It's a great recipe to try if you don't cook fish much - an easy introduction to cooking fish.


And I just have to share how much I love the Italian Garlic Bread Seasoning. I keep some mixed up with butter in fridge so I can add a quick garlic bread side to any meal. But it's awesome to use anytime you want to add a delicious garlic Italian flavor to any dish.

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients
4 Tbsp. (½ stick) melted butter
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 tsp. grated lemon peel
4 (6-7 oz.) salmon fillets

Directions
Combine Italian Garlic Bread Seasoning and melted butter; stir to blend. In a shallow bowl, combine breadcrumbs, 3 tablespoons of the melted butter mixture and lemon peel; mix well. Place salmon skin side down in a greased baking dish. Brush with remaining butter mixture; cover with crumb mixture. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until salmon flakes easily with a fork. Makes 4 servings.

Tips and Hints
  • For individual servings, slice raw salmon into 4-6 ounce pieces. It's easy to do with a sharp knife.
  • This recipe is unbelievably easy and so good! So it's a great place to start if you don't have a lot of fish cooking confidence.
  • The recipe calls for 1 cup of fresh bread crumbs. But if you have some slightly stale bread (or hot dog or hamburger buns) you can toss them into a processor and you’re your own.
  • At serving time, squeeze, squeeze fresh lemon juice over each piece of salmon. This makes all the difference in the world, because it takes away any trace of "fishiness."
Enjoy!
Joyce

SMASH kit

I just wanted to quickly share part of a SMASH kit I finally finished putting together. I have a SMASH book...it has a lot of beautiful page...