Friday, July 31, 2009

Scallop edges

I love the look of scalloped edges on a page! Do you use them often? Sometimes I use pre-made papers with this type of edging. Sometimes I trace the ones I have like templates and cut out new ones on my own paper. And sometimes I use edge punches to create the look. Here are some pages by the design team using scallops.

Layout by Stacey Lokovic


Layout by Jayne Jones

Layout by Stacey Curry

I hope this inspires you to use scallops on your pages! Have a great day!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Add a little bling...

Today, I thought I would share an easy way to add a little sparkle to your projects without messing with glue. This is also a fun way to re-purpose adhesive backed items :)

Just gather your supplies:
A paper plate or craft paper (to catch extra glitter)
glitter
tweezers (optional)
adhesive back item

Peel off the sheet that protects the adhesive and place the item sticky side up on your craft paper.

Sprinkle with plenty of glitter :) And shake off excess.
You are left with a glittery embellishment! Easy!

Here I did it with old stickers to give them new life:


This is my favorite - felt fusion really takes the glitter well!


Hope you have a crafty day! :)

Monday, July 27, 2009

Parmesan Pancetta Pasta

I just made this one up last week......so good. Even the kids loved it.

Ingredients:
2 - 6 ounce packages of pancetta, cut up into small pieces
2 Tbsp butter
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 cup yogurt
1 can chicken broth
1/2 c. to 1 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 box pasta of choice (I used bow ties) cooked as directed

Cook minced garlic in butter and add pancetta cook for 5 minutes, add chicken broth and yogurt - mix well - don't boil or yogurt will curdle. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss with pasta. Mix in Parmesan cheese. Serve warm and enjoy!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Photography tips

Here's a site I found that has a TON of photography tutorials and tips. I need to really explore it one of these days to learn how to use my camera features and take better pictures. I hope you find it useful!!
http://www.geofflawrence.com/index.htm

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Mom stuff

Here's a great site for all of you moms out there. I love the variety of article topics, the ideas and resources on there. Check it out if you get a few extra minutes.
http://www.momadvice.com/index.aspx

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Featured Scrapper

Just wanted to take a few moments to introduce Cynthia Michalski. She is a HUGE Feeling Scrappy Sketchapalooza fan. Thanks for spreading the word about us Cyn!!



How and when did you first start scrapbooking?

I started scrapbooking in 2002, just after we moved to Georgia from Canada. We didn't have cable, internet or anything because the neighbourhood was new and they hadn't gotten to our lot yet. I was unpacking and saw a lot of photos sitting in shoe boxes. At the time, I didn't know where to start and just started working on putting pictures together. Those pages are still in my books, but man, they are ROUGH!!! LOL

What is the most important aspect to scrapbooking to you?

The most important aspect for me is remembering the moment - it's all in the pictures and the journaling. I write my journaling like I am speaking to you or telling you a story.

What are your favorite pages to work on?

I would have to say my favourite layouts are the ones dealing with my family and also my scrapbooking retreat pages.

What if anything do you find hard to scrap?

I am having a really hard time with my Wedding Album. I have a few layouts done for it (see the above sketch - black and white one) and I can't seem to bite the bullet to get it started and finished. We celebrate our 10 year anniversary in September and I just keep thinking..."Cyn, you gotta get this album done for that anniversary!" I am just having such a hard time with it.

What kind of camera do you use? Do you love it or hate it?

I have a Canon G9 and I really like it. It is a heavier camera and I like that it is still a point and shoot. One day, I want to invest in a Digital SLR - a CANON of course. I am a Canon Girl.

What do you enjoy most about scrapbooking?

There are so many things I love about scrapbooking - especially the "creating" part of it all. But, probably the top thing I love is the Scrapbooking Retreats I have attended and the people I have met.
I have been to a bunch (the girls know me as the "Retreat Madame") and I even plan two retreats a year up at Camp Skyline in Mentone Alabama. I love to socialize, hang out and just scrapbook with people who love it too! Scrapbookers love to tell their stories and I love to look at people's layouts to get ideas and inspiration. Now, there is one more thing I love about scrapbooking.....ENABLING! I have been the one at the retreat who has taught a "newbie" how to use a cricut and the minute they go home, they get one. Or teach someone how to use ribbon or brads or eyelets or primas on a layout.

Tell us a little about your family.

Ben and I have been together for 13 years, married for 10 in September. We were both born and raised in Ontario, Canada. We relocated to Georgia in September 2002 and have been here ever since. Our son, Nathan, will be 5 on August 16th and starting Kindergarten. He is our pride and joy! The majority of my layouts are of him. He is so smart and he comes up with the funniest things. I am 6 1/2 months pregnant with a little girl who is "scheduled" to be delivered on the 16th of October. We don't have a name for her yet because we can't agree on one. We also have 2 Himalayan Cats - Mowgli and Yoda and 2 Dogs - Molson and Lady.

Tell us about the things outside of scrapbooking that you enjoy.

My main hobby is scrapbooking. I am not sure that I could afford to do anything else! Ha ha ha!
Seriously though, I am an avid reader. I have really gotten into the Twilight Saga, The Sookie Stackhouse Chronicles and the House of Night Series (vampires). But I am also a sucker for anything written by Nicholas Sparks, JK Rowling, Maeve Binchy, Jennifer Weiner. I am also a certified personal trainer/aerobics instructor....sometimes I enjoy working out, sometimes I don't...just like anyone really.

Tell us something about yourself that your Feeling Scrappy friends do not know.

I get really grumpy and irritable when I am hungry or tired. Once I get there, it is hard to get me out of that "funk".
I also get grumpy when I haven't had any "Cyn" time and luckily, Ben understands this and is very supportive about it.


Now on to her favorite layouts - and here is what she had to say about them:

"I have too many favourite layouts....I couldn't choose just 2
Funny thing: They were all Feeling Scrappy SKETCHAPALOOZA Sketches!!! See? This is why I will be a "Forever student" of Feeling Scrappy!"

Ahhhh thanks Cyn!




Monday, July 20, 2009

Focaccia Bread

I made this for the first time the other night and we ate all of it! Sooo tasty. I think this is my new staple to fix with pasta instead of breadsticks (until I start counting calories again and try to lose the baby weight that is!). This would also make a great appetizer with some dipping sauce. I adapted this a bit from a recipe I found in a Pampered Chef book. Here's my version:

Focaccia Bread


1 package pizza crust (I made my own but store bought would work fine.)
Olive oil (a few tsp maybe)
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup grated parmesan (or romano)
2 cups shredded mozzarella
2 tsp dried oregano
1-2 tomatoes, sliced thin

Directions:
1. Roll out your dough on a cookie sheet or baking stone. The shape doesn't really matter a whole lot.
2. Brush the dough with a little olive oil.
3. Spread the finely minced garlic around the bread.
4. Sprinkle half of the parmesan, half of the mozzarella and half of the oregano on top of garlic. 5. Add the tomatoes. I would have liked more on mine but I only had one small tomato.
6. Add the rest of the mozzarella and oregano on top of the tomatoes. Finally, sprinkle the rest of parmesan on top of it all.
7. Bake for about 20 minutes at 375 or until it is nicely browned to your taste. (It will depend on your oven and how thick you roll the dough.) Slice and serve.


Sunday, July 19, 2009

Homemade Ice Cream

Want to keep your kids busy on a hot July day? Just try one of these recipes for making ice cream that do not require an ice cream maker :)

Ice Cream Making for Kids

or A more grown up way :)

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Time for Ice Cream!

Is it getting hot out there? My kids have been having ice cream treats like crazy but none taste better then the unexpected ones they get when the ice cream truck comes down the street playing music! So much summer fun! Hope you enjoy an ice cream treat and the sites I will share with you today.

This site has a little history of the ice cream man and some yummy recipes:
Ice Cream Man

How about an ode to the ice cream truck
New York Public Library

How about some ice cream truck jingles?
Jingle Downloads

Friday, July 17, 2009

Circles, Circles, Everywhere Circles

I love circle accents on pages and cards. They are just such fun. And there are so many tools around to get these great shapes - punches, die cutting machines, circle cutters, tracing around lids and bowls and using scissors.....

Here are a few layouts to get you thinking in circles.

Jayne's Layout:



Stacey C's Layout:



Stacey L's Layout:



Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Stained glass effect-how-to

Here's a fun idea for something different. You can create a sort of stained glass effect using scrappy supplies you might already have at home.
Supplies:
Transparency
Stamp
Stayz-on in pad
Diamond Glaze, Crystal Effects or Glossy Accents
Reinkers or alcohol inks
Toothpicks
Small paint brush

Directions:
1. Stamp your image onto your transparency using Stayz-on ink.

2. Mix some glaze and ink on a scratch piece of paper. You can create as many different colors as you would like! Use a toothpick or something else to mix them up.

3. Paint your image with the colored glaze and allow to dry.

4. Cut out the front panel on a card or other project and adhere. Finish your project as desired.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Fun at home!



Staying close to home this summer? How about jazzing up a weekend at home - have a "staycation"!

Here are some fun ideas:

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/my-home/staycation-0609?click=main_sr

http://www.bhg.com/health-family/activities/seasonal/staycation/

I can't wait to do a camp out in the back yard - complete with smores and ghost stories. Our kids are pretty excited too! :)

If you have any ideas that aren't posted here please do share in the comments section. I'd love to keep a list of fun ideas to keep the kiddoes and myself happily occupied for the rest of the summer! :)

Enjoy!!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Travel Ideas and Tips

Hope you all are enjoying your summers! Have you been traveling much? We have one family trip under our belt and one to go.

Here are a few sites with tips for easier travel and a few good ideas if you are in need of any:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/index.shtm

http://1000tips4trips.com/

http://www.countryliving.com/cooking/regional-foods-and-events/summer-vacation-ideas?click=main_sr

http://www.wholeliving.com/article/marthas-healthy-travel-tips?autonomy_kw=travel&rsc=header_1

Friday, July 10, 2009

Sketch and inspiration

Happy Friday! Here's one of my sketches for you. I hope it inspires you to get some scrapping done this weekend.



Here is my layout:


Jayne's page:


Stacey Curry's page:


I'd love to see your layout if you use this sketch...just link it in the comments on this post. Have a great day!!!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Southwestern Broccoli Slaw

While I was back home visiting my family my mom made a "new to us" salad for a BBQ. WOW! It was so good and SOOOOO easy. It will be a go to salad for us this summer! That's for sure!!! Hopefully for you too.

Ingredients:
1 bag Broccoli Slaw
1/2 bottle of Southwestern Ranch Dressing

Combine the two ingredients and mix well, refrigerate until ready to serve. Good with a little crunch on top - try broken up Frito's or corn chips.

Enjoy!!


Sunday, July 5, 2009

Summer treats

We have been enjoying the warm weather but we've also needed something to help cool us down. One easy thing we do is make our own popsicles with fruit juice using store bought molds. The kids also love fruit smoothies. We use frozen fruit such as strawberries, blueberries and bananas and blend them up with some apple juice.

We also made some frozen banana pops for a special treat this weekend.


We used regular old chocolate, nuts and sprinkles for ours, but here are some variations-
http://www.sugoodsweets.com/blog/2005/09/frozen-banana-pops/
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/frugalrecipes/frozenbananas.htm
http://www.oprah.com/recipe/food/recipesbreakfast/20090227-tows-cat-yogurt-banana-pops
http://www.cajuncookingrecipes.com/cookingrecipes/2007/04/frozen-honey-banana-pops-recipe.html

Have fun finding new and yummy ways to cool off this summer. Enjoy!!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July!!!! I hope you are having a wonderful day with your family. To get my kids into the festive spirit, we made several kid friendly crafts and talked about the meaning of Independence Day. They had lots of fun!! If your young ones need a little something extra to keep busy today, I hope you'll consider trying some easy crafts with them.

Here are some of our Independence day goodies-

Here are a couple of sites that we used for ideas-
http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/july-4/index.html

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Time to Celebrate!

Tomorrow is the big summer holiday for most of us...which means celebrating with picnics, BBQs, fireworks, parades, pool parties, family and friends. Today we are sharing a few pages we have done of our family's 4th of July celebrations.

Jayne's layout:



Have a safe and happy Independence day tomorrow!