Paper Doilies

Paper Doilies, #129399, $2.95

Anyone who know's me know's how much I love the BoHo, Chabby Chic' look.  These doilies sure do make life easier.  I have a ton of large doilies...but these smaller ones are really hard to find!  Here's a card we did for a class awhile back....

Naomi was our teacher at last months Inkslingers meeting...and we made these gorgeous envelope journals....I need to rebind mine...just realized my back cover is on backwards....

I love the BoHo look, not sure if I will keep this one or use it as a gift!!!!  Lots of pockets for lots of "things"!!

Cleaned off my desk and found some more mail box cards!!!

Thank You from Karen B.Love the embossing, and the flowers are so delicate!

Another Thank you from Karen B.  My favorite tree set!!!

And a Halloween card ...also from Karen B.  

And now, for a super, yummy salad recipe.....

Grilled Chicken Salad with Basil Dressing

1/2 C. pesto
3 Tbl. plain yogurt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 1/4 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/2 tsp.  Italian seasoning
8 C. mixed greens red onion, chopped
8 plum tomatoes, quartered
8-oz. mozzarella cheese, cubed
Preheat grill.  In a bowl, combine pesto, yogurt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper.  Rub chicken with 1/4 tsp pepper and Italian seasoning.  Grill over medium for 6 min, or until no longer pink.  Cool, slice.  In a mixing bowl, combine greens, onion, tomatoes, and cheese.  Add Chicken.  Toss with dressing and serve.  Wnjoy, an Bon Apetite!!!!

Thoughts & Prayers

Thoughts &; rayers, Wood # 113252, $25.95, Clear #127805, $18.95

It's a little hard to see this set...it's one of the ones that they did, using one block for 2 stamps....so it makes it a little hard...but I just love the tree and flower stamps in this set....it is a great Sympathy set....but also a great all around set!!!!  as you can see....this is a much loved set!

Here's an extra card I found that I had made up using stuff out of the Holiday Catalog...I think that is my all time favorite Catalog!!!! This may be next years Christmas card!!!!

Here are a few cards that we did as projects at Phyllis' this past month.  Love the Sesame Street ones!!!!  And they are just so dang easy!!!!

Been big into baking lately....I'm just not usually a pie person...but have made some killer ones lately!!!  Here is a really good Pecan Apple one....

Caramel-Pecan-Apple Pie

Crust

1 box refrigerated Pie crust , softened

Filling

6 C.  thinly sliced, peeled apples(@6 medium)

3/4 C. sugar

2 Tbl. all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 Tbl. lemon juice

Topping

1/3 C. caramel topping

2-4 Tbl. chopped pecans

1. Heat oven to 425 F. Make pie crust as directed on box for 2-crust pie using a 9" glass plate.
2. In large bowl, gently mix filling ingredients, spoon into crust.  Top with 2nd crust, seal edges and flute. Cut slits or shpes in severl places on top of pie.  Cover edge with 2-3" wite strips of foil, and femove during last 15 minutes.
3. Bake 40-45 min or until apples are tender and crust is brown.  Immediatly after removing pie from oven, drizzle caramel topping and sprinkle with pecans.  Cool at least 2 hours.  Enjoy and Bon Appetit!!!  

Thought I's show you the project I've been working on the past few weeks....

It was supposed to be larger...but first I couldn't find a piece of Aida cloth large enough without ordering it, and them after I got it all done, couldn't find a ling skinny frame big enough...so, thee is a whole section after the welcome, that I will have to make a paper weight out of.  I like the way  it came out! 

5/8" Flower Trim

5/8" Flower Trim  #126869, $6.95  2 yds.

I love this Flower Trim....use it on lots of cards and projects.  Great for the Vintage and Chabby Chic look.  You can change the color by either soaking the flowers in a dye bath of warm water and a few drops of our re-inkers, or make up a mixture of  a few drops of re-inker in one of the spritzers filled with alcohol, and sprits them(this is my favorite...colors are a little more vibrant!!!!)  You get a ton of flowers in 2 yards!!!!

Our theme for our Stamp Day get together was Spring, or Baby.....this is my project ...I love the embossed background!!!!

And here are some of the swap cards!  Love the Black and White theme!!!!  I'm totally lovin' the little elephant!

Made these Chicken Kebabs a while back....can't wait till we will be grillin' again full time!  I've been saving recipes all winter!!!!

Lime Chicken Kebabs with Mango Salsa

2 limes

1 1/2 C. diced mango

1/4 C. diced red bell pepper

2 sliced scallions

2 TBL. chopped cilantro

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. salt

1/2 stp. black pepper

3 Tbl. olive oil

6 boneless , skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

1 red onion cut into wedges

2 orange bell peppers cut into wedges

Preheat grill.  Squeeze juice from 1 lime , cut other into wedges.  In a bowl, mix mango, red bell pepper, scallions, cilantro, ginger, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp, pepper, and 1/2 Tbs. lime juice.  Refrigerate.  In a large bowl, stir 1 Tbl. lime juice, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp pepper. and olive oil.  Add chicken and marinate for 10 min.  Alternate chicken and vegetables on skewers.  Gill over medium for 10 minutes,  Serve with salsa and lime wedges.  Yummy!!!  Bon Apetite!!!  

Sweets for the Sweet

Sweets for the Sweet  Wood #122510 $25.95, Clear 122512 $18.95

Fun, summertimey set....love all the thing you can do with this!!!!  And now we have the Pinwheel die....goes with this so well!!!!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of spending time with a great group of ladies, as we stamped the day away.   WE get together once a month, I call them my power stampers!!!!  It was a snowey day so we stamped and ate....ate too much!!!!  Thanks Phyllis for hosting.  We usually do a swap...and this month's theme was Black and White.  Here is my card...you've seen it before...it was one of the ones I did in the Black & White Class a few months ago...but I love this card....so simple, but elegant!!!!  You can't pick up on the Big Shot embossing...in the scan....but it makes a very pretty card. 

Here are some of the cards I got as swaps...

Made this up the other night....sometimes, I just love having breakfast foods at dinner time....but these are good for b-fast also!!!! 

Breakfast Burrito

4 large eggs

1/2 lb. Chorizo Sausage , browned

1/4 C. green pepper

1/2 C. Cheddar Cheese

4 Tbls. Salsa

4 medium tortilla

Spray a fry pan with non stick spray and heat on medium burner.  Brown sausage and green pepper in skillet, drain excess grease.  Beat eggs with fork till fluffy, add eggs to sausage and peppers.  Stir gently until eggs are almost set, turn burner off.  Sprinkle cheese and salsa evenly on top of eggs, cover to melt cheese.  Evenly divide among 4 warm tortillas, roll and serve.  Enjoy, and Bon Apetite!!!!

Oval Collection Framelits Dies

Ovals Collection Framelits Die #129381, $26.95

I kept saying....Stampin' Up! needs to make an oval framelit die...and guess what....I think they heard me....because this one is great.  Not only for cutting out ovals....but it goes with many of our shapes in our stamp sets.....Thanks Stampin' Up!  

Finished up the sample cards for the Black & White and a Splash of Color Class next month.  It will be on Sunday, April 14 at 1:00.  Cost is $16.00 and we will make 5 cards with envelopes.  Love these cards!!!! 

These are the last of the stack of projects on my desk....I have a Technique Class tomorrow, and will post what we did after, along with my swap and project for Sunday's Stamp Day at Phyllis'.  The top card was done by Leatha, not sure who did the bottom one....but great cards!  Still have a basket full of projects on my desk....but I think it is under control now!!! 

I love dessert pizza's....and this one is yummy!!!!

Strawberrry Pizza

Crust:
2 sticks butter
1/2 C. powdered sugar
2 C. flour
Glaze:
1 pt. strawberrires
4 Tbl. cornstarch
4 Tbl. water
1 tsp. vanilla
1tsp. red color
1 C. sugar
Filling:
1 (8oz.) cream cheese
1 C. powdered sugar
90 oz. cool whip
Topping:
1 pt. strawberries, washed and sliced
Cool Whip
Crust:  Mix soft butter with flour and sugar until blended.  Pat into greased pan...14" with sides.
Prick with fork.  Bake 15-20 min, at 350. Cool
Glaze:  Blend or puree all.  Cook over medium heat till thick.  Cool
Filling:  Beat cram cheese and sugar.  Fold in Cool Whip.  Spread on crust.  Spread glaze.  Layer strawberries.  Top with Cool Whip.  Enjoy and Bon Apetite!!! 

Create a Cupcake

Create a Cupcake Wood # 121915 $22.95, Clear #121982 $16.95

This is a great set to have on hand....who doesn't have tons of birthday cards to send out!!!  I know I do with cousins, and Aunts and Uncles, and siblings, nephews and nieces, and children!!!!  There isn't a week that goes by that I don't send a b-day card!!!
 
These were the Seasonal Ornaments that we made in Class on Saturday...you missed a good one if you weren't here.  Next class will be on Sunday, April 14 at 1:00....Black and White and a Splash of Color.  I will post pictures as soon as I have all the proto's done!!!! This class is similar to the Black & White class I did last year....which was loads of fun!!!  Great cards!!!

Here's some cards that we did for the Stamper's 10 in March.....

 The Pinwheel card is such a fun card...and super easy!!!!

Steven and I have been trying to eat as healthy as possible as of late.  I did a craft fair last fall, and the booth next to me was a gal who had written a book on low carb cooking.  I bought it as that was where we were trying to go.  It is a great little book.  Breakfasts to me are boring...and I need them to be quick to make.  I'm not much of a smoothie person....but there are protein smoothies in the book that are great...and they stick with me till lunch!!!!  Here's the Strawberry one:

Fresh Fruit - Strawberry Smoothie

Place 4 large ice cubes in blender, blend on high till crushed.  Add 1/3C cold water, 1 scoop protein powder (I use vanilla Slim Fast), and 1/2 C. frozen Blueberries.  Blend on high for at least 2 minutes.  The longer you blend...the thicker it gets.....I like mine a bit thinner, so I usually add a little more water.  Enjoy, and Bon Apetite!!!

Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper

Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper #127540

                                                              

Those that know me, know I love paper...and this paper is just so special.  It is part of the Sale-a-Bration picks....and Sale-a-Bration ends on March 22....so you do need to get it now if you want it.  I have time to do one more evening workshop, or a book party, or you can place an order of $50 and get it free also!!! The paper is a great omen of Summer to come!!!  I just love it!!!!

Our theme for our swaps at last  month's Inkslingers was "Green"....and this was my swap....I love monochromatic cards....and we are doing it again this month with "Yellow".  Another fun card!!!!

Here are 4 more of the swap cards from Inkslingers....I love the variety!!!!  Theresa did the one in front, Carol's is on the left, and not sure who did the other 2.  But great cards!!! 

Here's another yummy pork recipe...very tender!!!!

Cuban Pork Roast

1 C. lime juice

1 C. orange juice

10 cloves garlic

4 tsp. gr. cumin

2 tsp. dried thyme

2 T. fresh cilantro, minced

4 bay leaves

1 (3 lb.) boneles pork roast

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

In a bowl combine juices, garlic, cumin, and herbs; mix well.  Pour half the marinade into a zip-lock type bag, add pork.  Seal bag and turn to coat, refrigerate for 2 hours.  Refrigerate remaining marinade.  Preheat oven to 350 F.  Drain and discard marinade from pork.  Place roast in an ungreased 9 X 3-inch baking dish.  Pour reserved marinade over roast, season with salt and pepper.  Cover and bake for 1 hour.  Uncover, baste with pan drippings.  Bake 15 minutes longer.  Discard bay leaves.  Let stand 15 minutes before slicing.  Enjoy, and Bon Apetite!!!!