Got Scraps??

The other day when I was going through my large bin of scrap papers.. I was totally amazed at all the paper scraps in there that I still really really like. Although I cant resist wanting all the new latest and greatest goodies to hit the shelves, I really do try to use the older things.. because I still really like so many of them.   This week I have taken that to a new level. lol  You'll understand as you read further down in the post.  

First I'll start by sharing one of the projects I did using Tattered Angels Products this month.  The frame is from the Postage Stamp Framed Fonts.  The cat is a stamp from the Halloween stamp set. I stamped it on black cardstock and embossed it with gold embossing powder. I added part of one of the calling cards from TA, to the back of the frame along with some old book print, and filled it with crystal lacquer. The color of Glimmer Mist I used on the chipboard frame was Harvest Orange.

The wood plaque below originally said "welcome" on it..but was on a clearance table for $2.77 at Hobby Lobby.  It's nice and sturdy.. so it was great to alter.   Here's where the use of random paper scraps started to kick in again. lol    The chipboard frames and letters are Regal Framed Fonts from Tattered Angels.

If you have never used Tattered Angels embossed Chipboard pieces.. you will love them. Give them a try. See how you can rub your ink pad over them to really bring out the embossed design on them?  Beautiful!

If that isn't enough.. they are all self adhesive on the backs. Easy Peasy!

Just had to toss in another photo.   These are some of my new mums for the front porch.

After I did the wreath last week that I gave to mom.. I decided to dig through my paper scraps bin(ONCE AGAIN), and make some pinwheel flowers for the weath I alread had up.  Although my wreath is outside on the front of the house.. it's under the long front porch.. so I'm not to worried about rain ect ruining it. I used pieces of fine wire to attach the pinwheels to the wreath. so I can remove them before storing the wreath  away easily.    Since I don't have much time into them and I just used paper scraps, I might  just discard them at the end of season anyway.  I'll just change it up with something different next year.

Scraps ,Scraps and more Scraps.  Here's where I got a little nuts. lol   I decided while I had the scraps out and my Wizard out .. I'd just CUT and CUT.. so I did.   I have been wanting to make some things to send to loved ones anyway.. so I just went to down.   Each one is just a little different from the other.

If your anything like me.. if you have lots of random papers , you probably have lots of random Chipboard letters right? lol... So I dug those out and used them also.

Some I used gems, others glitter, buttons , stamps, ect.  I like to make more than one of something if I can change it up enough to keep it interesting.  This was super relaxing, I just worked on them while I was watching (listening) to TV.

I have them all finished and mailed off already.

I am really enjoying this cooler weather.  Like I said the other day, I have been spending more time in the kitchen.. cooking , (and baking a little too), to put some things in the freezer.

I mentioned the other day that a had made Chicken Tortilla Casserole. Some of you can asked me to share the recipe.  My sis gave me this recipe years ago, and I've made it time and time again.  It's so easy to make and one of those casseroles that is perfect because you can make it ahead.  I can tell you one thing, It was great when we had to teenage boys living at home. ( I always made a double batch. It freezes well)   I serve it with shredded lettuce, salsa and sourcream. (black olives on top of casserole optional).. for my family.. YES to black olives.  

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1 (4-ounce can) diced mild green chilies

 (I like to add a Tablespoon of Cilantro also)
1 small onion, diced
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 dozen 12-inch flour tortillas

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
   Combine the soups, chicken, green chilies, onion and sour cream in a medium size bowl. Set aside.
2. Stack and cut tortillas into bite size pieces and layer 1/3 onto the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking dish. Layer chicken mixture on top, then a layer of cheddar cheese. Repeat two additional times, ending with cheese on the top layer.
3. Bake for 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Allow to set for 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.


When I went to make banana muffins, for some reason couldn't find my usual recipe in my recipe box.. so I tried a new one. SO easy and you don't even need to get out the mixer.  I was really happy with them. I think I like them even better than my regular recipe.  Thought I'd share that one also. here you go

 Banana Bread Recipe

Ingredients
3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted butter
...1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

 No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

(I do mine as muffins. I sprinkle a bit of cinn and sugar mixture on top and a few walnuts to the batter and the top of the muffins)

Yes.. it's defiantly FALL!  Bake some muffins and have a cup of cider and your set. lol

**  My neice Kiley and I are going to see my favorite band play tonght.  Yep.. their tour has brought them to NE once again. lol It's usually twice a year that they have shows in Omaha(summer and winter) ..but now they are doing one extra.. in Lincoln.  hmmm.. can you guess the band ? lol **

New little mini album

I put together a new little mini album using two of my most favorite new Crafty Secrets goodies.  The album is from Maya Road. I think this "Album" image is SO beautiful! I couldnt wait to  use it. 

Vintage Photo double sided Creative Scraps
The new double sided Vintage photo scraps have great vintage photos with journal spots and also word confetti saying that you can use with the photos.   But... I  decided to use vintage family photos to create this little album, and use the journaling spots with them.

When I was finished with my little album.. I still had LOTS of vintage photos from the sheet , along with the sayings and the journal blocks for use on other projects.

Artsy Banner Clear Art stamps
After paining my chipboard album pieces , I used this .. oh so YUMMY... stamp set to stamp over the painted chipboard for great background designs.

The set is so fun and versital... I seem to just keep reaching for it.  There is no doubt it's one of my very favorites. The pennants or scallop would be enough to make me happy..but the script, print and music stamps... just make it my ultimate fave.  Toss in the other fun elements to this set.. and you can why I'm giddy about it. lol

have I mentioned how much i love this stamp set? lol

If you look at the set you can see this fun little stamp in the set.  Well I decided to use it as a sort of ribbon holder, by punching a small hole in each to run the ribbon through.  Kind of a fun different way to use it.

I obviously still have my journaling to add to the pages.. but I love that I have the jounaling spots with lines for that.

I added very little patterned paper to this project. Between the decorative pieces on the  journal spots, and the different stamps, I felt like there was enough interest.

I kept the embellishments minimal, as to not take away from the photos.

I'm thinking this would be a fun class?? hmmmm...

Hope everyone is having a great start to the week.   I am enjoying the cooler weather..just not the headaches I've been waiting up with everyday since the temperature change.   Here's hoping my sinuses let up here soon.. because it's getting old.  
The sun has been shining so I'm so thankful for that.  I went in yesterday and took the wreath from my last post to my mom, for a little "fall" decor for her to enjoy. We had lunch and chatted the afternoon away.  Sometimes it's nice to just slow down and enjoy the little things.
I've also been spending a little more time in the kitchen cooking and getting some things put into the freezer. There is something about the cooler weather that just makes me want to cook and bake for some reason. Maybe because I dont like to turn the oven on much on hot summer days.. so I miss that. Having some things in the freezer is always nice, so that you can just pull out when your short on time and in a pinch.  I was going to make lasagna for dinner and make an extra to put in the freezer.  I ended up making four large pans.. so I could take one  to Kate and Jarad and send another home with Wes.  When I make someting like that, I always make a little one for mom also.  So there was some serious lasagna making .. going on around here.
Today I made my sister donnas Chicken Tortilla casserole ( and one for the freezer). And my favorite chicken salad with wild rice and red grapes. Oh.. and I baked some banana nut muffins with those ripe bananas that have been staring at me.   My friend Becky is going to take a new head shot for me tomorrow. We are meeting at her loft studio at lunch time so.. I told her I'd pick up at salad or something for us  but now I'm thinking I'll bring Chicken salad and muffins. ( someone to enjoy it with me.. since it's I guess it's not "manly" enough for Dan. lol  He's  a meat and pototes sorta guy).
Becky is an amazing photographer. You can see her work here "Becky Novacek Photography" on her website. So inspiring!

Hope all of you enjoy your day.. and remember.....

A chill in the air

No doubt at all that "Fall" has arrived here.  Chilly Chilly ~!   I have been working on  "fallish" projects all week.. so I have alot to share over the next few days.

Today when I was digging around out the the garage, going through the fall bin of decorating stuff.. I ran across one of my wreaths. Bad thing is.. it was totally smashed and falling apart.  Not that it was anything expensive at all .but when I went to throw it away, I had second thoughts about throwing away the plastic round foundation.  Yes.. we are back to the same issue ... I never want to throw things away.. because I'm sure I'll use it sometime. lol  That's why I have too much junk!   Well, anyway... this time.. I really DID put it to use. The wreath  foundation .. my glue gun, some paper scraps, ribbon, buttons, and a few random pieces of an old fall garland.. .. and I have a "recycled wreath" lol

I used the leaves that had fallen off the wreath to make a garland for my old window frame on the deck.

Some left over paper scraps .. I had dug out while making the wreath.. made a pennant banner for my mirror by the front door.  I like it plain.. it really shows off the pretty patterned  papers.  Sometimes I'm all about "detail" ..but sometimes... less is more.  Sweet and Simple.

Okay.. so this sign might be a little cheesy..but hey..   Dollar store. For $1 the price was totally right! lol

See my little clock face I got at Junk Bonanza?  I didn't really  have a plan for it when I got it .. it just called to me.  I just love the look of it.  I hung it around  this vase on the table.  I'll just enjoy it.

Although is was chilly today.. the rain stopped and the sun came out.. yay!  The dogs played in the yard while I put out the fall stuff.   I had been really watching them when they were out the past few days.. because Dan said there was a kitten hanging around while I was gone last week.  I was worried about them chasing it if they saw it.( okay.. not so much about them "chasing" it.. more about them "catching" it).  They have never really been around cats..but if  they react anything like they do towards squirrels or rabbits.. It wouldn't be good.  I would have to go to therapy over that one.  Fortunately I haven't seen it around at all since I've been back.   So many times people bring animals just out of town here. and dump them out. I just don't get that. How can people do that?  ( bad subject with me).

Anyway.... before the end of the day.. both these little darlings had baths.   You have NO idea what a draining experience that is. We ALL needed naps after that. lol 
Molly just hears me me preparing her bath and she is on a mission to HIDE!  She is almost 70lbs.. so its' not like I can just go scoop her up and put her in.  It's an ordeal!
Aly.. on the other hand... just does as she is told.. and gets in. ( although she doesn't like baths either).. she is just that obedient.    Molly.. well , lets just say, she has a mind of her own. lol

But... she's still adorable huh?   Here they are all clean and sparkly .. sporting their new fall scarves.

I have a trick for getting them to look at me when I take a photo.. it's called.. "Look at the Carrot" .. lol
Their favorite treat.   You can just see them looking at it now, cant you? haha 
I kind of took all the charm  out of the darling photos now that you know they were just waiting for a treat.. didnt I?? lol

Have a Fantastic Day!!!

Junk Bonanza

Finally I got my photos transferred from my laptop to this computer and sized so I could share them.  I just randomly took photos while we walked and looked..but of course my focus was on LOOKING. I had to remind myself to take photos now and then. lol      Junk Bonanza

Carol and Heather picked my up early Saturday morning and off we went. I was so excited because it wasn't something we had planned on doing, but when I found out my classes that day didn't start until 1pm.. it was just too tempting.  It was just a fantastic morning..... couldn't have been better.   Carol was such a trooper.. just wanting to show us a good time.. when she isn't really even into "vintage".   It was such an interesting place... she even said she really enjoyed all there was to look at. (and of course .. we were all just happy to be able to spend some time together. Usually when we see each other at Trade shows.. there just isn't time for more than a little chat, and a hug.  It's just such a busy time.  To get to have this much time .. was so great!

  I loved the old wheels on the wall with vintage photos clipped on them in this booth.  I cant help but laugh when I see things like this .. that I think are so cool and unique.. wondering what the look on my mothers face would be. lol   She thinks stuff like this is so silly. lol    To me.. it's "silly" too..but in an AWESOME way! lol

 Cool~!!!!

So many different, unique and interesting things going on as you walk from booth to booth.

 Different Color combos, fabrics, textures, .... just about enough to put me into creative inspiration overload! ahhhhhh... so good!

The only things I wish could have been different about this day.  More TIME, a  UHAUL and tons of Money!! lol   

 I was so inspired by some of the things I saw.. I was just wishing .. at the end of the day, that I could just go home.. create, rearrange, and decorate. 

So many beautiful and unique things to look at... and the display ideas people come up with .. just blow me away.  There are some real "creative thinkers" our there.  The displays were just amazing!

 Here we are.... lol

I didn't get alot.. just some small things.. since I only had (part) of a suitcase for space.   That big Red "V" was one of my favorite things.  I had planned to put it up above my kitchen cupboard in the soffit area..but tried it today and it's too tall. I'll have to re-think  where it will go now..but I do love it.

I can not wait to alter that book with the hole cut out of it.  I'm also excited about the decorative towels I found. They will be great for my wooden spool fairies.  Those different heights of old bed springs were displayed with gourds sitting on them.. and also holding peat moss cups growing herbs.   Can you see those small metal film reels?  wooden needle holders, ephemera, clock face  ect...   just random fun stuff  ( fun to ME anyway.. my mom would be laughing at my purchases.. thinking "what in the world are you going to do with that junk? ) lol

So the saying goes.. "One mans trash is another mans treasure"  right?  lol

It was a super fun day!!

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I wanted to get these photos posted like I had promised...but I'll be back tomorrow with a project to share.  I have been totally in the mood to create. I love it when that happens.. and your just excited to start a new project the minute you finish one.  

Until tomorrow....

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Back from Scrapfest

Wow... seems like that time just flew by! Scrapfest was a great time!  I was so lucky to have those fantastic guest bloggers here while I was gone.  Each post was so fun to look at and read. I'm so blessed by the amazing friends I've made through paper Crafting and Blogging. Huge thanks to Jane, Elly and Traci.

If you missed their posts...just scroll down a bit to see them.

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 I have lots of photos to share over the next few days..but first I'll share something fun I did with some old glass jars and containers..using the NEW "Vintage Photo" Creative Scraps from Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage.   I am SO loving these!

All of the Creative Scraps are now "Double Sided". I've shown you the charms I made using  images from various  Creative Scraps.  Well, with the Vintage Photo Creative Scraps the other side has these very cool label and journaling pieces.  You know I love organizing... and the only thing I love more than organizing, is CUTE organizing! lol  I have bunches of old glass containers that I pick up when ever I see them.  I love using them for storage of little goodies for my studio.  I ran the labels through my printer and ... ta da!  Super easy!

You sure don't have to use vintage glass.. any glass jars will work great.  Recycle and Re purpose! Even better!    I used images on the other two containers.  The big bottle to the right I wanted to set in the downstairs bathroom.. and I wanted to use the image of the people swimming in the ocean.  I love the simple look of it.. and decided not to add any other embellishments.  On the other jar with the lid.. I added Ribbon, vintage buttons , gems ,and a star.

Super cute image and saying huh?  A star hanging from this jar... was a MUST! lol

I really like the simple look of this one.

The labels stay on great .. just use  a tacky tape or any strong double sided tape... and get it as close to the edge as possible.

And of course.. more Fancy Pants Charms done using these New Creative Scraps. I added keys and other charms to them (I just had to put them behind .. so you could see the image clearly).
I also cant get enough of these yummy ribbons from Creative Impressions!

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ScrapFest was Great!  I taught 8 classes over three days at ScrapFest for Fancy Pants Designs. All the classes were full.. (thanks to the beautiful projects Jodi (owner) created for the classes)  One was a mini album and the other a two page layout.   6 of the classes were 30+ people, and the last two were close to 60 each.   There was some serious Fancy Pants "Creating" going on!! lol 

                                                                                   

Here is one of the classes on the first day. Great bunch of ladies ..eager to CREATE!

Dan and I during class. He and Brian were set up upstairs by Archivers..but he came down before the end of each of my classes to tell the girls about the fun deals they had going on up there.

In between classes I  had a chance to chat with friends a bit. Here is Wendy ( owner of Tattered Angles), Rachel (also from TA) , and I ... having a little photo opp. lol

Getting to see my friends is always the highlight of shows. This time the show was in the home down of my friends Carol Halverson, Heather Nichols, and Lisa Zappa.. so they "took care of me". lol Seriously... they were fantastic to me! I have to get my photos off my lap top... and I'll be able to share photos of them... and the fun time we had at JUNK BONANZA!!! Woo Hoo... yes you heard me right.  It was AMAZING!  Photos coming!!

The last night.. after the show.. I met with these girls for dinner and some LAUGHS.   Wendy Senger ( TA owner), Kelly Goree, ( and not in this photo.. Cari Fennell, and Sharon Laakkonen ).      Great fun!

The pups are not leaving my side..they are glad their momma is home. lol   Every time I turn around the look at Aly she looks up at me and instantly starts wagging her tail. lol     

I have a bunch of project to share and I can wait to show you photos from Junk Bonanza!  So off I go to transfer photos.  Back soon to share.

Miss you all! Feels good to be back.

ps.  I have been wanting to change my blog a bit to make it easier to read and a bit of a cleaner design, without changing my header.  I'm hoping it's viewing okay for everyone and that it's loading quick enough. If you are having any problems viewing or loading..please shoot me an email would you?
vickichrisman@hotmail.com   Thanks so much!