10 Years Old and 2 new recipes

Last night we went over to my Sister's house for my Niece's birthday party.  Wow!  Kiana is 10 years old already!  At first when she opened the card from us, she was not too happy.  I'm not sure that you can see it in the picture, but her card had her 'fake' present in it.  It said, "you said you wanted a bean bag for your birthday, does this work?"  Inside I had put some poly beans in a tiny plastic bag and taped it inside her card.  Let's just say she was a little bummed.  Then I told her to go down into the entryway to get her real present.  We did get her the bean bag chair she wanted.  It was so big, she needed help getting it up the stairs!  I think she liked it!  I know it's not your birthday until Friday, but Happy Birthday, Kiana!  We love you!

Since I had my 9x9 recipe album out to add my new recipe layouts, I was looking through and found this recipe for BLT Dip.  It sounded so yummy - and lucky for me I was headed to that birthday party.  I whipped up a batch and brought it with.  It was yummy!  As you can see, I served it with some Triscuits.  So easy...just my style!

BLT Dip

8 oz. sour cream
1 cup Miracle Whip
1 shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup chopped tomatoes
green onions for garnish
Mix all ingredients together.  Refrigerate overnight.

Now, I also have another recipe to share with you.  At Kiana's birthday party was this salad.  What do you think is in it?  Any guesses?

Ok, I'll tell you.  It was Popcorn Salad.  I had never even heard of it before, but it was really good - trust me, it was.  This is one of those salad's though that you need to eat it all right away or the popcorn gets all soggy and then it wouldn't be too good.  Here is the recipe for that, too.

Popcorn Salad

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups water chestnuts, drained and chopped
2 cups celery, chopped
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups mayo (NOT salad dressing)
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
6 1/2 oz. bag Old Dutch white popcorn
Mix all ingredients, adding popcorn just before serving.

See, a couple of easy recipes - and hopefully something new to you.  Enjoy!

Now, I just need to add my little plug here for the Super Bowl - GO PACKERS!  Enjoy the game and hopefully my team will bring the Lombardi trophy back home where it belongs!  :)

Happy Scrappin'

4 new recipes!

Look what I received in the mail the other day!  I love Happy Mail (hey, it's much better than receiving bills, isn't it?)

My friend Lynn and I swap "happy's" in the mail every now and then.  She participated in a 9x9 recipe swap (that I thought I was also signed up for) and made a few extras for me, too!  What a sweetheart!  Check out the great job she did!

As always, you can click on the photos to enlarge them so you can even read the recipes. And Thank You, Lynn!

Happy Scrappin'

3 cards using the new Mayberry paper

Here are the cards I made using the new Mayberry paper pack.  It was such fun to create these, I really like this paper!

Happy Scrappin'

Mayberry Paper Pack layout and a how-to

Today I have a layout that I made for my Demo Board Swap.  It uses a brand new paper pack called Mayberry.  This is a very versatile paper pack - not just for girls!

Did you check out the paper flower down in the lower right hand corner?  (Remember, you can always click on the photos to enlarge them.)  I will give you the directions how to make those little flowers.  It really is very easy.  I tried to show you in photos what I was talking about, but once you do one, they are a piece of cake - just my style :)

1.  Punch out 5 scallop circles (CTMH has a brand new scallop punch that is oh-so-easy to use - our double sided B&T works great for these flowers, too!)

2.  Fold the scallop in half.

3.  Open it up, turn it 1/4 turn, and fold in half again (creating 4 sections).

4.  Open it up, flip it over, fold it in half again (creating 6 sections).

5.  Open it up, turn 1/4 turn, and fold in half again (creating 8 sections).

6.  Open up and fold together making a flower petal.

7.  Repeat steps 2-6 on 3 of the remaining scallops (if using double sided B&T, alternate sides of paper so you have 2 of each color).

8.  Adhere flower petals to remaining scallop.

9.  Add a brad or a button to the center of the flower.  Done...it seems like lots of steps, but it really is simple!

Want to get your hands on this paper pack for yourself, just click here to start shopping.

Tomorrow I can show you the cards I made with this same paper pack...stay tuned!

Happy Scrappin'

A new Idea Book and SOTM

It is Groundhog Day and I do not think I believe Phil.  Supposedly he is predicting an early spring, but let me tell you, I know we will continue with winter for at least 6 more weeks around here...we do in Wisconsin you know!  It is not supposed to be above zero today and with the wind chill, it's even colder!  It makes me not want to go out of the house at all...I guess I will just have to go down to my craft room and create...I will have some more artwork to show you tomorrow!

Well...yesterday I just had so much information to share with you (make sure you scroll down because I had a couple of posts yesterday) that I failed to even show you the brand spanking new Idea Book and Catalog!  Can you believe it?  Well, I am here to share it with you today.  Take a look at the beautiful cover.  I absolutely LOVE it!  I know I say that every time a new Idea Book comes out, but they just keep getting better and better all the time!  The shopping can begin right here if you just can't wait any longer.

If you have not received your copy of it yet, please let me know and I will be sure you get one!  If you just cannot wait to see the hard copy of it, you can view it here.

Along with a new Idea Book comes a new Stamp of the Month.  The stamp this month is called Friendship and it is a great set.

Here is some fabulous artwork that my friend Lynn created using the set.  She always comes up with some great artwork.  I am so glad I am involved in the Stamp of the Month swap.  It makes me so happy to receive this wonderful artwork in the mail.  Happy Mail...it just doesn't get much better than that!

Here's how you can get it during the month of February only:
* earn it FREE when you spend $100 or more (before shipping and tax)
* earn it for 75% off ($5.74) when you spend $75 or more (before shipping and tax)
* earn it for 50% off ($11.74) when you spend $50 or more (before shipping and tax)
* earn it for 25% off ($17.21) when you spend $25 or more (before shipping and tax)
* purchase it for full retail price ($22.95)
Click here to purchase it now.

Happy Scrappin'

A Perfect 10!

Are you a Studio J member?  If not, you may want to consider it now!  Click on the Studio J page at the top of my blog to read all about  the member benefits.  Then read on to find out more about the Perfect 10 members-only special:  Buy 9 Studio J layouts, get the 10th free!

SCORE A PERFECT 10 IN FEBRUARY! IF YOU’RE A STUDIO J® member, you can take advantage of this great opportunity to fill up your scrapbook. For every 9 custom-printed Studio J layouts you buy, you’ll receive the 10th layout free. To receive the discount, just add 10 or more layouts to your cart. You’ll see a discount reflected in your order total. And you can totally take advantage of this promotion by ordering in multiples of 10. Buy 9, get 1 free. Buy 18, get 2 free. Buy 27, get 3 free. And so on! If you’re not a member yet, now’s a great time to join!  Click here to get started playing!

Happy Scrappin'

A FREE Consultant Kit could be yours!

February is the perfect month to sign up to be on my team and become a Consultant with Close To My Heart.  Why, you ask?  Well, let me tell you...

At any time, click on the photo above to take you directly to the application form.

When you become a CTMH Consultant during February and achieve Straight To The Top*, you will receive a rebate of $129 on your new Consultant Kit, plus $100 in select product credit rewards.  That's a total retail value of up to $491 in products and business supplies for FREE!  Your kit's free, your select products are free - how fabulous!

Ask my how you can join my team and earn the Free, Free, and Fabulous rewards.

*Reach Straight To The Top by:
     -Submitting sales of $100 or more in your first month and
     -Submitting total sales of $1200 or more during your first three months
Then redeem your $100 in select product credit for My Acrylix stamps, blocks, Exclusive Inks, cardstock, Paper Packets, and more!

For only $129 you'll receive all the business essentials you need to get you going in the right direction plus your choice of 3 product collections that are sure to be perfect for the type of business you want to build.

You don't have to stop there.  If you want them all, you can have them all.  Purchase additional collections for just $40 each, plus shipping and handling, and save even more!  It's a one-time offer you'll want to take advantage of!

Choose Me 1:  Enhance your business with an all-important web presence, complete with online shopping, event calendars, an art gallery, and more.  Retail value is $155.40.

Choose Me 2:  Create beautiful Studio J online layouts using exclusive patterns and papers with discounted prices with a 12-month Studio J membership.  Retail value is $99.00.

Choose Me 3:  The lively paper, sunny ink colors, and cheery stamp sets in this collection will make your heart sing and your artwork shine.  Retail value is $66.85.

Choose Me 4:  Cardmakers and scrapbookers alike will cherish this collection of vintage-themed products and versatile tools.  Retail value is $78.55.

Choose Me 5:  Beauty meets practicality  with this collection of two types of albums, ink, stamps, and a block.  Retail value is $73.60.

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Choose Me 6:  Get ready to create with three adorable stamp sets, two beautiful ink pads, and supplies to clean and maintain them.  Retail value is $75.05.

If you have any questions at all about becoming a Consultant, please ask away!  I am here to help you every step of the way!

Happy Scrappin'