God Bless America Card

I made two color versions of the same card to wish our family and friends a happy Fourth of July.  It sure took a long time for summer to get here and now it seems like it's flying by!




Supplies Used:
Paper - Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening, White
Stamps - Red, White & Blue
Ink - Enchanted Evening, Lipstick Red
Other - Super Star Boarders Die, Limitless Layers Circle Die, Ladybug red embossing powder (Martha Stewart)

S'mores in a Jar

I'm back with another 'in a jar recipe'.  I'm obsessed with finding desserts to serve in these cute little Ball Jars.  I've made pie, cheesecake and now S'mores!  Here's the recipe I used:

Ingredients:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1 3.4-ounce package instant chocolate pudding, prepared to package directions
1 1/2 cups marshmallow fluff
12 large marshmallows

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Add graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar in a bowl and mix well together. Transfer crumb mixture to a foil lined baking sheet and press mixture into the bottom. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool then break into pieces.

Layer crumbled graham crackers, then a layer of pudding, then marshmallow fluff, repeating layers until ending with the pudding layer. Place 3 large marshmallows on top of the pudding, and broil on a top rack of the oven for 2-3 minutes or until tops begin to brown lightly. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

I think 3 marshmallows on the top was a bit too much, next time I'll only top it with one.


My DH is my official taste tester and so far, he liked this 'in the jar' recipe the best.  (He is a huge chocolate fan, so maybe that had something to do with it).

Hero Arts Warehouse Sale

Last week while reading Jennifer McGuire's blog I decided to head over to Hero Arts site and see what they have to offer.  See, I'm the kind of crafter who purchases 90% of my supplies online and very rarely deviate from the companies I buy from, but I thought I'd browse and see just what they have.  I noticed a section in their shop called Warehouse Sale and was enticed.  A 'mystery box'...YES!    Not a bad idea for someone just wanting to sample a little of what they had to offer.  I choose to order the $25 Accessories box of goodies.

My order arrived yesterday!  Just like the description said - it was filled with gems, flowers, buttons, patterned paper, stamps and ink!

Here's what was included:
20 sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 patterned paper
2 wood block stamps (100% Original and Enjoy the Moments)
2 Inks (Crushed Olive Distress Ink and Black Memories Dye Cube)
3 Fancy Felt Flowers (Spring, Summer, Neutral)
2 Fancy Felt Buttons (Spring, Summer)
2 Art Buttons (Spring, Summer)
1 Flower Sequins
1 Floral Ribbon
2 3mm clear Gemstones
1 pack Gemstones
1/2 pack Floral envelopes
1/2 pack Floral cards
1/4 pack of Floral print flowers
1/2 pack of Floral mixed accents

That's a pretty great mystery box if you ask me.
I was hoping for a sample of their mid-tone inks, oh well.  I'll just have to order some to try them!

Relax and Enjoy Your Day Postcard

I'm joining the fun over at Papertrey Ink and playing along with their Make It Monday challenge.  This week Ashley demonstrated stamping on photos and making them into postcards.

I choose a photo I took of my two favorite guys - my wonderful husband and my sweet Yorkshire Terrier, Piper.  We were in Ocean City, Maryland over the winter for my best friends wedding.  We go to OCMD every summer and during that time dogs are not allowed on the beach, but in the winter it's a different ball game.  One of the first things we did when we arrived was head right down to the beach and show that little peanut the ocean.  He wasn't impressed with the water, but loved walking around and meeting new people and other dogs (mostly the people).  This candid shot just makes my heart melt.

I like this new idea of stamping on photos and using them as postcards.  I think I'll try it some more.  I need to work on my stamping skills for the back of the cards though.  My lines are not very straight, but I'll work on that.  This challenge also made me want to add the Postmarks Stamp Set to my wish list.  Why does that always seems to happen?

Supplies Used:
Paper - Inkjet Photo
Stamps - Flipping Out, Desktop File Inspiration, Limitless Labels
Ink - Dark Chocolate, True Black
Other -

No Bake Cheesecake in a Jar

We had a small cookout get together on Memorial Day and I made these desserts.  I love using these mini jars for desserts when the warmer weather comes.  I need to start finding more recipes to use these little cuties with!

I made two different toppings: blueberry and strawberry.  (Next time I make them I will try cherry using the recipe from my pies in a jar)

Blueberry Topping
1 cup fresh blueberries
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
2 tsp water
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp zest of lemon

Combine the blueberries and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.  In a small bowl mix together the cornstarch and water until smooth.  Stir berries occasionally as they begin to release their juices.  Once mixture is bubbling, stir in cornstarch mixture.  Continue to cook, stirring frequently until the mixture thickens.  Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and zest.  Transfer to a bowl.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Strawberry Topping
1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries
2 tbsp granulated sugar

Combine the strawberries and sugar in a bowl and toss to combine.  Let this stand for 1 hour, stirring a few times until the berries have released their juices.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Graham Cracker Base
3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tbsp melted butter

Combine ingredients in a small bowl with a fork.  Spoon about 1 1/2 tbsp of mixture into the jar and push down with a spoon (I used the handle to my lemon juicer)

Cheesecake

8 oz cream cheese

2 cups low-fat Greek yogurt

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp  heavy cream

Combine the cream cheese and Greek yogurt in a bowl.  Beat the mixture on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1-2 minutes.  Add in the confectioners' sugar and mix until well incorporated.  Add in vanilla and heavy cream, beat until fluffy.   Spoon the mixture into jars.  Spoon topping onto cheesecake mixture.

Refrigerate until ready to eat

Makes 12 mini jar cheesecakes

I cut mini stars from packaged Pillsbury pie dough and baked them until golden brown on a cookie sheet  (next time I will sprinkle with sugar prior to baking) and placed them on top right before serving.

Yum!!

Christening Card

We are attending a christening for my cousin's baby girl at the end of the month, so I made a card for her special day!

Supplies Used:
Paper - White, Vintage Cream, White Shimmer
Stamps - Cross Set
Ink - Watermark
Other - Banners Die, Cross Die, Gold Embossing Powder

Mother's Day Card

Here's the card I made to give to my MIL for Mother's Day.
Supplies Used:
Paper - Sweet Blush, Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, Spring Moss
Stamps - The Sweet Life, Holiday Photo Finishers, Framed
Ink - Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado
Other - The Sweet Life Die, Photo Finish Strips Die, Jewel

Since our schedules were not able to match up, we celebrated Mother's Day with her this past Sunday.  We took her to the Hotel Bethlehem for brunch, which is about an hour or so from us.  This hotel dates back to the 1920's and they boast about restoring it back to its 'grandeur'.  Our internal Disney soul kept thinking the hotel was taking a page from the Disney's Hollywood Studios ride - Tower of Terror.  Yes, the food was good, service was fine, but we couldn't get past the Bellmen's uniform (which looked exactly like the ToT uniform) and the infamous elevator that would "drop you to your death" - bwah ha ha ha.