Cow-a-Bunga! Dude

Hi, just wanted to share a layout I did of my kids doing a little body boarding...

I used "Surf and Turf" (this months FREE with purchase file) 

I made the cows using mulberry paper so they are soft and fuzzy,

and "ribbon slides" pattern from Designs on Cloud 9

Closer look at first page 

 and closer look at page 2.

I used Joy's Life stamps "My Hero" set for the sentiments on the ribbon slidders.

Thanks for looking!

Hugs, Staci

Happy Memorial Day!

Land of the FREE

because of the BRAVE!

Thank you to all who served and are currently serving!

Hugs, Staci

Altered Wood Frame

Hey there! My last DT project for Joyslife.com was a Home Decor project.
This was a tough one for me, but this is what we came up with.

I bought one of those unfinished wooden frames from Michael's covered it with a patterned paper of her choice, inked the edges then we stamped all the words she chose from the Joyslife.com stamp set 

"Everyday Occasions".

I cut some patterns from Designs on Cloud 9 ~ I used the magnolia flower from the "Fancy Flowers" set and the rose from the "Curly Flowers" set to make the dimensional flowers.

Needed to add a little bling on the frame so I followed some of the swirls on the paper with Stickles and glued on some skittles or dew drops over the flowers in the pattern.

 Whala.... a pretty little girly frame.  

I may take it to work with me or give it to my daughter for her room.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Green Fork and Spoon

This post is off the typical topic of my blog, but I thought it was totally worth mentioning!

I received a great gift for Mother's Day.

It is a box of organic snacks (always different), some sample sizes, some full sizes.

Look at the nice presentation when you open the box (made from recycled materials)

the thank you card can be planted using your box and it contains herb seeds.

Check out the video here

You get a card of all the goodies that are in the box

and it is chocked full of stuff

look at all that stuff... oh you may notice I broke into the Asiago Crisps...Mmmmm!

there are even a few coupons too.

If you are looking to smarter snacks, this is a good option for you to try some stuff out.

Check em out at...

HERE

They also have a Facebook page

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Mother's Day Tea time

    Just wanted to share a cute little easel card I made for my Grandmother for Mother's Day.

I used Designs on Cloud 9 's "Latte Bears"

and Joyslife.com  "That tastes Punny" and "Holiday Occasions" stamp sets

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Kahlua Brownies w/ Brown Butter Kahlua icing

Oh these look so fudgey and yummy!!

  

kahlua brownies w/ brown butter kahlua icing
Yield: 16 brownies
Prep Time: 30 min Cook Time: 45 min
These are a FUDGY sort of brownie (the best kind)… not a cakey brownie to be found in this bunch.

Ingredients:
BROWNIES:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons Kahlua (or another coffee liqueur), divided

ICING:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
2 Tablespoons kahlua
1 Tablespoon whipping cream
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar (more or less), sift after measuring

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a 9x9-inch pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Prepare brownies: In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

3. Set a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water (pan shouldn't be touching the water). Place butter and chocolate chips in bowl and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool a bit.

4. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, mix sugar, eggs and 1/2 cup Kahlua. Pour in buttery chocolate mixture and beat until mixed well. Mix in dry ingredients and beat just until combined.

5. Pour brownie batter into prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until top cracks slightly and toothpick inserted in center comes out mostly clean (it might be slightly gooey on the bottom of the toothpick- that's okay!) Remove brownies from oven and immediately brush warm brownies with 2 Tablespoons of Kahlua. Let brownies cool completely. I like to refrigerate them after they have cooled down a bit.

6. Prepare Icing: Place butter in saucepan and heat until lightly browned. Remove from heat and add Kahlua & whipping cream. Whisk in powdered sugar until you have the consistency that you desire (you should be looking for a thick, smooth icing that is still pourable). Pour on top of cooled brownies and spread to edges to cover completely. Refrigerate until set. Chilled brownies are easiest to cut... use a large, sharp knife, wipe clean after each cut, and you'll get nice, clean cuts.

Tips:
*Store brownies in covered container. They're best if eaten within a couple of days.

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Just wanted to share the little Teacher Appreciation gifts I made for my Daughter to give to her teachers.

I used Joyslife.com's New Stamp Set "My Hero" and one of her older sets "Everyday Occasions"

the bear piecing and .png bear images are from Designs on Cloud  9's "School Bears" pattern set and the topper I made by welding one of the borders from the "Short Borders 2" set also from Designs on Cloud 9 to a rectangle and adding score lines for easy folding.

and the others are just cute stick figures that fit the type of teachers ie; computer, gym, etc. off the internet

I made this one slightly larger for her main Teacher and paper pieced the bear with the globe.

then on the following ones I did the print and cut method using my Cameo (LOVE) 

Below I cut a file that someone shared on a Silhouette forum from vinyl and applied it to a clear acrylic clipboard that I got at Walmart and embellished it with ribbons and flowers to make the other part of her main teachers gift.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Apple Crisp Pizza

Thought I would share another recipe I found that sounds pretty good... Mother's Day is coming soon so I have been looking for something different to make..hence the recipe shares :)

Apple Crisp Pizza
Ingredients

Pastry for single-crust pie (9 inches)
2/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
4 medium apples (like Gala, Fiji, Braeburn, Empire) peeled and diced into 1/4 inch pieces
TOPPING:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup salted butter, softened
DRIZZLE:
1/2 cup caramel topping

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Roll pastry to fit a 12 inch pizza pan; fold under edges to give the pizza a bit of a raised crust. Combine sugar, flour and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add peeled, diced apples and toss. Arrange the apples in a single layer over the pie crust to completely cover it.
For the topping: Combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and butter in a bowl. Mix well. Sprinkle topping evenly over the apples.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until apples are tender. Remove from oven and immediately drizzle with caramel topping. Cut into pizza slices and serve warm with ice cream. Makes 12 servings.