Studio J- February Projects

Holy Canoli! I just put my Studio J order in last night and I received my jpegs this morning! Can't wait for the prints to arrive but let me share with you my recent layouts I completed - keep in mind that each 2 page layout is still only $5 until March 15! Link your orders to the open order on my shopping page. 

I love Studio J for weddings!

Weddings & digital scrapbooks! www.themysticgypsy.blogspot.com

Weddings & digital scrapbooks! www.themysticgypsy.blogspot.com

Weddings & digital scrapbooks! www.themysticgypsy.blogspot.com

I used the paper kit For Always in Studio J. It is primarily black and white so you can put your own wedding colors in with the click of your mouse! How cool is THAT?

Tomorrow.....Graduation layouts! 

You have the photos....now save the memories! 

If you like what you see please click the JOIN THIS SITE icon to the upper right to follow my blog. Thanks so much!

Bracket Frame- my first

Bracket Frame home decor designed by Deb Bahr

This is the very first Bracket Frame I have made.......it was easier than I thought. I am not happy with the way the photos show the colors- I may take another picture in better lighting....the colors are deeper and richer than shown. The challenge was narrowing down all my ideas to this one. This is a gift to my son and daughter in law, who are in the photo...aren't they both adorable? Ok, I may be prejudiced. :) 

Want to make one of your own or for a gift? Here's what you need and instructions on how to make your own:
Materials:
CTMH Bracket Frame      Z1797          
Avonlea paper pack      X7155B  
Avonlea Brocade Assortment  Z1748
Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain  Z1617
Burlap ribbon.  Z1760
Family Love myAcrylix stamp set  D1506
Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge  Z1686
Mini Pigment Inks: Slate, Twilight, Chocolate, Gold rush
Adhesives: Tombow Monoadhesive  1514, Liquid Glass Z679
3-D Foam adhesive tape Z1151
Non CTMH: wood scrolls, leather photo corners

Instructions:

• Cut your paper for the bracket using the cricut key for that shape in AP cartridge. Cut it FIT TO PAGE.
• Using an exacto knife, cut the center of the frame out. 
• See which way the frame paper fits on frame and label the back of paper and frame TOP and BOTTOM. 
• Adhere to frame while standing over it to center. I placed adhesive on frame rather than paper, taking special attention to all edges for tight seal. 
• Cut your base for the photo at 9.25 x 9.25 and adhere your mats and photo. I popped mine up on foam tape. 
• I used the stamp set to make the sentiment and accents inside the frame.
• I cut the flowers and rolled them with my quilling tool, sponging the edges. I used the teal cs for the mum and 2 other B & T (background/textured) pieces for the roses.
• I made the pennants by adhering scrap cardstock to a section of burlap ribbon then cut the pennants out freehand. I adhered them with liquid glass, using hemp ties at the ends and metal studs between. I tied a bow with the grosgrain and slapped a pewter button on it for dimension. All CTMH product. 

I suggest using liquid glass to adhere the bow, flowers, scroll and pennants. 
I also used a piece of cardboard to make a sturdy back for the frame. 

Feel free to ask questions if needed. Go CREATE!
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Freaky Friday

Your assignment for mindless entertainment this weekend: go to Amazon and read reviews for the Hutlzer Banana Slicer. This product will change your LIFE, as evidenced by the nearly 3,000 positive reviews. Suggestion: best read after a few adult beverages. I have included one of my favorite below.

Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer

by Hutzler

3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2,843 customer reviews) | Like 1360338768 false -1 897 897 896 (897)

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List Price: $9.98 Price: $2.72 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details Deal Price: You Save: $7.26 (73%) o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

32,431 of 32,699 people found the following review helpful

No more winning for you, Mr. Banana!, March 3, 2011

By 

SW3K

For decades I have been trying to come up with an ideal way to slice a banana. "Use a knife!" they say. Well...my parole officer won't allow me to be around knives. "Shoot it with a gun!" Background check...HELLO! I had to resort to carefully attempt to slice those bananas with my bare hands. 99.9% of the time, I would get so frustrated that I just ended up squishing the fruit in my hands and throwing it against the wall in anger. Then, after a fit of banana-induced rage, my parole officer introduced me to this kitchen marvel and my life was changed. No longer consumed by seething anger and animosity towards thick-skinned yellow fruit, I was able to concentrate on my love of theatre and am writing a musical play about two lovers from rival gangs that just try to make it in the world. I think I'll call it South Side Story.

Banana slicer...thanks to you, I see greatness on the horizon.

Recipe- To Die For Mac Cheese

To Die For Bacon Mac n Cheese......yes please

To Die For Mac n Cheese
(my twist on an Alton Brown recipe)M

1 lb elbow or cavatappi macaroni
3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
3 cups skim milk
2 Tbsp dried minced shallots or onions
1/2 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 large egg
12 oz grated cheese: I mix it up and used a combo of the following: parmesean, sharp white cheddar, sharp low fat yellow cheddar, gruyere, smoked gouda. I used an empty bag of 8 oz shredded cheese from the store to measure out approx 12 oz. 
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh ground black pepper- about 6 twists on the grinder.
3 slices thick applewood smoked bacon, cooked and crumbled.
Topping: 
3 Tbsp butter
1 cup Panko bread crumbs.....use the panko, not regular bread crumbs.

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 350
Prepare your macaroni as directed- I cook mine al dente so it's not mushy.
While pasta cooks, in separate pan, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and keep it moving fr approx. 5 min. I added some of the milk because my roux got thick and lumpy. It still didn't smooth out so I added the rest of the milk and threw it in the blender to smooth it out then returned to stove. Worked perfectly. Stir in the shallots, salt, peper, paprika, nutmeg and simmer another 10 min. 
Beat the egg in a small bowl and temper it by adding a spoonful of the hot roux. Do it a couple times then add the egg to the roux. Tempering raises the temp of the egg so it does not scramble when added to hot liquid. 
Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. 
Fold macaroni into the mix and pour into a greased 2 qt. casserole or 6 ramekins. Top with remaining cheese.
Melt the butter for the topping and pour it over the panko crumbs. Toss then spread over the top of the casserole. 
Bake for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and let rest 5 min. Before serving.
This is the best Mac and cheese I have ever ate. I tried to reduce fat content but sometimes you just need to use some butter and regular cheese. 

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do! 

Are you behind on your scrapbooking?

$5 for a 2 page digital layout during February!

Do you take tons of photos and do nothing with them? It's so easy to do. Life gets away from us and we get busy. Photos do not stay on SD cards and flash drives forever....they deteriorate eventually. Now you create lasting memories of your special photos using  Studio J . It is so easy to use and if you need help or have questions......I am here for you!

A 2 page Studio J layout is priced great at $6.95 but during February it's only 5 bucks! Here's a tip: create as many Studio J layouts during the month and save them in  Studio J  but wait until the last week of the month to order. Why? Well, shipping is $5.95 whether you order 1 or 50 layouts so by waiting and ordering multiple layouts at once, you pay shipping once! You can fit 50 in a single box so take advantage and make it worthwhile.

Do you have a senior graduating this year? This is a perfect time to make a scrapbook for them, showcasing your favorite photos of them over the past 18 years. We even have a school themed Express Layouts collection to make it even easier. I have boys and was not sure if they would care about  a scrapbook but they LOVED it! They even asked for more. 

Click on any of the Studio J  hyperlinks in this post to get started today! You are going to love scrapbooking this way! 

Tuesday Teaser- Chantilly Card Workshop

Chantilly Card Workshop.........love the cake stamp! 

Chantilly is my favorite paper pack in the spring/summer catalog. The reason? It is so versatile; use one side of the patterned paper and it's all greens and blues, use the other side and it's pinks, sunset, yellow and more. I can make feminine layouts and cards, boy themed, spring, Easter, gardening, birthdays.....I am sure there are some I have not thought of yet!  

I am teaching classes for this 15 card workshop. Everything you need for only $29.95. Click HERE to order your kit. Contact me with a date that works for you and your friends.  We make 5 cards for each of the 3 patterns. I have included more photos below. 

Chantilly Card 1

Chantilly card 2 

Chantilly card 3- my favorite of the 3

Motivational Monday

Good morning Sunshine! If Mondays are a challenge for you as they can be for me, as I think ....ugh, here we go again. Well I hope this little motivational reminder helps begin your day with a positive note!

What's your dream?

Enjoy the day! 

SQUEE! Spring/Summer catalogs are HERE!

2013 CTMH Spring /Summer catalog.........contact me for yours!

I am  so excited that we have new kits, papers, ribbons, embellishments and now fabric! I just adore all the new papers. Ok , all but one.......I just don't care for the Claire paper but I have not used it yet so maybe that will change. My favorites are Chantilly, Tommy and Forever  Always.

I think the layout on the cover is adorable. Makes me wish I had a little girl!  Check out this gorgeous framed banner below, using Chantilly papers and fabric. The Banner and flowers are cut from our Cricut cartridges Art Philosophy and Artiste.