Friday, July 30, 2010

Foodie Friday - Fontina Frittata with Italian Sausage


I can't believe it's Friday...already!  This is one of those week's that has just flown by.  I hate when that happens! 

Have you ever had a Frittata?  It's just the best "go to" when you're short on time and still need a filling healthy meal for your family.  Breakfast, lunch or dinner.  Just change the add-ins to suit your taste (or whatever's in the fridge), and you're good to go.  Your friends and family will think you fussed and only you will know how easy it was.   If there's any left over, it's just as good cold.

The original recipe for this one came from Cuisine at Home but I changed it up a bit to suit my hubby's taste buds.  Dinner on the table in under an hour and Fudge Surprise Key Lime Pie for dessert!

Fontina Frittata
1 T. olive oil
6 oz. Italian Sausage (about 2, casings removed)  You can also try crumbled bacon, diced ham, cooked breakfast sausage be creative!
1/2 c. onion, chopped
1- 1/2 c. fresh spinach, chopped and packed into measuring cup (try other greens if you like them)
3/4 c.  diced fresh or drained canned tomatoes
12 eggs
1/2 c. heavy cream
1 t. kosher salt
1 c. fontina cheese, shredded (feel free to substitute any kind of cheese your family likes)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Saute sausage in the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until nearly cooked through and broken up, about 3 minutes.  Add onion and cook 2 minutes more or until onion is softened.  Stir in greens, tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste and cook just until greens are wilted, 1-2 minutes.

Remove the mixture to a bowl and wipe out the skillet with a paper towel.  Coat skillet generously with olive oil or spray with cooking spray.

Combine eggs, cream and salt in a blender until frothy.  Pour egg mixture into the hot skillet, stir in sausage mixture and cheese, transfer pan to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until set in the center. Sprinkle with a bit of extra cheese as soon as it comes from the oven, if desired.

To serve, slice into wedges.  Serve with a green or fruit salad.
Makes 6-8 servings.
Enjoy!!
                                                    
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Thursday, July 29, 2010

What to do if it Rains on Your Parade

A quick card that I made for my friend, Della.  She is recuperating from a serious stay in the hospital.  She will so appreciate this fun sentiment. 

Thanks to Sue, over at Sue's Stamping Spot, for sending me this super cute image.  We've been stamping and sharing images and it's been so much fun. 

I colored the boots with Copics then used Crystal Effects to shine some of them up and a Sakura gel marker to give my grey clouds a silver lining. 

Thanks for visiting.  A special thank you to everyone who has emailed or commented that they will be sending Andrew a card.   If you missed it, you can read my post here.

Supplies:
Paper - Neenah Classic,  SU Real Red, Grey, PTI dp
Stamps - shared image
Ink - Copic marker
Supplies - Spellbinders scalloped rectangle die, PTI cloud die, ribbon, corner rounder, Sakura marker



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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Back to School with The Cutting Cafe

It's almost time for back to school!  Gifts for female teachers are easier than gifts for men so I challenged myself to think of something a male teacher would use and appreciate.  Regina at The Cutting Cafe has designed this super Tabbbed Organizer Set.  I can think of so many uses for this set!  Recipe boxes, notebooks, journals and fun little organizers like this desk set. 
 
This project is about 90% recycled material.   I recycled a square acrylic box by cutting it in 2 (enough for 2 of these sets!) Then I cut the Tabbed Organizers from chipboard that came in my Stampin Up decorator papers.  I covered the organizers with designer paper then added the stamped images to the label that comes in the Tabbed Organizer Set.  See that little stand under my box?  It's the lid from an old prescription bottle, covered with cardstock that I adhered with my trusty glue gun. 
                                 
Have you noticed how thin index cards have become?  Ick!  I  "borrowed" these from my husband's desk, then glued them to some cardstock, added a strip of paper to match my Tabbed Organizers and a couple of Martha Stewart apples punches. Much better!!  See that neat label on the front?  It's from the Cutting Cafe School Days Printable Stamp Set .  28 great stamps perfect for back to school creating!  I laced my label on with a strip of leather lacing then secured the label with glue dots.
 
We have to have a card to write a personal note to that special teacher so I printed the same apples/sentiment image from School Days Printable Stamp Set directly onto my cardstock using Print Shop.  You can do this with Word as well.  I added a bit of dp, stitching, a button and some embroidery thread that I simply wrapped around the dp.

Please remember to pray for Andrew.  Info for sending him a card is on this post.

This little set will be in my Etsy shop along with a few of the other gifts you have seen recently later today.

Supplies:
PTI Teacher's Apple
Paper - PTI
Ink - Copic markers, Tim Holtz Walnut Stain
Accessories - acrylic box, Spellbinders long rectangle dies, index cards, leather lacing, embroidery floss, button, computer
 
                                                       
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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

A Request for Andrew - Can you help?


Update:  Andrew has been admitted to the hospital.  Please continue to pray for him and his parents.  If you can leave them a message on their Caring Bridge site (link below) it would be much appreciated. 

A few of you might remember that I requested prayers for Andrew, the nephew of a friend of ours, who has been diagnosed with multiple brain tumors.  This picture is from his Caring Bridge site.  If you would like to read Andrew's story and leave a message for his family, I know they would appreciate it so much. 

Andrew is 10 years old and loves baseball more than anything.  He has now lost all his hair due to the chemo treatments.  We weren't sure how comfortable Andrew's family would be putting his information out here in cyberspace but Andrew's aunt said he is going through a particularly difficult time right now and is in need of  encouragement. 

I know that cardmakers are the most wonderful encouragers!  If you have a moment, could you  please send Andrew a card?  It would mean so much to his family and I know it would lift his spirits. 

Here is Andrew's address: 
                                                                Andrew Wernicke

                                                               19445 Benington Drive
                                                               Brookfield, WI 53045

I had thought about sending him a baseball inspired card and then decided to send this one hoping it would bring a smile to his face. 

                              
I used an EK Success punch for my waves and popped them up on dimensionals so the fishes could jump in and out of them.   I cut the fish out and then coated them with Crystal Effects to give them shine and dimension.  My sentiment is computer generated.  This is for the CAS77 Red fish, Blue fish challenge on SCS.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Supplies:
Paper - Neenah Classis, PTI
Stamps - SU Fishy Friends (retired)
Ink - Copic marker
Accessories - EK Success large scallop embossing die, Spellbinders circle die, SU circle punch, computer, Crystal Effects, dimensionals


 
 
 
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Monday, July 26, 2010

Dirty Little Ravengirl Featured Stamper


The Featured Stamper over at SCS is the talented ravengirl aka Toni.  This lady is seriously awesome at CAS cards.   I chose this card of Toni's and then "dirtied" it up for the Dare To Get Dirty Passion for Pattern by Sharon Johnson to use 3 different patterned papers on our cards. 
I used the lush May Arts black silk ribbon to separate my two base patterns.  Head on over to the May Arts blog....they've got a Ribbon on Cards #31 challenge on right now.  My chipboard and the tiny heart are covered with a new product from Art Institute Glitter called Black Vinyl.  It's for glossy cardstock but I liked the not too shiny look on this card.
Thanks so much for stopping by....I love your comments!
Supplies:
Paper - PTI, Webster's Pages, Neenah Classic
Ink - Versafine
Stamps - Flourishes Flourished Love
Accessories - May Arts silk ribbon, Art Institute Black Vinyl Glitter

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Friday, July 23, 2010

May Arts Ribbon

                     
                       
Remember that I told you that I was working on a special project?    Here's a little sneak peak.  If you want to see the rest of the project; my post is live over at the May Arts blog right now!

 
 I love May Arts ribbon and I know you do to, so pop on over there and leave a comment to tell them  (and me!) what you think of my project.


 
This also qualifies for Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply 149 challenge to use two of something.  I used two DP's, double ribbon bows, and more and the Dare to Get Dirty Challenge on SCS (DTGD10Toy) Pretty Packaging. 
Thanks so much! 


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Thursday, July 22, 2010

No Foodie Friday but Clean and Simple and Thankful

 
I started this card for the Sketch Challenge1028 on CCEE Stampers and then realized it says MONOCHROMATIC...duh!  I could get by with the black as a  neutral but when the blue and saffron creeped in, the game was over.  I may enter it anyway just for the sketch. 
 
Sorry, no food today...hubby had a day off yesterday so that meant lots of catching up on errands and I'm working on a project I can't share until next month so it's been a busy few days.
 
Thanks for stopping by...I appreciate you!!
 
Supplies:
Stamps - SU Live Your Dream, Hero Arts
Paper - Neenah Classic white, SU black, PTI Aqua Mist
Ink - Versafine, So Saffron
Accessories - Cuttlebug folder
 
 
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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

The Cutting Cafe - Little Sailor Boy

 
It seems as though every young mom we know is having a baby!   Guess it was that cold winter  ;-)  At any rate, it gives me a chance to make some baby cards and gifts and I love that. 
 
One of my favorite templates from The Cutting Cafe is this adorable Sailboat Shaped Card Set.  Perfect for a little boy.  Everything is included and ready to cut so all I did was add some handstitching.   Regina has made it so easy to make these adorable shaped cards.  She's got dozens of designs to choose from so that you can let your imagination "sail".    You can cut them out by hand using her pdf files or use the WPC cutting file as I did here.  There are two sentiments and an envelope included in this set as well.  What's not to love?
 
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.
 
Supplies:
Paper - Papertrey Ink
Accessories - Spellbinders Circle dies, handstitching - heavy duty thread
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Monday, July 19, 2010

Clean and Simple Monday


Sorry my Monday post is late...I've had a toothache for a couple of days that seriously cut into my creative juices.  An afternoon in the dentist chair (ugh!) and I'm almost back to whatever "normal" is.  The dentist fixed a chip and said I've been grinding my teeth.  I must be taking out my stress on my teeth at night. 

  
Ok, back to fun stuff...today's card is for the CAS76 Challenge on SCS .  We are to making a card using this cute sketch by Toni aka ravengirl.   

                                   
Don't forget,  you still have time to play along with the Papercubed (P3) challenge to make a table decoration.  Kim, our DT leader, has a great prize for one lucky crafter...a Tim Holtz stamp set and Grungeboard!!  You've got until the end of the month so get creating and link up.

Thanks for popping into the playground. I always appreciate your sweet comments and read every one.

Supplies:
Paper - Papertrey, Webster's Pages
Stamps - Savvy stamps
Ink - Tim Holtz Distress
Accessories - Spellbinders Label and Fancy Tags dies, paper roses
                                                   
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Friday, July 16, 2010

Mercy's Tuesday Sketch 82 - Tiny Miracle


                                         
My little project today centered around Mercy's Tuesday Sketch 82.  I love Mercy's sketches.  They're so much fun to interpret.  (I didn't notice until after I took the photos that my ribbon was crooked...arghhh. Fixed that!)
I cut the scalloped oval from some pink wool felt I had leftover from another project.  I hand stitched the sentiment circle using heavy duty thread. 
Anyway, here's Mercy's sketch:
                                                    
Here's the rest of my gift project....

I made the little Bun in the Oven box from Papertrey Ink.  After I bought mine, I found a FREE template  that looks exactly the same!  I added a clear acrylic window to the front.  Inside the oven, is my little sock cupcake.  Carolina has a really good video tutorial here for making them. 

I made a pocket on the top inside of my card to hold a gift card.  I just used Scor-Tape on 3 sides of matching paper about 1 /12" wide and 4 inches long and popped in my stroller shaped gift card.  Worked like a charm. 

Supplies:
Paper - SU Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Imaginesce DP, Neenah Classic Ivory
Stamps - Michael's $1 (love that!)
Ink - Versafine
Accessories - Prima roses, buttons, heavy duty thread, ribbon, bun in oven template, gift bag, baby socks, cupcake paper, MS scalloped border punch, SU tag punches,  acrylic tag, acrylic sheet (oven window)




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Thursday, July 15, 2010

Foodie Friday - Pesto and Poppies

First up are the poppies...this is for  Sketch Challenge 289 on SCS.  Even though I used layers, I think this qualifies as CAS too.   I tried to stay as true to the sketch as I could wthout too many embellishments just to see if I could.
 
Here's the details on the card; then onto the Pesto!
 
Supplies:
Paper - Papertrey Ink
Stamps - Hero Arts-A Wild Poppy, Saavy sentiment
Ink - Versafine chalk ink, Tim Holtz Walnut Stain
Accessories - buttons, twine
 
Pesto is one of my all time favorite foods...It's so expensive to buy but so easy to make and freeze if you grow your own Basil, Parsley, Spinach, Cilantro, or Sage... or have a generous neighbor who does!   I'll show you how I get it ready to pull out at a moments notice for stirring into sauces,  soups, topping bread, pizza, chicken and a variety of other dishes to add extra yumminess and homemade flavor.  Great for spaghetti sauce in a jar...a couple of tablespoons and you'll think it's homemade.
 
You start with this:
 
 
 
Here's the quick recipe:
 
Fresh Pesto
 
2 cups packed fresh basil, parsley, spinach, cilantro, or sage (try a combo like basil and parsley)
3/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. walnut pieces or pine nuts
2 large cloves of garlic, cut in half
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. freshly ground pepper
1/2 c. olive oil
 
Remove stems from basil.  Wash thoroughly in lukewarm water, and drain well.
 
Position knife blade in food processor bowl; add basil and next 5 ingredients.  Process until mixture is smooth.
 
With processor running, pour oil through food chute in a slow steady stream until combined. 

Use immediately, or freeze for later use.  Here's how I do it: 

Place one Tablespoon of pesto into each ice cube slot.  Cover and freeze until firm.  When frozen, just pop them out and place in freezer bags. Return to freezer until needed.   They unthaw in just minutes or you can pop them frozen right into soups or sauces for extra homemade flavor.

Bon Appetit!!
 
                                              
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A Cause and a Card

While blog hopping to check out some challenges, one of my first stops was at A Spoonful of Sugar.  One of their DT members, Michelle, has had a bad accident that has resulted in the loss of an eye. 
 
The team is requesting that cards be sent to Michelle to cheer her.  You can find her address and the details at this link.  You will also find a link to a free digital stamp set designed in Michelle's honor by artists Melissa Jenkins and Ann Vento and available for download through Whimsey Stamps.   I know that she would also appreciate your prayers. 
 
Now on to my card for today...no challenges, just a simple CAS Thank you that was ordered by a friend.  I lined the envelope as well.
 

Supplies
Paper - Neenah Classic White, Papertrey Ink
Stamps - Papertrey Out on a Limb
Ink - Versafine, Papertrey
Accessories - ribbon
 
 
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010

CAS75 - Dry Embossing


This week's CAS (Clean and Simple) Challenge CAS75 is to use dry embossing.  I took the easy way out and used Spellbinders dies to emboss my card front. I used a Cuttlebug die to cut then emboss the butterfly.  Card size is 4.25" square.   I left off a sentiment because I thought this card could be used for just about any occasion from sympathy to birthday.  Quick, clean and simple.  Gotta love that!
Supplies:
Paper- Neenah Classic, SU Black
Accessories - Spellbinders Square dies, Cuttlebug butterfly Cut and Emboss die, self stick half back pearls, Scor-Tape

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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Get Ready to Hookie Lau..We're Going to a Luau!


I've been keeping a secret!  I was asked to be the Guest Designer on the Hand Stamped Sentiments blog!


The Design Team theme is .Luau.   You are free to create whatever you want.   How's that for fun?  I decided to make a little set that could be used for a party or for a romantic little Hawaiian evening with your honey.  ;-)
First up is my card, which I made as an invitation but could also be used for a fun summer beach card.
The images are from an acrylic set I found at JoAnn's by Fiskars called "Island Fun".  The totem image is a single that I just stacked one on another, embossed with clear embossing powder then cut out.  The flower and sentiment are from the same set.  See those little swirly things around the flowers?  Well, they were left over when I used my swirled MS border punch on another project.  I knew I could use them on something!

Next up is my little glass charm which also doubles as a wrist lei.  I punched flowers from mulberry paper then strung them on pink elastic cording.

Finally, is a little favor box.  This is actually the cute Life Savers Box from the Cutting Cafe.  This box holds 4 packages of Lifesavers.  I didn't have any Lifesavers but guess what?  It also holds 4 of these yummy Ghiradelli chocolates that just happened to match my box. 

It's summertime...great time to plan a Luau.  Hop on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments to see what the fabulously talented Design Team has in store for you then grab your grass skirt, your ukulele, your vivid colors and stamps and play along. 

This is also for the F4A20 Free for All Challenge at SCS - Show Us What Ya Got...how'd they know I HAD to go shopping?  Who ratted me out?!

Supplies:
Paper - K & Co. Citronella
Stamps - Fiskars Island Fun
Ink - Versafine
Accessories - large flower punch, elastic cording



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Sunday, July 11, 2010

It's Tea Time at The Cutting Cafe

 

This week's Featured Stamper 179 at SCS is Stephanie.  I chose this cute card of Stephanie's to case.  It gave me the perfect opportunity to use The Cutting Cafe's new Tea Time set.  My problem was choosing which adorable tea pot to use.  There are 31 stamps in this set!!  I used the sentiment  " I hope you feel better soon" from the new Tea Bag Holder Template set on the inside and added a Four Red Fruits Tea Bag to the opposite panel. 

I printed out another teapot then cut the strawberries and the tea cup out and popped them up on dimensionals.  I got my Prismacolor color pencils out and dusted them off to do my coloring.  I blended with baby oil.

I think this one's going to my dear friend, Della.  She's in the hospital with clots in both lungs and both legs.  If you can whisper a prayer for her it would mean so much. 
Supplies:
Stamps - The Cutting Cafe Tea Time, Tea Bag Holder Template
Paper - Papertrey, SU DP, fine tip black pen
Ink - Prismacolor pencils, baby oil
Accessories - ribbon, half back pearls, dimensionals, MS border punch, Crystal Effects, tea bag

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Saturday, July 10, 2010

DDCC81- Les Fleurs


Quick post today...A set of 4" x 4" embossed CAS cards - 2 in white, 2 in ivory.  They are embossed with a square Spellbinders die in the Big Shot.  The image panels are popped up on dimensionals.  A stick on pearl was added to the centers.   A friend asked for cards to give as a gift with no sentiment.  I think these would fit just about any occasion...what do you think?
Supplies:
Stamps - Papertrey Ink
Paper - Papertrey Ink
Ink - Memorex black, Copic markers
Accessories - Spellbinders square dies, stick on pearls, dimensionals, corner punch
Thanks for stopping by the playground!

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WT278 - Yellow Sunshine

 
This week's Ways to Use It Challenge on SCS is Yellow Sunshine.  Yellow is a color I don't use often.  I'm not sure why...could be because I'm one of those people who just can't wear it at all.  It makes me look a bit green.  
 
At any rate, I have a few scraps left of this Bo Bunny paper that I got a couple of years ago so thought I'd put them to work for this little notepad.  
 
The cover is 8.25" x 5.25".  I moved my CS to the 1" line, then scored at 3 1/2" and 3 5/8".  To make the ribbon treatment, I folded tiny bits of the ribbon over onto itself  then secured each fold with a tiny piece of Scor -Tape until it was the size I wanted.  The entire ribbon piece is then secured with a length of Scor-Tape.  Some straight and zig-zag stitching and a little butterfly and done!  I think a beaded pen might turn this into a sweet little gift.  What do you think?

Yellow Sunshine Saturday to you!  

Supplies:
Stamps - Papertrey Ink
Paper - SU Brocade Blue, Summer Sunrise, Bo Bunny
Ink - Versafine Jumbo Java
Accessories - sewing machine, MS butterfly punch, ribbon, Spellbinders Circle dies, Stickles, glitter pen, notepad
 
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Friday, July 9, 2010

Foodie Friday - Asian Lettuce Wraps (YUM!!)

                                      

We LOVE Asian Lettuce Wraps.  You can imagine how excited I was several years ago to find a recipe that is as close to that expensive Oriental restaurant style as I found, yet inexpensive to prepare.  Now we can have them as often as we like..or LOVE to.  The recipe serves 4 but my DH and I can just about devour the entire thing ourselves.  Add a simple fruit salad or a plate of sliced fruit and dinner is served in about 30 minutes...What's not to love? 

Here's the recipe:

Asian Lettuce Wraps

1 pound lean ground beef (93%) or ground chicken/turkey
1 head Boston or Bibb lettuce, leaves separated, washed and dried
1 (8 oz.)  can sliced water chestnuts, chopped
1 large onion (about 1 cup) chopped
2 T. minced garlic
1 T. reduced sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup hoisin sauce (I loooove hoisin sauce!)
2 t. finely chopped or bottled fresh ginger
1 T. rice wine vinegar
2 t. Asian Chili Garlic Sauce (you may add more to taste)
3/4 c. chopped scallions or green onions (about 4)
2 t. Asian dark sesame oil

Large platter for serving

Crumble the ground beef or poultry into a 12 inch skillet.  Cook, stirring to break up the meat until cooked through and no red remains.  Drain off any fat.

Add the onion to the skillet and cook 2-3 minutes or until translucent and tender.

Add the garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, rice vinegar and Asian chili garlic sauce.  Stir and cook another 2-3 minutes until the sauce completely coats the meat.

Add the chopped water chestnuts, green onions and dark sesame oil, stirring and cooking just until the green onions start to wilt but are still green.  Remove skillet from heat.

Pour the meat into the center of a large platter.  Arrange the lettuce leaves around the edges of the platter surrounding the meat mixture. 

To serve, spoon some of the meat mixture into a lettuce leaf, fold and eat "taco" style.

YUM!!

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