Saturday, January 30, 2010

Utah Diva's Sketch Challenge

Happy Saturday morning! Guess what today is?! Today is Utah Diva's International Sketch Challenge day! I have been thinking about the card that I wanted to make with this sketch and this isn't it exactly but it sure is close AND....I LOVE it!

I used several really fun and coordinating products for this card. From the new I {Heart} Hearts stamp set to the I {Love} Love wheel to the Scalloped Trim Border, it all matches so well! Wondering where that center heart u stamp is from? It is from the stamp set You & Moi that you can also get as a SAB FREE set! Oh, and see the dotted background on the white? Yep, it is a new embossing folder for the Big Shot called Polka Dots (original, huh? LOL). I do believe I'll be using this card for one of my boys' Valentine's card. You can purchase them all HERE.

Soooo...hop on over HERE to see the sketch and play along with it!

And now, I'm excited because Todd and I are going on a date tonight...YAY!! I don't know what we will be doing but I know we'll have dinner after. I'm excited!

I hope you all have a SUPER wonderful Saturday! Take time to enjoy the blessings in your life today!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Three Clovers Designs Challenge

Happy Thursday everyone! How has your week gone? I'm so thrilled that it is finally Thursday...I've been thinking it is Thursday all week...LOL!

Today is Three Clovers Designs Challenge day and today we were challenged to make something with more than one stamp...and that doesn't include the sentiment. Here I have a Valentine's Day card made with the stamp set I {Heart} Hearts and uses four of the different hearts in the set. I'm loving the Scallop Trim Border punch in the SAB catalog. I'm using it on a lot of stuff and I think it looks so neat!

Anyway, you need to check out what all the challenge team members did, too. You can see the challenge and the other cards HERE!

May you see all of the wonderful blessings Jesus has laid out before you today!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

ECS

Morning friends! It has been forever since I've posted a card for you guys.

One of Kyler's school's Parent Association leadership asked me to make some thank you cards for them so it has taken me forever to make them but this is what I came up with. Our school colors are purple and gold and our mascot is the eagle.

I used Photoshop to make the eagle almost like a watermark then printed several of them out. I used Baroque Motif for the swirl on the background and popped up each layer of the ECS medallion. I just layered a piece of whisper white card stock on the inside for an easy writing area as well. Then I thought to myself...she asked me for thank you's and I made a general card so I really need to see if she wants a thank you sentiment on the inside as well.

I've been asked to make some "we have a new address" postcards for a friend so I'll be working on those making prototypes over the next couple of days AND with Valentine's Day rapidly approaching I need to get to work on making stuff for Todd and the boys. Lots of stuff to do!

Kyler is headed back to school today after a weekend and Monday of coughing...he has bronchitis just like Jon did a couple of weeks ago. So far this morning he sounds better but he's only been up about 20 minutes so we'll see. He's only going for a half day though as all that coughing sure can wear ya out. This is definitely one of the nice things of a small Christian school...we have lots of flexibility.

Anyway, enjoy your day ladies! I hope you see God's love wherever you look today!

Monday, January 25, 2010

What's For Dinner Tonight?

Last week I made this yummy baked chicken for dinner and it was a HUGE hit...everyone loved it so I had to share! I'd love to hear if you'd try it and like it too!

BAKED CHICKEN

POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 35 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Use fresh herbs and lemon juice to give plain baked chicken fantastic flavor. This combination of flavors also works well with turkey cutlets or white fish fillets.
Ingredients
1 spray(s) cooking spray
1 pound(s) uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, four 4 oz halves
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1 tsp olive oil
2 tsp fresh lemon juice, or more to taste
2 tsp rosemary, fresh, chopped
2 tsp parsley, fresh, chopped
1/4 cup(s) canned chicken broth
1/2 medium lemon(s), quartered (for garnish)
Instructions

* Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat a small, shallow roasting pan with cooking spray.
* Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper. Transfer chicken to prepared pan and drizzle with oil; sprinkle with lemon juice, rosemary and parsley. Pour broth around chicken to coat bottom of pan.
* Bake until chicken is cooked through, about 30 to 35 minutes. Garnish with fresh lemon and serve. Yields 1 chicken breast half per serving.

And as a side dish we had these Au Gratin Potatoes and they were delish!!! They did not, however, take as long as the recipe says so be sure you check on them well before they are supposed to be done!

Au Gratin Potatoes

POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 8
Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 90 min
Level of Difficulty: Moderate





Ingredients


1 spray(s) cooking spray

1 Tbsp butter
1 medium onion(s), thinly sliced

2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
2 pound(s) Yukon Gold potato(es), thinly sliced

1 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese

1 tsp table salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 2-quart covered baking dish with cooking spray.

  • Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour; add milk slowly, stirring. Add potatoes and stir to mix. Bring to a boil. Stir in 3/4 cup of cheese, salt and pepper.

  • Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and level out surface. Bake for 1 hour, uncovered. Cover and bake until potatoes are fork-tender, about 20 minutes more.

  • Change oven temperature to broil. Sprinkle remaining cheese over potatoes. Broil 6 inches from the heating element until the cheese is golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces.
Sorry about the really bad editing on this post...it is a bit hard to copy and paste from the WW Website.