Christmas layout

This week at Scrapbook Steals, I expanded the one page sketch to include more photos.  Truth be told, I love the simplicity of one page layouts, but I have way too many pictures to get away with that very often.  So I modified and added a second page.  One of my favorite things was including lists for each of the boys that told some of their presents.  It will be a good way to remember what was on their most wanted list when we look back years from now.

Journaling Ideas

Today, over at Practical Scrappers, there are some great ideas for journaling.  I usually have no trouble writing stories or journaling on my layouts, but it's nice to change things up from time to time and allow someone else to do the journaling for you.  I created this layout for Practical Scrappers and featured journaling done by my boys:

Since I wanted them to stay on topic, I created a journaling template and allowed the boys to fill in the blanks.  They each enjoyed "writing their story" and especially loved reading what the other wrote about him. It's a great way to involve little ones, see their personality, get their opinions, and capture a handwriting sample!

Rainforest Cafe

I kept things simple for this week's Scrapbook Steals layout.  These photos are over a year old and were taken on a weekend trip to Chicago.  The boys had a great time eating overpriced food and exploring the restaurant.

I cut down four photos to fit into a grid pattern.  Then I cut thin strips of black cardstock to frame around the pictures and the grid.  I matted the pics on a piece of jungle paper and added some 3-D animal embellishments from my stash.  For my title, I cut around a picture I took of the actual restaurant sign, leaving just the words and the cute little tree frog.  I added some journaling with a white pen and called it good enough.  Another week done.  Thanks for looking!

Oreo Ice Cream Dessert

Oreo ice cream dessert is always a hit.  I know I probably had you at Oreo, but throw in some ice cream and cool whip and you've got a super simple dessert that will be the hit of any party.  Caleb and I made it this weekend to take to a family gathering and we decided to take pictures to show you how it's done.

Here's what you'll need to start:  one package of oreos, a stick of butter, a half gallon of ice cream, one container of Magic Shell ice cream topping, and one tub of whipped topping.

Start by crushing the entire package of oreos in a food processor and melting a stick of butter in the microwave.  If you have a handsome little assistant, put him to work mixing butter and oreo crumbs.

Then spread the buttery crumb mixture evenly into a 9x13 cake pan, pressing down with the back of a spoon to form the "crust".

The next layer is ice cream.  If you planned ahead and set your ice cream out to soften, this step is much easier.  If you forgot that step, do as I did and open up the carton to expose your brick of icy creamy goodness.  Use a sharp knife to slice the ice cream into slices.  We used cookies n' cream ice cream, because you really can't have too many oreos in this dessert.  But feel free to substitute any other ice cream flavor that tickles your fancy.  I've had it with mint chocolate chip, regular chocolate chip, and plain old vanilla ice cream.  Chocolate or coffee flavored ice cream might also be considered as a substitute.

Arrange your slices of ice cream to cover the oreo crust layer.  Again, this is much easier if the ice cream is softened first, making it easily scoopable and spreadable.  But then again, cutting frozen ice cream slabs does burn a few more calories, so maybe it's a good thing I did it the hard way.

For the next layer, spread a layer of magic shell ice cream topping.  We used the whole container of topping. My kids happen to love the crunch of magic shell, but this layer can be substituted with hershey syrup, caramel ice cream topping,  fudge ice cream topping, or any topping of your choosing.

Then spread a tub of whipped topping over the whole thing.  You'll note I used the light version of cool whip, but at this point I don't really think that helped much.  It's just what I had on hand. 

We finished it off by adding some chocolate sprinkles and chocolate shavings.  Other ways to purdy it up include using rainbow sprinkles, oreo crumbs, or mini chocolate chips.  But if you're a boring party pooper, just leave it plain and skip this delightful step. 

This dessert can be made ahead and stored in the freezer.  Just make sure to set it out 10-15 minutes before trying to serve so it's easier to cut.  It's super simple and can be adjusted to suit your taste.  My mom has made this dessert using the golden oreos, strawberry ice cream, banana slices, and french vanilla cool whip.  If you're a mint lover, go with the mint oreos and mint chocolate chip ice cream.  Anything goes!  Excuse me while I head to the treadmill......

Layout Contest at Practical Scrappers!

Practical Scrappers is having an amazing contest with a prize package valued at over $100.  Check out the details HERE.  I'd love for all of my crafty friends to play along.  The best part about the first round of this contest is that you don't even have to do any extra work.  For your first layout submission, just email a photo of a layout you've completed in the last two months.  Easy peasy!  The layouts will be judged and the ones who make it on to the next round will be given more directions for what to submit for the next round.  It's really fun and a great way to get loads of inspiration (not to mention a chance at a nifty prize package!)  Visit Practical Scrappers and tell them I sent ya!

A scrappy start to 2012

I've been lucky enough to spend the last few months as a fresh face designer for Practical Scrappers.  We were challenged this week with the task of creating a layout to showcase a hot trend from 2011.  Far from a trendy person, I wasn't sure this was a task for me.  I decided to try to incorporate a few different techniques that I used over the course of the past year.  Here's what I came up with for my first layout of the new year:

My sewing machine had been out of commission for several months, and I recently had it repaired, so I started the layout by machine stitching a border.  My favorite thing about machine stitching is how quickly it adds a special touch to a project.  I did this step first (just in case), as I didn't want to risk ruining the whole layout if I didn't like how it came out.  Once I was satisfied with my stitching, I started making pinwheels out of some of my favorite papers.  I used pieces of the Lime Twist collection from My Mind's Eye.  I love the way the patterns and colors all compliment one another.  The pinwheels were super simple and are an easy way to make a quick embellishment.  The final trend I decided to showcase was baker's twine.  I broke out some coordinating colors of twine and started meandering, using micro glue dots every couple of inches to keep the twine in place.  For the swirly twine circles, I cut out a circle of cardstock and covered the circle with adhesive.  Starting in the center, I just started winding the twine around to fill the shape.  Overall, I was thrilled with this layout and was proud to see it featured on today's Practical Scrappers blog.  My term as a designer is about to come to an end, but I love the challenges and am thrilled to have been able to showcase my scrappy creations.

you & me

For my final post for 2011, I completed one of my favorite layouts of this year.  It's not fancy, but came together quickly and turned out better than I hoped.  Here's my layout based on the Scrapbook Steals sketch for this week, modified by turning the sketch on it's side to accommodate a vertical picture.

This layout started with one of my favorite staples, kraft paper.  Then I added lots of fun patterned papers from My Mind's Eye and added some pleated ribbon and trim.  My favorite part of this layout was making the title.  A few weeks back, I picked up some burlap fabric remnants at JoAnns and I decided to work it into my layout.  I cut out a large "&" on my cricut to use as a pattern and traced it on the reverse side of the material.  I hand cut around my shape, being careful not to unravel the fabric too much.  I adhered it with glue dots and added some thickers to complete my title.

For years I avoided scrapping photos of myself.  With two super cute kiddos, I have plenty of photos and reason to scrap.  Only recently, I've made my scrapbooking more personal.  I realized that I scrapbook to preserve memories and tell our story.  Our story really does include me, and that means getting on the other end of the camera and putting myself out there.    Even if I'm not always happy with how I look, I realize that my kiddos will value having pictures of mom, at every stage of life.  I'm not a super model and never will be.  But I am real and normal and worthy of being included in these memories.  And with this in mind, I've posed for more pictures this year than ever before, I've handed over the camera to the kids and occasionally my husband, and I've created several layouts featuring yours truly.  And I'm happy to say that I'm looking forward to capturing more family memories, including ALL members of our family. 

I'm pleased with how I've grown as a scrapper over the past year.  I started blogging, posting my work in on-line galleries,  entering contests, and am part of an amazing group of scrappy friends that I've "met" online.  My scrapping style has changed and improved,  I've won oodles of free goodies and scrapbook swag, and I was chosen to be part of a design team (as a fresh face designer at Practical Scrappers).  I am excited to continue pursuing my passion and I'm looking forward to 2012!