Happy Hi!

Hello Everyone!

It has been quite a while since I've played with my OCL stamps, so I thought I'd dust off a couple of sets and get creative with them over the next few days. I wanted to make a cheerful spring card since the weather here has been so beautiful lately. Of course, that was yesterday and now today it's 45 degrees, cold and windy! I decided to use the OCL set "Out for a Spin" This is such a cute set and I don't use it nearly as often as I should. I chose Fine Linen, Pink, Sage Shadow and Not Quite Navy to go with the pattern paper from the hopscotch collection by Basic Grey. I used the Top Note Die from Stampin Up for the center panel and yes, even took the time to do some real stitching around the edges. And yes, it took FOREVER! Oh well, I guess it was a good thing the TV show I was watching was entertaining! Because this stamp is a bit large, I chose to make a longer card instead of a standard 5 1/2 x 4 1/4. This card measures 6 1/4 x 3 1/2. It will fit into a 6 1/2x 4 3/4 invitation type envelope. I stamped the bicycle with Memento ink in Rich Cocoa and then used Copic Markers to color it in. It's a bit hard to see in the picture; but I did add a tiny dot of glitter to each of the flower's centers.
Ok, so that's all for me for now. I hope you all have a fabulous day; and I'll see everyone again soon!

Challenges:
Try Stampin on Tuesday: Sketch
Top Tip Tuesday: Real or faux stitching
Cooking it up with Katie: Emboss, Stitch and Punch
Paper Shelter: Anything Goes

InLinkz.com

"You're Special"

Hello Everyone!

Wow, it has been a while hasn't it?!! Sorry about the unexplained absence. I was busy setting up a new webstore to try and sell some of my creations and then I just took a break from crafting for a while. Today was the first time I was really in the mood, so I brought out the crafting table and got to work. Recently I won a little contest from Hero Arts and was able to choose a couple of goodies, Yay! I chose two stamp sets "Special Lace" and "Tapestry Script Background"
For this card I chose to use the Tuesday Morning Sketch layout for my inspiration. Smoky Shadow, Autumn Rose, Scarlett Jewel and white for my color choices.
Hopefully, this will be the new beginnings of some regular blogging once again.
Before I go, however, just want to give you all a quick link for my new web store: RTJmomGreetings I would just be delighted if you stopped by and looked at what I have to offer.

A few challenges for this card:

1. Craft Your Passion: Anything Goes
2. Creative Mondays: Anything Goes
3. Make my Monday: Spring Flowers
4. The Pink Elephant: Layers

Chicken and Feta Pasta Florentine

Good Morning!

Well, I decided to change things up a bit this morning and share a quick recipe with you. I made this yummy dish last night for supper and thought I would post it in case anyone was looking for a nice easy romantic supper for tonight. I enjoyed this with a nice Pinot Grigio wine that I had as well. If the hubs was home, I would have made a salad and bread as well...but he's not, so I didn't! Haha!!
I make a lot of these types of pasta dishes. They are easy and very versatile. You can use just about any ingredients you have on hand and make a different and delicious dish every time!

Ingredients:

--Chicken Strips (I used the Tyson grill ready kind....it saved a BUNCH of time! If you use regular chicken...just adjust the recipe for cooking purposes.)
--1/2 onion chopped
-- 4 or 5 strips bacon (I use plain ol' everyday pork bacon...so I can't attest to how it would taste with turkey bacon)
--3/4-1 jar of Alfredo Sauce
--3 cloves of garlic minced
--1/2 box chopped frozen spinach (I find a whole box is just too much)
--1/2 box short pasta (penne, shells, ziti...whatever you have on hand)
--Feta Cheese

Directions:

--Put the water on and start cooking the pasta according to directions (just a little less than al dente)

1. Cut the bacon into pieces and fry until crispy and remove from pan. (If you are cooking chicken add it to the pan and cook once you remove the bacon...and then remove also once it's finished)
2. Lower the heat a little and add the chopped onion. Once the onion has softened, add the garlic and let cook for a few more minutes. Season with a SMALL amount of salt, some pepper and if you like, a little dash of red pepper flakes.
3.(Optional) add a couple of turns of white wine around the pan and let reduce until the liquid is just about all gone
4. Add the spinach and cook for a few minutes.
5. Return the chicken and bacon back to the pan
6. Add the Pasta sauce. (Note: when I made this, I knew I didn't want to make a lot, so I only used the 1/2 box of pasta and about 3/4 of a jar of sauce. Adjust this according to how much you are going to make)
7. Add a handful of feta cheese
8. Stir everything together. Now, at this point your pasta should already be cooking as well. Take a ladle full of the pasta water and slowly stir it into the sauce mixture
9. Drain the pasta and then add it to the sauce and gently combine it together.

Enjoy and if you get a chance, let me know what you think about this recipe!

A video tribute and a card for Whitney: Amazing Grace

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I am here just briefly to share a card that I made to pay tribute to the great Whitney Houston, who as you all know passed away unexpectedly yesterday. She was such a timeless voice and for many of us, her songs were the soundtracks to our lives. I decided also to make a small video with a few pictures I found via internet. When I was trying to decide a song to play, I just couldn't choose a Whitney song. There are just too many to choose from, too many wonderful and amazing songs. So, I decided instead to use a piece of beautiful music that I think reflects her beauty not only on the outside; but the inside as well.

Life is precious, and time past is time gone forever. Love those around you passionately, completely; and forever.