Happy Holidays and a freebie

Good morning everyone, I hope you all had a great Holiday and are looking forward to the New Year as much as I am.  I have made a fun little freebie frame cluster with Lita's kit Sorbet available at her shop Scrap Orchard. It is a lovely kit with soft refreshing colors and I hope you enjoy the cluster I made for you.  Feel free to link us up to your layouts so we can all leave you some love in the gallery.

you can download it here
Enjoy and I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year, bring on 2012!!!

Christine

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The Best Christmas Pins

I don't know about all of you, but I'm hopelessly addicted to Pinterest!  I thought since we're so close to the big day I'd show you my favorite Pins relating to Christmas.  I've linked them up to the Pin and the originating source.

One of my favorite crafts I found on Pinterest is this one from All Sorts.  There's a great free pattern and tutorial on how to make them.

Just looking at this Pin makes me happy.  I wish my mantel/fireplace looked like this!

This one is one I definitely want to try - what a neat idea for Garland!  The blog post has lots of ideas for garland, not just using ornaments.

And of course you can't forget the food!  These brownies look absolutely amazing!

 And while this isn't your traditional Christmas fare, I think I'll try this for my toddler's breakfast one morning this Christmas season - Strawberry and Banana Candy Cane 

What are your favorite Christmas finds on Pinterest?  Link us up in the comments section, we'd love to see them!

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You Will Love This News

Litabells partnered up with Studio Flergs to bring you the ultimate wedding collaboration – L’Amour. The colors in this collection are fantastic!! L’Amour is filled with gorgeous papers and just the right amount of bling. You will be head over heels for the fantastic flowers and foliage! Be sure and pick up this collection this weekend when it is on sale!

Have a look at what the Belles did with the gorgeous new collaboration from Lita and Flergs!

Thanks for visiting the blog today. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and a terrific holiday!

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Sunset Blues Quick Page Freebie!

Hello and welcome! It's Pene here bringing you a quick page with one of my favourite kits by Litabells called Sunset Blues, available now at Scrap Orchard.

I made this LO of my husband and sons at the beach a few years ago, and I think the quote perfectly matches the photo:

I have made this into a quick page for you and I hope you enjoy it!

You can download it here.

Cheers,

Pene xo

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Sneak Peek Time

Guess what time it is? It’s time to share with you a little snippet of what Lita has been working on. It’s a collaboration with someone fantastic. Be sure and stop by the blog on Thursday to get the rest of the scoop. You won’t be disappointed.

Do you want all of the latest news from Litabells? You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Plus get news right in your inbox by signing up for the newsletter!

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Last minute?

Ok...who's with me? Last minute rushing around for holiday gift ideas for school or the office? Jand here and I have been madly scanning websites and especially Pinterest lately looking for ideas for things I can make easily and fairly cheaply to give as teacher gifts for my kids and myself. So, I thought I'd share some of the things I've found and maybe help out someone else in the same situation I'm in right now :/ All images are linked to the original sites.

This is just too cute for younger ones on your list, or school...playdough with glitter in jars to look like candy canes

Such a pretty ornament and great gift for a music lover

 

These little snowmen would be a great gift that the kids can help out in making

These I found a while back and what a great way to recycle Pringles cans...we go through lots of those!

I give several Starbucks gift cards every year...this is such a cute idea for wrapping them!!

And this is the one that I'm really hoping to have time to do for some of my coworkers! Cute Citrus Salt Scrub.

I truly hope that each and everyone of you has a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

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Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

Hi everyone, Di here with an awesome recipe for you to try this Christmas.  I was spending a little lot of time on Pinterest the other night, and came across this cute little picture of reindeer cookies, and had to follow through to see the recipe.  I haven't yet had the chance to try it, as my cooker is on the blink!  But come Wednesday once it is replaced, it is going to be the first recipes I try!

Source

Ingredients:

3/4 cup peanut butter

1 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup shortening

3 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 egg

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

Chocolate-covered mini pretzels

Mini brown M&Ms

Regular-sized red M&Ms

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C or gas mark5).

Combine brown sugar, peanut butter, shortening, milk, and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Add egg; beat until just blended.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix just until blended.

Form dough into 1-inch balls. To make reindeer-shaped cookies, pinch the bottom of the ball slightly to form a point, then gently flatten with your hand. Space cookies about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 7 to 8 minutes, until set or just beginning to brown. 

Remove from oven and immediately (and gently) press two mini pretzels into the tops of the cookies for the reindeer's antlers. Press two mini brown M&Ms in for the eyes and one red M&M for the nose (or any other color... some of mine ended up with green noses. They might be South Pole reindeer.). 

Allow to cool 2 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a wire rack or paper towel to cool completely. 

Makes about 40 reindeer cookies.

This recipe is from the Bakergirl site.  Make sure you pop over and say thankyou if you enjoy them.

Hope you have a great week.

Till next time,

Di x

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Happy Holidays....FREEBIE!

Hello, Athena here to bring you holiday wishes From Lita and her CT. We want to wish you all a VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY. Thank you for your support throughout the year. Here is a freebie just for you! This was created with Lita's portion of Christmas Blessings from Litabells and Captivated Visions found exclusively at Scrap Orchard. Click on picture below. Please enjoy.

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It’s All About Friendship

New this week is a fantastic collaboration from the dynamic duo – Litabells and Laura Banasiak. My Bestie will have you scrapping those sweet moments shared between friends. Don’t miss adding this bright and cheerful kit to your digi stash.

For a limited time Lita is offering a super Alpha pack – Grunged Up FREE with the purchase of "My Bestie" Kit!

I couldn’t possibly leave here today without sharing some eye candy with you. Have a look at the fantastic work of Lita’s Belles!

   

For more inspiration check out Lita’s gallery. Thanks for visiting today! Have a fantastic weekend.

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A Cluster Frame Freebie!!

Its Heather here with a freebie I made today. Its a cluster frame using Lita's recent release, sunset blues. I love love love the colors of this kit. Here is a the kit (click it to go to lita's store)

And here is my freebie for you today: (clicking the image will take you to 4shared)

Thank you so much for looking!!

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Letter Writing Day Free'bee

Hi everyone, CTM Vicky here with a  free'bee for you !!

Did you know that today is offically Letter Writing Day, I can't remember the last time I recieved a hand written letter? Its all emails, Facebook messages and Pm's now!!

When was the last time you wrote a letter by hand ?? I do know that the last one I wrote was to send to my Doctor for a repeat perscription, but I'm pretty sure that doesnt count LOL.

I have typed letters to people on a scrap page before though, and thats where this freebie idea came from, plus the fact Christmas is fast approaching !!

Here is a journal spot that you can use to jot down your Christmas Wish List or even a letter to the big guy in a red suit himself xx

Download your freebie HERE

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, and are blessed with health and happiness throught the season and into 2012 too !!!

Thnak you for stopping by the blog today xx

Vicky

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Where I Stand - 2012 Calendar Freebie

Hi everyone,
Di here, and today I have a cute little 2012 Calendar Freebie, just in time for you to pop in with your Christmas Cards, or to send as a special gift to friends or grandparents. I have made the calendar with one of my favourite of Lita's kits, Where I Stand.

Here is your freebie!  Simply click on the image, or the link below.

 Download here

After dropping in my photos, I've printed my calendar onto magnet paper, and I will include one in each of the grandparents christmas packages this year.  The magnet will attach to the fridge, and they will have a constant reminder of their granddaughter.  The size is A5 (or roughly 210x148mm or 8.3x5.8in), but the calendar can be resized to suit.  If you make it smaller and print on card, it could be used as a purse or wallet calendar.  The possibilities are endless.

If you download and use the calendar, I'd love to see what you've done.  So link us up at Lita's gallery at Scrap Orchard.

Enjoy your week!
Di  x

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Two new kits and a massive sale!

Hello there! It's my day on the Scrap Orchard advent calender, which means my entire store is a whopping 50% off!

And, just to spice it up a little further, I've put two new 'not so mini' kits in store, also half price!

Click on each preview to check them out in store. And be sure to sign up for the Scrap Orchard newsletter HERE, to receive a new freebie each day, compiling to a fab collab kit!

Happy scrapping and merry christmas!

Lita xo

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Super Easy Ham and Cheese Casserole

Hey there, its Heather again. I don't know about you, but there are days where I just want to scrap and do not want to cook. Or I have been super busy and just plain wore out. But I have these 3 kids who for some reason think they need to be fed daily (needy things huh?) So what do you do? I keep a few things on hand for days like this. First, I always have paper plates, silverware (haha plasticware), and cups. This way, on my lazy nights I also don't have dishes. AND those cheap metal pans that you can throw away. And my go to recipe is ham and cheese casserole. Barely any prep work beforehand.

You will need:

1 package of cubed ham. (I find this with the other fresh cooked ham products in the grocery store)
2 cups shredded cheese
10 eggs
dash of milk
1 package of crossiant recipe style (or the regular works)

Preheat oven to 375. First take your metal pan (or a casserole dish is fine, you want it to be 9 x 13 so that its not too thick and cooks evenly) and roll out your crossiant into the bottom. I usually spray my pan with pam first but that is up to you. Then sprinkle the ham on top, then put the cheese on top of that. I tried using more cheese and it didn't taste right. 2 cups seems to be the magic number.

Wisk eggs in a separate bowl and put in a dash of milk. To tell you the truth I have no idea why I do this, I don't put in much, maybe an ounce? But the person who told me this recipe told me to so I do it.

Pour eggs on top of casserole. You can cover it with aluminum foil but its not necessary. I do it if I remember it. Then bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until fork inserted into middle comes out clean.

Simple and easy!! What are your go to recipes for easy meals when  you don't feel like cooking?

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Folded Paper Christmas Tree

Hello and Pene with you again with another hybrid project. I have wanted to make one of these little trees for a while as I think it will look very pretty on my hall stand. It was pretty easy to make but you need a bit of time to do it.  Oh, and my advice would be to use a thimble to push the pins in as my thumb is still sore!!

To make this you need:

• a polystyrene tree, whatever size you'd like
• double sided patterned paper - this tree used three A4 sheets
• 2 stars for the top of the tree
• paper trimmer
• distressing ink and sponge
• straight pins
• bamboo skewer
• ribbon, glitter, bling etc from your stash

Print the paper of your choice onto an A4 (or letter sized) piece of cardstock.  I chose three papers from Lita's Christmas Blessing kit, the very merry collab with Captivated Visions available now at Scrap Orchard.

Cut the patterned papers into 1" wide by 3" long strips.  Ink the pieces if desired.

Fold the strip so the ends meet, but don't squash it flat.  Start at the bottom and position the paper so it isn't pushing the tree off the surface.  Push a pin through the paper and into the polystyrene tree. Continue right around the tree for your first row.

For the next row and each subsequent row, overlap the paper so that it covers the first row of pins and the gaps between each strip.

Keep going until you have covered your tree.  I used extra pins at the top to ensure a smooth finish.

I then printed 2 stars onto white cardstock and cut them out.  I used a pop up glue dot to stick one of the stars to a bamboo skewer.  I then glued the other star and craefully stuck it on the other side of the bamboo skewer to give me a nice double sided star.  I pushed the skewer through the top of the tree.  I used some gold ribbon to hide the gap between the star and the tree.  

You could decorate the tree anyway you like - add some brads or bling or paint it with glue and sprinkle glitter on it.

I hope you have enjoyed this and please link back here if you make a tree!  And if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Cheers,

Pene xoxo

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