Monday, December 28, 2009

Countdown to Christmas & Beyond....Day 28

Ever wondered what to do with all those Christmas cards you get over the holidays? How about recycling them into these adorable little gift/trinket boxes.You'll find step-by-step directions HERE

DT Challenge 12/28 - 1/3

This week is an ad challenge. The biggest part of the challenge was finding an ad that I liked. I finally stumbled upon this one.

Here is the layout I made featuring our Godson. I took the top picture on Thanksgiving and wasn't sure what I was going to do with it. About the same time I stumbled onto the smaller one taken when he was in elementary school. When I saw the ad, I knew what I wanted to do.

Jan's DT Reveal for December

This month the design team had the pleasure of working with some high quality papers from Adornit - Carolees Creations and the new flipbooks from 2 Charm Products .  Here's a quick little recipe book I made using papers from the BBQ collection from Adornit - Carolees Creations and the flipbooks from 2 Charm Products. 
I also made a quick little party invite using scraps of paper I had left over from the BBQ collection.


Here's a little bag and card I made using papers from the Graduation collection also from Adornit - Carolees Creations.



Here's a a couple of layouts using papers from the Nancy Jane collection from Adornit - Carolees Creations.
  

I also made some little gift tags with scraps of paper I had left over from the Nancy Jane collection.

Thanks for looking and please scroll down for more inspiration from the design team!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Layout of the Week - Suzanne

I chose this beautiful layout by our lovely Cookin Up Creation member Suzanne. I love this layout because of the wonderful colors and elements. Suzanne did a great job of creating dimension by cutting the top of her layout, using a border punch and then lacing up the top. Absolutely gorgeous! Congrats Suzanne!


Monday, December 21, 2009

Kimberly's Adornit/Carolees Creation Reveal

I loved working with the Apple Crisp line of papers and emblellishments. They all coordinate so well! It makes scrapping so much more fun when you can just grab the papers that you like and know that they are of course going to look great together - and they really do.
kept this page simple. The Camping Adventures Still Blue Splatters and Light Sage Green went to perfectly with these pool pictures that I just couldn't resist using them. I just added a little ink and some stickles and got a wet and wonderful page.

I liked the western themed paper , Outback Country, and I knew exactly the pictures to use. My daughter had a western theme night and these papers were perfect. I did distress the edges of the papaers and ink them giving it a more weathered look


Kimberly's 2 Charms Reveal

I just loved the 2 Charms flip book! I had pictures of my daughters birthday party that were not of the best quality, but I did want to include them. This was the perfect answer! Whever came up with this idea should get the Nobel prize for scrapbooking


Pocket Calendars

I have another quick/easy/inexpensive project for y'all this week. I picked up several of these little pocket calendars at Michael's for $1....... Then all you do is take the actual calendar out of the plastic covering....use that as a guide in cutting your patterned paper....adhere it to the outside cover & then decorate as you wish. These are just a couple that I've done so far for my mom & sis. I'd love to see what you guys come up with! Enjoy!!



Thursday, December 17, 2009

Countdown to Christmas Day 17

And it came about while they were there, the days were complete for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first-born son; and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. Luke 2:6

While this is not an inn it is a house! And there is plenty of room for birdies to nest their babies!

On a trip to Minneapolis I stopped at a wonderful lss, Picture This, in Eau Claire, WI. When I checked out I spied this adorable birdhouse sitting on the counter.

It was only about 6" tall and as cute as can be. I asked about it and found out that the owners husband had made the little birdhouse for her to cover with papers and ephemera.










They were offering this one as a class---not while I was there--so they allowed me to take pics---told you they were a great store!










I purchased my house at Michael's and it is quite a bit bigger. I cut the papers--Graphic 45--to fit the various parts and glued it on with Scotch Tacky Adhesive. Glue dotted on the ephemera and added the cute little bird from ADORNit's Nancy Jane line.























TFL!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Layout of the Week


This week, I chose Jen's canvas that she made. I just fell in love with this when I saw it in the gallery. Gorgeous work, Jen & congratulations!!

Decoupage Frame

Want to go from this.............to this.......
in no time flat for a wonderfully cute & inexpensive gift idea? Then come check it out HERE


DT Challenge 12/14-12/20

Sorry I'm a tad bit late in getting this posted here, but I've been fighting with an ornery computer here recently. Anyways.....this week's challenge is a 'Lift' challenge & I chose to lift our very own talented DT co-ordinator, Patti..... I loved the angle of her photos, the striped piece of paper & the little grouping of embellishments & also that cute little journaling block.

Here's my spin-off of Patti's LO.......would love to see what the rest of you might come up with!!


Monday, December 14, 2009

Naureen's DT Reveal

Here are a few of my creations from the Adorn It - Wild West Paper Line. Enjoy!









Design Team Call

Ever hear the phrase, "Out with the Old, in with the New"?? Well, that's what we're doing here at Cookin' up Creations! With the new year, comes a new Design Team....and it's that time again, time to bring in a new Design Team.

We are looking for very enthusiastic, chatty, and committed scrappers. We are looking for design team members who will fit into our new community and are interested in helping us GROW! Participation on the message board and in the gallery is highly encouraged along with your submission. We would definitely love every opportunity to get to know each person that applies on a more personal level.

Submissions will be taken from: December 10, 2009 - thru January 10, 2010.
Design Team members will be notified no later than January 12th, 2010 via email. Your position will begin immidiately after your acceptance.

You will be required to upload layouts/cards/projects with items provided to you on a rotation schedule. The Design Team will work on a weekly schedule, with each member taking a week throughout the month.

This will be a 6 month term beginning February 1, 2010 and ending July 31, 2010.
Please include in your email the following:
Name
Address
Phone #
Link to your Blog (if you have one)
and a short paragraph or two on why you are interested in joining our team.

Please submit Three (3) layouts, any size and One (1) altered project to tammy072469 @ yahoo .com. Please put "Design Team Entry" in the subject line. We politely request that you refrain from publishing your entires elsewhere until you hear back from us whether or not you are invited to join our team.

Design Team Requirements:
The Design Team will be required to complete at least Four (4) layouts and either One (1) altered item or Two (2) cards each month. All layouts, cards and projects must include a materials list of items provided by our sponsors.
Participation on our Message Board and in our Gallery is required. This includes daily posting on the boards, leaving comments in the gallery, posting challenges/questions, participating in the challenges, and most importantly, inspiring others as well as encouraging them.
Design Team members will also be asked to help with the
Cookin' up Creations Blog
DT members are required to proudly promote Cookin' up Creations and show their DT Blinkie in their signature wherever and whenever allowed without breaking rules on other sites. DT members will also update and showcase their items on their blog, if they have one. It's a wonderful way to not only promote Cookin' up Creations but you as a designer. If you are not yet a blogger, there is lots of help available!

Benefits:
You will have immediate access to the DT forum so that you can get to know the other members and learn all about your responsibilities and plans for upcoming events.
Kits and/or products will be mailed to you upon availibilty for you to work with.

Please note that due to the high shipping costs this is only open to US residents.

If you are a new scrapper or you've never been on a Design Team before, don't let that stop you from applying. We want to see everyone's work! Show us what you're made of. We would love to have you apply and look forward to hearing from you! And all current DT members are encouraged to reapply as well!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Treats For Your Best Friend.......

It's been said that a dog is man's best friend so why not do something special for your four legged friend this holiday season.  Here's a dog biscuit recipe sure to leave your favorite canine licking his lips and begging for more......and most of the ingredients you probably have in your kitchen pantry already! 

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1.2 cup water

GLAZE:
1 large egg
2 tablespoons milk

1. Preheat oven to 275.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, oatmeal, wheat germ, peanut butter, vegetable oil, honey, baking powder and water.
3. Mix ingredients until thoroughly combined.
4. Roll dough out to a 1/2 inch thick on a lightly floured surface.  Cut into desired shapes and place on baking sheet.
5. In a small bowl, mix together milk and egg.   Brush glaze on biscuits.
6. Bake for 30 minutes.  Rotate pans and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, until biscuits are golden and firm.

Here's our new pup Maddy trying to eat my display!


As  you can see, my dogs LOVE 'EM

You can find this and lots more recipes by visiting THIS site.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Lay Out of the Week


This week's LOTW goes to Ken aka babydoll for this adorable Christmas LO. The sweet picture plus cute chipboard buttons and tags all work to make this a super page! Thanks, Ken for sharing it with us. Be sure to check out Cutsey Glam Designs to get some of Ken's cute buttons for yourself!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Amy's December Reveal

I loved working with these Adornit collections this month.....such cute papers & I loved the matching cut-outs & stickers that went along with each. Made whipping up these layouts super quick & easy too!
These two layouts used the Adornit - Nancy Jane collection. The black made for a nice dramatic background with little pops of color here & there. Fun! fun!


The Adornit- Gone Fishing Collection was just perfect for these pics of my little man on his 4th birthday when he got a new fishing rod, tackle box, goggles & flippers. And I loved using the little 2 Charm flip book (on the bottom LO).....attached with two brads it was the perfect way to include ALL the party pics on one page.

And last but not least, this card was super simple with a leftover piece of paper used for my layouts.....all I did was fold it & add a few of the complimentary stickers for a wonderfully masculine card......which, BTW, will be heading off to my father-in-law here in just a few days to wish him a Happy Birthday.





Sunday, December 6, 2009

Dec. 7- Woven Heart Ornaments

We made these adorable woven heart ornaments on a site I belonged to a couple of years ago. The woven hearts create a little basket of sorts, perfect for hanging on the Christmas tree and filling with candy or toys. I can also see them as cute gift tags, something the recipient could later hang on their own tree! Come check out our Countdown to Christmas challenges for complete instructions.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Cookin' up Creations and 2charm


If you ladies would like to recieve a free flipbook from 2charm just like the ones that the Design Team are using this month on the Cookin' up Creations website, then today is your lucky day....

Brendon from 2charm sent me this message....

TwoCharm Staff December 3 at 4:11am
I would like to extend our free flipbooks offer to anyone of your followers and/or site registrants that will come to 2charm.com and register. They don't need to pay the shipping if they go ahead and register and note that they found us on your site in the registration form. You can advertise that on your site as well if you would like.

How cool is this?? And when you register, it'll have a drop down menu as to how you found them....you have to choose cookinupcreations.com to recieve your free book....

The web address is: 2charm flipbooks

Friday, December 4, 2009

Countdown to Christmas Day 4


We all know how stressful this time of year can be with all the shopping, decorating and baking that has to be done.  So here's a little bath salt recipe to help you relieve some of that holiday stress.....not to mention, it's easy on the old pocket book.
  
INGREDIENTS:
Epsom Salt or Dead Sea Salt - I found Epsom Salt and my local Walmart
Baking Soda
Essential Oil - You should be able to find this at a craft store
Food Coloring - optional
Glass jar

DIRECTIONS:
In a large plastic bag, mix.....

2 cups Epsom Salt or Dead Sea Salt - or 1 cup of each....do not use table salts, they will dry out skin! 

1-2 teaspoons of baking soda, if desired.....makes skin soft.

10-12 drops of essential oil (Lavender is best for a relaxing bath, Vanilla and Eucalyptus are also fabulous!)  It's best if you add a drop or two at a time to prevent the oils from melting the salt.

Add the food coloring one drop at a time until you get the color you desire - this is optional.  

After you have mixed the salt really well, pour into pretty glass jars and attach lids.

For the Glass Jars:
I used an old candy jar that I purchased at a discount store years ago, but you can also use mason jars, spaghetti jars, mayonnaise or pickle jars - just make sure they're clean and dry when you add the salts.
Thanks for looking and be sure to check back over the weekend to see what Tammy and Shawn have in store for you!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Countdown to Christmas Challenge Day 3

Today's challenge is this cute little gift pocket. They are so quick and easy to make and perfect for tucking in a little gift for the special people in your life. Be sure to head over to Cookin' Up Creations forum and get the directions. Warning: they are addicting and you'll want to make many!!!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Layout of the Week - Dec. 2nd


Is by Sandy! As soon as you open the gallery this layout just pops out at you. I love the red lace background but it's the splashes of blue that really catches the eye and the photos are kinda cute too! 

Congratulations Sandy!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Patti's December DT Reveal

Thanks for stopping by today and giving us a peek! We hope you like what you see and will join us at Cookin' Up Creations for our month long Countdown to Christmas and Beyond as well as checking out what the rest of the DT will be creating with the wonderful products by our two sponsors this month, ADORNit, Carolee's Creations and 2 CHARM flipbooks.



This LO is done using ADORNit Nancy Jane paper and 2 CHARM flipbooks. The flipbook allows me to put 8 4 x 6 pictures on the LO with the ease of a hole punch and ribbon. These little books are so much fun to use. Be sure to check out their website and order some to use on your LOs! The ADORNit papers are such fun and quick papers to create with. The heart and large flowers with flourish were cut from another sheet to add the finishing touches to the journaling block but all the other words and flowers are part of the pp.

This little bird was cut out of the same pp that the heart and flower in the first LO were cut from. I added a photo turn to him for a wing and heat embossed using UTEE. Be watching for him to reappear later this month on another fun project

A couple more LOs using ADORNit's adorable
Nancy Jane Collection.



This was a quick card using ADORNit pp and ribbon from the Fern Collection





More LOs using the fun Fern Collection.

Thanks for stopping by!