Our 1st Tree

I love the challenges that I am presented with as a design team member at Scrapbook Magazine UK.  I look forward to receiving my emails from Lindsey offering me something new to get my creative juices flowing.   Issue 71 was just released this week and I was fortunate to be given two challenges and have both layouts published.

This is my layout  for the sketch challenge in Issue 71, I will show you the second layout in a future blog post.  I turned the sketch on it's side and used the Pion Design "Waiting for Santa" papers and created this 12x12 layout.

Meagan & Jake had the chance to spend a weekend at a friend's farm where they were able to cut down their very first Christmas tree.  They were so excited to bring home their "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree.

And a few close-ups....

 Designer Tip:

After cutting 4 trees from the Sizzix die;  I painted glue over the fronts of the trees and sprinkled Tim Holtz Distress Stickle Dry Glitter on top, let dry and then used a spatula to add small amounts of Deco Art Snow Tex to the tips of the tree branches to make it look like snow.  I then sprayed them with Imagine Goosebumps Shimmer Texture Spray to make them look wintery and wet.

And, as I always do.... sewed each paper layer down with my sewing machine!

My Easter Eggs

First day of Spring and it's almost that time of year when we get to hunt for Easter eggs.  I'm a little sad that my kids are too old to hunt for eggs but on a positive note.... they are never too old to eat them and this is one of their favourite egg dishes.  I don't just make them at Easter, I make them for every special occasion and, because I've made them so many times, I could do it blindfolded!
My devilled eggs...

... and here is my recipe, straight from memory!

Boil the eggs for 7-9 minutes, running them under cold water while peeling them really helps to remove the shell (this was a tip from my father-in-law who made the best hard boiled eggs!).
Remove the yolk and mix with the following: mayonnaise, ground mustard, Italian seasoning, thyme, basil, oregano, Tobasco sauce, salt and pepper.  Stuff the mixture into the egg white shells and top with paprika and a half slice of olive.  They take only a few minutes to make and are a great tasting appetizer.

Don't you just love my egg serving dish?  I received it as a wedding gift many years ago and it gets used on a regular basis!

Happy Easter and Enjoy!