On this Memorial Weekend, let us remember

those who have fallen and Thank those still fighting for our freedom. 

Freedom Is Not Free

Kelly Strong

I watched the flag pass by one day. It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it, and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform so young, so tall, so proud,
he'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil? How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down? How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of TAPS one night, when everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play and felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times that TAPS had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children, of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands with interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard at the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.

Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the weather while you can.  I plan on spending time with my Family and maybe get in a little crafting time too.  

Happy Scrappin',

Janice

Crisp Gluten, Dairy and Egg FREE Waffles

I decided to try making waffles from my Betty Crocker cookbook, the same waffle batter I use for the rest of my family.  They turned out awesome, here is the recipe.

Crisp Gluten, Dairy and Egg FREE Waffles

2/3 cup water
2 tablespoons ground flax-seed
2 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup olive oil
2 cups All Purpose Gluten Free flour blend ( Bob's Red Mill)
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons Xanthan Gum
2 tablespoons Organic sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt.

Mix water and Flax Seed (Egg replacer) and let stand for about 5 minutes.  Mix Flour, baking powder, Xanthan Gum, sugar, and Salt.  Add in the oil the water and flax seed mixture and gradually add in the 2 1/2 cups of water.  Pour batter into center of heated Waffle Iron. Bake until steaming stops about 5 minutes.  New Waffle Irons have a light that comes on when it's ready. Remove waffle carefully from the Waffle Iron.

You can make up a batch and freeze them individually in foil and reheat by unwrapping and placing waffle on a cookie sheet and placing in a 400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes.

Happy Scrappin',

Janice

The Ancient Civilization Celebration is getting under way at School.

Zack came to me last week and said that he had chosen to be Zeus for the celebration.  He has to learn all that he can before next Friday.  During the celebration each 6th grade student gets to set up a desk which becomes their museum, where the other students come by and ask questions about them.  They divide the classes into 4 groups and each group gets a 15 turn at hosting a museum.  While the students are setting up the Museums the other students play a game similar to Jeopardy, where they pick the category and ask the question to the answer given.    This gives the Museum students time to get into their costumes and prepare for the questions.  Zack asked me to help him with his costume.  I first went on the internet and found pictures of Zues.  Zack decided he wanted to be the older Zues, grey beard and hair.  I wonder if you can curl yarn in the oven like you can ribbon?  Well, yes you can!!!  Here are some pics of the progress.

To curl the yarn, simply wind it around a 1/4" dowel, I used clothes pins to hold the ends in place, lightly spritz it with water and put it on a cookie sheet in the oven on 250 degrees for about 5-10 minutes depending on how wet they were when you put them in.  I used 16 dowels, twice to make the beard.

I cut the terry cloth to fit from ear to ear with room for hemming, and cut the mouth a little larger so there would be plenty of room for Zack to talk and not get the yarn in his mouth.  I started stitching the yarn on the terry cloth in rows starting at the bottom of the beard.

I had to see if my idea was going to work.

I cut out a terry cloth hat and sewed the yarn on in rows starting at the bottom of the hat like I did the beeard.  I didn't curl the yarn for the hair, I tried, but the dowel I used was too big and the yarn didn't curl.  I think it looks fine with out being curled.

 Zack came home from School and I asked him to try it on, so I could figure out where and how to attach the beard to the wig.  He was so excited to see that I had finished them both.

 Yes, Miss Hailey had to try it on too.

 Here is the crown that I made.  I punched leaves out of Olive cs and embossed the veins and then sprayed them with hammered copper Krylon spray paint.

I made the belt out of card board that was in my recycle bin, and cs scraps.  I used an embossing plate on the center area of the belt.  I stamped xoxoxox on the top edge of the belt band.  The cs I used is Cocoa and Cashmere.  The buckle I printed and layered onto cardboard.  I have a cuff for him too but it is too wet to mess with yet.  I'll show it when we have the complete costume.

Now we just need to work on his toga and shoes.

Happy Scrappin,

Janice

Breaking News!!! Close to My Heart aids in Tornado Relief.

Announced today, Close To My Heart has released a special stamp set called "Thank You" that was to be released in the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book to help in the Tornado Relief efforts in Oklahoma.  And it is such a cute stamp too!  Priced at $2.95 this is the perfect stamp to purchase one for yourself and all of your papercrafting friends!

Click here to purchase yours today.

This stamp set in the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book is available for early purchase. One hundred percent of profits for this stamp set from May 23 to June 30 will be donated to the Red Cross to aid tornado relief in Oklahoma. Recommended My Acrylix® Blocks:  2" × 2" (Y1003).  Click here to order this precious and heartwarming stamp set.

Following in Close To My Heart's relief efforts, I have set up a "Red Cross Tornado Relief" on-line Gathering on my website, and will donating 10% of my commission from sales made from today, May 23rd through May 31st 2013 to the Red Cross.  When shopping, make sure you select the "Red Cross Relief" Gathering to have your purchase count and I encourage you to purchase a "Thank you" stamp for yourself and an additional stamp for a friend.  The order will be sent directly to you.  While you are there, make sure to take advantage of the National Scrapbooking Month Dream Pop Collection too!  I will report back on the 31st as to how many stamps I have sold as well as the amount generated through my commission that will be donated to the American Red Cross!  And my thanks in advance to each of you!

Place my order now.

Happy Scrappin',

Janice

Saturday's Photo Canvas Art Class results.

Well I started the day with a great start, I thought.  I made it to Gladstone on time and set up my table, Laptop, Printer and projects. I thought I had everything ready to go, I scanned in the photos and sent them to the printer.   I waited thinking that since I didn't have WiFi available and had to connect the two machine by USB it might take a little longer to communicate.  Well, we waited and waited then I decided to text my Son James, to see if he could talk me through the issues.  He did even better than that, Bless his sole, he came to Gladstone to fix the problem.  I am so glad they were patient with me.  After about an hour we were able to get on with the class and here are some of the canvases we created.  I suggested that the attendees bring a favorite photo, not too close-up, to create the project with.  I never expected them to bring pics of their animals.  I guess next time I should be prepared and take some stamps and embellishments that they can use with animal and outdoor pics as well.

This is the one Kate created for her DH for Father's Day. She wanted it man-ly so she didn't put many embellishments on, just 4 Faux studs. I like how this turned out.  

Carol made the second one. She stamped and added lots of embellishments. I'm glad I decided to make a few of the crocheted flowers.  It looks really nice on Carol's window box photo canvas art.

The other lady, Katharine, who attended had to leave before I remembered to take pictures. She brought pics of her dogs, a Chihuahua and a Pug. She made 2 Photo Canvas Art projects and decided to print her pics out as a 4" X 6" like she brought.  She placed them in the middle running up and down.  She stamped swirls on both sides of the pics and sponged the edges.  They turned out nice also, wish I had remembered to get pictures. 

As the rest of the ladies came to the crop, we were just finishing up and they saw what we had created and several like them and said they would like to take a class like that too.

I had a few say that they wanted to take a One Sheet Wonder card class also.  

If you are interested in taking any of the classes that I post, please email me jwilson@bctonline.com or call me 503-708-6889.

Happy Scrappin',

Janice

New Photo Canvas Art for class on Saturday May 18, 2013

I finally made more of the Canvas art and this time I took pictures with the subject a little farther back and embellished them.  Here are the pics.

 I took this pic of Jordan throwing a foot ball to his mother yesterday.  Jordan is very smart, so I embellished with gears because it seem like his are always turning,

Zack loves to shoot hoops so this is a common sight at my house. 

He also likes Sculls so I thought this would be a great embellishment for his canvas. 

 It's not often you catch Miss Mary not doing anything, she is usually on her bike or helping me do something with the chickens.  I bet she's thinking about what she can help with next.

 Miss Hailey was practicing her self taught karate lessons and I just happened to have my camera.  She is such a ham bone when she sees a camera in someones hands.  I crocheted the white flower.

These will be fun to hang on the wall, as a group or by themselves.

I am offering this class at my crop on Saturday May 18th, for just $10.00, if you wish to take the class, you can sign up for our Meetup Group Portland Friends Scrap to RSVP and reserve your spot, space is limited. You can call me 503-708-6889 to schedule another class time.

Happy Scrappin',

Janice

Saturday, my friend celebrated his 70th birthday.

Of course I had to make a card.  Lee loves to play Golf and I bought a golf stamp set called Tee Time, a few years back to make cards for him and never used it until now.  I went onto Splitcoaststampers.com to get some ideas of what I wanted to make.  I searched for golf cards and 70th birthday cards and found a card posted by rdm, that I had to make.  I get a little ornery sometimes and this was one of them. This is not a normal card, it is an according card, about 5 feet long.  Here are the pictures.

 I used Buzz and Bumble paper pack with Colonial White, Cocoa, Sky and Champagne cardstock. Cocoa, Slate and Bamboo ink.  I used the Art Philosophy and Artiste Cricut Cartridges.  I used Color ready seam binding and glitter brads.  I used a mini super strong magnet for the closure on the box. I used CTMH's silver marker for the club heads.  I used SU's Blossom Petals Punch and made a cut file for the flames.  I sponged the edges of the flames with Honey ink and added Stickles to the centers after I layered the small flame over the large flame.

Here the card is with the custom box to hold it.

 There are 70 candles on this card.  Here is the link for the instructions that I followed to make the card.  http://www.mixed-up.com/mary/morestuff/50-Candled_Card_Construction658.jpg

Miss Hailey came home from School Friday and found me in the stamp room working on the card.  She asked me what I was doing, I showed her the card, which was about 1/2 way done and she asked me how many candles I was putting on the card.  I said 70.  Hailey asked why?  I told her that it was my friend Lee's 70th birthday and she exclaimed "He's going to be a Zombie soon."  

Lee loved the card.  He came over and thanked me for the card and gave me a big hug.  I told him next year I'm just going to bring him a candle and he can start putting them on the back side.  

Of course I had to tell him about the conversation I had with Miss Hailey.  I think Lee loved the story as much as the card. 

I made a second card in-case I liked it better.  Here are the pictures of it.

It is an easel card and I can change the flag if I want to.

I used the same paper pack but changed the Sky cardstock to Topiary.  The Buzz and Bumble paper pack is one of my favorite because of the vintage look.

I hope this inspires you to make one of either of the cards and if you do, please leave me a comment and a link to your card so I can see it.

Happy Scrappin',

Janice

Did someone say "Pajama Party"?

Mark your calendars for May 30, 2013  


Click here to go to the BPC Pajama Party website  They have online classes and workshops plus lots more to look at.

Here is the
Featured Project  Let me know if I can help you order the supplies you need for this project. jwilson@bctonline.com

This "Think Happy Thoughts" project features a sturdy kraft tube, bright papers, an inspiring stamped sentiment, and darling accessories brought to us by one of our favorite partners, Close To My Heart—plus 52 awesome downloadable creativity starters to go inside.

Get your own blank kraft tube today and gather the rest of the supply list now so you can join the party prepared to make your own!  Click here to place your order online.

• My Acrylix® Frame Flair (D1546)
• My Acrylix® Happy Thoughts (C1536)
• 2" x 3 1/2" My Acrylix® block (Y1009)
• 4" x 5" My Acrylix® block (Y1012)
• My Acrylix® spritz cleaner (1778)
• My Acrylix® stamp scrubber (Z1782)
• Cricut® Art Philosophy collection (Z1790)
• Whisper Exclusive Inks® pad (Z2172)
• Lagoon Exclusive Inks® pad (Z2195)
• micro-tip scissors (Z534)
• corner rounder (Z578)
• paper trimmer
• My Creations® kraft container (Z1833) 
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Crème Brulee cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5754)
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Lagoon cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5762)
• one sheet of 12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, 1385)
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Whisper cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5929)
• one sheet Pink B&T Duos® paper from Chantilly paper packet (comes with 6 sheets, X7163B)
• two yards Grey Wool baker's twine from neutral assortment (comes with ten yards, Z1701)
• three butterflies from Color-Ready Trinkets wooden shapes (comes with 57 shapes, Z1844)
• three grey Sparkles from Sparkles black & grey assortment (comes with 108, Z1754)
• 3-D foam tape

For more information about this project and the products used or to place your order through me, please call me 503-708-6889.

Click here to place your order online.

Happy Scrappin',

Janice

May is National Scrapbooking Month.

Get the exclusive paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35!

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)! This exclusive paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets as well as 12 B&T Duos^® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else! Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! Also, consider hosting this month: Hostesses receive one paper packet free with qualifying May Gathering sales totals of $400 or more.

*Shipping/handling and tax apply. Not available for purchase at full retail. Offer valid May 1–31, 2013, while supplies last. Qualifying purchases must be current, retail-priced product.

Dates: Offer valid through May 31, 2013.

If you would like to host a gathering this month, or have questions please don't hesitate to call me 503-708-6889.

Happy Scrappin',

Janice

Canvas Art Class for $10.00, Saturday May 18, 2013.

Hi everyone,

I decided that I would teach a Canvas Art class on Saturday May 18, 2013.  Here is the project we will be doing.  I hope you will join me for the class.

I choose pictures that were too large to add embellishments so I will be making more and choosing pics with subjects a little farther back.  I didn't get all the wrinkles out either.

They look better in person than in this pic.  It was a lot of fun trying to figure out how to add a photo to the canvas.  I tried several things and this was the best way that I could find.  It took me all day to get this done too.

Happy Scrappin',

Janice

Cinco de Mayo Bunco Celebration.

I have been busy the last couple weeks getting ready to host my Bunco Group on May 4th.  I made party hats for everyone to wear.   I had fake mustaches for everyone to mark their cups so they knew who's was who's. 

 I painted 2 signs to show everyone where to go for my Bunco party. I'm not much of an artist but I think you can tell what it is supposed to be.

I made a large Balloon Cactus sculpture so everyone would know they were at the right place.  I used an old Card Rack and my DH gave me some metal pipes that were bent so I could make the arms. It took 90 balloons to create this.  Thank you Dawn and Charlie for blowing up the balloons for me. Thank you Hailey and Mary for handing the balloons to me so I didn't have to let go.  I put this together in my Living room and Charlie was laughing because I then had to get it out side somehow.  I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to put it out because the wind was howling all day but calmed down just in time for me to put it out before my guests started to arrive.

 I researched and found a great recipe for Chicken Enchiladas(recipe below) I even made Gluten Free Flour Tortillas.  I found most of these recipes on Pinterest then changed them to my liking.

GF Chicken Enchiladas

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Total Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons Olive oil

1 Large Sweet Onion diced

3 Cloves Garlic minced (I used a Garlic press)

3 Chicken Breasts, cooked and shredded

1 can (14.5-ounces) Diced Tomatoes

½ cup Sour Cream

1 (4-Onuce) can diced Green Chili peppers (they are not hot)

½ teaspoon Dried Oregano

1 teaspoon Dried Sweet Basil

½ teaspoon Chili powder

½ teaspoon ground Cumin

½ teaspoon Salt

¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

8 – 10 (8-inch) Gluten Free Flour Tortillas (Recipe Below)

1 (15 Oz) Enchilada Sauce

Instructions:

·         Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.

·         Grease a 13” X 9” baking Dish with Cooking Spray and set aside.

·         Heat Olive Oil over Medium Heat in a large skillet.

·         Add onions and cook for 3 minutes.

·         Stir in Garlic and continue to cook for 1 minute.

·         Add in Chicken, diced Tomatoes, Green chilies, and Sour Cream; season with Oregano, Basil, Chili powder, Cumin and Salt and Pepper.

·         Cook for 5 Minutes or till heated through.

·         Mix in ½ of the shredded Cheddar Cheese.

·         Spoon mixture down the center of each of the GF Flour Tortillas and rollup.

·         Place seam side down in prepared baking dish.

·         Bake for 10 minutes.

·         Top with Enchilada Sauce and shredded Cheddar Cheese.

·         Return to oven and bake for 5 – 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

·         Serve warm.

Gluten Free Flour Tortillas

Ingredients:

2 ½ Cups Gluten Free All Purpose Flour

2 teaspoons Xanthan Gum

1 teaspoon Sea Salt

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 – 1 ¼ cup of warm water (about 100 degrees)

Instructions:

1.      To make tortillas, place flour, Xanthan Gum, and salt in large mixing bowl and mix well.

2.      Add 4 teaspoons of Olive Oil and stir to combine.

3.      Pour warm water in small increments and stirring to combine.

4.      Press dough together with wet hands and divide into 8 pieces.

5.      Roll each piece separately between 2 pieces of Plastic wrap until about 1/8” thick and 8” wide. (You can use a Tortilla Press if you have one.

6.      Heat a Large Cast Iron (or Non Stick) Skillet until hot.

7.      Place 1 raw Tortilla on the skillet at a time and cook for 45 – 60 seconds or until slightly charred on the bottom. (You’re better off under cooking than over cooking them because they won’t be pliable.)

8.       Flip tortilla with a heat proof Spatula and cook for another 30 – 45 seconds.

Remove from pan and place on plate continue till all tortillas are cook

Baked Cinnamon Chips with Strawberry Salsa

Baked Cinnamon Chips  

3 Gluten Free Flour Tortillas about 6"

3 tablespoons melted Butter

1 tablespoon Cinnamon

1/2 cup Sugar

Strawberry Salsa

6-8 Fresh ripe Strawberries Diced

1/2 cup chopped Pineapple chunks

2 tablespoons Sugar

1/4 cup dark chocolate 

1/4 teaspoon Olive oil

Whipped Cream

1. Preheat oven to 350 drgrees.
2. Brush melted Butter on one side of each Tortilla.
3. Mix Sugar and Cinnamon and sprinkle on the Buttered side of each tortilla.
4. Use a pizza cutter or large knife to cut the tortillas into 8 wedges.
5. Place tortilla wedges on an ungreased cookie sheet sugar side up.
6. Bake them in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until edges curl up.
7. Remove from Oven and let cool.
8. Place Chips on a platter.

Strawberry Salsa  

1. Mix Strawberries, Pineapple and sugar. (I made this a head and had it in the fridge until I was ready to serve my guests, then I put it together.)
2. Sprinkle Strawberry mix over the chips.
3. Melt the Dark chocolate and the 1/4 teaspoon Olive oil in the microwave 1 minute at a time stirring regularly until desired consistency.
4. Drizzle the chocolate over the Strawberries and chips.  ( I drizzled the chips before and after adding the strawberries.)
5. Add a few dollops of Shipped Cream and serve.
6. 
   

Cranberry-Strawberry Margarita Punch

Ingredients:

6 Cups Cranberry Strawberry Juice Cocktail ( you can use Cran-Raspberry or any other one too)

2 cups water

3/4 cup frozen Limeade Concentrate ( From 6 oz Can)

1/4 cup Frozen Orange juice concentrate (From 6 oz Can)

Lime slices

Rim salt

1 cup Tequila to spike the whole batch (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a 1 gallon insulated beverage container.
2. Salt rim of glass.
3. Serve over ice if desired.  ( you can blend this also.)
4. Garnish with Lime slices.

Strawberry Margarita Cupcakes

  They smell so good. I might have to make a gluten free version soon. (recipe below)

Strawberry Margarita Cupcakes

Cupcakes Ingredients:

1 Box Betty Crocker Super Moist White cake mix

1 cup bottled Strawberry Margarita or Daiquiri mix

1/4 cup Tequila (Optional)

3 egg whites or whole eggs.

Frosting ingredients

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup Butter

5 1/2 cups Powered sugar

5 tablespoons bottled Strawberry Margarita or Daiquiri mix.

1 Tablespoon Tequila (Optional)

Garnish:

12 Slices Lime, each cut in half.

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees (325 for dark or non stick pans)
2. Place paper or foil baking cups in each of 24 regular sized muffin cups.
3. In large bowl, beat all cupcake ingredients an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds.  Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.( I beat them on High speed for 2 minutes because it makes a fluffier cake)
4. Divide batter among muffin cups.
5. Bake 18 - 23 minutes or until a tooth pic inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Cool 10 minutes remove cupcakes from pans to cooling rack.  Cool completely.
7. In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening and butter with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth.
8. Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating until combined.
9. Add 1 tablespoon at a time of the bottled Strawberry Margarita or Daiquiri mix, beat until well blended. 
10. Add tequila now if you want to add it, but substitute it for 1 tablespoon of the Margarita Mix.
11. Beat frosting until it is light and fluffy..
12. Spoon Frosting into a decorating bag fitted with a #1M Star tip, pipe frosting onto cupcakes in a circular pattern.
13. Garnish with Lime slices.

I made fresh Avocado Salsa and Pico de Gallo too.  It was so good.  I realized tonight that I forgot to serve black olives with dinner. Bummer!!!!  I knew there was something missing, but I couldn't figure it out.

I hope you will let me know if you try any of these recipes. I would love to hear what you think about them and if you have a better recipe, I would love to have it.  I have my Avocado Salsa and Pico de Gallo recipe on the blog somewhere, if you want them just leave me a comment or send me an email letting me know you want them.

  It has been about 12 years since I have entertained friends in my home. I've always had too many people living here to be able to entertain.  I guess we could have had guest over in the yard. 

Happy Scrappin',

Janice