Friday, March 30, 2012

Spring Cleaning 2012

Have you begun your spring cleaning? I've done a few of the tasks on my list, but have lots left to do! 

In addition to my regular cleaning, here's my list:

Update: After talking to some friends of mine, it has come to my attention that you may think I do this whole list every year. While I strive to do my very best, alas, I don't complete this list every spring... ever! :) It is simply a guideline & something to work towards. Don't let it stress you out. :)



Saturday, March 24, 2012

Second Unofficial Crop Chocolate Blog Hop!



Welcome blog hoppers! 

I'm so happy to be taking part in the Second Unofficial Crop Chocolate Blog Hop! 
You should have come from Nina's blog, Nina's Time Out.

If you stumbled upon this blog hop & want to participate, you'll want to start HERE.
Check out the rules for a chance to win some prizes too!

My "Smiley" layout was made with these products:

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics
Patterned Papers - Echo Park, Dots & Stripes & Style Essentials collections
Scallop Punch - Stampin' Up!
Pearls - Making Memories
Vellum Butterflies - Jenni Bowlin
Tiny Butterflies - Dollarama
Canvas covered chipboard Alphabet - American Crafts

Most of these products were purchased from Crop Chocolate. :)


I love me some layered pattered papers! I used the scallop punch to add a decorative border.





Here's another little strip of the scalloped border to echo the three main strips.



This is today's hop list if you're lost: 

  1. Belle @ Stuff by Belle
  2. Jasmine @ Wild Flower
  3. Char @ Creations by Char
  4. Nina @ Nina's Time Out
  5. Steph @ Silver Boxes (Me! You are Here!)  
  6. Julie @ Muddy Paws & Inky Fingers
  7. Scrappy Canuck @ Scrappy Canuck Studios
  8. Lucy, guest posting @ Crafting for Sanity? Or Insanity?
  9. Brenda @ Central NY Scrapper



Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to leave a comment on each post for a chance to win the prizes!
If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, become a follower/subscriber - I'd love to get to know you better!


Happy Hopping!


Friday, March 23, 2012

Blog Hop Announcement!

I'm so excited to announce that I'll be taking part in the Second Unofficial Crop Chocolate Blog Hop! It starts today with several bloggers posting their projects & keeps going tomorrow with a bunch more bloggers posting new projects! Be sure & follow along to get some really great papercrafting ideas as well as making some new bloggy friends.


I hope you'll join us!


https://cropchocolate.com/




The theme is borders - whether they're made with an electric tool or a manual tool. I'm sure you'll find some fresh, new inspiration for your crafting!


Here's the run down:

-The hop will start at mommyx2's blog at 8am MDT on Friday, March 23 (Today!) with the first group of postings. Saturday, March 24th will have the second group of postings.



-Everyone will have until 8am MDT on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 to comment.


***To be eligible to win on the 2nd Unofficial Crop Chocolate Blog Hop, you need to comment on each blog along the hop and be able to receive packages (no post office boxes). It is open worldwide. The winners will be selected via random.org and announced at http://centralnyscrapper.wordpress.com/ on Wednesday, March 28.***

-We have two confirmed giveaways. One is a 12×12 Hello Spring Mini Theme Kit by Echo Park and another is a 12×12 Fourth Of July Mini Theme Kit by Echo Park (generously donated by Echo Park Paper Co.).

-Some of the bloggers along the hop have mentioned that they plan to offer blog candy. Be sure to look for those announcements and follow the steps they would like you to do to be eligible for those prizes. 
I sadly joined the group too late in the game & thus don't have candy to offer you. So sorry! I'll plan better next time! But hopefully you enjoy the pretty eye candy you see along the way. :)


Here is today's blog hop list: 

  1. Brenda @ Mommy Times Two    
  2. Christina @ Thrifty Sisters      
  3. Lisa @ Dream Big Cre8tions            
  4. Polly @ Pazas Productions        
  5. Amber @ Ambaju         
  6. Heather @ Sweet Pea Designs    
  7. Beth @ Engineering Memories     
  8. Paula @ Crafty Cuts by Paula  
  9. Kathy, guest posting @ Central NY Scrapper          

Be sure to come back tomorrow to visit me (and see my project) as well as visiting Saturday's participants! And maybe you'll be one of the lucky winners!


Start hopping!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Button Cards

   
  As I'm restocking my box of handmade cards, I'm endeavouring to make multiples of each design to save some time. It's also a great way to use up multiple scraps & other left over supplies. These are the latest design. 




They were inspired by the button cards that are actually packaging that My Mind's Eye mounts their buttons on. 
I changed some of the buttons to fit my colours & style a little better.




The papers are all My Mind's Eye. I used bits of ribbon & sentiment stickers to finish things off.




Easy & sweet... Just my style!

Stay tuned for a papercrafting blog hop I'm participating in this weekend with a chance to win a great prize... come back on Friday for more details. It's going to be good!

Thanks for reading!


This project was featured on:


Monday, March 19, 2012

Root Beer Cookies

Hello, friends!

Well, I took a week off blogging & had a nice little breather. My posts may continue to be touch & go in the next few weeks, so thanks for going with the flow. :)

While I had my aforementioned breather, I had a chance to do some baking; trying some new recipes as well as pulling out a few oldies that needed to be dusted off. 

This is one such recipe. 

Who doesn't like root beer? Well, I guess that could be a silly question since I didn't like it as a kid. 
I had a sip of a friend's as a teenager & wondered, "What was I thinking, not liking this?!" 
Thus began an adulthood enjoyment of my favourite flavour of pop (or soda for my American friends).

And when you can combine the flavour of your favourite beverage with a favourite type of food, life gets just a little bit better.


Root Beer Cookies with Root Beer Frosting
makes 3 dozen large cookies

Cookies:
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. root beer extract or concentrate (I found mine at the Bulk Barn. Check natural or specialty food stores.)
4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 375º.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter & brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in buttermilk & root beer extract. 

Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture. 

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375º for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. 

Frosting:
3 1/2 cups icing sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
3 Tbsp. water
1 tsp. root beer extract or concentrate

In a mixing bowl, combine all frosting ingredients. Beat until smooth. 

Frost cooled cookies.




Enjoy with a cold root beer on the side! YUM!


Enjoy your day!


This recipe was featured on:



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