Pleated Paper

Meg over at Scrapbook Express threw out a challenge to use pleated paper on a project. Pleated anything is a hot trend whether it be paper, fabric, ribbon or whatever else you want to try to pleat. I jumped right in and created this card.


I used my favorite-of-the-moment Jillibean Soup papers, Blossom Soup. My pleated paper didn't quite stretch across my card, so I added some buttons at the end to cover up the empty space. I used zip dry liquid glue to get it to sit down. It's not always easy to get pleated paper to sit down!! Maybe I should try some on my kids at the dinner table.


I am seeing lots of flags right now on projects...could flags be the new 'banners'?? Whatever the case, I like them! I used some Making Memory stickpins and created my own flags.


I used a card I saw on the Bean Talk blog for the design inspiration. I wish I could remember when I saw the card and whose it was...if you ever need any scrappy inspiration you should definitely check out the Bean Talk blog. Some awesome stuff over there!

Happy Thursday everyone! Last day of school is tomorrow....yippppeee! Summer is here!!

Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes

Today was a co-workers birthday and when I asked him what kind of cupcakes he wanted, he had a one word answer. Beer. My co-worker is a homebrewer extraordinare, so his answer didn't surprise me. And my mind went right to this recipe. Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes...what a great excuse to make these beauties.


Chocolate Guinness cupcake, filled with a Bailey's spiked dark chocolate ganache topped with Bailey's buttercream frosting. The Guinness really adds a great depth to the chocolate, so rich. But I really think the star was the Bailey's buttercream. Or else I just make the cupcakes to eat the frosting, because the frosting really IS the best part.


A whole cooling rack was taken to work before I could eat just the buttercream off each cupcake. Really, it's the best part.


This is a definite keeper recipe. From Annie's Eats: Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes. These would be fun to serve at a St. Patrick's day party or make them for your favorite homebrewing co-worker!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

BBQ Decorating Ideas

Happy Saturday and Happy 3-day weekend!!! What are your plans for the weekend? Do you have a BBQ to host or attend?? I'm going to show you some fun ideas you can make using your scrapping supplies to host a great BBQ this summer. I made this BBQ set for PSA Essentials.

First up, the invitation.


I used Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety paper and a great Peel and Stick stamp set from PSA called Life's a Beach. I crafted this invitation envelope from the patterned paper and made the invite to slip right in.


I used these same papers and same stamp set and followed through with a whole set of fun BBQ decor! How about some cupcake toppers??

Theses are food cards for your buffet table. You don't want to mix up the spicy mustard and the regular mustard.


There is always leftover food at BBQs. How about making up some goodie bags so your guests can take home an extra cookie or extra candies?

Use a standard clothespin to close the bags and sent home some goodies!

And lastly, what's a party without a banner??? These would be a great addition to the buffet table, and outside decoration or hang it in the trees. It's fun and festive!



There you have it!! You are now all ready to throw a great summer BBQ! Hope you all have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Marshmallow Crunch Brownies

There really are no words for these...so I'll get right to the point.

Brownie bottom...marshmallow middle...peanut butter chocolate rice krispies on top...I guess I did find some words.


They are similar to the Better Than Crack brownies I made with the addition of the marshmallow layer. I think I like these better.


These actually might be better than crack. But don't take my word for it. Here's the recipe so you can try and judge for yourself: Marshmallow Crunch Brownies at the Brown Eyed Baker foodie blog.

Happy eating!!!

The Girls

Happy Monday! What's up with you this week? We have 9 more days left of school, my kids are counting them down!! We have lots of fun stuff going on from now until the end of school. Parties, class play, game day, animal report...I hope we survive. Ha ha!

I had the time to scrap another photo from our trip to Maine last summer. I think i'm coming to the end of these photos, but I keep finding good ones that I need to scrap.


These are the Blue Skies paper from American Crafts. I just love the orange and aqua/teal colors together. So great for so many different kinds of photos! I used some brads from the AC Campy Trails line, too. I love how their colors coordinate so well!


Some twine, button and Thickers round it out!


So here's to a great week...thanks for stopping by!

Thinking of You

Happy Saturday!!! The sun is out, no clouds in the blue sky...it's a great day for baseball. We are getting ready to head to my son's baseball game, but i'm going to share a couple of cards that I made for PSA Essentials. There is always something going on at the PSA Stamp Camp blog, so make sure you check it out!

First up...Thinking of You...


I honestly can't remember if I shared this card before, but i'm sharing it again because it's one of my favorite card shapes. That is a cut from the Wild Card Cricut cartridge and I love the circle and scallop shapes. I also cut some hearts on my Cricut to layer on the front.

And the sentiment is from the Dare to Dream Peel and Stick pack.

I love the hearts dotting the i's!!

And one more, this one in honor of wedding season. Spring and summer is the season of weddings, and this would be a nice card to bring to the reception for your favorite newlywed couple!


I stamped the heart from the Bouquet Toss pack using white ink onto the pink cardstock, creating my background paper. Then I added the sentiment, some ribbon and a button to finish it off!


That's it from me today! I'm off and running to baseball and a birthday party and later, my kid's friends are invading my house. It's going to be a busy day. Thanks for stopping by today!!

A Trio of Cards

Happy Thursday...isn't it Friday yet? This week is dragging by. Lots of stuff going on with the kids school year coming to a close. Fun stuff, but busy busy busy!!

Here's a trio of cards I made for Scrapbook Express. I got to play with these great felt stickers, Woolies, from Basic Grey. They are layered felt stickers that are stitched and look totally homeade without you doing any of the work. Love that!


I used the same basic design for all three cards. The woolies take front and center on each card!


I paired the woolies with some American Crafts papers. I inked the edges and added some thank you sentiments. And of course, some twine!!


I like how easy these were to put together and now I have 3 more cards for my card stash. And I can always use thank you cards!

I hope you are all having a great week. I am woefully behind commenting on blogs, I am hoping to find some time this weekend to sit down, veg out, and blog surf!! Thanks for stopping by!