Just a Note…

Are you a list maker? Do you jot down little notes to remind yourself of what you need to do? I am always writing myself notes to remember things…I tell myself it is because my brain is just so full that it’s hard to remember everything! 😉

Here’s a cute little pad to write down all those things that might slip your mind. I sent this one to my Mom for Mother’s Day – not saying she forgets things – she has a full brain, too!

IMG_6010

Here’s the inside…

IMG_6011

My notepad measured 8 x 3 inches and was about 1/4 inch thick. I cut the green card stock cover to measure 8 1/4 inches by 6 1/2 inches. Then I scored it at 3 1/8 inches and again at 3 3/8 inches. I attached the note pad to the inside using score tape from Scor Pal.

To decorate the front, I used the vine embossing folder from Sizzix to emboss a panel of lighter green card stock. I attached it, along with a panel of patterned paper, to the front of the notepad cover. I stamped “Just a Note…” from Hero Arts on mustard card stock with olive ink and punched it with the label punch from Stampin’ Up. I attached it to a scalloped oval punched from the lighter green card stock with foam tape and attached the entire piece to the notepad cover with foam tape. To finish it, I glued green gingham ribbon around the cover to hide the seam where the two papers come together and tied it in a bow.

This will work with any notepad you may have on hand – just adjust the measurements to fit the size of your notepad. Happy list making!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Cards, Gifts, Organization, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Pantry Door Refresh

We have big ideas for updating our kitchen. Big ideas like knocking down walls, changing a double window to French doors, new cabinets, bigger island, new flooring…pretty much just gutting it and starting over. But we’re not sure when we’ll have the energy and courage to start another major remodeling project! 😛 I hope it will be sooner rather than later, but in the meantime I needed to do something about my pantry door.

The pantry door was in dire need of a facelift. I could have just repainted it white, but I wanted something a little different. So I painted it just a shade darker than the wall color. I also refreshed the trim with a new coat of white. Then we replaced the doorknob with a new lever. The paint was left over from some other projects so the only cost was for the new door lever.

Here’s the before pic…

IMG_5948

And after…

IMG_5959

(Not the greatest pictures, but you get the idea 🙂 )

Still dreaming of a full remodel, but this little refresh will help make the waiting a little easier!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

 

Posted in Decor, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Parmesan Pork Chops

I’m not sure where I found this recipe. I wish I could remember so I could give credit where credit is due. It’s one I’ve saved in my recipe book to keep it handy. This a super easy and tasty way to prepare boneless pork chops. They come out so moist and tender – sure to become a family favorite! Prep time takes only minutes…one of my favorite things about this recipe :).

Parmesan Pork Chops

  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil or dried parsley
  • 4 (4-oz) 1/2-inch thick boneless pork chops
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat oven to 350°

Combine Parmesan, breadcrumbs, pepper, garlic powder, and basil on a plate. Rub pork chops with olive oil and coat with breadcrumb mixture, pressing to make sure they are coated well.

Spray a foil-lined baking sheet with cooking spray. Add pork chops and lightly spray them with cooking spray. Bake 40 – 45 minutes.

Ready for the oven…

IMG_5945

Golden and delicious…

IMG_5947

 

This recipe is so easy to adapt to the number of pork chops you need. I cut it in half because I only needed 2 pork chops. But if you need more than 4 pork chops, just increase the amount of each ingredient accordingly.

Add your favorite vegetables or salad and maybe some fresh bread or rolls and you have a yummy weeknight dinner for your family.

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Recipes, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

For Your Shower – Bridal Shower Card

My oldest goddaughter had the wedding of her dreams in December. It was such a magical night filled with wonderful memories! But before the wedding came the fun of showering the bride-to-be with all the things she would need to set up her new home. 

This is the card I made for her on one of her special days. 

The stamp, punches, and embossing folder are all from Stampin’ Up. I used the Fancy Fan embossing folder to emboss a panel of plum card stock and a heart punched from white card stock. The plum panel is layered to a slightly larger strip of white card stock. The sentiment is stamped with plum ink on white card stock, punched with the word window punch, and layered to a label punched from plum card stock. 

I attached a piece of gray patterned paper to a white card. The plum panel is attached over the patterned paper. The heart is attached with foam tape and the label is attached to the heart with foam tape. 

I finished the card with a crocheted flower topped with a bow made from sheer plum ribbon. I found the flower in a package with several other crocheted flowers at Hobby Lobby. I know, I can’t believe I didn’t crochet it myself (gasp!) but there was so much going on and I just didn’t have the time! 

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Cards, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Peanut Butter Icing

Do you have bananas that are just a little too ripe to eat? Seems like we always end up with one or two from the bunch that ripen up before we can eat them. So I’ve been storing them in the freezer to use for baking or in smoothies. You don’t even have to peel them – just stick them in the freezer until you’re ready to use them. If you’re using the banana in a smoothie, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds, peel, and add to your blender. If using them in baking, let them come to room temperature (it won’t take long) and peel – they will be quite mushy which is just what you want for baking!

I found this recipe for Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Peanut Butter Icing here via Pinterest. I mean chocolate, banana, peanut butter…all together in one tasty bread!! Of course I had to try it!

All mixed up and ready to go…

IMG_5911

Golden brown and fresh from the oven…

IMG_5912

Look at that yummy peanut butter icing…

IMG_5913

Sliced and ready to serve…

IMG_5914

I cut the slices thick and then cut each one in half – but of course you don’t have to do that, you can just eat a whole slice. 🙂

This is a great twist on the traditional banana bread recipe…and you probably have everything you need to make it in your kitchen!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

 

 

 

Posted in Recipes, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Nope. Not Today. 

Here’s a card I made using the “Tricia Girl” set from Unity Stamp Company. I love that she’s just a little sassy. She’s not going to let things get her down…Nope. Not Today.

Tricia Girl is stamped with black ink on white card stock and colored with Copic markers. I used the Apron Lace border punch by Fiskars to punch the edge of sage card stock and layered the stamped image on top. I attached a panel of patterned paper to a mustard card. The image is attached to the card with foam tape. The sentiment is stamped with mustard ink on white card stock. I punched it out with an oval punch and inked the edges with mustard ink. It is also attached with foam tape.

…Nope. Not Today. Need to think this way a little more often :).

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

 

 

Posted in Cards, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Savory Crescent Chicken Squares

Chicken things. That’s what we called them when we were kids. As in “Hey Mom, can you make those chicken things for dinner?” I’ve seen different takes on this recipe over the years, but this is the one that my Mom got from a friend… well, let’s just say a long time ago. 😉

Savory Crescent Chicken Squares

  • 3 ounces cream cheese – softened
  • 3 Tbsp melted margarine (or butter)
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken (or 2 cans chicken)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp pepper
  • 2 Tbsp milk
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped onion
  • 1 (8-count) can crescent rolls
  • 1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (I use Italian)

Preheat oven to 350° F. Blend cream cheese with 2 Tbsp melted margarine until smooth. Add chicken, salt, pepper, milk, and onion. Mix well. Separate dough into 4 squares, pressing perforations to seal. Put 1/4 of the chicken mixture in the center of each square. Pull the corners up over chicken mixture and pinch together to seal. Brush tops with remaining margarine. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Place on a baking sheet. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.

Here’s what the filling looks like…

 

All ready to put in the oven…

 

Golden brown and ready to eat…

 

I prefer to cook fresh chicken breast rather than using canned chicken. Simply boil your chicken in water to cover for about 20 minutes or until no longer pink. Cool and shred.  One chicken breast will usually be enough to yield the amount of cooked chicken you will need. But if you are in a hurry, they are just as tasty with canned chicken.

This is an easy recipe to double if you need more than 4 chicken squares to feed your family – or if you want extras for lunch tomorrow! I have to admit that I’ve even eaten them cold and they are still yummy. 🙂

Happy eating!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

 

Posted in Recipes, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

DIY Serving Dishes

These serving dishes are so incredibly easy to make! The possibilities are endless – just choose your favorite plates or bowls to match your decor, holiday, or season.

I love the vintage look of this one…

Once you’ve chosen your plates, all you need are glass candlesticks and E6000 adhesive. Make sure to get the clear adhesive – it also comes in white and black so check the package! I picked mine up at Hobby Lobby (using my coupon, of course!).

Your local dollar store is a great place to find your plates/bowls and candlesticks. I got the larger plate and the candlestick from the Dollar Tree. I found the smaller plate at Tuesday Morning for 99 cents. So including the adhesive, which I can use for so many things, I spent a little less than $6 for this project!!

To assemble the serving dish, put a thin bead of adhesive on the bottom of the candlestick. Center it over the large plate (I just eyeballed this) and press the candlestick to the plate. Use a damp cloth to wipe up any adhesive that squeezes out. Then apply adhesive to the top of the candlestick and attach the small plate. Let dry for several hours and you have your very own, one of a kind serving piece! I always hand wash my serving dishes – I’m not sure how they would do in the dishwasher. They do hold up very well, though. I’ve had the Christmas one pictured below for several years. I even store it in a cabinet in the garage…in the Alabama heat…and it is still as good as the day I made it :).

Here are a few others that I’ve put together…

img_5872


  

Thrift stores and garage sales are great places to find one of a kind plates and bowls – melamine plates come in endless colors and patterns as well. You can also use different heights and styles of candlesticks to change the look. So many ways to make it your own!

Birthdays, house warming, wedding showers, Christmas…Fill these great serving dishes with treats for a fun and unique gift. Or use them in your bedroom or bath for a pretty storage option for jewelry or bath essentials.

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Decor, Gifts, Organization, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

What are you reading?

I’m in a book club with several wonderful ladies. This is something new for me. I have always been a reader…never without at least one book on the table next to my bed. But I’ve never been in a group before and I have to say it is so much fun getting together to discuss what we’ve read!

I found the perfect stamp from Unity Stamp Company to make bookmarks for my friends. The name of the stamp set is “Part of the Story”. I just love the way she is so engrossed in her book!

 

She is stamped with black ink on white card stock and colored with Copic markers. I trimmed the image and attached it to blue card stock trimmed to the same size for the back. 

I wanted to make sure the bookmarks would last, so I picked up some self-adhesive laminating sheets from my local office supply store and sandwiched the bookmarks between 2 sheets. Then I trimmed each image leaving about an eighth of an inch of the laminate on each side.

I hope my fellow bookworms enjoy them!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Cards, Tags, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Sprinkled With Love

A few months ago, some friends were hosting a shower to welcome a sweet baby girl to the world. They asked me if I could make a banner to decorate the table using the phrase “sprinkled with love” and sent me pictures for inspiration…this is what I came up with. 

 

It was super quick and easy to make. I used 4 different shades of pink card stock. The sticker letters are by The Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby. They are black with white polka dots and the largest letter is 3-inches high. 

I punched scalloped circles using my 3 1/2-inch punch and added the sticker letters. Then I punched 2 tiny holes in the top of each circle and used twine to string them together. It was just that easy!!

And here it is attached to the table…

 

This idea could be used in so many different ways…birthdays, graduation parties, wedding showers…just use your imagination!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Cards, Decor, Tags, Uncategorized | Leave a comment