Want2scrap Blog Hop and a fun Tutorial!

Hi everyone,
I am finally doing much better, thank you so much for all the good wishes. We welcome all of you to our first blog hop with Want2scrap.com
Want2Scrap Scrapbook Manufacturer is proudly sponsoring the Passionately Artistic blog hop! Let me tell you, the line of rhinestone bling and embellishments they currently have is fabulous.  Seriously! If you just can't stop yourself from putting bling on anything that doesn't move, you need to go visit them.  Want to know the best part??  Their prices are really great too.
I’m so happy that you are hopping with us, and leaving fantastic comments for us, with a chance to win fantastic prizes and 2 GIFT CERTIFICATES worth $25.00 plus other goodies.


Here are just a few things to remember...

• Become a follower of  Passionately Artistic and Want2Scrap blogs if you are not already, leaving comments on both sites for all 12 days of Christmas posting for a chance to win.
• Leave as many comments as you wish, blog about it, tell your friends on twitter, facebook.
•                                     not one but 2 fantastic prizes.
• Leave a comment for each designer on the list to be eligible for the grand prize.  Did I mention that there will be two winners of the grand prize??  Yes that’s right.  One winner will be announced on the Passionately Artistic blog and the other winner will be announced on the Want2Scrap blog. On December 18th.
There will be random prizes to all those who stop at every inspiration blog listed on the hop as well as wonderful sponsor prizes too! 

Here are the list of the ladies participating in the blog hop.
http://Passionatelyartistic.com
http://want2scrapco.blogspot.com/
Michele  http://inspireyourcreativity.blogspot.com/
Sandee   http://simplysouthernsandee.blogspot.com
Maggie   http://MaggieLamarre.com
Terrie     http://terriebaileys.blogspot.com/
Tracy     http://thelittlebluehouseblog.blogspot.com/
Ellen       http://closeyourears.blogspot.com/
Melissa   http://www.instampingmode.com/
Mimi       http://mycharmingblog-scrappermimi.blogspot.com/
Dana       http://paperdaydream.blogspot.com/
Court      http://courtscrafts.blogspot.com/
Melissa   http://blog.melissasamuels.net/

Our tradition, is to wake up early like 2-3 am have breakfast, then share a cup of hot cocoa, yep in the middle of the heat in Florida we have hot chocolate :)

I want to share a simple tutorial on how to create a fantastic gift at a fraction of  the cost.
This Frame is sponsored by Marvy Uchida and Want2scrap.


When the frame is open, you can see the back side of the front.

Here is what you will need to recreate this project.

1. Cut  10 flowers from Home Accent  Cricut  Cartridge sizes 4.5, 4, 3.75,3.5,3.25.2.75,2.5,2.25
2. Ink all the edges.  Layer in ascending order to create the large flower, then fold the petals towards the center.
3. Add a clear button to the center, add Want2Scrap bling.  Repeat the same process for the smaller flower.
4. Add the Rhinestones under the petal to create a continuing line, I had to cut the Rhinestones to create the look I wanted which is what I luv about the Rhinestones the flexibility.
5. Cut 2 leaves freehand and place on each side.
6. Repeat the same process for the inside of the frame.

Supplies used:

1. Marvy Uchida frame, Want2scrap bling.
2. Cricut & Gypsy, Home Accent  Cricut  Cartridge.
3. Core’dination Paper, Coloorbok fluid chalk, Blumenthal lansing buttons

Voila you are done.
I appreciate you leaving a comment and following this blog
Have a fabulous day, don’t forget to visit the ladies to see their
If you would like to know about any of the steps, or if you have any questions let me know.  Be sure to leave a way for me to get back to you. Thank you so much!
Maggie

Want2scrap Blog Hop and a fun Tutorial!

What's for Dinner this week? Tips on how to save on groceries!

Hello Everyone,
What's for Dinner this week? Many mom hear this question through out the week.. Have you started your menu yet?

I've received several emails from you, asking on how I save and organized?
Every Monday I will be sharing tips on  how, help you succeed at the grocery store.

Here are my tips for you this week. Getting setup to save money and organized.

Follow the steps below to be on your way to cut your grocery bill in half.

1. Check your pantry and fridge before making your list.
(it is important to know what you have before buying)
2. Get the Sunday paper for the coupons.
3.Check online for coupons
4.Set up an email account just for for your coupons.
5.Sign up at your fav mfg sites for coupons, trust me you will be glad you did. I use soymilk every month they send coupon out for a free 1/2 gallon, that's a $3.67 savings a month.
6.Use ziplist to store your menus, and create a shopping list, you can send this list to your phone..
7.Sign up to Rachel Ray newsletter, she sends 7 days meal planning to your email..
8.Sign up for Campbell soup newsletter, amazing dinner ideas using soup.
9.Sign up for Simple magazine monthly meals newsletter.

Here are my easy peasy process:

Wednesdays, I save my grocery stores flyers to check what coupons are in the Sunday paper.. I only carry coupons of items I know I will be using.
Example for Spaghetti I always use rolls, I will cut the Pillsbury coupons, compare the grocery store flyers for maximum savings.

Target,have deep discounts on certain items each week, they also have in-store coupons as well. I save $ by not printing those coupons at home, rather I print them from the gift registry section located at each target.

Here are examples of savings. Stove Top was $49. at the Grocery store it was $1.89. that is a saving of $1.40..

Walmart has free items weekly, with coupons..

I devote 1 hour a week to setting up menu, cutting coupons and getting my list ready, in turn I save regularly between $22-29 weekly on my groceries. Some weeks I save $45.00 when the item is bgofree, then I use a coupon, further deep discount.

Next week I will explore the wonderful world of Drugstore and how they can pay you to shop there.

Here's a recipe from last night dinner and we will have it again on Wend as left over.

Prep time: 8 mtes
Cooking :25mtes
Serves:8 people

Ingredients:

1. Dice the Green Pepper, Red Pepper, Onions, Garlic (3 cloves) add Oregano, Evoo, Smoke salt.

Add a dollop of Unsalted butter (Land o Lakes) roast for 10 mtes at 400degrees..

3. Boil Pasta, add Oregano, Salt, Black Pepper to the boiling water.

4.Sautee the Shrimp, add Rotel tomatoes, simmer down, then add 1/2 c Vodka let simmer for 5 mtes reduce the heat..

5.Drain the Pasta, remove the roasted vegetables, stir onto the Pasta, then add Parmesan cheese, toss well.
Add fresh basil, Parsley to serve

6.Garlic bread, mix Landolakes unsalted butter with garlic powder, spread on bread put in the oven for 5 mtes..

Voila Done..
Here's the final meal again...

Here is the Menu this week:

Monday:

Beef & Mushroom Dijon

 Tuesday:

Sirloin, Pepper & Onion Skillet

 Wednesday:

Pasta Recipe from above left over.

Thursday:

Adobo Pork & Potato Packets

 Friday:

Tuesday left over

Saturday:

Chipotle Pork Wraps

 

Would you like to go on a journey of saving money?

Let me know what your specifics questions are?

Have a great week,
Maggie

PS Don't forget I am giving away 3 Cricut Cartridges, Home Decor, Once upon a Princess here
Leave comments for a chance to win and tell your friends..

$10.00 Gift Certificate to William Sonoma  HERE

 

What's for Dinner this week? Tips on how to save on groceries!

Quite a Pear Card and Cartridge Giveaway!

So here I am thinking about my favorite stencil...the pear from Dreamweaver! So I thought I would post a simple card I made using the same stencil!

step 1 - I mixed a little yellow paste with pearl paste and a little metallic
fx (green)

step 2 - tape down the stencil and and spread the paste on the card

step 3 - remove tape and stencil

step 4 - apply a little gold glitter to one edge of the the still wet paste and mica flakes to the leaf.

step 5 - let dry

step 6 - layer on various papers and distress the edges using distress ink and applicator.

It is so fun! I love embossing paste! Check out my blog for other projects and also the new blog by Dreamweaver!

kristiscreativecafe.blogspot.com


dreamweaverstencils.blogspot.com

PS you must be a blog follower :) don't forget the 3 Cricut cartridges giveaway here




Happy Creating!


Kristi

Quite a Pear Card and Cartridge Giveaway!

Get excited and make things! Free Cricut Cartridges Giveaway!

Really, this from a poster I saw on a blog... This reminds me of the messages you find in the dove chocolate, not that I really ate the whole bag, I was doing research so I had to eat the bag to see what each messages was......lol

Get excited and make things, mmmmmmm, Yep I got excited (NOT).

Created a layout for a friend..
She wanted it very simple and wanted to use these paperss that are not my style at all..
You will agree with me those colours together is not something I would have put together..oh well, I did create something, not my best, I just couldn't work with these papers for some reason...:(
I kinda feel guilty cause it took me less than 15mtes to make this lo..Using the Cricut and Cuttlebug..

She was happy with the results, that's all that matters right???

Cuttlebug, Provo Craft Cricut, Cricut Cartridges.

My weekly Menu:

This week I have to up my budget a bit since I have company coming, so my bill will be around $71.00 that's feeding 7 people all week..

Monday:
Beef n Broccoli, Winn dixie had them on sale for $.88 a bush. I stock up and flash freeze them. Using left over rice I froze from last week dinner.


Tuesday

Pizza nite with tyson chicken appetizer, strawberry ice cream. Winn Dixie has a special 2 pizza, 1 Breyer ice cream, 1 box of parmesan bread sticks, 1 coke bottle for $13.99, I'm going to get 2 for 28.00..
I plan on going back on Tuesday to get more and deduct it from my budget next week.


Wedn
Chicken Alfredo Pasta, Micheals' had the tri Pasta in their dollar spot for $.40 cents so I brought 10 bags.
I have the chicken marinating in lemon pepper to give it a kick..

Thursday

Beef and Broccoli left over, I need a break from cooking :)

Friday

Roasted Asparagus with capers chicken and garlic rice (courtesy of Rice a roni) :) Big Lot has them on sale for $.49 cents a box, so I picked 10 boxes..:)

Saturday
Going out..

I am working on this post this week.
I am going to tackle my closet and the desk this week. What are you going to tackle this week?

What's on your menu this week? How much are you saving this week?


I am giving away 3 cartridges below.. Home Decor and Once upon a princess, see the info below..

What we are giving away:

• There will be two blog followers winners! each winner will receive 
• a Cricut Home Decor Cartridge
  

• One blog follower will receive a  Once upon a princess Cricut Cartridge

How you can win:

• Leave as many comments as you wish on all the post on this blog, from today till Sept 30th. 

• Follow the blog and tell your friends about this giveaway.

     Winners will be announced on Oct 1st 2010

Please remember: Help spread the word about this giveaway!


Who is eligible:

Everyone! You don’t have to be a blogger to win, just supply a valid e-mail address.

When the giveaway ends:

October 1st. I’ll e-mail the winner(s), and results are always posted here as well. If the winner doesn’t respond within seven business days, a new winner will be drawn.

Have a great day,
Maggie

Get excited and make things! Free Cricut Cartridges Giveaway!