Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Southwest Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
1 c. milk
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1 lb. penne pasta
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 T. Goya Adobo All Purpose Seasoning
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp & crumbled
1 can corn, drained
1 can black olives, drained & sliced
1 large tomato, diced
3-4 green onions, thinly sliced
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1 T. ground cumin
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1.  In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing mix, milk, mayonnaise & sour cream.  Refrigerate overnight, or until thickened.

2.  Season both sides of chicken breasts with Adobo seasoning & grill; cool completely.  Cut into bite sized pieces.

3.  Boil pasta until al dente; drain.  Plunge pasta into an ice water bath to stop the cooking process & cool; drain.

4.  Combine pasta, chicken, bacon & all vegetables in a large mixing bowl.  Pour ranch dressing over the top; mix well to combine.  Season with cumin & salt & pepper to taste.

*Note:  You can also add diced bell pepper, jalapenos, black beans, green chilies, shredded cheeses, etc.  Whatever you like!

Serves 4 as an entree, 6-8 as a side dish.

Sneak Peek #1

Hi everyone!  I wanted to stop in to share a couple of cards we'll be making at our Valentine's workshop next week.

One suitable for a girl...
I used the new Filled with Love stamp set for this simple & feminine card.  This card is great for Valentine's Day, but also could be used for an anniversary or just to say "I love you"!










...& one suitable for a boy!


I used the Greetings Earthling! set on this one.  So whimsical & fun for a boy.  And NOT your typical Valentine's Day card!









Be sure to check back later in the week for more sneak peeks!  Enjoy!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Birthday Train Invitation

How adorable is this birthday train invitation? My son is all about trains & he's going to love them! I've gotta give a big shout out to my crafty friend, Karen, who's always on the lookout for cool stuff.  She picked up this train punch from Martha Stewart for me & surprised me with it this past week.  Thanks so much, Karen!

Best Wishes

Just popping in to post a card I made recently for a magazine submission.  The theme was "Brides & Babies".  I thought this would make a nice card to give a bride & groom on their wedding day, or even to give to the bride for her bridal shower.  Something blue & all...  The card was made using the faux silk technique.  If you have questions about faux silk, just comment here or drop me an email!

Supplies:

Soft Suede textured cardstock
Very Vanilla cardstock
Tissue paper
Soft Suede ink pad
Marina Mist ink pad
Marine Mist 5/8" satin ribbon
Antique brads
SU Basic Pearls
SU Scallop edge border punch
Medallion background stamp
Sincere Salutations stamp

* All supplies by Stampin' Up! except tissue paper

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

{heart} U

Here's another super simple V-day card using scraps.  No muss, no fuss...just a single stamp set & a handful of scraps.  What could be easier? :)

Supplies:

You & Moi stamp set (retired)
Poppy Parade cardstock
Whisper White cardstock
Poppy Parade ink pad
Early Espresso ink pad
SU scallop trim border punch
SU Basic Pearls
Paper piercing tool
Crochet thread

* All supplies from SU except crochet thread.

Love Love Love

Here's a little Valentine's Day card I made using scraps off my desk!  So quick & simple!  The heart stamp is an incentive stamp I had laying around & the sentiment is from the "You & Moi" set (retired).  You could modify this card using any small sentiment & heart stamp you have.

Card recipe:

Early Espresso cardstock
Whisper White cardstock
Pretty in Pink 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
Crochet thread
Early Espresso ink pad
Pretty in Pink ink pad
Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker
Pretty in Pink Stampin' Write marker
SU Basic Rhinestone
Paper piercing tool
Signo white gel pen
SU scallop edge border punch

* All materials are SU except crochet thread.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Filled with Love

Promotion dates: December 17, 2010 - January 24, 2011


Details: Valentine's Day is the second biggest holiday for sending cards, and during the Filled with Love promotion from Stampin' Up!, you can get an exclusive package of Designer Series Paper perfect for creating cards for family, friends, classmates, and more!

From December 17, 2010 through January 24, 2011, get a FREE package of Bitty Buttons--a $4.95 value--when you purchase an exclusive Filled with Love Bundle.

See full color images & details here.

Item #124380 Filled with Love Bundle (W) - $32.90
*Includes Filled with Love Wood-Mount Set and exclusive Love Patterns Designer Series Paper

Item #124381 Filled with Love Bundle (C) - $26.90
*Includes Filled with Love Clear-Mount Set and exclusive Love Patterns Designer Series Paper

Item #124156 Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack - $9.95
*12 sheets total: three 12" x 12" sheets of two double-sided designs in Real Red and Pretty in Pink

I'm back!

Wow...I can't believe it's been over a year since I've posted on my blog! So much has happened over the past 12+ months, beginning with the construction of our new home. A home that, although is a long-awaited dream come true, is situated in an area so rural that no fast-access internet can find us...until now. Allow me to clarify. I have been without internet access FOR OVER ONE YEAR, people! If I've learned anything it's that I can overcome life's obstacles - even a biggie like no internet. Haha!

In any event, I am back & I've been crafting. I hope that you'll rejoin my little blog & see what I've been up to this past year. I'll be posting frequently in an effort to catch up. I've missed you!