So much new in the stores

Wow, what a day 2.11.2011 is! So much new is popping up in the stores. Take a look at the layouts and projects I've been doing, and where you can get the stuff to do your own.

I've been spending a lot of time over at ScrapMatters and have recently joined Wimpy Chompers' CT. yippee! She has some fun and fanciful stuff. There is actually a cute story connected to my joining her team. For the last few months, I've been putting up an ISO for a boys gymnastic kit. No one has come through. I thought I'd post it one more time on ScrapMatter's forum and Christina of Wimpy Chompers said she'd create one. How cool is that? She wrote to keep watching and I'd see a kit soon. So I wrote her back to when it didn't come up the day it was supposed to. lol. So when her CT call came up, I thought... why not stalk her further? lol

We hit it off and here I am... take a look at her latest kit (not the gym one, I still haven't downloaded it, yet. lol)

Here is the layout I created using that and the newly released Template Set 10 by Le Pingouin Designs

Cupcakes 2010
Template: Template set 10 by Le Pingouin Designs
Kit: Cupcake Frenzy by Wimpy Chompers
Fonts:Century Gothic, Chunk Five, A little Pot



Here is Wimpy Chomper's new kitCupcake Frenzy

and it has a cute little friend.. the add-on!

Post 14 - A Photo I love

I have a thing for small twinkling lights. Christmast lights, city lights, anything tiny and sparkly. That's why the view from my office window at night captivates me to much.

That's the 59th Street bridge. The view is as you're looking towards Queens, where I lived for over 10 years.

Post 13 - Goals

I have soooo many goals, so I'm just going with the first 5 that pops in my head:

1) Complete ONE full year scrap album, in chrono order that tells a full story and looks cohesive.

2) Get a $50,000 raise (ha... well, they didn't say an attainable goal!)

3) Lose 40 lbs in 4 months. (double ha ha)

4) take a real family vacation (not one where we're visiting grandparents)

5) go away for a weekend with just my husband

Post 12 - What I believe

I have been deeply, immensely touched by the passing of a friend and colleague and that has caused me to do a lot of reflecting. It has made me look at my friendships and be vocal about what people mean to me. Which is why my Post #11 is so un-lighthearted. I could have gone a million different directions with the subject, though - just to let ya know. :)



I believe that nothing compares to the love of a child - the love you feel, the love they give.
I believe that God knows what he's doing, and he knows your love and respect whether or not you are in his house.
I believe that I have powers that are unhoned and untapped and there is much potential yet to be seen.
I believe you can learn almost anything, if you open your mind and shelf your fears. (I don't practice this, but I believe it).
I believe that I will have love in my life forever; friends, family, children, elders, and some from people I've yet to meet.
I believe that music can soothe you. It can excite you, it can evoke memories, it can uplift you and make you melancholy. Music is powerful.
I believe that I learn something from everyone who enters my life; all my relationships, my acquaintences, my relatives and in-laws.
I believe that snow days are awesome because you can't go anywhere and you get to spend all that 'free' time with your family -outside, playing and enjoying each other.
I believe in tradition and family.
I believe that Facebook has really made me reconnect with people I've held dear.
I believe in coincidences and 'kismet'.
I believe one day, I will write the great American novel.
I believe that I was here before and will be back again, to improve on my self and my soul.

Thank you for reading this post. Its perhaps one of the most sincerely personal ones I've ever written.

Post 11 - TV shows

While I like to watch a lot of different types of movies, when I watch TV, I like crime dramas over almost all else. Maybe its the hottie on the lower right, huh? ;)
oh yeah... and cooking shows.

now that I notice it, all of my crime shows has at least one really hot guy. heh heh heh

Post 10 - what I'm afraid of.

This post is taking me forever and is a speed bump in my continuing my 30 Days of Blogging. I went in many directions on this - emotionally afraid of? in general? a phobia? my 'worst' fear?

I clearly overthought it. lol

Then it hit me... THIS is what I'd be MOST afraid of:
All of my fears coming to life in front of me, at the same time. YIKES!

whew... now I can move on with the Blogging. Done!

Social Media Week NY

Yesterday I attended one of the sessions for Social Media Week NY. They are doing a multi-city simul-event, running Social Media week worldwide. There were so many courses I was interested in, but got closed out of most of them.

The reason I'm posting about it here is that one of the panel speakers near the end was a woman from Oreos. They are the #3 fansite on Facebook. Who knew? They have a vigorous social media initiative. I just thought it was funny because of all the Oreo discussions I've been having IRL, on my blog, in forums... everywhere!

If you're interested in attending, all sessions are FREE - if you go to their website, you can also view it streaming live.

Free Calories

as long as you don't eat them. lol

I'm participating in a Bake Off at work next week, so we're testing out a few recipes at home. Sorry for the diet distractions but I just had to share the latest ones. They came out so cute. They are tiny little cinnamon roll cookies. (again... Loving the Picky Palate!)


If you live near me, I'll drop some off. Heh, Heh, Heh.

Brownie Covered directions

Well, it strange to do a second post following the first but I got so many phone calls, emails and other questions on how to dip the cookies or how they get to the pan, etc. I figured I should post my how-to. (sorry, dieters).

I have the full article on my foodie blog Savorings under Test Kitchens, but I'm repeating the jpgs with detailed directions here. The only thing Savorings has more of is the test kitchen info.

Post 9 - Friends

I mentioned this in the ScrapMatters forum but I'm clearly not doing these daily posts ON the day, so I've renamed mine to Posts #x instead of Day #x - that way I'm doing it on my terms and I don't have to self-flaggelate for not getting it done 'on time'. lol

So... friends. Wow. This post comes at a particularly appropos time in my life as I just lost a great friend, Bonnie. And that has caused me to reflect on my relationships - friendships. I spent the memorial service talking with my friend's sister telling her stories of how Bonnie was with us at work - a life her sister wasn't part of - and all the antics she would get up to. This led me to think ... I don't want to have these conversations with my friend's survivors - these conversations of how great they are, what fun they have, how much they mean to me. These are stories I need to share with them.

As a result, I have started writing short but genuinely heartfelt emails to those friends who knew both of us (mainly because they understand where my emails are coming from and they, too, are grieving). What I did not expect AT ALL - were the responses. Gee. I'm such a dope!! lol
I totally didn't expect responses. I have no clue why not - perhaps because I've had no sleep in days. Anyway... lol... they all reciprocated, which made me well up. Hmmmm...that wasn't my intent! Who the heck wants to make themselves cry?? I need to rethink this idea! ha ha

(Its still a good idea but now I tell people... no need to reply). lol

Here is my very first layout I ever did. It was for a template/mini-kit challenge at MScraps. I had no idea what I was doing. I didn't know if I HAD to use all of the elements, so I was left with this bow thing. I stuck it on my pal, Alana's head. She is soooo not a 'bow in my hair' kinda girl, so it cracks me up every time I see it. lol

Credit: EH Studios template/mini-kit challenge

Journaling (with link to recipes/blog) says:

A fun, food-filled weekend where we laughed more than I have in a long time. We cooked and ate a weird mish-mash of delectable food from pasta to dumplings to French onion soup, and topped it off with white wine Sangria.

After waking, we had a full day of Scrabble in our jammies, more laughing and leftovers -- oh yeah, and cupcakes with bacon on them. Surprisingly good!

Brownie covered... What??!!???

I was reading my rss feed the other day and came across a post (forgive me, I don't recall who's site I saw it on, but will gladly give credit if anyone knows) for this yummy treat that was all store bought, easy, and... OMGosh so yummy.

The original blog was the Picky Palate - who has some amazing stuff. She made these Brownie Covered Oreos which were scrumptious. I made a batch (or two) and they were a huge hit.

For those of you interested in the How-To, she has a step by step on her blog but its so simple there is no recipe. Just buy a box of brownie mix and a package of Oreos. Make the brownies according to the box directions then drop an oreo in the batter.

Grease a muffin tin and drop the brownie-battered oreo in there. (important step to avoid the sticking) Bake for 15 mins. You're done!

To make it even worse, I dunked Reese's cups in the batter and baked a few of those. OMGosh... beyond heaven! Soooo delish.

Directions are same as above but with the candy instead. We talked about trying a Peppermint Patty -- but I'm not a fan of mint cookies, so I passed. But my DH liked the idea.

Hints

I usually grease then flour my pans - its guaranteed non-stick. And when I make a chocolate dessert, I mix a little cocoa powder with the flour. It doesn't really do anything extra, I just don't like to see the white flour on the chocolate.

I tried a few different Brownie mixes in my 'test kitchen' and Betty Crocker's regular ole original brownie mix worked the best and stayed moist the longest.

The Picky Palate suggested using white chocolate to drizzle on the top of them. You'd think it wouldn't need more sweet, but on the Oreo ones, I drizzled some homemade royal icing (confectioners suger mixed with a tiny bit of milk - mix well then drizzle) because I'm not a big white chocolate fan. My friend Jenn (JK703), made the oreos with double stuffed oreos and used Whipped Icing. I think I went into a sugar coma just hearing about hers... then she made me taste one. I drank 2 cups of milk. lol

Krisi's Kreation's Box it Up Basket

For my first Hybrid CT project, I tackled a new release - out today and on sale! Box it up: Basket. Its an open top box with a long 'handled' wrap around it, tied with a nice little bow that unties to reveal the goodies you're giving away.

This is great for tall gifts that you want to show off, like a bottle of homemade herb-infused olive oil, a rolled up art print, or even smaller goodies that you don't want rolling around in a big ole basket.

I just love this wallpaper looking paper Krisi's CT chose, so feminine and pretty. If you buy the template, be sure to read all the way down on her description because she's giving away a FREEBIE of the word art from this preview as well. Cool, huh? A little hidden surprise.

For those of you who have been reading my posts, you know I'm obsessed with my silhouette, so when Krisi asked me to do a guest spot, I was drooling at the thought of using it.

Chinese Treasure Box
Credits: Box It Up:Basket by Krisi's Kreations
Paper: Genia Beana's The Orient freebie (available at Scrapmatters)

This template was great for allowing me to 'make it my own' as they say on American Idol, because its really a blank canvas. I had these old chinese coins that I thought would be cute to show and hang (like an ornament) and peek through a large circle hole. I think it came out pretty cute and simple. :)

Indoor Fun

While I love the 30 Days of Blogging, now, lets get back to scrappin'! Here is a layout I did for my Project 52 - week 3. I may still do some tweaks before it goes to Shutterfly. I created it using Le Pingouin Design's Template Set 9. It was the perfect format to showcase Tyler's exuberant energy that he displays every day - and that I got to capture it in the moment. (I'm thankful it was a bouncy and not my sofa, lol ).


INDOOR FUN


Credits
Template: Template Set 9 by Le Pingouin Designs
Kit: Atta Boy by Mye De Leon
Fonts: Milktop Girl, Quasart

Day 8 _ Places I've been

I keep hearing the Beatles song in my head, "there are places I remember, all of my life..."

Here is a photographic smattering of some of the ones that stand out in my mind. There are many, many more that I didn't fit into the template, like, San Diego, Rhode Island, Maine, Cape cod, Boston... well, anyway, here is the graphic below. The mystery place is my home town, Myrtle Beach, SC:

Day 7 - My favorite movies

My tastes are all over the place but my all time faves are Horror. Lucky for me, my DH loves them too. Our Netflix queue is full of horrible screamers.