New SC Kit = Playtime

I love when my monthly kit from Studio Calico arrives! It reminds me of the fun care packages I used to get when I was away at boarding school. A box full of things you know you'll love, what is better than that?

I had a chance to play this morning and this is what I came up with...



... it goes along with the changes that I'm trying to make in my life. I think I'll display it in one of the frames across from my scrap desk to remind me that everyday is a new day... sure there are issues that trickle over from one day to the next but each day you get to choose, anew, how you are going to handle them.

I hope you are having a great week and come back tomorrow for a little surprise!

PSA of the Day

Public Service Announcement - 9/09/09

Beware of Facebook Hair... This affliction is growing more and more common as people begin their day by being sucked into the unending void of the networking website.

Definition: Hair that has been allowed to dry into an au naturel state. It is limp, lifeless, and unbecoming.

Cures: There are no known complete cures for this horrible condition. If you feel you are suffering from Facebook hair please go to your nearest closet and place a baseball cap on your head. If you are capless then the CDC (Council for Damaged Ends Control) suggest you massage a leave in conditioner into your limp locks and attempt to flat-iron.

We urge all citizens to step away from the computer now.

Back To School Challenge

Just dropping in with my layout for the Studio Calico - Back To School Challenge. I'm barely squeaking in under the deadline but a challenge is a fantastic way to jump start any layout, so be sure to check the SC Blog for more fantastic challenges!

I finally finished organizing all the great goodies from my QuicKutz happy-mail last week and you can see the amazing Office Supply dies on this layout as well as my go to font, Chemistry!

Be sure to check out the new forums QuicKutz is adding to the website on Tuesday! The message boards will be a great place to learn new things, share tips & tricks, and chat with all your fantastic QK friends. I hope to see you there!
Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Changes

Oh my poor neglected blog, know that I still love you and am just busy making some healthy changes in my life. I need to get moving, get rid of the excess, not just in the rear-end department but that is on the list... I'm talking about cutting back, buying what I need, not just what appeals to me and that goes for the grocery store too... I need to nurture healthy things in my life such as family relationships, friendships, and creative paths. I am going to let go of the bad weight, the negative bits, practice being like a duck ... let it roll off my back.

I know it's a little late in the year for resolutions but I am going to make a few today...

1. Eat healthier

2. Exercise more

3. Write, I haven't in so long and it feels darn good!

4. Quit being afraid of every little thing, seriously the world is not out to get me.... I've been experiencing more anxiety attacks lately, I'm not sure why but I'm working on it.

5. Try one new thing a week... last week it was Salsa aerobics class with my sweet friends. I have no rhythm AT ALL... this is genetic as my parents don't either... after ten minutes of flopping about like a dying fish I moved onto the walking track and put in two miles.

So here is to changes and taking charge... I'll be back with more and hopefully it won't take so long!

5 Product Challenge

My sweet friend Emily posted a 5 product challenge over at Studio Calico this week and I had a chance to play along...

Patterned Paper, Studio Calico

Metal & Die Cuts, QuicKutz

Embroidery Floss, DMC

Paint, Making Memories and Ranger

The challenge was to use one sheet of Patterned Paper, Paint, Twine or Embroidery Floss, Metal and letter stickers... cardstock and journaling with pen or computer are freebies!

The metal on my layout comes from QuicKutz adhesive metal sheets, they are really easy to cut and you can bend and shape them to add dimension to your layout. I used them with the Eliza font for the title and painted over the holly shape for my leaves & berries. I can see a lot more layouts in my future using this fun product!

I hope you are having a great week and if you join in on the challenge be sure to post your layout over at Studio Calico!

WHOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!

I am so darn excited! I was chosen as a QuicKutz Ambassador yesterday! What does that mean? It means that I get to share my love of QuicKutz with the masses... or at least the general scrapping public here in Colorado and on the message boards!

Truthfully, I was really shocked to get the call, they had over a thousand people apply and they only chose 8, those are some seriously small odds so I feel very honored!

Congratulations to the other Ambassadors, I can't wait to start this adventure with you all!

Tomato Tart

I'm late in posting this due to lots of progress with our bathrooms! I can't wait for everything to be finished so I can show you the before and after photos! In the meantime I'll post this yummy recipe for you to enjoy!

Tomato & Mozzarella Tart -

recipe courtesy of the American's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook

1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 large egg, beaten

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

2 medium plum tomatoes sliced 3/4" thick

1/2 tsp of salt

1 cup of low moisture mozzarella, shredded

2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

2 tbs fresh basil, minced

Move your oven rack to the lower third of the oven and preheat to 425degrees (f). Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.

Combine olive oil and garlic in a small bowl and set aside.

Place your pastry sheet in the middle of the sheet pan and brush with the beaten egg. Now begin to form the tart shell by folding over the long edges by 1/2 in, brush with egg and repeat with the shorter edges. Now run a paring knife parallel to the baking sheet around the outside edge of the tart, this will allow the pastry to rise in the oven and form the side walls of the tart shell.

Sprinkle the center of the shell with Parmesan cheese, then use a fork to poke holes through the bottom of the shell, this will keep the bottom from bubbling.

Bake the shell for 15 to 20 minutes until just golden and crisp. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.

While the shell bakes spread your tomato slices over several layers of paper towel and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 20-30 minutes. Doing this will keep your tart from becoming wet.

When the shell is slightly cooled spread the mozzarella over the bottom and then shingle on the tomatoes over the cheese. Drizzle with the olive oil and garlic. Bake for 10 -15 minutes or until the tart shell is deep golden in color.

Let the tart cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cutting board and sprinkle with basil, slice and serve!

I served this as an appetizer but it would be great on a brunch buffet or as a light lunch with a salad of field greens tossed in balsamic vinaigrette. Enjoy!