Recipe of the Week #68-Cinnamon Sugar Bread

Cinnamon Sugar Bread

1/3 cup white sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

2 cups flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup white sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 cup milk

1/3 cup vegetable oil

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9"x 5" loaf pan.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and 1 cup sugar. Add egg, milk, and oil. Stir until just moistened.

Pour half of the batter into pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and 1/3 cup sugar.
Cover with remaining batter.
Top with more cinnamon/sugar if desired.

Bake in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Wrap in foil and let sit overnight before slicing.

 

I love to make breakfast for my family, but I don't always love getting up really early to do so. Bread recipes like this work great for me. I can make them the night before and they still taste great in the morning.

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.

Psalm 18:32

 

This post is linked to Today's Creative Blog, Between Naps on the Porch, and My Dedicated House. 

Mini Album Monday #2- School Days Mini Album

     Today for Mini Album Monday, I'm here with a school themed album.
     You may be able to use a few of these ideas to make an album for your child's teacher as an end of the year gift.

 

Here's the cover which I made with chipboard and painted with chalkboard paint. For a unique touch, I bound it with a protractor.

For the title, I used a regular shipping tag and a stamp with lines and brackets. Then I hand stamped the words on it.

For the white pattern paper, I used a notebook paper punch along the edge.

This album is 6"x 6".

 

 

On the inside cover, I used a label maker to write out my name and K-8th grade.

The first page is a large index card folded in half. I tore about two inches off the front folded side, then stamped it with a school themed stamp. I placed a paper clip at the bottom corner.

Throughout the album, you'll see regular office supplies that I added to give it a more school- like feel.

 

Here's the index card opened. I added a photo to the right side and journaling on the lines to the left. Above the photo, I used a tab punched form an old book and added two star stickers. (Remember those star stickers from when we were in school?)

 

The page to the left is the back of the index card with just another photo and some journaling.

The page on the right is a page out of an old children's song book.

 

Here's the back of the song page. I used regular office labels to add some journaling.

The page on the right is a piece of Kraft cardstock. I used some of my boys' old workbooks and a circle punch to make these four circles. This is such an easy and authentic way to add embellishments to a school page or album.

 

Here is the back of the craft cardstock. If you notice, I just added bits and pieces of pattern paper to some of the pages. The page on the left has graph paper at the bottom with a thin strip of alphabet paper above it.

The page on the right is a white paper sack. I placed pattern paper that looks like a locker on the flap, then I trimmed the flap so it was only attached at the bottom of the sack to make it look like the locker door opens.

 

Here is the flap opened- I put graph paper on the back and journaled on it.

 

Here's the back of the paper bag. The #6 is from a set I bought at the Target clearance section- it was intended to number tables at a wedding. I thought the number went well with the school theme. I added a couple of school themed word stickers to it and folded some decorative tape over as a tab at the top right corner.

 

The page on the right is actually the top of the paper bag. I used a silk flower, Staz On ink, and a ruler stamp and made my own patterned flower.

Since this is the opening of the bag, I placed a library card in it with a tab stapled to the top. 

 

The bottom edge of the protractor is right here since this is the center of the book.

I covered the back of the paper sack with a piece of map.

On the right page, I just used a piece of red pattern paper with numbers stamped at the bottom and a strip from a book page above the numbers.

At the top, I placed a regular office binder clip.

 

 

The star is cut out of an old dictionary.

I added the flashcard just because I thought it was cute and school-y.

 

 

Here's the first full piece of school themed paper in the book.

On the far right edge, I used a journaling sticker and folded it in half over the edge.

 

The back of the scool paper was blank, so I added a strip of paper that looks like notebook paper and journaled to the left of that.

The right page is a 6"x 9" envelope trimmed down with an alphabet stamp along the side.

It's a pocket, so I added a journaling card inside.

 

Here's the back of the envelope with another strip of pattern paper and one photo.

The very last thing I added was a strip out of an old child's dictionary. I trimmed it down to just have one word on it.

 

The inside back cover: a few more strips of school themed pattern paper. I also handstamped the years that I was in these grades: 1981-1989 (explains the hair in the photos, huh!?!).

 

This album has a lot of basic items that would work in a school themed album or layout:

graph paper

paper clips

manilla envelopes

binder clips

large note card

shipping tag

label maker

star stickers

book pages

 

Don't overlook everyday items when you plan out a mini album or layout. They can add a very cute element and cost nothing if you have them laying around.

 

I put this album together before knowing who I would feature. Since I already had school scrapbooks for my boys, I used it for my school photos. I added some memories that I have from my school days. I know that it's hard to scrap about yourself, but think what a treasure something like this will be to have someday. I'm sure I won't always be able to remember all my teachers from Kindergarden to sixth grade!

 

If you decide that you'd like to make a school album, but would like an easier version, you could follow the steps to this envelope album using school themed papers and embellishments.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

 

The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and trust in Him.

And all the upright in heart shall glory.

Psalm 64:10

 

This post is linked to Today's Creative Blog, Craft-O-Maniac, I Heart Naptime, Skip to My Lou, and Making the World Cuter.

Teacher Gift Idea- Dictionary Definition Necklace

The end of May is nearing and that means one thing: school is almost out!

Have you been trying to figure out a gift to make for your child's teacher that's cute, affordable, and easy? Well, how about a dictionary page necklace?

You can customize it by choosing which word to use.

You can use "teach," "read," or "school."

You could even make specific ones like "science," "math," or "music."

 

 

If you want to make one, all you need is:

square charm like this

Mod Podge

dictionary page

dimensional adhesive (like Diamond Glaze or Mod Podge Dimensional Magic)

jump ring

necklace (I used a ball chain)

 

(You can find all these items at Hobby Lobby. If you're lucky, you can go during a jewelry sale and get everything half off!)

 

The charm will come with a template so you know what size to trim your image.

Place it over the dictionary page making sure you're getting the word that you want.

Trim around the template.

Adhere the trimmed dictionary definition to the center of the charm with Mod Podge.

Allow a few hours to dry.

Then use your dimensional adhesive and cover the entire center of the charm. Be careful not to leave any air bubbles. You can pop them with a straight pin.

Allow 24 hours to dry.

Using a jump ring, attach the charm to the necklace.

 

 

If you want to dress it up a bit, you could choose a coordinating charm

and hang it from the jump ring.

 

You could make these for more than just teachers. . .Other words you could use are: mom, aunt, grandma, love, marriage, baby, friend, peace. . .you are limited only by the number of words in a dictionary!:)

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul, and with all your mind."

Matthew 22:37

 

 

This post is linked to Happy Hour Projects, Five Days Five Ways, Cheerios and Lattes, Too Much Time On My Hands, Funky Junk, and Be Different Act Normal. 

Thrifty Thursday #68

        I had some good finds on my thrifting run this week.

 

Aren't these little teacups cute? I couldn't pass them up at a quarter apiece. I really don't need them for anything, so I think I'll give them to my friend who's collecting them to make bird feeders.

 

Look at these pretty green teardrop crystals.

I didn't think fifty cents for four of them was too bad at all!

There's a hole at the end of them for stringing.

 

I found this awesome old pattern for a quarter.

 

I got this book for my hubby. At $2, it was a splurge for me, but he was really excited about it. He's into organic gardening and because it was printed in 1971, I thought it would have some good information in it.

 

I found this brand new, never been opened Bible Edition version of Scattergories.

I teach Sunday School and every so often we play a game. The kids have been asking for a new game, and now for $2, we have one!

 

Good luck to you and all your secondhand shopping this week. Thanks for stopping by to see the treasures I found! God bless.

 

Teach me Your way O Lord; I will walk in Your Truth.

Psalm 86:11

 

This post is linked to Funky Junk and Junkin' Joe's. 

Layout of the Week #54- Creating a Hidden Pocket

     I have mentioned before that I like to include lots of photos on my layouts. Therefore, I try to come up with different ways to incorporate them so my layouts don't all end up looking alike.
     Today for the Layout of the Week, I'm going to show you how to create a hidden pocket to add photos and mementos.

 

Here's the layout we'll be creating.

 

To make it you'll need:

one piece of 12"x12" cardstock

one piece of pattern paper measuring 6"x 12"

4 strips of pattern paper/border strips/washi tape (measurements noted below)

letter size envelope

letter stickers for the title

note cards to put in the pocket

paper trimmer

adhesive

 

First trim your strips to 1"x 12", 1/2" x 12", and 1/4" x 12". Going from wide to narrow, adhere the strips starting at the top of the cardstock.

I used two strips of pattern paper and one border strip.

I often pick up packs of border strips- they come in different patterns and sometimes even have adhesive on the back.

 

Adhere your envelope so the top edge is 6" from the bottom of the cardstock and 1" from the left edge. It doesn't matter what your envelope looks like because it will get covered up.

Mine is actually the bottom of a large envelope that I cut off for another project.

 

Adhere your 6"x12" piece of pattern paper across the bottom of the layout.

Make sure to put adhesive on the front of the envelope so it will adhere to the back of the pattern paper.

 

Now you will have a pocket on the left side of the paper.

 

If you'd like, you can place a 1/2"x12" strip of pattern paper/decorative border/washi tape along the top of the pattern paper. This step is optional.

 

Now place a 4"x6" horizontal photo in the upper right corner below the pattern paper strips.

Then trim three photos to fit along the pattern paper. My photos measure 4 3/4"x 3 1/2" and I adhered them with the edges touching each other.

 

I had two more photos that I wanted to include on this layout, so I placed each one on a note card. Then I used a third note card for journaling.

You can use how ever many note cards you'd like.

 

Here are the note cards that I used. I love that they have a little color on them.

 

Place your note cards into your hidden pocket.

 

Place your title across the bottom of the top photo.

Optional: add a few embellishments- I added a sticker at the lower right hand corner overlapping a photo, a tag with some journaling at the lower left hand overlapping a photo, and placed two folded tickets and a round sticker at the top right corner of the layout.

That, my friends, is all!

 

     I hope this is a technique that you can use. If you have any ideas that you'd like to see on the Layout of the Week, please leave me a comment.

 

      I do a layout tutorial every Wednesday. I try to give general directions so that you can make a similar layout using supplies that you already have.

 

      If you have photos that you need to scrapbook and you just don't know where to start, swing by here and try one of my layouts. If you follow along every week, you could have four layouts done in a month!

 

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

Commit your works to the Lord,

and your thoughts will be established.

Proverbs 16:3

This post is linked to My Girlish Whims, 52 Mantles, and Ivy and Elephants.

Recipe of the Week #67-Easy Fried Rice with Chicken

Easy Fried Rice With Chicken
3 cups cooked rice, brown or white
2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
3 Tbsp sesame oil
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
 3/4 small onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced or 1 tsp garlic powder
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 cup soy sauce

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic; saute for 2-3 minutes. Add veggies and chicken. Stir to coat. Lower heat to medium-low and push mixture to one side of the pan. Add the eggs to the empty half of the skillet and scramble them. Add the rice and soy sauce and mix it all together. Continue cooking until everything is heated.

This recipe is so incredibly good! I thought it tasted just like Chicken Fried Rice from a restaurant! My family loved it, although my boys separated every pea from the rice. My eleven-year-old told me that he doesn't eat frozen peas. I think they were intimated by how green they were!:)

Anyway, this went over great at my house and we'll be eating this again. . . soon!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

This post is linked to Between Naps on the Porch, Skip To My Lou, Embracing Change, and Today's Creative Blog.

Mini Album Monday #1- Envelope Album

     I'm starting a new feature on Mondays called, "Mini Album Mondays" where I will show you a mini scrapbook album. Sometimes I'll include a tutorial, but I'll always show photos to give you ideas for making albums of your own.
     This week, I'm starting with an album that I featured a few weeks ago. In April, I showed you how to make an envelope album with two 9"x11" envelopes and two pieces of 12"x12" pattern paper.
     As promised, I'm showing you how it looks filled with photos.

 

Here's the cover.

It's a Grandparents themed album.

  

 

Here's the first layout.

The left side is the dedication page. I wrote, "This book is dedicated to the best Nonny and Goggy in the world! Sam and Ethan are so blessed to have you for grandparents. We love you very much!"

 

On the right side, I placed a photo with a piece of decorative tape on the lower left corner. For journaling, I printed off some questions for my boys to answer about their grandparents. Each boy had four questions to answer. You never know what kids will say, and their comments always add a delightful element to any project.

The questions are listed at the bottom of this post.

 

Here's the second layout.

On the left side, I put a few word stickers on the photo.

On the right side, I placed one of the journaling questions underneath the photo.

 

Here's the third layout.

Notice that the envelope opening is on the left side. I slid the photo under the flap and a journaling question under that.

I left the envelope empty so my mom could put bits and pieces in there- like notes and pictures that the kids have given her.

On the right side, I placed two photos with a few word stickers.

I always love stickers with words/phrases/quotes on them. They add a nice little touch here and there.

 

This layout is right in the center of the book. See the twine strung through the two holes? That's what's binding this book.

You can see how I used some decorative tape over the photos.

 

I included two of the journaling questions on this layout.

 

I added an extra strip of pattern paper on the left page.

 

This is the last layout in the book.

I added decorative tape and word stickers to both sides. These are both quick and easy ways to embellish mini albums.

The second envelope opening is on the right hand side.

If you make an album like this, you could use the envelope openings for more photos or mementos.

 

If you'd like to see the step-by-step tutorial on how to make this album, you can go here.

This style of album is pretty quick and easy and could be used for lots of different themes such as a school themed one for a teacher- you could take a picture of each child in the class and have them write a small note to the teacher.

Here are the questions that my boys answered:
(These don't just apply to grandparents; you could use them for other family members as well)
What are some ways that you show Nonny and Goggy that you love them?
What do you do to make Nonny and Goggy laugh?
Who are you more like, Nonny or Goggy?
What expression does Nonny use a lot?
How do Nonny and Goggy let you know that they love you?
What is your favorite thing to do with Nonny and Goggy?
Who is a better driver, Nonny or Goggy? Why?
What's the most fun thing you've done with Nonny and Goggy?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

This post is linked to Craft-O-Maniac, Making the World Cuter, I Heart Naptime, and The Dedicated House.