Layout of the Week #46- Using Kraft Cardstock

     I don't know about you guys, but my go-to cardstock color is Kraft. Crazy, huh? Because it is so plain. But the cool thing about it is that you can use it with nearly any color scheme and any theme.
     Today, all we're going to use with it is three strips of pattern paper and a few embellishments.

 

Here's the layout we'll be creating.

 

When I plan the Layout of the Week, my intent is for you to be able to grab a few items out of your stash and complete a layout of your own. You don't have to have exactly the same paper or embellishments. Just follow my directions with your supplies, and you should have a completed layout in less than an hour.

 

To make this layout, you'll need:

one piece of 12"x12" Kraft cardstock

three strips of pattern paper - measurements are noted below

letter stickers for the title

a few embellishments to match your theme (I used the star stickers from the office supply aisle and I punched out two stars with my star punch from pattern paper)

journaling card (an index card or notebook paper will work- I used handwriting paper)

paper trimmer

adhesive

three photos

 

Trim your first strip of paper to 9"x 2". Ink the edges if you'd like.

Adhere it four inches from the bottom edge of the 12"x12" cardstock centered from left to right.

 

Now trim your other two strips to 1/2"x 11 1/4" and 1/2" x 9 3/4".

Adhere the longer one just underneath the first strip. Then adhere the third strip below the second strip.

They will look stacked like this.

Notice that mine aren't color coordinated. They are just three pieces of school-themed paper. Because the Kraft is so bland, you can choose three brightly colored pieces if you like.

 

Now adhere your three photos across the top strip. My middle one is higher than the other two and straight on the page. The other two are skewed to the left and the right.

 

Place your title in the bottom right corner of the cardstock.

I used letter stickers and stamps to create my title.

 

 

Finally, you need to add your journaling to the top left corner. I trimmed two strips of handwriting paper for mine.

Then add a few embellishments. I placed a large star next to my title and one on the bottom left corner of the photos.

Then I placed a small star sticker next to my journaling and two on the top right corner of the photos.

 

What do you think? Quick and easy, huh?

Using Kraft cardstock allows your photos to take center stage. I think these photos of my boys capture their personalities!

 

I try to do a scrapbooking tutorial every Wednesday. Please feel free to stop by and check it out!

If you follow along, you could have a stack of layouts completed by the end of the year- using the supplies you already have!

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

For our heart shall rejoice in Him,

because we have trusted in His holy name.

Psalm 33:21

 

 

This post is linked to Shabby Creek Cottage and My Girlish Whims. 

 

Recipe of the Week #58- Enchilada Pasta Casserole

Enchilada Pasta Casserole

1 lb hamburger

1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp. cumin

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

5 ounces cream cheese

1/4 cup light sour cream

1 can (10 oz.) enchilada sauce

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided

1 cup shredded Monterrey jack cheese, divided

1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed

1 can (4 oz.) diced green chilies

12 ounces egg noodles

Salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large pot, bring water to boil and cook egg noodles according to package instructions.

In a very large skillet, brown your ground beef. Drain the grease. Add the spices. Then add the cream cheese and stir until melted.

In a large bowl, combine sour cream, enchilada sauce, half the cheeses, corn, and chilies. Pour mixture over the beef and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Drain the pasta then add it to the beef mixture, making sure everything is coated in sauce. In a large casserole dish, pour in the pasta mixture and top with the remaining cheese.

Bake for 15 minutes or until cheese has completely melted.

 

My family absolutely LOVED this dish- even my picky son:) Not only was it tasty, but also it was quick and easy. I served it with homemade salsa and chips. I must say, I couldn't decide if I liked the casserole better plain or covered in salsa! This is definitely a repeat recipe!

 

I found this recipe here.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

But Jesus looked at them and said,

"With men it is impossible, but not with God;

for with God all things are possible."

Mark 10:27

This post is linked to I Heart Naptime and Between Naps on the Porch.
 

Tiny Chalkboard Necklace

     Today I'd like to show you how to make this cute little chalkboard necklace.

 

To make it, you'll need:

chalkboard spray paint

painter's tape

a flat charm that looks like a frame (mine came from Hobby Lobby- The Jewelry Shoppe Findings: Ornate Rectangle Bezel- Antique Silver)

necklace chain- I used a ball and chain style

one jump ring

optional: white paint pen, tiny bow

First, you need to tape off the edges of the charm with painter's tape.

Then paint it with your chalkboard spray paint. (We did three coats.)

Allow 24 hours to dry.

Attach it to the necklace with a jump ring.

Voila! You now have a mini chalkboard necklace!

Now is the fun, but optional part.

Using the paint pen, you can add your own message.

Be aware that if you want to be able to change you message, you should just use regular chalk.

I finished mine off by adding a tiny bow with a Glue Dot.

I think this would be a delightful gift idea.

 You could give a blank one with a new piece of chalk so the recipient is able to change the message.

Or you could customize your message.

You could make one for a grandma listing all her grandchildren,

you could give one to a teacher that says, "Love to teach,"

or you could write one that says, "I love you."

The possibilities are endless.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Be of good courage,

and He shall strengthen your heart,

all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:24

This post is linked to Craft-O-Maniac, Making the World Cuter, Five Days Five Ways, and Skip to My Lou.

Chunky Green Bead and Chain Necklace

     I found a new line of beads at Michaels that just shouted out to me- they're big, chunky, and beautiful! They're called Color Splash Beads. You can see them here.
     I picked up a green set because I wanted to make a necklace to layer the beautiful one that I got for my birthday.
     Then I found this tutorial and made this necklace.

 

Some of the beads have gold hues and I wasn't for sure how they would look with silver accents. They look great together! Very classy.

 

 

Here is is paired up with the other necklace. What do you think?

I can't wait to wear them!!

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord;

I say, "You are my God."

Psalm 31:14

 

 

This post is linked to Five Days Five Ways, Happy Hour Projects, My Repurposed Life, and Tater Tots and Jello.

 

Thrifty Thursday #58

     This past weekend my hubby and I went to an estate sale with some friends. They had been wanting to go to one and we just so happened to know where one was.

     It was the last hour of the last day of the sale. Prime time for deal making!

 

I found these two mini teacups- one with a saucer.

Each piece was marked fifty cents, but the lady let me have them all for a dollar.

These will get washed up and given to my friend who has me looking for teacups for a project she plans to do.

 

I loved the look of this old worn out cigar box. I think I paid $1 for it.

I plan to store my washi tape collection in it.

 

Love these spoons with the flower cut outs! They're perfect for serving spoons.

I got the whole set for $2.

 

I cannot pass up embroidery hoops. I like to keep them on hand for projects.

Got all these for one dollar!

 

If you stopped by last week, you saw that I came by an old record player. I'll probably give these records a spin before turning them into party decor.

I paid four dollars for all of these.

 

     As usual, my hubby and I had a great time browsing the estate sale. I think our friends did, too. I explained to them that sometimes you find awesome stuff and sometimes you strike out. You just never know til you go!

 

     I hope you have good luck with your yard sale shopping this week. Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage,

and He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Psalm 27:14

 

This post is linked to Apron Thrift Girl. 

 

Layout of the Week #45- Using Decorative Sacks

     Do you ever just walk the aisles of Michaels or Hobby Lobby- even if you don't need anything? Then you find something because you've walked down aisles you don't usually look at. Well, I did just that. And I found the cutest little white paper bags with pink polka dots. So this week, we're going to use a decorative sack on our layouts.
     Now, usually I tell you that when I create these tutorials, I intend for you to use supplies you already have. So don't go out and buy a cute little white sack with pink polka dots. You can use any little decorative bag. If you don't have one, you can use a regular brown lunch sack and cover it with  pattern paper.

 

Here's the layout we're going to create.

 

To make it, you'll need:

one piece of 12"x12" cardstock plus a couple small pieces for photo mats

one piece of 12"x12" decorative pattern paper

one piece of pattern paper measuring 6"x 7 1/2" (I used a page out of an old encyclopedia)

small decorative bag

letter stickers for the title

a couple of embellishments to match you theme (I used three tickets, one sticker, and a crocheted flower)

paper trimmer

adhesive

 

First trim off 1/4" from the bottom and the right side of the pattern paper. Then adhere it to the 12"x12" cardstock. Ink the edges if you'd like. 

 

 

Now take the piece of pattern paper measuring 6"x 7 1/2' and adhere it to the top of the cardstock about two inches from the left side.

The decorative elements on the bottom left corner and top right corner are printed on my pattern paper. This is a good project to use a piece with decorative elements along the edges.

 

Now turn your sack with the opening facing the left side. Adhere it on top of the second pattern paper about one inch from the top of the layout.

I used a circle punch to cut out the rounded opening. To do that, you only need to cut out half of a circle.

 

Now take your main photo and mat it. Adhere it on top of the paper bag. This will work with a vertical photo or a horizontal photo. If your photo is 4"x6", trim the mat to 4 1/2" x 6 1/2".

 

Since you will have a sack on the layout, you'll have room to put extra photos, journaling or other memento. I added a photo, used a notecard for journaling, and even folded up a picture my son drew for me. I placed all this into my paper sack behind the main photo. 

 

Now trim down 2-3 more photos and arrange them like this in the lower right corner.

 

Add your title across the bottom of the small piece of pattern paper. It's hard to read mine, but it says, "My Sweet Valentines."

Feel free to add embellishments.

I placed a crocheted flower at the bottom right corner of the main photo, then placed a ticket and a sticker at the top left corner of the same photo.

I also stapled two tickets to the edges of the items in my sack to make them easier to pull out.

If you don't have access to tickets, you can just use a rectangle of cardstock or pattern paper, fold it in half and attach it to your memento.

 

Here's a look with the items pulled out of the paper sack.

 

I hope you are able to follow these instructions and create a layout of your own! Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

Into Your hand I commit my spirit;

You have redeemed me,

O Lord God of truth.

Psalm 31:5

 

 

This post is linked to Embracing Change and Shabby Creek Cottage. 

Check This Out!

     Does this make anybody but me giddy? I sure hope it's good!

 

 

I love junk!

 

     If you live around the Houston area, come and check it out!

(I am not associated with it in any way, but I think it looks like my kind of thing!)