Over the Kitchen Counter: Angie's Place for Cooking and Crafts

Quick Tip

It is really annoying when you have a great sticker that you would like to make into a dimensional element on your scrapbooking page or card - but you have all that sticky adhesive on the back - as soon as you add a page protector or touch the sticker, or try to put the card in an envelope, the edge of the sticker will stick to the page and ruin the pop-up effect.  One option is to mount the sticker onto some photo-mounting paper or designer paper and cut it out with a 1/4" background or try to cut it out as close as possible to the sticker border.  Both options work but can be time consuming and tedious, especially with very intricately shaped stickers.

Here is another option, a quick trick that I like to use when I want to add 3-D pop-up dimensionals under my stickers.  Simple and effective, this tip will get you out of a sticky situation!

You Make Me Happy

This card uses three of my favourite things: chocolate chip card stock, white embossing powder, and the little spiral punch.

I find myself reaching for chocolate chip themed items (card stock, ribbon, ink) because they are easy to use as a base then jazz up with accessories.  I embellished here with ribbon and flowery bling, and some pop-ups add a little dimension.

White embossing looks sharp on the darker background and the sentiment stands out, especially with some dimensionals behind it.

The spiral punch is great for making the focal element a little more casual and fun, like it was torn out of a notebook.  I like to use the spiral edge on scrapbooking pages as well.  Punches in general are fun and quick to use - but it can be addictive to collect them all!

All the kids are home safe and sound and the house is bustling again (well, it will be when they finally wake up!  I think there were some late nights while they were gone.)  They had a good time but be it ever so humble, I think they were happy to be home in their own beds again.  Looking forward to a nice Saturday together - hope you have a great day too!

Carrot Loaf

If you need a quick bread on the spot, this tasty and spicy loaf is made with carrots - usually something you have in the fridge anyway, combined with some basic baking ingredients.  Easy and very moist and delicious.

Carrot Loaf
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup finely grated carrots
1-3/4 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 chopped walnuts (optional)

Thinking of You

Yeah, I'm a big talker!  Even though I had a great day creating yesterday, I still thought about all my kids and what they might be doing at that moment on their trips.  I miss the commotion and hub-bub and obviously, so does the dog!  He's been waiting at the window or the top of the stairs at all the regular "return times"...it's cute and sad at the same time!

I did finish up a couple scrapbook pages from Christmas and made two simple cards.  I am trying to use my Cricut more so that was my challenge yesterday.  The card shown is one I made a little while ago - I absolutely love the fern stamp, so delicate and soft looking.  Simple and pretty.

Follow-up on the ATG tape gun: haven't quite got the hang of it yet, it's pretty big and definitely better for the larger-area projects.  Also, being a leftie, I find it a little bit awkward as the clear side is on the right (so you can't see what you're doing), as is the applying roller, so it is harder to get the tape right to the edge of the paper (fellow lefties will understand!)  I'm sure it will just take a little practice.

Speaking of having the right tools...check out this really cute video.  Ladies, I think we are getting mocked here a bit!  Have a laugh today...

What's In the Box?

It is time for another delivery from the Purolator man*.  Warning: this is an enabler video for my crafty followers!  I must say first that I am really looking forward to today as all 3 kids are off on overnight trips.  The DH is off at a golf tournament all day.  Where I usually have 3 different lunch interruptions between morning and after school, today I won't have to stop my crafting all day!  I am not answering the phone or going out, just focusing on what I love to do.  After I get off the treadmill I plan on hitting the Cricut and getting some scrapbook pages done.  I have found a wonderful Cricut instructor here, and I have picked up so many great tips and lots of inspiration so I can't wait to get started!  When you find a new blog that you like, reading the old posts is like getting a DVD box set of the entire season of your favourite show!  Fun!

Cricut users: I will caution you about one thing.  While I was working last night and using the Cricut spatula, I sliced my finger open on the edge of it - that sucker is sharp!  So be careful when using the Cricut spatula - it's a great tool because it is so thin and can get under the paper but that also makes it razor-like!  Have a great day, hope to see you tomorrow!

* Fellow crafty Canadians: if you are interested in getting your own {insert mystery item name here} the great people at National Hardware Sales Ltd. were marvelous at providing me with exactly what I was looking for.  They were very accomodating and shipped my order that afternoon, which I recieved by lunch the very next day!  Thanks, Hamza!

Fresh Is Best

The recipes that you take the time and effort to prepare are only as good as the ingredients you make them with.  I always try to use the freshest and most natural items I can wherever possible - the flavours and colours are just so much better than their processed counter-parts.

One example: citrus juice.  I have this Braun electric juicer from years ago and it's terrific for getting all that lemony, limey, or orangey juice from the fruit.  If you are making a Lemon Loaf ,bottled lemon juice just won't do the job and since fresh lemons are pretty cheap and readily available there's no reason not to use the real lemon!  That lime?  Made the perfect margarita! ;0)

Cheddar Crown Loaf

I love baking with yeast and this Cheddar Crown Loaf is a real showstopper in my recipe book.  I use my wonderful KitchenAid mixer fitted with the dough hook to make this impressive crown of 32 dinner rolls but of course you can mix and knead it by hand as well. It is perfect for a dinner party, family gathering or picnic, or just because ya want it! Enjoy!

Cheddar Crown Loaf: 1-3/4 cups milk, 1/2 cup water, 3 Tbsp butter, 6-1/2 to 7-1/2 cups flour, 2 Tbsp sugar, 4-1/2 tsp active dry yeast, 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, 2 Tbsp butter, melted

* you can optionally sprinkle with 1/4 tsp caraway seeds if you'd like (half on each layer)

Black and White

Black and white always look crisp and when you add in some shades of grey you end up with a pleasing combination perfect for an all-occasion card.

Here I stamped some daisies with white craft ink on black card stock and then heat embossed with white embossing powder.  I punched them out and tape runnered them directly onto my white card base.  A few strips of patterned designer paper add a little interest, as does the scalloped eyelet edging.  A pop-up sentiment punched with a word window finishes off this pretty card.

Throw a Rib on the Bar-b

Here is a quick video on how I prepare ribs for the bar-b-que.  I used to think it was a big hassle to make them but with this rib recipe you hardly have to do any work at all!  Now that the warmer weather is finally here it's the perfect time to wash up the outdoor furniture and dine al fresco - and these ribs on the bar-b-que are a tasty addition to your summer menu.  Dig in!

A Great Kitchen Aid

My favourite kitchen appliance by far is my KitchenAid stand mixer.  I've had this beauty since February 1996 and it is still going strong.  At the time I bought it I paid about $270, a lot of money for me back then when I had 3 small kids at home, but it was a terrific investment that has served me extremely well.

This heavy-duty piece of equipment is invaluable for beating batters, kneading dough, whipping cream, and any other mixing job you need done - all hands-free.  It comes with a flat-beater, whisk, and dough hook.  There are plenty of extra attachments you can purchase to augment its versatility, from an ice cream maker to a pasta maker.  I even bought the grinding attachment to grind my own meat (yeah, that didn't last long!  Totally gross!)

Even DH said that if this beast ever died we would have to get another - he knows the good things that come out of it!  But I really can't see that happening, with its professional-level motor and heavy-weight construction this puppy's gonna last a lifetime!  They come in so many cute colours and styles (check them out, here), one is surely to match what you are looking for.  I plan on giving one to each kid for his or her wedding gift - hopefully their marriages will last as long as the mixer!