ARTastic Guest DT for August!!

Hello everyone!

Well August is here and we have One More Month of Summer!! Soon School will start and with that, all the madness that comes with it! But for now lets enjoy the morning commute!! (no cars, traffic yams or long hours on the road trying to get home to cook and deal with homework!)

As mentioned on of my previouis Post, this Month I am the Guest Artist at the "ARTistic Challenge Blog" ....Such a fun Blog!! But for those one's who dosent know what is this Blog all about...I asked Shazza (the owner of the Blog) to share with us some info about the her and the blog!! So...Here Goes the INTERVIEW!!

What is your Name?? Shazza (Sharon) Bishop

Where you from??? Melbourne, Australia

Why the Name of the Blog???
Each month we introduce a Great Artist and add a little criteria for inspiration....so 'ARTastic' suits the challenge blog perfectly.

Do like Art? Who is your favorite painter and painting, Why?
I have loved all forms of art ever since I was very young, but my appreciation came about when I studied art in high school. My favourite painter is Vermeer, I love his work, especially the way he captures the light coming through windows on to his subjects, and that he usually painted scenes of ordinary everyday life. My favourite painting of Vermeers is 'Girl with the Pearl Earring', I just love the wistful look on her face, I also love his other painting called 'The Act of Painting' where he has illuminated a room with diffused light and used exquisite painted details. I think this painting was very important to Vermeer, because it remained in his possession until his death. Even when the family was left in financial straits, it was not sold. I have also been a painter myself for about 10 years. I paint different things like boxes, plaques and watering cans :)

Here an Original Painting from Shazza

How did you came up with the idea of doing a blog like this??
I inherited the challenge site from the founder 'Allison Payne' as she was unable to continue to run the site, (I was on her DT) and I took it on basically so the other Design Team ladies did not lose their positions and the fact that I love art.

What is a funny story to tell us about your blog?
I actually run another challenge blog called 'From Screen 2 Scrap' and have often added a painting entry to the 'Movie Themed' blog by mistake and then realised only after it was uploaded! Thats what you get when you blog hours on end each day lol !

How do the Challenges works and who can participate?
Anyone can participate, I think a challenge blog should be for everyone to enjoy all over the world. I also accept digi layouts as everyone has their own way of expressing their scrapping style. I often have entries from USA, Israel, Belgium and the UK. To enter the challenge each month, use the painting as inspiration and the added criteria (for bonus points). Entries are sent to shazzaalleyes@hotmail.com At the end of the month all the DT members vote on their favourite layouts.....our winners are then announced.

Tell us why you like Scrapbooking ??
I love scrapbooking as I find it relaxing, a great way to leave something behind (a legacy) for your family to share, and the best way to make close internet friendships.

How can another Scrapper become a "Guest Artist" at your blog?
Sometimes I put out a call for Guest Artists but most often I have ladies emailing me and asking if they could be a Guest ARTist. You dont have to be the best scrapper on the planet! just have a love of scrapbooking and having a blog does help :)

Which are some of your favorite Blogs???
I love looking at my Design Teams Blogs, they give me a lot of inspiration especially if my mojo has run off!!!

What is your next project??
My next projects are my submissions for two other Design Teams I am on. 'Scrap that Poetry' and 'Soul Scrappers'. I always get my monthly submissions done first, my ATC committments then I free scrap either for myself or participate in other challenge sites.

How is your Summer??
I am actually in the froze of winter atm, which means lots of indoor scrapping by the heater!

Your Challenge For August

The inspiration Piece for this Month is "SUNSET" by Claude Monet

Here my LO inspired on the Painting!!

Credits:
All Products available at Jessica's Store

Quick Page by : Queen of Quirk
Paper papers: Queen of Quirk, Knotty Girl Paper
November Papers collection by Crystal
Navy Butterfly Pin by Danielle Thomsom
Journalist Snipers By Crystal
Doododly Doodle by Crystal
Embroiled Flowers By Danielle Thompson (granny's Digi Kit)

Cheers,

Jackie :)

Receipe of the Week! Corn Chower!!

Here is a Soup I made Yesterday at home ..it was such a great and easy soup to make! We went to the local Farmers Market this weekend and there was the Sweet Corn of Jersey! Yummm-Yummm So even that these days is only My Son Luis and I ...I decided to buy 6 corn cops!

When I got home!! I was thinking what in the world I could make with this corn! So Corn Chower!! it is!!! and it can out so good that I need it to shared it with all of you!

Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 small onion, diced
2 small carrot, finely diced
2 small celery stalk, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups white corn kernels, fresh or frozen
3 cups chicken stock
2 cups half-and-half
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Melt 1 stick of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, and saute for 2 minutes. Add the flour and stir to make a roux. Cook until the roux is lightly browned; set aside to cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, combine the corn and chicken stock in another saucepan, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Pour the boiling stock with the corn (a little at a time) into the saucepan with the roux, whisking briskly so it doesn't lump. Return the skillet to the heat and bring to a boil. The mixture should become very thick.
In a small saucepan, gently heat the half-and-half; stir it into the thick corn mixture. Add the nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste. Just before serving, cut the remaining stick of butter into large chunks. Add it to enrich the soup, stirring until the butter melts.

Try it..you will love it too!!
Bon Appettit!










Cheers,Jackie :)

Jessicca Sprague New Kit- From Crystal

The kit will available at the Store this Monday July 28th

Made for Jessica Sprague

Artisan Label sTemplate No 4 By Crystal

Candy Coated Gardern by Kitschy Digital (danielle Thompson)

JSprague-WeKit-TextBrackets

Rainbow Sherbet Collection by Crystal

Cheers,

Jackie :)

My Newest Project

Hi Everyone!!

Well Couple of things in my Scrapbook world! For those one interested in learning Digital Scrapbooking Jessica just added a New updated Class of Up & Running V2....An excellent class for those who will like to start Digi and dosent know where to start!! I highly recommend it..and is also very affordable!!

Here were to find more Information!

Up & Running with Photoshop v.02, beginning digital scrapbooking.Register today! (Alumni of U&R receive a discount!)

The other updated, is that during the Month of August I will the Guess Artist to the Shazza Fabulus Blog "ARTastic Challenge Blog" This is a fantastic blog for those who will like to explore their Artistic side...every month she have a new Paint from some well know painter and participants will create a LO using the paint as their inspiration piece! But I blog more about that on the next post!

Then some remodeling!! As you all know ..we are selling our Jersey Home...and as part of the stagging ....I being looking for areas in the house I can improve or change to showcase the house better! which by the way is very exhausting Job!! as of today..I have basically change the entire house!! Well even that my Scrapbook are was "Organized" I was not totally happy with the way it look..so this week I make some changes and sent to strorage...MANY of my Scrapbooking Supplies!!! (almost die..as I love them alll) but I cant scrap until we move..due to the mess I alwyas made when working with my papaer!!

But......But....even that I manage to create this 3 frames for my wall to complement my Scrapbooking area! also add the sticker chandellier! which I LOVE...

Well here is one more photo of the finish product!! What do think??

More to Come!

Cheers,

Jackie :)

A House For Sale!

Here is My Beautiful Home!! Are you looking for a Great house in the North-West of Jersey!! This is the house you can call home!! It will love at 1st sight!

Credits:

Be Berry Paper Pack available at Jessica Sprauge Store!

Sabayon with Strawberries

Ingredients

1 to 1 1/2 pounds fresh ripe strawberries (3 pints)
1 tablespoon sugar, plus more to taste
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus more to taste

For the sabayon
6 egg yolks
1 cup sweet Marsala wine or port, sherry, or Madeira
1/3 cup sugar, plus more to taste
Drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional) For the whipped cream (for the glazed version)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon sugar

Special equipment:
Special equipment: A large stainless steel or copper bowl, plus a larger bowl for holding (optional)
A large saucepan of simmering water
A balloon whisk
Dessert goblets or large martini glasses, or a medium gratin baking dish (4-cup volume) or individual gratin dishes (for glazed sabayon)

Preparation
Preparing the strawberries:About an hour before serving the dessert, rinse the strawberries (stems on) and drain them on paper towels. Slice off the stems and halve or quarter the strawberries lengthwise, depending on size, into a bowl. Sprinkle over the sugar and the lemon juice; fold gently together to blend well. Taste a strawberry, add more sugar or lemon juice if needed, and set aside to macerate.

Whipping the sabayon:

If you want to serve the sabayon warm, make it at the last minute. If you want to glaze the sabayon under the broiler, or make it ahead of time to serve chilled, have ready a large bowl (larger than the one in which you whip the sauce) partly filled with ice cubes.
Whisk to blend the yolks, Marsala, and sugar in the stainless-steel bowl. Rest the bowl in the saucepan over hot water. Whisk constantly for 4 to 5 minutes or more to cook the sauce, until it has the consistency of lightly whipped cream. Clear the bottom of the bowl constantly with the whisk so that the eggs do not scramble, and adjust the heat as needed. Taste the sauce — the sabayon should never get so hot that you can't stick your very clean finger in it — and whisk drops of lemon juice or more sugar if you want. When thick, foamy, and tripled in volume, remove from heat. It can be served hot as is, tepid, or cool.
Serving:Spoon a portion of strawberries — 1/2 cup or more — into each goblet or glass, and top with 1/3 to 1/2 cup of warm or cool sabayon. Or put the sauce in the glass first, then the strawberries.

Variation:

Strawberries Glazed with SabayonCool the sabayon to room temperature. Whip the cream and sugar until soft peaks form, and fold the cream into the sabayon with a rubber spatula.
Turn on the broiler. Spread the strawberries in the baking dish in one layer (or in individual dishes). Spoon the sauce over the berries so they are completely covered and set the dish under the broiler, 5 to 6 inches from the heat. With the door open — so you can watch carefully — broil for a minute or two, turning the dish as needed to glaze evenly, until the top of the sabayon is nicely browned and slightly crusted. Serve right away.

Original receipe from: Julia Child and Jacques Pepin , from Book : Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home

Just a Though:Do you Need to Have Your "i" knocked Out

Be Kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.

--Romans 12:10 KJV

My husband often taught on maturity in our
Christian walk. He said, "the Spirit of the world exalts self. Gimmee, gimmee
and get, get, get" This is a very unattractive attitude that, sadly, can be
found even among Christians. It seems that some folks are determined to become
famous and well-know regardless of who they have to knock over, step on, or drag down in the process.

It's shame when people think only of themselves --the big "I"--
and cease to care about others. That doesn't sound like Jesus, does it? John said, "they need to have their "i" knocked out!" We need to seek God until we have a spirit that honors others above ourselves. The bible says we have not received the spirit of the world--we have the Spirit of God!

I encourage you to get your mind off yourself, and think about
helping someone else. Visit someone who is sick, and count your blessings that
you are healthy. Say "hello" to that lonely neighbor down the street, and thanks
God for your family and friends. Drop an extra check i the offering at church in
support of someone on the mission field. Success isn't measure in what you
accumulate for yourself-- it's what you do for others that counts with God

100 things Going On Right Now!

Hello My darling Friends!!

In the Run to Victory!

So where to start! 100 things going on right now in my life!! and so Many things to share!! As many of you know my Hubby is already in Boston! Happy and working! Praise the Lord! But in order for the entire family to be together there are couple of things that need to happen

Our Jersey house need to Sell!! Is already in the Market and is a Great and Beautiful house, where we have being so blessed for 10 year!! So if you are in Jersey and Need to buy a great house with tons of Upgrades ..this is your house!!

Here is the link to the House

Then, I need a Job that will allow me to work remotely or in the Boston area!! Working on it...God is helping big time with this one!! So keep me in your prayers too!!

We are currently in the process to buying a new house! But ohhh my dear Lord..So many papers and requirements!! Is a beautiful house, smaller than my current one...but very charming and easier to clean!! :)

I also need to transition my youngest Son Luis to the Plymouth High School! I hate to do this to him …as this year he will be Senior and he will not be able to be with all his friends on prom night!! But his is such a great kid that he is okay with the change!!

Im have neglected my Scrapbooking these days because all the Drama of these process!! Oh my Lord I'm so overwhelm with the entire process!! Every Sunday we have Open House, and the house need to be spotless, clean, organized and you know my friend, that when we are scrapbooking we need space and we make big mess until we are done..and some times it take me more than a day to put tougher a LO! So..I can't go through the Drama of Cleaning and clearing My desk every time the Realtor calls for a house showing!!

But in the Middle of this I manage to have some LO's Done for Jessica's CT!! Here are!!

Credits:
Cross Stitch Border- Granny Sewing Basket- Kitschy Digital
Pattern Papers- Freedom is Good- Live Designs
Word Art- Summerbites- In the Making Design

Credits:
Polkadots-08, 02, 03 -Crystal (sweetsummer time)
Circles 1,2 &3 - Crystal (sweetsummer time)
Cross Stitch Border
Granny Sewing Basket- Kitschy Digital
Pattern Papers- Freedom is Good- Live Designs
Word Art- Summerbites- In the Making Design