Packing for the Candyland Crop weekend!

Well - there are only 2 more SLEEPS to count, until it is time to spend the weekend with all my Scrappy Friends at Scrap-a-Doodle Doo's CANDYLAND Theme Weekend Crop!  There are OVER 90 of us attending this event, and I am even teaching a class too!  I can't wait!!

Every crop - I promise myself that I am NOT going to bring so much scrap stuff - BUT try as hard as I might - things never work out that way - and I end up ALWAYS being a member of the "OPC!"

What the heck is the "OPC" you ask? - well - My friend Pattie introduced me to this special organization, which many of you probably belong to, and don't even realize it - you see those letters stand for "Over Packers Club" and YES I AM PROUD TO ADMIT - I AM AND it seems like I ALWAYS will be a HAPPY CARD CARRYING MEMBER! LOL!!

I have about 10 projects packed - plus a good part of my embellishments, tools, all my Glimmer Mists (hey - can't leave home without them!) my Cricut too - (I SWEAR I am going to use it this time!!!)  Plus who knows what else - as I never know what I'll feel like doing/creating - so there was lots of "just in case" packing going on!

The Challenging part for this crop -was where to "stage" or hold all the crafty goodies until I am ready to load them in the car.  This never was an issue before when our precious Lily was around - she was truly a Princess and NEVER touched anything that wasn't hers or that she wasn't supposed to..... BUT - Little Miss Maggie - the little 14 week old fur ball that we have now is a WHOLE  "nother story!!  LOL!

So - where to put all that Scrap Crap until it is time to pack the car for the weekend - so that it didn't have little teeth marks on it? 

I came up with a solution......Please - just don't let anyone turn on the water!! 

Yes, that is our big Raspberry Jacuzzi Tub - circa 1991  - Hey atleast it is getting some use and Maggie is too little to jump over the side!  Oh - and that is about half of the "stuff" I'm bringing - so if you are going to the crop - and if you forgot something - please see me - I'll probably have it with me! LOL!

Hmm.... maybe I should start to think about - and pack some clothes next!

Please leave a comment and let me know you PROUD to belong to the OPC too!

CLUB MEMBERS UNITE!!

~Sherri

Hey Mom, What's for dinner?

Here is what I made for dinner last night - it was really good!

"Semi- Homemade" Kung Pao Tofu Stirfry

Here is how you can make it too -  ( and if you can't do Tofu  - use boneless chicken!)

This made @ 4 servings.

Ingredients:

Olive Oil and Sesame Oil to stirfry in

1 pack of extra firm Tofu - pressed and well drained - cut into @ 1" cubes


1 Large Onion - cut into 1" pcs

@ 3 -4 Cups FRESH cut up veggies ( I bought a pack from the produce dept at my local supermarket - it contained bokchoy, red and green peppers, onions, celery, carrots) *feel free to us whatever you have on hand or like.


@ 3/4 C Chunky Peanutbutter

2 Tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar

1 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes

3 T plus 1/4 C Soy Sauce

1 pack of Annie Chin's Kung Pao Noodle Bowl  ( that's the "Semi" part!)

I browned the tofu cubes in some olive oil, sesame oil and added @ 3 T of soy sauce - along with some sesame seeds that I had on hand. I removed them from the pan added a little more of the oils, and then stir fried the onions and the rest of the pre-cut fresh veggies. 

While they are cooking - prepare the Noodle Bowl as directed - EXCEPT - cut the noodles in 3rds before heating - and DO NOT DRAIN the 1 Cup of water after cooking.  Instead - ADD the Sauce pack and the Peanut butter to the bowl and stir until blended

When the veggies are tender crips - don't over cook - add the Vinegar, 1/4 C Soy Sauce and the pepper flakes, then add the mixture in the noodle bowl.  Stir and let simmer until flavors blend, and sauce thickens a little.  Put into your serving bowl and sprinkle with peanuts that come in the package with the noodles.

A great addtion would be some water chestnuts, and scallions - (but I didn't have these on hand.)


I hope you give it a try!  It's a quick and easy work night meal!
 
Thanks for stopping by!~Sherri

PS - how do you like my new BLOG design?!!

Snow Loved! REVERSE Canvas project

Hello Everyone!  Below is my second post on Helmar's Design Team Blog, as their January Guest Designer.
I hope you like this project.  If you are in the Northern NJ area - I am offering this REVERSE CANVAS Class on Feb 4th at Scrap-a-Doodle Doo in Ramsey, NJ - contact info is below. There are only 4 seats left - so please contact them ASAP to reserve a seat!  Thanks for looking!

This is Sherri Caramico, back again with my second post as January's Guest Designer for Helmar and I want to share a very special project with you. 

I decided to create another reverse canvas project - believe me, once you try one - you will get hooked on this fun, dimensional decorative piece of art!

First, please allow me to give you a little background on the photo that I used in this project.

We were blessed to have an AMAZING and LOVING Portuguese Water Dog, named Lily
( aka Turnabout's Princess Water Lily) share our lives for the last 11 1/2 years.  She was diagnosed with TCC / Bladder Cancer in July 2011, and spent the last 4 months of her life putting up a tough battle, endured chemo, and was spoiled as much as she could be, by all members of our family.  On November 12th, at 3:00am, my husband and I had to take her to the vet and do what was best for our girl, and the hardest thing we have every had to do.  I am thankful we were able have the strength to finally give her peace, and we know that she is waiting for us over the Rainbow Bridge.

I found a photo Lily from the winter of 2009, and it made me smile - I just knew I had to do something special with it.  PWD's have hair, not fur, and pretty much become a giant mitten with clumps of snow sticking to them when they go out to play.  Lily also liked to sniff snow, and playtime in the snow usually ended with me sitting on the floor, melting clumps of snow with a hairdryer! LOL!

I used lots of great products on this project - here are just a few ( I'll list them all at the bottom of the post for you!)

I started with a 12" x 12" Canvas, and gave the edges, sides and some of the center a good coat of Gesso, I also added some randomly to the chipboard snowflake.



Before spraying with various shades of Blue Glimmer Mist, I applied some True Snow to corners of the frame to give them some texture.



After the Glimmer Mist, I used Viva Decor's Silver Metallic Modeling Creme for the first time!  OH MY!! This was LOTS OF FUN!! - I used a plastic glove and applied it with my finger tip - kind of like finger paint!!

Look at all those layers!  I achieved them with various thicknesses of Helmar ZAP DOTS - my new FAVORITE 3D Double Sided Adhesive Foam!  Notice the shimmery Silver Modeling Cream both on the "frame" and I even used it to "distress" the the edges of the photo and paper too!



Here is the finished project - I just LOVE the layers and the way the whole project turned out.  Our Lily was "SNOW LOVED" and I think this is the perfect way to honor this picture of her, and a great memory of the the LAUGHTER and JOY she brought to us.

Here is a close up to show you all the beautiful elements, colors patterns and textures and a close up of our much loved loyal friend.

The Helmar ZAP DOTS really helped me to achive that layered look, which worked great within the "shadow box" feel of the reverse frame. ALSO Helmar's Gemstone Glue worked PERFECTLY to adhere the white beaded trim, and the AMAZING Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive was used to attach all other elements - OH -and the large Snow Flake in the top left, and the blue star at the bottom right were given added dimension with Helmar's LIQUID SCRAP DOTS !



Here are the Items/Tools used:
Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots
Helmar 1/2" and 1/4" foam ZAP DOTS
Helmar Gemstone Glue
12x12" Canvas by Canvas Concepts
Gesso
Little Yellow Bicycle's Winter Twig Collection
Tattered Angel's Glimmer Mists ~ Teal Higheel, Patina, Autumn Nights, Bubbles
Aleene's True Snow
Viva Decor Silver Metallic Modeling Creme,
White cardstock letters cut out with Tim Holtz "Vintage Market" Alphabet Die
colored with Tumbled Glass and Chipped Sapphire Ranger Distress Inks
Donna Salazar Fairydust Glitter
Fiskars Boarder Punch
Chipboard Snowflake
Kaiser Sparklets
Bazzill Clear Button
Pearl and Silver Snowflake ribbon
Clear Acrylic Embellishments 
99% of these items were purchased at my favorite Local Scrapbook Store
Scrap-a-Doodle Doo  - they also have an on line store too - just click on their name!

I hope I've inspired you to give a REVERSE Canvas a try!

Please follow my BLOG www.shercara.blogspot.com for new projects and adventures!

If you are in the Northern NJ area - I am teaching a class to make this project on

Saturday, Feb 4th at 12:00 Noon at Scrap-a-Doodle Doo - seating is limited to contact the store ASAP to reserve a seat 201 818 7060

THANKS HELMAR!

~ Sherri Caramico

REVERSE CANVAS Class Feb 4th at THE DOO!

Please join me for my upcoming class at:


Scrap-a-Doodle Doo
37-C Swan St
Ramsey, NJ
201-818-7060 - CALL TO RESERVE your seat ASAP!
http://www.scrap-a-doodledoo.com/

Saturday, February 4th at 12:00 noon


Cost $40.00 per person

LIMITED to 10 Students - Sorry, NO KITS will be available, as much of the products are consumable supplies shared by the teacher.


12"x12" REVERSE CANVAS CLASS
~featuring Little Yellow Bicycle's WINTER TWIG Collection!


Come and learn some fun new techniques, and leave with a BEAUTIFUL project that will be ready to hang or display.

By using the back or reverse side of a 12 x 12 Canvas, you will create a 3-D Frame, or shadow box effect. This enables you to capture your favorite winter memories in a very UNIQUE way.

We will be using Glimmer Mist, (Chalkboard and Original) and Viva Decor Modeling Creme. We'll make our own flat but shiny faux "Thickers" using our Xyron and Fairy Dust! (this is soo cool!) You'll learn 2 different ways to use True Snow and lots MORE FUN STUFF!


Each Student must bring to class - Your basic tool kit - INCLUDING or PLUS ~ a HEAT GUN, Splat Mat, 12x12 Trimmer, Scissors, Tape Runner, Liquid Adhesive ( like Helmar 450, Fabritac, or Zip Dry ) FOAM POP DOTS, TWEEZERS and either bring or have an idea as to what size photo or photos they want to use - ( my sample has a black and white 4x6 vertical photo -but a color photo would look good too - I would suggest only (1) 4x6 photo -either vertical or horizontal - or possibly 2 smaller photos)


OPTIONAL items: ( which will be provided by the teacher - but you may want to use your own) any BLUE GLIMMER MIST ( I used Chalkboard Teal High-heel, along with Patina, Autumn Nights and Bubbles. Any BLUE Distress INK ( I used Chipped Sapphire, Tumbled Glass, Broken China) and an applicator - Small Xyron "X" and adhesive - all for your personal use, instead of sharing - if you prefer.


ALL SUPPLIES mentioned are available at Scrap-a-Doodle Doo - please call the store ASAP if you need to purchase any for the class.


Here is a "SNEAK PEEK!"

More info and full photos to follow later this month on my BLOG and on my upcoming JANUARY GUEST DESIGNER post over on the HELMAR DESIGN TEAM BLOG too!


REMEMBER - CALL 201-818-7060 - TO RESERVE your seat ASAP!



THANKS! SHERRI

Lots 'O Layer's Class at Candyland Crop 1/28/12

Here is a SNEAK PEEK of the 1 page Layout I will be teaching at Scrap-a-Doodle Doo's CANDYLAND Weekend Crop - January 27th - 29th!   ( We are already "counting the sleeps" until this FUN CREATIVE Weekend with lots of good friends arrives!  Check out and LIKE their Facebook PAGE!)

The paper featured is from Webster's Pages Ladies and Gents Collection.

I will be teaching Water Distressing, along with a 3D Picture Frame Technique.  We will use Tim Holtz Distress Stains, My Mind's Eye Pearls, and YES those are Peacock Feathers!

Cost: $15.00 per person - LIMIT to 12 Seats  ( Actual time / date during the weekend TBA - and Sign up sheet will be at the Crop)

Suggested Photo size is @ 4" x 4"

Bring to Class:   12 x 12" Paper Trimmer, PENCIL, small sharp scissors, THICK 1/2" Helmar Zap Dots (suggested) or any foam dots, Liquid Adhesive ( Helmar 450 Quick Dry suggested) Tape Runner.

The following items are "BRING IT OR BUY IT"  - I will have (1) of each of these consumable supplies to share with the group.  IF you would like your own to work with at your own pace in the class, (and to add to your "scrap stash")  PLEASE be sure to ORDER YOURS from THE DOO - ASAP - at 201 818 7060, and they will have the item at the time of your class.

Tim Holtz DISTRESS STAIN - in Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint

Okay - Okay - I made you wait long enough - here you go!  ( I hope you can join me!)

Let me know what you think!

THANKS ~ Sherri

FOLLOW "THE DOO" on their BLOG - to keep up to date with the CLASSES and EVENTS they offer!