The Memory Nest "MIM" #42 "W.I.N.O.S."

Hi Everyone - here is the second challenge from The Memory Nest for June.

CLICK HERE for all the info and details on how YOU can play along - and even WIN a PRIZE!!

I just LOVE Crystal's Sketch this month :

BUT - but I had horizontal photos that I wanted to use - and decide to turn the sketch like this:

So... here is my take on the sketch - I guess the subject matter makes turning the sketch on its side even more appropriate! LOL!

  

This is my good friend, and scrapbook buddy Janice.  We LOVE to attend weekend crops Hosted by Scrap-a-Doodle DOO, with all of our Scrappy "Peeps!"  I thought this Modern Miss Collection from BoBunny was the PERFECT paper to capture our Friday Night FUN and Laughs!!    I actually took the photos with my new "Selfie Stick" - hence the giggles and laughter in the bottom photo!

We always sit next to each other at the crops, and inspire each other while we create, along with enjoying a little wine from time to time too!

I love the color combination of this collection - and thought that the animal print base page went well with the black and white sweater I was wearing.  The chipboard numbers are so cool! I inked the edges to give them some dimension too.

I love all the embellies in this collection too. This bottom photo of us laughing is my favorite - and we had only just had our first sip of wine!  Always a GREAT TIME at a "DOO CROP!" - oh, can you spot the little white sticker of the wine glass, on the little heart tag?   So Cute!!

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the "W.I.N.O.S" Title - it was actually a photo of a T-shirt I saw at the crop - I think I am going to have to buy it!  I think it was perfect for this Layout!

Items used:
Bo Bunny Modern Miss : Papers: Authentic, Dramatic, Charming, Bold
  - Noteworthy paper embellishments
  - Chipboard
  - Buttons
  - Combo Stickers
Ranger Distress Stain - Abandon Coral
Powder Puff Chalk - Blue Moon
Jillibean Soup - Sprinkles
Brads

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I can't wait to see what you create with the sketch - sideways or not! LOL!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Chocolate Eclair Cake

I made this to bring to a friend's house for dessert - It was a HIT!  
It was really not that difficult - BUT SHHH.... No one has to know that!! :-)

Chocolate Eclair Cake

Ingredients:

 1 Cup Water

1/2 Cup ( 1 Stick) Salted Butter

1 Cup All Purpose Flour

4 Large Eggs

1 8 oz Pkg Cream Cheese - Softened ( can use low fat)

1 Large Box Instant Pudding - your choice / Vanilla or Chocolate*

*BUT if you ask me - I'd tell you Chocolate - of course!!  

3 Cups of Milk ( I used skim - to cancel out the butter - in my mind anyway!)

1 Cup Heavy Cream + Vanilla Extract and Powdered Sugar to taste.

Sliced Strawberries 

(*optional - but they are pretty and fruit -so why not!)

Chocolate Syrup*for drizzle - 

*Consider this a decoration - so don't worry about added calories!

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Lightly grease a 9"x13" glass baking pan. IF your sides are too greased, you won't be able to get the mixture to stay on the sides - but don't worry - just try your best  - they will still eat it!!

Filling: Make the pudding according to the box/directions and let set while making the cake.

Eclair Crust:  In a medium saucepan, melt butter in the water and bring to a boil.  Remove from heat.  Stir in flour.  Mix in ONE egg at a time, mixing completely before adding another egg.  Spread the mixture into the pan, covering the bottom and sides evenly. 

BAKE for 25- 40 mins - check at 25 mins -until golden brown.  Don't over cook.  Remove from oven and let cool (LEAVE the bubbles alone! - the are fine where they are!

Make the whipped cream and slice the strawberries for garnish. (Yes you can use Cool Whip - but the puff crust really deserves the Real Thing!)

When Cake is cooled - 

Beat the softened cream and add the pudding to it, beating until smooth and no lumps.  Spread on cooled crust, and top with whipped cream, strawberries and chocolate syrup.

ENJOY!!

And that is MY Birthday Present to YOU!

((Hugs)) ~ Sherri

Exciting News! I'm now a member of the Scrap Our Stash Design Team

Hello Everyone!

I am so happy and excited  to announce that I have been selected to be on the Scrap Our Stash Design Team!!  

This is a REALLY FUN Blog, and a great way for ME and YOU to SCRAP OUR STASH - and let's face it people - if you are a Scrapper - you MUST have a Stash!!

I am really looking forward to working with this very talented group of ladies.  I hope to see you playing along with us too!  

There are 2 challenges per month, on the 1st and the 15th.  

Be sure to FOLLOW along on the Blog, let  us help you to use up some of your STASH - so you can buy more NEW stuff! 

CLICK HERE for the OFFICIAL Announcement and to meet all of the other DT Members too!

HAPPY SCRAPPING!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

The Memory Nest "MIM" #41 - First Pic of 2015

Hi Everyone - Here is our First "MIM" Sketch for you for June!

You can find all about the Challenge / Rules / Deadline and PRIZE - YES, I did say PRIZE!!!  over on 

The Memory Nest Blog!

For my Design Team Inspiration, I'm going to take you a back a few months in time, to the first day of 2015. These photos were from our balcony, at the vacation condo we rented in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for the week between Christmas and New Years.
I was the only one up and was lucky enough to enjoy the first and very beautiful sunrise of 2015!

Here is the first sketch for June, for your scrappy pleasure!  Leslie did a really great job on the sketch - there is lots of room for interpretation - and a great way to tell a story with photos too!

For those that know me and my style - the sketch had a lot of "open space" - which I seem to feel the need to fill!  - I did so by using a SUPER HOT New base page I got at my LSS - made by Scrapbookers Painted Page - "Evening Palms" - even though - my photos were of the first sunrise - I think it worked perfectly!

Since I was the only one awake at the time - I felt the need to "Document" the first day of 2015 -with an early morning selfie.

OKAY - go ahead - it was totally unintended - but I know you see a little face looking out at you- on the trunk of the tree!  Somehow an orange brad, and 2 gold sequins with black bling looked great when I added them, but now they both look like little faces! There are 2 of them - can you find the other one?? LOL!

If you are looking for the 2nd face with gold sequin eyes, you don't have to look far! LOL - here is a close up of some of the Washi I used and the beautiful sunrise - also me - with out make-up! (YIKES!)

Just LOVE the Gold and Glittery "Document" Thicker for the title, and the little strip from Tim Holtz "Small Talk" Stickers too!

Here are the items used for this layout:

For the base page I used Scrapbookers Painted Page # 2307 - Evening Palms
Distress Stains - Black Soot, Tarnished Brass, Fossilized Amber
Bo Bunny Mama Razzi 2 - Strike a pose, Brads, Stickers, Trinkets & layered Chipboard
Simple Stories "I Am" #4519 - Important
Paper House  P-0597 Create
Rukristin - #selfie Stamp
Tim Holtz - Small Talk Stickers
Thickers "Story"/ Gold
Washi Tape
Gold Sequins 

As always, thank you for stopping by - I hope you play along with us this month and can't wait to see what you will create!!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri