Free Printables

I don't know about you, but I'm always on the lookout for fun ways to embellish my pages, whether it be an accent or a journaling spot. Given that many of you are working on Project Life albums, I thought I'd share some printables I've come across recently.

1. Days of the Week Journaling Cards by KI Memories. KI shared this free printable for National Scrapbooking Day. It's a set of 3 x 4" days of the week (plus a more generic "today" card) lined journaling cards.

2. Word Arrows by Ali Edwards. These feature Ali's wonderful handwriting and come in either white or kraft.

3. Days of the Week Journaling Cards by Cathy Zielske. This is another lined set of cards (not sure of the size since I haven't printed them yet) with colorful block-style letters for the days of the week.

4. Simple Stories Summer Fresh 3x4 Printables. Two sheets of cards that go with the Summer Fresh collection so you'll never run out! :)

Enjoy and happy scrapping! :)

Tasty Tuesday (On A Wednesday): Cheesy Veggie Chowder

(Source: Lulu the Baker)

This soup tasted exactly how I thought it would. It was smooth and creamy and had just the right amount of heartiness to it. Tom even thought it was cream of broccoli (his favorite) at first. I made this on a day when it was about 60° F so it made for the perfect comfort food dinner (and leftovers too). Add a side of fresh wheat bread and you've got a great meal!

2 T. butter (I used cooking spray to sauté the veggies instead)

1/2 c. chopped onion

1 c. finely chopped carrot (I used purchased shredded carrot only because I had some leftover from making spring rolls earlier in the week)

1 stalk celery, finely chopped

1 T. minced garlic

4 c. chicken broth

2 large baking potatoes, peeled and chopped

1 T. flour

1/2 c. water

2/3 c. milk

2 c. chopped broccoli

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper, to taste

Melt the butter in a large soup pot. Add onions, carrots, and celery and sauté over medium heat until tender. Add garlic and cook 1-2 additional minutes. Add chicken broth and potatoes, bring to a boil, and cook until potatoes are tender. Mix flour with water, add to pot, and simmer until soup is slightly thickened. Add milk and broccoli and cook until broccoli is just tender and soup is heated through. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in cheese, allow to melt, and serve.

Little Yellow Bicycle Hello Spring Cycling Team Projects

Today is the day I get to share the projects I did for Little Yellow Bicycle's Hello Spring Cycling Team!

This was such a fun and fresh collection to work with. I couldn't help but be inspired. First up is a layout that uses just about every type of embellishment available in this collection. LOL! I had a lot of fun combining the month tickets and layering other embellishments over them.

Next up is a card I made to give to Alexa after her upcoming dance recital. I cut a section of the Spring Story paper so I could highlight the word "dance", adding the words "live to" above it in letter stickers. The stick pin is "dressed up" a bit with a rhinestone and leaves created with embroidery floss.

Here's one more card (also for Alexa who turns eleven next month). This one uses the Spring Story paper again. I used a chipboard frame to highlight a portion of a lined journaling ticket, added in the "celebrate" banner, a felt flower, a couple of embellished stickpins and some stickers.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you were inspired and enjoyed seeing the Hello Spring collection in action. :) Don't forget to stop by Little Yellow Bicycle's blog today to see my projects and some detail shots as well.

Changes Are Ahead (Simple Stories Summer Fresh)

Happy Monday! Last week I shared a Simple Stories Summer Fresh card and because I love this collection so much (and can't wait for summer, LOL), I created a layout too. :) This one summarizes Alexa's fifth grade year (the ups and downs) and talks about how she is so ready for middle school in the fall.

The colors look kind of faded here, so be sure to click on the image to see it in its best "light". :)

Card Share: Get Carried Away (Simple Stories Summer Fresh)

Simple Stories new Summer Fresh collection arrived on my doorstep last week and of course I had to break right into it. :) I created this card using one of the 4x6 elements. It went together very easily. I like projects that fall into place like that. :)

Wish I Knew More (Little Yellow Bicycle Saturdays)

Little Yellow Bicycle's Saturday collection worked so well with this photo of my paternal grandmother at about sixteen years old. I know many things about her but there's so much I don't know and I wish I could ask her. I know she did amazing needlework, whether it be needlepoint, a knitting project and even crocheting. She knit many, many dresses and sweaters for me and my three sisters over the years. She even crocheted a queen size afghan for me as a wedding shower gift, putting together some of the squares as she sat in the bleachers at my sister Morreen's college graduation. I still keep it on my bed 24 years later (don't worry, I wash it regularly, LOL!) So, what is the fondest memory you have of your grandparents? I'd love to know. :)

Tasty Tuesday: Zucchini Ribbon Salad

Sharing another Pinterest find today. :) I went into the grocery store, armed with a list of ingredients needed to make this salad. Guess what? They didn't have any zucchini. What's up with that? I asked the produce manager where it was and he told me they didn't have any (yeah, that was kind of obvious) but he said he'd gladly help me find a suitable vegetable to go with our dinner from their "very large produce department". LOL! I told him there was no replacement for a recipe titled ZUCCHINI Ribbon Salad. :) I gave up on making the salad for that night but my very dear husband ran into the market for some milk a few days later, remembered that I couldn't get zucchini, so he bought two and presented them to me. Sometimes he gives me the best gifts. LOL!

Anyway, this was super easy to make. The directions are on Proud Italian Cook's blog, so I won't type them again here. I used sliced almonds because that's what I had on hand but that's about the only substitution I made.

With zucchini coming into season, this is a great recipe to try. :)