Pizza - two ways

How gorgeous is our pizza!

Mushroom, Asparagus and imported Italian Proscuitto from Balaclava Fruit Centre......

You can be so creative with pizzas. And of course you can make this gluten free!

Pizza Dough

700g pizza flour*
40g fresh yeast
50mls olive oil
450mls water (warm)
Pinch of salt

*If going gluten free use 750g gluten free flour mix.

Method

1. In a bowl mix the flour and the salt

Mickey Mouse and Disneyland Coloring Pages

Mickey Mouse and Disneyland Coloring Pages

More August Creations

I've been on a creative surge of sorts. :)
I made this altered chipboard sign using the August Project Kit. I plan on changing the tag out in the fall, and posting something new on it, making it seasonal. It will go on my office door. I also plan to flip it over and use the other side for an "OPEN" sign...

This is one of my canvases from the August Project Kit. I'm completely in LOVE with the fabric tape and can't get enough of it. I've used tons, and there is still so much left!!! I underestimated how much I'd love that floral tape, for sure...

The other fun thing I did this month was make the canvases double-sided. It was a cinch to do--and using that corrugated chipboard, it was a no-brainer! Here is the other side of the above canvas:

And since there were two in the kit, here is the second canvas...

...and the flip side to it...

(I know, I have goofy kid photos and I love them.)

And last but not least, another layout to share...

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Mickey and Mini Mouse is happy in the months cabit coloring pages

Mickey and Mini Mouse is happy in the months cabit coloring pages

August Guest Designer--Cindy Liebel

Once in a while, you meet someone in the industry who is so super sweet, you just have to share. How lucky are we that she is this month's guest for WIP kits? I can't say enough about this lovely lady--Ms. Cindy Liebel.

For starters, here are her layouts...

And here is her Q&A:
Where are you from, and where do you live currently?
I'm originally from Norfolk/VA Beach area, where my parents still currently live. But during most of my childhood through my early 20's, we gallivanted around the US while my father was in the Army. Currently, I live in Fredericksburg, VA with my family, Tim, Tyler, Corinne & Crush (our cat).

Who/what inspires you currently?
I'm inspired by so much. Since I tend to scrap my children's life, they are what inspires me the most. I just love the little things they do and say and documenting it all down creatively. Outside of that, I am inspired by all kinds of things, a trip to the book store always does me good creatively, catalogs and other art mediums.

Briefly describe your style--and is there anything that you tend to do a lot on your layouts/projects?
I love mixing patterns & colors in ways I usually wouldn't think of putting together, so I would say my style is colorful, trendy with a graphic touch. I love love to use multiple photos on my layouts in a variety of small sizes and pop dotting a few here and there.

How long have you been scrapping, and how did you get started?
I've been scrapbooking for 7 years now. I didn't get into it seriously until after having my first child. I was a member of an online mom's group and several of the ladies shared with us their layouts & I thought how cool would it be to actually put my photos into use, creatively, instead of frames or photo albums. I was directed over to 2Peas & I've been hooked ever since.

Top 5 favorite embellishments right now:
Brads
Jewels/Pearls
Rub-ons (and LOTS of them)
Chipboard
Tags (Jillibean Soup's shipping tags are quite addicting)

Three tools you can't live without:
The Slice, by Making Memories, border punches (can't seem to do a page without them) & of course, my T-ruler (I bugs me if my photos or paper on my layouts are not straight when I need them to be).

If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be?
Belize.

Anything you're dying to get your hands on?
Oh there is SOOOOO much...Studio Calico's Wood Veneers, Sew-easy Stitch Piercers, Maya Road Rosey Trims, House of 3 Ruffled Darlings & Basic Grey's Basic Fabrics & new Wander Collections.

Here is what Cindy did with the Project Kit Canvases...

Thanks so much for joining us, Cindy!! Feel free to come back anytime!! :)

i am pizza dough...

Sad, but true...ever since I began having children 6 years ago, I have realized that my body is like pizza dough.

Before and when I am pregnant I gain little weight and my body does not change that much. About a month after I have a baby I EXPLODE and stretch and go from a size 2 to a size 10!!!! Then about a year and a half after I have the baby I shrink again. Then Explode after the next baby and the next one, only to shrink in between and during.

???Why? Why can't I be one of those cute little girls that get pregnant and instantly bounce back? ;( Oh well, I don't get stretch marks so that's a plus. Right???!

Princess Belle - Beauty and Beast - Disney Coloring Pages

Princess Belle - Beauty and Beast - Disney Coloring Pages

Hello there!

Well there certainly has been a lot of inspiration going around lately with the CHA show going on right now. I know I am completely inspired by what is coming out as well as excited to see what Trish will put together:)

I hope to inspire you a bit today. I figured since it is close enough to the first I could show you what I created with the gorgeous August kit that you can purchase here.

This first layout was my favorite. I bought my daughter some Jiffy Pop and we popped some popcorn! You should have seen the look on her face - LOL! She was amazed!

Used a lot of Echo Park here -- loving this company.

I decided to make tags that I could include on birthday bags. I sometimes buy just the plain brown bags and these would definitely add some color to the bag. All you need is some coordinating ribbon and you're set!

This card I used the stamp set that was in the kit. I tried to go the rainbow route and realized really quickly that I need to get some new inks - LOL! But I do like the way it came out and will definitely try it again!

That's all I have for you today! I can't believe the weekend is almost here - where is the summer going? I am pulling the reins and making it slow down!

And if you haven't bought your Kit yet --- click here - you wont be sorry!

Michelle

a new addition to the Bartholomew clan!

Cousin Phil (below smiling) is going to have a baby brother this December, and Henry is going to have a new cousin! So now there will be 4 Bartholomew boy cousins within about a year to a year and a half of each other.

I have a feeling that from here on out getting together with the families is going to be much more exciting and filled with little boy mischief.

I had to put this picture in of Henry's bum, cause it makes me laugh and I am sure they will both be mortified when I show them this picture when they are 16. ;) Hee-hee I'm so mean.

Oh and yes girls, even babies have cellulite...(and that is a shadow between Henry's legs, if that were something "else" that'd be freaky.)

Looking Forward to International Friendship Day

International Friendship Day is celebrated the first Sunday in August every year.  It will be held on August 1st this year.  It is a day dedicated to honoring friends and the priceless gift of friendship.

As with many holidays and observances, not a lot is known about the origination of International Friendship Day.  We do know, according to Wikipedia, that the United States Congress, in 1935, proclaimed the first Sunday of August as National Friendship Day, and thereafter it became an annual event.  Many countries caught on to the idea of having a day dedicated to celebrating friends, and National Friendship Day eventually became International Friendship Day, and is now observed by several countries across the world.

I figure, we have days set apart to celebrate our mothers, our fathers, our sisters, our brothers, our bosses, our secretaries, our cats and our dogs.  Why not dedicate a day to honor those special people who make us laugh, and let us cry, who make us feel important, talented, and valuable, who sit with us into the wee hours of the morning listening to our woes, who always forgive us when we've stepped on their toes, and who'll stand by and defend us against all our foes?  (In my case my BFF is also the one I call my "better half".  My hubby does all the afore mentioned things and so much more!)  Hooray for friends!  And hooray for International Friendship Day!

Here are some ways you might like to celebrate International Friendship Day:

• Plan a Progressive Dinner Party.
• Make a candy bar poster for your friend.
• Grab your pals and go shopping, to a movie, or a spa.
• Send each of your most special friends a card or give them a call to tell them how much you appreciate them. 

For the Kiddies:

• Plan a Progressive Game Party.
• Make friendship bracelets or friendship rings.
• Talk to your children about how valuable it is to have a good friend and to be a good friend.

I've often heard that a true friend is someone who is honest with you and will tell you even the most unpleasant things about you in an effort to help you.  I disagree. I can't think of a faster friendship killer than blatant honesty. Sure, if my zipper's down or I have food in my teeth, I want my friend to tell me, but I love the following thought by Oliver Wendell Holmes:

"Don't flatter yourself that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates.  The nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become.  Except in cases of necessity, which are rare, leave your friend to learn unpleasant things from his enemies; they are ready enough to tell them."

May we all enjoy the blessing of having at least one true friend to help us along life's journey.  And may you all have an enjoyable Friendship Day.

Image: Photobucket 19melanie68

Saucing it up!

Every family in Australia has a bottle of Tomato Sauce in their fridge. I am pretty sure it is the law.

So this week I decided to make another batch of Tomato Sauce.

I also made Tomato Chilli Chutney and Sweet Chilli Sauce.

I love bottling and preserving when I am not baking for the deli.


All the sauces and preserves (except our Piccallili) are Gluten Free aswell!

Tomato Sauce

3kg

Princess Cinderella Coloring Pages

Princess Cinderella Coloring Pages - Disney

I scream, you scream...

These fake ice cream cones make me SMILE. Man, I'm so making these for the two fall b-day parties in this house. The top is candy coated rice krispie treat mix. You can check out the deets here. I found mini cones at Walmart this weekend...can't wait to make these!

And these cakepops prove that Bakerella has outdone herself once again. Seriously CUTE.

darling girl rooms...

I am almost finished with Mimi's bedroom. The color palette is bright pink, green and light blue. We'll see how it all comes together. I painted a tree on her wall (below is a picture of me in the process). Henry takes naps in her room twice a day so it is hard to get things done during the day and they sleep in there at night, thus making it hard to do it at night! Motherhood is a great big juggling act.

I love these rooms....they are so pretty, clean and concise. But not very realistic. I mean, it would be great if all my daughter's toys and accessories from grandmas, aunts and uncles where perfectly coordinated, but they are not. So as lovely as these rooms are I believe they are intended more for inspiration than for practicality.

I love every color combination above...and those silhouette pillows are to die for adorable!

Part of the tree while in process of drawing it on the wall then painting. Mimi told me today that she can't wait to be a 16...um, I think I can! ;)

Mister Mxyzptlk

Fictional History
Golden Age
Mister Mxyzptlk was introduced as a "fifth dimension" imp, unbounded by 3-dimensional laws. So, he was able to do seemingly magical things. He used his powers to cause chaos and pull pranks. He explained to Superman he was a jester in the fifth dimension, hench his pranks. He originally plotted to conquer the Earth, but settled on annoying the Man of Steel. His only weakness is if he says "Kltpzyxm" (his name backwards) he'll go back to his home and stay there for 90 days. He tried to counter this weakness, but failed to do so. He originally appeared as a bald, small man with a purple suit and derby hat and a green bow tie.
Silver Age
In the Silver Age of Comics, it was explained that the reason Mxyzptlk could affect Superman was because he was vulnerable to magic. Mister Mxyzptlk was changed for the Silver Age. Althought the hat stayed, his costume was now orange with purple trims and white hair on the side. In Action Comic # 208, his name is spelt differently: Mxyztplk (not Mxyzptlk). It's unknown if this was a mistake or intentional (as he got revamped in this issue). In a notable adventure, Superman ruined Mxyzptlk's campaign as mayor.
Multiverse
It's revealed that the Golden Age Mxyzptlk is from Earth-Two and the Silver Age is from a parallel reality, Earth-One. In the Superboy stories, the Earth-One Mxyzptlk appears as Master Mxyzptlk. The Legion of Super-Heroes (in Adventure Comics #310) were attacked by Mister Mxyzptlk's descendant (also name Mxyzptlk).
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
A more malevolent Mister Mxyzptlk appears as the main villain in Alan Moore's non-cannon Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?. He also revealed his "human" form was not his true form, which is a dark purple, giant, roughly humanoid-shaped ceature.
Modern
Mister Mxyzptlk appeared in the modern continuity and was so determined to be a thorn in the Man of Steel's side, he gave Lex Luthor red kryptonite for when he was too busy to annoy Superman. In the Emperor Joker storyline, the Joker got 99% of Mxyzptlk's power and turned the Earth into a nightmarish place, but it turned out the Joker couldn't effect Batman (who defined him), which lead to his downfall. The re-powered Mister Mxyzptlk saved some of the Joker's creation such as the new Bizarro. Various other alternate forms of Mister Mxyzptlk appeared, but it's unclear if they're even related to the character. The real Mister Mxyzptlk (now weakened) saved Superman from Ruin's krytonite-weapon, but seemly died.
One Year Later
Action Comic Annul # 10 said Mxyzptlk hasn't been seen in 190 days and his name is pronounced "Mix-Yez-Pittle-Ick".
Countdown
Mister Mxyzptlk was captured and imprison in the Source Wall by Superboy-Prime, who had been torturing him. Annataz Arataz (Earth-3 Zatanna) freed the imp. When in the fifth dimension, he (fearfully) told his girlfriend, Gsptlsnz, he cannot go back to the third-diemension and that their dimension must be sealed.
Powers and Abilites
Mister Mxyzptlk, as a fifth dimensional being, has reality warping abilites that are so powerful, they seem like magic to us. The only known limits to Mister Mxyzptlk's power is his willpower and if he says his last name backwards, he'll be sent back to the fifth dimension and be force to stay there for 90 days.
Pronunciation
Due to the odd spelling of his last name, it has been pronounced various ways. In the 1967 CBS Filmation Superman animated series, his name was pronounced "mix-yez-PITTLE-ik", the offical pronunciation of the time. However, in the 1980's Super Friends (loosely based on the Justice League), his name was pronounced "Mix-Ill-Plick". "Miks-yez-pit-lik" is how the name is usually pronounced. To complicate things even more, his name has also been pronounced "mix-yez-PIT-lek", "mix-yez-PIT-ul-ick" and "mix-yez-pittle-ik". But in the 1990 Superman: The Animated Series, it's pronounced the same as saying "mix, yes, spit, lick". In the Superman Returns video game, he pronounces his name "Mix-yiz-SPIT-Lik". The pronunciation "Miks-il-piti-lik" (with lighty pronounced i's) was used in Smallville television series. Recently, Action Comics Annual #10 stated his name is pronounced "mix-yez-pittle-ik".
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Mxyzptlk
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3e/Mxyzptlk.PNG

Los Lobos

Their new album 'Tin Can Trust' is due out on Aug. 3.

More here: First Listen: Los Lobos, 'Tin Can Trust' : NPR

Listen here:

Princess and The Frog Coloring Pages

Princess and The Frog Coloring Pages

I'm away...at CHA!

I'm in Chicago attending the Craft and Hobby show! Thanks to the many wonders of Blogger, I scheduled this little post to go live before I left town.

Hopefully as you are reading this, I am:
Meeting Jing-Jing for the first time
Getting inspired by all the new trends
Not getting kicked out of the American Crafts booth hoarding the new Thickers

Here are some of my favorite new products coming out at the show. So far, the embellishments have stole my heart. Not too much new in paper that has me crazed. Well except for Crate Paper. And Jillibean. Oh and American Crafts City Park. I think they will be the hit of the season. I'll have more to share when I return!

Maya Road - new trims and doilies. love.






Graphic 45 Chipboard Buttons


Jenni Bowlin Buttons, chipboard and more!




(I am so gonna mist these little ladies!)


American Crafts New foam Thickers and resin flowers




and the only tool that has caught my attention...you know I'm gonna buy this. ;)
We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy Tool (scroll all the way down on the link).




Any that I missed? Link them up here ladies!