Thursday, March 26, 2015

Free Printable Hybrid Project From The Cherry On Top

Welcome to a super scrappy edition of The Cherry On Top.

We're combining two passions to create something special this spring.  We've got a fabulous hybrid project, layout inspiration, craft inspiration, a tutorial and some serious hook ups to free stuff.

Hybrid crafting is taking digital elements, printing them out and creating something you can hold in your hands.  Talk about cheap therapy?!  Hehehe...We've got several different projects you can make with one, free digital printout.

This is the kit used in the project.  Hoppy Easter from BoomersGirl Designs can be found at Daisies and Dimples and will be offered at a special price on Wednesday, April first and it's not a joke, I promise. BoomersGirl Designs puts an already released kit at the wacky price of just $2 on Wacky Wednesdays.   

 Daisies and Dimples

Here's a traditional digital scrapbooking layout I designed using BoomersGirl's Hoppy Easter kit as well as half of BoomersGirl's, double template, Wild Berry Skies.  Click on the image to see the templates.  Isn't he the cutest?!

 D&D

I liked the kit so much, I kept playing and designed this.  A digital layout using elements from the kit and a couple of shadows.  Keeping simple and versatile to give you several options on how you can play with it.  Click on this image to get to BoomersGirl's blog and grab the #freebie.

 BGD

You could just print it out, as is a 12x12 format and put it in a scrap book or frame it up.  You could also scale it down, ( I scaled to 40%) rotate it 90 degrees left, print it out on card stock, cut out, fold in half and voila!  A card made in minutes, like the one pictured here.


You could scale the image down really small and use it in a digital or scrapbooking layout as a journal card or embellishment as another option.  Like I did down here. vvv  This layout was designed with a Cherry On Top, free template.  You can find it here, along with more free templates.  THESE TEMPLATES ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

 free template


Or you could go all out and turn an old shoe box lid into something festive.  It took me about an hour.  So, it's a rather quick project.  I also didn't buy anything for it.  Just rummaged through what was on my desk at the time.  Trust me, my desk is an absolute disaster with very little space to actually work in.  LOL!





Here are the materials you will use, minus the print out:

shoe box lid, large glue dots, scissors, paint, paint brush, foam brush, glue, double sided tape, thick double sided tape and embellishments such as pearls, rhinestones and paper flowers

You could also choose to paper over your lid rather than paint it.  I LOVE paint.  I typically use really cheap paint because I use so much of it.  I put a quick coat on with my foam brush.  Let it dry and then tap on the next two coats to give my paint a textured look and cover the dark colour of the box.


Choose some ribbon if you like to add dimension and texture to your project. As you can see I hang my ribbons on a tiered hanger.  I can see them and access them all really easily.  Purple and green are in the printable. I don't have much space on the sides, so I chose narrow ribbon.  I use the most narrow double sided tape I have for the very best result.


Tip: I never trim off the wire of my paper flowers.  Rather twist it around the skinny end of a paint brush and adjust to look like greenery.


Tip:  Cut out the centre piece from another copy of the printable, add thick double sided, foam tape to give your project even more dimension and pop.



Here are the steps for the project:

* paint your box lid and allow to dry
* apply the printable with adhesive
* adhere ribbon to the sides
* embellish with paper flowers, brads, rhinestone, Pearlz...Follow the round pattern on the print out as a guide
* cut out centre cluster from a copy and adhere with double sided foam tape

That's it!  Ready to hang on the wall.  It's really light of course.  So you don't need any special hardware.


Two more ideas for you.  I took a recycled pastry box and just glued it to the top for this decorative box.  Put cupcakes or a pie in there.


Or you could adhere the printable to the inside of the box if you choose to display your goodies like pictured here, below.


Ya won't find a lot of sweet treats in our baskets and boxes, but the kids will go nuts over the little goodies just as much or more with inexpensive gifts like a cool toothbrush, a game for the iPad and a Transformer mug.  All for under $10!

Feel free to share what you make right here or on our Facebook Page where you can also grab these cute, free tags.  We've reinstalled them for this year, too.



I'll be back soon with another hybrid project using the free recipe cards that you can find throughout my foodie blogs.  See the latest foodie blog with two, free recipe cards and go back and collect all of the others so you can do the next hybrid project with us.  You're gonna love it!

Happy scrapping!



Monday, March 23, 2015

Weekly Menu Planner #36 With The Cherry On Top

Welcome to another foodie edition of The Cherry On Top.

We're here to bring you fast, healthy and inexpensive menu ideas that most families run to the table for.  We do all of the planning so you don't have to.

Check out what we have for you this week.

Monday:  Shrimp or chicken creole


 recipe


I've got a great link for this recipe.  Click on the image to get to the recipe with an easy printable, too.  This meal is made in minutes.  Chop up your veggies or puree them if you've got picky eaters.  *I never thicken mine in.  Just a preference and time saver.  Use chicken if shrimp is not a viable option.

Tuesday:  spatzle, cabbage and sausage

Surprise!  I was flabbergasted to see my incredibly picky, sensory issues child, give me two thumbs up for this side dish.  It's a German dish full of crazy flavour and made fairly quickly.  I've got a recipe card for you because well, I can never leave well enough alone and always have to change and add ingredients.  I will provide you with a link for an original recipe and it's a much nicer picture than mine.  Hehehe...

 recipe

My recipe calls for cabbage and white wine and is very similar to this one.  The added veggies are always a plus, right?




Wednesday:  Chicken Tikka Masala

This image is linked up to a really great blog that I refer to often.  This dish is made from scratch so it's going to be your healthier option.  If you're looking to save time, you can always sauté some veggies, choice of meat such as chicken or shrimp and heat through some jarred variety of Tikka Masala from the grocers. (Check for sugar content and be wary of ingredients that don't sound like food.)  There are some fairly healthy, jarred or packet sauces out there that save tons of time.


 recipe

You can eat it as is, with rice and or pair it up with some nan bread.

Thursday:  slow cooker ribs

Ribs are a family favourite in our home and it just doesn't get any easier than this.  You can totally save a couple more minutes by simply slapping your ribs in the crock pot and dumping over a jar of your favourite bbq sauce.  Serve it up with some cole slaw and bake potatoes.

 recipe


Friday:  fish tacos

Tacos are a great way to start off your weekend.  We enjoy fun food on Friday and sit in the living room and watch a movie together.  This image is hooked up to 10 different fish and shrimp, taco recipes that will make your mouth water.  Choose your favourite or stick with the traditional, hamburger, lettuce, tomato and cheese if your family prefers it.

 recipe


Saturday:  salmon sandwiches

We don't go this fancy, but it's a great option.  I often purchase half baked bread.  I toast it up, smear on some delicious herbed cream cheese, chopped onion and slices of smoked salmon.  That's it.  Literally, ready to eat in about 12 minutes.  Consider fresh baked bread for a healthier option, add some dill if you prefer and garnish.

 recipe


Sunday:  gnocchi (bread and pasta combination)

It's Sunday and hopefully, today you'll have some time to spend in the kitchen to whip up something really special that the family will love you even more for.  The first time I made gnocchi, I wasn't crazy about it, but I thought I'd take a different approach.  I went through a couple of recipes on line and didn't like anything I saw, but got a pretty good idea of what kinds of ingredients I could put together and try.

I always make my own sauce.  You can choose to use a purchased jar of your favourite tomato based spaghetti sauce or use mine.  It's really easy, just takes a bit more time.  At least you will know everything that's in it and it's all really good for you, too.

Get your oven warmed up to 350 degrees F or 180 C.

Chop or puree garlic, onions and pepper.  I puree mine because my kids actually eat the sauce this way.


This is what it looks like by the time it's good enough for my boys.  I use the small, rubber spatula for just about everything.  It gets every piece of goodness out of the chopper and into my pan.  Use it on your jars and cans, too.


I pour a couple of tablespoons of live oil in my heavy pan to coat, then add the veggies and let them cook for about three minutes.  Don't let them get brown.  Keep the fire low.  Add your choice of meat.  The first time I made this, I used Italian style sausage and the second time I used chicken sausage.  They were both totally awesome.  Let your meat cook through, then add some red wine if you like or just jump right in with your diced tomatoes.  I use a canned variety with no salt or sugar.  (The real Italian tomatoes are always the best!  Elvea and Cirio are totally awesome.)


While your sauce is on, get your gnocchi started.  Boil water and add your gnocchi.  It only takes a couple of minutes for fresh gnocchi.  Around 3-4 minutes.  When you see them start to float, they are good to go.  You'll be baking them further.  So, if they are not just perfect, no worries.

If you want less thick sauce, you can always add a cup of plain tomato sauce and if you find that your canned tomatoes are flat in flavour, then add  2 tablespoons of tomato paste.  I use salt, pepper and a mix of Italian herbs.  


I put my sauce on the bottom of my baking dish and added a couple of slices of fresh mozzarella, put my gnocchi on top, mixed it all together then topped off the dish with  more fresh mozzarella, some grated mixed cheeses and more Italian herbs.


When your dish is all bubbly and just turning to brown, get that sucker out of there and serve!  Shouldn't be longer than 30 minutes depending on your oven and how much you're making.


Click on the image and download the recipe.





Tuesday, March 17, 2015

PattyB Scraps The Freebies With The Cherry On Top

Welcome to another scrappy edition of The Cherry On Top.

I've put PattyB back in the spot light, again.  She's got a fabulous new kit, Fabric Of Our Memories and it is sensational.  She's also very cool with he freebies!  I've included an enlarged image so you can get a great peek at how lovely this kit is.  I love texture in my projects and layouts and this kit definitely has that.

 DSS

 dss

This unique shade of blue is also beautiful.

Here's what I've done with the kit so far.

 gallery

How about this nifty shadow box?  An excellent element to add to your digital stash.  I love scrapping with those.

 gallery

Here's a look at another new kit, What Friends Do and a layout from The Cherry On Top. With a favourite photo of mine.  Three super, sweet ladies!

dss

 dss

PattyB has a freebie on her blog and I've got one for you, too.  Click on the image  to download.

 free download


Here's PattyB's freebie.  Click on the image to get to her blog so you can make this baby yours.

 PBS


As usual, all of our freebies are for personal use only.  Share the blog links around as a way to say thanks.  

Have a super scrappy day!

Friday, March 13, 2015

Cubed Template Freebie From The Cherry On Top

Welcome to The Cherry On Top.

We've got more #free #templates to give away.  Thanks for everyone's participation on The Cherry On Top's Facebook page, which is how we got the first template unlocked.  If you're not familiar with how this works, we get the ball rolling when we hit 30 likes, shares and or comments.  When someone posts their project or layout using the current, unlocked template, then we get the next template up until all four in the series have been released.

We keep them free until we need the storage space for more free goodies.  We'd love to keep the freebies up longer, but since everything is free, there's no money for purchased, larger storage space.  That's why it's crucial to get the freebies while they are hot because they can't stick around long.

This round of #free #templates started off as a personal stash, but I figured I'd share it anyway.  I wanted a set of templates that were super generic and versatile.  Ones that would work with just about any kit and allowed for serious flexibility.  Keep these in your stash and use them over and over again.

These templates are no longer available.


Here's the first template matched up with Paty Greif's gorgeous new release, Spring Blast.  This kit is absolutely amazing and was a must have for the stash.  I strongly recommend taking a closer look at Spring Blast over at Scrap Stacks.  click not he image and it will take you there.

 Scrap Stacks

Here's another layout with the fourth template that hasn't been unlocked yet and Boomersgirl Designs kit,  Lucky Me.  It will be released on Monday.  Lori's kits are sensational and awesomely fun.  Click on the image to see her store at Daisies and Dimples.

 Daisies and Dimples

Here's yet another sneak peek at Just Because from Amanda Creation.  The image is linked up to her awesome store. Such a fabulous colour palette all matched up with the third template.  I couldn't wait to give that  one a spin!  It would cool if you knew how to give the diamond shaped cubes a more puffy, dimensional feel or use stitching all around your squares and make it look like a quilt!

 Amadna Creation

Thanks again to the awesome Facebook fans for getting the first template unlocked.  Post on Facebook preferably or leave us a link to your layout here.

We LOVE seeing what you make! 

 free download

Here is the fabulous layout that unlocked the second template.  It's from my Top Cherry, Jodi!  She used Cool and Calm from Taylor Made.  The image is also hooked up to Amanda's shop if you want to take a closer look.

 Oscraps

And now the moment you have been waiting for...the second, #free #template.

 free download

I hope this one is more successful than the second!  It's my favourite.

 free download

Here's the last of the templates for this series.  I've got some more fabulous templates ready.  Keep looking because they are super, super fabulous!

 free download


The Cherry On Top's goodies are for PERSONAL USE ONLY.  Share only the links and never claim the designs as your own.

There are two more rounds of free templates that are still available for free download.  Click here and here to find them.

Enjoy another round of fabulous, free templates from The Cherry On Top!


Monday, March 9, 2015

Paper Camera Project With Templates


Welcome to The Cherry On Top.

We've got a fantastic paper project all set up for you thanks to Paper Craft Inspiration MagazineIsn't it just fantastic?!  I spotted this baby on Pinterest and tried like heck to download the templates, but couldn't find the proper links.  I took matters into my own hands and took their tiny version and basically blew it up and turned it into both a cutting template as well as a digital template where you can insert your own digital background/papers.  Yay!

 PCIM

Here is my really simple rendition of the project using the digital template with A-Manda Creation's, kit, Cache Me and The Cherry On Top's brag book for Cache Me as inserts. I used a couple of extra owls for my pages.  As you can see, you need minimal supplies.  (The Cache Me brag book will release soon.  However, Amanda has a lot of other brag books that you can check out here.)


Materials:

*templates
*paper cutter
*glue/adhesive
*optional:  scissors and embellishments

There are so many options with this project.  I chose to format my inserts/brag book pages from a 5"x7" format to a 4"x6" format and adhered them back to back. There was plenty of space in the camera to keep them individual or even add some embellishments.  You may also choose to laminate them if you like.  Choose to print on photo paper or card stock.


You've got your brag book pages or photos all scrapped up and cropped to fit in the box.  

Next, print out and cut your camera using the cutting or digital templates provided here, at the end of the blog.
Note: These templates are not perfect, but the final result looks great.


There are no lines provided, but it's really easy to see where to cut and where to fold.  Just follow the natural lines as pictured below.


I used double sided tape, but you could use glue as well.


The box is all cut out and I've demonstrated where to put the double sided tape or adhesive.


There is a tad bit of flexibility with this project.  You can choose to print out the sides a bit longer to fit all the way up.  You may also decide to use some washi tape all around for extra adhesion, decoration or to cover up some faults you may encounter.  Inking around the edges would look great, too!


Now, you're ready for the lid.  Once again, simply follow the natural lines of the template and adhere as below shows.  Look in the original image and see how they cut a slit in the top of the lid and slid a slip of paper through to make a strap.  You could also use two slits and create a more typical, around the neck camera strap with some wide ribbon. My lid was just a touch too small in length so watch your folds and don't adhere your box lid until you have the perfect fit over your camera base.


Your box is all set.  Add the lens if you like or make your own.  Here's how I did mine.  I used some scrap paper, folded into a ring, adhered on both sides and stuck it on the camera box for a touch of dimension.




You could use dimensional foam tape, which I wanted to use, but could not find anywhere. A toilet paper roll or plastic cap would work as well.  Whatever you choose.


I love what they did on the original project with the camera strap.  This project will be handled quite a bit from younger, school aged kids so I wanted to keep it really simple.



Here's a sample of the insert with the finished project.  I plan on making a much fancier, more frilly version of this for my mother in the next couple of months.

Click on the images below and head over to my Photobucket where you can download the templates. 

Once again, these are not my templates, but just an enlarged version of ones I found on Pinterest that you find here.



 free download

For clarity's sake.  You will find three templates over at Photobucket.  Use the arrows to get to the image you would like to download for free.  The ones with the grey background are digital.  You can use them for cutting or applying your own paper background.

This is all for PERSONAL USE.  Please, enjoy and share the links to this blog with your scrappy sisters. 

Thank you for checking out The Cherry!