Misty Morning Collection From The DigitalScrapbooking Studio

Welcome to yet another scrappy edition of The Cherry On Top.

I recently fell in love with the newest collection from The DigitalScrapbooking Studio, Misty Morning.  I've been going scrap crazy with these gorgeous, soft, pastel tones and contrasting dark blues.  Get'n all kinds of artsy journalish.  Go'n traditional scrap as well as hit'n up some sketch inspiration for a beautiful finish.

You really want to see that collection don't you?  It's absolutely gigantic and stunningly beautiful.  Ok, let's take a peek.

I think I counted an amazing 167 portions to the collection from a total of 35 designers.  Isn't that awesome?!  I obviously, cannot post that many previews, but I'll show you the ones I worked with and I'll hook you up with a link where you can see the rest of the collection.

This is eqrAveziur's collection of Misty Morning.  Fun doodles as well as traditional pieces.

I loved playing with these Morning Mist Blues.  Coupling them up with some super doodles provides great contrast and fun in your layouts.

I created two completely different types of layouts with Aveziur's goodies.  One a little bright on dark and a touch of arty flair and the other light and whimsical with a super, sweet sentimental photo of my father-in-law and oldest son.

On tap next, is LouCee Creations, Misty Morning Collection.

Wow!  Definitely a show stopper, right?!  Using these great colours, providing three alphabets as well as word snippets and beautiful cards that would be great for Project Life and hybrid ideas you may have. I used LouCee's free template, too. If you would like that lovely, free border, sign up for LouCee's newsletter.  The image is hooked up for you.

I took the theme literally with my first layout and played with the snow and all of the terrific winter elements provided in the collection.  The second layout, I challenged myself a bit and went with an opposite of the theme and used the darker colours for a touch of masculinity.  Really magnificent versatility in this collection.

I also worked with PattyB for the first time!  Since I wasn't able to purchase the parts I wanted because of this whole EU taxation business, we exchanged goods for services in the form of promotion.  Yay!  Here are PattyB's stunning previews. (Click on the EU taxation link to find out more and sign a petition to help save the little guy!)

How wonderful are these sets?  I used a sketch to design my layout and I used some lovely photos from Ghent in Belgium.  The buildings there are just mind blowing in their architectural aspect.  Such beautiful detail.  Just like the things you will find in Patty B's collection.

You can find this sketch and many more on my Pinterest Board for Free Sketches.  Click the image to take you there.  Check out The Cherry On Top on Pinterest.  We've got nearly 100 boards, over 9,000 Pins and more inspiration and freebies than you can shake a stick at.

How about the amazing sensual and sublime products found in Designs By Brigit's portions of the collection.  I knew I wanted to use photos of my mom and I right away.  The kit spoke to me.  It said, "Sweet, unending love."

Finally, I've got A-Manda Creation's Misty Morning pieces.

I've created a wintery, wonderland of a layout featuring my youngest and a not so familiar, sweet amount of snow.  I hope you like that word art I've designed with Amanda's special alphabet. I mocked the trim of the tag with my "Love You" wish so that it coordinates with not only the tag, but the alpha as well.

(Each layout is linked up to my gallery at The Studio if you would like to see more of what I do with the Studio's designs..)

And now, for the moment you've all been waiting for...your freebie!  Just click on the image to download automatically.  The Cherry On Top understands the importance of freebies.  It's how I got started with digital scrapbooking.  If it wouldn't have been for the freebies, I would have never found this awesome hobby.  It's also a great way to experience a designers products before buying.

Keep in mind that most freebies are PU/Personal use and they are never to be resold without the permission of the designer.

Enjoy this little gift from The Cherry On Top and A-Manda Creation.  Blow it up like I did above, use it for a title on your page or shrink it up and add to the cluster with more goodies from one of the many coordinating kits available at The Studio.

THIS FREEBIE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

Thanks for checking out The Cherry!  If you like the blog, you'll definitely like our Facebook Page and Pinterest, too.  Stock up on inspiration, a lot of free goodies and a smile.

  

Weekly Menu planner From The Cherry On Top, #35

Welcome to yet another week of  heathy, fast and easy menu's.  We've been asked to hit up more picky eater meals for kids, lunch ideas, 20 minutes or less menu's, Paleo menu's and more slow cooker recipes.  We love to have all of these requests and couldn't be more happy to oblige! This week's menu will include everything on that list.

The new year, for a lot of people, means another attempt at eating better.  The Cherry On Top is a great place for your inspiration.  We are here to help.  We will be adding more tips and alternatives to our recipes for the many people out there addressing specific types of diets such as those dealing with diabetes, heart conditions, blood pressure issues, Autistic or ADHD children, obesity and for those going gluten free and for our vegetarian friends.

Let's dive right in there and see what's on this week's menu.  This week I've even included lunch meals for Saturday and Sunday.  Let us know what you think about that.

Monday: meat, potatoes and veg

(From a previous TCOT menu with alterations.)
Choose a favourite meat like lean steak, fish, pork chops, sausage (my kids favourite), chicken strips, just make sure they are not breaded.

For the potatoes, wash and peel along with some carrots or spinach.  Put the potatoes and carrots together and let them cook in boiling water.  If you choose spinach, then put that in the last few minutes of cooking time with the potatoes. When finished, drain off water mix into a measuring cup. Mash your veggie mix.  That's right!  My kids do NOT eat cooked carrots or spinach, but when mixed with mashed potatoes?!  THEY LOVE IT! Add a touch of butter and either milk or a bit of that reserve liquid if you are staying away from dairy.

Whip up some gravy with the meat and veggie reserve.  If you need a gravy recipe, check out this one.

This meal is totally kid friendly and an absolute favourite for our very picky eaters.  If your kids or someone in your family has textural issues, then make sure your potato mash up is as smooth as possible.  Some folks really hate chunks.  Watch out for this.  They may like the taste, just not the chunks or pieces.  Knowing this can make cooking a whole lot easier.


Tuesday:  quinoa, bbq chicken in the crock pot

There are a lot of ingredients in this baby.  Only three I would caution on.  The BBQ sauce, Hickory Smoke and the canned chicken broth.  Watch for salt, sugar and other conservatives in these products.  Consider a bbq sauce with low sugar or alternative, healthy sweeteners like honey, agave or pure maple syrup.  The hickory smoke is typically a batch of chemicals, but used in very minute amounts.  Leave it out if you choose.  Your bbq sauce might already have it in there.  You might also consider swapping out canned chicken broth with tap water and a low salt bullion cube.  

Despite the amount of ingredients, this one will be whipped up really fast!

Wednesday: jambalaya

This one requires a bit of ingredient preparation and it's also another one pot meal like yesterday's.  You can always slide it into a weekend spot where you may have more time, but it's still a reasonable, weekly meal.  Everything in here is perfectly healthy and delicious.  For those watching fat, you may want to leave out the sausage.  If you're on a Paleo diet, simply leave out the rice.  It's a great vegetarian dish as well when you skip on the meat.  Wonderfully versatile!  Making it in the slow cooker is definitely an option as well.  Click here for a slow cooker recipe.

Thursday:  fish-n-salad

My husband made the best sea food salad I've ever eaten on New Year's Eve.  He simply grilled scallops, shrimp and fresh tuna then set it on top of greens, red onions, olives and feta.  He used no dressing.  Make any fish or seafood you like in a healthy manner such as grilling, baking or steaming and lay it on top of thoroughly washed, fresh greens of your choice.  Sprinkle some salt, pepper, a mix of lovely herbs and drizzle some fresh lemon juice over the top.  A fabulous menu and made in 20 minutes.  Perfectly Paleo.  Excellent for heart patients as long as you do not fry or bread your fish and awesome fuel for the Autistic or ADHD members in the family. 

I've got the image hooked up to a great recipe.

Fun Food Friday:  Sloppy Joe's

I searched through nearly a dozen recipes before giving up and using the one I use.  Every other recipe had ketchup and sugar in it.  Ugh!  Sloppy Joe's are made in about 10 minutes.  They are a family favourite and if you make them the way we suggest, it's VERY healthy and most folks will be able to eat it.  Vegetarians would need a meat substitute.  Paleo, gluten free and those looking to ditch grains, simply need to wrap the filling in a lettuce leaf.  That's it!  You can totally do this in the crock pot, too.  Put all your ingredients in the slow cooker and turn that baby on.  Some people like to sauté the meat and veggies first.  

Saturday:  spaghetti for lunch and Thai soup for dinner

(From a previous TCOT blog with alterations.)
Definitely a family favourite.  Good old fashioned spaghetti.  My boys love the long noodles.  My little guy has sensory issues and cannot stand spaghetti sauce, so I just take out his pasta and put a little butter on it.  Then I serve him raw veggies.  

Making your own spaghetti sauce can be a lot of work depending on what you like in it.  The easiest way is to add a can of canned tomatoes to your hamburger (if you are using meat) and shake in some spices and herbs that you like.  That's the easiest and a really healthy way to whip up your sauce quickly. Use bacon or chicken in your sauce for something different, or no meat.  My family doesn't usually even notice.  If your family has a problem with veggies like garlic, onion, peppers, shrooms...then put it all in the food processor.  That's what I do.  These vegetables are just so healthy and should be implemented into your menu's.  Your family will also get used to the taste of these things, which will allow you to use them again and again and eventually, you won't need to puree them.

You may used jarred sauce.  Just make sure there is no sugar and that you know what ALL of the ingredients are.  If you can't pronounce it, then your probably shouldn't be eating it.

The image is linked up to a recipe that is meatless.

Thai Soup Recipe

I found this recipe on line.  It's exactly the one I use.  This picture does not give this awesome soup the justice it deserves. Watch out for the spice!  It gets hot!  Leave out the jalapeño if you're not into spicy.  Also the condensed chicken broth may have quite some salt so use an above mentioned alternative for that.

Sunday:  quesadillas for dinner and risotto, parma ham and zucchini for lunch

Ok, we may have gone over the top here.  There are quite a few recipes to consider with this link, but Oh, MAN!  There are some really incredible ones like the one pictured here.  There are vegetarian ideas, kid friendly recipes, unconventional and definitely man pleasers, too.  Hehehe...Take a peak and see which one would best suit your family.

If you want the fastest version, place a tortilla in a heated pan, sprinkle some grated cheese of your choice on there, add another tortilla on top and bam!  Use bacon, hamburger, chicken, shrimp, guacamole, garlic for in it, if you want...Go crazy.  

Risotto Lunch

I've got my own recipe on another week that you can find right here.  It's a bit timely, but this meal is fabulous!  The family can't eat it fast enough.  Leave out the meat and vegetarians can enjoy it. The image is hooked up to a super, well documents and photographed, step by step instructions on how to prepare this meal.  Mine is only slightly different.  It use white wine and risotto.

You could substitute the risotto with any kind of small pasta like orzo or use regular rice or quinoa.  You don't have to use cheese either.

If you use this menu planner, you'll be well on the right path for healthy eating.

Good luck and happy eats!

Free Goodies From The Cherry On Top, Of Course!

Welcome to The Cherry On Top.

This FREEBIE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  
Thanks for all who participated.  You can still grab the two small freebies, though. ;)

I'm hitting up yet another passion of mine, digital scrapbooking and designing digitally.  I've got some wonderful, creative inspiration, FREE goodies that I know you're going to love and a challenge where you can receive more FREE goodies and win an entire kit from Throwing Some Scraps Around.

I got my inspiration for this layout from another layout I found on Pinterest.  Although Jodi's kit has a baby theme, I love showing off the versatility her kits provide.  Look at all of those fabulous elements and the colours are just wonderful.

Here, I stuck with the theme and went for a favourite manner I have of showing off the designers papers by making a quilted looking background.  Just shrink your papers all to the same size and repeat a few if you don't have enough papers or use your favourites.  Then, find a sewn element you love, adjust the colour if you have to and copy/paste the vertical and horizontal stitching.  You can do it the easy way by going the entire length of your background or make one for each and every paper.

For this layout I used a template from Brenian Designs.  She often pairs up with Jodi when she creates her templates.   I used a bit more stitching on this one so now I have a pretty substantial double layout when paired with the layout above.  Click on the image to see Bren's coordinating templates.

I want to show off the kit in it's full detail because you will have the opportunity to win All of it. So, get an eye full and turn on your creative juices and read more to find out who you can get a hold of some serious FREE goodness from The Cherry and Throwing Some Scraps Around.

These freebies are no longer available.  Make sure you follow The Cherry On Top so you don't miss out! 

Take the above freebies, create something beautiful and post your creation right here and receive the entire kit just for playing along. (Leave your e-mail or come back later for the links for the kit.)

I hope you play along and I can't wait to see what you create.  

Got an entry from Melvsfavs1.  Here it is and thanks for participating.  She'll be get'n the entire free kit and you, too.  Just share a link where we can find your layout or other scrappy project.

Here's another layout from Lana.  Loving all of these cuties!