Rox Paper Scissors — I read, I write, I create

Watergate Salad

2012-02-08T18:11:00.000-08:00

Watergate Salad

1 (3.4 oz) pkg instant pistachio pudding mix

1 *8 oz) can crushed pineapple with juice

1 cup miniature marshmallows

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 (8 oz) container of low-fat, frozen whipped topping.

In medium bowl, mix together dry pudding mix, pineapple with juice; add marshmallows and walnuts; fold in whipped topping and chill. Garnish with marachino cherries, if desired.

This is a sweet, fluffy salad that was popular in the 1970s. Many think it is named after the Nixon spying debacle, Watergate, but really is named after the hotel where the spying occurred, the Watergate Hotel. No matter, you will love this tasty salad, which goes well with baked ham, pork ribs or lamb dishes. I lightened up the salad a bit using fat-free whipped topping.

This delicious salad about 2 minutes to prepare and will wow your family or dinner guests ... trust me on this ... "I am not a crook!" :)

Suicide Bars

2012-02-08T18:09:00.000-08:00

Suicide Bars

or Fabulous Fudge Bars

2 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup softened butter

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2-1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

3 cups quick cooking or regular oats

12-oz pkg. of semisweet or milk chocolate chips

1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

2 Tbsp. butter

1 cup chopped nuts

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees ... grease 9x13 pan

Mix brown sugar, 1 cup butter, eggs and 1 tsp. vanilla in large bowl. Stir in flour, soda, salt and oats. Reserve 1/3 mixture. Press rest of mixture in greased pan.

Heat chocolate chips, milk and 2 Tbsp. butter until melted, stirring constantly (if using microwave, cook in 30 second increments, stirring between). Stir in nuts and 1 tsp. vanilla. Spread over oatmeal mixture in pan. Drop reserved oatmeal mixture by rounded teaspoonfuls onto chocolate mixture. Bake 25-30 minutes or until slightly golden.

For years now, a local desert cafe, Bread & Chocolate, has served Suicide Bars, an oatmeal/cookie bar with fudge and caramel centers. The cafe caught a lot of flak for the name and a few years ago, renamed the ooey-gooey treat "Fabulous Fudge Bars."

Several years ago, the St. Paul Pioneer Press published Bread & Chocolate's original recipe and I thought I died and went to heaven! I make them for super special occasions when I know I'll have a lot of help eating them. When you taste this bar, you'll understand where the original name, Suicide Bars, comes from: You'll want to eat the whole pan of goodies.

Organizing my Spices

2012-02-05T12:15:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to come up with a way to organize my spice rack and have wanted to use small tins, labeled and placed in a easy-to-reach spot. My spice cupboard had become so disorganized and jam-packed with jars, boxes, bags and bins of spices that it took up too much time to find and pull the spices and herbs needed for cooking and baking. One day this summer, while I was digging through one of six "junk" drawers in my kitchen I realized I was wasting a handy, accessible spot that could be better utilized for my spices and herbs.
I decided to clean out one of the larger drawers, purchase some tins, and organize the most-used spices and herbs. I watched Craigslist and found 35 tins for $12, sold by a woman who had recently married and used the tins for party favors. Super great deal!! I cut out circles from patterned scrapbooking paper to cover the tops of the tins; typed up the list of spices and herbs and glued the names to the top of the tins. I cleared out my junk drawer and I now have a convenient, accessible spice drawer. I love it and it saves me tons of time while cooking and baking.
Now, my cupboard holds the ingredients that I use seasonally such as pickling spice, barbecue spices and baking supplies like cardamom. It's a great system and I no longer go through bottle after bottle trying to find my seasonings.

Barbecue Sauce Using Water-Bath Canning Process

2012-02-02T07:59:00.000-08:00

This is a sweet and slightly tangy sauce that's even better than my favorite local sauce-man's, Pastor Hamilton! I quadrupled the recipe and was able to put up 4 pint jars. It only took a 30-minute water-bath to can.

BBQ Sauce
1 c. Heinz Ketchup (Our favorite)
1/2 c. Molasses
1/4 c. Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 c. Dijon Mustard (Any brown mustard of choice)
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Onion Powder
1/8 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1/8 tsp. Hot Sauce (Tabasco)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Makes about 2 cups of sauce. (16 oz. Mason Jar)
Use for basting or marinating ribs, chops, chicken, burgers, hot dogs or smokies.

Custom-Made Denim Shower Curtains

2012-01-26T11:57:00.000-08:00

I wanted denim shower curtains in indigo,but could not find anything in stores or online that didn't have a top-stitched Western look to them. Unsatisfied with what was out there, I decided to make them myself.
My denim and shantung-trimmed shower curtains beautifully compliment the Mongolian Desert Slate vignette and trim in our new bathroom.
I Made two panels, 78x82 allowing for 3 inch hems on either side and 6-inch hem at the bottom. A standard shower curtain is 72 x 72 but because we used an L-shaped shower rod, hung from the ceiling, the curtains needed to be 72x76. The width of the denim is 60 inches so I had to purchase the extra yardage, which I cut in half to sew down the side of each panel.
I purchased 6-3/4 yards of Mesa Indigo denim at my local Joann store. Regularly $25/yard, I used a 50% off coupon and got it for $12.49/yard.
The striped shantung and upholstery trim that I used came from my stash.
I purchased Dritz shower curtain grommets at Joann, easily installed with a hammer and board and the tools that come with the grommets.

Bathroom Mirror Frame-Out

2012-01-26T06:04:00.001-08:00

We're putting the finishing touches on our bathroom remodel. Framing this mirror has been something I've wanted to do for a few years now. I purchased carved framing at FramingSupplies.com frame #W-730-55. I measured the height and width of the frame and ordered pieced to those lengths. THe company cuts the framing as if you will be dropping the mirror into the frame, I wanted to reduce the surface of the mirror so I had them cut the pieces to exact size.
If the frame underside is light colored, paint it black or it will show in the mirror. I used an epoxy glue to glue frame to mirror. Beginning with the bottom piece, apply glue in a zig-zag along the back of the frame. You will need to hold piece in place for about 10-15 minutes, Use blue painters tape at 4-in intervals to hold piece in place for a complete bond. This bottom piece will anchor the sides and top pieces so let this dry & bond overnight.
After 12 hours of bonding, glue and place the two sides, tape with painters tape and then glue and tape the top piece. Do not walk away! Stay with this for 10-15 minutes to avoid slippage of frame pieces. Cost for project: Framing $140.00 Glue $6.00. Total: $146.00

Paper Bag Junk Mini

2011-05-09T15:13:00.000-07:00

Junk Mini with Ladies

2011-05-09T15:11:00.000-07:00

Cabechons with Sculpey Molds!

2011-05-09T06:14:00.000-07:00

Valentine Treat Box

2011-02-10T13:45:00.000-08:00

Gifts from the Kitchen Oatmeal Pancake Mix

2010-12-17T17:01:00.000-08:00

Oatmeal Pancake Mix - Gifts from the Kitchen

2010-12-17T16:53:00.000-08:00

Mix:
4 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup instant non-fat dry milk
3 Tbl Baking Powser
2 Tbl. cinnamon
5 teas. salt
1/2 teas. cream of tarter

To make pancakes:
2 eggs
1/3 cup canola oil
2 cups pancake mix
1 cup water

Mix dry ing.; store in sealed container. Yields about 8-9 cups pancake mix.

To make pancakes: beat eggs in large bowl, gradually beat in oil. Alternately add pancake mix and water to mixture. Blend well. Preheat and oil griddle. Pour 1/3 cup batter per pancake onto griddle. Cook until bubbles form around edges, turn and continue to cook until done. Yield: About 10 pancakes.

Gift tip: For a gift, put 2 cups of dry mix into a 2-cup storage container. Decorate as desired and include recipe card of wet ingredients and how to mix pancakes.

SO MANY MINIS BLOG HOP WITH MARY AT CARDZTV!

2010-11-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody! I am so thrilled to be included in the CardzTV bloghop hosted by Mary. I will be making a Steampunk mini album to be sent to one lucky winner! The album will feature Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante papers combined with GCD Paris Nights papers with a Graphic 45 new envelope base. Trims include the new 7Gypsies watchpieces and Tim Holtz embellies and trims. WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN ON NOVEMBER 15TH. To enter the bloghop contest for this mini, become a follower to this blog, subscribe to my YouTube channel at RoxyFur, and leave a comment below this link. I know, lots to do, but it will be fun!! Be sure to check out all the other blog-hoppers:

Mary http://www.cardztv.blogspot.com
Drew http://www.scrappyhappiness.com
Corri http://www.buglvr.blogspot.com
Janis http://www.pausedreamenjoy.blogspot.com
Raven http://www.love4stamps.blogspot.com
Nicole http://www.primpedinpaper.com
Jenni http://www.jenccreationstation.blogspot.com
Ruthie http://www.septemberninth.blogspot.com
Michelle http://www.mumoftwoblog.blogspot.com
Gale http://www.thehappystamper.com
Sue http://www.suescraftymess.blogspot.com
Roxy http://roxpaperscissors.blogspot.com/ YOU ARE HERE, NEXT STOP IS MARY

Happy Hopping!!
Roxy

Christmas Tree using Cricut "Joys of the Season" Cart

2010-11-09T09:07:00.000-08:00

Your Paper Pantry Bake-Off Giveaway!

2010-11-09T09:05:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Scrapbook Pages in Kitchy Frame

2010-11-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page demo and my Pink Flowers for YPP

2010-10-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

Steampunk "guy" card for Jade's fundraiser

2010-08-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

Using my new Steampunk Stamp Set from www.artisticoutpost.com

Using my new Copics

2010-08-02T08:26:00.000-07:00

Using my new Steampunk Stamp Set from www.artisticoutpost.com

Dear RoxPaperScissors

2010-08-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

I've missed you!
love,
Roxy

Win a Cricut at Everyday Cricut!!

2010-05-02T06:33:00.001-07:00

Here is our BIG National Scrapbook Day Giveaway sponsored by Provocraft!!

Check out this Cricut Expression Machine!

Go to: http://www.cricutholiday.com/

1) Leave a comment below stating your favorite thing about Everyday Cricut. Is it the cards, layouts, videos, tips? Or something else? Let us know!

2) Subscribe or follow us!

That's it!

Want more chances to win?

1) For five more chances, put a post up on your blog about this giveaway and leave a comment here with the link.
2) For five more chances, put a post up on facebook and leave a comment here with your info.
3) For ten more chances, add our blinkie to your blog and leave a comment here telling us you did so with a link to your blog.
4) For ten more chances, Email your friends about this giveaway with a link to us and forward a copy to us at cricutchristmas@gmail.com.

We will draw a winner next Sunday, May 9, 2010!

Wild West Scrap Divas are having a giveaway

2009-12-30T19:43:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to post a little news on what's happenening over at WWSD!

We have a Huge Prize up for grabs! It is a prize filled with just over $130.00 in scrapbooking goodies! Just follow the steps below and this awesome prize could be yours!

Check it out at http://wwscrapdivas.blogspot.com

Roxy

Another Fab Blog Candy Giveaway!!

2009-11-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Steff at http://withagrin.blogspot.com is have a Thanksgiving Holiday Blog Candy Giveaway. This is why, in her words: Thanksgiving is almost here and I feel so blessed to have received RAKs & goodies, to have learned so much from everyone across the world and MOST importantly to have met so many wonderfully talented scrapbooking friends!! I would like to show my thankfulness and appreciation to all you super sweet and talented scrappers out there!! So, I will be doing a GIVEAWAY of a "Thankful" Mini Album kit !!! I put together a really super cute & fun kit that will be a blast to put together!! I will post picts soon :) The winner will be drawn and announced the day before Thanksgiving!!

Blog Giveaway!!!

2009-11-22T06:56:00.001-08:00

http://www.etsy.com/shop/itsalwaysfabulous is 120 sales shy from 1000 sales and to celebrate she is hosting a give away with http://stampingattiffanys.blogspot.com/ The giveaway ends Dec. 5th it will include; Jenni Bowlin perpetual calendar, Tim Holtz holiday stamp, Jenni Bowlin large christmas bingo cards, and a surprise gift from 7 Gypsies.
Go to Tiffanys blog and follow her directions to win.
In addition itsalwaysfabulous is offering a 10% discount off of your order if you mention this giveaway during your order.

Donna's Halloween swap

2009-10-15T07:23:00.002-07:00

Donna's Halloween album for TradeWind Scrappers swap

2009-10-15T07:23:00.001-07:00

I used a lot of vintage product on Donna's mini swap for Kathryn's Trade Wind Scrappers group. Donna is married and has 3 "children" who wag tails, walk on four legs and bark.

For her album, I used an old medicine bottle and poison label that I found at TwistedPapers.com (Russel and Stan are so sweet & they find the COOLEST vintage things). I put a message to Donna in the bottle; paper for the pages is from Making Memories; Bill found a ton of cool Halloween trinkets for me including the spiders, skeleton, witch hat picks and pumpkin picks at Party Warehouse; and the "Best Witches" collage came with an order of goodies I purchased from Lisa at CollageStuff.com -- a great source for vintage ephemera and German scrap.

I heard from Donna last night and this is what she sent me (I think she likes the mini album):

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

I got your mini album today and holy bloody hell (sry) it turned out so beauitful i love especially the skelton on the second page it put mine to shame :( love all the colors and those tags are really beauitful

and thank you thank you thank you so much for the xtra goodies.. and that lil bottle with a message that was a nice touch

your a very talented lady and ur album has gaven me wonderful idea's for next months album

woooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooo
I will try and post some pic's of it in a lil bit

thank you so much once again

have a scrappy night
Donna

Camping Mini Album

2009-09-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

Sam, my Georgia peach

2009-09-24T09:38:00.000-07:00

So last month I signed up for a mini album swap for the group, Craft Craving Chicas. Who knew my swap partner would become such a good friend? I sure didn't. Sam, from Palmetto, GA (pinkaboospaperpantry.blogspot.com) is a kindred spirit. We have so many interests in common, it's weird.

Beyond cooking and baking, we love reading old recipes and cookbooks, we both collect primitive furniture, we both enjoy canning and preserving -- not only vegetables and fruit but also memories. We both drive our husband's crazy with our list-making habits, (we both keep track of our canning results, among other things), our favorite holidays are Christmas and Halloween, and we have the same tastes in paper: Cosmo Cricket, Graphics 45, are both our favorites.

Oh, and her youngest son is named Dakota and guess where I live? Dakota County. A coincidence? I think not. We were meant to be friends.

All of this commonality and getting to know each other — we e-mail back and forth day and night, about 6-7 times — added to the enjoyment of making our albums for each other. Sam mentioned that she enjoyed camping with her dad and brothers growing up, and knowing she likes vintage and Cosmo Cricket, I chose the Cosmo Cricket "Mr. Campy" paper line for her album. I included fishing and camping pictures that I had in my stash that I either bought at antique stores, acquired from friends, or found at local flea markets -- they were all from Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes and a lot of loons.

Though we are miles and miles apart and I can't be with her when she opens my gift, I am lucky that in this digital age that, not only have we been able to forge a bond but Sam is going to videotape her first look at my album. How cool is that?

I hope she finds it "stinkin' cute."

P.S. She posted her video and her natural reaction was more than I could have asked for. You can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPloLlyYooI

Blog Candy at Follow the Paper Trail

2009-09-06T12:14:00.000-07:00

Check out the awesome butterfly mini album blog candy kit at followingthepapertrail.blogspot.com. Laura shows her mini on YouTube, under the same name. It is a beautiful book and reminds me of the 70s, all the colors, designs and styles that were the best of those days. Check it out, and keep your fingers crossed that I win!!

Halloween Chills ’N’ Thrills Album

2009-08-21T09:25:00.001-07:00

Halloween Chills ’N’ Thrills

2009-08-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

I just finished writing an article called "Which Craft" for a national lifestyle magazine. My article focused on how those with limited hand or body movement can continue to craft by adapting or using certain tools. While researching for this story, I called several companies in the scrapbooking arena to find out what tools are available for this craft. Making Memories graciously sent me a Slice machine plus oodles and oodles and oodles of goodies so I could make this Halloween album. Fiskars sent spring-action scissors and punches that take less strength to operate; and Scott and Lisa at BlueMoonScrapbooking.com sent me a 7 Gypsies Binderie.

Can I tell you how much I love the Slice??!? I've purchased several more design cards, the embossing tools and lay away at night planning my mini-albums and ATC cards around what die-cuts I can make.

The Binderie literally takes a push of the button to operate but I've got to practice getting the holes where I want them. I've started making mini notebooks with cardboard covers — they're so cute! And I'm lovin my Fiskars scissors and punches — they are my new favorite hand tools.

I learned something new about ordering online. After I placed an order through 7 Gypsies website I got a call from "Mike" at BlueMoon Scrapbooking. He explained that suppliers such as BlueMoon bid on the orders placed on manufacturer's sites. I was a little hesitant at first but super-nice Mike explained that it's completely safe, and in the future I can just order from Blue Moon. That's when I asked if he knew of any products that would fit my story. He put Scott on the phone and we talked for about an hour. Scott is the real deal and also a super nice guy. If you haven't watched BlueMoon's technique and new product videos, you must! His wife, Lisa shows techniques now and then and they have a designer named Kristin that shows really cool painting techniques. But when Scott and Lisa show new product it's a hoot — they are so adorable. Check them out at YouTube or at www.BlueMoonScrapbooking.com.

For info on the Slice (LoVe IT!!) go to www.whyslice.com or check out their vids on YouTube by searching for makingmemories123

Later!

Dad's Dinner Bucket

2009-08-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

For as long as he worked, six days a week, my dad used one of these lunch pails; he called it his "dinner bucket." When I was little, I'd pass on my afternoon snack just so I could eat half a jelly sandwich that he saved for me in his dinner bucket. They were warm and sweet and it didn't matter that it sat in his locker, in his dinner bucket, all day long.

Dad worked for the Northern Pacific railroad and during his summer vacation he'd bring me and my sisters to the shops so we could visit with his buddies, run around the trains, and sit inside cars, pretending to be on a long journey in the Orient. He worked for 30 years for the railroad and near as many years part-time at Montgomery Wards in the car service area. He worked long and hard hours until he was 60! I can't imagine how he did it day after day, taking only two weeks off all year.

I wanted to honor my dad's memory and keep all of his momentos in a safe place. When I came across a lunch pail on Ebay, I knew I found exactly the way to hold my memories. I decorated the pail with a picture of my dad sitting on a woodpile at the house where he and I grew up. He's wearing his favorite uniform of "dungarees" and achambray work short. My dad was never without his ubiquitous blue (or red) cowboy handkerchief. Unfortunately, we didn't think to keep any of his, so for this project Bill donated one of his, which I tied to the handle.

My dad died when I was 22 and when the song by Mike and the Mechanics, "In the Living Years" came out a few years later, I felt the pain of the words in my heart. I still choke up every time I hear it. It's about missed opportunities with our fathers while they are alive, about generational differences, and about how easy life can be if we just listen. On my dad's scrapbox, I've included a couple of my favorite lines from the song; the ones that give me hope that he now knows how much I truly loved him.

While my father's adulthood wasn't easy, nor was his childhood. My grandfather passed away when my dad was 13, so it was up to this little boy to help support his mother, brother and little sister. He did this with a paper route covering miles of our old neighborhood. As an 18-year-old, he met my mother at Phalen Lake, near where he and I grew up, they married and at 27, went into the Navy. My mom had their first baby, my brother, while dad was based in Guadalcanal during WWII. His letters home to mom, only reassured her that he'd be home soon so they could be a happy family -- but he reminded her to ration and not spend money.

Inside Dad's Dinner Bucket I've placed his notebook of addresses from his paper route, his dog tag from WWII; letters to my mother from Guadalcanal; a Northern Pacific matchbook and train schedule; his tie-tack from Montgomery Ward; his President certificate from my grade school's PTA; and of course pictures of my loving, calm, sweet, funny, and smart dad.

Dad's Dinner Bucket

2009-08-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

ATC and Little Fat Book Swaps

2009-07-28T08:06:00.001-07:00

Upcycled Gameboard to Mini Album

2009-07-15T10:15:00.001-07:00

Truth and Beauty

2009-07-08T08:33:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a neighborly day in this beauty wood!

I joined Marion Smith's Girls Gone Scrappy mini album group last month, received my first kit and made a mini-file-folder album for my swap gal, Yvonne Hernandez. I'm sending it her way with loads of good feelings, thoughts and hope that she likes it!

I'm so far enjoying all the blogs and videos that other GGS group members post and make. It's so inspirational and I'm lovin' all the great ideas everybody shares. Papercrafting is my life-long love, even though I've sidetracked now and then into beading, basket weaving, pottery, flower arranging and my "always a passion" sewing. I drew my very first picture when I was 3 and still have it. It's a caricature of myself, an idea I copied from a sketch that my sister did of me. She is 8 years older and her sketch is much more discernable than mine. She so nailed my messy hair, trap-door jammies and sleepy eyes, standing in fuzzy slippers hanging on to the hand of my teddy bear. My version was a stick figure with a prickly blob in my hand and huge circles for eyes. I remember the day we drew our pictures like it was yesterday. Funny how some memories never waiver.

Yesterday, my husband and I watched the Michael Jackson memorial. I never realized how much he sang about love, hope and healing. It was beautiful to hear his words and music sung and played with such heart and depth of feeling, yet heart-wrenching to realize what a profoundly sad life he must have lived. Rest in Peace, Michael and thank you for your truth and beauty.

Yvonne's Dream Vacation - GGS swap album

2009-07-08T08:27:00.001-07:00

Manilla Folders

2009-06-16T06:28:00.001-07:00

Recipes

2009-06-16T06:21:00.001-07:00

Once Upon a Time

2009-06-16T06:15:00.001-07:00

Upcycled Board Book

2009-06-16T05:53:00.001-07:00

Rainy day art

2009-06-08T13:56:00.000-07:00

It's October, no late September, er I mean it's June 8 in Minnesota. But it feels like a mid-October day: 55°, overcast all day and a steady wind whipping around the bend. I've been in my studio, actually it's a lair, some people call it a "store," all day, and have finished a couple ATC trades and one mini album for sale. One ATC is for a Itty Bitty book trade with my favorite group, which is affiliated with my favorite art supply store, Red Lead (in Old Webster, just outside of St. Louis, MO). I'm trying to talk my husband into driving down to St. Louis for a short vacation this summer JUST TO SEE THE NEW RED LEAD STORE!! He just laughs when I bring it up, I don't think he realizes that I'm dead serious. Since Friday, I've been having YouTube withdrawals. For some reason, my Mac is not buffering videos; I'll have to drag my computer to the Apple store in the Mall of America (my home away from home) to see what is wrong. It's literally a drag to have to do this because it's always a wait and my computer is heavy. Whine.

Well, this has been a fun test to set up my blog, we'll see if it sticks ;)

rox