Creative Juices Decor

As promised by my previous post, I thought I’d just give you an incredibly basic step by step to show you how to get started doing a digital scrapbook page.    (My very first digital scrapbook page). Of course you have to own a design program like Photoshop.  (They are around 79 bucks at Costco , probably a lot less if you bought a year old one off eBay) I did a little research on other programs and I believe you can also do digital layout using Microsoft Word (any one out there use that program?) but I use Adobe Photoshop Elements so I will tell you what I know using that program.  In Photoshop go to: File> New>blank file This shows you a box – enter height 12  and width 12 and resolution, 300 hit ENTER Now you have your blank 12”x12” paper canvas to create your layout!!! In regards to “papers” and “embellishments” there are actually lots of freebie sites and blogs to get you started. One of my favorite freebie and go...

For those reading this blog I am guessing you enjoy the crafty side of life (or you are family members that have no choice but to read my blog because I send you my posts!)  Most crafty people have done some form of scrapbooking whether it’s a full on photo page or simply a few cards.  I was a fellow scrapbooked until I just stopped, as in cold turkey stopped and wondered if I would ever get my last child's baby book done.  Why did I stop?  I believe it was the MESS that just got to me.  In order to scrapbook “correctly” my dining table had to be covered in paper, embellishments and JUNK for a week at a time.  And speaking of TIME – it would take FOREVER just to do one page and sometimes the cost of that ONE page became astronomical! As much as I enjoyed the final product it was so hard to design it knowing that once I glued or taped that item down, it was pretty much staying that way forever.  Only in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being abl...

As you know I have lots of posts on crockpot recipes.I LOVE using my crockpot.  I use it for anything from entrees, jams to desserts .  Yep, we are Best Friends Forever. This recipe is a tried and true yummy recipe that I have even made for company.  Kids seem to really enjoy it also.  It has a slightly sweet taste which tastes wonderful with the rice and sausage.  It calls for raisins but I don’t like raisins so I eliminate it.  I found this off of A Year of Slow cooking .  Stephanie’s blog is fantastic – she’ll even till you when her recipes turned out horrible!  Don’t worry, I’m only posting my absolute favorites!   So start up your crockpot for an easy dinner tonight! INGREDIENTS --1 pound sausage (I used a chicken sausage) --1 large, or 2 small apples, chopped (no need to peel) --1 yellow onion, chopped (I used a sweet onion) --1/2 cup chopped carrots --3 cups already cooked long-grain rice --1/2 cup raisin...

Ahhhhhh Pottery Barn.  The gorgeous pictures, the GIANT price tags.  If only we could re-create for less everything we see in that magazine.  Well today’s post will give that a try  – Pottery Barn for under $10.00.  Yep, that’s right, this next project cost me around 6 bucks.  When I was at the thrift store I spotted this lonely round board.  It was almost 2 feet around, insanely heavy and covered in laminate but I thought hummmm……this has some CLOCK potential!  So I bought it for a whopping $1.50. Here is the lovely BEFORE picture: And here is the AFTER: Now how I got there.  :-) First I distressed the plastic and wood by sawing the edges, hammering the center, and quickly sanding the entire circle.  I didn’t spend a lot of time doing this because I had another idea to help with the distressing which you’ll see in the next few steps. Next step was to figure out the best way for me to put on the Roman Numer...

Today I’m just going to give a few tips on how to change your place from drab to fab.    I promise if you follow these simple ideas you can really make a difference in how your home feels. 1.) ADD GREENERY!  I understand that some folks can’t keep a plant alive for the life of them but there are some really nice faux plants out there too.   Sometimes they cost a lot – but they add so much to a room – definitely worth it.  I just bought a beautiful palm tree for 35.00 at the thrift store (I was very lucky)  High end furniture stores I worked for sold these same trees for $250.00, but I’ve run across less expensive trees at home discount stores too.   Photo from my house 2.) Create LAYERS and TEXTURE!  An example would be a nice textured blanket (or fluffy sheep skin !) thrown across the edge of the sofa or chair.  Prop layers of mirrors or frames against a wall, overlapping them slightly.  Stacking books with a co...

This was a family favorite growing up.  My mom made these all the time (Thanks mom!) They have always been know as “Pink Cookies” to us and it seems the perfect cookie to serve up on Valentines Day! Warning: These flirty little cookies contain lots of sugar. If you are a regular blog reader, you know I try to stay away from processed white sugar but sometimes I say, It’s OK    They are extremely easy (a must on my blog) and happen to be gluten free. INGREDIENTS: 3 egg whites 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract 1/2 cup chocolate chips Few drops of red food coloring. DIRECTIONS: Place egg whites in a large mixing bowl.  Let stand at room temperature for 30 min.  Beat till foamy.  Add cream of tartar and salt: beat till stiff peaks form.  Gradually add sugar, one tbsp at a time, beating on high till stiff peaks form again. (about 5 min)  Add food coloring.  Gently f...

I'm over at Tater Tots and Jello today!  For those that haven't checked out Jen's blog it is FANTASTIC!  Here is a sneak peak of what I did!  I posted the shortened version on her blog and  I'll have the LONG extended unrated version (for those that are interested!) posted on my site in a week.