PTI Make It Monday

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This week's Make It Monday challenge from Papertrey Ink is to create something mixing paper patterns.  Betsy Veldman presented her method of selecting various paper patterns and color combinations when creating projects.  I liked her layout so much that I used it to create my own version.

Betsy's examples for the project.

My take on Betsy's layout. 

PTI blog hop

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This month's Papertrey Ink Blog Hop challenge is to create something based on this inspiring photo - Bright greens with bold black & white patterns.

Here's my creation - destined for my Send Love Today assignment.

Scrappy Bits

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Another Make It Monday challenge from Papertrey Ink. This week the challenge is to make something using paper scraps for the background. Well, let me tell you - have I got scraps! I don't throw out any of the beautiful bits and pieces left over from a project - be it paper, fabric, felt, ribbon ... You get the idea.  I think I get this habit from generations of savers.  My grandfather, orphaned during the Great Depression, saved every nut and bolt in baby food jars.  If you needed anything, go ask Pap Pap and rest assured he'd have it or something that would do just fine. 





This sweet thing is destined for my Send Love Today assignment.
I plan to tuck a packet of lotion in the card as a special treat.

All paper (except the white card) is from my scrap collection.
Papertrey Ink Stamps:  Tagged Sentiments
Other Papertrey Ink Products: cardstock, ink, felt

I often incorporate scraps into my cards. It's really easy with so many lovely border punches, die cuts and such. The challenge is in storing the scraps so they don't get lost or end up all over the place. I have found the simplest way to store scrap paper is in a binder. I place the scraps in plastic paper protectors organized by color. Pieces of felt and buttons are likewise stirred in jars organized by color. Ribbon is stored on little spools in a plastic organizer and fabric bits are stored in baskets. I don't throw anything away until it's nearly a speck.



A 3-ring binder with plastic protector sleeves provides an
inexpensive and easy way to organzie left over paper scraps.



Little scraps become itty-bitty adornments in future projects.
I often use Glossy Accents or fine glitter to make the die cuts extra special.

Pre-cut die cutouts from paper scraps just waiting for a project.





Scrap bits used to make little gift boxes, cupcakes and other special
finds in this birthday menagerie.

Stop back tomorrow to see what this collection of pink paper scraps turn into for Mother's Day.







Any guesses what these bits of scrap paper and ribbon will become?





Make it Monday Color Challenge

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This week's Papertrey Ink Make It Monday Challenge is to make something using the color inspiration sheet provided.  I chose to make the (near) same card that Nicole Heady made but using a different color palette.

Nicole Heady's Sample

My version of Nicole's card using a different color palette.

All PTI product used to create this card.
PTI Stamp Sets Used:  Flower Fusion 12, Background Basics Medaliion,
Tiny Treats Birthdays, Tagged Sentiments

Isn't it interesting how a simple change, like a different color palette, can make a card look completely different?  This one is destined for a my new Send Love Today assignment - a 40 year old woman with glioblastoma brain cancer. 

A RECIPE IN REVIEW

Source Recipe: http://www.marthastewart.com/338434/arroz-con-pollo

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo I made Arroz Con Pollo to satisfy my mother's craving for saffron rice.  There are many different ways to make this simple Chicken with Rice dish.  Today I used a recipe from Martha Stewart Living.  It was a very easy dish to make and relatively inexpensive.  Saffron can be pricey, but you need only use a pinch (altough I used three pinches).  This recipe is very traditional with the strong Spanish undertones of saffron.  For more color, you may want to place pimientos on the top.  I give this recipe a "two thumbs up" given that the pan was empty at the end of dinner.

Arroz Con Pollo

• 1 cup dry white wine
• Pinch of saffron
• 6 chicken thighs (6 ounces each)
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic (2 to 3 cloves)
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 2 dried bay leaves
• 4 1/2 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock, plus more if needed
• 3 cups short-grain rice, preferably Valencia
• 1 cup pimiento-stuffed green olives

                           

Combine wine and saffron; let stand until ready to use. Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large braiser or heavy-bottomed, straight-sided saute pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken, skin side down, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip, and cook until golden brown, 2 minutes; transfer to a plate.

Reduce heat to medium, and cook onion and garlic, stirring often, until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Add tomato, and cook, stirring often, for 15 minutes. Stir in wine-saffron mixture, 1 tablespoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and the bay leaves. Cook until wine is almost completely evaporated, 10 to 15 minutes. Add chicken, stock, rice, and olives; bring to a simmer.

Reduce heat to low. Cook, covered, stirring halfway through, until rice is tender, about 45 minutes. (If rice is not done, add more stock, cup at a time.) Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper.

Enjoy your week! - Debbie