Sensational Polished Stone

I love mixed media - there is something extra therapeutic about creating with the messy mediums! So this class was right up my alley!

These are the samples of the 3 cards we made tonight for class!

Just love the amazing color combo options! For our reference card we used the Rich Razzleberry and Powdered Pink!

The Dandelion Wishes are an amazing stamp set - and this sample is a perfect example of why you need to stamp gentle and to not 'push' a stamp set too hard otherwise even a season stamper whose rushing along can get ink where they do not want it! 

For our next card we did some purples and blues together. Plus we embossed with our image before adding our color to help with potential color placement choices.

I just love now these colors pair so nicely with Dragonfly Dreams stamp set - one of my all time favorite bundles from Stampin' Up!

The still does not do it justice so here is a little video that showcases how the 'glitter' in the embossing powder is just stunning!

For our final card of the night we paired the Lovely Lipstick with the Grapefruit Grove from the current in colors with the Crackle Background stamp and the Lovely Lattice from Salabration for an amazing Floral card that was just stunning!

Another twist on this technique that we did not have time to actually do AT class but that I showcased just to show those who would like to play at home - Polished Stone with a Bleach twist! 

Using a selection of Fall inspired colors and the stamp set Colorful Season with the Grapefruit Grove foil paper from Saleabration - this created a stunning combo to showcase this techique. So you start off doing the Polished Stone technique as normal but than once dry you go back in with a little bit of bleach and a paint brush and 'bleach out' the color from areas you would like - so in this case I bleached out the leaves!

 

Resulting in a stunning card which the still does not capture so here is a little bit of video to show how the rainbow effects of the foil paper just make the background technique pop!

Card classes currently occur the last Thursday of the month. They are great for new and experienced cardmakers alike. Each month we try a new technique or product out and you get to make a sample reference card to have directions to make more at home if you like and than we make two projects featuring the technique or product. For the avid papercrafter you can create for free with a $35 order  of Stampin Up product the night of class to help build your collection  OR if you are just wanting to try paper crafting out or have a good size stash and are just wanting inspiration you can create with cash and carry for $10 cash.

Have an amazing day!

Margaret

Live Well, Laugh Much, Love Often

Be Totallyawake4-life

Protien Power Petite Bars

As you know by now if you follow my blog Breakfast is so not my forte - I am typically not hungry when I first wake up and will often skip breakfast as a result. To help with ensuring I start my day off right and keep my blood sugars balanced throughout and avoid those lows that lead to me making poor choices later in the day I have taken to prepping 'easy breakfast' options lately! 

This Protein Power petites recipe is one of the ones from the Epic Life challenge this past September and I am in love with it!  You can batch cook this recipe because they freeze amazingly well and just defrost in the microwave for a tasty quick breakfast option! 

If you are doing the 'balanced plate' eating you can either have 6 bars on the go or you can balance 3 bars with a cup of plain Greek yogurt flavored with an Epicure Sweet Dip and some berries and a healthy fat choice of nuts or seeds sprinkled on top! 

   

What You Need:

• 2 C  quick oats or gluten-free oats
• 2 scoops Protein powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp  Cinnamon, or Chai Spice
• 1/2 C egg whites
• 3/4 C  unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 C 2% plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Tbsp Epicure Cocoa Crunch or Tutti Fruity Whole Food Sprinkle 

What You Do

1. Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C).
2. Place oats in a food processor and blend to the consistency of flour.
3. In a medium bowl, mix oat flour with remaining dry ingredients.
4. Whisk egg whites with remaining wet ingredients. Fold wet and dry mixes together.
5. Stir in whole food sprinkle.
6. Divide batter by heaping tablespoonful among petites or small muffin mold and bake 12–15 minutes. When cool to the touch, flip mold onto rack and twist to pop out petites.

You can easily tweak this recipe by adding in different flavor combos - I sometimes add a wee bit of pineapple puree and than change out the Cocoa Crunch or Tutti Fruity for Coconut Lime sweet dip and add shredded coconut. You can add other dried fruit like Craisins and change the Cinnamon or Chai to a pumpkin pie spice combo - options are endless depending on what you are craving!

While you can make this in any muffin mold I think the petite bar pan from Epicure is amazing and a must have purchase if you do not have one  - I love it for perfect portioned brownies and cheesecakes as well cause it allows for that sweet tooth fix without a huge serving temptation. I can freeze them and pull out just one for those days I just need a little something something!!!

Have a great day

Margaret

Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much

Be Totallyawake4-life

Winter Lip Rescue review

This time of year is horrible for chapped lips at least for me!

I think between being outside with the kids every day and the winter colds resulting in mouth breathing my lips always get so chapped.

This is why I love my Aloette Oil Slick lip treatment combined with their Lip Difference lipstick to help combat my Winter Lips.

Oil Slick Lips features awesomeness such as Avocado, safflower seed and aloe vera which keep lips soothed and conditioned while vitamin E protects lips from environmental damage that dehydrates the skin. Its cooling massage applicator and ultra smooth texture makes the formula slick enough to wear alone or with lip color. I apply this first thing in the morning as well as before I go to bed.

This before and after photo shows how the lips are more hydrated and nourished and in less than 30 days lines and wrinkles in lips are diminished as well!

I pair my daily Oil Slick lip treatment with the Lip Difference which is easy for on the go 'reapplication' throughout the day  - made with the amazing certified organic aloe vera unique to Aloette it it is also packed full of nutrient rich oils such as Apricot, sunflower, jojoba, safflower and vitamin E. As well as being infused with orange and rosemary extract ... I love it because it does not taste like 'whale blubber' like some lipsticks do. It is light and has a refreshing flavor to it without being overpowering like some chap-sticks are. I think it is perfect as a 'chap-stick replacement' worn on its own as well as an amazing primer under your lipstick color to help color stay put and last longer.

If you'd love to learn more about my skincare tips and tricks I have a VIP group on Facebook you are welcome to join!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AwakentoAloette/

Have an amazing day

Margaret

Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much

Be Totallyawake4-life