Sundays With Lorraine

Happy New Year, my crafty friends!  Welcome back to the Stamp & Scrapbook Expo blog!  I don’t know what happened to 2018 but it seems to have gone by in the blink of an eye.  I am really looking forward to another year of creating with you both online and in person at Stamp & Scrapbook Expo.  This week I received all the projects that I will be sharing with you in the Creativity Center during our 2019 season and I am so excited – you are really going to love them!  In the next few weeks I will be taking photos and I’ll share a sneak peek or two with you, so make sure and stay tuned.

Graphic 45 Craft Reflections Suitcase Vintage Style Mini Album 

With it being the beginning of a new year I’m feeling a bit nostalgic and thought you might enjoy some oldies but goodies.  I was going through my album tutorials and came across this little cutie.  This is definitely one of those albums that you can recreate for just about any occasion.  There is something to be said about creating a handmade album and filling it with your priceless memories.  Alexandra used Graphic 45’s “Craft Reflections” but not to worry, if you can’t find it, just break out your favorite collection and make it your own.

With a little help from our creative friend Alexandra, you can create an entire album in no time.  Instant gratification makes me smile.  These keepsake albums also make the best gifts, who doesn’t love to receive the gift of memories?  Alexandra also has a great step-by-step video, if you’d like to check it out click here and I will be happy to escort you over to her blog so you can take down some notes.  This is one album that you will enjoy recreating over and over again.  I hope you’ve been inspired to create a few handmade albums for yourself or you can be the hero and give one as a gift.  After all, not everyone is a talented paper crafter like you are.

Rustic Blanket Ladder by Whitney & Ashley

I just love this shabby chic blanket ladder that I discovered on the Shanty 2 Chic blog.  I originally saw one very similar at Pottery Barn for a little under $200 and needless to say, I left it at Pottery Barn.  You can imagine my surprise when I discovered how the girls made theirs for under $10.  During the winter months everyone at my house seems to have a favorite throw that they cozy up with in the living room.  I don’t know about at your house but in mine, the family is not always so quick to neatly fold the blanket after they leave the room, so I find myself constantly folding throws.  I love this solution; everyone has their own home for their blanket.  This also works great in the guest room to keep those extra blankets and quilts handy.

Thanks to the crafty girls over on the Shanty 2 Chic blog you, too, can make your own blanket ladder to store all those cute winter throws that you received for Christmas.  Click here and I will be happy to escort you over to their blog so you can check out their easy-to-follow instructions which include a video. Hugs to these girls for being such an inspiration to their fellow DIY-ers.

Scampi-Style Steak and Scallop Recipe

After your creative workout, you’re left with the decision of what’s for dinner tonight, so how about this delicious steak and scallop dinner that you can whip up in about 1/2 an hour?  This is one of my favorite meals and with a little help from Judy you, too, can have this yummy meal on the table in well under an hour.  Fresh scallops, a nice steak, and asparagus – what’s not to love?  Click here and I will be happy to take you over to Judy’s food blog Savoring Today so you can print out the recipe.  Just thinking out loud here, but with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, this would be perfect for a romantic dinner.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have an amazing week ahead of you.

Hugs to all, Lorraine