Scrap Paper Collages

Something I’ve always loved… making collages. Growing up, I was not part of a crafty family. We had crayons, colored pencils, and Elmer’s glue. That was it. When I would go to various places I would collect things I could craft with; like the confetti on tables at parties. Sad… right? My family knew I liked things like that, so they would take it upon themselves to gather things too. When I tried to do my first collage I used my Elmer’s glue and it turned out disastrously!! I remember begging my mom to please get me a glue stick so that my projects wouldn’t wrinkle Well I have come a long, Long way since then.

I don’t even know why, but it is so relaxing to me to just put on a movie (either Harry Potter or Gone with the Wind) and sit there with my collage box crafting. If you are a typical hoarder, oops! I mean crafty collector! Then you probably hate throwing away scraps of paper that could possibly, someday… well maybe someday be used on another little something. Especially if I love the paper, then I REALLY hate throwing stuff away. Well, I have a box of ALL those scraps of papers, photos that never found a project, half used sheets of stickers, and all the other goodies that speak to me.

When I get in the mood, I just like to get it out and go wild. I use whatever I want and since I love it all, it always has a way of coming together. I collaged my college planner earlier this year and when it was complete I fell in love with it. It was so ugly before, and after it was transformed I enjoyed it every time I pulled it out of my backpack to scribble down schedules and assignments.

Last week we talked about quotes, and another favorite quote of mine, told to me by my cousin is, “Its only ghetto if you can tell.” With that being said, it’s a little ghetto, but packing tape makes the BEST laminate!! I went ahead and laminated the front of my planner with packing tape and it’s the best thing I could have done. It sealed it perfectly and prevents it from getting dirty. And it only took a few minutes. The art of packing taping can be a little tricky because you have to make sure your lines are even, matching, and don’t get any creases in it. But after a few practice runs, you’ll find it’s really not that hard.

So if you’re looking for a great way to use, and recycle all those scraps, why not start your very own collage box? You might be surprised at the artwork you can create.

Have a great week!

xoxo Mandy

Fresh and Fast

I am back with another recipe. :) If you are a pasta lover I think you will definitely want to try this one. It is super easy and can be made in all sorts of variousnesses (don't think that is a word but we are making it one now lol) Also, if you are a MOM(or really anyone) on the go, like me, it makes for a pretty healthy dinner and an EXCELLENT leftover lunch for work the next day. So just keep in mind to make way more than enough.

It is a Veggie Pasta!

What you will need:
Noodles of your choice - I used shells and elbow
3-4 Carrots Peeled
Zucchini Ribbons
1 can Olives
Asparagus- a bundle
Grape Tomatoes- a container
Sesame Seeds- to taste
Olive Oil & Vinaigrette Dressing - to taste

How to Make:
Cook noodles according to directions. While the noodle are cooking lightly steam carrots and asparagus ( I usually placed chopped carrots on the bottom of my steamer pan and then put asparagus on top of the carrots after have steamed a cpl min.) Be careful to not over steam you don't want mushy veggies, just enough to make them tender and bring out their sweetness.

In a big bowl combine cooked pasta, carrots, asparagus, drained olives, tomatoes, zucchini ribbons, (to make zucchini ribbons, simply take your veggie peeler and pretend you are peeling the zucchini, TA DAA zucchini ribbons and because it is so thin the warm pasta, carrots and asparagus "cook" the zucchini.) sesame seeds-sprinkle on like pepper, and lastly olive oil & vinaigrette dressing (you may have to add a touch more on your leftovers. The pasta will absorb a lot of the leftover liquid overnight)

Toss everything together in the bowl and enjoy.

 Look how beautiful and colorful it is. mmmmmm makes me wanna go and make this again right now!!!

 I just LOVE how it looks in this white bowl. Actually these are the BEST white bowls ever. I found them at the dollar store out of all places. I originally only purchased one, I needed a bowl for my lunch at work and we are conveniently located next to one, but when I brought it home it became the bowl that my husband and I would fight over. He thought it made his food look better and so did I. We now own two. :)

Hope you enjoyed my version of the "Veggie Pasta". Don't like something I put in??? No worries, like I said, this pasta has endless ways to make it, substitute something. You could even add extra items in like artichoke(ssssooooo delicious, but my kids don't like it), how about roasted peppers even. :)

Do you have a favorite veggie pasta recipe??? I would LOVE to try it. :)

Have a great day everyone,
xoxo
Danni