2009 December — A Southern Fairytale

Creative Memories Storybook 3.0 Plus

10:03 AM ByRachelFiled UnderReviews

I am not a natural scrap-booker, I tried it briefly after both kids were born and each time, I lasted about a month. I love the end result and I can spend hours looking at other people’s scrapbooks. Sadly, I’m one of those people who can see what’s wrong with something after it’s finished… not before. I can’t visualize all the itty bitty stickers and pictures and papers and themes and so on and on and on and on.

My brain, just doesn’t work that way.

However, if you give me 10 random ingredients… I’ll come up with a killer recipe.

10 random stickers or pieces of paper… not so much.

So, when I was contacted about Creative Memories I was somewhat apprehensive. I am very familiar with the Creative Memories name and brand of scrap-booking, memory book materials, they are from what I know, the leader in quality and designs for scrapbookers, card makers and other crafty types.

Once they told me it was a digital scrap-booking, photo book software download. I was more than intrigued, I was sold.

I downloaded the software (full disclosure: They provided me with a full copy of their Storybook Creator 3.0. I had to do it on hubby’s PC because they don’t have it Mac compatible YET. I have been informed that 2010 will be the year of the Creative Memories/Mac collaboration. I can’t wait!!!)

Once the software was downloaded I decided to look into the photo book options, I love the way photo books look and they make fantastic gifts, especially for out of town, state, country family.

I chose an 8X8 book with a black cover, I loved the sleek look of the black cover (bonus, little fingerprints don’t show on black like they do on the white)

I liked the option of having the software automatically put the pictures in for me but, I chose to arrange them myself.

It was kind of ridiculously easy, adding the text, playing with the text sizes and all the different fonts. As a bonus to the easiness, it was fun. I could have spent hours, and probably will designing photo books around family events, I’m even thinking about doing one with my favorite recipes and pictures! I love that I could choose to write 4 words or 47 words about a picture or a page, I wasn’t locked into a specific format.

There are tons of page arrangement options, free downloadable themes and more.

Once the book was finished, the software took me to the Creative Memories website and walked me through registering and the uploading and ordering process.

I was really impressed by the number of back-up/fail-safes that were included in the program. I skipped a page on accident and the software stopped and asked me if I wanted that page left blank! This is perfect for those momnesia moments when I think I’ve completed something, but didn’t.

My book was only 17.95 and is saved in my account so that I could go and order another one whenever I wanted. The quality of the book is fantastic, the software was easy to use and lots of fun, too.

There are free versions of the software too.

If you’re looking for something for that photographer in your life who would love to be craftier, the mom who always has her camera up to her eye or even something for yourself. I think this is a perfect gift.

This post is a part of Blissful Mediat

*all images from Creative Memories site. I couldn’t do screen caps of my adorable book on my hubby’s PC

1 Comment

Picnik’s Get One, Gift One Holiday Giveaway

6:41 AM ByRachelFiled UnderGiveaways

I love playing with Picnik.
I got my first taste of Picnik about a year and a half ago when VDog gave me a code for a Premium Subscription and I was immediately hooked. I use it for editing, playing with and adding a watermark to 98% of my pictures that I post on here, Blissful Food and that I print. They’ve come a long way since I first started playing with them and they’re constantly adding more features.

Like this one, create your own photo card, collage and even present tags:

The only thing wrong with this card… the fact that my daughter forgot how to smile Other than that, took me less than 3 minutes to make and save.

You can make a collage of your holiday treats to attach to the plate of goodies you give them, or just post it and make them drool and wish they lived closer.

You can add holiday frames and accents to show off your decorating elf Monkey

or turn a sweet baby picture black and white with a color accent.

You wouldn’t believe how easy it is to do that.

Since it is the giving season, I’ve partnered up with Picnik to offer y’all a Get One, Gift One Holiday Giveaway.

I have two- Three Month Premium Picnik subscriptions to gift away.

To enter, leave me a comment telling me which Picnik features you’d most like to play with and tell me who you’d give the Gift Subscription to.

Bonus entry: only valid if you complete first entry: Tweet this and leave the Tweet URL in a separate comment

This Get One, Gift One Holiday Giveaway is open from December 22nd to 7 PM CST December 24th, 2009.

***as a thank you from Picnik for hosting this, I received an extension on my own Premium Account***

CONGRATS @laprimera who won~~~~ This contest is closed

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Cheesy Chipotle, Corn and Zucchini Casserole

8:14 AM ByRachelFiled UnderMouthwatering Monday, Side Dishes

cheesy chipotle, corn and zucchini casserole
This Cheesy, Chipotle, Corn and Zucchini casserole is simply, in a word ~ tonguegasmic.

I was telling Nathan what all goes into it and he looked at me with that raised eyebrow and the corner of his mouth quirked in that annoyingly smug way and said; “Well, just make sure there’s more than just that for dinner”
Mr. Skeptical ate 2 big helpings the first night and then finished off the rest for dinner the next night.

This casserole combines some of my favorite flavors and textures: crunchy sizzling bacon, the sweet snap of sauteed onions, spicy smoky-sweet chipotles, crisp sweet corn, gooey cheese and yummy zucchini.

(are you drooling yet?)

casserole ingredients

Cheesy Chipotle, Corn and Zucchini Casserole

Recipe adapted from one I found on my iFood Assistant. Can be seen here on Kraft.com

3 Tbsp Basil Parmesan Vinaigrette dressing
1 medium onion, chopped
8 slices bacon, chopped
3 medium zucchini, chopped (about 5 Cups)
1 C frozen corn, thawed (I use sweet corn)
1 to 2 C pizzeria 4 cheese blend (mozzarella, provolone, romano and parmesan)
1/2 C sour cream
4 Chipotles in adobo, chopped (start with 1, remember this is the heat aspect)

1. Preheat your oven to 350

2. Heat the dressing in a large skillet over medium-high heat

3. Add onions and bacon; cook, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes or until the onions are just beginning to soften and you want to dive in because the smell of bacon and onions together is too tempting.

sizzling bacon

4. Stir in zucchini and cook about 10 minutes, or until the zucchini is lightly browned. Stir the mixture occasionally to ensure even browning.

zucchini and bacon

5. Remove from heat; add corn, 1 C cheese, sour cream and chipotles. Mix well.

casserole ingredients. end

6. Spoon into 2 to 2 1/2 Qt baking dish. Top with 1 C cheese and bake about 15 minutes or until the cheese on top is all melty and gooey.

cheesy chipotle, corn and zucchini casserole baked

Stir and serve.

This is one of my new favorite side dishes. Mr. Skeptical even asked me when I was making it again. I can’t even begin to describe how much I love this melty, ooey, gooey, cheesy, spicy, creamy zucchini and corn casserole.

if you’re linking your tonguegasmic recipe up to the Mouthwatering Monday linky, Thank You! I love finding new blogs and new recipes!

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