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iNSPiRE | Art Print • Discover Limitlessness

Friday, September 28

J surprised me this week...
He came home with an inspirational art print he picked up from Hallmark.

"Let it Go" from The Kelly Rae Roberts Collection by Demdaco

It's something I hadn't seen before...
and absolutely something I would've picked out on my own.
(sometimes it surprises me at how well he knows me).

As I read the artist's information on the back...
I discovered Kelly Rae Roberts was a social worker at one point in her life...
prior to her decision to follow "her heart's passion to become an artist". 

I continued to read about how her art "expresses honesty and tenderness...is lighhearted and colorful".
And then something Kelly said jumped out at me:

"My hope is that my work invokes a sense of clarity and peace inside of you as you walk your own path in life,
and that it inspires you to discover your own limitlessness".

I knew instantly the art print I would be creating for you this week...

ART PRiNT | Discover Limitlessness (Color Edition)


ART PRiNT | Discover Limitlessness (Blue/Green TEXTURED Edition)



ART PRiNT | Discover Limitlessness (Blue/Green Edition)

A very special thank you to Kelly Rae Roberts for the lovely inspiration...
I was instantly inspired by her work...
and inspired a 2nd time upon reading the intention behind her art.
LOVE when that happens...

For more information about Kelly Rae Roberts and her collections, check out:


NOTE:
There is a 1" border on this art print to accommodate framing.

TiP:
Want a photo shop to print these for you?
Simply open the .pdf file and save it as a .jpg.
Want a different sized print without compromising print quality?
You can always go DOWN in size but don't go up:
For example...download the 16x20 art print but have it printed as an
8x10, 5x7, 4x6, 3x5 or smaller.

PRiNTiNG OPTiONS/iDEAS
• Print from home computer.
• Have a photo print made by your favorite photo developer. (convert .pdf to .jpg)
• Don't like your home printer? Have FedEx Kinko's, Office Depot, or Staples print it for you onto cardstock.
• Have a canvas print made.
• Frame it to hang in your home.
• Frame it and give as a gift.
• Email it to a friend

Be sure to check out the ART PRiNTS LiNK on my sidebar...
to access all of the FREE art prints I've shared here...
without having to do any searching. *wink*

Here's to a limitless weekend for all of us...
Hugs to each of you my friends!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I've got 6 different MAJOR projects going on right now...
on top of the everyday design work.
One of the projects is Ella's upcoming birthday party in November.
I'm SO excited to be working on it.

Looking forward to sharing all of the bits and pieces as everything slowly unfolds...

SHARE | Thirsty Thursday • Silhouette Cameo

Thursday, September 27

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THiRSTY THURSDAY
defined as a day to...
share something...ANYTHING...
that makes my mouth water...
quenches my creative tastebuds...
satisfies my thirst for inspiration...
or leaves me "creatively parched"
and ultimately wanting for more...
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I have been drooling coveting admiring this amazing piece of technology for almost 2 years now...



WHAT IS THIS EXACTLY?
Answer taken straight from the Silhouette Cameo website

THE THiNGS IT CAN HELP YOU CREATE
Custom cupcake wrappers and etched glass (using vinyl cut outs and etching cream)


Paper Elements and designs for creating embellishments for cards, scrapbook pages and paper crafts...


Sketched Designs, Vinyl Art for Home Decor, Custom Apparel and more!


There is even "Specialty Media" available through the Silhouette Store
including Magnet Paper, Wood Paper and Temporary Tatoo Paper.

Want to know the newest product just announced??
Gold and Silver Foil Paper!!

It pains me to say... 
still cannot call myself "the proud owner" of this powerful creative tool...
especially since I know it was designed specifically with ME in mind.  *grin*

I am currently working on acquiring it...
by adding it to the very top of my upcoming birthday wish list...*wink*
I'll keep you posted on my progress.


I highly encourage you to follow Silhouette on Facebook...
Learn more about the Silhouette on the Silhouette site...
And keep updated on new product releases and fun projects on the Silhouette Blog...

In the meantime...
there are LOTS of Silhouette Cameo Giveaways going on RIGHT NOW.
You can either google them to find them all... *wink*
or here's a direct link to a giveaway going on over at Brown Paper Packages.

Speaking of Giveaways...
Last day to enter the SPiNNiNG LEAF GiVEAWAY going on right now...
THREE winners will be picked to win SIX of their amazing Oreo® Cookie Molds.
Winners will be announced on Friday!!


KEEPiNG iT REAL
I can't tell you how many blog contests/giveaways I've entered to try and win one...*blushing*
Oh yes...
yes I have.

FOUND | Spinning Leaf - Cookie Molds

Tuesday, September 25

I'm super excited to share with you some awesomeness today.
If you like getting creative in the kitchen...
then you are going to love Spinning Leaf...
a fabulous company specializing in the designing and manufacturing of Chocolate Molds and
Culinary Stencils.

I discovered Spinning Leaf about a month ago...
when searching for some fun ideas for crafting in the kitchen.
I fell in love with their assortment of cookie and chocolate molds.
I can't say enough how head-over-heels I am with the high level of quality put into producing these products.
They are awesome to work with.
Take a peek at what I created over the weekend...



RIDICULOUSLY CUTE CHOCOLATE-COVERED OREOS
(and mini chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz crackers)


Start with your choice of adorable Spinning Leaf cookie molds
 Spinning Leaf Sandwich Cookie Molds: Ghosts, Skulls and Spiders 


Let's start with
BEGINNER LEVEL • BASIC ROUND COOKIES
CHOCOLATE COVERED MINI RITZ PEANUT BUTTER CRACKERS
Melt your choice of chocolate and fill mold cavities approximately 1/3 full

TAP AND ADD
Tap the chocolate-filled mold on your work surface to remove air bubbles and to help the chocolate settle.
Add one mini ritz cracker to each cavity and press gently until the chocolate begins to peek over the top of the crackers.
Don't push too hard - you don't want the cracker visible from the top on the finished treat.

COVER AND TAP
Cover the ritz crackers with additional melted chocolate.
Tap lightly to remove air bubbles and for a smooth finish.

HARDEN AND RELEASE
Allow chocolate to harden in the mold.
Refrigerate hardened chocolates in the molds for a little under 10 minutes.
Turn the molds upside-down and press gently for the chocolates to pop out.



INTERMEDIATE LEVEL • GHOST-THEMED
CHOCOLATE COVERED OREOS
Start by filling the eye and mouth cavities of the cookie mold with black melted chocolate. 
Using a small paint brush for these chocolate details works perfectly. Tap molds on work surface to smooth chocolate.

SECOND LAYER OF CHOCOLATE
Once the eye and mouth cavities have cooled and hardened...
fill the cavities 1/3 full with COOLED melted white chocolate.
This will prevent the two chocolate colors from mixing/melting into one another

ADD OREO COOKIE AND TOP OFF
Tap the chocolate-filled mold on your work surface to remove air bubbles and to help the chocolate settle.
Add one Double Stuff Oreo Cookie to each cavity.
 Press gently until the chocolate begins to peek over the top of the cookies.
Don't push too hard - you don't want the cookies visible from the top on the finished treat.

COVER AND TAP
Cover the Oreo Cookies with additional melted chocolate.
Tap lightly to remove air bubbles and for a smooth finish.

HARDEN AND RELEASE
Allow chocolate to harden in the mold.
Refrigerate hardened chocolates in the molds for a little under 10 minutes.
Turn the molds upside-down and press gently for the chocolates to pop out.





ADVANCED LEVEL • SPIDER-THEMED
CHOCOLATE COVERED OREOS
Start by filling the spider details of the cavities of the cookie mold with black melted chocolate. 
Using an extra tiny paint brush for these chocolate details works perfectly. Tap molds on work surface to smooth chocolate. 






IMPERFECTION
Although only ONE spider turned out "perfect"
I actually like the aged/textured look of the "imperfect" spiders.
I think it makes them look even more creepy...

Fun...right?
Are you itching to get your hands on some of these incredibly fun cookie molds?

I absolutely LOVE that I stumbled upon Spinning Leaf...
they are a family-owned and operated small business...
with high quality products and service. 
You know I LOVE that!!

AND...
they are incredibly generous too...

Listen to this wonderful offer from Spinning Leaf...

From now until October 31st...
Spinning Leaf has decided to offer an incredible savings to all Pen N' Paperflowers readers/fans.
They are offering a 30% discount for anything on their site.
the biggest discount they offer. EVER. (and typically only twice a year). 

To take advantage of the huge savings...
Use this coupon code at checkout: pnpflowers30
Offer expires: October 31st.

If you thought that was generous enough...
Things only get better.
Spinning Leaf has decided to giveaway a total of EIGHTEEN molds
to THREE different winners here on Pen N' Paperflowers.
That means THREE of you will win...
SIX.
molds.
each.

Yes...I said 
6 molds for 3 different winners.
How awesome is that!?

Use the Rafflecopter app below to enter.
Contest starts today: Tuesday, September 25th
Contest ends: 12:01 a.m. - Friday, September 26th
Winners to be announced Friday, September 26th
Open to US Residents only...


CONTEST NOW CLOSED.
WINNERS ANNOUNCED BELOW!!
(Thank you for participating everyone - and thank you Spinning Leaf for sponsoring the giveaway!)


Be sure to check out and "Like" Spinning Leaf's Facebook Fan Page.
You'll also find step-by-step tutorials on the Spinning Leaf website...

Hoping you've been inspired to get creative in the kitchen...
Happy chocolate-cookie mold making, friends. *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I do NOT recommend the spider mold if you are a novice. 
It was SUPER hard and time-consuming.
It took me 15 minutes per spider cavity - just to paint the chocolate spider details.
It takes tremendous patience and focus.

But guess what's so awesome...
The folks at Spinning Leaf actually warned me of the "expertise level"...
prior to shipping the molds out. 
Just one more thing to love about the company...
their honesty.

GOOD THiNGS | Bananas over bananas

Monday, September 24

Over the Summer...
something happened.

In my search to reach for healthier snack alternatives...
I became obsessed with bananas.
I thought I'd share with you what I refer to as...
My "Banana Evolution"...

It all began with these...
I started noticing my thirteen year old daughter snacking on something interesting...
The frozen banana halves I had stocked in the freezer for my smoothies.
She just wrapped some plastic around the cold, frozen banana and ate it like a popsicle.
She swore they tasted just like ice cream so I had to try it. YUM!


Which then inspired these...
Banana Popsicles
I decided to add a stick to fresh cut bananas and then freeze them...making them an official popsicle.
Shown here using rods from The Pastry Pedestal™

Which led to the ultimate treat
Soft Serve Banana Ice Cream
Frozen Bananas + Food Processor = Banana Ice Cream

Variations of this ultimate treat quickly evolved...
Soft Serve Banana Nut Ice Cream
Frozen Bananas + Blender  topped off with Honey + Walnuts = Banana Nut Ice Cream
(see how the blender creates more of a creamy outcome vs. the firmer version from the food processor).


Soft Serve Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream
Frozen Bananas + Blender + Peanut Butter = Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream
Topped off with a super simple homemade raw chocolate syrup:
2 TBSP Agave Nectar + 1 TBSP cocoa powder

Can it get any better than that?
A whole food, simply made yummier by freezing it.
I love it.

SUPPLIES NEEDED (Makes 1 large serving or 2 small servings)
• 2-3 frozen bananas (sliced or cut into chunks prior to freezing)
• Food processor or blender

Optional: Toppings 

INSTRUCTIONS
Using a blender or food processor, add 2-3 frozen bananas.
Blend for a few seconds until bananas reach a creamy, "soft serve" ice cream consistency.

Sprinkle with nuts, fruits or raw syrups to keep things nice & healthy. *wink*
Serve immediately.

TiPS:
Using a Blender - you may want to put the bananas in the blender and let them thaw for a few minutes prior to blending.
                                 Your results will be more creamy than "soft serve". Still delicious.

Using a Food Processor - I prefer the consistency of the ice cream I got using my super mini food processor.
                                               It's more of a true soft-serve ice cream. 


I can't tell you how happy it makes me to discover such a simple, healthy,  FUN snack alternative.
I hope you'll be inspired to try it out yourself.
I'm working on perfecting a "fall" flavored version.
I'll let you know what I come up with.

Make it a great week, friends!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
The Peanut Butter + Banana version is my absolute favorite.
But then again...we all know I have a weakness for peanut butter. *wink*

Lots of fun things coming up...
Including a FUN giveaway announcement!!                                      

STYLiNG | The Pastry Pedestal™ - 80's Style

Friday, September 21

You know I love featuring the creativity of others...
especially when it comes to party styling.

My excitement is further enhanced...
when the party incorporates either printables from my shoppe...
OR...
as in this case...

whoopiepies
(Whoopie Pies decked out in striped paper straw "slips" and displayed in groups of three)

You must hop on over to Hostess with the Mostess and check out all of the rad details from this 80's inspired
"DJ Jazzy Jad & the Fresh Prince" birthday party, styled by Dina of Deliciously Darling Events.

I've included a few amazing photos of the dessert table...(check out that cake)...





The vibrant color scheme has me charged up and looking forward to a fun weekend ahead.

Thanks for sharing your talents with us Dina...
and for including The Pastry Pedestal™ - we LOVE it!

Have a great weekend everyone...
xoxo

KEEPiNG iT REAL
My goal is to be "unplugged" for most of the day...
to spend some quality time with Ella.
Also looking forward to some quality crafting time this weekend...
and maybe a little time with my family sprinkled in there somewhere. Ha! *wink*

BOOK | Small Plates and Sweet Treats

Thursday, September 20

I absolutely LOVE Aran Goyoaga, author of the beautiful food blog: Cannelle et Vanille.

You've seen my attempt at recreating her gorgeous, healthy, wholesome dishes here.
(I even added her recipes to my "Promise Me" journey last February).

Aran has a way of sweeping you away into a different world with her gorgeous food photography.
She has this amazing connection with food linking her to fond memories of her childhood.
Her natural ability to convey the recollections of growing up in the Basque country oftentimes makes you feel you are there, sharing the experience.

There's a distinct feeling I get every time I look at her lovely food presentation...
or listen to the way her love of wholesome foods is directly tied into her love of family;
The family she grew up in...
and her own little family she is now raising.

I have been anticipating the release of her first book and I'm thrilled to say it's now available for pre-order.
The book is a lovely guide to how "Gluten-free food can be delicious and beautiful... and satisfying"
Check out the charming book trailer to see for your yourself...

Although I must warn you...
you may be unable to overcome the overwhelming desire to purchase the book. NOW.  *wink*



Wouldn't this be a fabulous gift for yourself...
or someone you know?

KEEPiNG iT REAL
You know that feeling you get after you've watched an amazing movie...an inspiring movie?
That feeling that makes you believe you can do anything...
Lighting that spark within you that reconfirms your dreams aren't out of reach
and reaching your fullest potential is just around the corner?
(I remember watching Flashdance and then dancing non-stop for weeks afterwards - thinking that was my calling in life). *blushing*

Well...I get that same feeling every time I visit Aran's food blog.
Her recipes inspire me to cook healthier for my family.
I've said before...
she's actually living the life (through cooking) that I feel I should/could be living.

Aran comes across as very organic...
genuine...
and approachable.
I like that.

I know I'm going to love her book.

FEATURE | Rustic + Shabby Chic Bridal Shower

Wednesday, September 19

I've been anticipating sharing this gorgeous bridal shower with you for some time.
I'm thrilled to announce it's officially been featured on Hostess with the Mostess and
now I get to share all of the details here.

A sweet friend of mine, Bre, styled it and brought all of the beautiful Shabby Chic + Rustic details to life.
I LOVE how she seamlessly blended the two elements together to create a breathtaking bridal shower.
Enjoy the gorgeous images...(and "Pin" freely)...*wink*

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Party Host: Bre Kirkland
Celebration Type: Bridal Shower
Party Theme: Rustic + Shabby Chic
Inspiration: The bride's classic and charming personality
Color Palette: Creamy Whites, Soft Pinks and Beige
Party Style: Charming + Classic
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••


Rustic + Charming Bridal Shower
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Wasn't that absolutely the sweetest bridal shower you've seen?
It turned out almost as lovely as the bride-to-be...*wink*

And like Jenn mentioned yesterday, this could easily be used for a gorgeous spin
on holiday decorating - don't you agree?

MY FAVORiTE PARTY DETAiLS
• The blend of burlap, lace and pearls
• The dreamy lace and various trimmings layered & used on The Pastry Pedestal™to display cupcakes
• The "Can of Dates" keepsake for the newlyweds to reference for weekly date night ideas
• The fabulous DiY table labels and hand-crafted hanging paper decor
• The use of feathers on centerpieces, table labels and other key focal points
• The custom coordinating lollipops
• The variety of delicious salads served

Bre did an amazing job of marrying the personality of the bride-to-be...
with the bridal shower elements she created. I LOVE the turnout.
Thanks for sharing your creative talents with us Bre!!

VENDOR CREDITS:
• Styling & Paper Decor: Bre Kirkland
• Photography: Ackerman Photography
• Cupcake Holders: The Pastry Pedestal™
• Custom Lollipops: Vintage Confections
• Florals: Bay Hill Florist
• Designer Oreos: Sweeties by Kim
• Salads: Bre Kirkland
• Napkin Rings: Pier 1 Imports
• Lace, Burlap & Fabric Trimmings: JoAnn's
• "Can of Dates" Chipboard Letters: Michaels

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Whenever I see photos of The Pastry Pedestal™...
displayed so beautifully...
photographed so beautifully...
you have no idea how happy it makes me.
I'm always inspired by all of the creative things people are doing with them.

What the heck is going on with the release of The Pastry Pedestal™ Platform you ask?
I'll be dedicating a full post all about that to keep you all in the loop.
It's about time for an update, don't you think!?
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