JAMSquared

Author Archives: Jennifer

Monogram Cards

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My friend Patricia just turned 30. As part of her gift, I made her a set of A2 monogram cards using her favorite color red. I think they turned out very elegant and hopefully she can use them to send little notes. They meet the Our Creative Corner challenge to use blossoms.

Monogrammed Card for Patricia

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Floral (background); JustRite Special Occasions Font
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Real Red
Ink: Stampin’ Up Real Red
Tools: Nestabilites Standard Circles Large, Classic Scalloped Circles Large

Upside-Down Peach Bread

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I had bookmarked this recipe as soon as I read it. It sounded delicious. I had planned to bake it the first time it was my turn to bring something for MYC, but I couldn’t remember which cookbook (yes, I have a cookbook obsession) I had found the recipe in, so instead it had to wait until the second time I brought something for MYC this past week. It was a smashing success. All the ladies loved it as I received numerous compliments.

Now, when I think of peaches and dessert, I think of my Mom’s peach cobbler. And this recipe is nothing like that, but when I ate it, it still brought back fond memories of summer cobblers. So bring summer a little early to your house this year.

Upside-Down Peach Bread, Yum!

Upside-Down Peach Bread

Source: Country Woman Christmas 2009

Ingredients:

  • 1 package (16 ounces) frozen unsweetened sliced peaches, thawed
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, divided
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Thinly slice half of the peaches; chop remaining peaches. Set aside. (I think this step would be easier before thawing the peaches and I will try that next time.)

Pour melted butter into two greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pans (I actually melted butter in pans in oven); sprinkle with brown sugar. Arrange peach slices cut side down in a single layer over brown sugar. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup pecans and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and extracts; mix well.

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and remaining cinnamon; add to creamed mixture. Fold in chopped peaches and remaining pecans.

Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto serving plates. Serve warm (I served the next morning).

Yield: 2 loaves, 12 slices each

Who Does Jessica Look Like – Part II

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Here’s round two in the photo comparison series. Go here for Part I. This segment is for the 2-3 month age range. But it’s a bit trickier since I’m having to guess on age for the photos of James and I.

Initially, I had planned to use a photo of James in the bath for this segment, but in searching for a good Jessica comparison, I found a funny expression that I thought perfectly matched the one James is making as he sits in his bouncer.

James in His Bouncer, ~2-3 months old

Jessica, 2.5 months old, 12/30/09

For the comparison to me, I chose this photo of my grandfather, John Sr., and I. Unfortunately, I was the only one of his five grandchildren that he got to meet and hold as he passed away shortly before my first birthday.

John Sr. and his Granddaughter Jennifer, ~2 months old

I thought it would be nice to use a photo of Jessica and her grandfather, John Jr., as comparison.

John Jr. and Granddaughter Jessica, 1.5 months old, 12/4/09

I am starting to see a lot more of James in Jessica, but for the early age, I think she looks more like me, especially the nose. What do you think?

Pirate Cards

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I got together with my friend Lori on Sunday. One of the things I worked on was a birthday card for Jacey, Jennika‘s little boy. Jennika is the friend who made Jessica the adorable little knited hat with flower, which I just realized I never shared with you. Isn’t that hat adorable? You can get your own at Beany Bling (Jessica is a model there).

Model Jessica, 3/22/10

Anyway, Jacey and Lillie’s carnival birthday party is this coming weekend. Jacey likes blue and green and I know that his bedroom is getting a pirate make-over, so I borrowed this stamp set from Lori. I made this card for this week’s Stamp Something Challenge, to make something layered. To qualify for layers (outside of the matted map), I used a technique to give the little pirate boy dimension. I ran him through my Xyron 5″ Creative Station three times. The first two times I adhered him to white cardstock. This made him three layers of cardstock thick. In addition to dimension, this technique provided stability. After the third run through the Xyron, I stuck him to the card. I thought it might be safer for the pirate boy this way once he made it into the hands of soon-to-be three-year-old Jacey.

Jacey's Birthday Card

Stamps: Stampin’ Up  Ahoy Matey, Matey’s Map (wheel), On Your Birthday (sentiment); A*Muse Waves
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Kraft, Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi
Ink: Stazon Jet Black; Versamark (waves)
Markers: Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa, Garden Green, Brilliant Blue, Basic Black, Going Gray
Tools: colored pencils; Xyron 5″ Creative Station

I ended up making some extra cards, but changed the sentiment. One or more of the extras will go to Operation Write Home.

First Additional Pirate Card

Second Additional Pirate Card

Third Additional Pirate Card

Additional Stamps: Starving Artistamps DoodleFactory Tropic Sentiments

I’m really digging these Tropic sentiments. I bought the tropic set and the 2 coordinating sentiments quite a while back and I finally got around to mounting them on EZ foam so I can use them.

Motivet Blog Candy

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I don’t have any Motivet stamps yet, but I’ve been eyeing them for a while. They’re super cute. She’s having some blog candy to celebrate her baby girl turning 1 month old. To enter, you just have to spread the word. I would love to win.

Check out the Motivet inspiration blog where you can see beautiful cards made with Motivet stamps. Click on the below blog candy picture to go directly to the post with the blog candy info.

Check out the Motivet store where you can currently buy 4 image stamps get the 5th free.