Napkin Background Tutorial

Hi there, how's everybody doing?
Have you ever needed a patterned paper that doesn't exist? I have. This card came from one of those situations. I wanted to make a patriotic card for my sister and her family for 4th of July, but didn't find a paper that I liked. At a store, I saw these napkins for only $1.99, and they were exactly what I wanted. So I decided to create my background cardstock with one of those napkins. Here is the card and tutorial. 

Supplies used:
1. Dark red and white cardstock
2. Patriotic napkin
3. Frosted Lace Stickles Gitter Adhesive
4. Sizzix 6"x6" Double Sided Adhesive Sheet
5. Permanent Adhesive Roller
6. Embellishments

TUTORIAL
Cut red cardstock 5.5"x 8.5". Score it at 4.25" and fold it. (base card)
Cut white cardstock 5.25" x 4", adhere it to card base with Permanent Adhesive
Open napkin and remove white back tissue paper from it (some napkins have 2 plies of white tissue paper added to the napkin itself). 
Remove first layer of the Double Sided Adhesive Sheet and adhere it to white cardstock. Trim excess. 
Turn napkin around (back of the napkin facing you)
Remove the other layer of Double Sided Adhesive Sheet, and carefully place it on napkin. Using a spatula or a credit card carefully smooth the napkin on adhesive sheet, making sure there are no bubbles and the corner are very well glued.
Now you have the background you want, and it's ready to be decorated and glued to your card. I used the Gitter Adhesive to give some shimmer to the stars, a red ribbon and a sticker that I had in my stash.

I hope you decide to try this technique. It's fun, inexpensive, and the possibilities are endless. 

Also remember those who fought for our freedom, and celebrate 4th of July safely. 

Thank you for checking my blog. Please don't forget to leave a comment, and share it to the social media. 

This post contain affiliate links. When you purchase something through those links, I receive a small commission at NO EXTRA CHARGE to you. So, THANK YOU, and God bless you.

No-bake Dessert

We are going to make a brief pause on Christmas cards because I need to post this recipe, as I promised on my Facebook page. I made it for 4th of July. You can decorate it the way you want, even with Christmas eatable decorations. ;) But first let me tell you a little bit about this delicious Brazilian dessert. The name in Portuguese is Pavê (Trifle) .
Pavê resembles a tiramisu, but ... much better! It is a wonderful no-bake layered dessert made with different types of creams and cookies, or biscuits. The most common one is made with Lady Fingers and white cream. The recipe I'm posting today is my creation, and, therefore, made with chocolate. Yep, I confess, I am a chocoholic. (smile). But doesn't everything taste better with chocolate anyway? (bigger smile).

Ingredients
3 packages Tea Biscuits (you can use Graham Crackers, if you prefer)
1 can sweet condensed milk 
3 tbsp Nesquick
1 can table cream (you'll find table cream at the international aisle of your grocery store)
1/2 cup milk 
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup sugar (optional)
2 8oz containers Whip Cream
Fresh fruit (I used raspberries and blueberries to make the flag), or any decoration of your choice.


In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine Nesquick, butter, and sweet condensed milk. Cook in medium heat stirring constantly until it thickens and loosens from the bottom of the pan (about 10 minutes). Turn off heat. Add table cream. Mix very well until you have a smooth (almost liquid) cream. 
Put milk in a deep dish (add sugar to the milk if you like your desserts very sweet). One by one, deep the biscuits in the milk and arrange them in a 9"x 13" baking pan. Cover the biscuit layer with chocolate cream. Repeat this process 2 more times. Spread whip cream on top, decorate, put in refrigerator at least for 2 hours before serving. Enjoy!

Let me know in a comment how your dessert turned out. Please post a picture of it on my Facebook page.

Thank you for stopping by. May God bless you and yours,

Vanías Reed  

Independence Day

I cannot believe half of 2014 is gone already. Wow! Next week we'll celebrate the 4th of July once more. So I gathered some interesting ideas from all over the internet + some of my own to turn them into suggestions your your celebration. Enjoy.
 1st suggestion: breakfast - toast with cream-cheese, red jam, banana slices and blueberries.

2nd suggestion: healthy choices for food like fruit, cheese and yogurt.

 
















 3rd suggestion: table decor including ideas for napkins

 

4th suggestion: fruit juices. The star cookie cutter is an excellent option to make the stars.

5th suggestion: not so healthy food - I loved the 'smores bar' idea. What a great way to make your guests feel free to make their own smores, save time and add fun to your celebration. Cupcakes and fruit pies are always a good idea too.

The most important thing to remember is the reason why we celebrate the 4th of July. We live in a wonderful country. We have FREEDOM of speech and religion here -whether some people like it or not. America is a wonderful country because our forefathers firmly believed that men could not govern over the people without faith in God. Let's celebrate the Independence Day with family and friends re-dedicating this country to the Almighty Creator.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

Vanias Reed