ShadowCase with Ruth and Rose

The CSI Project: Molding Challenge Week

2011-02-22T23:23:00.042-07:00

Guess what??

I am so excited this week to be a guest judge on the CSI Project's Molding Challenge. If you haven't been by the CSI Project yet, head over there ASAP. So much creativity and inspiration in one place, prepare to be dazzled!

I absolutely love their guest tutorials. One of my personal favorites this week is making rustic wood shadowboxes. It's so easy to do with this fabulous tutorial from the Laney Sisters on Truly Lovely.

Join in for the Linky Party later in the week to post your projects related to frames and molding. I'll be posting the winner and my Top Ten picks this weekend--can't wait!

Tell Your Story: Sports Shadowbox

2011-01-11T20:54:00.001-07:00

This week one of my new ~~customers~~ friends sent in an inspiring idea of what she had done with her ShadowCases. I loved it so much, I asked her if I could share it with all of you ladies.
First of all, she is so gung-ho on this that she did the whole thing in like a day! Second of all, she actually took the time to send in photos of her project. You go girl! I could definitely learn a lesson or two from you about finishing ShadowCase projects. ;-) Here's what she had to say:

"My son LOVES sports! He loves to play every sport, watches sports, learns about sports and is basically a sports nut. My youngest sister's boyfriend was the high school quarterback for his team. My son loved to watch their games. For Christmas this year (since he is done), he wanted to pass on the football legacy to him. He gave him his jersey (which he had signed), his stickers from his helmet, a very nice note and some of the stickers he had earned throughout his high school experience. We wanted to have a way to keep them safe, but also showcase such a special gift. We couldn't believe he would give such a treasured gift to my son (he is only 10 right now).

So, the other shadowbox is full of my son's special things from this summer when he made the All-star minor league baseball team. He was selected to be on the team and he loved every minute of it. So, these are both on my son's wall. He couldn't be more pleased with how they turned out and for being able to showcase his love of sports. Thanks for creating the perfect thing to help us keep such special things stored in the perfect way. They went together so easily! I would highly recommend them! They are perfect! Everything about them. I loved how the frames attached to the front. I loved how the board was two sided. I loved the fun pins that hooked everything so perfectly together. I loved all of the matching accessories. I can't wait to work on my next project! Thanks!

Don't you just love what she did with the vinyl lettering under the 2 ShadowCases? Now my 12-year-old son is asking why I haven't put his football stuff up in his room yet! Okay, okay, it's definitely on the list of New Year's resolutions for me now!

30% OFF Etsy ShadowCase Shop

2011-01-10T10:20:00.001-07:00

It's a New Year with new products and designs at ShadowCase. To celebrate, we've got everything in our Etsy store at 30% off! Just use coupon code NEW30 at checkout to get your discount.

I've got some really cute new ShadowCase designs and items to fit every budget, so please stop on over and have a look. Happy Shopping!

A ShadowCase for the Holiday Season

2010-12-07T19:59:00.000-07:00

One of my fabulous blogging friends over at Craft-O-Maniac created such a fun Christmas ShadowCase that I had to show her off a little bit! Such a festive display, I love it!

What a gorgeous Christmas display, Jen!

Thanks for sharing it with us!

Join our Holiday Celebration!
From now until December 15 we are running a HUGE Christmas sale both on our website and our Etsy store for wholesale prices on all our ShadowCases, Accessories, and Kits. In the Etsy store, the items are already marked down, and on the website you can use coupon code XMAS40 for 40% off your entire order!

Happy Holidays!

EARLY BIRD 40% OFF CHRISTMAS SALE

2010-11-13T15:14:00.000-07:00

I've been very busy in my little shop getting things ready for Christmas, and my faithful readers are the first to know about a HUGE sale I am running in my Etsy shop from now until Nov. 30.

A ShadowCase makes such a great gift, and if you've ever thought about owning one, now is the time to act! I am offering several ShadowCase Kits at WHOLESALE prices in my Etsy shop, so stop on by and take a look. You may just find that special gift you've been looking for!

Happy Shopping!

Mom and Me Makeover Box

2010-10-16T14:45:00.000-06:00

Hello readers! I have missed all of you over the last few weeks. Between running a new business and a busy household, I felt like it was time to take a little break and rejuvenate my relationship with my family. Here is one of our favorite projects we "worked" on---a Mom and Me Makeover Box!

I purchased a box on clearance for $5 and added a few scrapbooking letters to the front. Then my girls and I went to the Dollar Store and loaded up on all kinds of goodies--nail polish, nail art stickers, lip glosses, and make-up.

We had a fabulous time doing our nails and dolling ourselves up one afternoon!

Now we've got a special box ready at a moment's notice, so that when I've got 10 minutes in between running here and there, we can be sure to make some memories that will last forever.

Wouldn't these make a wonderful, inexpensive birthday or Christmas gift?

Mmm-Mmm Mondays: Last Minute Strawberry Shortcake

2010-09-27T22:42:00.000-06:00

I know I've got a winner recipe when my kids taste it and say, "Mom, you should put this on your blog!" This super quick and easy Strawberry Shortcake was one my daughter and I thought up as a last minute dessert for our family night.

15-Minute Strawberry Shortcake

1 can of large refrigerator biscuits (we used butter-flavored)

1 large box instant vanilla pudding

strawberry jam

Directions: Bake biscuits as directed on can. Mix pudding as directed on box. Open jar of jam like your common sense tells you to. Cut each biscuit in half, then put pudding and jam on top. Couldn't be simpler, right?

Everyone in my family loved the way this tasted, and I loved how easy it was to put together-- only 15 minutes total!!

Friendly Feature: Super Easy Chalkboard Plate

2010-09-23T12:13:00.000-06:00

Today I am featuring Emily from Not So Idle Hands and her oh-so-very-creative blog. It was hard to choose a favorite project, so here is one of the highlights for me, that I am just dying to make. Don't tell anyone in my family, but I think this just solved my Christmas Gift dilemma for this year!

Emily Says:

I got these beautiful plates on clearance from Target some time ago and knew they would be perfect! I like the way they have a wide edge around them.

You will also need:

Chalkboard paint
Primer
Blue tape (painters tape)

Start by taping off where you want the chalkboard area to be.....making sure to cover the rest of the plate to keep it splatter-free. See how I used the tape to make curved corners....it's easy :)

Spray a layer of primer first. This will help the paint to stick to the slick surface of the plate. Then, spray 2-4 thin layers (thin layers will keep it from getting drips) of the chalkboard paint till you are happy with the thickness.

After you are happy, take the tape off (before it dries), just in case your painters tape pulls off the paint once it's dry.

Yay!

Now you have something to use for your daily menu, instructions to hubby & kiddos, shopping list, etc.......

Thanks again, Emily, for sharing your project with us. Don't forget to hop over to Not So Idle Hands to see her other creative projects!

Mmm-Mmm Mondays: Frosted Banana Bars

2010-09-20T09:26:00.002-06:00

Whenever I get burned out on the domestic-baking side of my life, I go out in search of a fabulous blog with awesome new recipes to experiment with. I was not disappointed when I found this little gem. Send some blogging-love over to Kentucky Girl, because she's got some really good recipes you'll want to try. I know I'll be making this one for my kids after-school snack today.

FROSTED BANANA BARS

(source: allrecipes.com)

(the following is for the actual bars. cream cheese frosting recipe will follow below)

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups white sugar

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (which is roughly 2 large bananas)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Grease a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan. (I wanted to save myself a bit of clean up time so I just lined my pan with aluminum foil and lightly sprayed it with cooking spray.)

3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.

4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.

5. Stir in the sour cream and vanilla.

6. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Once combined stir this into the batter mixture.

7. Mix in the mashed bananas.

8. Spread evenly onto the prepared pan.

9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes (at 350 degrees) or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

10. Allow bars to cool before frosting.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

(the original recipe suggests using store bought frosting but I'm not a big fan of store bought frosting but you do have that option if you prefer it. You can use any cream cheese frosting recipe you have....below is the one I used.)

***This frosting is courtesy of one of the reviewers of the banana bars on allrecipes.com. Thanks Laura Jean for the suggestion!***

1 (8oz) block cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
splash of milk (just enough to thin out the frosting)

1. In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
2. Mix in the vanilla.
3. Mix in a splash of milk (enough to just thin it out).
4. Frost the banana bars once they have cooled (again, frosting the bars is optional)

You can store these in the refrigerator and they're great cold!

Thanks again, Kentucky Girl, for sharing this delish recipe with us today. I mean, really. Who doesn't love the welcoming smell of homemade banana bread when you come in the door?

Making Memories: Recipe for Play-dough Day!

2010-09-16T12:45:00.002-06:00

Lately it seems like life is flying by so fast! I feel like I need to slow down and enjoy those little moments everyday with my children. So I decided to make our Thursdays a Play-doh Day! We clean off the kitchen counter, gather ingredients, make homemade play-doh, then spend the next hour or so getting creative with our hands. You'd be surprised at the age range of children (and adults) that can't resist a huge glob of the stuff.

This recipe is quick and easy, and so fun to do with kids or grandkids!

What you need:

2 1/2 cups of flour

1/2 cup salt (any kind will work)

2 envelopes Kool-aid (your choice of color)

3 T. oil

2 cups boiling water (if it isn't hot enough, the dough gets too sticky to work with)


Mix dry ingredients together in mixing bowl.


Add boiling water and oil.


Mix together until dough pulls away from sides and forms a ball.


Put onto the counter and knead by hand until smooth. My little guy is checking to see if it's cooled off enough to play with!

Is that easy or what? Now get out those ingredients and make some memories!

Mmm-Mmm Mondays: Back-to-School Breadsticks

2010-09-12T23:29:00.000-06:00

My kiddos and I had so much fun making this recipe--and it was educational, too! So easy with only 3 ingredients and keeps the kids busy for at least 30 minutes. All I can say is it was worth the mess!

Here is all you need for the fun to begin!

- 1 Loaf RHODES Bread Dough, thawed but still cold
- 1 egg, beaten or melted butter
- coarse salt, sugar, sesame seeds, poppy seeds or parmesan cheese and garlic salt

With a knife or scissors, cut thawed loaves into 4 long strips.

Roll each piece into a rope 1/2-inch in diameter and form letters by cutting and overlapping where necessary.

Place letters on a sprayed baking sheet. Brush with egg or melted butter. Cover with sprayed plastic wrap.

Let rise 20-30 minutes. Sprinkle with coarse sugar ,seeds or parmesan cheese and garlic salt. Bake at

350 deg. F 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Now wasn't that easy? Not only did my preschooler get to practice his alphabet, but we also made some great memories that my children will never forget.

Bald for Becky Cancer Fundraiser

2010-09-11T09:08:00.001-06:00

This week I had the opportunity to be a part of the. coolest. online auction.

Bald for Becky is an organization built by loving friends and family to support a courageous woman in her fight against cancer. Becky, a 30 year old mother of 4, was diagnosed with sarcoma after a couple of months trying to find a diagnosis. The online auction was created by Becky's awesome fans to raise funds to help her in this battle of a lifetime.

Dozens of crafters donated items to the cause, (we donated 2 ShadowCase Designer Kits), and the family was able to raise $1800 in only 3 days! If you would still like to donate, you can visit their Blog or Facebook page and donate via Paypal.

If you feel like you need to be inspired today, learn more about Becky and her journey on her facebook page The Veatches Beat Cancer or visit the Bald for Becky blog. I know that stumbling across her story by chance has changed my outlook on life and made me grateful every day for my blessings.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Life as Lou ShadowCase {Giveaway}

2010-09-10T10:34:00.000-06:00

Well, as things would have it, this week has turned out to be a spontaneous Giveaway Party, so thank your lucky stars that you stopped by my blog!

Leah at Life as Lou is giving away a ShadowCase Designer Kit of your choice this week, so hop on over to her blog and find out how you can enter to win! Entries will be taken until September 16th.

This is going to be the last ShadowCase Giveaway in my giveaway tour-de-marketing of the last few months, so don't miss out!

Reminder:

You've got 2 chances to win with TidyMom's giveaway going until Sept. 14. The winner will receive her own ShadowCase Designer Kit ($60). Hop on over to TidyMom and take a look around. Good luck to you all!

ShadowCase Review and {Giveaway}

2010-09-07T13:20:00.005-06:00

Here is a great opportunity you don't want to miss this week! Cheryl over at TidyMom (if you don't already follow her blog, you should!) is running a ShadowCase Giveaway for all her readers this week. Didn't she create a gorgeous piece of artwork with these little keepsakes and photo? If you've been thinking about getting a ShadowCase of your own, this is what Cheryl had to say about her ShadowCase design...

"I had so many ideas as to how I could use my ShadowCase but I decided on displaying some heirlooms from my parent’s wedding, along with a childhood picture of me and my brother, and a few other family keepsakes. I also used my Silhouette SD to cut out a little vinyl to add the year my parents were married.

It’s fun looking at these items displayed together in such a unique  way.  I’m thrilled with how it turned out.  The boxes are high quality  and so well built I know they will stand the test of time!  ShadowCase makes it easy to turn your memories into artwork!"

It is so easy to enter the giveaway, and the winner will receive her own ShadowCase Designer Kit ($60). Hop on over to TidyMom and take a look around. Good luck to you all!

Candle Makeover

2010-09-02T20:31:00.000-06:00

I have had these candles in my family room for several years, and they are showing all the wear and tear from stray footballs knocking them down, dogs trying to eat them, and rambunctious children teetering them over. So I thought they would enjoy an hour in my craft room, getting a new makeover.

It's so simple, I'll probably do this with every candle in my home!!


Pick your favorite scrapbook paper that you want to decorate with. I chose a ColorBok paper pack from Walmart for $5.

Cut the paper to the width you prefer, and ink the edges to give it a more finished look.


Glue the paper to the candle with a hot glue gun.

Add any embellishment tag you would like--this one came with the ColorBok Paper Pack. I inked it and threaded a piece of ribbon through the back.

Voila!! In only a few minutes, you have given new life to not only the candles, but to the entire room!

{An Emotional Week} MockingJay and Sweet Tiny Sparrows

2010-09-01T11:50:00.000-06:00

This past week has been emotional and stressful for me--hence the absence from blogging as I try to get a grip on myself. Yesterday I sat and read MockingJay by the bedside of a dear friend who is in the battle of her life against cancer. Young and newly married, she is trying to stay strong for us all.

I was thrilled to hear that she has been waiting for this 3rd book in the Hunger Games trilogy. Though her vision is poor, and she can't see right now, I was able to read it aloud so we could both lose ourselves in the life of Katniss Everdeen. Those few hours have changed my life for the better. What an honor to be near my sweet friend, and what an example she is to me!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One of the newest Tiny Sparrow sweethearts--meet Danica!!

I am also honored to be involved with a truly remarkable non-profit organization called the Tiny Sparrow Foundation. I was contacted by them about a month ago when they asked if I would donate some ShadowCases for a fundraising auction they are having on September 30 in Texas. They are a non-profit organization dedicated to providing lasting memories through the beautiful art of photography to the families with children who are facing life threatening illnesses. With the help of photographers worldwide, they are able to give a beautiful album that will carry the love, joy and everlasting memory of each individual family. It is just amazing what this organization does for families and children!!

A glimpse of one of our new StoryBoards in the French Country Ivory ShadowCase that I sent along for the Fundraising Auction. Isn't it adorable??

I am soooo excited to participate in the True Rumors Fundraising Auction to be held on Sept. 30. Several of our ShadowCases will be on display to be auctioned, and all proceeds will go to the Tiny Sparrow Foundation.

For more information on this amazing foundation, visit Tiny Sparrow on Facebook and meet some of the angel children who have been blessed by the love of Tiny Sparrow and those wonderful people that work hard to make their dreams a reality.

Giveaway Weekend!! Just Released "MockingJay" by Suzanne Collins

2010-08-27T19:52:00.000-06:00

You all know that I love the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins, and you all know that I love my readers!! So as a big thank-you for all your comments and support, I am giving away a brand-new copy of the last book in the trilogy, "MockingJay".
Giveaway starts NOW and ends on Sunday, August 29 at 10 pm EST. Have fun, and good luck to you, my friends!

To enter to win you need to:

(leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Visit my Etsy shop or www.shadowcase.com and tell me which ShadowCase is your favorite. (Click on my sidebar link or "visit our shop")

If you want extra entries you can do any or all of the following:

2. Tell me what you would want to put in a ShadowCase
3. Give me a suggestion for another color/style of ShadowCase you would like to see in the shop
4. Become a Facebook fan (Just click on my sidebar link)

(I will choose the winner using a random number generator.)

Let the games begin!

Friendly Features: Emily at JanDee Crafts

2010-08-25T09:10:00.000-06:00

I love the blogging world because of all the creativity floating around--I look forward to waking up every day, just to see what new and exciting things are being thought up by fantastically inspiring women. (Yes, I know. Sad, but true!)

So in the spirit of support and love for all of you out there in Blogland, I'm going to be featuring a different creative lady every week. Let me introduce you to one of my new favorite blogging friends--if you haven't met her yet, jump on over and pay her a visit. Emily from JanDee Crafts has so much personality, and some really fun ideas on her blog.

One of my favorites is this Blue Plate Special which works great as an easy gift--Christmas is going to be a breeze this year with all the ideas she's got for gifts! Emily has a really cute poem to go along with it, too. Find it HERE.

I'd love to feature more of you wonderful women and your projects, just drop me an email at janna@shadowcase.com and let me know! Have a fabulous day!

Mmm-Mmm Monday: Easy Toffee Treat

2010-08-23T20:18:00.000-06:00

Hi my friends! Sorry I'm a little late today--just trying to get in those last magical memories of summer before the kiddos go back to school this week!
And now onto the sugar rush....I first had these yummy treats about a decade ago at my sister-in-law's house. I was thrilled last week when I saw the recipe posted on C.R.A.F.T. A perfect recipe to do with kiddos, I had to try it! It is so simple to do, and takes just a few minutes to bake.

Ingredients

4 ounces saltine crackers

1 cup butter

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup toffee chips

Melt butter and brown sugar together in saucepan. Bring to boil, then boil for 3 minutes.

Pour butter mixture over saltines that are laid out on cookie sheet. Spread evenly over crackers.

Bake at 400 degrees for 5-6 minutes.

Sprinkle chocolate chips over crackers and let sit for 5 minutes. Spread over crackers and swirl a little, just for fun!

Sprinkle toffee pieces over the chocolate.


Refrigerate for about 30 minutes, then break up into pieces.

I think I gained 5 pounds last week from the chocolate-toffee-buttery-goodness. Gonna have to run a few extra miles this week to make up for it!

Dressing-up Dry Erase Markers

2010-08-18T08:05:00.000-06:00

Hello my friends! Some of you may know that I am a person obsessed with list-making. The more hectic my life, the more lists you will find spread all over the house. Which is why I LOVE, love, LOVE dry-erase boards. They are one of many ways to make a task list look creative and fun, thus motivating me to actually do the things numbered on the list. However, I am fed up with the ugly markers that are always attached to the side of my adorable-crafty-dry-erase-board. So here's my easy solution...

Dress-Up that Oh-So-Very-Unstylish Marker

Materials Needed:

Dry Erase Markers

Fabric Scraps

Mod Podge

Glue Gun

Cut out a piece of fabric about 3" X 3" around your marker.

Spread some Mod Podge on the fabric and wrap around the marker.

Add another layer of Mod Podge over the top to secure the seam and keep it from fraying.

Add a little bit of ribbon...

A glue gun works well for attaching any embellishments.

Go crazy and dress-up all the dry erase markers in your house!

I love the way these turned out, and it's a quick 5-minute project. I'm planning to also do some of these with my kids as teacher gifts this year--wouldn't that be cute??

Mmm-Mmm Monday: Wacky Watermelon

2010-08-16T08:04:00.001-06:00

Did you know that August 3rd was National Watermelon Day? I guess I missed the "watermelon boat" on that one this year!! But designated day or not, we are always watermelon fiends at my house, and we eat it several times a week during the summer.

One summer day I thought, let's get a little wacky with it and cut some up with cookie cutters. Let me tell you, it is so much faster to make watermelon cookies than sugar cookies, there is a lot less mess, and it is still super fun for the kiddos! Here's what we tried this time....

While we were eating, one of my kids said, "Hey, Mom, these are really cool. You should put them on your blog!" Children don't miss much, do they?

A Legacy of Honor

2010-08-14T09:57:00.000-06:00

I was touched by this ShadowCase designed by Alish at Sisters Stuff (I love, love, love her blog!). What an awesome way to show love and support to the brave men and women that sacrifice so much to serve our country. This is what she had to say about her recent ShadowCase project....

I just love this Shadow Case that I made for my husband. It is such a great place to house his Army memorabilia and is a great reminder of his service to our country. It was so fun to put together and is a great quality product. Thanks Shadow Case!

It looks great, Alish! Thanks so much for taking the time to share it with us!

ShadowCase Spotlight and Giveaway!!

2010-08-11T22:15:00.001-06:00

Sorry, this Giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who participated!
Fabulous News My Dear Friends!

Mique from 30 Days (one of my favorite blogs) is spotlighting my company, "ShadowCase" today. What a gorgeous display she did with her daughter's blessing dress--it just melted my heart. I adore the added touch of the vinyl lettering--so elegant!

That was the news, here's the fabulous!

She also happens to be running a GIVEAWAY (woo-hoo!) for your very own, completely free of charge, ShadowCase Designer Kit. (I love you ladies so much, I even throw in the shipping cost. Don't tell my hubby!)

The giveaway is open from now until August 15th, so click HERE to get on over there to 30 Days and put your name in the drawing. It is so easy to enter, I can't think of any possible reason why you wouldn't want to!

I wish you all the best of luck!

Horsey-Lovin' Hair Accessory Organizer...

2010-08-10T20:38:00.000-06:00

For several months now, I've been wanting to get my girls' hair accessories in order, but could never seem to find the time. Now that school is starting in a few weeks, I figured it was time to get down to crafty-business! We had so much fun making it together, and I feel like it represents their personalities and something they

really. truly. LOVE--

HORSES!!

Hair Accessory Organizer

You will need:

1. Canvas board (I got mine at Walmart for about $5)

2. Cute Fabric (fabric is mandatory, cuteness level is relevant)

3. Coordinating Ribbons (3-5, depending on the width)

4. Brads

5. Hot Glue Gun

Lay your canvas board over the fabric and cut around, leaving about an inch for wrapping around the wood frame.

Wrap the fabric around and glue down to the wood.

Layout and cut your ribbons, again leaving a inch or so on the ends for wrapping around.

I put a brad near the ends so that it created a little loop to thread headbands through.

Glue ribbons to back of frame, then trim off with scissors. ('Course you can skip this step, because no one will see the back!)

Glue some ribbon to the back, tie a bow, and hang it up!

Now when we're in the mad rush getting ready for school, I don't have to waste time searching all over the house for something to put in my girls' hair. I love that they can see them and easily choose which one they want to wear that day. Every minute saved in the morning really counts in our hair-brained house!

Phil the Crockpot Goes on Safari

2010-08-09T00:33:00.000-06:00

Phil has been out of the country the last few weeks (I've missed you!), and is back today to bring you Mmm-Mmm Mondays with an African flavor. After going on safari in Kruger National Park last week, he took a drive through some of the native townships in South Africa and tasted his first curry dish. Of course, now he wants to share a little bit of that spice with you (although a much milder form--this one won't make your eyes water unless you want it to!)

African Beef Curry

2 lbs. ground beef, browned

2 onions, diced

2 green peppers, diced

2 15 oz. cans diced tomatoes

2 apples, peeled, cored, and diced

2-4 tsp. curry (or more to taste)

6 c. prepared rice

Add all ingredients except rice in slow cooker and mix well. Cover and cook on high 4-6 hours, then serve over hot prepared rice.

My family shocked and surprised me by loving this (even my picky 3-yr-old complimented me!), so I have doubled the recipe for all of you. I plan to do this the next time I cook this one up!

Book Review: The Hunger Games

2010-08-06T01:13:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone!
Sorry things have been a little quiet around here lately! I was out of town last week getting a little R&R with my hubby (and no kids, hallelujah!). Not only did I gain 5 annoying pounds while vacationing, I also had a little time to READ! Amazing! Since I started my little ShadowCase business, reading a good book is a thing of the past it seems.

Even though I might be a little behind the times on this book, if you haven't read it yet, get to your local library or borrow it from a friend--buy it if you have to!

I'm not a big fan of sci-fi or futuristic/end-of-the-world novels, but "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins was one I just couldn't put down. In fact, I stayed up almost until dawn, turning page after page, so that I could find out what happens in the end. Now I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel, "Catching Fire".

If any of you have read it, I'd love to hear what you think about it!

Mmm-Mmm Monday: Fiesta Pasta Salad

2010-08-02T09:52:00.000-06:00

Meet Jessica from one of my new favorite blogs "Or So She Says". She made this FABULOUS pasta salad that not only looks festive, it's a party in your mouth!

It's on my menu for dinner tonight.... care to join us?

Fabulous Fiesta Pasta Salad

The ingredients for the salad: bow tie pasta,cherry tomatoes, olives, shoe peg corn, black beans, green onion and green pepper. (This is great with chicken too!)

The ingredients for the dressing: white vinegar, vegetable oil, taco seasoning and ranch dressing.

While the pasta is cooking, chop up all your pretty vegetables.

When the pasta has cooked, let it cool for about 20 minutes, then add all the vegetables,

and the corn and black beans.

Mix together the white vinegar, vegetable oil and taco seasoning.

Then add the ranch dressing. (However much you'd like)

Mix together and add to the pasta salad.

Fiesta Pasta Salad

Ingredients
10 oz bow tie pasta

1 can black beans

1 can corn ( I prefer shoe peg)

1 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes

green onion

green pepper

(4 ck breasts)

Dressing

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup white vinegar

1pkg. taco seasoning

ranch dressing (about 1/4 cup)

Directions

Cook the pasta until al dente. Chop up all the veggies. Mix together the dressing. Add as much ranch dressing as you like to the dressing- I did about 1/4 cup. Add the veggies, corn and beans to the pasta. Add the dressing and mix everything together. It's even better the next day!

Framed Dry Erase Board

2010-07-30T04:27:00.009-06:00

Here at the Ruth and Rose Workshop, we easily fall in love with all the oodles of creative projects made by inspiring women. But combine a paper project with framed glass and we're head over heels! One of our new friends, Amber at Life, Love, Green combined framed art with the practicality of a dry erase board.

Amber, thanks so much for sharing with us!

And here's how she did it.....

I’m really excited about this because it is the first project where I don’t have to credit anyone else for the idea. Unfortunately I didn’t take many pictures but its really easy so NBD. So you may or may not know that glass and dry erase markers work together really well. I found a 12×12 inch frame at the craft store on clearance for $3.50 and got to work. First I took out the glass and backer and then primed and painted it a Copper brown.

While that was drying I found a 12×12 piece of cream paper and 4 other coordinating papers. (Trying to keep them fairly simple since they were going to be the background.) Then I punched 5 large holes out of 2 of the papers and 1 small hole. With one other paper I cut all 6 small holes. The 4th Paper is for the stems.

Then I simply shaped them as flowers and used scrap booking tape to adhere them to the background.

Lastly I attached the glass to the frame using gorilla glue so that when I wrote on it it wouldn’t move!

I plan on changing the backgrounds with the seasons…or if I get bored sooner….

Ruth's Gardening Forum: Pretty Poppy Yarn Art

2010-07-28T05:22:00.004-06:00

I have always loved the whimsical nature of poppies, and have dreams of running through a field filled with poppies in some foreign land. Leslie over at L & B Yarn Co. has designed a great way to turn poppies into fun art using yarn and Mod Podge. (Gotta love the Mod Podge!)

She has created a fantastic tutorial on creating this light-hearted piece of art here. I plan on making one with my girls in pinks and purples to go in their bedroom. Thanks for the inspiration, Leslie!

Tell Your Story: A Shadowbox for Great-Grandmother's Combs

2010-07-27T05:20:00.002-06:00

One of our readers recently wrote to me about her beautiful ShadowCase she has displayed in her home. Here is what she had to say,

"Above my treasure trunk that sits on the floor in a corner, I love to display the shadow case of my great grandmother. With these few items, that little corner is a dedicated spot for my family heritage. The white frame of the shadow case looks amazing against my dark wall. It seems to draw the eye to the contents of my great grandmother’s hair combs that are displayed in it.

When I was hanging it, my son slammed a nearby door and it dropped to the ground. I was heart sick. To my relief, the fall didn’t damage the frame, or the glass. I was thankful that the case’s durability secured what was inside, and was easy to take a part and put jostled items back in their place. Shadow cases are a great way to keep special items safe, and at the same time, displayable."

I absolutely love the way these gorgeous, priceless hair combs look displayed in the Vintage ShadowCase Kit. It is always inspiring to see the treasures that our readers display in their ShadowCases. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us!

Mmm-Mmm-Monday: Butterflies and Caterpillars for Dinner??

2010-07-26T00:24:00.004-06:00

No, we're not eating this for dinner!

Does this look more appetizing?!

One of my kids' favorite meals is a combination of Rotini (caterpillars) and Farfalle (butterflies). Just cook the pasta according to the directions on the package.

We eat our meal pasta-bar style, with several different toppings

( I use 3 sauces, chopped ham or chicken, peas, broccoli, cheese and butter).

Kids love using their imaginations to make their own pasta creation. If you know any picky eaters this is a fun and easy meal they are sure to enjoy!

Oh, by the way......

Today I'm announcing a fabulous ShadowCase Giveaway with Kelsey over at Vanilla Joy. If you have always wanted one, this is your chance--it's so easy to enter. Just head over HERE to learn how to enter and see what they've created with their ShadowCases.
Good luck to all my awesome readers!

Cool off Kiddos with Applesauce Popsicles

2010-07-22T11:19:00.002-06:00

In our family, we are always on the look-out for healthier alternatives for kids snacks. I can't take the credit for this one--my 12-yr-old invented "Popplesauce-icles". Super easy for kids to make, and moms can feel good about giving their kids this

tasty summer treat.

Popsicle molds are getting ever more popular these days--you can find them in your local grocery store or look online for lots more creative styles!

We filled these with unsweetened applesauce, but cinnamon applesauce is also yummy.

Just pop the tops on and freeze for a few hours...

Cooling off with a Popplesauce-icle in the backyard!

Phil the CrockPot with Cowboy Stew!

2010-07-20T18:14:00.000-06:00

Doesn't he look dashing in his Western attire? He tells me he used to be in movies back in the day, but for now he'll be happy just making a weekly appearance on my little blog. This week he's showing us how to make Easy Cowboy Stew. Only 3 ingredients. Again. Yee-haw!!!

Easy Cowboy Beef Stew

2-3 lbs. beef stew meat

1 can French onion soup

1 can golden mushroom soup

Mix ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low 4-5 hours or high 3-4 hours. Serve over rice, noodles, mashed potatoes, or biscuits. Lots of sauce for a yummy gravy, too!

Hearty meal the whole family can enjoy!

Going Giveaway Crazy

2010-07-19T05:39:00.003-06:00

Sorry, this Giveaway is now closed.

I know my hubby will think I've gone a little nuttier than usual, but this week ShadowCase has got another awesome giveaway going on! (and we don't need to worry about him, because he never ventures into the unknown Blogosphere!)

If you missed your chance last week, hop on over to The Idea Room and check out today's post. Amy has done an absolutely GORGEOUS ShadowCase display of some of her ancestor's heirlooms, I love it! The lucky winner of this giveaway will receive a $65 gift certificate to my shop at www.shadowcase.com.

See what she has to say about her ShadowCase project, and while you're there take a look at some of her other ideas, like this butterfly collage she made a few weeks ago. I love her creativity, it's so much fun being a part of her blog. Everyday is an adventure with Amy!

Good luck to you all, and have a fabulous Monday!

Giveaway Winner and Surprise for Everyone!!

2010-07-17T01:24:00.000-06:00

Thank you to everyone for your sweet comments and participation in our giveaway. We fired up the old random number generator, and our winner of the ShadowCase Designer Kit is LeeAnn!!!

Please contact me within 48 hours at customerservice@shadowcase.com to get the details on choosing your favorite ShadowCase. Congratulations!

For all you other awesome readers out there, I would love for you to still be able to finish your inspiring ShadowCase projects. So I am offering a special 30% off coupon for the ShadowCase Shop, valid until July 23rd.

I usually reserve this discount for only my friends and family, but you ladies have all been so great over the last week--you feel like family to me. Here's a little surprise gift back to you!!

Just use coupon code BNOTP30 at checkout, and you will receive 30% off you entire order at www.shadowcase.com.

Thank you all, and have a great weekend!

p.s. Keep checking back with me on my blog, because I LOVE giving away free stuff to my readers. Who knows when the next giveaway will pop up??

Time for a Change in the Kitchen

2010-07-16T06:05:00.001-06:00

A few years ago we remodeled our kitchen. Everything looks gorgeous, except for this wall that I have pretty much hated now for years. See what I mean?

Can you think of any worse way to check the time?

So I decided something MUST be done. I found this great clock at Wal-mart for about $15, used a framed cork board (I don't remember where I got that thing. I keep a lot of extra stuff around, can you tell?) and found a quote board that I had bought on clearance for $6 at Roberts awhile back.

In my basement storage I came across this great frame I had bought on clearance for $1. With a little ink, some scrapbook paper and a die-cut letter, it turned into a whimsical piece to add to my wall.

Isn't this much better?

I love that I now have a spot to post important notes, menus, and kids' job lists. Even my 3-yr-old boy keeps saying, "Mom, I really like that new clock!" Who knew toddlers even noticed stuff like that? And all for about $20. Not bad.

Have you ever done a wall-makeover?

ShadowCase Workshop: Baby of Mine

2010-07-15T05:02:00.000-06:00

I've often said that my favorite part of running my own business is ~~the piles of paperwork~~ helping customers create keepsakes they will treasure forever.

This is honestly one of my favorite ShadowCase projects someone has done at a Workshop. I can't get over how each little outfit also has a photo of the baby girl wearing it! Oh boy, now I wish I had saved more of my children's little baby things.

(Of course, back then I didn't know about ShadowCasing!)

A perfect project to involve your children! This little girl loved choosing how to design her baby keepsakes and attached many of the items herself!

(Her favorites were the Pink Flamingo Accessory Set and Little Suzie StoryBoard)

Her sister's ShadowCase used the same "Little Suzie" StoryBoard, just flipped to the opposite side. Again, there's those outfits and photos together--my ShadowCase visions coming to

life before my very eyes! I love the girls' names in pink vinyl lettering along the bottom of the glass.

And here is the final reveal...

In only about an hour, she created 3 beautiful heirlooms to pass down to daughters for generations. But until that time comes, they will grace the walls of her own home.That's what I call a wildly successful ShadowCase Workshop!

What baby keepsakes would you put into a ShadowCase?

S'more Brownie Tarts

2010-07-13T10:50:00.000-06:00

I was having so much fun with the giveaway I forgot to post my Mmm-Mmm Mondays awesome recipe! If you're craving s'mores, but don't have a campfire in the immediate area, give these sweet little things a try. We loved them at our house!

The ingredients are so simple, it's a great recipe to make with kids or grandkids!

Make the brownie mix as directed on the box, then fill the mini graham cracker pie crusts about half-way. Can you tell which one my kids filled?

Bake at 350 deg. for 20-23 minutes. Let them cool for 2 minutes, then top with a few mini-marshmallows and broil until golden.

We broiled these for 90 seconds, which we found was a little too long! Black tops, the kitchen filled with smoke, and my hubby laughing in the background at our ruined dessert. Nice.

You know when your marshmallow starts on fire? Yep, that's what they taste like.

This batch turned out perfect, broiling them for about 45 seconds.

What an fun and simple summer treat!

ShadowCase Kit GIVEAWAY!!

2010-07-11T14:05:00.007-06:00

Sorry, this giveaway is now closed. Our winner is Lee Ann!!

Welcome friends! What an exciting day for me here at the Ruth and Rose ShadowCase Workshop! This week (in cooperation with Between Naps on the Porch) I will be running a GIVEAWAY for your own ShadowCase Designer Kit ($60 value) from my online retail store.

Never heard of a ShadowCase? That's okay--let me explain. ShadowCase is a brand new, unique style of heirloom-quality shadowbox. With our interchangeable frames, reversible "StoryBoards", and accessory kits, we've made it easy for you to create a beautiful keepsake that can be passed down for generations. Take a moment and play around in my shop--you can even customize your own using our online ShadowCase Designer.

Every completed ShadowCase has a story behind it, and my goal is to build a community of support with ideas, memorable stories, design inspirations, and lots of feedback. Many of our products have been built in response to customer requests, so please let me know what you think!

__________________________________________

Now for the BIG GIVEAWAY!

There are 5 easy ways to enter, and my blog is pretty new, so your chances of winning are much higher than most giveaways. (Don't pass this one up!) The winner will choose his or her favorite ShadowCase Designer Kit from www.shadowcase.com, so be thinking of what you would put into your shadowbox.

Here's how you can enter...
Entries will be taken until ~~midnight (ET) on Thursday, July 15th~~ extended to 3pm (ET) Friday, July 16th!!!

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry you complete. The winner will be chosen with a random number generator and announced Saturday morning.)

________________________________________________________________

#1. Visit www.shadowcase.com, find a design you love, and leave a comment on the giveaway post telling me what you would want to display in your ShadowCase.

#2. Follow me on the "ShadowCase with Ruth and Rose" blog.

#3. "Like" ShadowCase with Ruth and Rose on Facebook.

#4. Mention the contest on your blog and link back to my ShadowCase with Ruth and Rose blog.

#5. Send out a tweet with a link to the contest.

Then, leave a separate comment on the ShadowCase blog for each item you have completed. I will pull all the entries together and use a random number generator to select a winner. Check back on Saturday morning when the winner will be announced!!

I'm so looking forward to meeting new friends and hearing your ideas. Let the fun begin!

Janna

My Craft Room Flood!

2010-07-10T16:44:00.001-06:00

Today is a special celebration for me because I can FINALLY move back into my recently remodeled craft room after last week's basement flood. Luckily, not too much lasting damage, just a lot of work moving my furniture and ShadowCase inventory to another room while things dried out.

What a mess, huh?

So I'm going to be working for the next week to re-organize and clean out my craft room and the basement storage. I've got a blank canvas--no sense putting stuff back into the room that I don't really use anymore, right? Wish me luck!!

Shadowbox Inspirations: Displaying Vacation Shells

2010-07-08T06:15:00.001-06:00

Well, I think we all know how much I love shadowboxes, and I have found a kindred spirit over at Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures. Take a moment and be inspired by her creativity. Thank you, Tracy, for sharing your fun idea with us!

Displaying Vacation Shells

My son collected a ton of shells and a large piece of coral for me during our Florida vacation. I did several posts on our trip if you want to look at the archives. I highly recommend Florida as a vacation spot. I don’t have any beachy decor in my house, but I wanted to display the shells anyway. Here is what I came up with.

I tied jute rope around the lamp shade to give it some contrast. I might want to change it up again so tying it meant I could easily remove it.

I put a tag on the lamp to label our vacation shells and because I like tags.

On some of these shells I did vacation themed rub-ons.

I made another shadow box like the one I did with my rocks from the Hamptons. You can see it here. I picked one that looked like weathered wood from Hobby Lobby.

Can you see the shark’s tooth we found? We found several on a beach in Venice.

These were 2 of my favorite shells. The spiny one and the curly one.

I also painted my frame holder to look rusty. It was black. I thought it looked much better rusty.

Ruth's Gardening Forum: "Growing Vegetable Soup" by Lois Ehlert

2010-07-07T04:14:00.000-06:00

I can't believe I've been a mother for over 12 years and haven't read this little gem to my children. If you have kids or grandkids that love watching a plant grow (like mine do), then reading this to them is a must. With great illustrations, early readers can identify words and will want to read this over and over. My favorite part is the recipe at the end--perfect for including your little ones in making this delicious soup!

I'd love to find other children's books about plants and gardening. Any recommendations out there?

Our Wedding ShadowCase Workshop

2010-07-06T06:30:00.003-06:00

Being a mom-preneur and running my own business has its up-days and down-days. There are many days that I ask myself why on earth I get myself into things like this..... Then I run a ShadowCase Workshop Class, and I remember my reason. For me it's not about the ShadowCase product, it's about the people I meet and the new friends I make!

I find so much joy in helping others dig out dusty keepsakes and faded photographs, then listen to the stories they tell with a far-away look in their eyes. We used the Modern Designer Kit to showcase this GORGEOUS wedding photograph that had been stored in a box for decades.

It was so simple to put together, we had it done in 15 minutes. Even though this couple have both passed on, their legacy will no longer be forgotten. Their sweet love story will be passed on to grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren. To me this is success, and I know my Grandma Rose would be proud of my efforts.

What kinds of things would YOU put into a wedding ShadowCase?

Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches

2010-07-02T07:13:00.003-06:00

Hi everyone!

Phil the Crockpot is decked out and ready for the 4th of July with another easy recipe to feed a large group or even just a small family. It's easy to adjust the quantity and you can always freeze the leftovers for up to 6 months.

Italian Chicken

5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

8 oz. fat free Italian Salad Dressing

8 oz. low-fat cream cheese

14 oz. chicken broth

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 tsp. rosemary

1/2 tsp. thyme

Put chicken in the crockpot and pour Italian dressing over it. Cook on low 8-10 hrs or high 4-5 hrs. Remove chicken from crockpot and shred, discard remaining Italian dressing. Melt cream cheese, broth, soup, and spices in together in saucepan. Mix sauce with chicken in crockpot and cook 1 hour. Spoon onto rolls, top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese whatever you like.

To freeze: Allow chicken to cool, spoon into ziploc freezer bags and freeze for up to 6 months.

p.s. This recipe is also great served over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes!

This meal is always a big hit with kids and adults!

Simplify Home Holiday Decor

2010-06-30T06:30:00.001-06:00

Changing my home decor for holidays has never been top on my priority list. Bringing out all the bins, then a few weeks later putting everything away again. Somehow my spring stuff would still be up in October, and Christmas decor wasn't put away until Valentine's. Valentine's was always skipped over, St. Patrick's was a blur, and here we are again at Spring!

This year I've created a new way to keep the seasonal decorations simple enough for even me to follow through. My kids love it, I love it, even my hubby has had a few nice (although somewhat prompted) comments.

So here's what was up in my entry from April-mid June....

(notice that my kids are all holding daisies in the picture--so cute!)

And this is what is gracing the walls of my entry right now....

A few family treasures from previous 4th of July activities make a quick and easy shadowbox display.

Once Independence Day is over, I'll just switch the StoryBoard out for another one. (I'm thinking a summer backyard beach themed.) The other 2 StoryBoards from Spring and July 4th will be stored in a 12X12 scrapbook paper box until their turn comes around again next year.

For someone like me that isn't a pure natural when it comes to decorating, this is the perfect solution!

What kind of items would you put into a July 4th shadowbox?

Mmm-Mmm Mondays: Red, White, and Blue Kabobs

2010-06-28T04:53:00.008-06:00

Thank you to Whitney over at SistersStuff for this fun and easy 4th of July recipe. I just had to try it with my kids to see if it was as easy as she said it was.

Not only was it super easy, it was also fast and FUN! So all 3 criteria were met for it to have a permanent home in my recipe book.

So maybe ours didn't turn out as pretty as theirs, but they tasted

just as yummy!

I had to change a few things on the Sisters Stuff recipe. For the original CLICK HERE.

skewers
blueberries
white almond bark
red/blue decorator's sugar
strawberries
large marshmallows

Melt almond bark in microwave about 1 minute, then stir. Dip marshmallows and fruit into melted almond bark, then dip again in sugar crystals. Allow to cool and thread onto skewers with blueberries and strawberries.

If you have a great 4th of July recipe, don't be shy! Link to it in your comments below. We'd love to try it!

A Womb with a View: Baby Shadowbox

2010-06-27T13:43:00.001-06:00

Announcing the arrival of my new nephew!!

I wanted to share with you the ShadowCase shadowbox we put together for him a few weeks ago. Now we can finally add in a picture of him with a little more detail than just a little glimpse on an ultrasound. Is that a foot? Or an arm? Oh wait, I see now! It's a little.....hee hee!!

We used the "David Storyboard" from the ShadowCase collection and the Dreamy Bluebird Accessory Set to attach sweet little crocheted booties and matted photos of the ultrasound. Other keepsakes were attached with 3-D adhesive dots (I love those things--they are so useful!)

We added a little inking around the edges to give the photos a finished look.

Ready and waiting for the grand arrival!

What a fun keepsake shadowbox that can showcase all his memories as he grows.

Tell Your Shadowbox Story: Racing to the Finish Line

2010-06-24T06:27:00.006-06:00

One of our reader's had this to say about her latest ShadowCase project...

"I used this ShadowCase to show some bib numbers and medals my husband has collected. The case was perfect for these because they’re too thick to fit in a regular picture frame and too heavy for a paper scrapbook layout. From Grandpa’s military medals to the special blanket that my son drags around with him every day – I can think of so many ways to combine my scrapbooking with the special and treasured items in my life."

Thanks so much for sharing your shadowbox layout with us. We love to hear from our friends in the ShadowCase world!

Showcasing Memories with a Photo Canvas Collage

2010-06-23T06:21:00.001-06:00

I am always excited to find new ideas to share with you. It is awe-inspiring how many creative women are out there in the Blogosphere, bringing us new and exciting ideas everyday. One of my recent favorites are these canvas photo collages from Simply Sara. Anything with Mod Podge is magic for me, so this definitely fits into my world. I hope it will fit into yours, too!

Photo Canvas Collages

Ever since getting a digital camera I have been terrible at printing pictures.
And by terrible I mean, I only print them if I get a frame and need a picture to put in it.
And even then, it usually takes me months to get my butt into walmart to get them developed.

Well, I decided that we really needed to showcase our pictures more and so I decided to make some canvas collages.
(thanks to my cousin Chelly for the inspiration!)

Wanna see how?
Alrighty.

Step one: Print your pictures.
Now, I know I am always a step behind in the technology dept. but did you know that you can actually email your pictures in to walmart and pick them up less than an hour later. This is very exciting news, people! (maybe now I'll print more pictures...)

Step two: Paint your canvas. I decided to paint mine this brown/taupish color. I wanted something neutral that would work anywhere in the house. (I just used Folk Art acrylic paint #472 Mushroom), but you can go crazy with whatever paint color you want.
Oh, and I only painted the sides. The rest will be covered up with pictures.

Step three: Lay your pictures out on your canvas and play around with them until you like how it looks. I decided to do three canvas because I am crazy and couldn't decided which pictures to use and which ones not to. It's like trying to decide which kid you love best. It just can't be done.
So, I made two black and white canvas and one color one... and I love them all the same :D

Step four: cut those babies up so that you have lots of fun different shapes and sizes.

Step five: (muy importante!!) take a picture of your pictures, so that you can reference it when it's time to glue!

Step six: Mod Podge baby!

Cover your canvas and the back of each picture in mod podge.
Once all your pictures are on, apply a coat of mod podge over the entire thing.
Let it dry and add another coat.

Step Seven: Enjoy! Super easy right? My kids have had so much fun looking at them, and our baby girl especially loves pointing to the different pictures and telling me who she sees. "Papa" "Daddy" "Mommy".... so cute!

Oh, one last thing, find a wall and hang these babies up.

I found the perfect place for the color one to live... but with the black and white ones I have yet to find just the right spot...

That's right Chris, a fun night of holding these babies up while I decide where they look good awaits you!
Aren't you excited?!
This makes you want to come home right now doesn't it?!
:)

Happy canvas collage making everyone!

Mmm-Mmm Mondays: Phil the Crockpot with Delicious Turkey

2010-06-21T05:27:00.001-06:00

Summer is officially here, which means I start avoiding heat like the plague--this includes a hot kitchen from baking in my oven. So my two favorite ways to keep my family fed between June and September are
1. Grilling outside (which my husband or son usually take the reins on) OR

2. Pulling out my trusty cooking side-kick, "Phil" the Crockpot. He's such a part of our family, my kids actually named him!

One of our favorite recipes Phil the CP helps us make for dinner is a Cranberry Turkey Roast, yummy for Thanksgiving, even tastier for a Father's Day feast, but absolutely to die for when my 9-yr-old makes it without any help from me! Seriously, with only 3 ingredients it is pretty hard to mess this one up.

Cranberry Turkey Roast

1 16 oz. can cranberry sauce

1 envelope onion soup mix

3-4 lb. boneless turkey breast

Mix cranberry sauce and onion soup mix together in slow cooker, place turkey roast on top. Cook on low 8-10 hours or on high 4-5 hours.

It is hard to believe that something so simple can

taste so delicious!

Father's Day Thoughts

2010-06-20T19:18:00.008-06:00

I can't imagine my life without my husband of 15 years and my father of.....I'm not telling you how many years this guy has stuck with me! Thank you for everything you both have taught me and your examples of love and patience (especially with my hair-brained ideas)! I know that most likely neither of you will ever read this post, but yet I feel your support everyday as I try to chase this dream of owning and running my own business. I love you both!

Today to show our appreciation for my awesome husband, my kids and I set up a "Relaxation Station" complete with recliner, snacks, favorite drinks, remotes, Wii controller, and a pillow for a nap. And amazingly, we actually stayed out of his way for a few hours so that he could enjoy it. It was probably the best gift we have ever given Daddy!

Tell Your Shadowbox Story: Happily Ever After

2010-06-17T05:06:00.003-06:00

My turn, my turn, my turn! After letting my readers show off some of their ShadowCases, I thought it was about time that I posted one of my all-time favorites from my home.

Generations of happy couples in my family smile at us from behind the glass. Everyday it reminds me of how blessed I am. Although some of these loved ones have now passed on, the memories will always be a part of my life and the lives of my children!

I used the Modern ShadowCase Kit with black and white photos (re-printed, not the originals!) matted on patterned scrapbook paper.

My favorite part is this finishing touch on the outside of the glass. Just like in scrapbooking, I love a great ShadowCase title!

Some people might say I'm obsessed with shadowboxes.....I guess I'd have to agree!

Ruth's Gardening Forum: I'm Having a Petunia Party!

2010-06-16T06:39:00.002-06:00

When I was younger I disliked petunias-a lot! I don't know if you can actually hate a certain flower, but I saw them everywhere and said, "Why does everyone put those ugly flowers all over the place?"

Now that I have my own garden, I have gained a love and even respect for this hearty and beautiful bloom. For an aspiring green thumb like me, they are the perfect match! So I invited some of my favorite petunias (Patty, Penelope, Priscilla, Pam Percy, and their second cousins) to come over and stay for the summer in my garden this year. I hope they enjoy their accommodations!

I realize now why I love these plants so much--Petunias are like the faithful friends in our lives!

They come in many shapes and sizes
They have every shade of color
They can weather wind, cold, hot sun, and the storms of life!
They flourish when they hang out with other petunias ;o)
The effort you put into the relationship is the reward that comes back to you in abundance!

I am so grateful for the fabulous, faithful friends in my life. You have been there for me in so many different seasons, ups and downs, good times and bad. You are like these beautiful blossoms, adding light and beauty to my world! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Have any of you planted petunias in

your flower beds?

Mmm-Mmm Mondays: Dutch Oven Chuckwagon Bread

2010-06-14T06:40:00.001-06:00

Getting your kids to eat wheat bread is not always an easy task. We tried this recipe while camping, and the bread was eaten up in 10 minutes flat! No kidding! We also love this recipe because you can add in raisins, pumpkin, chopped apples, or even chocolate chips to change the flavor a bit. Hearty Dutch Oven flavor inside and homemade jam on top--we're in heaven!

Quick Chuckwagon Wheat Bread

1 egg beaten

2 c. buttermilk

3 T. molasses or honey

1 1/2 T. butter, melted

1 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

2 c. whole wheat flour

1 t. baking powder

1/2 c. raisins

Combine egg, buttermilk, molasses and melted butter. Mix dry ingredients separately, then add to egg mixture. Stir in raisins and spoon batter into 2 greased loaf pans. Bake in 12" Dutch oven at 400 deg for one hour.

from "Log Cabin Dutch Oven" by Colleen Sloan

Tell Your Story: Birthday Boy!!

2010-06-11T06:12:00.001-06:00

One of our reader's recently sent in this great ShadowCase display she designed for her little boy's 2nd birthday. We really love how she put in some of his favorite toys--vroom, vroom!

His baby photo nestled in a part of his blankie was also a sweet touch. She used the "Dreamy Bluebird" pins and clips accessory set to attach the keepsakes to the "David" Storyboard.

What a wonderful way to preserve those precious years of a child's life!
Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

Ruth's Gardening Forum: The Pansies say "Thank You!"

2010-06-09T07:36:00.006-06:00

Dear Friends,
Last week we learned how to preserve and dry my precious pansies in only 2 minutes. What you all don't know, is that I got on a major card-making-kick as soon as I saw those lovely pansies lying there. I am not crafty by nature, but somehow their little faces just begged to cheer up a neighbor by saying "Thank You" in the form of a card.

Who knew that you could pick the flowers, press and dry them, make a card, and deliver it all in under an hour? Don't believe me? Here's how I did it....

Take some of these....

...And some of this....

Now do this....

.....And this....

...And you've got it!!

Mmm-mmm Monday: Honey Pork Chops on the BBQ

2010-06-07T07:30:00.002-06:00

These are not your average pork chops! One of the reasons we love this recipe is because it is also a great freezer meal. So triple the recipe, put 2/3 of it into freezer zip-loc bags, and you'll have a couple nights off later in the month!

Honey Pork Chops

6 boneless pork chops
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
2 T. soy sauce
Dash of pepper

Place all ingredients except pork chops in blender and mix thoroughly. Place pork chops into sauce, let marinade in refrigerator until ready to grill. This recipe can also be put into a baking dish and baked at 350 degrees for 1 1/4 hours.

To Freeze: Place remaining pork chops and sauce into zip-loc freezer bags and seal securely. Can be frozen up to 3 months.

recipe courtesy of one of our favorite cookbooks "Don't Panic-- Dinner's in the Freezer"

Ruth's Gardening Forum: Today I Microwaved a Pansy!

2010-06-03T06:10:00.002-06:00

Dear Friends,
As predicted, some of my sweet little pansies are already drooping. I needed an easy way to preserve them, so decided that pressing them would be best. The traditional way to press is under a stack of books (which I have an abundance of) then return a few weeks later to pull out the finished product. Knowing myself, I would forget and find them 10 years later!

For all of us in a fast-paced world, microwave pressing method is another option to consider (as I learned on Ehow.com) It is very simple to do, and you only need a few household items. I especially loved how the pansies kept their bright colors, even throughout the drying process!

You will need:
Paper towels

4 pieces corrugated cardboard

4 large rubber bands

Pansies

Step 1: Make a sandwich starting with 2 pieces of cardboard on bottom, next place one paper towel, lay pansies face down on it, place another paper towel on top of them, followed by 2 more pieces of cardboard.

Step 2:Wrap rubber bands around the entire package and place in microwave.

Step 3: Cook on low-medium power for 1 minute, then turn over and cook for another 30 seconds. Allow the "sandwich" to cool, open it carefully and peel pansies off of the paper towel. Store in a box in a cool, dry area.

Preserved and ready for that special touch to your next card or scrapbook page!

Summer Yummers!!

2010-06-01T14:12:00.001-06:00

Starting in June, every Monday will be "Mmm-Mmm Monday". We will feature our readers' favorite Summer BBQ recipes, so dig through your recipe box and send us your yummiest! To submit your tasty creation, just email it to us at customerservice@shadowcase.com. If you've got a photo to go with it--even better!! We're positively drooling at the possibilities!

With Mmm-mmm Memories in Mind,
Ruth and Rose

Frame It for Father's Day!

2010-05-27T14:44:00.000-06:00

Father's Day is just around the corner, why not frame some of his favorite items in a shadowbox? Being a scrapbooker, I love being able to take a 12X12 layout and add 3-D items to it. One project I did was to dig my husband's childhood school uniform out of storage and put it in a shadowbox display. It only took a few minutes to add in a couple photos and a report card, and now he has some treasured memories to keep on display forever!

As a gift for my father, I displayed some of his memoirs from his days in the Navy. He was so touched when he saw this display, and it brought back a lot of great memories for him.

Here are some other great ideas you can do for a meaningful Father's Day gift...

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Tell Your Story: Wedding Memories

2010-05-24T20:27:00.000-06:00

One of our readers recently sent in a photo of her finished wedding ShadowCase project. Here's what she had to say...

"I recently ordered an Ivory ShadowCase and I absolutely LOVE it! I decided it would work perfectly for capturing my wedding memories. I put our wedding announcement, photos, and even the ribbon my husband and I picked out when we chose our colors. I have had many compliments on this shadowbox. It is very professional looking and extremely high quality. The colors are exactly what is shown on the website so it makes it easy to plan and coordinate and my order came very quickly. I would recommend this to anyone who wants something special to showcase their special memories!" --Trista in AZ

Thanks for sharing your story with us, and we appreciate the photo!

With memories in mind,
Ruth and Rose

Ruth's Gardening Forum: Little Purple Pansies

2010-05-20T10:43:00.000-06:00

The pansies in my garden have become one of my most faithful flower friends. Their sweet faces are the first to say hello to me from under the last of the melting snow, and when their blooms begin to wilt and fade, they always promise to be back next year (with a few friends)! A pansy (despite its name) is a hardy, colorful flower that is soon to reach its 200th birthday of being introduced to Mother Earth. I'll bet you didn't know that!

Also known as "Hearts-ease" the colors of its petals--purple, yellow, and white--symbolize memories, loving thoughts, and souvenirs. So from my garden to you, here is a bouquet of loving thoughts and happy memories. Look into their little faces and have a Happy Day!

p.s. Next week we'll be discussing how to preserve these little cuties!

ShadowCase DOUBLE Giveaway!!!!

2010-05-18T22:32:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to our first winner, Rikki Graziani!!! We are now taking entries for our 200-fan giveaway, so don't despair if you didn't win the first time. All of your previous entries will still be used toward the drawing when we reach 200 fans. We wish everyone the best of luck!!

Here are the rules if you've managed to forget somehow...

Enter to win a FREE ShadowCase Designer Kit ($65) by becoming a Facebook fan, posting on our wall, or being a follower this blog. Each time you like, comment, or post, it will enter you in the drawing. When we reach 100 fans, we'll draw for our first lucky winner, and at 200 fans, we'll select our second winner from the total number of fans (except winner # 1, of course). See what's happening at ShadowCase with Ruth and Rose on Facebook .

Nutty for Coconut!

2010-05-17T10:56:00.000-06:00

Ever have those days as a parent where everything is going along fine, you feel like you're doing an acceptable job as a mother, and then WHAM-O!!! you realize that you have forgotten to teach your child about a very important part of life? It happens to me more than I would like, that's for certain!

I gave my 3-year-old an piece of an Almond Joy the other day. He said, "What is this white thing in here?" I said, "That's called coconut." He grins at me and says, "It's my FAVORITE!"

Now the "WHAM-O" moment-- "My almost-4-year-old has never had coconut? Are you kidding me?"

I realized where I had gone wrong--one of my older children didn't like coconut, so I hadn't thought to give it to my poorly-coconut-deprived youngest son! And to think he might have missed out on some of life's most delectable desserts (in my humble opinion). So in honor of you, dear son, here is a well-loved family recipe from South Africa, filled with coconut and love!

Coconut Crunchies

2 c. rolled oats

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter

1 T. heavy corn syrup

1 tsp. baking soda

2 c. coconut

1 c. flour

pinch salt

1. Melt sugar, butter, syrup, and soda in a saucepan.

2. Mix oats, coconut, flour, and salt together in large mixing bowl.

3. Add melted mixture into dry ingredients, and mix until like fine crumbs.

4. Press into greased 9X13 baking pan.

5. Bake at 350 deg. for 15-20 min., or until golden brown.

6. Cut into squares immediately, then store in airtight container once cool.

Fabulous Father's Day Special!

2010-05-15T08:30:00.000-06:00

Are you tired of giving socks and ties for Father's Day? We understand that men can be difficult to buy for, so we want to help you give that special guy in your life a gift he will always remember. Shop now and receive 15% off your entire order from now until June 21, 2010.

You can even customize your ShadowCase to suit his personality with our online designer, or make it even easier and choose a pre-designed kit. Visit our gallery to spark your imagination. Use coupon code FATHER15 at checkout, and you'll be on your way to an unforgettable Father's Day!

GIVEAWAY! 200 Fans on Facebook

2010-05-13T10:00:00.000-06:00

Enter to win a FREE ShadowCase Designer Kit ($65) by becoming a Facebook fan, posting on our wall, or being a follower this blog. Each time you like, comment, or post, it will enter you in the drawing. Tell all your friends, because once we have 200 Facebook fans, "GiveAway Day" is here! Visit us at ShadowCase with Ruth and Rose on Facebook .

Ruth's Gardening Forum: Memories of Lilacs

2010-05-12T07:30:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite memories from childhood is the scent of lilacs blooming in the spring. I would sit for hours, playing in the grass next to our lilac bush, breathing in the lovely scent, knowing that summer was on its way! Now that I have a garden of my own, I appreciate low-maintenence plants and flowers, and lilacs are at the top of the list! With only a small amount of knowledge and care, you can have a lush, colorful addition to your landscape.

To care for your lilacs remember these points:
(courtesy of www.rabbitrunnursery.com)

The things that are important for good growth and abundant flowers are:

1. Sunshine: Best in full sun.

2. Fertilizing: An all-purpose fertilizer in spring.

3. Well-drained neutral soil: The ph should be 6 to 7.

4. Proper Pruning: Prune soon after the flowers have faded.

These steps should give you years of enjoyment from your lilacs ... Happy Gardening !!!

Motherhood: Because Time is Precious

2010-05-07T07:40:00.000-06:00

The "Tiny Ballerina" ShadowCase is one of our favorites, because it is a reminder to enjoy the precious moments of life. So often we wish time would pass more quickly, or look at the greener grass on the other side of the fence.

Take some time today to be quiet and still in the moment. Really savor that spoonful of ice cream, stop and smell the tulip blooming in the garden, look at the clouds in the sky while you sit at the stoplight, read a book with your child or grandchild, or just listen to a friend.

We will all be better mothers, friends, sisters, and daughters if we just remember that time is so precious. Take a moment and dance with life!

With memories in mind,
Ruth and Rose

Motherhood: Taming the Laundry-Mess Monster

2010-05-05T07:32:00.000-06:00

What does laundry have to do with being a mother? Everything! For those of you drowning in the abyss of last week's dirty clothes, here is a life raft for you! No matter how small your laundry room, you can find a way to better organize it so that it runs like a fine-tuned machine. We found great success with taming our laundry mess monster a few years ago, and it still works like a charm!

Step 1: Collect and label small bins--one for each family member (we used white plastic dishpans from Walmart at about $3 each). We also labeled one "linens", one "socks" and one "charity". This way we can sort through those clothes that are too small and send them out the door instead of back into the drawer.

Step 2: Place bins on shelves in your laundry room--either attached to the wall or even a tall bookshelf will work.

Step 3: As you pull clothes out of the dryer, immediately fold them and place them in the proper bin. Have a rod or behind-the-door hook for hanging the clothing that doesn't go into drawers.

Step 4: Assign family members the responsibility of emptying their own bin into their drawers and closets (Yes, even husbands and 2-yr-olds can do this!)

We have felt the satisfaction of seeing this method work for 5 years straight, and it has truly helped tame that Laundry-Mess Monster!

A Mother's Prayers

2010-05-03T08:12:00.000-06:00

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.

Abraham Lincoln

Tell Your Story: A Mother's Memories

2010-04-28T07:30:00.000-06:00

We love to hear from our customers--send in a photo and Tell Your Story! Recently, one of our faithful customers wrote in about her latest ShadowCase. Don't those little booties look just so cute? We love the way this outfit looks against the green "Adaline" StoryBoard. Thanks for the ideas and inspiration!

"I love the way his little outfit snugs into the ShadowCase and looks so clean and crisp. It was very easy to put together. Now his outfit is out of the closet and hanging on his wall where he and I can see it. Every morning when he wakes up he points to his shadowbox and says, "Baby". It is so sweet to see him notice it, and as he gets older I can remember the baby that he was!" (Elaine)

ShadowCase a Mother's Day Gift

2010-04-21T07:24:00.000-06:00

Mother's Day is just around the corner...wondering what to give as a meaningful gift for that special woman in your life? We were touched by a customer's project that she worked on at a recent Ruth and Rose ShadowCase Workshop--soon to be given as a beautiful Mother's Day gift for a one-in-a-million grandmother.

She had two heirloom rings that we tied a pink ribbon around, then pinned to her StoryBoard with pink designer pins, along with the hand-embroidered handkerchief. We also inked the 2 photo frames with pink inking stamp pads--it looked great with the black and white photos. For a final touch, we attached a silver collector's spoon with 3-D adhesive dots (we adore those little things for so many fix-it reasons!)

What a rewarding morning it was, helping her put together priceless photos and keepsakes into a touching and thoughtful gift--this is what we live for!

p.s. Thanks for letting us use your project photo!

With memories in mind,
Ruth and Rose

Lemons, lemons, lemons...

2010-04-14T08:52:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

A fresh bowl of lemons is like opening the kitchen window. Light and fragrant - the sweet taste of summer, just around the corner. You may want to pick a few lemons yourself and try this delicious Lemon Ice Cream Crumble. A family favorite - so pucker up and enjoy...

With memories in mind,
Ruth and Rose

Lemon Ice Cream Crumble

Crumble:
1 c. flour
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. butter
Mix together, spread onto a cookie sheet, bake at 350 deg. 10-15min. until golden brown. Let it cool then crumble it.

Ice Cream Filling:
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
1/2 can frozen lemonade

Soften ice cream, then add in lemonade and beat together until well blended. Sprinkle half of crumble mixture into bottom of 9X13 pan, spread ice cream filling over it, then sprinkle remaining crumble over the top. Freeze 1-2 hours until set.

The Robin is the One

2010-04-07T07:30:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,
Isn't it wonderful to hear birds again? Winter seemed so endless in our garden, their singing was a breath of fresh air! So to celebrate their return, we are including one of our favorite poems:

The Robin is the One

The robin is the one
That interrupts the morn
With hurried,few express reports
When March is scarcely on.

The robin is the one
That overflows the noon
With her cherubic quantity,
An April but begun.

The robin is the one
That speechless from her nest
Submits that home and certainty
And sanctity are best.

Emily Dickinson

Happy Nesting to you all!
With memories in mind,
Ruth and Rose

You Are the Inspiration!

2010-03-31T07:42:00.000-06:00

What a wonderful time we had at the Scrapbook USA Expo last weekend. So many smiles, inspiring stories, and celebrations that we shared with all of you! Some highlights for us were finding out the techniques needed to win a ShadowCase at the ice cream eating contest--a brain freeze was worth it! We also enjoyed hearing the beautiful voice of our new friend singing in the "American Idol" competition to win another Designer ShadowCase Kit. That melody still floats through our minds as we smile and think back on 24 fun-filled hours of meeting and being inspired by all of our new friends stopping by the booth.

We hope to hear how your ShadowCase designs come together, and we look forward to bringing you new and exciting products at the Scrapbook USA Expo in September!

With memories in mind,
Ruth and Rose

Thoughts On Glass

2010-03-24T09:12:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

While working on our latest ShadowCase project, we fell in love with a new design element we want to share with you - words on glass. It can be anything, an inspiring quote, a name, a date, or a fun title.

One of our favorite recent projects was to create a set of wedding ShadowCases, capturing generations of love and romance in a simple display. A wedding date at the bottom of each glass frame in vinyl lettering finished them off beautifully.

It is simple do do this with your own ShadowCase. Vinyl lettering is affordable and easy to apply. You can create it yourself with a Cricut machine, or look for a local vinyl lettering business in your town. We would love to hear how your project turned out!

So don't forget the glass, the last element to your ShadowCase - it may be the most inspiring.

With Memories in Mind,
Ruth and Rose

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2010-03-17T07:12:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

Thanks to you and all the great feedback from our opening event, we're coming up with some new designs for Spring. First is a ShadowCase StoryBoard in a lovely sage green- Happy St. Patrick's Day! It's warm and neutral too - should blend easily in your home. We're excited about it, please let us know what you think. We've decided to call it "Adaline" - after a grandmother, not Irish, but beloved all the same. So keep those creative ideas coming--we love to listen to our readers!

With memories in mind,
Ruth and Rose

Golf Shadowbox

2010-03-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

We wanted to remember his day on the links. No matter what the scorecard said, he still cherished the memory!

Recipes From Around the World

2010-03-03T07:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Even if you cannot afford to travel around the world, you can still take a memorable journey with your taste buds. A recipe we will never forget comes from the home of a wonderful Afrikaaner woman in South Africa. The taste of her "Milk Tart" transports you to another part of the world, and the warm aroma of cinnamon and pastry makes any dwelling place feel like home. We especially like this recipe because the ingredients are kitchen staples--easy to make at the last minute for unexpected company. We hope you will enjoy it as much as we have!

Milk Tart
1/4 lb. butter
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1 3/4 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
pinch salt
Cream together butter, sugar and egg. Mix together flour, baking powder and salt in separate bowl, then combine with first mixture. Press into 2 pie plates. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 min. or until light brown.

Filling
4 c. milk
4 T. butter
4 eggs
1 c. sugar
1 1/2 T. flour (heaping)
2 2/3 T. cornstarch (heaping)
pinch salt
1/3 c. cold water
1 t. vanilla
1 t. cinnamon
Heat milk and butter in saucepan. Beat eggs and sugar until fluffy, and flour and cornstarch. Pour hot milk into egg mixture and beat until smooth. Pour back into pot and beat while bringing back to boil and mixture is thickening. Remove from heat and add cold water and vanilla. Pour into baked shell and sprinkle with cinnamon. Best eaten slightly warm.

With memories in mind,
Ruth and Rose

Happy Birthday, Grandma Rose!

2010-02-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

This has been a month of celebrations. Last week was the Grand Opening for Ruth and Rose - it was wonderful, better than I dreamed. Thank you all for coming - for all your enthusiasm, your support and all your great ideas...

Happy Birthday Grandma Rose! You are remembered in so many ways.
I want to share my very first ShadowCase with you this week. The one that started it all - my ShadowCase of Grandma Rose. Go to the Ruth and Rose Workshop to see how I put it together.

I'm thinking of you as you create your own this week. This should be a unique journey, as was mine. I'm hoping you'll share...

With Memories in Mind,
love Ruth and Rose

Grand Opening - Everything's Coming Up Roses!

2010-02-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Well this is the week, our Grand Opening Event! We are cutting the ribbon, throwing open the doors and are officially online at www.shadowcase.com... Our feet feel tied to balloons as all our thoughts, hopes and dreams spiral upwards. So grateful, so excited...and so tired!

So many thoughts, mostly about you. What will you think, what will you like and what will you say? We hope you find the website an inspiring place to be. Step inside and create your own custom ShadowCase with our online ShadowCase Designer, stop by the Gallery for design ideas, or visit the Ruth and Rose Workshop for creative tips.

If there should be a hiccup or two on the website, we beg your patience. We are working very hard in this new world of ours, and we hope to see you there!

With memories in mind,
Ruth and Rose

A Victorian Valentine

2010-02-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
If you're looking for true love or would just like to be swept away by something beautiful this month, be sure not to miss "The Young Victoria". We saw it last weekend at our local movie theater, and were swept away by Victorian England and the gorgeous couple - we're sure Queen Victoria would've approved.

The music in this movie lifts one to another time and place. If you're a music lover like us, you'll want this soundtrack in your car and in your home. Even if British Royalty does not captivate you, this haunting and lovely music will. Victoria and Albert's story is really a miracle, how true love can blossom in unlikely circumstances. A love story that bore them nine children and twenty happy years. There is a note of sadness there, but it seems to make their life together all the more poignant.By happy coincidence, today just so happens to be their wedding anniversary! Happy Anniversary, Your Majesties...we could go on, but we'll restrain ourselves - you really ought to see it for yourself.

As for us, we prefer to imagine Queen Victoria and Prince Albert returning home from their travels with the latest craze-- shadowboxes from the Crystal Palace Exposition of 1871-- and sharing them with their nine delighted children.

Happy Valentines,

With Memories in Mind,

Ruth and Rose

My Perfect Little Valentine

2010-02-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Roses are red, violets are blue
May your Valentine bring something sweet to you...

Dear Friends,

Valentines is upon us, trailing her pink gown of lacy hearts, love notes, fresh roses and for some of us - love.

Love came unusually wrapped for me one Valentine's Day, a sweet pink bundle of joy - my first little girl. Looking into her eyes I recognized my own, twin lakes of quiet blue, and together we felt like old friends saying hello again. Hello my perfect little Valentine. That was about 8 years ago. Yet looking at her now I still remember my arms cradling her, the booties that kept those little feet warm and the vintage bonnet from that special day I'll never forget.

So as I'm ShadowCasing her baby things, I feel like I am holding on to her still. Creating something for us both to look at and remember. Perhaps even for her little girl someday, for yet another pair of eyes...

May February bring you sweetness and inspiration. I'm hoping it brings you love.
Please let me know...

With memories in mind,
love Ruth and Rose

Don't Leave Out the Spice

2010-01-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

None of our family members will ever forget Granny Ella ( 'Granella' to her grandchildren) and her memorable baking. She was famous for her special Spice Cake with maple and walnut frosting. She was also famous (in her later years) for leaving out the baking soda... But no matter, it was all cake to us and we loved her for it. Her recipe has a special place in the family cookbook - a love note from our Canadian grandmother.

Granny Ella lived a life full of her own particular spice, stories of her abound and make us laugh to this day. I suspect there's one in your family too, so here's her Spice Cake recipe to celebrate all the spicy souls we love. Those who've passed on and those who remain. Let's love them for all the flavor they bring into our lives. Thank you, Granny Ella, for more than just your wonderful cake. You will always be an inspiration. Enjoy.

Spice Cake

3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
2 cups Purity flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 egg
1 cup sour milk
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 cups raisins

Cream butter until it is soft and creamy and gradually add sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add flour and cut in with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture is like coarse cornmeal. Reserve one cup of this crumb for top of cake. To the remainder add sifted baking soda and spices and blend thoroughly. Beat egg until foamy, add sour milk and continue beating until well blended. Add spiced crumb and mix quickly, stirring until batter is fairly smooth but do not over mix. Spread carefully into well greased 8 inch square pan and sprinkle reserved cup of crumbs on top. Press crumbs into surface of batter and bake in moderate oven (350ºF) for about 40-50 minutes. Allow baked cake to set for 15-20 minutes before removing from pan.

Maple Walnut Frosting
Ingredients

*Container vanilla frosting
*1 tsp. Maple Extract
*1/2 c. halved walnuts
Directions

1. Stir together maple extract and frosting. Spread over cake. Top with walnuts, placed in circular fashion around the top of the cake.

With memories in mind,
love Ruth and Rose

To Dream...

2010-01-20T11:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Exciting news!

Ruth and Rose is getting a room of our own so that we can serve our customers better! A quiet space with four freshly painted walls. A space to work and a space to get inspired. We're thinking of putting a
fabulous quote on the wall. Any ideas?

We're also humming a tune - 'to dream the impossible dream....'

Please stay posted,

With memories in mind,
Ruth and Rose

If Walls Could Talk

2010-01-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Have you ever wished your scrapbook could hold more than just pictures? We have - in fact we talk about it all the time...
A handful of shells perhaps, or a bottle of beach sand from that lovely trip to the coast. Or the box of watercolors -and not just the child's painting? What about those pale pink ballet shoes, too small for her feet now, but filled with happy memories?

One of our favorite things to do is to find a great scrapbook page, frame it in a ShadowCase, then
add a touch of whimsy - something memorable that makes us smile. A ShadowCase is the perfect size for a 12x12 scrapbook page, we made quite sure of that. It is also a good 1.5" deep, lots of room for imagination and all the goodies my scrapbook simply can't hold. So please take a look, I made some samples below. I chose themes from all throughout the year, because I enjoy changing them out every so often. Sisters at the beach become sisters in the parade, children in the falling leaves become children squealing with delight in the first snowfall, that sort of thing.

Scrapbooking is such a wonderful art form, we simply love it! We think it will shape our times in the
same way yesterday's handicrafts shaped our mothers' and grandmothers' generations. All the love, creativity, and time it takes to remember our loved ones on those pages... Not so very different from a crazy quilt, a cross-stitched masterpiece, or your great-aunt's embroidered cushions. So let's not hide all our art and creativity inside our books. Let's get it up on our walls where it can shine!

With memories in mind,

Ruth and Rose

Food for Thought

2010-01-06T11:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Isn't it peculiar that our sense of taste and smell is so attached to our childhood memories? The
smell of woodshavings makes me feel eight again. I am waiting for my father to bring in a new puppet theater or small table and chairs from his woodshop. I can still feel the anticipation. The smell of aged sheet music takes me back to my grandmothers organ bench, instantly I'm there watching her fingers move across the keys.

And then there's the heaven of all taste and smell, grandmother's kitchen. There are those days when I need to feel her in my kitchen, to feel her a part of my family's life. I think that's why I search for her recipes and find them with such joy. Like meeting an old friend with a quaint German name. 'Hello Kuchen, how nice to see you again after all this time. You haven't changed a bit...'

So in the spirit of finding all our old recipes and bringing them back to life- maybe for the first time in your kitchen and mine - I want to share Grandmother Rose's LebKuchen recipe with you. This German cake is rich and chewy, fills the house with wonderful smells, and my children love it just as I loved it as a child. I believe that making good family food is a love language all of its own, and it is one I hope we all continue to share.

With memories in mind,

Ruth and Rose

German LebKuchen (loaf cake)


3 Eggs 3-1/2 C. Flour 2 tsp. Cinnamon Powdered Sugar 2 C. Brown Sugar	1 tsp. Baking Soda 1/4 C. Honey 1 tsp. Salt 4 T. Lemon Juice
Cooking Instructions:
Beat eggs until foamy. Add brown sugar and honey. Mix and sift flour with baking soda, salt, cinnamon, add to first mixture. Mix well. Pat into greased and floured jelly roll pans, 16x11 inch. This makes a stiff dough, so wet hands and pat even. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. While hot heat lemon juice and stir in enough powdered sugar to make thin icing. Drizzle over cake. Cool, cut into squares.

Embracing the New Year

2009-12-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Usually this time of year brings a sense of sadness and longing as I pack away the Christmas trimmings. No more anticipation of the joy of Christmas morning, the smells of gingerbread and pine are fading away, and time spent laughing with friends and family will be replaced by busy schedules. But this New Year is different, and I can’t help but feel the excitement for what is to come. The beginning of a whole new journey for Rose and myself.

Every day our imaginations are spinning away, about to form a dream into a reality. So much like the caterpillars my son is collecting in a jar. He’s been watching them daily, our budding entomologist, and so have we. They’re in the cocoon stage now... Just like me, I think. It’s time to let my creativity fly.

I love a challenge and I am planning to learn a lot this year as Ruth and Rose begins. This year will require a lot of stretching and stepping out of old comfort zones. But I’m ready to try on new shoes, make new friends and live in a much bigger world--one that will include my grandmother Rose as a daily part of my life. Time to say good-bye to my old shy self.

I’ve never been one to let life fall where it may and I dream of making a difference in people’s lives, helping others bring their creativity to life. I know that Rose would want that too. So here we go, time to embrace bright colors, time to be a butterfly.

Wishing you all a bright
New Year,

With memories in mind, Ruth and Rose

Happy Holidays with Thanks

2009-12-23T15:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Happy Holidays to you all!
I hope you found your perfect but not too perfect tree and enough lights to make you happy. May they light up your life this season. Life in my busy world of ShadowCasing is lighting up too and I am so excited about where we are and whats about to happen... Thanksgiving was wonderful. I was able to show my family what I'd been up to this past year and present my dad with a ShadowCase of his life in the navy. He surprised us all by promptly dressing up in his old navy uniform, which still fit him - I think he was moved and so were we. We love you, Dad and are so proud. Thank you for your service to our country.

Along with that, thanks to the people in my life for your support. My dining room has been a gathering place for family,friends,inspiration and all my stuff. There is a phrase above the mirror that says 'Gather Round the Table' and we certainly have. So my wish for you and yours this season is that you will also gather round the table - to talk,be inspired and reminisce about days gone by.

Always with memories in mind,

Ruth and Rose

My Favorite Things

2009-12-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Christmas is the season I love! Lights twinkling on houses, children playing in the snow, caroling with friends, a cup of hot chocolate and then there’s the smell of gingerbread.

Christmas is the Christchild in the manger, the angel on top of the tree and time to think about what it all means. Time for stories, the Christmas Carol and Ebenezer Scrooge. The joy of giving and creating Christmas magic.

It’s also a time for family and friends, old and new--and time for children, oh how I love the children! May the spirit of the holidays inspire us to reach out and help those around us, to make sure there is something sweet under every tree.

Magdalene Prinsloo-- A great-great-grandmother famous for her Christmas vinegar pudding. Known for her handiwork, she crocheted these lovely pieces which have been hidden away for at least fifty years. From now on she will have a place in the home and hearts of her family. Merry Christmas, Maggie!

Wishing you and yours a Memorable Season,

With memories in mind, Ruth and Rose

Remembering Rose

2009-12-09T12:52:00.000-07:00

God gave us memories so we could have roses in December.

Dear Friends,

It was about this same time last year that I first discovered my Grandmother Rose's things. I remember my sense of wonder, touching her embroidered handkerchiefs, her necklace with the cross--so symbolic of her deep faith--and the charming little brooches... My memories of her came flooding back to me.

I thought of the irises that always came up in the Spring just before she came to visit. I thought of her rose-scented perfume and her cooking. Recipes with German names I couldn't recall but every aroma part of her and part of me too. I was overwhelmed by the need to remember Grandmother Rose.

Saddened that these treasures had been hidden in a box for 20 years, I went looking for a shadowbox of some kind—something that she would have liked. It wasn’t easy to find a display box with the beauty and charm that was so characteristic of her. So I found myself creating a shadowbox that would truly showcase Grandmother Rose and the legacy she left for me.

It was an important beginning...the beginning of Ruth and Rose ShadowCasing. That was a year ago. How time flies. And here we are with another idea, the idea of bringing this journey to you. A small dream grown into a bigger one. One to perhaps bring us all together as we find things, forgotten things, and treasure them. And, I'm hoping, share them with each other on the Ruth and Rose website.

So Best Wishes for the holidays, and let’s chat again soon.

With Memories in Mind

Love and roses, Janna Ruth

2009-09-25T16:02:00.005-06:00

Mmm-Mmm Mondays

Honey Pork Chops

Dutch Oven Chuckwagon Bread

Phil the Crockpot with Delicious Turkey

Phil the Crockpot with Cowboy Stew
Red, White and Blue Kabobs
S'more Brownie Tarts

Baked Goods

Grandmother Rose's LebKuchen

Granella's Spice Cake

Lemon Ice Cream Crumble

Milk Tart

Coconut Crunchies
Dutch Oven Chuckwagon Bread

Ruth and Rose Workshop Schedule

2009-07-16T09:25:00.002-06:00

We want to help you put those final touches on your new ShadowCase! Bring your treasured keepsakes and your ShadowCases to our Workshop, and we'll help you coordinate the colors and arrange it into a beautiful piece of art--no kidding--it's that easy! Bring a friend or family member--the more the merrier!

NEW to Utah residents!!

Get your first ShadowCase FREE by hosting a Workshop in your home. Must be located in Utah County or Salt Lake County to participate. Contact me at customerservice@shadowcase.com for more details.

To RSVP for a Ruth and Rose Workshop call 1-866-994-7673 or email at customerservice@shadowcase.com. We will respond with more details on location and other info. Hope to see you there!

With memories in mind,
Ruth and Rose

In Our Garden

2009-05-16T14:56:00.000-06:00

Ruth's Gardening Forum

ShadowCase Ideas

2008-05-13T20:50:00.002-06:00

Tell Your Story
A Legacy of Honor
Racing to the Finish Line

Grandmother Gift

Little Boy Booties

Baby Girl Bonnet
Wedding Memories
Birthday Boy

Design Ideas

Vinyl Lettering on Glass

Little Ballerina

Golf