. . . Krylon Dual Duel . . .

I was so excited when I was invited to join in on the Krylon Dual Duel Competition!  They loved my DIY Recipe Card Holder so that is the project I entered.  Now, I just need your help and ask you to Pretty Please VOTE for my project everyday.  It is super easy and you have a chance to win a weekly prize as well.

 

Vote HERE

Thank you so very much for your support!

. . . Hickory Smoked Tomatoes . . .

My mom has a small garden that I benefit from every summer.  She has had so many Cherry Tomatoes and I have been eating them all summer long but I am starting to get more than my fill so I knew I needed to think of some ideas on how to use them up so they don't go to waste.  I decided that I would smoke them on my tabletop charcoal grill and let me tell you they made an amazing Pasta Sauce!  Wow.  My husband thought they were awesome to just eat whole right off the grill--they are good that way but I love the flavor they add to recipes.  I think I'm going to make a salsa with them too but roast the peppers as well so everything has a smokey flavor--sounds good!

You Will Need:

Tomatoes--any kind big or small will do

Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper

Whole Garlic Cloves

Hickory Chips

Grill (Gas or Charcoal)

 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

 

Gather your ingredients

Coat the tomatoes with olive oil and salt and pepper.  I added whole garlic cloves as well.  Toss to coat all the tomatoes.

 Soak your Hickory Chips for at least 30 minutes in water.

While the chips are soaking use a Chimney Starter to get your coals good and hot (this is just for charcoal grills).  

 Have the husband come out and dump the hot coals on the grate.

Move the coals to one side of the grill then add the wet hickory chips (make sure to drain the water off). Let the chips smoke a few minutes.

 

I made a foil tray sprayed with cooking spray and poured my tomatoes into it and placed it on the side of the grill that had no coals on it.

Let the tomatoes smoke for several hours.  I checked mine every thirty minutes to make sure they weren't burning too much.

 Once the tomatoes have cooled down peel the skins off the tomatoes.  Add the "meat" of the tomatoes to a food processor and puree.

Add the smoked tomato sauce to a saucepan and make a great pasta sauce.  I didn't have enough tomatoes to make a large batch of sauce so I just purchased a large bottle of marinara sauce and then added the pureed smoked tomatoes to that and boy did it flavor it nicely--it was the perfect amount of smoked flavoring.

I did a second batch and did it with larger tomatoes and scored an X across the top so the skin would peel right off after they smoked.  I also did a batch of larger cherry tomatoes and just scored the side of each tomato and the skin just slipped right off. 

I am going to jar some of the Smoked Pasta Sauce and save it for gifts for the upcoming holiday season.  I know it would be something I would really enjoy if I received it as a gift.

Linking here:

Pinching Penny Party

Blue Cricket Design

Somedays Crafts 
Trendy Treehouse

Elements Interiors 
This Chic Cooks
Passionately Artistic
Lil Luna
What I Whipped Up Wednesday

. . . Cookie Time Tuesday-Chips Galore Cookies . . .

Because of Cookie Time Tuesday I always have so many baking supplies at home and usually have a lot of baking chips leftover and try to think of things to use them for.  When I came across this recipe over at Taste Of Home I knew it was a perfect thing to try so I could use up all my leftover chips--I had every kind the recipecalled for except white chocolate so I just did without and they were still amazing!  This cookie has a nice crispness to it which I really liked but they still are soft too.  Taste of Home said to drop by 1/4 cupfuls for the cookies but I didn't want mine that large so I just used a standard cookie scoop for them.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

 Print Recipe HERE

 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• Gather ingredients
• Beat butter flavored shortening and sugars together.  Add eggs one at a time and then add vanilla.  Combine the dry ingredients together and then blend with the sugar combo.
• Add the nuts and chips and mix well
• Finished dough--yummy!

 • Drop by spoonfuls onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet
• Bake for 12 to 14 minutes
• Don't these look yummy?


Enjoy!

. . . Lemon Mint Iced Tea . . .

So, my new obsession this summer has been Lemon Mint Iced Tea.  So much so that I'm now growing mint so I can make it--now I just need a lemon tree and I'd be set.  Remember my Sweet Tea Recipe?  Well, that is what I start with and then add fresh mint leaves and some sliced up lemons and you have a super refreshing beverage!

 

Grab your mint, cut up lemons and iced tea

 Place some mint leaves and a few lemon slices in the bottom of a glass

Use a straw or spoon and "smoosh" the two around to get out the lemon juice and the flavor of the mint.

Fill the glass with ice and pour your sweet tea over it and you have yourself a cup of yummy

Linking here:

Polly Want a Crafter
Dittle Dattle

Metamorphis Monday

Made by You Mondays

Just Something I whipped up Monday

Making the world cuter Monday

Market yourself Monday

Motivate Me Monday

Mad in crafts

Craft

Craftomaniac

Menu Plan Monday
Thrifty Decor Chic
Homemaker on a Dime
Lines Across My Face 
The DIY Home Sweet Home Project

. . . Uprinting.com Giveaway . . .

We have a WINNER!!  It's Jenny from Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line.

Thank you to everyone that entered!


GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED
I know that many of my followers are small business owners or obsessed with paper like I am.  When I was contacted by uprinting.com to giveaway a set of their awesome letterhead I jumped at the chance to share it with all of you!  UPrinting.com offers many letterhead options, envelope printing and other printing services that are great for all of us that own small businesses.

Letterhead Prize

Prize Details:

500 pieces of Letterhead for One winner

5.5” x 8.5"

70lb Offset

Front Only Printing

4 Business Days Print Turnaround Time

*Free Shipping

Restrictions: 

• Limited to *US residents only

• Must be 18 years old or older

• If you have won a uprinting.com giveaway in the last 6 months you are not eligible to win again.

How to Enter for your chance to win:

*Leave a comment to enter and be sure to leave your email address

Bonus Entries:

*Become a follower of Itsy Bitsy Paper Blog

*Like Itsy Bitsy Paper's Facebook Page

*Like Uprinting.com on Facebook

*Share the giveaway via Twitter, Facebook or Blog

Giveaway ends August 31st at midnight so enter quickly!

Disclaimer:  This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive letterhead printing service by hosting. Letterhead design and envelope printing is also available. Please visit UPrinting.com for more details.

. . . Fun Friday Finds-Organization . . .

I love organization!  Somehow it just puts a smile on my face when everything has a place and a label.  I like unique organization tips as much as being organized so why not do a Fun Friday Finds on organization?!  These are a few of my recent favorites I've stumbled upon but there are so many out there!

• Baker's Twine Dispenser @ Whisker Graphics

• Ribbon Organizer @ Creating Keepsakes

• Cord Organizer @ Tip Junkie

• Pantry Organization @ PB & J Stories

 • Tin Can Organization @ Belle Maison

• Magnetic Board Organization @ Craftzine

• Dishtowel Holder @ The Kitchen

• Card Holder @ Shady Tree Diary

• File Organizer into shelves @ Tip Junkie

• Thread organizer @ Pinterest

• Measuring Cups/Spoons Organization @  Infarrently Creative

• Cereal Dispenser for car trash can @ BHG

What is your favorite way to keep organized?

. . . Back To School . . .

Well, today was the day I was looking forward to dreading all summer....back to school!  My son was not a happy camper to be heading back even though he was with the same teacher he had last year and most of the same kids from last year.  He is officially a 3rd grader now and I can't believe it because it seems like a year ago he was a baby and now he's a "big boy".  

As you know I made these "Write Teacher For Me" gift tags for the teacher but I wanted to do something cute for the kids too because they deserve a treat on the first day of school.  I loved making the Funfetti Sandwich Cookies so much that I thought they'd make a really cute Back to School treat for my son's classmates.  Judging by the kids that saw them first thing this morning when I dropped him off I'd say they will be a big hit. 

 

Back to School Treats for the kids and staff

 • This photo was taken literally 2 minutes before we had to run out of the door--can you sense his enthusiasm?

• Every year on the first day of school I draw a heart on Marcus's hand with a Sharpie.  This way when he is nervous he can look at that heart and know I'm thinking of him.

• I don't think he's ever going to outgrow Superheros so of course he had to have a lunch box with them plastered all over it.

"Hope you have a Sweet Year!"

. . . Coffee Milkshake . . .

Remember when I did a post on Iced Coffee?  It's always my go to drink when I first wake up in the morning but when I'm craving something rich and delicious and refreshing I love making a Coffee Milkshake (My son is a bit over the moon for these too-don't tell the pediatrician).  The key to make it delicious is adding some pudding mix powder which makes it nice and thick.  Yummy!  In the fall it's amazing to add some pureed pumpkin and the butterscotch pudding.

 You will need:

Ice Cream

Half and Half or Milk

Instant Pudding Flavor of your choice

Strong Brewed Coffee--room temp or chilled
Whipped Cream (Optional)

• Gather ingredients

• Put the ice cream, half and half, pudding mix and coffee
in your milkshake cup or blender

• Blend until well combined and pudding is smoothed out

• Top with Whipped Cream and some flavoring of your choice

Linking Up Here:
Pinching Penny Party

Blue Cricket Design

Somedays Crafts 
Trendy Treehouse

Elements Interiors 
This Chic Cooks
Passionately Artistic
Lil Luna 
What I Whipped Up Wednesday

. . . Cookie Time Tuesday-Funfetti Sandwich Cookies . . .

With back to school here I have been trying to think of school treat ideas for both the teacher's and the my son's classmates.  I ran across this recipe on Baked Perfection and I thought of how great it would be to serve at a birthday party or class party because of the fun colors.  I also know they make funfetti cake mixes with holiday colors so it would be a fun cookie to serve at a holiday party.  They are so soft and moist and make for an awesome sandwich cookie.  I hope you enjoy them and let the kiddos help do the rolling in the sprinkles--that is always a big hit with them.

 Print recipe HERE

You will need:

1 (18.25) package Funfetti Cake

2 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 container vanilla frosting to make sandwich filling

• Gather ingredients

• Pour everything except vanilla frosting into a bowl

• Mix well to combine

• Drop by even spoonsfuls onto an ungreased or silpat/parchment paper lined baking sheet

• Bake

• Let cool completely then frost the bottom of one cookie

• Place a second cookie on top of the frosting to create a sandwich

• Roll the exposed frosting in assorted sprinkles

 Aren't they FUN?  Love how sweet they are too.

. . . Write Teacher For Me Download . . .

I love a cute and simple project!  This one is the perfect little treat for the teacher's on the first day of school.  It's inexpensive and fun so the teacher will feel special that you thought of him or her.  The best part is the tag is FREE!

Download HERE

Everywhere you look there are packs of cute pencils available.  Grab a few cool pencils and tie them together with some twine or ribbon and attach one of these tags.

Linking up here:

Tickled Pink

Just a girl

The Shabby nest

Show and Tell Friday

Finding Fabulous

I'm Loving it

Fingerprints on Fridge

Chic on a Shoestring Budget
Thirty Handmade Days
All Things Domestic
Faith, Trust and a Little Pixie Dust

Tatertots and Jello

Be different Act Normal

Funky Junk

Simply Designing

So You Think You're Crafty

Craft Goodies

Whipperberry

Young and Crafty

Serenity Now 4 Amanda
Craft Envy
Lolly Jane Boutique
Six Sisters Stuff

Polly Want a Crafter
Dittle Dattle

Metamorphis Monday

Made by You Mondays

Just Something I whipped up Monday

Making the world cuter Monday

Market yourself Monday

Motivate Me Monday

Mad in crafts

Craft

Craftomaniac

Menu Plan Monday
Thrifty Decor Chic
Homemaker on a Dime
Lines Across My Face 
The DIY Home Sweet Home Project

Get Your Craft On

Anything Related

The gypsy corner

Take a look Tuesday

Tasty Tuesday

Show and tell

Not Just a Housewife 

Tip Junkie
Ladybug Blessings
Reasons to Skip the Housework
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Homework

. . . Fun Friday Finds-Back To School . . .

Well, it's hard to believe but the time is here again...Back To School!  Where did the summer go?  I swear it was just the last day of school and now I'm buying school supplies and thinking of teacher's gifts for the new year.  

There are so many amazing ideas out there in Blogland for Back To School gifts for the wonderful teacher's our kids have and I wanted to share a few with you!

 • Flower Vase @ One Charming Party

• Pencil Candy @ Mommy Wisdom

• Crayon Wreath @ Mom's Party Cafe

• Pencil Cup @ Anders Ruff

 • Candle Wrap @ Laura Winslow Photography

• Ruler Wreath @ Polka Dot Chair

• School Print @ Eighteen25

• Calculator Treat @ Eighteen25

 • Popcorn Treat @ Bake at 350

• Coffee Treat @ Jac o' lyn Murphy

What are you doing for your teacher's to celebrate Back To School?

. . . Cookie Time Tuesday--Chocolate Coconut Bars . . .

I'm sorry this didn't get posted earlier today but I have been so busy getting orders printed and ready to ship that I just had to postpone blogging today.  Better late than never...

I loved this recipe!  It is so yummy and so easy too.  I have heard people say it tastes like the Samoa Cookies from the Girl Scouts but I can't say for sure because I have never hard that particular flavor of cookie from them.  I hope you enjoy the recipe!

 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Print Recipe HERE
You will need:

3 cups finely ground graham crackers

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

1 cup pecans chopped

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

• Gather ingredients

• Mix butter, sugar and graham cracker crumbs 

• Press into a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes

• Chop pecans into small pieces

 • Cover cooled crust with pecan pieces and mini chocolate chips

• Cover with sweetened condensed milk

• Spread the condensed milk evenly

• Cover with coconut and bake

The toasted coconut on top is scrumptious!

. . . Fun Friday Finds--Words . . .

I love inspirational and motivational quotes as much as I like a good funny quote.  I decided to gather up a few of my favorites and share them with you for Fun Friday Finds.  What is your favorite on this list or that you live by?

 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

 

 @ The Bottom of the Ironing Basket

@ Sweet Blessings

 @ Downtown

@ Cue Happiness

 @ Simple As That

@ Sherbert Blossom

@ Love Creative Rooms

 @ Running With Sizzors

 @ Barn Owl Primitives

@ Sherbert Blossom

@ Dazey Chic