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	<title>the Shabby Shoppe Blog &#187; Casharina</title>
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		<title>Product Spotlight ~ Winter Wonderland</title>
		<link>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2013/01/15/product-spotlight-winter-wonderland-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2013/01/15/product-spotlight-winter-wonderland-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:09:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Casharina</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Product Spotlight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/?p=20944</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hello everyone, Casharina here with a Product Spotlight post.  These are some of my most favorite posts to work on because they allow me the opportunity to work with kits I’ve used before &#38; love, or ones that are brand new to me and become some of my favorites! ;o)  This week I chose a brand new kit to me, Winter [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center">Hello everyone, <em><strong>Casharina</strong></em> here with a <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/productspotlight/" target="_blank">Product Spotlight</a> post.  These are some of my most favorite posts to work on because they allow me the opportunity to work with kits I’ve used before &amp; love, or ones that are brand new to me and become some of my favorites! ;o)  This week I chose a brand new kit to me, <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=204">Winter Wonderland</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">For a limited time, <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=204" target="_blank">Winter Wonderland</a> will be <strong>on</strong> <strong>SALE</strong> at <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/homepage.asp" target="_blank">the Shabby Shoppe</a> for ONLY <strong>$5.95!</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=204" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21052" title="Winter Wonderland" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/SP_WinterWonderland_Preview1a.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p align="center">This is a beautiful kit that can be used for all sorts of layouts.  It’s a winter themed kit, with charming little snowmen, and snowflakes galore, but it also includes many shades of pastel colors which could be used for spring and Easter layouts.  Here’s the first layout I created using this kit.  I used a template from the Easy-As-Pie <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=412" target="_blank">Rise and Shine</a> collection to create my layout, and I love how it allowed me to really show off the various papers throughout the kit.  I chose to not focus on the snowmen and let the <em>photo</em> and the <em>snowflakes</em> take center stage on this layout.  I love how the snowflake collage turned out, and the shiny green paper was perfect for the leaves, I just clipped it right to the leaf shape!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21055" title="layout by casharina" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/casharina-layout-winter-wonderland1.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p align="center">That’s not all; I’ve also asked <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/artists.asp" target="_blank">the girls</a> to help me out with a few of their very own creations using the <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=204" target="_blank">Winter Wonderland</a> kit.  And wouldn’t you know, being as awesome as they are they’ve shared some delightful layouts themselves!</p>
<p align="center"><strong>Kylie</strong>’s layout shows just how versatile this kit truly is.  The papers and elements within this kit allow her to focus on the gorgeous hydrangeas.  I must say I really love the way she has used the swirly from the kit to tie in each of the flower clusters, what a perfect use of that element.  This layout also shows how easily <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=204" target="_blank">Winter Wonderland</a> coordinates with the <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=389" target="_blank">Sugarplum Additions</a>, the use of the flowers is flawless!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20950" title="layout by kylie" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/WinterWonderland_kylie1.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p align="center">I love how <strong>Aubrey</strong> was able to focus on the “snow” in this photo.  She explained that they where she lives they do not get any snow, well at least not in the last 35-40 years, :o) but she did have a vacation photo of her little one playing in the snow!  Cute photo huh!  I love her title; it’s a perfect way to use the snow word art. The falling snowflakes are also a beautiful addition to this layout!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21056" title="layout by aubrey" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Aubrey-winter-wonderland1.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p align="center">Next up, we have <strong>Kim</strong>’s Texas Christmas layout.  It’s in a beauty!  The way she used the snowflakes on the outer edges of the papers is perfect for that 3D look.  I love the cluster of paper pieces too, it allows for us to see the many beautiful papers in the kit.  The glitter word art just finishes the whole page!  I love it all!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20947" title="layout by kim" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Kim_WinterWonderlandWEB.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p align="center"><strong>Amber</strong> was able to mute the colors and a pop of orange to really help the elements stand out in her layout.  I love how she&#8217;s tacked on the snowflake and tag to create a beautiful cluster using bits and pieces from the <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=204">Winter Wonderland kit</a> and a few other kits!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21057" title="layout by amber" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/amber-SnowFunWEB1.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p align="center">Next up we have, <strong>Rosy</strong>&#8216;s beautiful creation.  I absolutely love the way she has used the word art to help fill in the blanks on the journaling, what a great idea!  This page is so fun and full of brightness, it&#8217;s beautiful!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21027" title="layout by rosy" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Rosy-winter-wonderland.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p align="center"><strong>Lindsay</strong> has shared with us another piece of eye candy.  The soft colors of this kit are perfect to show off her little angel.  The colored snowflakes are beautiful on this background and the frame along with the paper clusters are a great way to show off the many elements in this kit.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21026" title="layout by lindsay" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lindsay-winter-wonderland-copy.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p align="center">Last but certainly not least, we have another stunning layout from <strong>lego</strong>.  This page was done using the kit to focus on photos that had nothing to do with snow or winter.  The way she was able to alter the wordart was perfect!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21025" title="layout by lego" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Elisabeth-winter-wonderland.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p align="center">If you love this set, you’ll also love the little <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=202" target="_blank">Winter Wonderland Brag Book</a>.  It’s one of <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/homepage.asp" target="_blank">the Shoppe</a>&#8216;s beautiful “<a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=31" target="_blank">Piece-A-Cake</a>” products.  Create a gorgeous little 6&#215;4 inch album from a set of 10 quick pages - share it with others, or print two and keep one at home on the coffee table!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=202" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21061" title="Winter Wonderland BRAG BOOK" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/SP_WinterWonderland_Preview1a1.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="400" /></a></p>
<p align="center">The <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=202" target="_blank">brag book</a> is also <strong>on SALE</strong> for ONLY <strong>$2.95&#8230;</strong>and don&#8217;t forget about the very sweet <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=275" target="_blank">BLOGwear</a> for ONLY <strong>$1.50 </strong>if you are looking for a banner update!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=275" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21062" title="Blog Wear" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/SP_Blogwear_WinterWonderland_Preview1.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="227" /></a></p>
<p align="center">Thanks for stopping by &#8211; lego will here <em>tomorrow</em> with another awesome <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/tips-and-tricks/" target="_blank">Tips &amp; Tricks</a> post!</p>
<div class="ddsig_wrap"><p align="center"><img src="/blog/wp-content/themes/shabbyshoppe/images/CasharinaSignature.gif" border="0"></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Green Smoothies or Monster Drinks!</title>
		<link>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/19/green-smoothies-or-monster-drinks/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/19/green-smoothies-or-monster-drinks/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:23:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Casharina</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food Stuff]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/?p=20709</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Casharina here today, to bring you a new, and healthy twist to the “smoothie!”  So lately I’ve been working really hard to lose weight, and let me say it is SO hard!!  I have been running walking fast/ jogging, on the treadmill and recently I&#8217;ve really been focusing on changing my diet.  With that, I don’t [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20710" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/1-title.jpg" alt="" width="432" height="288" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em><strong>Casharina</strong></em> here today, to bring you a new, and healthy twist to the “smoothie!”  So lately I’ve been working really hard to lose weight, and let me say it is SO hard!!  I have been <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">running</span> walking fast/ jogging, on the treadmill and recently I&#8217;ve really been focusing on changing my diet.  With that, I don’t want to “diet” because honestly, I love <em>sweet</em> food way too much to say no, and I do not have an ounce of willpower in my system to say no to the <em>delicious</em> good stuff.  So in an attempt to loose, I’ve been changing small things that don’t make a ton of difference, but will help lessen the calories I take in.  Since it’s almost the first of the year and people are thinking about making their resolutions I figured I’d add a new healthy snack/meal that I have tried and really love!  Let me warn you, the color of these little <em>monsters</em> is kind of disturbing, but if you can get passed that I bet you’ll love them!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong>Green Smoothies:</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center">Okay so let me explain&#8230;these little green monsters can be made just about <em>any</em> way you’d like to make one.  I’m going to share a recipe that I developed to fit my taste buds, after finding various recipes and including only the ingredients I had and wanted to try.  I’ve helped myself to these for the past week, and I don’t know if it’s pure coincidence or not but the dry skin on my arm seems to be clearing up!</p>
<p align="center">For this <em>tasty</em> treat you need only a few <strong>ingredients</strong>!</p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: center;">2 cups of fresh greens (you can use any green: bok choy, spinach, baby spinach (has a milder flavor), kale, etc.</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">1 to 1.5 small banana(s)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">6 oz. water</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">1 Tbsp. milled flax seed (optional)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">1 cup mango</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20723" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/middle-of-post1.jpg" alt="" width="340" height="548" /></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Directions:</strong> Add the flax seed and fresh greens to the blender.  Then add in the water, banana and mango.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em><strong>A few little tips:</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center">I like to use <strong>frozen bananas</strong> (peel fresh bananas, cut them in halves, and place in a freezer bag) as they make the shake a little thicker and COLD.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong><em> </em></strong>I recently learned that bananas with brown spots are extra sweet so don’t toss them, freeze them up!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center">Can you believe this was the first time I ever had a <strong>mango</strong>?  I had to search the internet to find out how to cut and eat a mango. Lol.  So here goes my version:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;" align="center">stand up the mango, and slice on each side of the large seed in the middle, this is not like a normal seed, it’s a large thick piece in the middle of the mango, you’ll see what I mean when you try.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;" align="center">Next, you’ll slice it, leave it in skin and slice almost through it, slice it long ways and short ways, and then scoop out the pieces with a spoon.  Now, you’re done!! That’s it!!<img class="aligncenter  wp-image-20712" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/mango-cuts.jpg" alt="" width="406" height="311" /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"> You may want to add more fruit, if it’s not sweet enough for you.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Add some ice cubes to make it even colder &#8211; the colder it is the better it tastes!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">There are so many ways to enjoy a green smoothie.  So far in addition to this recipe I’ve also used banana and peanut butter (this was my favorite!), and banana and strawberries&#8230;they’ve all been delicious!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center">That’s it for today, I hope you enjoy this recipe and if you choose to make one, or have a yummy recipe I’d love to hear about it!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center">Be sure to stop back <em>tomorrow</em> for another delicious treat&#8230;this time from <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/artistBio.asp?artist=lindsay" target="_blank">Lindsay</a>!</p>
<div class="ddsig_wrap"><p align="center"><img src="/blog/wp-content/themes/shabbyshoppe/images/CasharinaSignature.gif" border="0"></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Focus on Photos ~ Getting ready&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/12/focus-on-photos-getting-ready/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/12/focus-on-photos-getting-ready/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:24:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Casharina</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Photography]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/?p=20456</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Can you believe it’s time to start thinking about this ALREADY?  I (Casharina) can’t…this year has seriously flown by, and I know I’ve heard all my life that “the older you get, the faster it flies,” and I can truly understand that now!  My little ones are growing up before my eyes; it’s amazing how [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20460" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/1.png" alt="" width="360" height="360" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Can you believe it’s time to start thinking about this ALREADY?  I (<em><strong>Casharina</strong></em>) can’t…this year has seriously flown by, and I know I’ve heard all my life that “the older you get, the faster it flies,” and I can truly understand that now!  My little ones are growing up before my eyes; it’s amazing how fast the years have passed with them.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> Okay, let’s get back to <em>the Holidays</em> right!  I LOVE Christmas; it’s my most favorite time of the year.  I love what Christmas truly means and what it represents to me and my family, I love the magic of Santa and the fun it brings, as well as the lessons we learn about giving to others, the bright colored lights found inside and outside our homes…oh how I <em>love</em> this time of the year!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> This year I’ve been focusing on taking better <strong><em>everyday</em> pictures</strong>, and with that I have been focusing on the fact that this year I want to get better Christmas morning pictures.  So after practice I’m going to share with you some of the pointers I’ve learned along the way and hope that they will enable be me to get my best photos yet! ;)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> First of all, to be fully prepared for the hustle and bustle of Christmas morning (or any special event) we need to ensure we’ve got things ready the evening before. This includes:</p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li> checking that the camera <strong>battery is fully charged</strong></li>
<li>having new/clear <strong>memory cards</strong> (have another available in case you need it…I always keep an extra one or two in my bag!)</li>
<li>get your camera <strong>settings</strong> ready by adjusting all of your dials to the appropriate settings for Christmas morning fun!</li>
<li>if you have an external flash, make sure you have new batteries in it or extras handy.  I have had batteries die so many times during a photo shoot it’s not even funny!</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <strong><em>Without a Flash: </em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> For us we usually get up EXTRA early in the morning…honestly I can’t sleep due to excitement for my kiddos so I’m up all night waiting for the morning, and have had to wake my oldest up for a few years! Hah.  I know sad right!  (My mom was the SAME way when I was little!)  We’re those people who have eaten and opened gifts by 6:45 am at the latest, although this year I’m going to <em>let em’</em> sleep <em>til’</em> at least 7!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> OK, I kinda got sidetracked!  I told you about our early mornings because many times I don’t want to wake the girls up with flashes in their face, I can’t say that’d put them in a very good mood!  I also don’t love the look of <em>straight on flash</em> so there are many options you can choose to help your photos look fantastic without the use of flash.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">First you’ll want to dial up the <strong><em>ISO</em></strong> (make it a higher number…usually I leave mine on 250ish but for darker situations I’ll bring it up to 800 or so!)</div>
</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">You’ll also want to make sure you have your <strong><em>aperture </em></strong>opened as wide as it’ll go.  This means you&#8217;ll have the smallest f/# possible for your camera.</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">You’ll also want to open your shutter speed up, ensuring that it’s not so slow that pictures are blurry.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <strong><em>With a Flash:</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;"> If you find that you need to use a flash, there are ways you can help avoid the harsh lights in the face, just like we’ve learned before in <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/11/14/focus-on-photos-challenges-of-indoor-photography/" target="_blank">Rosy’s last Focus on Photos post</a> dealing with the challenges of <strong>indoor photography</strong>.  In addition to using a piece of cardstock you can also place a business card under the popup flash.  This allows the light to bounce off the paper before hitting your subject head on.  When using an external flash, you’ll want to bounce the flash off a wall or the ceiling to prevent the harsh light hitting the subjects face.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"> One thing I’m going to really try to avoid this year is worrying about “<em>the perfect shot</em>!”  If you’re like me, you try to get the kids to look at you, wait on that perfect position of the lighting, gift, perfect little smile, all while trying to not include the trash and clutter of the morning???  Not this year.  This year I want to focus on what we’re doing, in the moment.  Honestly, when I look back at Christmas pictures from when my husband and I were young, it’s the clutter that really takes me back.  It allows me to remember the “other” gifts and things going on at the time.  I might be holding a new Barbie accessory, but in the background I can see a glimpse of a baby doll and clothes that I also received.  Just because they’re in the background, I’m able to recall those special toys, those special things that didn’t make the “picture” or scrapbook, but because they’re in the background I can go back and see what I was like as a child.  I want my kiddos to have the same opportunities.  I plan to just <em>keep memories</em> this year and by that I mean taking the picture in the moment, not waiting, worrying only about getting pictures of what’s happening, and I challenge you to do the same!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> Now, if it comes down to Christmas morning and your pictures just <em>won’t</em> look the way you want them to, forget it all and <strong>turn on Auto</strong>.  You will never forget pictures you took, but you may regret the pictures you missed because you were focusing on technical details and <em>not</em> the photo.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">To get some more great tips on photographing the holidays, check out Beckie&#8217;s posts &#8211; <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2011/12/14/focus-on-photos-holiday-shaped-bokeh/" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2010/12/15/focus-on-photos-holiday-photography/" target="_blank">also HERE</a>!!  I used her tips to create the first picture in this post!  I&#8217;m hoping to come some shapes to try the bokeh look too!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Don&#8217;t forget to stop back by <em>tomorrow</em> when Kylie updates us our <strong>November</strong> <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/project-scrap-2012/" target="_blank">ProjectSCRAP</a> check-in and shares the NEW <strong>December</strong> templates!!</p>
<div class="ddsig_wrap"><p align="center"><img src="/blog/wp-content/themes/shabbyshoppe/images/CasharinaSignature.gif" border="0"></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
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		<title>Hybrid Project ~ Decorative Charger/Plate</title>
		<link>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/11/30/hybrid-project-decorative-chargerplate/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/11/30/hybrid-project-decorative-chargerplate/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Nov 2012 09:51:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Casharina</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hybrid Projects]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/?p=20109</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hello everyone!  It’s Casharina here to bring you another fun, yet EASY hybrid project!  So for starters, just to refresh everyone’s memory, I am a scrapper who does not LOVE to cut things! Ha!  I cannot cut a straight line to save my life, I have been through three straight paper cutters, and will just about [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center">Hello everyone!  It’s <em><strong>Casharina</strong></em> here to bring you another fun, yet EASY <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/hybrid_projects/" target="_blank">hybrid project</a>!  So for starters, just to refresh everyone’s memory, I am a scrapper who does not <em>LOVE</em> to cut things! Ha!  I cannot cut a straight line to save my life, I have been through three straight paper cutters, and will just about do ANYTHING to prevent me from “having” to cut things out!  I recently splurged on a new toy for myself the Cameo Silhouette.  I have only had it for about a week and I absolutely love it, I can see it becoming one of my <em>favorite</em> scrapping buddies &lt;“wink”&gt;!!  After playing a few days with it and knowing I had a <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/hybrid.asp" target="_blank">hybrid</a> post coming up, I was determined that I <em>had </em>to use the machine, and with Christmas just around the corner I wanted to create some Christmas décor!  With all the beautiful <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=39" target="_blank">new products</a> from <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/homepage.asp" target="_blank">the Shabby Shoppe</a> I had lots of inspiration and most importantly, many things to choose from!  I decided to create a <strong>Decorative Charger</strong> to display on my counter.</p>
<p align="center"> <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20116" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/finished.png" alt="" width="557" height="369" /></p>
<p align="center"><strong><em>Gathering materials:</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>
<div align="center"><strong><em> </em>Cutting Machine </strong>- any cutting machine that will allow you to design your own cutting files, OR you can choose to cut the design by hand (but you all know I “<em>don’t</em>” do cutting!)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="center"><strong>White Contact Paper </strong>- I bought a roll from Walmart for $5.99.  It was 18 inches wide, too wide for my machine so this is where my carpenter dad came in! ;)  He took a skil saw to it, making it around 13 inches, leaving a second roll of about 5 inches wide, which is perfect for using on the mat that goes along with my machine!  He also told me that a miter saw would be perfect for the job! ;)  (The edge is a little rough, but not too rough, and fed right through the machine without a problem.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="center"><strong>Software</strong> to create the cutting file.  For this project I used the silhouette software that is free and came with the machine.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="center"><strong>Wordart of your choice</strong> &#8211; I used the “Cookies for Santa” wordart from the <a href="//www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodview.asp?idProduct=422">Holiday Wordart and More collection</a>.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="center"><strong>Plate or charger</strong> to decorate, or a sign for that matter, whatever you want to adhere the contact paper to.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p align="center"><strong><em>Designing the cutting file:</em></strong></p>
<p>If you’re cutting by hand you could simply print and trace the PNG file that comes in the kit.</p>
<p align="center">If you’re cutting with a machine, you may want to modify it just a little.  For mine, I used the silhouette design software (the version that comes free with the machine).</p>
<p align="center"><strong><em>Tracing a .png, graphic, etc. using the silhouette software:</em></strong></p>
<p align="center"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20119" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/tracing-feature2.png" alt="" width="640" height="349" /></p>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;" align="center">Drag the image into a new document.</div>
</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">
<div align="center">Click on the blue square icon (aka the <em>Trace Window</em>) in the top corner.</div>
</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">
<div align="center">Here you will choose the top box which will give you an arrow cursor.</div>
</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">You will need to draw a box around your element that you want traced.  Make sure everything you want traced is in the grey part of the square.</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Next, <strong>uncheck</strong> the High Pass filter option, and then up the Threshold to around 80-100%.  It should fill in your whole design, if little pieces of it aren’t covered that’s okay.</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Lastly, you’ll select the Trace outer edge.  Now there should be red lines around the OUTSIDE of your letters.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Getting the insides of each letter:</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20114" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/adding-inner-pieces-to-the-letters.png" alt="" width="640" height="360" /></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;" align="center"> Next, you’ll move the PNG file below the outline, leaving ONLY the outlined letters.  There will be NO inners for the letters so you’ll need to trace the original PNG again, following the same directions, but this time you need to <strong>click TRACE</strong>. Now the letters, as well as the insides of each letter should have red around it. Again, move the original PNG away from the trace lines.</div>
</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Right click on the new set of traced lines.</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Select <strong><em>Release Compound Path</em></strong>.</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Now you can select each individual little slither in the design.  (I didn’t want to worry with taking out each of the tiny cuts so I left those in the second design, but I used copy and paste to bring the inner portions of the letters into the top design, which will be the one I cut. I also chose to adjust a few of the inner designs, adding the small boxes to the <em>I</em> in cookies.  I also added the small star inside of the larger star so that it’d be cut out, but I left out the squiggly lines surrounding it.)</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;" align="center">Now the file is ready for cutting, so <strong>SAVE</strong>!  Now you can use it again for other projects!</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <strong><em>Tip</em></strong><em>:</em> Directions to trace an object, any graphic can be traced in essentially the same way, making minor adjustments to the sliders to perfect it!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"> As you can see in my design, I have also used the Candy Cane from the <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=331">Sugarplum Dreams </a>collection.  I adjusted it by taking out the “Pink” pieces of the candy cane following the directions above to create a red and white candy cane on my plate.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <strong><em>Cutting the file:</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-20120" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/cutting.png" alt="" width="641" height="393" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">For this one, I chose to use my smaller roll of contact paper.  Lay the vinyl on your mat, mine was approximately 5 inches tall by 12 inches wide.  When cutting vinyl you want a “<em><strong>KISS</strong></em>” cut.  This means you want to cut the top portion of the vinyl, but not the back part of it.  So you want to be able to peel away the <em>extra</em> vinyl, leaving the design still adhered to the backing paper.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">On my machine I used the following settings:</p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">Blade set on 2</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">Speed at 5</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">Thickness at 3</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong><em>Tip:</em></strong> Write down whatever settings work for your machine so that you can use them later!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em> If you’re NOT using a mat, ensure that the Cutting Mat option is NOT checked, if you ARE using a mat, ensure that it IS checked.</em></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li>
<div align="center"> Now click on the <strong>send to silhouette</strong> button.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="center">Follow the steps to ensure you have everything correct.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="center">Cut your file.<em></em></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><img class="size-full wp-image-20118 aligncenter" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/steps-with-vinyl.png" alt="" width="539" height="400" /></em></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li>
<div align="center">Once the file is cut you’ll want to <strong>peel away the excess vinyl</strong>.  This is known as “weeding” the design.  This is the toughest part of the entire project; you have to make sure you get out all of the tiny pieces between the letters.  You can purchase a hook tool for this, but I have just been using a safety pin and it works GREAT!</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center">Here’s another <em><strong>tip</strong></em>, instead of purchasing transfer tape, you can use <em>contact paper</em>, so that’s what I did.  I just grabbed a piece of contact paper, from the same roll and cut a big enough piece to cover the design.</p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li>
<div align="center">Place the sticky side on TOP of your design.  Using an old credit card (or one that you’ve had in a drawer FOREVER and didn’t call and activate it! ;) like I did here!) press down on your design to make sure it’s all “STUCK” to the new contact paper.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="center">Pull the original piece of contact paper away from the back of the new piece.  Ensure that ALL of the letters (and the small pieces, dots of the i’s, periods, etc.) are also sticking to the new contact paper.  This makes the design backwards when looking at it, but it gives you a way to transfer the design in tact without having to place it one letter at a time on your new surface</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em><strong>Adhereing it to the Plate:</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20117" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/finishing-up.png" alt="" width="600" height="359" /></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li>
<div align="center">Now take the piece of contact paper and place it where you want it on your decoration.  Again, using your credit card, press down hard enough to ensure that the letters will come OFF the vinyl and go onto the decoration.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="center">Begin peeling up the “transfer tape/contact paper”.  This time the design should be adhering to your charger or plate.  Make sure you are SLOWWWW in this process, ensuring that each piece is sticking.  I had a little trouble only on the last bracket; it didn’t want to stick as well. I just used the credit card to pull it down on the plate and once it stuck, the whole piece stuck!</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="center"> Now, do the same process to the candy cane, if you decided to add one!</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"> And you’re finished; you’ve got a new beautiful decoration!!  Just remember if you use contact paper, it will <em><strong>NOT</strong> </em>be water proof, so no washing, and I’m not sure how long it’ll hold up, but I’m thinking if it&#8217;s just left on display it should last quite a while!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center">I plan to make a few of these using the monograms from the <a href="//theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=220">carousel monogram</a><em></em>kit for friends and family!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center">I hope you’ve enjoyed this project!  If you’ve got any questions feel free to post, I’ll try my best to help you out!!  It is really an easy process once you get into it though.  Check back in with us on <em>Monday</em> for another <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/layout-of-the-week/" target="_blank">Layout of the Week</a>!  Enjoy your weekend!!</p>
<div class="ddsig_wrap"><p align="center"><img src="/blog/wp-content/themes/shabbyshoppe/images/CasharinaSignature.gif" border="0"></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
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		<title>LOTW</title>
		<link>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/11/19/lotw-96/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/11/19/lotw-96/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Nov 2012 10:33:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Casharina</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Layout of the Week]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/?p=20104</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Good morning everyone&#8230;Casharina here!  Can you believe it’s already Monday?  Shew, it feels like my weekends just fly by these days and Monday comes quicker than ever!  There is one thing I look forward to on Mondays though, the Layout of the Week blog post.  I love seeing the beautiful layouts featured every Monday, but [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;">Good morning everyone&#8230;<em><strong>Casharina</strong></em> here!  Can you believe it’s already Monday?  <em>Shew</em>, it feels like my weekends just fly by these days and Monday comes quicker than ever!  There is one thing I look forward to on Mondays though, the <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/layout-of-the-week/" target="_blank">Layout of the Week</a> blog post.  I love seeing the beautiful layouts featured every Monday, but I don’t necessarily love the task of being the “picker.” <em>Lol!</em>  It’s one of the toughest posts I have to complete, with all the eye candy in <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/index.php" target="_blank">the gallery</a>.  I have such a hard time choosing only one, but you all know that’s how it goes&#8230;so this week I’ve chosen <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=7871&amp;username=yordea" target="_blank">yordea</a>’s <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=34972&amp;title=tiny-toes&amp;cat=859" target="_blank">Tiny Toes</a> layout.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=34972&amp;title=tiny-toes&amp;cat=859" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20105" title="Tiny Toes by yordea" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/600x600-tiny-toes-by-yordea.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Her layout is simply <em>simple</em>, and that’s one thing I <em><strong>adore</strong></em> about it.  Aren’t baby feet, and their tiny toes one of the most <em><strong>precious</strong> </em>things ever?  I love them!  Here <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=7871&amp;username=yordea" target="_blank">yordea</a> has done a fantastic job of keeping the focus on her <em><strong>perfect</strong> </em>image.  I really like how she has used the stitching from <strong><a href="//www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodview.asp?idProduct=420" target="_blank">Memory Lane </a></strong>to stitch around the photo, as well as placed it inside the frame; so cute, and what a great way to focus your eyes on the image held within.  I also like the brushed flowers sitting just behind the photo to help give it depth.  The paper she’s chosen to go along with the <em>sweet</em> photo couldn’t have been any more <em>perfect</em>; I admire the entire page!  Stunning <em>simple’ness</em> really!!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Congratulations</strong> <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=7871&amp;username=yordea" target="_blank">yordea</a> for winning <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/layout-of-the-week/" target="_blank">layout of the week</a> - and an even sweeter congratulations on the birth of your precious little girl!  We hope you enjoy a little <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/homepage.asp" target="_blank"><em>Shoppe-ing</em></a> fun!!  Please check your email (also don’t forget to check your spam folder if you don&#8217;t see it) for your <strong>$10 Shabby Shoppe gift card</strong>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Thank you</strong> all for posting your beautiful layouts in <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/index.php" target="_blank">the gallery</a> each week - it really is so fun and inspiring to see them!  Have a wonderful fun-filled Monday and check back tomorrow when <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/artistBio.asp?artist=lego" target="_blank">lego</a> shares with us an <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/inspiration/" target="_blank">inspirational post</a>, I’m sure it’ll be amazing!</p>
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		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
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		<title>Product Spotlight ~ Autumn Chic</title>
		<link>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/10/16/product-spotlight-autumn-chic-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/10/16/product-spotlight-autumn-chic-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:09:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Casharina</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Product Spotlight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/?p=19329</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Good morning/afternoon/or evening!  Casharina here&#8230;and I’m so excited to be bringing you another Product Spotlight.  Aren’t these posts so fun?!  I know before I became a part of the Shabby Artist Team I loved getting to see the inspiration pages from the kits I had, or was considering purchasing.  It’s fun to see what others [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;">Good morning/afternoon/or evening!  <strong><em>Casharina</em></strong> here&#8230;and I’m so excited to be bringing you another <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/productspotlight/" target="_blank">Product Spotlight</a>.  Aren’t these posts so fun?!  I know before I became a part of the Shabby Artist Team I loved getting to see the inspiration pages from the kits I had, or was considering purchasing.  It’s fun to see what others can do with the same elements, papers, and flowers but still create pages that are so unique and imaginative.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Today I’m spotlighting <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=118" target="_blank">Autumn Chic</a>&#8230;and <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=118" target="_blank">this gorgeous kit</a> will be ON SALE at <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/homepage.asp" target="_blank">the Shabby Shoppe</a> for <strong>only $4.75 </strong><em>(for a limited time)</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=118" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19406" title="Autumn Chic" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SP_AutumnChic_Preview_blog.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I know some of you aren’t getting to enjoy the beautiful weather of fall, but we have been and I am definitely trying to soak it all up.  I can’t wait to go camping and sit by the fire without having a heat stroke!  The colors in this beautiful kit are perfect for fall pages, or everyday pages that need the deeper, brighter colors of the season.  As you can see for my inspiration page, I’ve created a layout focusing on my little girl and her “reading habits.”  She’s so funny!  I loved the bright bold colors; they just added the perfect touch to the page!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19330" title="layout by casharina" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Autumn-Chic-layout-for-product-spotlight.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> Let’s see what kind of inspiration the girls from the creative team can give you today.  First up we have a gorgeous page from Kylie.  Her use of the papers to create the perfect little banner, and all of her ribbons are an excellent way to make use of the beautiful elements included in <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=118" target="_blank">Autumn Chic</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19331" title="layout by kylie" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AutumnChic-kylie.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">  Next up we have a beautiful page from Rosy.  I absolutely love the way she’s featured the alpha letter “A” for her little girls name, isn’t it the perfect touch.  Her stitching on the ribbon and paper circles are also a great example of the beautiful papers in the <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=118" target="_blank">Autumn Chic</a> collection.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19379" title="layout by rosy" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/plugged-in.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Last, but certainly not least, we have a gorgeous layout created by Kim.  I love how she’s included the flower throughout her entire spread.  The tenderness you can feel in this page is portrayed through the photograph as well as the flawless use of flower clusters.  They’re a wonderful addition to the <em>girly-ness</em> of this page.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19380" title="layout by kim" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/KimAutumnChicWEB.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Thanks for stopping by the blog!  Join Kylie on <em>Thursday</em> for your October <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/project-scrap-2012/" target="_blank">projectSCRAP</a> templates.</p>
<div class="ddsig_wrap"><p align="center"><img src="/blog/wp-content/themes/shabbyshoppe/images/CasharinaSignature.gif" border="0"></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Food Friday ~ BBQ Pork and Rice</title>
		<link>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/10/05/food-friday-bbq-pork-and-rice/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/10/05/food-friday-bbq-pork-and-rice/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2012 09:02:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Casharina</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food Stuff]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Free (not desktops)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/?p=19234</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Pork, pineapples and rice&#8230;Yum!  Okay well it’s me again, Casharina, bringing you another Food Friday post!  Although you know I love to do anything in the crock pot, but when the weather is warm, I love to bring out the grilling foods and this is one of our new favorites!  It’s a pretty easy one [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;">Pork, pineapples and rice&#8230;Yum!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> Okay well it’s me again, <em><strong>Casharina</strong></em>, bringing you another <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/foodstuff/" target="_blank">Food Friday</a> post!  Although you know I love to do anything in the crock pot, but when the weather is warm, I love to bring out the grilling foods and this is one of our new favorites!  It’s a pretty easy one too, and can be cooked on the grill, or inside on the stove, your preference.  The first time we had this was while we were camping with friends.  I was a little weary that my kids wouldn’t love it, or us for that matter (we’re VERY boring eaters! LOL!) &#8230;but to my surprise my whole family likes it!  So, let’s get started.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19314" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/BBQPork1.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="269" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">½ small onion</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">1lb stew pork pieces (I try to buy them when they’re on sale, and stick them in the freezer.)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">1 each: green, yellow, red, and orange pepper (These can also be prepped ahead of time and placed in the freezer.  I have also found that Save-A-Lot carries a small frozen bag of these ingredients and it works GREAT, and they’re CHEAP, much cheaper than buying fresh, unless you’ve got a garden!!)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">BBQ sauce (your favorite flavor&#8230;I use Kraft Original)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">2 cups of rice (Instant is what I use, brown rice works great too.)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">1 can of diced pineapple (I usually buy “chunks” and then cut the chunks into smaller pieces.  I use about 3 rings and then I divvy the rest up for the girls’ lunches the next day.) Reserve some of the juice from the can for the sauce.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19315" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/BBQPork2.jpg" alt="" width="445" height="288" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Preparation:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Cut EVERYTHING into small bite size pieces.</strong></div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">This includes the already small <strong>pork</strong> pieces, it just taste better to have everything on the smaller size.  I usually cut the pork pieces in half and trim off as much of the fat as possible.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">Dice <strong>onion, peppers and pineapple </strong>into small pieces as well.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;">I chose to purchase enough to make two meals out of the ingredients and went ahead and chopped each of the peppers and onion, placed them into a large freezer safe bag and laid it flat in the freezer to use at a later time.  When using ingredients from the freezer the veggies won’t take as long to cook before they start becoming soft so be careful when cooking them.  Also there will be more liquid in the pan as they will have ice pieces, it&#8217;s fine, no worries!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Hard parts done, now it’s time to cook!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19316" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/BBQPork3.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="242" /></p>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Place your pork a pan. </strong>If you’re cooking on the stove your standard kitchen pan is fine, OR if you decide to use the grill/bbq, an aluminum pan or other grill-safe pan should be used.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Add a little BBQ sauce</strong> to the mix &#8211; enough to keep it moist and some of the <strong>pineapple juice</strong> from the can.  You don’t want it too wet but you want the meat to take in the flavors, so add a little at a time during the cooking process.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">Okay, <strong>begin your rice</strong> (seperately).  Like I said, I usually use the instant 5-minute rice and it works great.  If you are using something that takes longer, you may want to start it a little earlier and follow your prefered method!  I use a 4 serving size of rice for this amount of meat &amp; veggies.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">Once the meat is thoroughly cooked <strong>add the veggies. </strong> Continue cooking/stirring and keep an eye on it so that it doesn’t scorch.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: center;">After the veggies are done, you are too!! YAY!  Now you can choose to either mix the rice in and eat, or spoon it over the rice.  I like to mix and eat because I feel like it goes a little further that way.  My hubby adds more BBQ sauce right on top.  Either way it’s DELICIOUS, and definitely one of our family favorites!!</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;">And here is your <strong>FREE 4×6 recipe card</strong>.  You can <a href="http://www.shabbyprincess.com/download.asp?link=802" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to download the card</a>…<em>or simply click the image below! </em>Enjoy!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shabbyprincess.com/download.asp?link=802" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19318" title="CLICK HERE to download :o)" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SP_Blog_RecipeCards_BBQRicebyCasharina_Preview.jpg" alt="" width="584" height="407" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Thanks for checking in with the Blog today…we’ll see you all on <em>Monday</em> for the <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/layout-of-the-week/" target="_blank">Layout of the Week</a>.  Have a lovely weekend!</p>
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		<title>LOTW</title>
		<link>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/10/01/lotw-89/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/10/01/lotw-89/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:06:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Casharina</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Layout of the Week]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/?p=19262</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Good Monday Morning!  Casharina here bringing you another layout of the week post!  This week we’ve had SO many gorgeous layouts to choose from.  It was very inspiring and I’ve added a lot of them to my favorites file.  But at the same time, it made my choice SO much more difficult.  Too bad I only [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;">Good Monday Morning!  <em><strong>Casharina</strong></em> here bringing you another layout of the week post!  This week we’ve had SO many gorgeous layouts to choose from.  It was very inspiring and I’ve added a lot of them to my favorites file.  But at the same time, it made my choice SO much more difficult.  Too bad I only get to choose one&#8230;and after TONS of consideration I chose <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=34629&amp;title=rainbows&amp;cat=859" target="_blank"><strong>Rainbows </strong></a>by <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=15625&amp;username=kris-t" target="_blank">kris_t</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=34629&amp;title=rainbows&amp;cat=859" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19263" title="rainbows by kris_t" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/600x600-kris_t-for-rainbow-layout.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Not only is <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=34629&amp;title=rainbows&amp;cat=all" target="_blank">this layout</a> absolutely stunning, but it also shares a greater message.  Her kiddos made these beautiful rainbows to send to a little girl who is sick in the hospital who hopes to receive a rainbow from everyone in the world. How precious is that?  And, the page was inspired by Beckie&#8217;s recent <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/09/28/rainbow-inspiration/" target="_blank">rainbow-inspired post</a>; it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Isn’t the cluster of brilliant colored flowers, buttons and other elements just superb?  You all know what a sucker I am for clusters and this is just fantastic.  I love how she was able to make the cluster flow down the entirety of the page, it&#8217;s perfect and really helps give meaning to the pictures!  I <em>heart</em> it!!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> Once again <strong>congratulations</strong> <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=15625&amp;username=kris-t" target="_blank">kris_t</a> and thanks for sharing your layout with us!  Please be sure to check your email along with your spam folder for a <strong>$10 gift card</strong> to enjoy some <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/homepage.asp" target="_blank">shoppe’ing fun</a>!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Join us<em> tomorrow</em> when Kylie brings us another <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/productspotlight/" target="_blank">Product Spotlight</a> featuring another one of the Shabby Shoppes beautiful kits!</p>
<div class="ddsig_wrap"><p align="center"><img src="/blog/wp-content/themes/shabbyshoppe/images/CasharinaSignature.gif" border="0"></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
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		<title>Product Spotlight ~ the Gracie collection</title>
		<link>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/09/18/product-spotlight-the-gracie-collection/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/09/18/product-spotlight-the-gracie-collection/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Sep 2012 09:18:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Casharina</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Product Spotlight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/?p=19081</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hi everyone!  It’s me, Casharina, and today I’m bringing a Product Spotlight! YAY!!  This time I get to spotlight the very beautiful GRACIE collection. To date, this is one of the largest kits you’ll find in the Shabby Shoppe.  It is packed with all sorts of goodies, including beautiful, bright colored papers, tons of embellishments that I [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center">Hi everyone!  It’s me, <em><strong>Casharina</strong></em>, and today I’m bringing a<strong> <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/productspotlight/" target="_blank">Product Spotlight</a></strong>! YAY!!  This time I get to spotlight the very beautiful <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=397" target="_blank">GRACIE</a> collection.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=397" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19137" title="the Gracie collection" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SP_Gracie_Preview_blog.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="532" /></a></p>
<p align="center">To date, this is one of the largest kits you’ll find in <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/homepage.asp" target="_blank">the Shabby Shoppe</a>.  It is packed with all sorts of goodies, including beautiful, bright colored papers, tons of embellishments that I find myself using on all sorts of pages, and word art to help complete that special layout!  The stitching elements included are some of my favorite pieces in <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=397" target="_blank">this kit</a>, and I seem to consistently add them to my pages.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=397" target="_blank">Gracie</a> will be <strong>ON SALE</strong> for a limited time!  That means you can pick up all this beauty for <strong>just $6.75</strong> – right <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=397" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</p>
<p align="center">To show you just how gorgeous this kit is the team and I have created a few layouts to share!</p>
<p align="center"> First up I’ve used the <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=397" target="_blank">Gracie</a> collection<em><strong> </strong></em>to create a page focusing on my girlies and their interaction with one another during a small photo shoot.  I love the word art at the bottom, it was the perfect element to finish this page, and don’t you love the vellum pocket?  So cute!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19085" title="layout by casharina" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/gracie-layout-for-product-spotlight.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p align="center">Rosy has outdone herself this time creating a two page layout for us!  I absolutely adore her use of the stitching and flowers to help our eyes move along through all of the beautiful images included in the layout.  I also love how she has taken advantage of the tapes and hearts to tack down her lovely pieces of paper surrounding the page, super cute!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19138" title="layout by rosy" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/gracie-reunion2.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="300" /></a></p>
<p align="center">Kim does an uber great job of showing off different ways to use the gorgeous frames included in <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=397" target="_blank">Gracie</a>.  I have to say I “<em>love</em>” the way she’s tacked the hook and key as well, SO creative!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19086" title="layout by kim" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/KimGracieWEB.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a></p>
<p align="center"> Once again Kylie has shown her hand at how utterly amazing her pieces can be with her skills of clustering.  I love how she has used many of the beautiful papers<strong><em> </em></strong>to cluster in around the focus image on the page, and don’t you just love the little butterfly peeking through the flowers, a perfect touch!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19082" title="layout by kylie" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/gracie1-kylie.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></a><em><strong></strong></em></p>
<p align="center"><em><strong>Thank you</strong> </em>girls for the beautiful layouts!  Check out <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=501" target="_blank">the gallery</a> to see more information about each of these pages and don’t forget to add your layouts to the gallery too!</p>
<p align="center">Thanks for stopping by the blog!  <em>Tomorrow</em> Kim will be sharing some <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/photography/" target="_blank">photography fun</a>, so don’t miss that!</p>
<div class="ddsig_wrap"><p align="center"><img src="/blog/wp-content/themes/shabbyshoppe/images/CasharinaSignature.gif" border="0"></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>Tips &amp; Tricks ~ Creating a Curve from a Straight element</title>
		<link>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/09/12/tips-tricks-creating-a-curve-from-a-straight-element/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2012/09/12/tips-tricks-creating-a-curve-from-a-straight-element/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2012 09:21:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Casharina</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Tips and Tricks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/?p=18817</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hi all!  Casharina here!  I am so excited to share a new trick with you that I have JUST recently learned…so let’s get started shall we??  As far as I know this trick can only be done in Photoshop CS5 or newer&#8230;so apologies to those of you that don&#8217;t have that particular software&#8230;but for readers that do have CS5 [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;">Hi all!  <em><strong>Casharina</strong></em> here!  I am so excited to share a new trick with you that I have JUST recently learned…so let’s get started shall we??  As far as I know this trick can only be done in Photoshop CS5 or newer&#8230;so apologies to those of you that don&#8217;t have that particular software&#8230;but for readers that do have CS5 or CS6 it would be a shame not to share my latest trick with you guys!!</p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: center;">First of all you need to get your straight item.  You can do this while working on a layout if you choose, but for this tutorial I’ve chosen to open only the element.  I’m using the straight pink ric rac from the beautiful <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=289" target="_blank">blossom collection</a>.</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Next, go to <em><strong>Edit -&gt;</strong><strong> Puppet Warp</strong></em></li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18818" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/blog-1.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="346" /></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li>You’ll see a weird looking grid show up on your element, don’t worry, it’s normal!</li>
<li>Next you’ll want to place your cursor on the outer edge of your ric rac, the cursor will turn into a pushpin-type illustration.  This is simply a step to “pin” the ric rac in place and not allow that spot to move.  Pin each side of the ric rac.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-18819  aligncenter" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/blog-2.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="346" /></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li>Then you’ll put a pin in the center of the ric rac.  If you’d like to make it curve here you will simply drag this pin downwards/upwards and you will see the ric rac start to bend.  In previous versions when elements were transformed the pixels would warp &#8211; this new trick avoids that icky warped look.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18820" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/blog-3.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="346" /></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li>If you choose, you can add another “pin” to another spot along the ric rac and drag it down.  This is helpful if you’re trying to attach the ric rac to a banner etc.</li>
<li>Once you’ve got your element curved the way you want it simply hit ENTER and you’re finished.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18821" src="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/blog-4.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="346" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">How simple is that…I’m SO excited to start using this trick in my scrapbook pages.  I’d love to see your finished layouts showing off this new tip&#8230;so don’t forget to load them up to the <strong><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/index.php">Shoppe Gallery</a></strong>!!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Be sure to stop by <em>tomorrow</em> when SP brings us the latest <a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/project-scrap-2012/" target="_blank">projectScrap</a> check-in!!</p>
<div class="ddsig_wrap"><p align="center"><img src="/blog/wp-content/themes/shabbyshoppe/images/CasharinaSignature.gif" border="0"></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
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