{capture the moment}

Home again!

As many of you may know, I was gone on vacation for two weeks, got home just in time for the countdown to begin, and left immediately afterwards to head to Chicago for CHA!  I got home Monday afternoon, and let me just say, it's good to be back!

CHA was fabulous, exhausting and exhilarating; all at the same time!  This particular show I was pleased to share the experience with a super special someone, Dawn McVey.  It was her first show ever, so everything was so new & exciting to her and it was such a pleasure to see the show myself through her eyes; to appreciate the industry even more than I do already.  Dawn played photographer while we were there, so all of the photos below are courtesy of her camera!

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One  of the things I love about attending these types of events is the ability to reconnect with old friends & colleagues.  And at the same time getting to make new friends, all of which LOVE this craft as much as I do.  Here is a quick run down of my activities!

-I got to Chicago on Wednesday night and my first social appointment was with the stamping queen herself, Debbie Olson.  It was a nice quiet dinner, just the two of us.  It was so amazing to be able to speak with her one-on-one with no interruptions or schedules to keep.  I got to learn a lot more about her and have a few laughs!

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-I attended a Copic Certification class on Thursday (thank you Marianne!).  I had the privilege to be at the same table with Debbie Olson & Mish Wooderson.  I was able to *unravel* many of the mysteries surrounding Copic markers and fall in love.  Yes, you heard it here first folks!  Nichole Heady now loves to color!  I was a little apprehensive about the whole thing, and actually a little scared of taking the class since it was such an unknown territory for me.  But I am SO glad I did it!  I hope over the next few months I can share a bit more about what I have learned!

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-I had a wonderful one-on-one dinner with Ellen Hutson Thursday night.  We managed to ONLY stay for three hours!  Love this woman and am honored to call her my mentor & friend!  It is hard to believe that we have known her for just under two years, yet we identify with each other in such an amazing way.  Kindred spirits I tell ya!

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-Friday I walked the show floor with Heather Nichols & Dawn McVey.  I had a *map & a plan* so we managed to see an overview of the entire show in just one day <<insert us patting ourselves on the back here!>>  Heather played the role of our human compass (so yeah, I was the one with the carefully highlighted map in hand, but who said I knew how to actually FOLLOW it!) and she did an excellent job of keeping us on track.  Dawn was a bit starry eyed since it was her first show, so Heather and I did our best to make sure that she met EVERYONE her heart desired, complete with pictures.  Our mission was DEFINITELY accomplished!

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-After the show on Friday, I attended a cupcake reception put on by Splitcoaststampers.  I got to hang out with some of my FAVORITE people, like Emily Block, Nicky Manel, Kim van der Sanden and Gina Krupsky.  But also got to meet some long admired artists, Jeanne Streiff, Sherry Cheever & Kurtis Amundson.  So fun to get to meet (and hug!!!) these wonderful people in person!

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-Then after the cupcake reception we went to a friendly little dinner out with some Papertrey customers!  Kimberly Crawford planned the event and totally rolled with the punches as we continued to increase the number of people attending!  I got to meet Debbie Kim, who was SO sweet!  I also got to connect with the uber talented Jennifer Buck.  I have been a huge fan of her stamping talents for some time and it was so fun to finally have the opportunity to meet that super cutie in person! Lynn Mercurio & her friend Debbie were there along with several other friends!  We had a FABULOUS time and had some super yummy margaritas!

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-After dinner I met up with Megan Hoeppner (Senior Editor, Simple Scrapbooks magazine) & Stef Hamilton (paper crafter extraordinare & frequent contributer to Paper Crafts mag) on Friday night for drinks.  LOVE these girls!  If you think they are comical individually, just wait until you see them together!  They had me laughing the entire night!  So much so, that my cheeks hurt by the time I got back to my room!

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-On Saturday, Julie & Jane arrived to walk the show floor with Dawn, Heather and myself.  We had several appointments that day and got to order some super fun & AMAZING stuff to bring you for the August 15th release!  It is all I can do to keep everything under wraps until then!  We went to the CK Media booth so that Heather & Dawn could have the opportunity to meet Ali Edwards.  I was their photographer for the moment and enjoyed seeing their reactions at meeting her for the first time!  Smiles ear to ear!

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-Saturday night brought our Papertrey Design Team Dinner.  Mish Wooderson, Lisa Johnson, Debbie Olson, Jane & Julie, Taylor VanBruggen, Dawn McVey, Heather Nichols, Lynn Mecurrio, and yours truly were all in attendance.  I couldn't help but look around the table at one point during the meal and allow the feeling of pure happiness fill me to the core.  These women are such an important part of our company and it was so inspiring to have most of them gathered in one place.

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-After dinner, I met with Cath Edvalson & Wendy Johnson to catch up and reminisce about old times.  We all worked together at Paper Crafts mag, back in the day, and it was SO amazing to sit with them for a few hours.  I love that no matter how long it has been, we always pick up right where we left off.

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Sunday brought our last day at the show.  We finished up the last of our business and left the show a bit early for some classic Chicago deep dish pizza.  Dawn and I got to chat for a bit after dinner and summarize the weekend before she got ready to fly out.  I then met up with Emily, Nicky & Gina K for dinner and meeting to finish planning the last details of the upcoming cruise.  The four of us had never been together in person before, so it was an extra special treat.  We have SO many amazing things planned for this event, it is sure to be the stamping event of the year, just as promised!!!

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So there is my trip to CHA in a nutshell!  I had a wonderful time and can't wait till the next show rolls around! 

Summer Recipes: Strawberry Mango Salsa

This is SUPER simple and a fantastic way to end a meal, sitting outside under the stars on a warm summer night!  Enjoy!

DESSERT: Strawberry Mango Salsa
serves 6 plus leftovers to store
INGREDIENTS:
carton of red, ripe strawberries
one perfectly ripe mango
fresh mint
Homemade style vanilla ice cream (my personal favorite is Breyer's Homestyle Double Churned Vanilla)

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INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Finely chop strawberries & mango.  Mix in small bowl.  Chill for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
2. To serve, scoop vanilla ice cream into serving dishes.  Add 2-3 spoonfuls of salsa on top.  Garnish with mint sprig.

Vacation Photos: Part Four

Here are some more beauties by one of the most talented photographers I know.  So blessed to be married to him!

Summer Recipes: Prosciutto-Tied Asparagus

This recipe is from Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade 20-Minute Meals 2.  I love, love, love her cook books.  Just my style.  Gourmet in taste and presentation but super easy instructions & simple ingredients.

SIDE: Prosciutto-Tied Asparagus
makes 18 bundles
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound thin asparagus, ends trimmed
1/4 lb. sliced prosciutto (I found mine in the deli by the pound)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
salt & pepper to taste

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INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

1. Line a baking sheet with foil.  Cut prosciutto slices lengthwise into thin strips.  Gather two or three asparagus spearsand carefully tie into a knot around asparagus bundle.  Continue until all ingredients are used and place asparagus bundles on prepared baking sheet.
1. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil & lemon juice.  Drizzle over asparagus.  Season to tast with salt & pepper.  Roast in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes.

Summer Recipes: Dressing & Croutons

Here are the dressing & croûton recipes that I compliment the Tossed Roasted Corn & Avocado Salad I shared with you yesterday!  They are both really easy to make!  And the homemade version of these types of things always taste so much better!

One of my favorite tomatoes to use for this recipe is a variety called Campari.  They are in my opinion the *perfect* tomato.  Super red in color to throw in some visual appeal to your recipes.  They have a sweet, sun-ripened taste that is yummy combined with just about anything.

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SALAD: Roasted Tomato & Basil Vinaigrette
makes enough for 6 servings plus leftovers to store
INGREDIENTS:
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves

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INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Mix tomato, oil and garlic in small saucepan.  Cook over medium-high heat five minutes, breaking apart tomato with spoon.  Transfer to blender or food processor.
2. Add vinegar, salt, pepper, sugar and basil.  Pulse to blend. 
3. Transfer dressing to container and chill until ready to serve.

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SALAD: Rustic Homemade Croutons
makes enough for 6 servings plus leftovers to store

INGREDIENTS:
1 loaf of rustic sourdough bread from your favorite bakery
olive oil

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INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Lightly oil cookie sheet.
2. Cube bread until you have desired quantity.  Spread on oiled cookie sheet.  Bake @ 375 degrees until  croûtons are a nice golden brown
3. Allow croûtons to cool completely on pan to maintain crispness.  Transfer to airtight plastic container.

Vacation Photos: Part Three

While in Maine, we took a train trip from Brunswick to Rockland.  The kids loved riding on a real train and enjoyed poking around Rockland as well!  Ethan loved all the fishing boats!

Summer Recipes: Tossed Roasted Corn & Avocado Salad

This is one of my own inventions which I have tweaked over the last few months.  I like to eat this as a side dish when we are grilling the main course already.  I just throw the corn & red pepper on  while the grill is preheating and have plenty of time to chop them up and serve while still slightly warm.

SALAD: Tossed Roasted Corn & Avocado Salad
makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS:
baby greens (or any fresh green lettuce)
english cucumber (sliced & quartered)
radishes (thinly sliced)
ripe grape tomatoes
matchstix carrots
ear of corn, husk removed
yellow bell pepper
2 avocados

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Chop & slice cucumber & radishes. Set aside.

2.  Grill corn & yellow bell pepper for about 4 minutes, turning a few times for even heating.  Dark char marks are a good thing!   They will be tender crisp.

3. Roughly chop yellow pepper and cut kernels from corn cob.  Set aside.

4. Halve avocados, remove pit.  Scoop avocado from it's shell with one scoop of a large spoon.  Carefully cut each half into 1/4-inch slices lengthwise.

5.  Toss together all vegetables, except avocado.  Divide between six bowls.  Fan a few avocado slices on top of each salad.

Serve with Homemade Rustic Croûtons and Roasted Tomato & Basil Vinaigrette (recipes for both coming tomorrow!)   

Summer Recipes: Bacon Cheese Tartlets

Some of you may remember back to THIS POST, where I listed a summer menu that we were serving to dinner guests.  I promised to share the recipes, and will be doing so over the next few days while I am away at CHA.  Hopefully they will lead to some blissful summer meals for you, your family and guests to enjoy from the cozy comfort of your own home!

APPETIZER: Bacon Cheese Tartlets
makes 12 servings
I was so excited when I found this at the grocery store.  It is the same dough used in Pillsbury's Crescent rolls, except it is all one sheet.  This opens up all kinds of new doors since they are not pre-cut into triangles!
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INGREDIENTS:
Pillsbury Crescent Roll Dough
shredded cheddar cheese
6 strips of bacon, fried crisp (reserving drippings)
4-5 mushrooms, finely chopped
1/2 red pepper, finely chopped
1 rounded tablespoon of minced garlic
Salt & pepper to taste
1 egg
sliced green onions, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

1. Unroll dough and cut into 12 equal squares.  Place each square in buttered section of muffin pan.  Sprinkle a small amount of cheese (just enough to cover bottom) into each tartlet.

2. Fry bacon in small pan until crisp and remove from pan to cool.  Reserve about two tablespoons of dripping in pan, discarding any remaining.  Add red pepper, mushroom, garlic and salt & pepper.  Saute in drippings until soft.

3.  Add one rounded tablespoon of red pepper saute to each tartlet.   Sprinkle crumbled bacon evenly between all tartlets.

4. Whisk together one egg & 1 tablespoon of water.  Divide mixture evenly between all twelve tartlets by pouring mixture on top of the red pepper saute & bacon.

5.  Bake for 10-18 minutes until a nice golden brown.  Garnish with green onion.

Quilter's Sampler II: We need your help!

We have had a HUMONGOUS response to our new stamp set , Quilter's Sampler.  We have already received many requests for additional quilt blocks to go with the set.  A sequel to the set is in the works and we want your help!  Please let us know if there is a particular quilt block you would like to see.  Maybe the same one that is used in one of your favorite quilts?  Or is there one that has special meaning to you?  Let us know!  Thanks for sharing your input with us!

CHA

I am heading out the door to fly to Chicago for CHA.  I'm looking forward to seeing all of my friends and checking out what new products we can add to the line-up at Papertrey Ink.  I've scheduled some posts to go up while I'm gone, including more vacation photos and all the recipes I have promising you this summer.  I might even get a chance to stop in *live* from CHA!  I will return home on Monday and will be sure to give you a full report of all the festivities from there!

Have a wonderful week!