Win the April Sketch class for FREE!!!

We are going to have a ONE HOUR sketch challenge next week at Inspired to Scrap...come and vote for the day and time you would prefer. VOTE HERE (You must be registered on the forum to vote and play along.)

I will draw a winner randomly from all of the entries!!  It is going to be FUN!  Join us to complete a layout (the real prize, right??!!!!) and for a chance to win the class for free. ($15 value!) :)

A few class layouts...

Here are a few of my favorites from the January sketch class (all based on sketches by me)-

We are going to have another sketch class in April!  Hope you will consider joining us!!!

Month-by-Month Challenge! (MbM-January 2012 Sketch)

Have a hard time keeping up with scrapbooking every single activity and event?  How about streamlining a little and focusing on creating one (or two for both pages) layout a month summarizing the previous month? 
We have a new challenge this year on Inspired to Scrap- MbM! Just take it month by month and use our sketches to scrap your year.  :) We will be posting a new double page sketch near the beginning of each month for you to create a layout using the photos from the previous month.

Here is the sketch we revealed on Feb. 1st to scrap your January photos-

Here is the page I created with various January photos-

I hope this sketch inspires you to scrapbook those memories!  We'd love to see what you create on our forum.  www.inspiredtoscrap.net/forum Join us!

Come play along!

We have a few fun challenges on the forum to inspire you. :)  We started member challenges this month and we still have openings throughout the year if you want to sign up to host one! Jean, Lu, Von and I all have challenges up this month.  You can see all of the challenges HERE.

Here is mine-
I thought it would be fun to scraplift one of our members and DT Alum, Julia! I love her layouts and she is such a fun person and very inspirational.

Soooo...lift this layout by Julia.  You can lift it all or part of it.  Just let us know which part if it isn't obvious. Love the colors and design in this layout!!












Here's my version!



















Join me and lift Julia's fabulous page! Upload your page to the gallery and the forum so we can all ooh and ahhh with you. :)

Design Team Coordinator!

I need a DT Coordinator for Inspired to Scrap! 

Here are the details:
It’s a new year and we are changing things up a bit on Inspired to Scrap! We are planning a few minor changes and some new fun activities to keep us motivated and scrapping. To help me run it all, I need a DT Coordinator! Here’s the scoop-
Design Team Coordinator CALL (www.inspiredtoscrap.net)
Date of call-January 1-20th 2012
Inspired to Scrap (www.inspiredtoscrap.net) is seeking a well-organized and motivated scrapper to join us as a Design Team Coordinator. The term will run for four months (February 1- May 31 2012).
Duties include overseeing Guest Designers and Member Challenges; creating and posting a challenge each month; assisting in class planning; creating at least three class samples before each class (classes are every other month); creating two tutorials for each class; posting actively on the forum; and posting weekly on the blog. We request that you participate on no more than one other Design Team during your term. (Call is open to scrappers in the US and Canada only due to shipping costs.) As a thank you, you will receive a free class after your term, a package of scrapbooking goodies, and recognition on our site.
Please email three layouts that demonstrate your scrapbooking style and the following to stacey {at} inspiredtoscrap.net for consideration:
1. Your name, address and email
2. Your blog address
3. Are you active on any other forums? If so, which ones?
4. Why do you want to be the Inspired to Scrap Design Team Coordinator?
5. What do you feel are your best attributes that would help you to be successful in this position?
Please join our forum so we can get to know you during the call. Thanks and I look forward to getting to know you and having you join the team!!

Peanut noodles- recipe!

Of course, I forgot to take a photo of this tonight! But this sauce is really yummy...try it out sometime. :)

I just use whatever noodles I have on hand. Tonight it was Lo mein noodles that have been sitting in my pantry forever. But I usually just use spaghetti noodles. :) Add in whatever veggies you have on hand (steam them first) and some leftover turkey or chicken for a full meal.

Peanut Noodles (just the sauce)
1/3 cup peanut butter (I used reduced fat)
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantrro (I have left this out in a pinch but it really adds a good flavor)
1/2 tsp ground ginger (or use a tbs freshly grated if you have it! I never do.)
1 TBS rice vinegar
1 TBS soy sauce
1 minced garlic clove
1 TBS packed brown sugar

Directions: blend everything together and pour over cooked noodles and veggies. This will cover about half a pound of cooked noodles. Enjoy!

Menu Planning (Pantry Challenge!)

Thanks to Jessica's challenge- http://goodcheapeats.com/2012/01/january-meal-planning-the-pantry-challenge/ ...I am going to save a few bucks and challenge myself to use what I have on hand in the pantry and freezer this month. Yes, I will still buy fresh milk, eggs, cheese, fruits and veggies.  But I am also going to try to use some things that I might not normally reach for in my pantry so nothing goes to waste. :)

I had a bit of a hard time planning for the whole month.  I am sure I will end up moving things around or changing things if I find a fun new recipe to try or end up buying different meats or items at the store. BUT...I like a plan and here is what I came up with based MOSTLY on what we have here. 

I will also add in some sides of veggies and fruits depending on what I buy each week at the store. :)

Here is the plan in order on my calendar starting Monday, Jan.2nd.
~Leftovers (LOL! What a way to start, huh? But we have several things to get rid of in the fridge right now!)
~Grilled Cheese and Crockpot Tomato Soup (new recipe)
~Asian Sesame Noodles (I have a tasty recipe the kids love...I will share if I remember to get a photo!)
~Fish tacos, pinto beans
~Pancakes (either oatmeal or banana nut)
~Homemade pizza
~Taco Pasta (new recipe...will probably leave out the cream or use milk)
~ Burrito Bowls (rice, beans, leftover turkey from the freezer, lettuce, salsa, etc.)
~Grilled Cheese and Soup (Not sure what kind of soup yet.  Maybe some leftover from the freezer or maybe I will make some fresh.)
~Star Hitched Chicken (crockpot) burritos (salsa, chicken and cream cheese in the crockpot...easy and tasty!)
~Cheeseburger rice (new recipe...from a magazine)
~ Pasta with red sauce,
~ Crock pot chicken cacciatore (new recipe), salad
~ Chili (leftover in the freezer) and rice
~Thai curry chicken, rice, veggie
~ Crockpot taco style lentils and rice-burritos (simple recipe but yummy!)
~Split pea and ham soup, homemade bread (my favorite and one of the easiest pea soup recipes!)
~ Chicken Masala, rice, veggie
~ Southwest taco pie (A pampered Chef recipe...we have had this before and liked it but that was ages ago!)
~Burritos (again...yes.  My kids will eat almost anything if it is in a burrito) with sprouted beans and enchilada sauce
~Turkey, stuffing, gravy, rolls, etc. (I have a huge turkey in the freezer I need to defrost and cook!)
~ Black bean soup
~ Ravioli, red sauce
~ Waffles and sausage (i have a couple of yummy waffle recipes!  I need to get on the ball with food photos and recipes again!)
~ Chicken and rice burritos
~ Coconut Curry Shrimp, rice, veggie
~ Chicken Parmigiana, salad (really yummy recipe!)
~ Turkey barley soup, homemade bread

WHEW! So, we'll see how well I can stick to this plan.  Or not. ;) The point is going to be to use up some items and cook in this month.  Think I can make it the whole month without getting take out or going out?? :)

Happy menu planning!  For more menus, visit www.orgjunkie.com .