Freezer Jam

I love a freezer jam! And  while strawberries and raspberries are in season I can't resist them!
I made my Strawberry jam a couple of weeks ago and my raspberry jam this week after a trip to Costco where the raspberries jumped into my cart.

I found this instant pectin at the supermarket - So easy - No cooking, just three steps. It's that easy.

Just peel back the label for recipes and instructions

The love these plastic freezer jam jars, You can also use strait sided glass

canning jars to allow for expansion while freezing.

Mix sugar and pectin

Add sugar pectin mixture to mashed fruit. The directions call for a potato masher to mash fruit, I used my pastry cutter from Pampered Chef with a long handle.

Stir for 3 minutes.

Ladle into jars.

Let stand for 30 minutes and enjoy.

I followed the same process for the raspberry jam.
.

In all it took me about 45 minutes to make the Strawberry jam and 30 minutes

to make the raspberry jam. 

Not just for toast - Try it drizzled over a slice of white cake with cream cheese icing,
ice cream, pound cake, bagels with cream cheese, pancakes and as a milk shake mix in. It also makes a great filling for layered cakes. Maybe I should make more?

Thanks for stopping by!

Holly

 

Creative Corner Blog Hop

May Card Club Cards

Masculine cards for this months Card Club

Thanks for stopping by!

Holly

Fruit Pizza

I love fruit! Especially fresh and in season so, for my monthly card club I made this delicious fruit pizza. So easy and delicious.

I used a pizza stone to bake the store bought cookie dough

(Yes this is one of those easy recipes-Love that!).

Placing parchment paper on the stone first ensures the Cookie will release easily.

Using a light dusting of flour, roll dough to 1/8" thickness, making sure to keep it about an inch from the edge of the pan or stone you are using. Trust me on this one - If you roll it to the edge it may expand and make a mess in your oven and - A not so pretty fruit pizza.

Once the cookie is baked and cooled completely.
While the cookie is cooling prepare the glaze.

Carefully remove the parchment paper from the cookie.

Spread cream cheese mixture over cookie leaving a half inch or so around the edge.

Working from the outside, arrange fruit over cream cheese.

 

I used blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, pineapple and mandarin oranges.

Raspberries, peaches, blackberries, apples, grapes and bananas also work well.

If you use bananas add them just before serving.

Carefully brush fruit with glaze.

Any leftover glaze and fruit can be combined for a fresh fruit salad - A Delicious Bonus!

 Refrigerate for a couple of hours and enjoy!

Recipe:

Refrigerated cookie dough

Assorted fresh fruits

(I also used canned Mandarin oranges)

Glaze:

1/4 Cup sugar

dash of salt

1 Tbsp. cornstarch

1/4 Cup orange juice

2 Tbsp. water

Topping:

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese

1 (8oz.) container Cool Whip

1 tsp. vanilla (I used Mexican vanilla)

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Roll cookie dough on a pizza pan or stone to 1/8 inch thickness, bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes or until the edges get lightly browned. Allow to cool completely.

Prepare glaze while the crust is cooling. Mix ingredients in a small sauce pan, cook over medium heat just until it begins to thicken 3-4 minutes. Let cool. 

For the topping: In a large bowl, blend ingredients with a mixer until smooth

To Assemble the pizza: Spread the topping onto the cooled cookie crust, leaving 1/2 -1 inch of the edge uncovered. Arrange fruit over pizza in desired pattern. Gently brush the glaze over fruit. Refrigerate 2 - 3 hours before serving.

This desert always gets wows when I bring it to BBQ's and Pot Lucks. I can't wait until peaches are in season. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Holly

Creative Corner Blog Hop

Framed Garden Art

I found this cute garden pic at JoAnn's a few weeks ago and purchased it for inspiration. The colors and texture caught my eye and I just new I had to have it. Not sure what I would do with it, I put it in the pencil cup on my desk.

Until I came across this frame in my basement I purchased a couple years ago. This little gem of a flower fits perfectly.

So, I got out my trusty wire cutters (a must have for every crafty girl) and got to work snipping off the leaves and bloom.

I decided on textured rust paint for the frame.

This I purchased at Lowe's

I removed the glass and backing from the frame.

I brought it outside and started spraying.

I sprayed unevenly and heavily using the entire can of paint. 

I'm going for the rusted metal look so it's totally OK.

It dried smoother than I expected really, look again at the last picture??

I really like this spray paint, gonna buy some more.

 

Next, I chose a background color for my blossom to bring out the jewel in the center

(Stampin' Up! Card Stock Island Indigo) and cut it to size. Wanting to give more dimension to my flower, I  added some chipboard circles, stacking them together with wood glue until I had the depth I was going for then let them dry completely.

 I then glued my background card stock to the frame backing. Then using  

low temperature hot glue, I glued the circles and leaves in place. I then assembles the frame before putting the bloom in place (to make it easier).

The bloom was a little heavier and the hot glue didn't hold, so I got out my multi-purpose glue.

Placed my bloom and let dry.

I love how this turned out!

By the way - While at Lowe's purchasing the spray paint I found this nifty apron, it holds my cell, rubber gloves, mask for spray painting etc. at easy reach! I had it on all day today and when my husband commented "Nice Apron" I told him I'd wear it always.

Thanks for stopping by, please leave a comment.

Holly