January Blog Hop

Welcome to the January BLOG HOP.

If you have arrived from Kim O'Rear's blog, you are hopping along the right path.

All of the artwork in this hop features CTMH's January Stamp of the Month, entitled "True Friends". It is a very versitile set of stamps that includes 4 friendship quotes, 3 brackets, and 4 frames that are great for cardmaking and scrapbooking journal spots.

Journal

On this blank journal, I have used the SOTM to frame my "ideas". I just LOVE these blank journals. They can be used for so many things. As you can see, this one is going to be a place to keep my ideas for upcoming workshops, cards and scrapbook pages. I need to order about 10 more journals, because I would like to have one for my favorite quotes, recipes, notes from my devotions and prayer list, a travel log, a sketch book, an address book, a brag book, guest book, the list could go on and on! Another fun feature about this journal is it has a clear pocket front, so you can change out the front as much as you like.

The tabs were made just by gluing 2 circles back to back with the page sandwiched inbetween.

On the inside back cover, I adhered an flip flap photo sleeve so I could store removable lists there.

All supplies used are from Close To My Heart:

My Creations Journal

Veranda paper pack

Creme Brulee Cardstock

Antiqued Copper Mini Medley Accents Collection

Rub-Ons: Love Letters

Cocoa ink

Creme Brulee ink

sponge daubers

Flip Flaps

Stamp sets: Jan SOTM, True Friends

State of Mind

Felicity

Mini Double Pocket Card

This mini double pocket card starts out from a 5"x 6" piece of patterned paper.

The finished mini card measures 2 1/2" x 3".

Our 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 envelope flat is the perfect companion for this little gift card.

For a tutorial on how to make the full size double pocket card, click here.

Now hop along to Angela Tutton's blog to see some awesome artwork.

Here is a complete list of blog participants if you get lost along the way:

Helen Onulak http://hookedonstamping.com/
Jena DeVries http://livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/
Jessica Booth http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
Carla Ironside http://carlacreates.blogspot.com/
Lori Miller http://clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
Misty Jackson http://misstscraps.blogspot.com/
Jen Patrick http://roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
Susan Brooks http://stampingintheopen.blogspot.com/
Kathleen Androlewicz http://bowlofstamps.blogspot.com/
Dawn Ross http://iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/
Amy McVey http://clearlystamping.blogspot.com/
Antoinette Herrin http://godblessyourart.blogspot.com/
Jill Lucas http://scrapwench.blogspot.com/
Barbra Otten http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
Lori Brown http://savingmine.blogspot.com/
Brae Montgomery http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/
Wanda Riley http://creatingwithwanda.blogspot.com/
Adeline E. Brill http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
Kami Welter http://scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/
Judy Burger http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
Pamela O'Connor http://cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
Cindy Leek http://paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com/
Mary Eisen  http://mestamp2.blogspot.com/
Sylvia Jacquot http://stampinsylvia.blogspot.com/
Laura Dame http://thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com/
Melissa Laverty http://fancymelissa.blogspot.com/
Haley Dyer http://inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Terrie Dodd http://my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/
Katy Donaldson http://scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/
Chris Shouse http://houseostamps.wordpress.com/
Tammy Lea Pinchard http://mycreativeclubhouse.blogspot.com/
Krista Ritskes http://kristaritskes-simplycreating.blogspot.com/
Shannon Pelletier http://mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com/
Deb Young http://scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/
Amy Edwards http://paisleysplayhouse.blogspot.com/
Sheila Bennett http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com/
Kristie Herdener http://goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Jen Rubio http://jenrubio.blogspot.com/
Jody Gustafson http://cre8nmemories.blogspot.com/
Sarita Schraeder http://blessedscrapper.blogspot.com/
Laurie Levnik http://creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com/
Debra Van Patten http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
Kimberly Smith http://verykimberry.blogspot.com/
Michelle Nist http://michellenist.blogspot.com/
Karen Norman http://gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com/
Traci Godbee http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com/
Nancy Brown http://creativelyartsygallery.blogspot.com/
Maricar Harris http://maricarharris.blogspot.com/
Nona Davenport http://nonapearl.blogspot.com/
Laurie Newton http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
Dawn Heuft http://stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
Melissa Burch http://melissaburch.blogspot.com/
Kim O'Rear http://kimorear.blogspot.com/
Michelle Bourlet http://michellescreativeconnections.blogspot.com/ <<="">
Angela Tutton http://tuttonstreasures.blogspot.com/
Jenifer Benner http://jensmessystudio.com/
Shirley Ross http://momnmescrap.blogspot.com/
Latisha Haag http://domestichomefrontcoordinator.blogspot.com/

Felicity: January's Constant Campaign

January is National Papercrafting Month. This year's Felicity Papercrafting Kit is beautiful! (To see more details click on the above image, then on the same image on my CTMH website.) Not only do you get a stamp set that includes a complete alphabet, flourishes, birds, argyle patterns, flowers, leaves, but also twelve 12" x 12" B&T papers in 3 different color schemes along with six coordinating 12" x 12" die cuts perfect for scrapbook layouts or cards, boxes, journals and other papercrafting projects! In addition, you will receive a two-sided, full color brochure giving you project ideas along the recipes for each! In my opinion, this is the most beautiful set CTMH has ever produced. I like it so much, that I don't want to cut into the papers - crazy, isn't it?

There are FIVE ways to get the Felicity Collection*:
1) Purchase it at full retail price for $34.95.
2) Place an order of $60 or more in full-retail priced stamp sets and receive one collection FREE!
3) Place an order of $125 or more in full-retail priced Close To My Heart products and receive one collection FREE!
4) Host a home gathering or workshop with a minimum sales of $400 and receive one collection FREE!
5) Join Close to my Heart between January 1-31 and you will receive the collection FREE in your New Consultant Kit.

*This promotion is while supplies last from December 15, 2009-January 31, 2010.

Stamped Tile Coasters

These TILE COASTERS make wonderful gifts

- easy, classy and personalized.

These were made as Christmas gifts for our neighbors.

I also plan to make some as gifts for a few upcoming weddings.

Used the Baroque and The Works alphabets

Used the Rustic and The Works alphabets

Used the Friendship and The Works alphabets

To make them,

1) Start out with tumbled marble tiles (Home Depot and Lowes carry them - you get a box of 9 tiles for $5.)

2)Wipe them down with a damp cloth - coming out of the box they are very dusty.

3) Use StazOn brown ink to stamp the names with alphabet stamps. (It is best to practice first on a 4x4 piece of paper). Using Close To My Heart's clear acrylic stamps allows you to see exactly where you are stamping and you can place the entire name onto one block, so stamping multiple times is very easy.

4) Place adhesive backed felt circles on the underside corners of your tiles.

The box was purchased from Dollar General - it had a big poinsetta on the top of it. I just made a matching cover piece for the top that I had embossed with Cocoa embossing powder and double matted with Garden Green and Ponderosa Pine Cardstock.

Invisible Woman: Be Encouraged!

A friend recently sent me a Youtube video entitled "The Invisible Woman", by Nicole Johnson. It is incredibly encouraging. So much so that I have left it on my desktop all week so I can view it daily before the craziness of the day starts in.  (If you cannot view the video, take a peek at this excerpt by Nicole.)

Here is a quote from Nicole, taken from her website, Fresh Brewed Life: "Mothers are making incredible sacrifices every day. And a sacrifice, by its very nature, is almost always invisible. If people saw and appreciated everything you did and affirmed you for it, it wouldn’t really be a sacrifice, would it? But to keep working for something you believe in, and doing things just because they need doing, is what mothers are all about. So it’s only natural they are going to feel invisible a lot."

So if you are feeling a bit "invisible" today, if you are wondering if the many monotonous things you do as a wife, mother, and caretaker have any value ~ be encouraged, because God sees what you are building. He sees the sacrifices you make each day, even when no one else does. You are building something great, but the results are in God's hands in God's own time.

So ...
"...with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.”
                                               
                                    KEEP ON BUILDING!

Fall Matchbook Candy Holder

This little Matchbook Candy Holder was fun to make and even more fun to give away. It is the perfect little gift to tuck into a lunch box, desk drawer or customer bag. It would be fun to have some available to hand out to those special folks that make your life a bit easier - the school or church secretary, that friendly clerk, your mailcarrier...
Change the colors and it would be great as a stocking stuffer or Valentine treat. A friend had the idea of making it a bit larger to hold a gift card.

For the tutorial on how to make the Matchbook Candy Holder click here.

I used CTMH's Flourished Blessings stamp set to make the leaves. The cardstock is Olive and Autumn Terracotta. The inks are Olive/New England Ivy and Chocolate. An antique copper brad secures the leaves in place.

November Blog Hop

Welcome to the November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!
If you just came from Pam's Blog, you are in the right place.

The Tri-shutter card is a fun way to display the Around the Block stamp set and the Sweet Home papers.
If you want a tutorial on how to make a Tri-shutter card, click here.

I really love how this project turned it - especially because Ps 91:1 works so well on it. This verse from Psalm 91:1, "Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.", has been mulling around in my head  for the past month. It is so incredible when you stop to think about what this verse means. We don't use the word, "dwelling place" very often, but it means HOME. The Lord has been/wants to be our HOME. This is a powerful word. It conjures up all kinds of word pictures and emotions in me. When I think about what the word HOME, I envision it as a place I go to

.... find comfort

.... find companionship and a place of belonging

.... find shelter and safety

.... find relief from the stresses of life

.... find nourishment

.... find rest

The Lord wants to be all this for me! But I must choose to go "home" to Him often in order for Him to be able to meet all these needs for me.

This card is going on our piano so I can see it and be reminded of this wonderful truth often.

Now hop on over to Jen's Blog to continue the Blog Hop.

Creativity Comes in Many Forms....

I used to think creativity was expressed with pen, pencil, scissors or some other art form. But I have learned that being creative can come in many forms. Finding healthy, inexpensive, homemade products to meet the needs of our family is one form of creativity. It is an avenue I have been forced into - both my husband and middle son have sensitivities to colors, fragrances and preservatives, so I have HAD to learn how to make things from scratch.  Now that I have been down this road for quite a few years, I am finding that it is fun to make things "homemade". That is why you will see many recipes for homemade products and meals alongside papercrafting projects on my blog. Hope you find them helpful.

Here is a recipe that will save you money - it costs only 1 cent per load! Try this - it really works...

Homemade Laundry Detergent

1/3 bar shaved Zote 
1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
2 gallon bucket
Optional - 1/2 to 1 oz essential oil


Shave soap with knife into sauce pan and add 6 cups of water. Heat until melted. Add soda and borax and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups of hot water into the bucket and then add soap mixture. Stir to combine and then add 1 gallon plus 6 cups water to soap mixture and stir. Allow to sit for 24 hours to gel.


Use 1/2 cup per laundry load.


Optional: Add 1 1/2 to 2 cups Pure Power (purple) for extra cleaning power

Simple Christmas Cards Workshop

In October and November I will be holding a few

Simple Christmas Cards Workshops.

 I know many of you like to make homemade Christmas cards to send out to family and friends, and if you make A LOT of them, they need to be simple in design. Here are the ones we will be making. They range from wimsical to elegant, but each one is very fast and easy to make. We will make 3 from scratch and 1 from CTMH's Christmas card kit entitled, "Around the Holidays". The kit comes with everything you need to make 12 really classy circle Christmas cards (kit costs $14.95). No stamping is involved - just peel and stick. My boys and I are going to make some of these cards this year to give out. (Maybe I'll get my Christmas cards mailed out before January this year!)

Here is a picture of all 4 different designs.

You get enough supplies to make 3 of each design.

I followed the suggested directions for the first 4 cards,

but the others I am going to personalize with photos of the boys and favorite Christmas verses.

"Around the Holidays Card Kit"

October Stamp of the Month

Close To My Heart's October Stamp of the Month is entitled
"Holiday Warmth". It is cute little set of 11 holiday themed, wimsical stamps. The tree reminds me of the Grinch's tree, so I made a little Christmas card using a quote from the Grinch. The quote comes from a stamp set entitled "Peace on Earth" -it has a set of 17 great Christmas quotes. Just click on the picture to see an enlarged view.
Sorry I don't have a direct way for you to order from this blog (hopefully that will change in the next few months), but if you are interested in ordering any of the CTMH supplies that are posted, just leave a comment with your email and I will get back with you.

If you want to see some really great artwork using this stamp set, you can jump in on the SOTM BLOG HOP:  http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/

There is another blog hop that started on OCT 3rd for National Card Making Day, so you might see both on the sites you visit.

It's HARVEST time...

I don't know what it is about fall that makes me want to bake, cook, and store up food for the winter. I have been acting like a squirrel! It has been all about FOOD around here lately. We discovered our local Cannery (a place to go can food), so my neighbor, Coral, and my oldest son, Paul, have joined me in canning pearbutter (like applebutter) and pear preserves. I also made grape juice the easy way (see recipe below), and put up some vegetable beef soup. If you have not been to a cannery - check and see if there is one near you. It will save you so much time and effort in canning - and you will meet a lot of really nice folks that will be glad to give you tips on putting up food.

The boys hauling pears through the path
in the woods after we picked them from the neighbor's yard

Adding honey to our Pearbutter... YUM!

We also added brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

Today we tried out a new Homemade Granola Bar recipe - it is a keeper. It is a good basic recipe that can be adapted to your tastes and needs. This is going to replace the ones we have been buying every week from the store!


Homemade Granola Bars
(I adapted this recipe from a few different ones and we liked the result)
4 1/2 c rolled oats (can also substitute some Rice Crispies)
1 c whole wheat flour
1 t baking soda
1 t vanilla
1 c melted butter (you can substitute some applesauce for the butter and some of the honey)
1 c honey
2 c additions (mini choc chips, raisins, sunflower seeds, dried apricots, craisens, dried cherries, etc..)

Preheat oven 325 degrees. Lightly grease or line with parchment paper cookie sheet.
In a large mixing bowl combine oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter, and honey. Stir in the addtions.
Press the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees until golden brown - about 20 min. Take out of the oven and use a spatula to firmly press into the pan further (this will help it not crumble). Let cool for 10 min then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.You can wrap individually and then store in a freezer bag in the freezer.


Easy Grape Juice (my parents made this when I was a kid - we loved it)
Into each 1/2 gallon sterilized jar, add 2 cups grapes (we used muscadines that we gathered from the woods) and 1 cup sugar. Fill the jar with hot water and stir it up a bit to disolve the sugar. Put on your lids and process for 30 minutes. Let sit for 6 weeks. When ready to drink, just strain your grapes and seeds.

Fall Themed Vellum Cards

These are the cards we made at a recent workshop I held. The ladies really enjoyed it. I designed the cards so I could teach various ways to attach vellum and to do a variety of techniques with the vellum. I've included all the details for making the cards. Enjoy!

(All products are from Close To My Heart. If you are interested in ordering any of these items, just email me.)

Four Seasons Card

Stamp Sets: Four Seasons and Make It Count
Supplies Needed: Piercing Tool, Adhesive, Paper clip
4 Antique Copper Brads
Inks: Indian Corn Blue, Autumn Terracotta, Topiary, Sweet Leaf, Cocoa
Paper: White Cardstock (CS) base: 7 ¾ x 8 ½  (folded in half, fits business size envelope)
Terracotta CS: 3 ½ x 8
White CS: 3 ¼ x 7 ½
Vellum: 3 x 7 ¼

Instructions:
1. On the vellum strip, going from left to right, stamp:
      A) winter tree in Indian Corn Blue
      B) fall tree in Autumn Terracotta
      C) summer tree in Topiary
      D) spring tree in Sweet Leaf
     Set this aside to dry thoroughly. Once the ink on the vellum is dry,
2) turn the vellum over (so the season are in correct order) and stamp the
Ecclesiastes verse from the Make It Count stamp set in Cocoa ink in the lower right corner.

Let dry completely.

3. Ink the edges of the Autumn Terracotta CS with Autumn Terracotta ink
4. Paper clip the vellum to the White CS, and pierce a hole in each corner. Adhere brads in the 4 corners.
5. Adhere to Autumn Terracotta CS
6. With the fold of the White CS base on the top, adhere to Autumn Terracotta CS to card base.

Grace Card

Supplies Needed: Adhesive, Scotch tape
Inks: Barn Red, Cocoa
Paper: Ivory CS base: 8 ½ x 5 ½ (folded in half)
Barn Red CS: 4 x 5 ¼
Grace large flower PP: 3 ¾ x 5
Vellum: verses/quotes computer printed on 4 ¼ x 5 ½

Instructions:
1. Ink edges of Barn Red CS with Barn Red ink
2. Ink edges of the Grace patterned paper (PP) with Cocoa ink
3. Rip or cut side edges of vellum
4. Fold top and bottom edges of vellum around the horizontally positioned Grace PP, then adhere with scotch tape on the back.
5. Adhere Grace PP to Barn Red CS
6. Adhere to Ivory card base, with fold of base card on top

Autumn Splendor Card

Stamp Set: Autumn Splendor
Supplies Needed: Autumn softchalks & applicators, Stylus and pad, hole punch, paper clip, Raffia, Adhesive
Inks: Versamark, Brown staz on ink, Chocolate
Paper: : Ivory CS base: 8 ½ x 5 ½ (folded in half)
Chocolate CS: 4 1/8 x 5 ¼
Grace yellow PP: 3 7/8 x 5 1/4
Vellum 3 5/8 x 5

Instructions:
1. Use the Versamark ink to stamp leaves on the vellum
2. Color the leaves with the soft chalks
3. With the pad under the vellum, use the stylus to make veins on the leaves.
4. Turn the vellum over (chalked leaves facing down), and use the Brown stazon ink to stamp “Autumn Splendor" in the lower right corner.
5. Ink edges of Chocolate CS with Chocolate ink.
6. Paper clip the vellum to the Grace yellow PP, and punch 2 holes at the top.
7. Tie a raffia bow through the holes, trim ends of raffia.
8. Rip the bottom edges of vellum and Grace yellow PP.
9. Adhere Grace yellow PP to Chocolate CS.
10. Adhere Chocolate CS to card base with fold on left side.

Make a Wish Card

Stamp Sets: Treasures and Treasure Life

Supplies Needed: Piercing Tool, 4 Pewter Brads, Adhesive, Corner rounder punch, Hole punch, paper clip, 4” White Daisy Organza Ribbon
Inks: New England Ivy and Black
Paper: : Ivory CS base: 8 ½ x 5 ½ (folded in half)
New England Ivy CS: 4 x 5 ¼
Ivory CS Tag: 2 5/8 x 4 ½
Vellum Pocket: 3 3/8 x 3 ½

Instructions:
1. Make the tag:
     A) stamp the large dandelion with New England Ivy ink in the upper left corner off the tag
     B) stamp the stem with New England Ivy
     C) stamp “Make a Wish….” with Black ink along the stem
     D) use the corner rounder punch to round the top corners.
     E) use hole punch to punch hole in the top middle
     F) Place ribbon in hole: fold ribbon in half, thread fold through the hole, poke ribbon ends through the loop of ribbon.

GENTLY pull ends to tighten ribbon. Trim ends.

2. Ink edges of New England Ivy CS with New England Ivy ink
3. Stamp the “Plant Smiles” verse with Black ink on New England Ivy CS
4. Paper clip the vellum to the New England Ivy CS, ¼” from lower left corner.
5. Use piercing tool to make holes in corners of vellum and through the New England Ivy CS.
6. Attach brads in all 4 corners.
7. Adhere New England Ivy CS to the card base with the fold on the left.
8. Stamp small poof in New England Ivy ink 3 times going off the edge of the vellum and onto the New England Ivy CS. Tuck tag into vellum pocket.

Here is a great FREEBIE for you...

You can go to this link and  print off a free entrance coupon to go to a museum this Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 for FREE. There are several museums from all over the country that are participating.
Check it out:

http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/

Enjoy ;)

Snowman Soup

This little snowman topper and bag of goodies made for a wonderful Christmas gift last year.

My boys had a good time making and giving them to friends.

The topper is made with Close To My Heart's Snow Friends stamp set, Outdoor Denium Cardstock, and patterned paper from the Aspen paper pack, and Raffia. The bag is filled with a hotcocoa packet, mini marshmallows and a candycane.

SNOWMAN SOUP POEM:

Was told you’ve been

real good this year.

Always glad to hear it.

With freezing weather

drawing near

You’ll need to

warm the spirit.

So here’s a little

Snowman Soup

Complete with

stirring stick.

Add hot water, sip it slow

It’s sure to do the trick!

Twitterpatted Fall Layout

Here is the 2 page LO we will be doing at my upcoming Scrapbook Workshop this Thursday. This is the 3rd year our family participated in our local Passion Play. It is so much fun to "step back in time" and to imagine what it would have been like to witness Jesus' resurrection...

Layout details: (all products are from Close To My Heart)
Twitterpatted papers,
colors: chocolate, sorbet, sweet leaf, crystal blue
Techniques: using dimensional elements; We will answer the question,
"What do you do with those little cardboard letters and shapes?
We will embellish them with papers and inks!
This is the Thumbnails layout from the Imagine book.
I choose this layout because it is easy, uses pics adapted from 4x6 prints and it lends itself well to a fall theme. It would work well with titles such as:
Count Your Blessings
Happy Fall
10 Things I Love About Fall
Give Thanks
There are still a few more spaces available if you want to attend this workshop - be sure to email me to pre-register!

Blogging World, here I come...

How fun to have my very own virual space to share with the world my musings, art and inspirations.


To start out my blog, here are the words to one of my favorite songs. It has been written by Dennis Jernigan, and sung by the group Point of Grace.

All In All
You are my strength when I am weak,
You are the treasure that I seek,
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel,
Lord, to give up I'd be a fool,
You are my all in all.

Chorus
Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again I bless Your name
You are my all in all.
When I fall down You pick me up,
When I am dry You fill my cup,
You are my all in all.