A Look at My Tuesday

Here's what I've been looking at today....pretty stuff for this time of year.

First up is a picture of the prettiest ice crystal my oldest found on the ground this morning. I was glad this brought a smile to her face after a disappointing trip to the bird bath revealed a leak in our miniature ice skating pond.

Next is a package that came in the mail from a Scrapbook Trends giveaway I won last week. I opened the box to find this fabulous nested tower of treats with a gorgeous red and green felted bow. 

And last is a picture of one of my krafty wrapped gifts that I am giving away this year. When I am doing something in multiples I like to keep things simple but I also like to add a few touches of sparkle.  I thought this color combo of brown, gold and green was just what I was looking for.  The ribbon is from Michael's and the glittered snowflake tag is from Target.

I hope you are having a fun Tuesday!

Sunday Puffs

I got up a little early this morning to surprise my girls with a delicious batch of these:

they are Pioneer Woman's "French Breakfast Puffs" and they are, in one word, divine!!! They take just a few mintues to whip together...and they bake for 20 minutes, so just enough time to get the dishes washed and the butter and cinnamon melted.

Here's another photo showing them in all their glory:

If you get a chance to pick up Pioneer Woman's book you will find the recipe on page 66....I would encourage you to try them. They are a cross between an airy, puffy muffin and a cinnamon sugar donut. They are a fantastic, once-in-a-while treat!!

**Just as I finished typing I did a search and found the recipe on PW's site.  Here it is....try it, you'll be glad you did!!

Making Merry Gifts

This year my goal is to make lots and lots of homemade goodies for my friends and family.  Many of those gifts involve my sewing machine and my serger. The first project checked off my list was my countdown chain and #2 on that same list was a set of these:

I am s-l-o-w-l-y steering my family toward the trend of going paperless, and by that I mean less buying of paper napkins, paper towels and paper plates. I know they are convenient to use, but they are so costly, and take up so much room in my trash can, not to mention the landfills where they ultimately end up.

Here's a set of Christmas-themed flannel fabric towels that I am gifting this year:

It's a set of 6 all bundled up with a twill tape and decorative tag. The towels measure 10x10 and are made with soft flannel on one side and terry cloth on the other. I use a similar set in my kitchen for cleaning up spills around the sink. They are super absorbent and have saved me from wasting countless paper towels. I didn't have a tutorial when I made these, but I first serged the edges and then top-stitched around the perimeter so they would hold their shape after being washed.

And last up, a quickie card I made for a friend:

This was a quick card using a sticker from my Christmas stash, a fiskars edge punch, some twine and a cute tree die from Quickutz.

See you next time!

Thankful for you

I have so much to be thankful for, I don't even think I could compile everything on one list....I would have to have multiple lists...but I try to stay grounded and stay in the moment so that I don't let the "little" things slip by. I think that's what we all strive for, right?

Here's my "thankful" card for this season...I only made a few, but I wanted to share this one with you...my blog reader.

I enjoy your visits and your comments and hope to post more often as I let go of some resposibilities which keep me very busy.  I want to have more creative time for myself and my family in 2011.

This card was made with some yummy Papertrey products, including their new stamp set, "A Wreath for All Seasons". You will be seeing lots of projects made with that set...I just love grapevine wreaths.

Take care and have a wonderful holiday!

Cute Countdown Chain

Hey there! I've been dabbling in a few things here and there, but finally managed to complete a sewing project I began a few days ago.

After getting this fantastic book a while back I decided to put roots down and get started on one of my favorite projects.  If you don't have this book I would highly recommend it! There are some extremely cute projects in it!

One of the projects that immediately caught my eye was a fabric countdown chain. Remember those construction paper chains we all made in elementary school?  Sometimes they were stapled together and sometimes they were glued together...well, I decided to make a Christmas countdown chain, complete with 25 links.

Here's a picture of my links all stacked up and pretty:

I used a stash of Christmas fabric I bought a while back at a community sale. I was able to snag an entire grocery bag full for $5.00.  Those pieces definitely came in handy for this project.

Here's what they look like all spread out on my kitchen table:

I was going for a traditional look with a "side" of cutesy charm...

Next up I took them outside and linked them together for a group photo:

And then back inside for a photo in front of my kitchen cabinets:

It's really an easy project, but a little time consuming. Lots of cutting, ironing and sewing (but isn't that what most sewing projects involve?). I made 25 links so it seemed a little never-ending, but I probably didn't spend as much time as it sounds.

This set is going to a dear friend of mine and her three children. I hope it will brighten her mailbox as she is going through a difficult time right now.

I would love to make one for myself, but mine will probably be more rustic which = not turning inside out and ironing, more like frayed ends and a distressed/shabby look. 

Let me know if you need specifics, I decided to forego a tutorial but instead gave credit to the book author because I know she worked extremely hard producing this fabulous book.

Yippee, Woohoo...What?

Two of my teacher friends received some really great news this week, so I thought I would whip out a card or two to celebrate.  These are more pieces from the "Funfetti" collection I mentioned in my last post. I also used a few of their papers which are now scrap-sized pieces in my stash. These are such fun colors to work with.

I thought some sparkly gems would add to the excitement factor and they ended up being just the finishing touch I was looking for. 

Congratulations are going out to Mrs. Carroll and Mrs. Bailey on your accomplishments!! Yippee! Woohoo! Way to go!!

Scenes from My [Messy] Desktop

I'm having the most wonderful kind of day....no commitments, no time schedules and NO LAUNDRY DUTY! And, on this kind of day, I love to get a few chores done in the morning so I don't feel guilty about "playing" for the rest of the afternoon. I'm in the midst of creating some fun and cute projects and thought I would take a quick break to snap a few photos to share with you.  

Here's the scene from my desktop:

I usually clean in-between projects because my space is a little limited.  And, right now, my youngest daughter has her "classroom" set up on the other side of the room, so I'm feeling a teensy bit cramped.

It's funny how I can start out with a "plan" and then, for some reason, I have the hardest time sticking to it.  I bring out a million and one things to find the pieces that make the project "just right." I wonder if anyone else uses that kind of method.

Here's a brightly-colored card I finished for my big sis who will be celebrating a birthday tomorrow:

I have several of these fun birthday papers and die cuts from the We R Memory Keepers "Funfetti" collection. Talk about some fun images and birthday stickers to choose from.  I could have gone way overboard with this collection! I also think some pretty Stickles or glitter added to the candle flames would have been fun.

Next up is a card for a sweet friend recovering from a recent surgery. [Sharon- Sorry I didn't send something sooner.]

This card mixes some patterned paper from my stash (in other words: I don't remember when and/or where I got it) with some Papertrey Ink cardstock and ribbon. I also used some of my favorite Spellbinders dies.

That's it for now...I'm moving on to some gift wrapping and one more card before...who knows what!!  See you next time!

Finishing Up & Learning Something New

Well, I thought I was just about finished with all of my Halloween goodies including these little kraft bags:

I made a few extras today using the fab & wonderful K&Company die cuts I bought from Michael's a while back.

And then I thought I would re-purpose a Starbucks bottle given to me by decorating it with some cute paper and adding a few chocolate goodies.  (I don't have a clue where the original candy went...) This will brighten someone's school cubby tomorrow.

And then I found this fun tutorial yesterday and had to give these little triangle boxes a try:

They are so nifty and so easy to make!! Where have these been all my life? Have I been living in a cave? Well, I don't know, but I will definitely be hanging on to this pattern for future's sake. And, as I was tying the last few I made this morning I thought how cool they would be to use for an advent calendar and instead of punching the "Happy Halloween" sentiment each box could be labeled with a number.  Thanks so much Angie for this awesome tutorial!!

The patterned paper and stamped image I used on these boxes are from Papertrey Ink, along with Stampin Up's Pumpkin Pie cardstock and my 1 3/4" circle punch.

I can't wait to pass these out and make more!

2 for One

Isn't she pretty? Every house with a child needs a gumball machine, right? I never considered buying one until this past Friday when we spotted this one lying sideways in a box at a church rummage sale. I pulled her out and took a quick glance. My girls were with me and immediately said, "Cool!" so I hung on to her while we shopped the sale.

It is a Carousel model, tho not an original. We've done some research. I think this model retails for $60.

Anyways, we picked up some other items, enough for a medium boxful, and carried it up to the check out area. The church lady looked through what we had gathered, including the gumball machine, and announced, "$8.00 for all of it!" How could I refuse? So, we brought her home.

This morning we cleaned her up nice and pretty after we bought a large container of gumballs at WM. And, the fun thing is for one penny you get two gumballs! 2 for 1....not a bad deal after all.

Be sure to check out the other thrifty finds over at Apron Thrift Girl's blog....I'm linking along this week.

A Peek & Share

Here's a peek and share of what my girls will be giving away in their classrooms for Halloween treats this year. I decided to go simple and give both girls the same thing to share with their classmates.

Still don't know what they are? How about if I show you this picture?

Hmmm, now we are getting closer.....but here's a full shot for you to check out.  I told you I would share. :)

And another version:

I kept things very simple....just a little bit of cardstock, stickers, and a simple stamp that says, "Open if you dare!"  I think the kids will like them.

I also want to share the original source for the idea....I found them at an amazing blog called "it is what it is" - and let me just tell you, her stuff is so stinkin' cute! I only wish I had that kind of talent when it comes to graphic design....oh the possibilities. Her bags are cuter and stuffed with much more candy, but I have 40 kids to treat, so I thought 4 peanut butter cups were plenty + let's not consider the other goodies and candy they will receive.  Here are the bags she put together which inlcude a free printable tag. I think she applied the stickers to the tops of her Reese cups, although I found the bottoms (the smaller end) much easier to use. And, I wanted to use her printable tag, but because my bags were smaller, I opted for this version.

This was an easy, mess-free craft profect that we worked on together. Try it out!

This is why...

I love garage sales!!!  Check out what I found today at a church sale for cheap, cheap, cheap:
Isn't she a lovely? (I am actually using Pottery Barn's stock photo.) I recognized this Pottery Barn tabletop photo carousel as soon as I spotted it sitting under a table.  I grabbed her up and asked, "Is this for sale?" Sure enough, she was.

Now my biggest decision is whether or not to keep her.  I don't really have the space, but I couldn't leave the sale today without it. I'll let you know in a week or so what my decision is...is there anyone else out there interested? She might be for sale...

Boo Bags

I enjoyed giving out these "Boo Bags" today to a few special people in my life.  My kind of easy, non-stamping, fast, whip together kind of treat.

Not much as far as edibles in these spooky treat bags, but instead some fun Bath & Body Works "Candy Corn" hand sanitizer along with a fun matching gelly holder [sorry, forgot to take a picture of the contents].  I was trying to be considerate to those watching their waistlines...but I did manage to sneak in a few pieces of Halloween chocolate.  Maybe they won't notice...

I found these fun die cut images at Michael's.  They are from the K&Company "Spooktacular" line.  The background patterned paper is from Papertrey Ink (last year's designs).

Take care!

Did you see her?

Two of my favorite ladies together on one show today!!! Martha was on Oprah!

It was a delightful hour, although I wish we could have seen more peeks into Martha's life.  We've all heard the scoop on her time in prison and frankly, I think we've all moved on.

Don't forget to print out your coupon. I'm off to Michael's tomorrow to see what I can find.

A Few of My Favorite Scenes

I know everyone has been on the bandwagon lately with the "I Love Fall" theme, so I thought I would jump on in....because, you know what? I love the fall!!!

We are at home tonight, it's raining, my girls are in their jammies, I'm not far behind....and we have a fresh pot of potato sausage soup cooking, homemade french bread ready to be gobbled up:

and pretty candy corn lights shimmering outside my kitchen window:

and inside I've pulled out some of my favorite fall decorations including these lovelies:

No, they aren't real, but in Florida, we don't get a huge change of colors....in fact, my air conditioner is running right now at 77 degrees...oh well....it will cool down soon enough.  And when it does, I will be sure to make another batch of these yummy treats:

Roast Beef and Argula paninis we cooked up the other night for dinner.  A tasty recipe from one of my favorite cooking shows, Five Ingredient Fix.  I love this show!

Take care....sorry for all the randomness, that is how my mind has been operating lately.

New Cards to Share

So I realize that I have an entire box full of cards that I've made but I simply cannot resist "stealing" a few minutes here and there to make more...something about the process...

Here are a few cards that I've whipped up in the last few days:

This card made me smile when I finished it....I know I could have added some stitching or other goodness, but I decided to keep it simple.  I love the colorful butterflies.

Next is a "friend" card because you just never know when you might need one:

This card was defnitely a "throw together" and I got my inspiration from an old magazine clipping I had hanging out in one of my binders.  I got so happy with the designing of this card that I failed to notice my rub-ons were on short supply, thus the empty space at the bottom.  I don't think anyone will notice, do you?

Lastly, I made this card Saturday night while we were hanging out....I bought a pack of sock-monkey paper at a garage sale a few weeks ago and just thought it was cute.  I didn't know how I was going to incorporate it into my scrapbook pages when I bought it, but for $1.00 I didn't question it at the time.  Anyways, I had two people that I wanted to share a "Thank You" with and designed two of these cards to give to them.

I thought these turned out so cute....and I also passed out some "Funky Monkey" banana bread I had stashed in the freezer....I thought it was appropriate for the theme.

Now, back to my box of cards...whatever shall I do with them?  Got any ideas?

P.S.  All of the stamped sentiments and letters are from Papertrey Stamps, my cardstock is either from Stampin' Up or Papertrey and the border punches include the jumbo scallop, bracket and postal edge from Fiskars or EK Success.