The Cr8ive Life

Welcome to my Blog!

2020-12-31T23:59:00.007-05:00

Hi and welcome to my Craft and Sugar Arts blog!

I am a Christian homeschooling work-when-and-where-I-can, mostly stay at home mom of four children, occasional insomniac and forum addict, who loves a bargain and is married to my best friend who is proudly serving in the Navy almost 20 years and counting, GO NAVY!).

I love art, art history and crafts and I have a thousand and one hobbies. As a matter of fact I have met very few hobbies I didn't like and that has led me to some interesting places!

My grandmother taught me to sew, cross stitch, candlewick, embroider and do plastic canvas, although my needlepoint skills never quite came "naturally."

My mother taught me to crochet, cook and bake like a mad woman (my ever expanding waistline can attest to that...)

Add those things together and here is my current resume...

I am a Wilton Instructor (cake decorating), baker and eater of way too many sweet things...I also grind my own wheat to make bread.

I am a Red Heart Ambassador and am working through The Craft Yarn Council to become a certified instructor for crochet which I teach at a local craft store, I also teach fellow homeschoolers at home.

I am a Certified Fisk-A-Teer (they do a little bit of EVERYTHING).

I am helping DD as a Juliette Girl Scout and did I mention a homeschool mom of four?

Which means more than anything I am BUSY everyday with the house, school and loads of projects!

I am online all the time and everywhere, you never know where I will pop up next. Some of my favorite sites include the AC Moore Forum, FaceBook, the Wilton Discussion Forums, Cake Central and the Cricut Message Boards among others!

Some of my other hobbies include: card making, beading & jewelry, photography (35mm), pottery, scrap booking, soap making, candle making, stamping, trying new things with my Cricut Expression machine, and figuring out my Blackberry...

Add it up and you get The_Cr8ive_Life!

To keep up please follow my blog, I promise it will not be boring! Like Forrest Gump said "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are gonna get..."

Welcome to my box of chocolates (warning many contain NUTS!)

Find me online:
Cakes are Fun Facebook Page
Cakes are Fun Twitter
Cakes are Fun Web Site
The Cr8ive Life Facebook Page
The Cr8ive Life Twitter
The Cr8ive Life Web Site

My First Blog Award

2011-03-13T22:49:00.003-04:00

Imagine my surprise when I logged in to start rearranging the bloggy blog and I find I have comments that have been lingering since February 26th...ugh, never got the e-mail notices. Like old mail it is scary and exciting to see what comments people are leaving. Well, except when it is SPAM.

But among the spammers was a comment from my friend April aka: Hobbyaholic from the A.C. Moore forum. Hobby is a great friend. She is filled with grace and love for people she has never met like me.

And to be chosen to receive the Stylish Blog Award from her (my very first award) makes it that much sweeter.

THANKS Hobby!

Let's Talk About Conversation Hearts

2011-02-09T09:27:00.010-05:00

I love these cute little pastel candies.

I think they taste awful (I can not eat chalky things like these and TUMS) but I love to decorate and craft with them.

I found these really cute craft projects all over the web and thought I would share with you...

These adorable votives can be made from leftover votive holders from Christmas:

If your Valentine sends you flowers this is a clever idea.

You add these cuties to your vase by placing a glass cylinder in a large jar and filling the space with the candies, SWEET!

For a special centerpiece or to anchor your mantle glue hearts to foam cones (available in various sizes or place them on top of chunky candle holders)

Create a gift for someone on your list by using hearts to make a framed heart...
Take it up a notch by framing a message...
Make sure that special someone gets the hint...
Last but not least make this adorable wreath

PROJECTS 5th Annual Craftzine Thing-a-Day Challenge

2011-02-07T07:00:00.005-05:00

Here are some of the Projects I am Planning for the 5th Annual Craftzine Thing-a-Day Challenge!

Hopefully some of my friends will do guest posts for me...

The links are to the pages I got the ideas from not my projects. I will change them as I do them.

2/1 Sew Spoiled Cabrio Tote Sew A Long Starts (not for me though, :/)
Crochet Mystery Project Parts 1-4
February Birthday Card Postal by 2/9 (can't spoil the surprise by posting the card)

2/2 Post TAD Project 1 Days 1&2 from The Cr8iveLife (yeah I am late, I know)

Crochet Sock Saga Part 3 Gusset
Crochet Mystery Project Continued
Sew Spoiled Cabrio Tote Day 1
2/3 Nine Birthday Cards
Snow Layout
2/4 Started Red Striped Bag
2/5 Last Minute Birthday Cake - Pound Cake and Chocolate Buttercream
Brownies
2/6 Lion Brand Yarn Super Bowl Crochet Yarn A Long
Finished Purple & Green Bag
Finished Red Striped Bag
Started Pound of Love Baby Blanket #1
2/7 Pound of Love Baby Blanket #1
2/8 Pound of Love Baby Blanket #1
2/9 Pound of Love Baby Blanket #1
2/10 Pound of Love Baby Blanket #1
2/11 Sweet 16 Birthday Cake
Light Purple Ruffled Scarf
2/12 Pound of Love Baby Blanket #1
2/13 Pound of Love Baby Blanket #1
2/14 Pound of Love Baby Blanket #1
2/15 Reclaimed Cassette Storage Box for Stamp Pads
2/16 Reclaimed Spice Rack for Scrappie "Spices"
2/17 Reclaimed shelf
2/18
March Birthday Card Postal by 3/14

LOTS of Ideas:

Dollar Store Decor

Pom Pom garland
Felt Heart Mantle Garland
Valentine Votives Dollar Store Decor
Valentine Tree

Book of Love
Heart's Content T-shirt
Heart Coffee Cozies: Plaid
Conversation Heart Pillows
Crafty Cupcake Dress Up Pink Lemonade
Amigurumi Heart
Heart Potholders
Valentine Mobile
Valentine Pops
Valentine Cookies
Valentine Cake
Valentine Candy
Easter Tree
Tie Skirt
Red Lips T-shirt - UFO-already have everything.
Red Lips Apron - UFO-already have everything.
Cupcake Apron - UFO-already have everything.
Baby Blanket for #5 - UFO-already have everything.
Gallery Glass Suncatcher - UFO-already have everything.
Bloomin' Button Brooch
Fabric Cover Button Necklace and Bracelet
Button Bracelet
Extreme Glitter Eggs
Easter Window Clings
Crochet Easter Eggs

Thing-a-Day Project #1 Crochet Mystery...

2011-02-02T08:17:00.002-05:00

It's purple and green but what could it be? I shopped my stash for yarn and browsed the web for a pattern, I started with this...

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=810594&l=c02203f1b0&id=100000223778255

And made two of these...

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=811448&l=bfd2ed8828&id=100000223778255

Now I am up to this...

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=811449&l=d188adb414&id=100000223778255

What oh what could it be?

Sew Spoiled Cabrio Tote Day 1

2011-02-01T08:51:00.002-05:00

I admit it day one came and went without my even thinking about this part of my Thing-a-Day challenge. Sad to say I know. Will pick up this afternoon. And provide photos, PROMISE.

So I downloaded and printed the pattern and located my fabrics. They came from my stash, which makes me both happy and a little freaked that I have so much STUFF!

I tried to take a picture but the camera is dead (AGAIN) and my cell phone froze (AGAIN!)...

Pictures tomorrow. Double Pinky Promise!

Crochet Socks Part 1

2011-01-30T12:54:00.005-05:00

I received a beautiful ball of handmade yarn sock from Jill Draper Makes Stuff. It is wonderful. But I have NEVER made socks. And most crochet sock patterns are bulky and just plain UGLY. And I can not knit.

So I went on a mission to find a crochet sock pattern that I can use this awesome yarn for, but I am limited to a pattern that calls for 398m and is EASY. Although I crochet fairly well I would rather not try a difficult sock pattern right out of the gate.

I found two balls of Red Heart Heart and Sole Watermelon Stripe to practice with. So who knows maybe I will end up with TWO new pairs of socks!

Here are a few patterns I have found:
Colorful Crochet Socks http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/WR1783.pdf
Ultimate Crochet Socks (toe up) http://crochetme.com/media/p/89746.aspx

Pictures on My public FaceBook Album:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=805226&l=14a58168e9&id=100000223778255

Additional Posts:
Crochet Socks Part 2 Toe to Gusset
Crochet Socks Part 3 Gusset

A Sweet Christmas Tree Crochet A Long

2011-01-27T08:47:00.004-05:00

I make cakes, among other things and I have a Christmas tree in EVERY room of my house. Even the kitchen. So last year I started collecting sweet ornaments for the tree. But they are PRICEY!

So this year I am making some! Yep all year long I am going to host a Sweet Tree Ornament Crochet A Long!

First up CUPCAKES!
Pattern is available on etsy from StripeyBlue for $4.99 get yours TODAY! Crochet-a-Long begins 2-1-2011!

Sew Spoiled's Cabrio Tote Sew Along!

2011-01-26T07:56:00.002-05:00

I am joining Sew Spoiled's Cabrio Tote Sew Along!

Here is the Time line...
Gather Fabric and supplies (Step1)- - - - - - Jan. 18- Feb. 1 (2weeks)

Cut out the pieces (Step 2)- - - - - - - - - - - - -Feb. 2- Feb. 8
Straps and Outer Shell Panel gathered (step 3-6) -- - Feb. 9- Feb. 15
Finish outer shell and make pockets (Step 7-8) - - - - - Feb. 16- Feb. 22
Magnet Clasp and Finish Lining (Step 9-10) - - - - - - Feb. 23- March 1
Finish the Tote (Step 12-14)- - - - - - - - March 2- 8

If you finish before the deadline great! Post your work early, it might inspire someone else to finish! If you fall behind the group that is ok too try to catch up, some weeks are easier than others.

FREE ONLINE Embellish Your Life Class

2011-01-25T11:23:00.003-05:00

Being sick since November and with the foul weather this winter, I am all about free online craft classes and when I saw this one from Spotted Canary I got really happy because it is all about BLING.

http://www.spottedcanary.com/Classes/Embellish_Your_Life_Preview.htm

Of course I am taking my ACM 50% off coupon and my DOUBLE BONUS POINTS coupon to ACM this week to buy my supplies! Have to get to 200 rewards points by the 31st!

Once you register (use the Register now text not the picture, that link is broken) you get access to the supply list and can watch the class video right away!

Projects include an embellished sweater, purse, clutch, backpack, cuff, and bib necklace. Not so crazy about the last two...

Jill Draper Yarn Giveaway...

2011-01-22T09:36:00.001-05:00

I posted this on FaceBook and I wanted to share here...

ATTN YARN LOVING FRIENDS: A friend of mine referred me to Jill Draper (and her awesome yarn!). She is having a FABULOUS contest, where in you, 'like' her FB page, and post on the page that "Schonna Dungan" sent you the link. When 7 people post that I sent them, I get a skein of Jill's Yarn!! It's the best 'referral program' EVER!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jill-Draper-Makes-Stuff/20912791235

I only need THREE more people and then I get my yarn...I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark Montano CONTEST: A BIG ONE!

2011-01-22T08:52:00.002-05:00

Win Pulp Fiction AND The Big Ass Book of Home Decor And a beautiful new pair of Ginger Sewing Scissors And some E-6000 Glue. Plus he'll toss in some other goodies. This is a BIG ONE!

Hosted By: Mark Montano Fan Club

Rules:

1. Re-post this on your FB page by going to Mark Montano Fan Club or The Cr8ive Life and pressing SHARE
2. Comment on Mark Montano Fan Club that you've done it!
3. Say Hello on his Blog (and join if you haven't)
http://markmontano.typepad.com/mark-montano/
4. Join him here if you haven't
...http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22605554085&ref=tsSee

Cleaning the School/Craft Room

2011-01-16T09:30:00.003-05:00

I have promised my self that I would clean out the School / Craft room for the better part of he six years we have lived in this house. For the first several years it was a dining room. But because of the elevation of our house we have a slight flooding problem. The garage floods during rain of any significance. So I can not store anything I care about in there, or the treadmill I bought and swore I would faithfully use (I do, it holds boxes and poster board....) nothing including DH's tools can stay in the garage for long without suffering the ill effects of mold and damp.

So you guessed it 99% of it ends up in the afore mentioned School / Craft Room, and it has become a tragic example of too-much-schuff-itis.

But I have decided it is HIGH time to change all that. I have given myself until January 31st to purge this dungeon and make it useful for my children and myself, especially in light of the Thing-a-Day Challenge that starts February 1st.

So wish me luck dear friends I am diving in...

Birthday Card Swap List

2011-01-16T09:15:00.004-05:00

My friends on the ACMoore Forum and I are doing a Birthday Card Swap again this year. I bailed last year but still got the most amazing cards thanks to the ring leader Piggy30. I will link them when I make them and I know they have gotten them, don't wanna spoil the surprise.

Here is the card list for this year:

bluucaca 2/16
Hobbyaholic 3/21
elayne 3/24
irishrose 4/11
The_Cr8ive_Life 5/11
vachick64 6/25
EeEe 7/7
fuzzylover 7/20
BonBon1964 8/19
Domestic Diva 9/26
Squeakbox 10/12
frndly1 11/27
BlueButton 12/25
Piggy30 12/7

2011 Craft-olutions

2011-01-16T08:08:00.003-05:00

I declare that in 2011 I will: (links will become active as I post)

~Clean my office and craft/school room by Jan 31 (see first post, there will be pictures)
~Make a list of and Finish UFO's before starting new projects (see post of list)
~To shop my stash FIRST and stick to my monthly craft/cake supply budget
~Do the Thing-a-Day Challenges to help do both of the above (see post with list)
~Take pictures and upload them to Photobucket and FaceBook
~Share my pictures on my favorite forum (that would be ACMoore)
~Host Challenges and not Swaps
~Post to my blog(s) at least once a week
~Use my Cricut for paper or cake at least once a month
~Send only handmade greeting cards and send the Birthday Card Swap Cards ON TIME (see list)
~Have handmade Christmas cards finished and mailed by the last day of November
~Give & buy handmade gifts at least 50% of the time
~Teach my big kids how to sew
~Get the Cleaning for Heroes Thank You Cards made and mailed out monthly

What are your crafty resolutions?

A Tale of Two Camping Cakes

2011-01-15T21:21:00.000-05:00

DH and a very good friend of ours celebrated their birthdays last week on the 13th. DH turned 40 and our friend well, let's just say he celebrated a nifty milestone that day.

I wanted to make them both something extra special. And I had a huge 4 tier creation dramed up to take to church for dinner on Wednesday evening, but I got sick and it did not happen. So DD stepped in and made cupcakes. They both thought the cupcakes were their birthday cake.

I mighta been sick but I was not dead.

So I scaled down my plan and made two very similar cakes...

This one DH took to work:

And this one I took to Red Robin to surprise our friend:

5th Annual Craftzine Thing-a-Day Challenge!

2011-01-14T11:42:00.005-05:00

I found this through Craftzine and I am planning out my projects, cleaning the craft room and gearing up for the 5th Annual Thing-a-Day Challenge! I plan to blog about my projects on my blog too!

"Thing-a-day is a yearly creative sprint where, every year in February, participants commit to creating one new thing a day and post it on a collective blog.Sign-up now to get inspired and fight the mid-winter blues! Registration opens Jan 21st and ends at midnight on the 1st.

Anyone brave enough to join me?!

Link: http://thing-a-day.com/

My Thing-a-Day Project List
http://thecr8ivelife.blogspot.com/2011/02/projects-5th-annual-craftzine-thing-day.html

I am Tweeting my Favorite Projects from other Thing-a-Day participants so follow me on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/TheCr8iveLife

Pay it Forward 2011

2011-01-08T12:24:00.002-05:00

Pay it forward to creative people. I promise to make something handmade to the first 5 people who leave a comment to this update. They must in turn promise to post this and send something they made to the first 5 posters on their status. It must be handmade by you and sent to your 5 people sometime in 2011.

If you want a cake you have to be Local or pick it up...and if you were one of my 5 in 2010 remind me (I recall having 6) and I will get you this year, right now is a great time b/c I am making scarves!

My 5 for 2011:
1. Laura
2. Virginia

Hot Chocolate & Dipped Spoons

2010-12-20T17:21:00.004-05:00

I make my own hot chocolate mix all year long and at Christmas time I make it in bulk (see recipe below). This year we are also making dipped spoons to use and give at our Cookies & Caroling event this week.

Dipped spoons are so fun, fast and easy to make. And you can get really crazy with them. A little AHA moment came to me when I found these HotChocSpoons from Germany but who can afford them, note, shipping is not included. But they did inspire me, and I really wish I had thought a little more about them and ordered these wooden spoons, they just have something extra.

What you need:
Disposable spoons
Chocolate discs NOT Chocolate Chips! - like Merckens Marquis Milk Chocolate Buttons
assorted dark, milk, white
Candy canes or peppermint discs
Chopped nuts
Candy flavorings (these are NOT the same as regular extracts!)
Cute lollipop bags and ties
Silicone Mini Muffin Baking Mold
Pyrex 2-Cup Measuring Cup

Pour the chips into a heatproof container, such as a Pyrex measuring cup. A deep container works best for this project.

Microwave the cup of chips for thirty seconds. Stir. Repeat in 30 second increments until chocolate starts to melt, as it melts shorten the time to 20 and then 10 seconds to prevent over cooking.

Dip plastic spoons into the chocolate to coat the bowl. If the chocolate starts to harden, microwave 30 seconds at half power.

You can also use a double boiler to melt the chocolate.

While the chocolate is still "melty" top with crushed candy or chopped nuts or swirl with a different flavor of melted chocolate. You can also use candy flavoring to add flavors like mint, cherry, almond, raspberry, etc.

Hot Chocolate Mix

1½ cups skim milk powder
1½ cups white sugar (I blend mine to make it finer)
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
¾ cup non-dairy creamer, flavored creamer is yummie too!

Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir well.

Store in an air tight container.

Directions:
Place 2 or 3 tablespoons in a mug and add boiling water.

Garbage Soup

2010-12-19T09:03:00.005-05:00

It has been REALLY cold here lately and we have had THREE snow days. Now before you start laughing your head off let me remind you I am NOT a snow kind of girl. I grew up in F-L-O-R-I-D-A. This cartoon illustrates my feeling, and the general mood of my current town in SOUTHEASTERN Virginia, also not a SNOW town.

So back to garbage soup. We lived in Italy for three years and had some very good Italian friends. We would go to "dinner" at their house and they always started cooking when we got there around 7pm. Dinner never happened before 9PM and was never finished until midnight. It was awesome!

But never will I forget when I asked my friend for a RECIPE for Minestrone soup. She practically laughed her head off. "There is no recipe for Minestrone! This is garbage soup." Huh? "You just put what you have." Still not tracking...I never was a throw it in a pot kind of cook. Just ask my mother who has tried to teach me to make her biscuits...to no avail. THEN for a really good laugh try explaining this to an Italian woman, she might have a heart attack...

So one day she came to my house and showed me. And she came right before payday when I told her I had NOTHING to make soup with, I asked for a list, she said NO.

UGH.

So here is my hastily written (she really laughed that I was taking notes) Basic Minestrone soup "recipe"... Keep in mind most people think minestrone is vegetable soup, but I learned it really is ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING you have in the kitchen.

Ingredients:

Stock veg or chicken or both, or some and water...enough to fill half your big pot.

Vegetables - fresh canned, frozen whatever you have...

Oil - Olive, what else?

Onion if you have one...

Garlic - fresh if you have it and you BETTER have it...

Beans - garbanzos, cannellini, kidney or whatever you have...

Leafy Stuff - Cabbage, Swiss Chard, Kale or other leafy things if you have it...I had fun trying to discipher what she was asking for with each of these, occasionally we resorted to pictograms...

Tomato paste

Diced tomatoes (mine had herbs in it already this too made her make a face)

Pancetta - if you have it, she brought it with her- coarsely chopped this was translated from "cut big but not too big."

Rosemary, oregano, bay leaf or whatever you have...I did have these fresh since we grew them on the terrace, points scored there!

Parmesan cheese rind, yeah the RIND. She brought this with her, smart lady.

Are you getting the idea here?

Heat the oil in a large saucepan, then saute all the hard FRESH veggies (onions, garlic, potato, carrot, celery, pancetta) until the onions are translucent.

Add leafy stuff. Saute for 2 minutes

Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste and herbs. Simmer until the leafy stuff is wilted and the tomatoes break down, about 10 minutes.

Blend a can of the beans with some of the broth in a blender or food processor until almost smooth.

Add the mushed up beans, broth, and Parmesan cheese rind to the pot.

And stock and bring to the boil.

Add any frozen vegetables.

Simmer until the potato is tender (around 20 minutes).

Add beans and soft vegetables (canned vegetables, peas and zucchini).

Simmer for another 10 minutes.

Remove the Parmesan rind, bay leaf and rosemary stem.

Grate fresh Parmesan over the top serve with crusty bread.

Mamma MIA it is BUONO!

Clingons (No not the Star Trek Kind!)

2010-12-02T08:02:00.005-05:00

Have you ever made your own window clings? Me either but I heard it is really very easy...and since I got the issue of Paint Me Plaid featuring the stuff I have been wanting to play with it SOOOOOOOOOOOOO bad! I received a gift certificate to one of my favorite crafty places and I will be going TONIGHT to buy Gallery Glass supplies! WOOT WOOT!

Here is an excerpt of the Paint Me Plaid Digest complete with links...
"Have you ever tried Gallery Glass? So many people don’t know what it does, and therefore don’t know how COOL it really is! Gallery Glass gives you the beautiful look of traditional stained glass but without the high price tag. No cutting, grinding or soldering, and the paint is waterbase (so you can use it with children). Gallery Glass is nothing short of awesome, and the Santa ornament, Gingerbread jar gift and Snowmen cling are just a a sampling of what you can do with it."

When I locate my camera I will post pics of me and the kidlets makin' clingons!

Countdown Calendars

2010-11-30T09:57:00.005-05:00

My kids LOVE counting down to Christmas! And having four means I need FOUR countdown calendars!

We have one that we have had for about 4 years. It is Aida cloth in the shape of a Christmas tree sewn on felt. There are 24 little pockets that hold various wooden ornaments. I found the calendar at the thrift store and I bought the wooden pieces at A.C. Moore already painted and on sale for .25 each.

{PHOTOS COMING SOON}

The next thrift store find is a ready made pile of presents. The marked price is $6.98. But I got it half off with 20% off of that because I scored it last year the Monday before Christmas and Monday is Military Appreciation day!

{PHOTOS COMING SOON}

The third and fourth ones I am making this year...

The first uses a cookie sheet from the dollar store and little metal cans I got from the wedding aisle at A.C. Moore on Black Friday. They were originally $19.99, on sale and 30% off! WOOT! I will be attaching them to the cookie sheet with magnets I also found that day on sale!

{PHOTOS COMING SOON}

The next one I don't think will be done by tomorrow and certainly will not look as good at this one from Paisley Petals Blog, but I have every confidence that I can make it, eventually!

12/1 LOOK at this CUTE one my friend (Really I don't know her but she feels like my friend) Jen posted today on Indie Fixx, so cute!

12/2 I just keep finding more cute countdown calendars! Or is it that my friends are just so amazingly crafty? My friend Patti Behan ("met" her on a forum somewhere I think it was Fiskateers) posted this cute idea with cupcake holders from Target...now you know how I love re-using things I already own, this was BRILLIANT! Now I NEED four, because I can use them all year...

Christmas Cards

2010-11-29T09:32:00.002-05:00

I don't like snow but I love this snow globe Christmas card!

{PHOTOS COMING SOON}

Supplies:
Card Blanks & Envelopes
Acetate Sheet
"Anywhere Punch" in your favorite shape or Exacto knife and stencils
Stamps, Stamp pads, embossing powders, heat gun
Embellishments - stickers, ribbons, rub-ons, metallic threads, etc.
Cricut Machine (optional)
White or silver extra fine paint pen
Wood veneer or wood grain paper
Markers, pencil
Adhesive
Small sharp scissors

How to do it:
1. Punch or draw and cut out the shape in the upper center of the front of your card.
2. Now, cut out a piece of acetate that is a slightly larger than your shape.
3. Use the paint pen to paint small dots on the acetate. You want to make this look like falling snow so, space the dots out randomly. Set aside to dry.
4. Use a small piece of wood veneer, wood grain contact paper, or wood grain paper to cut out the base of your snow globe. This part is OPTIONAL and looks best with the traditional round globe.
5. Use your cut out shape to make the top of the base for your snow globe.
6. Glue the base on the front of the snow globe so it lines up with the cut out circle.
7. Glue the acetate with the snowflakes inside the card front, so you see it through the cut out circle. Simply run a small bead of glue around the front of the acetate, then press it onto the BACK of the card front, right behind the cut out /circle.
8. So what will go "in your snow globe? That is up to you! On the inside of the card, where you would typically write a message you can draw, stamp, rub-on or glue embellishments or images so it can be seen on the front of the snow globe Christmas card.
9. Add a "Handmade by" stamp on the back of the card and you are all done! Just 199 more to go!

Plan an "Old Fashioned" Caroling Get Together!

2010-11-28T08:24:00.003-05:00

This year on Christmas Eve we will be hosting an old fashioned Christmas Caroling get together!

Check back on this post to see what we are crafting for the event! Posts start Monday November 29th!

Pre-Invitations - I got modern with this one and used FaceBook to create an event. I invited EVERYONE (sent 64 invitations in less than five minutes) because I expect a LOT of people will be going out of town or already have plans with family. But I am using this as my jumping off point. I will hand out paper invitations to people who confirm (as a reminder) and to friends who are not on FaceBook.

Song Books - I am making and e-mailing Songbooks out to everyone who confirms thy are coming in advance. This way they will have time to practice! I am also spending time teaching the little ones in my house the real words to songs...for an Index of Carols check out About.com

Containers - I scan the glassware shelves at local thrift stores for interesting containers all year long. I have at least six "9" dish garden" containers that I plan to use for candy and nuts during the party. I have also gotten a number of vessels at the Dollar Store including clear glass plates and candle holders.

Tablescape - Creating a tablescape for festive events is MY FAVORITE thing! For me it all starts with a fantastic tablecloth! Since the food will be gracing our front room I can do a complete theme in that room that I may never be able to pull off elsewhere in the house. So I am looking for an extra special tablecloth...stay tuned!

Advent Begins TODAY!

2010-11-28T08:07:00.003-05:00

Advent begins today! We started doing Advent last year as a way to make Christmas more meaningful, I am not Catholic so this is all new to me. And I don't think DH's family ever did it when he was growing up.

We have an advent calendar and this year we are adding an Advent wreath.

To make the wreath I purchased everything (almost) on Black Friday at my favorite craft store (Hint its A.C. MOORE! They had a 30% off entire purchase coupon, including sale items, WOOT!)

a pine wreath
a pink candle (taper or votive)
3 purple candles (taper or votive)
1 white candle - optional (taper or votive)
4-5 candle cups/holders
some plastic ball ornaments assorted sizes

The wreath is part of the centerpiece on our dining table. I placed the wreath around my Princess House punch bowl. Then I placed the candles into cups and placed them on the wreath. Added balls to dress it up a bit. In the punch bowl I added assorted balls and the white candle in a glass cylinder.

Here are links to more Advent Calendars:
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/adventcalendars/Advent_Calendars.htm

First Candle
Color: Purple
Theme: Hope
First Sunday in Advent

Second Candle
Color: Purple
Theme: Love
Second Sunday in Advent

Third Candle
Color: Purple or pink
Theme: Joy
Third Sunday in Advent

Fourth Candle
Color: Purple
Theme: Peace
Fourth Sunday in Advent

Optional Center Candle
Color: White
Theme: Christmas
Christmas Day

My Thank You Card for Cleaning for Heroes

2010-11-20T09:21:00.005-05:00

I hosted a card contest for Cleaning for Heroes last month and the winners were announced early this month. I love the entries but I made my own card as well. I did not enter the contest and I was not a judge, had to be fair...

So here is my card...

You will need:

Small Star Punch
EK Success Ribbon Punch
Red Striped Paper
Blue Card Stock
Aluminum Foil
Glue Stick or other adhesive
Blank Card & Envelope
Thank You Stamp or
Cricut Machine and Calligraphy Cartridge

How to make the card:

1. Cut red striped paper 1" wide and long enough to fit across card blank.
2. Cut blue card stock 3/4" wide and long enough to fit across card blank.
3. Punch stars from aluminum foil, I used 10 you may need more / less depending on punch used and card size. (HOT TIP: Use HEAVY foil, the cheap stuff is not fun when it comes to gluing, the little points fold up all crazy.) When doing the first card I placed the two end stars, one in the middle and then one in the space in between the end and middle. Make sense?
4. Stamp or cut Thank You sentiment. I don't have a stamp that would fit so I used my Cricut with the Calligraphy cartridge. I set the machine to 1", medium speed and pressure to cut the card stock.

2011 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project

2010-11-16T09:03:00.003-05:00

Another great Red Heart campaign, easy to make scarves are donated to Special Olympics, it is a win-win!

From Red Heart:
The 2011 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project will allow you to choose from a list of participating Special Olympics Programs, providing you with the ability to support the Program of your choice. The official website containing the full list of participating Programs is ScarvesforSpecialOlympics.org. Delivery details and deadlines will be posted as soon as the website launches in the coming weeks.

The colors as well as the size (6" x 54"-60") of the scarves will be the same for all participating Programs in the 2011 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project.

Free Crochet & Knit Patterns available on Red Heart.

HeartScarves

2010-11-16T08:56:00.004-05:00

As a Red Heart Ambassador I am always looking for new things to share with my crochet classes and I am very proud to share Red Heart projects like this.

From the Red Heart site:
HeartScarves provides handmade red scarves to members of our WomenHeart Support Networks and to women undergoing cardiac procedures. The red scarves offer comfort; support and encouragement for a woman with heart disease and become a part of her healing journey. For every kit purchased Red Heart will donate $3 to WomenHeart. For more information on WomenHeart, please visit their website: www.WomenHeart.org

This kit contains a 6-1/4x11x4-1/2in clear vinyl project bag with carry handles and zipper closure; one 7oz/198g; 364yd/333m skein of Red Heart Super Saver yarn (319 Cherry Red); Susan Bates size I9/5.5mm crochet hook; instructions for crocheting the scarf; information as to why knitting a crocheting are good for your heart as well as tips from WomenHeart Organization concerning heart health and care and a gift tag. Made in USA/Imported.

Buy your kit online at Red Heart.

Veterans Day

2010-11-11T07:11:00.000-05:00

Creating a Blog Button

2010-11-10T02:08:00.009-05:00

I have been meaning to blog about so many things lately, but I just have not had the time. Now that I am on "vacation" and am up late without fear of waking the kids, I have time to blog!

Watch out this might be a BIG bloggin week!

One of the things I have been meaning to post about is how to make BUTTONS. And since I just made one for Cleaning for Heroes I thought I would share how I did it.

First you will need some image*. Here is mine...

If you have an existing logo like I did for Cleaning for Heroes then you are one step ahead of the game. If not you will need to create a logo or other image in your favorite program (like Adobe PhotoShop) don't worry I will wait...got your image? Great! Save it to your computer and remember where you put it!

Now you have to load the image to the web. I use PhotoBucket for this but some people prefer Fliker. You can even publish it to a post on your blog.

Next log in to your blog and create a new HTML/Java Script element or edit an existing one. I have one for Buttons so I opened the dashboard, went to design and chose to edit the Buttons element. You can change various settings on this later but the most important thing is to copy and paste the "chicklet code" from this Squidoo page... scroll down until you see the code.

I open a notepad document and copy and paste the code there to work on it, but you can work on it right in the pop up box from your blog element too.

Change the following items in the code you get from the site above:

The first URL is where you want the image to link TO. Mine was the Cleaning for Heroes home page.
The second is where your image is on the web. If you are using Photobucket this is the "direct link" option.
"Mouse Over Words" is what you want displayed when someone moves their mouse over the image. I put in Cleaning for Heroes.
"Alternative Name" is words that will show up if the link is broken. Again I put in Cleaning for Heroes.

Make sure you only replace things in between the "-s and NOT the "-s themselves or you will break the code.

If you used notepad like me copy and paste this new code into the blog element form. If you did it in the blog element form then hit SAVE.

Here is the result...

It doesn't look much different here but later I will tell you how to make a button box to share your code with everyone who visits your blog or web site. Then they can simply copy and paste the code to share your button on their blogs and web sites without all this work...but I can't give away all the goodies this morning!

*DO NOT RANDOMLY STEAL SOME IMAGE from the web. Right click ONLY if you have the LEGAL right to do so! Remember that every image belongs to someone and some people can get VERY grumpy if you take their images without permission, so in this instance it is far better to ASK permission first rather than seek forgiveness later. There are a great many public domain images but if you are in doubt always ASK.

Little Fish in a HUGE Pond

2010-11-10T01:20:00.004-05:00

Today I realized just how incredibly small I am. I mean in every way. A while back I started volunteering with a non-profit called Cleaning for Heroes. My friend Torrey Shannon is the Executive Director and she has talked about little else since the early spring. When she asked for my help of course I said yes.

So she asked me a couple of weeks ago, half joking, if I wanted a "free vacation" in Orlando. She started telling me about this convention thing and I thought there is no way I can pull that off.

I offered to help in any way I could without committing to come down. But I went to work on making that possible. After a logistic marathon we are here and the convention starts tomorrow.

But today changed my complete view of myself. I have been to trade shows before & I thought I knew what to expect. WRONG! The sheer enormity of the Orlando Convention Center was overwhelming.

When we finally found and went into the exhibit hall I literally started to have a panic attack.

We found our booth location (Torrey had the map in her head!) it was so small. 10x10 in a room the size of most shopping malls...it was so so small in the sea of HUGE corporations and industry giants.

And it was bare. Nothing but blue and white curtains. Good thing our colors are red, white, blue and yellow.

We went to a rental place and got a table, some chairs, raffle barrel and a red table cloth to make it POP.

Torrey made an amazing connection with a local company to print banners and bring us a pedestal table, tall chairs and poster stands. The best part was they did it for FREE. Just wanted to give back. I LOVE THAT!

But we are still so small. A delegation of four people. A new fledgling non-profit. A tiny speck in this sea of enormous potential.

I see many things when I look around this room. 15,000 people are expected to attend. BIG corporations have spent my entire annual household income on one display for their booth. And we are here, among them not for our own gain but to try and make a difference for this who serve us.

The need of our veterans and first responders is a great as the convention center is enormous. And we are still that small organization. But eventually we will grow and we will reach so many more, and be able to help more and more people.

It is humbling to think I can have any part in this enormous undertaking. That I can be here at the beginning of something so amazing. That this convention is taking place DURING Veteran's Day Week.

Would you please consider helping us by doing any or all of the following:

1. PRAY. Pray for this organization, pray that Torrey can make meaningful contacts here that will lead to sponsorships and funding so that we can grow to meet the needs we are presented with.

2. LIKE Cleaning for Hereos Official Page on FaceBook.

3. LEARN a little more about us by visiting the web site.

4. SHARE us with your friends!

5. PURCHASE a raffle ticket. These tickets are the only way we can hope to recoup the funds spent to attend this convention. We have 2,000 to sell before Friday. Torrey and Ann have paid for virtually everything out of their own funds.

Meanwhile we have eighty million things to do and it seems that we are fighting against the tide. Most people here have planned to be here for well over a year. Torrey just started getting the idea to come two months ago.

And she has worked her backside off to make it happen in record time on ZERO budget.

Thank you for reading my plea and for helping us be the light for so many who deserve it more than mere words can say.

Don't forget to hug a Vet this week, and say THANKS!

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-01T06:44:00.002-04:00

Typically on November 1st I am putting up one of a half dozen CHRISTmas trees. This year we have decided to scale back the CHRISTmas decor and focus on fall. And I have to say I am happy and loving all the fall crafting opportunities! Instead of posting a zillion posts for Thanksgiving I am going to post one post with a ZILLION ideas!

Menu Planning for the BIG Day:
Sill not sure what we will be doing as our go to family will be out of town his year. DH joked about hitting the local Chinese Buffet. I am seriously considering it...

What I am crafting this Fall (links will be active when post is published):
Door Wreaths
Fall Candles
Pumpkin and Leaf hand soaps
Make Your Own Microwave Popcorn-neighbor gifts
Hurricane lamps for the mantle
Front table centerpiece

I would like to share Thanksgiving ad Fall ideas from some people I have found online and love like family:
Cathy Filian from Domestic in the City
Heather Mann from Dollar Store Crafts

A Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake

2010-10-28T12:34:00.006-04:00

There are very few people who could text me at 11:45 AM on a weekday and ask me to make cake for the following day that I would jump through hoops for to get it done. Especially when they ask for cupcakes...

I have a love / hate relationship with cupcakes and I TOTALLY understand why cupcake shops charge $3+ for the little monsters.

Who ever started the whole cupcakes are cheaper / easier than tiered cakes lie needs to be shot. Because not a week passes that some poor "penniless" bride calls and wants 400 cupcakes for $20.00...ok, maybe not every week but monthly at least, and I was NOT joking about the price.

So, it is obvious that cupcakes are NOT my favorite thing to make. They are tough. They burn easily, dry out quickly and require a lot more time and attention than a cake. And during the week on top of homeschooling 3 of my 4 kids cupcakes are the LAST thing I want to make.

But I digress. Back to The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Lucky for this friend I love her like a sister (but without all the years of sibling rivalry and abuse) and would do anything within my power to make her life even the teeniest bit better.

Plus I know she is going through some MAJOR pooh-pooh right now. Her mom is not well and her step dad has been in the hospital for almost a full month. PLUS she teaches little kids all day long AND makes dinner at our church for mid-week service. So you can see she is almost as busy as I am, LOL!

Seriously though her tag line for life is "Keep Your Joy" and through everything I have seen her do just that. So when she reached out for help I literally RAN to the store (ok, I walked quickly to the van and then drove to the store...)

This is a quick and easy "cake" to do really, it's practically a no brainer. She asked for 11 green and one red cupcake. Yeah that's what you are gonna get...from WalMart...

First, and foremost you need a board big enough for your caterpillar. As providence would have it I have a masonite board which should do the trick.

I make my boards from 3/4" masonite and add wooden doll heads from the craft store for feet. I always use 5, four for the corners and one in the middle for insurance. The boards are HEAVY, but they will also hold the biggest heaviest cake you can imagine.

I use plastic table covers from the dollar store to cover them, with a little staple gun action to secure the sides and hot glue and ribbon to trim it all up.

Today I am going to use a white table cover, like the book cover. And red ribbon.

Making the cupcakes is simple, even though I said earlier it wasn't. 24 is a world away from 400...and I need a little cake. 5" should do for the head.

After the board and the cakes you will need:
Buttercream icing in 3 shades of green, yes, THREE Medium consistency.
Red fondant for the head, oh, didn't I tell you, this is not WalMart...this is special
Small amount of yellow and green fondant
Black fondant for the details and letters.
Bamboo skewers for the antennae and feet...getting excited now!
Tip 1M for the cupcakes
Decorating bags & other basic supplies

First, color and roll out the gumpaste for the letters. It needs time to sit and firm up a bit. I will be using my Cricut Cake for this. If you don't have one you can cut out letters with Wilton's Gum Paste Letter Cutters, or use candy melts and make candy letters.

Then make the antennae and feet. Shape black gum paste into two antennae and six feet. insert toothpicks into the feet and trimmed bamboo skewers for the antennae.

Next after all cakes are cooled, spatula stripe your piping bag fitted with the 1M tip with the three colors of green buttercream. Pipe 1M swirls onto the cupcakes.

Cover the mini cake with a thin layer of buttercream and cover with red fondant.

Cut out two large-ish oval-type shapes and two smaller green shapes for the eyes, a small circle cut with the bottom of any basic tip will serve as the nose.

Place the cupcakes on the board and arrange them as you like, then apply a small amount of icing to the the bottom of each to secure. Do the same for the head.

Add antennae and feet.

Add lettering and VIOLA, A Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Fondant and Gumpaste: What's the Difference?

2010-10-27T17:24:00.003-04:00

I get this question all the time. In a nutshell Gum Paste is Fondant with a little something extra. People who tell you they are two totally different "products" just want you to PAY for two separate products!

Fondant (sugar paste, sugar dough) is softer, more pliable and will never dry as hard as gum paste. And thank goodness it doesn't. Can you imagine a cake covered in something as hard as a rock and breaks like glass? YUM!

Gum paste has an added ingredient (gum tragacanth=Tylose) which makes it firmer, dry harder and hold its shape better than fondant especially in humid climates like here in VA.

You can also roll gum paste out a whole lot thinner than fondant, almost to the point you can see through it...almost.

Once dry it can be very fragile and can be painted, powdered or glittered almost to your hearts content.

And yes, it CAN be eaten if you like chewing on glass...and depending on which powders and dusts you have used, and then there are those nagging wires and stamens...

Be careful how you use gum paste decorations and which icings you combine them with. gum paste flowers and bows on fondant will be just fine, but when you place them on buttercream they will soften due to the fat in the buttercream.

And never, ever I mean EVER put gum paste decorations in the fridge...EVER, you hear me?

If you want to know a LOT more about fondant and gum paste go here:
http://www.sugarcraft.com/catalog/misc/lessons/fondant-lessons.htm
http://www.sugarcraft.com/catalog/misc/lessons/gumpaste.htm

The next question is what kind of fondant and gum paste do I use?

Oh, dear ones if the world were perfect and I really DID have a money tree in my back yard HANDS down I would only ever use Chocopan. Why? Because I LOVE the stuff. I got to play with is at The National Capital Area Cake Show in a class with Norm Davis and if the fact that it is made with chocolate does not seal the deal for you then well... It also has a LONG work time. Meaning you can play with it a lot longer than any other fondant I have ever used. And it SMELLS like heaven. Add to that the fact that sweet Linda Shonk makes the stuff and well, I am loyal to the death.

But I usually make my own fondant using the Marshmallow Fondant recipe on Peggy Weaver's Baking Corner.

As for gum paste I make my own as well. And after taking the Creative Designs Certification Course with Linda McClure I will never, ever use another gum paste besides her recipe. You can order the Silhouette DVD with her recipe on it at her site Deseret Designs. Or you can come take a Creative Designs class with me next year...

So there you have it, in a nutshell fondant is for cakes, gum paste is for frills & finery.

Help Cakes are Fun Make it to 500 and Win!

2010-10-26T09:03:00.007-04:00

My Cakes are Fun FaceBook page is sitting at 408 fans, YIPPEEE! But I would like to get to 500 this month. Think we can do it? If we do I will give away a Wilton Gift Basket filled with Fun Fall Baking Goodies and other items from my Prize Box. I will add an item for every 10th person who does the following THREE THINGS:

Follow THIS Blog
LIKE Cakes are Fun on FaceBook
Leave a comment here with your e-mail addy (these will NOT be published), you can leave two comments if you like one to publish and one with your e-mail so I can contact the winner.

Sound like fun? We are just 2 people away from item #1 going into the box!

Cakes Are Fun

Promote Your Page Too

Warm Up America Project

2010-10-25T17:31:00.005-04:00

We are working on a project for DD's Girl Scout Silver Award project benefiting Warm Up America making 7x9 (or 9x7) blocks for afghans that will be sewn into blankets for this amazing project.

We would like to have enough blocks to make at least 10 blankets by Dec 15th. Will be meeting December 18th to sew them all together into afghans for the homeless.

If you knit or crochet and would be willing to assist by donating yarn, or blocks please leave me a comment (include your e-mail) so I can contact you and send you my address.

This has been added to the ACMoore Forum one of my favorite places online!

Discover Crochet Classes COMING SOON

2010-10-23T14:56:00.003-04:00

I am so excited to be expanding my teaching to crochet as part of the Craft Yarn Council's initiative to bring classes back to your local craft chain (you know which one I mean).

There will be four classes offered in the store. Each class is two and a half hours long. There are two projects to choose from for each class and a student kit / supply list. Schedule will be posted on my FaceBook page The Cr8ive Life.

Discover Single Crochet

Slip knot
Foundation chain
Single Crochet
Turning chain
Join seams
Fasten off and Weave in ends
Reading Instructions and Gauge
Crochet Abbreviations

Discover Tall Stitches

Review Slip knot, Foundation Chain , and Single Crochet
Half Double Crochet
Double Crochet
Treble Crochet
Working into the Back or Front Loop
Review Joining Seams
Review Reading Instructions and Gauge
Review Crochet Abbreviations

Discover Textured Stitches

Slip Stitch
Increase - Decrease
Shells
Reading Instructions and Gauge
Crochet Abbreviations

Discover Granny Squares

Review: Foundation Chain, Double Crochet, Slip Stitch
Motifs: crocheting in the round
Changing yarn colors
Reading Instructions and Gauge
Crochet Abbreviations

http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/node/762

Crochet Video: Chainless Foundation

2010-10-23T14:52:00.002-04:00

I had never heard of this until I found a pattern I really loved that called for this technique. Being a very visual learner I am thankful for the ability to locate things online!

Flavors of Fall: Taffy Apple Pizza

2010-10-21T16:19:00.004-04:00

If you have ever been to a Pampered Chef party you know they make YUMMY food. One of the absolute BEST recipes I have ever had at one of these functions was Taffy Apple Pizza.

So I pulled out the recipe and will be making it this weekend...nom nom nom. After I find the Apple Peeler Corer Slicer...

Taffy Apple Pizza

Ingredients:

1	package (18 ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1/2	teaspoon vanilla
1	package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2	cup packed brown sugar

1/4	cup creamy peanut butter
3	medium Granny Smith apples
1/4	cup caramel ice cream topping
1/2	cup peanuts, chopped

Directions:
1.	Preheat oven to 350°F. Shape cookie dough into a ball and place in center of Large Round Stone; flatten slightly. Using lightly floured Baker's Roller®, roll out dough to a 14-inch circle, about 1/4 inch thick. Bake 16-18 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes. Carefully loosen cookie from baking stone using Serrated Bread Knife; cool completely on baking stone.
2.	Combine cream cheese, brown sugar, peanut butter and vanilla in Small Batter Bowl; mix well. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over cookie.
3.	Peel, core and slice apples using Apple Peeler/Corer/Slicer. Cut apple slices in half and arrange evenly over cream cheese mixture.
4.	Microwave ice cream topping on HIGH 30-45 seconds or until warm; drizzle evenly over apples. Chop peanuts using Food Chopper; sprinkle over apples. Cut into wedges.
Yield: 16 servings http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_products/recipesearch/recipedetail.jsp?recipeId=9678

I am Having a Contest!

2010-10-14T11:11:00.012-04:00

I am having a contest for a $25 A.C. Moore (or another store if you don't have ACM and don't shop online) Gift Card.

Got your attention?

I volunteer with a non-profit called Cleaning for Heroes. They have asked DD and myself to make HANDMADE thank you notes and Christmas cards for their providers and veterans.

So here is what I need from you:

Create an easily reproducible, high quality THANK YOU card or CHRISTMAS card in Red White and Blue.

You must also post a "recipe" card for it. In other words I need to know HOW you did what you did to it, what supplies you used and any special items like stamps (please keep this to a minimum as I will need to either buy or substitute items).

Pictures of your card(s) can be posted to the forum where you saw this note, but I also need them e-mailed to me so I can add them to FaceBook and my Blog. I will also use your e-mail addy to let you know if you win.

Winner will be chosen by a vote done on my blog (and announced here). You will receive a $25 ACM Gift Card AND Bragging Rights on Cleaning for Heroes.

UPDATE: Deadline for card entry is NOON EST November 5th. Winner will be chosen by a panel of judges from our organization (I will not vote). Winner announced November 6th.

Please use this e-mail: schonna@cleaningforheroes.org

Make sure you Follow my blog so you don't miss out on any info!

------------------------------------------------------------------

#1 = WINNER! Thank You MaryAnn from Fiskateers!

------------------------------------------------------------------
#2

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#3

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#4

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#5

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#6 = WINNER!!!! Thank You Elizabeth! from the A.C. Moore Forum

Love Pandora Style beads? Here is a chance to WIN SOME!

2010-07-13T12:04:00.003-04:00

Janlynn Corporation is giving away TEN A Bead at a Time Starter Kits! Take a look at their bead page and tell them your favorite bead on FaceBook, and you'll be entered to win a free bracelet and bead! They will announce the winners tomorrow afternoon. Good Luck!

(Posted from their FaceBook Status update 7/13/2010)

A Cr8ive Break...July 8, 2010

2010-07-08T14:13:00.000-04:00

I have not posted since June 10th and for that I am sorry. I feel the need to explain a bit to my crafty followers and friends. We have had a kitchen issue, and for those of you who know me best you know the kitchen is the one room I can not afford to be without.

Our sink began leaking a while back, and with 's schedule and lack of actual time at home the fix was a bowl placed under the drip. The drip became more frequent making emptying the bowl a more frequent event. Fast forward a bit and you can imagine what happened. The bowl overflowed the particle board bottom of our cabinet swelled, expanded and popped, doors drooped and my patience became extinct.

So the weekend after mu last post I formulated a plan, a budget and a shopping list. And the kitchen re-do was off and running. I have been consumed ever since.

Lord willing I will be back running my many projects very soon. Until then I wish you all happy crafting, please continue to share your Cr8ions with me here or on one of my favorite forums.

I am still running things through the ACMoore Forum:
Crochet-a-Long Club (just posted new blocks today)
Scrap-a-Long
--------------
UPDATE July 16th
The first phase of the kitchen is complete! Just in time too because DH is heading TAD and my parents are coming for a visit. Plus I have a very special cake to do next weekend.

Happy Birthday to ME! I am Giving Gifts to YOU!

2010-05-06T23:53:00.008-04:00

Happy Birthday to ME!
Happy Birthday to ME!

I am Giving Gifts to YOU!
I am Giving Gifts to YOU!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Yep, you read that correctly! All you have to do is post a picture of a Birthday card you have made for someone (AC Moore, Cricut, Fiskateers). The prize for this birthday card challenge is a Xyron 1.5" Create a Sticker, but not just any one, NOOOOOOOOO it is the Pink Ribbon one...come on, you know you want it!

Rules:
1. Follow my blog.
2. Comment to tell me where to view your card, include your e-mail so I can contact you .
3. You will be entered to win for every card you post before midnight May 11.

Winner chosen at random.

We are working on the honor system here I believe you when you say you made the card, you believe me when I say I will enter you in the drawing :o).

Do some good for my birthday and visit...

One last birthday wish, EVERYONE squeeze your girls if you are over 40, and do your monthly self check, make me a promise!

Designer Tablescape Contest

2010-05-03T16:22:00.003-04:00

So what do you do when one of your favorite designers posts on FB that he is one of five well-known, professional designers who were asked to craft summer table scapes using UGlue?

And if that favorite designer is so humble as to say "vote for your favorite even if it is not mine."

You go vote, then tell all your friends and blog about it too!

Each design was required to include at least four of the following elements: centerpiece, candle holders, chandelier, place mats, table runner, napkin ring/holder, place card, drink marker or favor.

Our votes pick the winner, so follow the link and VOTE!

May 1st is National Scrapbooking Day, I have a Challenge for You!

2010-04-30T18:56:00.007-04:00

Make a scrap LO May 1st and post it on any of the forums you found this information on (AC Moore, Cricut, Fiskateers) and you will be entered into a drawing for a scrapbooking prize box. I have packed a box filled with some really great scrapbooking items, and they need a new home.

There is NO catch this is 100% legitimate and FREE.

Rules:
1. Follow my blog.
2. Comment here to tell me where to view your LO, include your e-mail so I can contact you .
3. You will be entered to win for every LO you post before midnight May 1. We are working on the honor system here I believe you when you say you made the LO today, you believe me when I say I will enter you in the drawing :o).

You have until Midnight May 2nd to post your LOs.

Duct Tape Handbags & Other Stuff

2010-04-23T09:20:00.005-04:00

I was inspired by the share today from AC Moore on Facebook:
http://www.sherrihaab.com/extra.php?project2

I have been a fan of duct tape for a while now, thanks to my favorite FB designer Mark Montano. In his Big A$$ Book of Crafts (or was it Home Decor?) he covered a Chair and Table in it, AWESOME.

And DD is really fascinated with making duct tape projects. Especially since her crafty friend Elisabeth made her a bag out of the stuff.

And did you know that Duck Brand duct tape comes in a ton of colors and even patterns? Wanna know something even cooler? Every year they sponsor a contest called "Stuck at Prom" where amazing ensembles are created by teens all over the country. This year marks the 10th anniversary, you gotta see the galleries!

So I hope you enjoy these links for making stuff with duct tape! You might even join the Duck Tape Club!

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-22T11:20:00.004-04:00

Shopping around the store in between my cake classes I found the coolest thing. It was a kit to make your own Plantable Greeting Cards! Of course I was saving it for Earth Day, turns out great minds think alike because Family Fun published it too! Now you can do it without the kit.

Plantable Greeting Cards

You will need about 2 days for this project.

What You Need For Each Card (An Earth Friendly Where to Get it TIP!)

1-1/2 cups of 1-inch scraps made from newspaper, construction paper, or used printer paper (ask for newspaper on Freecycle!)
Large bowl of warm water
Masking tape
6- by 10-inch piece of window screen (ask for discarded screens on Freecycle!)

Blender (Freecycle or the Thrift Store!)
9- by 13-inch baking pan (Freecycle or the Thrift Store!)
Packet of wildflower seeds (Freecycle or the Thrift Store!)
Bath towels (Freecycle or the Thrift Store!)
Markers

Instructions

Prep Screen: Fold strips of masking tape or duct tape over the edges of the screen to make it easier to handle. Metal screen edges can be sharp, use gloves or adult supervision for younger helpers.
Soak scraps of paper overnight in large bowl of warm water.
Fill the blender halfway with fresh water. Add the soaked paper into the blender, then blend until the mixture looks like a thick, creamy soup.
Add water to the baking pan until it's a quarter full, then pour in the blended pulp. Add the packet of wildflower seeds and mix well with your hands.
Slip the screen into the pan so that it slides beneath the pulp and seeds. Lift it gently, catching the pulp mixture in an even layer on top and allowing the water to drain off.
Lay the screen on a bath towel, moving it to a dry area when the fabric below is saturated. Let the paper dry for at least 24 hours.
When the paper has dried completely, gently remove it from the screen. Add a message with non-toxic markers, rubber stamps or other earth friendly mediums.

SPRING Craft Contest

2010-04-05T18:58:00.001-04:00

I have a box of paper crafting goodies up for grabs...here is how we will play.

Post something you have made this Spring (Spring started 3/22) it can be anything!

You must post a link to a picture NO LATER than midnight April 30 of your project.

You will get one entry per project you post. Drawing will be held Saturday May 1.

Now to make things even more fun I will add something to the box for every project posted until the box is full.

As you all know I do a TON of crafts and I have TONS of toys I need to purge, so there is no telling what all will end up in this box, but once it is filled it is filled. Sorry, I will not be putting a Cricut in, I am using a Large Flat Rate Priority Mail box for this contest.

So who is gonna play with me? Remember POST those links!!

Mark Montano's Faux Suede Travel Art Cases

2010-03-18T12:16:00.002-04:00

This is going into the sewing que for my kids this Christmas. I love that it is both practical and inexpensive! Mark Montano is my hero!

Mark Montano (friend him on FB!) I like making these faux suede Travel Art Cases for my creative friends. All you need is some Ultrasuede, a little time at the sewing machine and a few art supplies. You can make several out of 1 yard of faux suede and people love them. Don't forget to include a pencil sharpener....you can get 20 at the 99c store in 1 package.

Yudu, I Du, Mark Montano Du's..

2010-03-18T09:50:00.000-04:00

Ok, that was lame, but this is not! EARLY this morning I was suffering from insomnia and flipping through the channels when I heard a voice from above, literally the TV is above my head in my room...it was the infomercial I have been trying to catch. Featuring my favorite designerMark Montano He "Du-ed" this one for ProvoCraft's YUDU machine. I would love to share it but I can not find it on YouTube (hence the reason I was looking for it on TV!)

BUT I did find this cute one so you can see Mark too...

I know something funny about this commercial because I am his friend on FaceBook! You can be too, he is really nice, P-R-O-M-I-S-E!

Mark Montano Faux Tile Table

2010-03-17T15:27:00.002-04:00

Thanks once again to my friendly FB sharing designer friend Mark Montano I know what to do with the UGLY hall table I have painted and repainted until I am DONE painting it!

Mark Montano (be his friend on FB, I AM!) Sometimes that cheap 99c a square sticky tile can have a fantastic look. This project took some time, a little math and an old table to create. I absolutely love it and it's still in my dining room. Cutting tools, a marker and sticky tile in your favorite patterns. http://www.amazon.com/Big-Ass-Book-Home-Decor-Inventive/dp/1584798254/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Beware the Ides of March...(it's a BUSY week!)

2010-03-15T10:26:00.005-04:00

I have been trying to pull things together around here. Bringing my blogs into one place, cleaning and organizing the house, getting new curriculum for Spring, baking, cake orders, teaching classes, and life in general. All in all I am proud of my progress even though some may not be able to see it, it is there. This weekend was full of activity. DH finally started on the shed that has been in the garage for a WHILE...and he replaced the commode in the boys bathroom, once again a mysterious "something" had been flushed and we had to replace it...his completed TO-DOs have inspired me too, Imma gonna get some things DONE this week!

Along with the regular at home/homeschool stuff I have several swaps on the ACM Forum (Card Making Challenge - Ongoing, Spring Potholder Swap, Think SPRING Scrap Swap, Spring Cleaning Scrap Round Robin COME JOIN THE FUN!) that must go postal or worked on this week, I work Tues and Weds (YAY!, for real!), cake balls and cupcakes for the girls at church for St. Patrick's Day, packing for my trip to The National Capital Area Cake Show this weekend, get a haircut, dye my hair, and make an apron.

Now, the last part is why I am blogging today! I had planned to make two aprons this week, one for me and one for someone I was meeting at the cake show. Well, she is no longer able to attend but that still leaves me.

I bought the fabric and I promised myself that this would be the year I would FINISH every project I start (and several of the ones that have been laying around too) so somewhere in all the craziness that is this week I am going to make this apron.

Earlier this month I ordered Red Lip fabric from eBay (because the intended recipient likes Red Lips) and got a black swirl print from JoAnn Fabrics. The plan is simple, one apron will feature the red in the main panel and the other the black. Then, I planned to add a ruffle and ties in the contrast fabric. And to complete it Red Lip Applique pockets. Yeah I know, sounds AWESOME!

So last night at cake class one of my students had an apron on that stopped me in my tracks. It had a dishtowel sewn right into it! Perfection! So after I drop DD off at math class I am off to Wal-Mart to buy 2 dishtowels so I can start this project tonight after Girl Scouts, before sleep...

Of course there will be pictures coming, now where is the sewing machine?

Bubble Wrap Mania

2010-03-11T08:16:00.000-05:00

I pop bubble wrap at 9.75 bubbles per second!

I popped 196 bubbles in 20.1 seconds
at www.Virtual-Bubblewrap.com!
Can you beat my score?

Cricut for Dummies

2010-03-01T09:19:00.002-05:00

A couple of years ago (January 2008 to be precise) I bought myself a Cricut after seeing it for months on the shelf at my local craft store. I was teaching Wilton Cake classes there and I had to walk past the Cricut aisle every weekend...then there was the demo...

A fabulous scrapbooker and Cricut Queen came and showed how this machine could do all sorts of wondrous things. Of course I was teaching cake class DURING the demo so I only got to browse her portfolio...I had o have it so I bought one.

Then I did not touch it again until March. After I used it for DD's Girl Scout project it went back in the box.

Then in July AC Moore launched its online forum and people were talking about their Cricuts and posting pictures of their creations. One of my new online friends told me that she would send the Cricut abuse police to my house if I didn't take it out of the box and give it a proper home...I did but still it sat.

I took a Cricut basics class at my LSS, and still it sat.

The Infomercial started to run on TV and my mom wanted some stuff cut, then my church and then my forum friends so I cut things here and there, but mostly it sat.

Last fall my Pastor's wife asked me to do "something crafty" and use that machine. So I was challenged to find projects that used the Cricut that I could share with a small group of ladies at church. I had NO CLUE what to do, so I called a friend, another Cricut Queen and she came with ideas and helped me cut and cut and cut and plan and cut...

I am determined NOT to neglect my Bug any longer, so this year one of my resolutions is to do a project a month with my Bug.

If you would like to join me please let me know. Post a comment and include which carts you own, what kind of projects you like (cards, scrap layouts, or other things) and let me know I am not the only one who NEEDS a Cricut for Dummies class.

Monkey See Monkey Scrap

2010-03-01T09:06:00.002-05:00

Earlier this year I started a blog, (yes ANOTHER one) called Monkey See Monkey Scrap. This is the first and only post from that blog. In an effort to simplify my life AND actually follow through with my promises to create stuff and blog about it I am consolidating all my blogs here under their rightful banner The Cr8ive Life.

-----------------------------------------------
Are you a "Scrap Collector"?

You know, one of those "scrappers" who collects everything "new, revolutionary, exciting, fun or HOT HOT HOT" in scrapbooking but has not scrapped a single photo?

I have been buying album after album for almost 2 decades. One for each baby (we have 4), one for DH's Navy career, one for myself, one for Girl Scouts (the girl baby has grown a lot!), one for Cub Scouts (the oldest boy has grown up too), one for family recipes...on and on...

Then I started teaching cake classes at AC Moore and that FED my collection because I was there every weekend...

Then came the AC Moore forum where I "met" friends who scrapped and they told me of wonderous tools I "had to have" so I got a Cuttlebug...Fiskars punches...Stickles...Crop-O-Dile...Big Bite and other things I had no idea how to use!

January 2008 I bought a Cricut Expresion. So I started collecting cartridges...joined the Cricut message board, met some nice people who said they would send the Cricut Protection Services after me if I did not take it out of the box and so I have used it now about a dozen times...

Then I needed paper...so I organized Swaps on my favorite forum.

Then I joined a Stamp Club...stamps, ink, embossing powders, heat gun...

So how many pages have I done?

ZERO. ZIP. ZILCH. NADA!

Yep, I confess I am a scrap collector and I need help!

My biggest problem with all of this is there is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much information...
so many places to look...
and read...
and see...
and plan...
and AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

STOP THE INSANITY!

WHEW, OK, back on track.

I need a place where I can SEE and the DO which is why I loved Stamp Club. I went to my stampin' friend's house and she had the projects all planned and showed us what to do.

I figure there must be more people out there in the world like me.

That is why I am starting this blog in conjunction with my other blog The Cr8ive Life, because my "New Year's Resolution" is to SCRAP my Stash!

I am starting with a series of 8x8 lay outs for an album I am sending to my grandmother. But I will post more on that in a bit. Right now I want to know who is with me on this journey? Come follow me and we will SCRAP our way through 2010!

Please:
1. Follow me publicly
2. Post a comment here to introduce yourself.

Spring Scraplifting

2010-03-01T08:33:00.007-05:00

You may be asking what is a scraplifing expedition? It is like an online treasure hunt.

I love reading blogs and finding ideas for new layouts. But I don't always have time to scrap my inspirations right away so I started a scraplifting file. But that is boring and I love to share!

So I got the idea to post a LO as a starting point and ask my crafty friends to add to it...sound fun?

Where do you find your inspiration? DO you have awesome Spring LOs you have already created? Please share with us!

The theme of this expedition is S~P~R~I~N~G, any link will do so long as you give credit to the owner, leave a link and a comment so we can have a list of great spring layouts!

I am starting this scraplifting expedition off with...

Sonshine

Lifted from...

Ray of Sunshine

Card Making Challenge!

2010-01-22T21:19:00.007-05:00

As many of my crafty friends know DD is a Girl Scout. For her Bronze Award we collected handmade cards with the intention of sending them to a contact overseas to distribute free of charge to service members so they could send them home to loved ones. Well, that did not work out as planned as our contact came home EARLY! The nerve! (LOL, I still have all the cards safe and sound) Now she is working on her Silver Award and we are taking this card thing to a new level!

So in honor of her and in order to kick off phase 2 of Cards of Caring I am hosting a Card Making Challenge on the AC Moore Forum and here on my blog.

I am sending packets of embellishments out to members who agree to make a card with everything in the pack. They can add anything they want to the card, but they have to use everything I send them. The packs include some or all of the following: stickers, ribbon, fibers, stamped images, chipboard, and a few surprises.

The time limit is ONE WEEK from the time they get the packet. Then they send me the completed card and I will choose one lucky participant at random to gift a little something from my stash.

If all goes well I hope to do this every month to help supply her new project with handmade cards for our service men and women as well as another charity that works with cancer patients. More information on her project will be coming soon, you can check my other blog GS FearLESS Leader for updates.

If you are up for the challenge let me know, there are a few spots left in the January Challenge!

Monday Morning, AGAIN?

2010-01-11T09:44:00.002-05:00

As Mondays go around here it tends to be the BUSIEST day of the week. Not much time for anything other than catching up on laundry & other chores, school and then guitar lessons and Girl Scouts. But I have pledged to add SOMETHING creative to our Mondays starting today.

To make things a bit easier Monday is crock pot day at our house. I LOVE my crock pot and winter is certainly the BEST time to utilize this little life saver. One of my favorite sites for finding recipes for the crock pot has over 1400 recipes for all sorts of things. You can find it here. After you browse through it you might just be dusting off your crock pot too, or if you don't have one head to your local thrift store to pick one up.

Homemade Felt Ornaments

2009-12-20T18:15:00.003-05:00

This year we are making LOTS of things to give as gifts and decorate our own trees (yes we have more than one tree) so I went searching the web...

And I found tons of sites for making Felt ornaments.

Felt ornaments are fun, quick, easy and oh so versatile! The ones I am posting here are especially fun because they can be adapted to any skill level. Basic ones require nothing more than cutting and gluing (and a floor mat for the glitter and sequins) fancier ones are embroidered, sewn together and stuffed.

As a homeschooler MOST of the materials were readily available in our craft supply stash and were actually cast offs from other projects. If you don't have a stash of these supplies they can be found at any craft store.

You Will Need:

Felt pieces in various colors(scraps are just fine)
Cookie Cutters in seasonal shapes
Permanent marker or fabric pens
Scissors
Hot glue gun & Hot glue gun sticks or Tacky Glue
Thin cardboard (like a cereal box)
Glitter, Sequins, Seed Beads, Buttons, Ribbon, Rick Rack, Fabric Paint, Mini Jingle Bells, Wiggle Eyes, Eyelet Trim
Embroidery floss
Needles
Straight Pins
Fiberfill or cotton balls
Ornament hooks

Basic Ornament

Use cookie cutters to trace shapes onto felt pieces. Simple shapes will work well for smaller children, because you'll be decorating them to add detail. More elaborate shapes are good for older children.
Cut 2 shapes per ornament. For little kids cut a piece of cardboard about 1/4"smaller than the felt.
Cut out detail pieces from felt if desired and glue pieces together with a hot glue gun (ADULT SUPERVISION FOR LITTLE ONES IS A MUST HERE) we use Tacky glue.
Add some sequins or glitter onto your creation. First place a bead or dot of glue on the felt, and then carefully place the sequins or sprinkle glitter over top.
Allow all of the glue to dry completely.
Attach a ribbon loop to top attach it with some small stitches to the wrong side or poke an ornament hook through the top of the ornament to allow it to be hung on the tree and enjoy.
Use a permanent marker to write your name and the date on the back of your ornament.

More Elaborate Ornament: follow instructions above but sew the edge with an embroidery stitch.

Needle and Thread has terrific video tutorials for stitches.

Stuffed Ornament: Follow instructions above. Decide whether you want the "seam"on the outside or inside of the ornament. Sew edges together by hand or with a machine. If you want the seam on the outside sew with the decorated side on top, if you want the seam on the inside turn the decorated side down. Sew a simple straight stitch leaving a small opening to stuff the ornament. If your seam is on the outside simply stuff and sew the opening closed. If your seam in on the inside TURN the ornament right side out and stuff then sew the opening closed.

Cinnamon Cylinder Candle Holders...

2009-11-17T05:55:00.003-05:00

The other day I was cruising through my local Thrift Store and I saw a stash of glass cylinders in assorted sizes. HMMM...the wheels began to turn...

I bought 2 small ones and 2 medium ones...what to do besides float candles in colored water?

Then later at the super center I saw bundles of cinnamon sticks...hmmm...more wheel turning...

Tune in later today for the pictures of my Thrift Store creation!

So here are my supplies (minus the candle)...

Make sure you have ROOM when you place the smaller cylinder inside the larger one...

Start adding cinnamon sticks, you may have to jostle them a bit but DO NOT FORCE THEM or you will crack your cylinders, they are all different sizes and shapes so try different ones...

Now add the decoration from the bag of cinnamon sticks...

Put them where everyone can see them...

Or give them as a gift!

Mini Pumpkin Candle Holders

2009-11-10T08:49:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids - Mini Pumpkin Candles

http://learningtreasures.com/wordpress/thanksgiving-table-decorations-mini-p umpkin-candles

A Family Tree to be Thankful for

2009-11-01T18:18:00.000-05:00

I have always wanted to incorporate a family Tree into or home decor. So a while back I painted one in the entry hall of our home.

I had placed small shelves and picture frames on it but could not fit everyone on the tree, and we kept putting junk on the shelves (wallets, keys, basically random not decorative stuff) so on a recent trip to the dollar store I found these frames...

(picture coming soon)

I have placed several of them and I think they look terrific.

(picture coming soon)

One problem, my hard drive died and I have no pictures! So I will be using Christmas card that people send us this year! If you want your picture on my tree send it to me!

So why is this in the craft blog for Handmade HollyDays?

Because this year I am taking DOWN the frames and adding "fall leaves" cut out with my Cricut! Every family member will take some and every day through Thanksgiving will write something they are thankful for...

Ladies Fall Scrap-N-Craft Weekend

2009-09-28T10:25:00.004-04:00

Churchland Assembly of God Ladies Fall Scrap-n-Craft Weekend

October 23-24, 2009

Our church has graciously offered space for a two day Scrap and Craft event! You will want to come join the fun on BOTH days so you won't miss anything!

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month we will be doing LOTS of things to support the cause!

In addition to an amazing day of scrap booking and crafting we will have Contests, Door Prizes, Make and Takes and lots of laughs.

There's lots going on so be sure to read all the details below.

When: Friday 7-10 PM AND Saturday 9AM - 3PM
Where: Churchland Assembly of God
Cost: $25.00 (due by 10/15) includes:
o Dessert night Friday, lunch and afternoon snacks on Saturday
o Plenty of scrap space
o Three fun Make and Takes
o Use of Cricut Die Cut Machine and select cartridges
o Use of Cuttlebug Die Cut machine (Also uses Sizzix Dies)
o Use of Fiskars Punches, Stamp Machine & More
o Thank you bags for each participant

Contact Schonna @ thecr8ivelife@gmail.com for information and tickets.

FRIDAY NIGHT
MINI CRAFT COLLEGE & DESSERT NIGHT
Friday night is an evening of Chocolate and a mini Craft College where you will learn to use the Cricut Expression, Cuttlebug, Xyron and more!

SATURDAY 9AM-3PM
Saturday come prepared to crop! If you are a NEW scrapper just bring basic supplies with you including PICTURES and we will have paper, embellishments and more available to use. You will be able to crop all day. We will demo three make and takes through out the day as well, then you can make them at your leisure.

CONTESTS

Pink Parade! Come dressed in PINK to support Breast Cancer Awareness and you could win a PRIZE!

Queen of the Crop! The lady who brings the most friends will be crowned Queen of the Crop, so be sure to invite your friends!

MAKE & TAKES

Three extra special crafts to make and take home with you. All supplies are included. Themes: Fall, Christmas and Breast Cancer Awareness.

DOOR PRIZES

Put on your thinking caps because we will be giving door prizes through out the day!

SCRAPBOOK GARAGE SALE!

Bring your loved but not used scrapbook items to donate (great excuse to buy more), and shop to find your always wanted items. All proceeds going to my continued journey to end breast cancer.

Special Thanks to Churchland Assembly of God for hosting this event!

I am a CFD!

2009-09-27T09:51:00.002-04:00

Yep, add another title to my resume I am a certified Fiskars Demonstrator!

I went to CFD Training / Scrap Pink Crop yesterday and it was SO much FUN!

Now my confessions...

I went just for the CFD with Wendy Jo.

I had NEVER been to a crop so all I brought was my camera and my Fisk-a-teer scissors!

BUT...

I met some of the most amazing women, had a TON of fun, taxied 3 of them to the JoAnn super store and bought some fun toys, and got lots of goodies from the crop & Wendy Jo too.

PLUS I now know how to use some of the tools I have had in my "collection" and have never used!

And my pledge to those ladies is I will SCRAP at least a page a month from now on (never done a LO in my life), I promise!

Wanna win a SLICE?

2009-07-28T00:03:00.001-04:00

Melissa is giving away a Slice and other goodies in honor of her blogaversary here:keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/

Big Shot giveaway through Aug. 14th!

2009-07-27T23:54:00.001-04:00

Go to PriscillaStyles blog to enter to win a Big Shot!

Here is the link:priscillastyles.blogspot.com/

Bag of Fun

2009-07-08T08:20:00.004-04:00

Traveling with 4 kids can get very hectic. When they get bored it can get downright mutinous!

So this time around I decided to pack craft bags for the trip.

First I visited my favorite craft chains for dollar crafts, amazingly there were lots of small kits already made that did nicely for a few things, but with the age range I was dealing with I needed more than craft foam projects and I didn't think glitter and glue would work well in the van!

So with a few paint by number kits, and suncatchers to make at grandmas I set put on the web looking for ideas.

Here are some tips I came up with:

First choose things with minimal supply requirements.

Next pick things you might not ordinarily do new skills are often easier to learn when you are locked in a car with your siblings for 8+ hours, boredom tends to focus your attention!

Macrame Jewelery
Friendship bracelets
Paper folding
Small sewing projects
Small cross stitch and embroidery projects like Christmas ornaments
Rexlace key chains, bookmarks, etc.
Crochet motifs for larger projects
Beaded animals from pony beads or seed beads

Pack your supplies in quart or gallon size freezer bags (they stand up to the abuse of packing and re-packing)

Label the bags for the crafter and be sure to include instructions for older children. I made sure to let them know which ones were for the car and which ones were for "at home."

Let them (or you) craft!

Save This Date Card

2009-07-03T08:49:00.001-04:00

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Save This Date Card

This whimsical card is an attention getter. A simple silhouette creates a bold statement.
Designed by Char Jamison

Project #:
e03265

Crafting Time: 1 ½ hours

Skill Level:

1 being the easiest

Crafters Rating:

Review this project

Add to My Michaels

Printer friendly version

Email to friend

Pattern Required
Download the pattern file (.pdf)

Inkadinkado® Save This Date Stamp
Colorbox Pigment Ink Black
The Paper Company Black Card Stock
The Paper Company Red Starburst Translucent
The Paper Company White Card Stock

Embroidery Thread, Black
Hole Punch, 1/8-Inch
Glue Stick
Ruler
Scissors

Cost of each project will vary depending on materials used.

Due to the seasonal nature of some merchandise, actual availability of some products pictured may vary.

Cut a 7 ¾ -inch x 11-inch rectangle of black cardstock. Fold to a

7 ¾ -inch x 5 ½ -inch top-folding card

Cut a 7 ½ -inch x 5 ¼ -inch rectangle from red paper. Glue to top of card.

Cut hand silhouette from provided template from white card stock. Glue the hand to the card, looping a 10-inch piece of (6 ply embroidery thread around the finger prior to pressing into place.

Stamp image onto white card stock and heat set. Using the template provided, center image and cut out. Punch a 1/8” inch hole in top of tag. Bring one end of the thread through the back of the tag and tie a bow. Glue tag in place. Cut thread to the desired length.

Special Wedding Card

2009-07-03T08:48:00.001-04:00

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Special Wedding Card

This card is perfect for the new couple.
Designed by Pam Hornschu

Project #:
e04143

Crafting Time: 15 – 20 minutes

Skill Level:

1 being the easiest

Crafters Rating:

Review this project

Add to My Michaels

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Stampendous™ Foliate Quad Cube Rubber Stamp
Stampendous™ Special Messages Set
Stampendous™ Bride And Groom Rubber Stamp
Tsukineko Versamark™ Ink
Embossing Powder, Kaleidoscope
Embossing Powder, Sterling Silver
Embossing Powder, Detail

Cardstock, White
Cardstock, Black
Cardstock, Silver
Double-Sided Foam Adhesive
Heat Tool
Scissors

Cost of each project will vary depending on materials used.

Due to the seasonal nature of some merchandise, actual availability of some products pictured may vary.

Cut and fold white cardstock to create 3 ½-inch X 7-inch card. Stamp one side of Foliate Cube over front of card using Versamark ink and emboss with Kaleidoscope embossing powder.

Stamp another side of cube down 1 ½-inch X 7-inch black cardstock strip using Versamark ink and emboss with Sterling Silver powder. Adhere to 1 ¾-inch X 7-inch silver cardstock strip and then to front of card.

Stamp same side of cube as above on silver cardstock square and emboss with Kaleidoscope powder. Cut stamped square out and adhere to slightly larger black cardstock square. Adhere layered squares to front of card using glue.

Stamp Bride and Groom on small white cardstock piece using Versamark ink and emboss with Detail Black powder. Adhere over slightly large black piece using glue and then to front of card using double-sided foam adhesive.

Stamp Special message on white cardstock strip using Versamark and emboss with Detail Black powder. Adhere to slightly large black strip using glue and then to front of card using double-sided foam adhesive.

Engagement Congrats

2009-07-03T08:47:00.001-04:00

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Engagement Congrats

A handmade card, featuring stamps from Inkadinkado®, is a great way to share your best wishes with the newly engaged couple.

Designed by Elaine Trout for Inkadinkado®

Project #:
e06275

Crafting Time: 45 minutes

Skill Level:

1 being the easiest

Crafters Rating:

Review this project

Add to My Michaels

Printer friendly version

Email to friend

Inkadinkado® By the Dozen Stamp
Inkadinkado® Congrats Engagement Stamp
Inkadinkado® Champagne Flutes Stamp
ColorBox® Queue Fluid Chalk Ink Set, Rose Petals: Rouge
ColorBox® Pigment Ink; Black
The Paper Company Cardstock: White
K&Company® Brenda Walton Confetti Dots Paper
Light Pink Ribbon, 1/8-inch wide

Gold Novelty Ring
Watercolor Markers:Greens, Pinks
All Night Media® Mini Pop Dots
Heat Tool
Corner Rounder
Glue
Ruler
Scissors

Cost of each project will vary depending on materials used.

Due to the seasonal nature of some merchandise, actual availability of some products pictured may vary.

Cut an 8-inch x 5½-inch rectangle from white cardstock. Fold it in half to make a 4-inch x 5½-inch card.

Cut a 4-inch x 5½-inch rectangle from the scrapbook paper and glue it to the card front.

Stamp the By the Dozen image on white cardstock with black ink and heat set. Color the image with the watercolor markers. To dilute and blend the colors a bit, coat the image with a very thin layer of water first. Cut out the image and attach it to the card with mini pop dots.

Loop a length of ribbon around the ring and tie the ribbon in a bow. Glue the bow/ring to the flower stems.

Cut a 3¼-inch x 2 3/8-inch rectangle from white cardstock and round the corners. Stamp the Congrats Engagement image on it with rouge ink and heat set. Glue the rectangle to the card.

Ink just the heart portion of the Champagne Flutes image with rouge ink and stamp it on white cardstock. Heat set the ink. Cut out the heart and attach it to the white rectangle with mini pop dots.

Count with Me Booklet

2009-07-01T21:46:00.002-04:00

This colorful project is a great way to help your child learn to count, and a fun and easy way to craft together.

Designed by Jennifer Pohl

Frances Meyer® Stickers:
Streamer Ballons
Paw Prints
Party
Primary Crayon
Just Duckie
Soccer Balls
Monkeys
Smiling Dinosaurs
Daisies
Black Letter Value Pack
White Cardstock (2 sheets)
Cardstock Scraps
Fine-Tip Colored Markers
Ribbon Scraps
1-inch Circle Punch

Key Ring
Scissors
Hole Punch
Craft Glue
Ruler

Glue two sheets of white cardstock back to back. Cut out six 6-inch x 4-inch rectangles.

Cut corners at one end of each rectangle diagonally, as shown. Punch a hole centered between diagonal corners on each rectangle to create tags.

Adhere stickers to each page, corresponding to the numbers - 1-10.

Use circle punch to punch 10 circles. Place numbers 1-10 on each circle. Adhere circles to corresponding pages.

Outline tags with markers.

Attach tag pages together with ring. Tie ribbon strips onto ring.

Say it isn't so...my baby is DISCONTINUED!

2009-06-26T07:01:00.003-04:00

I love love love my Kodak Easy Share with the little Printer Dock. I admit t has been collecting dust on a shelf for about 6 months. So when I went to the you can buy everything here store and realized it was NLA (no longer available) and that the last 2 packages of cartridge and paper were on clearance I snagged them!

Now maybe I have been living in the dark ages but WHY has Kodak done me wrong?

I love this little baby! I am off to scour e-Bay for the cartridges!

------------------------------------------------

Product Description (From the Manufacturer)

With the Kodak EasyShare Printer Dock, you can simply dock your Kodak EasyShare digital camera, press print, and create great-looking, borderless pictures at sizes up to 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 centimeters). You can also transfer your pictures from camera to computer at the touch of a button.

Start printing and sharing right out of the box with the included Kodak Color Cartridge and Photo Paper Kit.

Recharges your camera's batteries in 3.5 hours or less (varies by camera model)

Fun ways to print with 4 selectable picture sizes (1-up: 4 x 6 inches, 2-up: 3 x 4 inches, 4-up: 2 x 3 inches, 9-up: 1.3 x 2 inches)

Imagelink Print System compatible - print directly from Imagelink Print System compatible products

Award-winning ease of use

Simply dock your camera and push a button to create beautiful pictures from your Kodak EasyShare Digital Camera

Use the Kodak Printer Dock with or without a computer

Transfer pictures from the camera to computer at the touch of a button

Get back to shooting quickly--the Printer Dock recharges your Kodak Camera's battery in less than 3.5 hours (varies by camera model)

Start printing and sharing right out of the box with the included Kodak Color Cartridge and Photo Paper Kit (10 prints)

Expanded flexibility and printing options

Fun ways to print your pictures the way you want with 4 selectable sizes ranging from full 4 x 6-inch photos to 3 x 4-inch credit card size prints with borders to multiple 2 x 3-inch wallets to 1.3 x 2-inch mini photos

PictBridge compatible so you can print directly from any PictBridge-enabled digital camera

Print directly from most popular memory cards using the optional Kodak 8-in-1 Card Reader

Get great-looking prints with
ease, even without a computer.
Simply dock and print.

Use with or without a computer

(this is what I love! I can take it anywhere!)

With a computer... Transfers your pictures from camera to computer with one touch of a button, so you're ready to start viewing, editing, printing or emailing your pictures

Without a computer... Get great-looking prints with ease--you don't even need a computer

Compatible with Kodak EasyShare digital cameras

Compatible with Kodak EasyShare-One and Z Model Digital Cameras and Kodak EasyShare Picture Viewer

Kodak EasyShare CX/DX6000/7000 and LS600/700 Series Digital Cameras (Kodak Dock Adapter Kit D-26 required to enable compatibility)

Product Description
Dock your KODAK EASYSHARE Digital Camera, press print, and create great-looking, borderless pictures up to 4"x6" (10x15 cm). IMAGELINK Print System compatible - print directly from IMAGELINK Print System compatible products PictBridge compatible - Use the KODAK Printer Dock with or without a computer Start printing and sharing right out of the box with the included KODAK Color Cartridge and Photo Paper Kit (10 prints) Compatible with KODAK EASYSHARE-ONE and Z Model Digital Cameras and KODAK EASYSHARE Picture Viewer / KODAK EASYSHARE CX/DX6000/7000 and LS600/700 Series Digital Cameras Print technology - Continuous tone thermal dye transfer / Print speed - 90 seconds (120 seconds first print direct from camera)

The back of the box...

2009-06-13T18:30:00.001-04:00

Have you ever bought something and realized "Hey there is a recipe on here!"

Then you thought, "Hey, I am going to make that!"

Then you went through the store buying all the ingredients and brought them home all happy thinking "This is gonna be SO GOOD!"

Well, I do that ALL THE TIME! But I usually don't make it to making whatever "IT" is.

Until now.

See I am starting to sell my cakes. So I thought I would try out new recipes since people are gonna be asking me for "real cake" and although I bake a vicious carrot and Italian Cream cake I need to work on basic flavors like plain chocolate.

WELL, dear friends, let me tell you it has been a LLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGG time since I did any "scratch" baking and I have forgotten a few crucial lessons.

So here from today's cake trials are a few lessons that are not on the back of the box.

I made the "Swan's Down SIMPLE Chocolate Cake" (recipe follows)

Simple is clearly in the eye of the beholder here because what I call simple and what this recipe calls simple are clearly in two different arenas. It was by no means challenging (no water baths or other fancy techniques) but SIMPLE is open the pack of Duncin Hines, mix in the eggs, water and oil and bake.

This cake promised moist chocolatey goodness from the start and I was willing to forgo the pre-packaged mix I usually use in an effort to be worthy of selling a cake to brides and other future clients.

Here I confess my errors with this cake. I can still hear my 7th grade home-ec teacher Mrs. Speight reciting her kitchen rules while we baked...I miss her.

1. Gather everything FIRST. Yes, you bought it all but what happened to it when it came home? From ingredients to mixer parts PULL OUT EVERYTHING before you crack the first egg.

I did this and I am glad. I obsessively place all ingredients on one side of my kickin' Kitchen Aid 6 quart mixer (THANKS MOM!), then as I use them I move them to the other side. That way at the end of the recipe if there is anything "LEFT" I know the recipe is not "RIGHT." (I tell my students all the time I have OCD and they should be rejoicing that they don't live with me!)

2. All ingredients should be room temperature.

I did this too, but does it apply to the sour cream? I don't know about that one...it will require more research.

3. READ THE ENTIRE RECIPE, yeah you read it at the store but RE-READ IT NOW. even if you "know it by heart" baby, read the recipe.

I did NOT do this. If I had I would have clearly seen that I had to melt the chocolate squares for the cake and would have had them ready...I realized after beating until fluffy that I did not melt the chocolate for the cake, meaning it had to sit there in my mixing bowl for much longer than it should have...thankfully when it was done and I got to the second thing I forgot (boiling water) I had that because I melted the chocolate in my improvised double boiler (I will post about that later, if I forget remind me...)

4. Take time to prep your pans properly.

I have a really AWESOME cake release recipe I use and I have NEVER ever in 4 years EVER used parchment paper in my pans. But after today you can bet your right pinky toe I will. See this is a step that if you miss it in the recipe making phase you don't find out about it until your gorgeous, domeless, delicious smelling chocolate bliss comes out and rests on a rack for 5-10 minutes and you try to TURN IT OUT...and get this...

5. Have a back up plan. Of course I will have remembered all this in the future when I am making a bazillion wedding and birthday cakes but if the cake had to be made today and I did not have time to rebake it I would use my handy dandy cake leveler to cut off the part that broke then torte it into 3 layers and fill them with yummie buttercream. As it stands this was an experiment and I am goin to make Cake Balls! (You can read about cake balls on my blog or just google it)

Recovered Recipes

2009-06-11T20:25:00.001-04:00

I happened upon this blog in my daily wanderings on the web...
http://www.recoveredrecipes.com/

It has inspired me to put a scanner on my shopping list and add my grandmother's handwritten recipes to this blog...stay tuned!

So Much I Want to Blog About!

2009-06-11T10:32:00.004-04:00

I have TONS of things in my 'BLOG THIS' folder but I just never have time to blog them all!

So here is an update on my Cr8ive Life for the last few weeks...

Been teaching cake, still love the students even when things go CRAZY with enrollment issues. My Wilton Method cake decorating class site is here.
While I was in the store canceling classes (not enough peeps for Sunday) ...a lady came to the classroom door and said "What's a girl got to do to say Hi to an old high school friend?" (HUH? I went to high school 3 states away!) But there she was! Hey, Shawnea! We'll be getting together again soon.
Got commissioned to do a special cake for church on the 17th. It will be something!
Found 2 local cake supply stores I could LIVE in if not spend every dime I make in on cake and still not "have it all."
I am on the AC Moore Forum WAY too much...the rewards card is ACTIVE in all stores now, I LOVE IT, can't wait till payday to use mine!
This week my tire and modem blew, as did the budget, hence no shopping with the rewards card...
I am starting to make cakes for people other than the ones who always say it is pretty...so to the family of sites and blogs I own I am adding Cr8ive Cakes.
I am calling a guy from high school (we dated for like a minute) who is now a master pastry chef to ask him how to get a wedding cake to NC from here...his mom is on the ACM forum and we met for lunch in my hometown only to discover she drove us to the movies! (And yes lurkers we are both happily married with kids)
I am stalking Pioneer Woman on her site waiting not so patiently for the next installment of "Black Heels" (if you don't know what I am talking about go to her site!)
I was inspired by an e-mail I got today to research "The Freedom Rock" and I am happy to report it is TRUE and you should go see it!
On the way to the superstore for household needs...would rather be shopping for craft supplies or cake pans!

Got a Tired Blog? You could win a REVAMP!

2009-06-10T20:11:00.000-04:00

One of my FAVOR8 Blog designers is giving away a blog revamp (and I confess I could use one here!)

So go visit Gisele on her TWEET Blog and check it out!

Perler Bead Cupcakes, I am in LOVE!

2009-06-08T20:59:00.000-04:00

My kids love Perler Beads, so I am ALWAYS looking for patterns. And guess what I found tonight?

CUPCAKES!

SOOOO cute!

Here is a link to a You Tube Tutorial...FUN!

Modern Art with Recycled Glass

2009-05-12T11:00:00.003-04:00

I love art and I am always on the look out for new ways to inspire my kids.

When I saw this on Instructables I added it to my "To Do" list for Art Class!

Hope you like it too!

www.instructables.com/id/Layered_glass_art/

My Pre-School Book

2009-05-12T10:34:00.004-04:00

We are making an alphabet book as we go along through our preschool program.

What you need:

~sheets of construction paper, scrapbook paper or card stock - cut the same size as a sheet of notebook paper...

~sheet protectors

~3 ring view binder

~scissors

~glue stick

~pictures from old magazines, clip art, small objects, scrapbook items, etc.

~markers or crayons

What you do:

~Make a Cover, Spine and Back Cover for your book.

~ Make a Title Page

~ Make an About the Author page.

Have your little artist draw a self Portrait.

Add your child's measurements.

Add your child's favorites (colors, foods, books, animals, phrases and expressions, etc.)

~ Add an alphabet poem page.

~ On each page left hand page add the Bible Verse, Weekly Theme, Vocabulary Word, Shape or Color, Number, etc.

~ On each right hand page add the Letter of the Week both Upper and Lower Case. Add pictures of things that start with that letter. Have your child trace the letter or words that begin with the letter and add those.

More Ideas:

~A Mini Book for every letter: http://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/index.htm

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/books/abc/

Books:

Alphabet art : with animal A-Z animal art & fingerplays by Press, Judy

Strawberry Chocolate Cake with Cake Box TokiToki

2009-05-08T20:55:00.000-04:00

OHHHHH the sweetness of this Free Printable Set from MilkBun is just almost overwhelming!

SOOOOOOOOOO cute!

Use Firefox? Get Cupcakes!

2009-05-08T20:18:00.005-04:00

As a longtime FrieFox user and cupcake lover extraordinaire imagine how totally JAZZED I was to find a Cupcake Persona!

Use Firefox? Go to the Personas Gallery to find yours!

Don't use FireFox? Why NOT?! Ditch Explorer and join us with FireFox and browse happily ever after!

Screen Printing On Your Own

2009-05-04T10:57:00.000-04:00

As a former Visual Art student and lover of all sorts of art processes and crafty skills who happens to be raising children who are eager to learn new stuff I am always trying to introduce them to different techniques.

I also work in a craft store. My discount serves us well. I also use store coupons when ever possible.

A few months back a new toy was introduced that I REALLY REALLY WANT.

The Yudu personal screen printing machine is $399.00 and not eligible for coupon use.

Needless to say it is not in the budget no matter how cool it is.

And I do not see the crafty fairies coming to gift me with one any time soon, but still I go by the display every now and then just to say "hi" and dream.

So I was really happy when I found this on the Instructables!

www.instructables.com/id/down_and_dirty_screenprinting_for_under_10/

We'll be trying this out soon!

ABC Matching Game

2009-05-01T15:24:00.001-04:00

Children will have fun learning their ABCs by matching upper and lowercase alphabet letters in this fun ABC Matching Game craft.

What you'll need:

Word processing program
Printer
Printer paper
Circle cutter, circle punch, or scissors
Double-stick tape
52 juice can lids (clean and dry)
Clear Con-Tact paper
Pringles can, clean and dry
Plastic frosting tub, clean and dry
"Painters" paint markers in a variety of colors

How to make it:

Open up your word processing program.
Choose Century Gothic as your font.
Type in the font size area 85.
Type in the alphabet in lower case by the following method:

a (hit the space bar 4 times) b (hit the space bar 4 times) c (hit the ENTER key twice)
Repeat for the rest of the lower case and upper case typing 3 letters on each line with a blank line in-between.
Print the alphabet out (it will be about 6 pages).
Use a circle cutter, punch, or scissors to cut the letters out in a circular or square shape.
Use double-stick tape to adhere a letter to each juice can lid on the side without the lip so it makes it easier to pick the lid up.

Note: Be sure to pay attention to whether the lids have words or logos on them and place those UNDER the letters so that way the lids all look the same when the plain side is facing up.
Cut a piece of Con-Tact paper big enough to cover the letter. Cover and press down firmly.
Repeat for remainder of letters.
Decorate a piece of paper to cover the Pringles can. Tape in place.
Cover with Con-Tact paper to make the design last longer.
Use paint markers to decorate the frosting tub.
Store all the letters in the Pringles can.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME:

Take the upper and lowercase letters you are studying in class or at home and place them in the frosting tub. Leave them out for the children to play with.
Dump out the letters you are playing with.
Turn all the lids face down and mix up.
Line the lids up in rows.
Play as in a regular match game. Turn over 2 lids. If the uppercase and lowercase of a particular letter are turned over (A, a) then you get to keep the lids. You can then play again.
If they don't match, turn them upside down and the play goes to the second player.
The second player, if there is one, will have a turn of matching 2 lids. The play continues the same.
Play until all letters have been matched up.

Found Online at: http://crafts.kaboose.com/abc-matching-game.html

Box of Fun

2009-04-26T12:56:00.002-04:00

We homeschool year round. While Language Arts and Math are always on the menu summer is for less formal lessons, more outside time, field trips, social gatherings, and LOADS of art, craft and other projects.

Coming up with new things to do can be challenging. Especially with two older and two younger children. So I have decided to create a "Box of Fun" for those rainy, hot or bug filled days when we need something to do besides watch TV or play Wii.

To get things going you'll need "I'm Bored" idea cards:

You'll need a stack of plain index cards, a pen

l, a small cardboard or wooden box, and LOTS of imagination.

On each card, write the name of an activity on one side, and the materials needed and instructions for the activity on the other side.

If you need inspiration, check your library for books on kids' activities and crafts.

Some to look for include:

Baby Days: Activities, Ideas, and Games for Enjoying Daily Life with a Child under Three by Barbara Rowley

101 things every kid should do growing up by Alecia T. Devantie

365 TV-free activities you can do with your child Steve & Ruth Bennett

All around town : exploring your community through craft fun by Judy Press

Big activities for little hands : summer by Veronica Terrill
The Rainy Day Activity Book St. Martin's Press
The Incredible Vacation Activity Book Angela Wilkes
The Fantastic Rainy Day Activity Book Angela Wilkes
The Amazing Outdoor Activity Book Angela Wilkes
ArtStarts for little hands! : fun & discoveries for 3- to 7-year olds by Judy Press
The little hands art book by Press, Judy
The little hands big fun craft book : creative fun for 2- to 6-year-olds by Judy Press

Try different activities include: indoor and outdoor games, nature hunts, crafts, skits, songs, etc.

When any activity is a hit, write it on a card so you won't forget.

When it's time to call in the Box of Fun, let your kids reach in and pick a card, then immerse yourselves in the activity. Your kids might get so into it that you even get a little break!

If you're feeling motivated, get colored index cards and color code the activities for different age groups.

The next part is the actual Box of Fun:
Gather together in your bin puppets, basic craft supplies, quick art kits, etc.

Be on the look out for items to add to your box when you are at the craft, dollar or thrift store. The dollar bins at my local craft store have provided Perler Bead, Etching, Paint by Number, Rexlace, Friendship Bracelet and other kits for the older children.

The dollar store has play dough in neat containers that have cutters and stuff built right in.

The next time you're tempted to turn on the T.V. or take off for the nearest movie theater, get out the Box of Fun and reach in.

You'll always pull out a prize.

Washtubs in the Garden

2009-04-25T19:45:00.005-04:00

I found two washtubs on the roadside last fall, this year we are planing herbs and carrots in them...

What You Need:
Washtubs (or similar containers)
pebbles
potting soil
peat moss
plants
drill and drill bit OR a hammer and a big nail (and something for the headache you will have later)

1. Take your container and drill or hammer holes for drainage.

2. Place a layer of pebbles in the bottom.

3. Mix 1/2 peat moss and potting soil.

4. Plant stuff.

5. Water and wait...

6. Pluck fresh herbs for dinner!

Spring Has Sprung and SO Has Our Project List...

2009-04-24T19:39:00.001-04:00

It seems our "to do list" always out lasts our stamina and our money, but this year we have agrred to complete the following outdoor projects.

1. Garden
2. Flower beds
3. Garden pond
4. Walkway from the front to the back
5. Pump to help with driveway flooding during downpours

So here are some pictures of our progress...

Our garden before:

Tilling:
TOO LOUD DADDY!

Re-Doing DD's Room

2009-04-23T13:45:00.002-04:00

I have been teasing DD about updating her room for a while. She is 13 now and wants a real "decor." While I understand her desire the budget does not always allow our wants...

To be totally honest I painted her closet when I was still pregnant with DS#3, he'll be 2 in July!

So on a recent trip to the superstore I saw a satin bed set she had been eying last year. At the time it was something like $60, not a fortune but equal to my monthly diaper budget, know what I mean?

So on this trip I saw one marked down to $20 and snagged it.

Then I saw the sheets FULL size for $5, her bed is a twin but I had plans for those sheets.

I took the flat sheet and opened up the seams up top, threaded it over a lone silver decorator rod I have had for so long I forget when it came home with me...add a black sequined "belt" she offered up as a tie back and viola instant curtain.

The pillow cases will become "bolster" type pillows for her bed and the bottom sheet will be made into a curtain for her closet. (We took the bi-fold doors down around the house after DS#2 yanked one down on himself...)

So now her room has a lovely black, white and turquoise blue color scheme.

I'm SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!! First EVER Stamp Club TONIGHT!

2009-03-26T13:40:00.001-04:00

I am so so so excited! My first EVER Stamp Club night is tonight.

My lovely friend Lynn from the AC Moore Forum is a Stampin' Up dealer and has organized a Stamp Club! I have NO CLUE what we'll be doing but I am EXCITED!

No kids and crafty stuff I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOO THERE!

I will post stuff here tomorrow!

Found a New Blog to Follow! Shell's Stuff

2009-03-23T08:48:00.002-04:00

I was searching for how to do glass etching with my Cricut when I cam across a NEW blog to follow!

The Title is Shell's Stuff and within just a few moments I was hooked! Check out her Blog and this entry:

Glass Etching - Cricut Style .... A Tutorial

When Old Passions are NEW Again

2009-03-20T12:01:00.005-04:00

I love taking pictures. But I have been awful about it since my children were born. With the advent of digital photography I have tried to find a passion for pictures again but did not have my WOW moment until one of my cake students pulled out a Nikkon from her bag to take a picture of her cake.

It was love at first click!

So I am saving my pennies for a NEW REAL Digital Camera and studying up and practicing with my little Kodak Easy Share...

Here are some FREE Books I found on WOWIO:
Digital Photography Step-by-Step
500 Digital SLR Hints, Tips and Techniques
Better Picture Guide to Portrait Photography
Black & White Photography: Photojournalism
Black & White Photography: Landscapes - Developing Style in Creative Photography
Black & White Photography: Architecture - Developing Style in Creative Photography
The Digital Darkroom: A Complete Guide to Image Processing for Digital Photographers
The Digital Photographer's Handbook: Nature
Digital Photographer's Handbook: Special Effects, Retouching, and Restoration
The Digital Photographer's Handbook: Travel
Going Digital: Wedding and Portrait Photography
How to Take Great Family Portraits
The Perfect Portrait Guide: How to Photograph People
Succeed in Portrait Photography
The Digital Photographer's Handbook: Portraits
Viewfinder: 100 Top Locations for Great Travel Photography

YUDU T-Shirt Screen Printer!

2009-03-09T14:06:00.007-04:00

I WANT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!

It's BRAND NEW from PROVO Craft!

I just saw the YUDU T-Shirt Screen Printer in the store this week (I sneaked a peak!) and I WANT IT!

This thing looks awesome!

I have been making t-shirts for a while now with DD who loves the graphic T's in the mall but mom can't afford the prices! $50 and up for a T-shirt, O-U-C-H!

I want to surprise her with this new toy! But it will have to be for next Christmas, I am not sure I can wait that long!

This is stuff from the web site:

SAY WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SAY!
The Yudu™ screen-printing system is the easiest, cleanest way to let everyone know who you are—and how you see the world. Don’t settle for what everyone else is wearing or spend hours futilely trying to find a t-shirt that expresses the real you. With access to a computer and an ink-jet printer, you'll be able to create and print your own designs not only for t-shirts or other apparel, but also for home décor, art prints, posters, cards, schoolwork, and much more! With this revolutionary personal screen printer, you can let your voice be heard today, no matter where you are or what you're doing.

Unsilence yourself today with the Yudu Personal Screen Printer.

Yudu Screen Printing Machine with Inks and Screens Includes:

Screen printing machine - measures approx. 11-1/2″L x 32″W x 22″H
3 blank ink-jet transparencies
2 emulsion sheets
Adult t-shirt platen
Platen adhesive sheet
Mesh screen
2 oz. black Yudu ink
Squeegee
Instructional DVD
(4) 15-watt bulbs, included
User manual

Product Features:

Make your own homemade printed shirt
Yudu ink - features the consistency to produce a gorgeous, crisp image; screw off top - for ink salvage; water-based ink easily washes out of screen when cleaned; allows screens to be saved for future
Create and print your own designs, not only for t-shirts or other apparel, but also for home decor, art prints, posters, cards, schoolwork and much more
Use with cotton, 50/50 polyester/cotton blend, wood, paper or porous fabrics

But WAIT that is not all!

Use Cricut or SCAL designs as patterns to screen print greeting cards, scrapbook pages, t-shirts, hats, wrapping paper, curtains, and more…only limit is your imagination!

St. Patrick's Day Links

2009-03-01T07:57:00.007-05:00

I promised them a while ago and here they are! Did you save your tuna cans? You'll need them for this AWESOME project:

Rainbow Caddy on eHow

If you like this revised Poly Clay Play Club Project Join the Club!
Join the Fun!!
I did!
http://www.polyclayplay.com

Have smaller kids? Check out these links for LOADS of craft ideas for younger Leprechauns...

DLTK's Crafts for Kids: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/patrick/craft-index.htm
Enchanted Learning: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/stpatrick/
Family Fun: http://familyfun.go.com/stpatricks/
Kaboose: http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/st-patricks-day/
Making Friends: http://www.makingfriends.com/stpats.htm

Want to add a St Patty's Day FEAST?

DLTK's Recipe Ideas (LOVE THE RAINBOW CAKE)
http://www.dltk-kids.com/recipesdb/viewbycourse.asp?cid=38

Cards of Caring 2008

2009-03-01T06:17:00.003-05:00

DD is a Juliette Girl Scout and for her Bronze Award project she wanted to help service members. One of the things she recalled about her dad deploying was us getting the same greeting card more than once.

So we started thinking.

There are tons of programs that send things to the service members but none (that we could think of) for the service member to send to their loved ones.

So Cards of Caring was born!

I asked my crafty friends on the AC Moore Forum to help us. And boy did they come through! You can read the thread here.

Here are the slideshows of the cards we received in the Fall of 2008.

For her Silver Award we are launching a BLOG. Stay Tuned for the web address!

Crocheted Potholder Swap Jan 09

2009-02-19T16:45:00.001-05:00

I hosted a Crochet Potholder Swap on the AC Moore Forum this month. Here are the AWESOME potholders my friends and I made...

Storage Solutions for Cricut Cartridges and MORE

2009-02-17T23:19:00.003-05:00

Last week I took my first Cricut Class. I figured after owning one for a little more than a YEAR I should start USING IT! Don't gasp there are TONS of people out there just like me. We buy all the toys and then don't use them because we a) don't have time; b) can't catch up to everyone who are overnight experts; c) are on project overload; or d) all of the above.

ANYWHO back to my reason for posting.

As I packed my stuff to go to class I realized my "baby" was leaving the protection of the shelf I so lovingly cleared for it to live in and darn if it is not a bulky thing to tote. I tried fitting it in my old Pampered Chef crate, too long, no tote bag was big enough and guess what it can be SLIPPERY when you are wearing a a parka!

During class we got to talking about storing our Cricuts and all their stuff...the ladies had LOTS of suggestions...

So once I got back from class I went searching...AND I found it!

The Stanley Toolbox

Now this photo came from Photobucket (as will the others) and IS NOT MY IMAGE...and the basic tool box has been painted...

Or for even more "bling" here is a "Bug Box"...

Now that the BUG is safe what about those incredibly EXPENSIVE cartridges?

At home I like the idea of SHOE CADDIES:

But that's not practical for ON THE GO which is where the SNAPWARE Ribbon Caddy comes in (best found at Christmas Time)

Sweetheart Swap GOODIE Box

2009-02-12T19:28:00.002-05:00

I am very active on the AC Moore Forum (some might say I am obsessed...) and I hosted the Sweetheart Swap for Valentine's Day this month. Here is a picture of all my goodies from my secret sister 'scrap4you'

CPSIA Links

2009-01-30T09:31:00.004-05:00

READ the Bill: Consumer Products Safety Commission

Full Text of HR4040, the CPSIA

ASTRA American Specialty Toy Retailing Association

CSPIA Central

ETSY crafters forum on facing extinction by the CPSIA

Flickr Album of Endangered Toys & Handmade Products

Handmade Toy Alliance
See Sub Page: It's NOT Just About TOYS!

Online Petition

Reform CPSIA

SIGN the Online Petition to Ammend CPSIA TODAY!

2009-01-30T09:20:00.001-05:00

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/handmadetoys/

Today is CPSIA Blogging Day

2009-01-28T11:59:00.000-05:00

what is that? It is a combined effort to get the word out about the need for reformation of the CPSIA bill before it goes into effect on February 10th.

For more information go to:
http://blog.buyhandmade.org/

The CPSC Wants to Hear From YOU!

2009-01-17T20:19:00.000-05:00

There is a 30 day request for public comment on the latest exemptions to the CPSIA. Let the CPSC know that the current exemptions do not go far enough to save handmade and small business!

The deadline is Januray 30.

Visit www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.HTML for more info.

Keep spreading the word!