Something Me

Colorful Solar Vases (And A Tute!)

2011-06-13T18:59:00.002-04:00

The prettier solar lights are sooo expensive, aren't they?
I've seen the stained glass looking ones be as much as ten bucks a pop, and pretty as it is, it's still out of my budget. Last year I made etched jar solar lights, and I forgot them on the deck when winter hit, so I had to start from scratch this year.
I came up with this:

So how do we get to this? ^^
First materials!
Glass vase (I got mine at the dollar tree)
Gems (In your choice of colors. I have a huge tote full, making bowling ball/gazing balls for years.)
Clear indoor/outdoor silicone
Solar light with wide top
Popcicle stick to spread the silicone

Materials ready!
Bead the silicone around the glass, you can start at the top or the bottom, two of these were started at the top, one at the bottom, and spread an even thinner coating around the vase, start sticking gems on. (I slip my hand into the vase to work around, but know the longer into the project you get, the heavier this becomes.)

Starting it off.
So now you have this very pretty, but kinda heavy vase. It's nice, but what next?
Have a snack! It's got to set up a little before you go any further. If you look at the first picture you'll notice a package of Nutty Bars, Snack!!
So now it's all set! You need to prepare your solar light.

Yep, this guy here. Untwist the top so you have the inside out.

And simply place on top of your vase....

And it looks like this at the top now.

Ta da!!
Now, not all solar lights are the same, though they should untwist at the top. Most have metal at the bottom, to reflect the light out. These don't. But the ones I had last year did. So to get the light to reflect, I'm going to make a small pyramid from foil and place at the bottom of the vase.
Another thing, these are not waterproof. If it's going to rain, I do bring them in. The silicone is good, but a driving rain is going to fill the vase up. Make sense?

I hope you enjoyed the tute, and make something pretty today!

Spring Banner

2011-03-24T18:28:00.000-04:00

Look! Another post!
The wonderful comments have swayed me to pay more attention to my blog. Makes sense, right?
I also need to shout out to the Lovely Blog Hoppers. They did a great job! And I won two giveaways! The irock, which has interested me in a while, but I just haven't gotten around to buying it and figuring it out. And a Cuttlebug folder, chipboard album, bling, and journal. Wow! I'm so happy!

So on to the Spring banner. I'm concentrating this year on the things I already have. I did buy the doilies, but 150 for a buck... (And I'm sure I'll be buying cardstock, you can't do much without it.) I used the Birthday Cakes cartridge for the letters, Bazzil and DCWV cardstock. Even though the Cricut really doesn't like to cut the DCWV textured stock. I am stubborn. Textures rock my socks. After the letters were glued together, I used Smooch Spritz and gave 'em a bit of glimmer, along with some Prima flowers, and bling.
Because between texture and bling, it's perfect. Right?
I had some ribbon, and the doilies had holes naturally, so I strung it through those, and voila!

Nice little close up.

What have you made today?

~Roberta

Lovely Blog Hop

2011-03-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

Welcome Hoppers!
A little while back, my friend Dawn put out a call for help. She wanted bloggers to hop for her. So after I jumped around my kitchen, I read the rest of her post. She wanted scrapbook layouts with the theme of "What It Means To Love You".
I immediately volunteered, and thought to myself it would be a breeze! It would get me out of my bloggy slump.
Oh, crap.
I haven't blogged in forever. To make matters worse, I haven't actually scrapbooked a page in several years. I have all the cool supplies, machine, paper, glue..... pictures! But hear me! I'm a Jane of all crafts! There are school projects, sewing, mod podging, stitching.... the list goes on. And scrapping has gone by the wayside.
My palms were sweaty, my eyes darted about in a futile attempt for another project, but the date was drawing upon me!
EEK!
I knew from the very start I wanted to a layout dedicated to my Husband. And there isn't enough paper in my craft room to do Him justice, so to do just one page......
(Really, my first thought was to go about taking pictures of the messes He leaves behind, testament to my love, indeed!)
So without further ado...

I'm K.I.S.S.

His love is unconditional, eternal, and everything. What does it mean to love Him?
Everything.
(I'd never make a good scrapbooking blogger. I buy things, use them, cut things up... I couldn't tell you half of the names I used, it's never important to me. The sentiment is. The floral vellum? It's 6 years old, easy....)

Now you've hopped here, get hoppin' to the next!
Linky?
Roberta You are here!
Liza http://www.hooscrafty.blogspot.com/
Vicky http://sassysscrapinblogin.blogspot.com/
Kymberlee http://papermidwife.blogspot.com/
...Sue http://www.lifesgr8whnbugged.blogspot.com/
Bobbi Jo http://sweetsassydiva-gspot.blogspot.com/
Michelle http://paperaffair.blogspot.com/
Sara http://www.snugasabugdesigns.blogspot.com/
Misty http://www.abusyplace.blogspot.com/
Kate http://www.sassyandscrappykate.blogspot.com/
Liz http://liz-lavendarandroses.blogspot.com/
Laura http://lauras--piece--of--paradise.blogspot.com/
Michele http://greengirlscraps.blogspot.com/
Shawn http://shawnsfiresidecraftingroom.blogspot.com/
Mary http://www.marebearscraps.blogspot.com/
Cindy http://www.scrap-obsessed.blogspot.com/

Have a great Saturday! And perhaps I'll see you again? Should this frizzy frazzled crafter have another go at it? Hmmm....

~Roberta

See What Happens?

2010-08-11T15:00:00.000-04:00

I love Kim over at Today's Creative Blog, she was the first blog I ever faithfully followed. She featured so many cool creative people, and opened a lot of creative doors for me as well.
Have you ever gone to someone's blog and liked what you saw so much you just kept clicking on older posts, and before you know it you've reached the end?
(Yeah, it's a disease!)
And how many blogs do you follow, read all the time, but never comment?
I am one of those sad people.
I have tried to leave some comments, but for whatever reason, if it's Firefox or what, it won't let me sign in, the box is blank. I did take the time to email the person, just to let them know I thought it was cool enough to say something.
Just some random thoughts to share...

Cupcakes Galore!

2010-08-11T12:00:00.000-04:00

When approached to make 75 cupcakes for the VBS at our church, I didn't even blink. 75? No problem!
Originally I had planned on having them topped and looking the coolest ever!
But then they didn't want them frosted, because they were going to decorate them at the church, and thought the frosting would get too hard to decorate.
Maybe.....
So I knew I wanted to kick it up a notch.
How does one do that?

Colorful cupcakes!
I loved this, and it doesn't take much longer to do at all! Just divide the batter into however many bowls you're doing colors, you can use food coloring (I used color paste) and go crazy!
Dip it into the cupcake holders, a color at a time, and bake as normal.
Here is a picture of the 75:

Do you see the chocolate ones in there too? Yes, when committing to baking to many, make sure you have enough for the whole project, right? But who doesn't love chocolate? It's variety!
Here are a few pics of extra ones I kept to make pretty for us:

Have a great one!

-Roberta

Dollar Store Frames

2010-08-10T15:14:00.000-04:00

You can do so much with those Dollar Store frames, I've made gifts, projects, the list goes on...
For the last month, my 4th of July hangings have been up in the dining room, and it was time for them to come down. But I don't have three items for that wall. (I do this all the time, I'll hang something cause it looks good, then later have holes or nails in the wall.) And this is the main wall between the kitchen and the living room, you have to walk by this to get anywhere in the house.
So last night I sat in my craft room, yearning to be creative. This last weekend I had bought three sheets of rub on's from Bo Bunny, I fell in love! I often buy things and have no direction of what I'm going to do with them. I've had things for years before I've used them. Please don't tell me I'm the only one that does this.
Actually, I don't need the confirmation, my husband does. I'm still using paper I bought five years ago! (And boy have my tastes and the styles changed, for the better!)
I'm babbling...
So I'm looking at the rub on's, thinking maybe I would bling out my storage units in the scrap area. Then it hit me, they're pretty enough to be a picture!
So two 4by6's and one 5by7 later, rubbed onto cardstock, watermark stamped for an added texture, and I have this....

I'll leave this up for about a month, then I'll be putting out the fall stuff. Then these pretties will go into my craft room.

I'm linking this up today!

-Roberta

4th of July Goodies

2010-08-04T14:56:00.000-04:00

How's this for a month late?
I bought these at the last minute for my 4th cookout, used the 4th cart for my Cricut and came up with these:

I know the Freedom isn't stuck all the way, but you know what? I really kinda like it that way.
I also bought a condiment caddie for you know, condiments, and silverware. I forgot to take a picture on the day, so imagine these things in there, and check it out.

The ric rack got a little wonky, but the pendants stay on, (Mostly), those were cut from the 4th too. I'll also use any excuse to put ric rack on something. (Because you cannot ever have enough paper or ric rack. Seriously. Every Christmas these two things are on my list.)
I only have one picture of my goodie, I was so busy I didn't take any pictures, and my husband was busy entertaining and didn't take as many pictures as I wanted....

Simple Angel food covered in Cool Whip and strawberries and blueberries. Tastes good and EASY to make.

There is what I have for my very late 4th. Jim just took two out of the house, so I must go play in the craft room now!

-Roberta

Monogram Love

2010-08-04T13:49:00.000-04:00

I've noticed that monograms are pretty popular right now, so I came up with this.

It's sitting (Well, actually hanging.) next to the stairs in the dining room.
Why do I love this? Well, I made it, for starters! But the frame, the colossal frame I actually got from Wal Mart for $2.50. (Because even though they usually put the clearance stuff at a buck or two off and call it good for the next several months, somehow this beauty escaped into a dimensional pocket to only reappear when I happened down the isle.)
I backed it with a wrapping paper I've had for about a year, (Maybe I should explain my love for paper goes far beyond scrapbook paper, I also have a wrapping paper addiction.) But I bought this with the intention of using it for something other than wrapping. It's not thick enough to Mod Podge with it though. It wrinkled up on my frame, sad!
I used white vinyl cut with the Cricut for the M. (One of the Cake carts, can't remember which right now.)
And voila! Love the colors! Love the monogram!

-Roberta

My First Time

2010-07-28T12:25:00.000-04:00

I had my very first craft show this weekend.
I almost recovered the entry fee.
But if compliments were cash, I'd be swimming in money right now!
Luckily for us, there was this sweet couple next to us, and he came in and gave us a lot of sage advice. He told me I should adjust my pricing (Up!) because if it's too low, people get the impression it's not worth much. How to better our display, and most important...

When you can, TEAR DOWN THE WALLS!

So I'll be sending Jim mostly solo next weekend to a festival that's just starting out, and the entry fee couldn't be beat... FREE!
And I've signed on to do a festival in October, and it's pretty busy. I've learned a few things, so we'll hope for the best.
A few pictures of my wares, and no completely ignore the setup.

Some of the Deco Frames

Flower Hair Clips

Button hair clips


	Resin Necklaces

This Was My School, Long Story, But They Could Use It.

2010-07-28T10:24:00.001-04:00

Summer Cups For the Kids

2010-06-11T11:19:00.000-04:00

This position for PC has led me to creativity that I never thought of before. I'm using my Cricut every day. I'm having crafty dreams, and thoughts constantly. I'm having to take a notebook with me so I can jot down my next big idea.

Too bad I'm big on thoughts and small on time.

I've always been in love with the idea of vinyl. Vinyl on the walls, the truck, and now cups. (No, not record vinyl, though there are some great things that can be done with that too.)
I went to the Dollar Tree and bought two cups for Nikki and Jimmy for the summer. These are cups that are authorized to go outside, and cannot have anything but water or juice in them, Nikki picked out the ones with straws, and I'm NOT a big fan of that. Gunked up milk and me do not get along. And I've shoved way too many pipe cleaners (You will never get me to say chenille stick, I'm sorry. It wasn't broke, it shouldn't have been 'fixed'.) up a tube in my lifetime because the child couldn't live without the cup. This would be the same child who couldn't be bothered to rinse out the cup in the first place either, I'd rather toss them.

So Alas, I've got straw cups again, in in my week of blinging things out, I'm closing with these:

The kids love them, and I'll manage to not cuss too much over cleaning straws all summer long.

-Roberta

Big Pimpin'

2010-06-10T16:26:00.000-04:00

I was a little bored last week and pimped out my pink Expression. We'll blame it on the Fedex guy.
There is her front. I used a vinyl sticker I got on clearance from Mike's and glittered stickers to embelish the sides.

Here is her backside. It will never be a big deal if I get bored with it, it comes off easily if you want it gone.

Do you know those white spinning tool racks they have for 39.99? Yeah, they're cool and all, but never would I pay that, not even with a coupon.
Until it was sold as it for missing a drawer for 9.99. Then they gave me the coupon price, and I paid 6.00 for it! Hello!
Problem was, it was white. Whiter than virgin snow. Nothing in my house is that white for long. So as I was cleaning up my craft room one night, I picked up a sheet of rub on's I picked up at Big Lots for a buck. These were so cool, swirly and graceful, everything I'm not.
Then I leveled my eye at the caddy, turned it upside down, spewing forth the contents in every direction in my crazed creative pimpin' state. Then I turned loose with my popcicle stick and quickly realized what a pain in the ass those are. I really want that new rub on tool!

Then came my ~~HAHA!~~ AHA! moment!

I have a dry embossing pen! It has a metal ball on the end, it doesn't roll, but it might do the trick.

Guess what?

You already know it does! Holy fluffy angora fur! This made it so easy, I tossed that popcicle stick over my shoulder with abandon and haven't seen it since.

On to the pictures!

I feel better now.

Have a great one on me!

-Roberta

Cake Balls!

2010-06-02T08:11:00.000-04:00

I was inspired by Bakerella to make cake pops. I call them cake balls, but when you add the stick ironically enough they become a cake pop.
Last week I made a batch as a test run, because as soon as I saw these, I knew it would be the perfect treat for the end of the school year picnic at the kids school. So I made banana, strawberry, dark chocolate. They tasted good, but the consistency was a bit mushy. Time to do some research!
I browsed a few (several) dozen sites and on Monday made two batches of cake. Wanting to be festive, I chose red velvet and a white cake tinted blue. (Can you believe that until yesterday I'd never had red velvet cake? It's right on up there with Devil's now.) I baked the cakes and let them sit in the open air all night.
The next day I used a fork and broke up the cake, then using my hands crumbled it into a bowl. I let that sit for about an hour, going back and tossing it every now and then.
The reason for all this sitting out in the air is because with my first batch, it was a bit mushy. My cake had been too moist, and I may have added too much binder.
For the blue cake I used cream cheese frosting, and I only used slightly less than 3/4 of the can. For the red velvet I used chocolate, and I used about the same amount. When mixed it should hold form when picked up. I put both batches in the fridge for about two-three hours.
I took my melon scooper, and you'll want that pretty much even and roll that into a ball, putting that onto your sheet. I take this time to insert the stick into the ball. I dip the stick into the some of the melted candy chocolate then into the ball. I noticed this time it did seem to help keep the ball stable.
After rolling both batches into ball, and sticking them, I put both back into the fridge for another two hours.
You need pretty firm balls if you're going to dip them, I haven't frozen them, though I've heard if you dip the frozen balls, the chocolate will crack as the ball thaws. Makes sense to me.
I used regular white chocolate candy melts to dip these in, though I did add a little shortening here and there to loosen up the chocolate.
Dipping can be a bit of an art, I've taken the easy road with the sticks, I just dip the ball in take a spoon and twirl the pop and spoon the chocolate over the top. Then keep on swirling and bring the pop out of the chocolate. This works 90% of the time. The other 10% I tried other things which gave me various results, the gentle twirl is good. I then sprinkled some fun things on. I'm not much for sprinkles, but kids love em.

Onto the Balls! (Pops!)

My undecorated ones for later!

I busted two open so you could see the inside. Still looks cakey! Buena!

-Roberta

My Shame On Me Post

2010-06-02T07:30:00.000-04:00

I'd say my mother taught me better than that, but I just know this wasn't good form.
I won a giveaway two weeks ago from the lovely Melanie and I didn't post about it.
She held a giveaway on her blog, and it was a random generated thing. As soon as I saw it, I fell in love, but I'm not so much the lucky type, but I'll enter a giveaway if it really moves me.
I was moved, and luckily so because now I have this lovely thing in my home to display!

Not a good picture, it's morning, and gloomy, and looks like it will be that way much of the week. No excuses this is getting posted!

I am so in love with the fabric... I want to wear it out and about.

Thank you Melanie! I love it just as much as the first picture! It'll be residing right in the middle of the table this weekend!

-Roberta

Another Card, And A Little Cake

2010-05-18T12:02:00.000-04:00

I did manager to get into my craft room last week and make something. One of the girls at Michaels loves bacon as much as I do, and I just bought the Just Because cart two weeks ago and while Cricut doesn't have a bacon image yet, they do have an egg one. This is what I came up with....

I embossed the yolks of the eggs, since I can't get Diamond glaze locally. It just needed a little something extra.

It's a pretty simple card, the font is from Cake Basics, welded with the Gypsy. Still loving the Gypsy!

Onto my demo cakes, it would help me so much if I didn't wait until late Saturday night to make them. I'm up until 3:30 in the morning finishing them up. Even after having the Cake out on the counter all week. I did cut cheese, that was really fun and easy. I bought some of the Duff fondant, chocolate, and it was very good to smell and taste. Like tootsie rolls, yum! The frosting sheets sent to us are brittle in odd places, but I'm making it work, and I still think we're not rolling the gum paste as thin as we're supposed to. I'm thinking about placing an order for some SugarVeil. Expensive, but the thought of having something fabric like to cut is so tempting.
On to the goodies!

Jim wanted to do this cake. We only did it for fun though, Michaels no longer carries the Solutions carts, so I can't demo any of those. (This is from the Indie Art) and Brandy who will be 15 in September wants this for her cake now.

I wanted to do something elegant, and this seemed simple and elegant enough to fit the bill. Later for the demos I put a pink grosgrain ribbon around the bottom. I forgot to take pictures while demoing, it was pretty busy this week.

And with all the graduations going on these next few weeks I thought this would be pretty fitting. I put a blue ribbon at the bottom of this one. And the manager asked if she could keep one in the store, I left this one, it's from the first week and starting to look a little rough, so if something happens to it it wouldn't be a big deal.

And last but not least, the cheese! I made these for Jimmy's snack for school. They were a hit, and so easy to do!
I'll be buying a Cake after I have to give this one back, I'm already having interest in it from friends and family. I think Jim is on board with that as well. He stays up with me and helps decorate, and if it weren't for him I never would have started in the first place.

Until next time....
-Roberta

Teacher Appreciation Cards

2010-05-07T01:13:00.000-04:00

I'm late to the teacher appreciation party, and I've been in so much pain this week I didn't make a cake either.
{awwww!}
But I was pain free enough tonight to make cards for the teachers!
I used the Birthday Cakes cartridge, and welded the words on the Gypsy.

HA! Buying all those DCWV Paper Stacks really can come in handy!
And usually it can be a pain to match cards colors, the solids with the patterns. Did you notice how I did it just a leetle too well? So I dug around, knowing I had some of those dang styrofoam sticker things in my stash, (yeah, bought them in like 2000, still have half a sheet left!) and stuck them to the back of the phrases to make them pop a little. I think it worked out well.
So I crafted! Wahoo! I am pain free at the moment, so I'm telling you, ZEN. Crafting makes me ZEN. (I'm probably misusing that word, but it makes me feel better.)
Have a wonderful weekend all! I'll be playing with the Cake Saturday, and I'm hoping to make something FABULOUS.

Cricut Training And More

2010-05-01T06:05:00.000-04:00

I got back from Chicago Monday, and ever since my life has been a flurry of activity. Catching up with the kids, catching up on the DVR, (really not so much there, watched Celebrity Apprentice and that was about it.) going to look at my Michael's store. And right now there is NO other craft store in my world officially. None. And the pain. Yes the pain, I've had major shoulder pain and headaches all week. It's getting better, but I'm still there. The emails from my Market Manager, the support group of all the other GREAT women I met there.... the list goes on and on.

Oh, did I forget to mention the Cricut Cake?

In kitchen red no less?
I have played with it a little, and am going to play with it more mind you. I did go out today and buy some fondant and gum paste, I only got two practice sheets to play with, and it's just not enough.

I took my husband along for the ride as I 'demoed' it for the first time. It took minutes to do this, and I know anyone else could do this too.
Want more? Find a local Micheal's in the months of May and June and see if they're doing the demos.

I haven't had My Expression for very long, (Going on almost two months.) and when HSN premiered the Cricut Cake, they also had the exclusive Straight From The Nest cartridge. I fell in love with the images, and bought it. So I've been playing around with that as well.

Because you know everything is better with glitter, right?

And I'm a bird fanatic, so I liked this cute little thing.

This would make a sweet card, don't you think?

I also got a Gypsy to play with, and my next post is going to highlight the reasons to buy a Gypsy. Because I never held a Gypsy in my hands until last Friday, and now that I understand it, I had to have one for myself. And now I do, bought one today actually.

I've been working on some really cool things, just need to add a few finishing touches and it will be like show and tell right here.
Have a Great weekend!

I'll Be On My Way Soon

2010-04-23T10:19:00.000-04:00

In just a few short hours, I'll be on my way To the Hilton at O'Hare for the Provo Craft training.
I'm too excited for words! I wish I had a laptop so I might be able to keep up while I'm gone, but I'll take good pictures and good notes and catch everything up when I get back.
Wish me luck!

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE Chicago? I won't have much time (or rather none) to explore, but I am making Jim take me to Trader Joe's.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Button Rings

2010-04-21T09:59:00.000-04:00

I saw some button rings posted through my Reader a few weeks ago, and fell in love.
But you know what the problem with jewelry and I? I have a severe reaction to nickel in jewelry. Do you know how many years I would watch all these girls, then women wear some of the coolest stuff and I just couldn't? I tried not to pay attention, but lately with all the fabulous stuff out there it's been really really hard not to.
So I checked Michael's and Hobby Lobby, tell me what is the purpose of the rings with the smaller rings on them? Does anyone know?
But I did find some nickel free rings with the plate on it just like I wanted, how exciting!
Brought my goodies home, dug through my jars of buttons and came up with six decent looking rings!

All together now, one, two, three....

I've been wearing this one the most, and wore off the silver lining to it already. I'll have to put a clear coat of nail polish or laquer. I have having caustic skin!

I'm About To Embark On An Incredible Journey

2010-04-21T09:44:00.000-04:00

Who doesn't want to get paid for doing something they love?

Bueller?
Bueller?

One day last week I was reading through my Reader, and I happened upon a post that said Provo Craft needed sales specialists to demo the Cricut. I clicked the link and the one near me still needed filling so I shot off an email and didn't think much else of it.
Enter Monday, I talk to Allie from the company hired out to hire the Sales Specialists, and she give me the run down.
Start May 2, five hours every Sunday until the end of June, and oh, there's a training in Chicago this weekend. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Would this be a problem?
I answer quickly that I can make it work. But my head is spinning, I'll have to ask my husband to take time off work, what about the kids? Anya still nurses at night!
Jim talked me off the ledge, Anya would be fine, she's 18 months old, she doesn't need me like that much anymore, (And I've been watching, it's true, the last three nights she's just suckled a tiny bit and then she's out.) The kids will be fine, he'll have them. And he can take the time off work, it would be worth it.
So Tuesday is a flurry of interviews, paperwork, phone calls, more paperwork, like three hours paperwork. Holy cow!
I find out that a lot of the women going have two years plus experience with the Cricut. I have about a month. I'll just put on my Newbie shirt and I'll be fine.
So in just a few short days I'll be staying at the Hilton at O'Hare and cramming my head full of all things Cricut. I'm supposed to be learning about the Cricut Cake. I've decorated a few cakes, and I cannot wait to get my hands on this.

I'll be keeping this updated, though not while I'm gone. I don't have a laptop. (awwwww) I'll be taking notes and pictures though! Wish me luck!

Date Night?

2010-04-19T11:18:00.000-04:00

I used to snicker at the thought of a date night with your own husband. I found it laughable that you would get a sitter for the kids to get out of the house for a few hours with your SO. We would do that spending time together after the kids went to bed.

Well, my birthday (In January, look at the date of this post.) I wanted some Margaritas from Hacienda. I thought it would be perfect after almost three years of not going out.
Babysitter for all three kids? (My oldest being at her father's.) I consistently had one back out. So finally I broke down and asked my mother if she would watch Anya. If anyone anyhow it should be her, Anya likes her so much.

So we were all set up, my mom watched Anya and Nikki, and we took Jimmy down to his mom's and she watched him overnight.

I had a great time. I forgot what it was like to eat a meal without someone climbing all over me. No arguments at the table, it was really nice!
We had a neighboring table next to us with an open window separating us that had a three year old girl and a five year old boy, and they were a lot of fun. They'd say hi, he's poke his head around the corner and sneak a peek once in a while. Their parents tried to apologize to us, but it was good. We explained we had quite the clan at home.
The highlight of the night came from the little boy. He was pretending to play McDonald's, and wanted to take my order. I told him I didn't like McDonald's, so he wanted to give me pizza instead. So he delivered that through the window, and then asked if my 'dad' wanted some.
My DAD. My husband.
I thought it was the best compliment to me EVER. Jim was a little put off, and I've had a few jabs at him since. "Dad, can I run to the store to pick up a few things?" I don't see that one going away for a while.

So overall, I now understand the reason for having a Date Night. I hope it won't be three more years before I have another, but this one will carry with me for a long time to come.

Inspired Frames

2010-04-15T13:09:00.010-04:00

I'm calling these Inspired because I was totally inspired by Lanie from http://lanieree.blogspot.com. She made these frames and I fell in love. I also know I could do it.

See, I have this problem. Well Husband thinks it's a problem, and now that I'm cycling through a lot more paper, I realize it's a problem too.

I LOVE paper. Scrapbook paper. I have a lot. I had scads. I will meander through the store and can't resist the siren call of paper. Not just paper because it is paper, but because certain patterns and color schemes call to me. So I'll buy and and then later try to figure out a use for it.

I do scrapbook, and I do like to use a little bit of pattern here and there, but I really do like simple lines, and crisper feeling pages. (It wasn't always that way though.) So I'd look at the paper and hesitate, "Is it too much?" "I hate to just use a little and be stuck with an odd paper later on."
I have gotten over the waste issue. I have organized papers in such ways that I do go through them often, and if I've 'outgrown' the pattern I slip it onto the kid's craft tote so they can use it for a project later on.

So my frames are very similar, those hers are way more classic than mine.

The first three I made for my sister, she wanted something in her bedroom.

These two make me so happy. They're so cheery and bright!

I can't stop making these, I'm going to have them in my shows this year. I'm so excited about this!

I too used burlap in the middle, along with a stamped image and flower. Cutting the burlap can be messy! I took it out to the deck and cut up two yards so I wouldn't have to keep getting the fibers all over me and the craft room.I'm hoping to get some 'found' items incorporated into them as well. I have more sitting in my craft room waiting to get finished up.

Why?

2010-04-15T12:48:00.001-04:00

I'm trying to comment on my blog, and other blog's and it's not letting me. I click on the post comment and it just sits there. I'm signed in, and the box that says comment as is blank? What am I doing wrong?

Easter/Spring decor

2010-04-13T09:50:00.007-04:00

I'm going to have to learn how to cook and bake my holiday meals, plus get out and work the crowd with my camera. I love my husband dearly, and he takes good pictures, but I think he forgets we have a digital camera. We can take hundreds of pictures. It's ok!
So a few days after the crowd cleared, I took pictures of the house.
In the kitchen on my Red Retro Table, I took a cake stand and turned it over for the 'punch bowl', added spanish moss for a nest, eggs I found at Michael's (I love the colors of these eggs.) The little chick bowl was on clearance at Michael's three weeks before Easter, so I snatched him up too.

I did the same thing out on my dining room table, but added two birds(from the dollar tree) under it. Those two candle sticks I got from Hobby Lobby, I still have to paint the right hand one black. But those babies were 90% off! I paid less than eight bucks for the pair.

The birds. I'm thinking I may have to paint them now, but I don't know if I should just do a wash, or completely start over with them. I know I've seen a ton of these birds around blog-land, and they all look great. Mine are in their original state. Kinda sad?

On the stove, a simple vase filled with eggs. I'm still loving these colors!

At the front entry I have this. I like it enough, but I think next year I'm going to go with something more custom.

I have four of those little trees scattered around the house as well, and a few things on the mantle. I thought overall it looked pretty good, and not one person said anything. Husband likes it, and says that people just expect it of me, and don't say anything because of that. I say if you thought I did a good job, you should say so. I make a point to compliment hostess' on the little details she put in, it really makes a difference!

Rocky's Veggie Casserole

2010-04-12T16:15:00.006-04:00

I don't know what else to call this, I'm not even sure where she got the idea. My sister is Rocky by the way. Growing up I was Birdie and she was Rocky. We still go by those names, and all that has nothing to do with this post.

So she has this casserole that I LOVE. If she's bringing a dish to pass I always call her and insist that she bring this. It's that good.

What is in this magical vegetable dish?

One head cauliflower, one head/stem broccoli, and a package of fresh brussel sprouts. The key here is that these are all fresh. Not frozen. Box of Penne noodles, ssome olive oil, and a wedge of asiago cheese. (Now we've gotten elaborate with the cheeses trying different ones out alongside the asiago. Very good, but very expensive.)

Boil water, throw your noodles in with your chopped veggies. Let boil until noodles are soft and your veggies are done too. Drain. Lay out into a casserole dish and sprinkle on olive oil, stir well. I grate the cheese, Rocky just slices it up into small chunks. And heere is a picture of my shredded cheese, I just needed a chance to show off my grating skills and the fabulous Liberty of London bowl. I could just DIE! (hahahaha, no really. Those bowls I love, I only wish there was a cash flow to get me the canisters and other goodies.)

Before oven shot. Notice something off? I swore I had a box of penne noodles. I had to settle for elbow noodles, so for the record, it didn't really make a difference, so throw caution into the wond and use all manner of noodles!
Put in the oven for about ten fifteen minutes, long enough for the cheese to get ooooeeyy gooeeeyyy. Voila! Put on a plate and there you have it. Salt and pepper to taste.

This is so easy to make. And so good. Try it, tell me if you like it.

On another note, I write posts right from the dashboard. Is it just me or is inserting pictures a pain in the butt? I upload, it goes to the top of the post, I cut, find where it needs to go and paste. Sometimes I forget about a picture I took, and I have to scan over allt he code for the break I need to write about the picture. I dunno, maybe I'm being petulant.

I Am A Bad Bloggy Owner

2010-04-01T14:33:00.005-04:00

But a terrific bloggy follower.

Last post.... December. December!
Alas, this does not mean I haven't been crafting! I have! My resolutions about getting away from the computer (AKA Time Suck) haven't worked so much. But I'm okay with that, I haven't any followers to disappoint.

Onto the latest!
The Easter feather wreath!

Pretty, but a little bit of a pain to make.

And crocheted eggs!
I haven't followed a pattern yet. I suppose that makes me something, but not sure what. My crochet skills are basic if nothing else.

I am also scheduled for three craft shows later this summer. Very excited about those. I've thought about Etsy, but I'm currently doing a lot of eBay stuff for the husband, and can't stand to sit at the computer that long.

Another post.......
Soon!

2009-12-12T19:25:00.001-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Right!

2009-12-09T01:15:00.001-05:00

Have you ever looked at someone else's blog and thought there is no way you could ever do something as nice looking as that? I do all the time. I can't imagine having the talent to create so many wonderful things. I'm a perfectionist, there are so many things that never leave my craft room....

Late!

2009-12-07T02:37:00.002-05:00

I have a love hate relationship with the holidays. I'm crafting, but don't seem to have enough time on my hands. I'm almost done with my cards, but I had to stop to do cards for Nikki's impending birthday/sleepover party. (I'm understanding of the fact I must be nuts for hosting such a thing.) Luckily there is only four other girls in her class. I'm loaded up with projects, overwhelmed, and end up staying up way too late!
~Whew!~
I didn't manage to get a picture of my Thanksgiving table either, I was so busy. Drat. But I do have a picture of my centerpiece. I'm just not uploading it just yet.
I've not forgotten about my blog, no way! But I need a kick from time to time, and need to stop drooling over other's blogs! Thats a big time waster! I get inspired, but before I realize it, it's been an hour!
I'll be back, and with pictures and projects!

Nugget Boxes And A Tutorial!

2009-11-10T13:45:00.016-05:00

A few years ago I ran across and learned how to make nugget boxes. They are a great gift for the holidays, I make a few dozen and hand them out to guests, teachers, as tips.... you get the idea. The great thing about these is you can use them all year long! Here is a completed box.

This tutorial is made with the Short 4 piece (2 by 2).

They also use cardstock, I used regular scrapbook for the original boxes in this post, but for the one I used in the tutorial I used the cardstock like paper. So with the smaller boxes, I don't really figure it matters how heavy the paper is.

Your supplies:
Paper cutter with ruler. Scissors. Pen. Ruler. Tape runner. Paper. Hershey's Nuggets. (The Nestle Treasure's are a different measurement)

I use 12 by 12 paper, and you can get three boxes from it. You can almost get the three bottom covers for it too if you're using the patterned paper, but you'll need another sheet for the third. This also does not count the paper for the wraps around the Nuggets either.
For the 12 by 12 sheet, you'll cut one side to 4 1/4 inches, then that piece you'll cut into two five inch pieces. With the original piece, you'll cut 7 3/8 out, and from that cut three 2 1/8 strips. From the last piece you'll cut to 5 inches, then 4 1/4 inches. You'll have this:

Paper for the three boxes only.

While you're cutting, if you want to cut pieces for the bottom of the box (I do.), the measurements for that are 3 1/4 inches by just under 2 inches. It will be long on the ends, but thats okay, you will fold up up later.
And the pieces for the Nugget wrap are 3 inches by 1 inch.

Now you'll take your pattern that you printed out from the site above, and mark the measurements for scoring/folding. I use my paper cutter for that, to make sure that my lines are straight, but you could do it with a ruler as well. You'll do the top and bottom, and they should look like this:

I don't have a scoring wheel on my paper cutter, nor do I have a bone folder. I took my daughter's foam placemat and traced the lines along a ruler and folded them over like so:

It scored it just fine.

You'll then cut along the shaded areas on your pattern. Fold along the rest of the lines.
Now for placing a matching piece of paper on the bottom of the box, and taping the sides together. In the picture the x's are where I put the tape, the x's with the arrow's indicate that you should tape on the other side. I put the bottom on, refold the ends, then tape the rest.

You'll start with folding one end like this:

Do the other end the same way.

After all folds are made, the bottom of your box should look like this:

Now for the top you'll just need to make sure all folds are sharp, and tape the outside of the short fold like this:

Here you can see the taped seam at the top of the picture:

The top should fit snug around the box. When regular scrapbook paper is used, it's slightly looser, but after the Nugget's are in there, it doesn't matter.

To wrap the Nuggets.

Run your tape runner down the backside and take one end of your paper you cut for that and hold it on one side like this:

A few others I've done:

I'm linking this to Get Your Craft On!

Birthday Party

2009-11-09T01:31:00.011-05:00

I made a few things for Anya's birthday party this last weekend, and wanted to share.

This is the birthday banner I made from scrapbook paper, cardstock and ribbon. It's a running joke with my husband and I. I have a love for paper, and always fret over using it the right way. So after amassing so much of it, I was put on a restriction. And I was so proud about this, and he turned to me and said, "You're just trying to convince me it's time to buy more paper." Of all the nerve! And my motto is you can never have too much paper.
The table settings with cakes! I made six cakes total for this party, and I was told I was nuts. But one for the birthday girl, and the rest for the guests. I had a special order for banana cake, and I like chocolate, and having a one year old I wanted her to have white, so I made enough cake to please us all.

Now for the cakes, now keep in mind I was in a hurry because I NEEEDED to go to a craft show that morning, and there was a nap and you get the idea. I didn't get to clean up the plates, and some of the cake is showing through on two of the cakes, but it went over well enough I think. I used buttercream frosting, and chocolate buttercream. Pretty simple.

And I made party hats as well. I ended up having to hot glue them an hour before the party, they wouldn't stay together! And I know somewhere in my craft room there is a roll of silver string that stretches. I found the red and had to go with it. The birthday girl with her hat (though ever so briefly, she cannot stand things on her head, winter is going to be so much fun! And I adore hats!)-

Nikki turns eight in December, and I'm thinking of themes and ideas for her already. The weather this weekend was great, my mom is back from Vegas, and we'll be working on a book for her, it's so exciting! Lots of projects coming up, Thanksgiving, Christmas.... I need two more months!

Halloween Party Goodies

2009-11-04T07:36:00.000-05:00

First I have to say Happy Birthday to my baby, Anya. She turns one today! It seems like I've been waiting for her birthday forever, but at the same time there is no way she could be one already! This is where I wistfully sigh and wonder where all the time goes.

Happy Birthday sweet girl.

Now on to the goodies!
For the Halloween parties this year I made Mummy Dogs, those aren't pictured though. Those are easy enough to make actually, and a nice alternative to just plain hot dogs regularly. I grew up with my father demanding that hot dogs were not a meal. I cheat on this once in a while, and now I have a more dressed up excuse. I also made Monster Toes and Breadstick Bones. Those too are easy enough to make as well.

The bones went over very well.

A word to the wise on Monster Toes. Kindergarten age children are not so hip on them. The parents loved it, and even after we explained that it was a weenie with ketchup and a tortilla shell, they still wouldn't take any. But they looked cool dangit!

And now for a funny story.
Bobbing for apples this year seemed a bit risky. I remembered a game from my youth that had a donut on a string and you 'bobbed' for the donut. I thought this the perfect solution to the germ worries of everyone. So in my haste, I sent my husband off to Dunkin Donuts, for I was still busy making bones and other goodies! It wasn't until we got to the party I realized he bought the 'Harvest' donuts. With a orange frosting on a glazed donut. I can just imagine what went through the teacher's and other parent's heads that day. I thought I had stressed that he was to buy the cake donuts, but oh well. Hang the donuts from the ceiling, (and I had to be down in my son's class at this point, the teacher was out ill and had asked if I would run her party.) and no one in that room took into account the height of most of the children, so bobbing away they went, the rules are you can't use your hands, they have to stay behind your back! And hilarity ensues. Seriously, they did think I was nuts until they saw the kids going nuts trying to eat the donut off the string. And I give my husband a little credit, I saw some orange glazed faces that made me chuckle.

Have a great Wednesday!

Sometimes I Get Lucky

2009-11-02T11:53:00.000-05:00

My luck finding things at Goodwill is about 50/50. About two years ago I walked in and found these:

Pretty gross looking. But I bought about eight of them for two bucks each. I knew one day I would be able to something with them. A few months ago I managed to cover them with fabric, and this morning I glued the ribbon on. Here are what two look like now:

I'm putting the blue flowery one in the kitchen to hold cards for special dates, and maybe wallet photos. And the greener one is going into the craft room to hold inspirational ideas. I still have a few more, depending on the reaction of friends and family, I may do more and gift them. Or I'll make one for Nikki's room. Do boys have memory boards? I don't think they do.

Pumpkins!

2009-11-02T08:11:00.000-05:00

I was pretty busy pumpkin-ing out for Halloween. I thought I'd share some of the pumpkins I carved/ decorated.

This was inspired by Martha Stewart.

On the top is the alien pumpkin, then we have Jimmy's scary pumpkin (mommy helped cut that out.), the etched BOO, Nikki's mean pumpkin, her creation alone, and Anya's 'holy' pumpkin.

Three mini pumpkins I hollowed out and took one of my carving tools for my clay to. Starry night, monogram with swirls, and harvest delight.

Onto the Funkins!
I call this beauty Viva Las Funkin!

All lit up in her gaudy glory!

Black spider webby. I used Martha Stewart glitter after painting the Funkin black. The web is a combination of antique silver and the glow in the dark glitter. And it does glow! I just couldn't get a good picture of it.

I nearly forgot my favorite! I saw this on a magazine cover, and upon close inspection I figured out they used a sticker, or rather lots of them. At nearly eight bucks for a sheet, and I'd need at least two, and the cost of the funkin, holy cow! So I bought sequin pins, and black sequins and did it myself. It took a while, I painted the pin heads black with an enamel, and pushing them through the Funkin was not easy. I have since added gems by the ends of the swirls, I will try to take another updated picture today.

Picture taken!

I was way more productive with pumpkin making this year than in years past. I took my time and didn't worry if it would be done on time. With the weather though I have to note that the owl pumpkin took out Jimmy's and one of the o's from BOO. I put them on an old ladder to maximize space, they rotted so quickly! More Halloween posts to follow.

Welcome

2009-11-02T07:43:00.000-05:00

Welcome to me, welcome to you. While it's not my first foray into the blogging land, I'm hoping this will be more successful. My first was gardening, and I still garden, but I do much more. I've been visiting http://www.todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com/ for a long time, and have been inspired by all the links I've followed from there. I hope to share my creations, and the things I've been inspired by.