The Good, the Bad and the Messy

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Getting Messy

Having a creative mind means having several project ideas swirling around your head…

being a Creative Blogger with a editorial calendar, means you times that amount times 2.

And then sometimes….(a lot of sometimes) you’ve got nothing at all.

I was brain-storming recently with a fellow Designer when I came up with this brilliant idea

of stamping on the sidewalk with homemade chalk paint.

The Boys 4842

I thought this would be a great project to do with my grandsons.  (and a potential blog post)

I researched recipes and got my supplies together.

Darn you Pinterest with all your beautiful pictures and homemade recipes. 

I created handmade stamps using a large Smoothfoam square and my Super Hotwire Foam Cutter.

I made a variety of shapes to use with the boys.

The Boys 4847

I made the chalk paint with a recipe I found using cornstarch, water and food coloring.

The problem was that the paint started drying right away.

And…the boys were having too much fun playing in the paint to start all over.

The chalk paint is non toxic and easily cleaned up once dried by brushing the boys off.

After a good rain, all the mess was gone.

The Boys 4849

I’m confident with a little more experimenting we could get the consistency just right.

The Boys 4850

After making a very fun mess, I decided it was just that…

and moved on to Plan B.  (My post for Friday.)

Make sure to come back Friday for Block Stamping on Canvas with Smoothfoam.

 

This Weeks Treasures…

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This Weeks Treasures

Now that the weather has finally turned nice(ish),  I’ve decided it’s safe to come out of hibernation.

So I was happy when I got the chance to go out and go treasure hunting.

My daughter was in town (on a Tuesday) and we decided to go visit our favorite Thrift Store.

This time, we let her hubby tag along, he actually spent more money than we did.  So all was good.

When I’m hunting…I’m a pretty picky picker, so it’s got to be good.  (and cheap)

Here’s what I got:

2 small baskets, 3 small rulers, 4 packages of mini rick rack, a small red toile dish and 3 red bound

classic books and a Maya Angelou book.  All for around $7.00.

wood ruler

My favorite of all these treasures was the little wood ruler I picked up for a dime.

It will make a wonderful addition to a project.  Or maybe I’ll just keep it for display.

What do you look for when you go treasure hunting?

Creating a Keepsake Memory Box with Decorative Trimmings

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Sue Eldred's Keepsake Memory Box

I recently got a beautiful assortment of ribbons and trims from Decorative Trimmings to use

on a special project.  It was hard choosing which trims I wanted to use, because their selection

is wonderful.  I decided to Create a Keepsake Memory Box.

You know… for all those special little things that you want to keep and remember forever.

A perfect little box to fill with small gifts for Weddings, Mother’s Day, Bridal or Baby Showers.

Or maybe old love letters from your husband.   (Hmmm… I’d need a bigger box.)

Keepsake Box and Tag Close Up 4973

For my Keepsake Memory Box and Tag I used three of the trims.

  • 1/2″ Pink & White Mini Polar Puff
  • 3/4 Inch Pink Rose Tulle Trim
  • Chinese Braid White
  1. Paint a large papier mache box with white acrylic paint.
  2. Cover it with scrapbook paper.   (I purchased mine from Michael’s.)
  3. Glue the Decorative Trimmings using Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive* (affiliate link)
  4. Stamped greeting is from Serendipity Stamps.

Tea Cup and Tag 4969

Today’s post is part of a blog hop hosted by Decorative Trimmings.

Shop Handmade – The Wedding Store

Disclaimer:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Grandma Merritt’s Cheesecake Recipe

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Grandma Merritt's Cheesecake Recipe

There’s nothing like one of Grandma’s recipes to bring back fond childhood memories.

Large family dinners around a loud and crowded table (or two).

Crock Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans, Rolls and one of Grandma Merritt’s Deserts.

Mom would put the roast on before church and Grandma would bring the desert.

Soda Pop Cake, Cheesecake, Hobo Cake with Chocolate Fudge Icing (Yumm!) just to name a few.

With our large and ever expanding group of family and friends,

Grandma usually made a double batch of whatever desert she brought up.

And…us kids would still argue over who deserved the last piece.

Good Times, Good Times!   Makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

If you’re a Cheesecake Snob, you probably won’t enjoy this wonderfully, light fluffy desert.

But to us kids, it’s heavenly.

Grandma Merritt’s Cheesecake recipe has been around our family for probably 40 years.

I’m pretty sure she clipped it out of the newspaper somewhere down the line.  (she was a clipper)

Since today would of been her birthday, I thought it’d be a great day to share.

Here’s her recipe, I actually have two (one just slightly different)

Grandma Merritt’s Cheesecake:

  • 1 can chilled Milnut
  • 2 packages of Lemon Jello
  • 3 TBL Lemon Juice (optional)
  • 1 tsp. Vanilla
  • 1/4 lb. Graham Crackers
  • 1 package softened Cream Cheese 8 oz.
  • 1 Stick Oleo (butter or margarine)
  • 1 1/2 c. Boiling Water
  • 1 c. Sugar
  1. Roll graham crackers until fine.
  2. Melt oleo and pour over graham crackers, mix.  Press into pan.  Save 1/2 c. to put on top.
  3. Pour boiling water over Jello mix.
  4. Whip can of milnut until real stiff and add vanilla.
  5. Whip cream cheese and sugar together.  Add lemon juice and jello mix and blend.
  6. Fold cheese and jello mix into whipped cream.  Pour into pan.  Sprinkle top with reserved graham cracker mix.
  7. Chill overnight.

recipe card and standing clip 4505

FYI:  The recipe card and standing clip are both available from Canvas Corp Brands.

Disclaimer:  This project was created for and sponsored by Canvas Corp Brands.

How to Make a Garden Butterfly Sign

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Welcome to My Garden Butterfly Sign 4758

How to make a Garden Butterfly Sign.

A fun technique using Black Sign Tags from Deflecto Craft Solutions.

According you my you tube account it’s been 4 years since I made my first video.

I guess it was finally time for my second one.  (let me know what you think)

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Deflecto Design Team I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions.”

Spellbinder’s Captivating Squares Class

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Spellbinder's Captivating Squares Card Class

There is still a few spots open for Saturday’s Captivating Squares class at The Paper Forest.

In the class we will be using Spellbinders dies and Kaisercraft’s Rustic Harmony Collection

to make these four cards.

The Paper Forest in Washington, IL

Saturday, April 18th from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Cost of the Class:  $22.00

Students Bring:  tape runner, scissors, foam mounting squares, Vintage Photo Ink, Ink Applicator

Contact The Paper Fores to sign up.

Home Sweet Home Cookbook

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Sue Eldred's Graphic 45's Home Sweet Home Cookbook with Deflecto Pouches 4737

There’s something about good old family recipes that’ll bring a smile to your face. 

Warm, Comforting, a little piece of Home.

So… When I saw the Home Sweet Home Collection from Graphic 45, I knew a cookbook was in order.

I paired the Home Sweet Home collection with the new 5″ x 7 1/4″ flexible pouches from

Deflecto Craft Solutions.  Using the pouches not only helps protect your recipes from stains and spills

but they also make it easy to swap recipes in and out.

Deflecto Flexible Pouches 4699

  • My cookbook album was put together by covering chip board with the scrapbook paper and distressing the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
  • I made the stickers dimensional by adding each one to chipboard and cutting them out.
  • The circle stickers that spell the word “recipes” were stuck on round buttons and then glued onto the book.
  • The pouches were punched and the book bound using the Cinch Binding Machine.

Graphic 45 Home Sweet Home Cookbook with Deflecto Pouches 4744

Products used:

  

  Product Ordering Information through Amazon*  (see disclosure policy)

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Deflecto Design Team I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions.”

More Eco Friendly Projects

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Walnut hollow earth day hop

My project yesterday was part of a Blog Hop sponsored by Walnut Hollow and Kunin Group.

Our teams are sharing projects that pair both Kunin Group felt and Walnut Hollow wood products to create practical and beautiful home decor, organizing solutions, and entertaining items. You can make these projects all year long, not just for Earth Day. To see more inspiring projects, continue on the hop using the list below:

Walnut Hollow

Kunin Group Felt

Sue Eldred  (that’s ME!)

Beth Watson

Debra Quartermain

Sabrina Alery

Abby Davis

Jennifer Priest

Marilyn Gossett

Laura Kelly

Steph Ackerman

Laura Bray

walnut hollow earth widget

Eco Friendly Projects with Walnut Hollow and Kunin Felt

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Eco Friendly Projects with Walnut Hollow and Kunin Felts

Today, I’ve teamed up with Walnut Hollow and Kunin Felt, both eco friendly companies,

with some fun projects for Spring.

For my projects I used Walnut Hollow’s:     (*affiliate links)

Earth Day Step Out Collage

Earth Day Projects Collage

Walnut Hollow Earth Day Project 04385

I added Eco-Friendly tableware consisting of Bio-degradable cutlery and Bamboo plates.

Did you know?

Walnut Hollow has always been a huge advocate of environmental sustainability within the art, craft and hobby industry. Walnut Hollow has a strong commitment to environmental initiatives by preserving natural resources through their raw material consumption practices, production processes and recycling activities as well as maintaining an active involvement in the community.

Kunin Felt is made from Eco-fi,® a high-quality fiber made from 100% post-consumer recycled and BPA-free plastic bottles.

Earth Day is April 22nd.  Let’s make a difference.

Disclaimer:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial

Simply Beautiful Handmade Flower

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Learn how to make a Simply Beautiful Handmade Flower in a few easy steps.

To make the flower you’ll need:      (*affiliate link)

Disclosure:  This blog uses affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Directions:

  1. Punch 3 daisies from each one of the punches for a total of 12 punch outs.
  2. Using the end of a pencil or skewer, round each of the petals up.
  3. Turn the punched shaped over and press down into the center.
  4. Glue two of the largest flowers together slightly off centered.  Add the third flower.
  5. Continue adding and gluing the next size flower and glue on top.  Repeat with the third size.
  6. Pinch the smallest flowers up tight and stagger and glue onto the center of the flower.
  7. Spray the finished flower with Glimmer Mist until you get the desired shade of color.
  8. Once the flower is dry add a small adhesive pearl in the center of the flower.
  9. Create card using Captivating Squares shapes and layers misted with Glimmer Mist

*FTC Disclosure… “This is a sponsored post.  I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.”