Getting Cozy…and a update

January 7, 2015April 20, 2015Leave a comment

NEW PRODUCT From Clear Scrap…

Stay Warm and Cozy this winter while you play with one of the “New” Mini Mixable Albums

from Clear Scraps. My Mini Mixable Little Bits 3.5 x 5 Album, made with soft blues and tans,

uses the “Cozy” scrapbook collection from Authentique Papers.

A perfect little album for those snowy winter pictures.

Now that the CHA (craft and hobby assoc.) Trade Show is right around the corner,

I can start showing some of the new projects I made for Clear Scraps.

They have a lot of new albums, stencils and more. You can check out all of their “New” items here.

It’s a cold one today… So Stay Warm.

Update on Winter decorating: My Newly Decorated Mantle (what do you think?)

The Decorations are down… Now what?

January 6, 2015June 26, 2017Leave a comment

CHRISTMAS…

the time of the year when decorating in excess is completely acceptable.

A time when every surface is thoughtfully decorated.

I usually wait until the day the kids go back to school to take the decorations down.

What took a whole day to decorate, comes down in just one evening. (it’s kind of sad)

The house is starting to look empty with that big old tree out of the corner.

Now What?

Yesterday, we had our first significant snow of the season.

Everything is coated in a beautiful white. A clean slate.

It made me think…

Just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean the house can’t still look warm and cozy.

Why not leave out any winter decoration that doesn’t scream Christmas?

The red berry spray, the snowflake pillow, the snowmen, the lanterns.

It’s Winter…. it’s going to be around for the next several months.

So while we’re hibernating indoors this winter, let’s make it COZY.

Why not celebrate it.

I’ve decided…. the mini sleds are staying up on the mantel and I’m decorating

with a Winter theme. (who’s with me?)

Deflecto December Design Team Goodies

December 30, 2014October 9, 20151 Comment

Now that Christmas is over, I’m starting to think organizing again.

For a quick solution for a constant problem, I used a couple of Wall Mount Supply Organizers

from Deflecto Craft Solutions as a place to gather supplies for upcoming projects.

I added them onto the side of my IKEA shelving unit next to my desk.

Because I have commitment issues when it comes to screwing things into furniture.

I used Small Removable Hooks from Command.

Worked great. Now, I can move the wall shelves to a different place if my needs change.

As I’ve mentioned before, one of the high light each month is when I get my Design Team Goodies

from Deflecto. I love how much care they use when packing each box.

This month, before I tore into the boxes, I remembered to take a few pictures of how they arrived.

This was on the front of the box. Every month a different personalized label.

Each package comes packed with tissue paper and seal. Just like a Christmas gift.

This month’s box actually came with a wrapped Christmas present.

This company knows how to make a girl feel special.

Along with the wall files we also received additional wall pockets, desk file holders, various

goodies and a large office floor mat. As the new year progresses and I dig out from all my

Christmas and CHA crafting, I’ll be doing more organizing with my Deflecto goodies.

Can’t wait to get started.

“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.”

Living Well Spending Less

December 29, 2014June 30, 20173 Comments

I follow a blog called Living Well Spending Less.

You may have noticed the link on the side of this blog.

The owner of this blog, Ruth Soukup, has written a new book, available Dec. 30th, called:

Living Well, Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life

Recently, I joined the launch team to help promote Ruth’s new book about the secrets of the Good Life.

In this book, Ruth mixes faith, scriptures and good practical knowledge to make you rethink your

spending habits. (Check out the video below)

In my marriage, it has always been my job to keep track of our finances and the monthly budget.

Honestly… during the first 25 years, it was more of just making sure everything got paid.

Raising a family is not for the faint of heart. Kids are expensive. Life moves fast.

A few years ago, I challenged my husband to a 30 Day Spending Budget.

I asked him to tell me how much he spent each week. We had to be completely honest.

At first his amount was real low. (I had to assure him it wasn’t a trick question.)

Because… what ever amount he said was the amount he was going to get.

We were able to save $500 that month. (that surprised us both)

It was a good exercise that made us rethink our spending habits and priorities.

While we have relaxed from the original 30 day challenge,

we now have a mutual goal of saving towards our retirement.

(Call us cheap or call us old, we love it when we have a good restaurant coupon.)

With the New Year right around the corner, it might be a good time to consider

your own 30 Day Challenge.

My Home for the Holidays

December 24, 2014January 1, 2015Leave a comment

It’s almost Christmas.

The house is decorated, presents bought and cookies baked.

Time to relax and enjoy.

I love Christmas. It’s the most Wonderful time of the year.

Here are some houses made using Melissa Frances kits. (I’m not sure they make them anymore.)

I used paper punches and twine on this garland. (This strand has lasted three years.)

The mantel over the fireplace is quite eclectic with vintage and new items.

My home and tree is filled with memories of the 30 plus years we have spent together as a family.

Some are very old, some handmade. I remember where each ornament came from and who

gave them to me.

This year, I didn’t pull out all my ornaments. Believe or not I kept it simple.

Jasmine, Aladdin, Lion King and Star Trek didn’t make it on the tree.

But… Buzz and Woody still makes the cut.

All the unbreakable ornaments are on the bottom branches.

Following in his brother’s footsteps. Warren loves the Jingle Bells.

He pulls them off the tree, starts shaking them and looks and smiles when we all start

singing Jingle Bells.

Family Party Time

December 23, 2014May 19, 2017Leave a comment

I spent this past week-end celebrating with family during our annual

Christmas/ Gift Exchange party on Friday.

I love my Big, Crazy family.

My niece’s husband took this picture. (you’ve heard the expression like herding cats?)

Then on Sunday, celebrating my birthday with my little birthday Buddy who just turned one.

This is him after destroying his birthday cake.

Even though he offered me a bite, I declined.

It’s wonderful to be able to spend time with family over the Holidays.

I’m so excited that my kids will all be home on Christmas Day.

Crunch Time

December 17, 2014Leave a comment

Remember November?

When our sites were high and we had so many wonderful plans for the season.

You know…When we had all the time in the world to get it all done.

What happened?

This year was going to be different, there was going to be no stress.

Well… it’s CRUNCH TIME.

With one week left I’m beginning to feel it.

So much done with so much left to do.

With the grocery list started, decorations done and Christmas Shopping almost

finished it’s time to wrap it all up.

Seriously, I’ve got to start wrapping. So… off the computer I go to start wrapping.

ONE WEEK PEOPLE, ONE WEEK! (just saying)

Believe in the Magic of the Holidays

December 15, 2014April 20, 2015Leave a comment

Believe in the Magic of the Holidays

Are you taking time to enjoy the magic?

I’m doing my very best to relax and enjoy every moment.

I decided to add the large Believe on a Wreath on the front door.

The large Believe was made using Expressions Large Believe from Clear Scraps. It measures 5″ x 15″.

On the back I adhered “nestled” scrapbook paper from Authentique Paper’s Cozy Collection.

You can’t really see it from the picture, but, it has a great sweater pattern.

After I trimmed around the letters using a craft knife, I used a gold paint pen to accent each letter.

Make sure to check out all the Expressions Large Clear Word Titles from Clear Scraps.

Vintage Christmas Cards

December 12, 2014Leave a comment

I was gifted this year with a large collection of Christmas Cards from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.

I love it when someone finds something cool and vintage like this and thinks of me.

I can honestly tell you I looked at everyone of them.

Some of them will go in frames, others I may even cut and use for collaging.

Here a are a few of my favorites…

Happy Friday Everyone. Enjoy the week-end.

Joy Tag with a Cool Metal Foil Technique

December 11, 2014November 22, 2018Leave a comment

Impress your friends with an Easy and Elegant Metal Foil Tape project.

I love this technique and thought you might as well.

Start with a small piece of matboard or chipboard approx. 2″ x 2 1/2″ and chipboard letters spelling the word “Joy”.

Joy Tag products used: (*amazon affiliate link)

Beacon Adhesives Zip Dry Paper Glue*
Marvy Deco Color White Paint Marker* and Pale Blue*
Aluminum Foil Tape* (found in the hardware store, used to seal duct work seams)
Bone Folder*
Chipboard
Chipboard letters

*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. Glue letters onto the small chipboard with Beacon Adhesives Zip Dry Paper Glue*.
2. Apply Aluminum Foil Tape* over chipboard. I make the chipboard slightly smaller than the tape so that I don’t have any seams.
3. Using the bone folder, gently go around each letter to bring out the detail.

4. Paint the background with the paint pen. To give it a snowy affect, when
giving a second coat of paint, dot the paint with the tip instead of brushing.
5. Use the pale blue pen to color the letters. Allow both colors to thoroughly
dry.
6. Using a sanding block, lightly sand the letters and edges of the chipboard.
7. For a finishing touch, paint the letters with stickles glitter glue.

The tag also uses:
Prima Flowers (Holiday Celebration Snow Drop)
Vivid Ink: Aqua
Ink Blending Tool*
Scrapbook Paper
Cardstock
Corner Punch, Rounded*
1/8 Inch Round Hole Punch*
Lace, Silver Ribbon and Small Flat Snowflake Ornament
Silver Greenery