Memory Jar

A couple weeks back I showed you a Treasure book I made.  I mentioned that I had a new way I was trying to record the "treasures" of the moment.

I saw the idea for putting down happy memories on bits of paper and dropping them in a jar throughout the year on Pinterest.  Probably around New Years. :)  The idea is that on New Year's Eve you pull out the papers and read/remember your good times of the year.  I used an old salsa jar, blinged it up, and then we've been writing it on scraps I punched into circles.  No reason things shouldn't be colorful!  LOL!

Hope you are having a colorful & happy mid-week!

Treasure

I thought I'd share a wicked old project.  Remember when Oprah told us about her journal where she wrote something like 10 good things about each day?  Well I thought I would do that, so I recovered a fat mini notebook years ago.  I recently found it in the drawer of my nightstand. :) 

I remember that I had fun creating the sparkle of the paper with Stickles and using different ribbon scraps for the floofy edging.  I didn't follow though with the writing though. :(  I have another project that I'll share that I have used to record memories- I think y'all will like it!

Amy Update-  Sadly she was diagnosed with bladder cancer.  It's fatal in felines, but she is doing well right now.  The vet thinks we'll lose her by the end of the school year (June 28th for us this year).  Of course she also said that my husband and I work wonders with animals (got Cad kinda walking & we had a cat that lived to be 26 years old- no joke), so we could get more time.  Special medicine is coming from NJ, but in the end if the cancer doesn't get her, the medicine used to keep it at bay will trash her kidneys.  We talked about chemo, yup they can do that, but Amy is 18.  I've seen what chemo can do and given the stage she is in, I can't put her through that.  In the meantime we are spoiling her with canned cat food, catnip, and lots of ear scratching (she prefers that to lap sitting!). 

Hug your furry loved ones for us today,

Earth Day Festival

Hiya Peeps!  I've been busy crafting some goods for the Framingham Earth Day Festival this Saturday.  The newest creation is Posey Clips.  Rolled rose paperclips that are so stinkin' cute they are addictive to create!  I made some and put them in giant plastic Easter eggs to hand out to family after Easter dinner & I was so excited at how folks smiled and thought these were such a fun idea. :)

I really did go nuts. :)  This is a small sampling of the insane number of these Posey Clips I made. LOL!  Hope you can come out to join in the fun this weekend.  If you make it out, be sure to stop by and say hi!!

A Primo Prima Album (part 1)

Hiya Peeps!  It was such a lovely day yesterday (71 degrees) that I thought I would snap pics outside for a change.  Don't get too excited for us New England folks yet.  It's supposed to be simply ugly on Friday.  They mentioned the "s word" even.  Nothing that should amount to anything, thank goodness!

Today I'm sharing Part 1 of a project! :)  Charlie sent me a set of goodies from the Prima Engraver line and as soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to make a pocket album with it!!!!

The album is made from two pocket folders that have been folded into quarters and then bound together using a binding machine.  If you want to know more about how to create the album base, leave me a message in the comments and I'll be sure to get back to you. :)

The paper was all 12"X12" cut to 4"x11.5" for the slash pockets (and covers too) and 4"x7.5" for the full pockets.  The great part is that the leftover from the 4"x7.5" is used on the front of the bottom part of the full pocket. :)

I am leaving you with a mystery until Part 2.  How will I keep things from falling out of the slash pockets?  What things will be put in the pockets?  What more embellishing can be had?  These questions and more will be answered, so be sure to tune in to find out!  In the meantime, here is another scrappy tip...

Since I bought the folders in generic bulk from one of the big box office places, the pockets were slashed and the insides had the company name, so the .5" part that was cut to make the 4"X11.5" paper used in the slash pockets was big enough to use to cover the company label.  Every bit of scrap was used.  LOVE when that happens- it makes for less cleaning. Whoo-hoo!

Cover Paper- Prima Marketing- Engraver- Black Leaf
Inside Papers- Prima Marketing- Engraver-Cartouche
                     Prima Marketing- Engraver- Cesello
                     Prima Marketing- Engraver- Calligraphy
                     Prima Marketing- Engraver- Atlas
Flowers- Prima Marketing- Engraver- Vines
Lightbulb Frame- Prima Marketing- Engraver- New Print Mini Frame
Button- Prima Marketing- Engraver- Wood Buttons
Ribbon- May Arts- Crochet- Green

More Calorie Free Goodies

 Another goodie that's even better 'cause there are no calories and it is so yummy to look at!!!!

I've seen these before and probably pinned this idea on one of my boards, but recently the gals at Paper Made Bakery did a tut on making these paper fortune cookies.  There were still scraps left from the May Kit I got at my LSS.  Ya know the one I have been boring y'all with all week. ;)

Patience is not one of my best used virtues- despite any rumors to the contrary. LOL!  So instead of printing the sayings, I went old school and wrote them.  By hand.  With a regular pen.  I know, I know, so sad.  No fancy font, no fancy ink.

But then I was thinking that these are better with handwritten notes.  More of a personal touch- well that's the story I'm sticking with now. LOL!  Wouldn't these be great for a teacher to get from a student?   A friend is going to try this for her dad's 70th and have everyone write a note to put into a "cookie".  So sweet!

Still have a bit left from the kit, but I may move on to the April Kit.  Got a couple ideas poking at me and I gotta get to getting before I forget what the great ideas are!!! :)

It's Happy Day!

All your wonderful comments about my last post have made me smile so much!  So between that and having the sun come out for about 30 nano seconds has really made for a happy day for me.

If you guessed that this banner used goodies from this kit- you are totally correct!  I had an itching to make a banner (like this one) but didn't have a special occasion in mind.

I thought about a summer one or birthday- then I thought how this paper makes me so happy.  So "Happy Day" it was! :)

The window box sticker, the flowers, and the letters with embellished with Stickles.  As if I could have walked away from adding some bling. :) The letters and flowers were cut on my Cricut.

The base of each part is an oval coaster.  I got a whole mega bunch of them at Job Lots for like $2 or something last summer.  They give the whole piece just a little more weight and they are fun to decorate!

Hope you had a fun day today!

Calorie Free & Calorie Full

Pin It

Oh it's been a fun crafty week!!!  This is gonna be a pic heavy post- so grab your cuppa and settle in for a good time. :)  I've got another fun calorie free treat a la those cupcakes from the other day, answers to the scallop recipe I prefer to use, and a great yummy snack that is far from calorie free!

I've put far too much pressure on myself lately to color all my images, or paper-piece everything I create.  The other night I had an Ah-ha moment and said stop!  This scribble technique, as I call it- very technical term ya know, was one I hadn't got around to trying.  'Til yesterday.  LOVE IT!

I ended up making a set of cards to put into a fry box that I brought over as a hostess gift last night.  Friends of ours host a St. Patty party every year- with a limerick contest which is always a huge hit. :)  Truly I had a hard time parting with this set of cards.  They are such happy colors!!!  The card base is Amuse, the dp's are Imaginesence and BG, the image is Memory Box, and the copics are BG18, BG11, YG95, W2, R20, R24- the birds have a little SPica sparkle on them too. :)

Calorie free treat time!  I had made the fry box, along with 2 others, back around Valentines Day.  Classes and school kinda put those boxes to the bottom of the queue.  So glad that happened!  That was back before I was making rolled roses and this rose looks so stinkin' cute on this box.  (Shamefully tooting own horn)  Pretty much these are the only thing I have coming out of a fry box that won't go to my hips. LOL!

Calorie full treat time!  This is totally worth it.  I'm not a candy popcorn fan, but this stuff is great.  DH and I worked together to create this.  Mostly cause his is a popcorn fiend so he was in charge of getting the corn popped and stirring as it all got mixed.  We ended up making two batches because the first batch called for baking soda and when that got added to the sugar sauce it burned.  (the house still smells like scorched sugar)  For the second batch I found a different recipe that didn't call for baking soda and it ROCKED.  It's really for making popcorn balls, but it worked for just candy popcorn too.  I added green sugar sprinkles as DH was coating the corn.  Gotta have some sparkle in my food too. :)

This was the basket we brought (the corn got covered 'til we got there).  In the future I'd love to try  this or this, in a different color palette, for Easter.

Scallops- I couldn't find the exact recipe I use, but basically this is what I do.  The sauce that is left in the pan I use as the dressing for the greens.  My DFIL makes AWESOME scallops on the grill.  I'll get the deets from him and share with y'all I promise. :)

Don't worry, I didn't forget about my promise to post the rest of the pictures from this project.  Depending on how distracted I get with the fantastic weather we are supposed to have today, I may get the pics done and ready to post on Tuesday!  I have some more rolled roses coming tomorrow...

In the meantime, I've grabbed some nosh and headed here:
PIO- #12 Up in the air
Frosted Designs- Things with Wings
Sweet Stamps- Think Spring 
Simply Create Too- It's Spring
Little Claire's Designs- Spring
Sunday's With Crissy- Animals


Happy Sunday!

Rose Tags Part 2

Pin It

More roses!  These are a few more that are mostly finished.  Man they are addictive to make and addictive to play with on all sorts of things!  So far I have put them on tags, but I have a couple more ideas of how I want to use these lovelies. :)

Some of these roses have are made from the same black and white BG paper that I played around with and added some paint, ink, and Stickles.  Gosh I love me some sparkle!!!

Some of the roses are "crushed" making them look more old fashioned, but some I liked just the way they are without the smoosh.   See how I am using up my chipboard too- more room in the stash means I will be able to add some of the new CHA goodies.  I have a self-imposed ban on buying, but maybe if I get enough done this Friday I will lift it just a smidge. :)

I haven't decided what I want to use for tying.  Twine?  Cotton thread?  Ribbon?  What do y'all think

Posting Presents

Pin It

Fun couple of hostess type gifts to share today.  I used my December Kit Club kit to make these.  I've almost used it all up! :)

These are a couple of sticky-note notepads with covers.  They are fun to make and help me be prepared when I need to have a little something on hand during the Christmas season- although these could be used all winter long since they are fairly secular.

Here's a full shot of both.  Add pens, tissue, gift bags, and go!  I'm headed back to school today.  Gonna be hard on all of us to get back into the groove after such a beautiful and relaxing week. :)

Hot Chocolaty Kisses

Pin It

I've been away for a while... I'd like to say it's been for lots of crafting, but I've been busy with a class for school.  Luckily I have had a little time to sneak into my room to craft. :)

I made some hot cocoa packaging.  Only I would think of cocoa when we had a highly unusual 50 degree day on Friday.  In New England.  In February.  It's been a bizarre winter here!

I get bored with too much of the same, so I made a few variations of these.  This one is using a new-to-me stamp I got from one of the awesome secretaries at our school.  She had a bag full of SU stuff that she gave me just for funsies!!!!!!!!  Can I tell you it has been calling to me all week!!!!!!

We celebrate "Curious Cupid" among the teachers at my school.  Basically it's Secret Santa but the valentine edition.  Long ago folks decided that there is too much going on in December and that February can be (usually) cold and snowy.  Curious Cupid was born.  I'm bringing these packets in for folks to by and use as gift toppers on their CC gifts.

Hope you enjoyed this valentine idea!  If I can get away from the books for school again, I'll post a couple valentine cards and a couple more Christmas cards I have gotten ready for the 2012 stash! :)

No Squares Allowed

Pin It

Remember I mentioned that I wanted to use this palette for inspiration?  Well, I finally finished something and here it is!

It's Tuesday and at Top Tip Tuesday this week we've issued the challenge "No Squares".  As you know, I was in a games class all last week, so I made myself a banner-in-a-card to celebrate finishing the class. :)

While I was getting supplies for making some games, I came across a huge package of oval coasters that were just begging me to take them home. :)  They were so sweet, I just couldn't say no!

The papers are from October Afternoon Seaside set, the yellow polka dots are Amuse, kraft paper from who knows and PTI dies. 

It's not quite as big as the banner I made for Thanksgiving, but it is so summery I adore it anyway.  I also like the idea that this banner can have a cover that can be used as a card from too. :)  There are enough goods left to make another banner that says "celebrate" so it'll be a bit bigger. 

So come on over and join us at Top Tip Tuesday!

I've hung this banner at these fab parties:

Fussy and Fancy- Summer Theme

Dream Valley- Summer Theme

Kraft  Outlet- My Favorite Things (coaster projects are my newest fav!)