Birthday Card for My Writer Buddy

A little birthday card for a writer friend.

Of course I had to make a matching envelope...you know how I love to make envelopes!

This was a guy card--so I brought out the black grosgrain ribbon, black cardstock, and a couple of vintage buttons. I love this birthday stamp from Unity. I wrote my message inside with a white gel pen--fun!

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch

Happy What's-On-Your-Workdesk-Wednesday No. 269

If you're going to show a work desk like this--you'd better have pride in your mess! And I do.

Visit my creative tribe members right here at Ms. Julia's very cool blog party.

I was, of course, in a hurry. Pulling out the pieces I need to put together a card for a friend while I'm on the go. Believe me, I'd much rather be camped out in my cozy crafty corner all day...but thems the breaks.

Here is part of my pile of cardboard packaging I've been cutting. The plan: make zillions of diecuts, emboss them, and paint them! All from perfectly good packaging cardboard. Upcycling at its best! I'll post about it. I love the idea of creating a nice stash of diecut embellishments.

Isn't this hemp cord cute? I'm going to crochet necklace cords with it. I found it, of all places, at Wal-mart. (or, Wally World as my friends and I call it) Sometimes you can find a treasure in their short craft aisle. Every time I go to Wal-Mart, there is a "theme." Sometimes it's babies-crying-in-every-aisle day. Sometimes it's women-inappropriately-dressed day. When I was there the other day it was let's-just-block-the-whole-aisle-with-our-shopping-cart-and-kids day. I swear, in every aisle, someone had their shopping cart completely blocking it with out-of-control children flailing about! You gotta love Wally World. Rant over.

So now, I think I've earned my favorite breakfast from Panera. Woo hoo! And happy Wednesday lovelies.

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch

Sunday Threads

My God is my joy.
Acts 2:28

WOYWW 268--Forgot What I Was Doing!

Well...it is Tuesday morning when I'm snapping this. I was so busy with family activities this past weekend, and now work and the garden that craftiness is frozen in time, right here on my worktable.

  Take a peek at other worktables frozen in time at Ms. Julia's big blog party: What's-On-Your-Workdesk-Wednesday.

Apparently I had gotten out Martha Stewart's big sewing book for some reason--now I don't know why I have that out! I should really look through it, because I begged for someone to get it for me for Christmas that year! My linen cross-stitch angel is out, I'm still stenciling, and I am still working on my knitted beach skirt. I am actually very happy with that project because I made a waistband with a smaller knitting needle, and then switched to larger needles for the skirt with a stockinette stitch and it's working very well.

It is late afternoon, I just had a massage, and I'm feeling very happy and very crafty! But it's hot outside and I think I need a dip in the pool first. I love summer and I have to make the most of every moment--like last night. I had zucchini noodles with parmesan and fresh garden tomatoes. Heaven. So here's the other side of my mildly messy desk. I hope I actually get something done today. Happy desking!

 Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch, Relax

1960's Flower Girl

My beautiful daughter has had the privilege of being chosen by two different brides during her childhood to be a flower girl in each of their weddings. This was special to me both times, because when I was six years old, I was chosen to be a flower girl. I think it was one of the first times I really really felt like a princess and was put in a situation where I was "on stage" and expected to perform. Of course, since then, I have acted, sang and danced in many many local musicals and plays--it is a very happy hobby and fun part of my life. So I'll never forget the nervous preacher at this lovely chapel in 1967 who told everyone he was afraid I would just forget what I was supposed to do and run to my mother. Boy did I show them! I pranced down the aisle just the way they told me to in my floor length solid pink lace dress.

I remember the groom asking me to kiss him on the cheek for the photo--and that's when my shyness kicked in! At the reception, they gave me a present. It was a little red purse--real leather. Oh, I dearly loved that purse and I carried it everywhere. That may have started my lifelong thing I have about bags! (check my Pinterest board--Bags to Riches and you'll see). The groom must have picked it out for me, he was friends with my mother and worked with her, and he was always very kind to me. He was the one who asked for me to be their flower girl. Funny, because I don't remember a thing about the bride! But I do remember the very next wedding my mother took me to a few weeks later...I stood around in the church lobby asking her if I was still considered a flower girl! Apparently, more like a flower girl diva.

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch

Sunday Threads

Consider the lilies of the field. Notice how much more your heavenly father loves you.
Matthew 6:28

Art Journal Friday - Stenciling 101

One online stenciling class from Balzer Designs, and I was back into my art journal! This is not the best example of my stenciling so far--but it was my first play in my art journal in a while.

I love taking the online class--you can go at your own pace. I started playing around with some good thick purple acrylic paint and a fun stencil from Balzer Designs I bought a while back and had been wanting to use. I rubbed in some gelatos and sprayed some orange here and there and now I'm ready for the next unit and the next idea! Happy Friday!

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch, Stencil

Handy Dandy Donut Baking--Cinnamon Baked Donuts

I made donuts! I was really proud of myself, can you tell? There is something so good about fresh-baked homemade donuts, right out of the oven. Having a donut pan makes it all easy, handy, dandy! So with my 40% off coupon, in hand, I was off to the baking aisle at Hobby Lobby and picked up this Wilton pan for a great price. It's a nice pan--I might get a second one!

Handy Dandy Donuts (makes 12)

For the dough--
2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup Splenda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
3/4 cup milk with a splash of lemon juice--or use buttermilk
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 eggs, beaten

Instructions--
Mix together the dry ingredients, add the wet ingredients and combine. Do not overmix. Fill each pan cavity 2/3 full. Bake at 425 degrees for 7-9 minutes or until the top of the donut springs back when touched. Let cool a few minutes, then dip in the cinnamon sugar topping.

Topping--
Melt 2 tablespoons butter
Mix together 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar.

Dip each donut top in melted butter, then cinnamon/sugar. Serve!

My little nephews loved these and so did everyone in the house that day. They did not last the day. But they looked cute piled up on a cake stand, and stayed fresh with the lid on--but I don't know how long they stay fresh, because they were eaten! But they are easy enough to make, that I am happy to make up another batch anytime.

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch, Bake

WOYWW 267--Taking a Moment Out from My Stenciling 101 Class

What are you making today? It's What's-On-Your-Workdesk-Wednesday, and we never know what we might find on each other's work tables! I almost always have something I'm stitching, something I'm cutting, coloring or painting, and then lots of bits and bobs. Today I'm taking an online stenciling 101 class--it's very good--and I'm having a play in my art journal.

This is the stencil I'm playing with today from Balzer Designs

These are my watercolor pencils--waiting for me to play with them!

This is my little cross-stitch-a-go-go bag.

See you soon!

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch, Learn

Hanging Around the Prettiest Hanging Baskets

Everywhere I go in the summer, if I see a gorgeous hanging basket, I have to take a photo of it. I just have a thing for hanging baskets--little gardens in the air--and here are some of the prettiest I've seen lately.

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch, Hang

Sunday Threads

Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
Psalm 34:10

A Little Yarn Shop and the Best Corndog Ever

Good corndogs are not cheap!

 At least once a summer (at least) I have to treat myself to a good old-fashioned corndog! Oh yeh. And preferably, it is fresh cooked at some theme park somewhere and I get to enjoy it in the fresh air. Afterall, good food on a stick should be enjoyed while you're walking around! The other day we were at Silver Dollar City and happened upon Butterfield's Onion Patch--best known for cooking those blooming onions, which I plan to try next time. But this time I was on a mission to have a corndog and visit the Yarn Patch (another store with "patch" in its name). My husband and daughter were and always are on a mission to ride as many roller coasters as possible.

The line did not seem very long--but they were cooking everything fresh on order, so it took a while. That's when I noticed these three little adorable sisters who were standing in front of me. So cute--just huddling and making their plans.

Finally we made it up to order. The girl who took our order was so sweet and told my husband he had a beautiful family. Made our day. So did the corndog--sooo good.

We walked for a little bit and then found a great table. This was our view of a waterfall while we ate.

 This was the sign on the wall over our table. There is lots of cute and vintage-style signage all around Silver Dollar City--it is an 1890's style theme park except for all the amazing high-tech roller coasters. Even their newest "wooden" roller coaster, Outlaw Run, is one of my daughter's favorites -- very smooth ride she says.

I confess--I couldn't eat my whole corndog. Hubby helped. But I was happy, and I was off down this little path to find the Yarn Patch.

 All of the flowers were in full bloom everywhere.

And there it was--oh how I love a little shop full of yarn. I get a lot of my yarn from Michaels and Hobby Lobby, so visiting a specialty shop is always a treat.

 The Yarn Patch had skeins and skeins of everything from raw to hand-dyed to ready-to-spin yarn! They also had little ready-knit goodies of all kinds. What really made me happy was when I walked in the door, there was a lady weaving at her loom. Love, love, love. I could have talked to her all day about spinning, weaving, knitting, and yarn, yarn, yarn. I don't know how to spin, and I did take a weaving class long ago for several weeks, and i guess that's why I'm completely fascinated when I see a loom or a spinning wheel!

Maybe I need to learn how to spin?

The very sweet lady told me that she had purchased this loom when it was completely broken down and rusted out--she and her husband restored it. After chatting for a while, I had to yarn shop!

So, I'd had my corndog, picked out my yarn, had a delightful conversation and I was ready to move on with my day. I had some blueberry preserves to pick up at the big store on the way out of SDC, and hubby and daughter had a hankerin' to ride the barn swing!

The Barn Swing ride!

I really want to weave again sometime.

A nice shady place to knit and have tea.

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch Happy, Have a Corndog