Many Christmas Blessings

Merry Christmas from Jon and Joan.
We are spending the winter in Florida again.  My crafting time is limited and hard to do as I do not have a room for my stuff "yet".  Hopefully some day, but not yet.

I hope each of you enjoyed Christmas and praised God for the birth of His Son.

May 2017 be a great year for you.
Hugs to you all.  I miss hearing from you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we celebrate this Thanksgiving I want you all to know how thankful I am for all of you!  You have truly been a blessing to me.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.  May God bless you richly.

Birthday Card for Beckon

Beckon 7 years old

My Great Grandson, Beckon's birthday is next week, so I made his card using Karen Burnstin's Birthday Die and Graphic 45 Sports paper.  The cake pops up.  I added the sport strip on the bottom with the curve cut out using a Spellbinders border die.  I think Beckon's will love it.

Birthday Card for Beckon

My Great Grandson, Beckon's birthday is next week, so I made his card using Karen Burnstin's Birthday Die and Graphic 45 Sports paper.  The cake pops up.  I added the sport strip on the bottom with the curve cut out using a Spellbinders border die.  I think Beckon's will love it.

CHRISTMAS TREE CARD

I saw a card with this technique on Pinterest and it really intrigued me.  She used this embossing folder from Stamping Up.  I just had to have this embossing folder to try this technique.  When I first saw it, I wondered how in the world she got the stamped image behind the birch trees.  Well, you stamp the embossing folder first and then run it through the your machine.  
I still need some practice and more stamps that will work, but I wanted to share with you the idea.  Isn't it fun.  This could be a quick Christmas card if you have a lot to make.  The birds are from a Martha Stewart punch, the large trees are Impression Obsession and the tree scene in the background is from Memory Box.  Would love to hear your thoughts on this technique.

BIG SALE

 We are having a HOUSEHOLD SALE this Friday and Saturday from 9 to 4. It is amazing how much we have collected over the years. Items will be priced to sell. Our address is 25790 Stanton Road, North Liberty. Email me for a phone number if you want to call.

Vintage Dishes, Christmas and other Holiday items, Craft supplies left over from my business such as stamps, dies, punches, paper, crafting bags, tools and much more.

Camp Days at Grandma and Grandpa's!

Yesterday we had all 16 of our grandchildren and great grandchildren here for a Grandpa and Grandma Camp day. We had singing, flannel graph Bible stories, games, crafts, and of course lots of good food. What a fun day it was. The kids are already asking if we can do it again next year.

Whiskers anxiously awaiting for the gang to arrive.  He was "dog tired" last night.

My friend Sherry  and my daughter Lori leading the kids in songs.  They love singing and really got into it.

I am using a flannel graph board to tell them the story of Daniel.  They are having a snack while they listen.

Flannel Graph Story of Daniel

Jon sitting up the first game.  He purchased big washers for them to throw into the bulls eye.  We divided them into 2 teams...Red and Blue.  They loved this game and love the competition between teams.


Playing the game.  I hate that I  didn't capture them jumping up and down when someone hit the bulls eye.


Branch (the youngest Great Grandson) doing is picture frame with Grandma.




Caleb and Bleydn working on their frames.



Anna, Benaiah, Bleydn and Lisa working on their frames.



Lily (the oldest Great Granddaughter), Esther and Caleb finishing their frames.



Frames the kids did for one craft.

More of the frames.


Puff Paint that I made using flour, salt, soda and water.  They loved this and were very creative.


The little guys playing the potato game.  So fun.


The older kids playing the potato game.  What a hoot.




Eating lunch.  A favorite thing to do.


Eating ice cream before going home.


I made this treat for the kids yesterday. They love Rice Krispy treats and Watermelon, so it was perfect for them. Taco salad, hot dogs, veggie cups, Doritos, Cheese It's, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Ice Cream with Sprinkles and Chocolate Syrup were also on the menu for the day.

Sweet Pickles

I just canned my 14 day Sweet Pickles. It takes 14 days to make them, but so worth it. My Dad was famous (in our family at least) for his Potato Salad and he always added these pickles along with some of the pickle juice. I only had 3 jars left, so this was the year to do another batch of sweet pickles. Yumm

I am getting ready for a big day tomorrow.  All 17 grand kids are coming here for a Camp day.  I have games, crafts, Bible Stories with flannel graph, songs and of course lots of food.  I will be posting pictures, so stay tuned.  it will be such a fun day and the weather looks very promising for a beautiful day.

Hoping to make good last memories!

So, now you know why I have not been making any cards.  I have worked on this camp day for a couple weeks.  Next week, we hope to have a garage sale.  Always a busy time of year with canning and things that need to be done.  I am sure you find the same thing.

SWEET PICKLES RECIPE
75 small cucumbers 4 to 5 inches long (If really seeded, i removed the big seeds)
2 cup pickling salt
Alum

Cover cucumbers with boiling salt brine. let stand 1 week. Skim any mold from the top and rinse. Cut cucumbers in small chunks and pour boiling alum water over pickles. (1 TABLESPOON per gallon of water) Let stand 24 hours. Drain. Pour fresh Alum water over pickles. Repeat this process for 3 more days.
Drain pickles very well on last day.

SYRUP:
6 cup vinegar, 7 cup sugar, 1/3 cup cinnamon sticks, 1 Tbsp. celery seed and some green food coloring if desired. Heat syrup and pour over drained pickles. Next day, drain syrup, reheat and add 4 cup sugar. Pour over chunks. Next day, repeat, adding 3 cup sugar. Bring to light boil (be careful as it boils over easy). Put pickles in jars, add hot syrup and seal. Enjoy.

CHICKEN POT PIE

I have been wanting to make my chicken pot pie for several weeks. So today was the day. It turned out so yummy and Jon loved it too.

I just got a new rolling pin to make pie crust and it is the best one I have ever used. So, this went together like a breeze. Several years ago, I created this recipe and we love it.

Recipe:

1 1/2 cups cooked chicken
1 cup chicken broth (enough to moisten)

6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk

2 tablespoons butter, chopped
1 cup frozen Peas and Carrots (sometimes I use fresh carrots)
1 clove garlic
1/3 cup celery chopped
1/2 cup diced onion
1 cup diced peeled potatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Pie Crust or I have used puff pastry

I made a bag of dried rosemary and basil and cooked with the veggies. that gave it lots of good flavor

Directions.

1. Boil chicken until done.  - Shred or chop

2. In a large skillet, saute the potatoes, carrots, celery, garlic and onions in butter for about 5 minutes. Add broth and cover and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until veggies are tender.

3. In a small bowl, combine flour and milk until smooth. gradually add to vegetable mixture and bring to a boil. cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thicken. add the remaining ingredients. simmer 5 minutes longer.

4. Add above mixtures and pour into a 9x13 pan, covered with a rolled out puff pastry and Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes

PEACH CRUMB PIE

My Mother-in-law had a peach custard pie recipe that she 

used to make which was delicious.So I 

decided to bake one yesterday. Oh my goodness it turned 

out so good The crust turned out perfect 

too! I use the recipe by Alton that you can see

HERE!  My 

Mom always baked me a double crusted 

peach pie for my birthday, and since my birthday is next 

week I treated myself. :)

Recipe

PEACH CRUMB PIE 

 1 cup sugar

2 TBS Flour

  2 TBS Soften butter

 - Mix this together until crumbly and put half in the

 bottom of an unbaked pie shell. Lay sliced peaches on

 top of sugar mixture to fill shell. Beat 2 eggs and 

pour over top of peaches and then sprinkle remaining

 sugar mixture over the top. Bake at 400 until knife

 comes out clean and custard is set. I think I baked mine

 for about 40 minutes, but tested at 30.

Butterfly Stand Up Card

I saw this idea on Pinterest,  but no one seem to have instructions on how to do it.  I am not mechanical minded at all, so it took me some time to get it figured out.  But I did, and I love it.  Now I wish I had a larger butterfly die to work with.

First I placed the Memory  Box Butterfly 98583 Delia die a little above the folded card stock and cut it out so there are two connected pieces.  Then I embossed it using a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder called Kassie.  Next I cut another single butterfly with the same die and embossed it with the same folder.  A smaller Cheery Lynn butterfly was die cut.

I scored the fold as deep as I could, then the butterfly that is laying down was scored with the ridge up to prop up the standing butterfly.  The single embossed butterfly was glued to the half of butterfly and the smaller cut out butterfly was attached to that butterfly.  Then a row of  rhinestones were glued to the middle of the top butterfly.

Hopefully this makes sense.  If not email or call me.  I don't have time today to do a tutorial, but if you need it later I will be happy to do so.

Next week I am having all 17 grandkids here for an all day camp.  I am planning crafts, games, bible stories, singing and food.  I have a lot to do to be ready as I want it to be a day of happy memories for all of us.  I will post pictures after next Thursday.

Pop Up Birthday Card

Karen Burniston has designed the cutest pop up birthday card die and I knew my Grand kids would love it.

They love anything that pops up (me too).  

This is the front of the card.  I kept it simple on the front so that the inside would get all the attention.

This is the inside of the card.  Karen has a great video on YouTube show how to do it.  You can watch it by clicking HERE!  If you click on the card image, you will get a better picture of it.

A Masculine Card

This has been a very fun card to make and I keep thinking of new ideas for this style of card that I will be trying.

I saw this idea on Pinterest by Kathleen Wingerson.  She has a great video too that you can see by clicking here.

One thing that I did differently, was to stamp the sentiment before attaching the front panel to the card. My friends Darlene Pavlick and Diane Hover spent the day with me crafting on Saturday and Darlene made that suggestion which I thought was excellent.  Because, if you mess up you don't have to remake the card. (ask me how I know)

The clear panel on the front side allows you to see inside which makes for such a pretty different card.

By the way, my friend Jean has been released from the hospital in St. Louis and is now in rehab.
I talked with her yesterday and she sounds so good.  Thank you for your prayers and I sure give God the glory for bringing her through this illness.  She spent 39 days in the hospital.  Praise God for her recovery.

Let me know if you try this card, and what ideas you have for it.  Also, send me a link when you post it to your blog.

Have a fantastic week.  I am having a "camp" day for my 17 Grand and Great Grandchildren on August 26th. I am planning a big day for them with crafts, games, flannel graph bible stories, singing and of course food.  If you have any ideas to suggest for games let me know.  Their ages are from 4 to 15.  I think I have the crafts in mind, but always looking for any good ideas you might have.  My goal is to make lasting memories for them.  

White on White card

I have seen a couple beautiful white on white cards recently (Darlene Pavelick and Diane Hover), so I thought I would make one.  I always struggle photographing white cards, so I hope you can see this okay.
I am going to enter this is the Sisterhood of Crafters just for the fun of it.  Why don't you join me?

I started with a Cuttlebug Cut and Embossing folder of which the name and number is no where to be found.    I  added 4 corner dies by Cheery Lynn on the corners and a strip die from the Cheery Lynn  Border Strip B215 dies on the left edge to fill in some blank space. I was so pleased how deep the embossing is and how well it cut out the center.
The Sparkle & Sprinkle Sunflower 643  was stamped on Vellum with Versa Mark Ink, embossed with White Embossing Powder and then painted with Pearl Adirodack Metallic Paint.  I fussy cut it out so I could use it in the center of the opening.

                This view of the card is laying down, which I thought gives a better idea of the dimension.

This is the inside of the card.  A strip of white was embossed with the Swiss dot embossing folder and the flower was popped up on it.  I felt it was too plain, so the Nellies Nest Frame 1 HSF005 was embossed and hand cut out in the middle to allow the flower to pop up and placed over the Swiss Dot Strip.

Black and White Card

I had this Marianne Embossing Card laying on my craft table, so I decided I would use it and make a black and white card with it.  I haven't finished the inside yet as I will wait until I am ready to send it.  Most likely it will go to Jean once I get a new address for her.  She is still in the St. Louis Hospital and they are trying to find where she is losing blood.  She has to have 5 units of blood this week and they have done several test to determine the area she is losing it, with no success so far.  Now they are going to do a radioactive treatment, so hopefully they do that today.  Once they get this problem fixed, she will be moved to a rehab facility and I can start sending out the cards I have made for her.   

 I have been wanting to use the Elizabeth Craft Peels and Embossing powder to refresh my memory.   I have included above the video I did showing how to do it in case you also need a refresher.  I added the sprawling ferns from Magnolia and the Tree branch from Memory Box.
The bird is a Peel that I cut out from Elizabeth Crafts, and I used her Cool White Glitter.  This is such a fun technique.  She has some great videos too, so just search Youtube for them.  The black "Rick Rac" strips are from Cheery Lynn's Tiny Expandable Borders B215.  There are 14 different tiny border strips.  I had never used this die, but I can see that it will be a favorite as there are so many uses for it.

This is the inside of the card.  The swirl is a Cheery Lynn Flourish  B117 and
the frame on the right is  Fiona Mirror Die FRM140.
I will add a sentiment once I am ready to send it.
I added the black strip on the left so that the black shows through on the front.   I liked the addition on the inside too.

TEA CUP CARD

Today's card is another one that I have "refurbished"with 2 contrasting pieces of card stock, a doily die from Cheery Lynn along with the Tea Cup from Heartfield Creations.
A piece of lace "healed"  the split between the two pieces of card stock and also adds texture.
A lime green bow was added.

We have our two Great Grandsons, Bleydn (9) and Daitin (10) visiting for a couple days.  We have been
in the "studio" being creative.  They love the ink dropping technique on water color paper.
You should see my table now. (smile)

WATERING CAN CARD

I started out by embossing the front side of the card with an Embossing Folder that cut out the center.