Sharing A Little Sweetness

This is a short and "Sweet" post that I just had to share with you.  Taken yesterday, Monday, August 30th while visiting.  She was one month on the 28th.  Little Miss Zoe!

Busy preparing for a big week-end and big celebration.   Will share some thoughts on that soon.

"Project - Invites"

The time I have been able to devote to being "creative" has been limited lately.  Somehow I have been able to make the "must do" list the chance to be creative.  The list of things to do is growing, but as with everything this summer, I will take one thing at a time and get things done.  The work room is a disaster with too many projects started and very few finished.

There are two main projects that need attention this week.  One are the invitations that I offered to make for  our newest grandchild's Baptism in September.  I really don't mind the work involved in creating things like this.  I've done it for the others and for various other occasions like birthdays, showers, and Communions.  The challenge of coming up with ideas to fit each occasion and each individual is something that I enjoy.

So final touches are and the assembling of the invites are just about finished.  I made handmade, custom envelopes for the invitations too.

Once again I tried to incorporate my favorite tools in designing these.  A nice combination of Sizzix products found the way into the designs.  A "Tim Holtz Alterations On the Edge" die was used for the basic invite along with a small tag die for a appropriate quote.  A "Textured Impressions" embossing folder added design to mailing label and envelope closure.  One of the reasons I love Sizzix products so much is their versatility and how they can be combined for a great finished design.  So along with Tonic paper cutter, Fiskars decorative edge scissors, Crop-a-dile, some basic papers, ribbon, glue and of course my Mac, I was able to come up with a simple and sweet designed invitation for Zoe's upcoming event.

Now that they are done on to the next big project to finish before another celebration!  I'll be sharing more about this project and event soon.

Hot Fun In The Summer Time

It's been some time since I have made homemade jelly.  I think one of the reasons that I haven't is because in the past the process, of jelly making and canning, always seemed to happen during the hottest days of summer.  Well, it just so happens the the fruits and vegetables all seem to ripen at that time of summer.

When jars need to be sterilized in large pots of boiling water and the cooking of the fruits and veggies are coming to rolling boils with steam rising near the stove, it's a "HOT" process for a hot summer day.

Trying to use the abundant supply of peppers from our sons garden, I wanted to attempt making some "sweet and hot pepper" jelly.  We discovered a great variety at Whole Foods, made by a local woman.  It makes a great appetizer with cream cheese and crackers.  We enjoy it so much that with the supply of peppers we have access to, I thought why not make my own and then use it as holiday gifts for friends and neighbors.

The first batch turned out very well, but not quite "HOT" enough for our taste.  The next batch will need an adjustment of jalapeno peppers.  Still yummy!

Recipe:
I used a variety of peppers that need to measure 4 cups of finely minced peppers.  A nice mixed of red,
yellow and even purple peppers was minced up.  Then the hot ones were added.  The recipe called for 10 jalapeno peppers.  I adjusted this first batch using only 3, for the next batch I'll use 5.

1 cup of cider vinegar
5 cups of granulated sugar
1 box of Sure-Jell
Once it's all cooked and boiled it will fill 6 - 1 cup jelly jars.

Where Are The Days Going?

Felt that I should write a short post just to stay in touch.  August is half over ... how can that be?  Several things that are in the works.  Will be posting about some interesting jelly that I'm going to make.  Depending on how it turns out, it may become a nice gift for the holidays.  In the process of layering a variety of materials on wooden table top that will be attached to the bottom of an old treadle sewing machine.  Working on a shadow box filled with sewing collectables.  Designing invitations for our new granddaughters Baptism.  Putting together an scrapbook to present to my mother-in-law from the entire family, celebrating her 90th birthday.

Looking forward to sharing photos of all of these with you very soon.

Vacation ... Short But Sweet

A view from the pier on Big Crooked Lake at Camp Nawakwa

A few days in the Wisconsin north woods has kept me away from the computer and other technical devices.  Even though I had access to internet while deep in the woods, I made the decision this year to be free from what was going on in the world and just enjoy the family, the beauty and time we all had to share.

Unpacking and laundry is getting done. It didn't take long to catch up with what I missed and we are back to the the the routine of what our everyday life brings.  I hope to be back in the swing of posting some projects again soon.

Paper Roses

Playing around with paper again.  Made this flower to show someone, who will hopefully help me in a new venture.  I have had several ideas floating through my head for some time now and have to take the steps to get to the next level.

You have to love roses!

Paper + Punches

Took some time this week-end to play with paper and punches and various other things I love to work with to create some new designs.  Last week was such a busy week so I took some time to play and have some fun!  After attending just one day of the CHA show it gets my mind going in circles.  When I see so many things at this type of show, it is inspiring and I can't seem to stop thinking about ideas that I want to try.

For both of these designs I used the same large flower paper punch from the Perfect Petals collection by McGill for the focal flower.  So you can see by the difference in paper patterns, colors and the way the paper pieces were manipulated, each one has a different look.

For this arrangement, I also used another Perfect Petal punch for the smaller flowers and centers.  Leaves were from punches I have in my stash.  All the flowers were arranged and glued onto a rectangle of painted grungepaper.  I attached a paper clip to the back for adding a necklace.

For this blossom I used the same flower punch as above, only changed the pattern and color of paper, then manipulated the petals differently.  For the leaves, I die cut a small green plastic bag using one of my Sizzix dies.  Even though they were green, I added Adirondack Alcohol Ink to the surface and like the look.  For both flowers the papers were scraps of the first line of papers by Tim Holtz.  I used Tim's distress inks to add a little color to the papers edges.

Love to hear your thoughts!!!