Life Must Go On

I'm finally back at it! It felt good to finally release some unwanted stress in my craft room. (The massage today helped also) I am finally feeling human again and hope today is a step in the right direction. Thanks for hanging in with me the past few months as we had one bump in the road after another. I'm learning to enjoy life and all that comes with it!

Project Details: Sweet Stems Stamp Set, Raspberry Tart Designer Paper, Old Olive, Whisper White and Regal Rose Cardstock, SU Markers, Circle Punches, Dimensionals and Ribbon, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Emboss Folder.

Project Supplies: Sweet Stems & So Many Sayings (Retired) Stamp Sets, Raspberry Tart Designer Paper, Rose Red, Old Olive, Cameo Coral, Whisper White and Chocolate Chip Cardstock, SU Markers, Dimensionals, Twin and Tab & Scallop Punch.

Family is What Life is All About!

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to give you an update....many of you that follow my blog, know our family has been struggling hard after my Mother in Law was diagnosed with Stage 4 Stomach Cancer in October. Her fight came to an end yesterday afternoon. It was very heartbreaking and much of a shock to all of us, that it would end so suddenly after she had been doing so well. You can read the updates on her carringbridge website as I don't have the strength or mind set to retell the story! She now walks hand in hand with the Lord. I will be taking time from many things, stamping will be one of them. Thanks again for every one's kind words and my dear friends that have held my hand through this. Now I just need to find strength to keep my husband strong! (My parents are flying home from Arizona to help on Wed.) Family is really what life is all about! Make sure you take time for what really matters, everyday!

4x4 Box Tutorial

This 4x4 Box can be used for my "Valentine Bird Feeders" or it can hold 4 personal note cards that are 4x4 in size. It would also be a great size to add little candy goodies...the possibilities are endless! First you need one piece of Cardstock that is 8.5x11. Next score at 1", 5", 6" & 10"; rotate clockwise and score again at 1", 5", 6" & 7". (This picture is just to give you an idea of what the score lines will look like)

Rotate the Cardstock back to the original position (which is shown in the picture); you are going to use a good paper scissors and snip the scored lines at the bottom along the 1", 5", 6" & 10" score lines up to the bottom of the horizontal score lines.

Next you are going to trim the top of the Cardstock along the top horizontal line. Then go down two more horizontal lines (2 inches), trim up to the 6" score line. (You are making the flap that will close the box) Then starting from the right, trim the two 1" squares. (You should have two 1" score lines, that are your flap.)

Now it is time to stamp your box and add decorative paper, if you wish. I kept things simple and only added a saying...again, the possibilities are endless! After it is all decorated (and dried) you can assemble the box. The only tape I like to use with boxes is sticky strip...holds up better then anything I have tried.

Finished 4x4 Box

Valentine's For the Birds

Thought of something a little different for Valentine's this year....trying to come up with something non candy related. I saw these cute little heart shaped bird feeders in my Family Fun magazine and went with it. I did change up the recipe, as I followed theirs and the hearts fell apart. It took me four hours of baking them before I realized what was wrong, I have bird seed everywhere!! So, I'm in the process of baking 20 more today along with getting the boxes cut out. I have to plan ahead as Ashton's Valentine's Day Party is the day after we get home from Arizona....I have lots to do before I have them all completed!

Bird Feeders: 3/4 cup Wild Bird Seed, 2 Tbs. Flour and 2 Tbs. Water. Mix together...if you are using heart shaped cookie cutters, oil them and place them on a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil. I used these cute heart shaped cookie molds I got for a Bridal gift 12 years ago...worked perfect. I greased them, added a small hole with a straw to hang them...bake them with the straw in them. Bake 1 hour at 175 degrees, makes (2) 3" hearts or (1) 4" heart.

I will be adding box instructions later tonight or tomorrow. (Sorry I have a lot going on today) Hope you enjoy!

Heart Bird Feeders

Box with Heart Bird Feeder

Project Details: Olive You (Retired 2007) & Wild About You Stamp Set, Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black Cardstock, SU Markers, Dimensionals and black Stazon, Cricut and Celebrations Cartridge to cut out scallops.

Inside Box

Movie Night Baskets

Today I put the finishing touches on my movie theme gift baskets. I thought they turned out pretty cute. Most of the items I was lucky enough to find at the dollar store and the movie's I got on sale at Wal-mart. So, I figure I have about $25.00 in each gift basket plus my time and they were quick and easy. I couldn't be happier!!

Each Basket Includes: Popcorn bowl, 4 individual popcorn containers, Carmel Corn, 4 Movie Size Candy, Movie, 2 Liter Bottle of Pop, Microwave Popcorn, Black Napkins and 2 bags of shredded yellow paper.

Jolly Time

Well, it is that time of year again....I start working on themed baskets for the school carnival. This year Ashton's class has the theme "Movie Night", which I was pretty excited about. I found some really neat things to add and will be out searching for napkins over the weekend. So, yesterday while the kids were at school I covered a half dozen "Jolly Time" popcorn bags. I hope to have the baskets ready to put together by Monday and then I'll post additional pictures. Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!!

Covered Popcorn

Project Details: Treat Yourself (Retired) nonSU Ticket Stamp by Stamps Happen Inc. (Hobby Lobby), Real Red, Yo Yo Yellow and Whisper White Cardstock, SU Markers, Ribbon, Dimensionals and Sticky Strip.

We Have A Blog Candy Winner!!

Congratulations our Blog Candy winner is: Julie B "I am looking forward to spending time with our new granddaughter she is 7 weeks old. I wish I could keep her all the time. I also hope the economy gets better so I can go back to work so I can buy stamps. I love this card. I would love to be the lucky blog candy winner. I hope your health continues to improve. Thanks for the great blog". Julie in Southern Illinois. Congratulations Julie!

Julie please e-mail me your home address to melsagaser@hotmail.com and your stamp set will be in the mail. Congratulations!!!