Happy Valentine's Day!

Tomorrow is January 14th, one month away from Valentine's Day, so there's no time like the present to start a few crafty projects for this auspicious occasion - and, believe me, it's all about the "present".  You can get away with forgetting a birthday, but forgetting Valentine's Day is a definite "no, no".  Here are some ideas to get you started:

 Mr & Mrs Valentine are easy to make.
You will need a Smoothfoam™ Heart for each figure, plus one 1" Smoothfoam™ Ball.  If you're not familiar with Smoothfoam™ you can find it in craft stores, or online at www.smoothfoam.com.  Unlike "styrofoam", it has a smooth surface like a coffee cup, or plate and is therefore easy to paint and embellish.  You will also need floral wire, sticky back white felt, or foam, red foam sticker hearts, google eyes (the ones with lashes for the Mrs.), red and black acrylic paint (I use DecoArt Americana paints), Elmer's Paper and Fabric glue, red glitter, ribbon for the bows, a dowel (Forster) and black chenille.

1.  Paint the heart red.  Let dry. Cover with glue then add glitter.

2.  Cut the ball in half.  Paint each half black.

3.  Cut or break the dowel in half - you only need about 5". Push one end of the dowel. Into the base of the heart (the pointy end) and the other end into a half ball - see photo.

Wrap this "leg" with a black chenille stem.  Cut 3 additional pieces of chenille into about 4" lengths for the arms and the other leg.  Insert one end into the heart - one at the base for the second leg and the other two in the sides for arms.  Push the opposite end of the leg into the top of the second half of the ball.

4.  Cut 4 "mitten" shapes from foam or felt.  Stick together over the ends of the "arms".

5.  Add bows and wiggle/googly eyes and a small punched heart, or heart sticker for the mouth.

6.  Create the heart bouquet by sticking small foam glitter hearts back to back over the ends of wire.






Heart Topiary:  Nothing says "I Love You" like flowers and hopefully like love, these are everlasting.

You will need a large Smoothfoam™ Heart, a large Smoothfoam™ Cube, a dowel, red ribbon, red sticky back glitter foam sheets, small white silk flowers and white and pink foam hearts.

1.  Cover the sides and top of the cube with squares of red glitter foam.  Embellish with foam hearts as shown.

2.  Use sequin pins (these are short pins in silver or gold) to attach the small flowers all over the surface of the heart.

3.  Wrap the dowel with red ribbon then insert one end into the bottom of the heart and the opposite end into the top of the cube at the center.  TIP:  Use a craft knife to make a slit in the foam first.

4.  Tie additional ribbons around the top of the dowel.


How easy and fun was that!  Enjoy!

Y'all come back now!

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Who Ate My Guacamole?

See previous post!

Yours truly,

Julie :)

Mad Monday Menu!

I don't know what it is about Mondays, but whether you have a 9 to 5 job, or are retired, it's always a crazy day.  One of my biggest challenges is "what to cook for dinner" - and not just on Mondays.  Like a lot of my projects, meals have to be Quick'n EZ and tasty!  I'm sure I'm not the only one who is "menu impaired", so I thought I'd share some of my successes and maybe you'll share yours.  So..... without further ado, here's my first suggestion.

TACO SOUP........  yum

Cook *frozen chicken tenders in enough olive oil to cover the bottom of a large skillet with a lid. 
*I use frozen, because then I don't have to remember to take things out of the freezer that morning.  The number of chicken tenders will depend on how many of you there are.
Heat the oil then add the tenders.  They will spit and sputter away so put the lid on quickly.  Turn the heat down just a tad to Med High.  Carefully lift the lid and turn them over.  Because they're frozen, they'll produce a lot of moisture.  Turn the heat down to low and cook until they are cooked through - about 20 mins.  Remove the lid then cut the chicken into small pieces.  I do it right in the pan.  Add one packet of Taco seasoning mix.  You can use Chicken Taco mix, original or mild.  I use mild, or chicken.  Following directions on the package add Chicken broth instead of water.  Let simmer for 1-2 mins then add the following:  One can each of rinsed Pinto Beans, Garbanzo Beans (chick peas), Corn and one can of **diced tomatoes w/garlic and onion.  Stir, then add additional chicken broth.  If I'm cooking soup for 4-6 of us, I transfer to a large saucepan at this point so I can add more chicken broth and beans.  Black beans are great in this soup as well as Cannellini beans, etc.  Simmer for 5-10 mins.  Serve in a soup bowl then add regular Frito chips, grated cheese (Mozzarella works well or the Mexican mix), a dollop of sour cream and chopped avocado.  **You can substitute diced tomatoes with Rotel if you like extra spicey food, or add both.  As you can see there are a lot of variables with this recipe.  Guten Appetit!  Y'all come back now..........

Yours truly,
Julie :)  

It Must Be Spring!

Wow!  This year got off to a really quick start.  I can't believe it's already the 4th!  The holidays have flown by.  My son and his wife left New Year's day to go back East and my sister returned to Knoxville, so the house is relatively quiet once again.  Sort of,  I just heard the pitter patter of 4 yr old feet - a surprise visit from my grandson.

Lots to do - projects for the upcoming CHA (Craft & Hobby Trade show) and end of year taxes; better do that first.  I definitely don't want to get into trouble with the IRS.  I used to be an IRS agent - in England in the late 60's.  That was an interesting time to be sure.

Back to work - must finish up the taxes, then Spring Clean.  Yes, I know it's still Winter, but I like to start the New Year by cleaning up the craft room.  I'm sure I'll find lots of things that I'll start to give away starting next week....  I think I have a Cricut Expression buried in the room somewhere, so keep your fingers crossed that I find it.

Gotta run - Dylan is going to help me sort through 2 drawers of stickers and I have a feeling I need to supervise.   Y'all come back now!

Yours truly,
Julie :)

3 - 2 - 1.....Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR YA'LL!!!

May you all have a very blessed and prosperous New Year.....

Yours truly,

Julie :)

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It's Christmas Eve and, as you can imagine, I am at the last minute with most things, like defrosting the turkey for tomorrow.....   it's still as hard as the proverbial rock.  A few hours under cold, running water should do the trick though.  In the midst of the hustle and bustle, however, I wanted to take a few minutes while I had my morning cuppa to wish all of you

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

yours truly,

Julie :)

Sizzix Blog Hop - Project #7

I hope you've enjoyed hopping from blog to blog over the past 6 weeks to see the amazing projects created by 60 talented Arts & Crafts designers - all using the same Sizzix die cut shapes.  I'm sure you've noticed that our designs are as varied as our personalities.  We've certainly enjoyed creating and sharing our designs with you and hope we've inspired you to do a little crafting of your own.

This is the last week we'll be creating projects using Sizzix dies, at least for the time being, but we are still creating and our blogs will continue to be "linked" together, so you can easily "hop" from one to the other.  The "hop forward" link may change in looks over the next few weeks, but you'll still get to visit the same blogs.  Stop by often - we'll always have something exciting up our creative sleeves to share with you.  A variety of manufacturers will be challenging us to work with their products and these are the projects we'll be featuring as well as a variety of some "out of the box" challenges.  There will also be some challenges for you and even some giveaways, so stay tuned.


They say we always save the best for last, unfortunately I had some camera issues today, so I won't be able to post my projects until a little later.  In the meantime, here's a look back at the projects from the past 6 weeks.  I really do need to add a feather to my photo cube and the picture frames! LOL.  But before you start to browse (and read the very important note at the bottom of my post), here's a message from Eileen Hull, the originator of these past Sizzix blog hops.


"Thanks for checking out the Triple Play Blog Hop! Please visit www.tripleplay.typepad.com for more fun ideas from Brenda Pinnick, Karen Burniston, Eileen Hull and friends. If you have enjoyed seeing all of the inspiring ideas on the blog hop, please "like" Triple Play on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Triple-Play/125068950891362.  Happy Holidays".

 

Y'all come back now!  My first giveaway for the New Year will be a Cricut Expression, so I know you'll want to know how to sign up for that!

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Neat Storage Idea!

OMG - have to share!  I was walking the aisles at Michaels the other day and came across these adorable little glass jars in the Wedding dept.  They're meant for favors, but I think they're perfect for all kinds of small craft supplies and/or embellishments - buttons, brads, eyelets, flowers, etc.  There are 18 in a box and with my 40% off coupon, the price was unbeatable.

There are also some small, round tins with a clear top that would work too.  Just have to wait for another coupon...........  Y'all come back now!

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Sizzix Blog Hop - Project #6

Thursday came far too quickly this week, even for a Quick'n Easy :(    So here's a photo from Sizzix.com showing how adorable the pieces from Brenda Pinnick's album die can be with just a little time and effort.  Rather than totally throw in the proverbial towel, I decided that I ought to be able to do something, so....... 

I layered a few of the pieces added my initial to the center and a now inevitable feather (I ought to make a headdress - a real "feather in my cap"), then wondered what to do with it.  I added it to a papier maché box as a decorative element, then thought it might look nice just "hanging", probably nicer with a ribbon and a bow, but alas and alack I didn't have ribbon in the right color.  What would you do with it?  Inquiring minds would love to know how creative you can be.  (BTW, I won't be offended if someone says diplomatically, or not - start over)....LOL.   Now hop to it and see what Julie FF created this week.  I am always amazed and enthralled at her projects.... if only I had more hours in the day............  Yup, I have to admit I'd still be at the last minute - you know what they say, "if it weren't for the last minute, nothing would ever get done".   Y'all come back now!

Yours truly,

Julie :)

St. Nicklaus

December 6th is the day we honor St. Nicholas, a fourth century monk who used to leave gifts in the shoes which were left outside the home.  The date is a little more personal for me since it's our wedding anniversary - 36 years today and still counting.  I often joke that I left a pair of men's shoes outside my door and my husband was my gift from St. Nick.....

I love traditions.  There's definitely something comforting about family traditions - I truly believe they are a constant, which provides a sense of security in today's ever changing world.  No matter how small or insignificant, traditions are important and many of them go unrecognized until we suddenly forget to do something.  It's tradition, for example, to eat Black Eyed Peas on New Year's day.  No one ever eats them in our family, but everyone would notice if they weren't on the table for our New Year's dinner.

Check out my holiday newsletter at the Memory Keeping Collection for more interesting holiday tidbits.
Enjoy and, ya'll come back now!

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Christmas Cards - Quick'n EZ

'Tis the season to think about sending Christmas cards, so here's an idea for you.  You can cut a letter size piece of cardstock in half to create two, 8.5" x 5.5", pieces which, when folded in half will each make a "Quarter Card", or look in the "dollar" bins at Michaels for a package of plain cards and envelopes!  It doesn't matter if there's something on the front, because this will be covered up.  Pick two scraps of coordinating/complementary papers cut to half the height and the width of the card.  Glue, one above the other onto the front then glue a piece of ribbon over the area where they meet.  

Now here's the fun part.  Create the saying in a circle in Microsoft word, using the drawing toolbar, then add an image at the center.  If you don't have access to images and can't find any clip art that you like, check out my images under "Pages" in the sidebar to the left (Images for Personal Use).  You can drag these onto your desktop then import them into your Word doc and re-size as needed.  

Print the monograms onto white card stock then cut the circles you created with either a circle punch, or a set of nesting dies.  Mat with additional colors of card stock, using larger plain or decorative punches.  I used Spellbinders' Nestability™ circle dies and Pinking circle dies to make mine.  Glue the monogram pieces together then attach to the front with foam squares or circles for a little dimension.  I also added some crystal stickers between the wording.  Here are some samples for inspiration  Enjoy!

Y'all come back now!

Yours truly,

Julie :)

Sizzix Blog Hop - Project #5

Can't believe another week has already gone by, and, as usual I realize I have to post a project!  so Last Minute Lucy is at it again with something "Quick'n EZ" - definitely the title of my next book.  Not having time to figure out all the paper engineering, I used the frame with the words.  I covered this piece with silver glitter, then taped a piece of acetate to the back.  I cut a heart from red glitter card stock and glued it to the front and added a wire hanger.  It needed jazzing up a bit, so I gave my heart some feather wings and here 'tis.......  Yes, you've guessed it.  After using feathers on 3 of the 5 projects, so far, you've probably realized I have a lot of them.....  they are kinda fun.  Y'all come back now........

Yours truly,

Julie :)