one card two ways, acetate box, and redwork!

I made the first two cards when I was trying to find a project for stamp club. Same card--two ways!! I did the snowflake first, and then decided I wanted to do a pink glittery owl. They are very simple...but nice. Love the hot pink glitter!






And the box was a result of the same search for a project for stamp club.




I love redwork embroidery! I find it simply charming. Here are a couple of patterns that I did recently. I'm not sure what I am going to do with them yet. The little boy and girl I would love to do a little quilt, or quilted wall hanging--I love them because they are so sweet!



And I just had to do the three little kittens when I found this pattern! "The three little kittens lost their mittens, and they began to cry! Oh, mother dear, we greatly fear our mittens we have lost! What? Lost your mittens, you naughty kittens, then you shall have no pie. Wah, wah, wah! You shall have no pie!" (ok...that was from memory so I may have butchered it, LOL!)




Sorry, short and sweet tonight--and nothing uber wonderful (although I am rather happy with the redwork!). I am too tired the past couple of days. Have a good night.

Yvette

stamp club goodies

Last night was stamp club, and I thought I would show our make and takes. We did things a little different last night because one of our members quit a while back, and it would have been her turn to hostess last night. So, we all brought treats, and a "simple" project for everyone to make. So...I don't take credit for the following projects even though I did make them last night! These were all copy cat projects (which was the intent), except for the first one. The ornament we got to be creative with!!

The ornament is made with a round coaster, both sides covered with paper, a chipboard snowflake--and schtuff! Ruby had already adhered the paper to the coasters to speed things along! But...I actually just finished it a while ago. The snowflake and I were having a heated discussion last night, LOL! I only got the "joy" stamped, and my snowflake embossed last night so, today I "duded" it up by adding rhinestones, buttons, some greenery, and the ribbon. Thanks, Ruby!






And this card (which is stinkin'awesome!) was super easy...because Julie did all the work for us, LOL!! All we had to do was stick things on the card base. Don't you just love the Mickey card? It is an actual playing card (from a deck of cards) that Ms. Ruby gave Julie--and being the shareful person that she is...she shared a couple with each of us!! Thanks, Jules!




And the next loverly card was brought to us by our friendly SU! guru--Deb (who promised to come to quilt class with me, hint, hint...but that's all I'm saying!). The picture doesn't really do it justice. It's very sparkly and fresh--and I love the paint that we used for the snowflakes! Very elegant. Merci, Deb!




Nancy had us cutting up beautilful wire edged ribbon. The poinsettia's are very pretty with their sparkly gold outlines. And it really wasn't that time consuming to trim the ribbon. Thanks, Nancy!




And on Ann's card we got to use that big SU! stamp I've seen all over! We used sponges to daube or pounce ink (red and green) onto the stamp and then stamp the image. We also sponged the edge of the inside of the card that shows behind the punched edge. Danka, Ann!




And of course I had them do the lollipop tags for my project.

It was fun as always--except...we talk way too much! I didn't get home until just after 10:30 last night, LOL. That may explain why my keester is dragging today! ;o)

Have a great night.

Yvette

Christmas Lollipops! My quilted runner, and another transformation!

I decided that I wanted to make some lollipop ornaments for our tree this year--so...I did!! And, in my efforts to come up with something for stamp club tomorrow night--I created a mini-lolli and decided it would be stinky cute on a gift tag! So, here are the sweet little confections all finished...

The original lolli and the mini (next to a quarter so that you can get a better idea of size). I have directions for the lollipops in a previous post. You can find it in my sidebar under "my stuff", and then click on "paper lollipops".



And, the gift tag...




And the lollipops ready for the tree (I'm not ready for the tree quite yet though, LOL!).





Aren't they happy?

I am attending an adult ed. quilt class offered in the evening at the high school here. I am not a quilter (well, I guess I'm a beginner now, LOL!), but really admire those who have mastered the art. There are some truly amazing quilters/quilts!! Anyway...this was my first project. It's a runner, and I used 30's reproduction fabrics to make it--I'm pretty tickled with the end result! I will take a picture of it on my table at a later date (because I have to be able to find my table before I can make it pretty, LOL!).




Aaaahhh--look at that corner! And that blind stitch! What...you can't see it? Oooohh--I'm good! (yes...laughing at myself, LOL!)



And last but not least--a little covered cheese dish that I put my touch on! I picked it up at a thrift store, and thought it would be great at Christmas for faux snow and bottle brush trees! The base was just plain wood and I painted it white, and added some gold rub n' buff, and decoupaged fabric onto the center of it. Voila...transformation complete!!



I love the fabric on this! And I picked it up at Wally World for really cheap a long time ago. It's really sweet though.



Anyhoo...Keep checking back, because I'm still not caught up! Have a nice evening,

Yvette

A cupcake stand, a cupcake box, and another gift bag

So...if I served you a cupcake or muffin covered on this little dish--wouldn't you just love me?! I would, LOL.

And...I made it! Well, I didn't actually make the glass--but I put the pieces together and created this little stand LOL.



This little cupcake stand is comprised of three different pieces. The "stem" or base is a candle stick/votive holder. The cover is from a crystal cheese plate. And the plate is a cup and saucer plate from some fine china that my hubby found and drug home when he was a little nipper.

I've made two little cupcake stands by matching up treasures that I either had on hand or got at a thrift shop.






The second stand is a little china tray and and a longer candlestick holder.




To attach the candlestick holders to the plates I used an adhesive I got at Hobby Lobby called Amazing Goop. On the tube it says that it "glues whatever bonds forever"! The pieces are stuck pretty good, LOL!

Remember a while back I posted a little Halloween goodie box with a handle that I made from a jello box? Well here is another version with a little cupcake on it!





And here is another gift bag from the pattern I used yesterday--and this one is my favorite!! I love the colors and the fabric!! And yes...notice the polkies.




So ends show and tell for today. And yes...still more to come, so stay tuned! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.

Yvette

Hello, Again!

Ok--feeling a little bit more on track since my last post. Fed Ex has come and gone, and we're glad--and it wasn't the end of the world, LOL! We are by no means riding on easy street at the moment, but...it'll be ok. One day at a time. To those of you who left kind and encouraging words...

thank you!

My husband received a phone call from UPS about a week before his end date with Fed Ex! So--he is now employed by the former competition, LOL! They first called him to see if he would drive for the Christmas season, and then called back the next day to say that they wanted to hire him as a full part-time employee! So, at the moment--money and hours are weak (and no benefits...)--but potential is good!! There are several guys here that are slated to retire in the not to distant future (whatever that means!). He started his training with UPS the very next Monday after he quit Fed Ex--so he didn't even skip a beat (and I admit that was good for moi). I'm still not sure how we are going to make ends meet--but I have faith that we will!

Stamp club is this coming Tuesday, so I actually sat down and played a little today. But, part of the reason I haven't posted anything lately is because I needed batteries for my camera (which really needs to be replaced...)! So, we finally remembered to pick some up and I could take some pics of recent projects. Most of my playing has been with fabric lately (working at the fabric store renewed my interest in sewing, LOL!), and I have some trash to treasure type projects too. I have quite a few projects so you will actually be hearing from me the for next little while--amazing...I know!

So, here we go!

The first thing I have to share is a little sewing project. I love Moda Bakeshop (which is where I found the pattern for this little gem)! If you are interested, go here. The finished bag (including handle) is about 9.5" tall, 6" wide, and a couple inched deep. I have another (my favorite) that I will share on another day.



Next project is a little card that I made to go with one of the above gift bags. And yes...the green tape measure print is fabric which was used on the bag (no pics because I gave the bag away before I could take pictures!). The bag that went with this card had a pumpkin print for the main body of the bag, the green tape measure fabric was the pleated "ruffle" around the top and I can't remember what I used for the handle!





And the last project is a repurposed item--not really a trash to treasure, but kind of. A couple of years ago I bought a stack of amber glass dishes for $3 at a yard sale. There were dinner plates, a big serving bowl, some cups and saucers, and bowls. So--this tiered platter is one of the bowls, and a dinner plate that I glued together with some mega glue! And...I think it's a match made in heaven. I love it!!




And that is it for today! Watch for me the next few days--because I will be back to share more. I don't know about you all...but I am getting excited about Thanksgiving and Christmas. The spirit is infectious! Love the holidays. Anyway...enjoy the rest of your weekend--hope it's ducky!!

Yvette

Wow!

I have nothing new to share as far as projects and art go at the moment...so I decided to share a recipe and a few blasts from the past!

Last year for my September class we did a really fun Halloween project--the infamous "BOO"! The girls who made it loved it (at least they seemed to) as much as I did--so I thought I would share it with you all again.

and I still love this Halloween origami box...






We all know how I love polka dots! They DO seem to speak to me, LOL!!

Aaaaahhhh, and this was taken one year ago today...




That seems like a lifetime ago.

Life can change so much in one years time. And one just never knows! And that is a very big part of the reason I have been MIA so much lately on my blog. Life throws lots of little curve balls, and there are lots of little bumps in the road...but on occasion there are stinkin' DETOURS!! The past 10 months we have been winding through a dang detour--and we are just now getting to the really frustrating/scarey part. No one is sick thank goodness (not physically anyway!)--I don't want that detour. But, my husband is going to be out of a job in 20 days. Which means no money, no insurance, yada yada. And we surely can't live on my wages, LOL! Stress levels have been at an all time high for us for obvious reasons. And emotions run high, energy low...you know what I mean! At this point, I am as eager for him to be done as he is. WHY you're saying--are you crazy?! No, but there comes a point where continuing on a certain path is more damaging and painful than changing course. Change terrifies me, no insurance even more so!! But his job has run its course, and because of certain things (or aka people)--we are done. And that is not the royal "we"...I seriously mean we are both done with his job, LOL!! 14 years for nada. It's disgusting, and really frustrating. So, I have not had the energy or enthusiasm to play very much--life has sucked me dry at the moment. And I am changing jobs again here too. I loved my little stint at the fabric store...but it didn't love me very much. I have fibromyalgia, and who knew that the fabric store would make me flare so much--not I. Between being on my feet ALL day, and lugging bolts of fabric around...aaaahhh--it has been really bad! So, in an effort to reduce stress (physically and emotionally) I am going back to my old job at the school--non instructional para (making copies, and projects, etc. for teachers). It is half days, so I won't be on my feet as much. And I can still sub 1/2 days on occasion if they need me. I am thankful for my short time at the fabric store though...I loved my boss (and I really, really loved helping people match fabrics and put things together!!!). And I have a rekindled interest in sewing!

I always try to find something postive in everything--sometimes it is harder than others, and sometimes it takes me a while longer...but eventually I can see something good that came from the situation--it might be a lesson that I learned, or that it strengthened me in some way! I believe that is why Heavenly Father tells us to endure to the end. If it doesn't kill ya...it can only make you stronger, LOL. At the moment I am still looking for something good to come from this experience though. But, I know it won't kill me--so that can only mean it will make me stronger!!

I don't really like to spill about my personal life on my blog because I am a pretty private and reserved person, but I have to say that it kind of feels good to spill once in a while! I am a bottler by nature--I bottle things up! But sometimes ya just gotta open the bottle, LOL! Sorry.

I hope you have a great weekend--I am!

Yvette

EDIT: I got so caught up in opening my "bottle" I forgot to share my recipe! This is killer--and if I didn't tell you it was zucchini--you would totally think it was apple crisp!

(I Can't Believe It's) Zucchini Crisp

8-10 c. zucchini, peeled, seeded, and sliced (to resemble apple slices)

2/3 c. lemon juice

1 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

Cook zucchini in lemon juice until tender then add sugar, spices and vanilla. Simmer. Mix 1/4 c. sugar and 1/4 c. flour together and add to zucchini to thicken. Pour into 9 x 13 pan.

topping:

1 1/2 c. flour

1 1/2 c. quick oats

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. butter

Cut together until coarse crumbs and pour over top of "fruit" mixture. Bake at 375 for 45 min.

Kraft cards

Just popping in to share a couple of cards I made last week when I was preparing for stamp club! The theme was "kraft" (as in kraft colored paper). I love kraft paper, and there are a couple of bloggers that I love who use it ALL the time and use it perfectly with very charming results! If you haven't had the pleasure yet...you HAVE to go visit them (you won't be sorry!): Heather Nichols, Michelle Wooderson, and Danni Reid .

This first card was my first attempt for stamp club, and it was just ok for me--it didn't make the cut.




Luckily my second attempt was the keeper card! Sometimes I make quite a few before I find my keeper, LOL!




And this last one...I was purely messing around with the left overs after I finished my cards!



I love the patterned paper I used in all three cards--it's from a Cosmo Cricket kit that I got from QVC (I think). But then again...I just love Cosmo Cricket paper PERIOD! Anyhoo--that is all I have for ya! Hope your week started off good--and finishes even better.

Yvette