cards and more cards

So, I've been inspired to make cards, since I got all that new stuff. I also had a card making evening with a friend.

Question: who is it appropriate to give a card to that says 'you're my favorite thing'? I bought the stamp because I liked it, now I made two cards, but I feel like the only person I can give them to is Michael. Would it be weird if I gave them to anyone else?

I also discovered that I have several 'e' stamps, so I thought I would use one in conjunction with my usual 'handmade' stamp on the backs of my cards. I just can't decide which one I like best. Take a vote and tell me which one you like. I'd open to suggestions on the positioning of the 'e' too.

chimes and gift card

When I finished my time at Siloam, I got a gift card for Michael's. What a perfect gift! I finally went an spent it! I had a blast shopping!

The spoils, great paper, stamps, paper flowers and punches!

We got these lovely chimes on our last truck trip together down in Florida. Sometime before Dan and Jenn moved away they fell down because the strings broke. The chimes came down and found their way into the land of 'things to fix' of which very few things ever seem to come out of around here.

Well, they finally got fixed! I love hearing them while we sit in the backyard on the deck. There not your average chimes, they don't sound tinkly, they sound like church bells.

creamed honey & other random things

So, I got a good deal on some honey, but it was all nasty and crystallized. I happen to love creamed honey the best, so I did a little internet research to find out how it's made. All those things you think about cream being added or egg whites, or it just being whipped like crazy? False.

Creamed honey is actually crystallized honey, but it's done in a controlled way, to create really tiny and smooth crystals that feel good on your tongue.

There's lot of great websites out there with really great instructions, but basically you warm your yucky crystallized honey until all the crystals are melted. Then you stir in some creamed honey that is crystallized the way you like it and store it in a cool place for a couple of weeks (about 54 degrees fahrenheit). When you check on it you will find it has all turned into the lovely creamed honey you stirred in.

Cool, no?

I've recently acquired some new 'manly' stamps, so I set out to try them.   

I ended up only making one 'man card' and playing more with the other free flowers & cute sayings set, but here's my handiwork.

another round of FO's

I had a card making day with my friend Melissa. I managed to produce a few cards in a couple of hours.

Then I made a diaper sleeve at the request of my cousin. Who was tired of having diapers jump out of her purse when she was pulling other things out.

A make up bag. Seriously, this has got to be one of my favorite things to sew right now. Thanks Colleen for the inspiration!

  

Mittens! To go with the lovely floppy hat I made for my sister.

kijiji you make me happy!

so, i've been watching for ikea stuff on kijiji. (dangerous, i know). when the most perfect piece popped up. in the color that matches all the rest of our lovely furniture, a wardrobe was posted. i looked at it, and thought, i bet you with those dimensions it would fit in the corner of the kitchen!

see, since we have tenants again, i have given up my crafting space. i have to say i've not been too happy about that. my mind was thinking of the possibilities. all my crafting goodies stores right next to the table where i do them. what a fabulous idea. so, i showed it to michael, he figured it would fit and thought it was a good idea (i think it's just because it meant he could reclaim a couple of closets in our house).

so, we looked at it, bought it and michael set it up!

tada!

i still have to move in and get organized, but for now i just shoved stuff in. for such relatively small dimension 24" x 21" it feels downright cavernous!

when i buy bins and get it sorted out, i'll post it again.

card making...

One of the things on my to do list this summer was work at making cards so that I would have a stash ready for the times when I'm busy during the school year and need a card ASAP. I know to some of you this is totally normal and common sense, but I've always found it hard to make cards without a person in mind for the inspiration. I also acquired some "new to me" slightly used stamp sets with some birthday money (thanks Dad!) I think they will pay for themselves quite quickly! So, here's samples from my first attempt (I have to confess that these are all borrowed ideas).

I was trying really hard to make some "manly" cards, that's why there's so many with leaves on them. I figured a guy could appreciate a leaf better than a flower or butterfly, but Michael informed me that guys don't give two hoots about leaves. According to Michael manly cards would have wheels and chrome and trucks and tools on them. Thus far, I haven't discovered or invested in such a stamp set, does one even exist?