Skinny Strawberry Notepad

This fun sized notepad fit will perfectly in your purse.

Cut solid green cardstock 5.5" x 8.25". Score at 2 5/8" from each long side. Fold on score marks.
Cut designer paper at 2.5" and the length whatever size you want to fit the front. Apply patterned paper to green piece front with Powerbond Adhesive as shown in photo.
Apply Powerbond Adhesive to small green check and adhere to front, top and back of notepad. Adhere notepad to inside green piece with Powerbond Adhesive .

I cut flap shape with my Cricut. If you would like this file send me an e-mail with your e-mail and I will send it to you (this is a svg. file to use with your cutting machine).

Make 2 score marks in the center with a gap wide enough to fit around the notepad.
Apply Powerbond Adhesive to “back” of yellow scored piece from outside edge to the first score mark and a Fastener Tab to “front” and adhere and wrap around right side of notepad cover.
Cut Power Tab in fourths and adhere two pieces to button and adhere to yellow piece.

Apply Powerbond Adhesive to where you want to spell out “notes” to bottom right front and add letters. (this helps them to stay put).

Decorative cardstock, buttons and stickers “Coconut Lime” collection from Jillibean Soup, Solid Cardstock from Bazzill.

August 5-11 Menu List

Here we go for week 2.

Aug 5
B-toast with peanut butter, milk, orange juice
D-left overs (roll-ups were big last week, so we only hate 1/2 one)
cottage cheese
grapes
potato chips
S- swiss mushroom burgers
fried zucchini
 carrot sticks
Coconut cake & homemade Oreo ice cream (this is to celebrate Benjamin's birthday as this is the last weekend he is home. Next weekend he is in a wedding and the next Friday he leaves for college as soon as he gets off work. He stays in town so we don't see him much.)
Snack: strawberry poptarts

Coconut Cake
1 white cake mix
4 eggs
1/3 c. oil
1 1/4 c. water
1 c. coconut
1 sm. box instant coconut pudding mix
Mix ingredients together as for a regular cake. Add pudding and coconut last. Bake according to cake mix instructions. Let cool and frost.
Frosting
2 sm boxes instant coconut pudding mix
1 pt. cream (heavy)  (NOTE: I used 1/2 & 1/2 this time and it was just as good)
2 c. milk
Mix together until thick.

Aug 6
B-cereal, milk, juice
D-leftovers
S-ham & cheese sandwiches, dill pickles, Swiss Chard
Snack-Chex Mix
Aug 7
B-cereal, milk, juice
D-egg salad sandwiches, fried zucchini, baked beans, leftover cake & ice cream
S-Salmon Patties, cheesy corn spaghetti casserole, corn muffins
Snack-strawberry limeade this was so yummy and refreshing on a hot day!

cheesy corn spaghetti casserole
1 can creamed corn, 1 can sweet corn, 1 stick light margarine, 1 cup elbow macaroni, 1 cup velveeta. Don't drain any cans. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook in crockpot until noodles are done. AMAZING!! I also add chopped onion

Aug 8
B-cereal
D-leftovers
S-leftovers(just DH & me for dinner and supper, so we finished up the bits of everything that had been left over)

Aug 9
B-cereal
D-egg, sausage, red pepper, cheese rolled up in sun-dried tomato tortillas
cottage cheese, peaches, left over cake
S-BBQ Pork, baked potato, carrots
first time making that BBQ Pork recipe. SOOO simple and tender it just about melts in your mouth!

Aug 10
B- pop tarts, milk, juice
D-left over BBQ pork sandwiches with homemade buns, veggies, peaches
S-chicken wings, pasta, veggies

Aug 11
B-cereal
D-ramen noodles, chicken, carrots
S-left over chicken wings, sweet corn, tomatoes, cottage cheese

This week's grocery list
grapes 1.28/lb         3.35
whole grain bread      1.50
potato chips           1.29 (w/ .50 coupon)
5# red potatoes        1.29
pork sausage  1#       1.89
mozz. slices           2.00 (w/.50 coupon)
strbry pop tart  8ct    .75 (1.50 on sale plus .75 coupon)
3# chicken breast      5.99
strawberries           2.50
5+# Pork Roast         9.44  (1.86/lb) I cut this in half when I got home and rewrapped them both and put in freezer. Will get many meals from this. I also RARELY buy meat for more than $2/lb. I really look for sales, cuz after awhile we get tired of beef and deer.
frozen peas            1.55
cranberry sauce        1.52 (not that great a price, but considering it's for a recipe for 8 I went ahead and got it)
feta cheese            2.78 (we like this on salads and use it sparingly. This will last several salads and I take salads a lot for school lunches)
whipping cream         1.18
butter                 2.66
                      39.69
                      27.73   last week total
                      67.42    total for the month so far (more than I would like it to be-I like to have a reserve in case there are some great deals, so need to be careful this week since there are 5 weeks. Although the meat was more than I normally spend and will make several meals that probably won't all be eaten this month, so will carry over to next month.)

OCL/May Arts Blog Hop

Today is the last day for May Arts and Our Craft Lounge's  blog hop. I am sharing a project the I designed for a Make & Take at CHA using Our Craft Lounge's Tea Time set and May Arts Solid/Wrinkled ribbon in pale pink.

I stamped the image on watercolor paper and colored with Tombow Dual Brush Pens. The papers are Fancy Pants.

Here is a list of the gals playing today. Be sure to comment on their posts for a chance to win prizes as well as stop by the May Arts blog for prizes given away there.

• Amber Hillman
• Deb Felts
• Debbie Fisher (me)
• Kendra Wietstock
• Lori Barnett
• Michelle Pearson

OCL/May Arts Blog Hop Day 4

Hasn't the inspiration on May Arts and Our Craft Lounge's DT been amazing? There are still 2 days left to comment and be entered to win prizes on both blogs.

I have another simple card to share with you today. I have a box full of scraps left over from CHA M & T's (Fancy Pants) and I decided to use some of them up for this CAS card (Clean And Simple). CAS has always been so hard for me to do, but lately, it's been easier AND I like the turnout.

The papers are by Fancy Pants. The sentiment is from OCL's new release Every Day Sentiments. I used May Arts Faux Suede Black Leaves to create a scallop. The soft suede fabric lends to the romance of the card. Then for a POP of color, I cut one flower from their Sheer/Woven Rosette's and tied a button on with Black String Burlap.

Here is a list of DT members playing today. Be sure to stop by their blogs and post a comment to enter to win some goodies!

• Michelle Pearson
• Broni Holcombe
• Debbie Fisher (me)
• Melissa Cash
• Kendra Wietstock
• Lori Barnett
• Stephanie Serrano
• Debbie Corbari
• Tammie Edgerton
• Amber Hillman

For OWL you do...

It's all about Owls on Cutting Cafe this week! If you know me at all, you know I love owls. I even have an owl board on Pinterest. Ü

I used Fun wth Owls and the new Chevron Fall Background Printable sets for my card this week. I colored the owl with Tombow's Irojiten Colored Pencils and blended with Gamsol.  Inspiration for the layout is from Kim Teasdale.

The twine is from May Arts and adhered with Mono Multi Liquid Glue. The rest of the card is put together using a Mono Adhesive Dots Roller. I even decorated the inside a bit.

It's the Olympics on Tombow

This is a very busy post with lots of info, so read carefully for a chance at some prizes. Ü This is a Tombow and Our Craft Lounge combined post and separate prizes.

This week on Tombow the DT is creating their own Olympics and we invite you to come and play along with us. There are prizes to be won! Each day from today thru Friday each of the DT will highlight a certain Tombow product. We invite you to play along using that product.

You will have one week to post your project on the Tombow blog in the comment section of each DT's post that you play along with and winners will be announced Friday the 17th. You can play and enter each of our challenges for a chance to win up to 4 times! Remember my motto...."You can't win if you don't enter".
My product is Irojiten Rain Forest Volume 2 Vivid Tones colored pencils. NOTE: This is the middle set only that you are entering to win.

These pencils are AWESOME! The lead is glued in to the wood covering, so no more breaking every time you sharpen them. Plus you can sharpen them any way you want, no special sharpener needed! I love them and love the colors they come in.

Since we don't have tv and obviously don't watch the Olympics, I had to do some research to see what events there are. I also found that the colors are red, yellow, blue, green and black. So I used those colors on my project AND used a sailboat stamp from Our Craft Lounge's Smooth Sailing stamp set.

The lid comes off and 4 rolls of Lifesavers are inside.

I created this Lifesaver Box using Cutting Cafe's template. The circle Lifesaver's represent the circle logo for Olympics and the sailboat represents the Sailing challenge at the Olympics. I also used Tombow's Power Bond Adhesive on the whole project.

This is also for the OCL/May Arts blog hop this week. I used May Arts 1.5" Black/White Twill Ribbon and cut it in half to tie around the box.

Our Craft Lounge has 5 prizes to give away from all the comments left on the DT's blogs, the OCL Blog and the OCL FB page from Monday thru Friday (midnight PT/3am ET).  Winners will be posted on the OCL blog on Monday, August 13th.

May Arts is giving away prizes too. Be sure to stop by their blog for more details.

Here is a list of who is playing today:

Debbie Corbari

Debbie Fisher (me Ü)

Kendra Wietstock

Lori Barnett

Melissa Cash

Stephanie Serrano

OCL/May Arts Blog Hop Day 1

Welcome to day one of the OCL/May Arts Blog Hop Week! We both have lots of fun and prizes in store for you. I will be participating all but Wed, so be sure to come back as well as check the Our Craft Lounge & May Arts blogs daily for chances to win great prizes.
My first project is very simple. I've been doing simpler cards lately AND flat ones that don't require extra postage. This card uses May Arts 1.5" Turquoise/White Twill Ribbon.

I used OCL's new Every Day Sentiments and Cutting Cafe's Butterfly Shaped Card file where I just shrunk it and cut one butterfly. I love how this simple little element added so much to the card.
Our Craft Lounge has 5 prizes to give away from all the comments left on the DT's blogs, the OCL Blog and the OCL FB page from Monday thru Friday (midnight PT/3am ET). Winners will be posted on the OCL blog on Monday, August 13th.

May Arts is giving away prizes too. Be sure to stop by their blog for more details.

Here is a list of who is playing today:

Debbie Corbari

Debbie Fisher (me Ü)

Kendra Wietstock

Deb Felts

Lori Barnett

Melissa Cash

Stephanie Serrano

Tammie Edgerton

August 1-4 Menu List

Before I share what we've eaten and spent for the 1st-4th, I do want to let you know that we eat alot of deer (DH hunts), fresh fish when he can get away or when BIL stops by with extra from his fishing and beef (we butcher our own), so that helps the grocery bill quite a bit. We also have a garden (though nothing from it yet due to severe weather), apple, pear and cherry trees, gooseberry, strawberry plants and wild chokecherries that we get alot of our fruit from.

Also, I need to clarify something. The $200/month is for food only. I've rec'd comments/e-mails from readers thinking it was for anything bought at a grocery store. We have separate budgets for misc (toilet paper, shampoo, etc), fuel, entertainment (eating out), clothing, etc.
In case there is anyone out there who wants to try to live on less and/or cut their grocery bill, I will try to be as detailed as I can. I will list the menu for that day and then comments if they apply. If you have any questions, just ask and I will answer you all.

Because it is so hot, a lot of our meals are not going to require the oven. I am having to be very creative as I am so use to doing lots of baking.
Here is what we ate Aug 1st-4th. (B-Breakfast, D-Dinner, S-Supper)
Aug 1
B- Waffle Cinnamon Rolls
milk
fruit
I picked up a pkg of generic cinnamon rolls in a can several weeks ago in the discount cooler at our local grocery store for $1.39, a pkg of 8 made them 17¢ each. DH & I each had one and Aaron 2, so there is enough to have again. These were so fun to make. I will definitely be watching for sales on these as they would make great school breakfasts'. Quick and easy, just and add fruit and milk.
I had my setting between light and medium and cooked for 3 minutes (2 they felt a little doughy) and they were completely done and for a "fake" cinnamon roll, pretty good and a great way for a treat when it is way too hot to bake!

D-Leftovers: spaghetti with meat sauce, lettuce salad, and garlic bread for the guys chicken salad on lettuce for me
apples w/ caramel dip

When I make chicken salad, I usually bake a whole chicken and that is part of one meal, then tear up the leftover meat for chicken and noodle and this salad. So out of one chicken, we can get 3-4 meals).

The bread was free! Local grocery store (LGS from now on) makes fresh bread and marks it down day after. They mis-marked this pkg of French Bread for 99¢ with $1.00 off. I asked if that was right and it wasn't, but they let me have it since I let them know there were others marked the same. I just cut slices, buttered both sides and sprinkled with garlic pdr. I "fried" it in a pan and after flipping it once added a little mozzarella cheese.
Snack: Orange Julius, popcorn
Chicken Salad (I made 1/2 recipe)
4 c. diced chicken
1 pkg dry Italian Dressing Mix
2 T. prepared mustard
1/2 c. mayo
2 T. red wine vinegar
1 c. halved red grapes
1/3 c. chopped walnuts
Mix all together and refrigerate. (*note: I did not have the Italian dressing mix on hand, but did have Italian Dressing, so added that and less mayo and it still tastes great)
Orange Julius
1 6-oz can orange juice concentrate
1 c. milk
1 c. water
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
8-10 ice cubes
Blend for 30 seconds.
The apple caramel dip has been in the refrigerator for a LONG time! I looked at the date and it said "best if used by 6/30/2011"! BUT it was still very good.
S-Deer steak gravy (cut up deer steak fried and then a gravy made)
rice
green beans
ice cream
I know people who don't like deer steak because it is too "gamey". The "gamey" taste comes from the fat. DH does all our butchering and cuts out every piece of fat. It does have a different taste, but is lean and very good.

**No cost for today's meal. It was all food we already had on hand. "Shopping" from your freezer, cupboards, pantry is always best first so that food doesn't go to waste.
Aug 2
B-made rest of Cinnamon Roll Waffles
D-Aaron & I ate in town as we had lots of shopping and parts to get, DH ate leftovers
S-fried egg & cheese sandwiches
sweet corn
grapes
peach kolaches

Aug 3
B-bakery donuts
orange juice, milk

D-grilled chicken roll-ups w/ tomato/basil tortilla w/ swiss chard
sweet corn
grapes
tomatoes
cottage cheese

the roll-ups are easy, just fill with any meats, cheeses and veggies you have. I had 2 teriyaki marinated chicken breasts left over, grilled them, then added shredded cheese, sour cream thinly sliced onion and red pepper, chopped tomatoes, swiss chard and rolled up.

S-BLT's (used Swiss Chard instead of lettuce)
grapes
tomatoes
cottage cheese

snack-cereal

We have a local bakery that gives you a free donut/roll when it is your birthday. I hadn't been in town when they were open until today and he gave me 4 rolls! (Thank you Joey from Westside Bakery!)

My guys like eating cereal for snacks. I have a rule for cereal and refuse to pay over $2/box. This used to be easy, but now is really hard to find cereal for that, but if you are patient and wait it does happen. Local grocer had Corn Pops marked down to $1/box. I got 3...guys were happy. Ü

Aug4
B-cereal, milk, orange juice

D-sloppy joes
sweet potato chips
tomatoes
cottage cheese

S-ate at Pizza Palace to celebrate Benjamin's birthday

snack: Cheddar Chex Mix

Sloppy Joes were left over from 4th of July that I had frozen. There is still enough left over for another meal or 2. To make sweet potato chips, I just slice fresh sweet potato and fry, then salt with sea salt.
farmer's market sweet corn $2.50
kolaches                                3.00
sweet potatoes                       2.28
cottage cheese                       2.00 (.75 coupon)
farmer's mkt tomatoes          4.00
gallon of milk                        3.23
tomato/basil tortillas             2.18 (had $1 off coupon)
Corn Pops (3 boxes)             3.00
Cheddar Chex Mix               1.55 (.60 coupon)
Bakery Rolls (8)                   1.99 ($1 off for being a day old)
farmer's mkt swiss chard      2.00
total spent:                           27.73 (several of the above items are still left so will be used again in this week's menu)

(found out you can use this in sandwiches. Have
never had it before. We really like it. It was a LARGE bag full that will last us awhile)

Happy Camper

I have a new card to share with you using another new stamp set by Our Craft Lounge called Happy Camper. This set is full of fun camping images (including a mosquito!). We aren't campers, but I love the old vintage campers and would really like to have one. Ü

I had fun paper piecing this image. I colored the windows and drew in the grass with Tombow's Dual Brush Pens.

If you would like another chance (or two) to win the new stamp sets, be sure to leave a comment on the OCL Blog and the OCL Facebook page also.

• Prizes: Any comments left from Tuesday through Friday on any of the OCL team member blog post(s), the OCL Blog posts and the OCL Facebook page will be entered into a drawing for prizes. We will give away one of each set for a total of 3 prizes. Comments end Friday, August 3rd at 3:00 am Eastern/midnight pacific time.

Here is a list of the DT who are playing.

Amber Hillman

Broni Holcombe

Deb Felts

Debbie Corbari

Debbie Fisher

Joy Stagg

Kendra Wietstock

Lori Barnett

Melissa Cash

Michelle Pearson

Stephanie Serrano

Tammie Edgerton

Change

Hello! As I'm sure you've noticed I've been kinda quiet here on the blog. There is a lot going on in our lives as a family and personally and I will be sharing a little bit of that when I can. There will also be some changes to my blog, my creativity and personally. I don't really like change, but sometimes change can be good and when it seems that it is not so good, God has a plan and He knows what is best and in the end, it really is good.
I have been doing a lot of reading the past few months. One book I had been hearing a lot about is Ann Voskamp's book 1000 Gifts. If you haven't read it, I encourage you to! I am still reading it, but am going to be incorporating her idea of being thankful for everything here on the blog and in some projects for the new year (yes I know it is only August, but I want to be ready to start in on Jan 1st with a project  I have in mind). One thing I decided to start in on now is joining in on her monthly Joy Dare's. If you would like to join with me, you can find her calendar and dares here.

Another thing I have been seeing and reading about is living on a low budget. We have been doing this for years! LOL! The Peaceful Mom blog is about living on a low income and this one about a food budget of $200 a month! Yes you read that right. I don't like sharing what we live on, but since this gal shared and we have been doing this for quite some time now, I thought that maybe I could be a help to others who live on a budget and share how we live on $40/week grocery budget. So for the month of August, I am going to be sharing my food bills and menus with you to show you that you CAN do this. We are a family of 3-4. (4 when my oldest from college is home).
I "plan" to post each Sunday what we had for that past week along with my grocery costs. I will also share recipes & at times pictures with you as I know there are some of you out there that have been asking me to share more recipes with you. Ü

So stay tuned as I share changes going on in the upcoming weeks/months when I am able to share them and for Sunday as I start to share our monthly food/recipe budget.

Honeycomb Milk Carton

This week on Cutting Cafe, we are challenged to use any background set with any bag or box template. While at CHA, the little I got to walk around on the last day, one thing I kept seeing over and over in the booths was honeycomb patterns, whether in paper, diecuts, 3-D etc.

So I decided to go with that theme for my project today. I used the bee pattern from Beehive Shaped Card Template Set, hexagon background from Hexagon Shaped Card Set, and the plain milk carton from Assorted Shapes Milk Carton Set.

A local grocery store carries some heart shaped honey jellybean type of candy. I think that will be perfect to put in this carton. Any other honey/bee ideas?

Be sure to stop by the Cutting Cafe blog later today and see all the lovely project the rest of the DT created for this challenge.

Our Craft Lounge New Stamps

**this is my second post today. Be sure to scroll down to see the first one.
Welcome to the first of 3 days of posts using new releases from Our Craft Lounge! Today I am showcasing Every Day Sentiments.

My son needed some thank you cards and they needed to NOT  be girlie. Ü This was a great way to use up scraps. I will need to be making a lot more of these for May when he graduates too!
Here is a list of DT members who are playing along. Be sure to stop by their blog for some fun summer inspiration! And come back Thursday for 2 more projects I have to share with you. 

If you would like another chance (or two) to win the new stamp sets, be sure to leave a comment on the OCL Blog and the OCL Facebook page also.

• Prizes: Any comments left from Tuesday through Friday on any of the OCL team member blog post(s), the OCL Blog posts and the OCL Facebook page will be entered into a drawing for prizes. We will give away one of each set for a total of 3 prizes. Comments end Friday, August 3rd at 3:00 am Eastern/midnight pacific time.

Here is a list of the DT who are playing.

Amber Hillman

Broni Holcombe

Deb Felts

Debbie Corbari

Debbie Fisher

Joy Stagg

Kendra Wietstock

Lori Barnett

Melissa Cash

Michelle Pearson

Stephanie Serrano

Tammie Edgerton

CHA Folder

This is ABC week on Tombow and I wanted to share with you a folder I made for myself for CHA to keep track of all the important info I needed in one place. I am excited with how it turned out and it was so handy! It fit perfectly in the side pocket of my purse and everything was all organized in one place so I didn’t have to go hunting for the info I needed at any particular time.

I used Bo Bunny papers for the whole project. I adhered paper to the 2 pocket file folder (that was cut down to 8.75″ tall) with a Mono Glue Stick. I created a fold over flap and it closes with a Fastener Tab.

By using a 2 pocket folder, all you have to do is accordian fold it and start covering with designer paper and embellishements.

Here is a look at the inside at the first two pockets…

Here is the next two…

For the receipt holder, I covered an envelope and made a flap cover for the top and adhered with a Fastener Tab.

I cut the notepad to fit in the pocket with my quilting rotary cutter and cutting mat. The I cut designer paper to fit front of the “lip” of the notepad and to the back.

I also like to finish the back.

 

I hope you enjoyed this project and give it a try. You can make one of these and fill the pockets with anything.

OCL New Release Sneak Peek

BFB The Widow of Saunders Creek

I have mixed feelings on this book. It was very well written and easy to read, but the content was too bizarre for me. It was about ghosts, demons, etc.

Corrie Saunders moves into her deceased husband's family's home that is 150 years old in the Ozarks. There are witches, mediums etc in the area and family and believe the house is haunted.

It could be that these things really happen in life, but it was just too weird for me to really enjoy the book.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Epiphany Week at Tombow

This week we are blog hopping with Epiphany Crafts. The DT received a punch with coordinating epoxy stickers and charms. I rec'd products that create a small scallop circle...about 1" in size.

The products are easy to use. You slide paper in the punch, add the epoxy sticker, punch out and adhere to charm. You will need a different punch for each shape and design.

For my project, I punched a butterfly from some Bo Bunny paper. I adhered it to the charm with Mono Multi Liquid Glue and added it to my key chain.

I want to show you how you can use the epoxy sticker without a charm. Again I punched a butterfly out of Bo Bunny paper and added it to a Prima flower using a Foam Tab.

 

I added it to a journaling piece, that I'm not sure if I'll use on a card or a scrapbook page.

Play Ball!

This week on Cutting Cafe, the DT each got to choose a set(s) to work with. All the sets we choose will be part of the Cyber Monday special!
In honor of my cousin who is doing soooooo good since his accident and loves baseball, I chose the Baseball and Bat Shaped Card Set. It is very simple, but perfect to send a baseball loving teen!

Flip Floppin' Summer

With the temps so high this summer, it has been perfect Flip Flop weather! That was the challenge to the Cutting Cafe DT this week...create a project with flip flops. My card uses Flip Flop Shaped Card and Summer Mini Words.

Be sure to flippity flop over to the Cutting Cafe blog for more inspiration.

Give Thanks for EVERYTHING

I recently ordered 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp and it isn't a quick read, but it is very good and deep. The main point is that we need to find little things to be greatful for and by recording them, we have a much more peaceful and stress free life. That doesn't mean stress won't enter our lives, but we don't give in to it like we used to.

As some of you know, I've been getting ready for CHA. It's been crazy around here as the product for my classes didn't arrive until later than expected and it was rush rush getting everything done and Fed Exed today! I had left a mess on the dining room table and had to get the boxes to Kearney (1.5 ish hours away) to Fed Ex and checked in before noon. So I planned to clean up when I got home.

I had several last minute things I needed to get in Kearney and Grand Island so got those all marked off my list and got home....to a disaster! I wish I could say I entered with a happy heart, but I am human and didn't.

As I was grumbling about the mess, God reminded me of what I had been reading and to start making a thankful list...so here is my thankful list

thankful that I even own a home to be messed up
thankful that I have 2 boys to make a mess (esp since I miscarried 4 babies)
thankful that I have ketchup to be out (even on the floor???)
thankful that I have dishes to be dirtied
thankful that I have food to make a mess with in the house
thankful for my son that knows how to and likes to cook
thankful to have clothes even if they are all over the floor
thankful for a laundry basket even if it doesn't get used
thankful that I am able to wash dishes
thankful that even though it looked like a disaster walking in, it only took 20 minutes to clean up

Summer Pics

I have been very busy with getting ready for CHA (Craft & Hobby Assoc), cutting LOTS of paper, kitting everything for make & takes, having company for the 4th, turning a year older and every day life. Ü

Here are a few pictures of things that have happened around here.

first I will start with this yummy yummy mulberry pie that Benjamin made

decor around the house

pics from the 4th

at our house after parade

I meant to take pics of all the food before everyone went thru the line, but it got crazy. This doesn't show the ones who braved the 100 degree weather and sat outside at the picnic table to eat!

Flowers for my birthday. Thank you Kassy and Benjamin! I also got my favorite chocolates, a book from Kassy (Resolutions for Women) and taken to my favorite pizza place-Pizza Palace in Burwell. Homemade pizza and the best around. Wish I would have thought to have taken my camera there. Was sad to see that the place is for sale. I sure hope someone buys it and carries on the tradition.

and last here are the boxes ready to be shipped out tomorrow to CHA. This doesn't count the things I will be taking with me as well!

Happy 4th of July!

Today in the US we are celebrating the 4th. Our little village throws a BIG celebration. It starts early in the morning with sand volleyball going most of the day, parade, BBQ/picnics, then games for ALL ages, karaoke, ball games til dark, then awesome fireworks! There is food, homemade pies/ice cream, and fun for everyone.
Today on Cutting Cafe we are also celebrating this holiday. Be sure to stop by the blog and see all the wonderful patriotic goodies the DT has created. For my creation, I chose to make a card using this vintage image I got here. I used CC's Independence Day Backgrounds.

Autograph Books

I know tomorrow is Independence Day for US readers and I planned to create a fun project, but time just didn’t allow me to get out to the garage to cut some wood. I do want to wish you all a very Happy 4th for all US readers.

I am sharing a project I already had done. These are autograph books, but could be used for mini albums, journals, etc. They are very simple to make.

I used 2 pieces of mat board for the front and back. Covered them with plain cardstock for the back and inside front and stamped and decorated for the front. I adhered the cardstock with Mono Glue Stick.

I used Mono Adhesive Permanent to adhere the layers. The image is stamped and colored with Dual Brush Pens.

Then punch holes into the ends add eyelets and clasp rings and tie on ribbons. For the inside I just cut a bunch of white cardstock 1/4″ smaller.

For the above one I added a film strip diecut I’ve had around for a long time.