Taking a break

no more projects for me for a few weeks. I am spending this week packing to move and then I'll be spending next week unpacking. Today I packed my craft stuff so that I wouldn't be tempted to "take a break" and do a project.

Recycled Business Card Magnets

I live in an apartment and it seems that Realtors like to pay visits to my complex often. Sometimes they leave their magnetic business card. I already have my Realtor when the time comes, so I pull off the card and throw the magnet on my fridge. I had a collection of six and I knew just what I wanted to do with them.

When I had photos taken of my son, I have received the "mini" photos (1.25 by 1.5 inch). They are so small and pretty much useless...until now!

I learned this techinique at my stamp club a few months back.

First, clear your magnet of any business cards (if possible).

Next measure your magnet and cut a piece of cardstock to match. I used a 1 inch square punch to cut a window for my picture. Then, stamp the card with the images of your choice.

Next, cover your entire card with Versamark (or whatever embossing pad you have). Then, cover with clear embossing powder. Then take a bone folder thingy and scrap off some if the powder making a cool design (I tried to make it look like grass). Then heat until the embossing powder has set.

Add your picture behind the cardstock. Use your favorite adhesive to stick the finished cardstock with image to your magnet. Enjoy from there!

I got carried away and made several. I'll keep one, but the rest will be going to family so they can enjoy looking at my little one everytime they get a drink of milk!

1st birthday zoo card

Stampin Up is ending a catalog, so they had a list of all of their discontinued sets, paper, and stamp pads. A lot of the ones I wanted were on the list, so I got a few. I used them on this card. This card took me more time than I'd like to admit, but my son was asleep and I was having fun. I think it turned out beyond cute and it'll be perfect for the "Zoofari" birthday party for our friends' son this Saturday.

My husband's aunt was in charge of making the quilt for the raffle for the family reunion coming up in July. She has two embroidery machines, but doesn't know who to write words. I have a Viking Rose machine and LOVE it. I also have a program that allows me to make designs. I went online and found a Mickey Mouse file, but it was too big for my hoop. I did a little editing and was able to just get his head and it fit into the hoop. I added the words to give Aunt Randie credit for her work and now it's ready to go onto the back of her Disney quilt. I can't wait to see the finished project.

Frame

I need a silver frame for my son's 9 month photo. I couldn't find one I liked, so I found a brown one I liked and spray painted it. The silver was very metallic and bright, so I lightly sprayed it with black to tone it down. I love the finished effect. The pictures aren't good, but I thought I would share anyway.

Finished Animal Split Nine Quilt

I pulled out the quilt top yesterday and decided that it was time for quilting. While my son was taking his afternoon nap, I laid it out, pinned it, and machine quilted it. SO much fun! My son woke up from his nap and I didn't have a chance to put the binding on until this morning. Then I washed and dried it so it's ready to be put away for the next kid that comes along...my son really doesn't need any more quilts right now! I love the bright colors. I had planned to use the same fabric as the large border to bind the quilt, but didn't have enough so I had to look in my stash for something that would work. The yellow is lighter than any of the other yellows in the quilt, but I think it still looks nice. Now I get to move onto the airplane quilt and then the train quilt for my husband!

I love Mod Podge!

I used to be a Mod Podge junkie and used it for everything. I haven't had it our in awhile, but I got it out recently and keep finding things to use it for.

For my son's first birthday coming up in August, I covered a tin with cute paper and filled it with magnetic letters that I got at the local thrift store. I hope he likes it! I love that he can use the tin to put the magnets on.


I covered a formula can a week or so ago with dog paper so that I have a cute place to store dog treats. I like to keep them on the counter, but I needed a cute container.I have a number of formula cans waiting to be used for projects...any ideas?

Hooded Towel for the pool

I picked up the beach towel yesterday at Wal-mart. I thought that is was so cute. I had planned on making a hooded towel for my son for the pool, but it was going to be plain. So I added a hood with "dinosaur" spines on it. It has been raining all week and has been a bit cold so we haven't made it to the pool yet...maybe next week!

"Lovies"

My son loves the minky fabric. He has a small "lovie" already which he holds and rubs on his face as he falls asleep. I wanted to get more of the same fabric as the one he has, but it was twice the cost as the cow print. So, I got a yard of the cow print and was able to make six "lovies." I'll keep one in both cars and one at his Nana and Papa's house. I love that the fabric stays soft no matter how many times it is washed.

New storage space

I saw this idea a few days ago and I was so excited to try it. My problem was I didn't have any wire shelving. Well, today in a whim, I stopped by the local thrift store. I picked up so toys for my son's first birthday--they need some work so I have three months to work on them. On my way out, I spotted a pile of the wire racks that I wanted! I was so excited! I threw them in my cart and headed home before I found more "treasures" that required some work.

I had my husband stop and pick up some zip ties for me since I was fresh out. I went a bit crazy with them because I like the zipping sound, but my rack shouldn't fall apart! I loaded it up with the stuff that has been piling up in the corner on my craft table. Once we move (at the end of the month) I'll be able to use it for more scrapbooking stuff. I hope to find more racks so I can add to it. I'd love more shelves for paper and another two cubes for storing stamp sets and such on. So, I guess it means more trips to the thrift store for me--woot woot!

It's done!

I finished America the Beautiful quilt this morning. I figured that since I had machine quilted everything on it that I might as well go ahead and machine bind it as well. I like how it turned out. I washed it and dried it and it didn't pucker too much! Now we just need some fireworks to watch so we can have a nice place to sit!

America the Beautiful--quilting

Once I got batting for this quilt I couldn't help but quilt it. I've seen this quilting pattern several places. I had so much fun putting in all the stripes. Now I get to bind it, wash it, and use it!

Wedding and Birthday Cards

These pictures turned out lousy--SORRY! The top card is for my cousin's wedding. It was inspired by the card that we made at stamp night this month. I LOVE the way it turned out.

The bottom card is for my brother's birthday tomorrow. I love ric-rack and I'm glad that i got to use it. I'm still working on my "boy" cards.

America the Beautiful

I am having issues with Blogger. The quilt goes the other way. So just imagine it rotated 90 degrees.

When I was pregnant with our son, I took my husband shopping with my to buy fabric for the babies room and he found some patriotic fabric. So it has been sitting in my stash waiting for me to make something with it. I decided that I wanted to make a stripped quilt. I started cutting. I strayed out of my comfort zone and didn't have a plan when I stared. I decided to cut each fabric into three strips of different widths. Then I held auditions to put them in an order that I liked. It didn't take too long and I LOVE the way it looks. Now I can't wait to back it and quilt it!

Van O Cookies

In celebration of the last day of school I made my famous chocolate chip cookies. They were dubbed "Van O" cookies a number of years ago because I can share the recipe, but they never turn out the same as when I make them. So, I'll share the recipe and wish you good luck!


Van O Cookies
2 sticks margarine
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/4 cup flour

Cream together margarine and sugars. Add vanilla and egg. Cream until smooth. Add dry ingredients. Blend in half a bag of milk chocolate chips. Bake at 350 for 11-12 minutes. Remove from oven and let it sit on the pan for a minute before removing to a cooling rack. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Mexican Treat

This is a recipe that I picked up about 8 years ago. I love it and it is such a special treat. It isn't good for you, but man does it taste good! It isn't "pretty" but it is good! Now for the recipe.


Mexican Treat

1 can fat free refried beans
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 jar salsa of your choice
1 pint light sour cream
8 oz grated sharp cheddar cheese

Spread refried beans in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Brown ground beef/turkey and drain. Add taco seasoning (add a bit of water to help it cover the beef). Layer on top of beans. Pour salsa on top of ground beef/turkey. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and spread sour cream on top (this is the messy part--it is hard to get it to go on top). Top with cheese and return to the oven for about 5 minutes to melt the cheese. Serve with tortilla chips.

I like to use the left overs to make burritos. Just add to a flour tortilla and eat!

Itch has been scratched

I picked up my family pictures and my son's 9 month pictures and since I don't see my family very often, I usually make a card to send the pictures in. So, I pulled out my newest stamps and paper and put together this little number. I thought they turned out cute for a "just because" card.

I'm itchin'

I'm itchin' to do a project, but it is the last week of school and my life is CraZy! Hopefully I'll have time for a project or two.

*As per the comment, I've added the picture of the card we made at stamp night*