Plaid for the Holidays!



click on photo to enlarge



I really like giving food gifts during the holidays.  These medium sized gable boxes are the perfect size to fit a group of three or four items.  Some combinations could be beer bread mix, small jars of jellies, herbed butter spread and little spreader.  For those with cihldren a gift of cookies (or cookie mix), homemade candies, fudge or brownies, holiday napkins and maybe some cocoa mix.  Or, for families who have movie night or game night, you could put some salty snacks, a few boxed candies (like at the movie theater), packages of popcorn, popcorn boxes and napkins.  Hobby Lobby carries packages of popcorn boxes and bags with matching napkins that are so cute (red striped just like at the movie theater). 

I used the new Hallmark gift wraps to cover around the box.  I'm CRAZY for these handsome, masculine plaids!!!  And the plaids are versatile because the print is great for men or women.  You could cover only the front of the box if you wish, but I covered all four sides.  Their paper is thicker than most others, but it is still a bit fragile, compared to scrapbooking paper and cardstock.  I recommend you use a really good glue stick to adhere the paper to the box.  I used a Stampin Up glue stick (the best around) after wasting time using a cheapie glue stick that made a mess and left bumps, etc.  Also, for those who have a brayer, I recommend you use the brayer to push the paper flat when gluing it to the box.  I mostly use my brayer to apply ink to paper or labels in order to change their color, but it really works great to force a good seal between paper and a box, or card front to card base.



click on photo to enlarge


One gable box was decorated using different stamps (rustic plaid box) but I also wanted to show that you could instead use store bought die cuts and stickers to really make the project quick and easy so two of the boxes used packaged die cuts.  I'm also showing different ways you could decorate the handle....but you could leave the handle bare if you wish. 

You can't tell from the photos, but two of the gable boxes are covered with rustic wood print on the top portion....drats, a really cute look in person but doesn't show in the photos so well).

In the County -- click on photo to enlarge



 

I like that plaid paper so much (that cabin look again) so I made a couple of rosettes, just to see how I would like the plaid.  I am a plaid kinda girl so I don't think there's any way to mess up when it comes to plaid.  Oh, and don't be afraid when working with plaid or a masculine print, to add some feminine touches just to add a little interest!  Poinsettias and plaid are a good look.  Also, although you cannot see it, there is a lot of glitter on the rustic post card box, which adds that little bit of feminine touch to the project.

Hope you have a Glad Plaid Day today!!!!

The Cowgirl Moves to Arkansas

Something about all things western nudges me a little.  Oh yea, it could be that I was born and raised in California and Arizona, or that I spent most of my young life in the part of Arizona where old western movies were made, or that my school was located in Jerome, a ghost town.  Also, back in the day we spent a lot of time watching Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Big Valley and such. But I really think there is just a little part of me that remembers one side of my family.  I was raised by my father since age two and there was no cowboy blood in him.  But during holidays and summers I was often around my mother's family which included several who owned ranchs.  

"What's up, Partner?"



Where's that Devil Donkey?

But this story is not about my closet desire for cowgirl stuff, it is about a blind cowboy, his blind horse and his wonderful cowgirl mother.  I worked my entire career in Arkansas at a rehabilitation center for the blind.  I knew my career path would not lead me to wealth and material things, but I loved meeting and getting to know thousands of blind people from around the world...that is my wealth and reward.  One young man came to the center from Colorado and told many of us to just call him cowboy.   It was apparent a perfect fit would be the training program to repair small engines, lawnmowers, weedeaters, chain saws, etc. because he had repaired all the equipment on his family's 6,000 acre ranch.  He whizzed through the course in no time.  Due to intolerance of cold temperatures since his brain tumor, he made the decision to stay in Arkansas after completon of his training.  He is now working for a local tractor/lawnmower dealer and it seems to be a great match.

A couple of years ago Todd heard about a blind horse that was being kept by someone for the Humane Society.  It seems after three years no one wanted to adopt the blind horse.  Todd couldn't stop thinking about that blind horse.  What better person to own, love and understand a blind horse....than a blind cowboy!  The match was made in heaven and Roscoe is now Todd's faithful friend. Todd also owns three donkeys, Bonnie and Clyde, and their baby donkey, Daisy, several dogs and an outside cat.  I have this little feud going on with Clyde, the stubborn donkey.  We have been locked together, eye to eye, fist in jaw, with equal determination...me trying to get my clenched hand out of his mouth and he was determined to almost break my hand as he clamped down like a tight vise, refusing to let go.  Last time visiting there, Clyde sought me out and followed me around the fence.  He was hoping I would again foolishly lay my hand on the fence top!   It's now our little game...that stubborn donkey and this stubborn gal.

Todd's morning feed ritual is a sight to be seen.  He said when he gets the feed bucket down, Daisy (baby donkey) comes to him and he puts his arm around her neck.  Then Roscoe, the blind horse, comes to Todd and places his head on Todd's shoulder and then they mosy on over to the feeding area.  He says he did not train them to do that, but they instinctively worked out a mobility system that works for them.

My cowgirl work boots.

 Todd's mother is a "ring tail tooter" of a woman.  She rode a motorcycle to school, worked as a nurse, and met and fell in love with Todd's father, Daryl who is no longer with them.  I am spell bound when I listen to her stories of living in the west.  Daryl and Pat downsized when they moved from the 6,000 acre ranch in Colorado to a 2,400 acre ranch in Wyoming.  Now that her #1 cowboy, Daryl, is no longer with her, she has sold the Wyoming ranch and is moving to Arkansas and specifically our area.  Yep, the cowgirl is going to be close to her other cowboy, Todd, who although is blind himself, owns and loves a blind horse, and has a menagerie of other animal characters to surround him.  Now how much richer can it get than that!  Yippee, the cow girl is moving to Arkansas.  I plan to spend some time in my cowgirl work boots there at Todd's place, listening to Pat and Todd and going eye to eye against Clyde, the Devil Donkey.  

NOTE:  A few years back I discovered a great site, The Pioneer Woman.  Her blog has become quite commercial, but it is still fun to visit.  She was a city gal who fell in love, married a cowboy and moved to a ranch.  She calls her cowboy The Marlboro Man.  I have her two cookbooks which are GREAT!  Visit her blog by clicking here: http://thepioneerwoman.com 

Dreamin' of a Cabin Christmas



Repurpose an old feather duster



Some dream of a white Christmas, but my dream would be a Cabin Christmas.  It's been my dream for years to have a little cabin in the woods.  Knowing that dream may never come true, I can still get that feeling by decorating one room as my "cabin".  My bedroom is usually the last room to get decorated and the cabin decor will stay through January.  I wanted to share some ideas on how you can make some of your own natural ornaments for a tree or to decorate over a mirror, attach onto bed posts, etc.  The colors I use are not 100% Christmas because I use a plaid that includes citrus-y colors....oranges, lime, gold and a touch of red.  Lots of fruit and berries adorn the tree as well as natural touches such as woodsy "branch huggers" (floral/leaf boughs and picks). 



Dried Pumpkin Seeds (save your fall pumpkin!)



"Later on
We'll Conspire as We Sit by the Fire"





Fruit, berries and bows make great "branch huggers" 





Citrus-y colors are an unexpected touch

 Two things that make for a woodsy feel are using dried cones and nuts.  Here I've cleaned and roasted pumpkin seeds and covered papier mache eggs and shapes.  Don't be afraid to try other natural items such as feathers, dried tree moss, etc.

                                     

Branch huggers (fillers) with lots of moss sit on many of the branches

When I first began making and collecting my "'Cabin Christmas" ornaments I gathered twigs and then cut them into pices, tied them into bundles with raffia, added some greenery and then added the note that says "Later on We'll Conspire As We Sit By the Fire".  That says it all for me!  Sitting by a fire in a cabin in the woods is what I'm dreaming about.

Winter Wonderland in the Meadow

The Papertrey In the Meadow stamps and dies are a perfect fit to make a stair step card.   There are other sets that would be good to use to make stair step cards....let your imagination be your guide.   I've used many SU sets in the past...perfectly sized to coordinate with each other, etc.



Click on photo to enlarge for details



Again I'm using some of my favorite holiday colors: Handsome Hunter Green, Pool Party (sponging) and Poppy Parade for the wording Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.  I find I keep going back to that same saying a lot this year.

To make the stair step card cut a piece of cardstock 5 1/2" x 10 1/2"; score on the long side at 1 1/4", 2 1/2", 4 1/4", 6" and 8 1/4".  Fold so the card forms peaks and valleys.  Decorate as you wish.  The stair step card is a great shape for any occasion....birthday, Valentine's Day, or even just thinking of you card.



Middle and Top Sections of card



I would love to post a copy of your stair step cards...don't be shy!  Right now everyone is busy readying for the holidays so when and if you do make this type of card just send me a photo for the blog.  I'll feature some different folds for cards this coming year so you card makers stay tuned. 



Side view of stair step card


HO HO HO....Christmas is coming! Bring out the stockings, mistletoe, garlands and get ready for the fun and fellowship.   While enjoying the festivities, remember the reason for Christmas...the birth of Christ, the most important gift to the world.  Enjoy your day!

Frosty and His Flaky Friends

Here's a fun Frosty project that would be a good little favor for the holidays to take to meetings, add into a basket of other goodies, or use for a stocking stuffer.  Frosty and his flaky friends are cut from dies from Papertrey Ink.   Frosty is mounted onto a Little Debbie Nutty Bar.  TIP:  Look for treats and items that are individually wrapped and then build a project around them.

I like to use somewhat unexpected colors to add some whimsey.  Here I've mixed Poppy Parade with Blushing Bride, Pool Party and other colors.  The project would have been cute with the traditional Christmas colors, but I wanted Frosty and Friends to look as if some children just randomly pulled out garments from their closets in different fun colors to dress up Frosty.

The scarf is not from a die, but rather I used the "SU owl punch" and the SU large oval punch.  Yep, the owl's vest/chest was cut into two pieces to form the scarf ends.  I often turn to punches to create a shape.

Note that the little sign on Frosty is sending "warm wishes" (tee hee).

Have a great day today and keep the holiday spirit alive with friendship and love for family and friends.

Christmas is Love

The Little Drummer Boy carol touches my heart because he had nothing to give, but his gift was about love, not monetary items.  We all have something we can give to one another this Christmas, even if it is something we have on hand that we can share.  I'm reminded of something from a few years back, that I'll forever hold as a memory and reminder.

While driving home from work I was stopped at a traffic light and looked to my right and noticed a bag lady.  She did not have bags of "stuff" as you would think of a bag lady.  Rather, her coat was a large black garbage bag with a hole cut for her arms and to slide over her head.  Brrrrr.....it was one of those COLD, RAINY afternoons and as I sat there wishing my car would hurry and warm up, I felt very selfish at that moment.  I knew what I had to do, which was make my turn and return back to talk with the "bag lady". 

It was difficult to understand her as she mumbled.  I discovered later that she mumbled because she had no teeth, or at least very few of them.  I did make out that she lived at Our Way Apartments, and that she was waiting for the bus to stop and take her to them.  When I arrived home I went through my coat closet and found two or three coats that I had not worn in years and I mentioned the lady at work the next day and then ended up with about 14 coats.  I called Our Way Apartments and the manager knew who I was talking about when I mentioned the black garbage bag which she wore for a coat.  I asked the manager to arrange a time for me to take the coats to the apartment and/or their office. 

When I arrived at the bag lady's apartment and stepped inside I felt so humble and embarassed that I had so much and she had so little.  She mumbled something and left the apartment and I didn't know where she was going.  But she returned with several of the others who lived in Our Way and they all came into the apartment.  She put about three of the coats on (one on top of another) and I had to chuckle because she looked somewhat like the Michelin Tire Boy at that point.  But, then she twirled and twirled with glee wearing those coats and she looked like Miss America, wearing a big fur coat and big smile.  It didn't matter that she had few if any teeth....at that very moment she was Miss America!

Then she offered the other residents to pick out a coat or two and the fun began.  I was overwhelmed and it was time to leave.  But the greatest gift was the impression that the experience had on me.  It doesn't take expensive gifts, but the gift of love is the best gift of all.  And she definitely left an imprint on my heart that I'll carry forever. 

NOTE:  Our Way Apartments provides housing for those with disabilities and "challenges".  They are are on my list of people doing good things.

Now, please go look in your coat or clothes closet and see if there are items of clothing that you can share with an organization such as CJCOHN (Church's Joint Council on Human Needs), who distributes clothing free of charge to those in need. 

Been Naughty...or Nice?

Santa wants to know!  And remember, he knows if you've been bad or good....so be good for goodness sake!

This project is a matchbook that I measured and designed to fit the Ghiradelli Peppermint Bark squares that you can only find during the holidays.  The Santa image is one of my alltime favorites....I just love his rosy cheeks and that wink of his eye!  Afterall, he is the jolly old elf himself!

My photos are not the best, because there is glitter on Santa's fur hat band and the furry ball on his hat that do not show in the photo.  I heavily sponged Pool Party ink around Santa's beard and on the fur but they don't show up as well as I would like.  If you make this project, do not be afraid to add sponged shading in pool party or another soft greenish-blue tone.  My goal was to make this a vintage looking project so I stamped Santa Claus at a diagonal across his beard.  I love to look at old post cards and you will often find an ad or wording placed on top of an image. 

The matchbook is decorated inside and out.  The inside flap states "Santa's official Nice List Declaration from North Pole Documentation and then there are places to check off if you've been naughty, or nice.

The backside says Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Now.  As a little extra touch I stamped a miniature Santa and his sled and reindeer on the part of the flap that gets stapled and which holds the top flap down.  Just add a strip of dimensional tape or sticky strip to hold the candy treat in place.  For measurements and instructions, just send me an e-mail and I can answer it probably next week.

I am as busy as an elf right now in getting ready for the Mountainside Church's yearly holiday show on this coming Saturday in Hot Springs Village.  It's the only show I do and it has been a tradition that I put on the calendar so my friend, Lynda Boone and I can get caught up on our time together, chat about what's happened during the year, etc. etc.  Lynda is one of those wonderful women who is a friend to everyone and a mentor to all the young folks.  Lynda is a member of that church and has been involved in so many projects and programs in that church.

Closed match book, inside flap, backside of matchook

I know some of the ladies in HSV follow this blog and I hope to see some of you on Saturday.  Anyone else in the central Arkansas area would enjoy the drive down Hwy. 5 to HSV on Saturday so it would make for a nice outing.  For directions just send me an e-mail request and I'll share details and directions.

So back to the question.....Have you been naughty or nice????