I have decided to quilt along with the Craftsy.com with Amy Gibson. Her new class The Craftsy Block of the Month is inspiring and exciting. And it is FREE!!!!! learn two new blocks each month with great videos and instructions. Join me!!!!

You know the old story that your hair dresser knows it all….well I guess she does. I told her that I admired her funky furniture and she said she got it cheap from Craigs List. Since I wanted a new entry hall sideboard table we checked it out. Nice stuff, great price…. I have to keep my eye out for great deals…..some great examples of the fun stuff out there….. not quite perfect, but keeping my eye out for the good stuff!!!

The theme for Christmas this year is handmade items only…. oh dear… as you can imagine I have to start now if I plan on finishing on time. Here are some thoughts:

Women Gifts:
spa cloths wrapped in a pretty ribbon
scarfs
cowls
handmade cards
aprons
felted purse with felted flowers
headbands with flowers
tote bags
kitchen set (hotpads, dish cloths, scrubbies)
coffee cozies
mug rugs
pin cushions and mini sewing kits

Men Gifts:
BBQ apron and rubbing spices
puzzles made from their favorite photos (taken by them)
manly scarfs
itouch cozy
homemade treats
ski caps

Any additional ideas are welcomed!!!!

I took a class from Renee Pearson that teaches you how to create your own templates. I decided to take a stab at it. I figured most layouts can be found in the nearest magazine.

Here is my inspiration:

From this I created this template

Finally, this is what the template looks like with papers and photos added!!!! I Love it!!!!

I am taking a Collage 101 Class from Renee Pearson (www.reneepearson.com) and I have learned so much about photoshop elements. Using filters, blending modes and brushes. Here is my background using a picture of honeycomb and great brushes by Anna Aspnes.

I wanted to play around on Photo Shop Elements today. So I created this page of my niece Hannah. She is so pretty and photogenic.

I decided for week 2 that I would not actually make a calendar, but play with the fact that time is so fleeting for me that there is no point in having a calendar.   I rarely put pictures of me in my art work, but I decided I would be the Time Fairy on this layout.

Here we are.  Week one.   The theme, choose one word.   Similar to Ali Edwards, I wanted to focus on one word for the year.  The one thing that was nagging at me is that I rarely seem to finish any of my projects.   So I decided that the word should be “ACHIEVE”.   This word means a lot to me as I hope to finish this year long project, as well as all the other projects I have around my craft room.

I always bite off more than I can chew…  always…

I joined a fun new weekly inspiration class called “Art Journal Caravan” hosted by  www.Scrapbookgraphics.com and Tangie Baxter.  It is a weekly explorationof new kits and ideas embracing Art Journaling.  I have always admired Art Journals but feel I am tooo….hmmm… structured to really excel in this medium.   So lets throw off the shackles and try Art Journaling.  At least for a year!!

Every Christmas I insist my sister Elaine make her famous pralines….  here is the recipe

• 2 cups light brown sugar
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup pecan halves
• 1/2  teaspoon vanilla

Combine brown sugar and cream in a large saucepan.  Stir until the sugar is melted hen boil to 236f (soft boil stage).

Remove from fire and stir in vanilla and pecans.   Stir until the mixture begins to thicken and becomes sugary (you can taste the sugar).  Let the mixture cool somewhat before large spoonfuls of pralines on silicon sheets (or wax paper on cookie sheets).

When completely cool, wrap each piece in a cellophane bag.  They are delicate so be careful when stacking.

Best made when no moisture in the weather.