The Seed Packet

I was asked to speak to the teenagers about sharing their faith. It was a challenge because, well because they are teenagers. After much thought I was inspired to create these "seed packets". Each packet contained:

1. We've Been Missing You Post Card
2. Encouragement card for a friend

3. Thank You card for someone who did something nice for you.

4. Ten Commandments bookmark
5. A laminated card with scriptures to memorize for sharing your faith
6. Thinking of You card

7. Betty Ugly tract


It's a fairly easy project. Just fold the paper in half. Fold the bottom up to make a pocket. I used TomBoys adhesive to affix the sides. You can use a hole punch on the side and tie it closed with a ribbon. You can find all sorts of items to insert in these at the Christian Book Store or you can make your own cards and inserts.

The teenagers liked them and we discussed the items and how you could share your faith but "sowing love into the lives of others."

Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers

I joined the Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers. I want to learn more about stamping and meet some new friends!!!! It's just that simple. Christmas is coming and theres a lot of inventory to be utilized.

When Projects Grow a Life of Their Own

It was supposed to be a very easy project. Just strip and stain one small table...humm but this is one of those projects that took on a life of its own. You know those concepts that should only take a day or two. Somehow they become a never-ending task and an obsession. This was one of those times when the often repeated question "why did I ever start this?" sums it up best.

This round table was found in the cubbie hole and I thought "wouldn't be fun to refinish it". It was dark pine and dreary. So it was sanded-sanded-sanded then stained and lacquered-lacquered-lacquered. Oh, but then I bid on some unfinished chairs at an employee auction and won four chairs. So I sanded-sanded then stained and lacquered again. Found four seat cushions, recovered them. Complete-I thought. Not so..

When the chairs were placed around the table--they were just too big. I settled on two chairs, put them in the nook and then made a matching cafe curtain for the hutch behind it. The hutch has all my stamps, paper, ribbons, tools etc. and the top pulls out for extra working space. But I still need a dining table for more than two people ...

This is the dining table which was also dark pine and needed the same treatment. After sanding and staining for what seemed like weeks, a new dilemma presented itself. No chairs! Why because the four chairs I refinished were still too big. I work in a furniture store and started seeing some pieces that would save the day and get me out of this mushrooming venture. The bench was amazingly affordable and the chairs were sold to me for a very reasonable price. This project is finally completed.

Did I learn my lesson--I don't think so because---

This is my next project. It is a hutch with very many slots for paper stock. I am deciding whether or not to paint it. It holds 8-1/2" x 11" size paper and will make a great paper organizer. So consider it under construction.

WHAT'S IN YOUR BACKYARD???

Every year the local photography club sponsers a "What's in Your Backyard?" contest. Here are a few things in our backyard starting with the most important of all .....

JACKSON!!

My Girls!!
Mr. Whitlow's Cows!Morning Glories

My Favorite Fower Pot

Autumn Rose

Daffodils
My husband and I took a walk around the property on Easter Sunday and found a patch of daffodills in a spot we had never seen before. They looked Glorious...





SO, WHAT'S IN YOUR BACKYARD?

Artisian Fare Display

Card Display

My sister, Linda, is hosting an Evening for Artiseans" next week. She has invited several women who design and/or make their "sellable wares". I had know about this for a while so I stamped a variety of cards and then made several repeats of the same stamped card. I had no idea of how to display them but purchased the mounting board at CVS and just starred at the black board for about an hour and though "Eureka"--I know what I can do--if I can just get the idea from my head into an actual finished work. I mounted the cards with brads so they wouldn't be damaged and attached my "bio" in the upper lefthand corner.

Next I covered the front and back of the board with pink paisley paper and reversed the border and then attached the wide ribbon with buttons which I tied on with yarn eliminating the need to glue the ribbon. There is the finial product--it looks like a very large clutch purse but opens like a gigantic card.

I made four of each card and we will see what happens. The display is in the mail on its way to Rhode Island where my beautifull talented and skillfull daughter-in-law will be attending --I am looking forward to hearing about what took place.

It's Not Just Paper

Oh no, no it is not just paper. Have you ever searched for hours for just the right paper (or any other item for that matter) for a project only to decide that you just can't part with it? I once spent two hours at Joann's Fabric just looking for the perfect sheet of paper. Yes, paper! No one can explain that obsession except those who know. We went to Keepsakes Fabric in Center Harbor, NH this past summer. The store was eliminating their scrapbook section and all items were 75% off. All items including embellishments and tools and lots of cool paper. Self control on that shopping event was not an option.

I have developed what I call attachment disorder. Attachment to finished items; supplies "I may never find this piece of paper again"; buttons and even ideas. I'm thinking you understand this phenomena. I may not spent hours at the craft store for a while but I know I will spend a lot of time trying to justify not using one of "my favorite" embellishment. Ultimately though love wins out because it truly is more blessed to give than to receive.

Gift Pack Assortment

My sister loves home made cards. For her birthday I made a variety pack and an assortment envelope. It was a lot of fun. Buttons were attached to the envelope with ribbon and open and closes easily. I used a large ribbon to make a package presentation. She really really liked it .

Ribbon Box

This ribbon box was purchased at Keepsakes Fabric Shop in Center Harbor, New Hampshire on a recent trip in May. All their scrap booking items were on sale for 75% off--what temptation!!! The box was unfinished. I painted it a mint green and embellished it with these cutesy buttons. It is a great for storing those end cuts ribbons that can be used for smaller detailing.