Lots of new stuff

I've been a busy bee making decorations for Christmas as well as gifts for everyone. Here are my stockings, an elf doll, an angel I made for my parents and a cute owl.

Christmas gifts

Here are a couple of gifts I've made for Christmas. The hat is the Blue Sky hat pattern from Amy Butler. The placemat is from an issue of Quilts and More by BHG last year. The designer is Linda Lum DeBono. (I've also got her Christmas book and making my stockings). I tried to crop the pictures and they look a little crappy. It's early am and didn't feel like taking a lot of time to make them perfect. Anyway, I think the projects turned out quite nice (pat my own back) and will be making more in the next few weeks.

mmmcrafts: drum roll please...Molly Monkey pattern done!

mmmcrafts: drum roll please...Molly Monkey pattern done!

Download this FREE pattern. I can't wait to make this myself

Tilda Bathrobe Angel

I fell in love with the Sew Pretty books by Tilda. I had to make this angel. It really wasn't difficult to make, just time consuming. Her hair looks like mine in the morning....

Halloween Stuff

Since I've moved, my soon-to-be ex has not given me access to my things in storage, including my Halloween decorations. Therefore, I've had to make all new stuff this year. Here's a shot of the mantle and a close up of the mixed media picture of the Black Hat Society and the prim. wall hanging.

My First Tiara

I looked at tons of blogs etc and decided to make my first tiara. What do you think? I think it turned out kinda cute...

My new favorite blog

Here is a link to some AWESOME eye candy. I'm so inspired to make some tiaras and hats...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonfaires16/sets/72157604136359174/

Also, Lisa's blog is fantastic.
http://faerieenchantment.blogspot.com/

I'm hooked... I'll post my own art if/when I get around to making something

I've been busy

I've been busy sewing over the last week. Unfortunately, my son is still sick so I've been home more than I would like. I made the laundry bag at my monthly Amy Butler class on Thursday and made the dog purse and cosmetic bag this weekend. I sort of made up the purse pattern. I may post a tutorial soon. The cosmetic bag is a pattern from the book "Sew Pretty Homestyle" by Tilda.

Sewing-- Amy Butler Patterns

Here are a few pics of the projects I've been making at Dragonfly with the Amy Butler's "In Stitches" book. The projects are great and I'm having a blast thinking of Christmas presents. I love the magazine/bedside organizer. You just tuck it between your mattress and it keeps everything handy!!. The polka dot one is some fabric from Hobby Lobby and for a friend's birthday. The sewing bag is actually a Butterick pattern using Lorelei fabric and some stuff from Hancocks. Amy Butler fabric is really the most beautiful... Here is a link to a great site Quilters Buzz with pics of Amy's new fabric line

http://www.quiltersbuzz.com/2008/10/new_fabircsfour_colorways_two.html#more

Digital Scrapbooking Obssession

Okay, I'm totally obssessed with Photoshop Elements 6. Best program I've EVER used. I've been downloading mostly free stuff off the internet to make scrapbook pages. I want to design my own, but right now there is more free stuff than you can imagine. Here's a simple page I made messing around this morning. Page kit is from http://sweetshoppedesigns.com/ . I know it needs some work but I just love this kit.

Mini Backpack

Here is my first mini backpack I made the other day for one of my samples. I got the pattern and watched the video here: http://www.stamphappens.com/stamp_happens/2008/08/mini-backpack-v.html

Thanks Tonya.

New Saturday Morning Creations

I've been making samples like crazy for my first workshop on Tuesday. I needed new stuff to show since I signed back up with SU! Here's a fold out album. Will post the backpack later

Get out of that Pit!!

I've been reading Get out of that Pit by Beth Moore to help understand what's going on in my life and to get myself going again. This book relates to me so much because I feel like Job. Bad things just keep happening. I'm feeling sorry for myself and asking how I could have ended up at 48 y rs old with no job, no husband, no money and no self esteem. Anyway, here's the link to get a copy for yourself. BTW, this really spoke to me yesterday>>> Job 33:29-30
God does all these things to a man-
twice, even three times-
to turn back his soul from the pit,
that the light of life may shine on him.
Wow.

Stampin' Again

I'm getting settled into my house and desperately looking for work. It seems there's not much available right now except telemarketing jobs for $9 hour which is ridiculous. I'm getting my stamping stuff together and am going to have my first workshop in my new home September 16th. I'm also trying to plan a World Card Making Day event to make cards for soldiers. My website is here . I made this card for a shoebox swap at my upline's house tonight. My new favorite set is used- Upsy Daisy.

Internet at last etc...

I finally got my DSL hooked up today. I haven't left the computer for hours. I had so much catching up to do; job searching among the top of the list.
Plus, I rejoined Stampin' Up! last week and I'm so excited. I left for a few months during my marriage problems and moving but joined under my friend Stephanie last week. She signed up the day before I did and I'm her first recruit. It's a little crazy since I don't know anyone in this town to invite to a party but I just love Stampin' Up! and couldn't stay away.
See my new website.

My sister-in-law and I joined a monthly Amy Butler class at Dragonfly Quilts and Courtenay got so excited after she made her first apron, that she bought a sewing machine this weekend and we sewed for hours!! I made an apron in class, and then made a pin cushion and 3 lunch bags.
Why can't I just be rich so I can stay home and cook, sew and stamp??

Divorce Sucks!

I never knew so many emotions could go on at the same time. Love, hate, sadness, bitterness, joy and relief. God is working things out though and I'm so grateful for loving, kind parents who sacrifice everything for me and my children. I am so blessed for family and friends and feel so loved.

Lighter note, X Files movie was just okay. It was good to see Mulder and Scully. Just wish the movie had been about aliens or something a little more spooky. Still wish they'd bring back the TV show. That and Northern Exposure were the all time best ever.
I have tons of packing to do, so this is all for now.

More Artisan Bread

I just added a link to Artisan Bread after Mr. Hertzberg left me a comment on my blog. He and Ms. Francois are my idols!! I just had some more of my bread toasted for breakfast. Not exactly weight watchers but I'd rather eat real bread and cut out coca colas! I gave my mom this book for mothers day and have recommended it to lots of folks. Go to their site and BUY THE BOOK!

Fresh bread for breakfast!!

I've gotten addicted to making bread from my new fav book: Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day -- see blog at sidebar for Zoe Francois. The premise is that you make a batch of high moisture dough that rises in your refrigerator, then pull off hunks as you need it and bake fresh every day if you want. This week, I made the Soft American-Style White Bread. My kids like white bread but I HATE the gooey stuff from the store. This bread was amazing and the kids loved it. There's nothing like heel of fresh warm bread with real butter melting inside and natural cherry jam on top. Hungry yet??

Here's basically the recipe:

3 Cups lukewarm water

1 1/2 tbls granulated yeast

1 1/2 tbls salt

2 tbls sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

7 cups unbleached white , all purpose flour

1. Mix the yeast, salt, sugar and melted butter with the water in a 5qt bowl, or lidded (not airtight) food container

2. Mix in the flour without kneading, using a spoon. Use your hands just to mix if necessary.

3. Cover, not airtight, and allow to rest at room temperature until dough rises, then collapses appx 2 hours.

4. You can use immediately but best flavor if allowed to refrigerate at least 24 hours. Refrigerate dough in lidded, not airtight container and use over the next 7 days.

5. When ready to use, grease a NONSTICK loaf pan. (must be nonstick for this recipe because of the high moisture). Cut off a 1 1/2 lb chunk of dough with floured hands and shape into enlongated loaf.

6. Drop dough in pan making sure it fills pan more than half-full.

7. Allow dough to rest 1 hour 40 minutes (or just 40 min if using fresh, unrefrigerated dough).

Dust the loaf w/flour and slash the top with tip of a sharp knife (I skipped this step and it worked fine). Brush surface w/melted butter.

8. Preheat oven to 350.

9. Bake near the center of the oven for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

10. Allow to cool if you can stand it. I ate hot out of oven!!!

Sanity Saver

I was on the phone today with my pastor crying about my problems. He asked my about my job and amidst my tears I told him, "you know what's ironic? My title at my company is "sanity saver" and started laughing". He got a good laugh too and said just the fact that I can laugh is proof that I'm not crazy. I remember that old song in the 60's "They're coming to take me away, hee hee, ha ha, ho ho".

Countdown to X Files !!

Stomach Flu

There is nothing I hate worse in the world than having a stomach flu. I started feeling bad before we went to Jeff and Angies and by the time I got home, I knew I was in trouble. Starting to feel better now and even ate some scrambled eggs so I think I'll survive. Yuck.

**** Looking at the bright side of things, I lost over 2 lbs overnight**

Why am I creating another blog?

Well, my other blogs seem to be non relevant now so I'm going to condense everything to one. I may be the only one to ever read it but since I'm on the computer every day, blogging is now easier than keeping a journal. Life has been difficult lately and I've been finding myself depressed and feeling sorry for myself. A good friend of mine told me to have a good belly laugh as often as I can. He's right. I found that a good laugh and a wine spritzer can do wonders. Prayer of course also is instrumental. This blog is my attempt to focus on things other than my problems as much as possible. Escapism is a wonderful thing.

I spent this morning scrubbing the house which is for sale. Cleaned the oven and glass top, mopped floors and shuffling junk around the bonus room to pack up. Then, went to the house in Jefferson that we have for sale and swept and mopped those floors. Came home and made potato salad to take to the McLendon's tonight.

Here's the basic recipe I made:
Boiled appx 2 lbs redskinned potatoes
Then slice, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Mix in a bowl with:
1 sliced green onion

1/4 C chopped celery (optional) I was out anyway.
appx 1/2 cup mayo
appx 1 cup light sour cream
3 Tablespoons course grained mustard
2 Tbls real bacon bits or 3-4 slices cooked bacon, chopped.
Chill for at least an hour. Yummy