Keeping it Moving....

Moving right along..... 
   I wanted to share a few links, projects, comments, love and more today!

First is my friend Amy Power's latest "Inspired" magazine! 

This is available only online, and though it has been free up to this point, she is now charging a tiny fee of $3.30 per issue.  Go to Amy's blog, Inspireco, to get the details on where and how to get this issue. Again, I just love this online publication!  (See my side bar for the Christmas 2010 issue, which included an article I wrote.) Amy sent out a challenge to make a cuff bracelet from cast-off shirts, which she's included in the Spring issue.  Today she even has a drawing for one on her blog! 

Here's the one I made after being inspired by the Spring Issue!

I first had to find a shirt Mark might not want to wear anymore (lucky guess-hope I'm right!)  I cut off one cuff, left the other on just in case (LOL)...

The cuff was way too big and way too wide for my little wrist.  So I cut it down in length and width, then sewed on a newer, bigger button, making the button hole wider, too.  Thinking of Valentine's Day, I poured out some buttons for more embellishments.  (I was so impressed last night when Mark told me when Valentine's Day is....Monday!  Usually it's the other way around!)

In my white buttons I found a little Scottie Dog button, which I used by cutting off the shank on the back.  I used a strip of my red statin pleated May Ribbon, sewing it down the center.  I used three of my favorite words, which I had printed on muslin, and sewed them on with my sewing machine. In fact, everything I sewed I did by using my sewing machine (fast craft that way!).  I even sewed on the Scottie Dog!  

I ripped and gathered some contrasting red cotton fabric to spill out the sides. Then I placed the words so that I could read them easily, like reading a watch! I'm happy with my cuff bracelet!

(I stitched everything on the sewing machine on this one.)

Several years ago I was able to attend Teresa McFayden's Silver Bella.  One of my classes was taught by Rebecca Sower and was on stitching and making a cuff bracelet.  I enjoyed that class so much.  Here is the cuff I made there:

(I stitched everything by hand on this one.)

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Next up...  Melissa Runcie (Modabela blog)  is on week two of her 4-week online devotional called "Planted".  Last week (week 1) was "Sowing Seeds".  This week is title "Firmly Planted".  Melissa brings out new truths from these familiar Bible passages.  Melissa has a down loadable study guide, beautiful inspiring background screens for your desktop,  and offers an online discussion.  Check it out, and join in!

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Using Christmas ideas for Valentine's Day!

(photo from Heidi's blog)

I've been meaning the share this blog post about the aricle I wrote in the Christmas Inpsired issue. Heidi, Vacuuming in High Heels & Pearls, wrote about how she used my methods and ideas about cookie cutters to make sparkly Christmas tree ornaments.  I still have about 27 more Scottie Dog Cookie Cutter Projects to finish up, and this was one of them.  You can still open up the Christmas issue, use the ideas for other holidays!

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Just a question for some of you out there.  How do you manage to keep your blog post short? Once I start writing a post I seem to get so wordy, and add so many photos!  I guess editing is not one of my skills!  Next question, how many of you wanting to see more than hearts for Valentine's Day?  I know-- Valentine's Day is all about love, but what other icons could we use for *love*?  Inquiring minds...want to know!  I'm looking for some inspiration! Give me some ideas....thanks!   Another question I have right now:  How does a pair of glasses just come apart right on your face, and the tiny-tiny-tiny screw is no where to be found?  How does that happen? 

If you've stuck with me this far, you deserve a {hug}, you are a true friend!

        Blessings, Heidi

(linked to TODAY'S CREATIVE BLOG'S "Get Your Craft On","It's So Very Cheri Wednesday Blog Party",  Sugar & Dots' "What I Whipped Up Wednesday" , "Beach Cottage's Good Life Wednesday", Beyond the Picket Fence's "Under 100 Linky Party", and Cindy's "Show and Tell Friday".)

Paper Dresses

What to do with a pile of brown bags, scraps of wallpaper, scrapbooking paper, old sheet music and more?
        Make dresses!

Cut out a dress pattern, (or use the one from my Dress Pattern Kit here):

Pile up some stuff to use:

Sew, cut, glue, stain, etc:

Hang on a line with miniature clothes pins:

These make wonderful birthday cards, if attached to a blank card.  They also are sweet in journals, write about what's on your heart.

Here's one I made for Halloween last year:

When I was a little girl we always wore dresses.  When we lived where it snowed we STILL wore dresses to school.  Does this tell you my age?

Have a beautiful dress-y day!  Hugs, Heidi

(linked with 107th Metamorphosis Monday-Naps on the Porch
    and Tutorial Tuesday at Hope Studios)

Making Cookies

Just like cookies, I can't get enough of these grand-kids!  Last week I said, "Let's make cookies!"  We had a blast, but after just one round of the two of them rolling the dough, I put the dough in the freezer (for another day).  They had it rolled so thin it stuck to everything!  I sent home the batch of cookies they made, I know how much their daddy loves a good child-made cookie in the middle of the night! (Translate: touched, rolled, hugged and possibly even pre-tasted cookies...)

I had to keep them separted....lol...

I don't remember what John Mark was laughing and dancing about, but we had fun!

Baby Claira is counting the days until she can get her hands on some cookie dough....

Melissa said she thought I was brave with those two kids and that cookie dough!

Poor Ellie, she takes after me with a sweet tooth that won't stop at anything!

Have you ever looked at a heart?  Really looked at it?  John Mark can say he has!

Ellie tried out three different rolling pins...

She liked the children's sized one the best!

Have you made any cookies lately?

Blessings, Heidi

(linked to Cindy's "Show & Tell Friday")

May I show you some ribbon?

7 spools of fabulous ribbons!  all mine!

Where Women Create had a fantastic giveaway back in December called the "Twelve Days Of Christmas".  It was a fabulous twelve day run on artsy-craftsy ladies, with three giveaways a day. I won one of the days, which was a huge box filled with wonderful ribbon from May Arts.  This is not your cheap 3 for $1 rolls of ribbon, no, no...  These rolls are intended to be sold in fine arts and crafts stores.    And if I had to pick a favorite I'd have to say the red satin pleat, which I'm using now for various Valentine's arts and crafts.  It's so soft and pliable, perfect for small projects. 


With such exclusive ribbon on hand I wanted to start a few special ribbon projects.  I pulled out a cool ribbon book I have called "Ribbonrie", a Making Memories book.  When I flip through this book I want to just run to my craft room to get started! 

On my way to my craft room I tripped over a board I had set aside to paint.  I'm painting a set of these for a wedding but had a few extra.  I needed to go grocery shopping...so put all that together and you have, "GROCERIES".  (I listed it in my blog store if you are interested.) I've seen so many "groceries" signs around the web, I wanted to try my hand at one!

Another wonderful win!  I won Heidi's (Birds of a Feather) drawing for the new publication, "Where Women Create".  Heidi sent it off to me so fast!  I've been drooling over it all weekend.  When Mark saw it he said, "wow, that looks like your kind of magazine!"  So true.  The publication's creator and editor-in-chief is Jo Packham.  I don't personally know Jo, but I feel as though I do!  I have several of her books and I always love any publication she works on. 

Back to the ribbons.....my brown paper bag scrapbooks are the perfect place to start using my new ribbons!

Have fun creating! Hugs, Heidi

(linked to Between Naps on the Porch's 106 Metamorphosis Monday)

Altered Spoons {Vintage Silverware}

Vintage spoons and forks are so fun to collect!  I'm always on the lookout for them at thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets.  But I won't pay more than 25 cents a piece, at the VERY most!  I've made so many projects from them but my favorite continues to be the refrigerator magnet.  This year for Christmas I asked for a metal alphabet stamp set (like this) , in hopes of starting a few new projects, like stamping words for jewerly on spoons, garden markers and more.  So far I'm still trying to learn how to stamp with them. If I have hardened steel I'm finding they don't stamp well.  Also, I just figured out I have a SMALL sized set, I might need a larger sized set!  I'll let you know how that project goes, but it might be a while.

Meanwhile back to the spoon magnet.  Just start with a spoon.  First glue on heavy duty magnet with E6000 glue on the back.  This is the only glue that I found was strong enough to hold the magnet and spoon.  When you do this, just set the magnet on the table, dab some glue on, then set the spoon on top and let it dry.  If you do it any other way the spoon slides. Decoupage a pretty bird or two, adding a phrase or word on top of that. Add some moss, which you just wrap around your thumb a few times to make a "nest".  Then glue on a few pearls. Use pretty and soft seam binding to match and tie a bow to finish it off.  Fast and easy and fun.

Here's one I made a while back...

Have a beautiful day!  Blessings, Heidi

(Linked to  Between Naps on the Porch 105th Metamorphosis Monday and Cindy's Show & Tell Friday and Beyond the Picket Fence Under $100 Linky Party)

Creating Birthday and Wedding Gifts

One thing about being a crafter is I never am short of ideas for gifts.  In fact, I usually have too many ideas, then take too long deciding, and am late with my gift.  Can you relate?  This year there are 4 weddings that are planned (so far) of friends and family.  I'm going to stay on top of these by beginning to make gifts now!  My favorite wedding gift to make and give is my custom wedding sign.  I'm often not sure about the new couple's color plans but usually a black lettered wording on a cottage white background will fit in most homes.  Here are some examples:

I have done various color combinations, as shown here, white on black, cream on brown, etc.:

 (By the way, I offer these custom family signs for sale in my Etsy store here, or click on the "Always Kiss Me Goodnight" sign on the right side.)

For a birthday gift I'm working on I decided to make a small drawstring tote, to hold some special gifts inside.  The sewing up of the tote was a cinch, but the CINCH (drawstring) was not.  Let's just say, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed!  I didn't want the recipient to have to scrunch up the fabric, I wanted the ribbons ("draws") to actually draw!  When you pull on both side, it cinches up (or draws up).  It took me several tries until I got it to work.  The secret is to cut two lengths, then feed them in on opposite sides of the cassing.  I'd show pictures, but I'll spare you the details. Plus, I somehow messed up my camera card, as the camera is now not reading my card....grrr.

(image from BH&G)

Here's BH&G's site, explaining how to make one, "Easy Cotton Drawstring Bag".


I'll try to post drawstring totes when I get a pile made.  They are wonderful to make ahead of time and stock up for gifts.

Have a HAPPY weekend!  Hugs, Heidi

(Linked to Cindy's Romantic Home Friday Show & Tell)

Tuesday Tip for Painting Texture Tool

When I was a little girl my grandma made me OH SO HAPPY:

(This is my big sister in the swing, but it's my grandma pushing her,

as she may have pushed me, I just don't have a photo of it!

Can you pretend this is me?  Sallie, can I pretend this is me?)

(Now this is me, on the right, and my sister Sallie on the left.

We are standing in front of our grandparent's house;

I have so many good memories of our visit to grandma and grandpa's house.

In the online class I'm taking I've spent a little time going back in time...

to my childhood...)

As a student in Melody Ross's "Soul Restoration" I'm finding out there are some pretty cool things about myself that I didn't even realize.  I'm also learning new art techniques.  (You can't see any of the class projects or techniques, but you can go to the Brave Girl's blog here and see some fun artsy stuff!) I'm inspired to continue to create.  I can't quite figure out how many "student" are in this online class, but there seems to be a lot.  It's actually my first online class experience, and I'm really having fun.  There are parts that actually bring me to tears, but it is part of the growing process.  Before I began I asked God to lead, guide and direct me through this class.  He's been awesome in showing me that the attitude I began with was right:  give Him glory and honor what who I am and what He has made me.  He's shown me some truths that have been in plan sight all my life, but I never SAW them!  The Word opens up to me daily in new ways, with new Truths!

There are weekly projects, journaling, classes, lessons, encouragement and oh- so much more!  I had almost all the tools and supplies needed for the projects, and if I didn't have anything I could have done without, as it's all sort of free that way.  The teacher, Melody is the 6th of 9 children. I love that about her, as I am the 5th of 9 children.  So when she talks about her childhood I can really relate!  One thing she is is very resourceful.  I think that comes from growing up with very little and having to MAKE DO with what you have.  Necessity is the the mother of invention right?

In one of her classes about art techniques she shows a tool that painters use (I guess they use!) that is a small square with each of the four sides having a different edge to make various textures in paint.  When I was in town yesterday I looked for this tool in a few stores without success in finding it. When I got home I had an "ah ha" moment.  Duh, I could MAKE this tool!

(this is the first one I made, using a Cool Whip lid!)

I found a plastic lid and used my various shape edged scissors (like scallped, zig-zag, etc.) to cut the edges simple as that!  For the fourth edge I just cut out little pieces to leave open spaces.   Then I painted on my project and used one of the edges to "drag" back and forth through the paint. 

Here's one of the pages I made:

So, how easy is this?

One other photo I wanted to post is the RED plate stand I painted on Friday.  When I put my "Be Happy" plate on the red stand all the RED in the plate just popped out.  (Look at my previous entry and see how the green in the plate popped out with the green stand.).  Anyway, that was just a quick project...

Are you still happy?  Can you find a blessing in your life? Count your blessings and name them!

   Hugs, Heidi

(This is linked to Between Nap on the Porch's 104th Metamorphis Monday

and Hope Studio's Tutorial Tuesday.)

Be Happy Friday!

Just for today...Be Happy!

Sitting in the center of our kitchen table is this pretty Mary Engelbreit plate.  One of my sisters gave it to me years ago and whenever I look at it I smile.  I think of my sister and how cheerful she always is.  It is our choice to see things through *a smile*, so to speak, and that is one major thing this sister and I have in common: our outlook on daily life as seen through a *smile*.  We choose to be happy, and this choice is easy because of the joy in our hearts.

Oh, the PRECIOUS baby is Claira, at age 3 months.  What a doll! (She's our third grandchild!)

So the plate sits in a plate holder that I've painted a coordinating green to sort of match the plate.  I love to use these plate holders, as well as small "easels" all around our home.  I put plates in them, photos in them, homemade chalkboards in them, books and more.  But when you buy them from the store you usually only have two choices, unfinished wood or white. 

So just select a bottle of craft paint the color you like and paint away. 

FAST and EASY craft! 

I've got one out right now I'll paint RED today, for my Valentine's Day decor! I'll show that soon!

But for today, be happy...  Blessings, Heidi

(Linked to Cindy's Show and Tell Friday, and French Country Cottage's Feathered Nest Friday)



Creating and Restoring

Back in December on Where Women Create blog I won something.  I won a scholarship to a Brave Girls Club online class!  (The two sisters who created the Brave Girls Club come from a family of nine children, just like me--I have 8 siblings!) I had no idea what this club was, or what I actually really even won, but I was so busy with Christmas preparations I didn't have time to even out!  Then about a week ago my mail lady drives up to my door and toots her horn:  a package!  (You'd come to love this toot, too, if you had a chance! Don't you love surprise packages?)

The package was the initial kit for the Brave Girls Club "Soul Restoration" online camp!  "Oh ya", I thought, what was that?  Well, this package is really nice!  Starting off with a yummy chocolate mint (immediately eaten), to an office recipe (making today), to all the wonderful kit items, as you see in this photo.

Back to the internet to find out more...  The "Soul Restoration" is a 6 week online workshop taught by Melody Ross.  From what I read this is usually taught in actual "in person" camps!  You can read all about it here.  I think you can still register for the online class, even today, but you just don't receive a kit, but you can make your own kit, they have a great supply kit list here.

The online course starts tomorrow.  I'll keep you posted how I'm doing.  My objective is to use the creative tools Melody teaches to God's glory in my creative life.  (That has been one of my 2011 themes, in all I do want to glorify and honor God). I know there are a lot of hurting girls out there, either the result of what you've done or of what someone has done to you. Sometimes choices we (or other's make "for or to" us) make have lifelong consequences that we can never erase.  However we don't have to wear the hurt and pain on a chain daily. There is a way to restore your soul, and that is to go straight to the Maker of your life and soul: God.  He is able and wanting to restore souls.  He has already done something for you, and that is when He sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross to bear your burden. All you do is accept the Gift.

I was created in God's image!  He is the MASTER Creator, so I don't take it lightly to be created like Him!  To know and understand this tidbit of information is going to make going through the online Brave Girls Camp, "Soul Restoration", a time of refreshing for me. To know "it is well" with my soul is a joy.  I may not always be happy, but I always have joy in my heart.  I am a child of God and anytime I need to restore my soul I go to Him.

Late yesterday afternoon Mark suddenly said, "Grab a coat, grab your camera, get in the Jeep!"  Off to an adventure with Mark.  He drove us out onto the beach to view the sunset on the ocean!  I think I took a hundred photos.  He was hoping we'd get to capture on camera a red-sky sunset, which didn't appear.  But I do love the photos I took, there were so many shades and layers of blues, mixed with the shine of the sunset, it was beautiful.  It reminded me that my soul was well with the my Master Creator.

(Please, please, please click to enlarge and see the full beauty of the sunset!...)

Psalm 49:15 says, "But God will redeem my soul from the power of death, for He will receive me."  My prayer is that you know the power of God through His love.  Blessings, Heidi

(Linked to "Between Naps on the Porch 103rd Metamorphosis Monday")