Christmas Paper Piecing

Everyone is looking for ways to get more out of their supplies and save money too! I think paper piecing is a great way to do this! It's a great way to use paper you think you would never use AND it's a great way to use scraps too! I found this link to 30 paper piecing templates (free-you may have to register, but that's what your hotmail email address is for), and hopefully you can find one you will use!

The link is HERE!

Should Have Taken More Pictures!

I feel like I take TOO many photos. I go to scrapbook or make a simple photo greeting card and I never have the right photo. . . is it just me?!??! I took 58 pictures at the Fiesta of Lights Parade. I took 15 pictures of my kids on the fireplace and do you think I could make any of them look like they fit in these digital cards?!!?! I should always take MORE pictures!!!

Twigs in faces or distort the image?!?!?!

Mikensee at the parade, Kids in front of the fireplace?!?!?! Weird!

This is supposed to be a vertical photo. . . ridiculous tipped on it's side!!!

I give up! One of these will just have to do, but which one?!?!?

I'll just call it INSPIRATION

If you have 20 minutes and a tissue click below and read about

Stephanie Nielson

You'll be glad you did.

Organizing Christmas and a Funny

Seems like I forgot this project in my previous post. These have been around for a while. . . A file folder converted to a pocket holder. Planning pages are from Organized Christmas. . . I just converted them to green since I'm not a fan of black at Christmas!

So this morning while getting Walker ready for school he asks me,

"Mom, what will you grow into?" (I understand Walker speak and knew exactly what he was asking!)

"Well, Walker, when you grow up and have kids I will be a grandma!"

Walker thinks for a minute and says,

"I don't want you to grown into a grandma, I want you to stay my mom. . ."

"You are growing up, Walker. . . every day you are getting bigger. You can clearly see you are not a baby anymore."

There is a long pause and then he says, "I want you to come over to my house then. I'll bake you some cookies."

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{BIG HUG!}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Christmas Goodies and a Christmas Wish

Running out the door (again!) but I wanted to post a few Christmas goodies before Christmas is over and done for 2009! Thanks to the numerous artists who inspired these projects.

Perpetual Keeping Christmas Calendar

Gift Tag Gift Set

A Minty Kiss For You!

Key Chain Post-It Note (if your name starts with T, it may be for you!)

Christmas Cocoa for 4

Mini Milk Crate - MMMMMMMM Good!

Hope your holidays are the best and that you enjoy the true spirit of Christmas no matter what the circumstances in your life happen to be. Christ is alive and well and that is what Christmas is all about!

Ho Ho Radio to Make you Merry!

Too nice to have playing in the background while I work!

Try it!

Ho Ho Radio

Hope you are decking the halls and enjoying the season! Artwork soon!

EDIT!

It didn't work that way, so you'll have to go HERE and then CLICK Ho, Ho Radio!

UP TIME!

UP TIME VIDEO {click}

Here is the text!

If you see injustice, STAND UP
If something needs to be said, SPEAK UP
If you make an appointment, SHOW UP
If you make a mistake, FESS UP
If you’re overstepping, BACK UP
If you get behind, CATCH UP
If they knock you down, GET UP
If you’re out of line, STRAIGHTEN UP
When your boss instructs, KEEP UP
When your elders speak, LISTEN UP
When your teachers teach, SIT UP
When your preachers preach, WAKE UP
When your country calls, MAN UP
Ladies too... WOMAN UP
When the fight is over, MAKE UP
If you’re being hard, EASE UP
If your heart is closed, OPEN UP
If you want to buy something, SAVE UP--
It’s not an entitlement, so SHUT UP!
If you make a mess, CLEAN IT UP
If you drop trash, PICK IT UP
If a car is waiting for you to
walk across the street, SPEED IT UP
If you’re cold busted, GIVE IT UP
If people fall down, HELP THEM UP--
Not the government, YOU STEP UP
If idiots start fighting, BREAK IT UP
If the music is wholesome, TURN IT UP
If the message is poisonous, THROW IT UP
If your words are vulgar, CLAM IT UP
If your words encourage, KEEP IT UP
If your pants are baggy, PULL THEM UP
If the belt’s too loose, CINCH IT UP
If your fly is down, ZIP IT UP
If you’re dressed half naked, COVER IT UP
If you can’t afford stuff, PASS IT UP--
No “bailouts” folks, PONY UP
If you made a promise, you BACK IT UP
And you can take your whining and PACK IT UP
It’s called personal responsibility, so TAKE IT UP
This country was founded on it, you can LOOK IT UP
It’s the American way people, so TURN IT UP
Because when life gets boring, you SHAKE IT UP
When life is good, you SOAK IT UP
When life’s unfair, you SUCK IT UP
When life is funny, you can YUCK IT UP
When life is sad, just LOOK STRAIGHT UP
And life’s too short people, so LIVE IT UP!

A Thought For the Day

Everything is always okay in the end;

if it's not okay,

it's not the end.

. . . a little something . . . Not Available at the "O"

This is a little gift that isn't available at the "O". I don't know about you, but that Overstock.com commercial is already on my nerves! This isn't that incredible, but a little gift for a friend - I have yet to make any of my own cards, but this is 16 cards to get her off to a slightly less stressful Christmas season. Money is tight around here this year, so chances are if I can't/don't make it out of my "I'm not a hoarder" stash, it won't be given.

If you would like to make a card gift box of your own, there is a very simple formula. Measure the length (L) and height (H) of your card. Measure the thickness (T) of your card pile. L + T + T and the H + T + T and cut one piece of cardstock to this measurement. For the top use the same formula adding 1/4 - 1/2 inch or L + T + T+ 1/4", cut. Now score both pieces at the THICKNESS measurement on all 4 sides. Cut one score line from each corner and for a nice flush edge cut a "V" from the cut score line. Glue tabs inside. For a standard 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 card with my pile of cards and envelopes meausring 2 1/4" I cut the bottom at 9 X 10 1/2" and 9 1/4" X 10 3/4". I scored on all sides at 2 1/4".

O, O, O. . . we'll let's just change that to HO, HO, HO and HOpe you are building up to a wonderful Christmas season with your family and those that are important to you!

Happy Halloween

I like Halloween. I'm not a Halloween junky like my friend Paula, but I like the cutsie side of Halloween. . . I'm sort of like the "Good Things" side of the Martha Stewart Halloween Issue. I think the "Bad Thing" side is fun to look at, but just not my style. Here are some Halloween treats from my recent Halloween themed classes. I know it's a bit late for Halloween, but most of these could be easily adapted to Thanksgiving or Christmas (or even Easter, the 4th and anything in between!) I made my very first computer template for the pumpkin box. I'm not tech savvy enough yet to know how to post a link for you here, but if you really want it, you can email me and I will send it to you. It worked for the class so I guess it's okay! I was able to print 2 to a sheet of 8.5 X 11 CS so it works for me! I made extras for my kids' teachers and they really liked them. The sisters that I visit teach enjoyed the goodie bags (along with my mom) and I gave the hats to a couple of friend's of mine for a little treat. If you'd like to see photos of my kids at the ward Fall Festival (translate Halloween Party) last night, pop on over to myMoments in Time Blog

we had a great time and my boys won Cutest Costume (again!) They have won the costume contest no matter where we have been every year of their lives!

Anyway you spend it; ghoulish or cute, have a very Happy and SAFE Halloween!

Long Time, No Time!!!

Thank YOU for Hanging In Here!!!

I have no time, but I'm making a quick post to share a couple of things. We are moving, I'm in school, still selling real estate full time and still managing a small bit of time of my creative endeavors! I have many stacked up, backed up projects just waiting to be posted, and they will post. . . E-V-E-N-T-U-A-L-L-Y!!!

Here are some fun creative photo projects I found today and if you are looking for some inspiriation and creative ways to decorate your home with loved family photos, click here

Creative Home Photo Decor

Also September is National Stamping Month and Close To My Heart is offering another fabulous promotion!

Click Here to See the EXCLUSIVE CARD KIT AND STAMP SET that is yours free this month for purchasing $60 in stamp sets

I have the new catty set for release September 1st! Combine purchases totalling $100 this month or next and receive the exclusive Stamp of the Month. . . also FREE!!! That's $62.90 in free product for spending $100 on the paper and stamps you already love!

This is the Summer Kids Cooking Class Cookbook I made for all of my students. . .nothing too spectacular, but the recipes inside are just YUMMY and the class was a blast. . . The younger set really enjoyed learning to make some recipes all on their own and the older girls had a blast making everything from Eggs Benedict to Animae Pasta Salad! Hoping to do it again next summer!

Repeat After Me. . . I Am NOT a Hoarder!

One of the things I've always said about my neatly organized, stuffed to the brim craft room (choke, gasp, cough, laugh), is that it is full of wonderful things that I can make and give and I don't have to go the store and buy something. . .  It's so much thriftier, isn't it?   It's not my fault that  clearance and dollar bins at Target, Michaels, JoAnn's,  Wal-Mart . . . are just brimming with bargains screaming take me home and make the most adorably cute gift out of me!!!   Most people would call this insane shopping hoarding, but I know my fellow craft sisters understand.   And you can never, never, never have too many flowers, ribbons, buttons, brads, papers, adhesives, stickers. . . you can just fill in the dot, dot, dots.    Here is a case in point;  I picked up several packages of gerber "whities" on clearance a while back. I knew that someday they would come in handy.    Here are the baby gifts that came out of them!  I didn't have to buy a thing and better yet, not even a ding in my stash was made! And no, you can not have the 2nd duplicate jar of flowers I just bought because I know I'm going to run out of the first two and then what?  LOL!!!

Onsie, Burp Cloth, Socks & Headbands.

The headbands are bought in the hair care section and are for older girls, 

but if they are new they fit perfectly on a baby's adorable head!

(These were also in my stash!)

I Just Thought You Should Know. . .

that Wyatt and Walker had an adventure today while they were under the ocean surfing. First Wyatt was grabbed up by a giant octopus who was going to squeeze him really hard. This was the gigantic king of the octopuses, but then Wyatt remembered that if he fed him people food he would become his friend. Just then Walker was about to be eaten by a shark so he whipped out a can of whale chicken and the shark gave him a ride around in the ocean so they could see the other sea creatures and defeat the evil sea monster. . .

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming!

I received an award! Not once, but twice! Thank you Kelly and Sharli! You are both awesome and two of the most lemonade making people I know!


The Lemonade Stand Award
Rules for this Award:
*Comment on this blog
*Cut and Paste this award logo and use it on your own blog
*Nominate a blog you feel worthy of the award
*Link to your nominee within your blog post
*Comment on their blog to let them know they have received the award
*Link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation!

While there are many, many worthwhile bloggers, my award goes to Lois! Lois you are definitely worthy of a lemonade stand. You inspire me with your generosity, creativity, love of family and friends, as well as just plain kindness. Enjoy your award my friend!

Come Hungry, Leave Hungrier

You know I would feed you if I could, but since I'm not smart enough to develop Smell-O-Vision or Taste-O-Vision, you'll leave hungrier than you came. . . at least for food! Hopefully the tasty art will satisfy one part of your hungry soul. Please enjoy! I know we did!!!

February Recipe Club. . . Cards designed, typeset and made by me. . .

 recipes shared from class members.

Now Appearing in their "Natural" Habitat. . .

WalkerThe Entire Zoo - Mikensee, Jessica, Walker on the Left, Wyatt on the Right
My little Monkeys - Walker on the Left, Wyatt on the right

Jessica (still showing her stipes!)

The Lioness - Mikensee

I guess my kids didn't think my Mother's Day Joke was too funny, 

so I'm trying to make it up to them.  I guess posting the pictures with 

their eyes crossed wouldn't help, so I chose these. 

I'm very lucky to be the mom to such a wild bunch!

The 4 Reasons I Get To Celebrate Mother's Day

Walker - a bit shy, very creative, awfully moody and yet so adorable!

Jessia, a real one-of-a-kind. . . She is not afraid to show her stripes!

Mikensee, The Lioness of our Jungle, Proud, Fiercely Loyal, Beautiful inside and out!

Wyatt - My real joy boy, unique, playful and proud to be him

(These are actually photos I took of the "kids" at a recent trip to the zoo.  

Shhhhh. . . don't tell them I showed you their "real" faces!!!)

The only kind of "Stationery" for me!

Have you ever ridden a stationary bike? I used to ride Aerodyn's. . . I hated it! If I'm going to exercise I need fresh air and not a stuffy, sweaty gym! I know some people are addicted to them, but this is the only kind of stationery I want to slave on! I know it isn't likely to help my abs or thighs, but my mom enjoyed getting this as a Valentine's Day gift!

It's Time for a Change

Have you ever just gotten stuck?  Stuck somewhere that you know you want out of, but aren't quite sure exactly how?  I think they call it "stuck in a rut?"  Well, I've been stuck in a rut.  I've had a tremendously trying and difficult year and much more on my plate than I care to elaborate on, but I'm tired of being stuck in the rut.  I've gone through many motions, I've accomplished  a lot, but I think I've just been being really hard on myself and very unforgiving of my weaknesses and failures.  I want out.  I want to start anew.  I'm making a change.  

Can I be the first to wish you all a very Happy Mother's Day?

Coaster Post-It note Holders

Mini Tote Boxes

5X7 Mother's Day Card

Paper Bag Tote 

Froggy Birthday Wishes

A Note About My Dad

In Loving Memory
Garis Buttars
Husband, Father, Brother, Friend
July 4, 1948 _ March 12, 2009

Garis was born to Cleo and Lillian Buttars in Rupert, Idaho on July 4, 1948. Garis was the third born of five children. His mother always said he was the most affectionate of her sons. He couldn’t pass her in the kitchen without giving her a hug. He loved to eat; especially his mom’s mashed potatoes and gravy, but got very tired of chicken. He had a soft spot for animals, both big and small.

Growing up on a farm taught him the value of hard work. Cleo agreed to buy each son a car with the agreement they would work the farm with him for a year. Even though Garis didn’t want to work on the farm Cleo still signed with Garis to buy a 1962 T-Bird. He graduated working at the gas station, but still helped out on the farm when his parents were out of town.

Garis worked hard starting out in factories working long and hard to better the life of his family. He worked for Simplot’s, the Sugar Factory and Del Monte. He eventually learned enough on his own about electrical work that he left Del Monte after 10 years and went to work as an electrician. He self studied to pass the boards for his Journeyman's license in ID. The test for UT was much harder and he knew if he didn’t pass they would require 18 months of school for the license. He passed. When work wasn’t good he would travel and live in man camps always making sure to provide for his family. While away and his evenings free he took up pipe welding. His desire to have is own business grew and he built a shop in the backyard and built beautiful custom horse trailers.

After following his kids to Arizona, he continued his work in the electrical trades. He took business and bookkeeping courses and gained his Arizona contractor’s license. His dream and G.B.’s Electrical Services, Inc., were born. There wasn’t anything Garis couldn’t build or fix. Anything he set his mind to he was able to accomplish. Hard work and dedication were his trademarks.

While he would never admit it, Garis was an artist. He made beautiful belt buckles and gun handles out of steel and carved intricate nature scenes in ivory with tiny chisels and hammers utilizing a powerful magnifying glass. They were popular in gift shops throughout Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Sun Valley, Idaho. He was especially good at pencil sketches. He taught himself to play the guitar during the late 70’s and was quite good. After an injury to his left hand, he was unable to play for many years. After a recent surgery he discovered E-bay, bought himself a Dobro slide guitar and once again started to play. He loved camping, hunting, fishing, motorcycles, water-skiing, wine, cooking and photography. He enjoyed hobbies throughout his life. He was an avid reader and taught himself virtually every skill or hobby that interested him.

His life was blessed with 5 children: Christopher “Shane” Buttars, Kalispell, MT, Rachele Lee Funk, Goodyear, AZ, Krista Jean King, James “Mason” Buttars, and Lyndsee Marie Buttars, Avondale, AZ. He has 7 grandchildren. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, wife—Paula Buttars, brothers—Dennis and Jeff Buttars and sister—CleAnne Dunn.

We are thankful to have known such a wonderful man. The family wishes to thank you for your support and friendship. He would have wished us to continue to make our dreams a reality and discover our talents and interests.

We do not know what lies ahead or what the coming days will bring. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some there will be great accomplishments, for some disappointment. For some, much gladness, health and good living and for others perhaps sorrow and sickness. We do not know. Whatever the future holds the Redeemer of the world stands as the anchor of our lives, the rock of our salvation, our strength, and our comfort. Let Him always be the focus of our faith and hope and forever our joy will be.

Sometimes You Need a Challenge

Mary, thank you for challenging me with the 6th Picture Challenge! These were my challenge instructions:

1. Go to your photo folder in your computer.

2. Go to the 6th folder of the photos.

3. Go to the sixth picture.

4. Put the picture on your blog and description of it.

5. Invite six friends to join the challenge.

6. Link them in your blog and let them know they have been challenged!

While I'm only about 6 days late on getting this challenge accomplished, I really just needed a kick in the pants to start posting again. My apologies for those who've dreaded the day I returned. :) But for those who were absolutely lost without me (or those that just occasionally wondered if I would ever check back in) I promise I'm back and I will try and make it up to you! I do have lots to post and more to post about, but I really just needed the KICK IN THE PANTS!

Here is my 6th folder Picture:

I have found a new love for photography and while I dream of having the bad boy Canon, this was taken with my $249 Costco knock off brand. This was a bloom I found while visiting the zoo with my kids on February 21st. It was wonderful day and I took this as well as several others that with my novice skills and cheapo camera! While not my favorite of the day, I'm not embarrased to talk about it either! P.S. While I've downloaded my fair share of PS photo actions and looked at many tutorials for wowing up photos, this one is completely unedited too!

I hope no one will shoot me, but I'm leaving this at step 4. Nothing personal, but I'm happy to be blogging again.

Candy Cane Christmas

I know, I know you're expecting Day 1 of Basically Christmas Cards and I promise they are coming, but I'm just so excited about how this is turning out! I'm in charge of our ward Christmas party for about 250 people and this is essentially the color theme and part of the display. (such fun because I got to pick!) This is in particular for the dessert table. Isn't it cute? The tin is from the $1 Spot at Target. I used rub-ons and loads of miscellaneous ribbon, straight pins, tacky glue, starlight red & white mints, spray adhesive and some "snow!"

Bet you want to lick your monitor!

Basically Christmas

I'm gearing up for a little Christmas fun on my blog. I promised myself that if I were going to send homemade Christmas cards out that they MUST be done by Thanksgiving weekend. As a result I came up with a plan. I am making 5 Christmas Cards of 1 design for 12 days in a row. At the end I'll have made 60 Christmas cards. Those coupled with the dozen or so I've already made and have stashed in my drawer and I'll be set! Dress warm and be on the lookout!

I'm going back to the basics. These cards are fun but most of all SIMPLE! They are completely doable and utterly copyable! So watch for what's coming, complete with cutting instructions so you can pull out your supplies and make them right along with me! Make 1 or 20 of one design. It will be up to you, but I promise if you have the basics in your stash you'll be able to do my basically Christmas cards!

P.S This photo was snagged from Moo.com/blog

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

and for my card class a little bit easier to relax and enjoy knowing they have at least some of their Christmas cards ready to go! I thoroughly enjoyed coming up with the 6 cards they made Friday night, but it was hard too. This may be one of the last 2 classes I am able to hold for a while. The economy has hit my family hard and like many we are in a huge position of uncertainty. I'm hopeful, but let all of my nearly 30 regular class members know that I may not be able to continue our scheduled classes. This for me, is one of the hardest parts of the trials my family is currently facing. I love to create, to teach and to be surrounded by friends regularly in my home; I'm sure that without it a very important part of my life will be missing. So here they are, I am hoping you find something here that inspires you!

My personal favorite. I love how this came out! A nice rustic look! So many possibilities with this idea!


The glassine envelope holds snowman parts. . . a snowman for you!

This cheerful card is easy to replicate and holds a warm sentiment framed on the inside.

I tried to get a photo that shows the reflection of the snowflakes on the snowmen. Love the clear card look!


This is a recreation of a card I made many years back. Just love to mimick Santa's belt on a card with his image. This card sparkles inside and out!

It's fun to stretch a "Christmas Card" to the point where you're not quite sure if it is one. I borrowed this idea from Yvette West. She's amazing!


May this truly be the most wonderful time of the year for you and your family. I think I'll go roast some marshmallows now!

If God Brings You To It . . .

He will bring you through it. Gratitude. Naturally in November our thoughts to thankfulness. It's easy to be thankful for the blessing we see, but not always so easy when they don't appear in things that seem to be trials.



I keep a gratitude journal and when I get around to it I add to my gratitude blog. (If you click you'll see it is woefully behind.) I've seen several worthy bloggers posting 27 days of Thanksgiving and other equally named thankfulness posts, but the reason for my post can be found here. Erin is an amazing gal. She and I are "virtual friends" and if you spend a minute at her blog you'll know why I think so much of her. Please take the next 15 minutes and read her post, view the videos and then join me in looking for the blessings in your life; even if the blessings are disguised in things as difficult as missing all of your arms and legs.

May this be the month where our hearts and attitudes are turned in great ways to ones that Heavenly Father can use for His good.

Bennett

This is my surrogate nephew Bennett. Dawn (his mommy) and I have been friends for almost 17 years. I waited a VERY long time for this little guy to be born. He was actually born in July and I made these hybrid announcements for her in late August, but things were really crazy at that time and I never posted them! I made 80 (hence the hybrid!) I'm nuts, but I'm not completely crazy! I did make all of his baby shower invites and goody boxes that you can see here.



He's already laughing, smiling and turning over. They grow up so fast!