Be Mine Workshop Projects

Sorry for the lack of posts this month (and sorry this one is SO short)--I've been distracted by other things lately. I've tried to simplify my life and not stress about things that may or may not be necessary for my and my family's well being.

ANYWAY...here are pictures of the three projects we made at my Be Mine Workshop last Saturday--quick, cute and LOVEly! :) The inside of the big card says, "You're just my 'type'!" and the inside of the little card says, "You're the apple of my eye." I hope they inspire you to make a Valentine today!!! Happy crafting!

GLITTER!

So, I the picture above is from a craft store here in our area. They have it on the wall of their bathroom, and I had to take a picture because I feel that I am one of those girls! Prove it, you say? Well....it would take a long time to show all my glitter projects, but here are some hearts that I made to hang on my kitchen shelf.


They coordinate with the LOVE tins I made earlier, and I am planning on making some more glittery decorations soon!!!!! Anyway, if you want to do something with glitter, the most important thing to consider is your adhesive. I LOVE using sticky strip to adhere glitter to projects because it never really falls off and you don't have to wait for it to dry. Also, you get a perfect line every time! The way that I made the glitter hearts was using sticky strip--I just put a bunch of lines of it on top of each other and then punched out the shape I wanted before I took the top red layer off. :) I also like to use the Tombow Multi Purpose adhesive for glitter as well. If you wanted an expert opinion, I'd ask someone at your nearest owner run craft store for more details. I hope you take the chance to glitter your world today! Happy crafting!

LOVE this Post! :D

What do you think of my LOVE canister?! I LOVE IT! I've had these two Ghirardelli chocolate canisters for a few years thinking I'd use them as Christmas decorations, but never have. So...it was either use them or throw them. And since I can't bring myself to throw out perfectly good canisters, I used them! And it was easy and fun!!!


I decided that I was gonna post step by step directions of how to do this project, just in case any of you out there have the same canisters that are in danger of being thrown out...here they are!


1. Adhere a 6"x12" piece of patterned paper around the middle of the canister. I use sticky strip as my adhesive on projects like this.


2. Create the bottom heart border by using a border punch (the one I used is from Martha Stewart Crafts) across a 2"x12" piece of light pink paper then adhering three darker pink hearts to the back of the middle three hearts created by the border punch. Adhere border to canister using sticky strip.


3. Create the top glitter border by taking a piece of 1"x12" light pink paper, adhering a thick piece of sticky strip across the middle of it and putting the glitter onto the sticky strip. I use a Powder Pal from Stampin' Up! to keep the glitter at bay as much as possible...although some does usually escape. :) Adhere top border to canister.


4. Create LOVE embellishment using two pieces of layered cardstock, chipboard letters and Tombow Liquid adhesive. Adhere to canister.


5. I then decided that I needed to add the ribbon to the bottom...so I did! :)


6. Here's one last look--now you can enjoy it or gift it with something special inside!!!!!

For Auld Lang Syne

Did you know that "for auld lang syne" translates into "for the sake of old times?" I didn't until I heard it on tv the other day...anyway, I know most blogs do their top 10 of the year, but since I only did 1/2 a years worth of blogging, I'm gonna do my top 5! :) These are the top 5 highlights of my year--crafting and otherwise!

1. Getting my dream job--I get to work with children who have special needs and I was blessed at the beginning of 2010 to get the job! It is such a rewarding experience to know that each day I can make a difference!



2. My grandfather's funeral--probably most of you wouldn't think of this as a highlight, but it gave me the chance to see family members I haven't seen in years. I am grateful for my grandfather's example of love and kindness and for his sense of humor that has effected my life--I love corny humor because of him and my father! (Thank goodness for my husband--he has the same sense of humor and I don't know what he'd do if I didn't think he was funny!)


3. Starting my blog!!!! I was reluctant to do so because I had felt in the past that if would be a waste of time if I didn't have a TON of followers. Lucky for me, I don't care so much about that anymore! It's nice to have followers, but it's more nice to have an outlet for my thoughts and crafting ideas! Blogging really has been a cathartic experience for me this year!


4. Gaining confidence in my crafting abilities-- I have always been a little afraid of things that seem "hard." So, this year I pushed myself to learn new things, like this cute T-slider card and also learning about CAS style! I am so grateful for those who are willing to share their ideas and for the technology that makes learning new things so easy! We are so blessed!!!


5. Getting a new addition to the family!!!-- My puppy, Hundie, is the sweetest thing to happen to our family this year! She is such a comforting presence and has helped me feel loved and needed while my husband has worked full time and gone to night school. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for sending her our way!!!

So there you have it! Only one crafty one, but a rewarding year! I am looking forward to the possibilities 2011 brings! First on the list...Valentines! Stay tuned for more details...happy crafting and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Yummy New Year Snacks!

Okay, nobody commented on my last post, so I'm movin' on! I've found myself becoming more domestic this break...mainly because I have the time to. I love quick and easy snacks and since it's almost New Years, I thought I would share some quick and easy snacks that are sure to please hungry guests! I hope you try them and like them! Sorry no pics, but we already ate the evidence... :) Happy crafting!


Yummy Crackers
12-14 oz. oyster crackers
2 t. garlic powder
3 t. ranch powder
1/3 c. oil

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix gently until all crackers are covered. Spread onto foil lined pan. Let set for at least an hour, stirring every so often. Enjoy!

Homemade Cocoa
1 c. sugar
2/3 c. cocoa powder
1/4 t. salt
3 c. water
9 c. milk (can use powdered milk)
1 can evaporated milk
2 t. vanilla

Mix sugar, salt and cocoa in saucepan. Add water. Boil for 2 min. stirring constantly. Place all ingredients in crock pot. Heat on LOW 4-5 hours or HIGH 2-3 hours.

Snowballs
Vanilla ice cream
Coconut
Hot Fudge

Let ice cream soften just a bit. Form into balls. Roll in coconut. Place in freezer until ready to serve. Serve topped with hot fudge. Mix it up: use different ice cream flavors!

Quick Caramel Corn
12 c. popped popcorn
6 T. margarine or butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
6 large marshmallows (approx. 2 c. marshmallow--can use small ones or creme)

Combine margarine and brown sugar in microwave safe dish. Microwave on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, stirring once or twice. Add marshmallow and stir until melted. Pour over popped corn and toss to evenly coat. Shape into balls or spread onto waxed paper until cool and dry. Peanuts can be added also. This recipe doesn't get hard and stick to your teeth!!!

My FIRST EVER Holiday Meal at MY HOUSE!!!

My dining room wall--we don't have a fireplace, so this shelf is our "stocking shelf". :D

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

So, we live near both sets of parents. Which is awesome. Because you get lots of free food. BUT I never get to have a big holiday meal at our house. :( Until now!!! This year my family went on vacation for Christmas and so I got to invite the in laws and some close friends that really could be called family to dinner on Christmas Eve! Of course, I had to make sure my table was festive. This is what I came up with:

Full view of the tables

Single Place Setting

Place Cards--there were 9 of us, so I rotated the patterns. :)

Centerpiece--the flash made the colors weird...but this is the centerpiece I use every year from November through January...it may need a face lift for next year.

And here's the menu:
*King Food
Green Salad with croutons and dressing
Rolls
Pumpernickel bread
*Baked Apple Pudding
*Oreo Truffles
*Molasses Cookies
*Puppy Chow

I also had oranges on the menu, but totally spaced them. Oops! Here's the question, which starred recipes do you want? Because I don't want to post all of them, but I will post some of them! Comment and tell me your top 3 starred foods and I'll post 3 total recipes as soon as anyone comments...happy cooking and decorating and Happy Holidays!

NOEL

Here is my most recent home decor piece--I love it! I painted the letters with just one coat of paint to keep a rustic feel to them. Then I tied my ribbons around them and added my custom elements made from 2 stamped poinsettias (one red and one green), a dimensional and either a pearl or a green rhinestone brad.


I finished them by spraying the whole thing with gold glimmer mist (which you cannot see in the picture). I think they turned out WAY cute! And here it is on display...



What do YOU think? Merry Christmas!!!