December

Outside the wind is blowing and the weather folks are predicting snow. Christmas celebrations are over and we have a couple of days to slow down and reflect on 2015.  For us it's been crazy busy, filled with family and friends celebrating milestones and our work at church.  It's nice to take a few days off and reset to prepare for this next year. 

I've never been one to make new year resolutions or choose a word to define my expectations for the year.  I'm more of a meet each day as it comes and see where it takes us, kind of person.  That's not to say that I don't have projects and deadlines or personal growth plans, I just don't have the desire or organizational drive to keep track of something like a word for an entire year.  I think that those folks who can, are awesome.  It's just not how I am put together.  So whatever lies ahead, we'll see where it takes us from here.

I hope your holidays were filled with love and health and that wherever you are you are warm and safe.

I'll talk to you again soon.

What!? it's July!!

Oh my, this little blog is feeling quite neglected.  I have been busy creating, most of the time on a dead line that does not include time to photograph the project before it is out the door. 

One of three baby blanket made in the last 4 months

Normally once May and June arrive I have some time to breath, but this year those months just flew by in a blink of an eye.  We've had baby showers, engagement parties, seniors graduating, weddings to plan and attend. It's been a crazy year so far and there are still more events on the calendar that need flower arrangements, portraits taken, invitations designed and presents to make and wrap, whew.  I am trying not to get overwhelmed, this season will pass too quickly and I want to enjoy as much of it as I can.  I will check in again when I get another little break in the festivities.  

I'll talk to you again soon!

Pinned it and did it!

I saw a pin for these cookies on Pinterest.  I thought they looked and sounded tasty.  So, I made them.  Just out of the oven they are amazing!  There is a little melted bit of gooey chocolate just under those marshmallows.  Yum.  I would definitely make them again.  Click here for the original post with the recipe.  They are called Hot Cocoa cookies with a marshmallow.  Thanks Pinterest! This one was a winner.

Thanks for stopping by.  I'll talk to you again soon.
 

Thankful

I am so thankful for my family and friends and that I am blessed to live in a place where I am able to enjoy so many freedoms.  I pray that each of you has a multitude of things to be thankful for as well.

Thanks for stopping by.  I'll talk to you again soon.



(I actually pinned the recipe and then made the sugared cranberries, don't they look pretty!)

In the library

Here is an updated version of my DIY award ribbons.  Every year (almost) I run a contest in the library "The Great Pumpkin Character Contest".  Students decorate real or plastic pumpkins to look like storybook or sometimes movie characters.  I award gift certificates to the book fair and each grade has a first, second and third place winner.  I run these contests on a shoe string budget, so I make the awards and certificates myself.  This year I got a little fancier with the award ribbons. 

The last time I posted my ribbons I had several requests for a tutorial.  I never got around to getting it done.  So, this time I took pictures as I went with the idea of showing anyone interested how I put them together.

Here goes.....

You will need to decide what color combinations you are going to use for your awards, I used fall/Halloween colors for mine.  Then you will need to gather the following supplies,
*1 1/2" circle punch
*1 3/4" circle punch

*Crepe paper streamers in three colors for each level of award (3 different colors makes a little fluffier rosette), mine picks were:
     1st place, lavender, dark purple and black
     2nd place, orange, yellow and black
     3rd place, lime green, clover green and black
*Coordinating 1 1/2" Satin ribbon for each level or award (Purple, Orange, Green)
*Coordinating card stock for each color of award (Purple, Orange, Green)
*White card stock for printing award medallion and for blank circles
*Glue or glue gun (I used a glue gun since I was making multiples)
*Sewing machine
*Computer & printer
*Regular scissors
*Pinking shears

Punch 3, 1 3/4" circles from the colored card stock for every ribbon
Punch 1 blank white circle for every ribbon
Create your award medallion in your favorite software (I used Publisher)
Make sure the circle of your medallion is just a tad smaller the 1 1/2" so you can use your circle punch to punch them out.  Create one for each ribbon.

Cut your satin ribbon in approx. 6" lengths and your streams in lengths of about 3 feet.  Stack your streamer and pin at one end.  Stitch them down the center using the highest tension and the longest stitch.  That will cause them to gather automatically and you will not have to mess with trying to gather them by hand.

Fold your gathered streamers in half at the stitching and cut fringing down the length of your gathered streamer.

Using your blank white circle glue a length of your prepared streamer to the outer edge of the circle and cut off excess.

Using the first of your three colored circles glue to the front of the rosette then flip it over and glue the second colored circle to the back of your rosette.

Use the third colored circle and attach the satin ribbon to the bottom edge as shown. Make sure the satin face of the ribbon is facing toward you so when you flip it on to the rosette it is the right side up.

The flip it over and glue it to the back of your rosette.  Now you have a finished back that looks nice and neat.

Flip it back over and glue your award medallion into the center of the rosette. Trim the bottom of your satin ribbon with pinking shears to keep it from raveling and fluff up your rosette. Done!

I hope you found this helpful.  Thanks for stopping by and I'll talk to you again soon.

In the library

I have only just jumped into the 21st century with a "smart" phone.  I have found it pretty handy for quick pictures and getting a wider angle then any of my current DSLR lenses. The image clarity is pretty good too.

I finally finished the entrance to the library for book fair.  I think it turned out fairly well for using butcher paper and tempra paint.  The theme this time was Sir Readalot's castle and a kingdom of books.  Our students were very excited for the fair by the time I finished the decor, which was the goal.  The more excited they get about books and reading, the better!!

Thanks for stopping by, I'll talk to you again soon.

In the library

It seems that once October hit the only chances I got to be creative were at school and photo shoots.  My studio has been quiet for the last few weeks but, I have been busy creating.  The reading teachers at school asked if I would paint the door to the leveled library.  They gave me the general idea of what they wanted and then I painted it.  Our doors have a heavy duty varnish on them that allows us to paint on them with tempra paint and when we get tired of the image we can just wash it off.  Hopefully I won't be washing this off for a while.

This week I'll be sharing a few of the projects I've been working on around school.  Thanks for stopping by, I'll talk to you again soon.