Welcome to my Kitchen

This morning was the get together of our women's fellowship group - Welcome to my Kitchen. 

I was on snacks along with another lady.  I made Orange Cranberry Bran muffins which disappeared quickly.  I brought yogurt and some cheese cubes.  Veggie straws and fresh fruit were also included.

I enjoyed a big mug of tea.  Many enjoyed hot coffee.  The table was over flowing with food and folks. 

It was a very good morning. 

Devotions focused on "We are unique and God's handiwork." 

Prayer time had many health concerns.

Books were swapped and many went home with new reads for the month. 

Good conversations took place. 

Ready2Go Christmas Stack Kit - Blue & Cream Dove and Peace on Earth

I worked on a Christmas Stack kit in case someone wants to get a head start on those cards.

The image is a recycled Christmas card featuring navy, light blue and cream.

I added a light blue layer of card stock to repeat that color which was cut to 4 x 5.25 inches leaving a small border.

I chose a cream card in the tall orientation.

These layers were all adhered to the card front with the light blue first and the dove next.

I created a greeting with the Stampin Up Artisan Label punch.  I used the navy and light blue in teh greeting, color printed it and then punched it out.

It was adhered to the card front with 3D foram tape aligned on the dark/light line on the dove layer. 

This is another recycled Christmas card layer. 

I cut the black layer to 4 x 5.25 inches leaving a small border of card base showing.

I chose Kraft card stock to repeat the kraft colored swirls on the right hand side.

The Peace on Earth layer was adhered to the black layer then I used 3 round tiny brads in the top left, bottom left and bottom right corners.  A push pin was used to make the holes before the brad was inserted.  I selected 3 of the dots in the design for the star brads.

The 3D foam tape was cut in 4 pieces and placed on the 4 corners of the black layer.  It was then adhered to the front of the card.

A quarter sheet insert was used in these cards.

Loving how this one came together.

2019 Cardmaking - CH - Class 3

Another session of card making at Compassion House tonight

These cards are designed with the One Sheet Wonder design which makes efficient use of designer paper.  This my OSW1 layout design for 6x6 inch paper.

The designer paper is Stampin Up  Print Pattern in Ruby Red with the matching card stock.  The piece of designer paper is adhered to the right hand side of a wide card. The strip of solid card stock is glued over the left hand edge of the designer paper.

The greeting is from the So Happy For You stamp set in the same color as the card was trimmed with scissors to the frame. The greeting is cut to 3 inches. It was then layered onto a square of white card stock.  This layer is adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape centered on the card front.

The greetings are for these 2 card are designed with Stampin Up So Happy For You, Owl Occasions and Blooming Marvelous stamp sets.

The designer paper is from the Patterns Print III pack.

The colors I chose are Certainly Celery and  Almost Amethyst on Lovely Lilac card.

These layouts are very versatile and can be put together wide or tall.  The images can be used for young and older recipients alike.   

Ready2Go AO Stack Kits - DSP Split - Artisan & Apothecary Labels

These kits are based on the DSP Split layout where the designer paper layer is cut to 5.25x4 inches then cut again at 3.5 inches. One of the pieces is turned over and the pieces are taped together on the back.  A ribbon is laid across the join and the ends are taped to the back of the DSP layer.  This layer is then adhered to the card front.  This is a versatile layout as you can see it can work tall or wide with the narrow piece on the left or right. With alternating the combo on the double sided paper each card can be different.

The Stampin Up Artisan Label was used on this set.  The greeting was printed on white card with Kiwi Kiss and Early Espresso and punched with the coordinating punch.

The designer paper used on the card shown is by BoBunny - Little Miss - Little Miss Dorothy.  The other I selected is Basic Grey - True Love - Giddy.

The grosgrain ribbon is pink.

The greeting is adhered over the ribbon with 3D foam tape.

I chose this set of cards to have no greeting which allows it to be used for any occasion.  The designer paper for this set is by Simple Stories - Snap Color Vibe - Dot/Stripe in Green and Yellow.

The ribbon is white grosgrain ribbon.

The textured card bases coordinate with the color of the DSP in green and mustard. 

It label was cut with one of the Stampin Up Apothecary Framelits. 

The accent has a white silk flower in the center held in place with a coordinating mini brad.  The 2 white buttons on either side are held in place with Bling Zots.

 It is adhered to the card front over the ribbon with 3D foam tape pieces.

R2Go AO Stack Kits - DSP Split - Scallop & Decorator

I have been working on Ready2Go All Occasion Stack Kits for my upcoming class in April.

These kits are based on the DSP Split layout where the designer paper layer is cut to 5.25x4 inches then cut again at 3.5 inches. One of the pieces is turned over and the pieces are taped together on the back.  A ribbon is laid across the join and the ends are taped to the back of the DSP layer.  This layer is then adhered to the card front.  This is a versatile layout as you can see it can work tall or wide with the narrow piece on the left or right. With alternating the combo on the double sided paper each card can be different.

For this card I chose 2 different designer paper to use with the Stampin Up Scallop Circle accent.  I chose black card bases for both papers.  The designer papers feature floral on one side and stripes on the other. 

The one shown on the left is October Afternoon - Sidewalks - Hide and Seek.  The other paper was from a pad for which I do not have the details and features blue, ivory and green as colors.

I chose the same light blue stitched grosgrain ribbon for both designer papers.

The greetings were printed on ivory card stock in black and punched with the Stampin Up 1.25 inch circle punch.  The scallop circles were all punched from black card stock to match the card. They are adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape position over the ribbon.

For this card with the Decorator Label I chose 2 designer papers.  The one shown is by Heidi Swapp - Sugar Chic - Fabulous.  The other is by Kaiser Craft - Secret Bird Society Collection - Mystery.

The card base is black with black grosgrain ribbon across the join.

The greeting is created with a solid card stock offset behind the black greeting on white card stock.  They were punched with the Stampin Up Decorator Label punch.  The solid one is cut in half on the short side then the points of the straigth edge are trimmed off.  These are then adhered to the back of the greeting offset on the right and left sides. Once assembled 3D foam tape is placed on the back and it is adhered to the card front over the ribbon.

Recent Photos

 I finally got some good photos of the chickadees at the bird feeder. I took LOTS of photos and ended up with a few good ones.

                 I am not looking at you!                                                   Hello!
                 I'm busy eating.                                                                I am outa here!

The water is running and the sun is shining and it feels so good!

Spring arrived all of a sudden here last week.  I have been able to get out with the camera 3 times this past week.

The pussy willows agree that spring is here and let's get on with it!

I wholeheartedly agree.

The sunsets have been great.

I captured the con trail of a plane headed up as the sun set.

Last night there was cloud cover which hid the sun early.

I finished this book this week.  I can take Christmas all year round - books, stories, cards bring it on!

A large tree chosen for Rockafeller Square is 50 years old and has been lovingly tended all these years. It is stolen the night before it is to be felled. Why? Who? When? All the press is here and no tree. 

This mystery is because it has something hidden away in its branches which has been there for a long time as well.  The item is worth a long of money and the one who secreted it there years ago comes back to claim his prize.  What he doesn't know it that this tree grows from the top so he could have just climbed it like he did when he hid the flask.  No need to steal the tree.

In the end the tree does make it to New York all lit up for the world to see.

The Nuthatch bird was eating from the suet feeder totally hanging upside down.
The Woodpecker was being very cagey and only peeking around the corner to check if I was still there.

I will get a better photo another day.




Check out my Macro Monday photo - Volume Dial on my stereo

Sharing with
Mosaic Monday #19 hosted by Angie at Letting go the Bay Leaf.

Thru Your Lens #183 hosted by Mersad

Whims & Fancies

Card - St. Patrick's Day Birthday

I made this card for a friend again this year.

Her aunt celebrates her birthday on March 17th St. Patrick's day and appreciates a special card.

I cut the card base from warm textured card stock.

I then printed the special greeting onto a piece of bright green card stock which was trimmed to leave a small border.

I chose some striped green designer paper by Graphics 45 - Twas the Night before Christmas. This is the reverse side.  I punched 4 hearts with the Stampin Up Sweetheart punch keeping the lines perpendicular.  The stem was handcut from a scrap of the same paper.

I added a large bright green flower brad to the center of the arrangement.

It is off to be mailed shortly.

Cards - Special Granddaugther Christmas cards

A friend asked me to make special cards for her granddaughters from a couple of the Christmas cards she received last year.

As they were large cards to start with I chose the half sheet size card size at 5.5 x 8.5 inches.

Doggie Reindeer

I trimmed the card front. I then chose a deep espresso card base to coordinate with the large reindeer antlers which I scored at half of the full letter sized card stock and folded.

I placed holes in the recycled card to the left and right of the central image with the Stampin Up Slot punch.  I ran a red cotton ribbon through the doggie card front through slots then across the inside of the card and knotted it along the edge of the right hand edge of the image. 

I created a special greeting which was printed in green on white card stock.  I created the banner with the Stampin Up Banner Triple punch by layering the greeting onto a red card stock layer leaving a small border.   The greeting is adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Doggie Elf

I trimmed the card front a bit to have it fit on a half sheet card.  You can see the iridescent glitter in the top left corner so I wanted to work with that. 

I chose a kelly green card which I scored at the half to give me a 5.5 x 8.5 inch card. 

I found some wide ribbon in my collection with an iridescent strip which matched the recycled card front. I cut 5 pieces of ribbon and flagged the bottom ends.  I placed double sided tape onto the card and then placed the ribbon at different lengths across the card as shown. 

I adhered the doggie card aligned the card top with 3D foam tape.  I printed the special greeting onto white card stock and created the same banner greeting as before with the banner punch.  It is attached to the card front with 4 tiny red brads in each corner.

I included white inserts with a special sentiment.

Recent Photos

It was "spring forward" because of Daylight Savings Time this weekend.

I went to visit Mom and Dad as we are finally having decent temperatures and the traveling was good.  I had postponed the visit 3 times because the temps were in the -25C or worse for the last few weeks.

I captured some of the sparkle in the snow along the highway.  I was able to stop because it was near 0C which was very pleasant.

I loved the shadows I saw yesterday.  I have managed a few in this shot as well.















I finished this book.  It was story about Novalee, a pregnant 17 year old abandoned in a town in Oklahoma.

She meets a Sister Thelma Husband, a devout Christian and the welcoming committee for the town. Forney Hull, the man who runs the local library. Novalee seeks out Forney's help in caring for her buckeye tree, a gift from Benny Goodluck.   She be befriended by a photographer which was my favorite connection to Novalee.  The novel has a happy end because Novalee has finally found her native place where her heart is. There, Novalee regains her love and good luck, which she didn’t have all her life.

I attended my aunt's art reception on Friday. She was presenting her latest intuitive art series.

The weather in the morning was very snowy and travelling was not the best.  I pressed on as the roads were not slippery and the temperature was decent.

She really appreciated the support.  I brought healthy muffins and we had a sprinkle of folks drop by all afternoon. I managed the food while she visited with those who came to see the show.

I always enjoy spaghetti but don't want to used canned sauce from the grocery store.

I went on line and found Beef Stroganoff sauce.  It had lean ground beef, onions & garlic, mushrooms and canned tomatoes.

The sauce was made with white sauce, the tomato juice from the canned tomatoes, and of course sour cream.

I managed to freeze 5 containers to I can have this sauce a few more times.  Loved it!

I finally have all the plumbing jobs done in my place.

The kitchen sink drain has been cleaned to ensure no back flow of soapy water in the sink. That was Jan 24th.  It has been 6 weeks of making calls, waiting for response, more communication, water shutdowns, and plumbers from 2 different companies. 

This is the new sink, taps and aerator installed in the bathroom.  It is nice and shiny.  It was no dings in it and the best part is the underneath is no longer rusting and making a constant mess under the sink.

I have reorganized the storage under the sink as well so things are not just dumped in there.

With refurbished bathtub taps as well it is feeling like a new bathroom. No dripping taps, no mess, great storage all is good in there.

This is my Flickr Macro Monday submission for this week.  You can check out my Flickr photo stream here. 



 





I created the mosaic from great sunny shadow snow shots from Sunday.

Sharing at Mosaic Monday #18 hosted by Angie at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf.


Also sharing with Through My Lens 182 hosted by Mersad Donko.

Game Night 2 - CH - 1st Letter Game

I am headed to Compassion House to facilitate another 1st Letter Game Night where any resident can participate.  This gives the guys a chance to participate.

We start with a phrase that describes an object.  We take the first letter of each word and place them vertically on a sheet of paper.  Then those in the group try to guess what the object is based on these clues.

One little red wagon ornament. OLRWO.

I have prepared a 10 prizes for those who guess the right phrase to describe the prize.

A gift box of teas I am sure will be appreciated.


A box of greeting cards for all occasions is a prize most folks can use.

I have to thank my sister for her donation of this prize.


Below is a set of Micro Pitchers by Tupperware which was donated by my niece.










I appreciate the donation of good quality prizes from those around me. It offers those going through tough times a time of fun and relaxation.

Exchange Cards - March - Blue and Copper

I managed to get my March exchange cards made today. 

I used a 4x6 piece of alcohol ink background that I made for this set of cards.

I cut the piece in half and layered it onto a piece of copper metallic card stock leaving a larger border on the bottom.

I then added a layer of black adding a bit more to the bottom again.  Then layered onto a turquoise card base.

I added a Stampin Up Artisan Label punchie greeting in black to the bottom right hand corner.  It is adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.


Identical supplies for the second one but laid out in the landscape or wide orientation.

This are in the mail today!

Exchange Cards - Bright and Bold

I managed to get my February Exchange cards made.

This is alcohol ink backgrounds.  I added some black ink markings to this one with Nick Bantock ink in Lamp Black. It took a long while to dry so I need to dilute it a bit before doing my marks.  I used a bottle lid to make the circle.

This one was cut to just under 4" square.  I then layered it onto a piece of warm lavendar card stock to coordinate with the warm tones in the top left hand corner.

Then layered onto Tangerine card base.  I added some stitching with a black marker. 

The greeting was color printed and punched with the Stampin Up Artisan punch. 


Left:  A bold piece of alcohol ink paper.  I hand drew the daisy with silver marker then retraced with black as I did not feel the silver stood out enough.  I added stitching around the edge with the same black marker.

It was adhered to a medium blue card base.

I added a silver daisy punchie, a small back sequin and all held in place with a pewter tiny brad.

These are in the mail.  With the plumbing issues here over the last month it has been quite distracting. 

Christmas Card Challenge - March - Manger

The theme for my blog's March's Christmas Card Challenge is Penny Black Manger Die.

I chose some different type of paper and color.  It is a Karen Foster design called Maroon Shimmer.  It is paired with a slighter darker card base in the same color from a Michaels collection.

I cut the label from champagne pearl card stock with one of the Stampin Up Apothecary Framelits. I adhered it to the designer paper then onto the card base.

I cut the Penny Black Manger die from the same card stock as the base.  It is held in place with a tiny purple brad in the star and in the bottom point.

The greeting was created with a banner from the Stampin Up Itty Bitty Banner thinlits topped with a SU Word Window punchie with color printed words. It is adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Photo Blogging Challenge - Feb - Glasses

1. Here's a collection of clear glasses in my collection.

A tall champagne glass, then my every day water glass for the start of my 16oz of water each day, a crystal wine glass, a small crystal shot glass and a vintage cut glass drinking vessel.

I lit them from the front so I achieved a nice shadow.








2. An original Bodum Presso 10 Ounce Double Wall Glass with Silicone Grip. Of course the fact that the silicone was yellow was appealing to me.  

I filled with Chamomile tea which I like to have at the end of the day to wind down before bed.

3. NAVAN glass
This is a glass which was one of 2 in a gift set included in the purchase of NAVAN Liquor.

Navan is made from the blending of cognac and
vanilla beans from Madagascar.

It has not been produced since 2010.

I received a set of 2 when my Mom and Dad downsized a few years ago.  The bottle of liquor is gone.  He likely received as a gift somewhere along his career.

I love how the yellow is in the base and travels up the glass to the rim.  I placed some marbles to give a focal point.

4. Sunglasses with really reflective lens.

The brand is Dazed and Confused which I found to be an interesting name.

It is important to wear sunglasses all year long even in winter as the snow can be very bright and your eyes still protection.

5. These are my 3D glasses that I received for "free" when I went to see "Avatar" with a group of friends in December 2009.

It is such a great movie and the 3D effect was wonderful to see in a big theater.

Joining the February Photo Blogging Challenge hosted by P.J. at A L'il Hoo Haa.

Recent Photos

These flowers were presented at church yesterday in memory of death of my friend Nelson who passed away 6 years ago on Feb 23rd.

He was on holiday in Hawaii with his wife and 2 grandsons.  It was a shock to all of us.


The Christmas Promise is written in alternating first and third person point of view. The first person narrator is Gloria aka Miss Glory. She is a retired widow whose adult son has been missing for seven years. He left home just before Gloria's husband, his father, died, and she hasn't seen or heard from him since. She somewhat recently moved to the unnamed small town that has been the setting for all the Christmas Hope books. In an effort to keep busy and to help others in lieu of helping her son, she collects and sorts donations of food, clothing, household items, and even the occasional car, which she them redistributes to the needy in the community.
She ends up host a few community members in her house - Miriam her neighbour is having renovations done in her house, Erin a young woman who is pregnant and estranged from her Mom, and Donovan who is a young boy whose mothers works evenings at Wilson Department Store and is in an abusive relationship.
Chaz a young man has recently come to town who has alcohol problems and works at Wilson's Department Store. He befriends Donovan's mother Carla and Mike who is a homeless man who sometimes sleeps on the steps of the Wilson Department Store.   Their lives are all entwined and come together around Christmas. It was a very good book.

I have been dealing with plumbing issues for quite a while.

It was confirmed that the isolation valves in the bathroom and kitchen will be replaced on Wednesday. 

Once those are done I can get the rest of my work done.









I had to replace my phone charger this week.  A few areas of my life are starting to right themselves but the weather continues to get down to -30C.

Another terrific book that takes place in two different generations.  When Mair Ellis clears out her father's house, she finds an exquisite antique shawl, woven from the finest yarns and embroidered in the shades of lake water and mountain skies. Wrapped within its folds is a lock of child's hair. Tracing her grandparents' roots back to Kashmir, Mair embarks on a quest that will change her life forever.

Before the war, Newlywed Nerys Watkins leaves rural Wales for the first time in her life, to accompany her husband on a missionary posting to India. Travelling from lonely Ladakh, high up in the Himalayas, Nerys discovers a new world in the lakeside city of Srinagar. Here, in the exquisite heart of Kashmir, the British live on carved wooden houseboats and dance, flirt and gossip as if there is no war. But the battles draw ever closer, and life in Srinagar becomes less frivolous when the men are sent away to fight. Nerys is caught up in a dangerous friendship, and by the time she is reunited with her husband, the innocent Welsh bride has become a different woman. Years later, when Mair Ellis clears out her father's house, she finds an exquisite antique shawl, woven from the finest yarns and embroidered in the shades of lake water and mountain skies. Wrapped within its folds is a lock of child's hair. Tracing her grandparents' roots back to Kashmir, Mair embarks on a quest that will change her life forever.

It is a great story of strong women doing what has to do for their loved ones.  Loved this one which was very similar style of Kate Morton.   

Sharing with Mosaic Monday #16 hosted by Angie at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf. 

Bible Study - Thank You

I have been participating in this Grace is Greater bible study for the last few weeks.  It has been nice to take a study instead of leading one.

We get together, share a meal then we watch the video and break into small groups to discuss the lesson. 

We have 4 leaders who have volunteered to facilitate the discussion.


I made a card for the lady who has been leading my group.   You will see that I used left over kits from my class on Tuesday. 

I made this one in the tall orientation which is the versatility of some of the kits I put together.

I added a Stampin Up Itty Bitty greeting adhered with 3D foam tape.

I will add a few cards as a small gift for her time to prepare and lead this study.

Here is another card made with corner rounded squares that I used earlier this week.

I used warm tone designer paper squares which were adhered to the lines printed on the greetign layer.

I adhered that layer to a brown card.