A New Way of Life!

Yes, we are all having to make a lot of adjustments and changes to the way we're used to doing things. There is a lot of hard stuff going on around us, but there is also a lot of good happening in the midst of the hard. Families are having meals together, spending time playing games; and crafters are having time to do what we love doing!! One of my friends is making face masks for others to use. My husband and I were the recipients of two of them. Thank you so much, Renee!
I made 35 cards to encourage a group of senior adults in a low income group of apartments where, under normal circumstances, we operate a Food Pantry. Right now they are just getting pre-made bags of food plus a handmade card with a Bible verse in it to let them know they are being prayed for.

So on my Facebook page, Scrappindede's Doin's, I decided to try some challenges to give us something to focus on and maybe to motivate doing something crafty!

I wanted to offer the same challenge here!
In Shelter CHALLENGE #1
MONOCHROMATIC - make something using different shades of only one color. I'll be making cards, but you might do a scrapbook page, a painting, a canvas, or knit a pair of socks!

Post a picture of your project and tell us what you used.
I made a card using my favorite Stampin Up color - grapefruit grove - with a touch of Terracotta Tile. I used To A Wild Rose stamp set. Here's the photo

I would love to see what you make! Feel free to post in the comments!
Stay safe and do something fun!!

Cardmaking and Conversing

Cardmaking is so much more than just a hobby to me. I love cardmaking. It affords me an outlet for creativity. It's a time that I can withdraw from the busy-ness around me. It is also a time that I can talk with Jesus. I pray for the people that I am making the cards for. It seems that lately I have made more sympathy cards than usual so I take the time to pray for the family that has gone through a life-changing loss. Birthdays are a great time to thank God for friends and family. I pray for my friends who are ill or recovering from surgery as I make cards for them - asking God to heal them and give them patience as He does!!

I host card making workshops every month. I prepare samples for the workshop and a card kit for each one attending. I pray for each friend as I make their kit. Our most recent workshop was a Poppy Parade Party!

 Aren't these cute!!






I lead a Bible Study group. I made a Valentine treat for each of them and prayed for them as I did. I made 35 treats, so I had lots of time to pray!! What a privilege.

So you can see why I love card making so very much!!

Fall Hummingbird Migration

  Another amazing sign that Fall is coming is the migration of the hummingbirds. 

We usually have 3-4 hummingbirds throughout the summer, but we know that they are migrating when we have 10-20 zipping around the yard and fighting for the feeders. It's hard to catch photos of the ones zipping around but I was able to catch them around the feeders.

It is amazing to see them feeding from the same feeder. They are usually very territorial, but during migration they tend to share a little more freely, although you still see the 'war' going on!

I love to sit in the yard and watch the Hummingbird Dance as I like to call it. I'd love to be able to get a picture of that! I'll keep trying.

During this time of migration, I make my nectar stronger to give them added energy - 3 parts water to 1 part sugar. When they get to the coast of Texas, they will fly 500 miles across the Gulf to Central America, taking approximately 22 hours.

They are truly amazing creatures!

Welcome Fall!!

Well, it's still very hot outside but Fall is in the air...I can feel it!! And, for me, Fall begins after Labor Day. So my hope is that cooler temps are just around the corner. Well, cooler as in low 90's instead of 100's!!

Once Labor Day passes, I begin wanting to put out Fall decorations. Do you? Here is some of the Fall that you would find in my home and even in my yard.

 Our family and our friends are what the Lord has blessed us with!

 This wooden scarecrow has been in my home for about 30 years!

 Meet some more of my Fall friends!

 A new color scheme for me. Trying it out!!

And this is gracing my patio garden. I hand-painted these about 4 years ago. They were such fun and easy to do!! You just put a dowel rod in the ground then slide the flower pots down the dowel rod, sitting them on top of one another! Fill with Fall goodies!

So you can see that I really love Fall.
But one more thing that I want to share with you. This is a recipe that I have made for my Bunco girls that will be gathering in my home tomorrow night. I decided to try a new dessert. This is called No Bake Classic Woolworth Cheesecake. It was easy to make and the filling was finger-lickin' good. I won't get to really taste it until tomorrow night but it can't be anything but good!!

No Bake Classic Woolworth Cheesecake

• 5 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 3oz lemon Jell-0
• 1 stick melted butter
• 1 8oz cream cheese
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 box graham cracker crumbs (3 cups) more for thicker crust divided
• 1 can evaporated milk, well chilled or 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

1. Dissolve Jell-O in boiling water. Cool until slightly thickened.
2. Mix 3/4 graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until well blended, press into bottom of the 9 X 13 pan to form a crust. Save rest of crumbs to sprinkle on top of dessert.
3. Beat the Evaporated milk/heavy cream until fluffy. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and lemon juice with mixer until smooth.
4. Add thickened Jell-O and slowly mix in whipped evaporated milk. Spread filling over the crust and sprinkle with reserved graham cracker crumbs on top.
5. Chill at least 2 hours and up to overnight, store covered in refrigerator.  
6. Enjoy!

 Try it and let me know what you think in the comments! Happy Fall.

Workshop projects

I've hosted several Stampin Up workshops the past few months and we've done some really cute projects so I thought I'd share a few. Our March Madness - Stamping Style Workshop is coming up March 23. We will make 8 cards (2 each of 4 different designs) plus there is a bonus for each one participating. The workshop is $25 or free with a $30 order. If you attend, you need to bring your own adhesive and scissors. Everything else is provided for you.

I have a 'Workshop to Go' option if you don't live in the area but would like to participate. I'll send you the projects with all stamping and diecutting already done and a photo of each card. All you need to do is put the cards together. The same cost applies - $25 or free with a $30 order. Let me know if that interests you. I'll give you a host code to use and get your info. The 'Workshop to Go' option will need to be prepaid by credit card or cash. Come join us!!

Now for the past few workshops... here are some of the cards we've done.

 Card 1

 Card 2

 Card 3

 Card 4

Card 5

The first card is made with the Sale-A-Bration freebie Lasting Lily - a beautiful stamp set made from actual photographs. I love using this set...free with a $100 purchase. So worth it!!
Card 2 is made using the Butterfly Gala Stamp set and coordinating punch in the 2019 Occasions catalog and the Botanical Butterfly paper, also a free Sale-A-Bration item with a $50 purchasse. I got several of this set of Designer Series Paper so I wouldn't run out!!
Card 3 was a fall card we made using the Rooted in Nature bundle and the Corrugated Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.
Card 4 uses the Piece of Cake bundle and the Dot to Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, both from the Occasions catalog.. The sentiment is mounted using the scalloped circles dies.
Then Card 5 uses the Subtle Embossing Folder with ink brayered over it. The stamp set is Golden Afternoon from the Occasions catalog.

If you do not have a Stampin Up demonstrator and would like to order any of these products, e-mail me...I'd love to help you!