2011 Teddy Bear Ginger Bread House

Happy Bears tumbling across the roof line...and around the chocolate covered pretzel fence! Those BIG chocolaty Bears peeking around from the back of the house must be quite hungry for some goodies!

Those peppermint street lights...sure are a tasty sweet!!

Of course...it is all about this!!!!

Little ones, like my twin grandsons..picking off the yummy treats. This is Asher with his First Gingerbread House made by his Nana...ME!!!

Filled inside were Lindt Truffles for the adults...and the cookie was so good. I love gingerbread!!

I helped a friend make one at the same time.

Her niece...Allysa Kessler came over with Auntie to help decorate. This is one of the children of dear friends going to Bulgaria this Spring as missionaries. I made them one a couple years ago..(see post under Gingerbread Blessings).

I used powdered sugar this year for a fun SNOW touch!!! Allysa liked that part!!

Blessing and Sweet joys to you all!
HOPE

Indian Sock Monkeys for Thanksgiving

A FUN Sock Monkey Adventure! INDIANS...for two little boys!!

I did not plan for the mouth to have a "smirk" but it so happens that the twins dad...cannot look at you without a "smirk"... he has always been somewhat self conscience when looking at people. Soooo instead of the SMURFS...we have the "SMIRK" tribe twins.

Had to have fun posing him for his run to hunt....

I used felt for the clothing. I traced on paper first and cut for a perfect fit. Then copied onto felt. Using pinking sheers made perfect "feathers". This was such a FUN project for my twin grandsons.

I loved this stitch...looking like animal tracks....

I hope you enjoyed the adventure...and come up with some of your own to share...

Blessings to you and THANKFULNESS your friendship!!!
HOPE

Gifts and Goodies

I love giving gifts...and it does not have to be a special time of year..just a gift of LOVE..created from the HEART.

I made this HOME MADE sugar scrub..and it is marvelous!!!

I had so much fun making up this jar for a gift to a dear friend. Actually an Evangelist wife, who is always on the road and could use a little pampering time!

The SPOON...came from one of those teeny tiny...CUTE..little ice cream cups! I had saved one and VOILA...perfect for this little jar to scoop up a gallop and pamper oneself!! I also experimented with a PAPER COASTER DOILIE for under the lid and it worked perfectly..as if made for it! A little ribbon and there you have it...A Creative Heart...homemade gift.





A gift sent to a blogging friend... "Good Morning Mary Sunshine"...her's is of course the one with the swirly colors and SUNSHINE smile button to match her personality!

This is a favorite GINGER BREAD cake that makes everyone ask for more!

I decorated it with a simple CAN..yes, I did!! of creamy Butter Creme Frosting! Sprinkled with Cinnamon. I could not believe how good it tasted. I was impressed this time with Betty Crocker! You go GIRL!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY FRIENDS HERE!!

HOPE

"This is the day" photography

SMILES
from HOPE

Homemade Energy Bars..yummy!

 TO YOUR HEALTH!

Home Made Healthy Energy Bars



2 Cups Instant Oats (you can use whole oats but needs a little water added to be moist)
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 Cup Wheat Germ
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

MIX DRY INGREDIENTS ...set aside.

In separate bowl mix WET ingredients:

1/2 Cup Canola Oil(measure the oil first, then the honey for easy pouring)
1/2 Cup Honey
1 Egg
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla

Blend WET ingredients gradually into dry ingredients...
ADD...your choice of the following one or combined

1/2 cup nuts (Pecans..Walnuts) 1/2 cup dried berries or apricots or raisins

3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Spray a 13 X 9 pan with PAM spray and spread granola evenly in pan. I use the back of a sprayed spatula to make sure it is evenly laid out.

You can use a cookie sheet if you prefer a thinner granola.

BAKE at 35O degrees....for 20-30 minutes.

Do NOT over bake or it will be dry. Should be just golden brown. I bake mine 20 min.

Cut into bars while cooling and still some-what soft.




I recently made them using dried mixed Berries and it was WONDERFUL! Yummy!

ENJOY ....To your health!!

A friend made a request for this recipe I had posted  while back on Watering Wells Of Hope under Heatlhly eating.


HOPE





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Sew Pretty....touches of HAPPINESS

This little bird...was a sweet gift. I love the delicate lace design. Perfect, for a sewing room!

The metal basket is also a gift..it held various teas from a local tea shop and now holds special buttons. Replacement buttons...the perfect place to look in an emergency!! Don't you just love the scallops, they add such a lovely touch and the embossed top!! Sooo pretty!

A treasured gift from a very sweet elderly lady.

This is a collection of French Country fabrics I have been collecting...along with a red Japanese print (more Japanese underneath)!

I use this basket to store my favorites...waiting on just the right pattern and project.

Did you notice my LOLLIPOP!! This is by Laurie of Lollipop Binding.

I purchased this one at one of her first Quilt Shows to show off her new product. I don't know that I'll ever use it, as it's one of her first ORIGINALS!! She now has a website and has added more adorable ideas to her line of "goodies".
Her story is wonderful..
She started out making Quilts for Soldiers overseas..and in a group effort...she had them working on different areas...one was rolling the cut binding. She looked down at the table of rolled up binding..and VOILA!!!

The light came on..THESE LOOK LIKE LOLLIPOPS!!!

and they are the cutest...I love mine. With the real lollipop stick!

Her design has gotten more colorful...but I'm glad I have this one. I love the story behind it and having met her..she is a very sweet person.

Little touches of HAPPINESS and INSPIRATION in your sewing room can do wonders!


Do you have special TREASURE in your sewing room...little touches of HAPPINESS!

Life is a little bit sweeter, when touched with kindness and beauty!

Happy Crafting!
HOPE

Photo editing

This is a recent photo taken in my backyard..with MY camera! I already did a photo edit for this one...

but wanted to share the further editing done and how CUTE my g'daughter's smile! She is as sweet as she appears!!

Her mom, is the one who opened my EYE to the fun of photo editing. I've always enjoyed photography. In fact, met my husband...while I was working in a Camera Shop!! I sold cameras from simple/easy..to very complex. How cameras have changed since those days. NO...digital then. Can you imagine!!

Funny how they have a program that can make photos look like they were actually taken in the 70's but today..I'll show you.

It could now be claimed a photo of her mom...close resemblance!

I have found in taking GROUP photos to leave a good space if you can between faces...you just might have a nice SINGLE portrait of a nice smile. I did this once..surprised the woman! She said...WHEN..did YOU GET THAT?
She couldn't believe it! and loved the photo.

Perhaps it came out better in a group not being SELF conscience of how you are truly smiling...becomes more NATURAL in a group setting of HAPPINESS and FUN.

Here is a photo edited sequence

Original:

cropped, rotated and softened..

Voila...added text.

AND..this kitty is my NEW addition to the family. This is my grandchildren's kitty they had to leave behind at Nana's.

Ziggy, is one character...a MAIN COON.

I'll do a photo blog of him soon. He is quite the ham for photos as you can SEE!

ENJOY!!
HOPE

Pleasant Sewing Comforts

I love my sewing room...it has all the pleasures of my heart!

Photos of my precious grandchildren...a sweet country hutch from my husband many years ago...Quilts...memorable keepsakes...Memories to cherish and reflect upon as I do my crafts...or take a peaceful nap.

Many of the items on my hutch, take me back in time. The little duck..given to me by my eldest son many years ago..with spending money of his own. Tea pots from luncheons with my friends...favorite photos...a small white bird given a a gift during my cancer journey...journals from friends with notes of meaningful events and people in my life.

This quilt on my bed table is one of my first. It makes a lovely table covering...the clock my youngest daughter gave me with her own money on one of my birthdays many years ago...the white watering can a gift for speaking at a Lady's Mother Daughter banquet one year at my eldest son's church..and the pink candle another cancer journey gift, the sweet yellow rose pin I purchased years ago ...to look and think of my dearest friend and missionary to PNG..SUE.

The mirror on the wall..use to hang in the bedroom my three daughters shared...years ago.

This music box was given to me by my Pastor's wife..she is an excellent seamstress and long time friend.

I store some of my Quilting books in my hutch...and patterns etc. in these
mini suitcases..I love these and would own a million if I could find room!

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and here is where I store my FAVORITE fabrics...

the hat box holds ribbons and trims.

I love WHITE and the clean, crisp air it gives to a room.

I have more to share..hope you will join me!

Happy Crafting!
HOPE

Sewing Stuff!!!

My POLKA-DOT .... FUN sewing box!!


I've been so busy lately, I haven't had a chance to be CREATIVE!

Well, I take that back..my mind is always in the creativity mode!

And my HEART always desires to make something SPECIAL for someone.

I thought it would be fun to ASK...do you have a unique SEWING BOX?

What are your favorite sewing NOTIONS (tools)?

Are you currently working on a project..if so..please TELL!!

This is the open lid to my sewing box... I attached a lovely mini rosebud sachet my daughter brought me from Washington State. It smells so nice when I open the lid! Ever thought of putting one of these in your sewing box?? Or adding a lovely favorite BUTTON as I did.
The little pink flower reminds me of my g'daughters!

I love to make things PLEASANT to the eye...makes life so much more...LOVELY! Don't you think? A little touch here..a little there.


Like a small crocheted DOILY at the bottom1 What a nice way to look inside..

Lickety Grip..is WONDERFUL!!! You wipe your finger over the top ..no sticky stuff...just keeps your fabric to your fingers when FREE MOTION quilting or even just gripping the fabric for use. No slipping of the fabric! TRY SOME!

and the CALCULATOR..from a dear friend for my b'day one year...LOVE IT! Fun to calculate your fabric needs etc. GOT MATH..Noooo...GOT HELP..Yeees!

I'm going to post on my SEWING ROOM also in the next weeks. A tour of sorts with some thoughts.

A place of refuge...with a CREATIVE HEART.

Please join me again..will you? I'd love to see you here and sharing our love of creating..and friendship!!

BLESSINGS!!
HOPE


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New Quick Gift Idea

This little sign...was a FUN quick and easy project. The wooden sign covered in scrap booking paper was left over from our Ladies Luncheon last year. Remember?.. "Bloom Where You Are Planted"

I wanted to make something for my sweet neighbor...about to deliver a new baby GIRL. I bought these "stickers" on sale quite a while ago and pulled them out for idea inspiration...

Awww..LOVE PAPER DOILIES...yes!!

Going to purchase some cute ribbon for the holes that will be drilled in the upper left and right corners for hanging.

Maybe...polka dot! Love Polka Dots too!

I made three...

... planning to make some BOY signs as well. These could be used with any kind of 3 D stickers...I'm on the look out now. My CREATIVE HEART linking to my brain...is dreaming of all different THEMES that could be used.


ENJOY.. And Have a CREATIV HEART kind of day!!
HOPE

The JOY of Giving!

My mother received her Quilted Bed Runner today! The JOY of receiving!
She was beside herself...I was so HAPPY.

I had accomplished...my desire!

To hear her HAPPY voice...to know she thought it was perfect..for her Red and White room ...and also surprised at the other little gifts included.

My mother lives...on the West Coast and I'm on the East.

In our family...when we send packages...we have to CALL...and NOT OPEN the pkg..until we can OPEN it while on the phone! WE must HEAR the exclamations of JOY!

She did indeed remark about the DOILY and FLOWER on opening the box! See what a tiny "touch" of a pretty can do!

A sweet friend of mine said...the presentation of a small gift I sent her once...made the entire receiving part so spectacular!!!

It's so FUN.

My sister is the true talented one on this..she has sent me GORGEOUS wrapped packages...and she doesn't just wrap one..ALL of the little goodies with pretty stickers and ribbons...nice little velvet bags...you know!

I just look around in my craft supplies...buttons, stickers..ribbons...little bags...little notes...just look and you'll be surprised at the things you can put on a package...think of a scrabbooking page..only it's the top of your package at opening!!

So next time...Do your package with some added touches of the HEART and HEAR what happens!!

Thanks so all who encouraged me on this project...I'm ready for another!

Yes...it'll be my Sister!

Blessings from the Heart..
HOPE

Quilted Bed Runner...finished!

This is a Special gift for my mother.

A family tradition..is to embellish gift packaging. We not only enjoy receiving the lovelies..but do them up ourselves too. Inside is some other little wrappings for various gifts...I used pinked red check fabric for ties. I sent with the QUILT bed runner..a cookbook my church put together, a tea caddy from our ladies luncheon, a cute bunny tile coaster a friend made that my mother adored..and the little bear with the red sweater...about LOVE and friendship. I'm also known for my Gingerbread baking.

I am so anxious for her to get it!! I'll be mailing it tomorrow..PRIORITY Mail!!

The little dog button...looks like my Schnauzer!!

I had my husband hold the quilt for me...That's a Quilters Pal for ya!

I then rotated the photo to show it's proper layout.

same with the backing....

All went well..until...YES...instead of doing traditional hand sewing on the binding...I decided to go with a decorative stitch. A very nice stitch..but, my supposed..programed tension..wasn't so programed on the back..aaargh. But, it still worked and I was pleased that the front made the cute little flower design.

There are a FEW...."AMISH" mistakes. I read about their Quilts once and they ALWAYS leave mistakes...so not to take all the glory upon themselves..but to GOD who gave the talent to begin with. I AGREE!!

So...with a lot of LOVE and HEART and my CREATIVE (talent from the LORD) I finished my first bed runner. I love the FEEL of a quilt as it gets finished.

I'll post next week a little about some of the things Quilters LOVE about it!

Thanks for following along and the ENCOURAGING comments.

HOPE

Bed Runner Progress!!

This is another attempt at my own FREE MOTION quilting!! Humble.

I wish I had seen Pumpkin Patch Quilters feathers before I began...I was actually quite close to the design...SEE what I mean about no pattern and no one telling me how to do this or that!


I spaced my FREE MOTION 2 inches a part

I just finished cutting off the excess batting...and now onto the binding and special label and little touches.

ALWAYS a crafting adventure with me! But, I must say..I learn a lot this way and find my own CREATIVE HEART in the midst!

I've been looking over a kazillon free motion sites and now full of ideas for a fun practise session!

HAPPY QUILTING...HAPPY CREATIVE HEART

HOPE

Quilting Treasures

THIS is a Quilting Treasure. My mother recently sent this to me.

She made it years ago...just a FUN little project to pass the time of a day. But, the memories it holds are a treasure. My grandmother now passed on...HER NAME embroidered. FLOSSIE. You don't hear that nickname anymore..FLORENCE was her real name. But Flossie..was grandma.

( I suppose a Dental Hygienist...MIGHT be nicknamed FLOSSIE!!!...and it is noteworthy that my mother was a Dental Assistant for years!!)

Quilting isn't something that has been in my family heritage. So, I was quite surprised when my Mother showed me this on a visit once.

Such cute little touches of her own.

Then YEARS later...I venture myself into the world of QUILTING.

I'm in the midst of QUILTING the bed runner!!

(photo above is with the borders sewn)

It has taken me a while to come up with the Quilting design I wanted. As I said...this is all on my own and no help in someone telling me...DO THIS...and DO THAT! Makes for a bit more TIME in deciding on pattern style, color(s), design and then the overall "quilting". It can be done in one pattern design overall or different "quilting" in various parts of your project.

I have chosen to do one design down the center...and another for the border.

This is the SANDWICH before starting my "quilting".

I'm excited about the backing...a little "touch" of something that I know my Mother will like..it is just "her". This is the FUN of QUILTING...making something so very personal! They truly become TREASURES and more valuable as the years go by.

Like this one...

See you soon with my finished TREASURE.

HOPE