Handmade card making..my way!

I made HAND MADE cards a bit different than most. I have a few stamps..but since my supplies are limited..I use what I have on hand. Usually stickers...scrap booking paper...ribbons and this n that.

However..THIS time, I tried a new design ORIGINAL by ME...

I LOVE Hydrangeas..and cut out a photo of one I had taken awhile back..I had dried this one for display. When I finished the card and stood back..

I was soo amazed how three dimensional 3D it appeared!!

Let me know if you think so? Or am I wishing I see something unique!

This one a little different take on same idea.

This is another one made for a friend's birthday. She loved it. Made me HAPPY! Just using stickers...ribbon and I also LOVE using DOILIES for crafting.

Nice to be back to uploading and sharing new craft adventures and more.

Next..my NEW Sewing room addition!

Blessings from the HEART
HOPE

WATERMELON carving fun!

I am so HAPPY that my compute cooperated this time..I wll try to upload the other photo if  can. The other was also a WATERMELON carving, only a WHALE.  Yea it uploaded! The button eyes is my husbands idea!

This is my first...so the lines on the Turtle's shell are not all that neat. I did not have the proper tool at the time. I made this for my neighbors children for Memorial Day.

I had so much fun creating this and planning on trying out more carvings. If you go to the website of the National Watermelon Competions you can view the various designs that are AMAZING.

We want to do the SUBMARINE next! My husband builds model subs for a hobby so quite appropriate for us! What a suprise for our friends next BBQ!

Try some yourself and let us know what you come up with and put a link on your comment here.

HAVE FUN..another CREATIVE HEART moment!

HOPE

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

Coffe Cozy!!

In the mean time...while I'm working on my quilted bed runner. I thought you might like to see a FINISHED project I did a while back.
Great gifts for your Coffee Lovin friends and family!

My first attempt was using a famous drive in "M" Coffee cup! Matched the fabric color! I love their Mocha Frappe' with lots of whip cream!


For my Brother in law Dave...on his birthday.

I saw something similar to these on a blog an decided to try my own!! I saved a STARBUCKS cardboard coffee cozy for a pattern and began my "creative" journey!!

and these for my mom and sister...who meet often at the coffee shoppe. Now they can pull out their very own COFFEE COZY!!! oooh la la...


I traced a pattern onto colored card stock. Wrote "my" directions on the top. The LOOP you see, is for placement of....a STRETCH PONYTAIL holder!! Yep...frugal me! Buy them at the $ store and your all set. I recently bought a batch of various colors to go with the fabrics. Instead of just black.

I also purchased at the grocer...disposable coffee cups with lids for the gift presentation. The cozies actually go on "upside down"...so you need this to show how they actually fit on the cup. They do not slide either!!!
My cardboard cozy from the coffee shoppe would always slip.


I sandwiched the top piece with batting. On this cozy, I did a row of two quilted lines on (front) each side. You can use an overall quilting pattern as well..whatever YOU like! Nice option!!

I then placed the stretchy pony tail holder facing INSIDE as a loop (cut the size you want) for stretch over a button. The stretch can be long as I found it then fits various size cups. USE ONE LOOP. The other side will have a button on the front. As seem above in the "gift" photo.

Sew the back and front (right sides together) and leave an opening (one the side)..NOT near the edge)..for turning. When you turn...the loop should be on one side.

SUPPLIES..a Fat Quarter of fabric will make several...or scraps that fit the pattern piece. Cotton batting, pony tail holder...thread...and disposable coffee cup w/lid and your all set to begin your own COFFEE COZY JOURNEY!!


This is actually my practise cozy...love the leather button on this one!

They are also great for those very COLD slushes and stainless coffee holders that can be too hot or cold to handle.

Then stitch opening...and add your choice of button with shank...so loop can go over button.

VOILA... c'est fini!!

HOPE

Tea DELIGHTS....

How yummy!!! Chocolate covered GIGANTIC strawberries, punchbowl cake (too good for words!)...a first-white chocolate berry tarts THE BEST!....an array of sandwiches with my signature ribbon Tea Sandwich of dried apricots, pecans, cream cheese and honey...soooo good! A pleasant mild taste with crunch.

One of our favorites is the cheese ball...this year the gal that makes it..put small portions in mini cupcake cups...perfect, since it's time consuming and awkward to scoop the cheese off the ball..though it looks pretty beforehand!

This is another of the crafted tea tables... Whimsical...with birds, feathers etc.

" A little birdie told me"



...a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. Ecclesiastes 10:20b

and A COUNTRY HOME.... this had so much detail..the napkins were bandannas with a wooden spoon attached with a bread recipe.

The verse.. Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11



and finally...our tea gift...




a nice porcelain tea caddy. Our scrap booking gal and her daughters made the cute flowers for the front of the boxes. The middle of the flower has a teapot stamp! Cute touch. The ladies loved the gift which can be used for used tea bags, rings, soap for guest..or even set as decor on a shelf.

I hope that you have gleaned some ideas here for your next TEA!! I'd love to know...and see your photos too!

TEA and FRIENDS!!!

HOPE

Ladies Luncheon...creative theme tables

ROYALTY
This is one of my favorites!!! A lot of handwork went into these decorations!!! The gold trim on the deep purple runner, the beads...the velvet covered napkin rings with decorations. Looked sooo Royal!! and they chose REAL gold trimmed china!

Each table had a small gift for each setting.... it could be anything, from a use able item to a tasty treat


Since this is the first time ALL the ladies helped decorate...I gave them little tips and some things for their tables of my own. Over the years they have learned the many aspects of putting together an event. This year was their time to SHINE..and they certainly did!!!

MEMORIES
This is the table I decorated. I collected a few items from some of our group. The books are written by various Preachers from the 1800's!! On loan from our Pastor's wife...the glasses of Ms. Betty. The antique perfume bottle..my thrifty find (remember?)


The teapot lid sitting next to the teapot...is a miniature version with the word ANTIQUE written on the front.




The ladies sitting at this table represented the aged women (from 86 yrs. old - 56 yrs. old -me! ;)....
and the old paths that we have kept according to the WORD OF GOD!


Some of us at this table have been together for over 30 years. We have encouraged one another to be faithful, to keep the OLD PATHS...and to be an example to our younger women.
If you recall the luncheon of the BROWN BETTY teapot...Ms. Betty was seated at this table and in the photo display.


ORIENTAL

I loaned this group my tea set and dolls sent to me from Okinawa, Japan. I loved how their little gift bags matched the colors in the doll kimono.




MUSIC

Each table prepared a decorative way to show the Bible verse that matched the table theme...this one done by one of our teens!



SEASHORE


The teapot on this table was embellished with painted artwork by one of our ladies in this group! TALENT!! It was such a joy to see the little bits of personal touch and desire to make it so SPECIAL!

I loved the plates on this table with the shell napkin rings! One of the gals in this group was in the NAVY in her single days!! She would bring a van load of sailors to church with her and many got SAVED!!! A nice memory of her ministry to others!!



SUMMERTIME




This one was so cute with ladybugs and watermelon!! One of the ladies, took the time to cut a real watermelon into a basket filled with melon balls. The napkins were punched with a cute design...Great idea! and even watermelon lolly pops (their table gift)



MORE THEMED TABLES TO COME....

Thank you for joining me...
HOPE

"Time for Tea" Ladies Luncheon 2011

"Time for Tea" the theme for our luncheon this year...

I crafted this large TEA POT to place in the entry. It was a challenge to draw free hand...THANK YOU LORD for talent on loan!



I also hung smaller version teapots from the top of the entry doorway.



I noticed later ...that the back of the tea pot was BLUE! and with it partly showing was perfect for the view from our seated area!!!



With the talented help of one of our ladies...Word cards were placed in various spots on our buffet tables to emphasize words that end with "T"



Hospitality, Generosity, bounty, unity....

Our guest speakers devotion covered some of these words and the characteristics of each in our lives




The theme Bible verse for the luncheon is found in II Peter 1:8




Join me here again Thursday for more photos and highlights of our luncheon!

Bring a cup of tea with you too!

Blessings,
HOPE

Luncheon pics and news coming tomorrow!

The ladies luncheon was beyond wonderful this year!

So much to share and photos....

I hope you'll join me later for the blessings.

HOPE

Don't Miss The Journey For The Destination!

I will be embarking on a new journey with a destination....to please the LORD....to fulfill a purpose he has laid upon my heart at this time...and to reach the end with his blessings...and to HIS Praise and Glory.

I will be on a blogging break for some time...and truthfully, do not know if I will be back to blogging. However...my heart always has the desire to share the blessings of GOD and to encourage others with HIS WORD. THUS...I may be compelled from time to time to write a post here. THUS...In the midst of this journey...I will still be doing various crafts as well.

If you would like to continue to be a follower... I will be honored.

If you are a first time visitor..WELCOME! I hope you will be able to glean some fun here from crafts and ideas for Ladies Luncheons and gift giving ideas.

My sincerest THANK YOU to all who have come by and left kind comments!


Blessings..
HOPE

TEA and Sock Monkey's

Two of my favorite pass times...

Tea with a dear friend and making these fun sock monkey's!






I had this pleasure recently when my dearest friend Sue joined me for TEA and a sock monkey challenge! I asked if she would like to help make some SOCK Monkey's for her grandchildren due in for a visit. Her daughter Missy was due home for a short visit while on deputation with her husband and children. Missionaries to Bulgaria. A very dear family to me, personally...I fill in as Nana to these children, when Sue is gone herself to the Mission Field of Papua New Guinea.

We scouted the stores for SOCKS! I wonder what people were thinking as we chatted how this pair or that pair was soo CUTE! Okay..some socks worn are cute...but not like OUR conversation!

Like this BABY one...the socks were sooo SOFT...so imagine me cuddling this pair to my face! and other customers saying..."OKAY..LADY"???


But, for sweet little Kaitlyn...going on three years old..this was perfect!


And the names commenced..."Peppermint Patty" for the baby.

"Buddy" for Joshua..."Polly" and "Penelope"(the II)...the older girls could choose.

Along with my Quilting Stash of Fabrics...I now own a Sock Monkey Stash...and plenty for future projects to come.

ENJOY!
Hope

FLORAL: tutorial

There are TWO FLOWERS that I LOVE!!!

The HYDRANGEA and PEONY!!

I wanted to make a floral arrangement similar to the one my mother and sister sent me upon completion of my radiation therapy for Breast Cancer. It was so GORGEOUS!!




I wanted to keep the memory of what this bouquet represented.

Their love for me...and my BREAST CANCER journey with God's Grace!

Though I was unable to find the "exact" same flowers...

I was thrilled to find the beautiful Peonies...the LAST they had!

and the Hydrangeas couldn't have been more perfect in color..a touch of pink on the edges...some bits of green and blue. My living room is mainly blues and sage green but the little bit of pink was my "memory" maker!!




Fortunately for me...while visiting out of town a few months back; I was able to head over to Old Time Pottery!!! We do not have this wonderful store in my town..so you can imagine how much FUN I had scouring the floral section! Not to mention..the GREAT BUYS! $avings!!

This lovely bouquet cost me HALF the price of the materials needed; had I made it from purchases locally!!



Can you believe the prices for these lovely flowers!!! There was a $ale to top..so I made out even better...some were buy ONE get ONE FREE!!! Whatta Day!!

(photo:snipped by me...ready for preparation)

Isn't it neat how the store...WRAPS your FAKE flowers as if they are REAL...oh how much more fun to carry them out in the parking lot..wrapped like FRESH flowers!!

My goal in making this to begin with..RIGHT??




I saved the square vase from my gift bouquet (LOVE IT!!) and filled it with glass beads I already had on hand. Actually won a box of them at a Princess Party ..years ago!! Just never used them..so VOILA..I am set!




I started out snipping the size of the flowers to fit my vase.
Aren't the Pussy Willows the cutest!! Just that little touch..and added height.

The beads hold the flowers well and setting them at an angle with the stems criss crossing helps them hold their position better.



Maybe you have a SPECIAL bouguet you want to re-create!! I hope this inspired you in some way to be CREATIVE and with your creation...it is made from the HEART!!

..as is mine...remembering LOVE and CARE for me at such a needed time.




Blessings to you..
HOPE