Oops...

Due to scheduling conflicts, the altered spoon workshop will be cancelled and held at a later date. Be watching for later workshops. Thanks for stopping by. Until next time,

Blessings,

Pocket full of memories...

A Pocketful of memories...

I wanted to share a quick take on a inspiration craft from Cathe Holden of Just Something I made. She actually posted the craft on another blog but you can follow the link from her Febraury 20th post. I loved how she made pocket pages within a vintage book. But I thought to myself, some of those books are quite large and I don't need that many pockets. I also love to make my own journals full of all kinds of paper, techniques, colors, themes, found treasures--you get the idea. So with that in mind, I went to one of my recent finds, a vintage condensed Reader's Digest from 1960's. Funny how those vintage years don't seem all that long ago...The pages had that wonderful creamed brown paper with wonderful lettering and illustrations. You just can't find that on a kindle or even an ipad (which I do love by the way). With my version of pockets, you could make these for a journal page, a card holder, a ticket stub memory holder or whatever little treasures you might have. You could make several of these, punch holes and then bind them in your favorite way to create a pocket page journal!

I did actually take pictures along the way - so as the saying goes "A picture is worth a 1000 words" - let's hope so. But just in case the pictures don't tell the story, I'll still use my words:)

Here's what you'll need:

*6 pages from a vintage book or book of your choice

*UHU glue stick

*sewing machine, thread

*Color box ink in Chestnut Roan or your choice of color

Step 1 - Glue 3 pages together in the center of each page. Keep clear of the edges as this is where you will sew. The glue may make your needle stick in your paper.

2. With three pages together, Sew a diagonal line from the left side starting about 1/2 way down the page to the other side.

3. Using decorative scissors, cut just above the diagonal sewn line.

4. Then ink all edges, if so desired.

5. Now take the other 3 pages and glue as in step 1.

6. Next, place the diagonal pages and the 3 glued together pages, and begin to sew all around the 4 sides.

Here is the finished pocket....

This is actually the second pocket of the day..You can now embellish the front with flowers, sayings, treasures or use it as is and fill the pocket with sweet sentiments, ticket stubs, photos, recipes... you may choose what to put in your "Pocket full of memories."

Don't forget the blog giveaway when we reach 100 followers...See my earlier post for the awesome prize that will be given. Every follower is automatically entered!! Until next time, I hope your pockets are full of all the good things in life that you can hold.

Blessings,

Time treasure recipes...

Can you say Pinterest...yes, everyone loves it, is inspired by it, in awe of it and wondering where is the time to do all of these wonderful DIY's, recipes, home decor...Everyone can also be overwhelmed by it...including me. So with that I thought I would like offer a quick take on a pinterest recipe and then give y'all another one of my favorite quick to fix meals, Quick Sausage and Chicken Jumbalya. With my love for all things homemaking (which includes cooking and baking), sometimes I have grand intentions for dinner or for baking that something special but when life's demands are greater than my intentions, then I need to readjust. I learned this most keenly when our third child was born. Our children are 21 (almost 22), 18 and 10 (almost 11). So when Presleigh was born, we were out of the baby stage but gladly, gratefully went back in it. I remember one time a friend asked me 'What's for dinner?" and I replied "A roast but it may not happen for 3 or 4 days from now." We both laughed and realized that when life gets busy, dinner gets thrown together. So with that I learned a lot of shortcuts so I could make great dinners and treasure our time. I readjusted my thinking and had great meal time memories with my children. So here are a few time treasure recipes to make you feel good and not guilty that you didn't have time to start from scratch....

Swalty (my word...sweet and Salty)Chocolate Chip cookies -

The inspiration recipe (via pinterest) starts with a made from scratch recipe and also include peanut butter chips. Because I wanted to make these quick (but good) and I also have a daughter who is allergic to peanuts, we left them out- but you could add them. Here's what you need--

*1 pkg of ready made refrigerator Chocolate Chip cookie dough (I use Nestle Toll house), softened

* 1/2 cup crushed ( consistency to your liking) mini pretzels

*Mix dough and pretzels in a bowl. Drop evenly sized and spaced dough onto cookie sheet. *Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8 -11 minutes.

**I used 1/2 pkg of larger roll of Nestle TollHouse Cookie dough. If you increase the amount of dough, increase the amount of pretzels.

Enjoy with a cold glass of milk.

Sausage and Chicken Jumbalaya

Heres what you need....

Yes, just 4 ingredients...You can also add corn, jalapenos, whatever else you can think of...What I love about this dish is two fold. The first is that most likely you have these ingredients on hand. You can even mix salsas. For example, we have different varieties of salsa in the fridge- I just mix both kinds in the jumbalya for an awesome flavor!! If you choose to use slow cooking rice, you will add water to your salsa to equal the amount of liquid you need to make the rice. You can also choose to saute fresh chicken if you have the time. The second love to this recipe is it is a one skillet dinner (less dishes). Add salad and cornbread and you're set! Oh, there is also a 3rd love to this recipe, you may increase the quantity based on who you are fixin' this for. For example, increase the rice to two bags and you can also increase the meat and salsa to your liking. How awesome is that!! Here's how it all comes together.

In a large skillet, heat 1-2 tbsp of oil and butter mixture. Once heated add 1/2 of a package of smoked sausage, sliced (you can even use the reduced fat variety) and 1/2 to 1 full package of chicken, cut into bite size. Heat thoroughly for about 3-5 minutes. While the meat is heating, microwave the rice for 90 seconds. When finished, add rice and the whole jar of salsa (you may need to add a little water if you find it to sticky). Here is where you can add other ingredients. Heat all thoroughly and in about 10-15 minutes, your dinner is done!!

I hope this helps with mealtime memories--Less stress and more sharing time around the table. I would love to hear of some of your time treasure recipes...

**Don't forget my 100 follower blog giveaway. When we reach 100 followers, Everyone goes into a drawing for a Letterpress kit. See earlier post for details. Until next time,

Blessings,

Blog give away at 100 followers....

98,99,100....

"Follow me where I go what I do and who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me
Follow me up and down all the way and all around
Take my hand and say you'll follow me"

These lyrics are from a beautiful song by John Denver (back in the 70's). Would you follow me and my blog? I would love to have you join me as we celebrate the joy of everyday living. From recipes to DIY projects to seeing God's beauty in all that we do, I hope my writings will inspire you to see the joy, the possibility and the real side of life. So with that, I thought we might need a big giveaway...So when Wishblooms reaches 100 followers, everyone is entered to win a

**The epic is sold separately but the letterpress can be used in Cuttlebug and Big Shot**

This a great tool to use with the Epic for creating your own stationary, invitations--the possibilities are endless. Remember, once we reach 100, EVERY follower is entered to win...So hurry and follow me, get your friends to follow and this letterpress could be yours....Happy following!! Until next time,

Blessings,

Sweet sentiments from vintage cards....for you

While in Abilene, (love that town!) My mom, Presleigh and I visited one of my favorite shops, The Honeycomb Tree and stumbled upon sweet little gift and thank you cards. Here are a few designs that I thought y'all would like. Wouldn't these be pretty added to beautiful cardstock or printed on muslin to embellish a simple canvas tote...These remind me of Spring and Sweet times (especially since it's raining in Texas!) ...I hope you enjoy these little sentiments ...For you from Me!

Simply click on the image for your free download. I would love to know what you make with these...I know it will be beautiful. Thank you for stopping by....Until next time,

Blessings,

P.S. Don't forget registration is open for our Altered Art Class in March. See earlier posts for details. Click on the paypal button at the right for registration/payment.

Registration is open..A spoonful of Fun of Creativity

Please join me for a Spoonful of Fun and Creativity as we alter a vintage silver spoon. We will learn to make our own nests from gatherings such as tissue, paper, twigs, and string. Also, as a part of our class, we will learn wire wrapping with beads for the handle and the silver wire nest holding precious pearl eggs. Lastly we’ll finish off with a sentiment tag secured by a vintage button. Your class kit will include all the materials needed for this one of kind art creation. You may bring some of your treasures and trinkets if you would like - but I will be supplying all that you need. Here are the details.

Date: Saturday, March 17, 2012

Time: 1:30pm -4:30pm

Where: My Art Studio, Rowlett, TX

Cost: $45.00- this includes all supplies as well as afternoon refreshments

Registrations/payment begins February 14th. Please click on the link at the top right of my blog.

Once registered, I'll be emailing everyone with my exact address and further details.

Hope to see you soon! Until next time,

Blessings,

Thoughts of Summer...

Summer 2011- my article appears on page 128

It's hard to believe someone can be thinking of summer right now. Our winter came back with temps in the 30's for the last 3 days. Of course, we have rain today instead of snow but my mind is drifting to summer- the beach, the sand, the gardening and of course Sew Somerset. You may be asking yourself "What does Sew Somerset have to do with summer"? That is an awesome question - I found out this past week that several pieces of my work will be featured in the Summer issue of this incredible publication. I am glad someone's thinking about summer. All kidding aside, I am truly honored and blessed when people like my work. When I like what I make/create, that is reward enough but when someone else likes it- that is truly a blessing. It's like a seal of approval. In the words of Sally Fields- "You like me...you really like me." Although my work may not be Oscar worthy, it is Sew Somerset worthy-- and that is good enough for me!!! Be looking for great sewing notions and samplers (from me) when the summer issue hits newsstands June 1st-It'll be here before we know it. Until next time,

Blessings--

And the winners are...

Congratulations to these 5 wonderful gals who won the giveaway...

Lynette

Lori of mud pie studio

Jan of just me jan

Linda Calvert

Gloria

I'll be in touch via email for your address so I can send a little happy your way....Thanks for leaving such wonderful comments. I appreciate all who entered.

Be watching for a Artful Class coming in March!! Until next time,

Blessings--