Spring is in the air!  (OK, well, almost...it was only in the 40's today in Chicago.) But we've got to think positive thoughts, right?!?  Here's a quick card to make! Supplies: Stamps: Furnishing Fun Stamp Set Paper: American Crafts paper, white vellum (source unknown...my scrap pile!) Embellishments: Opal Pearl Paint Adhesives: Vellum Tape, Permanent Tape, and Foam Squares from Scrapbook Adhesives This card is a standard size of 5 1/2" x 4 1/4".  To make the 3D part, cut a piece of vellum that's 5" x 2".  Score both ends of the vellum 3/8" in from the side.  (This will make a little flap to adhere your vellum tape … [Read more...]

Happy Friday everyone!  This might be my favorite Friday Favorites yet! Driftwood City from Alisa Burke.  I wonder if I could find enough driftwood on Lake Michigan? Painted Parasol Tutorial, also from Alisa Burke.  Absolutely gorgeous! How to marble cookies from Sweetopia on Bake at 350.  LOVE this technique...wonder if I need some decorated cookies anytime soon? Pencil vs. Camera set from Ben Heine on Flickr. Have a great weekend everyone! … [Read more...]

I bet you're wondering how in the world tostadas could be spring themed...and my husband was wondering the exact same thing when I told him that's what we'd be having for dinner this weekend!  I promise, it's simple and fun! You'll need the follow items: spring themed cookie cutters  (I used a butterfly and flower cutter.) flour tortillas olive oil cumin and chili powder your favorite tostada toppings!  (My favorites include refried beans, cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, lettuce, avocados and some salsa or pico de gallo.) Cut out your tortillas to make little bite sized spring shapes and place on your cookie sheet.  (Who said … [Read more...]

Happy Friday everyone!  Here's a few of this week's favorites: Rae made these cute springy Moss Cupcakes.  Wouldn't these look cute with a little fondant deer, bird, or mushroom on top? Ree's Creamy Lemon Crumb Squares.  I love lemon flavor and these look like they'd be right up my alley! Tacklebox Planter from Craft.  I don't have space now for a garden, but after the move back into a house this seems like a great way to get things started! Leather cuff tutorial from Maya*Made. Have a wonderful weekend! … [Read more...]

I sketched out this idea I wanted to try a few weeks ago and pulled out the supplies to make it.  I thought it would be fun to do a stamped pattern on shrinky dinks to make some fun earrings then add some embellishments for a little more texture!  I think they turned out well!  A great colorful accessory for the coming summer! This project actually has two separate parts to it.  First off we're going to make a shrinky dink ruler.  Trust me, this will make ALL your shrinky dink projects easier from here on out!  This is how you're going to know for sure how much your plastic will shrink!  It always says 1/3 ...but who wants to do the … [Read more...]

Yea for Friday!  Here are some of my favorite things I've found from this week: Sea Glass Candy....aren't these gorgeous?  The recipe and tutorial are courtesy of Not So Humble Pie.  You could use any flavor you want....  I'm thinking green apple, lemon/lime, raspberry....yum-o! Aren't these just the cutest animals?  It's a font, so you could use these for a variety of projects!  I'm loving the little penguin, chicken, and hedgehog.  You can download it for free here.  This would be great in combination with the Yudu to screen print some of these on clothing, bags, or onesies! Patty Young's new knit collection from Michael … [Read more...]

It's Friday!  Yippee!  It's even been an incredibly nice day for spring in Chicago!  I'm going to be here not only every Tuesday now for a tutorial but I'll be here every Friday for a round up of a few of the favorite things I've found from around the web this week.  This could be a mix of crafts, recipes, decor, anything I saw that I liked.  Here's the first installment: Hot Cross Bun recipe from Citrus and Candy.  I think I'll be making these on Sunday morning, they look simple AND delicious! Practice your high school chemistry with basic ingredients you have around the house and make your own bouncy balls...  Not that I need any … [Read more...]

Yea!  I'm excited for today's tutorial!  I'm going to take you through the process of making freezer jam.  It's the easiest jam to make and doesn't involve hot water baths to seal and preserve it!  My husband and I make 2 batches every spring and that barely gets us until the next spring...it's SO good and tastes so fresh even after months of being in the freezer!  I had one neighbor in Texas that was more than willing to watch our cats while we were away on vacation, as long as his payment was at least one container of Strawberry Jam.  (His wife told me later he ate the whole thing in one sitting with crackers and she never got … [Read more...]