My 1st Mini Scrapbook Album "Beary Day"

I have fallen in love with Mini Scrapbook Albums! Having 29 years worth of photos to scrapbook has made me feel very overwhelmed. So when I started viewing various videos on YouTube, I soaked up various details and learned each and every technique used. On this album, I used many of them, imperfectly, but with practice, I feel confident.  The most important thing I feel about Mini Scrapbook Albums is that I feel the freedom of creativity. Photos I have came to mind as I created each page. Maybe with mini albums, I will get all those photos put into albums. ((Smile))

This is the front cover of the Mini Scrapbook Album titled "Beary Day"!

The Build-a-Bear is from the Stampin' Up! Sizzix Collection. I made the grass & tree trunk by hand, highlighting the tree trunk with Chocolate Chil SU ink.  The tree green is made using Creative Memories cutting system, circle.  I used the SU heart punch to do the hearts with the idea of "Picking Hearts" instead of Picking Apples. =)  I plan to add some bling to the ribbon using beads and a bear charm.

The cover...this album is 5x5 for the most part...the tree is obviously larger.

Pages 1-2

This page is for journaling or to add a photo. I used SU Chocolate Chip ink to highlight the edges of the flower, which has a cute pearl in the middle. I used the Binderie to add the metal record binder at the top. Then I added scrap paper and ribbon to the bottom of the page. I stessed the edges of the scrap paper using sandpaper. The crackle paper is so perfect for this album, but I only had one sheet and not sure where it came from.

Page #3, was so much fun! I have ordered larger letter stickers for future albums, but this worked for this page. "Have a Beary Day!"  The board border is scrap from a coffee collar I got from Starbucks on my last Chai-Latte. =) The butterfly was made from a Sizzix die cut. I layered it and supported each portion with foam raised dots (not sure what the actual name for them are).  The hart diecut at the top, I accented the heart with Crystal Effects twice. It has a shiny raised appearance. Then I added a tag for a photo or journaling.

Pages 3-4 were my last pages to make & were very very creative.  I took Crystal Effects and made several of the insects and butterflies stand out, shiny.  Then I added the window view using white cardstock and raised foam adhesive squares.  Finally, I didn't have fabric onhand so I used toilet tissue paper with flowery design & scalloped the edges. I think I will get a cat diecut or sticker for the window too!

Pages 5-6.

This page was fun too! I made a pocket using a template I got at a card camp, added patterend paper to the front. On that patterned paper I used Crystal Effects on several of the butterflies to make them pop and shine. Then I added tags for accents.

I added tags, as I mentioned, I used a rubber stamp to add the bird, flower, & message then placed a ribbon through a center hole for embellishment. The smaller tag has patterned scrap paper and I used a tag punch to make the little white journaling spot. Bling was added to the smaller tag and the corner of the page. The pocket has small window cut outs at the edges so you can see the paper through the pocket. I thought that was adorable.

This is the backside of the tags. I added a flower stamp to the corner of the green tag. Also, I used an office clip to hold the smaller tag to the page pocket. The ribbon on the smaller tag is attached with a mini safety pin.

Pages 7-8

I took the paper matching the next page as my focal point under the stressed out layered paper. I tore the edges and curled the edges by rolling them up on a pencil. There is a surprise in the middle that has a cute pink flower on top.

Surprise!! Two journaling or photo spots are inside of the little album, 

but...there is more...

I added three more journaling/photo spots to this little album. The first page, to the right, has a cut paw print, to go with the bear theme of this album. I made this tag by putting three strips of double sided tape on my pattern paper, then took emossing clean powder and my Versamark pad, creating a texture element. Then I added my paw die cut to the top and cut it out adding framing to the piece. Totally cute and shiny. The tag is made with torn scraps of paper and a message rub-on. I added clear embossing to it also. Creative, don't you think! =)

Another Build-a-Bear diecut was added here with a cute little outfit that was accented with colorful brads I had leftover from a card project. I added canvas ribbon tto the bottom as a floor background. Then I added a card with a flower brad to make it pop. The gift bag in her hand is a stamp from the Build-a-Bear collection. I used a marker to color in the nose & add stitching to the layout.

Pages 9-10, I think...LOL, losing count...

THis is a pretty simple page, I put a scallop to the edges of the focal paper. Then tore & stressed the edges, rolling them up and adding it to the focal paper. Then I took 3 tags and placed them inside a bright colored ribbon. Cozy...

I actually did these tags in the beginning of this project. I thougth I did very well with my embossing! I added ribbon to the tags. I made the tags with a rubber stamp from Stampology. I added colorful paper to the back of each tag also.

This page was made basically as the one prior. I added a flower accent at the bottom which I added Crystal Effects to so that the little flowers would shine. Then I added a yellow/orange flower to pick up the colors in the tiny accent & the embossed tags on the previous page. Then there is a removable embossed tag with a red ribbon added to it tucked behind the flower...it is removable with patterned paper on the back.

Pages 11-12 are coloring pages. I will add crayons to each page tied with a ribbon. I thought simple...

 

Final pages of the book with cute surprises inside. =)

This page was so much fun. I took the focal paper, matching the next page, and placed it on bottom. Then tore scrap paper for the accent elements. The word "delight" was a cardstock diecut that I added 3 coats of the Crystal Elements to so that it would totally pop and shine! Then the paw print is a repeat process I have already used on this project. Here the embossed portions of it really shine. I like that. =)

The framed paw print folds open to a mini-mini album for photos or add scrap paper for journaling.

Opps...forgot a page in the mini-mini album. =O

Here I added more photo/journaling pages...I stressd the edges of each one too.

I loved making this page. It s a bed, with a blanket on top. I added the raised foam adhesive to the comforter where it is folded down and under the pillow behind the bear with adhesive tape on the edges. It look fluffy.

I didn't show that the bear slides out of the bed. =( However, inside the blanket is a pocket that holds two more tags for journaling or photos. I added ribbon to the edge secured with a tiny safety pin.

Here are the back of each tag. I also used a brown and black marker to highlight the bears features. At the end of a Beary Day, one can rest assured that it has been a fun adventurous day. =)

I added a note to the back that I made this and when. I also added a pocket for one last tag that is covered on both sides with scrap paper. I also added the final paw tag I made throughout this album. I loved the crackel paint paper...I must find more...

I hope you have enjoyed this presentation. Be sure to check my YouTube page, www.youtube.com/RitaHutchesonCobbs for my first video showing this album. =)

Love and Blessings,

Rita and... Have a Beary Day!

The rewards of scrapbook challenges...

. Kay from Toodles & Binks: Rose Tapestry Stamp

I won this stamp in The {Scrap} Beach online January Crop this past weekend! WOOT!!!

Can't wait to make something with this beautiful stamp...

Check out my layout photos on my blog...

Love and Blessings,

Rita

The {Scrap} Beach January Crop Challenge Picture Show!

Challenge #1 using no black, white, or grey! Whew wee...brown was it then...I love the Build-a-Bear series of die cuts. I made this little bear at a card camp and he fit perfectly on this layout. I loved the torn distressted edges of this paper. This was a fun technique that I learned from The {Scrap} Beach  tutorials.

Challenge #2 was to use no ink, except a black journaling pen. I thought this would be a cute gift to my husband for Valentine's Day. He was so sweet to set me up a table and bring in my small supply of scrapbooking items due to the severe cold at this time, my studio wasn't a place to be and personally, beads were to cold to play with, so this was a wonderful respite to the winter days.

Challenge #3 was to do a layout titled Family.  I love my family and this challenged me completely. New to scrapbooking techniques like this one, I wanted a henge on my little journaling pocket. So, I got one from the shop and my husband cut off the tips of the screws so that it looked real. Glue works wonders and the pocket opens and closes. I have a journaling note inside and a tab saying how this family is...like we would forget. =)  The paper I used crystal effects on some of the flying insects to make them pop and shine, a new technique for me for sure!

Challenge #4 using a technique (or 2) that may be too hard or too difficult....OMGosh!! This layout has several scrapbooking techniques that I have never used before and may never do again! LOL. The chipboard letters for the word love, I first covered in paper, distressed and inked the edges. They still seemed plain to me so I added clear embossing powder to each of them. I added my husband's photo (of him at his favorite store, Habitat Store) and then a photo of us inside the letter E to which I added crystal effects to as well making it look like a glass covering. The pocket was from a templete of a library card pocket (remember those??) I had in a recylced book. The tags inside hold some other techniques I figured out for myself that I will share at another time. It was fun, this whole page was awful messy!!!

Challenge #5 was to make a page related to high school, college or grad school.  Enough said. I did high school because that seemed simple enough. I added tabs for 4 different areas of high school for me, my favorite of course was friends.

Challenge #6 was to share what going to the BEACH meant for me. Personally, there isn't enough paper to express what it has meant to me. I found this group through YouTube videos of "Kathryn" who created this group for scrapbookers. It is wonderful. I have learned so much which has created comfort for me with scrapbooking. My calling will be mini-albums...not scrapbooking the 29 yrs worth of photos I have...at last not yet.

Challenge #7 Invest Wisely was the them for this one. I love the vintage look of this one, especially working with elements I had never tried before. The butterfly I used on another page, but I did this butterfly first when I was tyring to figure out where to begin all of this. The tool for me, since I obviously don't have a lot of scrapbooking tools, was my woodburner. I made this little tokens using it and added the crystal effects, which is my favorite product thus far.

This has been my show and tell for my first Online Live Crop!  I worked through 7 am this morning and finished my pages today PLUS starting my first mini-album. I am soooo excited and thakful that these wonderful people have come into my life to mentor me and lead me as I begin making mini-scrapbooking albums.

Love and Blessings,

Rita

Scrapbooking: Where to start!

I love paper crafts! Making cards is one of my favorite ways to demonstrate my love for paper. However, as I watched various videos on YouTube, I ran across several demonstrating mini scrapbook albums. I have made only three scrapbook full albums in my life…so my experience is limited and I simply got overwhelmed with all the photos I had that needed scrapbooking that I simply quit.

My first album was of a collection of school photos for a music teacher my son's had while in school. He had left a private teaching job for a local university position. The school contracted with me (as a graphic designer) to work with their yearbook annual. As I was cleaning out years of stored photos, I found many of this teacher's photographs and former students. I got the idea to create a scrapbook. There was no such animal as a scrapbook store or specialty shops to buy items to create an album, even online. So, I went to a department store craft section. I stood in an area that had scrapbook things, but was confused. So I asked a few people that came through asking them for advice. In the end, I had a great album but boy was it heavy! I had 12x12 designer paper for every single page and loads of embellishments. I had some of the students write my husband notes on their photos and even a CD of music the choirs had recorded. Beautiful, but I see now that I could have done much of it very different.

The second and third albums I created were over a weekend retreat several years ago. I took my son’s eleven years, birthing him all over again and carried him to just beyond hi eleventh birthday. It was fun, I met the challenges of completing the most pages, but I didn’t sleep the whole time…I worked, that is what I went there to do. However, my excitement wore out in the end. I never scrapbooked another thing.

Which leads me to now. I loved the mini-albums that each video on YouTube created. I thought, “This is something I can do and would love every moment of!” I thought of all the people I could make gifts for, especially the nursing home residents I have befriended. I watched, listened, took notes of items I would need, basics to get started. I love the chip board mini albums so I began there. I found various things online and ordered them.

Then I came across and online group that holds online live chat rooms for just this purpose…to talk about handmade cards and mini albums. I feel in love with a new aspect of paper arts. With advice I gained from these gals, I was able to stop my studio with products I would need. I can add photos or I don’t have to add photos…I have choices. I can create, paint, embellish, cut, fold, whatever my creative inspiration creates within me, I can do.

I am sooooo excited about this! I may ask one too many questions, but I am learning about tools and everything related to creating mini albums. So, Saturday night from 8 pm to 2 am my time, I will be online, creating. I just love technology!!!

Love and Blessings,
Rita

Life is laced with embellishments...

The need to create overwhelms me at times. When I am not creating, I find myself thinking about it. I dream of varied ideas and plan how to pull off a creation. I wake wishing I were in my studio already. With being sick the past two weeks, I have taken my journal and made some amazing altered pages. Creating is such a respite and relaxing opportunity for me. As I am making a gift, I think about that person and pray for them while creating. God just opens my soul to possibilities during this time. I love the positive aspect of that.

In this artwork, featured photo, I wanted to keep four packs of buttons from this design company. I thought I would frame them, but I found that wasn't enough. I needed, NEEDED, to embellish the whole project. I used more buttons from that same company and added them to the edges along with the needle and thread I had laced the buttons with. It will hang beautifully in my studio too.

Life is like that. Laced with embellishments, both positive and negative, it is how we look at each that makes life pleasant and peaceful or disrupted and shallow. Our family focuses on the positive aspects of life. However, if I dwell on the negative, that is who I become. If I focus on the positive and turn on my smile dripping in a bubbly personality, then each day is full of sunshine and the obstacles are so much easier to gracefully dance through.

Maybe this ties in well with this blog! Just as I broke the routine of my nightly regiment, you too can break the routine of being negative. Chose to be positive, smile, nod, rather than sour and...well, negative. You will look and feel ten years younger and that the weight of the worldly burdens are gone. God is good and this is the season to share that goodness and love.

((Smiling))

Love and Blessings,

Rita

Recipe: Peppermint Cup Cakes

Peppermint Cup Cakes might be delicious make with chocolate but since I am allergic to chocolate, this was better for me. I thought this brought out the peppermint flavoring very well too. Now, I would love to share with you the homemade version but it wouldn't be fair since the only way I like to make cakes of any kind is from a box. I can make them from scratch, however, I am so thankful for the boxed mixes...they are excellent.

Peppermint Cup Cakes

 ~ from the kitchen of Rita Hutcheson-Cobbs

Prepare a white cake mix of your choice. The only difference I do in preparing the mix is that I replace the required oil for real butter. Then I add 1 t of real peppermint flavoring and 1/2 t real vanilla to the mix. Also, I save the egg yolks in the freezer for use at another time. So, prepare the cake mix & place the batter into cup cake sleeves & bake according to directions on the box.

Take fluffy canned frosting, add 1/8 t of real peppermint flavoring to the icing and mix well. Spread evenly onto the cup cakes. Take crushed soft peppermint (from Cracker Barrel store) and sprinkle over the cup cakes. Delic-eee-0000-soooo!!!!

Ethan baked the cup cakes for me and I frosted them as he was trimming the Christmas tree.

I do have a funny story about my first every white cake. I hadn't been married but a couple of years when I attempted my first white cake. I was careful to measure and add the right ingredients. Once my mixer began to beat the batter, the whole thing began jumping on the counter. I was afraid something had happened to my mixer. When I pour the batter from the mixing bowl, out fell a large lump. After spooning it out, I found a piece of metal that was the size of an American quarter but about 1/2" thick. I knew right away there was no way this could have come from my mixer.

I cooked the cake...yes, I figured any germs would have been backed away. NOW, I would NEVER do that. ;-) The cake was very good as I remember. However, I thought the company needed to know about this.

I wrote a letter, since there was no such things as e-mail at that time. I described in cute detail how I had made my first white cake only to discover a hidden treasure. I told them what the piece looked like and said I would be happy to mail it to them if they would like.

Time passed and I got a reply from the company with a letter saying, "We were pleased to receive your letter because of the humor and delight you shared with us. We have never, ever received such a letter as yours." They gave their apology and an explanation that it came from one of their powder beaters in their plant. They went on to say, "We hope that the enclosed gift will make up for this problem." Enclosed was a check for 5x what the box of cake mix cost me and at least 10 coupons for free boxes of cake mix.

Needless to say, I was thrilled. It proved to me those many years ago that if you handle situations with humor and kindness, you will be rewarded. God has been good to me throughout the 25 yrs following that situation because I am an others focused person and I always bring a since of laughter to the table.

Love and blessings,

RHC

Recipe: Crab Cakes

I love seafood of every kind. My sons, Garrett and Joel, and I loved these crab cakes. I served warm tarter sauce with these. They were not greasy at all and browned nicely in the skillet. This recipe made 12 cakes.

Crab Cakes  

~ From the kitchen of Rita Hutcheson-Cobbs

2 C fresh crab meat, finely chopped

1 C Italian bread crumbs

1 large egg, slightly beaten

1/4 C minced onion (I use the dried minced onion)

1/4 C Kraft Real Mayo with Olive Oil

1 T lemon juice

1/2 t minced garlic

4 drops Hot Choleua Sauce

1 T butter

1. In a large bowl, combine crabmeat, bread crumbs, egg, onion, mayo, lemon juice, garlic, & hot sauce, mix well.

2. Make 12 balls of this mixture, roll in some Italian bread crumbs, & flatten to make a cake.

3. In a large skillet (I use a Pampered Chef non-stick skillet) melt the butter.

4. Cook the crab cakes until slightly brown on one side, flip them over & brown the other side.

5. Remove from the skillet onto papertowels to drain.

6. Serve hot and with warmed tarter sauce (I put the tarter sauce on the stove to warm while I made the crab cakes.

Love, blessings, and enjoy,

RHC

Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup

I have used a couple of different recipes in the past for Butternut Squash Soup, but this has to be my favorite and preparing the squash has taken several attemps, but I have found the best way to cook it. My loves this wonderful soup served with crumbled turkey bacon that is grilled crisp for this dish.

Butternut Squash Soup 

 ~ From the kitchen of Rita Hutcheson-Cobbs

3 T of real butter

1 med onion, finely chopped

2 stalks of celery, finely chopped

2 carrots, shredded

3 med potatoes, finely shopped

3 butternut sqash, peeled, seeded, & prepared*

1 - 32 oz box of chicken broth (99% fat-free)

2 t sea salt

1 t freshly ground pepper

Garnish with grilled crumbled turkey bacon & fat-free sour cream (optional)

*1. To prepare the butternut sqash, wash the squash first, then cut each on in half. Scoup out the seeds (if the seed area isn't soft enough to spoon out, simply do so after baking, being careful not to get any of the squash meat.) Brush on olive oil all on the top of each butternut squash, place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 2 hours or until meat is tender. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Begin preparing the other ingredients.

2. In a 12 quart boiler, melt the butter.

3. Add onion, celery, carrots & potatoes to the melted butter.

4. Add chicken broth just enough to cover the vegetables & simmer.

5. Scrap the meat from each sqash & add to the vegetables.

6. Add the remaining chicken broth & stir all the ingredients well & bring to a boil.

7. Remove from heat & allow to cook slightly.

8. Spoon mixture into a blendar and process until creamy. (I have to do about a 1/3 of the soup at a time, but once it is creamy, I put it into a very large metal bowl until I have all of it done, then add it back to the 12 quart boiler).

9. Place the soup on med-high heat and simmer for 45 minutes.

10. Serve hot, garnish with bacon & sour cream.

Love, blessings, and enjoy,

RHC

Recipe: Ham & Biscuits

I could be really crazy and give you a recipe for homemade biscuits with ham, but I must admit, those photographed here are not homemade. Since I was making several other dishes from scratch, I decided that it would be ok to fundge on the Ham & Biscuits. With frozen biscuits, I simply baked them and opened them while hot and added ham slices I bought in the meat section of our grocer. My husband, Jerry, grilled the ham for me. =) They were delicious and large too. Feed some growing boys in my house well for the Tree Trimming Party & even for breakfast in the morning. Ummmmyyyy.

Love, Blessings and {{{Hugs}}},
Rita

Recipe: Sauerbraten Meatballs & Gravy

Sauerbraten Meatballs and Gravy

~ From the kitchen of Rita Hutcheson-Cobbs...these are so delicious!!!

1/2 C fat-free milk

1/2 C dried bread crumbs

1/4 t ground cloves

1/4 t ground allspice

1/2 t ground cinnamon

1 t sea salt

1/2 t fresh ground pepper

2 lbs of very lean beef ( I use Schwans ground beef)

3 T vegetable oil

1 1/2 C red wine vinegar with garlic

2 C beef broth

1/2 t ground ginger

2 bay leafs

2 T brown sugar

6 gingersnap cookies, crushed

1. In a med bowl, soak bread crumbs, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, salt, & pepper in milk.

2. Add beef & shape into meatballs, any size you like. =)

3. In a large skillet, brown meatballs in hot oil over medium heat.

4. While the meatballs are browning, put vinegar, beef broth, giner, bay leaves, gingersnap cookies & brown sugar in a bowl, mix well & set to the side.

5. Once browned, remove meatballs from skillet & drain on a layer of paper towels.

6. Add #4 to the skillet & bring to a rolling boil. When it can't be stirred down or becomes a thick gravy, return the temp to med-high and add the meatballs back to the gravy mixture.

7. Serve meatballs & gravy hot.

This is also very good over bowtie pasta...however, this dish is excellent alone. =)

Love and blessings,

RHC

Artichoke Wraps Recipe

Artichoke Wraps

~ From the kitchen of Rita Hutcheson-Cobbs

1 T butter

1/2 C red potatoes, diced

3 oz fat-free cream cheese, softened

2 T minced onion

1/3 C grated Parmesan Cheese (not the crushed kind)

2 T Kraft Real Mayo with Olive Oil

1 T finely chopped fresh Parsley

1 T lemon zest

8 drops hot Choluea Sauce

1/2 T of sea salt

1 - 6 oz jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained

24 wonton wrappers

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a small skillet, melt butter over med-high heat and cook potatoes, stirring constantly until potatoes are golden crisp.

3. In med bowl, combine cream cheese, onion, Parmesan cheese, mayo, parsley, lemon zest, hot sauce, and salt.

4. Fold in artichoke hearts & potatoes.

5. Spoon the mixture into phyllo cups.

6. Place in the mini-muffin pan, bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the wraps have browned.

7. Serve warm and with fat-free sour cream.

Love and Blessing and totally enjoy, RHC

Trail Mix Popcorn Recipe

It has been a while since I have blogged, so what a better way to begin than with a recipe that I found today! Sorry, I don't know how many calories these might be, but they are NutLess and ChocolateLess since I can't have these for now, BUT I love popcorn, especially the dripping in butter (layered actually) at the movies, umm...oh, sorry, I butter get back to the subject...

Trail Mix Popcorn
* Makes about 20 small popcorn balls.

1/2 cup popcorn kernals, freshly popped
1/2 cup dried pumpkin seeds
1 cup dried banana chips
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup barley malt syrup
1/4 cup brown rice syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla

1) Toss popcorn with pumpkin seeds, banana chips, and cranberries.
2) Heat syrup in a medium saucepan.
3) Add vanilla to syrup.
4) Pour syrups over popcorn mixture.
5) Toss well.
6) Form into balls and place on wax papered cookie sheet.
7) Cool and serve.

Ummmy....Linda, check to see how what the WW value would be on these...on second though, don't!! =)

Love and Blessings,
RHC

Random Thoughts about crochet, Jackson Pollock, jewelry, Jesus, knitting, & oatmeal...

Totally random ((Rita's Moment of Random Thoughts)), remember, I warned you...

Artist tips are fun to post on Twitter, but I find myself loaded with tips related to raising boys (the importance of having Ora-gel and Super Glue on hand) to cooking. There are many people out there with more wisdom than I could hold in my hand for life experiences make each of us that way on any given subject.

One tip I shared on Twitter tonight is really great. Take an empty/clean oatmeal container, the round ones with a plastic lid, punch a hole in the top of the plastic lid and place the ball of yarn inside weaving the end of the yarn through the hole in the top. This keeps the yarn from rolling around plus gives you a new way to recycle while feeding the body a healthy hearty meal. See what I mean, "what goes around, comes around", as my friend Sherry use to say. Also, for the thin, tiny crochet thread I use for my beaded necklaces fit perfect in a butter bowl, simply using the same technique. My beaded thread fits perfectly into the bowl and I pull as needed.

Yarn is a wonderful art. I met a precious lady once who used yarn at a senior center to outline and fill-in coloring pages. Then she mounted them on cardboard and framed them. The art of knitting has been around far more centuries than can be recorded, but the earliest findings note socks being the reason for knitting ((makes sense)). Crochet didn't come around until the early 1800, I believe. It is more a decorative art than knitting. However, Knitting, which I consider practical, has a beautiful detail to it as well. Regardless, I could never learn to play the piano because I had to use two hands to do it, thus, knitting was never my gift. I tried, oh, I tried, but it never stuck, sadly to say.

Crochet...yarn into filet designs, doilies, afghans, baby items, clothing, scrafs, even fabric rugs...I can do well and fast. Using crochet in jewelry ((wire and thread)) has been a true enjoyment, but making baby blankets for Linus will be my treasured gift.

I am so glad that whatever our gift of art might be, that we have opportunities to use it to help others. I have always told my sons that we are to be others focused when that person is in need. Jesus met a person where they were, supplied their need before sharing with them the love of God. His actions spoke loader than His words, how much different are we today? Funny, Jesus still meets us where we are...

Jackson Pollock said, "Every good painter paints what he is." What are you painting each moment of every day as a reflection for others to see? I, indeed, pray it is good.

Love and Blessings,
RHC

Possibilities with Crochet...

Possibilities. There are so many now that my life has yet taken another turn. Which path will I take? What will I do? The adventure is the path of possibilities for which I am ready to walk down. I am thankful for this opportunity too! =) For now, my crochet hook is running quickly from row to row as I work on my next baby blanket. Soon, it will be shipped off for the Linus touch and used for a baby that needs it desperatley. Another color then will be started for a teenager in distress. I am thankful for this time to use my artisan talent for others. Hmmm, I wonder if there are senior centers that I might could offer free lessons or lap afghans? Oh, the possibilities...

Love and Blessings,

RHC

My laptop decor element...

Are these not adorable!!!

This was such an easy project. I added a daisy from the hostess line of Stampin' Up! to the top of my Acer Aspire One Laptop. it fit perfectly. Stampin' Up! has many items in the Decor Element collection. The prices are low and these are removable making them great for changing decor in your home or office, dorm, or simply for fun.

Tomorrow morning, I leave for Salt Lake City at 7 am. I am very excited and need this time of respite. It is with confusing feelings that I leave my dad at this time. He won't be with us much longer. He has so much trouble breathing and is under full Hospice care. My son, Joel, is recovering from surgery as well but is doing great. It is  little frightening to leave them. However, I realize I need girlfriend time...and a place to relax, renew, refresh, and remember. It will give me a chance to refocus as well. Setting my sights on the artistic goals and dreams that have only just begun. Being obedient to God's direction for this time of rest and renewal is something we all need to remember when we are caregivers. Not just to focus on our own interests, but to know that we have to be fully equipped to care.

Have a wonderful Wednesday and remember you are half way to the weekend, da'ling! Hang in there!!!

Love and blessings,

RHC

What should this become?

Items taken from one form of media to another is something I love to do. Saturday, I went into this shop that has frilly girly accessories. The shop keeper offered me anythinig in the store at 20% off if I paid cash...I couldn't pass up the deal nor the price I got for this set. So, look at these photos and let me know what colors &/or design you think would be fun for this set - pendant and earrings. I can't wait to post them in a new style of jewelry...or whatever they may become.

Love, Blessings & {{{Hugs}}},
RHC

Beading Sample & Dreaming

This has been a productive Sunday! First thing this morning, my mother (both my parents live with us now) made homemade biscuits with syrup/butter to dip them in. There is no way I will ever succeed in shedding fluffy with her living here. LOL, but it was so umy!

Then I watched TV church of our worship service and a church live online with a chat room running along side of the screen. It was awesome! The other thing that was amazing was that both pastors were carrying almost the same message theme. God must need me to pay attention, don't you think? =)

Then I mowed our lawn (2 acres I might add) and cleaned a portion of the wooded area that will some day grow up to be a lovely walking trail. I usually like to mow the grass on Monday since it takes all day, it gives me a chance to put the mower in 1st gear and think about what I want to accomplish in my studio that week. I meditate, simply exist in the great outdoors, which is lovely all year long in the country.

Then I headed to the studio. After adding a small area for my rough work and storage for my metal shelving, I am ready to organize a bit. It is so exciting. I worked on my swap cards for for the artist convention and picked beads from my stash for a beaded bracelet (photo insert). I want to make one in greens and one in sandstone shades. I have yellow beading too, but haven't decided to use them yet. I love making this bracelet design. I will be sure to post the photos of the finished project. Also, I have strung beads for the crochet beaded necklace I will be making.

It is fun to create works of art. I love to make weird designs in the grass when I mow or place a bird feeder in a certain place that I know the birds will enjoy. I love eating homemade donates my mother made (which she did this evening) which are her own creation. It inspires me to watch and listen to my husband and sons sing or write their own music. Making a bed, preparing a cooked dish, arranging the table...all these are creative outlets. Which one is yours?

I have encouraged our sons to live their dreams, whatever they may be today or tomorrow. One has gone from wanting to be a lawyer to a professional musician to being a writer. Whatever each one has wanted to do with their life we have encouraged it, along with education of course. I wish someone had done that with me; so today, I am giving you permission to live your dreams. Start now planning where you will be in 10 minutes, 10 days, 10 months, 10 yrs. If you are not happy doing what you are doing 9-5, then make plans to live your dream. Take the prep time to decide what it is you really want to do, what will make you smile all the time, what will make you happy!

I smile all the time, regardless of the circumstance. I am bubbly, smart, and fluffaly adorable. I am also an artist...in the past year in caring for my father, I have come to realize that I am an artist and I have gained the self-confidence to move forward in that. I am using the time caring for my father to build my skils, knowledge, getting my studio ready, and so forth. You can too? What is your dream?

Happy week, love and blessings,

RHC

(Ps Sorry for the long blog, but I just had much to say...)