One Thousand Gifts - #44 - #56

(if you are new to One Thousand Gifts, please visit Ann Voskamp's blog)

44. having coffee with a new friend in the middle of the day!
45. reading a book at the beach in the sunshine in October
46. gorgeous fall colours
47. quick access to health care specialists (something we did NOT have when we lived in Canada)
48. a very fun morning spent at Ruffles and Rust with a friend.
49. I finally went shopping with my friend Andrea. :)
50. perfect weather for planting daffodil bulbs
51. participating in another Beth Moore bible study
52. my new favourite TV show - Pan Am
53. an increase in visitors to my blog and kind comments about my paper creations.
54. the thrill of seeing my crafts "pinned" to Pinterest!
55. starting to read through the New Testament in a year even if I stumble occasionally and have to "catch up."
56. my husband's improved health after a rough spot (minor)Pin It

Autumn banner

I love banners. Here's my latest, with instructions.
1. The base for the garland (a scalloped circle) is a die cut from a scrapbook store that is no longer in business. :(
I had a few of these chipboard pieces in my collection but not enough for a whole banner so..... I traced it onto CEREAL BOX CARDBOARD for the rest! How's that for thrifty???

2. the patterned paper (glued on top of the chipboard/cardboard) is from Basic Grey. The info on the paper is "mellow, cultured." Sounds like me. Ha ha!

3. using a Marvy Uchida scalloped oval punch, punch out book pages. I have to sneak in another book page since book page crafts is my theme this month. :) So far, I have made 2 wreaths using book pages.

4. using a smaller scalloped oval punch (also from Marvy), punch out cardstock. Glue the layers down. I like double-sided tape for this.

5. I used chipboard stickers for the letters.

6. punch 2 small holes in each shape, near the top.

7. set an eyelet on each hole - I used small copper ones that I found at Michael's.

8. thread some matching ribbon through the holes. The ribbon is probably from Ben Franklin.

9. Hang and enjoy!

I'm linking to Chic and Crafty at The Frugal Girls and A Crafty Soiree at Yesterday on Tuesday.Pin It

Ruffles and Rust - Fall 2011

Sigh. What a feast for the eyes! I'm back from Ruffles & Rust - a vintage market held at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, WA. I'm regretting not inviting more friends (such as Anna H) but I am so happy that Andrea was able to join me this morning. She was a great shopping companion!! :) The show was MUCH bigger than the last one (in the Spring). I took a few photos but it was tough balancing shopping bags and a camera plus navigating the crowds. I literally could have spent all day there, drooling on all the beautiful "junk!" I kinda wish I bought the blue pillow (in the above photo) with the white background near the back. Booth: JohnBob Cool Junk

I like the lace trim wrapped votive candles (2nd shelf from top) in this photo.

This was one of the weirder sights at the show:I guess it could be a Halloween display?

Back to the pretty stuff.This tiny grand piano was so cute:
There were a lot of pumpkins. Decoupaged pumpkins:book page pumpkins:

and velvet pumpkins: Since I love to make banners, I had to take a photo of this one.Here is the loot I took home with me:Left to right: turquoise glass thingy, maps (Canada & World) on top of a silver cake plate (painted white), a little white chair, an embellished bottle, a vintage apron, and a silver platter. At the back is an ornate rectangular mirror. Here's a closer look:Of course, I'll be painting it Heirloom White. :)

Here's a close up of the embellished bottle:

A final note: Esther, you really should come to the Spring show! It will likely be in February.

Update: Here's a link to some photos MUCH better than mine taken by Isabel of Maison Douce who sells beautiful stuff!Pin It

Book Page Rosette Wreath

using book pages. This one took me a LOT longer than the last one. :) I've been working on this sucker for probably 10 days. My neck and hands are not happy with me. My kids kept asking me "when are you going to be done with that?" I asked myself the same question a few times. I get a little obsessive when I create something. Add in a dose of unhealthy perfectionism (I wonder where my kids get that trait from?) and a project takes me FOREVER! :)

OK, here's the big reveal.
Here's a closer look.
Materials:
- book pages - if you want a two toned look you will need one newer book and one older. Hardcover books have better pages, IMHO.
- styrofoam wreath form - 12 inches.
- hot glue gun and a supply of glue
- circle punches (optional) to make the circles
- ribbon - mine is a 1 1/2 inch jute ribbon

Instructions:
1. cut strips from the book pages and wrap them around the wreath form (this will hide any gaps between the rosettes) and glue down.
2. cut circles out of your book pages - you can do all one size (much quicker) or be slightly insane and make a variety of sizes like I did. :)
3. make the circles into rosettes - a good tutorial here.
4. hot glue the rosettes onto the wreath form
5. loop a ribbon around the wreath, hot glue
6. make a bow and hot glue it onto the loop. Martha has an easy tutorial for making a ribbon bow.
7. hang and enjoy.

I'm linking to Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
and

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All About Me A-Z

My friend Bethany had this on her blog and I thought I'd answer it too.

Age: Oh, this starts out badly! :) I'll tell you at the end OK?

Bed Size: Queen.

Chore that you hate: Hmmmm, which one to choose? :)
I hate cleaning, except for washing dishes. Now, before you think too badly of me, you need to know that repetitive hand motions are a big no-no for me. I have chronic tendinitis of the wrist and elbow. Wiping counters is painful for me!

Dogs: I don't like 'em. I'm also allergic, very.

Essential start to your day: Black tea with a little milk and sugar.

Favourite colour: pink but I wear green and turquoise quite a bit.

Gold or silver: I actually like antique gold.

Height: 5'5"

Instruments I play: I played the piano about a hundred years ago.
I wasn't very good since I didn't practice enough.

Job Title: Mommy, taxi driver for my kids (I drive at least 40 miles a day)

Kids: Two boys. A is 8 and C is 6.

Live: north of Seattle

Mother's name: Eunice

Nicknames: I don't have any.

Overnight hospital stays: Twice, for giving birth.

Pet peeves: small children riding in the front seat - so unsafe!
smoking, bad language around children.

Quote from a movie: I'm with Bethany on this one.
"Life is pain your highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something."

Righty or lefty: right-handed

Siblings: none

Time you wake up: 6:30 in the summer because of the light. 7:00 most other days.

University attended: I have a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Calgary.

Vegetable you hate: brussel sprouts

What make you run late: my children on school days, doing my hair on Sundays.

X-Rays you've had: many on my neck. I was rear-ended several times.

Yummy food you make: Moroccan meatloaf

Zoo animal favourite: I like the peacock.

Oh, were you waiting for my age? Ha ha! Let's just say I'm over 40. :)

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Warming a house

Some friends of ours from church just moved into a house in our neighbourhood. When I *finally* got my act together I brought them this.
Contents?
- a bag of tulips
- a handmade card
- some loaves of pumpkin bread (I used the mix from Trader Joe's) wrapped in wax paper and tied up with baker's twine (to make it pretty).
- the basket is from Michael's

I decided to blog about it to share the idea.

A funny (sort of) story. I made some apple bread for our friends earlier this week but my youngest couldn't handle the temptation sitting on top of the stove and he ate some before I could package it up.Pin It

Fallish Wreath

I love the change of seasons. I'm excited for the new opportunities each season brings. Especially the change to redecorate or at least change up some of my "flare" around the house. This wreath isn't the traditional fall wreath but I love it.
I found the inspiration for the wreath at the Flower Patch Farm Girl's website. Now, I want you to know that the book (that I took pages out of) for this project was a stinker. Trust me, I read some of it. No great loss. :)

Materials:
- grapevine wreath that I found at Goodwill
- book pages
- polka dot scrapbook paper from Michael's
- buttons
- a 2 1/2 inch heart paper punch (also from Michael's)
- my hot glue gun.

Here's a close up:
The instructions are pretty simple:
1. punch out heart shapes (5 per flower)
2. fold in half
3. staple hearts together to form a flower
4. hot glue a button in the centre of the flower to cover the staples
5. hot glue the flowers onto the wreath.

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