Vintage Whimsy Paper Book

I had a very busy day today and was hardly at home.  On my way home tonight, after being gone for nine hours, all I could think of doing was taking a relaxing bath and staying in bed the rest of the night with my book.  Lately I've been having these crazy crafting dreams at night (must be the pregnancy creative dreams kicking in...) and usually wake up with a great crafting idea.  Well, tonight it happened while I was in the bath and, as exhausted as I was, I just had to go and make my dream a reality...Ha! 

I began by using my kids' watercolor paints to paint a piece of cream-colored card stock.  I used red and orange.

Then I cut the paper down to the size I wanted (10x7 to make a 5x7 book) and antiqued the edges using a blade and chocolate-colored ink.

I used a pile of my kids' scrap paper for filling.

I used a couple of plain sheets for the first pages of the book and cut them just a tiny bit larger so they'd show past the scrap paper.  I antiqued the edges of those too.

Then I tied it up with raffia, added some glitter, and secured a dried rose to finish it off.  I'm not too sure how I feel about the glitter on the book itself, but I like it on the rose and overall, I think this is a pretty cute little project!

Now that I'm super, duper exhausted, I've got to go to bed!  Goodnight!

Yard Sales Woo Hoo!

Today was my first day of going to yard sales for the year!  There were quite a few in my area but I had no idea how far I would be driving in between!  I spent about 3 hours driving between 3 sales...but the kids and I enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way!

At the first sale, I found these old blue jars (a couple of them have the handles on still), a set of rust-colored curtains that I plan to use for fall crafts, and this sweet little pink pitcher.  The pitcher is marked "Tunbridge Wells Nash".  I can't find a thing about a company that would have put this out but did learn that Tunbridge Wells is a place in Kent, England.  It's a mystery for now, I guess!

At the second yard sale I got all this for 10 cents!  There are a couple sheets and a rug that I won't be keeping but I loved the two pillows, the rose tablecloth and the table runner with the yellow flowers on it!  Pretty!

At that same sale I found another blue jar, 2 frames for crafting and this porcelain rose made in Italy.  I saw a blog last week with some of these on it and thought they were so pretty.  Now I have my own! 

Here's Cainan with my third yard sale find.  He has been wanting this exact Noah's Ark toy for awhile now.

It didn't come with any animals but Cainan had some things that went with his Baby Jesus set that he put into it to play.

At the fourth yard sale, I found a bunch of lace and trimmings.  I've got several projects in the works so it will be nice to add to my stash!

I usually give myself a $20 limit per day (this doesn't include the things I find that we actually need like clothes, etc.).  Today, I'm proud to report that I spent a grand total of $8.00!  Wonder if that means I can add the extra to next weeks budget?

Easel Card Tutorial and Lemon Muffin Recipe

For the last five weeks, I've been teaching a class at our local homeschool co-op called Paper Crafts.  I must admit I've been hard pressed to come up with creative ideas that are challenging enough to take up the hour-long class period but are also simple enough that they can do the project with little help.  This Friday we'll be making Easel Cards.  I put one together tonight and think it will be just perfect for the kids this week!

Start by cutting a 12x12 piece of cardstock into thirds so you have 3 pieces that are 4x12.  You will only be using one strip for the card so one piece of 12x12 will make 3 cards!  Score the paper at 4", 6" and 8".  I use the track of my cutter as a guide and use this multi-tool from Martha Stewart to score my lines.

Fold the paper at the score lines and adhere one 2" piece to it's nearest 4" piece on the inside.

Stand up the glued piece to look like an easel.

Decorate the face of the card in your own creative way.

You can use anything you'd like to act as a "stopper" for the standing piece.  Buttons and foam-backed embellishments work great.  I used this cute egg embellishment and was reminded of the Cadbury commercial where the bunny lays the Creme Egg!  I loved that commercial as a kid...I wonder if it's still on?  (We haven't had cable our entire marriage so I really have no idea!)

When you've finished your card, why not send it to a friend and invite her over for tea and Lemon Muffins?  (Recipe below)

Lemon Muffins  (makes 12-18)

2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cup sour cream or yogurt 

2 large eggs
5 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon extract

Mix the dry ingredients together and then make a well for the remaining ingredients.  Mix until combined and spoon into muffin pans.  Bake at 375°F for 15-20 min. or until the muffins are light brown on top and done inside.  Let cool in pan for 5 minutes or so and then turn out onto a wire rack.  Yum!