A Few Changes...

Hello! Thank you for your comments on my handmade card tutorial and also last week's Show and Tell! Speaking of Show and Tell, I have decided to pass along the hosting fun to someone else. The main reason is that after 3 1/2 years I have shared almost all of my special treasures!

I'm also taking a blogging break. I just need to recharge a bit. I will still be reading blogs though, and I'm only an email away.

I'm happy to announce that Cindy at My Romantic Home will be taking over Show and Tell Friday.  I know she will do a great job and I hope you will stop by and welcome her!

Until next time...

Handmade Card Tutorial

Hello! Today, I'm sharing the instructions for an Autumn greeting card, but you can use any kind of scrapbook paper, stickers, or rubber stamps.


Christmas version.


Gather your supplies. My 10 Top Card Making Essentials list is HERE.


Cut a 5 3/8" x 3 7/8" rectangle of scrapbook paper. Glue to front of 5 1/2" x 4" blank notecard.


Cut 2 strips from coordinating paper or cardstock:
-5 3/8" x 1 1/2"
-3 7/8" x 1 1/2"

Trim sides with decorative scissors, if desired.


Punch two holes beside each other (approx. 1 1/2" in from left side of long strip), thread ribbon through, tie knot, and trim ends. You can also attach ribbon knot with hot glue instead.


Glue paper strips to front of card, as shown. I also shaded the edges with ink.


Stamp an image (or use stickers) on an approx. 1 3/4" square of cardstock.


Glue to card, as shown. Send to a friend! You can see more card tutorials HERE.

A few more things I made recently...

Gift tags with my favorite Autumn quote.


Christmas gift tags. It will be here before we know it!






I also put together some organza gift bags and gift tags for those giving paper goods as Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers this year.

Everything can be found in my Etsy Shop! Thank you for stopping by for a visit!

Show and Tell Friday!

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.


Happy Friday! Today, I'm sharing a few things around my front porch and yard. I haven't finished all of my fall decorating yet, but I have a wreath on the front door.


I got this old fashioned dinner bell at Hobby Lobby this past year.


This large basket holds bird seed and peanuts (for the squirrels).


Since we lost our big tree this spring, I put my birdbath and feeders in the front flower bed.


We have lots of sunflower seeds for the cardinals.


Thank you for taking a look and thank you to all who join in for Show and Tell. I always enjoy seeing what you share!

This weekend, the girls and I are going on a camping retreat with our Faith Keeper's group. Phillip says it isn't even close to camping since we have cabins, real beds and our meals are provided, but we are having a campfire and s'mores, so I say it counts! I'll be back next week with pictures!


Remember, that your Show and Tell needs to be something from your home or garden. Please read the Show and Tell Guidelines for step-by-step instructions on how to participate.

If you would like to join in, please leave your exact show and tell blog post link, along with your first name only (this makes the list easier to read). If your link has been removed from Mr. Linky, please re-read over the guidelines before re-posting, or e-mail me with any questions.

Happy First Day of Fall!

In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!

Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.

Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!
-Robert Louis Stevenson

Baking Pantry - Show and Tell Friday!

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.


Hello! Today, I'm sharing a little kitchen project I've been working on. The above area is where our microwave would normally go, but since we don't use it very often, I replaced it with glass canisters awhile back. As you can see, they were empty and not looking so great.


I cleaned out the area, but was faced with too much yellow!


I added a large grapevine wreath to try and fill up the space.


Next came the large freshly filled canisters: flour, white sugar, brown sugar, oats, powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and cocoa.


Then the small jars: baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg.


I also added oil, vanilla, toothpicks and small bowls.


And of course, measuring cups and spoons.


All finished!


Thank you for looking at my new baking pantry! Also, thank you to all who join in for show and tell. I always enjoy seeing what you share. Have a wonderful weekend!


Remember, that your Show and Tell needs to be something from your home or garden. Please read the Show and Tell Guidelines for step-by-step instructions on how to participate.

If you would like to join in, please leave your exact show and tell blog post link, along with your first name only (this makes the list easier to read). If your link has been removed from Mr. Linky, please re-read over the guidelines before re-posting, or e-mail me with any questions.

Mid-Week Chit-Chat

Hello! Is it already Wednesday? We are doing well, just very busy. We had company over this past Saturday and since it was rainy and perfect weather for baking, I made a couple loaves of Cream Cheese Banana Bread.


On Sunday, we attended a potluck and I took along a big pan of Jambalaya...cheater's style. ;0)

What else have we been up to? Grace and Emily started their weekly Spanish and Creative Writing classes. We talked to someone about converting our garage into a rec room. First, we have to have a shed built in the backyard to store our camping and gardening supplies, though. Does anyone have any "garage conversion" stories to share?

Lastly, I've had several questions about "Paper Crafting Wednesday." I've decided not to bring back that particular weekly feature, but hope to share card making projects on a more regular basis soon.

Hope you all are doing well!

Show and Tell Friday!

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.


The first Little House book I read was "Little House on the Prairie," when I was 11 years old.


My favorite part was when Laura got delicate pink calling cards with a spray of flowers.


I have a very small calling card collection and I would love to start adding to it. My friend, Kimberly gave me several from the Victorian era.








I especially love the ones with the flaps.


They fold back to reveal the names.

Thank you for looking at my collection! Also, thank you to all who join in the fun each week. I always enjoying seeing what you share. Have a wonderful weekend!


Remember, that your Show and Tell needs to be something from your home or garden. Please read the Show and Tell Guidelines for step-by-step instructions on how to participate.

If you would like to join in, please leave your exact show and tell blog post link, along with your first name only (this makes the list easier to read). If your link has been removed from Mr. Linky, please re-read over the guidelines before re-posting, or e-mail me with any questions.

First pumpkins of the season...

Yesterday, I found the first pumpkins of the season at our grocery store.


They add a little Autumn color in my entryway. More to come!

Happy Labor Day!

I hope all of my US friends are having a wonderful Labor Day weekend! Thank you for your comments on my show and tell. I had to share this follow up picture of our cat, Fern, taken on Friday morning. She looks comfy, doesn't she?

Show and Tell Friday!

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.


Hello! I haven't started decorating for fall yet, but I've gathered a few things together in my kitchen.


This large mixing/serving bowl will come in handy. It has an oak leaf and acorn border.


I love the matching mini bowls and I may have to pick up another set!


Harvest coasters for the livingroom.


And lastly, my favorite "tea for one" teapot set.


All I need is some hot tea!

Thank you for stopping by for a visit and for your wonderful comments this past week. I hope you have a great weekend (a long one for my US friends)!


Remember, that your Show and Tell needs to be something from your home or garden. Please read the Show and Tell Guidelines for step-by-step instructions on how to participate.

If you would like to join in, please leave your exact show and tell blog post link, along with your first name only (this makes the list easier to read). If your link has been removed from Mr. Linky, please re-read over the guidelines before re-posting, or e-mail me with any questions.