TUESDAY & IT'S STILL RAINING

Well its still raining, the sun came out for a brief moment than came pouring down again. Tomorrow is suppose to be sunny I sure hope so, because when it rains its depressing.
I worked on the second kit of the three from Cosmo Cricket for HOME DECOR WEEK. This one was called DREAMS. I think if I ever get another craft room of my own, I will put this one in there.
So lets get crafting, these are the supplies that you will need if you would like to try this idea.

6) 5"x7" naked chipboard cards to be painted or with your favorite paper, the ones in the kit were already covered.
6) 3"x3" chipboard letters that will spell the word DREAMS
3) 3"X3" chipboard photo frames
1) 3"x3"  chipboard heart
2)2 1/2" round chipboard flower
2)1 1/2" round chipboard buttons
6 yards total of ribbon, 3 colors which is 2 yards of each
Adhesive, I used glue dots memory, super strong & no mess

First, either paper or paint all your chipboard & punch holes in all chipboard pieces as in the pic for ribbon.
Then either lightly sand or ink edges, I sanded all the chipboard & inked edges of all pieces except the cards. I used  a Ranger Distress Ink, color Broken China
Take 2 of the colors of ribbon, cut 4 each of both colors at 4", tie into bows as the pic.
From the other color ribbon cut 5 pieces at 4" & tie as shown in the pic.
Glue a button to each of the chipboard flowers, making sure the holes of the flower & button line up.
Then glue the first flower w/button on the second card at the top & the letter R below the flower, with the other flower w/button on the last card at the top with the letter S below  the flower.
IMPORTANT TIP TO REMEMBER is only glue the sides & bottom of the photo frames, so you will be able to change out your photos.
Continue gluing all the chipboard embellishments & all remaining letters to cards as shown in the pic.
Cut 4) of one color of ribbon at 6"each for the last card, then tie 4 bows down right side of that card.
Cut another 4 pieces of ribbon of another color at 6" each for the first card, then tie 4 bows down the left side of this card.
Cut 3) of one color of ribbon at 22" each to lace cards together.
Cut 2) more colors each at 22" for lacing up the remaining cards together.
WHEN LACING THE CARDS TOGETHER, lace if you were lacing your shoes & tie ends of each one on the back of finished design.
I don't think I forgot anything, you can always check yesterdays directions to double check, since the ideas are similar.
THAT'S IT, YOU ARE DONE TO ENJOY IN A ROOM OR TO GIVE AS A GIFT.

If you have any questions, ideas or just a comment, I would really like to hear from you.

Tomorrow I will be posting # 3 & last kit from COSMO CRICKET & for the next two days after that I will show Y'all something completely different to decorate your home or for a special gift for someone.

Hope you like these ideas & free patterns this week. I am hoping for a lot of interest with putting ideas & free patterns on my blog, then I will know if I should continue posting in this manner.

I hope you had a Wonderful & Blessed Day.
Check back tomorrow to see what I am up to next, I will try to post earlier instead of so late.
HUGS,
Dee

MONDAY, IT WAS A WET ONE

It sure rained hard  today, I know that we need it since it was so dry this summer. It just seems when it's a rainy day I have no energy to do anything, but I knew I had things to do so I pushed myself.

When I got things that I needed to get done in the house, I started digging in my craft stash. I found 3 home decor kits that I had for quite a long time & also a wood Fall wall sign that needs to be painted.

So I decided that for this week, my blog will focus on HOME DECOR CRAFTS
This Home Decor item is the first of three from COSMO CRICKET, it is called Home Decor lacing card kit, FAMILY.
I am showing you what came in this kit, how I made it so if you would like to go with this idea you can use similar items to make one for your home or as a gift.

It had 6) 5x7 chipboard cards , these  were already decorated with paper, but you could use 6) 5x7 naked chipboard cards & put  paper that will match your decor.
Chipboard letters to spell FAMILY each 3" high
3) 2 1/2"x3" chipboard photo frames
1)3" chipboard heart
2)2 1/2" chipboard flower
2)1 1/2" chipboard button
3) different colored ribbon, each about 2 yards, total 6 yards
Adhesive, I used GLUE DOTS MEMORY, they are super-strength & with no glue mess.
Paint or paper all chipboard pieces

First Punch 2 holes each in the following, heart, each button, each flower & all letters except the letter M, punch 2 holes on each side of this letter.
Also punch  4 holes on one side of first frame
On all of the 5x7 cards punch 8 holes on both long sides of each card.

1) Sand or distress with ink around all edges of each chipboard piece
2) Adhere chipboard buttons to flower chipboard piece
3) Cut 4 each of 2 ribbon colors at 4" & 5 of the other color at 4"
4) Tie each piece through holes of buttons, heart, 2 frames & each of the letters.
5) Adhere all chipboard pieces to cards as shown in the photo, but on the photo frames only adhere on sides & bottom to keep top open to put in your photo.
6) Cut 8 of one color at 6" each & tie on both end cards up one side each.
7) Cut 2 each of one color ribbon at 22" & 1 color at 22" for lacing the cards together.
8) Lace all cards together like you were tying your shoe, alternating colors of ribbon to spell the word Family. Tie knots in the back of each card.
YOUR DONE
Hope you enjoy this first HOME DECOR project & free directions for the week.  I hope that you will try to make one, then please post a pic on my blog to show everybody how & what colors you used.
Tomorrow I will post the second one & how to make it.
Hope you had a Wonderful & Blessed Day.
HUGS,

Dee

SUNDAY, WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

Hey everybody, boy what a difference in the weather today. It's cloudy & very cool a day to just relax , but after I get 3 loads of wash done, it just never ends.
My granddaughters birthday party went well, had a great time. Everybody that tried my Hot Spinach Dip loved it. I had to bring a little home for my youngest son to snack on, I guess he didn't get enough. LOL. My oldest son made sure that I left some extra in his fridge, I guess it was a hit, even my 5 year old granddaughter loved it even though the dip had a kick to it, she loves spicy food.
I also made onion dip, that went quickly too, but not as fast as the spinach dip & boy there was a big difference in the size of  the dishes I used. Y'all should really try the recipe for your next party.

I'm leaving you with a pic of the birthday girl & a pic of her cake, enjoy.
Hope you had a Wonderful & Blessed weekend.
HUGS,

Dee

SATURDAY, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY

Good morning everyone,
It's a beautiful day here in PA, I am so grateful for this beautiful weather. Today is my granddaughters birthday party, so since the weather is so nice the party can be out doors too great for a bunch of little children to run & play.
I usually don't post a pic on something that I made on the weekend, but last

 night after wrapping her present which was a doll carriage & of course a baby doll, I thought I'd make her a card. She is only going to be 2 tomorrow & I know that she really isn't interested in the card, but maybe her mom will keep it until she grows up & understands. It isn't anything spectacular, just a quick card.
I am also making a hot spinach dip with tortilla chips. So I thought I would post the recipe for you to make in case you would like a new recipe for this kind of dip. It has a little kick to it, but very delicious.

HOT SPINACH DIP


2(10oz)packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed
2(8oz) packages cream cheese, softened
2 cups(8oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 small onion, chopped
1(14oz) can artichoke hearts, drained & chopped
2(10oz) cans diced tomatoes & green chiles, drained
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
DRAIN spinach, press between layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture.
COMBINE spinach, cream cheese & remaining ingredients, stirring well.
SPOON mixture into a greased 2 1/2 quart baking dish.
BAKE, uncovered, at 350 dgrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
SERVE, with melba toast rounds or tortilla chips.
YIELD: 8 cups
Hope you enjoy both the card & the recipe.
Have a Wonderful & Blessed weekend.
HUGS,
Dee

FRIDAY, IT WAS A HOT ONE

HI Y'ALL,
Sorry I am posting so late today. It was one of those days when I was so busy & the day just flew by.
My 9 month old grandson was in a BABY PAGENT in N. J. today & came in second place. I was so proud & happy when I heard about his victory, we have a little star in the family. I AM SUCH A PROUD GRANDMOM.
As I mentioned the other day I am a member of the AC Moore Forum. Besides hosting the October Card & ATC Swap, I also joined in on a crochet-a-long. Another member hosts this one & for the past few months she has been posting 8" square crochet patterns, one or two each month.
Now you can make more than one square each month to make something out of it, such as a tote like one of the girls made for herself, then with each new pattern you can make something different each month.
Me, I always have to do things differently, so I have been crocheting one or two squares a month using my scraps of yarn that I have laying around. What I want to do is when I get enough different pattern squares done, I am going to make a patchwork scrappy crocheted throw. Here is a pic of what squares I have crocheted so far.The squares haven't been blocked yet, so they are a little out of shape.

 I sure have a long way to go. The newest square which I crocheted last night was the one with the bands of different colors going around the small cream granny square.
Maybe one of my followers have their own  idea for what to do with all these different squares.
Please post a comment of any idea that you would like to do.
Again I hope you have a Wonderful & Blessed evening.
HUGS,
Dee