The Blues - Variatations on a Theme

I saw something similar to this on someone's blog. Sorry, I can't remember and if it was your blog, thank you for the idea.

The other year at a yard sale someone was selling some scrapbook supplies. They had tried and decided it wasn't for them. I reaped the benefits. I had the paper sitting in my cabinet and decided I really need to use it. I have been trying to do more of that - using things I have. I pulled out one piece of each of the blue patterns and decided to just cut and see what I could make.

Here is a simple Happy Birthday card. My corner punch died as I was doing this. It was sad but our hero came to the rescue and was able to buy one at the stationary store when he went out to workout.A bit square. I stamped Happy birthday inside and I have a nice birthday card.
This one looks like a circus.
This is my favourite creation and I love it so I decided to make a few more to have on hand. Doesn't it just look like a baby boy. The onsie stamp is a recent purchase and I love it. I embossed it and then it was easy to cut it out.
There are the variations on The Blues.

Why I make cards.

Here are just two reasons why I make cards. The selection that we find here is enough reason to start making your own.

Here is a foldout house. It has Chinese writing and a cake with candles so it must be a birthday card.This is my favourite reason to make cards. The little man with his mouth wide open riding an elephant and picking apples. Yes, that looks like a birthday card -- right. The sign in the elephant's mouth might say "happy birthday".

Just for one day

can I be a mom on a normal child? All I am asking for is one day, 24 hours.

I love my daughter but some days the extra chromosome is more than I can handle.

If she would take a nap, I could see how quiet and peaceful she really is and that would make the carton of eggs that she grabbed, the whining, the stubborn will all go away.

Maybe it is time

to start potty training in a real way. I found Miss K putting baby on the potty. The funny thing is to get Miss K to go we make some sounds and she was making those sounds for baby. I did find the incentive -- M&M's. Now we just need to work on this. I really don't know if she has the incentive of "big girl pants" or a desire to get out of diapers. I have a desire to get her out of diapers.

Shopping for Spring Clothing

This actually happened a few weeks ago. We went to our little town on a Monday morning to run some errands. I took Miss K and headed to the health and beauty store while my dear husband went to get some other things. I was walking down the street and spied a large group of woman gathered around a table digging through clothing. I spied a Talbot's label and that drew me into the mix. There I was a white woman among all the Asian women, digging and trying to see what I could find. Here are some of the fun things I found. I also found a dress for me that if I lose 5 pounds will fit. It matches Miss K's pants that are on the top right. It has a Hanna Anderson label.

You just never know what you will find on the streets. My husband called me wondering where I was because I wasn't in the store where we were going to meet. I told him where I was and he said I must have blended in because he walked past the mob and he didn't notice me.

Moving

I am moving my photos to share to a new blog, http://botaitaiclicks.blogspot.com/ That can also be accessed through my profile. I decided that my blog was going to get too cluttered. I like things nice and neat even though it is not always that way. So if you are looking for my photos look here.

Quick Wipes

Our box of wipes was getting low and I decided it was time to just make some. I had actually bought flannel when we were home but found this flannel in my fabric box. Don't ask what else I can find in that box. Anyway, I just cut 8 inch squares. I love my rotary cutter and then just zigzaged them and I have 5 wipes.

I wash diapers so why not wash wipes as well.

I took the Challenge

Well, I guess it really was a tutorial on doodling and not a challenge. Daring Carmakers gave this tutorial. Here is my starting place.

I like doodling on paper and so I thought it would be fun. The samples they had a change in look. I think I didn't have bright enough paper. I also know that there are some parts of life that I like to be nice and neat and I think my cards is one of those areas. Here is the end product.

It works as a card but I am not rushing out to make more until I have some more circle punches and some bold paper.

Project Looking Through - Take 1

Going to the Great Wall was one of the highlights in my life. It was a beautiful day with a blue sky, the trees were green and would you believe there were no other people there. I have so many pictures from that day. This one seemed to fit the theme of Project Looking Through. Tomorrow I will head out and see what I can find in my village that will also show this theme.

Mother's Day Cards

I love spring, the flowers, the warmth (well, we went right to summer last week), the newness of life. Mother's Day cards are just so much fun to do. Pretty paper, a cute stamp, some ribbon and a nice card.

I tried something new. I sewed this pocket. I cute the paper in 4.25" strip and then folded and cut a small part off one side. The stamping was simple but I did emboss it so it has a nice look. (I found my heat it when I was home and brought it back. I have a 110V converter so I use it with that). I did use pop dots to make it stick out a bit.

I had a yard of the yellow ribbon but used most of it so it might be time for a trip to the fabric area.

Happy Birthday Penguins

These are all ready to celebrate. This time it is Jacob's 7th birthday. Were did the years go? I remember baking his first birthday cake.

Project Yellow - Take 3

Here is my last Project Yellow. I dug this one from my photo collection. It was actually taken during Chinese New Year which seems more like a time for the colour red but the yellow mums were blooming.

Project Yellow - Take 2

I tried to think of what yellow things I might have in my collection of photos and found these. Egg tarts part of a dim sum meal. Egg tarts are popular here especially the ones from Macau. It is something that I do enjoy but not something we buy often.

Project Yellow - Take 1

Anna's picture blog has been an inspiration to me. I have been challenged to take pictures and see things around me in new ways. She is having Project Yellow. As I read about it, the first yellow thing I saw was the big Pyrex mixing bowl. It is part of a set and were given to us as a wedding gift. I love them. I love the colours. I love the many uses.

The picture is not that great but it shows that loved yellow mixing bowl.

Talk like I Blog

Do I talk like I blog? That is this week's question.

I think I would have to answer and say, "yes". I am straight to the point and don't like to mess around. Small talk is not something I really like but I am learning.

There is the answer to the question. I think I will leave it at that.

Wheat Thins

I made Wheat Thins the other day. I wanted to make them since that is a cracker that we like but cannot always find here. Of course, the day I make them I find them in the supermarket. I found the recipe in the More-with-Less cookbook and decided to try them. It was easy and things that I have on hand. They taste like Wheat Thins. My dough was a bit sticky so next time I will add a bit more flour so it is not as sticky and roll a bit thinner.

2 c whole wheat flour
2T wheat germ
1 t salt
1 t baking powder
2T brown sugar
2 T dry milk solids

Cut in with pastry blender:
6T butter

Combine separately and stir in
1/2 c water
1 T molasses

Knead a little until smooth. Grease two cookie sheets and sprinkle each with cornmeal. Divide dough in half. Roll out half of dough directly onto cookie sheet with floured rolling pin, rolling dime-thin. Sprinkle lightly with paprika, garlic, onion, or seasoned salt. Run rolling pin over once more. Prick with fork. Cut in squares or triangles. Bake 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

More-with-less p. 310

I did it.

My friend told me about a sign that she saw at a craft show. It said, "I know you can but will you?" Good point.

I received a card at Christmas that was a pull-out tag. It was not a homemade card but I decided that I could make it and look I did!

This is my first attempt. I learned some lessons -- cut and measure carefully. When I was home I bought Glue Lines which made it easy to attach the pocket. This was just a "let's try it and see what happens". I did write a short note and send it to a friend.

This is my 2nd one and it was so much easier becuase I was careful in measuring and cutting. This one I stamped the tag and had a cute birthday card.
So "yes, I can and I did it." Oh, so many fun things that can be done with this concept.

Calendar to note cards

I love paper - note cards, pads of paper, notebooks, scrapbook paper, scrap paper. Years ago this was a Laura Ashley calendar. I remember buying it at a little Laura Ashley store on the island where I lived but that was back in my single days. I have kept the paper enjoying the pictures. Now I am using it as note cards but just had to take a picture to remember this.
I love the colours and the collections of things used but now it is time to use it. Time to write a letter.

10 Simple Pleasures

Someone on a message board was complaining no I mean encouraging us to update our blogs. She must have been looking for updates here and didn't find any. Well, another dear friend gave a suggestion for a topic, 10 Simple Pleasures.

1. A sleeping baby/toddler - there is nothing like a sleeping baby/toddler. They are so sweet and peaceful. Mine is sleeping now.

2. Clean sheets that have been hung on the line and have that fresh outdoor smell. I might live in the city but I have am able to enjoy that. Then again having a dryer here is a big deal. I do have one but only use it when I need to.

3. A new box of crayons - I love the smell and the colours, the sharp points. I just need a new colouring book to go with it.

4. Dark chocolate - Wilbur Buds are my favourite -- just the right size to pop in your mouth for pure delight.

5. A vanilla latte - I am still drooling about the delicious one I had a few weeks ago. I don't know what they did different but it was oh so good.

6. Warm chocolate chip cookies - I like to make them with Toll House chocolate chips. I just brought back 2 bags of chips with me.

7. A letter in the mail from a friend - I love getting mail in my mailbox. I even enjoy writing letters back.

8. A foot massage - aghh, my feet are ready for another one. I found my coupons so I am ready to go -- just need some time.

9. Autumn leaves and the colours - it is a pleasure and one I enjoy but have not seen it for years.

10. A hug and a kiss from my wonderful husband which says so much to me.

Another doll quilt

This was so easy to piece. I just made long strips and then cut them into squares and then put it together. I did the quilting on my machine and it is okay. I think I need to learn a bit more about how to quilt on my machine. My niece, Baby K, turns 1 in July. I actually finished it and gave it to her while we were home.