Creating Me

5 Minute Fall Centerpiece

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Anita

Seriously!! This will take 5 minutes 🙂!

All you need are 3 glass hurricanes, three candles, raffia, and some popcorn kernels. Yes – popcorn kernels. Get the cheapest store brand bag you can find – no sense spending money on the gourmet stuff since you won’t be popping and eating it!! I found my candles at the Dollar Tree, I liked the look of the glass holder, but any pillar candle will work.

Put your candle in the middle of the hurricane, pour some popcorn kernels around it, and then tie the raffia around the hurricane. That’s it!! Told you it will only take 5 minutes 😉. Such a simple way to add a touch of Fall to your table.

I have used these glass hurricanes all year to decorate my dining room table. You can find those posts here, here, and here.

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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A Simple Thank You

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Anita

There is just beginning to be a slight hint of Fall to the air here in Alabama. The days are still quite warm (OK, hot!!!), but there is just a little something promising cool, crisp days to come!

Here’s a simple thank you card bringing in just a little Fall color. The stamp is from the Take Care of You set from Unity Stamp Company. The “thank you” stamp is also from Unity. I don’t know what set it is from – it was a freebie that they included with one of my orders. Did you know that they include an extra little something with every order?!?!? Such a fun company! 🙂

I stamped the image with brown ink on white card stock and colored the flower with Copic markers. I lightly distressed the edges of the panel with brown ink and stamped “thank you” with brown ink. The panel is then layered to green card stock. I tied the panel with brown polka dot ribbon and attached it to a yellow card with foam tape. To finish it off, I attached 2 dew drops to the upper right corner.

I’m ready for a little bit of Fall!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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Magnetic Chalkboard

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Anita

I have been trying to figure out a cute way to corral all those little notes, appointment cards, and invitations that always seem to be hanging around. I wanted to keep them handy, but I was tired of cluttering up the front of my fridge!

I happened upon this magnetic chalkboard panel at Home Depot. And it was only $5.00!!! It is 12 x 24 inches and I thought it would work great on the inside of my pantry door. But it needed a frame! I took it to my local frame shop and picked out a pretty distressed white frame. (If you are local, I highly recommend Alabama Framers in Madison. I have used them for years and have never been disappointed.)

Using white, chalk finish paint, I stenciled “NOTES” at the top. If you like your handwriting better than I like mine, you could also write it with a paint pen.

My magnetic chalkboard hangs on the inside of my pantry door, keeping all those little things handy but out of sight.

Sometimes an idea works out even better than you imagine. This is one of those times 🙂. I am really loving this tiny bit of organization!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Decor, Gifts, Organization, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Pink Petals Crochet Baby Blanket

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Anita

I just finished this pretty baby blanket that will go to a special little one later this Fall.

I chose a brighter pink than the one used in the pattern and really like the way it turned out! The yarn I used is Lion Brand Pound of Love in Bubble Gum. It is a soft worsted weight yarn that comes in lots of colors. If you are making a blanket in just one color, I highly recommend using one of these giant skeins of yarn. The entire blanket can be worked without having any joins – which means the only ends you’ll have to weave in are at the beginning and the end!! A big plus in my book! 🙂

I followed this pattern to crochet the blanket. The only thing I did differently was to continue the shell edging around the entire blanket instead of just 2 sides like the pattern calls for.

A pretty pink blanket for a sweet little girl who will be here soon!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Gifts, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Pineapple-Blueberry Delight

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Anita

Do you like pineapple? How about blueberries? If you do, then you will love this yummy dessert! It is super easy to make and just tastes delightful. 😉

A dear friend of mine gave me the recipe a long time ago (thanks, Cheree’!) and I can’t remember the last time I made it – and I have no idea why it’s been so long!! Maybe it’s because I could eat the whole pan…🙄

Here’s the recipe…

Pineapple-Blueberry Delight

1 (15 oz) can crushed pineapple
3 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
3/4 cup sugar
1 box yellow or lemon cake mix
1/4 cup sugar
2 sticks butter
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350°. Layer 1/2 of the pineapple, 1/2 of the blueberries, and 1/2 of the 3/4 cup sugar in a 9 x 13 pan. Repeat layers. Sprinkle cake mix over the layers, then sprinkle with the 1/4 cup sugar. Slice butter and place all over the top. Sprinkle with pecans. Bake for 45 minutes. (I used frozen blueberries and had to bake it about 10 minutes longer.)

Ready for the oven…

Hot, bubbly, and yummy…

So good warm, at room temperature, or even cold from the fridge! A great dessert to take to a pot luck or brunch. I hope you enjoy it!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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Tiny Clipboard Note Pad

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Anita

These little note pads come together in just a few minutes and will use up some of those pretty scraps of paper and ribbon you’ve not been able to throw away. 🙂

Start with some chipboard coasters – mine are 3 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches with rounded corners. You can pick them up in the scrapbook section of your local craft store. Or cut your own from thin chipboard and round the corners – or not, whatever tickles your fancy. 🙂

I adhered patterned paper to the coasters and trimmed around the rounded corners. Then I sponged the edges with a coordinating ink color.

I picked up the hinge clips at Hobby Lobby in the scrapbook section during a 50% off sale, but they are probably available at your local office supply store as well. I glued them with a strong craft glue to the coaster with the top off the edge. I thought that by doing that you could use the tiny hole in the clip to hang the note pad from a pin on a cork board or a hook on a peg board. You could also add some magnets to the back and hang it on your fridge. Then I tied a small piece of ribbon to the clip. I finished them off with tiny buttons on the bottom right corner.

The tiny note paper is actually 3 x 5 inch index cards trimmed to 2 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches. I put about 20 pieces in each clip.

These were so fun to make! The color combinations are endless – you can make them to match any craft room, kitchen, office, or dorm room. They would make a great little thinking of you gift…perfect to jot down those little things you don’t want to forget. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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New Take Ten Magazine

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Anita

The September/October/November 2016 issue of Take Ten Magazine will hit the bookstores in a couple of weeks. I’m so excited to have one of my cards published in this issue!!! 🙂

And here it is!!

The stamp set is Happy Owl-i-days from Darcie’s Heart & Home Art Rubber Stamps. They have several other owl sets with different themes – they are so cute!

I stamped the owl with black ink on white card stock, colored him with Copic markers, punched it out with a scalloped circle punch, and layered it to a circle punched from red card stock. The sentiment is stamped with black ink on white card stock, punched with a scalloped oval punch, and layered to an oval punched from red card stock.

To put the card together, cut triangles from 2 different patterned papers and attach to a white card. Attach sentiment to the card. Punch a small red circle from red card stock and attach to the card, overlapping the edge of the oval from the sentiment. Tie a green button with red twine and attach to the circle. Attach owl image to the card with foam tape.

This was a fun card to make and I’m so happy that they picked it to be in the magazine!! 🙂

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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…enjoy the simple things…

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Anita

Here’s a quick and easy card to remind you to enjoy the simple pleasures of life…like porch swings. 🙂

The porch swing stamp and sentiment are both from Pink Ink Stamp Company. The lattice background stamp is from Hero Arts. I’m not sure if all of these stamps are still available, but check out both of these companies – they have amazing products!! I’m sure this card will just serve as inspiration as you see all the great stamps out there!

I stamped the porch swing with brown ink on white card stock and colored it with Copic markers. I added a little clear glitter glue to the chains to give it the look of metal. I stamped the sentiment with dark turquoise ink on white card stock and punched it with the label punch from Stampin’ Up. I stamped 2 panels of turquoise card stock with the lattice background stamp – one is layered to a white card and the smaller one is layered behind the porch swing image. Then the porch swing panel is layered to white card stock and attached to the card with foam tape. The sentiment label is also attached with foam tape.

Just a simple card to remind you to “…enjoy the simple things…”

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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Spread Joy Christmas Card

Posted on August 16, 2016 by Anita

Unity Stamp Company has weekly challenges using sketches, color combinations, and other jumping off points to get the creative juices flowing. This is a card that I entered for one of their color challenges. The set is called Old Traditions and you can find it here.

I stamped the truck with black ink on white card stock. The image is colored with Copic markers and layered to red card stock. The sentiment is stamped with black ink on white card stock and punched with the Decorative Label punch from Stampin Up. I stamped a second label from red card stock, cut it in half and layered it behind the stamped label.

To make the card, emboss a turquoise panel with the Softly Falling embossing folder from Stampin Up. Layer this panel to black card stock and tie with a red ribbon. Attach the panel to a white card. Add truck image and the sentiment to the card with foam tape.

I really love the vintage truck in this set! Bringing home the tree reminds me of my childhood when we would go searching for the perfect tree!

Happy Stamping!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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Fall Mason Jar

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Anita

Are you thinking of Fall yet? The kids have returned to school already here in Alabama (even though it is still ridiculously hot!!) and that always turns my thoughts to the cooler, colorful days of Fall. This is a simple project that will add some of those beautiful colors to your home!

You will need a quart size mason jar – I had this one left from some delicious honey we picked up from the Farmer’s Market – some turquoise chalk paint, antique wax, and your favorite Fall floral stems. The paint I used was Native Turquoise Premium Chalky Acrylic Paint by Craft Smart from Michael’s. The wax is Home Decor Antique Wax by Folk Art from Hobby Lobby.

Wash and thoroughly dry your mason jar. Apply 2 coats of turquoise paint with a paint brush, letting dry completely between coats. When the second coat is completely dry, apply a thin coat of wax over the paint with a paint brush. The bottle says to let it dry overnight, but I immediately rubbed off the excess with a paper towel. Let that dry. If you want a distressed look, lightly sand the raised areas and randomly around the jar with sand paper, which is what I did. Although it did look really nice without sanding it – I wish I would have taken a picture for you!!

Here’s a picture of the finished jar…

And here it is with my floral stems…Now is a great time to buy Fall decor at your local craft store – great selection and lots of it is on sale already!