Creating Me

Yummy M&M Cookie Bars

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Cookie bars are the perfect Summer treat! They don’t take long to make and since you bake the whole batch of dough at once, your kitchen doesn’t get too hot. And using red, white, and blue M&Ms make them great for the 4th of July! 🇺🇸 😊

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There are lots of recipes for M&M cookie bars out there. This Soft and Chewy M&M Cookie Bar recipe is one of my favorites! It has chocolate chips as well as M&Ms because you can never have too much chocolate! 😋 You may even have most everything you need already in your kitchen.

This is a large batch recipe – you’ll make them in an 11 x 17 rimmed baking sheet – so it’s a great recipe to take to BBQs and potlucks. The recipe calls for lining your baking sheet with parchment paper – do not skip this step! It makes everything so much easier! I also got my clean hands a little wet to make it easier as I was spreading the dough.

Here’s the dough ready to go into the oven and after about 22 minutes baking. My kitchen smelled so good!

After the cookies are cool, cut them into bars and enjoy!!

These Soft and Chewy M&M Cookie Bars are really easy to make. And you can make them start to finish – including cooling time – in about an hour! I promise everyone will love them! 😋

Anita

Posted in Recipes, Summer | Tagged Recipe | 1 Comment

Crochet Pineapple Dishcloth

Posted on June 28, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Look at these cute Pineapple Dishcloths! 🍍🍍🍍

If we have to do the dishes, we may as well have fun dishcloths, right? 😉

The free pattern can be found here at Yarnspirations. Just an FYI, the written instructions say to begin with 17 chain stitches, but the diagram shows only 16. I found that the diagram is correct and you’ll need to begin with 16 chain stitches. After that, just follow the pattern as written and diagrammed.

I used I Love This Cotton in Curry and Sage with an H/5mm crochet hook to stitch up my pineapple dishcloths. They work up quickly and the popcorn stitches add such a great texture.

These would make such a fun Summer gift along with a cute pineapple dish, pineapple scented candle, and maybe even some pineapple scented soap.

🍍🍍🍍

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Gifts, Summer | Tagged Crochet, Gifts, Summer | 2 Comments

Balloon Party (Handmade Card)

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

This Balloon Party Background stamp from Unity Stamp Company is so fun! You can use it in so many different ways – add other stamped images over the top using foam tape, add die cut words, add Diamond Glaze to one or more of the balloons, spotlight color one or 2 balloons, or color them like I did in these cards and add a sentiment as the focal point.

I stamped the balloon image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock using my Misti stamping tool. I love using this tool for larger stamps because if something doesn’t stamp well the first time, all you have to do is re-ink the stamp and stamp it again. It will be perfectly lined up with the first time you stamped it! If you have or are getting a Misti, I recommend getting one of these pressure tools to go with it – it helps so much with stamping larger images. I colored the balloons with Copic markers. You can see the colors I used in the photo below.

I die cut around the balloon background using the Scallops & Rectangles Nesting Dies from Unity Stamp Company. Then I stamped “happy birthday” in the balloon with black ink. That stamp is in the Rainbow Birthday set from Unity. Of course you can use any sentiment you have in your collection. The piece is layered to coordinating card stock and attached to a white card with foam tape.

This is such a fun image to color – the possibilities are endless! These 2 color combos that I used are great for masculine cards, which can sometimes be challenging to make. 😉

What color will you use on your Balloon Party Background stamp?

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Stamping | Leave a comment

Beachy Summer Clothespin Wreath

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Do you use ordinary everyday items in your crafting? With a little imagination, there are lots of things you can use – like simple wood clothespins! They are inexpensive and with a little paint, they make a fun wreath. 🙂

To make this Beachy Summer Clothespin Wreath, you’ll need a wire wreath frame (mine is 14 inches), clothespins, and chalk or acrylic paints. I used chalk paint in white, brown, and turquoise to get a beachy feel, but of course you can use any colors you want to make your wreath. You’ll also want various ribbons, and possibly buttons, if you want to add a bow.

I needed 66 clothespins to fit around my wreath frame. The amount will vary depending on the size of your frame. Mine happened to be a tan color so it was perfect for my beachy theme. You can easily spray paint your frame to get the color you want. The frame will peek through a little so you’ll want it to coordinate with your color scheme.

I painted the top and edges of 22 clothespins in each color. I wanted them to have a bit of a weathered look and painted them with one coat of paint. If you’d like more coverage, add another coat of paint. You can also paint the entire clothespin if you’d like. I liked the added color of the unpainted sides of the clothespins showing through from the back – and I didn’t want to take that much time making my wreath! 😉

Once the clothespins were dry, I simply clipped them over the 2 wire rings closest to the center. You can see what I mean in the photo above. I alternated between my 3 colors.

Using the Re-Fabbed Bow method, I made a bow with various coordinating ribbons and glued it to the top of my wreath. To add a little extra, I glued 3 buttons together and glued them to the center of my bow. I used E600 clear adhesive to attach both my bow and buttons.

And here it is all finished! Super easy and you can hang it from the wire wreath frame so no need to add any kind of hanger on the back.

I made a clothespin wreath using scrapbook paper and you can find all the info on how I did it in this post and a patriotic wreath in this post.

This is a great way to make inexpensive wreaths for all the seasons. And they are so easy to create! 😊

Anita

Posted in Decor, Summer | Tagged Clothespins, Decor, Summer | Leave a comment

Crochet Suzette Stitch Spa Cloth

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

The Crochet Suzette Stitch is a simple stitch that has such a beautiful texture! It’s an easy repeat of single crochet and double crochet so it is perfect for beginners and seasoned crocheters alike.

I used I Love This Cotton Yarn in white with an H/5mm crochet hook to stitch up my Crochet Suzette Stitch Spa Cloths. I’ve included my simple pattern below along with a link to a free PDF for easy printing.

Crochet Suzette Stitch Spa Cloth

I Love This Cotton Yarn

H/5mm crochet hook

Stitches used in US terms:

Chain – ch

Single Crochet – sc

Half Double Crochet – hdc

Double Crochet – dc

Slip Stitch – ss

Note: ch 1 at the end of the row does not count as a stitch.

Chain 25.

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each stitch across. ch 1 and turn. (24 stitches)

Row 2: hdc in the first stitch, *skip next stitch, sc and dc in the next stitch*. Repeat from * to * across to last stitch. hdc in the last stitch. Ch 1, turn. (24 stitches)

Row 3: hdc in the first stitch, *skip next stitch, sc and dc in next stitch*. Repeat from * to * across to last stitch. hdc in the last stitch. Ch 1, turn. (24 stitches)

Repeat Row 3 until spa cloth measures about 6 inches.

Final Row: sc in each stitch across. Do not turn. (24 stitches)

Do not fasten off.

Border: ch 1. sc evenly around, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with ss to first sc.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Here’s the link to the free PDF…

Crochet Suzette Stitch Spa Cloth

Crochet spa cloths make great gifts! Pair a few with her favorite soap, facial cleanser, or body wash in a basket and tie it up with cellophane wrap using a pretty ribbon.

What color will you make your Crochet Suzette Stitch Spa Cloths?

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Gifts | Tagged Crochet, Gifts | 3 Comments

Tutu Soirée (Handmade Card)

Posted on June 19, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

So much cuteness! This little mouse in her tiny tutu is so adorable! Such a sweet way to wish someone a Happy Birthday. 🧁

This cute little mouse stamp set is Tiny Tutu Soirée from Unity Stamp Company. The set includes 3 sentiments and an extra tiny cupcake for adding even more sweetness to your creations.🧁

I stamped the mouse image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored her with Copic markers – the colors I used are in the photo below. Using the Scallops & Arched Nesting Dies from Unity Stamp Company, I die cut around the image. I stamped the sentiment with black ink on white card stock and die cut around it with the Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies also from Unity. The sentiment is also part of the Tiny Tutu Soirée set.

To make the card, I used a swirl embossing folder on a piece of patterned card stock, layered it to pink card stock, and attached it to a white card. I attached the mouse image to the card with foam tape and then attached the sentiment to the card.

Isn’t she just the cutest?!?! She is sure to make the recipient smile. 🙂

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Stamping | Leave a comment

Snowy Greetings – June 2024 Christmas Card

Posted on June 18, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

It’s time for June’s Christmas card! 🎄 Making a few cards of one design each month makes it so much easier when the busy holiday season hits. 🙂

You can find my cards for each month so far this year in these posts – January, February, March, April, and May.

I made this month’s card using the Holiday Hello stamp set from Unity Stamp Company. I love this sweet snowman bringing a little Christmas cheer. I was inspired by the Build Your Stash Holiday Card Sketch Challenge 46 sketch to create my card.

I stamped the snowman image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored it with Copic markers. The colors I used are in the photo below. I used the Scallops & Circles Nesting Dies from Unity Stamp Company to die cut around the image.

I attached a piece of patterned paper to a white card. Using an embossing folder, I embossed a strip of green card stock and attached it beneath the patterned paper. This particular embossing folder is discontinued ☹️ You can use your favorite embossing folder or even use another patterned paper. The snowman image is attached to the card with foam tape.

To finish the card, I stamped “Merry Christmas” with red ink on white card stock, punched it with a label punch, and attached it to the card. I’ve had both the stamp and punch in my collection for a long time and they are no longer available. ☹️ Use your favorite Christmas sentiment on your card.

It’s not too early to start making your Christmas cards – you’ll be glad you did!🎄

Anita

Posted in Cards, Christmas, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Christmas, Stamping | 6 Comments

Patriotic Stacking Bracelets

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Have you ever made stretch bracelets? They are super easy to make and you can make several to stack together pretty quickly.

You’ll need some Stretch Magic Bead and Jewelry Cord and a variety of beads in your favorite colors. I decided to make these Patriotic Stacking Bracelets so I chose red, white, and blue beads. I also added some small metallic silver beads to use as accents/spacers in my bracelets. I found all my beads at Hobby Lobby and purchased them on sale so the bracelets were very inexpensive to make. Jewelry supplies go on sale every couple of weeks at Hobby Lobby so be sure to check to see if they are on sale before you buy. 😊

Making these are so simple! First cut a piece of Stretch Magic Cord about 11-12 inches in length. You could cut it a little shorter, but I find having a bit of extra cord makes stringing the beads and knotting the cord easier.

Give the cord a good stretch before adding the beads. This will help keep the finished bracelet from stretching out and leaving spaces between the beads as you are wearing it.

Tie a knot at one end of the cord to keep the beads from slipping off. Then start stringing your beads onto the cord in any design you’d like. You’ll want your bracelet to measure about 7.5 inches long before you tie the cord to make a circle. Tie the ends of the cord together using a surgeons knot, pulling the beads close together. For extra strength, you can add a dot of E6000 clear adhesive to the knot. Slip a bead over the knot to hide it.

Need your bracelet to be larger or smaller? Simply add or subtract beads as needed before trying it off.

With the supplies shown in the photo above, I was able to make 5 bracelets with a few red and blue beads left over and lots of white and silver beads to use in future jewelry projects.

The choice of beads is endless! You can truly make any color combo you can imagine! Stacking bracelets also make wonderful gifts. What colors will you choose?

Anita

Posted in Gifts, Jewelry, Summer | Tagged Gifts, Jewelry | 3 Comments

Birthdays Are The Best (Handmade Card)

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

How fun is this stamp set from Unity Stamp Company?!?! This great classic Mickey Mouse set is called Mousing Around: Mouse Party Palooza and it makes the best birthday card. 🎈

I stamped Mickey, the balloon, and the birthday cake with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock. I colored the images with Copic markers – you can see the colors I used in the photo below.

I stamped the sentiment onto the panel with the same black ink. This is an older stamp from my collection – use your favorite sentiment stamp or none at all. 😊

Using the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Die Set from Unity Stamp Company, I die cut around the stamped images and layered it to red card stock die cut with the same die set. The piece is then attached to a white card using foam tape.

Here are the Copic marker colors I used.

Mickey Mouse, a 3 tiered cake, and a red balloon. 🎈 What a fun way to wish someone a Happy Birthday!

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Stamping | Leave a comment

Crochet Patriotic Coasters and Cozies

Posted on June 11, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Do you need some crochet coasters and cozies for your 4th of July picnic or BBQ? 🇺🇸 I’ve got you covered! I have several options and you can find all the patterns for free on my blog. 🙂 They all work up quickly so you’ll have plenty of time to get them made before the festivities. Click on the links below to find each pattern.

First up are my Crochet Patriotic Coasters.