Creating Me

90th Birthday Card

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

We recently celebrated my Mom’s 90th birthday!! We surprised her with a celebration with family and friends and she had a wonderful day! 🥳

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

She’s front and center in the pic above. Doesn’t she look great? (That’s me in the blue sweater behind her in case you were wondering. 😉)

Of course such a milestone called for a special handmade card. 🥳

I used the Birthday Balloons Die Set from Spellbinders to die cut “90” and the balloon strings. I stamped the gift image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored it with Copic markers. I punched around it with a circle punch and layered it to a blue card stock circle die cut using these Scallops & Circles Nesting Dies. This gift stamp isn’t available anymore, but any fun birthday image you have will work great in this layout.

To make the card, I embossed a piece of white card stock with a birthday embossing folder (this is similar), layered it to blue card stock, and attached it to a white card. The balloons and gift image are attached to the card using foam tape.

Mom loves the color blue so I thought this was a great way to wish her a very Happy 90! 🥳 Love you, Mom! 💙

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Stamping | 1 Comment

Healthy Breakfast Brownies

Posted on October 29, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

We like to eat breakfast bars in the morning, but I’ve been trying to find some healthier options than the prepackaged ones.

I found this Healthy Breakfast Brownies recipe on Pinterest and thought I’d give it a try.

There is only 1/4 cup brown sugar in the recipe and the only other added sugar is in the chocolate chips. You could substitute sugar free chocolate chips to cut back on the added sugar even more. I also used almond milk in place of regular dairy milk. That’s just a preference on my part.

It’s a super easy recipe to make and tastes like baked chocolate oatmeal. The bars have a chewy texture and I really liked them! I stored the pan covered in the fridge, cut off a square, and popped it in the microwave for about 30 seconds before eating. I think they would freeze well, too.

The brownies are firm enough to pick up and eat, are not too sweet, and are much healthier than a processed, packaged breakfast bar.

Again, you can find the full recipe here at Living In A Happy Place. Give them a try – you might like them! 😋

Anita

Posted in Recipes | Tagged Recipe | Leave a comment

Colors of Fall Crochet Thermal Stitch Coasters

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

I had some cotton yarn left over from other projects and thought how pretty would a set of these coasters be in Fall colors? 🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁

A couple of months ago I made these Crochet Thermal Stitch Coasters in Royal Blue. You can find the pattern below or scroll down for a link to the free PDF. They are a super quick make! 🧶

I stitched up my coasters using I Love This Cotton yarn with an H/5mm crochet hook in the colors Glowing, Brown, Sage, Curry, Burnt Sienna, and Antique Gold. If you need a tutorial on how to work up the thermal stitch, Okie Girl Bling ‘n’ Things has a great video tutorial here.

Crochet Thermal Stitch Coasters

Cotton Yarn (size 4) – I used I Love This Cotton Yarn in Glowing, Brown, Sage, Curry, Burnt Sienna, and Antique Gold

H/5mm crochet hook

Stitches used in US terms:

Chain – ch

Single Crochet – sc

Thermal Single Crochet – thsc

Back Loop Only – blo

Chain 17.

Row 1: sc in back bump of 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. ch 1, turn. (16 stitches)

Row 2: sc in blo of each stitch across. ch 1, turn. (16 stitches)

Rows 3: thsc across. ch 1, turn. (16 stitches)

Repeat Row 3 until piece measures about 4 inches.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Here’s a free PDF if you’d like to easily print the pattern…

Crochet Thermal Stitch Coasters

I love the rich colors of Fall! These will be so pretty on your Thanksgiving table. A set of coasters tied up with a pretty ribbon would also make a great hostess gift!🎁🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Fall, Gifts | Tagged Crochet, Fall, Gifts | Leave a comment

Too Cute to be Scary – Handmade Card

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

There’s still time to create a cute Halloween card! 🎃👻 Use my card below for inspiration even if you don’t have the same stamps, just use your favorites from your collection.

This stamp set is called Happy Owl’oween from Unity Stamp Company. I stamped the cute little owl ghost with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored him with Copic markers. I die cut around the image with these Scallops & Squares Nesting Dies and layered it to orange card stock die cut with the same set.

I stamped the sentiment with black ink on white card stock, die cut around it with the Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies, and layered it to purple card stock die cut with the same set.

To make the card, I layered patterned paper to purple card stock and attached it to a white card. The little owl ghost and the sentiment are attached to the card with foam tape.

Super cute and super quick to make – just in time to send out some fun Halloween greetings! 👻🎃

Anita

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

Merry Christmas – October 2024 Christmas Card

Posted on October 22, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

This month’s Christmas card is so quick and easy to make! I followed the {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 50 and created this clean and simple card in just minutes. 🎄

You can find my other monthly Christmas card creations in these posts…January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, and September.

I stamped the Pop Dots Background from Unity Stamp Company on white card stock with red ink. I used my Misti stamping tool and stamped the image twice to get a good impression.

I die cut the image using these Scallops & Rectangles Nesting Dies and layered it to green card stock die cut with the same set. Then I attached the piece to a white card.

I stamped the sentiment (this is a similar stamp) with red ink on a strip of white card stock and layered it to green card stock. The strip is attached to the card using foam tape. I finished the card by randomly glueing on a few green sequins.

Such an easy card to make! I think it would be so pretty in blue and white or silver, too. 🎄

Anita

Posted in Cards, Christmas, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Christmas, Stamping | 2 Comments

Crochet Griddle Stitch Baby Blanket

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

My sweet goddaughter is expecting a little girl in a few weeks so of course I needed to make her a crochet baby blanket! 🙂 I created this pattern especially for her little one. 💕💕💕

I stitched up the Griddle Stitch Baby Blanket with I Love This Yarn in Pink and White using an I/5.5mm crochet hook. It’s a one row repeat that’s perfect for beginners and seasoned crocheters alike. You can find the pattern below along with a link to a free PDF if you’d like to easily print it.

Crochet Griddle Stitch Baby Blanket

Worsted Weight (4) yarn – approximately 16 ounces main color and 3 ounces border color.

I used I Love This Yarn in Pink and White

I/5.5mm hook

Stitches in US terms:

Chain – ch

Single crochet – sc

Double crochet – dc

Slip Stitch – ss

Ch 91 with Pink

Row 1: working in the back bump of ch, sc in 2nd chain from hook. Dc in next ch. Repeat alternating sc and dc across – ending with a dc in last ch. ch 1 and turn. (90 stitches)

Row 2: sc in first dc. dc in next sc. Repeat alternating sc and dc across row. ch 1 and turn. (90 stitches)

Repeat Row 2 until blanket measures approximately 32 inches.

DO NOT TURN at the end of the last row.

Begin working in Rounds.

Continue working with Pink.

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

Change to White.

Round 2: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss, ch 1. *skip 2 stitches, 5 dc in next stitch. ch 1, skip 2 stitches, sc in next stitch, ch 1* Repeat from * to * around. Join with ss to first sc.

Round 3: ch 1. sc in first sc, ch 1. *work 5 dc in center dc of shell, ch 1. sc in next sc, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with ss to first sc.

Fasten off and weave ends

Finished blanket measures approximately 32 by 34 inches

Here’s the free PDF…

Crochet Griddle Stitch Baby Blanket

This blanket would be so pretty in any color combo or even one solid color. I would love to see your creations!

Anita

Posted in Baby, Crochet, Gifts | Tagged Baby, Crochet, Gifts | Leave a comment

Halloween Greetings – Handmade Card

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Here’s a cute Halloween card that is simple, quick, and easy to make! 🎃

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The little witch is from the Little Boos stamp set from Unity Stamp Company. The sentiment is from the Cuddlebug Bat stamp set.

I stamped the witch with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored her with the Copic markers in the photo below. Using these Scallops & Circle Nesting Dies, I die cut around the image and layered it to orange card stock die cut with the same set.

I stamped the sentiment with black ink on white card stock and die cut around it with these Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies. I layered the piece to orange card stock die cut with the same set.

To make the card, I layered orange card stock and purple polka dot patterned paper to a white card. The sentiment is attached directly to the card and the witch piece is attached to the card using foam tape. To finish the card and add a little bling, I attached 3 gold sequins.

It’s a cute and simple little card that comes together quickly and is great for sending Halloween Greetings! 🎃

Anita

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

Christmas Gift Idea – Crochet Spa Cloths

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

I have a great crochet Christmas gift idea to share with you today! 🎁 Crochet Spa Cloths made from soft cotton yarn will make your mom, sisters, and girlfriends feel so pampered. 🙂 And a little bonus – they can be gifted as dishcloths, too!

Here are links to a few easy patterns I’ve created. Just click on the link below each picture to go to the free pattern.

**Crochet Rice Stitch Cotton Spa Cloth**

One way to gift spa cloths is to roll them up, tie them with a pretty ribbon, and add them to a basket along with some great smelling body wash or soaps. They also are pretty stacked and tied with a ribbon.

Gifting them as dishcloths? Include a small bottle of dish soap along with a couple of cute seasonal dish towels.

Crochet Spa/Dishcloths make great practical gifts and you can make them in any of her favorite colors. 🎄🎁

Anita

Posted in Christmas, Crochet, Gifts | Tagged Christmas, Crochet, Gifts | Leave a comment

Fall Muslin Treat Bags

Posted on October 11, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

These muslin bags from Amazon measure about 4 by 6 inches and are the perfect size for putting together little Fall treat bags. Think Halloween treats or Thanksgiving favors at each seat at the dinner table or just little gifts for your friends. They’re super quick and easy to stamp so you can even make them up at the last minute. 😉

I pulled out one of my favorite pumpkin stamps and stamped it using orange dye ink onto the bag. Then I added my sentiment with brown dye ink. Both of these stamps have been in my collection forever – use your favorites from your collection. Any Fall images and sentiments you may have will work great to make your treat bags.

A few ideas for treats to fill your bags are: tea bags in Fall flavors, chocolates, hard candies, stickers for the kids, mini soaps, or lip balm. I’m sure you can come up with many more ideas! Let me know what you put in your Fall Muslin Treat Bags! 🍁🍂🍁

Anita

Posted in Fall, Gifts | Tagged Fall, Gifts | Leave a comment

Cuddlebug Baby Cards

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Do you know about the cute Cuddlebug stamps at Unity Stamp Company? They are so cute and there are so many to choose from! 😊

Some of them make the best baby cards. I used the Cuddlebug Fawn and the Cuddlebug Elephant to make these 2 cards.

I stamped the images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored them with Copic markers. I used these colors for the Fawn E00, E31, E34, E35, RV32, BG000 and these colors for the Elephant R81, R85, C1, C2, BG000. I die cut around the images using these Deckle & Stitches Nesting Dies and layered them to pink card stock cut with the same die set.

I die cut patterned paper with the same deckle die set and attached it to a white card. I attached the images to the card. I stamped the sentiments with pink ink on white card stock and die cut them with the smallest deckle die in the set. They are attached to the card using foam tape. Use your favorite baby sentiments on your cards.

Such sweet cards to welcome new little ones! 💕

Anita