Sending Love Valentine Cards

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

Unity Stamp Company has the best stamps! They are made from red rubber and stamp crisp, clear images. And they have thousands of stamps to choose from! You will find so many that you need to have in your collection. 🙂 They are always having amazing sales to make it easy to get just what you want!

I love these 2 bunny sets that I’ve used on the cards below. The bunny images are just so sweet and Unity Stamp Company always has great sentiments in each set.

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.

This set is called P.S. I Love You. It includes the sweet bunny image and 2 sentiment stamps.

The set I used on the card below is called Easy to Love. It includes the bunny image and 3 sentiment stamps.

To make the cards, I stamped the bunny images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored them with Copic markers. Then I used these Blender Brushes from Taylored Expressions (which are ah-mazing!!) to lightly brush light blue ink around the images and light green ink around the bottom. I trimmed the stamped pieces and layered them to red card stock.

I stamped the sentiments with red ink (this is a great red) on white card stock. On the first card, I trimmed the sentiment and layered it to red card stock. On the second card, I die cut the sentiment with a scalloped oval die (here’s a great set) and layered it to an oval die (this is a good basic set) cut from red card stock.

To assemble the cards, I attached a piece of heart patterned paper to a white card. The bunny images are attached to the card with foam tape. Then I attached the sentiments to the cards using foam tape.

Another thing I love about these stamp sets is that they can easily be used for other occasions. I think the first set would be great for a new baby card and both sets could be used for birthday, miss you, or thinking of you cards. A simple change in the color scheme is all you need!

I hope these sweet cards inspire you to send a little love to those special people!

Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️

Anita

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Crochet Valentine Bobble Cup Cozy

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

Looking for a fun Valentine crochet project? You can find the easy pattern for this Crochet Valentine Bobble Cup Cozy below. Pair it with a reusable coffee cup and a gift card to their favorite coffee shop for a great Valentine gift. You could even throw in a few chocolate hearts. ❤️

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.

Crochet Valentine Bobble Cup Cozy

Worsted weight yarn – I used I Love This Yarn in Red

G/4.5mm hook (I love these hooks)

One 1-1/16 inch round white button

One 7/8 inch red heart button

Stitches used in US terms:

Chain – ch

Slip Stitch – ss

Single Crochet – sc

Half Double Crochet – hdc

Bobble Stitch – Bobble

Special stitch: Bobble Stitch – Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through two loops. Repeat 4 times – there will be 6 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops. Sc in next stitch to complete the Bobble stitch.

Chain 28 and join to first chain with ss to form a ring.

Rounds 1-3: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (28 stitches)

Rounds 4-6: ch 1. hdc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first hdc. (28 stitches)

Round 7: ch 1. Work bobble in same stitch as ss. *sc in next stitch, work bobble in next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around to last 2 stitches. sc in each of the last 2 stitches. Join with ss to first bobble stitch. (9 Bobbles)

Round 8: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (28 stitches)

Round 9: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss and in next stitch. *Work bobble in next stitch, sc in next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around until last 2 stitches. Work one more bobble. Join with ss to first sc. (9 Bobbles)

Rounds 10-12: ch 1. hdc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first hdc. (28 stitches)

Rounds 13-15: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (28 stitches)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Layer heart button onto white button and sew onto cozy.

Here’s a link to a pdf for easy printing. 🙂

Crochet Valentine Bobble Cup CozyDownload

Of course you don’t have to crochet this in red! Make it in your favorite color. Change the button to a different shape or leave it off completely. Make it your own. 🙂

Happy Stitching!

Anita

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Farmhouse Valentine Rag Wreath

Posted on January 24, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

I have a fun Farmhouse Valentine Rag Wreath to share with you today. It’s super easy to make and may even help to relieve a little stress while you’re making it! 😉

You’ll need a wire heart wreath frame and 2 yards of white muslin – you may not need the full 2 yards. I found my wreath frame at my local Dollar Tree – it measures about 12-inches wide. (You can also find the heart wreath here – sadly it’s more than a dollar 😦 )

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.

Now comes the stress relieving part! Tear the muslin into strips 1 and 1/2-inches wide. The tearing part is so satisfying. 🙂 Then cut pieces 6-inches long from the strips. Fold the 6-inch piece in half and slip under the wire frame. Pull both ends through the loop of the folded piece, wrapping it around the frame and pull tightly.

Continue around each section of the heart frame, pushing the pieces close together as you go. You can see the back and the front of the wreath below.

When you’re finished tying on the strips, turn the wreath to the front side, fluff up the strips, and trim any stray threads.

Even though I’ve called this a Valentine Wreath, you can easily use it in your every day decor.

Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️

Anita

Posted in Decor, Uncategorized, Valentine | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Faux Leather Earrings

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

I have had so much fun making these earrings! They are super easy to make using the Designer Dangles dies from Taylored Expressions. The dies cut cleanly and even punch the tiny hole you need to attach the earring finding. They also have a great selection of faux leather and felt to make the earrings, as well as jump rings and earring wires to finish them off.

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.

Taylored Expressions has several videos on their YouTube channel showing how easy it is to make them. But really, all you have to do is die cut the earring shape, open the earring finding, thread the shape onto the finding, and close the finding. Super easy!!

This is a great jewelry making tool set to get started making these fun earrings. The needle-nosed pliers are perfect for opening the earring findings.

The possibilities for these fun, trendy earrings are endless! Combine the different colors and shapes to make a pair to match every outfit. 🙂

Happy Crafting!

Anita

Posted in Gifts, Jewelry, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Yummy Peanut Butter Bars

Posted on January 17, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

If you like peanut butter, you are going to love these Yummy Peanut Butter Bars! There are several recipes out there, but this is the one I have used for years – a co-worker shared this recipe with me a long time ago and it has been my go to for this tasty treat ever since. 😋

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.

You may have all the ingredients you need in your kitchen right now.

Yummy Peanut Butter Bars

1/2 cup margarine

2 cups peanut butter

1 Tbsp vanilla

1 cup brown sugar

1 lb powdered sugar

2 cups chocolate chips

3 Tbsp margarine

Melt 1/2 cup margarine and peanut butter in a large saucepan. Stir in vanilla and brown sugar. Then stir in powdered sugar. Mixture will be thick.

Press mixture into a 9×13 pan and place in the refrigerator – the chocolate will spread easier if the peanut butter layer is cool.

Place chocolate chips and 3 Tbsp margarine in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on High for 30 seconds, remove and stir. Continue to microwave for 10 seconds at a time as needed to melt the chocolate.

Spread melted chocolate over peanut butter mixture. You can return the pan to the refrigerator to cool the chocolate or let it cool at room temperature.

Just before adding the powdered sugar.
Waiting for the chocolate layer.
Ready to enjoy!

This is a great after school treat for the kids – or anytime your sweet tooth is calling to you. 😉

Enjoy!

Anita

Posted in Recipes, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Farmhouse Valentine Canvas

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

Do you decorate for Valentine’s Day? I like to put a few things scattered around to brighten things up during the (sometimes) long, cold days of Winter. I’m in Alabama so we don’t experience the Winter like so many of you in other areas do! But the days can be dreary and rainy so it’s nice to add a little love around the house. ❤️

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.

I made this Farmhouse Valentine Canvas using an 8 by 10 inch stretched canvas (like these). You’ll also need 20 split natural wood balls (I found mine here), buffalo plaid fabric, and ribbon for the bow. I found my galvanized metal “love” word at Dollar Tree. It came in a package of 3 different words – you may also be able to find a metal or chipboard word at your local craft store. Or you can simply leave the word off. 🙂

I cut a piece of fabric to fit my canvas and used Mod Podge to adhere it to the canvas. After it was dry, I brushed a thin coat of Mod Podge over the top of the fabric using a foam brush.

After that was dry, I laid out my split wood balls in a heart shape on the canvas and then glued them using a white craft glue – I like Crafter’s Pick Ultimate Glue it dries quickly, but not too quickly if you need to adjust the placement of the balls. I attached the word “love” using foam tape to give it a little dimension.

I used several ribbons to make a small bow using this super easy method I found on Re-fabbed and attached it to the upper left corner.

When I was finished, it looked a bit stark to me. It needed a little softening, so I used some white chalky finish paint and lightly dry brushed the wood balls, the word “love”, and around the edges of the canvas.

A simple and fun project to add a little Valentine love to your home! ❤️

Happy Crafting!

Anita

Posted in Decor, Uncategorized, Valentine | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Panda (welcome, little one) card

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

This was such a fun card to make! I made it to welcome a sweet baby boy to our world using the Party Pandas set from Stampin’ Up. The set is no longer available – it was part of their Sale-a-bration in 2018 – but look in your collection, you probably have a very cute stamp that you could use in place of the panda.

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.

I stamped the panda with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock. I colored the balloon and added the shadow beneath the panda with Copic markers. I stamped the sentiment with blue ink. The sentiment stamp I used has been in my collection forever! You probably have a great baby sentiment stamp in your collection. If you are looking for something new, I love this set from Lawn Fawn.

I used this set of Dotted Scallop Rectangle dies from Elizabeth Craft Designs to die cut the stamped image and a larger rectangle from brown card stock. I layered the stamped image to the brown rectangle. (This is my favorite adhesive for card making and here are the refills.)

I embossed a panel of bright blue card stock with the Softly Falling embossing folder from Stampin’ Up – also no longer available 😦 But this Dot Embossing Folder would be great! Or use your favorite embossing folder in your collection. I tied some brown and white bakers twine around the panel and then attached it to a white card. The stamped image is attached to the card with foam tape.

This would also make a great birthday card for a little one – just change the sentiment to Happy Birthday.

Happy Stamping!

Anita

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Crochet Lillian Infinity Scarf

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

How did you learn to crochet? Did you teach yourself or did someone sit down with you and show you what to do? My Grandmother taught me when I was about 10 years old. She always told me I held my crochet hook wrong – I’m a knife-hold girl, she was a pencil-hold girl – but she also said I could crochet much faster than her so it was ok. 🙂

She made lots of afghans and one of her favorite patterns to use was the ripple afghan pattern. I designed the Lillian Infinity Scarf using this pattern in memory of my Grandmother Lillian. Because she taught me young, crochet has given me a lot of joy through the years and I have been able to pass the art onto several young girls. I think my hook has never been far away – I’ve either had a work in progress or was thinking about the next project I wanted to begin. Thanks, Grandma!

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.

These Clover hooks are some of my favorite crochet hooks – easy on the hands so I can crochet longer. 🙂

Crochet Lillian Infinity Scarf

By Anita Young at creatingme.net 

Size J/6mm hook

Worsted weight yarn – approximately 8 to 10 ounces

I used Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek in Chili Red and White

Stitches in US terms:

Chain – ch

Single crochet – sc

Single crochet 2 together – sc2tog

Slip stitch – ss

Back Loop only – blo

Ch 33

Row 1: sc2tog 2nd and 3rd ch from hook. Sc in next 5 ch. 3 sc in next ch. Sc in next 7 ch. Skip 2 ch. Sc in next 7 ch. 3 sc in next ch. Sc in next 5 ch. Sc2tog last 2 ch. Turn. (32 stitches)

Row 2: Ch 1. sc2tog blo of first 2 stitches. Sc in blo of next 5 stitches. 3 sc in blo of next stitch. Sc in blo of next 7 stitches. Skip next 2 stitches. Sc in blo of next 7 stitches. 3 sc in blo of next stitch. Sc in blo of next 5 stitches. Sc2tog blo of last 2 stitches. Turn. (32 stitches)

Rows 3-40: Repeat Row 2.

Change to white at the end of Row 40.

Rows 41-80: Repeat Row 2.

Change to red at the end of Row 80.

Rows 81-120: Repeat Row 2.

Change to white at the end of Row 120.

Rows 121-160: Repeat Row 2.

Matching stitches from last row to beginning row, fold scarf in half and ss together.  

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Scarf measures about 6.5 inches wide by 60 inches long (before slip stitching ends together)

Here’s a pdf for easy printing!

Crochet Lillian Infinity ScarfDownload

You can make this scarf in any color combo or even just one color. I hope you enjoy this pattern. 🙂

Happy Stitching!

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Gifts | Tagged , | 9 Comments

A Look Back at 2019

Posted on January 3, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

It’s 2020!! How did that happen?!??! It’s always a good thing for me to look back at the year we just finished to remind myself of all the things – the good, the hard, the happy, the sad, the fun – all those things that make life an adventure…because I’m just like you and don’t always think of life that way 🙂

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 first part of our year was filled with the ordinary things of life – laundry, shopping, errands, cleaning the house – all those things that need to be done whether we want to do them or not. 😉 One of the highlights of May was the girls in our church youth group remembering me with sweet cards and a group hug on Mother’s Day. ❤️

We celebrated our 37th anniversary in May in Destin, FL – at the beach. It is one of our favorite places to go for relaxing and getting away from it all. The sound of the waves, the warm sand, morning walks along the beach, evening walks at sunset, the gulf breezes – it just can’t be beat!

In June, I helped my Mom pack up her house where she had lived for over 50 years and where we grew up – somehow the yard was bigger when we were kids. 🙂 Lots of memories…

August brought us a visit from 2 of our favorite girls and their parents. We are so thankful that even though the miles separate us – our hearts are still very connected! ❤️❤️❤️

Near the end of August, we made another trip to the beach to celebrate my husband’s 60th 😳 birthday. This time we stayed in Seaside, FL. (I have a post about it here.) And even though we had a few storms roll in, there is still nothing like the beach.

Our sweet friends had a new baby girl. (She is wrapped in the blanket and sporting one of the beanies I made for her.)

In October, we celebrated my Mom’s 85th birthday in her new home. 🙂

A fun holiday tradition is our Youth Group Progressive Dinner. We drive the students to 4 different homes for appetizers, soup & salad, the main course, and dessert. A portion of the story of Jesus’ birth is read at each home, carols are sung, and the food is always amazing. It’s a great time of being together and remembering the reason for the season is Jesus!

We ended the year spending Christmas with my family in Michigan City, IN. The city puts up an amazing Christmas light display in the park every year – here are a couple of pictures.

And even in Winter, Lake Michigan is still beautiful! This was a wonderfully calm, warmer day in December which doesn’t always happen this time of year.

2019 was filled with lots of wonderful, lots of good, and lots of love. Things weren’t always smooth and easy – just like they weren’t always smooth and easy for you. But life is an adventure which means there will be ups and downs. Today I’m focusing on the ups and looking forward to what 2020 has in store! 🙂

Happy New Year!

Anita

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A Little Christmas Thanks

Posted on December 31, 2019 by Anita

Hi friends,

I have a quick Christmas thank you card to share with you today. I used this very cute stamp set called A Little Mousy from Unity Stamp Company. The set includes 5 different little mice, so it could be used for lots of different occasions.

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.

I stamped the little mouse holding the tree with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored the image with Copic markers. I punched the image out with an oval punch and layered it to a scalloped oval punched from green card stock. (If you are looking for oval dies, this is a great set of ovals and this is a good scalloped oval set.)

I stamped the word “thanks” with the Memento Tuxedo Black ink on a panel of red card stock. (My stamp is an older one I’ve had forever, this one would be really cute.) Then I embossed the panel with a Dotted Swiss embossing folder. I attached the panel to a white card and the mouse image is attached to the card with foam tape.

Just FYI in case you’re interested, this is my favorite adhesive for card making. You can also get refills for the dispenser.

These little mice are so adorable! By using one of the other little mouse images in the set and changing the sentiment, this layout could be used for birthday, hello, or thinking of you cards – there’s even a sweet sleeping mouse that would be perfect for a new baby card.

Happy Stamping and Happy New Year!

Anita

Posted in Cards, Christmas | Tagged , , | 3 Comments