There is a wonderful relatively new site for posting great things and saving pictures called Pinterest!
If you are not on Pinterest you need to get there!
That is if you care anything about saving things you find on the Internet you think are cool and would like to go back to again.
Want to know another cool thing?
Well I am going to tell you anyway!
Because Pinterest is so VERY cool they fixed to where you can have people follow what you post!
So if other people are finding cool things you are not you can find what they find!
While I haven't fished around on there enough to post my own pics (to come soon) I use it at least two or three times a week and I am sure as I get used to it being there it will be even more!
If you are a crafty person like me you can get a lot of great ideas for things to make that you haven't thought of yet or many times I see something that will spark me to think of something completely different that I go to work on!
So if you want to look for me on Pinterest you can find me at http://pinterest.com/candielous/ I have a few things on there so far and plan to have many many more.
It is a work in progress. So you can set up an account now and add me and come back to see what new I have added.
I am actually going to go back and try to pin some of the pictures I have already posted so people can pin those to their accounts!
The one thing you need to know about Pinterest is that you have to either know someone on the site already or you have to request an invite from Pinterest. I hear there is a waiting list but I am sure that process doesn't take that long.
It's something you are sure to like! You'll see I promise!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
I will take that as a compliment!
For those of you who know me well you know it is a dream of mine to write my own cookbook.
A little history some of who do know me might not know about me.
I won my first and only ribbons in 4-H for two recipes at the age of I believe 10 for coconut macaroons and deviled eggs. The ironic thing about that is my mother won with the same recipe for macaroons at about the same age in 4-H and we never thought about it until years later. The funny thing is neither of us can remember ever using that recipe again after winning each of those awards! I don't even know where it is. However, even though I do not use a recipe for my deviled eggs they are a request when I am going to be bringing food at any of my social gatherings!
That was just a little background on how long I have been cooking. My Mother is a very patient person in the kitchen when it comes to learning! Every question I had she answered, every mistake I made she could tell me why, every time I needed to know how to do something I had never done before I could go to her and she was my answer.
While I still rely on my Mother when I get in a bind or need a question answered I have gotten a more adventurous side in my later years! I will now try something without a recipe just because I know those flavors will compliment each other and will work together.
So many people are so afraid to go out on a limb like this! It constantly amazes me how people ask me, "Well how did you come up with that?" or "How did you know that was going to taste good together?" to which my answer normally is "I didn't know it was going to taste good?" or "I came up with it because I wasn't afraid to try something different?"
My motto is if it doesn't work the way you tried it don't do it that way again! Nine times out of ten even if I don't like the way it turns out everyone else does and it gets eaten but I still change the way I do it the next time! That is all about learning to be a "good cook"
Something else some of you might not know about me was I was able to cook full meals from scratch by the age of 13. When I say from scratch I mean fried chicken, homemade cornbread, peas from freezer to table, buttermilk cakes that would make your hurt yourself or someone else trying to get to another piece, the whole nine yards. This is just a short list.
I had supper ready every day by the time Mom and Dad came home from work and keep the clothes clean and the house as kept as I could. I was never asked to do this I just did. I also kept my homework done and my grades at more than a passing level sometimes higher, I wasn't that huge a fan of some aspects of school. The appreciation of school came with later years.
Why did I learn to do this at such a young age other than having a willing teacher? Because I loved to cook and still do! I hope and pray this is a love that never goes away! It is a very strong passion of mine and I hold being known as a "good cook" in very high esteem! While I still have not realized my dream of producing a cookbook Mother started me on my way a couple of years ago for Christmas she made me a binder with pages in it to divide my recipes up and cards for me to record new recipes. So it is still a work in progress and still a dream.
Today however I received what I consider to be a very important compliment!
While I am not professionally trained as a chef and most likely never will be my cousin Justin is. We had our family Christmas today on my Father's side of the family and I chose to carry macaroni and cheese, a cheesecake pecan pie, and brownies (my uncle Lenard's favorite).
Justin's wife Misty is the one who issued the compliment. I didn't hear it but I heard about what she said from two different family members!
She wanted to know who made the mac-n-cheese and asked for whomever it was to give the recipe to Justin so he could make it in the restaurant!
This friends took me a little aback!
I told my aunt Martha that I would have to tell him what I used because there was no way I could tell the amounts with as much as I had made for today. All I could do was tell him how to make it for a crowd!
See I do a great deal of my cooking by taste and memory so when it comes to giving someone a recipe I have to really pay attention the next time I make it and measure things out so I can tell them how to make it properly. This can be really hard for a cook that is a cook by taste or memory. This is also what I run into for recipes to but in the cookbook.
But having her say she thought her husband needed to serve mac-n-cheese just like mine in a restaurant made my day!
Let me see if I can give you a list of ingredients if you need to make mac-n-cheese for about 25 people I guess is what this would serve, maybe less if there isn't as much food as we had today to surround it. lol
Three packages store brand mac-n-cheese with the pouch cheese not powder
I jar of processed cheese
I stick of butter
3" chunk of Velveeta cheese cubed
2 cups sour cream
1 lrg can evaporated milk
little salt
little pepper
1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheese for topping
I put in Mrs. Dash Herb and Garlic JUST A DASH
Disposable 4" deep metal pan with lid
Cook the macaroni until it is a little over done
(if it needs to be drained you can or you can turn it off before it is actually done and let it absorb some of that liquid. This is my preferred method.)
Sauce:
Start by melting a stick of butter in a sauce pan that is big enough to hold about 4 cups of liquid or more for stirring room. Once the butter has started to melt you can start adding the Velveeta cheese. Let that start to melt as you begin adding in the pouches of cheese from the mac-n-cheese. Add some of the milk to make it a little more smooth and then add in the cheese from the jar. You may not need the entire jar, I used about half the jar. Let that get well mixed and then add in the seasonings and more milk. If everything is well combined add the sour cream and rest of the milk and stir until all are blended and everything is warm.
Place pasta in a metal pan and evenly distribute over the length of the pan. When the sauce is ready you can poor it over the pasta. Use a fair amount at first, mix and then asses as to whether you will require the entire cheese mixture. I had a little left over. This is good in Mexican casseroles too or Chicken Cheese Spaghetti!
Sprinkle top with grated cheese and cook in a 350 degree oven until the cheese on top has started to melt and the pasta has heated through. About 30 minutes. Do NOT let the edges start to brown because that is cooking too long and the pasta will no longer be as cheesy as you want. Serve hot!
I don't have a picture to go along with this but when all was said and done and there were two different dishes of macaroni present my pan was half empty!
If you happen to have questions about this recipe just post a comment and I will try and answer everything I can. It's Good! and as I always say "You'll See I Promise!"
A little history some of who do know me might not know about me.
I won my first and only ribbons in 4-H for two recipes at the age of I believe 10 for coconut macaroons and deviled eggs. The ironic thing about that is my mother won with the same recipe for macaroons at about the same age in 4-H and we never thought about it until years later. The funny thing is neither of us can remember ever using that recipe again after winning each of those awards! I don't even know where it is. However, even though I do not use a recipe for my deviled eggs they are a request when I am going to be bringing food at any of my social gatherings!
That was just a little background on how long I have been cooking. My Mother is a very patient person in the kitchen when it comes to learning! Every question I had she answered, every mistake I made she could tell me why, every time I needed to know how to do something I had never done before I could go to her and she was my answer.
While I still rely on my Mother when I get in a bind or need a question answered I have gotten a more adventurous side in my later years! I will now try something without a recipe just because I know those flavors will compliment each other and will work together.
So many people are so afraid to go out on a limb like this! It constantly amazes me how people ask me, "Well how did you come up with that?" or "How did you know that was going to taste good together?" to which my answer normally is "I didn't know it was going to taste good?" or "I came up with it because I wasn't afraid to try something different?"
My motto is if it doesn't work the way you tried it don't do it that way again! Nine times out of ten even if I don't like the way it turns out everyone else does and it gets eaten but I still change the way I do it the next time! That is all about learning to be a "good cook"
Something else some of you might not know about me was I was able to cook full meals from scratch by the age of 13. When I say from scratch I mean fried chicken, homemade cornbread, peas from freezer to table, buttermilk cakes that would make your hurt yourself or someone else trying to get to another piece, the whole nine yards. This is just a short list.
I had supper ready every day by the time Mom and Dad came home from work and keep the clothes clean and the house as kept as I could. I was never asked to do this I just did. I also kept my homework done and my grades at more than a passing level sometimes higher, I wasn't that huge a fan of some aspects of school. The appreciation of school came with later years.
Why did I learn to do this at such a young age other than having a willing teacher? Because I loved to cook and still do! I hope and pray this is a love that never goes away! It is a very strong passion of mine and I hold being known as a "good cook" in very high esteem! While I still have not realized my dream of producing a cookbook Mother started me on my way a couple of years ago for Christmas she made me a binder with pages in it to divide my recipes up and cards for me to record new recipes. So it is still a work in progress and still a dream.
Today however I received what I consider to be a very important compliment!
While I am not professionally trained as a chef and most likely never will be my cousin Justin is. We had our family Christmas today on my Father's side of the family and I chose to carry macaroni and cheese, a cheesecake pecan pie, and brownies (my uncle Lenard's favorite).
Justin's wife Misty is the one who issued the compliment. I didn't hear it but I heard about what she said from two different family members!
She wanted to know who made the mac-n-cheese and asked for whomever it was to give the recipe to Justin so he could make it in the restaurant!
This friends took me a little aback!
I told my aunt Martha that I would have to tell him what I used because there was no way I could tell the amounts with as much as I had made for today. All I could do was tell him how to make it for a crowd!
See I do a great deal of my cooking by taste and memory so when it comes to giving someone a recipe I have to really pay attention the next time I make it and measure things out so I can tell them how to make it properly. This can be really hard for a cook that is a cook by taste or memory. This is also what I run into for recipes to but in the cookbook.
But having her say she thought her husband needed to serve mac-n-cheese just like mine in a restaurant made my day!
Let me see if I can give you a list of ingredients if you need to make mac-n-cheese for about 25 people I guess is what this would serve, maybe less if there isn't as much food as we had today to surround it. lol
Three packages store brand mac-n-cheese with the pouch cheese not powder
I jar of processed cheese
I stick of butter
3" chunk of Velveeta cheese cubed
2 cups sour cream
1 lrg can evaporated milk
little salt
little pepper
1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheese for topping
I put in Mrs. Dash Herb and Garlic JUST A DASH
Disposable 4" deep metal pan with lid
Cook the macaroni until it is a little over done
(if it needs to be drained you can or you can turn it off before it is actually done and let it absorb some of that liquid. This is my preferred method.)
Sauce:
Start by melting a stick of butter in a sauce pan that is big enough to hold about 4 cups of liquid or more for stirring room. Once the butter has started to melt you can start adding the Velveeta cheese. Let that start to melt as you begin adding in the pouches of cheese from the mac-n-cheese. Add some of the milk to make it a little more smooth and then add in the cheese from the jar. You may not need the entire jar, I used about half the jar. Let that get well mixed and then add in the seasonings and more milk. If everything is well combined add the sour cream and rest of the milk and stir until all are blended and everything is warm.
Place pasta in a metal pan and evenly distribute over the length of the pan. When the sauce is ready you can poor it over the pasta. Use a fair amount at first, mix and then asses as to whether you will require the entire cheese mixture. I had a little left over. This is good in Mexican casseroles too or Chicken Cheese Spaghetti!
Sprinkle top with grated cheese and cook in a 350 degree oven until the cheese on top has started to melt and the pasta has heated through. About 30 minutes. Do NOT let the edges start to brown because that is cooking too long and the pasta will no longer be as cheesy as you want. Serve hot!
I don't have a picture to go along with this but when all was said and done and there were two different dishes of macaroni present my pan was half empty!
If you happen to have questions about this recipe just post a comment and I will try and answer everything I can. It's Good! and as I always say "You'll See I Promise!"
Saturday, December 17, 2011
What I said I would do and a little Christmas too!
In explanation. That last blog was written Monday night. My last post where I said I would be more diligent was Sunday morning. This week has been crazy and I have found it very hard to sit and write in the evenings after sitting in front of a computer for many hours of the day or busily working with other things my job entails. In short the week was tough and I was really tired! lol....
However, I will be off starting today through the New Year's holiday! Woohoo Go me!
I thought what I would do was go back and catch up on some of the things I have been working on and show you pictures of those things.
I have a lot of things to make and finish before Christmas so I will squeeze this in at break times away from the sewing machine or glue gun.
I know you all will understand well at least those of you who are following me for now. Or those who know me in person because many of you know how hard I work and how little I rest!
So....more later. But maybe I can find something to leave you with now just to wet your whistle.
Yep! Found something! Since Christmas is upon us and I have never blogged about this little quilt I made last year I decided I could show you how this one progressed before I go start the day of sewing and whatever else oh yeah cooking for tomorrow begins.
This is a design I came up with myself for a nine block pattern quilt with stripping in between and along the top, bottom and edges. Don't ask me to name it because I don't have a name. lol Well maybe I can name it. I was reading back over before posting and I came up with a name! Dance of the Evergreens!
However, I will be off starting today through the New Year's holiday! Woohoo Go me!
I thought what I would do was go back and catch up on some of the things I have been working on and show you pictures of those things.
I have a lot of things to make and finish before Christmas so I will squeeze this in at break times away from the sewing machine or glue gun.
I know you all will understand well at least those of you who are following me for now. Or those who know me in person because many of you know how hard I work and how little I rest!
So....more later. But maybe I can find something to leave you with now just to wet your whistle.
Yep! Found something! Since Christmas is upon us and I have never blogged about this little quilt I made last year I decided I could show you how this one progressed before I go start the day of sewing and whatever else oh yeah cooking for tomorrow begins.
This is a design I came up with myself for a nine block pattern quilt with stripping in between and along the top, bottom and edges. Don't ask me to name it because I don't have a name. lol Well maybe I can name it. I was reading back over before posting and I came up with a name! Dance of the Evergreens!
This is the finished quilt. Well the pieces quit that is. I haven't finished it out and had it quilted yet.
This is what I call applique the easy way! I taught a class on this during a program we held at the public library. It wasn't for this particular pattern but the technique used to create the design.
I am going to add each block so you can see the detail of each one as they go.
This was the most difficult one I tried, It originally had a curl at the top but it wouldn't work when I stitched it so I had to modify the pattern.
I started each block with a paper design.
Then transferred that paper design to the back of fabric that had ironed on fusible web ironed on. It is easier to draw your pattern on the fabric once it has been ironed because you are drawing on paper.
The trick to remember with transferring your patterns to the back of the fabric/paper is that if a design is supposed to go a certain way you need to revers the pattern or when you turn it over to iron it to the block it will be backwards from the way you intended it to be. Don't worry, I warn you because I have done this before myself. You know what they say about the warning labels on appliances! There is a reason for them! Someone actually caused that warning to be there because they actually did what it warns against. Case in point. So if you do this count yourself lucky if you have extra fabric because it happens.
This design by far was the hardest to sew and to figure out the placement.
I had the most fun with this one! I don't know why but it was so fun to me!
This one reminds me of the topiarys you will find beside many doorways.
I loved this one too! It reminds me of a log cabin. My aunt and uncle live in one so it made me think of them when I was making this block. Not to mention if you decide to do this one not only in the reds, pinks and greens like I did you can use scraps! Especially for this design!
This last one was just a little fun design I thought would be easy to stitch and would give a short squatty tree.
Never let it be said that I didn't leave you with something to ponder. I am not leaving you with a pattern. I do realize this is what many would want but that is to come later. First of all I have to learn how to link a pattern from page to page then I have to decide if I am going to give this one away or if I am going to make it into a pattern for sale or let you all have it for nothing. We shall see. More later. I hope you enjoy!
Monday, December 12, 2011
It ' s 10 pm do you know where your icing spatula is.?
When just a little while ago you were up to your elbows in batter for cupcakes and cakes, you now search drawers and cabinets for the one tool to finish the job! Your kitchen is a mess, the stove top now needs a good cleaning but the cakes and cupcakes are all done and cool and screaming for their ICING!
Yes I could use a piping bag and tip for the cupcakes and I shall but to make quick easy work of the cakes I need my spatula!
As I search thoughts of how someone has hidden the object I seek begin to surface. Not only that but the tune to a very popular Christian based cartoon with vegetable characters begins to play! The tune was a little different. It went a little something like this;
Oh where is my spatula? Oh where is my spatula? Oh where Oh where Oh where Oh whereeeeee is my SPATULA? Characters exit stage right.
Before I had a chance to launch into the next tune of loss from a long running and also very popular TV show taking place primarily in a corn field where someone is lost and a loved one is search in, I found the spatula!
Antics over and all songs sung the cakes are iced and ready for the eager hands of the best group of kids I know! Boy Scout Troop 27 of The Louisiana Purchase Council!
The things we aunts, moms, dads and other volunteers do for the youth of America! However, time spent molding these young men is never wasted!
Time has proven that Boy Scouts of America produces leaders! If you are curious just look into the backgrounds of some of our Nations presidents! Well since some of you never will I decided I will give you that background myself. This information comes straight from the website I list below. To list a few I will begin with the names of presidents you are sure to recognize then a bit about Roosevelt and how he basically brought the Boy Scouts of America into the White House if you will. The list of presidents you will recognize who were scouts; George W Bush, William H Clinton, George H W Bush, Ronald Reagan, James E Carter, Gerald R Ford, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, Eisenhower, Truman and last but certainly not least we have Roosevelt. Here is a little commentary on what he did with his time as a scout leader.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933-1945
President Roosevelt was the first to enter the White House with a record as an active Scout leader. He was president of the Greater New York Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1934, hundreds of thousands of Scouts assembled to hear President Roosevelt’s broadcast appealing for help for the needy. They responded by collecting nearly two million articles of clothing, household furnishings, and other items for disadvantaged families. When FDR died in 1945, he had a 24-year record of service in Scouting.
“As one who has been interested in Scouting over many years, it has been most heartening to have so many evidences of the practical values of Scout training. We must remember that next to active military service itself, there is no higher opportunity for serving our country than helping youth to carry on in their efforts to make themselves physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight, and prepared to help their country to the full in time of war, as well as in time of peace. We must make sure that those volunteer agencies, which are supplementing the church, the home, and the school by providing programs that will help equip the present generation to cope with life problems in the difficult days ahead, are maintained to their maximum capacity and effectiveness.”
I am proud to take even a small part in Scouts and also proud to say that our family boasts five generations of Scouts under the same pack number 27! I don't know of many families who can say they have a history in Scouts with the same number going back that far! Not only do we have that history but my sister married into a family that her husband is now a second generation Cub Master and has now moved to Scouts as his boys have gotten older and is now an assistant Scout leader. Not only does he play an active role there but my sister does as well. They are there rain or shine and so are their two boys who will soon be 12 and 13. We all hope they both stick with it long enough to make it through to Eagle Scout level as this is such a prestigious honor held by only those who take it seriously and who know its importance!
While I may not play as much of an active role as my sister and BROTHER-in-law...I do have a shirt with al the proper patches (the required uniform) and am a registered member of the Boy Scouts of American. I make sure I keep my status up to date and do whatever I need to do to assure that if I am needed I can be called upon at any moment to show up and help wherever I can.
I encourage you if you have boys to get them involved with this organization! There are so MANY great values they learn that I couldn't begin to explain how it could profoundly change their lives and mold who they become. Never was a smarter parent that becomes an active part in their child's life! God gave your those children trusting you would take care of them! It is your job to trust he knew what he was doing trusting you and also trust him to guide you in the way that you should go in all that you do with your family and your lives. *steps down from soap box*
If you want to take part in Scouts or have your boys take part contact your local troupe for more information. Or go to www.scouting.org.
If there isn't a troop in your area maybe that is where you are being called to serve? There are young boys out there everywhere who need positive role models to follow! Many youth in America come from broken homes and have no comparison or a male figure. You could possible become that guide in this very important way!
Yes I could use a piping bag and tip for the cupcakes and I shall but to make quick easy work of the cakes I need my spatula!
As I search thoughts of how someone has hidden the object I seek begin to surface. Not only that but the tune to a very popular Christian based cartoon with vegetable characters begins to play! The tune was a little different. It went a little something like this;
Oh where is my spatula? Oh where is my spatula? Oh where Oh where Oh where Oh whereeeeee is my SPATULA? Characters exit stage right.
Before I had a chance to launch into the next tune of loss from a long running and also very popular TV show taking place primarily in a corn field where someone is lost and a loved one is search in, I found the spatula!
Antics over and all songs sung the cakes are iced and ready for the eager hands of the best group of kids I know! Boy Scout Troop 27 of The Louisiana Purchase Council!
The things we aunts, moms, dads and other volunteers do for the youth of America! However, time spent molding these young men is never wasted!
Time has proven that Boy Scouts of America produces leaders! If you are curious just look into the backgrounds of some of our Nations presidents! Well since some of you never will I decided I will give you that background myself. This information comes straight from the website I list below. To list a few I will begin with the names of presidents you are sure to recognize then a bit about Roosevelt and how he basically brought the Boy Scouts of America into the White House if you will. The list of presidents you will recognize who were scouts; George W Bush, William H Clinton, George H W Bush, Ronald Reagan, James E Carter, Gerald R Ford, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, Eisenhower, Truman and last but certainly not least we have Roosevelt. Here is a little commentary on what he did with his time as a scout leader.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933-1945
President Roosevelt was the first to enter the White House with a record as an active Scout leader. He was president of the Greater New York Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1934, hundreds of thousands of Scouts assembled to hear President Roosevelt’s broadcast appealing for help for the needy. They responded by collecting nearly two million articles of clothing, household furnishings, and other items for disadvantaged families. When FDR died in 1945, he had a 24-year record of service in Scouting.
“As one who has been interested in Scouting over many years, it has been most heartening to have so many evidences of the practical values of Scout training. We must remember that next to active military service itself, there is no higher opportunity for serving our country than helping youth to carry on in their efforts to make themselves physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight, and prepared to help their country to the full in time of war, as well as in time of peace. We must make sure that those volunteer agencies, which are supplementing the church, the home, and the school by providing programs that will help equip the present generation to cope with life problems in the difficult days ahead, are maintained to their maximum capacity and effectiveness.”
I am proud to take even a small part in Scouts and also proud to say that our family boasts five generations of Scouts under the same pack number 27! I don't know of many families who can say they have a history in Scouts with the same number going back that far! Not only do we have that history but my sister married into a family that her husband is now a second generation Cub Master and has now moved to Scouts as his boys have gotten older and is now an assistant Scout leader. Not only does he play an active role there but my sister does as well. They are there rain or shine and so are their two boys who will soon be 12 and 13. We all hope they both stick with it long enough to make it through to Eagle Scout level as this is such a prestigious honor held by only those who take it seriously and who know its importance!
While I may not play as much of an active role as my sister and BROTHER-in-law...I do have a shirt with al the proper patches (the required uniform) and am a registered member of the Boy Scouts of American. I make sure I keep my status up to date and do whatever I need to do to assure that if I am needed I can be called upon at any moment to show up and help wherever I can.
I encourage you if you have boys to get them involved with this organization! There are so MANY great values they learn that I couldn't begin to explain how it could profoundly change their lives and mold who they become. Never was a smarter parent that becomes an active part in their child's life! God gave your those children trusting you would take care of them! It is your job to trust he knew what he was doing trusting you and also trust him to guide you in the way that you should go in all that you do with your family and your lives. *steps down from soap box*
If you want to take part in Scouts or have your boys take part contact your local troupe for more information. Or go to www.scouting.org.
If there isn't a troop in your area maybe that is where you are being called to serve? There are young boys out there everywhere who need positive role models to follow! Many youth in America come from broken homes and have no comparison or a male figure. You could possible become that guide in this very important way!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
A New Look!
Well now that I have spent the better part of an hour and a half giving my page a new look I think I shall start my day and finish the project I started yesterday. Homeade Christmas cards to send to friends and family. I am crazy about owls! So when I found a cute little owl stamp with a santa hat I knew that would be my Christmas card this year. I printed them on left over card stock cards from another project and will use the envelopes from that project as well. Sealing them on the back with a sticker. I'm off to take pictures and finish the project. More later today! :)
These are all the things you will need to get started.
Some things pictured are things that didnt work out in the long run. I will get to those as we go along.
White cardstock cards (whatever size according to your envelopes)
White envelopes
A black ink pad
Acrylic clear stamp pads
Clear acrylic stamps
Scratch paper or cards
Glitter (I used Martha Stewart glitter and glue)
Fine tipped glue
Before you begin make sure you have all your supplies around you and have plenty of room to work. This will be important once you begin and start the assembly line process for making your cards.
This give you and example of how important it is to have scratch paper or extra cards around so you can practice and see how things will look before you put the stamp down on the cards that will be the finished product.
If you have all your supplies about you it is easier to stamp in a assembly line fashion and with fewer mistakes as you go. You will probably be surprised how much quicker the work will go if you do all of one thing to each card you will print instead of trying to place each element on the card at one time. I have found that I tend to get less bored with the process and make less mistakes when I place all of one element and then go back and start with the next. Not to mention you are cleaning your work space as you go. How you say? Well, when you have placed all of one particular element on your card you are done with that tool and can put it away in it's proper place for use another time. Therefore, you are adding more space to your work area as you go! You'll see I promise!
Always make sure to place your stamp on the pad evenly and to press all spots to get even ink coverage over all the stamp. With acrylic clear stamps it is easier because you can see through the stamp and many times can tell how much ink is already on the stamp before you even lift from the pad.
Place the stamp where you want it to go. In this case in the upper left corner. Don't press until you are sure you have your fingers in the proper places to get an even stamp.
Next you will go with the owl and use the same method as with the above stamp
After stamping all of my cards I decided my color elements would come from colored pencils. This is a finished card after I added the colors I wanted.
Now for what not to do and where the Martha Stewart glitters came in. While I love her glitters and in my book they are about the best ones on the market the lines in this stamp were just too close to use even her fine tip glue and have a clear image. I had in my mind just how I wanted this to look but when I tried it you see what I got! So I will stick to using these wonderful glitters with larger projects. If you will notice on the right hand side of the glittered card there is another don't. I started out with a copper colored stamp and while it was very pretty and nice and sparkly you couldn't see the image clearly enough to make out what it was. That is why I moved to a black stamp. Brown would have worked nicely as well.
The only other element I added to these cards is on the back of the card I stamped handmade by yours truly. I took a trip to Micheals today and found a perfect little stamp that said just that! I bought it for only $1.00 and know it will be used for many things to come. To finish the cards I will sign them with a red felt pen, address them, place a sticker on the back to seal and send them off to family and friends!
I hope you have gotten something from this little example of a little handmade goodie from Candielou!
See Y'all next time I promise!
Some things pictured are things that didnt work out in the long run. I will get to those as we go along.
White cardstock cards (whatever size according to your envelopes)
White envelopes
A black ink pad
Acrylic clear stamp pads
Clear acrylic stamps
Scratch paper or cards
Glitter (I used Martha Stewart glitter and glue)
Fine tipped glue
Before you begin make sure you have all your supplies around you and have plenty of room to work. This will be important once you begin and start the assembly line process for making your cards.
If you have all your supplies about you it is easier to stamp in a assembly line fashion and with fewer mistakes as you go. You will probably be surprised how much quicker the work will go if you do all of one thing to each card you will print instead of trying to place each element on the card at one time. I have found that I tend to get less bored with the process and make less mistakes when I place all of one element and then go back and start with the next. Not to mention you are cleaning your work space as you go. How you say? Well, when you have placed all of one particular element on your card you are done with that tool and can put it away in it's proper place for use another time. Therefore, you are adding more space to your work area as you go! You'll see I promise!
Next you will go with the owl and use the same method as with the above stamp
After stamping all of my cards I decided my color elements would come from colored pencils. This is a finished card after I added the colors I wanted.
Now for what not to do and where the Martha Stewart glitters came in. While I love her glitters and in my book they are about the best ones on the market the lines in this stamp were just too close to use even her fine tip glue and have a clear image. I had in my mind just how I wanted this to look but when I tried it you see what I got! So I will stick to using these wonderful glitters with larger projects. If you will notice on the right hand side of the glittered card there is another don't. I started out with a copper colored stamp and while it was very pretty and nice and sparkly you couldn't see the image clearly enough to make out what it was. That is why I moved to a black stamp. Brown would have worked nicely as well.
The only other element I added to these cards is on the back of the card I stamped handmade by yours truly. I took a trip to Micheals today and found a perfect little stamp that said just that! I bought it for only $1.00 and know it will be used for many things to come. To finish the cards I will sign them with a red felt pen, address them, place a sticker on the back to seal and send them off to family and friends!
I hope you have gotten something from this little example of a little handmade goodie from Candielou!
See Y'all next time I promise!
It's Been A Long Time
Perhaps you could say this is a New Year's resolution before the New Year comes?
I don't know? What I do know is that I should have been writing all along. I come
in contact with too many people each day that want to know, "Do you have a blog?"
or "Do you have an Etsy store?" or "Do you have any of your patterns online where
we can do the kinds of things you do?".
Well currently the answer would be a flat out NO to one of those I don't have patterns
online so all you guys can do the kinds of things I do.
Yes I DO have an Etsy store however,
I currently have nothing for sell there.
YES I do have a blog, candielou-randcomrantsincreativity.blogspot.com.
Now the question will come...
"When are you going to sell things in your Etsy store?"
Well that takes way more time than most people realize!
You have to take the pictures,
write the descriptions and put all of the required things online. And since I am so close to
the end of 2011 now I figure why not start fresh in 2012 so I won't have to worry about
things for taxes in 2011.
So in short look for things in 2012!
Patterns online for things that I make?
Well I am not sure about that one....
From time to time you may see things here but since those are mostly original designs
they are things that I could also have on my Etsy store. I will have to give that one some
thought.
And the blog well of course that is where the New Year's resolution comes in
before the New Year starts. I am going to try and be better about writing and posting
pics for 2012 so you guys won't have to ask so many questions and I can direct you to
where I am and what I am doing.
All I ask is that you be a little understanding of my 40 hour a week and sometimes more
work week and not hold my feet to the fire if I go a few days without writing!
I went through and updated my picture and added a little more about myself to my profile.
So now that I have given you my plans let me see if I can give you what I am working on today.
Hope you like what I have to offer!
More later.....
I don't know? What I do know is that I should have been writing all along. I come
in contact with too many people each day that want to know, "Do you have a blog?"
or "Do you have an Etsy store?" or "Do you have any of your patterns online where
we can do the kinds of things you do?".
Well currently the answer would be a flat out NO to one of those I don't have patterns
online so all you guys can do the kinds of things I do.
Yes I DO have an Etsy store however,
I currently have nothing for sell there.
YES I do have a blog, candielou-randcomrantsincreativity.blogspot.com.
Now the question will come...
"When are you going to sell things in your Etsy store?"
Well that takes way more time than most people realize!
You have to take the pictures,
write the descriptions and put all of the required things online. And since I am so close to
the end of 2011 now I figure why not start fresh in 2012 so I won't have to worry about
things for taxes in 2011.
So in short look for things in 2012!
Patterns online for things that I make?
Well I am not sure about that one....
From time to time you may see things here but since those are mostly original designs
they are things that I could also have on my Etsy store. I will have to give that one some
thought.
And the blog well of course that is where the New Year's resolution comes in
before the New Year starts. I am going to try and be better about writing and posting
pics for 2012 so you guys won't have to ask so many questions and I can direct you to
where I am and what I am doing.
All I ask is that you be a little understanding of my 40 hour a week and sometimes more
work week and not hold my feet to the fire if I go a few days without writing!
I went through and updated my picture and added a little more about myself to my profile.
So now that I have given you my plans let me see if I can give you what I am working on today.
Hope you like what I have to offer!
More later.....
Friday, September 24, 2010
A love that grew from color
As always I have found something new I want to try! I have addictions! We all know we have them but you know what they say. Half the problem is to know you have one...or something like that. Well I have an addiction to color! Lately that addiction has reared it's ugly head in fabric. Yard after yard after yard! Red, yellow & blue! Oh, and any other color those make. HA...laugh with me because we ALL know those three colors make ALL the other COLORS!!! See the delima???? It's sad really it is an addiction that has been passed from my Mother to me! "Thanks Mom!" So long story short and realizing I do indeed have a problem and needed a way to deal with the surplus of that problem I started quilting!
Let's just say I have found a new LOVE! It started about a two or so years ago when a friend of mine was expecting a baby (she turned out beautiful I might add) and I started thinking about how it would be great if I could make the baby something special. While I didn't get to make her a quilt before the baby was born I was just too fresh into the hobby. However, she did get a stack of bigs and burb cloths handmade of flannel just in time for the baby's arrival. She says they worked great and so did the next friend that had a baby when I gave her a stack very similar. They came to be known as the "Candie Bibs" lol. For whatever that is worth I think they were well liked an used!
I digress...so I started quilting about that time and was a little frustrated at first but grew to love the hobby as my skills developed. I find myself a little over two years, give or take teaching others a craft I have just recently learned myself. It is always so great to be able to pass on something you have learned to someone else! I think I was always meant to be a teacher! I love the look on people's faces when they have that Ah Ha moment! There is nothing else like it! Kind of like when you hand a kid an unexpected present, their eyes get as big around as saucers! WOW you are giving me a preset just because????
I finished the quilt I started yesterday. All I lacked was the binding. This is the one I am proud of, not the most per say but in a way I suppose I am. I made the whole thing myself, even the quilting! And what will happen to it? I am giving it away as a Christmas present for that second baby in this story! I hardly ever keep things I make. For me it is the joy of making something for someone else that means so much. I like the making and the giving. That is my reward. I used to feel guilty for giving handmade gifts so much until people started telling me to never think that way because when I gave away something I made I was giving away part of myself because it took my time and effort to create that item for someone else. They always tell me it means more if you take the time to make it rather than throw down a credit card and buy something. So guilt no more! lol
I will take pics of that first quilt soon but until I am able I will post a couple others I have recently completed. All but one, the "Blue Jean Jesus" has been on display at the local library. "Jesus" will be there later in the month of October.
ttfn
clc
Let's just say I have found a new LOVE! It started about a two or so years ago when a friend of mine was expecting a baby (she turned out beautiful I might add) and I started thinking about how it would be great if I could make the baby something special. While I didn't get to make her a quilt before the baby was born I was just too fresh into the hobby. However, she did get a stack of bigs and burb cloths handmade of flannel just in time for the baby's arrival. She says they worked great and so did the next friend that had a baby when I gave her a stack very similar. They came to be known as the "Candie Bibs" lol. For whatever that is worth I think they were well liked an used!
I digress...so I started quilting about that time and was a little frustrated at first but grew to love the hobby as my skills developed. I find myself a little over two years, give or take teaching others a craft I have just recently learned myself. It is always so great to be able to pass on something you have learned to someone else! I think I was always meant to be a teacher! I love the look on people's faces when they have that Ah Ha moment! There is nothing else like it! Kind of like when you hand a kid an unexpected present, their eyes get as big around as saucers! WOW you are giving me a preset just because????
I finished the quilt I started yesterday. All I lacked was the binding. This is the one I am proud of, not the most per say but in a way I suppose I am. I made the whole thing myself, even the quilting! And what will happen to it? I am giving it away as a Christmas present for that second baby in this story! I hardly ever keep things I make. For me it is the joy of making something for someone else that means so much. I like the making and the giving. That is my reward. I used to feel guilty for giving handmade gifts so much until people started telling me to never think that way because when I gave away something I made I was giving away part of myself because it took my time and effort to create that item for someone else. They always tell me it means more if you take the time to make it rather than throw down a credit card and buy something. So guilt no more! lol
I will take pics of that first quilt soon but until I am able I will post a couple others I have recently completed. All but one, the "Blue Jean Jesus" has been on display at the local library. "Jesus" will be there later in the month of October.
ttfn
clc
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