Bows from Recycled Magazine Pages

 Making Bows from Recycled Magazine Pages. 

I remember making these when I was a little girl. My mom and my Oma taught me how to make them. We would paint the tips or add glitter. I loved them. You can use old magazines, new or used wrapping paper etc.
 I decided to try making some...and again....I love it!! : )

You can use brads but....
..... I used glue because ( thats the way I learned how to do it) I dont like the way the bow feels with the brads...just my opinion.
(You can try the brads. If you do you need to use a small hole punch and punch in the center of the folded paper. Put the brad inside and then fold and thread each peice.)

To use glue...
depending on size of bow cut magazine page into strips. I cut one inch strips

Then take one end fold towards center and glue

Do the same thing with the other end

(Use small amount of glue)

Continue with all the strips of paper. Then take each folded strip and glue them on top of each other until you have the bow complete, let dry

Artfire Crazy Train Rider

Todays Artfire Crazy Train Rider is Positively Charming Things

Her shop  http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=38911&op=new&body=1

In her bio she says
"I have this need to work with my hands, creating. It doesn't matter if it's a hand made card, a hairbow for my daughter, a knitted blanket, or a nice bracelet or something sculpted out of polymer clay - I'm simply not happy unless I'm creating something."
There are some lovely items in her shop.

This is pretty! Made from Polymer clay!

and this... a beautiful bracelet

Soft Romance - lucite and Czech glass flower antiqued brass bracelet

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=896787Her

She also has a web site

 http://www.positivelycharming.com/...

Positively Charming Things  a very pleasant shop to browse in...go and take a look!

Gourds

• I love gourds! There are so many things you can do/make with gourds.

Start with seeds, then water,watch them grow, dry them, then clean, decorate, and....
From this

To this!

                                              

...... the process starts all over again!

love it!

My New CD

I was watching the Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics.
To my surprise.. there she was... k.d. Lang singing one of my favorite songs "Hallelujah". Not only do I like the song but I like k.d.Lang. She can sing anything! Such a beautiful voice.So then and there I decided I was going to buy her CD with her version of Hallelujah.

I had a hard time finding her CD! Not one store carried it.
For the next few days I listened to it on you tube. ( I dont have an ipod)

Then...
My husband and I planned to go to Santa Maria....surely I will find her CD! Santa Maria is a big town,lots of Stores,Shopping Centers.

Not one store had the k.d.Lang CD I wanted! We went to quite a few stores. One clerk said they could order it for me but I live 30 miles away so I said no.

After hours of searching I told my husband I need a cup of coffee. He said "there's a StarBucks over there". I normally dont drink their coffee but I do like their Cafe Mocha so I said "yeah...ok". My husband doesnt like drive thrus so we went inside.

I ordered my mocha, paid and then waited.
I was quietly standing there ,waiting for my Mocha....then... I noticed this small picture...I looked at it, then I got right up to it and...its k.d.Lang! I am thinking to myself "Is this a CD? Its in a very small package". I pick it up look at it and very loudly and excitedly asked the clerk (my husband said I was yelling!!) Is this a CD???? The clerk looked at me and very slowly (LOL) said "yes mam, that is a CD".  : )

It was the last one!

I bought it!

 It has all her hit songs and my song... Hallelujah!!!

 HALLELUJAH!!!

Who would have thought! Star Bucks! I bought my CD at Star Bucks!

Cinnamon Tortillia Crisps

Cinnamon Tortillia Crisps are so yummy. I was craving these the other day. I decided to make a batch for an afternoon snack with the granddaughters. Adults and kids love these...just ask my husband! : )
Some people bake them in the oven but I prefer to fry them in a small amount of oil. I just keep adding oil as needed. Any oil will do, Olive oil is healthier but whatever suits your taste.

All you need is: Flour tortillias, sugar,cinnamon, oil and paper towel

Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl

Take the Flour tortillia and cut it into small triangles

Cut in half than in half again

When the oil is hot add tortillia strips. I add 4 at a time.
When you notice they are turning a light tan color turn each one over and fry until light tan. They cook quickly so keep an eye on them. Remove from pan  and set on paper towel.

Hint: To remove strips from oil/pan I use two forks.

Place one at a time in bowl and spoon sugar cinnamon over top.  Shake to remove excess and place on a serving plate.

You can sprinkle sugar mixture over all four but it makes a big mess!!

Fry as many as needed.

They taste great by themselves

 or......

in a bowl of 
Vanilla Ice Cream!!!
MMM 

Enjoy!

Pretty Yellow Daffodils

We sure have had some heavy rain the last few weeks. Non stop pouring rain. Can't complain though... our State needed the rain. The Lakes were getting lower and lower each year. Rivers were dry, the Dams were low.
 Inbetween the rainfall we do get a few days of sunshine, even had temperatures in the 70's last week! I like it when it stops for a few days....gives the ground a chance to soak it all up before the next downpour. Only problem is you dont know what to wear one day to the next.LOL.  Yesterday was cold, gray and rain. Today...the sun is out a small breeze and a bit cool.

This morning I opened the curtains in the back bedroom and found these beautiful daffodils!

I went outside and looked around the yard and found several more daffodils that popped up. So pretty

Our Lemon tree,which has lemons year round is full of bright yellow lemons. Our orange tree is full too.

Mother Nature takes care of her own.


When I see the beauty of the trees and flowers I guess I shouldnt complain about the rain!!

HAVING FUN!

I am having fun recycling cereal boxes. I have cut out hearts, bookmarks, flowers etc. etc. They can be used for cards, scrapbooks, journals endless possibilities. As I said in my previous blog I am painting and embossing the various shapes.

 I tried acrylic paint and then applied Utee which worked out ok but I wasnt to thrilled with the look.  
Then I tried using Fabric paint (which is thicker). I really liked the results.

I did this bookmark with fabric paint and Utee.

I used black paint and a mix of black and copper Utee for this bookmark. 

Apply the paint over the entire piece, while paint is still wet  pour the Utee over the entire piece.
Carefully pick up the piece with tweezers and shake off the excess.
Set aside and let paint dry.
Once the paint is dry use a heat gun and melt the Utee. Make sure not to keep the heat gun in one spot, move the heat gun around in small circles.

Like I said....I am having fun recycling!