Puppy sitting

We had the chance to "puppy sit" our Son and DIL 's little puppy, Mia Bella. Instead of leaving her in a Kennel they asked if we would watch her for 4 days.  She is such a cutie and loves to play. I am worn out LOL.  She is very well behaved and well trained so she really wasn't any trouble..just loves to play...didn't I already say that!!!???!!!

 She loves "Gramma and Grandpa" and is always happy to see us when we visit. They live about 5 hours north of here and were heading 5 hours south of here. When they come here to visit as soon as we open the door she runs towards us and jumps as high as she can. Such a little character.

We have a big back yard and she loved being outside. She would run in circles as fast as she could go. It was so funny to watch her go. She is not very big, she almost blended with the ground. As soon as you came in the house....there she was with one of her toys, which by-the-way she hid in her kennel under her blanket!!

 She is a mix of Maltese and Chihauhua.

She is now home and our house is quiet.


I mean really, how can you resist this little face,

Classes at Michaels

 Michael's Store has Classes that are fun! Michael's has Certified Instructors for paper, jewelry, knitting, crochet, mixed media, painting, cake decorating and more. The class price varies, they have beginner or advanced classes
.
On the second Monday and Tuesday of every month Michael's offers free classes. You need to buy the supplies and usually you get a 10% off coupon to go along with it.
You can go online and see what your Michael's Store has to offer. Click on Classes, zip code/store. Or go into your store and ask about the classes they offer.

Tonight (Monday) I will be teaching a free class on Paper crafts. Using an Envelope Punch Board, we will make a paper bow, treat box, gift box and a matchbox. So fun! All using one tool.

On Tuesday we will make a Nautical Bracelet.  Pretty cool!  Classes are 6:30pm- 8:30pm

So many ideas!

As I said in my last post, I have a lot of toilet tissue rolls.
I went on Google images and on Pinterest to see what others have made using this fine product!                                                                       WOW!!
  So many ideas.  I really like the wall hanging projects, especially the butterfly but then I also like the Faux wrought iron look and so on and so on!!!
I have enough to make all the projects, the question is...Do I have the motivation?


 Yesterday I did get my bottle caps prepped and ready and the container top sanded  for my outdoor side table. ..again...need to get started....

Right now I am enjoying the peacefulness of the morning.....maybe later.

Anyone else have this problem?

Upcycle Toilet paper tubes

My family saves toilet paper tubes, labels, tins,bottle caps.... on and on.
 My husband says I have everyone well trained. Even my brothers and sisters save "stuff" for me!! Not only do I love getting the stuff I like to see what I can come up with.   Whatever I don't use I donate or put in the recycling bin.

Here are two Gift Card Holders I just made.

I use my Big Shot to flatten them. Just roll a few times back and forth.  Then I paint the inside edges ( and sometimes the sides) glue the bottom edges together add decorative paper.  The insert can be tricky. You do have to measure each roll as the sizes vary. Sometimes I stamp the tab or add decorative paper or just leave as is.  As always though I have to ink the edges...thats my thing  lol

I have sold a few in my Etsy store. You can check it out HERE

The Star Die Cut and Designer Series Paper (Occasions Catalog) is from Stampin Up.

You can check them out HERE

If you cant click on the links here are the web site addresses:

www.Craftnique.etsy.com

www.Hermyacosta.stampinup.net

I think I will make a table top using bottle caps...until next time.

Have a Great Day!!

classes at Michaels

Hello and Happy Friday!

I really am enjoying teaching classes at Michaels'. So fun to work with people that like the same thing that I like...or should I say love.  

I am certified to teach paper crafts,mixed media and jewelry. We already have 3 paper craft instructors so I mainly teach jewelry. It has been awhile since I made jewelry...earrings bracelets etc. I  forgot how much fun it was!

Here are a few things we have made 

beaded bracelet

layered chain necklace

leather wrap infinity bracelet

If you are in the Paso Robles area sign up for a class. Its fun! You can sign up online at www.michaels.com

I really like the infinity bracelet. You can make it as long as you want for more wraps or make it average length for one wrap look. Right now I am making one using satin cord that I use for Kumihimo. I will let you know how it came out.

My Etsy Shop

My stampin up store

Michaels

pumpkin muffins easy peasy

If you are on Facebook you might have seen the recipe for the Pumpkin Muffins using a box of yellow cake mix and a can of pumpkin.

I thought I would try it...... I used a box of Spice Cake Mix Instead of the Yellow Cake Mix with the can of pumpkin.  It is delicious and easy- peasy. I also tried it with a box of Carrot Cake Mix, it too was yummy.

Instead of the large muffin pan I used a mini muffin pan.

I also found it easier to empty the canned pumpkin into mixing bowl first and then gradually add the cake mix while stirring.

All you need to do is pre- heat oven to 350 degrees

Grease or oil muffin pan

In a large bowl,

Mix one box cake mix  and one can of canned pumpkin( I used Libbys)

Stir by hand until smooth

Spoon mix into muffin pan ( no need to worry how full. I filled each to top.)

Bake for 25 minutes

Remove from oven, let cool

Thats it!

makes 24 to 28 mini muffins

You can add chopped walnuts or chocolate chips if desired!!!

Paper Beads

Remember making paper beads?
The other day I found a bracelet that I made with  paper beads.
The colors are so pretty and they look like ceramic beads!

 I went into the kitchen and grabbed a couple of wood skewers then I went through my patterned paper picked out a few designs, cut them into strips and started rolling.  All shapes and sizes. It is relaxing. I have my pile of paper, glue and while watching ( well more like listening) to TV I roll and roll and roll.
 I  cut some at 1/2 inch and a few at 2 inches but I like the 1 inch size best. Cut at diagonal and you have a cone style shape

Depending on the thickness of the paper most of my pieces were 12 inch lengths. The thicker sheets did well at 6 inch lengths.

You can use magazine pages too. In fact years ago when I first learned how to make them we used magazine pages.  Book pages, music sheets, origami paper.  Its a great way to recycle left over scraps of paper and magazine pages. Easy project for kids to try.

To seal them after rolling you can use a glaze, Mod Podge or UTEE .  I found the quickest and easiest  way was to use UTEE (Ultra thick embossing enamel)  Just roll bead using skewer onto the Versa Mark pad then using a plastic spoon sprinkle UTEE all over the bead  then heat with a heat gun. I repeat with a second coat of UTEE and heat again.  Wait a few seconds to cool and remove the bead from the skewer.  Voila!

You can use a twilling tool too but remember you need enough of an opening to string bead

On some of the beads I inked the edges with a darker color before applying the UTEE.