Joy, small sized

so this weekend I was able to complete some friend gifts, very simple but SUPER fun!  I had scraps from other projects so these came together quickly for me:

supplies:

pattern paper: My Mind's eye

letters: pink paislee

snowflake, hollie: from Hobby lobby

ribbon: may arts

scroll cut at LSS, ornament from my stash (clearance some where!)

supplies:

Christmas balls, flowers from Hobby Lobby Christmas section

pattern paper: crate paper

scroll cut at LSS (added some paint and glitter

chipboard: Maya Road

ribbon: Michael's $1 bin, may arts

Sorry this is such a quick post have to go help a kid with something! :)  Thanks for stopping in!

Believe banner...

In October I was in charge of a class at church I collected and put together a banner (based on another sample)--it actually turned out quite lovely if I do say so myself! :)  I made a sample which will be gifted away...but I FINALLY got mine all put together and wanted to share it:

closeups:

  supplies used:

pattern paper: Lost & Found from My Mind's eye

chipboard, glitter paper, distress ink, sewing,

jewels, paint, cricut

various embellishments: Hobby Lobby Christmas Aisle

punch: Martha Stewart

ribbon: May Arts

With all the detail it did take me a few hours to assemble, I added the sewing to mine that was NOT on the sample...SO glad I got it done for this year's Christmas decorations! I'm off working on some other projects (presents, I'll share another time!)
Thanks so much for the visit!  Hope that your weekend is WONDERFUL!

what I learned last week....

I hit the jackpot with photography tips, and photoshop tips last week.  They are easy enough that I can follow them!  I thought I'd pass them on to you in case you wanted to expand your knowledge base. :)
1. Photoshop tips on creating a collage can be found HERE.
I played with this several times so that I wouldn't forget.....
2. Taking pictures of people with glasses can be found HERE.
I still need to work on this....but I'm getting there.
3. Understanding lighting can be found HERE.
This was VERY helpful for me.  I was SO excited to find this--still trying to figure out what I'm doing with my camera, and don't really want to use my flash.

I created last week but it was mostly taking pictures and editing them.  Sure was fun figuring out where to stand for pictures!  Hope that this little bit of info helped you out too!

OH, this is what is in the crock pot right now:

Janalynn's Black Beans (I don't know who Janalynn is, this is just what it's called....)
2lbs. Black beans, sorted and rinsed (not soaked)
1 large white onion, minced (can chop into chunks if you want)
1 bulb garlic, minced
1 jar green salsa
1 can El Pato sauce
1 tsp. Cumin seeds (NOT powder)
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 Tbsp. Black Pepper
2 Tbsp. Sea Salt
1 Tbsp. Chili powder
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
2 cubes chicken boullion
8 cups water

stir well to combine. set slow cooker on high for 6-8 hours or until beans are tender.

should be YUMMY!
Thanks for popping in and visiting!!

Echo Park Happy Halloween--I'm loving it!

I made these treat containers last year for my kid's teachers, it was so much fun and EASY that I decided to do it again this year.  The container is an empty crystal light container.  For the top I made my own template by placing the lid down and tracing around it.  Then trimming it slightly.  The circumference was easy to, I just took a scratch piece of paper and held it around the sides--measured it and cut my pattern paper.  Once I had that measurement I began to layer up.

**one thing you want to remember is to use a STRONG adhesive.  For my paper I used my 3M tacky adhesive.  But when it came to the tulle I used my hot glue gun.  (I didn't use it before because I didn't want bumps underneath my paper.)  Now I need to make one more, buy Halloween candy and fill them up!

Today is a BUSY one!  Go to the classroom, going ice skating after school, earlier soccer practice, mutual for my daughter!  Dinner?  At this point I have NO idea! :)  Thanks for stopping in!  Hope you have a GREAT day today!

Ready, Set Create is Ready!

I didn't share this before but I have 2 layouts and a card in  the June/July issue of Ready Set Create!  I'm pretty excited, if you click on the link it will take you where you can upload it, (it's an online e-zine)  Thanks for stopping by!