Basic Grey Nook & Pantry Recipe Book

This recipe book came together so quick. I think I will be making more for Christmas gifts. I use basic grey ‘s Nook & pantry line of paper stickers and chipboard. I love the retro look of this paper I would have liked to use more chipboard letters but after almost cleaning out doodlebugs supply and buying boxes of letters for more of the letter e and s I gave up on a few. I might add them later. I am in love with the Maya mist sprays they are so easy to use and cover the chipboard so pretty. I have not added the recipes yet I am going to mass print them before Christmas and fill all the books at once.

Cosmo Cricket Early Bird recipe book

I was so inspired by this recipe book from the Maya road blog made by Katie Watson.


http://mayaroad.typepad.com/dt/2009/06/farmhouse-recipe-book-great-teacher-gift.html


I just had to make one.So this is my version of a already wonderful idea!!! Thanks Katie ;)

I had so much fun making this a I am making a new one with some Basic Grey papers.

Let there be Joy

Sunday morning as I was getting ready for work so very early in the morning. I get so much thinking done between 5 am and 6:30am when I start work. Last week seemed to be kind of a bummer week. Not because anything really bad happened just little stuff that seemed to feel bigger than it should have been. Stuff that seemed to take a lot of my attention in a negative way. While I was taking my shower (yes the place I seem to get my most inspirational thoughts). I was worrying about some work issues and was trying to get myself in the “mood” for working. I thought ‘’ok sherree you need to little joy in your heart” you are worrying to much and being way to negative. Well what can I do to help myself out of this slump ?I know this is going to sound so silly. I am going to make a goal that I will find joy today. I am going to find joy in the small stuff, the big stuff, and even the hard stuff. I know sounds like the three little bears oh well. So I posted a status update on face book and hit send and knew I better really do this now. I closed the computer and of to work I go. I get in the car and it’s the first really cold day Sequim has had this yr . I was freezing it was dark and cold outside. I get in the car and I remember I have a seat warmers!!! oh my I was so happy!!! I thought yahoo joy the butt warmer I call it that I thought was so silly when we first got the car was making me so happy. The little things in life. As I go through the day I share my thoughts on joy and try to spread as much as I can. I tried to take note of all the things I loved about this day. The way the butter whips so pretty for the pancakes we serve. The beautiful fresh orange juice and the wonderful smell of bacon that fills the air. The happy orange color of my customers jacket. She is recovering from cancer and how good she felt as I took time on to move her to a warmer table and that I remembered she likes pecans in her oatmeal. The good laugh I had with some customers I just love. As I went through the day I realized how much control I have over how I feel that I can chose to feel joy. It’s a choice I can make when I awake in the morning. I had to go talk to my boss about something I was dreading all week and yes it was a uncomfortable but it was good its ok I am ok.I came home and as I walked in I was greeted by my little girl and all she had to say about her sleepover with the girl scouts. I was also greeted with the cluttered messy house that I often come home to after working the weekend. I normally feel upset about this and because I am tried I tend to be more irritable about it and seem to take it out on everyone. I was not upset at all I thought this is my home, yes its messy and cluttered today but it will be cleaned when I have my days off and it is fixable. Why do I spend so much energy worrying and fretting over stuff that seems so small. I want to show my kids love and be present with them. I want them to think of me as being a happy mom I want my husband to think of me as being happy with the life he is trying so hard to provide for me. I want to spread joy and happiness to my friends and even a stranger once in a while. I want to be sunshine on their raining days to lift them up with positive energy that will recharge them. I want to be a gift to them. I guess its silly it took me so long to figure this out but I did. Part of writing this is a way for me to look back when I have a rotten day and remember how good I felt this day and maybe I can bring some joy back in my own heart again. there is love all around us we just have to decide to see it. I added this picture of Taylor because it seems to show what i feel joy looks like.

Fall is in the air and the pumpkin spice cadles are burning

Wow,I cant believe its been over a month since I have posted. What have I been doing ??? School has begun and the kids are all doing great. I love the routine we have made.

Fall is here I am so happy.Its my most favorite time of year.I love the crisp cold days the colors.The smell of fall mmmm pumpkin spice candles burning in little votives all around the house.I finally made my trip to The Full Moon Candle Company yesterday and have been in pure bliss ever since. Oh the simple things that bring me such pure joy and comfort. This is the link to the best candle shop around http://www.fullmooncandle.com/pumpkinspice.html I have been working on a few fall projects and have a lot more in my little head to still create. I finished our countdown to Halloween calendar and it turned out great.The box is from Karen Foster designs. You can make a count down for any holiday. There are 24 boxes so we will start our Halloween count down on wed the 7Th.I made the ribbon on sides and top removable so I can make a thanksgiving count down on backsides of boxes. The Basic Grey Eerie paper pad worked perfect for coordinating papers. I embellished each box with glitter, rhinestones and some sticko Halloween stickers I have had forever. I was so glad to use them up. I sanded and inked them to give them a better look.

I also brought out to give away a caramel Apple kit I made last yr for a design team entry when I got it back fall was over. So I am giving it away now .I have a friend in mind and I just need to find the right way to give it to her .

School starts soon!

I know my kids are so ready.I think I am too Not because I don't want them home but because we are all getting a bit restless.I love the the beginning of school and the first days of fall its my most favorite time of year.new beginnings, new routines and amazing colors in our beautiful world.
I thought i would kick off the post with a book I made at the end of last school yr for Mckenna to celebrate 2nd grade.This was a really fun book to make I think its one of my favorites so far.I loved using this Melissa Frances school paper. I also took some of my DD's art work and had it copied, reduced and laminated and put in a pocket.It was a fun way to keep her work forever.This was perfect size to attach her report card to the back of the book.Horray for all my kids and Horray for Taylor and his first day of school away at college.yes we miss him bad :(

Snow Day Kit "Jolly by Golly"

This was so fun and easy to make.I used the Cosmo Cricket"Jolly by Golly" paper and a Art blanche box from EK success.I filled some recycled bottles with candy and made some hot cocoa kits with mint and marshmallows. The hot cocoa bags are plastic pastry bags from Wilton.I want to include some candy canes with ribbon when they are available in stores.I made this for doodlebugs scrapbook store to display.It is a bit early for Christmas candy but it sure gets me thinking about the holidays.I think I will make some more for the teachers at school for Christmas gifts :)I have made caramel Apple kits in the fall those are fun also.I just bought Cosmo Crickets Earth Love line yesterday and can't wait to use it.

My August doodlebug kit Jolly by Golly

I picked up my design team kit yesterday and was super excited!! I love Cosmo Cricket stuff and have a few ideas on what to make.I was feeling so crafty last night making notes getting my creative brain working planned on jumping right in the morning.Then this morning comes and I am not so jolly :( It seemed as if today should have never started.First my husband's work van broke down 2 times on his way to a big job this morning. He had to fix it on the side of the road. That was just the start to many other things to follow that I don't even want to talk about because I want this blog to be "jolly" LOL. Wow I feel better just ranting about this. So now I will move right along.I am thinking about using some of this paper and buttons to make a Christmas version of my heart picture. Maybe a snowman or tree maybe a star I am brainstorming.I also think I will fill the box with bottles decorated and filled with yummy candy and a bag with some brownie mix make it a" Christmas brownie kit"? I love this paper...Well Taylor has been gone since last night house sitting so I need to call him in a bit and make my connection :) I guess today's will just have to be a nice phone call.Tomorrow is a new day and I must move on not everyday can be bad right?