2009 September | Bead Happily Ever After

Easy Gifts to Make

Posted on September 30, 2009 by crystal

We may be in the midst of the “computer age”, but sometimes you just need a piece of paper handy for jotting down a quick note, or a list, or a message.

Recently, I made some decorative notepads and I thought you might like to see them!

They cost only pennies to make. The main ingredient is a 12-pack of small white notepads. Add colorful cardstock covers and then embellish them as elaborately or as simply as you choose! I had so much fun with these. What cute little gifts or stocking stuffers they’d be!

Clenna has requested some ideas for crafts to make with children to be used as gifts for their parents, grandparents, etc. This might be a good project to work on with the kids – as long as an adult supervises the use of scissors! A child could even showcase some of his/her own drawings for the cover art. Grandma would surely love that!

I can take no credit for the original idea here. I found it months ago, bought the supplies, and have just now had the chance to actually make some. In one of my previous posts, I blogged about the talented designer and included a link to her video tutorial, where she gives complete directions and measurements. You can find it here.

So now I can’t wait to make notepads for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s – well, you know what I mean!

I’d love to see any that you make, too! 😀

12 Ornaments of Christmas – Pt. 1

Posted on September 29, 2009 by crystal

Ok, I know. I KNOW!!! We may not be ready to think about the holidays just yet, but if you’d like to make gifts or decorations this year – time’s a wasting!

Today I’m launching a new series, “The Twelve Ornaments of Christmas”. Each week from now until Santa’s on the way, I plan to post a new ornament that I’ve made, along with the directions for you to make one too, if you like!

This week, I have a little sneaker, or “tennis shoe”, for the knitters among you!

It was not very complicated and fairly quick to make with small scraps of yarn. I used holiday red but this would be cute in any color as a party favor, perhaps? I can imagine it filled with candy or a tiny stuffed animal and then set at each guest’s place for a birthday party or an after-sports event. You can find the pattern here.

It’s going to look adorable on the tree this year! 🙂

Giveaway – Paper Art Gift Set

Posted on September 28, 2009 by crystal

Welcome to Week 47 of my weekly giveaways!!

Most often, the prize is jewelry!!! But this time I have a little surprise. 🙂

Remember a couple of weeks ago when we all went shopping…. and I found some lovely pumpkin gift tags that were created by etsy artist, FrenchCountry?

Well, she has graciously offered to sponsor this week’s giveaway with a sweet 10-piece assortment of her paper art!

First, we have a Set of 2 French-inspired Bookmarks (or large tags) made on high quality pink card stock, handstamped with walnut ink using script and musical sheet background, feminine motives, butterflies, Paris inspired stamps, and dresses and lace. The edges have been shaded with coordinating ink for a more vintage feel. The sheer pink ribbon gives these tags a touch of elegance!

Next, for the Christmas season, a Set of 4 Gift Tags made on high quality green card stock, featuring a cute little Santa holding a Merry Christmas sign. The crackled background provides a vintage look.

And finally (my favorites!) a Set of 4 Pumpkin Tags – hand stamped and painted on high quality card stock. Whether you use them as gift tags, or to accompany home baked treats, or for writing a little love note to tuck into a lunchbox, this sweet set of tags will add cheer from now through Thanksgiving!

Enter below for your chance to win this charming assortment from frenchcountry!

And be sure to visit her etsy shop for many more lovely cards and tags.

Contest Rules and How To Enter

This week, you will have up to three (3) chances to enter the weekly giveaway.

You can choose any or all of the following 3 ways to enter:

1st Chance:

Leave a comment answering the first weekly question:

With the current economic conditions, will you be trying to make more of your gifts for this holiday season and the year ahead?

2nd Chance:

Leave a comment answering the second weekly question:

Can you tell us if there’s a quotation that means a lot to you? And has it changed the way you live your life?
(Thank you to Cindi for suggesting this question.)

3rd Chance:

Comment on any other post except this one. You can do it today or another day this week. You do not have to tell me that you left a “comment” on another post. The blog program shows me all of the “comments” as they come in – so I do not miss any of them! 😀

The Boring Stuff . . .
You must be 18 yrs. old. After the completion of the contest, the name of the winner will be listed here. The winner will also be notified by email. If no valid email address is given at time of entry, or if winner fails to respond to email within 3 days from the time notification email has been sent, the win will be null and void and a new winner will be chosen. The prize will be mailed by USPS First Class Mail.

All entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on 10/04/09, and the winner will be selected on or about 10/05/09.

Friday Favorites – Magnolia and Irises

Posted on September 25, 2009 by crystal

Art is the subject of this week’s Friday Favorites. 🙂

Although I love all kinds of art, I must admit that I never looked very closely at the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany until my youngest daughter became an enthusiastic fan.

Here’s a beautiful example of why I should have paid attention much sooner! I can really get lost looking into this scene. And the fact that I love irises is just icing on the cake.

“Magnolia and Irises”

(Click photo to enlarge)

Circa 1908, Louis Comfort Tiffany (American, 1848–1933),
Tiffany Studios Leaded Favrile glass, Size: 60 1/4 x 42 in.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art

(This one’s for you, Carol. 😀 You’ve had to put up with too many of my gleeful Autumn posts, so here’s a reminder that Spring will return!)

Have fun this weekend, everyone! See you all Monday with the new questions!

Italian Garden Soup Recipe

Posted on September 24, 2009 by crystal

I’m a big fan of “community cookbooks”!

You know – the ones that a women’s group might publish as a way to raise funds for a worthy cause. The recipes are often little gems! Most are family favorites, and some are family heirlooms – passed down from Grandma to Mom to Daughter!

I have a small collection of these books with tiny post-it notes marking my favorite recipes in all of them.

Here’s one . . . an easy recipe for soup!

Doesn’t it sound delicious? 🙂

Italian Garden Soup

2 Tbs. butter
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
1 medium clove garlic
1-1/2 c. thinly sliced carrots
1-1/2 c. thinly sliced celery
1 medium zucchini, sliced
28 oz. chicken broth
1 (16 oz.) can Italian tomatoes (reserve juice)
¼ tsp. oregano, crumbled
¼ tsp. basil, crumbled
1/8 tsp. pepper and salt
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Croutons (optional)

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add onion and garlic; sauté until onion is soft (5 min.)
Add carrots, celery, and zucchini; sauté 4-5 minutes
Add chicken broth, tomatoes and reserved juice, oregano, basil, pepper and salt.
Bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce heat; cover and simmer until vegetables are “crisp tender” (10-15 min.)
Serve with Parmesan cheese and croutons.

A mug of this with half a grilled cheese sandwich???

Hmmm, hmmm! 😉