Cardabilities Sketch #90

Hello Friends -
Hope you are having a good week!

Snowy and freezing weather here certainly made for a different week!  Kids home for 2 extra days but work deadlines still stay the same.  How do we always manage to get it all done?  I have no idea - okay, well a few.  Like extra caffeine and much less sleep!

And now our Volleyball Birthday Party facilitator has fallen through.  Not sure what to do with this but there are 48 hours to figure that out - plenty of time!  Laugh with me, please!

So I need to work on making cards again, my stash is low (how low can you go? clap, clap)  Please remember - much less sleep.

Enjoy a little something I made for Cardabilities Sketch #90.

Happy Day to you -
Mary -

This is a 4.25"x5.5" card.

 

Sentiment Stamp {Birdhouse Set}/ Plank Background Stamp - Iron Gate Stamps

Cardstock - American Crafts, Bazzill Basics

Frame, Chipboard Bird - Pebbles

Corrugated Frame - Jillibean Soup

Ink {Timber Brown} - StazOn

Die and Embossing Folder - Sizzix

My Stash - Vanilla Paint

 

Coffee Talk - Baking

Hello Friends -
If you are somewhere with these freezing temperatures, please stay safe and warm!

Whew.  It shows 11 below zero this morning on my phone!  Brrr.  I dread when my poor little Ginger dog needs to go out.

So a little coffee talk this morning since I did not paper craft yesterday.  I baked.  A lot.

My husband is part of snow removal for "a major suburb north of Chicago".  As he was working yet another long shift because of our lake effect snow, I asked, "What can I do?"  "Make it stop snowing."  hahahaha!

So, I decided to bake the guys some treats.  Because it will be really cold soon.  Snow removal is not a fun job.  Even for as much as they do, still more is unrealistically expected.  And they are missing the Packers game which might be a big deal to some of them.

But alas, I did not have much butter (just a pound).  How did that happen?!

What can I make without butter and what can I make that yields quantity and easy to eat?

Sandra Lee {Semi-homemade} would be so proud!

I did have a few box mixes in the pantry that used oil.  I bake a lot from scratch but box mixes are necessary for when I am short on time.  And I buy mostly boxes with Box Tops because our school collects them.  A win, win in my book.

I always try to have on hand at least a dozen eggs, milk, butter and in the pantry all staples to bake cookies and some yeast.  I make a yummy chocolate chip cookie and soft pretzels.  What?  I do.  Part of my New Years Resolutions is to be less modest.

Let the baking begin!  I did have my 2 young helpers and that was good too.  They helped mix batter and do taste testing.

Here is what we made in a few hours:
12 cinnamon muffins
24 chocolate chip mini muffins
A pan of brownies cut in 16 squares and individually wrapped in wax paper
36 chocolate, chocolate chunk cookies
48 dipped pretzels
52 cut out gingerbread men made mostly by my youngest - I have the patience of a saint some days!
1 quiche for his breakfast when he got home.  He is a real man.  Who does not like eggs, ham and 3 kinds of cheese with pastry crust?

Have I mentioned that I have a small kitchen?  And that I do not have a dishwasher?  Well, there were a bunch of dishes to do too, though I try to clean as I go.

Hope you have a great day and do something unexpected if you can this week that will make someone know they are appreciated.

Happy Day to you -
Mary -

Cinnamon mufins
Only item that got a photo.
No time, must keep moving!

Overall, it was a good year . . .

Hello Friends -
Happy New Year's Eve!

It has been a fun 2013!   And I am looking forward to an eventful 2014!

Just a quick look at 2013 that never got blogged . . . I am always making something.

Stay safe today and I'll see you in the new year!
Mary -

Graduation card for my niece, Paige.

Birthday card for my nephew, Dan.
I sent live ladybugs as his gift.
When I plan a bit, I can make more detailed cards.

New neighbor card to go with an Apple Pie.



My attempt to replicate a beautiful
Fourth of July banner from my sister, Stephanie,
with Halloween fabric.

Canning entered as a new hobby this summer.
Organic strawberry freezer preserves in vanilla yogurt
is quite yummy!

Part One - Birthday card for my niece, Anna.

Part Two, what a pop of color can do.

Birthday present for my sister, Stephanie.
I tried to get it in the sunlight so you can see
the gold mist spray on the brown paper.

A trio of gifts.

My roasted pumpkin seeds for adult trick-or-treaters.



Halloween card that I made in mass.

Birthday card for my nephew, Alex.



Turkey shaped pancakes.
I do weekly art with pancake batter.

From the Garden . . .

Hello Friends -
I hope you had a great week!

Crazy as usual here.  Still on the house hunt.  We will know Wednesday if we get the one we put an offer on last night.  Seriously?!  Do I not have other things to be doing!  And if you know me, I do not like suspense.  Must be why I was up at 4:02 this morning.  But the dining room table is cleared off!

So last week I was really in my element.  Crafting with materials from the garden.  I taught 2 classes with two helpers at the Wreath Class and just me at Arranging A Winter Container.

It was a lot of fun.  It smells so wonderful.  I got to meet many people that do not realize they can be crafty.  And it puts me in the holiday spirit.  A win, win for all!

I teach basic floral arranging principles for the Container Class and the bundle technique for the Wreath Class.  And how to make a bow with tails at both.

Please enjoy a few photos of my samples.

Happy Day to you -
Mary -

Sample Wreath For Class

Sample Container For Class

Outdoor Undecorated Container For High Traffic Area
{ie, outside so could be stolen, used scraps from class.  Guess I should have swept up my mess before I took the photo?}

Entry Way Container

Class Attendee's Container, I made the bow.
Didn't she do a great job?!
And she thought she would not be able to be creative.

Let It Snow Blog Hop . . .

Hello Friends -
I hope you have had as great of a week as me.  Two nights of teaching floral design with evergreens - containers and wreaths {photos next week}.  Paper crafting with a new friend - {Hi Erika!}.  Made a huge dent in my shopping.  Though some of it was online and that stresses me out a bit.  I hope it arrives on time!  And all of the usual stay-at-home mom stuff.  Whew!

If you are new to The Tool Shed - welcome! Thank you for stopping by. Please leave a comment and let me know you were here.

Lisa had the great idea to have this Let It Snow Blog Hop where we are showcasing winter-fun projects.  If you came from Jessica - http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com/ you are on the right path, if you started with my blog, please hop over to Lisa's Blog to start at the beginning, so you don't miss all the fabulous projects!

I really enjoy needle felting.  Sometimes I have pieces in my etsy store.  I am sold out this week.  Will try to get some pieces in next week.  I may have some time if we get a load of snow . . . so cold these last few days I should make myself some wearable mittens!  Hope this card makes you feel warm and cozy!

This is a 4.25" x 5.5" card.

Snowflake Stamp Set - Iron Gate Stamps

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics

Embossing Folder - Sizzix

Ink - Staz-On {Timber Brown}

Felt Mitten - My Etsy Store

Corner Rounder - Fiskars

My Craft Supplies - Big Shot, Adhesive Pearl, Mounting Tape, Glue Dots

Your next hop is:  Aisha - http://londonskyedesigns.net

Here is the complete blog line up:
1. Lisa ~ http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/
2. Julie (Cricut Chick) ~ www.simplysilhouette.com
3. Tricia - http://lshdesigns.blogspot.com/
4. Lori ~ http://scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/

5. Sarah~ www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com
6. Heather ~ http://paper-junkie.blogspot.com
7. Cindy - http://www.cindys-greencricut.blogspot.com/
8. Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com/
9. Melisa http://melisascraftycreations.blogspot.com/
10. Elecia - http://creationsby-kahaulani.blogspot.com/
11. Jessica-http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com/
12. Mary - http://irongatestamps.blogspot.com/
13. Aisha - http://londonskyedesigns.net
14. Alicia ~ http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com
15. Nadja ~ http://nadjarobbins.blogspot.com
16. Carla ~ http://racincrafts.blogspot.com/
17. Inga ~ http://mommahobbit.blogspot.ca/
18. Christine ~ http://hotberrydesigns.blogspot.com/
19. Debbie W ~ http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com/
20. Carolyn S. ~http://www.grandmacarol46580.blogspot.com
21. Elizabeth ~ http://www.ejoym.blogspot.com

Thank you for stopping by and have a Happy Day!
Mary -

Happy Thanksgiving . . .

Hello Friends -
I hope you have had an enjoyable day with your family and friends.

I have eaten way too much!

I am a bit behind but here are a few fun things I have made with my kiddies over the last month.  I have just been enjoying being a stay-at-home mom this last month.  And that is what I am thankful for.

Happy Day to you -
Mary -

Jack's Turkey

Maggie's Turkey

Jack thought the turkey needed a scene and a hat with a feather.

We made a few cards . . . not sure why the color got wonky?
But of course I am seeing this AFTER they are all mailed.

Pilgrim girl owl was Maggie's favorite.

Happy Halloween

Hello Friends -
Hope you have a spooktacular day!
Mary -