. . . a little something . . . Not Available at the "O"

This is a little gift that isn't available at the "O". I don't know about you, but that Overstock.com commercial is already on my nerves! This isn't that incredible, but a little gift for a friend - I have yet to make any of my own cards, but this is 16 cards to get her off to a slightly less stressful Christmas season. Money is tight around here this year, so chances are if I can't/don't make it out of my "I'm not a hoarder" stash, it won't be given.

If you would like to make a card gift box of your own, there is a very simple formula. Measure the length (L) and height (H) of your card. Measure the thickness (T) of your card pile. L + T + T and the H + T + T and cut one piece of cardstock to this measurement. For the top use the same formula adding 1/4 - 1/2 inch or L + T + T+ 1/4", cut. Now score both pieces at the THICKNESS measurement on all 4 sides. Cut one score line from each corner and for a nice flush edge cut a "V" from the cut score line. Glue tabs inside. For a standard 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 card with my pile of cards and envelopes meausring 2 1/4" I cut the bottom at 9 X 10 1/2" and 9 1/4" X 10 3/4". I scored on all sides at 2 1/4".

O, O, O. . . we'll let's just change that to HO, HO, HO and HOpe you are building up to a wonderful Christmas season with your family and those that are important to you!

Happy Halloween

I like Halloween. I'm not a Halloween junky like my friend Paula, but I like the cutsie side of Halloween. . . I'm sort of like the "Good Things" side of the Martha Stewart Halloween Issue. I think the "Bad Thing" side is fun to look at, but just not my style. Here are some Halloween treats from my recent Halloween themed classes. I know it's a bit late for Halloween, but most of these could be easily adapted to Thanksgiving or Christmas (or even Easter, the 4th and anything in between!) I made my very first computer template for the pumpkin box. I'm not tech savvy enough yet to know how to post a link for you here, but if you really want it, you can email me and I will send it to you. It worked for the class so I guess it's okay! I was able to print 2 to a sheet of 8.5 X 11 CS so it works for me! I made extras for my kids' teachers and they really liked them. The sisters that I visit teach enjoyed the goodie bags (along with my mom) and I gave the hats to a couple of friend's of mine for a little treat. If you'd like to see photos of my kids at the ward Fall Festival (translate Halloween Party) last night, pop on over to myMoments in Time Blog

we had a great time and my boys won Cutest Costume (again!) They have won the costume contest no matter where we have been every year of their lives!

Anyway you spend it; ghoulish or cute, have a very Happy and SAFE Halloween!

Long Time, No Time!!!

Thank YOU for Hanging In Here!!!

I have no time, but I'm making a quick post to share a couple of things. We are moving, I'm in school, still selling real estate full time and still managing a small bit of time of my creative endeavors! I have many stacked up, backed up projects just waiting to be posted, and they will post. . . E-V-E-N-T-U-A-L-L-Y!!!

Here are some fun creative photo projects I found today and if you are looking for some inspiriation and creative ways to decorate your home with loved family photos, click here

Creative Home Photo Decor

Also September is National Stamping Month and Close To My Heart is offering another fabulous promotion!

Click Here to See the EXCLUSIVE CARD KIT AND STAMP SET that is yours free this month for purchasing $60 in stamp sets

I have the new catty set for release September 1st! Combine purchases totalling $100 this month or next and receive the exclusive Stamp of the Month. . . also FREE!!! That's $62.90 in free product for spending $100 on the paper and stamps you already love!

This is the Summer Kids Cooking Class Cookbook I made for all of my students. . .nothing too spectacular, but the recipes inside are just YUMMY and the class was a blast. . . The younger set really enjoyed learning to make some recipes all on their own and the older girls had a blast making everything from Eggs Benedict to Animae Pasta Salad! Hoping to do it again next summer!

Repeat After Me. . . I Am NOT a Hoarder!

One of the things I've always said about my neatly organized, stuffed to the brim craft room (choke, gasp, cough, laugh), is that it is full of wonderful things that I can make and give and I don't have to go the store and buy something. . .  It's so much thriftier, isn't it?   It's not my fault that  clearance and dollar bins at Target, Michaels, JoAnn's,  Wal-Mart . . . are just brimming with bargains screaming take me home and make the most adorably cute gift out of me!!!   Most people would call this insane shopping hoarding, but I know my fellow craft sisters understand.   And you can never, never, never have too many flowers, ribbons, buttons, brads, papers, adhesives, stickers. . . you can just fill in the dot, dot, dots.    Here is a case in point;  I picked up several packages of gerber "whities" on clearance a while back. I knew that someday they would come in handy.    Here are the baby gifts that came out of them!  I didn't have to buy a thing and better yet, not even a ding in my stash was made! And no, you can not have the 2nd duplicate jar of flowers I just bought because I know I'm going to run out of the first two and then what?  LOL!!!

Onsie, Burp Cloth, Socks & Headbands.

The headbands are bought in the hair care section and are for older girls, 

but if they are new they fit perfectly on a baby's adorable head!

(These were also in my stash!)

I Just Thought You Should Know. . .

that Wyatt and Walker had an adventure today while they were under the ocean surfing. First Wyatt was grabbed up by a giant octopus who was going to squeeze him really hard. This was the gigantic king of the octopuses, but then Wyatt remembered that if he fed him people food he would become his friend. Just then Walker was about to be eaten by a shark so he whipped out a can of whale chicken and the shark gave him a ride around in the ocean so they could see the other sea creatures and defeat the evil sea monster. . .

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming!

I received an award! Not once, but twice! Thank you Kelly and Sharli! You are both awesome and two of the most lemonade making people I know!


The Lemonade Stand Award
Rules for this Award:
*Comment on this blog
*Cut and Paste this award logo and use it on your own blog
*Nominate a blog you feel worthy of the award
*Link to your nominee within your blog post
*Comment on their blog to let them know they have received the award
*Link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation!

While there are many, many worthwhile bloggers, my award goes to Lois! Lois you are definitely worthy of a lemonade stand. You inspire me with your generosity, creativity, love of family and friends, as well as just plain kindness. Enjoy your award my friend!

Come Hungry, Leave Hungrier

You know I would feed you if I could, but since I'm not smart enough to develop Smell-O-Vision or Taste-O-Vision, you'll leave hungrier than you came. . . at least for food! Hopefully the tasty art will satisfy one part of your hungry soul. Please enjoy! I know we did!!!

February Recipe Club. . . Cards designed, typeset and made by me. . .

 recipes shared from class members.

Now Appearing in their "Natural" Habitat. . .

WalkerThe Entire Zoo - Mikensee, Jessica, Walker on the Left, Wyatt on the Right
My little Monkeys - Walker on the Left, Wyatt on the right

Jessica (still showing her stipes!)

The Lioness - Mikensee

I guess my kids didn't think my Mother's Day Joke was too funny, 

so I'm trying to make it up to them.  I guess posting the pictures with 

their eyes crossed wouldn't help, so I chose these. 

I'm very lucky to be the mom to such a wild bunch!

The 4 Reasons I Get To Celebrate Mother's Day

Walker - a bit shy, very creative, awfully moody and yet so adorable!

Jessia, a real one-of-a-kind. . . She is not afraid to show her stripes!

Mikensee, The Lioness of our Jungle, Proud, Fiercely Loyal, Beautiful inside and out!

Wyatt - My real joy boy, unique, playful and proud to be him

(These are actually photos I took of the "kids" at a recent trip to the zoo.  

Shhhhh. . . don't tell them I showed you their "real" faces!!!)

The only kind of "Stationery" for me!

Have you ever ridden a stationary bike? I used to ride Aerodyn's. . . I hated it! If I'm going to exercise I need fresh air and not a stuffy, sweaty gym! I know some people are addicted to them, but this is the only kind of stationery I want to slave on! I know it isn't likely to help my abs or thighs, but my mom enjoyed getting this as a Valentine's Day gift!

It's Time for a Change

Have you ever just gotten stuck?  Stuck somewhere that you know you want out of, but aren't quite sure exactly how?  I think they call it "stuck in a rut?"  Well, I've been stuck in a rut.  I've had a tremendously trying and difficult year and much more on my plate than I care to elaborate on, but I'm tired of being stuck in the rut.  I've gone through many motions, I've accomplished  a lot, but I think I've just been being really hard on myself and very unforgiving of my weaknesses and failures.  I want out.  I want to start anew.  I'm making a change.  

Can I be the first to wish you all a very Happy Mother's Day?

Coaster Post-It note Holders

Mini Tote Boxes

5X7 Mother's Day Card

Paper Bag Tote 

Froggy Birthday Wishes

A Note About My Dad

In Loving Memory
Garis Buttars
Husband, Father, Brother, Friend
July 4, 1948 _ March 12, 2009

Garis was born to Cleo and Lillian Buttars in Rupert, Idaho on July 4, 1948. Garis was the third born of five children. His mother always said he was the most affectionate of her sons. He couldn’t pass her in the kitchen without giving her a hug. He loved to eat; especially his mom’s mashed potatoes and gravy, but got very tired of chicken. He had a soft spot for animals, both big and small.

Growing up on a farm taught him the value of hard work. Cleo agreed to buy each son a car with the agreement they would work the farm with him for a year. Even though Garis didn’t want to work on the farm Cleo still signed with Garis to buy a 1962 T-Bird. He graduated working at the gas station, but still helped out on the farm when his parents were out of town.

Garis worked hard starting out in factories working long and hard to better the life of his family. He worked for Simplot’s, the Sugar Factory and Del Monte. He eventually learned enough on his own about electrical work that he left Del Monte after 10 years and went to work as an electrician. He self studied to pass the boards for his Journeyman's license in ID. The test for UT was much harder and he knew if he didn’t pass they would require 18 months of school for the license. He passed. When work wasn’t good he would travel and live in man camps always making sure to provide for his family. While away and his evenings free he took up pipe welding. His desire to have is own business grew and he built a shop in the backyard and built beautiful custom horse trailers.

After following his kids to Arizona, he continued his work in the electrical trades. He took business and bookkeeping courses and gained his Arizona contractor’s license. His dream and G.B.’s Electrical Services, Inc., were born. There wasn’t anything Garis couldn’t build or fix. Anything he set his mind to he was able to accomplish. Hard work and dedication were his trademarks.

While he would never admit it, Garis was an artist. He made beautiful belt buckles and gun handles out of steel and carved intricate nature scenes in ivory with tiny chisels and hammers utilizing a powerful magnifying glass. They were popular in gift shops throughout Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Sun Valley, Idaho. He was especially good at pencil sketches. He taught himself to play the guitar during the late 70’s and was quite good. After an injury to his left hand, he was unable to play for many years. After a recent surgery he discovered E-bay, bought himself a Dobro slide guitar and once again started to play. He loved camping, hunting, fishing, motorcycles, water-skiing, wine, cooking and photography. He enjoyed hobbies throughout his life. He was an avid reader and taught himself virtually every skill or hobby that interested him.

His life was blessed with 5 children: Christopher “Shane” Buttars, Kalispell, MT, Rachele Lee Funk, Goodyear, AZ, Krista Jean King, James “Mason” Buttars, and Lyndsee Marie Buttars, Avondale, AZ. He has 7 grandchildren. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, wife—Paula Buttars, brothers—Dennis and Jeff Buttars and sister—CleAnne Dunn.

We are thankful to have known such a wonderful man. The family wishes to thank you for your support and friendship. He would have wished us to continue to make our dreams a reality and discover our talents and interests.

We do not know what lies ahead or what the coming days will bring. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some there will be great accomplishments, for some disappointment. For some, much gladness, health and good living and for others perhaps sorrow and sickness. We do not know. Whatever the future holds the Redeemer of the world stands as the anchor of our lives, the rock of our salvation, our strength, and our comfort. Let Him always be the focus of our faith and hope and forever our joy will be.

Sometimes You Need a Challenge

Mary, thank you for challenging me with the 6th Picture Challenge! These were my challenge instructions:

1. Go to your photo folder in your computer.

2. Go to the 6th folder of the photos.

3. Go to the sixth picture.

4. Put the picture on your blog and description of it.

5. Invite six friends to join the challenge.

6. Link them in your blog and let them know they have been challenged!

While I'm only about 6 days late on getting this challenge accomplished, I really just needed a kick in the pants to start posting again. My apologies for those who've dreaded the day I returned. :) But for those who were absolutely lost without me (or those that just occasionally wondered if I would ever check back in) I promise I'm back and I will try and make it up to you! I do have lots to post and more to post about, but I really just needed the KICK IN THE PANTS!

Here is my 6th folder Picture:

I have found a new love for photography and while I dream of having the bad boy Canon, this was taken with my $249 Costco knock off brand. This was a bloom I found while visiting the zoo with my kids on February 21st. It was wonderful day and I took this as well as several others that with my novice skills and cheapo camera! While not my favorite of the day, I'm not embarrased to talk about it either! P.S. While I've downloaded my fair share of PS photo actions and looked at many tutorials for wowing up photos, this one is completely unedited too!

I hope no one will shoot me, but I'm leaving this at step 4. Nothing personal, but I'm happy to be blogging again.

Candy Cane Christmas

I know, I know you're expecting Day 1 of Basically Christmas Cards and I promise they are coming, but I'm just so excited about how this is turning out! I'm in charge of our ward Christmas party for about 250 people and this is essentially the color theme and part of the display. (such fun because I got to pick!) This is in particular for the dessert table. Isn't it cute? The tin is from the $1 Spot at Target. I used rub-ons and loads of miscellaneous ribbon, straight pins, tacky glue, starlight red & white mints, spray adhesive and some "snow!"

Bet you want to lick your monitor!

Basically Christmas

I'm gearing up for a little Christmas fun on my blog. I promised myself that if I were going to send homemade Christmas cards out that they MUST be done by Thanksgiving weekend. As a result I came up with a plan. I am making 5 Christmas Cards of 1 design for 12 days in a row. At the end I'll have made 60 Christmas cards. Those coupled with the dozen or so I've already made and have stashed in my drawer and I'll be set! Dress warm and be on the lookout!

I'm going back to the basics. These cards are fun but most of all SIMPLE! They are completely doable and utterly copyable! So watch for what's coming, complete with cutting instructions so you can pull out your supplies and make them right along with me! Make 1 or 20 of one design. It will be up to you, but I promise if you have the basics in your stash you'll be able to do my basically Christmas cards!

P.S This photo was snagged from Moo.com/blog

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

and for my card class a little bit easier to relax and enjoy knowing they have at least some of their Christmas cards ready to go! I thoroughly enjoyed coming up with the 6 cards they made Friday night, but it was hard too. This may be one of the last 2 classes I am able to hold for a while. The economy has hit my family hard and like many we are in a huge position of uncertainty. I'm hopeful, but let all of my nearly 30 regular class members know that I may not be able to continue our scheduled classes. This for me, is one of the hardest parts of the trials my family is currently facing. I love to create, to teach and to be surrounded by friends regularly in my home; I'm sure that without it a very important part of my life will be missing. So here they are, I am hoping you find something here that inspires you!

My personal favorite. I love how this came out! A nice rustic look! So many possibilities with this idea!


The glassine envelope holds snowman parts. . . a snowman for you!

This cheerful card is easy to replicate and holds a warm sentiment framed on the inside.

I tried to get a photo that shows the reflection of the snowflakes on the snowmen. Love the clear card look!


This is a recreation of a card I made many years back. Just love to mimick Santa's belt on a card with his image. This card sparkles inside and out!

It's fun to stretch a "Christmas Card" to the point where you're not quite sure if it is one. I borrowed this idea from Yvette West. She's amazing!


May this truly be the most wonderful time of the year for you and your family. I think I'll go roast some marshmallows now!

If God Brings You To It . . .

He will bring you through it. Gratitude. Naturally in November our thoughts to thankfulness. It's easy to be thankful for the blessing we see, but not always so easy when they don't appear in things that seem to be trials.



I keep a gratitude journal and when I get around to it I add to my gratitude blog. (If you click you'll see it is woefully behind.) I've seen several worthy bloggers posting 27 days of Thanksgiving and other equally named thankfulness posts, but the reason for my post can be found here. Erin is an amazing gal. She and I are "virtual friends" and if you spend a minute at her blog you'll know why I think so much of her. Please take the next 15 minutes and read her post, view the videos and then join me in looking for the blessings in your life; even if the blessings are disguised in things as difficult as missing all of your arms and legs.

May this be the month where our hearts and attitudes are turned in great ways to ones that Heavenly Father can use for His good.

Bennett

This is my surrogate nephew Bennett. Dawn (his mommy) and I have been friends for almost 17 years. I waited a VERY long time for this little guy to be born. He was actually born in July and I made these hybrid announcements for her in late August, but things were really crazy at that time and I never posted them! I made 80 (hence the hybrid!) I'm nuts, but I'm not completely crazy! I did make all of his baby shower invites and goody boxes that you can see here.



He's already laughing, smiling and turning over. They grow up so fast!

Fall Means Pumpkin!

I love pumpkin in just about any variety. Combine pumpkin in a simple recipe and it's a must share!



Here is the recipe in 2 variations:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 Box Carrot or Spice Cake Mix -Dry
1 Small Can Pumpkin
1 Cup Chocolate Chips

Mix well, spoon into Pam sprayed muffin tin or use paper liners. Bake at 350' for about 15 minutes. Use a toothpick to test doneness.

For a healthier version, omit chocolate chips. . . yeah right! LOL!!! You can also add nuts or raisins or a combination of all 3.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Sheet Cake

2 Boxes Carrot or Spice Cake Mix - Dry
1 Large Can Pumpkin
2+ C Chocolate Chips

Mix well, spread in sheet cake pan sprayed with pam. Bake at 350' for about 15 minutes, use a toothpick to test doneness.

When baked, mix 1 brick cream cheese, 1 bag powdered sugar, a splash of vanilla and enough milk to mix with an electric mixer to creamy. Spread on warm cake. Enjoy warm or cold! You can half the recipe and make a 9X13 as well.

I recently took the cake to a homeschool potluck and the sheet was devoured. I guess that means it's good! And to think they were so impressed that I brought something homemade! SHHHH! I won't tell if you don't!

Happy Halloween!

My little spooks would like to wish you a Happy Halloween!

Walker, the Warlock was very excited to have a green face.
Wyatt, the little devil was thrilled to have a "moose tash." He also gasped a huge loud breath outward and exclaimed "I can't really breathe fire, I'm just a kid!"
Ever since we studied about Julius Ceaser's love of Cleopatra, Jessica knew this is what she wanted to be for Halloween!

I couldn't convince Mikensee to wear a real costume. She's at that age. This is what she came up with. Walker calls her a Sweet, Sweet Petunia, so that's what we decided she was.
From our house to yours; Happy Halloween!

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!

Am I the only one old enough to remember Mickey Mouse Club? I can't think of the big cheese without singing that silly song!

There is something about scrapbooking that's hard to explain unless you do it. Many people never try it because it can be so intimidating; especially when the magazines mostly show pages that the scrapbooker spent hours perfecting and frequently show only one or two photos on a page. I don't know about you but I have 8+ photo boxes from the old 35mm days and going on 25000 images on my external hard-drive (which I do back up, but I'll post more about that another day!) If I only scrapbook 1 or 2 photos per page I'll be 978 years old before I get caught up. Oh, but wait! If I live that long I'll have and average of 1.25 million photos left to scrap! You get the point. You will never be caught up. Sometimes, when you get a really great photo a one page layout is a must. Sometimes a close topic or subject is worth one really great page, but other times that would be plain overkill. Today I'm showing you the latest installment of my Get It Done Scrapbooking class results. I encouraged my class to bring ALL of their Disney photos, not just their latest trip or their favorite trip or the trip with the best photos. I went to Disneyland the first time when I was 12. I went again on a High School Acapella Choir Tour. I didn't go again until my now 11 year old was 2 and we've been a total of 3 times as a family. I chose the 3 family trips and scrapped all of them in one evening on 8 pages. I'm only going to show you the main 5 pages here, but the last page uses a CTMH True Fit Folio. You can see the remaining pages here. My boys had such a good time on the rides we took almost no photos of their first trip to Disney, but with so many of the "extra" photos being the same for each trip, it doesn't really feel that way at all!










Hidden Pockets and the True Fit Folio allowed for almost 100 pictures to be featured on 8 pages! All but 10 photos were taken in the 35mm era, so no photo editing, no re-do shots, just plain old family photos taken from a box. Another side benefit to this kind of scrapbooking is the gratitude you feel when looking back on these memories. My kids have had a blast looking at and talking about their Disney memories and even having a glimpse at moments they don't remember. While these pages won't end up on the pages of a magazine, they will be treasured by family for what I hope to be many generations to come.

P.S. I use CTMH LEVEL 1 Scrapbooking Kits plus a little extra for all my Get It Done Scrapbooking Classes. IF you haven't ever given those fab kits a look, you really should!

What The World Needs Now

is more love. I know this is my 2nd video in 2 days, and I promise this won't be a daily thing, but I did have to share this. I woke up this morning to this in my email from a good friend who knows that I have a deep testimony of Jesus Christ, but also need a bit of strength at this time in my life. This was a wonderful way to start my day and I hope it brings something to yours too.



This video is titled Reflections of Christ. It is a photography slide show of the life of Jesus Christ constructed by a local photographer and most of the staging and scenery is local as well. Hope you love it!

I'm adding this as a side note.

A fetter is a shackle, or binding.

The phrase I raise by Ebeneezer comes from this;
Samuel took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer—"the stone of help"—for he said, "Up to this point the Lord has helped us!" —1 Samuel 7:12, NLT

Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I'm come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood. —Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

For more reading on this topic you can click HERE.

Video Working!

Trick or Treat??!??!

If the video above does not play and you would like to see it, you may click here:

Wyatt's Halloween Video

Eat, Create and Be Merry

I starved you for 2 weeks, but the feast you are about to receive should be worth it! You may want to get a bib so you don't drool on your computer!

I can't think of anything much better than eating or creating, but when combined together two of my favorite things are even better! The latest two installments of recipe club were out of this world. After spending Friday night and Saturday in the company of both of my Recipe Club Classes I have a lot to be merry about! Of course my week was spent in frantic preparation for the two events, but the efforts were truly worth it. It's an amazing process to take a typed recipe and transform it into a readable, creative 6X6 piece of artwork. I first come up with a concept based on the amount of information I have to include in the limited amount of space. Next I typeset the information into a hopefully legible and visually pleasing layout. I also have to include a title and from whom the recipe was obtained. Then I let the creativity take over and hopefully come up with something that brings out both the personality of the food but also the personality of the woman who provided the recipe. After my prototype is complete I prep the projects so that the class member can come together and recreate the art for their own kitchens. It's so much fun to enjoy each other's company as we eat the food and recreate the projects together.

I have to give special kudos to Mikensee (my 11 year old DD) who made the adorable pumpkin stickpins. She made them at my request (with the concept for my card still in my head.) The first batch she made burned and she cried. She was so disappointed. I convinced her it would be worth it for her to make them again so she did. I wish I had taken a picture of the pumpkin patch but I didn't think about. They were so cute in the pin cushion together; each with their very own personality! The card would not have been the same with out them! She did an amazing job. I'm very proud of her. That Makins Clay is just fun stuff!




Let the feast begin!

Comments on Posts and a Morsel of First Artwork

Thank you all for you comments on my post. . . I do love em! Just one little thing, if you ask me a question and don't have an email in your profile it's very hard for me to get in touch with you. Of course I could leave another comment on the post, but I'm not sure that you would ever know I replied unless you stop back by to check.

You can always email me from the link on the right OR update your profile with an email so I can get in touch with you. Of course if your question is pertinent, I will always accommodate a new post for you!


So. . . Where did I bet my boxes? They are Bare Elements "Sam" boxes. They retail for $15. I have one left that I'm happy to sell for $12 plus postage to you. How much can an empty box cost to mail? (not quite empty, it includes dividers and base pages!)

My snow babies use their original hangers and I put them on my Christmas tree with coordinating ribbon, but I'm sure just a traditional Christmas hook will work well too!

Thanks again for your kind comments. Comments really make my day!

Just for fun; This is a card I made for a swap the first year I started with CTMH and the 2nd one I ever made (on my own). . . Go ahead and laugh, but hey, I had to start somewhere!