Monday Night Craft Haul from Marc's

 Yesterday's haul from Marc's. 

Love that aqua crochet trim! Just 2.99 for 12 yards. Made by Simplicity.

Two spools of ribbon on top of that was a whopping 2 for .99 cents. 

I got one black, and one ivory. Love the little fringe on the edges. Ribbon

is 10 yards, and 2 inches wide. 

Oh and the beads!!!!! I'm so excited about these little flower petal cases

full of beads. Hubby was laughing at me as I was like a little kid that had to 

get them all. There were 6 different colors, and yes I got one of each. At 1.49 each

what a deal!!!! 

Here is the gold case opened. 

Each one has a coil of clear nylon thread, jump rings, and lobster clasps. 

These will be wonderful to use on bulb pins, and to make dangles for my

junk journals. How fun!!!! 

Stamping trails

Karen 

What's for Breakfast, Flavored Water, and Remodel

 So what's for breakfast? 

Lately I've been making parfaits. 

I make two layers of blueberries, and cottage cheese. Then

top with a bit of cinnamon toast crunch cereal. 

YUM! 

Since the cucumbers are coming in fast I've

been using them with lemon in my water. 

So refreshing! 

Even though it is summer this girl still needs her morning cup of coffee. 

My friend Kathleen gave me this mug a few years ago. Love it! 

The words pretty much sum it up! 

Hubby is working on the subflooring today. 

Hoping we can get started on the wood floor by tomorrow. Can't

wait to get the house back together!!!!! On a side note Riot can't wait either. 

All the remodeling is getting to her too. She pretty much lives in my craft room now. 

Good to have company! 

Sometimes she doesn't have enough room to lounge

in my sewing chair, but she tries. 

Stamping trails
Karen 

Blizzard Book

 Made this little book for a swap. The pattern

is called  blizzard book, named by the lady who

came up with the fold during a snow storm. 

For my cover I used some green canvas, and pattern paper. 

Found some old metal plates in my stash and used that with some

words. Dolls by Tim Holtz. 

The book is folded to allow pages to be inserted into them. 

I embossed the cream color pages in the book just along one edge. 

Didn't really decorate much on the pages. I added

one little rose to cover up a wrinkle that was in the paper pocket. 

Each page was glued down to the the folds. I could 

have just inserted the pages and called it good, but I didn't want them

falling out. 

There are three pockets in the book, with 5 pages in all. 

For each pocket I made little cards with tabs at the top. These

can be used for journaling. Just a little washi tape at the bottom

to dress them up. 

The back of the book matches the cover. 

Pretty happy with it. Might make a few more to send as happy mail 

Enjoyed having the kids over yesterday. It was John's 33rd birthday. Where does the time go?

Me and my little baby boy 33 years ago. I was 28. Ah to have those days

back again! 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Tuesday Haul from Marc's

 While taking my morning walk I ducked into Marc's just to get warm mind you.

I wasn't planning to shop honest! It was 28 degrees outside, and I had to get warm RIGHT?

You just never know what type of goodies you will find in the close out section. 

I fell in love with the big idea pad. 100 pages of

junk journal heaven! Many different designs.

Only going to post two pages as it will take me forever to post them all. 

As I said many pages. Wish I could post them all. for .99 cents I got

two pads. 

Lots of different paint brushes. They had many different sizes, 

but I just got the size I knew I would use. 99cents! 

I really got excited for these fun pencil pouches. Two for .99 cents. 

Love the Paris one! I have a thing for bags, and pouches lately. 

Crystal heart gems. Another great price 2 for .99 cents. 

Perfect with Valentine's day next month. 

Chunky note pads. These came in a set for .59 cents. 

You just never know what you will find at Marc's. I try

to go in at least once a week to check for new items. 

Another freezing cold day for us here. At least it is not snowing. 

They are saying snow on Friday. I'm ready for winter to be over. 

Just can't handle the cold like I use to. 

Krafty trails

Karen 

Monthly Wall Hangings, and Riot

 Well here we are one week into January. 

Seems like the time is going by fast which is odd

as we are pretty much shut in the house. 

Been trying to keep busy with little projects, and

my crafts. 

The wall hangings here were made by my friends Lisa, and Connie. 

I've had them for years, and years. There is one for each month. 

Still love them! 

Here is Riot relaxing on her "mom". 

This kitten has completely taken over

my life. Can't complain about that as she does

keep me entertained. Maybe she is the reason why time

is flying by. 

Only got up to 30 degrees yesterday, but I forced myself

to get out and walk. Brrrrr was it ever cold out! I'll have to

say the cold makes you walk faster! 

I made cheesy spaghetti in the crockpot yesterday. Won't

have to cook today as we can eat the leftovers. 

Krafty trails

Karen 

Christmas Gifts from Hubby

 Hubby got me a few new things for my craft room. 

Love the Tim Holtz glass mat! 

It has been so nice to do mixed media on this mat. 

Cleans up with water. Great to glue, cut, and just make a mess when crafting. 

My old self healing mat was getting so grungy with all the stamping,

and mixed media I do. Glad to have a fresh new look

for my desk. 

I also got all three sizes of scissors by Tim Holtz. 

The comfort grips are wonderful! 

Hubby went to the Rec center yesterday to work out. 

While he was doing that I took a long walk. 

Ended up at Marcs, and picked up a few things from the  close

out section. I'm so thankful Marcs is within walking distance. 

Pretty much everything we would ever need is within walking distance. 

If the gas prices get to high we will be all set to do without a car. 

Made pot roast, and veggies in the pressure cooker for dinner. 

I told my friend Betty I'm getting so tired of meal planning, and cooking. 

I need to find some new recipes as I'm tired of the same food I've been

making. Anyone got some good recipes to share? 

Krafty trails

Karen 

Clearance Stuff from JoAnn's

 I went to JoAnn's a last week, and I'm 

happy that I did! 

70% off seasonal items with an additional 25% off

clearance items. 

Picked up Tim Hotlz Christmas embellishments. 

Love to find them at 70% off! 

Hit the vintage sewing section for more goodies. 

Got all four designs of button tins, and doll beads. 

The paper pack is a special the store is doing. Called Big Deal.

12x12 pattern paper normally 19.99 on sale for 5.00. Like

I really need more paper, but at that price, and vintage design had

to have it! 

Picked up three packages of vintage paper dolls. 

Not exactly sure how I'm going to use these, but I'm thinking

they will work with the Julie Nutting doll stamps. I'll have to get 

back to you on that. 

Going to have to try to get out of the house today as I've

been stuck inside for 2 days. The walls are closing in on me. 

Weather hasn't been good to walk outside. Which means I've

been riding the recumbent bike, and walking around the house. 

While it works to get me moving I much rather walk outside. 

Krafty trails

Karen 

Hodge Podge of Pictures plus Die Cut Flower Card

 My friend Lisa sent me this Dream Big elephant

mug for Christmas. Thanks Lisa! Love it! 

Another view of this fun cup along with homemade Christmas cookies. 

I'm glad the holidays are over as I got rid of all the junk food. 

Sent the last of the cookies home with my daughter Sarah. I told

hubby to be ready for a dry spell as I'll be making only healthy things to eat. 

Remember that kitty I was talking about yesterday who was taking up

all my time? Well here she is peeking out of a empty chicken broth box that

I put on the floor. She loves this boxes, but I have to watch her as she tries

to eat the plastic. Is there anything this kitten won't chew? 

This little beauty is a flower die cut card that Stampin'Up sold

many moons ago. Found them in my stash. Only 4x4 cards, but they are

cute to decorate. I used Oxide inks, and a stamp to decorate. Going

to use this one in a junk journal. 

Krafty trails

Karen 

Happy Halloween 2020, and Weight Loss Reflections

 

So this has been a bad year to be sure. 

Saying it has been bad doesn't even cover it. 

We decided not to pass out candy for Halloween. Well

I decided. Told hubby flat out no. Just don't think it is a safe

idea this year. I did dress up as a witch on Friday to visit my friend Betty. 

I also got hubby to take a this pic of me and Riot. 

Since I lost 30 pounds over the summer I was able to 

once again fit into my witches costume. Oh happy day! 

Still have some more to lose. Well 39 more pounds to be exact. 

I'm saying this even though at this very moment I'm eating a piece of 

Halloween candy. And it is alright! Before I always tried to cut everything bad

out of my diet, but I've found through many diets that it isn't a good way to go. 

You have to allow yourself little pleasures here, and there because if you don't

you start binge eating. At least that is how I am. 

Went to the doctor last week, and my weight is at 188. 

I'm going to say I reached my goal weight when I'm at 149.

Why 149? Well I've been called, and labeled obese all my adult life. 

I really don't like that dirty 5 letter word. When I reach 149 I will be

labeled over weight, and I can live with that. 

I put a spell on you

Karen 

China Blue Teacup from Kathleen

 

My friend Kathleen felt bad that I didn't get to have 

my 60th birthday tea party. Due to the virus I just felt

it wouldn't be a good idea to have people over. 

She sent me this lovely teacup and saucer for my birthday. 

Thanks Kathleen! Love it. So pretty, and in my favorite color blue! 

Big thanks Kathleen! 

I'll be back tomorrow with the October Journal she made me. 

Time for Tea!

Karen 

Celebrating my 60th a few day early with the Family

 The kids came over on Sunday, and we celebrated 

my 60th birthday a few days early. 

This is the cake Sarah got for me. Came from a place in Strongsville called

Nothing Bunt Cakes. They make the best bunt cakes. This

one is double chocolate chip with cream cheese icing. YUM. 

Love the Fall cake topper. 

Sarah also got me "60" candles to blow out. 

She said 60 candles would be to much to put on the cake. LOL 

After a spaghetti and meatball dinner we all went

hiking at Princess Ledges right here in Brunswick.  Sarah is 

pointing to the sign that reads End of Trail. 

Emily acting like a cat on a log. Too cute. 

Sarah and Jason. 

Hubby on a log leading across to the ledges. 

Emily, me, and Sarah standing under the ledges. 

We collected lots of fall leaves. I've been drying them out and modge podging them. 

More on that later. 

Sarah holding Riot. 

Emily holding a very sleepy Riot. The kids played

with her pretty hard, and wore her out. 

So we had a lovely day. Great spending time with the kids. 

The weather was beautiful. Most likely it will be the last 80 degree 

day of the year. 

Happy Birthday trails to me

Karen 

Fall Trekking through Autumn Junk Journal

Seems like the only thing you can do somewhat safely these days

is go walking. 

Last year I did my first Trekking through Autumn nature hike that

Medina, OH parks sponsor. 

I earned a backpack last year after completing 8 hikes. 

This year doing it again, and when completed I'll earn a pin that I can

add to the backpack. 

Since I'm into junk journals I decided I needed a special one just for this activity. 

Base for the journal was made with corrugated paper. Completed size is 8x5 

Since I took my first hike September 1st I've already started to journal in it. 

Pics in the front were taken at Carolyn Lugwig Mugrage Park. 

Next page I added a recipe for pumpkin cream cheese whole grain waffles. 

Haven't tried it yet, but I will tomorrow morning. 

Had to search, and search for canned pumpkin, but that is another story. 

added some pockets to hold the pics I'll be taking while hiking. 

Love this textured paper that I found at Hollo's! 

Belly band that is holding a mini notebook. 

The info about the hikes, and list of approved places to take them are

in the center of the journal. 

There are many more pages, but I'm going to stop here. 

Me, and hubby were going to hike today. It rained all day yesterday, and the 

trails are going to be wet, so I'm going to wait a few days. 

Stamping trails

Karen