i heart faces-pets

I really had a hard time choosing a photo.  I have so many that I like of our Bob.  I enjoy taking pictures of our pets, they are so much fun.  

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Barn frame with vintage label

I have been trying my hand at woodworking lately.  FUN!!!  Here is a small project I started and finished in about 4 hours including painting and drying times.  The frame is from plans off of Knock-Off Wood.  I adjusted the plans to fit the label I have.  The label is actually from an old dollar store calendar.  I bought it years ago and loved the vintage labels and kept it to use sometime.  I have finally got around to using at least one of them.  I painted the frame with a cream color first and then sanded it and then put a wash of plum over that.  Then I sanded just the edges a bit to let the cream color come through a bit.  I thought it needed a little extra pop.  I used a little metallic finish that rubs on.  I went sparingly with it around the edges and around the inside of the frame.  It's hard to see the gold from the pictures but it really makes the difference.

I am loving this frame!!  The plans for the frame are here.

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i heart faces-celebrating teens

I snapped this shot before we left for a mother daughter tea.  It is one of my favorite pictures of my oldest daughter.  

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Anniversary card

This last week was my parents' 41st anniversary.  I made this card with Accent Essentials and Plantin Schoolbook cartridges.  I used DCWV paper from the Luxury Stack.  I love how it turned out.

Coloring Briefcase

Who doesn't like coloring?  Here is a cute and quick take along coloring briefcase for your kiddos.  

Here's what you need:  3/4 yard of quilted fabric

1/4 yard of coordinating fabric for trim 

thread

crayons

coloring book

Cut a rectangle from the quilted fabric 12 1/2 by18 inches (front and back).  

Cut two rectangles from the quilted fabric 6 1/2 by 12 1/2 inches (inside flaps).  

Cut two strips from the quilted fabric 2 by 13 inches (these are the handles).

Cut two strips from the coordinating fabric 2 by 13 inches (these are the handles).

Cut a rectangle from the coordinating fabric 3 1/2 by 10 inches (crayon pouch).

Cut two strips from coordinating fabric 1 by 12 1/2 inches (trim for the flaps).

Cut two strips from coordinating fabric 1 by 18 inches (trim).

I've used 1/2" seam allowance unless otherwise stated.

I started by putting the trim on everything first.  With right sides together pin 1" x 12 1/2" strip to one of the inside flaps.  Sew together.  Fold trim in 1/4" and press, then pin on other side of flap.  Stitch together.

Do this for the other flap and for the long edges of the front and back piece of the case.

Do you have everything trimmed out?  Cool.  Moving on. :)

Now for the handles.  With right sides together pin a 2"x13" quilted strip to a 2" X13" coordinating strip.  Sew both long sides together then turn.  Press.  Make the other handle the same way.

With the right sides together and the handle sandwiched in between the front/back piece and the flap pin it all together on one side.  We still have more work on the other flap.  

Take the 3 1/2"X10" piece of coordinating fabric and press down 1/4" of the long edges.  Stitch that down.  Now press the remaining three sides of the fabric down 1/4".  Position the stitched edge on the flap away from the trim.  Pin the pouch onto the flap and stitch the three sides down.

Now you have one big pouch.  Divide the pouch into eight small pockets for the crayons, approximately and inch apart.  I put a pin for each row and then stitched them down.

Almost done.  With right sides together and the handle sandwiched between the front/back and the flap with the crayon pocket, pin and sew.  Sew the other side also.  Turn them right side out and your done. 

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No Bake Dessert for Summer Peanut Butter Cups

Here is a yummy recipe that I've made for  Christmas usually, but I dug it out of my mountain of recipes yesterday for a no bake dessert during the heat.  I hate using my oven in the summer, so I'm pretty sure I'll be making this more often in the hot months rather than just at Christmas time.   I know my peanut butter loving husband will be pleased with that decision.  

 This is all that is left from yesterday.  Trust me, they will go fast!

2 sticks of margarine or butter which ever you prefer.  I use butter, that is all I bake or in this case no-bake with.  

1 lb. powdered sugar (3 1/2 cups)

1/3 lb. graham crackers crushed (11 full crackers)

2 cups of peanut butter  (chunky is what the recipe calls for but I never have that so again it's your preference of creamy or chunky)

12 oz. package of chocolate chips (I use milk chocolate but once again you choose the kind you like)

Mix the first four ingredients together well and spread in a 9 X 13 pan.  Melt the chips and spread over the peanut butter mix.  I put them in the fridge for about ten minutes to let the chocolate set a tad and then cut into squares and EAT!  

Real easy and real good!