Happy New Year!

Happy 2010!

Tips on using Glitter

Tips when using Glitter:

• When using a glue pen, do a small area at a time, so the glue doesn't dry out too quickly.

• You can also use a glue pen to apply glitter to flowers, stickers or anything else needing a little sparkle.

• When doing a large area such as a chipboard piece, I often use Modge Podge. You can also rub a glue pad over the surface or use a spray adhesive or other liquid glue.

• Use a tray or small, flexible paper plate, so that you can easily put it back into the bottle.

• There are different sizes of glitter - the glitter I used was very fine. If you have a chunky glitter, you would want to use on a much larger, less detailed project.

• Baby wipes are a great way to clean the tray or help to get the glitter off your hands. They also help with static cling.

• Use a small paint brush, Q tip or eyeshadow applicator to brush away excess glitter.

• Did you know that paint is a good adhesive for glitter? Take your paint and then while the paint is still wet, sprinkle glitter right over the top of it. The glitter will stick right to the wet paint. Let the paint dry completely before using it on your project.

• If anyone else has any other tips feel free to share!

Storing Stickles

I saw this over in THIS thread on 2PEAS: GLITTER STAIRS to store all your Stickles!

Looks like you can buy one HERE; price is $29.99 I heart Stickles which, if you’re not familiar, is a very special type of glitter glue you can use in your scrapbooking and cardmaking. Stickles has a nice pointy tip so they come out in a fine line, and yet the consistency of the “glue” is such that it doesn’t goop up, you just get a nice clean line.

By storing them upside down you avoid clogging and this is a cute way to do it. These Stickles are sold in our store. Click the "store" link on the blog. Happy Creating!

Cook's Helpers laminated cooking guides

Free Download! Martha Stewart "Cook's Helpers" Printables

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

Yum! Love the holidays when you have an excuse to make cookies :) I normally just buy the sugar cookie mix from Costco which is really good, fast and easy for the kids but this time I These are the best, if I do say so myself. Seriously it's a really good recipe. Try it. :)

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

1-1/2 cups sugar
2 sticks margarine
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup sour cream
4-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

1. Cream together sugar and margarine. Add egg, vanilla, and sour cream. Add dry ingredients. Mix well, but only until flour is incorporated.
2. Refrigerate and shape.
3. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 5 minutes (or longer if they're a bit thicker... just watch the first batch and then adjust the cooking time accordingly).

Also, the icing! It's just Martha's royal icing recipe. See it here. There's also a video of Martha using the royal icing. Enjoy! :)

The Night Before Christmas ... for moms

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the abode
Only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping all snug in their beds, while
Visions of Nintendo and Barbie flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
With a half-constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
So only Mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"

With the toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug,
"Oh, great," muttered Mom, "now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake,
your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"
"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."
Then out walked the clone - the mother's twin;
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch The Young and The Restless."
"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

From the room above, the youngest did fret.
"Mommy? Come quickly, I'm scared and I'm wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the Mom smiled, "she sure knows her part."

The clone changed the small one and hummed her a tune,
as she bundled the child in a blanket cocoon.
"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "And I love you, too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal.
That's my child's love she is trying to steal."
Smiling wisely, Santa said, "To me it is clear,
Only one loving mother is needed here."

The Mom kissed her child and tucked her in bed.
"Thank you, Santa, for clearing my head.
I sometimes forget, it won't be very long,
when they'll be too old for my cradle and song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side, Santa said, "Good night.
Merry Christmas, dear Mom, you will be all right."

Cuttlebug Challenge Coco Idea

This fun set has been created by Shantaie

Instructions are at Cuttlebug challenge here

How to store your Stamps

Hello Everyone! Wanted to share with you another organizing tip:storing stamps. I organized my wood stamps according to theme on these shelves in my office. I bought these at Michaels Craft store using a 40% coupon on each one. It works great because I can visually see what stamps I have. Below the picture is a video on a great way to store your clear stamps. I do exactly what she does in her video so I thought that was cool she did a video on it. Happy Crafting!

Paper Piecing Tutorial

What is Paper Piecing? Paper Piecing is Paper Art, you create an image of something, by cutting out pieces of a pattern and putting or “piecing” them back together using your choice of colors and patterns of paper or cardstock to form the desired object. In a lot of ways, it is like putting together a puzzle. For example, if you have a bear pattern, each arm and leg, the head, the body and so on, would be cut from a separate piece of paper or cardstock. These are then glued together, either onto themselves or your background paper. Then they are detailed with lining (tracing the edges) and chalking (adding color to give it a more detailed look).

Once you have a pattern you want to use, there are a few ways you can use it. You can cut out the individual pieces of the pattern and trace around them onto your paper. Or, you can use your Light Box to trace around the original pattern, then cut out the pieces. Better yet if you own an electronic cutting machine like Cricut (sold in store), Pazzles, Wishblade or CraftRobo machine, you can simply you download your patterns online or use cartridges and it cuts it right for you.

Here is some awesome video tutorials on paper piecing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXCEM914o1A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6u1DQRsChs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kXdLE-d6gs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0fAY4ANU7I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwfEaAHrt68

Free Poinsettia Svg

All the leaves are the same size. Leaves cut 5 and petals cut 7. The inner dots cut 6. You can also use a hole punch for the inner dots, quick and easy :) Then Use a black pen or colored pencil to draw in veins and trace the edges of both the petals and leaves. Before assembling the pieces, fold the petals in half to give them some dimension.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=9a64887562a2de45b64026cfc061123602eb9e807b189d284ca8d2a77d7aad89