Tutorial: 3x5 Notepad holder: "Where Dreams Go"

Hi Everyone!

I am here today to share a quick step by step tutorial for a fun notepad holder you can slip inside your purse or perhaps give to a friend or keep on your desk at work. There is a way to do this for a regular 3x3  post it notes; but I really liked this larger size. It is really quite simple and fast to put together. There are more photos for each step at the bottom of the post.

Supplies:

Card stock measuring 7 3/8 x  5 1/4
Additional card stock pieces measuring 2 7/8 x 5 1/8, and 2 3/4x  5
Mini gel pens (purchased at Staples)
Stamps and other decorations as desired

Instructions:

1.Begin by scoring your 7 3/8 x 5 1/4 sheet on the 7 3/8 side at 3 1/8, 3 1/2, 3 7/8

2. Fold along each of the score lines to get a nice crisp crease

3. Cut two small slits in the middle from the fold to the center about 1 inch apart (this is for the pen) It is important at this point that you make cuts with the 3 1/8 side facing up because this will be the front.

4.open up the paper and place sticky strip or some other type of strong adhesive along the bottom edges of the middle creases to seal.

5. Decorate your front as desired. For mine, I used Simply Chartreuse, Aqua Mist, and Melon Berry Paper from Papertrey Ink. The stamp set is "Blue Skies" from Verve Stamps. I used the "Geometric Rings" embossing folder by Provo craft.

6. Attach your notepad on the inside with sticky strip or other strong adhesive.

Chocolate Swirl Cinnamon Sugar Banana Bread

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to my 989th attempt to recharge my little ol' blog! I'm hoping to really make a go of it this time, so thank you for stopping by to visit. There'll be some changes in design and content over the next couple of weeks or so as I am really hoping to make it more than just about crafting. I'd like to incorporate other things as well such as recipes, book reviews, entertainment discussions, parenting and life discussions. On the crafty side, I hope to share more than just cards and also to include tutorials for those of you who may be new to crafting.
Ok, to start off this time, I decided to share a recipe. I made this yesterday as an experiment and the entire loaf is GONE!! Obviously, I will be making it again and probably soon!

Step 1: gather your ingredients, you will need: 

2 Cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp all spice

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

2 beaten eggs

3-4 medium ripe bananas mashed

1 cup of sugar

dark chocolate ice cream topping...just a tablespoon or so for drizzling. (microwaved slightly if needed)

1/2 cup of vegetable oil

1 recipe for streusal topping 

Step 2: Preheat your oven to 350 and prepare your loaf pan with a little non stick spray and flour

Step 3: Put it all together:

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt in large bowl make a well in the center and set aside

In another bowl, mix eggs, bananas, sugar and oil. Then add it all at once to the flour mixture and mix gently just until it is combined. Pull and fold from the bottom to make sure you get all the flour incorporated. 

Pour about 1/2 the batter into the loaf pan and then drizzle some of the chocolate along the center and sprinkle with some cinnamon sugar. Now, at this point you could take a knife and swirl it a bit too. I didn't...but next time I will.

Pour in the rest of the batter and then drizzle a little more chocolate (don't swirl this one...) and then add your streusal topping if you want. This is optional; but makes it all so yummy! Finallly sprinkle the top liberally with cinammon sugar

Bake 55-60 minutes and then cool on wire wrack for at least 15-20 minutes before trying to remove from pan.

I will link this recipe on the recipes tab at the top of the page so you can find it again easily!

Enjoy!

Thinking of you

Hi Everyone!

Once again, I apologize for the lack of posting. Here's a quick card for today. I used papers from "Lime Twist" collection by My Mind's Eye and the stamps are from "Right at Home" by Hero Arts. I colored the house in with some Copic Markers: B00, R27 and YG65

Found couple of challenges for this card over at Feline Playful:

1. Charisma Cardz: 5 different patterned papers
2. Craft us Crazy: Anything Goes

Have a great weekend!

Miss, Love, Thank U Mojo Monday

Hello Everyone!!

Well, it certainly has been a while, hasn't it?!!? If you scroll down, you'll see that my last post was back in October! The last time I crafted or even thought about crafting was in December. I made a TON of Christmas cards; and then...honestly, I was so completely and totally stamped out, I wasn't sure I would ever get out my crafting things again!
However, last week, I started getting the "feeling" again. You crafters know what I'm talking about...you just feel like you should do a little crafting! Somewhere, someone in the universe is telling you it's time to create. So, I dusted off the ink pads, selected the stamps, and paper and then fired up the computer to see what would inspire me. Of course, being that it's Monday, the first place I looked was Mojo Monday. This sketch seemed simple enough to get back in the swing of things. I also took a look at the challenges over at Feline Playful and found a few challenges to submit this card for as well. I have listed them at the end of the post.
A few quick words about the blog before I get to that though. One of the reasons, I quit blogging back in October was because it was just completely time consuming. Always chasing challenges, always linking products used, blogs and other inspirations. Then there was always the challenge of taking a blog worthy photograph of a card. Sometimes 30-45 minutes spent just on taking a picture. It was all in a word....exhausting!! Feeling like I had to blog every single day was also creating a ridiculous amount of pressure on me. I was so desperate for "blog traffic" and comments of approval and compliments that I was driving myself insane. So, having learned a few lessons, I have decided upon a few changes: First, I will not blog every day. At most 2-3 days a week, and that it is all. Second, I'm not a photographer....whatever half way decent picture I can snap with my phone of a card, is the one you will see. Third, I will list; but no longer link products that I use. If something is of interest to you, google it. Chances are, if you are here you are a crafter and have a place where you enjoy shopping for your supplies. Fourth, I will link to no more than five challenges. Finally, I am tickled pink when people want to leave comments; but if you don't want to, that's ok, I'll get over it. I will say for right now, comments are being moderated; but I WILL be checking them, so please don't be afraid to leave them.
Ok, now that that's all over. How about we jump back to the card? As I said, I used Mojo Monday Sketch with "You and I" stamps from Verve and "Tapestry Script" background stamp from Basic Grey. I layered the black, red and white pieces as shown and added some distressing around the edges. I used Pumice Stone, Black Soot and Fired Brick Distress inks on the card. Added some flowers and a button for embellishment and completed the card.

Here are today's challenges:

Mojo Monday: Sketch
Amusing Challenges: Black White and Red
Scrapper's Delight Challenge: Black, White and a splash of color
The Crafty Blogger's Network: Anything Goes

Until next time, have a fabulous day!!







word....exhausting!!