Today I want to talk about one of our gals here on the forum at LIITD ……….. Linda, (Linda G).  I had the opportunity to meet this super special lady last October at our big fall crop.  She has become a friend, an inspiration, and I admire her and everything that she does.  I’m excited that I will get to see her again in just under two weeks as she is coming here for our spring crop.

Linda has a super busy life, and her escape is her scrapbooking room, she has created a space for herself to sneak away and enjoy this hobby.  She takes time almost every day to stop in and visit us at the forum, always so positive, so friendly, I know that each and every one of you would enjoy her company.  I wanted to take a moment to thank Linda for being a part of LIITD, for making all of us smile, for just being her.  And here is some of Linda’s beautiful work and a peek into her scraproom.

Thank you Linda for being a part of LIITD, your creativity is beautiful, you are amazing woman, and I am proud to call you a friend.

Posted under Creative Sighting

When I brought the little burlap bags into the store, my friend Laura was very intrigued and excited.  Laura and I have been chatting ever since, and I was so excited that she was willing to share her creativity with us.  Laura is a teacher’s aide, and she speaks so highly of the students in her class.  She is such a devoted teacher, she cares so much for all of her students, and I just know that they all truly adore her.  She wanted to do something special for them this Christmas, and when she saw the little burlap bags, she knew that it would finish off her little gift for each one of them perfectly.  I am so excited to show you what she did.

Quoting Laura ~~ “I started out by using the “Deer Friend” stamp from Stampin’ Up.”

Quoting Laura ~~ “Then I stickled the noses.”

Quoting Laura ~~ “I mixed the oats and glitter…red, green, silver and gold.”

Quoting Laura ~~ “I made the tag by punching both the white circle and brown scallop with Stampin’ Up punches, then attached the “instructions” for the Magic Reindeer food I had printed onto white cardstock.”

Quoting Laura ~~ “I wrapped the instructions around a pencil to create a scroll effect.”

Quoting Laura ~~ “I used some mini red ornaments to secure the scroll in it’s rolled form…poked a hole, ran the string from the ornament through the back then looped the ornament through the string to keep it tight.”

Quoting Laura ~~ “I used twine to tie the bag above where the magic reindeer food filled to create the look of a “Santa” sack.”

Quoting Laura ~~ “Using small gold safety pins I attached the scroll tag to the burlap sacks.”

Laura, these are absolutely the cutest ever, and you are so fantastic for doing these for all of the children in your class.  I am sure that their eyes will be dancing when they see the magic reindeer food glittering in the snow.  You did such an amazing job, your little details, just perfect, such a sweet gift.  The added little mini ornament is so adorable, I just love them.  Thank you so much for sharing these with us.  I am sure that many others will be using this idea on Christmas Eve.

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Recipes today are …..

Garlicky Baked Fries

Chicken Enchiladas

French Breakfast Muffin

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I am happy to report, that I finished all of my baking today and this evening.  I had some great helpers - Paul, Chantel and Adrian - we had so much fun, lots of giggles, lots of stories, good times and new memories.  Shortbread was last on the list, and while it was baking, I put on my favorite Christmas movie ~  *The Christmas Shoes* ~ it was the most perfect evening.

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(oh, and for LIITD news, a little birdie told me ….. there is going to be a Boxing WEEK sale next week ….. ALL week long.)

Have a super happy Friday!

Posted under Christmas, Creative Sighting, Recipes

Yesterday I had the pleasure of taking Nola’s mixed media canvas class as one of the participants could not make it.  I did a lot of the preparation for the food on Friday evening so that I could participate with everyone.

Before I continue with pictures of this class today, I will explain that this is week 2 of this canvas class.  Last Saturday, we had 14 wonderful gals participate in this class.  Last Saturday, I was busy cooking, and did not get pictures of all of the fabulous canvases that were made last week.  I would love for any of you who took it to please email me a picture of your final canvas.

I took pictures of the different stages of everyone’s canvas today, and thought it would be very cool to show you each participants (with permission of course) canvas.

Donna’s Canvas

It was very cool to see everyone’s different color choices, paper choices and totally different take on their ideas for their canvas.

And that, of course, is why we all love this scrapbooking hobby of ours, there is no right or wrong - each and everyone is an artist, and shines with their own creativity.

We all chatted amongst each other, as Nola instructed, and I do think that I was *in trouble* a couple of times for not listening and talking too much.  (hmm, imagine that?) *grin*

Brenda’s Canvas

During the class, Nola explained the different mediums to use, and with the help of her assistant *Miss Emma* products were handed out to each of us.

We had to think about where we were going to hang this canvas, which would determine what color choices we would make.

I explained that I had a canvas with the flower like one of Nola’s examples, as Nola had made one for me for a gift.

Stacey’s Canvas

I decided to take a little different swing with my canvas - instead of making another one with the flower(s).

It was so much fun walking around the room and looking at everyone’s canvas as they progressed.

I especially loved seeing everyone enjoying themselves, and realizing that they could do this - as some at the start of the class were quite nervous and not so sure.

Jody’s Canvas

The class started at 9:30, and seriously, the time flew by, before we knew it, it was lunch time.

While everyone was eating, I caught up for what I had missed while I was doing the final preps for lunch.

Paul came to help me with the final meal preps, and then after I caught up on my canvas, and ate, he finished cleaning up and doing dishes so I could continue on with the class with everyone.

Jane’s Canvas

That was awesome, as I really was having such a great time creating (and visiting).

I must say that everytime I work with Claudine Hellmuth’s products, I love them even more.

Her paint is like no other acrylic paint I have worked with - as it is not opaque when you paint with it - you can actually see things (example - our dictionary words paper, music paper) through it.

Dawn’s Canvas

I love the fact that she has 15 colors and you can mix and match them to make over 51 colors.  (chart here)

I needed to mix one of my colors to match a color in the papers I was using - and very easily got an exact match.

Two participants let me take their picture with their final canvas, everyone else was a little camera shy.

Anne’s Canvas

Anne was sitting at my table, and yes, you guessed it, we chatted quite a bit.  Anne worked very hard on her canvas, but she also worked very hard organizing before she started.

For those of you who do not know Anne, I will fill you in ….. Anne LOVES to organize.  She is known to spend a lot of time organizing at crops, in fact, sometimes most of her scrappy time is spent organizing.

Today Anne changed her mind several times, reorganized, and promised to email me a picture of her canvas after she finishes it at home.  *smile*

Last Canvas - Me

Steampunk style has been one of my favorites for quite some time and I decided that I wanted to use some gorgeous papers I have been hoarding on my canvas today.

As you may know Lisa loves this steampunk style just as much as me.

Awhile ago, Lisa stole my *steampunk crown* with an amazing canvas she did.

Today, I’m taking my crown back ….. and challenging her to steal it back from me again.  Lisa, are you up for a little challenge ….. game on!!!  *grin*

Thank you Nola and Miss Emma, we all learned a lot, had lots of fun, and had a fantastic day!

Posted under Creative Sighting