Simple things and a freebie

 When we were traveling last month,  a real highlight was a walk on the beach with Lissa and Steve.  This  was a beautiful beach with sand so white it looked like snow!  we  came across a few eager Sanderlings,  they were pretty fearless in thier pursiut of supper!

We came to this beach to watch the sunset off the gulf coast.  It was so beautiful and very painterly!

The sands were so clean and the water was crystal clear.

The  Sanderling reminded me of one of my Digital stamps:

you can save and use this:

Here is the card I made to send as a thank you to our sweet daughter

It is really the little moments that make life big, Birds on a beach, a grandbaby smiling back at you, you best friend and husband holding your hand, kids that love you.  Those are the real things that make life so sweet!

This Card is being entered in  Word Art Wednesdays' challenge

Thanks for stopping by and hope you can use the digital for your paper crafting!

Ginny M

35 miniutes in the kitchen

Monday Morning and I'm out of bread and I'm craving a new recipe I've made.  It's an apple raisin cinnamon toasting bread.  All organic and fairly nutritious and a great way to start my day, one slice and I am fueled for hours.

I'm making this using my kitchen aid  mixer - I think my bread machine is slowly dying.  I honestly don't want to buy another one. So I am working on adapting my recipes.   The reason I have used bread machines throughout the years is because I seem to have an intolerance to touching flour - it makes my hands red and painful, the same issue with potatoes, and a few other fruits and veggies.  Not sure if the sensitivity is too the pesticides or the actual food.  Switching to all organic has helped, but I try to touch these things as little as possible.

My green, hand saving friend:

 In order to be less redundant, All the ingredients I use are organic, if you don't have organic in the house or don't buy it then use what you normally do - I always say do the best you can!
here is the basic recipe, it is Cuisinart Last minute loaf with a few adaptations:

For oven baking , just follow along

I substitute 1 cup of whole oats for one cup of flour

Throw it in my blender for about 30 seconds - whole grain oat flour!

I peeled and diced 2 small apples

I added about 1/2 cup raisins and 1TBS of cinnamon 

Using the dough hook I mixed on speed 2 for 9 minutes, scraping the bowl a couple of times

This dough isn't pretty, it is rather wet looking for bread, but don't worry it will bake up beautifully!

Place in oiled pan

Place in oven at 225 degrees for 18 minutes

After 18 minutes turn the oven up to 375

for 35 minutes

you will have a very delicious bread!

We like this for breakfast and for a snack, toasted!

And while I was in the kitchen, I whipped up a batch of pasta dough for dinner tonight

Duram wheat, semolina, powdered spinach, onion powder, basil and egg pasta

and a omatot mushroom onion sauce

all the prep and clean up took 35 minutes.

Yum

Give the bread a try, you will be so glad you did - and It is easy!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Ginny M

The depth of riches, WAW and freebies

I love the verse in Romans 11:33, O the depth of the riches both of the Wisdom and the Knowledge of God!  That verse promises a lifetime of deep spiritual fulfillment in a relationship with a loving creator. It holds a key  to living a life that is blessed.

When I think of this verse  the image of the deep rich ocean immediately comes to mind  - you can never in your lifetime or all the lifetimes of men catch every fish or see every wonder.  I had to make a card with this imagery.

I hope you take the time to click over to Word Art Wednesday, grab the verse and make a card.  I hope even more so you think about how this verse describes a wonderful gift that will take a lifetime just to unwrap - can you imagine how great the gift is, what it will be like when we meet Him?

For your card making and paper crafting 

Thank you for stopping by and I hope your Day is Awesome!

Ginny M

A few swaps and a fun freebie for a girl friend card

I have just rejoined two swap groups and I thought I would share a few cards I made yesterday;\
The first is a "girl friend" card.  and In case you would like to make one I have the digital I created here so that you can make one too!

Not a great picture, but I mailed it before I realized the photo was off!

I colored these girlfriends  with Spectrum noir markers and then because they were pretty delicate I gave them a coat of clear polymer glue.  I use Lineco clear PVC glue, it dries with a clear finish that is semi-gloss, you can use modge podge or elmers.  Tt dries in a few minutes and is cheap and easy to use. 

Here is my freebie: 

Right click and save.

This card was for a "dog card"  This is an old Magenta Stamp.  Like most Magentas' it was a paint  to get a good image:

This car was for a "Fun Challenge"

Make a card for Frankenstein day

I hope you are having a nice weekend, it's sunny and 90 here in San Antonio!

Thanks for stopping by!

Ginny M

An ATC Swap and freebie

I had 6 ATC's (artist trading cards) to make for my new FB group.  Artsy Cards and Crafts - a fun group to share all types of crafting and be inspired!
I love making ATC's   Without sounding like a total narcissist, I think I like them because they are all about expressing me.   When I make cards  it is about encouraging someone else and I make that card in a way that I think the receiver will be pleased.  When I make an ATC it is about sharing and expressing who I am and my personal sentiments.  That is also why I like to receive them, they are so clever, trying to make a statement on a 3.5 x 2.5 canvas is really an accomplishment!

They are simple and I store my supplies separately and have a specific glue that works really well on the three layers.  I use a thin solvent based glue called Collall. it is a little hard to find but it is really a great paper crafting product ( not paid to say that!)

I make my ATC with three layers, the back side is title and signature - this is standard for ATC's

A chipboard middle so that they are nice and sturdy and then the top sheet for the artwork

This is a nice little pad from Hobby Lobby, I normally don't use these but this time and this project they were great.  They were too large but this gave me the opportunity to cut them and change them a bit.

I used Memento ink

A set of Clear scripture stamps from Stampendious

I don't really care for clear stamps, but these I purchased just for atc's they are a great size in proportion to the ATC card 

this clear stamps makes it really easy to get the verses straight

I distressed them a bit

 Happy Mess!

 I used a little bling, this is my entire collection, I am not a big fan of chunky on cards so I don't use a lot of embellishments

 A coat of crystal lacquer on focal poijts and the are all done!

I made these with the specific people in mind, so I really hope the verses bless them.

Here is the promised freebie for your ATC's:

If you are interested in joining the Artsy Cards and  Crafts, Please let me know or do a search for it on FB and hit the join button! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Ginny M

Life is a matter of moments and a freebie!

I'm packing, again.  Looking ahead. trying to keep some semblance of normal in my Texas life.  The apartment is half packed and I am feeling half-baked.   I'm also excited and happy.  I joined up on a couple of crafty groups, Started up a new Facebook for "Artsy Cardmakers and Crafters" and took the helm of my old group "Christian Card Makers"  The season of rest is over, the spiritual and emotional whiplash that I came to Texas with is gone.  I'm feeling good,  God is Great and I am happy.
We all go through seasons, some are easier than other But when we Trust God and Believe he has a wonderful plan for our lives - it makes everything easier!  It also makes the present more precious.

I made this card for a masculine swap:

From this pile of papers:

I'm trying to use as many of these as I can before I move. 

my room looks a little sad, but I am making progress with packing!

Here is a freebie for your for your card making!

This verse helps me to know I can do this! Again!

Thanks for stopping by!

Ginny M

Whats On Your Wordesk Wednesday - WOYWW#386 and a freebie!

Hi Everyone, I've tagged up with WOYWW, it is event #385!  Hop over to Julia's blog and join the fun - it is a worldwide craft desk tour!!
I've made a special card for a special Neice - after wrestling with my printer!  I discovered word fails me with the Epison but Publisher works fine!!  Why?  I have no idea!

 Here's my desk:  Horrible lighting in the picture but in real life the lighting is good!

Colored with Spectrum Noir markers:

And here is a freebie for you!  

Just right click and save!  Doesn't this look like a Magenta stamp??

Thanks for stopping at my desk today and enjoy the rest of the hop!

Ginny M

A Word Art Wednesday card

I wanted to get the last verse  for Word Art Wednesday made into a card - So I have caught up - Yay!
I love the verse and I know I will be able to make many cards with it!

I had a real problem with my printer, and I hate to say it but I need a new one!  My Epson just refused to print on vellum, and the canon is dead.  I loved the Canon, it would print on anything but the heads only lasted a year!!

The first version of this card came out depressing, so I pulled it apart and did it again:

I also used the wrong ink, I used archival instead of memento and thought why is this smearing??  Duh, wrong ink pad.

So the moral of this card making event was:  keep at it, it will all work out okay! Like much of life, just put one-foot in front of the other!

Thanks for stopping by, I am back to packing!

Ginny M