Screen Door Framed

Hi everyone,

I made this framed Screen Door home decor thingy for gifts and a few for the craft show at my church. I really love the way they turned out. Hopefully I can get them on my Etsy store soon...if you don't see them, please email me and let me know if I can make one for you or someone you know would love one as well

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I found some really nice frames at the dollar store - not those cheapy ones that feel flimsy in your hands. You know the kind... These had some sturdiness to them. My Screen Door template has more than just the card application. More ideas to come, I have more in my little noggin I swear!!!

Thanks for stopping by...Have a wonderful day!

Recipe: My Screen Door template/dollar store frame/cardstock Stampin' Up/Momento Tuxedo Black ink/Stamps from The Angel Company/brads misc. source/ribbon: Walmart.

Puppy Birthday Card

Howdy y'all!

I am posting this card in honor of my 5 year old neice. She is a real hoot! I am telling you the truth, she's the silliest kid I've EVER known! She loves puppies, actually, my sister and I think she may have some canine-like tendancies - somewhat like what Spiderman having spider-like tendancies!!! She plays "dog" and she follows her dog around like she is its sibling!

But what gives me the biggest kick is that she likes to play "hillbilly." I mean no disrespect to anyone out there, but when my sister told me this story over the phone one day, I almost pee'd my pants! Her adorable little 5 year old came downstairs crying because her sister and their other playmates would not play with her. When my sister questioned her about what "hillbilly" was she quite simply said, "you put all the hairclips in your hair and you talk real funny, Mom!" I'd love to know where she picked up that doozy!!!

Here is her birthday card! She oohhed and aaahhhed when she saw the puppies of course! Do you have a funny kid story?

I had to share the following song that just speaks to me and hopefully speaks to you...and the dog lover and God lover in your life!

Click this link in case the video doesn't upload here on my post! I promise you will LOVE this sweet song! Thank you Ms. Wendy Francisco for this sweet song of love!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY



Recipe: The Angel Company Stamps/Copic Markers/Palette Hybrid Ink/Bazzill Gingham Ribbon/Provo Craft Embossing Folder/Stampin' Up Cardstock.


"Truly wonderful the mind of a child is." YODA, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Elzybell's Handmade Gift Certificate

Hi everyone,


Doing some catching up on my postings!


Here is a few gift certificates I made for my sister who is a Nail Tech. One of her customers wanted to give a mani/pedi combo as a gift this Christmas. She called me (she always does) and asks me to make up "something." My sister is going to put the dollar amount on her services, and I get some advertising.... Nice deal, huh? She {{{LOVED}}} them, and I hope her client loved them as well..... I think they turned out pretty cute! What do you think?

Recipe:

Inky Antics & Elzybells/Stampin' UP Markers/Copic & Spica Markers/Stampin' UP cardstock/envelopes misc. source/Palette Hybrid Ink.

"One can get just as much exultation in losing oneself in a little thing as in a big thing. It is nice to think how one can be recklessly lost in a daisy!" Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Christmas Paper Cones

Hi bloggers,

I know it's been a while since my last post. But I am catching up as we speak! I've been so busy, hasn't everyone been? But my creativity has been EXPLODING lately! I am totally excited about these Paper Cones I made for Christmas Day dinner.

My sister--in-law and brother-in-law are hosting dinner this year and she asked me to make some type of place card...well, I could not just do one of those little rectangles with names on them. I went a little over and above on these, but I couldn't help myself! These paper cones template was found here. Originally these cones are to have interlocking hearts for closure on the cone, but I cut mine off. This gave me the ability to close the put the names of my family on each cone. Of course, I filled them with peppermints for a quick after dinner aid to digestion. In Italian-American culture we call this "agita" and who doesn't need a little digestion aids when homemade ravioli's or manicotti is served! Yum, cannot wait for dinner!

Hope my sis-in-law likes these, and I was so honored to be asked! Thanks for looking!

It's hard to see, sorry, but there are some beads (one red, one silver) that I used to place as a bead-tassle on the tip of the cone. My sweet Grandma Mary had a great collection of costume jewelry that I grabbed a few years ago. Do you grab things and say to yourself that they might work for "something?" I scotch-taped them inside the cone just before I assembled the cone with Totally Tacky Tape by Provo Craft!

They are all packed up to be included in the truck with all the presents for Christmas Day with the family! I love practical gifts that work double duty - one its a name card for each person's plate and two, it's an ornament for remembrance for this year! Love that!!!

Recipe: Cone template here/cardstock Stampin' Up/Marvy Clever Lever Snowflake punch, scalloped square punch/Martha Stewart snowflake border punch/small branch punch/buttons from DCWV/rhinestone stickers misc. source/Gold and Silver glitter paper Hobby Lobby 12X12 sheet for snowflake punch/red cording ribbon & silver ribbon from Hobby Lobby/Gold & Silver pigment ink pens from Hobby Lobby/beads for bottom of cone recycled beads.

I want to lead the Victorian life, surrounded by exquisite clutter. Freddie Mercury http://www.brainyquote.com/

Jesus is the Reason for Our Season & Italian-American Traditions shared!!!

Merry Christmas to all!

I am happy to share that things have been going well for me this Christmastime! I love this time of the year!

I love all of it - the music, the decorations, the cooking, the baking, the memories of those who've left our presence and those recipes that I've tried to recapture to connect my soul to theirs, the kids, the traditions, the lights, the creativity I get to share with others, the gift of music that speaks to my soul, the sweet moments when my family is in bed and I get the chance to catch up with my blogging friends, the Christmas cards, the pictures, the ONE handmade card I received this year (Allison you so totally ROCK!!!), the Advent wreath, the twinkling lights, the jingle of the bells on my back door every time someone walks in or out, the kitchen I have cleaned for the umpteenth time today after baking, cooking and eating the meals in-between, the wrapping, the ONLINE shopping that made my life so much easier this year, the sweet peace that comes from accomplished tasks and goals that have been met!

I am blessed.

I know God loves me.

I have that Love to share with everyone I encounter.

I am peaceful.

I am resonably happy.

I have somewhat healthy family members.

I have friends.

I have food.

I have a husband who loves the Christmas season almost as much as I do.

I have children who ask me questions and want to learn about our heritage among many other things.

I have my Catholic Faith that gives me the great traditions over 2000 years old.

I want for nothing.

I am free (thank a soldier).

I have extended family - flawed and crazy and not living near me - ha ha ha!

I have my sense of humor that gets me through some tough times.

I have my voice to sing - it's my calling.

I have my heart to share my Christmas moments with you.

I have a good camera to capture my creativity and love of family with all you reading this!

I have wrapped, cooked, baked, cleaned, ordered, delegated, stamped (rubber and postage), addressed, cut, shop, decorated, glued,, taped, copied, made, created, thanked, sang, watched ALL of my favorite Christmas movies with my kids and DH and slept this Season - if that is not the Grace of Jesus in my life I don't know what could ever possibly be!

One tradition is the Tiny Tart Cookies my dear sweet Grandma Mary made for years! These are sort of like the Pecan Tassie's or Nut Cups recipe, but substitute your favorite jam or preserves - Red Raspberry or Black Raspberry Jams. They truly melt in your mouth!

If you are fortunate to have your Grandma still alive, go visit her! One is in heaven my dear Nonnie, and my other Grandma is in a nursing home unable to recognize us much anymore. I miss her - just when I started to appreciate her, the dementia started and I lost the beginning of a friendship I now have lost! Go, visit them now - life is too short!

The big countdown winds down - the kids cannot wait!

Found these bells at KMart in the Martha Stewart section a few years ago - strung them on ribbon and hang them on the door knob of my back door! Love the sound they make when we come and go!

I painted a pre-made ceramic Nativity figure years ago - still has meaning for me.

When I kept moving the Baby Jesus in this cute wooden set, my six year old daughter Sarina stomps over and says, "Mom, Baby Jesus is NOT BORN yet!" and moves it to behind the lamp! Isn't that a crack up?

Grandma Nina & Papa Jim Polizzi's famous Ricotta Cheese Cookies! Email me if you'd like this recipe! They are the MOST delectable cookie you've ever eaten, baked or served! You'll get the oohhh's and aahh's you've been wanting!

Dominick making fudge - OMGosh! You must take this recipe down! It's a Marshmallow Fudge and trust me - it's painfully good - and I gain weight just looking at it!!! Also, no candy thermometer needed!!! It's uber easy!!!

Marshmallow Fudge

1/2 c. butter

1/8 tsp. salt

1 6oz. can evaporated milk (2/3 c.)

1 8oz. pkg. marshmallows

1 6oz. pkg. chocolate chips

1 square semi-sweet baking chocolate
1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. nuts or crushed candy canes

Combine marshmallows, chocolate chips, baking chocolate & vanilla in a large bowl and set aside. Combine butter, salt, evaporated milk and sugar in a 2 qt. heavy sauce pan. Stir and bring to a boil. Then, at a rolling boil, continue cooking and stirring constantly for exactly 8 1/2 minutes. Pour hot candy mixture and blend with electric mixer. Add nuts or crushed candy. Pour into buttered 9" square pan. Cool and cut into 1" squares. Makes 81 pcs.

Sweet Gianna working her little fingers off to make the Ricotta cookies, dropping them on to the cookie sheets!

Andrea waiting patiently for the candy mixture that cooks for the Fudge recipe! Is that the biggest bowl you've ever seen? Stainless steel goodie, my friends! I am serious when I say I have bathed my children in a bowl similar to this one - yup, it's that big - but not the exact one where bare bottomed babies bathed....I assure you!

Sarina and Andrea waiting for the cookies to bake!

Vinny rolled out the pizza dough for Christmas Eve dinner - thanks to my Nonnie, I am passing this tradition to my family! Nonna di buon Natale. Manco l'amiamo! - I miss you dearly this time of year!

Dominick trying his hand at tossing the pizza dough!

Here is the baked Ricotta cookies, cooled and lightly frosted with powdered sugar and milk combo! YUM-O!!! Thanks to Rachel Ray - I love that saying!!!

Italian sausage and a bowl of tomato sauce for the pizza - getting ready for the big evening with my side of the family coming over the pizza dinner!

Need I say more?

Santa needs a good Sugar Cookie with his milk!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours -

(Buon Natale dalla mia famiglia al vostro)!!!

Michelle's Inky Fingers: Small Successes - A Challenge!!!

http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/sweating_the_small_stuff1

Small Successes - A Challenge!!!

Hi everyone!

In this very busy time, it's easy to lose focus on what's really important! I've been working on focusing on some very important things - seeing life as half-full instead of half-empty. Not an easy task for me!!!

I subscribe to a blog called Faith & Family - A magazine and blog for Catholic daily living. The articles here are good! I was blown away by the challenge today! It's asking me to list 3 recent small successes here on my blog, because small successes equals larger ones. I wholeheartedly agree, and since this is good practice for me, I thought I'd share them with you. Not quite Positive Patty? Me neither, that's why it's easy to get weighed down in the rush to get everything checked off your list....



Here is my version of focusing on the positive:

1. My Christmas gift giving list only has 2 people left to buy for - and one of them my husband can help with!!! (Online shopping has been a life-saver this year more than EVER!) I have enjoyed this Christmastime Season with more joy, and I'm not sure about the earthly reason, but the spiritual reason why I feel more joy is VERY clear to me!

2. I am teaching 2 songs to a group of 5th Grade students at our Pariochial school for the Christmas Choir concert next week - while the extra practices are exhausting, I can truly say that these kids are amazing!!! I do not know how to read music nor am I even a music teacher - just a volunteer. BEST thing is that I am seeing real progress in them - so excited for their performance next week!!!

3. While my craft show profits were down this year (compared to last year's show, nation-wide commonality?) I figured I am not going to sweat the small stuff like recreating new handmade gifts, I am using my craft show inventory for gifts. I am NOT re-gifting, just sharing my inventory with Friends & Teachers. These people are in our lives for a long time with our 4 kids involved in A LOT - why not make them all feel special with a handmade gift, I said to myself!!! I love this idea and I feel so calm about it! Yea!!!! (Note to self: this is the peace you've been looking for Michelle).

One small note: please pray for those who struggle at this time of year for loss of a loved one through death, divorce or otherwise. Loneliness is the WORST this time of the year!
Send a note to someone you know must be struggling at this time of year! Call them and tell them you've been thinking of them, or even invite them over to make cookies or wrap presents.


More cards and projects posted soon!


So, now you, what 3 recent Small Successes have you seen in your life?



The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible. ~Anonymous www.thinkexist.com

***More*** calendars for the Craft Show on Sunday!

Hi everyone! I am still getting ready for the craft show on Sunday.

My last post showed the Fridge Calendars that I made - now, I made some additional calendars - DESK calendars. These turned out really cute! I {{{LOVE}}} these! Last year I made these for all my best buds! I should make them refills! Hmm, good idea!!!



The ones shown at the bottom were weekly planners that were screaming for a new "cover" that I made as well.

What do you think?

What man's mind can create, man's character can control ~Thomas Edison about.com

Getting ready for a craft show with Calendars!

Hi everyone in blogland! I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Yum-O!!!

Sorry I've been M.I.A. lately. I have not be UN-creative, tho!

I've been working diligently getting ready for our church Cookie Sale & Bazaar! Here are some calendars - Fridge Calendars! These are really fun to make and easy-peasy!!! I found the calendar on SCS download forum as well as at this link. I printed them out on cardstock. Then trimmed them down to 3 1/2 x 8 1/2" and then embellished with stamped images. I used a 4 x 8 1/2" piece of chipboard (I've "borrowed one(+) from the back of a spiral notebook). Then using my CropADile punch, punched holes into calendar pages and chipboard. It's one strong tool! I love that thing!!!

Once the holes were punched, I used binder rings from Walmart to make it a flip! Using E6000 Glue, I made the calendars magnetic. These round magnets are quite strong since the calendar can be sort of heavy. When I started to glue these magnets down, they started to affect each other. The glue dried showing it's marks since the magnets moved - all on their own!!! Some forces you just cannot change!!! Hee hee!

Supplies used: Binder Rings Walmart/Chipboard (back of a spiral tablet)/magnets Hobby Lobby/

Calendar Download: Splitcoast Stamper Download Forum via http://catscreativeplace.blogspot.com/

Stamps: PaperTrey Ink, Amuse Art Stamps, The Angel Company, Cornish Heritage Farms/Markers: Copic and Spica/Ink: Palette and Momento Tuxedo Black/Cuttlebug Embossing folder

So teach us to number our days, That we may get us a heart of wisdom. ~Psalm 90:12