Dried Flowers

Hi Everyone! 

Recently, Ms. Connie Stumm of Fannies Follies sent me a package with items made from Dried Flowers. The items were absolutely beautiful. I really love the bookmark she sent me. I will be using that for my Bible. After I looked into it, I discovered a whole new world of crafts using Dried Flowers. It is a very popular niche in the crafting industry. I found out that there are even nail artists who are using dried flowers in nail designs. Dried Flowers are also very popular among Scrappers who make scrapbooks, tags, and cards.

For More information about Dried Flowers with Fannies Follies, please click here.

Happy Crafting and God bless, Chan

Birdie Condo by Connie Stumm

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Rubix Cube 40th Anniversary

Rubix Cube is 40 years old this year!  This combination puzzle was invented in 1974 by Hungarian professor, Erno Rubik.  It was originally called the Magic Cube.  By the 1980s, this toy was being sold worldwide.  The main colors on the Rubix cube are Red, Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green, and White.  Hey, they left out pink!  LOL

I had a Rubix cube in the 1980s.  It was a favorite of mine second only to the arcade game of Pac Man.  I only solved the Rubix Cube one time and I don't know how I did that.  I just kept trying until it happened. 

To this day, people are still paying the Rubix Cube.  In fact, they have annual Speed cubing competitions for the Rubix every year.  I love the Rubix Cube because it reminds me of the fun times I had as a child and I am very thankful for those memories.  Happy 40th Birthday, Rubix Cube!  I wish you many, many more! 

Now where's that Pink Rubix Cube?

God bless, Chan

Rubix Cube 40th Anniversary

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Paper Roses

Recently, I've been making a lot of my own paper roses.  I am really enjoying myself because I have so much more options in color and choice for my flowers.  I've been using a variety of different punches and dies.  In addition, I've been experimenting with using different distress inks.  I've noticed that the color of ink that is used on the flower gives it a whole new look.  I am going to be uploading a video about my paper flower endeavor soon.  Until then, I'll be rolling and punching some more flowers and having loads of fun. 

Happy Crafting and God bless, Chan



Making Paper Flowers is Fun!  I made these last week while watching TV. 



These are peach coral flowers.  I stared with cream card stock and distressed the edges with hot pink distress ink.  I believe I used worn lipstick by Tim Holtz.   



Combination Flower.  I used a five flower punch combined with a swirl flower die to create this one. 



I call this my country flower.  I used wooden buttons with twine. 
 



Make a Paper Flower Buffet! 

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National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

May 15th is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!  Oh Yeah!  Who doesn't love a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie.  It is by far my favorite cookie of all cookies.  Chocolate chip was invented by Ruth Wakefield of Whitman, Massachusetts in 1938 so this year, it is 76 years young!  The cookie is also the official state cookie of Massachusetts.  Go Chocolate Chip!  I may just run out and get a box today!  

God bless, Chan 

 Ingredients

3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)

Directions

Sift flour together with salt and set aside.

Cream together butter and sugars. Add the eggs mixing until combined. Dissolve baking soda in hot water and add alternately with flour mixture. Add vanilla and mix until thoroughly combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate for 36 to 48 hours.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Scoop out rounded tablespoonfuls refrigerated dough and roll between hands into a ball. Place onto a parchment lined baking sheet and press ball down to flatten. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until golden brown. Cool cookies on the pan for 2 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

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How to Recycle Old Soap

Do you have a old soap pieces around the house?  Did you buy some soap a long time ago because it was on sale but you had to stop using it because it made your skin dry?  If so, I have the answer for you.  Recycle your soap, add lotion to the mixture, and use your old soap again.  After I added lotion pink soap, I took a bath with that soap and I felt like a newborn baby afterwards.  No dry skin and I didn't need rub on lotion either.  Watch my video about How to recycle old soap.  It is very easy to do and only takes about 15 minutes.  Recycle and Reuse!  

Items you will need to recycle soap:

Old Soap 

Cheese grater

Lotion to add moisture to soap (optional) 

a pot for melting the old soap 

water to put with the melting soap

muffin pan to mold the soap

butter knife to remove the soap from mold

Happy Crafting and God bless, Chan 

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Happy Mother's Day Celebration

Happy, Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers around the world and in the heavens above.  Thank you for everything you have done and everything you continue to do.  I made some additional items for Mother's Day. I made a bouquet of white flowers for my Mom who is deceased.  I also made a floral postcard to send to heaven.

May God be with all of us today,

Once Again, Happy Mother's Day. . . . I love you, Mom

God bless, Chan



This is a picture of me and my mom.  As always, Mom is here showing me love. 

In the mother's day tradition, if your mom is deceased, you get white flowers. If she is alive it is red flowers. 



A Floral Postcard for my Mom.



To Mom "In Care of God"

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers! 

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Anna Jarvis Who Invented Mother's Day

Who invented Mother's Day?

Miss Anna Reeves Jarvis (1864-1948) founded Mother's day to pay tribute to wonderful legacy of mothers.  During this time,  most holidays focused on Men's accomplishments only, so Miss Jarvis started Mother's Day to celebrate the accomplishments of women.  She had a very close relationship with her mother and loved her very much.  Although, Miss Jarvis had no children of her own, she still understood the significance of Mothers.


Anna Jarvis Quote

I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mothers day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life. She is entitled to it. —Ann Reeves Jarvis

First Mother's Day History

The first Mother's Day Celebration was held in 1908.  Miss Jarvis started the tradition of wearing a white flower and visiting her mom on that special day.  Soon after she started the holiday, merchants began selling flowers, candy, and cards.  Miss Jarvis was very upset with the commercialization of this sacred holiday and spoke out against the business owners who were profiting from the day. 

When did Mother's Day Begin

In 1914, Congress made Mother's Day an official Holiday. I'm sure there probably was some serious lobbying going on by the merchants to get this done.  They wanted to make more money from the holiday.

On Mother's Day Do I Wear White or Red Flowers?

Things have changed.  In the beginning, the white carnation was only designated for this day.  Now red flowers are used for living mothers and white are now reserved for deceased mothers.  But I feel like you can give your mom whatever color she likes.  It's what's in your heart that matters.

Anna Jarvis Quote

Its whiteness is to symbolize the truth, purity and broad-charity of mother love; its fragrance, her memory, and her prayers. The carnation does not drop its petals, but hugs them to its heart as it dies, and so, too, mothers hug their children to their hearts, their mother love never dying. When I selected this flower, I was remembering my mother’s bed of white pinks.  —Anna Reeves Jarvis

Mother's Day 2014 and Beyond! 

Since the very first celebration of this blessed day, Mother's day sales have skyrocketed.  Every year,  we spend billions of dollars on gifts and cards for our Mothers on this day. 

And guess what?  I think our Mamas are worth every penny! 

Happy Mother's Day! 

God Bless, Chan

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