Gingerbread, Tresses and Ties

This is the best recipe for gingerbread cookies that I have ever tried:

1 C. Butter                                                     1-1/2 tsp. baking soda 

1 C. Sugar                                                      1/2 tsp. salt 

1 egg                                                              1 T. ginger

1 C. Molasses                                                1 tsp. cinnamon

2 Tbls. vinegar                                               1 tsp. cloves (ground)

5 C. flour

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, add egg, molasses
and vinegar.  Sift dry ingredients together and add to butter and
sugar mixture.   Mix well.

 On a greased cookie sheet, bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

We, my daughter Jessica and I, made the tresses for the gingerbread
people, ( is that politically correct?  :-) ) by using a garlic press.

I put brown food coloring in some of the cookie dough to make
the brown hair.

Wallah!! brown hair for the cookies.

Jessica cut out little ties for the gingerbread men.

Hungry onlookers kept vigil over the proceedings...

(Jessica's sons, Isaac and Eric)

Roll out on a floured surface, cut out your shapes
bake and we are ready to frost....

Just confectioners sugar, milk or cream and
your choice of food colorings. We like to
paint ours on.  And sprinkles of course...

Isaac and Eric liked this one because he looks like he is
 praising the Lord.

Doesn't she look nice with those cute bows in her hair.

They each get placed in a little snowflake celophane bag
with a sticker on the back.

 I have this cute wooden handled
winter decorated box that is perfect to keep them in.
They are ready to be passed out to my grandchildren,
 students and friends.
Enjoy!!!!!

Vintage Custom Cards

I have just finished another set of custom cards.

 These are for Leah.

 

Leah likes more of the vintage style. I enjoyed making

 them for her so much because I would tend

to like the same things sort of things.

I saw these cut out hymnal daisies on a

tutorial by Todolwyn as well as
this feather below..... I just think they
are both so sweet and delicate looking...

I used real feathers on the card below, looks kind of
swanky, don't you think....

Leah liked all of  her cards, I made her an extra one,
partly becauseI had so many ideas, partly because I took a little
 longer making them,and partly because
 she is my wonderful daughter.....

a loving wife to John, and the mother of six
 of my energetic grandchildren....

Now, this collection was for Leah, but I would love
to make you your own custom collection also........

You choose the theme and color palette, whether is would
be birds, butterflies, flowers, scriptures, children or
whatever you like.

These would make great gifts also, for a birthday or
someone you just want to say 'thank you' to...

My custom collection is listed at
my ETSY shop.

You can convo me about any details or ideas you want
for your collection.

Looking for something else to Paint?

The other day I was in my craft/painting/guest room

 trying to bring in some order...

I laid down on the carpet, for a moment to rest and looked

up at the ceiling,and marvelled....
well it's not exactly the Sistine Chapel or anything,
 but I thought it looked,

well.... charming...

Several years ago,

before my youngest daughter got married,

she asked if I would paint something on her ceiling.

So I did, it was done almost entirely with three or four

different stencils.  I went around and around

the room adding one layer at a time.

It was quite an undertaking, and I don't think I'd do it again.
In fact, I get a neck ache just thinking about it.

Overall though, I think it turned out very sweet and

when the grandchildren spend the night,
 they like looking at it.

Blingy Birds Winner!!!!

The winner of my stupendous 'Blingy Birds' Giveaway is:

Angie@KnickofTime

As soon as I get your home address, I will send them out.

You can contact me through my Etsy shop, if you like...

Thanks to everyone who participated in my giveaway.

Winter Sky

The carriage travels the hard packed snow of the

country road.  The quaint scattered houses along the lane

and the heaped up sparkling snow, the broken

down country fence and the beautiful yellow winter sky.

The first time I ever witnessed a yellow sky, like this, in the winter,

in the daytime was last winter.  Until then, I had only ever seen them

 on paintings and such....

 It was quite a lovely sight to actually behold.

I love to look at the sky at the different seasons of the year.

God's handiwork....

This painting, along with my 'White Horse Inn'

painting were both from cards that I recieved long ago.

The scene was so engaging, that I had to try to paint it.

And so I did, changing many of the subtleties of the original

but still keeping with the theme.

I have printed my version of the painting onto heavy,

feather-edged cardstock cards. The cards are blank inside

and come with matching feather-edged envelopes.

As you can see from the picture, I have softened up the edges

and smattered them with a generous amount of ultra fine

crystal glitter, ya know, for that frosty look.

These cards and many other any occasion cards are

available in my ETSY  shop.

I don't know who the original artist of the painting, but

if you do, please let me know. Thanks....

Featured at Larissa Hill Designs

Heather of Larissa Hill Designs has graciously featured my etsy shop  today.  Thank you so much!!!!

http://larissahill.blogspot.com/2011/12/etsy-inspiration-giveaway-south-bay.html

Blingy Birds--- GIVEAWAY

Morning Song

I love giveaways, don't you? 

I will be giving away these two blingy

bird magnets. They are sure to brighten

up anyone's kitchen or wherever....

They would make the perfect little gift

for the person who has everything...

or not?!

Pinecones

Each magnet is 2 in. square and is

embellished with colorful rhinestones

all the way around the edge.

All you need to do for a chance at getting these

 stupendous blingy bird magnets is:

1.  Become a follower

2. Visit my Etsy shop

3.Leave a comment here

and let me know what

you like in my shop.

I will announce the winner on

Friday, Dec. 9th at 6:00 p.m.

BEST CRANBERRY SALAD EVER!!

This most assuredly is the best Cranberry Salad ever.

The night before:

Grind 1 package of cranberries (to a pulp)

Add 1 c. sugar and a little (1/4-1/2c. hot water)

Refrigerate over night.

Next day:
Cut red grapes in half (or smaller) to measure 1 cup
(set aside)
Add a package (10 1/2 oz.) mini-marshmallows to the
cranberry mixture.( let set)
Whip 1 pint of whipping cream, mix into cranberry mixture
along with 1 12oz. container of Cool Whip
Add grapes
Add 1 c. chopped walnuts (optional)
Stir and refrigerate!!!

This recipe makes 1 gallon of cranberry salad, so ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!

The Winner is...

Today through Dec. 2nd,
in my ETSY shop, everything is

 20% off

 of your entire purchase!!!!
  Simply type
in SALE20 at checkout.

The winner of my 'Cardinal'  set of five cards is:

SJ

of

Homemaker on a Dime

As soon as I recieve your address, I will send them out to you.

Leave your comment here and I will get back to you.

Thank you everyone who joined in my giveaway.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day....

Cardinals

I have just recently finished my watercolor painting,

 'Cardinals'

I love how the two are nestled in

amongst heavy snow ladened fir boughs.

There are no cardinals here in Olympia, where I live,

but when I lived back east in Rhode Island for a

time, I would occasionally see them and they were

a rare and beautiful sight to behold.

I have printed my painting onto heavy, feather-edged

cardstock cards, they are blank inside and also come

with matching feather edged envelopes.

I have softened up the edges a little bit and heavy ladened 

those boughs with a generous amount of ultra fine crystal glitter

 (which doesn't really show up on this picture very well). 

 This is not my usual smattering of a little here

 and there for that frosty look  :-)   No, it's alot!!!

Thes cards and many more are all available at

 my ETSY store.

Congrats

And now, the winner of my set of 5

   'Winter Cardinal'  cards is:

Connie

of

Quilting by the River

As soon as I recieve your mailing address, I will
send them on their way.

Thank you everyone who entered my giveaway!

These cards as well as many more all occasion cards,
magnets, pendants,paintings and gifts are
available at my

ETSY shop.

White Horse Inn

There is just something about this frosty night scene that

draws me right in.The moonlit evening,the silently falling snow,

 the  ride down the winding snow covered lane through the

rustic little village to the White Horse Inn.

 A server greets you with a warm beverage, maybe

hot buttered rum, or some warm spiced wine.

Snow scenes are probably my favorite kind of paintings.

I have often practiced painting by looking at other interesting

paintings and trying to do them in my particular style.

 (whatever that is).

This painting was inspired by a card that someone gave me a

 long time ago. It was so intriguing to me that I had to try to paint it.

 I have changed many of the subtleties on the painting,

 but have kept the general thought.

I have printed my painting onto heavy,
feather edged cardstock cards. They are all blank inside
and come with matching feather edged envelopes.
I have added lots of ultra fine crystal glitter to add to
the frosty moonlit look.

For a while, I tried to find out who the original artist was, because

I loved their style and wanted to look at other of their works.

I never did discover the artist, if you know, please let me know.

These cards and many other all occasion cards are
available at my ETSY store.

Blingy Bird Magnets

Hi there everyone, I have just finished some more

refrigerator, white board or wherever magnets.

They are so engaging, each with its own little story to tell
 and each a unique and wonderful wintertime bird scene. 

Rimmed with colorful rhinestones, they will brighten
up any kitchen.

  For instance,

Flying South

These two sweet birdies watch in wonder as three geese
 fly by...... probably heading south...

This magnet is a 2 in. square beautiful beveled glass.
 with green rhinestones surrounding...

 And then there's...

Pine Bough Meeting

These three are discussing the plan of action for the day...

Beautiful 2 in. square, smooth fired glass with

green rhinestones surrounding the outside.

Also...

Robin

A lone robin waits and watches for springtime...

Fine fired 2 in. square glass,

embellished by red rhinestones.

And then there is...

Winter Sky Robins

    These sweet birds sing their praises in the

early winter morning light....

Fine beveled 2 in. square glass

surrounded by gold rhinestones.

Holly Birds

Nestled in the moonlight, saying

their evening prayers.....

Beautiful 2 in. square beveled glass surrounded

by colorful red rhinestones... 

All of these and many more can be seen at

my ETSY store.

And the Winner is....

The winner of my  'Morning Ride' five

card giveaway is: 

Rettabug

of

The Gazebo House

Congrats!

As soon as you send me your address via

e-mail, I will send your cards to you.

Thank you every who entered my giveaway for

this set of lovely cards.  At present time, I am also

having a giveaway for my 'Winter Cardinal' set of

five cards. See the post below for details.

Winter Cardinal

I love all the nuances of color and the interesting

composition of this painting. All of the intricacies of

 someone who really knows how to paint.

This lovely card was printed from an original watercolor
 painting done by my mother, V. duBois-Boyle. Even though
 she is nearly 85 yrs.old, she still paints, and is an exhibiting
 artist in the Denver area and a member of the

Colorado Watercolor Society.

My mon has been an artist for as long as I can

  remember. As a child, her easel would be set up in

 our family room from time to time as she

would work on mostly oil paintings at that time.

I have printed this lovely painting onto heavy,
feather-edged cardstock cards.

I have added just a smattering of ultra

 fine crystal glitter to give it that frosty look.

These cards come with matching

feather-edged envelopes.

I have listed these cards as an individual card,

sets of five, sets of ten and sets of twenty and they
are available at my etsy store along with many
other all occasion greeting cards, paintings
and much more. All of my cards are blank inside.

Visit my ETSY shop here.

Custom Cards

Recently, for my granddaughter Rose's birthday,

 I made her a few custom cards.

Rose just turned 12 and is a happy and sweet young lady,

 loves to be with people, and has many interests.

She has many friends, and likes to correspond

with them the old fashioned way,
 via snail mail, on occasion.

And so, I have made her a variety of cards that
I thought she would like...

Now, this is Rose's collection, but I would love
to create a handmade set of cards for you.

This would make a great gift for any time of the
year.  Perhaps someone who lives a long
distance from you, or not...

 Free gift wrapping would be included.

All I would need to know is a name and maybe
a theme, as: birds, flowers, mothers with children, vintage
looking, inspirational, scriptural or whatever you can think of.

Check out my
ETSY
store for ideas. I will post under custom
collection and you can convo me with your ideas,
thoughts or questions