AN ALBUM FOR LUCY HOPE

I made this sweet little album for a new baby girl, and I made a video of it, so you could see it before it was mailed off. My Close To My Heart business is doing pretty well, and I had a successful party this afternoon at a scrapbook crop. I'm still not a very good stamper, but I love making the cards. Enjoy the video, and let me know what you think. I am going to start selling custom made mini albums in my Etsy shop for $35.00. If anyone is interested in an album made especially for you (or someone you want to give a gift to), let me know.

WHAT DO YOU GET THE WOMAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING FOR HER BIRTHDAY?

My oldest daughter's birthday is 2 days before Thanksgiving, and I haven't the foggiest idea what to buy her for her birthday.  She already has everything anyone could possibly want, and her taste in jewelry is expensive and personal.  Does anyone have any good ideas for a 44 year old woman with a great career and a wonderful husband and young son - other than a day at a spa away from it all.  She will be arriving in town for Thanksgiving on her birthday, so I want to get her something special and personal, but, for the life of me, I don't know what.  I have gone to the mall, and nothing jumped out at me.  If I don't get any good suggestions, I'll have to go back to the mall and try again.  Ugh!!  I hate to go to the mall at this time of year, don't you?  It's such a Christmas madhouse already.  I usually do all my shopping online, but now I've waited too long and time's a wastin".  I guess I'll put my thinking cap on and go out for lunch - maybe that'll help.  If you have any suggestions, leave comments below, PLEASE!

FRONT OF RECIPE BOX

 

I am so proud of myself! I finally finished the recipe box that Kathy from Paper Phenomenon had a tutorial for. You all really need to check out her blog. She has some wonderful projects, and I subscribe to her blog. This box is for my daughter, who badly needs a place to store her many recipes, and then I'm going to give two more as gifts to two friends. Enjoy! Love to all.

My Etched Glass Project

Here's a picture (again below the ad) of the etched glass Christmas "block" that I gave to my hairdresser.  I made it last night, and I thought it turned out so pretty that I'd show it to you.  It's so easy, but you should wear rubber gloves and old clothes, because that etching cream is wicked stuff and can eat up your skin if you get it on you.  Here's what I did:
 
          You will need:
                  1 - glass block with an opening in the bottom (found at Hobby Lobby)
                  1 - small bottle of glass etching cream (also found at Hobby Lobby in the stained glass section.)
                  1- adhesive backed vinyl stencil ( I used my Cricut and the Cricut vinyl to cut out the snowflake).
                  1 - string of about 25 small white Christmas lights
                  2 inch wide wired Christmas ribbon - enough to make a pretty bow.
                  rubber gloves - just cheap throw away ones, if you want
                  1 - one inch hobby paint brush or foam disposable brush (Hobby Lobby).

First, wash the glass block with warm dish soap and water to get the grease and those irritating price tags and labels off.  Dry well, and take out the plastic cover from the hole at the bottom, in case any water got in.  Then cut your stencil out of adhesive vinyl or adhesive shelf paper - anything that will stick on good but can be removed when you're through.  Stick it on the front of the glass and smooth it out well, making sure that all edges are stuck on good.  Then apply the etching cream very thickly all over the front face of the block - including all over the stencil.  Rinse the brush off with warm water, and it can be used again.  Ignore the directions on the etching bottle, because these blocks have very thick glass.  Leave the etching cream on for 40 minutes, at least, and sit down and have a hot toddy or eat supper.  When the 40 minutes is up, hold the block under the faucet and run lukewarm water over it rather forcefully, and, lo and behold, when the cream is all gone, and you have peeled off your stencil,  you will have a frosted glass front to your block with a beautiful design on it.  Ta Da!!
Wasn't that easy?  Now you can do like I did and etch every piece of glass in your house.  When the block is dried off well, put the string of lights inside, leaving a good length so it can be plugged in.  Wrap around the block with the ribbon and do a nice bow on top, and there you are.  I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results, and they make great gifts for friends.  Have fun with it.  That's my project for today - hope you liked it.

I did manage to finally get my hair cut today, so now I have my spikey look back again.  I am a happy camper.  Best wishes.