Week in Review

Each weekend in my Week in Review post I share with you some of my favorite crafty links I've come across during the week, from all over the blogosphere.  Hope you enjoy... and happy weekend!  

Paper Keeper at French Picnic 

A pretty way to keep paper organized and tucked away!  And I LOVE the stamped tag... of course!

Fabric Postcards at The Creative Place 

These are so fun!  And I am totally digging the fabric choices and combinations... so vibrant!

Easy Ruffled T-Shirt Scarf at Ruffles And Stuff 

This scarf is super easy to make and would make a great addition to any gals spring wardrobe!

Child's Tool Belt at Make It and Love It 

Talk about creative!  I just love this little tool belt for your littlest handy man!  If I had a little boy I would absolutely make him one of these!

Blueberry Sour Cream Muffins at Steinway Street 

Seriously... the photos of these muffins make my mouth water!  I can't wait to try them at home!

Recycled Notebooks at Auburn Street

I just love Sarah's style... and her ability to reuse and re-purpose.  Wouldn't you love to receive one of her notebooks as a gift?

Two Days Left!

Valentines Day may have come and gone... but hearts are a beautiful motif at any time of the year, for almost any occasion.  

 

Stampin' Up!'s  I (Heart) Hearts set is versatile and easy to use.  In fact, after getting my hands on this set (I had to borrow it from a friend because mine is on order and not scheduled to arrive until next week!) I don't think I've ever worked with a set that's easier to use than this.  

I had so much fun playing with the different hearts... they look great in bold colors and don't need much embellishment.  Clean and simple... my favorite style!  My favorite is the filigree heart (below, in dark blue), isn't it just to die for?  I think it's my all time favorite stamp.  Seriously!

Stampin' Up! made a commitment to help the relief efforts in Haiti, and is donating $2 from the sale of every I (Heart) Hearts set during the month of February to the American Red Cross.  Today is February 26th, which leaves you just two more days to order your set and join the cause!

By the middle of February, SU Demonstrators had sold nearly 10,000 sets... that's just shy of $20,000 for Haiti!  I can't wait to see how many sets have been sold during the entire month of February!

So please, if you like this set and want to help the relief efforts, take a moment this weekend to place your order.  Just go to my Stampin' Up! website and click on "Shop Now" 

I (Heart) Hearts is available in wood mount here, clear mount here (you'll also need to order this clear block if you don't already own a block to use them with), and it's even available in french or spanish!  If you're interested in ordering this set over the weekend and need help feel free to drop me a line at joanneroehm@yahoo.com - I'd be happy to assist you!

Special thanks and recognition to my customers Heather Hill, Belinda Robinson, Dawn Milley, and Elisabeth Tarchala who have already ordered this set!  Way to go!  And ENJOY!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used Above:  I (Heart) Hearts stamp set, Whimsical Words stamp set (SAB), Sahara Sand and Whisper White card stock, inks in Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Lovely Lilac, Pink Passion, YoYo Yellow, Gable Green, and Brilliant Blue, Stazon Jet Black Ink.

Oh, Baby!

 This post goes out to sweet Arwen, who recently had a darling baby boy of her own, and who dropped me a note last week looking for some baby shower gift ideas.  Hi, Arwen!   

Arwen's note was actually quite timely, because I'm soon going to be getting started working on some baby shower "stuff" for one of my dearest friends Meg (who's expecting a baby girl this summer)... so I'm in need of some ideas myself!  I'm going to be working on Meg's shower's centerpieces and favors... and of course I'll be working on creating some handmade gifts for her as well.

To get going on my projects, and get into the baby frame of mind, I did a little research and thought I'd share with you some resources from around the blogosphere... some of them I've known about for awhile and some that are brand new to me.  I'm hoping they'll help BOTH Arwen and I's creative juices flowing! 

Check out the baby shower section over at Kara's Party Ideas... her attention to detail in everything from Dr. Suess to Tractor themed showers is amazing!

There are some absolutely beautiful showers and gift ideas in the baby shower section at Design Dazzle (not to mention wonderful baby and kids room decorating ideas as well!)

The always outstanding One Pretty Thing has baby shower roundups with all kinds of projects here, here, here, here, here, and finally here... theme ideas as well as gifts to make!

And a new site to me, Hostess Blog has a baby shower section just full of ideas, themes, and more!

Handmade gifts I've personally given in the past include knitted baby hats, appliqued onesies, and fleece blankets, but I'm ready to expand my repertoire!  You can expect to hear lots about baby showers and shower gifts from me in the next few months... and maybe we can get Arwen to share what she decides to create as well?!

Tell me, friends, do you have any gift ideas for baby?  Or shower ideas?  Leave me (and Arwen!) a note (include a link if you have ideas on your blog) below and share your creativity!  I'd love to hear your ideas!

Photos are of shower favors I made for my darling, darling friend Heather's baby shower almost two years ago now.

Happy Together

I had some time today to play around with Stampin' Up!'s "Happy Together" stamp set, which I ordered last week.  This uber cute little set consists of five stamps, and can be used for any occasion or time of year.  It's just $14.95... which is a great deal as is, but with our Sale-A-Bration promotion going on right now, you can get this set absolutely FREE when you place an order of $50 or more! 

  How can you resist these little birdies?  I just love them!

 

 

  

I can't wait until I have time to design some more cards with this stamp set!  So fun!  As always, you can head over to my Stampin' Up! website to order this stamp set and more... the Sale-A-Bration promotion runs through March 31, so take advantage of it!

Stampin' Up! Products Used:  Melon Mambo cardstock and ink, Old Olive Cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Happy Together Stamp Set, Welcome Neighbor Deisgner Series Paper (SAB)

Magazine Decoupage Sketch Book

I like to keep organized, but sometimes I find that my craft projects and supplies take on lives of their own!  It's so hard to keep everything straight!

I was inspired by Lolly to start keeping a sketch book.  I'm using it as a place to pull together all of my ideas and brainstorming for some of my bigger projects like the bug birthday party, and a baby shower I'm working on (more on that, later!)

This sketch book isn't for my day to day projects, just the ones that require several weeks (or more!) of planning.  That way, I can cut and paste pictures and ideas I find online and in magazines along with swatches of paper and fabric I'm using and so on.

I wanted to spruce up the front of the sketchbook, and decided to kick it old school.  Since I have stacks of these sitting around...

 

 I busted out my scissors and mod podge to turn this...

Into this...

 

I can't even begin to count the number of middle school journals and notebooks I covered this way when I was younger... although the images I used back then were straight out of teeny bopper mags and goodness knows what else.  This is more of a grown up take on teeny bopper I guess... and I use the term "grown up" lightly!

Anyone else see the irony in me making a project out of the book that I'm supposed to be organizing my projects in??  Yup, that's how I roll people!

PS)  I'm guest blogging over at Making Lemonade today... head HERE to check it out.  And be sure to check out Carrie's wonderful blog while you're there - she has everything from baby stories (one adorable gal and a new little one on the way!) to recipes and crafty stuff to home makeover projects and more!

THE BRITISH INVASION: Sausage Rolls

New to the British Invasion?  I'm trying to get in touch with my British-side and learn to cook some of the staples from my childhood.  To find out more about this series... click on the Union Jack flag on your right!

Over Superbowl weekend I tackled Sausage Rolls!  A long-standing party snack in my parents' house, I've been eating sausage rolls since I can remember.  In England you could swing into any bakery and pick up an extra-large, warm and flaky sausage roll as a snack, or stop into just about any convenience store and find prepackaged sausage rolls right next to the sandwiches to go.

I absolutely lurve sausage rolls!

The closest thing I can equate them to in the US are pigs in a blanket... but they are SO MUCH BETTER than any pig in a blanket you could possibly make.  I'm dead serious!  Don't be offended... these are just better! 

And perhaps the best thing about sausage rolls (as I discovered just recently)?  They are pretty darn easy to make!  That's the kind of food I love to make... the EASY kind!

  

First, grab yourself a sheet of puff pastry and roll it out just about as thin as it will go.  Try your best to keep it in a square/rectangular shape.

 

 

Next, take about half of a roll of Bob Evans sausage (okay it doesn't HAVE to be Bob Evans... but that's the kind I used!) and roll it out long and skinny, coating it in flour.  The flour is important here, as it stops the sausage from becoming too moist while cooking...

 

  

Place the sausage on one end of your pastry (cut some off if necessary) and roll over once so the sausage is covered...

Beat an egg and use a pastry brush to "paint" along the length of your roll...

  

Flip over again and press gently to seal.

  

Cut along the edge of your roll, then cut sausage rolls to bite size pieces.  Cut the top of each one, and brush with the egg wash...

  

  Put them in the oven on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350 for about 20 minutes - keep an eye on them - they get overdone quickly!  When lightly brown and a little bubbly, remove from oven and enjoy!

 

WINNER!

Congratulations to you...

TEENABUGG38

Random.org selected you as the winner of the "Picture This" stamp set!

Drop me a note at joanneroehm@yahoo.com with your snail mail address and I'll have that out to you in a jiffy!

Thanks everyone for entering... what wonderful BUG PARTY ideas you had!  My creative juices are now flowing, that's for sure!  And for those of you that offered to send me pictures, or more ideas via e-mail... please do!  Thank you!

I'm stuck at home today with a rather nasty head and chest cold that came on all of a sudden over the weekend... I may be back around these parts later this evening with a little project-share, but if not be sure to check back tomorrow!

Happy Monday, friends!

Week in Review

Each weekend in my Week in Review post I share with you some of my favorite crafty links I've come across during the week, from all over the blogosphere.  Hope you enjoy... and happy weekend!  

The 15 Minute Dress at Trey and Lucy

This is so adorable and easy!  I could absolutely sew one (or a few) of these for Lily!

 

Easy Peasy $3 Necklance at I Didn't Sign Up For This  

Again, I love how easy this is - but it looks so great!  These would make great birthday presents for girlfriends, don't you think?

 Oilcloth Receipt Wallet at Skip to my Lou

I'm all about oilcloth lately... and heaven knows my purse can use any additional organization it can get!  I'm thinking this could definitely help me keep my receipts all in one place!

 

Button Rings at Maiden Jane

Today's theme must be simplicity because I just luuuuurve these rings!  They'd be great little stocking stuffers, and you could make them for all seasons/occasions!  Fun!

In Color Cards

In between writing a 20 page paper (first draft of one section of my master's thesis - yikes!) for my Wednesday night class I had time to squeeze in a little stamping this week.  I decided to play around wit the "In Color" series:  Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, and Melon Mambo.

I've been demo-ing these mini cards at workshops lately, and decided to stock up on a whole bunch for myself while playing around with different color combinations.  At just 3x3 inches, these mini square cards are the perfect size for me to slip in with customer orders or gifts.  For all you mom's out there - wouldn't these be cute to stuff into your child's backpack or lunchbox?

Stampin' Up! Products used:  Ink pads and cardstock in each Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, and Melon Mambo, Whisper White cardstock, Scallop border punch, heart to heart punch, Sanded background stamp, Love You Much stamp set.

When I have time to make cards for myself and my stash (which doesn't feel like too often since I'm almost always preparing for a workshop or class!) I always make things in sets or bulk to stock up!  I had a lot of fun playing around with a little different fold and the Flower Fancy stamp set.  I really like the bold look of this set, but I'm also thinking they'd be pretty in pastels!

Stampin' Up! Products used:  Ink pads and cardstock in each Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, and Melon Mambo, Whisper White cardstock, Stazon Jet Black Ink, Aqua Painters, Old Olive 5/8 inch Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Whimsical Words Stamp Set, Flower Fancy Stamp Set.

 

 

As always, you can head over to my Stampin' Up! website to order any of these products, and feel free to leave a comment or drop me an e-mail if you have any questions.  Oh, and in case you missed it yesterday... enter to WIN a stamp set of your own in my latest giveaway!  Good luck!

I hope everyone is having a great week... thanks for stopping by!

Buggin' Out! (Call for ideas and a GIVEAWAY!)

If you've been hanging around these parts for awhile now, you may remember me helping to throw a first birthday party for my niece Lily last year.  It was so much fun to do, and I loved being able to give her more than just a gift - something she can look back on in pictures the rest of her life.

If you missed the party... catch up with the posts HERE, HERE, and finally HERE.

Last year's theme was cupcakes... and it was very, very cute.  This year we're using this stamp set for inspiration and to get the creative juices flowing... (Bugs & Kisses from Stampin' Up!)

Yup, that's right, a bug party!  Now... we're talking cute bugs of course... not ugly, scary bugs!  : )

We're getting an early start on the planning this year (Lily turns 2 in May) and I'm looking for ideas!  It's not a huge party, and it's mostly adults... so we're not talking games and activities so much, more food, decorating, favors, etc. etc.  Get the idea?

Sooo... here's what I'm thinking... let's have a GIVEAWAY!  Leave me a comment with an idea for my bug birthday party (you can link to an existing idea or picture on the web, it doesn't necessarily have to be something you come up with yourself... and it doesn't need to be related to the stamp set above... just fit the bug theme!) and I'll enter you to win!  Win what you ask?  How about this?

It's the "Picture This" stamp set that I used HERE and HERE.  It's actually a hostess stamp set in the Occasions Mini Catalog - so it's not one that's available to buy, and it's not one that will be around at all anymore come summertime.  It's a really useful set - I love it!

Your set will be a wood mounted set, not the clear mount that's shown here.  That way all you need is ink and paper and you're good to go!

Here are the official giveaway rules:


1.  Leave me a comment with your idea for my party... for one entry.

2.  If you are a follower, or become a follower, let me know in your comment... for a second entry.

3.  If you are a fan on my Stampin' Up! fan page on Facebook, or become one (see the box on your right?)... get a THIRD entry.


4.  Sorry, giveaway limited to US Residents only

5.  Giveaway is open until midnight EST on Sunday, February 21 and I'll announce the winner on Monday.


Good luck!  Hope you win!

Craftypod Project Keepers

 

I see lots and lots of projects on blogs that I "file away for later" because they are such wonderful ideas.  Some of them I know I'll never try, but I save them anyway.  Some I have every intention of trying, but for one reason or another I never do.  And then rarely, very rarely, there comes a project that I feel like I must drop everything I'm doing and try it right now!

When I saw Diane at Craftypod's post and tutorial on Project Keepers (I first posted about it HERE) I knew it was a must-do-now type of project.  After all, I had had some oil cloth in my stash for at least six months just waiting to be put to use!

  

I didn't make the tags like she did... I was in a bit of a hurry.  I used sticky labels to close my keepers... but when I have more time I am going to add some velcro I think.  Here's to keeping me at least a little bit more organized!  Yippee!

 

Valentines Swap

I know, I know... Valentines Day is over and it's time to move on... but I promise this will be my last post covered in pinks and hearts!

I've been just dying to show you pictures from the Valentines Card Swap I participated in, hosted by two lovely gals and friends o mine Angie and Sarah.

Note:  To me this swap is extra fun because when I say "friends o mine" I truly mean it.  I know Angie in "real life" and have done for four years now... we worked together and she helped me through one of the toughest parts of my life.  When she lived in Michigan we had a terrible time trying to squeeze in time to get together...we're such busy people!  Now that she's moved to Kansas I think we've grown *closer* in large part due to our blogging.  And Sarah... Sarah is Angie's BFF (I feel like I'm talking about BFF's a lot lately... I don't even like the term... but it's quick to type!) and lives, get this, just a few blocks from me.  We've never met in real life, but have got to know each other through Angie and our blogs.  I'm thinking she and I need to do lunch soon!  Look at how crazy this blogging community is - defining both in-person and long-distance relationships all over the place!

I had a great time designing some cards for the swap.  I think they have a little bit of a vintage-y feel... not as "cutesy" as my style tends to generally be.  Plus I loved using this particular fold...

  

 

And of course I got some lovely and creative Valentines in the mail in return.  This photo card is by Rebecca... you should check out her Etsy shop.  Beautiful things!

This little Valentine (love the quote!) came from Ally... (no blog info... so if you're out there let me know so I can link to you!)

This Valentine from Michelle of Slightly Domesticated makes me yearn for elementary school days!  Wouldn't a variation of this be a great way to preserve the Valentines that your little one got from school this year?  A laminated collage so that you could see both sides of the Valentines?  You could even make it scrapbook size to fit into his/her memory book.  Love!

And this card has Angie written all over it.  I would have known it was from her even if I didn't recognize the return address or read her note.  She has such a unique style with great attention to detail.

This is the first swap I've done in awhile... they're so fun!  I've got some ideas floating around for a Spring swap later this year.  What do you think, readers... are you up for participating in a little crafty swap, too??