Gracious Rain

February 4, 2009June 30, 2020

All at the same time…

It’s funny, isn’t it, how no matter how many projects and things get finished–there is always something else to work on. In fact, earlier today I figured that I had 4 different crochet projects in the works–each with their own deadline.

But in doing the real count, it turns out to actually be 7.

Baby Keni’s shawl—in progress

There is one white blessing shawl for my nephew, a pink shawl for baby Keni, three different greenWinkle bags, a Lily sweater and a hoodie for another nephew– all at varying stages of progress. Of course they are each in a different tote bag–with the yarn, the hook, the pattern, the scissors–everything needed to complete it.

Beckham’s Lamb– just finished

Maybe this would drive some people nuts–having so much going on–all at the same time. But it works for me, because I can just grab a bag on my way out the door and POOF! I’m ready to work whenever I find myself just…waiting.

Which moms do a lot.

Nephew Caelin’s Blessing Shawl– in progress

Now, I did try once–long ago, to force myself to stick with one thing until it was finished–before I would let myself move on. But the problem with that was–I could never work on whatever it was in front of whoever it was for. So I’d end up sitting around doing nothing.

Kiss of death to a twitchy chick like me.

Lily’s Lamb– finished

I remember the words to the Primary song, “I have two little hands folded snuggly and tight…” But it must not have sunk in because these hands don’t like to fold snuggly and tight.

I’d go nuts.

So this way works better for me.

By having a bunch of stuff ready to work on, I can grab just the right project no matter where I’m going or who I’ll be with.

This way, it helps to keep all the birthday secrets—secret…

…and my weird twitchy hands from…

you know…

…twitching.

And that’s a good thing.

February 3, 2009June 30, 2020

Scrabble Tile Pendant

The perfect project for all the ladies on your Valentine list, these pendants can be made to fit any personality.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Wooden Scrabble Tiles (you can get these on ebay, or just get the game and cannabalize it…or if you live around me, I already did that, and I’m sure I have a few I can spare)
Super Glue
Diamond Glaze
ModPodge or Tacky Glue

Jewelry Bails (the little metal loop that you thread a necklace chain through)
Emery board or sandpaper

Scrapbook Paper
Scissors or Craft Knife (exacto blade)
Paintbrush or sponge brush

Here goes…

Step 1: Glue the bail (little metal loop) to the back of your tile. You have 2 options here, you can either glue it to the letter side, so that when the pendant is worn, there is a letter on the back and a pretty scrapbook paper design on the front. The advantage to doing it this way is that when you glue your paper on later, you don’t have to worry about it indenting in the shape of the letter engraved on the tile. They do that sometimes, depending on the thickness of the paper. Your other option is to glue the bail to the blank side, so that the pendant has a blank back, which looks cleaner. Also, you can make a pendant just out of the tile, without covering it with scrapbook paper for an initial pendant, in which case you would want to glue the bail to the blank side, as the scrabble letter should be facing out.

I use super glue to glue my bails on most of the time, but tacky glue also works, as does gorilla glue. I use the tip of the craft knife to hold the bail in place so I don’t get glue on my fingers.

If you’re using glue that takes a while to dry, try propping the bail up with something, so you can leave it to dry. Don’t try to hold it dry, it will not set solidly. Let the glue dry for several hours before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: While the glue is drying, cut out a piece of scrapbook paper just a little bit bigger than the scrabble tile. Alternately, I have seen people use photos of their children or pets, or hand paint the tile itself. Or even using scrapbook paper and glitter glue, or little rhinestones. Use the ModPodge or Tacky Glue and a paintbrush or foam brush to apply a thin coat of adhesive to the front of the tile, then glue your paper on.

Make sure to press all the bubbles out, if you get any. You can use a kitchen spatula, or bone folder, if you have one. Also, now is the time to use any glitter, rhinestones, etc, if you’re so inclined. Wait for the glue to dry. If you don’t wait long enough, when you move on to the next part it will tear your paper…so be patient. 🙂

Step 3: Using your craft knife, trim the excess paper from around the tile.

Step 4: Using the emery board, file the edges or the paper so that it doesn’t extend past the edge of the tile. You can also use the sandpaper to distress the surface a bit, if you like that look.

Step 5: Use something to help your tiles lay flat horizontally. I used a bamboo skewer. I have also used a ruler, and a post-it note pad. Anything works.

Using the Diamond Glaze (speaking of which, I had a really hard time finding this. I finally tracked it down at my local Archivers store. I know you can get it online also, and at one point, I thought Stampin’ Up carried something similar, as well. It’s basically a dimensional resin-type stuff. Hopefully it’s easier for you to track down, if not, I’ll offer some alternatives in just a sec.) first squeeze a little bit out on to a piece of scratch paper, and keep the pressure on the bottle as you go to put it on the tile. Why? Because Diamond Glaze is notorious for starting out with a bubble, and equally notorious for being impossible to remove bubbles from. So it’s easier to get the bubble out on some scratch paper first. I’ve found it’s easiest to go around the edges first, and then fill in the middle. The idea is to cover the decorated top of the tile. I usually do several thin coats, rather than one thick one. It tends to pucker and distort with one thick layer, as the top dries before the inside does.

If you can’t (or don’t want to) find Diamond Glaze, just break out the trusty ModPodge again, and coat your tile a few times, to seal the paper.

If you do get a bubble, get that exacto blade and try scooting the bubble off the edge. You will not be able to pop it, it doesn’t work that way. Just try scooting it off the edge of the tile.

Last step: Let it dry! It takes longer than you think. In fact, you should probably let it sit overnight. The last thing you want is your pretty little fingerprint in the middle of all your hard work. Additionally, these are not waterproof. Wearing them in the pool/shower/bath/waterfight is generally not recommended.

So there you have it! A cute, trendy, gift for your Valentines!

April

February 2, 2009February 10, 2022

Buckeye Bars

I first saw this on the Kraft recipe website. Pretty simple to make. My family could hardly keep their hands off them long enough for me to get a picture.

Oh, and this recipe uses semi-sweet chocolate, but since we’re bigger fans of the lighter stuff, I used milk chocolate for the topping. Also, if you aren’t into microwave ovens–we’re not–you can melt the chocolate and cool whip over a double boiler. It worked fine. And here’s a tip–for a nice, clean cut–use a pizza cutter to slice them into perfect squares.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

3/4 cup crunchy peanut butter

22 NILLA Wafers, crushed

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 of 8-oz. tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping (do not thaw)

3 squares BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Line an 8-inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Beat butter and peanut butter with mixer until blended. Mix in wafer crumbs. Gradually add sugar, mixing well after each addition. Press onto bottom of pan.

Microwave COOL WHIP and chocolate in bowl on HIGH 1 min.; stir. Microwave 15 to 30 sec. or until chocolate is melted; stir until blended. Spread over peanut butter layer.

Refrigerate 2 hours. Use foil handles to lift dessert from pan before cutting to serve.

Now all that’s left is to find someone sweet to give them to…

Buckeye Bars

Ingredients

½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
¾ cup crunchy peanut butter
22 NILLA Wafers, crushed
2 cups powdered sugar
½ of 8-oz. tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping (do not thaw)
3 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Instructions

Line an 8-inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides.
Beat butter and peanut butter with mixer until blended.
Mix in wafer crumbs.
Gradually add sugar, mixing well after each addition.
Press onto bottom of pan.
Microwave COOL WHIP and chocolate in bowl on HIGH 1 min.; stir.
Microwave 15 to 30 sec. or until chocolate is melted; stir until blended.
Spread over peanut butter layer.
Refrigerate 2 hours.
Use foil handles to lift dessert from pan before cutting to serve.

February 1, 2009July 5, 2020

Love Is…

…the Most Powerful Force in the World

“The eternal truth that our Heavenly Father loves all his children is an immensely powerful idea. It is especially powerful when children can visualize it through the love and sacrifice of their earthly parents. Love is the most powerful force in the world.”

Dallin H. Oaks

January 31, 2009January 20, 2022