Are the holidays really over?

 

 

 

 

It hasn't even been two weeks since Christmas, and we are jumping right into Valentine's Day.  Okay, to be honest, I saw Valentine Candy and decorations in the stores on December 26.  WOW.  Not that I should be surprised, I myself am happy about it.  Well, sort of.  My birthday is the day after Valentine's Day, so I don't really look forward to that holiday, at least once I turned 30 (does NOT matter how long ago that was).  I'm actually not much of a birthday person when it comes to my OWN birthday.  But ANYWAY, back to Valentine's Day. 

 

 

Even though it seems WRONG to be preparing for the next holiday, it's kind of fun.  And this is a pink hearts kind of holiday.  I can really get into that one. Which of course, I have!  I have already made about two dozen Valentine Hair Bows and am working on some flower hair bows.  What color you ask?  Duh... PINK! 

 

Click here >>>>> www.facebook.com/craftaddictenabler to see all the new bows I made and posted.  Oh, and "like" my page there while you're at it. 

 

So again, back to Valentine's Day. I would LOVE to hear how you all celebrate it.  My husband and I always go to the Melting Pot, which is a Fondue Restaurant, on or about Valentine's Day.  With 7 kids and our weird schedules, it's usually not ON the 14th.  We strayed from the Melting Pot once and tried a local restaurant that was supposed to be "fancy".  Yuk.  It was ridiculously expensive, not very good, and quite frankly, uncomfortable.  So, we are back to our "usual" the Melting Pot.  Why do we always do the same thing?  Because the food is great.  The atmosphere is wonderful, and we KNOW we will not end up disappointed on a very special night, that costs us around $60 or more just for the babysitter, let alone the cost of the dinner.  So with so much at stake financially, we don't want to add to the stress by taking a "risk" somewhere new.  Sounds so "old folky" doesn't it?  I don't care.  I appreciate the routine of ONCE A YEAR at Valentine's Day.  Oh, and we have the same "go to" restaurant for our anniversary, which is exactly 6 months after Valentine's Day.  hehe.  Old people are predictable, aren't they? 

 

So, as I make the aforementioned flower hair bows, I will take pictures and post a tutorial.  The ribbon hair bows I have posted tutorial to before, so I will change it up a bit with felt flowers. 

 

Enough of tonight's ADD blog!  Thank you for joining me.  And PLEASE SHARE my blog and the Facebook page listed above.  I really want to get lots of interaction and feedback.  I sell everything I make, but I really really want to get feedback for improvements (or perhaps medication advice?) 

 

Hope you all have a WONDERFUL week!  Watch for my Felt Flower tutorial soon!!

Making Your OWN Vanilla

Have you ever tried baking using Mexican Vanilla?  Or any other vanilla besides the vanilla extract available in the US?  If you have not, you are truly missing something!  Imitation vanilla extract, how "vanilla" for baking is generally sold in the US, is "...imitation vanilla made using wood byproducts and chemicals to simulate the flavor, not the real vanilla beans."  (via differencebetween.com).  Now I don't think the vanilla flavoring is bad, but whenever possible, and feasible, I like to stray from the use of additional chemicals.  I know, an entire cake has like 1 teaspoon of vanilla in it...  So I'm not pretending that changing from the artificial vanilla sold at Safeway, to making your own, is going to dramatically alter your lifestyle and prolong your life by 6.8 years.  But when something is SO easy, tastes SO good, and makes great gifts, why not?!

 

I made several small bottles of this as Christmas Gifts this year.  Even though some of the recipients don't bake (like my sister...), it's a great gift for using as you would essential oils.  Most people really like the smell of vanilla and this is made with vanilla beans and has a great smell.  Just use a dropper to add to candles, melted wax (in your light bulb wax melter thingy ma bobs), on pillows (not cases, the pillow itself) etc. 

 

Okay, enough jibber jabber.  Here is how to do it!  First, GO SHOPPING!  Hope that isn't too much of a burden.  Pick out a pretty clear glass jar.  Make sure it's not one of those from your craft store that's labeled "display only".  It needs to be rated for food stuffs.  Don't get a huge one, unless you do A LOT of baking...Then, get some Vodka.  Yep, from the liquor store.  Just plain VODKA.  Not the really cheap stuff, but it doesn't have to be the most expensive either.  I have heard most brands work just fine.  Finally, you will need vanilla beans.  You can buy these online at Amazon, or try a health food store.  I actually found mine at Costco - it was just for Christmas time though.  Fresh, NOT DRIED, vanilla beans.

 

That's it.  Now go home and get a few things together.  A small measuring cup with a pour spout and a funnel (depends on the bottle you pick for your vanilla, really) and scissors.  The kind you use for food.  Fresh vanilla bean is very very sticky.  Like almost maple syrup kind of sticky.

 

 

Pour ONE cup (8 oz) of vodka per container.  Then cut your vanilla beans in half both vertically and horizontally.  So each bean should have the center exposed and you've cut the length down to fit in your bottle.  I used 8 of these stalks per cup of vodka. So that's about 2 full large beans per cup.  Make sure your beans are down IN the vodka.  Put the cap on your bottle and put in a safe place away from children, for 30 days.  What?  Yes, 30 days.  Bummer, huh?  Below is the picture of day 1 of my vanilla bottles. I made 7 total.  But mine won't be "ready" until Jan 20.  No, I didn't plan it well.  But the recipients of the vanilla are well aware they cannot use it until Jan 20.  I like to swish the bottles around once a day or so, even with the corks on, the vanilla smells so good!

Well, that's my easy peasy lazy craft for today.  Have so many to catch up on!  Now that the holidays are over, I can hopefully find more time to bore entertain you all!

 

 

Happy New Year!!

Do not live in fear...

The whole world seems to be falling apart, would you agree?  Okay, maybe that's extreme, and NO I don't believe the Mayan Calendar has predicted the end of the world.  We all know what happened in Newtown, CT. I feel a strong need to put my two cents in on the reactions I'm seeing on Facebook, and hearing what seems like EVERYWHERE. 

Do I believe stricter gun laws will help this circumstance?  Um, how exactly?  These are criminals. They aren't obtaining weapons legally anyway.  Now, before you go assuming I am a member of NRA or something, you should know I have never even held a gun of any kind in my hand. We do not own any guns, I don't even allow my children to use play guns. Nope, not even water guns. Many think I am nuts, but that is just how I feel.  Guns should not be treated as toys.  Yet I still do not believe more stringent gun laws will save our children from evil. 

You see, as you may have been reminded in our world of instant replies and social media, we have kicked GOD out of our lives.  By demanding that God be allowed ONLY in our homes, and not in every step of our lives, we invite Satan IN.  Satan has unbelievable control over our current society.  Why?  Because it isn't socially acceptable to accept JESUS as our Lord and Savior and to pray to GOD in any public forum. 

A number of people I know, as well as on numerous posts, have said they feel that they are better parents for home schooling, and at least they know their children as safe.  Others have removed their children from public school out of fear this will happen in their town.  Those individuals seem to feel that is what "good" parenting is all about.  That secluding your children from society will prevent them from falling victim to such horrific crimes as we have dealt with in our world.  I disagree.

By no means am I saying Home Schooling is wrong. I am not going to go on about what's right and what's wrong about every home, every family, how would I know?  We all have different needs. I am not passing judgement, I am simply sharing my opinion.

There is nothing I can do about a human being that is controlled by Satan.  NOTHING.  If I know OF that person, sure I can pray.  But ultimately, each person has free will (yep, given by GOD), and no matter how directly God may intervene, he or she is STILL left to make his or her own CHOICE to accept and follow God, or remain evil.  God does not FORCE humans to follow Him.  You know this, right?

If I choose to bring my children home and take them out of public school, in order to achieve the goal of "total protection", they can not participate in extracurricular activities such as Cheer leading, Dance, Wrestling, Soccer, Girl or Boy Scouts, etc.  IF my children are kept secluded from the outside world in order to convince myself I am protecting them, then one, once they are adults, how can they function in society?  If they have no idea what society IS, how can they function?  IF I keep my children home and secluded from the world outside the walls of our home, how can they spread the love of Jesus? How can they teach others to follow Him? 

As parents, we want to keep our children in our pockets and shielded 100% from the horrors of the world we live in.  But is that truly what is in their best interest?  My husband and I have been foster parents for well over 4 years.  We have BROUGHT the outside world INTO our home.  We have brought drug abuse, physical abuse, hatred, and SATAN into our home. We have taught children that drugs and alcohol and abuse is NOT the way God intends us to live.  We have taught our children to LOVE GOD for all He has done for us.  We have taught our children to BRING GOD to their biological parents.  We have taught our children to pray for others.  We have taught them not to be afraid to speak up ANYWHERE and offer prayer whenever it's needed, for whomever.  We say grace in public restaurants, despite the often "odd" looks we get from those around us.  We say Merry Christmas and may God bless you, in passing, in greeting, and in farewell to those we encounter daily.  We are far from perfect examples and I hope no one things that's what I'm implying.  But bringing GOD back into our world is the ONLY WAY to save it. 

Be the example to others.  You can't do that if you stay hidden.  When you say you will pray for someone, DO IT.  There is power in prayer.  When my daughter Tiana was hospitalized earlier this year, extremely ill, I felt a great deal of peace that I know came only from the dozens of prayers going  up asking God for that favor.  I know God loves me.  I know He knew what I needed.  But those prayers, well, I am getting teary eyed just thinking about how comforting they were for me at a very very frightening time.  He held me tight and comforted me with the love of all those praying for us.  I will never forget how that felt. 

So in short, which truly, I don't even understand HOW to accomplish, don't live in fear.  You can't control society any more than I can.  Or President Obama, or your state's governor, or ANY human being.  But what you CAN do, is be a good example.  Teach others the love of Christ.  SHOW them how fulfilling and rewarding life can be when you follow HIM and not Satan.  Let your children be examples.  Let your children show their love of God to those around them.  Don't allow them to live in fear.  Our world has always been and will always be full of evil and hate.  Don't contribute to it by NOT contributing to creating a positive society who does not judge, but instead, HELPS those afflicted. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, submit to Him and He will make your paths straight. 
                                                                                                         Proverb 3:5-6

Winter Wonderland Tea Party

I have to say, I was really nervous about decorating a table for the Winter Wonderland themed Tea Party at my church.  I volunteered for it, but didn't hear back until two days ago.  Then found out what all needed to be done.  I was sure my table would be a total fail. 

 

When I heard the theme was Winter Wonderland, my mind went straight to Blue, Silver and White decoration.  So I went through some things I had, and also managed to get to the store and do a little shopping.  The Tea is tomorrow, but we decorated tonight.  Here is my table as I stared at it trying to figure out what else I needed.  Besides silverware, duh!

 

 

Then things progressed, I had a big stash if items to the side, even though some of the ones I deemed "most important" were left behind on my craft table.  I hadn't planned to do napkin rings, cuz I'm just a dingbat.  BUT we had the BRILLIANT idea of using some of the decorative tags with twine and ribbon, as napkin rings.  This is how the complete table setting ended up looking...The two different designs made by my Pazzles Inspiration, were staggered at the table.

 

 

This tag has "snow" in between two layers.  It looks really really cute up close.

 

 

So, I'm not 100% thrilled, but I AM happy about the end result.  Whew!  I probably won't "win" but at least it looks nice!  By the way, my table was the ONLY one in blue and silver/white.  Most of them were red and one, right next to my table, was Alice in Wonderland.  Hmmm, it was done very well.  I may have just overthought the Winter Wonderland Theme.

 

 

Well the tea is tomorrow morning.  Have to get a cake done and get some sleep.  Have been up late every night this week fulfilling orders! 

 

If you haven't seen, I have a facebook page with pics of the scrappy items I sell, as well as crafts - once I actually get that part done anyway!  It's on facebook at www.facebook.com/CraftAddictEnabler

 

Have a beautiful weekend!!



Time just FLIES!

Wow, I cannot believe how fast time is flying right now!  Thanksgiving came and went and now this week is almost over!  I can't keep up! Hopefully things will get better soon.  We are doing a total reorganization of the basement the next few days.  So excited to be cleaning up my craft space!  I will be able to get some crating on!  WooHoo!!!

 

 

I will post pics and something more interesting by the end of the weekend.  If you haven't already, please like my Facebook page, too!  I WILL be getting things together! 

 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to sharing some life tidbits very very soon!

Busy Busy Busy!!

Oh my goodness has life thrown me some curveballs!  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I don't even feel REMOTELY like it should be. Or am I ready!  Boy oh boy, I am serving dinner for 20 people tomorrow.  Hmmmm, good thing I have a lot of kids or I wouldn't know what to do!  LOL.  I am used to cooking for many, so I'm actually not worried.  If something doesn't go well, OH WELL!  No one else in my family will host because of the size of my household.  So, you get what you get and you don't throw a fit!  As my Amanda would say. 

 

So, been swamped tonight adding tons of items for sale.  Been doing fairly well selling scrapy supplies.  Just wished my big order of washi would show up!!  I have 160 rolls coming??  It's taking FOREVER!!!  Just the supplier.  BUT I am selling other items and doing lots of research.  I hope to really be successfully up and running as an online business with a few hundred followers, in the next 6 months.  Then my next step is CRAFT FAIRS!  Yay, I really hope to be working fairs by next summer.  Any advice? 

 

Tonight, I will leave you with some pictures of the newest items, and before Monday I will post other pics of happenings in my life.  I did take 30 bows to our foster care agency and donate them for their princesses.  I wish I would have take individual pics, but below is a picture of them on the shelf where I HOPE they don't sit for long.  These are FREE new items for children in foster care. 

 

And here are a few pictures of items I am selling. For prices and more information, please go to www.facebook.com/CraftAddictEnabler (and LIKE that page, too please!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.facebook.com/CraftAddictEnabler

 



 

 

 

 

Scrappy Supplies for Sale

So I am officially in the "black" with craft items I started selling just this week! woohoo! I still have TONS of great flatback pearls and a few resin designs. These are posted on a few FB sites that sell scrapbook stuff. But I want to post here and eventually have a link to a separate sales website. This is why I haven't posted, been busy sorting, selling, packaging and mailing. There are 8mm flatback pearls. I have them in 7 different colors. They make great flower centers, card embellishments, scrapbook page embellishments, wherever your creativity takes you.

 

 

 

 

There is gold, baby blue, pink, lavendar, light pink, red, and cream.  I also have some 10mm in red and cream.  They are 25 for $1.25 or 50 for $2.00 plus S/H. Up to 200 are only $1.50 for S/H. You can have all one color or mixed, your choice! 

 

 

I also have these flatback resin items.  Roses are a set of 4 for $1.50 mixed however you choose, 1 of each color or all one color, your choice. S/H is $1.25 for up to two sets.

 

Flatback resin butterflies - these are so adorable as hair bow centers!  They are 2/$1.00 plus $1.00 shipping for up to 6.

 

 

I had some great Hello Kitty resin but they sold FAST.  I will post when I get more.

 

Hope all is well.  I will post some hair bows this weekend sometime.  I have made many many hair bows to donate to our Foster agency for foster girls, and for a friend who has 2 foster girls in her house and they really NEED some bows!