Monet and Miro

 

are admiring the folio cover I made from the Happy, Little, Time Waster tutorial posted on Saturday.

I was not going to have enough pages in the journal I made to take on the trip to Ogunquit. I didn't have time to make another, but I did have the mini-Composition notebooks.

Front covers

Back covers

The cover pages were taken from a travel brochure for the Lakes Region of New Hampshire where Two Old Ladies went on their latest adventure. 

Happy, Little, Time Wasters

 

Did you know you can laminate anything at home using nothing but a Ziploc bag?

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1.A dreary, rainy Sunday. Perfect for crafting

2. The Coopers hawk is back surveying his territory

3. The Young One and I had lots of laughs on our video call.

4. I made beef soup and bread. Perfect for a chilly day

5. The Eldest planted Sweet Williams along the front walk

How was your week?

T Stands for The Thrill of the Hunt

 

I was cruising through the craft aisle at the Dollar Store. I found these adorable 3D coffee cup stickers. Too cute to walk past them so they jumped in my cart.

I also found other cool stuff. Six, small spools of different colored Baker's twine. Teeny clothes pins. Double stick tape. Coin envelopes. A couple of really nice coloring books. 

I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of office supply stuff they had. No need to go to the craft store for tape, glue, stickers. You might not find something you are specifically looking for and may have to go back a time or two as the stock is constantly changing. You'll never know what you will find and that's the thrill of the hunt.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

Happy, Little, Time Waster

 

My Easy Fussy Cutting Trick (Beginner Friendly ✂️)

Happy, Little, Time Waster

 

I Laminated Everything at Home for FREE — No Machine Needed

Happy, Little, Time Waster

 

Panduro DIY Toilet Roll Birds

Maybe something to keep the grandlittle busy.

Monet and Me

 

are going to participate in Creative Hand Lettering and Doodling with Lindsay's February project which is Hearts. Lindsay is using a personal size, pizza box to decorate and then fill with the projects for the month.

I don't have a small-ish box. I really liked the paper bag journal from Saturday's Time Waster. I thought I would see how that would work out.

Happy, Little, Time Wasters

 

How To Make A Small Junk Journal From Paper Bags

Happy, Little, Time Wasters

 

Quick Paperclip Pockets

Gluing Tool

 

In the junk journaling group, we're doing a lot of gluing. While watching videos of various junk journals, I came across the Sili Glue Brush. The tips are silicone with a hard shaped plastic end. The tools were meant for woodworkers to get glue into tight joints.

I thought it would be good to spread glue on paper and other ephemera without the nasty cleanup of washing out brushes or throwing them away.

Cleanup is very easy with this tool. Just rinse under water or if glue dries to the tip, you just peel it off. (I was one of the kids that enjoyed spreading Elmer's glue on the palm of my hand, waiting for it to dry, and then trying to peel off the "skin" in one piece)

The downside of the tool is the wide tip is a lot narrower than I hoped. It's great for gluing small bits, but not so great for larger sheets. I think a silicone spatula or basting brush would work better.

Any of you mixed media artist out there have any other tips for gluing? 

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. All alone and the television to myself, I cranked up the DVD player and watched, "How Green Was My Valley."

2. After her evening shift at the hospital, the Eldest made it home safely through the sleet, freezing rain, and ice.

3. I spent an afternoon watching craft videos.

4. Ended the year with Chinese food so no cooking. Began the new year with leftover Chinese food so no cooking.

5. Started the January Junk Journal Class with Lindsey Ostrom.

How was your week?

Monet and Me

 

Monet virtually poses with the Simmer Pot jar at Grandmaster E's house.

For my Italian Thanksgiving, Grandmaster E sent a jar of her delicious, meatball and sausage gravy. 

After I washed out the jar, I wondered what I could make to send the jar back. I was taught if someone sent a plate or container of food and the item was to be returned, it should never be returned empty.

What to send? Cookies? Candy? Grandmaster E is a world-class, Food Master, and my skills are no where near her level.

A search on what to put in a mason jar came up with a Simmer Pot. Perfect because last Christmas, Grandmaster E showed her simmering orange rinds, cinnamon sticks, etc. on her stovetop.

I already had some of the ingredients in the pantry. Cinnamon sticks, whole cloves. A trip to the grocery store for some whole cranberries, and cardamom pods. I could have bought some oranges and dried the peels, but that would have taken too long as the jar was to be returned when Himself went to help Master Beef at the Master in the Morning Class. So I ordered dried oranges and star anise.

The jar is very easy to assemble and there's really no right or wrong to the ingredients. Just scents that you like. The ingredients are layered or dumped into the jar. I used a Christmas napkin to cover the jar lid. I found the Christmas pick when I was looking for a doodad to use on Ink's wreath. Festively tied together with red and white baker's twine. I even found a free, printable, tag with directions online.

Grandmaster E loved the Simmer Pot and thought it would be too pretty to use. I told her to take a picture so she would always have it. 

Happy, Little, Time Waster

 

DIY Cute Cat Bookmark

Happy, Little, Time Wasters

 Get comfy with your favorite beverage for this tutorial.

DIY Pockets for Junk Journals

Vintage Page Designs

Happy, Little, Time Waster

 

DIY | NO Sew T-Shirt Bag (SO Easy!!)

Happy, Little, Time Waster

 

Non-Crafter Shops for Craft Supplies

T Stands for 2OLOTR: Authentic Women Circle and International Women's Day

The real reason Teague and took a trip to Ogunquit, Maine was to attend the Authentic Women Circle. Teague has belonged to this group for many years. I wasn't a member but have participated in a couple of the events. I taught a Japanese stab binding album for the group many years ago and also participated in the Circle when the group moved to Ogunquit 15 years ago and this weekend was the anniversary. The meeting also fell on International Women's Day so that was celebrated also. The leader asked Teague if I would like to tag along. 

I loved the blue, wooden, fish sculpture that was in our suite. I was tempted to put him in a Fish Relocation Program and bring him home with me.

Saturday morning, March 8 was still cold, but not as windy.

The function room set up for the Circle. There were 12 women in attendance. I was the only new person in this group though I knew the leader as she and Teague are good friends. We have also visited her at her home when we have traveled to Ogunquit. Her daughters also attended the group, I had heard about them when they were little.

The Circle opened with music performed by Teague and her guitar. The format of the group is that each person gets a chance to talk. So I introduced myself as Teague's imaginary friend as so many people said to me "Oh, so you're CJ!"

We had been asked to bring photos of women who had inspired us. We did a show and tell about our women and what they meant to us.

At the other end of the function room, tables were set for luncheon

We had a wonderful view of the ocean

and a delicious, buffet lunch. Pictured are Avocado Caprese Sandwiches which I did not take as I do not like cheese. I was fascinated by the apple swan. There was also a lovely squash and apple soup, salad with chicken, green beans Almondine, and cranberry upside down cake. Water, coffee, and tea were available during the entire Circle.

In the afternoon, we had a half hour craft session where we chose a name from a pot. We could make a card or write a note to the person.

I received this lovely card

filled with wonderful affirmations: You are so loved. You are enough. You are such a gift. You are special.

The afternoon continued with learning some of the history of International Women's Day. 

Gorgeous orchid

Then we were asked to comment on something that was a highlight of the day. I think it was at this point or it might have been earlier, that a woman who had been sitting across from me said she had been in the Japanese Stab Bound Album class and still had her album!

The Circle ended with another song from Teague and the group joined in the chorus.

A shadow box table filled with gifts from the sea

An amazing day ended with  a beautiful 

sunset.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

Happy Mail

I'm always tickled around St. Patrick's Day to receive St. Paddy's Day cards. I'm amused to be honorary Irish 

Deb from Learning 2 Just Breathe sent me a delightful card. I loved how she used the Year of the Snake stamp on the envelope. I know things are bigger in Texas, but I have never seen a cancellation mark that large.

Her note included some fun stamps and washi tape. She also pointed out that her littlest granddaughter had applied the shamrock stickers on the front. Didn't she do a great job?

Good friend, Nan, never forgets me on St. Patrick's Day. She sent an adorably twee card. Find Your Luck and Share It. Now, she never forgets to send a card, but she forgot the stamp and the post office delivered it without stamping postage due in red letters all over it. The envelope didn't even get a cancellation mark

though the front and back have a faint orange bar code. Maybe the card was delivered by Leprechauns.

Monet and Me

 

inspired by Happy Mail (you'll see it on Wednesday), decided to make some cards. We found some great ideas at 14 DIY Valentine’s Day Cards for your Love It was a fun way to use up scrap paper.