Kiss Me Kate!

Well they did it - they tied the knot and 2 kisses!  Wasn't it a beautiful ceremony - did you watch it?  I ended up watching it all on my lonesome cos my mother and sisters (4 of them) all got together and forgot to tell me - SERIOUSLY!  I rang my mother to see if she'd enjoyed it and I could hear everyone in the background.  I was like - 'what and you didn't think to call me so I could join you!' 

If I have any disappointments of the day it's now that I missed out on the 'party'.  And my 'funny' mother (not) even started telling me what food they had - including the vegetarian stuff!  Thanks mother!  See if I invite you to my next party!!!

But really - it was a great day and 'one' (cos I was on my own LOL) was made to feel so very proud, very patriotic and also very pleased for them.  And because I was on my own I could shed a tear every now and then and not worry who was there to see me cry.  Yes I was a big girls blouse!  I cried!  I was overcome with emotion - I couldn't help it.  I really can cry at the drop of a hat - oh don't get me started on some of the hats! (I can think of at least a couple of princesses who are probably crying looking back at themselves now - well they should be).

This picture was posted on the net (not my photo I hasten to add) so I hope it's ok to share it.  They made such a lovely couple.  There were moments of almost shyness - who wouldn't be a bit shy in front of that many people - and little 'shared' moments, a look, a smile or a few brief words between them and the whole thing was amazing.

And this is my snapshot - taken off the telly - how sad is that?  Well it's what we all wanted to see isn't it?  Everyone else had cameras out didn't they?  I don't know what came over me I guess - I sat poised and ready and before I knew what had happened I'd clicked LOL! Hey - it's a moment in history.

She did have an air of 'Grace Kelly' about her as did the dress - both were stunningly beautiful and such elegance!  Grace Kelly was a commoner who married a prince, same as Kate - clearly it can work.  I think Kate had great dignity and grace and they were noted as being a very sensible couple.  I think she makes a stunning princess and he's a very lucky prince to have her!

Congratulations to them both!

Suezie

Been Busy!!!

I am clearly VERY bored now since I have been sewing all day almost non-stop for the past couple of days!  Yesterday I made 5 bags for my mother to take to market.  She's always saying they need more craft, more craft to sell so that should please her.  Frankly about two thirds of the way through I was sick of the sight of them so I'm glad they're finished LOL!

Here's the entire stack of them.  Can't be bothered to photograph each one - sorry but like I say I'm now sick of the sight of them LOL!

Then today to pass time I decided to make some luggage tags - who knows maybe hubby and I will get to take a trip this year?  Besides I have been slow to use much of this Cath Kidston fabric.  I think cos it has a striped design - as in a wide floral stripe and a thinner checked stripe so it's very one-directional and doesn't always look right.

It turned out to be just perfect for these so I'm a happy bunny.  I used a thicker wadding fabric sandwiched in between for extra firmness, stitched on a clear plastic pocket once I was done top stitching and added a button.  The button's not only a pretty touch but the top edge of the plastic pocket is tucked under it so the card inside can't slip out and get lost.  That seemed like a cute (and clever) touch to me LOL!

Although they make up in minutes I have only completed 3 so far.  It's all the cutting and prep work that takes so long.  I have a nice stack of about 15 ready to sew.  I think these may just have to go to market too otherwise what on earth am I going to do with them all?

And because I haven't been able to get out to go shopping for new fabrics I finally decided to cut into this pretty one that I bought on our last trip home.  I have been hanging onto it for 7 or 8 months now - resisting the urge to cut into it but it had to be done.  I might keep these fabby bright ones for myself because it'd be easy to spot - much better than the scrap of red checkered fabric I have tied to our suitcases right now!

And since I am scheduled to go see my doc in a couple of hours I am giving her two of the CK ones just because - plus I am feeling soooooo much better - really!  I am going to see if I can get back to work tomorrow.  My boss is happy for me to so as long as my doc is it's a GO! Yay!  Good feels soooooo good and it's nice to be back to myself again.  Not only was this labyrinthitis the weirdest thing I've ever experienced but I genuinely missed myself LOL!

I am already planning to run errands after work tomorrow plus a 'walk' into town on Saturday - to a local fabric shop or two and I have that many things I want to do, plan, organise - all of which includes getting out and about as much as possible now that I can!

Blessings!

Suezie

Turbie Mania!

I've been meaning to make several of these for sale ever since I made the first few as gifts.  Those of you who own and use one regularly know how cool they are and I've had several people tell me they'd like one so here you are.  Well how does 10 grab ya?  Yes - I did say 10!  Shows how bored I've been at home (but I'm hoping that's all going to change this week).

And if you're out there wondering just what a turbie is then let me explain....

....it's a towel head wrap that's used after washing hair.  It can also be used to keep hair dry when soaking in the tub, when a warm towel to the hair is required or even to keep hair out of the way when applying beauty treatments to your face!  How's that?  The only difference between some of the cheaper versions I've seen in store and mine is that I have pretty fabric outer layers on mine - (and I think mine are better quality - wink, wink).  I even took the time to copyright them, I love them so much.

They're soooooo much lighter than a towel - trust me I have a neck injury so I know this first hand - they take up far less space in your suitcase, work every time and I can even leave mine in place while I dress - even pulling sweaters and things over my head - it doesn't budge.  Try doing that with a bulky towel on your head - it ain't easy LOL!  And I simply hang mine up ready for use the next day.  They're fully machine washable and made from a mix of cotton/cotton blends. You control how much you twist for a 'no grab' towel and it always stays in place!

Here's Maddy modeling hers that I made for Christmas 2010.  She was using mummy's which was way too big so I was asked to come up with a child sized one and that's how my venture with turbies began.  Now both mummy and Maddy look glam after a bath!

I have just a couple more to add buttons to and wrap ready for sale but if anyone out there is interested they're up for grabs at just £7.50 each.  I am happy to post these if you're happy to cover p&p.  I have several designs so it might be easier if I list them (please refer to photos) but when they're gone - they're gone!  I sooooo need to go shopping for more fabrics and I'm soooo ready for another project too LOL!

Colour/Style & Quantity - Price £7.50

Lilac & Blue Big, Bold Floral -  2

Blue & Pink Floral -  2

Pale Pink Seersucker Check -  1

Bright Pink Check - 1

Turquoise Check -  1

Yellow Swirl (Laura Ashley fabric) -  1

Pink Floral/Check -  1

Pink Mini Floral -  1

These come with full instructions which includes a photo and are also perfect for gift giving.  Oh and you don't have to have long hair to use one of these.  If you're interested just leave me a comment or email me here.

If anyone out there that has one (there are a few of you cos I made sooooo many for Christmas gifts last year) and wants to share a comment on how they like/use theirs - please do.  I know there is no going back once you've used a turbie!  Since I use one all the time, as do my daughters and grand-daughter, I can easily vouch for their merits but I'd love to hear other users comments if you'd like to share.

Happy shopping!

Suezie

Bunny Cakes

I saw this idea on the net and had to try it for Easter this year.  Actually my daughter made up the cakes for me and a batch of frosting - under my instruction of course LOL! All I did was pipe the frosting, cut out and add the card stock ears and the mini white marshmallows for tails.  How cute are these?

The kids thought they were fun and of course they were yummy-licious too!

I think if I try them again another year I just might try to look out for something else for the tails though.  Maybe some white fluffy candyfloss - I don't know - but I'll know it when I see it.  Besides I can't eat marshmallows.

And here's Maddy tucking into her one.  I resisted the temptation to take a photo of her with the frosting on the end of her nose after she'd bitten into it LOL!  It was fun watching her enjoy it tho'.

I printed off the ears from a freebie at 'one charming party here so go check it out.  There are lots of other fab party ideas too.

Hope you all had a good Easter.  Wasn't the sunshine just lovely?

Blessings

Suezie

Matching Bag

Today was a bit of a non-starter - couldn't seem to get motivated I guess.  On the whole I try to keep my spirits up but I think things got the better of me for a few moments this morning.  Thankfully a phone call to a friend and I managed to perk up and get some 'sit down & sew' going.

I needed a little something extra for a friend who's b'day gift I have ready and waiting and since I had scraps out I made a business card holder out of pretty Cath Kidston fabric.

This little project is proof that a little goes a LONG way!  And of course I had to add a CK label so it looks doubly impressive when she whips it out LOL!  She's a 'pink' kinda gal so hopefully she'll love it.

For now I've added cardboard to keep it in shape but I guess I should really fill it with some of her business cards huh?

The card holder was the perfect sized project to get me in the mood to sew.  I ended up making a patchwork coloured bag to hold the quilted blanket I made yesterday.  The blue polka dot is the outer pocket.  I used left over strips of fabric for the top of the bag and also the straps.

There is ample room for the blanket in this bag and still plenty of room left over for a couple of supplies like a bottle, diapers and wipes.  Best of all the bag is much smaller than your usual big 'diaper bags' so it should make short trips that much easier.

I need to put the sewing machine away now I think - at least for a few hours but not before I grab one of hubby's old socks and make him a pocket for his mobile phone.  He's been after me for one for way too long and I can just hear him now "oh that's it - you can sew for everyone else!  When am I going to get my phone pocket?" LOL!  Poor guy!

Enjoy - hugs :-)

Suezie



Sewing Kind of Afternoon

Yesterday I needed a 'sittin down' kinda day so I decided to whip up an easy sewing project that I've had in mind to do for some time now. I have some lovely fabric scraps I've been generating over the past year.  We're expecting a new 'great niece' - in fact our first now that I think about it (yay!).  It's hard to think of myself as a Great Aunty - 'great' anything actually LOL! - but I am and it's quite exciting expecting this new little pink bundle in the family.

Anyhow I needed an 'easy to post' gift so this pretty little quilted blanket was perfect - pretty, practical, soft and VERY light weight.  The baby's due in August so it needs to be light.  It'll be perfect for laying out on a lawn or rug and for those trips to Grandma's house.

I mixed in lots of lovely Cath Kidston scraps and chose a 'strip quilt' design to make the most of my thin scraps.  This went together in an afternoon.  I just stitched about 4 short seams to create each strip and then stitched the strips together one long seam at a time until I thought the quilt was large enough - well square actually.  It measures 3 ft x 3 ft which is plenty big enough and it folds down easily to about 9" x 9" - small enough to fit in a bag or under a buggy.  I might just make a bag to store it in with enough room for wipes, a couple of diapers and a bottle - perfect for short trips.

 

Since I wanted it to be soft and light I decided to omit the batting and chose to use a fleece backing.  Can I share a 'top tip' with you?  Rather than use fleece by the metre (about £5.99+ per metre)  I had hubby help me pick up an inexpensive fleece throw at my local supermarket - less than £3 - and I have leftover!  This is so, so much easier.  I love to re-purpose things too so I was in my element here.

I kept construction simple and turned the blanket inside out after stitching around the edges.  I machine stitched first along the rows and then top stitched around all four edges to complete it.  This should wash 'n' wear extremely well so hopefully our niece will get plenty of years use out of it.  If I make a bag then I just might make a few burp cloths today as well. 

 Hopefully you can see the detail in this shot.  Years ago when we had our first daughter the church we belonged to presented us with a quilt - the ladies of the church gathered together to make simple square quilts with or without batting depending on the time of year (she was born in December) and fleece backing and then presented them to all new babies born in the church family.  This quilt is a perfect project for this, quick, easy and many hands make light work so you could whip several out easily - even for beginners!  It would be soooo easy to do a fabric drive and ask for donations of inexpensive fleece throws. 

They'd be perfect 'lap quilts' for elderly or sick members too - what a lovely outreach project this would make.  One of these years I just might get a sewing circle together or maybe teach those sewing classes I've always wanted to do.

Hope it inspires!  Blessings

Suezie

TGFW! A Post for Family (with love)

Thank Goodness For Weekends that is!  I don't know how we'd get anything done if it wasn't for the weekends.  And this one was a typical busy one.  True, I may have been left out of a few things (still not walking good enough just yet) but when I could join in I did and I enjoyed the chance to get out of the house.

Hubby drove us to the allotment for a family BBQ and some outdoor fun as well as hard work.  Okay so I pretty much sat in a chair and directed everyone but hey - somebody had to do it LOL!  Besides it makes up for the last time when I had to sit at the tap and scrub the plastic bottles clean.  What an exciting job that was - not!

Our eldest grandson had a footie game in the morning while everyone else was at church (I missed out on both) which is why he was still in his gear but it didn't take him long to get stuck right in.

It wasn't hard to find jobs for everyone either as there is always lots to be done.

We have lots of seedlings that are ready to go into the ground so I even managed to find a job that mummy and Maddy could do together while I sat and gave advice.

Maddy looked really pretty in her cropped jeans, floral shift top and those bright pink wellington boots!  Perhaps not quite garden wear?  She really enjoyed making the holes for the beetroot that we're running down between the beans and peas this year.  See how clean those bottles are?  We have some good friends who keep these for us and they're like little mini green houses as well as protection from pesky birds.

I have even put my sewing skills to good use by sewing channels in poly plastic so we can run thick wire through and use 'home made' poly tunnels to protect plants.  Pull the wire out and fold the plastic up and they store away each year real easy.  That's my gardening 'top tip' for the day LOL!

I have been after hubby to put a small bit of patio onto the plot for the last couple of years but until now he hasn't.  He pretty much had to do it this year if he wanted me to be able to sit and keep him company.  I needed a flat surface so I wouldn't feel so giddy but it made a nice space to have lunch - BBQ'd hot dogs.  We have teh chairs and the mini BBQ so all we need now is a table!  Taking a break helped us keep the kids busy for about two and half hours good work. Not bad going I'd say.  Dave can use all the help he can get since I'm not much use so far.

Hubby also built me a 'salad box' this year.  Part of the whole 'ethos' of having an allotment is to make and do.  No matter how 'pretty' I'd like it to look - it just doesn't work that way.  This single shower door was inherited when our daughter got the plot and it's only taken 5 years to get hubby to make it into a salad box LOL!  But it's made from scraps of wooden decking and I love it.  He even took the paving slabs along the front to make it easier for me to sit and work in it.  How sweet is that?

And Zach kindly watered my babies for me :-)  Hey they may look small right now but give them a couple of weeks and this box will be full.

 And later that day we narrowly missed a trip to A & E when Kaleb fell out of a tree - he was sore but VERY lucky.  It meant that we had enough daylight hours left to go to Jilly's to drag her tent down from the loft.  Dave is already thinking 'camp prep' - August is only 4 months away and we need as many tents for the youth as we can get. 

Again, I sat this one out (seemed to be worse by evening) and just directed these guys - both of whom are my best friends and I just love that we all get along so well and have done for many years.  They were sooooo funny to watch - you'd have had to be there but it was a riot - especially watching  them struggle LOL!  Shame on me I know.

The thought of anyone in this bright orange and yellow tent was funny too and those dated 'yellow nylon daisy' curtains - well - need I say more?  Well it made us all laugh but hey it may be an oldie but it sure was a goodie!

Jilly's dog Barney was a big help - not!  He thought it was great fun having so much excitement in his back yard - until the tent was up that is.  I think once the tent was up he was a little unsure.  He took us all by surprise - especially Jilly when he jumped up onto her lap! He seemed to need to sit with her for a while.  Dave's teasing couldn't have had anything to do with it could it? - he's a sucker for a dog!  Sometimes I'm really sorry we don't have one when I see him having so much fun with Barney.



All in all I lapped up the good company and the fresh outdoor air - even if it did come with limitations and truth be told I think we really love our busy weekends too - always have. Bring on the next one I say!

Sorry the post is so long.   Hope family back home enjoy!  Big HUGS

Suezie

On The Telly!

Remember a while ago I posted about Julie Hickey and her visit to YTOC?  Well I happened to hint at something that Julie shared with me she said was in the pipeline and today I got this update in my e-mail box so thought I'd shout out her good news with you all.  She is such a sweet lady that you can't help but be pleased for her.

She is set to not only appear on QVC but to have her very own show!  How cool is that?  I remember her telling me about having had her 'screen test' and how nerve racking it all was LOL!  She has been the face of Craftwork cards for a long time now and demonstrating for years - she is sure to be an instant sensation on our TV screens. 

The date: Monday 9th May, the time: 12-1 pm.

All the best Julie!  :-)

By The Numbers

Yesterday a friend came along to stamp with some of my new stamps and since she came bearing chocolate and the most delicious soup I had a really nice day. She simply roasted butternut squash and sweet potato in a little oil along with an entire bulb of garlic and then once cooked she blitzed them all up with a little vegetable stock - how simple does that sound?  Eunice I already have sweet potatoes in the refrigerator and I'm picking up butternut squash this weekend so hubby can try this recipe - thanks it was YUMMY!

Okay so back to the crafting....

As I helped my friend make a birthday card she needed I got out the numbers set and dies from Papertrey Ink.  I hadn't gotten around to using these new goodies yet but I was inspired today to create hubby a birthday card in plenty of time for May and then got carried away making a few more.  I kept the same simple, basic base and just changed up a bit here and there for each version.

I kept his card simple and I love that I could feature his actual age regardless of what it is.  Usually you find numbers for special birthdays but since I can die-cut whatever ones I need I could easily do '56'.  OMG! is he REALLY that old LOL!

I used my new PTI numbered embossing plate on each of these cards as well.  It's so nice to have the entire set including the stamps when creating something quick and easy.  I'm sure I'll refer back to these supplies loads.

Then I remembered that one of my neighbour's mentioned her hubby was turning 60 so I decided to make an even simpler version to send along birthday wishes for his special birthday.  It's a shame you can't see the numbered detail in this shot or the pattern on the paper - you'll just have to trust me when I say it looked really good.

Then I thought of 2 more birthdays coming up soon so I worked out how old they'd be and made two girly versions.  Our daughter turned 30 not too long ago and one of her cousins will soon be 30.  These are our kids/neices so how old does this make me feel LOL!  Or maybe it's not such a laughing matter!

I won't show the one behind (don't want to spoil a surprise) and I may well add some rolled flowers to it anyways - plus I might still add a button or black gem here or there on some of these.  I haven't yet decided but whatever I do I need to clean up the kitchen of all my craft clutter before I do much else.

I added a few quick punched flowers and some of that fabby card candy in colours that were perfect for my papers.  I also die-cut the numbers in chipboard, covered them with paper and then added glitter (sorry it's not sparkling) because it was more girly.  This one is getting sent off back home for our lovely niece so I hope she likes it.

I am not good with birthdays usually - truth be told - I am utterly CRAP! when it comes to remembering birthdays and no matter how organised I try to be at the start of the year it goes completely pear shaped in the first couple of months!  Maybe I need to book me some craft sessions with friends so I can make up several cards at once and get ahead of the game - yeah right - like 'me' getting ahead's ever gonna happen LOL!

For now things have vastly improved - I know I am tempting fate saying that - but I am feeling so much better and doing really well that who knows?  Whatever happens I am certainly making the most of feeling better and it shows in my crafting/blogging hopefully.

Enjoy!  Big HUGS

Suezie



Papertrey Ink Vintage Pretties

For the past couple of days I've had a chance to play with just a few of my new goodies from my recent package.  I needed a few gifts and I had in mind to make some more of those fab paper sack pockets - perfect for filling to the brim with hand stamped goodies.  This time round I folded them somewhat differently so I had a double pocket to tuck my gifts into.

I had lots of lovely October Afternoon paper scraps left over from making my recipe pages which were just perfect for these.  Each one is a card kit and then the paper sack pocket can be filled with something new and passed on to someone else unless of course you want to keep it for yourself that is.  But I really like the idea that it can do a double duty and be re-used.  I created them with re-usable tags deliberately just for this very reason.

I made a handmade card to go with each to provide somewhere for me to write a message with the gift but also to provide a sample card for inspiration.  I love my new PTI doily die - so, so pretty - I love being able to add that little touch of lace effect whenever I want to.  I only used half a doily on each card so a little can go a long way too.

 

And below are the contents of just a single pocket - hard to believe ALL this fits in there!  I added a couple of card blanks - already inked and distressed, plus a couple of my hand made square envelopes, some die-cut doilies, several hand stamped button cards, some home made chipboard buttons (loved makin those!), some vintage lace and seam binding tape, pretty paper strips and finally a few 'just the ticket' stamped sentiments.

I had such fun mixing up the button stamps to create different styles of cards suitable for taking ribbon or lace and even creating card stock strips which I used to sew my hand made buttons onto for persentation - I thought these were really neat.  I also love my newest PTI button dies and spent ages cutting out chipboard, then pretty paper, then gluing the paper onto the chipboard and finally applying a coat of varnish to finish - very therapeutic.  In fact everything - the stamping, cutting, distressing and finishing - was all very relaxing.

One of these is going overseas to my sister-in-love Linda as a belated b'day treat just as soon as I can get it to the post office - hubby is working this weekend so it might take another week - sorry sis!  This being house bound is a real pain.  One is going to a work colleague as a 'just because' cos I'd like her to have one and I really appreciate how hard she's working manning the office and doing the job of two single handedly and the last one is being tucked away ready for a friend's upcoming b'day along with a little something else I hope to make to go with it.  But I'm not tellin' LOL!

Not only have I had time to sit and play with my new stamps and dies but I have had the chance to potter away at my own pace which has helped me keep from climbing the walls of late.  Every time I try to do bits and pieces I get completely giddy so I have the perfect excuse to sit and stamp at the moment.  Roll on Monday when I hope to get some answers as to why I'm not yet recovered from all this. Good thoughts and prayers please!

Blessings

Suezie

It Arrived!

Well my dream package of PTI goodies arrived this morning along with the wall paper border for my room.  Maybe now hubby and I can turn our attention back to the room which has sadly sat idle for a while now.  He's been way too busy getting potatoes in the ground at our little plot anyways.

This has to be one of my bestest orders - full of lots of things I've been drooling over for some time now.  I only regret that I'm not having a good enough day to really get to playing with these today.  I've checked a couple of the dies work ok - and they do - yay!  And I've stamped a couple of individual stamps but I don't have what I need to get down to business with anything crafty today. 

Maybe I'll just have to console myself with some of the yummy Reece's Peanut Butter Cups that my sister-in-love added when sending my package and a movie today and be done with it.  Trust me - I don't feel cheated one bit LOL!  Besides all this lovely lot will still be there tomorrow and I plan to make some goodies for various people who are very much in need of a little goodie package all of their very own just as soon as I am able to play.

Hope you're doing something crafty today!

Hugs

Suezie

Grandma's Cloud Biscuits

I enjoyed makin the recipe scrapbook page wall art so much that I had to create another one and this time I used mom's 'cloud biscuits' recipe that I've made soooooo many times.  In fact even my hubby has made them on several occasions too including for Christmas Day breakfast.

As usual I have someone specific in mind to receive this hand created artwork so my colours and papers were chosen to fit nicely in with their kitchen colours and design.  One more pressie ticked off the Christmas list - cool!

I just fell in love with the designer paper full of kitchen gadgets and since these papers reminded me of pretty fabrics I created a 'patchwork' mat to place my recipe onto including lace and a paper doily for added effect.

I perhaps didn't use quite so many WM stamps on this page because I didn't want to cover up that cool kitchen gadget paper too much.  I did use the little teacup stamps though which I thought were cute and then I used more of the info strips on my page.  With names of designs such as 'tea towel' and 'percolator' how could I resist?

I know my package will be here early next week so hopefully I can add some of mom's buttons on these pages somewhere since they're intended to be keepsakes. 

Hopefully next week I can get a few more made and then all I have to do is make one for me LOL!  I want, I want, I want!  I think I am genuinely hooked on these!

Hugs

Suezie

Wall Art

Okay so I was feeling especially yucky when I got up this morning - sure wish I knew why it attacks me in this way?  Anyhow I determined NOT to craft today; in fact not to do much of anything but then I got a delivery - YAY!

So it wasn't the one I REALLY want Mr Postie to come knockin on my door with but it was still exciting.  Remember those scrummy 'October Afternoon' papers I said I ordered to make me feel better?  Well they ARRIVED!  And I could not have been more inspired if I tried.  I had a page idea forming in my head even before I sifted through all the lovely designs I had chosen - and the colour combos - well let me tell you I still haven't come down from my high LOL!

I simply couldn't help myself today - still feel real yucky - but I stamped regardless.  I decided I don't have to put photos in my pages if I intend them to be a nice bit of wall art.  Nothing quite like a piece of hand created wall art ya know LOL!

This one is going to be a gift for someone special.  Anyone remember the cherry 'Cath Kidston' fabric I purchased right after Christmas?  Well let's just say I purchased a bit more than fabric from CK with a cherry theme so this will be a perfect bit of wall art to give with all the bits and pieces I plan to pop in a basket.  Once it's framed up and I sign it I hope it'll become a treasured keepsake.

I really like the ecclectic mix of papers and stamped embellishments on this page.  This is not something I usually do well so I'm pleased with how it turned out.  Because I needed specific text I used my computer to generate it and as soon as I saw this cherry paper I knew I had one of mom's recipes that was perfect.  I got it from her in 1984 so I chose that as the date to feature.

And just for fun I also used a couple of bits from the info strip on the paper - kinda like designer tags or labels because I know the person getting this will really appreciate that little touch too.  The grey colour might be different but that couldn't be more perfect for them either.  I had the sewing machine out so I also added a nice little crocheted style lace - anything to give it kind of a vintage kitchen feel.

I also chose to stamp up the pink and cream paper with one of the 'text it' stamps which worked kinda nice and gave the paper a whole newsprint kinda feel which I love.  I can't wait to see this in a frame.  Now I want to find another recipe for one I have in mind for someone else. I only wish now that I'd written down a few more of mom's recipes while we were back home - that way all the Howard women could have a framed page with their favourite 'one of mom's' recipes on it huh?  What a cool gift idea is that?  And what a great way to pass some fab recipes down through the generations.  I still use a small handful of mom's classics.

Enjoy!   Hugs

Suezie