Crafting Happy Relationships

My new group of crafting dies (click here to see the "Happy"collection) is out from Spellbinders and it's perfect for experienced crafters or even better with children. 

Because making stuff together builds happy relationships and priceless memories.

Here's a birthday crown project I made with my favorite 6 year old using some of the "Happy" dies I designed.

This spontaneous video will convince you how wonderful crafting with kids can be.

And crafting with die cuts is so easy a 6 year old can make something fantastic without stress.

When crafting with children it's important to abandon adult ideas of how things should be done.

Gather a generous smorgasbord of supplies so everything's at hand and encourage the child to choose the die cuts first, then assemble and finally add embellishments like glitter, rhinestones and ribbon.

Audrey picked her favorites from across the collection of dies, combining them in ways adults never would. As adults we might be tempted to direct them too much, but when we simply enjoy what they do, it's far more fun and builds them up.

In this case I had basic crowns ready, along with loads of die cut decorations which she quickly put together, adding her own words and coloring to the crown celebrating our puppy's 4 month birthday. Then we added pipe cleaners, glitter, rhinestones, ribbon and more.

She dreamed up the puppy's crown and wanted to make it " by myself." I did much of the crown she's wearing at her direction ("here, put this puppy on the top!" and "look! We just made a pattern!")

Want to grab the die cutting supplies? It's so easy- just click here!

Children love creative detours. Today we used toilet paper rolls, glitter, washi tape and die cuts to make "spy glasses" and a puppet as well as what I'd planned.
We were both thrilled. Who cared that it didn't look perfect to grown up eyes? Not us!

The important thing is how we all feel about our time making stuff together.

We both felt absolutely WONDERFUL as I took her home. 

The photos show how perfectly imperfect it all was, and how much love we have for each other (which is, after all, the real point anyway, isn't it?)

Thank you, Spellbinders, for making my art into dies sophisticated enough for adults but easy enough for children. I absolutely love the way these crafting dies build relationships.

For more great ideas, hop along to another blog to see more ideas for using Spellbinders dies here at Cards and Coffee Time.

Winter beauty

So winter is fading and I'm bundling up for long walks to enjoy it while I can.

 

 

Winter skies are so subtle in their beauty

and the reflections in a farm ditch seemed like liquid silver.

I walked several miles with my faithful old pal admiring delights that often pass unnoticed, 

Then home to a new love waiting to greet us with wagging tail.

Spring will soon be here with splendid joys but for now the winter hangs on beautifully.

Slowing down in winter

Winter feels like a permission slip. 

We are allowed to slow down a little, to sit by the fire or go to bed early. 

Or to get the cutest puppy you can find and spend hours simply playing.

Because life is short and why not?

My neighbors' barns sit sleepy in fields of snow.

The bulbs rest under chilly blankets, waiting for the coming spring.

I've been busy cutting paper, lettering, and carving linoleum blocks. 

But at a slower pace, sipping mugs of tea and laying back dreaming of what to make next.

Winter, with its short days, reminds us how good balance feels.

Spring will be here before we know it.

But for now, a nice hot mug of tea after a chilly romp is just right.

And making art in robe and slippers.

Thank God for winter, the season of candle light, long nights and time for rest.

Quick kitchen refresh

As an avid baker it's great fun to hang out in the kitchen crafting while a pie bakes. 

My new Great Big, Wonderful World collection of crafting dies have just released from Spellbinders giving me the perfect excuse to do just that!

This is such a busy week it was heavenly to simply play.
I allowed myself half an hour to give the kitchen a face lift.

With just that sliver of time, I wiped down the countertops and cabinets, cut the paper and decorated the storage jars. After the flurry of Christmas baking, this was my perfect little half hour holiday!

I designed this die with a banner that can be left blank for flexibility.
Little did I know how perfectly it would work as a label in my kitchen.

I love using things in unexpected ways; it cheers me up to make my whole home a canvas.
And it makes my thrifty soul joyful when a few scraps and my trusty opaque white UniBall Signs pen can give the kitchen a mini-makeover!

For the sugar storage jar I happened to have half a gatefold-style greeting card left over.  This one is from my Sweet Christmas collection.

So I turned it into a label. Why not?

I always feel free to combine different dies. Mix and match is my style.

As a celiac baker, I'm loving this little project. 

The pretty labels will keep my kitchen both organized and creative. 

And that makes me so happy!

This blog post is part of a Spellbinders blog hop.
You can see more at the next blog on the hop by clicking here.
Or visit Spellbinders Paper Arts to shop all my current die cut collections.

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

The most beautiful book

As a lettering fanatic, I was completely blown away when I got to see the St. John's Bible recently.

It's the first completely hand written, illustrated Bible in more than 500 years and wow! What a beautiful book, wonderful beyond imagining.

My photos can't possibly capture it but I had to try.

The main body of the text is very old style lettering, similar to what you'd expect in a historic manuscript but the words are modern and the art and calligraphic are are very contemporary. Capital letters sprinkled throughout are fabulous and the colors really pop.

Hours raced by unnoticed as we paged through the seven books that measure about 2' tall and 3'wide when opened. 

Close up, you can see the amazing amount of detailed painted and gold leafed into the book. 

What a labor of love, and master calligrapher Donald Jackson, formerly chief calligrapher for Queen Elizabeth, did an incredible job with his team.

If you'd like to see this for yourself, you can find more information here.

Seeing the most beautiful book in the world was on my bucket list for years and

I can promise you will not be disappointed.

Every pen stroke, every detail are just beautiful, with care lavished on even the tiniest bits.

I hope you have the opportunity to see the most beautiful book. 

Its words of life and truth are life changing and the calligraphy and illustrations in this copy of the Bible are wonderful beyond description.