Easy to make Greeting Cards

Greeting Cards

 Simple Traditions

I'm a little old fashioned. 
I believe that there are a few 
holiday traditions that should not be tampered with-
one of those being the paper Greeting Card .

The Greeting Card is the perfect example of the fact
 that wonderful things do come in small packages.

Greeting Cards are the keepers of cherished memories
and a fine forum for fond sentiments. 
Their paper folds harbor a safe place for the scent of souls passed
as sure as the graphics present a feast for the eyes to behold..


The satisfaction of perusing the past never grows as old  as the sender and the receiver of the stories told.
 Only time will tell what a greeting card can do for the soul.

 A blank stare?
If the thought of a blank page or a believed lack of creativity
has kept you from creating your own Greeting Cards then you'll be glad to know that these cards basically create themselves!

 Use a card stock paper to create your blank card stock.
Any white glue will work as an adhesive for most things.
I shop for envelopes in second hand store, where I can often purchase packages of up to 50 for a dollar or two. The cards can then be cut to fit the envelopes.


Create your own Greeting Cards
 
For a full size Card from a full 8.5x11 inch sheet of card stock
Place sheet on table with 8.5 inches as width and 11 inch side as height. Fold in half down from top.
 Keep fold at top and match bottom edges before rubbing down the fold.
Next fold from left to right matching front edges to card size 4.25x 5.5 inches.
Keeping fold at left rub down the fold.

Lillian the Domestic Engineer.Blogspot.ca

 I purchased a pkg. of Gift Tag stickers in a set of 6, each roll with different images.
I like the snowmen for their simplicity.
A perfect starting point for each of  this series of Cards.
#1. Stick a single gift tag label on the front of your folded card.
I put this sticker on the top half of the card with the intention of writing underneath.
It could easily be placed in the center
with the writing being inside the card.

I like to create many cards at a time. Try it, Lay out ten cards and place one label on each

#2.  Add a shiny, 1st dimensional element to the card.
 Broken and unwanted Christmas decorations are an excellent source for inspirational pieces.
 The small parcel glued onto the card above at left was once part of a Christmas Corsage.
The stars at top right are a sequence typically sewed onto fabric, simply glued into place..
 The rhinestones used at bottom right are from the dollar store and are applied with glue
as is the broken tree garland bit used below left.
  The shiny element adds a bounce for the eyes and is meant to enhance the main graphics. Keep it simple.

Make your own Cards

Crafty Greetings

#3 Add a 2nd layer to your gift tag card.
On several of the cards I simply glued a colored rhinestone to the buttons on the snowman.  It is very subtle but adds a lovely layer of depth and interest to your card. 
Glitter fabric paint is also an easy way to add dimension. Once applied be sure to wait for the layer to dry before moving on.


#4 Add the greeting to your card.
Keep it simple! Basic stick letters can be enhanced by simply dotting the top and bottom of the written letters. I used a thin black sharpie but a blue ink would also have worked well. Fabric paints can also be used to write with.
Personal notes can then be hand written inside the card.
Don't forget to sign and date your piece of art on the back of the card.

Homemade Card

Create your own holiday greetings

The card on bottom right has been started by pinning on (through the front layer of card paper only)  a seasonal brooch. It can be removed and worn by the card recipient. I enhanced the brooch by first gluing rhinestones to its branches.
Happy Holiday to you and yours.
Check back for my series of Cards created with buttons.
Click here for other craft projects 

Start your own creative collection of Cards! Vintage Rubber Stamp Set

Get it together

 

 Get it together!

 Getting organized. I thought this such a clever idea that I had to share this easy way of organizing the Collector Cards that seem to amass in our wallets.

 With a hole punch put a hole through each of the Collector Cars. Take care to punch in an area away from the bar code on the back of each card.

Thread each card face up onto a key ring and file the cards back into your wallet.

The next time you need to find a particular card, you've got it together!

Oh Zuchinni

This is the vegetable we love to hate.
Zucchini. 
The name itself doesn't exactly conjure up visions of sugar plums.
 In fact Zucchini sounds rather like an unappetizing slaw of some sort
 that must surely be served in a bowl and probably cold.
 Just seeing one of the green beasts laying around the counter in my kitchen
 has long been known to instantly incite a stampede of panicked diners out of my kitchen.
.
 

Zucchini. The Vege we love to hate.

 "Don't even think of it!  Not gonna eat it."
Starts the exodus and the doubt in their minds.

There is no doubt in my mind that unbeknownst to them, I have been putting Zucchini in almost everything they have eaten for many years.
The mistake I continue to make is letting them see the green beast before they eat.
Out of sight, out of mind.





This fall I'm keeping them on the deck outside until I manage to grate, chop, stuff, slice and cook with
 this years supply.
I learned the first year I planted Zucchini many moons ago that as few as 2 plants would provide all the Zucchini  one household could desire!
Needless to say I only made that mistake once. 
I had ambitiously planted 7  plants the first year I grew Zucchini!!
Although my neighbors were all friendly folk  there did come a time when they each and all finally
 refused to accept any more Zucchini please and thank you.
That fall I canned at least 100 pints of Zucchini Bread and Butter Pickles.
 I followed a recipe for cucumbers and put Zucchini in the cukes place. They were delicious. (for several years)
They were in addition to the loaves, the muffins, the meatballs, the freezer bags of grated Zucchini and the  fresh stir fryers that I picked (or received) small and kept aside.

Over the last few Falls I have been the lucky recipient of the results of an over planted Zucchini bed.
Because I have not had a garden of my own for several years now
 I was willing and able to use the Zucchini that came my way.
There did come a time however when I finally had to say
 No more Zucchini coming my way!"

                                    Chocolate Zucchini Loaf
                                         in Muffin Tins for everybody!
This is a delicious, moist, mix that can be baked in a loaf pan or as I prefer in Muffin Tins.
The 2 cups of Zucchini hidden within is absolutely certain to fool even the most seasoned of pick eaters.
 In fact, last night I served these warm Chocolate Zucchini Muffins to my youngest Son, 
who hasn't knowingly put a vegetable past his lips in almost 19 years! 
 After watching the other 4 diners gobble down the chocolate muffins, he finally indulged himself.
I asked him how he enjoyed it and he confessed that it wasn't bad and then
he had a second. 
The Zucchini inclusion is just wisely and respectfully not discussed. 

Here is the RECIPE

9 Tbsp. Margerine
2 Cups Sugar                                      combine and beat till smooth
3 Eggs
1/2 Cup Milk

3 Tbsp. Oil                                            Add to above and Stir
2 Tsp. Vanilla

2 3/4 Cup Flour
9 Tbsp. Cocoa
2 1/2 Tsp. Baking Powder                      Sift together and add to above
1 1/2 Tsp. Baking Soda                           alternating with grated Zucchini
1/4 Tsp. Salt
 

2 Cups Grated Zucchini                           Stir only until mixed well.


   Bake in Muffin Tins at 350 for approx. 18-20 min  Makes about 15 medium size Muffins.
    Bake in Grease Loaf Pan at 350 for approx. 50-55 min.  Makes 2 small loaves.


              Meatballs and Zucchini
             If the timing be right I find the process of making meatballs to be very therapeutic!?
              Have I lost my marbles?

             These meatballs are readily consumed and enjoyed by everyone who eats them.
             Happily that includes the 19 year old who continues to think ner' a Vege has passed his lips.

                                           Grated Zucchini in MEATBALLS or MEATLOAF
                                             is a great way to add moisture to a lean ground beef.                                            Simply ad a cup of grated Zucchini to your favorite recipe.

                      After an evening spent preparing, baking and finally freezer bags of Meatballs
                      I fancy the following as an easy, quick, crock pot comfort food. 
                      Served on a bed of Basmati rice or slopped inside of Sub buns and topped with  
                      grated cheese these Meatballs have proven to be a crowd pleaser..
                     
                      As easy as 1-2-3
                Combine equal parts of KETCHUP and GRAPE JELLY in a saucepan.
                        Bring gently to a boil while stirring continuously.
                         Let boil for 30 seconds and remove from heat. 
                Put fresh or frozen meatballs into pot,  pour hot sauce over meatballs.
                       Cover and cook on medium heat or in Crock Pot for about 1 hour. 
                Stir occasionally and add water or lemon juice or Orange Juice if sauce gets too thick. 

                       No mistakes in the recipe. Nope it is that easy. 
                       You can add pizza sauce, chili sauce and lemon juice to taste. 

                 

Weather you like it or not

Isn't it funny
how much time we spend contemplating, discussing and complaining about the weather when we do know 
just how little control we have over the outcome.


 If we were to indulge half as much time
into the study and understanding
 of one another then perhaps 
the discoveries divulged
may themselves lead us all to sunny skies.



 The WEATHER is free just to be                                                                                         whether you like it or not!


Enjoy the weather wherever you are, whatever it may be
chances are it won't be what it is five minutes from now.
I know in my part of the country it is a well spoken quote
"If you don't like the weather just wait five minutes."

We are now counting the days left before the snow flies as opposed to the days of summer yet to come
 and the hours of light to enjoy on a summers night.

Some things will remain forever as they are
 and I guess that's OK with me!
 

At the edge of a vision

                              at the edge of a vision

 

                                               

my creative energy beckons me to originality. 
I go out for a look and see... 

  
   I think  I'll go right
-to the heart of the matter.

Down memory lane with my camera recorder
to capture the moments
at the heart of my matter.


Up-Cycled neck tie to the rescue

Of course I never leave home without my I phone Case!
These fashionably clever, functionally handy cases
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The leather strap looks as good as it wears. 

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Leather strap. 
Velcro enclosure for added safety.
Know where your phone is.
Fashionable, hands free carrying case.

I love mine.
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16.00 Canadian + Shipping
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Is Home where the Heart is?

Lillian the Domestic Engineer
My DAZE
Read more HERE



Homemakers
labor round the clock at mustering the making of miracles.
In the name of Love they undertake to partake
in the free rearing of a humanity for its own sake.

Traditionally a Mom she has been
whether or not her heart was in it.
Assumptions and inequality
attempting to feed
 the needs of reality starved communities.

Thankfully with the potential for equality
 in our conversations traveling at internet speed
and the boomers desire to liberate humanity
domestication is finally being viewed in a new way.

Just being female no longer makes it true
that domestication is meant for you.

I'm alright with that. I believe in equality.
I hope that my Sons will each have the opportunity
to experience Fatherhood, guiltlessly.
From within the confines of a domesticity
 that is valued in a society
as a worthy and rewarding career.

The world is at work
changing the way we view the Homemaker and domesticity
and so it darn well should be.
The business of being at home is becoming less of a gender issue
and more a reality to the needs of family in community.


So be it.
Tis the differences between us that make the world interesting
-Lest we forget that.

Blessed be our children by the Love that abounds
in households being liberated the world round.

Home is where the heart is and where our children should be!

Homemaker have earned a priceless place in humanity.
Building the houses of our communities
into homes of safe growth and moral integrity. 

By investing in the value of raising humanity
we ensure the future of our own sanity.  


Perhaps the time has finally come
for the world to rally behind our "Moms"
be that a he or a she
to liberate the finances for domesticity
to help make family all that it can be.





The Society of Domestic Engineers

 Homemakers.
Domain domesticates.
A silent majority
Working universally
Laboring endlessly.
Multitasking tirelessly.
Cheering relentlessly.

 

The long and winding road
that leads to your door
should never disappear....

we've seen that road before my dear
it always leads to here...


do we really value
our Domestic Engineers?



How do we value the Homemaker in the 21st Century?
 At $97,000.00 a year "Experts" say.

At what cost do we work to keep the Homemaker from obscurity?
 At any cost, I say!


Isn't it an occupation that we must finally undertake to pay
knowing that the absence of
results in the cost being higher than we can afford to
 and much more than we should be willing to pay.