Our 1st Tree

I love the challenges that I am presented with as a design team member at Scrapbook Magazine UK.  I look forward to receiving my emails from Lindsey offering me something new to get my creative juices flowing.   Issue 71 was just released this week and I was fortunate to be given two challenges and have both layouts published.

This is my layout  for the sketch challenge in Issue 71, I will show you the second layout in a future blog post.  I turned the sketch on it's side and used the Pion Design "Waiting for Santa" papers and created this 12x12 layout.

Meagan & Jake had the chance to spend a weekend at a friend's farm where they were able to cut down their very first Christmas tree.  They were so excited to bring home their "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree.

And a few close-ups....

 Designer Tip:

After cutting 4 trees from the Sizzix die;  I painted glue over the fronts of the trees and sprinkled Tim Holtz Distress Stickle Dry Glitter on top, let dry and then used a spatula to add small amounts of Deco Art Snow Tex to the tips of the tree branches to make it look like snow.  I then sprayed them with Imagine Goosebumps Shimmer Texture Spray to make them look wintery and wet.

And, as I always do.... sewed each paper layer down with my sewing machine!

My Easter Eggs

First day of Spring and it's almost that time of year when we get to hunt for Easter eggs.  I'm a little sad that my kids are too old to hunt for eggs but on a positive note.... they are never too old to eat them and this is one of their favourite egg dishes.  I don't just make them at Easter, I make them for every special occasion and, because I've made them so many times, I could do it blindfolded!
My devilled eggs...

... and here is my recipe, straight from memory!

Boil the eggs for 7-9 minutes, running them under cold water while peeling them really helps to remove the shell (this was a tip from my father-in-law who made the best hard boiled eggs!).
Remove the yolk and mix with the following: mayonnaise, ground mustard, Italian seasoning, thyme, basil, oregano, Tobasco sauce, salt and pepper.  Stuff the mixture into the egg white shells and top with paprika and a half slice of olive.  They take only a few minutes to make and are a great tasting appetizer.

Don't you just love my egg serving dish?  I received it as a wedding gift many years ago and it gets used on a regular basis!

Happy Easter and Enjoy!

Follow me on Bloglovin

You all know I just started using Bloglovin’, which I personally adore. Hence I couldn’t avoid telling you that it's finally online the new App for Iphone. It’s a really easy and practical App through which you will be able to follow all your favourite blogs including mine.
A simple graphic but at the same time really cool! Don’t wait any longer and download the app from here.

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Smart-Mom-mies Review

A few weeks ago I was very fortunate to connect with Tera of Smart-Mom-mies in beautiful British Columbia.  She posted this amazing review of my blankets.

• Sun 7 Designs
• Personalized Baby Blankets
• Custom Designed By: Valery Klassen

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"From the moment your baby is born your new bundle will be wrapped with love in a blanket.  Your little one will soon feel comfort with a special blankie and soon it will turn out that they are asking for their special blankie and almost become like a friend.

Valery Klassen of Sun 7 Designs has truly designed the most desirable and personable baby blanket.  If you go to her website you will instantly fall in love with her blankets.  Having a blanket personalized with a child’s name gives it such aspecial meaning. 

Valery was so kind in designing a blanket for my youngest daughter who is 21months.  My daughters name is Vanessa but we all call her Nessa.  Nessa was embroidered on the blanket with the word Princess and a little crown.

I love the Minky Fabric that Sun 7 Designs uses.  If you are not familiar with this fabric it is so soft against your skin,especially babies or children’s sensitive skin.  I love this fabric because you can wash it many times and it always remains looking new.  It holds shape and you don’t have to iron it.  My children have always loved the Minky Fabric because they love the textured feeling which stimulates a child’s senses.  My daughter loves rubbing her hands over this blanket and putting it up against her cheek while falling asleep.

Sun 7 Designs baby blankets are custom made for that special baby in your life and are available in three sizes.   All of the blankets can be customized with a personalized name, birth date and design.  These blankets are both double sizedso you can choose 2 colours or just have the same color on both sides.  The designs can also be embroidered on either side.

Valery is very talented with her creations and designs that Perfect Must Have Baby Blanket.  I highly recommend this for your babies/tots.  I think this would make for a perfect gift after a baby is born.

For 1^st time moms you will soon realize that most babies and tots love snuggling up to their blankie.  This is a great keepsake to put away and give to your child down the road".

Thanks for the love Tera, you are too kind!
This is the set that I made for her daughter, Princess Nessa.

If you are interested in having a blanket made for your little one or as a perfect shower gift for the new baby; check out my website at Sun 7 Designs.

DIY Chalkboard Tray

This had to be one of the fastest and easiest projects that I have done.... and I must say, it was a lot of fun and I love how it turned out.
My brother had a few antique silver trays in his garage so when he moved, I snagged them.

I used Martha Stewart's chalkboard paint and a foam brush and painted 4 coats on to completely cover the embossed pattern on the tray.  I cut out the vinyl letters with my Cricut and hung it on the kitchen wall with ribbon.

 As you can see, my husband already put it to good use..... He is the chef in our family!

Hearts Remember

21 years ago a total stranger gave me a beautiful home-made heart framed in a little gold frame with the words "Hearts Remember" printed on it and it touched my heart,  so when I saw a posting from Holly Johnson asking 26 people to participate in a tribute to the Sandy Hook victims, I knew this was my calling to pay it forward to a total stranger.  I  am so very honoured to be a part of the tribute to the Sandy Hook victims.  This special tribute was organized by Holly Johnson, a fellow crafter,  who asked 26 people to chose one of the victims and make a special heart.  It could be made from anything; paper, wood, fabric etc... so I made mine out of heavy chipboard and patterned paper.

I chose Mary Sherlach; she was the 56 year old school's psychologist and she was killed on December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School as she ran towards the gunman.  Mary Sherlach was laid to rest on Friday December 21st and was remembered as being vivacious, a dedicated Miami Dolphins fan as well as a dedicated school psychologist who intervened, not just on that horrific day but throughout her life.  Mary worked at the Sandy Hook Elementary School for 18 years giving support and guidance to the young children.  Married for 31 years to husband Bill, the pair have two daughters aged 25 and 28.

Somehow I feel an unexplainable connection to Mary.  We are almost the same age and our children are very close in age.  I didn't hesitate in choosing her name from the list, I just clicked on it immediately.  Something told me that this was the right thing to do and the right person to choose.
I still can't help but cry when I read or see any news on this story. I know those of us that are parents must have rushed to our children that day and hugged them a little tighter and even though my children are 23 and 28, they are still my children and I hugged them a little tighter. 

This tragedy hit us all very hard, it's unfathonomable and unexplainable and my heart is full of sadness.
I hope this heart, along with the other 25 hearts bring some comfort and love to the families of these 26 amazing souls.
You can see all the hearts here on Holly's blog.
This is a photo of Mary and this is my tribute "Hearts Remember" heart.

I still have my special "Hearts Remember" heart on my shelf in my sewing room.  The person who made it for me will never know just how much that meant to me during a very difficult time in my life.  I will cherish it forever.