Journals of Love for Cancer Patients

When Dawn Gehring, Managing Editor of Crafts 'n Things, asked if I knew of a paper crafting project for the "Crafting for a Cause" section in the October 2010 issue, I jumped at the opportunity to write about someone I had "met" in an online art group. Shirley Nagel has a passion, and everyone she comes into contact with soon knows.
Shirley makes journals for distribution to cancer patients. Some may use the journal to organize information, record their thoughts, or even as a sketch pad. What began as a simple gift for a family member has blossomed into a ministry that blesses many.

I hope that you will pick up a copy of this issue and read Shirley's heartwarming story on page 94. If it touches you, let Shirley know.

I made these journals for Shirley to distribute with Adirondack® Pigment Inks and Adirondack® Dye Inks. (Stamps by Hot Off the Press) I hope that they will be a small encouragement in what is a difficult time.

For more information, go to Journals of Love. Shirley would be happy to share her experience or to place journals you create.

________________________

Don't miss the update on this project in the October 2011 issue of Crafts 'n things. You'll find my post here.

Better Backgrounds: Alcohol Impressions

Looking for different ways to use your Tim Holtz™ Adirondack® Alcohol Inks? Add these wonderful stamps by Fred B. Mullett, and that's all you'll need to create striking backgrounds on Inkssentials™ Gloss Paper.

The falling leaves card showcases Mullett's Big Oriental Plane leaf.

Solved the technique mystery? More wonderful nature stamps, Magnolia and Lil’ Magnolia with Roann Mathias' "Mystery" stamp (The Stamping Studio.) One Adirondack® Dye Ink pad is all that you will need to complete the card below.

You can find detailed instructions on page 70 of the October 2010 issue of Crafts ‘n Things.

Recipe for Fashion Kitchen Set

The memory is rather faint: a day devoted to creating a Black Forest Cake from scratch only to discover that the husband who loves chocolate and lists cherry pie as a favorite did not like any combination of the two ingredients. The days when I enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen and envisioned neatly organized recipe files have long since passed. Instead, I just needed a place to file cards of different sizes, newspaper clipping, and the bits and pieces of recipes shared by friends over the years. With that in mind, I created this recipe box and coordinating grocery list and entertainment planner for the October 2010 issue of Crafts ‘n Things.

Grocery shopping is still an ordeal, but I smile each time I make my grocery list now. For detailed instructions, see page 74.
Stamps: Ornate Bird (Hero Arts®); Trumpet Vine and Forget Me Not Sprig (Memory Box); Large Gothic Lower Alphabet (Postmodern Design).
Inks: Tim Holtz™ Adirondack® Alcohol Inks and Metallic Mixative; Adirondack® Pigment Inks; Adirondack® Dye Ink. Also used, Inkssentials™ White Opaque Pen.

ATCs – Beyond Trading: Seasonal Door Hangers

When I was a little girl, I loved Halloween. It was a magical experience. Although I don't care for the taste, I still eat candy corn in October and reminisce about homemade popcorn balls. As an adult, these door hangers provide little reminders of the simplicity of childhood. You'll find the details on page 54 of the October 2010 issue of Crafts ‘n Things.

The stamps are from the Trick or Treat plate by Oxford Impressions. The door hangers feature Ranger® inks: Archival™ Ink, Adirondack® Dye Ink, and Tim Holtz™ Distress Ink. Tim Holtz™ Distress™ Stickles™ Glitter Glue and Inkssentials™ Glossy Accents™ provide the highlights.

30 Minute Card Ideas: School Days and October Fun

We've been back in school for almost three weeks already. The heat has been excessive, and "standard" dress has replaced the cute little skirts of my day. Times have changed, but the smell of new school supplies and the anticipation I see on students' faces has not. Take a walk down memory lane with this card from the October 2010 issue of Crafts 'n Things. (I think I had a dress just like this.)

As with all projects in the 30 Minutes section, you can find complete instructions online here. The Oxford Impressions stamp is one of several that bring back pleasant memories from the School Days plate. The card uses Archival™ Ink, Adirondack® Dye Ink, and Tim Holtz™ Distress Ink.

If your Halloween memories don't include super heroes or television characters, you may enjoy this card.

The instructions may be found here. The stamp is from another Oxford Impressions plate, Trick or Treat. The card also uses Archival™ Ink and Tim Holtz™ Distress Ink. You'll find these cards on pages 42-43.