Long time, no post.....

Been a really busy week.  I have been working on a construction crew all week and let me tell you, it is really hard on 59 year old bones.  I have been selling like a crazy woman on Ebay too.  And today I set up for another show.  It runs through Saturday....busy, busy, busy.  I love it!

Wanted to post an Easter pic:

Yep, snow.  Oh, well, maybe I will use this for next year's Christmas card.  And the girls were really worn out too......

Have a great weekend!  Later................

Easter Swap

I participated in an Easter Swap from Samantha's Stitcheries and Angela was my swap partner.  Angela, you spoil me!  Look at all the goodies that arrived in the mail yesterday!  I just love them all.  I'm sure many of them were handmade by Angela herself.  She is so talented!  You can visit her blog at: http://www.thecountrycellar.blogspot.com/

I just love all the little goodies, but can you just look at the beautiful, fully reversible spring apron.  Can't wait to wear it on Easter morning.

It looks even better than this pic, just cause I'm no photographer. 

Still busy with Ebay sales, another craft show next weekend and have been working on the job with hubby.  That is even better than a Biggest Loser workout.  Makes an old woman feel muscles she never remembered having.

Please, leave me comments and if you like the info here, sign up as a follower.  Or send my link to your friends. 

Love to all.........later..............

And the winner is......

Okay, so I am cheating just a little on the contest.  Though I asked you to post a comment on my blog, so many of you emailed me your comments or told me you were having troubles.  So I included all of those names as well.......and the winner is Marcia Barnes of Globe, Arizona.  Marcia, your basket is on its way!  Also on its way is my Easter swap gift....Angela, I hope you enjoy it. 

I did a craft show over the week end.  Not a huge success but I always meet the most interesting people!  My next show is Apil 29 and 30 at Kenosha Auctions in Pine Junction.  Hope to see you there.

No pictures to post today.  I do have a new blog that you might check out as well: http://livingonthecheep.blogspot.com/  You will find fun facts about saving money, living your best life, and creativity for little or no money.  Come join me!

Easter ornies

As promised, I am going to give a short lesson called Salt Dough 101.  These are easy and fun to make and your kids will love doing them.  The recipe for the dough is very simple:  1 cup salt, 2 cups flour, one cup water.  You may have another recipe and if so and it works for you, then of course use it.



Roll the dough, just like you would sugar cookies, till its about 1/4 inch thick.  You may want it thicker or thinner, its up to you.  I usually roll out about half at once.  You can reuse dough once, but after that, its best to toss it or it will crack.  Use cookie cutters or whatever you have to cut out the pieces.  Or, if you are pretty talented, go ahead and do some freeform.  I wanted to make Easter eggs but only had large cutters, so I used a plastic egg that opened oblong:

Put them on a cookie sheet and bake at 200-250 degrees for an hour or so.  This depends on how large the pieces are and how thick you choose to make the ornie.  I usually line the cookie sheet with foil so if I want to paint from here I can.  Make sure that you keep the pieces approximately the same size or like cookies, some will get too done, some will not get done enough.

Before putting in the oven, decide if you want to use as ornaments.  For these eggs, I used a small skewer to poke holes in them. You can also bake wire hangers right into them.

Once the ornies are done baking, you might want to sand them a little.  I used a sanding block on these, but even a nail file will work.

Then paint!  I picked out several pastel shades for these eggs, painting one side then when dry, flip them over and paint the other side.  Don't forget the sides!   I just use acrylic craft paint but you can use what you have. 

Then decorate however you want.  I mix designs, colors, etc.  On these ornies, I only decorated one side, but you can do both if you want.

When the paint is dry on both sides, spray generously with an acrylic sealer.  I like a matte finish, but if you like gloss, use that



Let them dry thoroughly.  Now is the time to either antique or age them, or you can add a little sparkle.

  



I use a spray-on glue for glitter and sprinkle some very fine glitter while the spray is still wet.  Add wire, string, ribbon or whatever kind of ribbon that you choose

Then they are ready to display!

Hope you have a great time making your salt dough ornaments!

Tuesday Treasures

Well, I stayed busy all weekend.  I made some more salt dough ornies, this time Easter eggs.  I am not finished painting them yet, but when I do, I will put a tutorial on this blog so you can see just how easy they are!  Well, I promised you hugs and kisses, and here they are!

I think they are so cute.  And aren't hugs and kisses better by the basket full?  I also worked on my first pattern.  It is nearly done and I can't wait to show it to you.  And never think that Christmas is too far off, so I did a little painting too.  Isn't he cute???

Still selling loads on ebay....it is really alot of work.  But what a great way to de-clutter and earn some extra $$$ as well.  Well off to work on taxes.........Yuck...........

Later.............

Friday projects

Well, I have been so busy.....I have been selling like a crazy woman on Ebay, been working on my first pattern, and have been painting and crafting and sewing.  I tried my hand at salt dough ornies and I really like the way they turned out.

I think they look really cute with the candlestick in the wooden bowl.  My favorite is the sunflowers but I like the man in the moon too.  If you know me, you know why sunflowers are so special to me.  So then I had these really cool wreaths and flowers so I put together a couple of wreaths as well.

 I am going to list all of this stuff on Ebay and I am also doing a small show next weekend.  I have made more bunnies and some hugs and kisses.  What are hugs and kisses?  Well stay tuned and I hope to have them finished by Monday to show you. 

And I just wanted to tell you some exciting news.....I am hosting a giveaway, pre-Easter.  A rusty basket full of Easter goodies.  Too cute!  How to enter???  Easy, so easy....just post a comment on this blog.  Just go to the bottom and where it says recent comments, click on continue, and then Post a Comment.  If you are a follower, I can contact you that way.  If not, either leave me an email address (you can email it to me -if you don't want it to appear on the post- at lindabmatthews@msn.com) and I will draw next Sunday, 4/17.  I want to be able to get your treasure to you by Easter.  Nothing to buy.  Just a little thank you for stopping by. 

Have a great weekend and will post more the first of the week.  Love to all....Later...............