Thanks Lizz for the inspiration.  It was so quick and easy to do.

It took more time to gather the materials than to put it together.  Just used a grapevine wreath and some pipe cleaners.

Have a great Holiday Weekend!

Lewy Body Dementia Awareness Bracelets

I did a web search for Lewy Body Dementia bracelets and all that I could find were Alzheimers and Parkinson's Awareness Bracelets.

Lewy Body Dementia is the 2nd most common dementia after Alzheimers but almost no-one knows what it is.  Since we are living with it with my Dad, Jenna and I thought it would be appropriate to create our own bracelets for some very special people in our lives.  We combined the silver for Parkinsons with  the blue from Alzheimers and added forget me not flowers and a heart. 
We still have some supplies so if you would like to help us in our awareness campaign let us know.

Fairy tale friends

I think this stamp set is from Hero Arts.  I purchased it when I was planning to do a fairy tale castle book for Jenna but she is now 14 and I don't think she would enjoy it now as much as when I originally planned to do it.  Anyway a fun image to colour.

Love his Fairy Stamp

I love this Fairy stamp so much I purchased it twice.  I passed one set to a friend so she can enjoy her as much as I did.

Thank you card

I've had this stamp set for years and its the first time I have used it.

Another favourite retired Stampin Up Set

Still having fun using forgotten stamps, papers and embellishment with our new Copic Markers

another baby card

This baby card uses one of my favourite retired Stampin Up sets.  I haven't used him for a while but I'm sure he'll make a comeback in my most frequently used stamps.

Baby Cards

Jenna and I have been playing with our new Copic Markers to colour some forgotten stamp images.    I used Sure Cuts a Lot software with files I downloaded from http://fam-bjork.se/monicas-hobbysida/en_craft_robo_misc_3.html      to cut the lacey mats.   Embellishments purchased at the dollar store finished off the cards.   I will post some other examples in the next few days.

These cards used the same image from a Close to My Heart Easter set.

Happy Birthday to a very dear friend.
Wish big Eliz.  Hope you have a
wonderful day.

We have a new favourite toy or should I say toys.  Jenna and I have discovered Copic Markers and have rediscovered some of our neglected stamps sets as well.  The alchohol markers come in over 300 colours and blend really nicely.  Makes colouring fun again.   We are also using our Cricut digital cutter and Sure Cuts a Lot Software to make custom mats for the images.  Will share some cards we have made when completed.

Almost finished my Bernat Mystery Afghan

Decided to join the 2012 Bernat Mystery Afghan Knit along.

We were given a different clue each week. I decided to vary my top and bottom borders from the pattern.

I liked the side borders so much I did them on top and bottom instead of the moss stitch borders suggested.

Great blog for scrapbook sketches and layouts

A wonderful blog with sketches and fabulous layouts

Check it out.

http://sketchsavvy.blogspot.com/

Have to recreate a skating dress

Jenna is in a beginner synchronized skating team and is so much taller than her team mates. So of course it stands to reason their costume department does not have a dress to fit 5' 9" Jenna so. Oma is coming to the rescue and helping us recreate the dress. The only part I was not able to match was the silver/black part around the bodice and the neck so I bought silver fabric.

Will post a photo of Jenna in her dress when it has been completed but here is the dress we have to recreate. She'll look just fabulous in her made to measure dress. Thanks so much Oma.

Its all about quick projects

My life is a little complicated right now so its all about quick projects I can do without too much thought. I saw an interlocking ring granny square on Pinterest and tried my hand with Bernat's Pink Ribbon cotton handcraft yarn. I did the original granny square and then added 2 more circles for another look.

Jenna's birthday

My baby turned 14 this week. Last week she celebrated with a sleepover party and this weekend we will celebrate with Oma and Opa at Parkwood Hospital so her celebration stretched out over a week.

Better late than never

Who said Gingerbread Houses are just for Christmas. We think they are fun any time of year.

My kids had a couple of their cousins stay overnight and they had fun decorating their houses.

Happy New Year

We are celebrating New Years with a Dutch tradition. My mom and dad usually make these but this year we have taken on the challenge and will bring them tomorrow. Here is the recipe.

Oliebollen

Ollie-bollen, or (Oliebollen) is a dutch pastry similar to a doughnut. It typically is a deep fried pastry filled with raisins and dusted with powdered sugar. Some modern variations serve them topped with berry filling, but this is a traditional recipe. Oliebollen are a traditional treat on New Year's"

Ingredients
1 (0.6 ounce) cake compressed fresh yeast
1 cup lukewarm milk
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 egg
3/4 cup dried currants
3/4 cup raisins
1 Granny Smith apple - peeled, cored and finely chopped
1 quart vegetable oil for deep-frying
1 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting
Directions
Break up the compressed yeast, and stir into the warm milk. Let stand for a few minutes to dissolve. Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl. Stir the yeast mixture and egg into the flour and mix into a smooth batter. Stir in the currants, raisins and apple. Cover the bowl, and leave the batter in a warm place to rise until double in size. This will take about 1 hour.
Heat the oil in a deep-fryer, or heavy deep pan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Use 2 metal spoons to shape scoops of dough into balls, and drop them carefully into the hot oil.
Fry the balls until golden brown, about 8 minutes. The doughnuts should be soft and not greasy. If the oil is not hot enough, the outside will be tough and the insides greasy. Drain finished doughnuts on paper towels and dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve them piled on a dish with more confectioners' sugar dusted over them. Eat them hot if possible.

Christmas Day lunch

Since Dad was not able to be home for Christmas we brought a little Christmas to the hospital.

A couple more pages from the Rietdyk Christmas