A great GIVEAWAY ...

just for helping out a great cause!  Nancy W. has put together a GIVEAWAY for anyone that helps out.

A Service Dog for Sue... read Sue and Droopy's story HERE!

if you are able to

 make a donation 

of $5 or more,

visit this page!

 Everyone that donates and leaves a comment on Nancy W.'s post will be entered into a drawing for this amazing prize package. 

Donate $5 or more to Sue's service dog,

on the site listed above

and

I will put your name in a hat

for a prize drawing.

The prize (worth over $100 retail) includes

Graphic 45 goodies from me

+

a ton of good things donated by

Gina's Designs

(some not even on her site yet!).

(all brand new product still in the original packaging)

This drawing will end September 30

and Nancy will notify the winner

and ship to you free of charge.

I have added to the already fabulous drawing,

a complete brand new mini book kit

from

The Button Farm.

(Retail value = $55+)

The entire prize package will go to one lucky winner.

All you have to do is donate here:

A Service Dog For Sue & Retirement For Droopy

then come back and leave a comment on Nancy W's post!

Upcoming Classes & A Story to Share...

Many of you have met my friends, Sue & Droopy Thompson.  They are frequent visitors to For Keeps Sake and they also volunteer at Beasley School in the Mehlville School District.  Droopy the service dog is almost 12 years old and the time has come for him to retire.

 Sue has an opportunity to receive a new service dog partner from the American Service Dog Association.  The cost of this new Partner is $6,000.00 and they already have $1,000.00 from a very generous supporter! 

 Follow this link to their Indigogo Campaign and read the entire story.  Please consider making a donation.  Any amount would be helpful.  If you cannot help, share the story on your facebook page, google+ or your blog!  

                                               A Service Dog for Sue



My class on Wednesday, August 21

Pink Paislee Travel Portfolio

 I have 3 spots left in this great class!  we will be using a complete kit from Pink Paislee (designed by Rebecca Cross) to create an entire travel themed album.

Document your favorite travel memories into 1 comprehensive binder album that includes 6 paper tab dividers and 12 assorted pocket size page protectors.  Store mementos, travel photos and more while discovering new ways to create photo flip stacks and photo frames.  We will shine up our projects using Color Shine Spritz, a metallic sharpie and glossy accents.


Each kit will include:
Portfolio Chipboard Binder Album
6-12x12 Travel Portfolio Papers
12-Portfolio Photo Frames
24-Portfolio Tiny Tabs
12-Portfolio Photograms
9-Hope Chest Label Stickers
1-Luxe Gold Chipboard Placemat
1-Luxe Black Glitter Alphabet
1-Artisan Words Travel
1-Artisan Scallop Ribbon (36")
1-Heidi Swapp Color Shine Spray (bronze)

Students need to bring to class:
Metallic Gold Sharpie
Glossy Accents
Black Journal Pen
Washi Tape to coordinate with album
1.5" Circle Punch
Corner Rounder
Personal Paper Trimmer
Scissors
Adhesive
Pop Dots
Sanding Tools
Paper Towels
Ruler

Cost is only $30.  Call For Keeps Sake to save your spot!

Preserving the Past...

 Thanks to my Preserving the Past ladies for another fun class!  Next month's class is a 50's theme.   Call For Keeps Sake to reserve your spot!

Wednesday, August 14 @ 6pm

Bring your basics plus:

Evergreen Bough Distress Ink

Or Clover Adirondack Ink

R27 & BG72 Copic Marker

Or Similar Color Marker

This is the recipe for the Oatmeal Cookie Bars I brought last night.  The recipe is from blogger, Michelle ONE ORDINARY DAY.  

She used cinnamon chips but I didn't have any on hand so I added 1/2 cup of peanut butter.   The sea salt on top makes it even more yummy. 


Recipe:  Oatmeal Cookie Bars

1/2 c. canola oil
1 c. light brown sugar
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 Tbsp. milk
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
3 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
1 3/4 c. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 bag of cinnamon chips
sea salt to sprinkle on top
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 13×9″ pan with foil, so that the ends hang over the long sides of your pan.  (Easier to lift the bars out later.)
In a large bowl, combine oil, sugars, eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt.  Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes or until sugars have dissolved.
In another bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, and cinnamon chips.  Stir until just combined.  Add to liquid mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until combined.  (The batter is very thick.)  Transfer to prepared pan.  (Ingrid’s tip:  Use dampened fingers to spread dough into the corners of the pan.  Worked like a charm.) Sprinkle sea salt on top.
Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden.  Remove from oven and cool until firm.  Lift bars out using foil “handles” and cut into bars.  Store tightly covered.

A new adventure~

Most of you know my youngest son Zack (aka Army Son).  He is trying something new to earn money for his education after his GI bill runs out.  When he was only 15 he started his own computer repair business called PRECISION Computer repair.   We were sure glad when he got his driver's license so he could drive himself to house calls!  Anyway, I digress!  Check out his new idea, watch the video and please share with your friends if you are so inclined!  Thanks in advance!

The Effortless Twig - Reclaimed Wood Furniture

 

New Class: Preserving the Past and Missy's Art Journal classs!

Preserving the Past for June

Wednesday, June 12 @ 6 pm

This month's 2 page layout is a tribute to Dad.  We will use papers from G45 and Bazzill in this masculine Heritage layout!  Call For Keeps Sake @ 314-487-8131 to save your spot in this class.


Missy had her 2nd Art Journaling Adventure class and it was awesome.  Since I was working I didn't get to sit in on the class but I tried my own version of her beautiful houses!  I still need to add words to this:

Some of the other Artists from last Saturday!

Check the For Keeps Sake blog for Missy's next class! 

Thanks Ladies! and a recipe to share...

Thanks to all the ladies in my class this afternoon!  Everyone finished their little book in class and I think they turned out adorable!  

I brought cupcakes this afternoon and everyone wanted the recipe so I am posting it for everyone's enjoyment.  My Mom makes this in a bundt pan but it seemed to work well for cupcakes too.  I drizzled a little caramel ice cream topping on top but this cake is great on it's own too.

 

Southern Praline Pecan Cake

1 (18.25 ounce) package butter pecan cake mix 

1 (16 ounce) container coconut pecan frosting 

4 eggs 

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 cup water 

1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9 or 10 inch Bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Combine the cake mix with the frosting, eggs, oil, water and 1/2 of the pecan pieces. Mix until combined.
3. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 of pecans in the prepared Bundt pan then pour in the cake batter.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

 I like to toast the pecans before adding them.  Let the cake cool completely before taking it out of the pan as it tends to fall apart when warm. 

 

 

 

 

 

Gelli Sharing . . .

 

I've been wanting to try something a little different with all the fun background papers that I've accumulated.  This giant paper mache letter at For Keeps Sake was perfect for what I had in mind.

I used gelli printed deli papers torn into small pieces and glued them to the surface of the letter.   I then pressed the whole letter onto the plate.  I think it turned out really fun and it's definitely one of a kind! 

Classes...Projects and more ...

I have been a bad blogger lately.  I have had good intentions but like everyone I have so much going on!

A big THANKS to my friend Missy for an awesome Art Journaling Class  at For Keeps Sake.  
Everyone had so much fun and created their own version of her beautiful bird page!  I was so busy I forgot to take photos but snapped a couple of these "artists"!

Now that I have a little confidence . . . I couldn't wait to get started on my own page.  I've been playing with my Gelli printing plate like crazy and chose a bright and sunshiney background for my page.   

La Dolce Vita

 

Upcoming CLASSES:

Spring Is Mini Book

Sunday, May 5 @ 12:30-3:00pm

Celebrate Spring with this sweet little mini book made with Graphic 45.   2 spaces available

Please bring Basic Supplies plus:

Foam dots/squares
Sanding block or tools
Beacom 3 in 1 Glue
Cropidile

Suggested Colors for inks etc. below:
Green Ink (Memento Olive Grove or Pistachio)
Brown Ink (Ranger Archival Coffee or Sepia)
Viva Magic Transparent Pearl Pen Lemon or Ice
Art Anthology Colorations Spray Warm
Adhesive to adhere paper to chipboard cover (Glue Stick, Matte Medium)




Preserving the Past for May

Wednesday, May 8 @ 6pm
Each month we create a 2 page layout perfect for your heritage scrapbook.   This month we will use papers from My Mind's Eye and Graphic 45. 

Call For Keeps Sake @ 314-487-8131

New Project . . .

Yesterday I took a little time out to play with Wood Icing, Stencils, paints and a 5x7 Artist's Canvas Board.  This little piece was inspired by my recent workshop with Mary Nasser last month.  In class we created this:

This is my little 5x7 canvas board.  I used a StencilGirl stencil (window), and unk stencil (bird), Inka Gold Metallic Rubs, paints, gelatoes, Wood Icing, Bronze Pearl Pen, Ranger Color Wash spray.  I like it!

New Class for May!

Spring Is . . . Mini Book 

Sunday, May 5 @ 12:30-3:00pm
Celebrate Spring with this sweet little mini book made with Graphic 45.

Please bring Basic Supplies plus:
Foam dots/squares
Sanding block or tools
Beacon 3 in 1 Glue
Cropidile

Suggested Colors for inks etc. below:
Green Ink (Memento Olive Grove or Pistachio)
Brown Ink (Ranger Archival Coffee or Sepia)
Viva Magic Transparent Pearl Pen Lemon or Ice
Art Anthology Colorations Spray Warm or another brown
Adhesive to adhere paper to chipboard cover (Glue Stick, Matte Medium)

LIMITED to 8 Students.  Call For Keeps Sake to reserve your space in this class.  314-487-8131

Another great workshop!

Saturday I was able to take Mary C. Nasser's Mixed Media Workshop at For Keeps Sake!  We had amazing time creating our own unique pieces of ART with WoodIcing, StencilGirl Stencils, paints, Inca Gold Metallic Rubs and more!

Here is the beginning of my canvas project:

This is not "finished", I'm still working on adding some text and highlighting the words. 

To get an idea how unique each project evolved, hop over to Julie Ann Johnson's Blog "Life Astonished" to see her Artwork. 

Thanks, Mary!  It was a great workshop!

Thanks Ladies! Gelli Project and a New Class!

Thanks to all the gals that attended my class last night!  Terri brought her amazing treats from Merb's Candies!  The marshmallow eggs are my favorite!

Next month's class is on display at For Keeps Sake . . . 

Preserving the Past for April

Wednesday, April  10 @ 6pm

 This 2 page layout uses papers from Bazzill Basics Papers and Graphic 45.   We will experiment with Viva Inka Gold Metallic Rub to add gold accents to this page!  Bring your basics plus we will be using Viva Inka Gold Metallic Rub and a Black Ink (Ranger Archival Black).  To make your reservation call 314-487-813.


Today I spent a little time playing with my Gelli Arts Printing Plate.  I won the 12x14 size from their facebook page and I have to say it is a lot of fun!   I took out my favorite stencils and paints and used them to alter a cheapo plain canvas apron that I've had for a long time!  This is the result, I don't know if it's good or pretty but it was fun and I can wear it when I paint, LOL. 

 



 

Thanks Mary Nasser!

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to be able to take a Book Art Workshop from Mixed Media Artist, Mary Nasser! 

We learned several bookbinding techniques including the Concertina book.  We then used papers we created with paints, StencilGirl Stencils and various ephemera to personalized our handmade book.  I love what I made and I'm so excited to work on the inside pages this week.

Thanks so much Mary!   It was an exciting opportunity for me to have personal instruction from such a  talented artist.   
 

A new class, a thank you and I won something~

Thanks to everyone that came to my class Wednesday night.  We had a great time and I'm already looking forward to our March layout!  My March Class is just about SOLD OUT (thanks ladies) but there are a few spots left!  Call For Keeps Sake to save your spot (314-487-8131).

Preserving the Past for March

 

Wednesday, March 13 @ 6pm

Each month we create a 2 page layout perfect for your Heritage Scrapbook.  This month we are using pretty papers from Carta Bella and Melissa Francis.

In addition to basics please bring a mini mister , Tea Dye Reinker, Craft Mat. 

Guess what I won?  A Gelli Arts 12x14 Gel Printing Plate!  WOW!   I didn't even know they made them that big.  Can't wait to get it and start playing. 

New Year. New Class. Something Nice...

I just realized I haven't posted since December, I don't know where the time flies off too!   My class this week is full so I am posting next month's class:

Preserving the Past for February
Wednesday, February 13 @ 6pm

Beautiful papers from Bazzill Basics.  In this class we will create customized buttons from plain wood shapes!
In addition to basics, please bring a brown ink, Bundled Sage Distress Ink, Black Archival Ink


Now for the something nice . . .

Tom and I started our day yesterday (Sunday) with breakfast @ First Watch, we had a coupon for Buy 1, Get 1 entree (courtesy of Kelsey whose Dad is the manager.  We had a great breakfast and took our ticket and coupon to pay and the young man handed us this note:

He said we had $20 to use towards our breakfast and handed us change from the $20 (remember we had a coupon too)!  Wow, we were both speechless.  You hear about random acts of kindness like this but nothing like us has ever happened to us!  The change from the $20 (about $6) went to our server.  We already left a tip at the table but I hope she had the same feeling we had when the young man handed us this note. 

Can't wait to do this for someone else!