Scrapbooking Paper Piecing for the Beginner

Scrapbooking Paper Piecing for the Beginner. 
Simple Tips and Techniques

Paper piecing is one of my favorite embellishments in scrapbooking.  It is one of the most inexpensive ways to add a lot of dimension and emotion to a page.  You can truly create anything with just a couple pieces of paper and imagination.   If you have a pen, paper and a little imagination, you can create a paper piecing.  

The way most people start paper piecing is to use free patterns which are available on the internet or from friends or scrapbooking resources.  This guide is for people who want to move beyond other people's creations, and make their own personal paper piecing patterns.   I have over 50 paper piecing patterns that I have created that I work from.   The joy of using your own creation is indescribable.

Usually, a paper piecing pattern begins with an idea and simple sketch.  The sketch is created in approximately the size i want the finished paper piecing to be.   Then, using a light box, overlay the sketch with a blank piece of white paper.  Look at the sketch and break down the simple sketch into its parts.   Arms, legs, bodies etc.  or wheels, body, windows etc..  Identify each component which makes up an image and trace it individually.   Make sure that you are giving room for pieces to overlap to put your adhesive! Once you have  tracing those pieces from your original sketch, you have a pattern.  

This pattern now can be used to create a paper piecing!  Using your light box,  trace the pieces and cut out. Assemble as you have pictured it.

Congratulations!  You have now created your first original paper piecing!

If you are no good at drawing, you can use coloring pages or simple line drawings.  The paper piecing will not be your original work, but will still be great for your scrapbooking pages!!
If you just want a finished paper piecing, feel free to visit my store or contact me for the paper piecing you are looking for!

Simply Sacred - Grime Cutting Glass Cleaner

Windows become quite grimy over time.  In order to make them sparkling clean without spending a fortune, take some common household ingredients, mix in a bottle and use.  It will leave a fresh smelling, completly clean surface.

Grime Cutting Glass Cleaner
3 tbsp. Ammonia
1/2 cup Alcohol
1/4 tsp. Liquid Dish Detergent
Water

Mix the ammonia, alcohol and dish detergent together in a clean spray bottle.  Fill the rest of the bottle with water.  Use just as you would commercial cleaner!  For extra shine, use newspapers to clean the glass.  It will leave a sparkling clean surface.

Simple Sacred Cleaning - Play Music

Have a an upbeat soundtrack to your cleaning adventure.  Put on some loud music with a good beat to life your spirits and encourage you to clean longer.  You will find increased motivation, quicker movements and get more accomplished. 

Give yourself a challenge per song! 
Try to get a pile organized before this song is over. 
Can you load the dishwasher before the song is over?
What about scrubbing that toilet to the beat before the last note??

Make it fun.  Allow the music let your creative spirit soar.

Simply Sacred Cooking - Peanut Butter Cup Bars

I have fond memories of childhood each time I bite into one of these delights.  My Grandmother used to make Peanut Butter Cup Bars on occasion.  After school, I would walk into her house and see the plate on the table and squeal with delight.  They are creamy, and rich.  Cut small and they are sophisticated for the adult palate, or cut large and delight any child!  I still take mine cut large. 

It is a delight to share with you this recipe.  See it come together in the video and the text recipe is below for your enjoyment.

Peanut Butter Cup Bars

Bottom Layer

1 cup butter melted

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

2 cups confectioners sugar

1 cup peanut butter

Top Layer

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

4 tablespoons peanut butter

Mix together the bottom layer ingredients in a 9x13 pan.  Mixture should be slightly crumbly.  If needed, add extra graham cracker crumbs.  Smooth out to an even layer.

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. Stir every 30 seconds until they are melted.  Combine melted chocolate and peanut butter.

Layer the chocolate peanut butter on top of the graham cracker mixture.  Place in the refrigerator to harden for at least 1 hour before cutting into desired squares and serving.

Simple Sacred Cooking - Chocolate Pecan Delights

There are over 20 pecan trees gracing my property.  Every other year I have a bounty of freshly fallen pecans filling buckets in my home.  With this overflow of fresh (and free) pecans, I am able to spoil those around me with some delightful treats.  One of the first pecan treats learned was for Chocolate Pecan Delights (Similar to the Turtles Brand Candies you buy at the store, but WAY less expensive).  They are my Mother's favorite.  Every holiday I am bound to make a few dozen of them for her to enjoy.  They are simple, delicious and perfect for any occasion.

Chocolate Pecan Delights

Pecans
Butter
Salt
Caramel
Almond Bark (Chocolate Flavored) or chocolate chips

• Roast the pecans at 350 degrees with butter and salt to taste until they are starting to darken. Do not allow to burn!  This will create a rich, nutty flavor to complement the chocolate.
• Place a layer of parchment paper on a large cookie sheet. 
• Arrange roasted pecan halves in pairs on the parchment paper.
• Melt caramel.  Drop a small bit of caramel on top of each pair, "gluing" them together.
• Allow them to cool.
• Melt the chocolate flavored almond bark (or chocolate chips)
• Using a fork, dip each double pecan with caramel into the chocolate so it is covered on all sides.
• Place back on the parchment paper. 
• Allow to cool until completly hard.

Simple Sacred Cooking - Perfect Sweet Potato Bread Recipe

Sweet potatoes were calling to me this year.  Their delicious flavor and texture left me wanting new dishes to treat my family with.  After experimenting, this recipe came out to be a perfect addition to the menu.  My family ate the first batch before it could make it to the gathering!  That is particularly amazing at my home with two picky kids and a picky husband.

Perfect Sweet Potato Bread
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potatoes

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan or muffin tin.

Mix together the sugar, oil and eggs. Combine thoroughly. Stir in the mashed sweet potatoes. In another bowl the combine dry ingredients, flour, baking soda, salt and spices, thoroughly. Slowly add dry mixture to the wet mixture.

Bake until starting to brown and bread has firmed.

Simple Sacred Cleaning - Vinegar

Cleaning is a necessary act.  Everything gets dirty at one point or another, especially within the household.  Its best to look at this necessary act as one of honor rather than drudgery.  Think of small acts of cleaning as a blessing to your person, your family and your home.  Simple tips and tricks will make it a pleasent experiance.   Saving both your sanity and money. 

Would you like to have a product that is an effective deodorizer, disinfectant, stain remover, toilet bowl cleaner and fabric softener all in one??  And it costs $2-3 for a full strenth gallon, making each application cost pennies?

You probably already own this wonder.  Vinegar is one household way to clean for pennies on the dollar, get a fresh smelling home and cut your work in half!  It is a powerful cleaner that is often overlooked by individuals. 

Clean with vinegar by:

• Add 1/2 cup to a large load of laundry to deodorize and act as a fabric softener.
• Add 2-3 cups to the toilet before bed.  Scrub with the toilet wand in the morning to remove buildup, germs, even stains.
• Equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle makes an effective all-purpose cleaner that is great on countertops, windows, stovetops, sinks and other surfaces.
• Remove crayon marks on the wall by using a scrub brush (old toothbrush works too) and full strength vinegar.  Wipe with water dampened towel after clean.
• Carpet stain removal - 1 tbsp liquid detergent, 1 tsp vinegar, 1 pint of water.  Use an old toothbrush or small scrub brush on the stain and blot up moisture with a dry towel until it blots up clear.
• Clean deposits out of your coffee maker by running full strength vinegar through your coffee maker.  Run through water to rinse afterward.  Your coffee will have a better flavor.
• Clean the Microwave - 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 cup water.  Microwave for 2 minutes.  Allow to stand for 5 minutes.  Wipe down with a rag.

The list goes on and on. Save money, save time by using this simple, readilly available cleaner. 

Do not be afraid to fail

Today I tried a craft project and failed miserably.  It was supposed to be a lovely project, but turned into a drippy mess.  Three times I tried to successfully try marblizing techniques on water.   Two different sets of clear and concise instructions were in front of me.  This was a project I had done years ago, so was not completly new.  For some reason, though, success failed me on a momentous level.  The paint sunk to the bottom or became completly watered down in the tub. Gloopy and globby or covering too thin.  The one print I tried was watery and runny.  Nothing went right at all.

I failed.

Instead of being a crushing blow or disheartening, it was refreshing.  The project was something I could try again another day, another time and know that with some more practice and reading I could find success.  The thought of overcoming the failure has opened me up to suggestions beyond the set of suggestions in front of me.  It has opened up my creativity to try again.

Trying again after failure leaves me freed and open.  Since I already failed, there is nothing to loose in future attempts.  I can try with more openness. 

So don't be afraid to try.  Don't be afraid to fail.  Sometimes failing is the best thing that can happen to you and create the best result.

Simple Sacred Cooking - Hot Cocoa Recipe

One of the indulgences for the simple sacred within your life on a cold winters day is a cup of hot chocolate.  This warming beverage will bring you directly back to happy memories of childhood.  Creamy warmth will enter your body and bring a moment of peace and happiness.  Make your own mix to have a perfect cup every time.

Winter Memories Cocoa Mix
1/2 Cup Powdered Baking Cocoa
3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
3 Cups Powdered Milk

Place all ingredients into a container with a tight fitting lid.  Shake until they are combined thoroughly. 

Use 2 tablespoons for every 4 ounce mug of hot chocolate.  Can be made with boiling water or with warmed milk for extra creaminess. 

Festive touches such as marshmallows, marshmallow fluff, chocolate shavings, cinnamon, etc. can be added to taste.

Big Bubble Fun

In my life experiances, I have found the secret to making the best and biggest bubbles lies in the pharmacy! A simple bottle of glycerin will strengthen and increase bubble size for maximum giggles! Here is one special recipe below..

Big Bubbles Recipe

1 Cup Slightly Warm Water
2 Tablespoons Liquid Detergent
1 Tablespoon Glycerin
½ Teaspoon Sugar

Stir together all ingredients.
Use bubble wands, toilet paper tubes, etc. to gently blow large bubbles!

Embrace your Creativity

Creativity is a vital pulse of our lives. It can touch every aspect of our very being. We interact with someone's creative spirit from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep. From inventions to art to music - every aspect of our existance was someones exciting idea at one point. At night we play in our own playground of imagination.

We should strive to live our lives to embrace our own creative spirit. Express ourselves through crafting, music and the arts. Either through appreciation or through active creation!

Many people look at the accomplishments and creations of others and think "I could never do that!" when in truth, they could if they would just move their egos and own doubts out of the way. Will it be perfect? Maybe, maybe not. Will it be grand or fall flat? Who knows! But the important part is that it was CREATED. That you embraced your inner voice and allowed it to shout out loud THIS IS ME!!!! I am FREE to touch the stars, soar in the clouds, walk the thick green grass or dig deep within the cool fresh earth.

Creativity is more then making something or appreciating something. It is about allowing yourself to have the freedom of a voice.

Let your voice sing.

Thrifty Scrapbooking Ideas

Thrifty Scrapbooking Ideas

There are lots of products out there to aid us in our scrapping pursuits. There are stickers, metal pet tags, commercial 3D embellishments, patterned paper and vellum quote books, decorative scissors, much more. If you can imagine it, it probably is out there!

The problem with most commercial scrapbooking embellishments is price. It is not uncommon to pay $1-5 for just a couple of embellishments. Especially with these economic times, it can be difficult to justify spending that much. We can still enjoy scrapbooking while not spending much or any money! There are simple ways to embellish your pages for pennies on the dollar! Here are just a few.



Rubber Stamping
Pull out those rubber stamps! You know, the cute one with the paw print you bought a while ago. That chicken you couldn't live without. What about that butterfly one that was too cute to resist? Dust them off and start decorating. The possibilities are endless. You can take a plain background page and stamp, stamp, stamp your way to a festive background. Use a little embossing powder on cardstock and you have instant custom embossed paper. Or stamp your image on scrap paper and cut out, adhere to the page with a pop dot for a fun dimensional embellishment! Create borders with stamped images. Create picture frames with stamping an image into a square and cutting it out. Ink, Paper, Scissors and a good stamp or three will leave you with endless possibilities.

Paper Piecing
Ah, my favorite. Paper piecing is one of the most inexpensive ways to add a lot of wow for pennies. Find a pattern that you like, or create your own, cut and assemble. Many times you can create a paper piecing with scrap paper! Add embellishments to your paper piecing such as ribbon, gems, glitter, pen lining, inking, or fiber for that extra flair. Again, most of the time you only need a small amount of the embellishment, so you can use a scrap!

Acrylic Paint
Most of us have bottles of craft paint around the house. Mostly gathering dust since our current obsession is scrapbooking. Pull out those paints and get stroking! Create dazzling custom colored pages with just a few brush strokes. If you take the time to learn Donna Dewberrys One Stroke Painting Technique, it will make your creations even more brilliant with much less time (or talent!) required! When your paper has dried, you can die cut it, cut it into frames, use as background paper, cut into strips and use as a boarder and anything else your imagination can come up with.

Found Items
Open your eyes and look around your world. Onion bags can be used as mesh or net; a fake credit card that come in the mail can be altered for amazing embellishments; hinges from old jewelry boxes or the hardware store can make books or hidden journaling on your page; The possibilities are endless.



Scrapbooking is only limited by your creativity. Just about anything can be put into a scrapbook or be used in a way never intended by its original creator. You just need a little creativity, patience and an open eye to the world around you.

Happy Scrapping!

Kim