Monday, January 31, 2022

February Frig Calendar Time!

Hi, everyone!

I'm so sorry I haven't done a lot of crafting and sharing here on my blog lately. Our lake house is for sale, and we've had lots of showings almost every day. Which means time I do have a minute to get out my craft supplies, I end up having to pack them back up because someone asks to come see the house. I mean, that's good. We want to show it and sell it, but it's also frustrating to not have time to get involved in something for more than a few minutes. But that's okay. I know it's only temporary.

I did manage to get my February calendar magnets made over the last week here and there a few minutes at a time. I just love making these each month. 

FIRST OF ALL
Yes, I know there are only 28 days in February.
But when I make the magnets each month, I always make 31 so I will have enough if I choose to use them for a different month.


Days of the week - Silhouette file library

February - text & numbers added, shadow added using font PN Cranberry Sauce Bold Regular (Silhouette library)

Everything else is cut and created with Cricut



Usually I hand write the date numbers on whatever I cut out. Not really a fan of that since it looks sloppy. So this time I thought I'd get out my sticker paper and cut out the numbers. Only what I thought was sticker paper was really white printable vinyl. And I didn't want white numbers, nor did I want to go the extra step and waste part of the sheet by printing them in color & then cutting them out.

Then I had an "ah-ha" moment. Vinyl! 

I HATE gluing small pieces. Glue gets all over my fingers. But vinyl works like a sticker, right? Why didn't I think of this before?

So the numbers on the hearts are black vinyl. Very happy with how that worked out. Easy peasy.

Then I decided to make some corners to add to the different months this year. Just something extra and fun.

The little houses with times on them, are showing times people choose. When I get a time that doesn't have a house yet, I just write on a new blank house. And when we have multiple days with the same time, I make duplicates. (I haven't put this week's showing times up yet on the calendar.)

If you are still with me reading all of this, you may have noticed the photo on the frig. 

This photo is from 2009 - me and Tom and taken by our daughter, Bonnie. This is the first time we moved to Alaska. Since that time, we've lived there a total of 3 different times. This is my favorite photo of us, and it's so special because our special needs daughter took it. Not only that, it's also very precious and special, because my sweet friend, Mary of Cardz TV, (I just love her!) made this frame and put our photo in it and sent it to me for Christmas so many years ago. I love it! It stays on our frig anywhere we live. 

(We've been married 35 years.... 36 this August... and we've moved 28 different times. We love adventure and checking out new places. When our house sells this year ... if it does... we will be on move #29.  Will this be the last one? Maybe. But let's not put a cap on our adventures just yet.)

So there you have it. 
A project.
A cut list.
A photo.
A story.

See you soon!!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog,
following, & commenting!!
:) Janis, Pause Dream Enjoy

Owner & Design Team, Crafting Happiness Challenges
Design Team, Let's Craft & Create

Saturday, January 29, 2022

2022 Book 7 / 24 Review: The Best Medicine


The Best Medicine by Tracy Brogan
(Bell Harbor #2)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's been a while since a read a purely Romance Novel. It was good. Since I didn't know this was #2 in the Bell Harbor Series, now I have to go back and read the first book. I'm curious if the characters overlap in this series. This is a feel good story. Easy read.

*2022 Reading Challenge Book 7 of 24

Friday, January 28, 2022

Llama Love Card


Llama image from Silhouette Library 

Deconstructed Sketch #1

My Favorite Things, Past card kit for stamp set sentiment
Kraft Twine
Miss Kate Cuttables, Pink Patterns cardstock


Thanks so much for visiting my blog,
following, & commenting!!
:) Janis, Pause Dream Enjoy

Owner & Design Team, Crafting Happiness Challenges
Design Team, Let's Craft & Create

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

2022 Book 6 / 24 Review: The Hive


The Hive by Gregg Olsen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not a fan of this book. There is a lot going on with a full list of characters, plus time skipping past and present and back to past. If this were a movie, I think it would be awesome because of the twists and turns and revelations, but for me it was a lot to take in just reading it. 

*2022 Reading Challenge Book 6 of 24

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

2022 Book 5 / 24 Review: The Hope Chest

The Hope Chest by Carolyn Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Finished this book yesterday. Another book I enjoyed. You'll find that when I finish a book, it's because I liked it. I'm too old to continue reading a book I'm not enjoying. Not wasting my time with that. So most of the books I review will have a 4-3 star rating, otherwise, I don't finish reading them. 


*2022 Reading Challenge Book 5 of 24

Monday, January 24, 2022

2022 Book 4 / 24 Review: The Sunshine Club

The Sunshine Club
by Carolyn Brown
My Rating 5 of 5 Stars

I loved this sweet story, and would love to read a sequel if one comes out.


*2022 Reading Challenge Book 4 of 24



Sunday, January 23, 2022

2022 /Book 3 / 24 Review: Sizzling Sixteen


Sizzling Sixteen
by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another fun book with the dysfunctional cast of characters. Well, maybe they aren't exactly dysfunctional. I mean, they always end up wrapping up their goals even if things rarely go as planned and get all convoluted. LOL The Stephanie Plum series just doesn't get old. Always crazy twists and multiple storylines going on. Love them all.

*2022 Reading Challenge Book 3 of 24



Saturday, January 22, 2022

2022 Book 2 / 24 Review: Swamp Sweets



Swamp Sweets by Jana Deleon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Miss Fortune Mystery series of books is my all time favorite! The characters and their shenanigans keep you laughing and trying to figure out clues with them to solve the mystery. I can't wait to see what they get into next.

*2022 Reading Challenge Book 2 of 24

Friday, January 21, 2022

2022 Book 1 / 24 Review: Frightfully Fortune

Frightfully Fortune by Jana Deleon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you ever have the opportunity to read this series from the beginning, DO IT! Every single book is unique and so much fun! The characters keep me laughing and routing for them. I "read" this book via Audible. The voices used for each character are exactly what I have imaged. Indulge yourself. This is my all time favorite series.


*2022 Reading Challenge Book 1 of 24



Saturday, January 15, 2022

Double Fold A2 Card - Hug in a Mug

Hi, crafters!
I found a very fun card to make in the Silhouette library this week. It's called a Double Fold A2 card. It was super easy to make and assemble.






Double Fold A2 Card, Silhouette Library #396384
SU Coffee paper pack
Several different ink colors for inking around the edges

The Hershey Kisses, and sentiment label are so cute!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog,
following, & commenting!!
:) Janis, Pause Dream Enjoy

Owner & Design Team, Crafting Happiness Challenges
Design Team, Let's Craft & Create

Friday, January 14, 2022

Live Simply

Hi, crafters! The weekend is almost here!!


CTMH Happiness Lives Here, pattern papers & stickers
Mojo Monday, Sketch 406



Thanks so much for visiting my blog,
following, & commenting!!
:) Janis, Pause Dream Enjoy

Owner & Design Team, Crafting Happiness Challenges
Design Team, Let's Craft & Create

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Goodreads Reading Challenge

Hi, friends!
Every year I set up a reading goal. Do you love to read? Find me on Goodreads, and friend request me. You may be reading some books I'd love to add to my "To Read" list.

2022 Reading Challenge

2022 Reading Challenge
Janis has read 1 book toward her goal of 24 books.
hide

My reading goal this year is 24 books.
In the past I've had more ambitious goals, but I decided to keep it small, no stress, and then if I read more.... great!

I'll post the books I'm reading, and you can find them all in the MY BOOKSHELF tab at the top of my blog.

Update coming soon!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog,
following, & commenting!!
:) Janis, Pause Dream Enjoy

Owner & Design Team, Crafting Happiness Challenges
Design Team, Let's Craft & Create

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Thanks a Bunch

Hi! I'm playing with some old stamps today.


CTMH, A Bunch of Love stamp set & dies
Colored Pencils
Pink & Main pattern papers, Best Friends
Stitched Banner dies
Sugar Pea Sketch #23


Thanks so much for visiting my blog,
following, & commenting!!
:) Janis, Pause Dream Enjoy

Owner & Design Team, Crafting Happiness Challenges
Design Team, Let's Craft & Create

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Hello

Hi, friends! I hope your week is going very well. 


CTMH Happiness Lives Here - pattern papers & stickers
Stitched dies
Mojo Monday Sketch #412


Thanks so much for visiting my blog,
following, & commenting!!
:) Janis, Pause Dream Enjoy

Owner & Design Team, Crafting Happiness Challenges
Design Team, Let's Craft & Create

Monday, January 10, 2022

Always Keep A Paws-itive Cat-itude

Hello creative peeps!

Today's card is another stamped image I colored! Wow! Two days in a row of coloring. This one I used SU markers.


Pink & Main stamp set for image and sentiment

Cloud stitched dies from Lil' Inkers

Echo Park 6x6 paper pad

Twine

Thanks so much for visiting my blog,
following, & commenting!!
:) Janis, Pause Dream Enjoy

Owner & Design Team, Crafting Happiness Challenges
Design Team, Let's Craft & Create

Sunday, January 9, 2022

Woofing You a Great Day

Hello, friends!

I actually colored a stamped image. LOL
I don't do that too often.
This time I used colored pencils.



Stamp set for image and sentiment from Pink & Main

Pattern papers also from Pink & Main

Colored pencils

Scallop & circle dies

Foam tape to adhere image

Thanks so much for visiting my blog,
following, & commenting!!
:) Janis, Pause Dream Enjoy

Owner & Design Team, Crafting Happiness Challenges
Design Team, Let's Craft & Create

Saturday, January 8, 2022

Sending Smiles Card 2

Hello everyone!
Today is the 2nd card using the same card layout and pattern papers.

I cut the pattern papers together stacked on top of each other the full background size of 4 x 5 1/4. 

Then keeping the papers stacked, I cut them again off center allowing a top and bottom piece to be mixed for the background layout.  

This allowed me to simply mix the patterns easily on both cards.


Pink & Main sentiment die and stamped sentiment

Pattern papers also from Pink & Main (I love their pattern paper pads!)

Enamel dots



Thanks so much for visiting my blog,
following, & commenting!!
:) Janis, Pause Dream Enjoy

Owner & Design Team, Crafting Happiness Challenges
Design Team, Let's Craft & Create

Friday, January 7, 2022

Sending Smiles Card 1

Hello friends!
I recently created 2 cards that are very similar. The way I cut the pattern papers, allowed me to make the card twice just reversing where I put the pattern papers. So simple, and an easy way to mass produce cards. I'll show you the other one tomorrow with a photo of them both together too.



Pink & Main sentiment die and stamped sentiment

Pattern papers also from Pink & Main (I love their pattern paper pads!)

Enamel dots

Thanks so much for visiting my blog,
following, & commenting!!
:) Janis, Pause Dream Enjoy

Owner & Design Team, Crafting Happiness Challenges
Design Team, Let's Craft & Create

Thursday, January 6, 2022

Driving from South Carolina to Alaska and Back

Hello my friends!
I thought I'd share with you some travel photos my husband took on his drive from South Carolina to Alaska and back. He started in December, stayed in Alaska a few weeks, and then started driving back to South Carolina. He loves the drive. A lot of beautiful scenery, especially when you get up in Canada and traveling on the Alaskan Highway (also know as the ALCAN - Alaska Canada Highway).







































On the way home a few days ago, he did stop to help a motorist whose truck was off the road in a deep ditch (there's another word for that, but I can't remember what it is). 

There was a truck trying to pull out the stuck truck with no avail. Tom hooked up so now there were 2 trucks pulling together, and still no progress. Then a commercial truck stopped, and she (yes, a woman driver), pulled out the truck easy peasy.

Driving the Alcan, there are miles and miles with no cell phone service, no gas stations, etc. Just you and the road and abundant wildlife. You must be prepared, or you could actually lose your life to the elements in the winter. Thankfully, there are travelers always willing to stop and provide aid. We don't hear about those stories enough - I mean the good stories in this world. I wish people would spread those faster than the bad stories. Let's make 2022 a year of sharing more of the good stuff. :)

Thanks so much for visiting my blog,
following, & commenting!!
:) Janis, Pause Dream Enjoy

Owner & Design Team, Crafting Happiness Challenges
Design Team, Let's Craft & Create