Going To Grandma's House

For a time, I was thoroughly involved in the craft challenge world. This is a place full of creativity for cardmakers and scrapbookers. You shared your stuff, they share theirs and you enjoyed the opportunity to win a prize. (I'm happy to say I won a few here and there!)

While living in this world, I came across Grandma Bonnie, a lovely woman who creates wonderful works with plenty of details to enjoy. Below is just a sampling of why I follow her.

Garden Girl Tag by Grandma Bonnie

According to Grandma Bonnie, she "loves to craft, cards, scrapbook pages, sew." And you can definitely see that in her projects.

Tire Swing Card by Grandma Bonnie

She is a crafter's crafter. She explains what she does in simple, easy terms, including sharing the colors that she uses for the digital images.

Red, White & Blue Birthday Card by Grandma Bonnie

I invite you to stop by her blog, leave a comment, and share in her crafty world. It's fun, cute and reminds one that it's better to send a card than an email.

With blessings & joy, yours truly . . . Corrinne Quinn

Wishy Washy?!

I'm back, my peeps! Did you leave you ask? Ha ha ha. Yes, I did.

I decided to try Wordpress for my blog. It received the best feedback & reviews. Unfortuantely, I found it to be, er, uh . . not what I was used to here on Blogger. This blog offered me a lot of easy, peasy features, so I've moved back here.

I'm sorry for that. I don't want to be wishy washy, especially because that's just not me. But you have to try new things, right? It was a fail of sorts. I can admit that.

So, here I am . . . back on the Blogger. I'm working on new things, such as a new craft challenge - Craft It Up with Pin & Tack. It starts on January 1st, so check back for details.

More content will be had as well. Please join me again and I'm always open to suggestions. Ponder this and let me know using the Contact form to the left or send an email: What do you want to see? Would you like to be guest blogger or be featured? What about a blog hop for kicks?

With blessings & joy, yours truly . . Corrinne Quinn. 

4 Reasons You Should Join This Christmas Throwdown

Do you make your own Christmas cards? Then this is for you!

Theme Challenge entry by Kylie

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown offers a new card challenge every week.

1. They will inspire you to create a card every week with different challenges.

You'll discover sketches, color schemes, theme or recipes and embellishment or techniques.

Color Challenge entry by Judy V

2. If you follow along, you won't wait until the last minute. Less stress - just what we all need.

Sketch Challenge by Deborah, Design Team Member

3. You'll also have unique, personalized Christmas cards for your family and friends.

Not everyone will be the same because the theme is different.

Technique Challenge by Ruth, Design Team Member

4. Sharing your card = possible prize. Who doesn't like winning a free gift?

Recipe Challenge entry by Regan

Reuse Or Repurpose: Ideas For Vintage Luggage

Discover clever ways to use vintage luggage.
(Spoiler Alert: I quite enjoyed the medicine cabinet.)

Instead of baskets, boxes or the closet, store your things in vintage luggage.
You can also stack them to use as a unique night stand. See more of this home that did just that!

With vintage luggage, you can have unique and very interesting shelves.
You can create your own with these step-by-step instructions.

One your vintage luggage is no longer pretty, breath new life into it by planting a herb garden in it.

Easily turn vintage luggage into chalkboards, so can always share messages with flair.

And, now, just for your vintage luggage loving viewing pleasure . . .

Gray Tweed Vintage Suitcases, Passed By

Care Bears Suitcase, 1986, Silver Lining Toys
Ha ha ha! I love this simply because I grew up with the Care Bears.
Also, vintage can be fun. It doesn't always have to so adult and sophisticated.

Antique Makeup Suitcase, circa 1940s, Uncommon Recycables

Plaited Bamboo Vintage Suitcase, circa 1940s, Dreem Co.

Wasn't that a fantastic journey? Vintage luggage is perfect for traveling, but it also works well for so many other things. Have you ever made anything with a piece?

Vegan Barbecue Bonanza: Make It Pretty!

When you have a barbecue, decorating is often best left simple. Since you typically spend your time outside, you really don't need to improve Mother Nature. Also, the focus is on the food, so you can keep everything else clean & simple.

A perfect example is a banner using clothes pins. I created this one using cardstock, chipboard letters, ink, paper & faux flowers.

The clothes pins were painted & distressed before I added glitter to one side. You don't have to fancy them up, though. Plain wood clothes pins are just as delightful for displaying a banner.

Instead of a word, you can hang your special notes for your guests or recipes that you want to share with them.



And definitely bring nature into your decor! Place mason jars with freshly cut herbs on tables. Not only is it pretty, but guests can add them to their foods or just enjoy their fragrance. Small bouquets of flowers tied with twine are lovely and guests can keep them as a little gift.

{ Helpful Links }

Here are links to other ideas for decorating your next barbecue. Most are quick, simple & even the kids can help out.

Summer Party Ideas By Kathleen
DIY Party Ideas By Julie

Clean & Simple Party Decor By Jen

Outdoor Decor Ideas By PurpleTrail
Paper Firewords by Landee See Landee Do
Easy DIY Decorating (Part I) By JenTatorTots
Easy DIY Decorating (Part II) By JenTatorTots

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You could win prizes by participating in this event!

Rosy Radish Relish, Navy/White Nautical Turban & Raw Vegan Chocolates

(Click here for prize details.)

{ How To Win VBB Prizes }

You must be a follower of this blog if you are not already.

Add your name to the linky list provided. You do not need to include a link.

If you have your own vegan recipe, you can enter an additional time - Just make sure to link directly to your blog post about it.

NOTE: Linky list will be on every VBB post. If you enter on one, it will show up in the others. You can enter only once unless you create a blog post with a vegan recipe.

Vegan Barbecue Bonanza: A Few Tips & Ideas At Random

{ BYOC }

Introduce your guests to BYOC, or Bring Your Own Cup, It is a fantastic eco-friendly way to save lots & lots of those red plastic cups from ending up in our landfills. Guests will know which cup is theirs because it is theirs! It also adds an eclectic, homey feel to your barbecue, too.

For added fun, turn it into a "party game." This helps you feel less awkward at asking people to bring their own, too :) Whoever brings the ugliest cup wins a treat, such as a special batch of cookies or jar of homemade barbecue sauce that they can take home.

Bonus: You don't have to wash any cups except your own. Simply have your guest rinse them out before they leave & they can wash them at their own homes.

{ Say "No" To Aluminum Foil }

When grilling corn on the cob, did you know that you don't actually need aluminum foil? Leave the husk on the corns, soak in water for at least 15 minutes, then toss on the grill. Cook as you normally would. So, the next time you decide to cook corn, forgo the aluminum foil & keep it natural.

If you would like a full tutorial on how to do this (along with step-by-step photos), go to Grilled Corn On The Cob.

{ Add Some Unique To It }

If you are like me, you have friends that aren't vegan. I am lucky that many of them are open to trying new things & meat doesn't need to be in every meal. However, this is not the case for everyone. That's why I like to include fun & interesting things to my menu. It's always good to offer something different but is still similar to the well known version.

Fruit is one of the great things to include. Most people will try fruit without hesitation. I like to find fruits that I haven't tried or seen before, such as these Donut Peaches. They are flatter than the standard peach & shaped just like donuts!






For those that need a little meat, try these vegan versions by Field Roast:

Smoked Tomato Roast Loaf: Thickly slice & grill before serving.

Mexican Chipotle Sausages: Simply grill it as you would other sausages.

Field Roast is the absolute BEST! They have great texture, delicious flavors & offer a wonderful variety of products, including Herbed Chao Cheese & White Truffle Pate. I know this sounds like an advertisement, but I have tried so many alternatives to animal foods much to my disappointment (& sometimes disgust.) When I find something this tasty, I just have to share it :)

Do you have any ideas or tips? I'd love to hear them!

_________________________________________________________________________________

You could win prizes by participating in this event!

Rosy Radish Relish, Navy/White Nautical Turban & Raw Vegan Chocolates

(Click here for prize details.)

{ How To Win VBB Prizes }

You must be a follower of this blog if you are not already.

Add your name to the linky list provided. You do not need to include a link.

If you have your own vegan recipe, you can enter an additional time - Just make sure to link directly to your blog post about it.

NOTE: Linky list will be on every VBB post. If you enter on one, it will show up in the others. You can enter only once unless you create a blog post with a vegan recipe.