Good Bye Blogger

You know, I'm sorry to say, I didn't like blogger much anyway.  I am moving back to wordpress, but it's because I bought a domain.  http://kurtzcraftsblog.com/

I bought a domain because then I have not just an excuse, but a monetary obligation to blog regularly, and that will keep me consistent. 

Goodbye blogger. 

Dresden Plates and More

Happy Thursday!  I'm feeling a little under the weather, but thanks to the big man upstairs, it isn't that bad.  I went home early yesterday, over medicated myself, and prayed that when I woke up this morning, I'd feel better.  He delivered!  I feel MUCH better.  No fever, and just slight congestion today. =)

Anyway!  I am slightly obsessed with dresden plate quilts.  I saw one at a quilt show, then got a McCall's quilting issue with one on the cover, and now I've found a blog that is doing a scrappy dresden quilt.  They took some great pictures that suddenly made me go, DUH!  I wasn't thinking of sewing them in that manner... I was gonna do it the hard way (gee, imagine that!)
http://bunnyhillblog.com/2012/01/05/bunny-hill-scrappy-plate-club/

Sew them like this...









So then when you cut them apart and put them rightside out, you have blades like this!  DUH! Melissa!  Thank you Bunny Hill, for making my life that much easier! 

Tutorial Tuesday Number Whatever

LOL I was too lazy to go back and see what number this was going to be, I appologize.  Today was my boss's birthday, and I feel awkward that no one had told me.  I am going to make him maple bacon cupcakes. =)  I'll let you know how they turn out and post pictures too!

Cupcakes
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, slightly softened, cut into chunks
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening, at room temperature
2 cups pure maple syrup
3 egg yolks
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups milk
Frosting
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Bacon, cooked and and crumbled on top

Here is the original post: http://crumbsandcookies.blogspot.com/2011/07/maple-bacon-cupcakes.html
Sorry I didn't post the rest of the instructions, I'm in a hurry.  I'll come back later!

Jewelry Hoarder

I don't wear much jewelry, usually a bracelet and maybe a pair of earrings, but I am obsessed with jewelry!  I love to make it and collect it. 

Etsy is an amazing place chock full of handmade jewelry, and jewelry supplies.  I have some of my own work posted there.  www.etsy.com/shop/kurtzcrafts  If you are unfamiliar with etsy, you can search by handmade, supplies, vintage, people, and shops.  You have to create an account to buy or sell, but it's worth it.  Paypal is the norm, but some shops still accept checks and money orders.

Pinterest is your personal bulletin board of awesomeness.  It's like digitally cutting your favorite stuff out of magazines and books and displaying it for all to see.  Just make sure you link back to where you originally found it!  Pinterest is by invitation, so let me know if you aren't already a member and you'd like to join. 
Here is my jewelry board: http://pinterest.com/kurtzcrafts/jewelry/

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! 

What is Easter really about?  One single event, that caused Christians to believe what we believe. 

It isn't about religion, it isn't about Jesus himself... It is about Jesus Christ, rising from the dead- after he told everyone he would! 

He performed many miracles, he was an amazing person, but predicting his death and resurrection, and then actually doing it was what made Christianity last beyond the 1st Century.  The apostles couldn't stop talking about it!  What are you waiting for?  Who needs to hear about your relationship with Jesus?

Thank you Jesus! 

It won't be posted until later in the week, but I suggest you check out Pastor Mark Wilson's message on Easter, my husband and I agreed it was the best we've ever heard!  We attended the 6 p.m. service on Saturday evening at FUB.  http://www.fowlervilleub.org/media/

On this Holy day, think about what your savior not only did for you, but what he didn't do for himself.  He died and rose again so that we may die and rise again, and have a personal, loving relationship with the God that we had shunned.  Hallelujah!

Easter Weekend

Woohoo!  It's almost Easter Weekend!  Today is my Friday of sorts, Asahi opts to not make the office staff work on Fridays, and I believe it isn't a full staff out in the shop either. 

I love Easter.  It used to just be the candy.  Then it was the candy, sunshine, and flowers.  Now, it is the sunshine, candy, flowers, and Jesus.  It is the reminder of how amazing our God is.  I try to remember to take time to thank Him for the sacrifice as often as possible.  To come to earth, live like a regular person, be persecuted, beaten, and tried and executed as the lowliest criminal, just to be the living sacrifice so we can be free!  No more animal sacrifices, no more human sacrifices, the ultimate price was paid!  Hallelujah! 

Luke 22-24 is a good place to read the accounts of Jesus dying and rising.  I'm a fan of the Amplified version of the Bible, but for a more fluid, story-like reading, try NIV or NLT.  http://www.youversion.com/bible/luke.22.amp

Tonight I'm going to a friend's crop night, and hopefully I'll have super cool layouts to share afterwards! 

Close To My Heart Giveaway Celebration Day #2

Woohoo! Yesterday my kit came!  Unfortunately, I was too busy to open it up, but I will do so later today and take tons of pictures!  Here is the giveaway for today!  Sorry, took the picture with my cell phone.

White Daisy Mini-Medley!  Crochet flowers, flower shaped brads, metal tags, and metal buckles all in White Daisy.  The crochet flowers are dyeable, and the metal pieces are colorable with markers or paint. 

















Wanna win the mini-medley?  Comment on the blog!  One entry for commenting, a second for becoming a follower of my blog (make a second comment), and a third entry for liking my facebook page (make a third comment)! 

One winner will be randomly picked from the comments using random.org.

CTMH Celebration Giveaway #1

Woohoo!  It's my first giveaway for my Close To My Heart Celebration! 

There will be four mini giveaways, and one BIG one that will take place next week, and then I will try to do a giveaway monthly!

Today's winner will be announced tomorrow, at 6pm Eastern Time. 

These happy little CTMH flowers are colorable, with ink or marker or paint, and have a tiny hole in the middle, perfect for skewering with a brad and adding to your favorite scrapbook page or card!  There are multiple shapes and sizes in there, all white.










Wanna win the flowers?  Comment on the blog!  One entry for commenting, a second for becoming a follower of my blog (make a second comment), and a third entry for liking my facebook page (make a third comment)! 

One winner will be randomly picked from the comments using random.org.

Busy Bloggy Lady

Whew!  I've been very busy lately!  I feel terrible that I've been neglecting my blog.  I'm going to be making some changes, and switch gears a little. 

I've been neglecting my time with God as well, and I am ashamed of myself.  The best part, though, is that He understands, and will welcome me back into our special time without a grudge.  I am going to be starting a brief study on the Book of Ruth in the Bible, and comparing different versions of it.  The Bible Study group that I'm a part of is thinking about doing Ruth, but whether we do or don't, I think it's a short, easy book to start with deep study.  (Ruth is only 4 chapters long)

Stay tuned for some more Christian type things, it's about time!

Happy National Scrapbooking Month!

This is no April Fools Joke!  Starting April 17, spend at least $35 in Close To My Heart product, and only pay $5 for the Dotty for You paper pack! 

Don't forget, the first five customers to place an order from my website will have their shipping refunded to them!

http://www.melissakurtz.ctmh.com/