Creative Treasures

Lists and Doodles

2016-08-05T23:52:00.001-06:00

I’ve been busy writing lists, practicing my lettering and doodling along the way. I get my lists each month for the #listersgottalist challenge group. This is created and emailed the end of each month by Cori, aka The Reset Girl. It’s a great way to spark the memory and journal it with a little creativity. If you love the scrapbooky look, she has a kit that you can purchase each month. If you love planning, she has tons of stickers for that, too.

Here are a few of my samples. They are quick sketches. Mistakes and all. I post them almost daily on Instagram. I’m CreativeMish.

Enjoy! and share your creative!

Jump Creek

2016-03-21T09:12:00.001-06:00

Sunday was such a pretty Spring day. The temperature got up into the low 60’s. Once church got out, we decided to get out and enjoy it.

Jump Creek is just shy of an hour from home; South of Marsing in the Owyhee’s. We were not the only ones out enjoying the day. There was quite the crowd.

We hiked down into the canyon to the waterfall and back the opposite direction. Next time we’ll hike to the top.

The Landscape is amazing. In the middle of the desert there is this this rocky lava landscape. There is a little creek we had to cross a couple of times before getting to the waterfall.

I could stand inside the cave in the picture below. The rock walls are pretty tall.

Everything is starting to turn green. These tiny yellow flowers are only about 1/4 inch wide. The green won’t be here for long. When the hot summer days arrive, everything will be dry and brown.

Idaho has some pretty amazing things to see.

Enjoy!

Cabin Fever

2016-02-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday was so nice. Even though the day started out foggy and was still pretty hazy all day, it was great to get out of the house. It got up to the mid 50’s. We decided to head south to the Snake River Canyon. It’s close; about 30 minutes South of home.

Celebration Park along the river is an archaelogical site. It is very dry,and rocky from the lava flows and there are a lot of critters. Spring is a perfect time to visit, before the rattle snakes make their appearance. A lot of the rocks are taller than me. (~~Thats not saying much!)~~

There are 1000’s of petroglyphs to view. You have to really look for them. Some really stand out depending on how the light hits them. Others not so much. It’s a federal violation to dig, deface or take anything from the site. There are quite a few arrowheads, too. The little center has a lot of cool information and history.

The petroglyphs range from 200 – 15,000 years old.

There is a bridge that crosses the river, I think it was used back in the day for rail cars to take supplies across the river. It has been converted to a walking path and you can hike or take horses etc across and enjoy the desert. Down by the park you can put a boat in. There are catfish, bass, and even sturgeon. In the 40’s a 1500 pound sturgeon was caught. It wasn’t uncommon to catch them around 400 pounds. Now they are protected everywhere in the river.

Idaho has so many natural wonders to explore and I look forward to exploring all of them.

Enjoy!

Michelle

2015 Is Long Gone

2016-01-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

I’m not much into blogging anymore. I’ve been trying to post a few times a year. I update my Instagram account almost daily. Even though the photo’s I post are just from my phone.

One of my goals for 2016 is to get out and take more pictures.

Here are a few hilights since my April post from my Instagram account.

Enjoy! and have a fabulous 2016

Lister’s Gotta List

2016-01-18T13:09:00.001-07:00

Have you heard of The Reset Girl? She teaches you how to organize and RESET your life. She is a planner, a list maker, goal oriented, a motivator and so much more. She has a shop that sell’s planner supplies. She designs and prints her own stickers. She, along with Christy Tomlinson have a Planner class and monthly kit. I have used a planner for years. Quite honestly, I don’t have time to decorate them and make all fancy. It is the current craze and big business! I prefer to use a monthly kit from Cocoa Daisy. It is cute and great for my style. I just do the Daily Planner pages only. They have all kinds of subscription kits to choose from.

So back to the subject… The Reset Girl has a monthly #listersgottalist challenge. I’ve always been a list maker (one of the reasons I keep a planner). You can sign up on her website and you will receive a monthly email with your list. I love this idea. It’s kind of like a quick little journal. It sparks memories or makes you think of current things to write about.

December was the very first month I chose to do this. I make my little book out of 6x6 CTMH scrapbook paper. I use their White Pines paper packet along with the compliments. I also cut out a few shapes with my Silhouette Cameo. I decided after a month of this, It took up way too much of my time. My January list is much simpler. There is also a Facebook group that you can join. Everyone shares their daily lists. There is a huge variety of lists. It is quite inspiring. Some people think it is crazy. Why do you want to make lists everyday? Well… It’s a journal, It sparks memory, I can practice my lettering, I can doodle and so much more. Give it a try!

Here are pictures of my December Listersgottalist.

YES!!! I did accidentally make one of the pages upside down! LOL!!!!

If you are on Instagram you can see many examples. Search by hashtags #listersgottalist #listmaker #lists #resetgirl

Here is a sneak peak of January. I found a journal book on sale at Craft Warehouse. Each page will be a new day and so much simpler. See my Instagram account @CreativeMish for current daily photos. Give it a try.

Enjoy!!

Independence

2015-07-05T10:55:00.000-06:00

My Handyman and I have a 3 day weekend together. Usually the only day we have together is Sunday. We went to the Capitol City Market in down town Boise then watched the 4th of July parade.

It was a HOT day. We’ve had about two weeks of weather in the 100’s. One day it got up to 110. I found a shady spot to take a few pictures of the parade. I was hoping to get down on the road to get some good shots but I didn’t want to lose my shady spot. :)

Here are a few photo’s of the festivities.

I loved the bagpipes. Maybe it’s my Scottish heritage.

Charity Majors, Mrs. Idaho. She had a busy day yesterday.

The horse was super popular with all of the kids around me.

Here are a couple of photos from Downtown Boise as we walked back to the car.

To end the day, we drove to Meridian to watch the firework show put on my Meridian Speedway. I set up my tripod in an attempt to get some good fireworks shots. I read several tutorials on camera settings etc. I need more practice. Too bad it is only once a year.

The Finale

Happy 4th of July weekend !!

A Closer Look

2015-06-27T20:07:00.000-06:00

Early this morning, when it was a little cooler (mid 70’s), I took a few photo’s in my flower garden.

The bee’s were buzzing around the lavender and the hen’s and chick’s are blooming.

The spider came running out as the shutter of the camera engaged. The shutter was a little faster than he was otherwise he would have been out on the web.

We are having record heat in the Boise area this week. Today it was 106! Hopefully my plants live through it. I’ll be staying in the cool house.

I hope you’re enjoying your summer!

Enjoy!

Springtime Events

2015-04-29T19:06:00.000-06:00

My Granddaughter turned 4 last week. The kids had a lot of fun at her party.

What could be more fun than a mouth full of candy and playing in the water fountain?

Possibly blowing giant bubbles?

Carter has started playing baseball. It sure is fun watching seven year olds play.

There is always silliness!!

My friend Melissa sews the cutest outfits. Her business is Bella Grace Creations. She made this cute little Foxy Roxy skirt and top for me to give Kendall. You can also find her HERE on Facebook.

I learned a fun new stamping technique thanks to another CTMH consultant. It looks like bokeh. I will use as a card background. I haven’t decided what to add to it yet. I love to learn new things!

I hope you’re enjoying your Spring. I’m looking forward to my Southern California beach adventure to Coronado Island in a couple of weeks. I better try and get a little sun before then.

Be Creative!

Catch Up

2015-04-19T10:08:00.002-06:00

It’s Spring! The time of rebirthing. My chokecherry tree is blooming and buzzing with bees.

The sweet aroma fills the air.

Easter Weekend was fun with the grandkids.

Spring Flowers are blooming.

And so are the weeds!

The weather has been great for quick walks along Indian Creek, not far from home.

We’ve had a little family fun. (bubble blowing contest)

We’ve had a few nights with a beautiful moon.

The Snake River Canyon is beautiful this time of year.

If you head out there, you may have the opportunity to see some thrill seekers.

I’ve make a few cards and a few new doodles, too. (courtesy of Instagram)

And the brewing is going well. My favorite Kombucha flavors are, Blood Orange, Honey Tangerine, Or Raspberry Lemonade.

I don’t seem to blog very much anymore. Life is busy. The end.

Hopefully I’ll be able to grab my camera and share a few more photo’s now that the weather is getting warmer.

Enjoy!

Kombucha

2015-02-27T20:35:00.000-07:00

Ok my pretties, I promised a blog post about my experience of brewing my first Kombucha (Kom-boo-cha) batch.

I’ve bought this amazing fermented drink filled with probiotics numerous times. It is a little bit tart and a little bit sweet. It is basically a fermented tea. I have a couple of coworkers that brew their own and they have brought me samples to taste. It really put a spark to my curiosity. You mean I can make my own? My daughter mentioned that she loved this stuff. I did a bit of research and found several items on Amazon and bought a few of the necessary supplies for her as a Christmas gift. She has made several batches and has really enjoyed it. I finally made the decision to finally try my own experiment.

I went to Amazon and bought a few of my own supplies. I knew I needed a gallon glass jar (never use plastic, metal or pottery). I also bought a book and some 16z beer bottles. (if you click on the picture, it will link you to Amazon)

The first thing you need is a SCOBY (Symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). My daughter gave me one of her SCOBY’s. If you don’t have someone to donate one to you. Amazon also sells them. I bought one as part of her Christmas kit.

I sterilized everything before I started . (I am a little anal about cleanliness. After all I am married to a Microbiologist.)

RECIPE:

16-20 tea bags. (I used Stash – Green Tea decaf)

1 Cup evaporated Cane Sugar (Do not used processed white sugar. Remember….. think healthy.)

14 Cups filter water. (If you have chlorinated water, let it sit for about 30 minutes for the chlorination to evaporate.)

2 Cups pure fruit juice. (fresh squeezed, bottled, your own juiced fruits etc)

2 Cups of Kombucha (for my first batch, I used store bought Synergy Green tea at room temperature. You can find this in the produce section at local stores. Or refrigerated section at organic stores such as Whole Foods, or Rosaurs)

1 funnel

8 16z beer bottles with tops

Heat 6 Cups of filtered water to 170 degrees. (around 200 if using black tea) Add 16-20 tea bags. Cover with a lid and let seep for 4 minutes.

Remove the tea bags. Add 1 Cup of can sugar and stir to dissolve while tea is still hot. (never use metal tools to stir)

Add the 8 Cups of filtered water to your gallon jar. Then add the hot tea to the gallon jar. (this will cool the tea quicker.)

Let the tea cool to 70-75 degrees. Once tea is cool, add 2 Cups of Kombucha and gently stir Now gently add your SCOBY. It will float on the top of the tea. Cover the jar with a cotton towel. Never use cheese cloth, it is too porous. ( I use a white cotton flour sack towel.) Wrap a rubber band around it to hold it on.

Keep the brewing tea in a warm area to brew. The tea needs to stay between 70-75 degrees. If it gets too cool, the SCOBY may die. If it gets too warm, bacteria and mold can grow and contaminate the SCOBY and tea. This rarely happens. You have to be very careless to grow mold.

After 7 days, get a clean straw, stick it under the growing SCOBY and sip a small taste. Is it tart enough for you? If not, let it sit a day or two longer…You don’t want it to over ferment. 7 days turned out to be perfect for me. Do not be alarmed if you see brown yeast stands growing. I kind of freaked and text my daughter then googled it. I was reassured that everything looked like it should.

It is now time to bottle the brew. Sterilize your bottles, including the tops. You want to be sure to get bottles that withstand pressure. The second fermentation adds the fizziness and zing to the Kombucha.

Gently remove the SCOBY and put in a sterile container along with 2 Cups of the tea.

I then poured my Kombucha, through a strainer into a gallon pitcher. This will catch most of the yeast strands. I then added 2 cups of room temperature fruit juice to the Kombucha. (I bought some organic concentrated Pomegranate juice and made my own.)

Gently stir the tea. It is now ready to add to the bottles. My funnel was a little to big so I had to gently pour directly into the bottles. I then tightened down the tops. This was the hardest part of the entire process. (my batch make 7 3/4 bottles.)

It then had to sit for two more day (2nd fermentation) at room temperature. It is now ready to put in the fridge. You must do this to stop the fermentation. It can turn very vinegary. (some people do this on purpose so they can use for homemade dressings)

You can now use your SCOBY for a second batch. My SCOBY is a little bigger and not quite ready to separate. Each batch grows, or starts growing a baby SCOBY which can be separated and given to a friend, or you can put them in your current jar of tea you’re brewing or you can keep in their own jar which some call a SCOBY hotel.

I have pinned quite a few links with ideas and helpful hits for brewing your own SCOBY. I encourage you to read some of them and read the health benefits of drinking a glass of Kombucha a day. My Fermented foods board also includes links to other homemade fermented products such as yogurt, kimchee, kefir and more. You can find it HERE. (or click on the picture.)

Now it is time for the taste test. Sometimes little SCOBY’s or yeast strands will start growing in the bottles. After refrigerating they will sink to the bottom. It is important not to shake the bottle to mix things up. (Keep them on the bottom.) You will also see this in store bought Kombucha.

The results are in….. I may need to add 1 more day of brewing before the 2nd fermentation. My Kombucha is very mild but tastes great.

The second batch is now on day 2 of brewing.

What are you waiting for? People have been brewing this for thousands of years. It first started in Russia then gradually moved around the world. I found one Instagrammer that has used the same SCOBY for over 20 years. Isn’t that amazing?!

If you decide to wait between batches, simply put your SCOBY in the fridge so it will be dormant and be ready when you are.

Be brave and try it. I suggest you go buy one at the store and taste test to see if you even like it before you invest the money to start brewing your own.

Let your inner Biologist out to explore!

Blog Hop

2015-02-23T16:14:00.002-07:00

I'm so excited to be part of the first ever Krafty Friends Blog Hop featuring Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps' Krafty Friends! The blog hop is filled with creations by customers, design team members and friends of KKS and we're so excited to share some of our creations!
Feel free to start the hop from the beginning at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Blog Then hop around and check out all the fabulous designs! Be sure to leave a comment at each stop because there will be prizes and giveaways to some random commenter's !


Not only can you comment to win, we'd love to have you JOIN the blog hop by posting your own design!! Just post a new creation featuring a Kraftin' Kimmie Stamp and link it up to the main blog post and you'll not only be a part of this fun hop, but you'll be entered to WIN more goodies!! You have until February 28th!

I used my new Kraftin’ Kimmie stamp JULIE.

I cut the base into a 4x4 card using plain white cardstock.   For the patterned paper, I used CTMH – X7194B Hopscotch. This paper is available from the seasonal expressions book which is only good through March 31st.    Colors include Colonial White, Flaxen, Glacier, Indian Corn Blue, Ponderosa Pine, Smoothie and Sunset. I love this My Reflections set of paper.



I stamped the image on plain white cardstock using black Momentum ink. I have the best luck with this brand of ink when using copic markers. The image is colored with Copic Markers.    I added a little bit of Seam binding ribbon, a button, twine and and some bling.


I hope you enjoy my card along with the rest of the Blog Hop.

Kraftin’ Kimmie part Deux

2015-02-06T22:40:00.000-07:00

Here are the last two entries from last weekend's Kraftin’ Kimmie card challenge. We had a week to complete the cards. If you’re interested… you still have a day or two to create a few cards. You can earn Kimmie points to go towards more of her fabulous stamps.

#5 – This card had to have something inside and out.

I used some older Stampin’ Up cardstock and the Kimmie – Going places stamp. I colored the image with copic markers. I cut out a couple of clouds and put stickles around the edges. I distressed and used a journaling pen to line along the edge.

#6 – This card had to have bling for extra points.

Using Kimmie’s stamps is not a requirement but suggested. Because I had used all of the stamps of hers that I own, I used a CTMH stamp on this card. It is a sneak peak of an upcoming stamp of the month that will be available for purchase in June. I added stickles on the cone and some of the lettering. I also outlines some of the paper. There are a couple of little baubles on the edge. And… of course it is distressed.

Edited to add this additional photo.

I found a couple more Kimmie stamps as I was cleaning off my stamp shelf so I made this card for #6 challenge, too.

This is Talullahbelle. I used CTMH My Reflections paper X7193B - Heartstrings Paper Packet. It is only available through March.

It has been fun doing this challenge. My creative juices are now flowing and I have a lot of ideas floating around in my head for future projects.

Be Creative!

Kraftin’ Kimmie

2015-01-31T19:57:00.000-07:00

Today is a celebration on the Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps Krafty Friends Facebook page. Kim designs fun stamps and lives in Canada. There are several challenges going on and prizes to be won. You have a week to get them posted. Go and join the event and be creative.

#1 – Gadget Girl. I used CTMH – My Reflections – Chalk It up. X7184B. Image is colored with Copic markers. For extra points, the card could be distressed.

#2 – Going Places - I used CTMH – My Reflections – Brushed – X7190B. Image is colored with Copic markers. For extra points, the card had to have the color pink.

#3 – Superstar – I used Echo Park- Bundle of Joy Boy Collection Kit. Image is colored with Copic markers. For extra points, this card had to have an animal on it. The paper worked great. I wrote my own sentiment.

#4 Going Places - I used CTMH – My Reflections – Cruisin- X7154B. (retired) The image is colored with copic markers. For extra points, this card had to have extra embellishments and a boy theme. I added some flair, a metal ribbon and some tiny pearls on the glasses. I don’t have a Kimmie boy stamp.

There are still a couple of challenges left. I will continue being creative and share at a later date.

Be Creative!

A Winter’s Walk

2015-01-29T19:35:00.000-07:00

A couple of weekends ago, when the sun had burnt through the fog and the ugly inversion, I bundled up and took a walk along the little greenbelt in Kuna that runs along Indian Creek. I grabbed my camera and took a few shots. Most of the creek was frozen over with a few puddles here and there.

The rope hanging silently, waiting for the summer laughter of the swimming hole.

Roseberries and nesting boxes.

Enjoy

December Daily 3

2015-01-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

December was a busy month!

Be Creative

December Daily 2

2015-01-17T22:32:00.001-07:00

A few more days from my December Daily.. A few of the pictures, based on theme for the day may include older photo’s… such as traditions, etc.

Be Creative!

December Daily

2014-12-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

This is the first year I’m doing December Daily.

This is a scrapbooking project that you create a scrapbook page or two for each day in December.

I chose a quick and easy project. I am using digital templates from a class at Scrapaneers. The class is Discover December by Kelly Sill. There are more complicated digital classes available. A lot of people make their pages out of paper and embellishments. You can find daily lists for ideas at Pinterest. I get a daily email with a photo prompt through the class I am taking.

I chose this digital class because I am so busy and don’t have hours to spend every day taking photo’s and putting a page together. The beauty of using a premade template is that I can change paper and add embellishments if I choose. What a fun what to remember December and spark a little bit of Christmas Joy.

Day 1 - Selfie

Day 2 – Holiday Color

Day 3 – Front door or porch

Day 4 - Joy

Enjoy!

Dallas

2014-11-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

I only take a few pictures a year. Almost all are references through friends or family.

Dallas is a senior this year; Class of 2015. We had a perfect Fall day; just a couple of days before our big snow storm.

The colors were perfect.

He even brought his girl along.

Enjoy!

Productive Doodles

2014-11-21T18:17:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple more of my Doodle sketches.

I colored a couple, too

Sorry the images aren’t super clear. We’ve had dreary foggy weather and not very good lighting for taking photo’s.

This is the view out of my window. The temperature has been in the single digits and we’ve had snow on the ground for over a week. I know it’s not as bad as a few other states, but winter hit us early. We barely had a fall season.

Be Creative!

Do You Doodle??

2014-11-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

I’ve shared a couple of my doodles with you before. I did a couple of doodle a day sketches in October. They’re silly and kind of fun.

Here are a couple more that I’ve colored or in the process of coloring

Song Lyric Doodle.

Put your doodling to good use. I’m currently thinking Christmas. I’ll be sharing more in the future.

Be Creative!

A Walk in the Park

2014-11-03T14:25:00.000-07:00

We woke up to the first snow of the year on the foothills. It is a beautiful sight. Boise is nestled in the valley just below.

The colors this Fall are spectacular. I grabbed by camera, took a drive and snapped some photo’s.

Can you guess why I love Fall so much?

Can you say WOW?

Get out and enjoy the gorgeous sight!

Enjoy!

Remember who YOU are

2014-10-28T17:33:00.000-06:00

This is a picture I made for the Young Women at church for a lesson that I taught.

I used a photo I took this summer of a bee enjoying the lavender in my garden.

Font used: MichelleDurheim

Enjoy!

Autumn Blessings

2014-10-25T21:36:00.000-06:00

We have had a beautiful Fall. Today was in the low 70’s. I think it will be our last warm day. Tomorrow will be the low 50’s. Winter is on the way.

I’ve been working on a couple of Fall projects.

I made this wreath using old canning rings. They were old and rusty. I painted some of them orange and some of them white. After the paint was dry, I wrapped them with various Washi Tape. I then tied a burlap ribbon at the top and hung by my front door.

I painted this cute little Halloween shelf sitter and added some vinyl to it. I finished it off with some spatters of paint.

A little decor by my front door.

My trees are starting to turn colors and are covering the grass. The sun was shining, with a few clouds in the sky so I grabbed my camera. I love Fall colors.

And the bees are still buzzing around the little bit of blooming lavender that I have in the front of my house.

I hope your Fall has been as beautiful as mine! Time to start creating for Christmas!!

Be Creative!

Doodles

2014-10-18T17:32:00.000-06:00

Do you doodle? I’ve been a doodler for as long as I remember. I’m constantly drawing shapes on paper. I have a hard time sitting still. Not always; but most of the time. If you’ve read my blog for very long you’ll see that I tolepaint (decorative painting), paper craft, do digital scrapbooking, art journaling, play the piano, a little bit of photography and a few other random things. I guess you can say I use the right side of my brain.

For my profession, I am a computer programmer. I always analyze things and I’m good at math and science. (so are all of my kids) I am pretty anal and like to have everything in it’s place. I like everything nice and organized which makes me efficient; or a time manager.

I wonder how many people use both sides of their brains equally? What side of the brain do you use? Or do you use both sides?

Last April, during General Conference (you can read about it HERE) or you can view all of the talks HERE, I decided to put my doodling to good use. As I listened to the speakers I wrote down words that impressed me and started doodling; aka Sketching. I used my Strathmore Bristol Smooth 12x12 pad and a couple of journaling pens; American Crafts Memory Maker and Prismacolor .05. They both are permanent black ink. I don't use a pencil; I just go for it.

This is what happened. It was good therapy.

I didn’t make anything else until September when we had the General Women’s meeting for all females ages 8 and up. I wasn’t able to attend, but I watched all of the speakers HERE.

This is what I created.

I had a friend ask me to make one for her with a Young Women’s theme. Shewants to give as gifts to the Young Women in her ward. I should have thought of this since I was in my wards Young Women Presidency for 2 1/2 years.

A couple of days ago I was given the name of a local printer. I’m hoping to take to them and have them scan and print me a few copies (probably of all three). I want a good image that I can share with others.

I tried to take good pictures. I had to set them on a flat surface, climb on a ladder and take some shots.

Are you a doodler? Do you put your talents that Heavenly Father gave to you to good use?

Enjoy!

Birthday Boy

2014-10-04T15:00:00.000-06:00

I can’t believe my Grandson turned 7 last month. He’s in first grade this year. He’s getting so big and smart, too. He’s at the silly age. Can you tell?

I love this face!

Spiderman took quite a few good hits before he finally fell.

Kendall has a pretty good swing, too.

Grammy loves you!