Southern Scraps

I've recently cut my hair and something about that makes me want to wear a different type of earrings from what I used to wear. In the past, it was all hoops- small and conservative. Now I want some dangly ones so I've been searching at etsy and here are some of my favorites. by Bead Designs by Ellen by beadmedley by LeJoulesDesigns by Beth Cyr Jewlery by beadstylin

Yep, that's right. Today is National Hamburger Day. Not a Congress declared day, but how much more American can you get than a big juicy grilled burger? (Actually it may be German, with roots in Hamburg, Germany, but it has become very American.) So today is the day to celebrate it. Do you think that you have to wait on the man of the house to do the grilling? Nope, check out all the tips you need to know here at Girls at the Grill. But if you prefer to let him do the work, grab your camera and take some pictures of the family enjoying the cookout. I made the perfect little paper piecing to commemorate this day and to adorn your scrapbook pages of your grilling event. It measures about two inches. Look for it in my shop soon. A little tip about working with tiny pieces like this- tweezers. They keep your fingers from getting sticky.

Today is Memorial Day. With roots back to the Civil War, this day is more than a three day weekend and a trip to the beach. It is a day to honor and remember those who paid the price for the rest of us to have the freedom to do things like taking trips to the beach and barbequeing with the family. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Arlington Cemetary and all of the Memorials in D.C. in 2005. It was a very sobering experience. While researching for this post, I came across this very eloquent post. I couldn't express it better, so visit Mueller's blog and reflect on today's true meaning. http://blog.ediets.com/2008/05/memorial-day-tribute.html Memorial Day Comments ~ Myspace Comments

Hubby and I have spent the last couple of weekends organizing and de-cluttering our stuff. This weekend I worked on my craft room. I will post pics later. Hubby still has to install a shelf for me. De-cluttering always means stuff to get rid of. I no longer travel with my scrapbook supplies since I have a designated work space, so I am ready to part with my tote. I just listed it and a Creative Memories organizer on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180246830229&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=008 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180246831688&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=008 Hubby also has a remote control helicopter and a Sony PSP game system up for bids. http://cgi.ebay.com/E-flite-Blade-CX-R-C-Helicopter-with-Upgrades_W0QQitemZ200226268952QQihZ010QQcategoryZ2563QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-PSP-Game-System-with-Games-Movies-Extras_W0QQitemZ200226271712QQihZ010QQcategoryZ13997

Today's featured item from etsy is a really cool fabric journal cover from whimsiedots . Made to fit a composition book, you can write to your hearts content, and when your journal is full, remove the cover and put it on a new notebook. She has five others in her shop, but this is my favorite. The cool, relaxing colors would really put me in a reflective frame of mind.

May is National Strawberry Month. This was a new one to me. But something worthy to celebrate. Here are some strawberry facts: * It is the only fruit with its seeds on the outside rather than the inside and one strawberry has about 200 seeds! * It is a fruit but also a member of the rose family, as its plant has a flower. * Very nutritious and only 50-55 calories per cup! Here are a couple of recipes I found at the University of Illinois Extension site. I've gotta try these. Fabulous Strawberry Muffins Firm fresh strawberries work best in this recipe, but when the season is over substitute blueberries, cherries or chopped peaches. 2 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cup buttermilk 1/3 cup melted butter 2 eggs, slightly beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped Additional sugar for topping Pre heat oven to 400°F. Spray muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray or line muffin cups with paper

I just wanted to post a reminder that etsygreetings street team is having a buy 3 get 1 free promo until May 31. So.. get your graduate a card, get one for Dad (Father's Day is fastly approaching), and get a couple of birthday cards or all occasion cards to stash for those last minute emergencies. Here are a couple of new Father's Day cards I listed in my shop this weekend.

Today, the third Saturday in May, is Armed Forces Day . Proclaimed by President Truman in 1950, the day combines the separate branches' celebrations into one day. It is a day to honor and thank our armed forces for what they do for us. I think sending cards to soldiers is a nice way to do this and I hope I can find some time today to make a few cards to send cards to soldiers. Maybe you can do the same. If you do, post links in the comments section. I'd love to see them. Be careful how you go about sending cards. I was dismayed to find this snopes articled about the Christmas cards to Walter Reed hospital. I got that email. I didn't send cards but would have liked to. It makes sense though, you can't just randomly send cards to "any soldier." The snopes article list some other ways to show your support. I also searched for some projects that appear to be legite. I found these two sites: http://www.angelstampersforsoldiers.com/as4s/ http://cardsforheroes.org/

This week's features focus on the two national holidays celebrated yesterday. Honor the police officer in your life with this great memo board by Kayskrafts It would make a great Father's Day gift if the man in your life is an officer. The next item is absolutely adorable. They are totally calorie and guilt free. You can display them and celebrate chocolate chip day all year! These crocheted chocolate chip cookies by lubee are a hoot! These push pins by rebeccascards are equally adorable and also calorie and guilt free! What a great way to enjoy some chocolate!

On a lighter note (from my previous post) today is National Chocolate Chip Day. Well... it's not a "National" Holiday as it has no Congressional proclamation but nonetheless, a chocolate chip is certainly worthy of celebrating. The vast majority of my well used recipes involve a chocolate chip- cookies, cakes, muffins. MMM.. and don't forget chocolate chip pancakes and trail mixes. Oh, and how about a handful of plain chocolate chips for snacking? (I've found evidence of my hubby doing this when he has a sweet craving.) How about celebrating chocolate chip day by sharing with a friend? Cookie mixes in a jar are always a nice gift. For this recipe (from craftbits.com) you will need a jar that holds around 1 quart or 1.130 litres. If your jar is airtight add the ingredients directly otherwise place them into an airtight or ziplock bag and attach the recipe card instructions. Jar Ingredients: 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup white sugar

Law enforcement- very necessary and often unappreciated. The world is full of sick, evil people. Some of us choose to sit behind the blinds and believe they don't exist, while some of us deal with these people every day. Being a law enforcement or peace officer calls for great sacrifice, or sometimes one's life. Just check here for some of the numbers. President John F. Kennedy made this day, May 15, National Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1962. Remember to fly your flags at half staff. I think the following appropriately sums up an officer's life. COPS ON THE TAKE... First they take ... the oath. then : They take ... it in stride when people curse at them and call them foul names. They take... a second job sometimes to make ends meet and support their family. They take ... time to stop and talk to children. They take... your verbal abuse while giving a ticket which was really deserved. They take ... on creeps you would be afraid to even look at. They take ... time away fro

Mother's Day is tomorrow. Did you get Mom a card? Or will you be putting one together at the last minute? Here's some inspiration for you if you need it. I made this one for my mother-in-law. If you don't have photo corners on hand, don't sweat it. Here's a tutorial for the notched kind. http://www.scrapfriends.us/articles/photo_corners.html

May 4-10 is National Pet Week. Here's our girl- isn't she beautiful? I have special plans to scrapbook a page about her or even do a framed page for a wall display, but I haven't gotten to it yet. Knowing this is pet week has me thinking about pet inspired creations. Do you need some inspiration? Scrapbooksetc has some ideas: http://www.bhgscrapbooksetc.com/ideas/pets/playfulpetpages_ss1.html Or how about some cards with some cute pet images? I discovered these pet stamps by My Favorite things while blog surfing this week. Jen at iheart2stamp made some cute cards with them. Stamp Owl's Studio also has some cute dog cards. So surf around, find some inspiration and honor your pet with a layout or card

Since yesterday was Have a Coke Day, I went searching at Etsy to see what Coke related items I could find. Here are two of my favorites. This Coke candle by jotaysgel is a unique gel candle. It even has ice cubes. When you burn up the candle, you'll have a Coke glass to keep. The next find is a flower necklace made from a recycled Coke can. You'll find this and other cool pieces of Coke jewelry at Made From the Heart.

Coca-cola was invented May 8, 1886, in Atlanta, Georgia. Learn more about its history here . May 8 is National Coke Day. Coke has become not only a drink, but a whole collectible thing. Items and items of Coke paraphernalia exist for the collecting. There are even Coke scrapbooking items. Take a look at this altered clipboard I received a couple of years ago in a swap. Isn't it cute? It adorns my scrapbook room. Speaking of altered clip boards, here are a couple of tutorials for making your own. http://www.scrapjazz.com/topics/Techniques/Altered_Art/423.php http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ee/index.php/resources/tutorials/altered_clipboard/

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. ~William Arthur Ward Yesterday was National Teacher Day, which is now observed on the first Tuesday of May. This entire week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. Don't worry that yesterday has passed. You can still send your favorite teacher a thank you by the end of the week. You can also participate in a great project to be unveiled next year. Send an e-card or regular card to the Teacher Thank You Card project. I love an opportunity to make a handmade card and brighten someones day with it. Here are a few details from the press release. To contribute to the Nation’s Largest Teacher Thank-You Card Project, individuals can visit www.teacherthankyoucard.org and send a free e-card or post a video thank you. Thank-you cards can also be mailed to: The Nation’s Largest Teacher Thank You Card Project, c/o NEA, P.O. Box 66458, Washington, D.C. 20035. The cards colle

I missed posting a daily quote last month. I guess the daily blogging thing is not for me, even when all I had to do was post a quote. Anyway, I'm still doing my best to keep it going and keep it interesting. By my calculations I owe you seven quotes. So here they are. These will complete my thirty favorite quotes. The earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson Time is too slow for those who wait, Too swift for those who fear, Too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice it, but for those who love, time is eternity. - Henry Van Dyke Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Ralph Waldo Emerson Happiness is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to deal with it. Unknown Everything is always okay in the end, if it's not, then it's not the end. Unknown God gave us memories, so we would have roses in December. Unknown Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. Albert Camus

Yep! Today is National Scrapbooking Day. This craft/hobby got so big, it has its own day. Here are a few links where you will find sales, crops, and events for this day. National Scrapbooking Day Creating Keepsakes Two peas Scrap Girls Scrapbook.com Feel free to add to my list by leaving a comment, especially if you have your own challenge or event at your blog!

Today's feature is a unique home decor find. Do you like nature? dragonflies? silver? Put them all together and adorn your light switch with this awesome cover sold by ArtbyTR You'll also find switch plate covers in brass and copper. Go check them out. Great wedding, housewarming, or Mother's Day gift.

National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. It is observed on the first Thursday of May every year and is set aside to pray for our nation. No better time to pray for our nation than now. More information and ideas for prayer can be found at this site - ndptf.org . I want to focus on prayer itself and HOW to pray. It is something I struggle with as a Christian and I'm sure others do too. Prayer is communication with God. It can be as easy as having a conversation with God. But don't just tell him what you want and what is wrong, remember to praise him. Remember also to be still and LISTEN. That is probably the most difficult part for me. A true conversation involves both and listening is as important as talking. We should pray everywhere (1 Timothy 2:8) but the best place to pray is where we can be alone with God (Matthew 6:6). We should always ask forgiveness for sins and iniquities in