The Homestead

Warm experiences, recipes and all things about Home.

  • Artsy Adventures (Outings, Flea Marketing and More),  The Homestead,  Thoughts

    Logan’s Candy Cane Interest ASAP – Social Distancing Practiced

    Hello friends, I hope this finds you well.  Many of you know that for years, we’ve made it a tradition to enjoy Logan’s Candy Cane private tour. You can see more here. At this amazing place, you are able to watch and sample amazing fresh candy canes made, and experience this amazing tradition.  Such a wonderful family at Logan’s and staff who have become dear friends. They welcome us with open arms. I will be putting together another private group tour/demonstration once again this year, but one exception from years past . . . there will be Social Distancing, Safety precautions, and a limited number of participants.  I spoke with Jerry (‘the…

  • Crafts,  Creative,  Mixed Media,  The Homestead

    Eileen Hull’s New Die Release Blog Hop

    Can you believe we are talking about the holidays? Well, it is Christmas in July, and Eileen Hull’s new releases are great for cards or holiday projects. Thanks for joining us for the Eileen Hull/Sizzix Chapter 3 Release Party Blog Hop! Check out the creative ways the Inspiration and Education teams have used the Mitten and Snowman dies! We hope that you will be inspired too and share how you use the dies in the Eileen Hull Fan Club. After leaving here, you can start at the beginning of the Blog Hop you can go HERE. While both dies are fabulous and designed to be boxes, I saw the cute…

  • Art,  Art Journaling,  Creative,  Life,  Mixed Media,  Nature,  The Homestead,  Thoughts

    Using Recyclables In Your Art

    The below art journaling page is made from scraps and some paint. I am always picking up things off the ground that have rusty goodness or a look of old to them. I’m always keeping an eye out for things that have had a prior life or purpose and using them in art. I make sure I clean my hands and the item after collecting it, but recycling, or ‘upcycling’ is something can be fun and make your pages unique. I’m thinking more art journal here, but below are some items you could upcycle; Some things I’ve collected along the way and used include; Metal pieces that are rusty (can…

  • Life,  The Homestead,  Thoughts

    Lessons from Mister Rogers – Entering the New Year

    Leaving behind the old and embracing the new with less weight is something I think most of us want for a new year. I’m not sure how many of you have seen ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.’ There are so many lessons wrapped up in one movie, one true story. Fred Rogers was a man who walked the walk and showed us how forgiveness and kindness could change lives (young and more mature). Forgiveness releases the person who needs forgiveness as well as the person doing the forgiving. Each individual has value, even those that you may not like or who have a different opinion than you. Really listening…

  • Life,  The Homestead

    The Gift of Learning

    Christmas is over and it was an amazing one. I did want to share about a gift I received prior to Christmas and that is the gift of learning. I made gifts this year for co-workers. One of the gifts that I made was homemade beef jerky. My hubby took the time to teach me his techniques so I could make it for the guys in my work life. He has a tried and true process he’s perfected over the years that makes an amazing jerky. I enjoyed as he methodically shared with me. It was a gift of time and now ‘know how’ that I can bless others with.The…

  • Creative,  Life,  The Homestead,  Thoughts,  Tutorials and How to's

    Making It – Gifts

    How many of you are enjoying another season of Making It on NBC? I know I am! It’s phenomenal. I thought I’d share some of the gifts that I made this year. I shared a quick tutorial HERE on making your own quick gift bags while using your stash. What’s behind those gift bags? Let me tell you.  I enjoyed personalizing them according to co-workers personalities. While it’s fun to receive, I think I experience a lot of joy making and giving. I’ll be making gifts for the guys in my work life as well. Handcrafted and homemade is fun for both the giver and receiver.  How about you? Are…

  • Art,  Life,  The Homestead

    Rough Day Kit

    We all have rough days from time to time.  Days where things just don’t go as planned, or an unexpected, not so joyous event takes place. It’s Summer and our girl is home with us but while off to college in Montana, I knew there would be days she would miss family or just need a little pick me up. Quite a while ago, I received a cute little tin box called a ‘Rough Day Kit.’  Iy came empty and you were to customize it. I knew exactly what I was going to do with it . . . collect some things and send to our sweet girl at college.…