This particular cookie is an adaptation of a favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe from my childhood.  Once upon a time I ran out of chocolate chips, and after a few substitutions these were the delicious result.  If you happen to be out of cranberries and almonds, feel free to substitute them with a bag of chocolate chips.

CRANBERRY ALMOND OATMEAL COOKIES
From the kitchen of Barbara Williams

Cream together 1 cup butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar and 3/4 cup white sugar.

Add two eggs and mix well.

Mix in 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1 tsp warm water, 1 cup dried cranberries (craisins), and 1 cup sliced almonds.

Add 2 cups rolled oats and mix well.

Add 2 cups flour and mix well.

Drop by teaspoonful onto a greased baking sheet at least 2 inches apart.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy!

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Barbara Anne Williams
Original Artwork for Crafts & Cardmakers
available at CuddlyBuddly

In the past few months it seems as if the stork has been working overtime.  Our lives are filled with new babies that are blessing the lives of friends and family.  Welcoming those wee little miracles has truly been a pleasure.

Perhaps that is why I felt especially inspired to revisit the classic Wee Ones art set, and rework some of it into digi stamps.  In addition, I’ve put together a few new sheets of sentiments, and some fun digi paper packs with both traditional and non-traditional baby colors.  Together they make perfect little tags, cards, albums and decorations for showers and baby gifts.

I hope that you’ll have as much fun with these images as I did, and most of all I hope they make it easier for you to welcome the new little ones that you are celebrating!

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Barbara Anne Williams
Original Artwork for Crafts & Cardmakers
available at CuddlyBuddly

I’m not talking about only doing things you love.  That’s irresponsible.  I’m not even talking about loving every single thing you have to do.  Even when we find satisfaction in our work, there are always unpleasant things that we must do – things that we tolerate and wade through, but hope not to have to do ever again.  I’m going to tell you a secret to true happiness.  It’s not expecting to be madly in love with each moment that we spend in this life – and being okay with that.

Friends on a Sunday Afternoon Drive

And there’s a second part of that secret that is equally important, to find time each day to squeeze in a little of what you DO love to do.  Maybe you’re overwhelmed and can’t think of a spare minute anywhere to dedicate to the things that make you smile from tip to toe.  I get that.  So I’m going to share a few ideas to slip those things in here and there – and truly end each day having loved it in some measure.

My first suggestion is to dilute something you don’t love with something that you do.  I’ll give you an example from my childhood.  I hated doing the dishes.  As I’ve been known to say, “hate” is a strong word, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the wrong word.”  I wasn’t the only one.  It’s genetic, I’m pretty sure.  But it must skip a generation or something like that, because my mom loves doing them.  When we were little she printed and laminated the words to fun songs and put them in front of the sink.  We would learn the songs while we washed, and it was simply amazing how quickly the time flew by.  Have I ever mentioned how brilliant my mother is?  She was desperate, and in her desperation had some of her very best ideas.  But it wasn’t just songs that she used to make dishes more bearable.  Sometimes she would take the time to do the dishes with us.  That is one of my very favorite memories from childhood.  Doing dishes with my mom.  Somehow having that one-on-one time with her made it seem as though we weren’t doing dishes at all.  These days, you’ll find that my house is cleanest when I’ve been singing along to Pandora as I’ve conquered my least favorite chores.  How about making your workout doubly enjoyable by walking your children to school (great chance to spend time with them), or to deliver notes, or to get landscaping ideas?

My next suggestion is to really look at your priorities.  Not the ones you think you have, or want to have, but those that you really have.  My favorite excuse to call myself on is that “it takes time away from my family”.  As if the only time in my day that I have any control over is the time I spend with my husband and children.  It’s so silly that it makes me laugh at myself whenever I catch myself trying to use it.  Yeah.  Because I couldn’t wake up 20 minutes earlier.  Or watch 30 minutes less television.  Or let’s face it, spend 15 minutes less on Pinterest and Facebook.  Fine, those are relaxing.  There’s nothing wrong with them.  But I don’t love them.  And if you’re looking to squeeze a few minutes of something you LOVE into your day, maybe you have the same kinds of little moments tucked away that I do – just waiting to be better filled.

And finally, discover more “bite-sized” things to love.  Maybe you don’t have time to do a big project – but you can usually find a way to translate it into something small.  Don’t have time to make a card?  How about making a tag?  Or an ATC?  Or a bookmark?  Don’t haul everything out, just keep a little shoebox with double-sided tape, a little string, a few colored pencils and some pre-punched shapes and sentiments (print a sheet of digi-sentiments – so easy) for a no-mess, quick paper project! Plant a few flower boxes if you can’t fit in an entire garden.  Write a journal, or a blog.   Do the dishes.  Oh, wait. . . that was the wrong list.  But you get the idea.

And every now and again you’ll find a day that is so filled with beautiful things you love to do that your face will hurt from smiling.  Like having your mom come for a visit, and spending a few hours creatively with amazing women, and watching a movie with the family.  Ah, bliss.

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Barbara Anne Williams
Original Artwork for Crafts & Cardmakers
available at CuddlyBuddly

What’s not to love about gelato?  As promised, today I’m sharing my favorite recipe for Chocolate Gelato.  Well, Nutella Gelato to be more precise.  And to spread the love just a bit further, I’ve decided to share it on a printable recipe card.

Just click on the card or HERE and then click the “Download Photo” link at the bottom of the gallery page (print at 150 dpi for a 4×6″ card).

Ice cream isn’t my favorite dessert – but gelato is different.  Experts say the flavors are more intense because it melts at a lower temperature, making those flavors available to your taste buds more easily.  Purists and grumpy people say that it isn’t exactly the same as gelato you buy in Italy because ingredients differ a bit from place to place.  I’d add that it’s not the same because I’m not standing in a charming cobblestone via surrounded by people who speak a language that absolutely sings, and centuries of history, sculpture and architecture.  It’s mouthwateringly close though, and if you close your eyes and play a little Andrea Bocelli in the background, you might just forget where you are.

Of course, if you have time to make two batches of gelato for your next special occasion (or to share with your special someone), might I suggest another favorite recipe?  Instead of cantaloupe melon you can use pineapple, strawberries, pears, apples, etc.  I’ve even used frozen mixed berries when I was desperate – it was amazing.  The pineapple is my favorite.  After the cantaloupe.  But served with the chocolate above, strawberry is king.

GELATO DI MELONE

Ingredients

• 1 cup superfine granulated sugar (I use regular sugar)
• 1/2 cup water (not distilled)
• 1 cantaloupe (about 3 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lightly beaten egg white* (I use pasteurized egg white and have occasionally left it out altogether – it makes a slight texture difference)

In a small heavy saucepan heat sugar and water, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cool syrup. Remove rind and seeds.  Cut melon into chunks and in a food processor or blender purée enough to measure 2 cups. Mix purée with syrup and lemon juice. Chill mixture until cold (up to 1 day).

Stir in egg white and freeze in an ice-cream maker according to the manufacturer’s directions. Serve gelato immediately or transfer to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden.  Gelato only keeps well in the freezer for a day or two – after that the texture is affected.

By now you’ve noticed that there are only 4-5 ingredients in each of these recipes.  I love simple, beautiful things that yield impressive results!

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Barbara Anne Williams
Original Artwork for Crafts & Cardmakers
available at CuddlyBuddly

Friendship is one of the very best kinds of love, and I feel especially qualified to post on this subject because of my own treasured collection of fine friends.

One of my very favorite things about the neighborhood where I live is the remarkable and talented women that I have the opportunity to meet and get to know.  I adore them all for different reasons, but they each add a richness and depth to my everyday life.  I won’t name names, but they know who they are. . . the one who makes me smile with her cleverness, the one who inspires me to do and be more, the one who walks and talks with me and lifts my spirits with her kindness, the one who loves everyone and makes me love them too, the one who trusts me when she needs someone to talk to, the one that makes me marvel as I watch her grace and dignity in any situation, the one who always greets me with a cheerful hello, and not least of all, the maker of divine apple pies.  Life is so very beautiful when you have such friends!

Happily for me, the internet has made the world a much smaller place.  Because of gates through my cyber backyard I’ve had the chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.  I’ve found long lost friends and I cherish them for what they have been to me, and am blessed by the comfortable companionship they still offer.  A dear, sweet friend that I knew in Italy so many years ago recently found me – a little heartwarming miracle just for me.  And then there are the new friends that I’ve never met in person, but offer lively conversation, discussion and ideas.  And not least of all, another little miracle, a dear, kind friend who lives on a faraway island, and from such a distance has managed to teach, inspire, support and encourage me both in my artwork and as a person.  When I think of my far away friends I remember what Anne with an ‘e’ once said “When twilight drops her curtain down and pins it with a star, remember that you have a friend though she may wander far.”

I’ve saved for last my very favorite friend, the one I married.  He was my best friend before anything else, and that sturdy foundation of love and respect has made life amazing.  It’s truly been a blessing to have his hand to hold through growing pains, challenges, and moments that make me cry with their beauty.  To celebrate that  delicious friendship - stay tuned tomorrow for our very favorite gelato recipe.  Or maybe two of them.  Heavenly.  And you’re going to LOVE it.

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Barbara Anne Williams
Original Artwork for Crafts & Cardmakers
available at CuddlyBuddly

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I always loved Valentine’s Day when I was young.  I loved picking out cards and treats for my classmates.  Every kid got one, so there wasn’t any danger of anyone feeling left out, but somehow that didn’t make them any less enchanting.  I think what I loved most, though, was decorating a Valentine’s Day mailbox to receive the Valentines.  I still remember the giddiness that came with delivering packages to each mailbox – matching the names, and feeling like the best mailman ever.  Opening each note was like getting mail from the real post – a thrill of excitement, knowing that you held something in your hands that was especially for you.

I have a neighbor that understands the importance of mail that is delivered by a postman.  She sometimes writes my children lovely little notes of thanks or congratulations, and they come delivered with the other mail.  They are a beautiful little surprise, and shine all the brighter when tucked in with the disappointing junk mail.  They are special, and because of that, they make my children feel extra-special.  Okay, who am I kidding?  I get a silly little grin on my face whenever I get a handwritten note in the mail too!  Yesterday I received an honest-to-goodness Valentine from a friend who lives far, far away.  Bliss.  That it was handmade by her made it even more of a treasure.  I felt like a little girl with my paper-covered tissue box.

So your mission today is to write a Valentine.  It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does need to be handwritten, because that makes it personal and special.  It can be hand-delivered, or delivered by the postman.  Who cares if it arrives late?  The person you send it to will be thrilled no matter what day it arrives.  It can be short and sweet, or include a sweet, or just all of the sweet things you cherish about that person.  And I bet when it comes right down to it, it’ll make you smile too.

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Barbara Anne Williams
Original Artwork for Crafts & Cardmakers
available at CuddlyBuddly

It’s Valentine Week, and we’re going to celebrate all different kinds of love with stories, ideas, tips and more ideas!

Today is about family love.  The photo from the album above is my Great-Grandparents, announcing their engagement.  I didn’t know my great-grandfather; he died when my grandfather was very young.  I knew and loved my great-grandmother though, and it always makes me smile to see how their little family began with so much happiness. Another great-grandmother shared her name with me, and her little footstool that still bears the enormous, uneven stitches that we made on it while she sat in her rocking chair and told us stories.  I never got to meet my other great-grandparents, but I’ve heard stories about them and feel as if I do know them a little.  Now that my own grandparents have passed on, I feel like my children will be missing out if they don’t get to hear the things I cherished about people who were an enormous influence in my life.

Celebrating family love is about both passing on memories, and creating them.  One of the little things I treasure is a book that my children and I made for each of their grandparents.  The grandparents absolutely adored them, and now that I have them back and can read back through them I find that they’ve become a precious tie between the generations.  It’s so simple to make your own “Grandma & Me” or “Mom & Me” or “Auntie & Me” books, illustrated with old family photos, clip art, or even sweet little drawings by your little ones.  And they don’t just go one way – A “Daddy & Me” book made by a father for his little ones would be absolutely fantastic!  (These would make great Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gifts too)

Here’s an example of the text from one of the books, just to give you a little idea.  The best thing about the stories wasn’t the eloquent writing (ha!) but that it can be read over and over again, and expresses love and appreciation for who they are individually and what they mean to us.

________’s Marvelous Grandpa-Great

I have the best Grandpa-Great in the world!

Grandpa has been lots of things in his life.  He worked on a dairy farm in Morgan.  He served his country in World War II in the Navy.  He worked at Hill Air Force Base and lots of other places.

But the most important thing that he has ever been is my Grandpa-Great.

He always has change for my piggy bank!

Grandpa-Great tells the best stories.  Mom says that’s because he has lots of practice.  (Image of a fisherman & his catch here)

Grandpa loves to see things grow.  He watches his vegetables grow in his big garden.  He watches me grow too!

The BEST thing about Grandpa-Great is that I love him, and he loves me. I’m so glad that families are forever!

Love, M________

As you can see, it was very simple. Other ideas for pages might include things you have in common – such as a love of ice cream, horses or skydiving.  You could include special things you do together, such as cloud-watching, sewing or going for walks. You definitely don’t have to be an author to write a book that will have a special place on a special someone’s shelf.

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Barbara Anne Williams
Original Artwork for Crafts & Cardmakers
available at CuddlyBuddly

This week’s tips and techniques is a link to an absolute TREASURE – just added to Cuddly Buddly by Kim.  Take a look – the program she demonstrates in these tutorials is absolutely free to download, and her step-by-step, illustrated instructions make resizing, changing colors, etc. so very easy!

Cuddly Buddly Tutorials

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Barbara Anne Williams
Bits of Ivory
available at CuddlyBuddly

My newest set of digi stamps, papers and sentiments were just added at www.cuddlybuddly.com!  This set was inspired by vintage family photos and the colors in the paper set reflect that vintage feel.

You’ll find roses and forget-me-nots, a baby doll, and a favorite book with these sweet girls.  The sentiments also have a bit of a vintage feel, and are extremely versatile.  The digi stamps can be colored with pencils, crayons, chalks or paints to exactly fit your projects.  Don’t miss the free corner digi stamp as well – A gift from Cuddly Buddly and me to YOU!

I hope you’ll have as much fun with this artwork as I had creating it. . . and watch soon for the 3-D decoupage sets, more coordinating papers, and some truly adorable little boys to boot!

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Barbara Anne Williams
Bits of Ivory
available at CuddlyBuddly

For the next couple of months Technique Tuesdays will be devoted to digital artwork and how (and why) to use it.  I hope this will answer many of the questions I get about what I do and “what on earth would I DO with it?”  My goal is to end the series with a crowd of readers who can’t imagine what they ever did without it.

I’ve written before about why I chose to start offering my artwork as Digi Stamps, but I’m asked about it so often that I wanted to devote an entire article to the reasons they are so amazing.  There are many reasons but I’ll list my favorites today to kick off this new series.  I’m quite certain I’ll be adding to the list as we go along.

ECONOMY: First of all, digi stamps are very affordable.  This particular (adorable) snowperson is only 99 pence (or $1.60)!  You purchase it once and then can use it over and over again for different projects.  The cost is quite low, especially considering that you can use it again and again (as always, be sure to read and understand the terms of use that you agree to by purchasing and using the artwork – you can read Cuddly Buddly’s here:  Terms of Use).  There are no shipping costs, and the images are delivered to your computer right away no matter how far away the shop is – perfect for last-minute projects.

Check out my previous post for many images that are currently being given away for free by the artists. (These are legitimate freebies and not pirated images being given away illegally – please avoid those!)

SPACE: Another important consideration is storage.  This little fellow takes up a little bit of space on your computer, but none at all in your workspace!  No hunting for inexpensive storage solutions, no searching through blocks of wood and acrylic and sheets of unmounted rubber when you need to find it again.  It sits quietly and patiently in the digi stamp folder you create for it until you find another project for it.

CREATIVITY: One of my very favorite things about digi stamps is the fact that YOU can personalize it so perfectly for your every need.  Look how delightfully different the following images are from each other, all using the same digi stamps!  One of my very favorite things is watching how the images come to life in the hands of different designers and I’m always delighted to see how very different the same character can look with just a change in coloring.  One of my favorite things about card nights is seeing several different people work with the same image, and have one card turn out completely classic and aged while another is bright and cheery and the one across the table is sweet and soft.  Every single person gets to make exactly what suits them and the occasion that they’re creating for - and that is a beautiful thing.  Equally fun is playing at coloring again myself.  Whether you use markers or pencils, paints or inks, chalks or crayons, it’s just so much fun to make several prints of an image and then try different techniques and ideas until you find just exactly what you want.   Thanks to Nancy, Jackie, Maddy & Chris of Cuddly Buddly’s Challenge Team  for these fantastic cards!

VERSATILITY: There’s so much to say about the versatility that digi stamps offer that I’ll just touch on it briefly here, and save the rest for a nice long post of its own.  One of the best things about digi stamps is the power to re-size the stamps to exactly fit your project, and that is no small advantage!  Whether you’re making a sweet little tag or a larger card project, the image can be sized to fit perfectly (within reason – they probably won’t make a suitable poster).  If you have a special punch or die that you’d like it to fit in you can easily measure to be sure that the image prints to fit.  They can even be reversed for a mirror image.  Those with personal cutters such as the Craft Robo or Silhouette will find that they can use the print and cut features to perfectly cut the images out as well.

I hope these give you a few little ideas of why digi stamps are so fantastic – and I hope you’ll leave comments below with YOUR favorite things about them!

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Barbara Anne Williams
Bits of Ivory
available at CuddlyBuddly