We met this week's Featured Friday blogger back before there even WERE such things as blogs!
Elizabeth was a member of our Gooseberry Patch family years ago and we were fortunate to have her as part of our sales team while we did. Not only does she posses a genuine friendliness that every customer deserves, her sunny personality makes her a joy to work with as well.
Did we mention that she also makes the most picture-perfect cookies? All this time later, they're still legendary around our office.
So, when we happened upon Elizabeth's blog, we were simply delighted. Not at all surprised by how darling everything was, we have had such fun following her crafty adventures.
We're so happy to introduce you to...
Creative Breathing!
(Also known as Bluebird Papercrafts.)
We asked Elizabeth to share a little background with the readers of our blog...here's what she had to say.
Tell us a little about yourself, your family and where you live.
I live in the most charming college town of Delaware, nestled along a central river in the Heart of Ohio. I live here with my husband of 32 years and one very large white puppy who has come home to our previously empty nest with our youngest daughter. She has an older brother recently married who took his pets with him when he left home.
What originally inspired you to start blogging?
When my nest emptied, I found the need to fill the quietness that filled my home. An article read about Alicia Paulson and her blog Posy Gets Cozy led me to begin my own.
Empty or not, it looks like a cozy nest to us!
What's the best thing to happen because of your blog?
A love of crafting always kept secret, I was so surprised to find a community of women just like myself. A place to say “cute” many times a day without a second glance. A chance to learn and be inspired and to give back in return. An opportunity to make new friends.
Your papercrafts are inspiring to say the least...what draws you to vintage art and patterns? Where do you find inspiration?
An old-fashioned person to the very core, I was immediately drawn to vintage greeting cards often shared. Memories called to mind of my own childhood, a perfect opportunity to use them to tell the stories of my life. Their simple images became the basis for designing and making my own patterns to create the most wonderful craft room creations ever!
Find Elizabeth's pattern for this sweet pennyrug here.
From your time working with us as Gooseberry Patch, we know that you're not only a gifted artist but a fantastic baker. Care to share a favorite recipe?
A favorite way to bring a smile to friends and family is to present them with cookies they have come to love. Gingerbread Men like none you have ever tasted, are my most favorite ones to bake. Soft and chewy, you will not be able to have just one.
GINGERBREAD MEN
CREAM: 1 c. shortening, 1 c. sugar, 1 egg
ADD: 1 c. light molasses, 2 T. vinegar
ADD: 4 c. flour, 1-1/2 t. baking soda, 1/2 t. salt, 2-1/2 t. ginger, 1 t. cinnamon
DIVIDE: dough into two equal portions, wrap in cellophane.
CHILL: 3 hours. Bring dough to nearly room temperature.
ROLL OUT: on well floured surface 1/8” thick.
DIP: Cookie cutters into flour, cut shapes. Place directly onto shiny aluminum baking sheet.
BAKE: at 375 degrees 6-8 minutes ONLY. Remove to counter surface to cool.
DECORATE: purchased tube icing, currants for eyes, red candies for buttons.
Sprinkle with additional sugar after each cookie made
Aside from family and friends, what are 5 things you just can't live without?
My crafting philosophy and the one I share on my blog is, “Use What’s on Hand”, but the five things I could not live without while breathing creatively are my trusty glue gun, pinking scissors, silver glitter, Pop Dots, and white paper flowers. White goes with everything when all else fails.
Follow along Elizabeth's tutorial and
make your own snowman like this!
Tell us something that no one would guess about you.
No one knows that I have a beautiful craft room and that I love to create vintage inspired art. The chance to share this on my blog, is very meaningful to my life. It is a most happy place to be!
Wow...what a fun place to spend your creative hours!
Click here to see more photos of Elizabeth's craft room.
Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Elizabeth. It's so good to be back in touch after all this time and to introduce our blog readers to such a wholly creative soul. All our best.
There's so much cuteness on Elizabeth's blog, we just have to share some more photos here...
Pay Creative Breathing a visit today and find yourself filled with inspiration and happiness...we sure did.
Share a creative breath with a friend...use our button below!
