"A Canvas on Every Corner"

Tualatin's Traffic Signal Boxes are Getting a New Look!

The Tualatin Arts Advisory Committee has been working to add vinyl art wraps to the City's traffic signal boxes, to help turn these utilitarian cabinets into works of public art.

Here are a few of the designs.

 Aren't they beautiful!

I guess they have been doing this in many communities for some time -

 but our city began this art installment in 2021.

 There are many more around town!

It just makes you smile when you spot one :)

Happy Friday,

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

"Birthday Cheer with a Twist of Lemon"

 With the summer fully upon us here in Oregon and the sun shining so brightly - it reminded me of the lemon trees we had in our backyard in Southern California, and I was inspired to make a lemon themed birthday card.... but I didn't have any stamps or die cuts to use.

So I made my own...

And I came up with this "Lemony Fresh" birthday card.

I like to turn my cards into what I call, "Chunky Mail" cards by including small gifts tucked into the little pockets I design as part of the card. I love to make them color match as I am on the lookout for small mailable gift items while on my shopping outings. 

This "Chunky Mail" includes a honey facial mask, a yellow striped bookmark, a sparkly glitter emery board, a lemon designed pen and a lemon compressed sponge (that was in the front gift section at Target one day).

I do hope this gift will bring a smile to the face of its recipient!

Stay Cozy + Zesty,

Carrie

Reunited...and it feels so good!

Just after the 4th of July, one of our twin daughters came in town from Miami with her family...

Adding in her twin sister's two boys and our other daughter's son...

the house was full of love and laughter

 from all 5 grands, our five adult children, spouses and friends too!

There was a zoo concert night.

Popsicles with Grandma...

Sister time...

fireworks...

and the joy of figuring out a new skill...

Mom and daughter dinner out...

...and the pure fun of family reunited. 

And somehow, we survived it all!

Staying Cozy This Summer!

"A Little Can with a Lot of Sparkle!"

 Here are some fun creations I made to decorate for the 4th of July holiday.

Made with non-other than empty sardine cans!

From Tin to Treasure: Miniature Dioramas with a Splash of Fun!

I eat a lot of sardines - they are healthy for you and I actually love them..

and I got to thinking...

what could I do with those empty cans?

Sardine Can Creations of course.

Here are some others I have made.

I really had fun making these. What do you think?

Have a Cozy + Crafty 4th of July!

From Paint to Personality.

I have so many different supplies in my Craft room...

because I just love to create and design in so many different ways.

Sewing, quilting and embroidery...paper crafts, card making, scrapbooking and journaling...

zentangle, watercolor painting...I'm always willing to try something new. 

One of the things I love to make are my

 "Cottage Cozy Cuties".

I have created and sold quite a few over the years. Each a one-of-a-kind little friend.

So a couple of days ago I just had to sit down and make a new little girl...

Meet... "Colette".

She is enjoying a day at the fair wearing a sweet black and white gingham dress

tied with a polka dot bow and a yellow petticoat too.

In her hand is some cotton candy she bought at the fair.

Are you like me with so many different craft projects at a given time?

Or do you stick to a favorite?

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

⚘⚘

What do Washi Tape and Keurig Coffee Pods have in common?

Not sure if you use washi tape for your creative endeavors - but I do, 

and it has always been a struggle storing for them for easy access?

Until now.

I found this Keurig coffee pod metal storage holder at my local Goodwill for only $2.99

and thought it just might be the thing I need to hold my abundance of colorful washi tapes.

And it is!

They fit just perfectly, and it doesn't take up much room either!

And here is a different style of coffee pod holder I found,

it too works great! 

Goodwill + Keurig to the rescue!

Stay Cozy and Creative,

A touch of Pink

 I came across a fun card making blog that offers a monthly challenge.

 The blog is Simply Clean and Simple.

It is an "anything goes CAS" challenge with an optional theme, this month...

  PRETTY PINKS.

I figured out that CAS stands for "clean and simple".

 (One point of interest, lots of open space, minimal layers and few embellishments) 

I hope my card will qualify.

It is fun to get inspired by other card makers and crafters and have a little challenge to get you in your craft room to create.  I love to send "happy mail" so I designed this card.

 

• I stamped and fussy cut the black and white banner.
• It is hard to see but the striped background is embossed.
• The "Happy Mail" sign is attached with a brad, so it has a little movement.
• The pink flower paper was one in my stash.

Happy Creating.

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

When the Blogger's Away...

While I was away from my blog this little guy came into our lives!

My daughter, Grace and her husband, Brenton, welcomed little Jayden into the family!

He is already 8 months old!

He's quite the cutie - with tons of personality.

His favorite thing to do right now is to "grunt"!

Smiles by the dozen...

And a little fashion icon as well...His mom is a Fashion Stylist.

Jayden joins my two grandsons, Van and August...

And his cousins in Florida, Lini and Stila.

 (They will be coming to Oregon for a visit soon - yay!)

I am one blessed Grandma.

Thanks for indulging me.

Stay Cozy,

Do I have to "starter" over?

 I started making sourdough bread in February but then I had my accident, and my "starter" 

has been living in the fridge waiting for me to get back to it.

Good News...

I was able to feed it and revive it and I am off to the "sourdough" races once again!

Homemade sourdough is just full of probiotics for a healthy guy microbiome.

And it is fun to make too...albeit a challenge at times.

No two loaves are ever the same.

Anyway...it makes me feel like I am returning to normal baking these beauties once again.

🥖

 Staying Cozy! 🥖