Sew Somerset Publication

I received my copy of Sew Somerset in the mail and the cover is beautiful. Somerset frequently has you vote on your favorite cover and this one is very colorful, bright and inviting. The art work in the magazine in inspiring cover to cover.  You should pick up a copy and look at all of the wonderful inspiration in the magazine. My closest friend Lucy has a beautiful book in the magazine and you can see the complete book on her blog
Lucy's Crafty Life.

I have two page in the magazine one of the page is my Maternal Grandmother. The page is called Pearl ( actually that was her name). She was one of 14 children, ironically my father is an only child and he was adopted. I have fond memories of visiting her brothers and sister, my aunts and uncles in rural Georgia when I was a child. The excitement of the day was seeing how high we could make the porch swing go as we visited each house. We usually had to endure my parents telling us to quite swinging so hard.  One of us would actually run and push the other one in the swing out over the huge purple azaleas that surrounded the house.

Most of the houses also had porch rockers since there were screen porches all the way around the house.

So after all of that babbeling ....
Here is my grandmother  PEARL in her wedding dress. This actually is a page that I put together several years ago.  I was not crazy about this paper when it came in the kit so I inked and painted the paper to alter it just slightly. The colors were very monochromatic and I wanted a little more color on the page. The papers are from FISKAR. I was a design team member for Scrap Muse and the paper came in their monthly kit. Some times it pays to stretch your creativity.


The bottom page was for a challenge on Websters Inspire Me and the challenge was to use some of their embellishments. I actually did not have a lot of the product left so I cut the pieces I had apart and sewed on the page and added the pieces in to the page.

The bottom page has a photo that  is from about 3o years ago. We  were on vacation in North Carolina with my parents. My mom is in the foreground and my older son is playing in the creek.  This page is a little different form my usual style and I was surprised when it was selected for publication.

Thanks for looking!

I hope you are having a great holiday season. Take time to enjoy you self!

Gayle

Welcome to Helmar's Huge Holiday Hop!

 Welcome To My Blog!

There are no snow flakes falling here in FLORIDA but it is beginning to feel like Christmas. Welcome to the Helmar USA/ Australia  HUGE Holiday HOP!

I am anxious to see all of the wonderful projects that the ladies have  put together this time to share with each of you. Be sure and register on each site for more opportunities to win some great prizes.

You are currently at My site Gayle Martin jgwm.blogspot.com. I will give you direction at the bottom of the page on how to go to the next blog on the Helmar Huge Holiday Hop.  So relax look around and follow the directions at the bottom when you are ready to move on

Along with that you should have a great understanding of all of the fabulous products that Helmar has to offer you for all of your crafting needs. They great part is you can win some of those great products and try them out for your self. It is truly a wonderful thing to be able to used the right product for your projects and not just used what you have on hand.

I have been on a jewelry making spree and decided to share some easy techniques with you to make your own flowers. They can be adapted to used on jewelry, hair bows, barrettes, head bands, pins, bracelets, package decorations or what ever your little heart desires.

I have been using old silk clothing that I pick up at my local Goodwill or salvage centers. Some are made from ribbons, Duiponi silk fabric,  or sheer organza. You can adapt the project to use what you have on hand. This is a great project for a beginning sewing project.

This is a sample of some of the ribbons and fabrics I used

These are samples of silk fabric and old silk clothing that have been used. This is an excellent beginning project for young children to learn to sew on and can even be used as a large group project.

I purchased old skirts, dresses etc from salvage, and washed them. I then tore them in to strips about 1 inch wide by 6 inches long. ( You can vary the sizes and create different width flowers) I have added  sewn a running stitch down one side of the fabric.  So that you can more easily see it I used a  heavy white thread  on the sample in the photo. When you create your  flower you will need to use a matching thread. Create a running stitch down the side and sheer the fabric tight  to create a circle.  ( you are pushing the gathered fabric down the gathering thread towards the knot.) You can then sew the ends together and make sure you stitch it tight so it will not pull apart. You want the gathering to remain tight together to form the flower. you will be glueing this edge together I will instructions later. The outer  edge will be frayed  so  it will give you a soft feathery edge for your flower.

 With the wired ribbon cut your length of ribbon  and then  pull the wire from each end just a little. This will  allow you to have some thing to hold on to as you work. Bend the wire ends under so that you will not pull out the other side as you work. Tighten the ribbon down  as you pull the wire out of the end until it starts to create a circle. You may be able to see what I am talking about in the photo  at the left. the red ribbon is wired.  You  can  pull the wire out of the other side of the ribbon when you finish making you flower.

I used Helmar Fray Stop on the center of the flower to secure all of the loose edges and prevent the raw edges fron fraying in the center. 

You can use any embellish t in the center with  of the flower that you like. I have used round or flat buttons, beads and jewels and adhered them. The easiest way to attach them is by using Helmar Gemstone Glue.

My favorite adhesive is Helmar 450 Quick Dry when attaching all of the other elements and pieces to the jewerly.

 

 While I used Helmar Fray Stop on the middle seam and left the outer edge frayed to create a feathery look  for the flower.

Below are other example of ways I have used the basic shape in other projects.  I have incorporated some other flower designs in some of the pieces that I will  show you how to make at a later time.

I have used this same ribbon and fabric design in several other projects.  Take a look at them an incorportate them in your own projects.

If you are ready to move to Next blog in the Helmar Huge Holiday Hop-this is the link that you will need to follow to get there. Aymee Gandy

.

If you need to go Back to the previous blog follow this link to get there.
Alicia Barry

.

  If you did not start at the beginning of  the Helmar Huge Holiday Hop  go back to  Helmar USA  and begin there. Folloow this link to start at the beginning HelmarUSA/Australia you will be able to  see all of the projects and great prizes.

Thank you for visiting with us this weekend. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Gayle Martin

Helmar USA Design Team



That's My MOM!

 My dad called  to let me know my mom had been taken to the hospital.

She was receiving and injection for her rheumatoid arthritis and started having complications so they took her to the hospital.

Today they did an upper GI because it sound like there may be some complications from the medications they are giving her.

When I was visiting her tonight in the hospital I told she may have to cut back on her Cokes and hot sauce to reduce the pain and burning.
My dad laughing say "On no that is not going to be possible." We both laughed because the Cokes are a ever so slight possibility, but the hot sauce is definitely an impossibility.

This is a woman that does not use a lot of salt or seasoning on her food. But loves her peppers, hot sauces, Tabasco,black pepper, etc .

Hopefully they are letting her go home tomorrow.

These are 7 of her 12 grandchildren the other 5 are boys!
Have a great weekend.

Helmar Blog Hop

The Helmar Blog Hop is this Sunday December 5, 2010 . So mark you calendars and join us. This this is the list of participants that will be featuring some wonderful projects to inspire you. There will also be some fabulous prizes along the way, so mark you calendars and join us.

You will be starting with the Helmar Blog  right here-> Helmar USA  and each site will direct you to the next site.

Helmar USA Design Team Blog http://helmarusa.typepad.com/


Tracy Weinzapfel www.tracywburgos.typepad.com


Preferred Vendor – Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker LLC www.nikkisdoghouse.blogspot.com


Laura Achilles http://lauraachilles1.wordpress.com/


Shelly Hein-Simmons http://reelgirlsanimalhouse.blogspot.com/


Amy Teets http://amyteetsdesigns.blogspot.com/


Guest Designer – Tammy Tutterow http://tammytutterow.typepad.com/


Alicia Barry http://leishasblog.blogspot.com/


Gayle Martin http://jgwm.blogspot.com/


Aymee Gandy http://www.southernbellescrapper.blogspot.com/


Erika Taylor http://taylordconcepts.blogspot.com/


Preferred Vendor – Unity Stamp Co. www.theunitystampco.blogspot.com/


Cathy La Hay http://behindthesceneswithcathy.blogspot.com/


Pamela Young http://pamelasworldofscrap.blogspot.com/


Jessica Morales (KinderStampO) http://www.kinderstampo.com/


Lolly Chessie (LollyChops) http://www.lollychops.com/


Tina McDonald http://tinamcd-mysanity.blogspot.com/


Leeann Pearce http://thepaintbrushgoesspottie.blogspot.com/


Stayce DeWid http://staycedewid.typepad.com/


Guest Designer – Marion Smith http://apieceofcraft.blogspot.com/


Michelle Wallace http://www.theartofscrapbooking.blogspot.com/


Nicole Pomeroy http://nmpomeroy.blogspot.com/


Sarah Moore http://sarahmoore-thescrapjunkie.blogspot.com/


Sherry Mendoza http://sherryscreations.typepad.com/sherrys-creations/


Becky Teichmiller http://www.beckyteich.blogspot.com/


Preferred Vendor – www.ellesstudio.blogspot.com


Jing-Jing Nickel http://thislittleartofmine.blogspot.com/


Lydell Quin http://www.lydellquin.blogspot.com/


Helmar USA Design Team Blog http://helmarusa.typepad.com/

We hope to see you this Sunday!

Gayle

Urban Swank Blog Hop

Welcome to My Blog- and The Urban Swank Blog Hop this weekend. I am glad you came by to visit .
Be sure and visit Urban Swank's Face Book page they are  giving away prizes this weekend  this is the  link: Urban Swank Facebook.

 The entire team is playing along this week end soplease be sure and look for all of the great projects along the way.

Becky Teichmiller

Erika Taylord

Rachel Theall


Virginia Wong


Marci Knecht


Pauline Dirrig


Simona Gughi


Gayle Martin


Michelle Van Etten


Candra George


Urban Swank


For my project I started with White Washed paper and cut out the beautiful details from the  Urban Lily Sushi Stripes collection. This link will take you to the paper collection .

The soft cocoa's corals, and tans compliment the sepia colors of the photos perfectly,

 You are currently at the blog of Gayle Martin

To get to the next blog you will need to follow this link to the blog of  Michelle Van Etten -Just follow this link-Trendyscrapper and you will be on your way.

Have a great Pre Holiday weekend.

Gayle

Holiday Cards and Gifts with ShutterFly

 Most of you know that I love taking photos it supports my other hobbies.

I am always taking photos of some one...... I love to take Photos. Tomorrow I am going over to my brother's house and find some children to photograph. They have been gone for a few days and I want to see how much they have grown. Good excuse that should work what do you thing. They are still at the age that they like to have their picture taken That should be fairly easy there are six children 16 thru 2 years of age.

Next week my daughter, Son in law and Son will be here for the Holidays. More photos!!! My daughter wants her Christmas card photos taken.

Which brings me to this post.

Holiday Cards

Shutterfly has  a huge assortment of holiday card to choose from. Some  are beautiful holiday cards and other can be simply a photo with chosen words.

Isn't this simply adorable, this gives me worderful ideas for my photos.

Visit the Shutter fly web site to see all of the choice of holiday cards.

Shutterfly Card-  Starlight-Joy

Do you have a child that is away at college or maybe they just want to send their own holiday card.  Better yet maybe your favorite pets needs to send out their holiday wish list to the family.  This is a wonderful design  for that single photo.

The also have lots of Holiday design choices to compliment you beautiful photos.

Holiday Calendars





They have a huge selection of Holiday calendars and I love the options you can add to you calendar.

Besides using your photos you can personalalize all of you birthdays and special dates, you can see all of the options and choices on their web site. Just use this link below.

Shutterfly- Calendars

Looking for that perfect gift for the Grandparents- Photo Books

For all of you Scrapbookers this gift is the best ever. I usually scrapbook and give away most of my pages to the family members. Last year my daugher photographed some of my pages  I was giving away. She them created a book of the images for me to keep.. You may choose to use your pages to create a book for your other family members.

Shutterfly- Photo Books

Shutter Fly has some amazing deals going on right now as well as free shipping on select

items.  Visit their web site today and be amazed how easy it is to put together some beautiful gifts.

So Maybe Mom Was Right

My daughter and some of her friends far and wide have a blog called......

So Maybe Mom Was Right

What it is about -Women from different backgrounds and lifestyles come together weekly with thoughts on cooking, fitness, and managing a healthy lifestyle.  

My daughter  is the  person that writes the weekly fitness articles. No she did not get that trait from me. But I got an email today asking me to help publicize their blog.  So I am happy to help them out when ever I can.

They are hosting a giveaway from an amazing website called CSN Stores. CSN Stores has over 200 stores where you can find everything from bathroom shelving to fantastic fitness equipment to cookware!

This is a great opportunity to get a new product to build your home gym or find something useful to make all those healthy recipes!

To Enter:

1. Leave a comment telling  them what you would buy with a giftcard from CSN Stores

For Extra Entries:

*Become a public follower of So Maybe Mom Was Right (+1 entry)

*Like So Maybe Mom Was Right on Facebook (+1 entry)

*Share info about the giveaway on Facebook or twitter and leave a comment with the link (+1 entry)

*Blog about the giveaway and leave a comment with the link (+2 entries)

-please leave a separate comment for each entry, with links if necessary

-this giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only

-entry deadline: Thursday, November 18th at 4pm EST

Follow this link to their blog for all of the information and to leave your posts.

So Maybe Mom Was Right

Thanks for supporting them and good luck!

November 10, 1951

My mom grew up in Lloyd, Florida and moved to Jacksonville, Florida after graduation. She lived with her Aunt Janie while working at the telephone company.

My dad moved to Jacksonville from Georgia where he had lived with his mother. He worked at the cigar factory in Jacksonville, Fl and then for Luzianne tea company.

They got married on November 10, 1951 and moved to Lake City, Florida.

Congratulations Mom and Dad on 59 years !!! I love you.

.

Sunday Drive as a Family Tradition

As a kid every Sunday we went on a family drive in the afternoon. Some time we actually went some where... like Jacksonville, Fl  and went shopping at Zayre's ( one of the only stores that was open on Sunday).  Other times we just drove around  in the country and looked at farm, Maybe a trip to the river we have plenty to visit there is  the Santa Fe River, Ichetucknee Springs and the Suwanee River. It usually ended up with us stopping to get ice cream at the drug store by the end of the day.

 

On this particular Samantha, Roxy  were visiting Tutta and Pappa so I went a picked them up for the day. I took a lot of photos of Roxy on this day and these are some of the photos.

We spotted this field, have climbed over a fence and are taking photos among the flowers on this bright sunny day. Then out of the clear blue comes a summer rain and we a getting standing in the middle of an open field. The girls start laughing hysterically because we will clearly be drenched before we reach the car.

Roxy is my brother's third child and he told me last night he was very close to her as a young child because her mother was working as a teacher when she was a baby.  To know Roxy is to truly see she is her father's child. Their personalities are very similar.

Love you,

Roxy

Best Friends featuring Helmar Adhesives, Shimmerz Paints and Crate Paper

Oct.21,2010

Best Friends featuring Crate Paper, Helmar Adhesives and Shimmerz Paints.

This is a photo of my oldest son with his dog Mikey. The solid paper was spritzed with Shimmerz Vibez in Fiery Fiesta one of the new Vibez color
released by Shimmerz Paints.

The  Crate Paper decorative  design paper was attached with Helmar Quick Fix Adhesive Runner a product that lives up to it's name. When you are scrapbooking or working on a project that you want to put together in a hurry this is your go to product.

The chip board embellishments and tags are attached with Helmar Zap Dots. Zap Dots come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit every scrapbooking and craft need.

They are available in Black, White and Clear

And can be purchased from http://www.scrap-tastic.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank for stopping by, hope you have a great week!

Gayle Martin

Helmar Design Team USA

Shimmerz Design Team

Free on line course- Art, Heart and Healing

Hello  every one my friend Lucy told me about this really cool Free course being offered on line from Willowing.  Follow this link to check out her blog and Ning site. Then all you have to do is go to the site and sign up for the  FREE classes. It starts October 18 but I am sure that you can catch up using  the videos  she has posted now for your to start. The classes run for 4 weeks. So get over there and check it out.

The first class if posted and is two videos that you can view at your leisure.

Time to pull out the art supplies and have some fun!

The Girls Photo Shoot in Lake City

My daughter came for an over night visit on Sunday and her college friend Alli came to visit her family as well. They met at the University of Florida 6 years ago  and have been friends ever since. Alli had since graduated and Lives and works in Flagler.

While they were in college Alli's father was stationed in Japan for 8 years, he has since retired from the Military.  What a small world it really is. I would never have imagined that her family would retire in Lake City.

So Alli and Meghan met in Lake City and I took photo of the two of them while they both were here. My only problem was they decided that we were taking photos at 9:30 in the morning.

First thing is I am not a morning person and I do not like to take photo of people mid morning. Unfortunately they both had to leave by lunch time so you take what you can get. Can you say harsh Florida lights and extreme shadows on faces.

I think this is where they are telling each other to take a serious photo.... and then the laughing begins and goes on and on.

I continue to take photo and Meghan tell Alli that these are the photos that Mom will use in her scrapbooks. You are so right here they are.                                        

But I love this photo I am not sure which one is my favorite yet, but for now I really like this one!