Hello! How was your weekend dear friends?

Or rather…

Hark!  How’est thine past days hence favorable fortuners?

Er something like that.

Italics do make everything sound more theatrical though, don’t you think?

I hope you had a wonderful one.  I got to play a little this weekend and put together the above project using the Tea and Crystal Light dyed tags [...]]]>

Hello! How was your weekend dear friends?

Or rather…

Hark!  How’est thine past days hence favorable fortuners?

Er something like that.

Italics do make everything sound more theatrical though, don’t you think?

I hope you had a wonderful one.  I got to play a little this weekend and put together the above project using the Tea and Crystal Light dyed tags from last week.    I ran across these images which I absolutely adore on The Graphics Fairy, and have been waiting for the inspiration on how to display them in our little reading room.

Which contains many, many copies of the complete works of William Shakespeare.

We tend to love him round these parts.

The Frame is one I repainted white and added a crackle finish too, and added the ribbon just tied around the outside.

Then attached each with a pearl topped pin through the ribbon.

That’s Kate from Taming of the Shrew, my all time favorite Shakespearean character.   And one of my favorite lines too.

I hope you did have a wonderful past few days hence and were able to get some creativity in too.  I tried to do a bit more but have got this kind of restless feeling I’m noticing right now… so extremely ready for the season to shift into sunshine again that I can hardly stay in my own skin and keep switching from one task to the next.  Getting over a bout with a cold too, so as my energy returns I find myself just ready for the renewal of Spring already.

Ready ready ready.

But tis coming forth with soon enough. 

Thanks for stopping by to visit with me, and have an inspiring day.

Never woefully,

Why?

Because I was curious.

And happen to LOVE the results!

I bought a pack of pre-cut stark white tags at Michael’s on clearance awhile ago, figuring I’d use them some day for something (ah… craft shopping), but every time I picked them up their bright white color just kind of turned me off.

So, I had heard of dying [...]]]>

Why?

Because I was curious.

And happen to LOVE the results!

I bought a pack of pre-cut stark white tags at Michael’s on clearance awhile ago, figuring I’d use them some day for something (ah… craft shopping), but every time I picked them up their bright white color just kind of turned me off.

So, I had heard of dying paper with tea before so knew it would work, but when opening the door to the cabinet that holds our tea supply, I also ran across some Crystal Light mix which I knew I’d never drink (too much artificiality for me anymore), and thought… hmmm.

I started off with these basics:

• The pre-cut tags I bought
• 2 tea bags (cold brew… so I didn’t have to worry about boiling water first)
• 1 package of Crystal Light Sunrise (grapefruit flavor… ish)
• Water

I mixed up both the tea and Crystal Light – not according to package directions but just with enough water to give me enough liquid to immerse the tags in.

Then just got to dunking.

I flipped each tag over a few times and left in each solution for probably 3-5 minutes.  Here’s the result:

Pretty right?

Pretty much never putting that artificial coloring yet low calorie drink into my body again…

But pretty tag!

Then I just hung up to dry,

And they await being made part of a project.  Thanks to their transformation I already have one in mind.  Hope to get it together to share next week.

Hope you’re having a great week friends.  It’s warming up here, which means all that lovely snow is melting away.  But even though I was happy to play I’m so ready for Spring to get here.  Time to renew, time to breath deep the warmer air, and time to refresh.

Have a wonderful day,

Happy new week dear friends.  So… have you heard?  Silhouettes are hot hot hot!

Going to be the next big trend.

The gotta have it thing.

I love it when a classic comes round.  And this is a classical classic.

And I also love it when the next big trend is one that I can make.  These are SO easy [...]]]>

Happy new week dear friends.  So… have you heard?  Silhouettes are hot hot hot!

Going to be the next big trend.

The gotta have it thing.

I love it when a classic comes round.  And this is a classical classic.

And I also love it when the next big trend is one that I can make.  These are SO easy (if you cheat a little of course… if you can cut them freehand, I bow down before your scissor skills).

• Just start with a photo, any old photo will do, just keep in mind you’ll lose facial details.

• Print on typing paper (even in gray scale… it’s just a template).

• Cut out, and attach to black card stock with removable adhesive.

• Then cut around what you just attached.

• And, if you wish, use a craft knife to cut out a few details here and there.

This is me:

And this is the photo it’s cut from:

I cut out a few details to show my hair.  Just think of that step as adding “highlights”, and cut in places where a shadow shows on your photo.

This is Alan:

And this is the photo I used as a template:

See where I cut out the “shadow”under his hat and at his collar?  Easy peasy.

The frames are a couple of those embroidery hoops I showed you in a vlog a couple of weeks ago.  I Mod Podged (yes that’s a verb…. crafters know) patterened paper to the inner ring to use as a background and then just embellished a little here and there.

I crafted this weekend!  Hurrah!  I hope you had a chance to also.  No vlog though, I could say I was incredibly busy… which is half true…. but um.

Well truth is…

I didn’t feel like putting on mascara.

So… there it is.

“Keepin’ it real” stops at lack of mascara…. it’s just not happening on You Tube.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend, thanks for being here, see you soon, and have a wonderful week.

Just me and my shadow,

This is based on the yarn wrapped frame from Pier 1 Imports.

You’ll need:

A great example would be this Word Art Canvas I did over a [...]]]> I absolutely love browsing catalogs and retail sites of certain retailers to find inspiration for handmade projects.   When I run across something that costs $100, but I can totally picture how I’d make it myself, it goes in the idea file to tackle later.

A great example would be this Word Art Canvas I did over a year ago:

Mine’s the one on top, inspired by the one on the bottom from Pottery Barn.

In fact, when I find myself a little lacking for inspiration, I sometimes find that places like the ones below will give me just as many ideas as an actual craft magazine.

1.  Pottery Barn

I love them, but for some of their items,  I just can’t justify the price without first trying it myself.

Like these Found Pharmacy Bottles:

$69 for the smallest bottle, all the way up to $149 for the large one.  Um Whoa.   I’m thinking thrift store or the like, some printed labels distressed with a little alcohol ink, and Mod Podge.  So much cheaper right?

2.  The perfect place to find inspiration for easy paint and canvas projects is Home Decorators Collection.

Their Wall Decor section is brimming with gorgeous artwork, that if you think about it, you could easily replicate to your tastes.  Like this Vintage Wall Art:

Find some square canvases in the size you like (they frequently go on sale at Michael’s), and cover in your favorite coordinating patterned paper set.  A much better deal than the $97 this go for, and it will be all to your exact taste.

3.  Pier 1 Imports.

Though honestly I could buy everything in this store sometimes, I hold back, thinking someday I’ll try to make my own thingamajig that catches my eye at the moment. Like this yarn wrapped frame (love!):

Yarn, I have tons of yarn in colors I love.  And also many, many unused frames that just don’t go with my decor.  Hello I think I’ve got a project in mind for next weekend!

4. For holiday themed projects, there is no better inspiration place than Terry’s Village.  Cute, cute stuff that I love and they have just about every holiday covered.

Not too expensive either, but honestly I think making something inspired from here would just be so much fun!  Like this heart wreath, so cute for upcoming Valentine’s Day.  (They’ve disabled being able to share their photos on another site… but the link will take you there).

Paper, felt, fabric, all sorts of mediums could be used with this.  Super cute design.

5.  This next one I had actually never heard of until I received their catalog in the mail, and am hooked.  They have the most wonderfully rustic style.  And some great inspiration ideas too.

This brilliant and elegant idea for candle wings immediately caught my eye:

A great buy at $5 a pop, but honestly… hands raised from those of us who bought a ton of those chipboard wings when they were so hot a couple of years ago… but no way used them all.  Metallic paint and a double sided pin and you’ve got winged candles of your own.

These are just a few of my favorites of course.  At any retail store you may find yourself at, browse the home decor section and see what jumps out at you.

I think I’m off to wrap some frames… do you have any retail inspired projects?  I’d love to see!  And remember your comments automatically put a link to your site in my sidebar so other visitors can pop over and see you too! 

Hope you’re having an inspired week,

Writing down dates in the future of things to look forward too, seeing what picture you get for your birthday month, planning for possible vacations, events…

Ahhhhh. It’s bliss. [...]]]> I have a deep love for a brand new crisp calendar.  Kind of like that same feeling one gets when cracking open a brand new pad of paper.

Writing down dates in the future of things to look forward too, seeing what picture you get for your birthday month, planning for possible vacations, events…

Ahhhhh. It’s bliss.

Have you put together your 2011 calendar yet?  I have one for our kitchen, but I’ve found so many cute options from around the web I have to say I’ll be putting together several more.  Check it:

Andrea Currie Crafts and Karen from The Graphics Fairy bring us this beautiful vintage printable calendar.  Isn’t this design simple yet elegant enough for just about anywhere?  I love it.  Click here for the link to all 12 months of downloads.

My Owl Barn also has free printables… and if you love owls, this one is for you!  Gorgeous artwork from so many artists that you are welcome to print.  And the neatest part??  You get to pick which image you love for which month.  It’s so hard to decide.  These little punkins are too cute.  Click here for the link to all the gorgeous choices.  (Special thanks to my friend Fab for pointing this one out on Facebook)

For an adorable calendar just perfect for your artsy space that you can customize with your own photos, you just can’t go wrong with this adorable hybrid template set from my sweet friend Leah. Isn’t that just too much fun?  You can purchase here in her digi-shop bluebird chic.

How about this super cute make it yourself calendar from Canon?  I just love the idea!  (As long as I remember to flip the dates of course).  Click here for the link to download.

Photojojo (subscribe to their newsletter if you haven’t… I love them) has instructions on how to make this uber cool photo calendar.  Such a great way to display your favorite photos all year.  Click here for the tutorial.

And finally here’s something extremely elegant (that would make a great gift for sure!).  This make-it-yourself calendar from Melissa Samuels featured on Passionately Artistic is just so cute and chic all at the same time.  It even has a little notes section. (be still my Virgo heart)   Click here for the supply list and instructions.  (I originally found this via Tip Junkie…. love her!)

So much fun.  I think I may be combining the owl calendar with the idea of Photojojo’s photo calendar for a little project.

Hope you are having a great day today.  We’ve made it to a new year, just a couple more months and we’ll start hearing the birds of spring sing again.  Go and write down a few future dates in your calendar to look forward too and they’ll be here in no time!

Leaving several dates open for craftiness of course.

XOX,

What is quality time together really?

No I mean really.  Is quality time with each other seriously equal for both?

The longer I’m in one half of a pair, the more I realize that ‘quality’ time might not necessarily be spending time that both find equally enjoyable…

But rather taking turns spending time letting the other just [...]]]>

What is quality time together really?

No I mean really.  Is quality time with each other seriously equal for both?

The longer I’m in one half of a pair, the more I realize that ‘quality’ time might not necessarily be spending time that both find equally enjoyable…

But rather taking turns spending time letting the other just be.

And just being there with them of course,

Laughing or crying, venting or being silly.

Helping make up the small moments and the memories that make life worthwhile.

My quality time this week was getting listened to about work when I vented, watching the Food Network together over Chinese takeout, and laughing together as we talked about how excited we were for our upcoming vacation.

His quality time was most likely me also listening about his work, going to Comic Con together while he browsed the aisles, and playing a part of his team in Marvel Ultimate Alliance for Playstation 3.

Yes we both can enjoy all those things.

But what makes it the most enjoyable, is being a part of what makes the other feel so great.

That, has got to be true ‘quality’ time.

Hope you have had a wonderful weekend.  I’ve had a fantastic quality filled one. 

P.S. Here’s what this clock looked like before it was altered:

Mod Podge and I spent some SERIOUS quality time together getting this thing decent enough to hang in the scrap / comic room.

We’re so much closer now…

Person:  Human, individual… (according to the dictionary)

Favorite Person: One that you love and trust with all your heart.  The one that makes you laugh even when times are crazy.  The one who squeezes your hand for no reason, just to say they are there.  (according to me).

Place:  A particular region, or environment… (according to [...]]]>

Person:  Human, individual… (according to the dictionary)

Favorite Person: One that you love and trust with all your heart.  The one that makes you laugh even when times are crazy.  The one who squeezes your hand for no reason, just to say they are there.  (according to me).

Place:  A particular region, or environment… (according to the dictionary)

Favorite Place:  Where your heart instantly feels at home, your dreams are free to blossom, and you feel warm, safe, and grounded… (according to me).

Thing: Whatever may be possessed or owned… (according to the dictionary):

Favorite Thing:  That which you do not necessarily own, but that encompasses your being in such a way that you simply could not imagine life without it… (according to me, that is).

Sometimes we should define ourselves and that which surrounds us a little more with the heart, rather than with the head, don’t you think?

I hope you have had a wonderful weekend, and see you soon.

You’re one of my favorites just for being here,

Hello there.  How was your weekend?  Mine was wonderful – it seemed to drag on which is just the kind of weekend I like.  The kind that somehow seems longer than 48 hours.

Of course it helped that I did absolutely nothing.

Nada.

Lazy-bones.

But, I’ve got [...]]]> The best way to get something done is to begin.  ~Author Unknown

Hello there.  How was your weekend?  Mine was wonderful – it seemed to drag on which is just the kind of weekend I like.  The kind that somehow seems longer than 48 hours.

Of course it helped that I did absolutely nothing.

Nada.

Lazy-bones.

But, I’ve got a super-busy week coming up so felt it was justified.

Today though I woke up to the most wonderful surprise.  Alan who had heard me complaining my new little craft corner wasn’t working out as well as I had hoped was rearranging the whole thing.  Basically just turning the desk around so I had easier access to my supplies… but in the room we have that takes as much skill as a Rubix Cube.  I’m loving it.  In fact I’ve pulled out several projects that I’ve started and not yet finished so I can dig in the moment the mood strikes.  Here’s a sneak peek until they are complete:

The altered type tray is coming along:

I’ve got all the slots filled and am now in the process of painting and gluing.  Then the best part, embellishing.  I’m enjoying taking my time with this because I want it to hang on our wall for years to come.

And now for something completely different:

I’ve mentioned I’m a geeky girl right? Or maybe just being surrounded by comics while I create now is taking effect. This little guy is made of clay, and I’m working on some Super Friends to go with.

Here’s a glimpse of a canvas project I’ve got going:

It’s one of a series of 3 and I’ve got 2 completed.  I am loving the way these are turning out and am so excited to share once they are done.  Lots of bling and Mod Podge being used.

Here’s a mini-album I’ve got in the works:

Lots of Jenni Bowlin goodness mixed in there.  And I’m absolutely loving the colors.

I’ve got big plans for these:

So CUTE right??  I’ve had them since Blogher 2009.  They were given to me by the adorable ladies of Mabel’s Labels.

Seriously nicest ladies ever.  And they carry the cutest stuff that makes this Virgo swoon.

And finally I’ve got an altered lantern that’s been sitting on my desk for awhile too:

It’s painted, I have a vision… I just need to finish it up.

Actually I think I’ll go continue working on that one right now.

So… big week!  It’s time for CHA, and yes indeedy I’ll be there reporting for Craft Critique.  Be sure to check in there often for lots of updates (LOTS) and I’ll be sure to post some pictures here too.

I will try not to squeal too much while writing I swear.

Thanks for stopping by today sweet friends, and see you very soon!

Always a work in progress,

Hi there all!  How’s your weekend going?

Today since it has been awhile since I’ve been on a regular blogging schedule, I thought I’d post a round up of some of my favorite reviews I’ve done recently for Craft Critique.  I love testing out products [...]]]> Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.  ~Author Unknown

Hi there all!  How’s your weekend going?

Today since it has been awhile since I’ve been on a regular blogging schedule, I thought I’d post a round up of some of my favorite reviews I’ve done recently for Craft Critique.  I love testing out products for them. I’ve found so many keepers and it’s so great to stretch my creative muscles looking for new uses and tests I can perform.  In case you haven’t noticed, you can always check the column over on the left for a listing of reviews I’ve done, but I highly recommend you peruse over there as well for all sorts of great info.  All the reporters are so darn talented!

So without further ado, here’s a few highlights  to catch up on ( Also a note, whenever I post about a review or even a specific product here on my blog you’ll see a little “disclosure” link at the end to let you know if I was reimbursed at all (or not) for sharing my opinion, that’s a rule as of December 1, 2009 for all blogs by the FTC).

Donna Downey’s Products <– Click for the review

(Disclosure)

I was sent a lovely canvas camera bag, Unity Stamps, and fun Prima embellishments to play with.  It was so easy to be creative with these.  Here’s a glimpse of what I made:

I had heard of Unity Stamps before but never tried them out… I loved them!

Digital Scrapbook Artist 2 <– Click for Review

(Disclosure)

This program is just so much fun.  It’s Digital Scrapbooking software that works in many ways like Photoshop Elements, but is geared towards scrapbookers and how we think.  It’s also about half the cost of PSE!  Here’s a layout I put together:

And a Hybrid card (both these projects use DSA 2 elements as well, available at Daisytrail.com):

The PanDigital Photo Scanner <– Click for Review

(Disclosure)

An amazing tool you’re going to want to put on your holiday list.  Click the link to see a photo of me in a dress and tube socks with Winnie the Pooh.   (really)

Wet Looks Embossing Markers By Marvy Uchida <– Click for Review

(Disclosure)

I ran across these in Michael’s one day and knew I had to try them.  They work!  I love them!  Exclamation point!

The little birdy stamp on the card above is colored and embossed – it’s a little hard to see… check out my review for a better shot.

And finally… I finally tried, loved, and have become obsessed with a product that I had heard about but never tried.

*Angels Singing*

Un-Du Adhesive Remover <– Click for Review

(Disclosure)

I actually did a comparison review between Un-Du and Duck Adhesive Remover to see just how good this stuff was.  And I’m hear to tell you, yes, it does rock.  Rock it does.  All. Night. Long.

Does anyone remember this sticker from, Oh… circa 2002?

I’m pretty sure it was K & Company… at any rate, it was stuck to a layout I’ve always wanted to re-do.  With Un-Du I was not only able to remove it, but it’s completely reusable.  As sticky as the day I first peeled off the backing and stuck it smack on an ORIGINAL photo.  Gads!  I know!  But the photo’s OK too!  Know why?  Un-Du is photo safe!

*Hallelujah Chorus!*

Oh heck here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=usfiAsWR4qU

And THAT’s how I feel about that.

Stay tuned for more on reviews in the near future, I’m getting my hot little hands on some awesome stuff!

And we shall craft forever and ehhhhh-ver,

XOX.