A Pin Cushion that Lights up and Plays Music!!!

I made this sheep pin cushion for a swap with a felted hat to hold the pins.

The stick pins were made with a Spring and Easter theme in mind, with rabbits, flowers, butterflies and pretty Spring colors.

Check out the little blonde lady and the purse lampwork beads.

The music button is glued with 2 part expoxy  onto the ceramic. It plays The Easter Parade

This is the battery operated candle light that flickers and sits in the opening of the sheep's back.

A lamb cut and printed with The Imagaine, as the rules set forth by the hostess required a Cricut cut.  A pierced earring guard was added to protect the recipient from getting pricked.

Altering Charger Plates. . .A New Adventure

Hello everyone, guess what?  I am hostessing a new swap on the Cricut Message Board called Altered Charger Plates and there are still a few openings if you would like to join us.  No experience necessary, because most of us have never done this before and we will be learning together.  I posted a link to a tutorial below if you would like to check it out.  Charger plates go under dinner plates , protect the table cloth or mat underneath, and are very decorative.  They are just a few dollars at Michael's, but can also be very pricey.  They are  fun to personalize and give as gifts, according to all reports. Some people have these on their walls or displayed on a desk or table top. I will share more pics of what we are making  so you can see just what it is.  Although many of the crafters had full plates, they still signed up to make these plates.  Just goes to show how we always manage to squeeze one more thing, onto our already full plates, especially if it has to do with something we love . . . like crafting for instance.

http://youtu.be/uo-Rd31W3Wc

This is the tutorial video on charger plates that you might want to watch, who knows , you might get hook and develop a new passion.

Ceramic Frog Bead on Altered Key

A smiling frog bead on altered jewelry box key.

A Butterfly Bead Adorns This Spring Key

A butterfly adorns this pearl and crystal key with chain.

Spring Themed Keys With Flowers, Beads and More

More Altered Keys...( one of my favorite crafts to do)

So happy to be over the flu.  Feels great to be out of bed and back to my daily routines and of course crafting.  I must remind myself what a blessing it is to be back in the swing of things, and not to complain about the daily grind. 

Sometimes I get so caught up in crafting for others in the swaps I participate in , that I forget that others are crafting for me as well.  I am always so delighted to find a package in the mail. Well, this is what I received today.  A lovely pin cushion.  What is so unique about creating in a swap is that you are adapting your designing skills to the taste and style of someone else.  So, for example, if you like to create, shabby chic, you might find yourself doing steampunk grunge.  Whatever the request , you do your best to comply.  Sometimes it means going online and googling or heading straight over to youtube and checking out the tutorials.  I personally enjoy using youtube and seeing a visual, besides, you can stop the video, go back, and watch over and over and the video never rolls it's eyes at you, if you don't catch on right away. Well, I asked for something beautiful, and shared that I love flowers, vintage and pretty colors.  Well, this is what a wonderful artist created for me.  It is the most dreamy pin cushion, very elegant, and it even came with beautiful stick pins. I especially like the little teapot embellishment.  How sweet is that.  Now I could be inspired to sew some really great stuff with this little beauty resting beside me on the sewing table.

Tim Holtz promotion for the Vagabond.  Go to the Sissix Blog for info!!!

Sharing a pic of my first honeycomb paper project, a little Easter Egg tag, that I tucked inside a metal mailbox that I altered for a swap.  I watched a video by Tim Holtz and just had to try this.  I ordered the paper in white, from Amazon . I wanted to dye it myself with alcohol inks that I drizzled here and there onto the folded cut I had made. Only half of the image is actually cut out, and then you open it . Glue down the sides, and voila, a blast from the past. I remember seeing these as a child for Holiday Table Decorations. Very nostalgic to view the finished product.  Try this - you will definitely like it.  At the very least, go watch the TH video. I also checked out a youtube tutorial on how to make your own honeycomb paper, and of course I will have to try this as well. I will post the results soon, as I already have tissue paper and a template, and will probably use Scotch quick dry adhesive. It looked easy, but the test will be in the doing. 

These are some beautiful treasures I received from my partner Kathy, for a homemade swap.  I was sent an altered box and notebook, stickpins and fan, Easter Basket, Easter Card, Easter Egg ,Easter Banner, gold flowers, and chocolate.  They were caringly wrapped, and even smelled good , as dryer sheets were dispersed throughout (perfect for making homemade fleurs!)

Still in bed with the flu.  Coming Soon:   more pics of altered keys.  Hope to have these on tomorrow because I am determined to get better.  Happy crafting everyone, and thanks for stopping by. If you don't see a pic, it means I am still passed out in my bed buried under Ensures, cough drops and water bottles.