Stunning and dramatic chunky charm

Where did the time go.  I can hardly believe a month has gone by since my last post. Sometimes, life overtakes one and your blog sits idle .  But , here I am, ready to post my thoughts, crafts , and journey once more. 

My dramatic chunky charms from a wonderful lady and crafter who hosted this swap.

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.

Chunky Charms Made W/ Bead Faire Stash

I have the flu and am resting up and hoping this will pass soon.  Before I was knocked off my feet, I had started making some chunky charms for a swap , from beads in my bead faire stash .  Beads are so lovely, and as you are making them, they are a visual treat right from the beginning. I thought these would be nice for spring, lots of butterflies some bunnies and snuck in some fish and frogs too for a summer prelude.

Swap Heaven

What is a heavenly swap? Someone said to paraphrase loosely, when you swap diamonds for diamonds. A not so good swap, when you get coal for diamonds.  Well, I must say the tag swap I just did was heavenly.  My partner made some beautiful BD and Holiday Tags. Not only were they beautiful to look at, they were so masterfully crafted.  Not a drop of glue anywhere, not one ragged cut.  The embellishments just right, the design divine.  Many crafters refer to their swap packages as "happy mail". Yes, it is true, when you see that package in your mailbox, you are one happy crafter.  But then, when you open the box, will it be a heavenly swap or not.    Well, the pics below give testament to the fact, that these items were definitely not coal.  Swapping with other crafters, is very rewarding, the artists I have traded with are amazingly gifted and talented. I suppose the one person you would not want to swap with if you have been naughty is Santa.  In that case, you can definitely count on receiving coal. . .So check out the pics below to see with your own eyes, what a heavenly swap is all about.

Look at the Heavenly Tags I Received!!

Altered Keys on Tags

Who knew that a car key , (and even a paint key that opens lids) could look so glamorous.  I did a wonderful altered key swap, and placed the blinged up keys on tags before I sent them off.  See if you can find the altered paint key in the pics below. *(BIG HINT-it is purple and labeled KEY).  This is a great example of using your stash , or junk, to make a fun re-cycle project.  The key is (no pun intended) to use epoxy glue so nothing slides off - ever.  I used 2 part UHO , a jewelry glue, and the bling is like  - cemented on.  I tried a glue gun and they peeled off.  Not really so difficult to make 2 equal puddles of epoxy, mix with a toothpick and then slather it on.  There is an element of drama, and a bit of an adrenalin rush, to get it all on, before it dries.  I find myself being super focused on what I am doing, attempting to be speedy and acccurate at the same time. I enjoy the challenge of it, but need to make sure I am well rested, and have had my coffee, before I attempt this. Caution: drinking alcohol and doing epoxy work does not bode well. The alcohol slows you down , and makes you clumsy. Friends do not let friends drink and epoxy.  Soooo, no sips of wine while your work. Seriously, check out the pics below, and see if you agree that car keys can be beautiful.

Car Keys Can Be Beautiful Blinged Up ! ! !

Design Inspiration: Collage

When I first started making cards and tags , after I received my first cricut, I was always a little hesitant as to what and how much I added to them.  Then I started experimenting, by adding a little more than I usually do,and I had a sense of deja vu, which ultimately was the key to finding a more comfortable place with my designing.  I realized that when I started adding more things, it was like making collages at school.  Things my instructors had said , seemed to apply here.  One Art Professor, told us to pay attention to the negative space as well.  Was it pleasing, did it make interesting spatial shapes.  Also, one mentioned that in nature, you usually come across small groupings. Groupings of plants, fish, stones, etc.  I found that things seemed more grounded and appealing when I made small groupings rather than just throwing one object lone and barren onto the piece I am working on.  Now, instead of just collecting individual embellishments, I am actually grouping it, in the spirit of collaging, and found when the elements are coordinated like this, I can add more stuff, and somehow , it all  comes together.  So now, as I approach a project, I put my create mojo into a collage mentality, and I am more confident as I bring my handiwork to life.  The pics  are simple examples, which hopefully will convey my new mindset.  Normally, I would just have thrown these elements into a box, feather, flower,bling, jewelery, paper, but now I arrange them and place them "staged" into shoebox or tray.  I really like to use the camera on the cell, to shoot arrangements I like, and then use them as a guide, when I am glueing or arranging the composition.  Many times, when picking up pieces before, to adhere, I would loose my original design and would have to replace it with a second choice.

What are these flowers Made From?