Osprey

 My father is an amazing, retired photographer.  I'm always exciting to receive new pictures via email.  Here are a couple of birds in his region:  an osprey and a pelican.  I love pelicans!  Don't know why, but I do.

Pelican

Special Message Sent With Order

I'm always grateful when someone places an order from my Etsy store.  The latest orders have been for crafting supplies.  Madge P. just ordered some of my mini hangers and I decided to include a special message as I reinforced the bottom of the box:

Enjoy your hanger order and a few extra hangers that didn't turn out great, but I didn't want to throw them away!

Giveaway over at FaveCrafts!

Head over to Fave Crafts to enter to win Fabric Flowers by Amy Barickman.  Looks like a great book... that I would love to win!  I want to make some fabric flowers today!!!

Heart on a String

It's getting close to Valentine's Day!  Can you believe it?!  I decided to do a little paper crafting and came up with some simple hearts on a string.  Made them from recycled "wordfind" books.  I had fun making one heart stand out on each strand:  one featured a pink heart with a "love" tag and a pink rhinestone; the other featured a small red heart with a red rhinestone.

I love stuff like this for easy, quick, inexpensive decorating.  Now I need to find a good pecan pie recipe to "wow" my husband...

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/121739677/heart-on-a-string-paper-hearts

https://www.etsy.com/listing/121734556/heart-on-a-string-paper-hearts

Fiskars Punch System GIVEAWAY!!!

Who doesn't love a giveaway!?  I take advantage of all of them and once in awhile I win something!  Check out this link for an opportunity to win Fiskars AdvantEdge Punch System:

http://www.favecrafts.com/sweeps/Fiskars-AdvantEdge-Punch-System-Giveaway#

Cards Inspired by Paper Creations Magazine

So I'm looking through Paper Creations Magazine, Winter 2013 addition and I come across a technique I haven't seen or tried.  If you have the magazine, check out "Dazzling Duos" on page 56.  There was a special tool you could buy to make these cards but I had another idea.  Instead of using (buying!) the new tool, I was going to use what I had. 

This technique provides you with a way to string/weave ribbon through cards.  I liked the idea and the way they used brads to accent the design.  So I started experimenting and this is what I came up with:

The ribbon is strung between the scallops and the brads.  Such an easy and fun technique!  And now I've got thank you cards to send to my family next week!

Happy Birthday Garland!

I love the look of these "prize winning" medallions!  Looks like something you would win for a Fair entry!  I was inspired by my Stamps of Life round stamps and some new ink pads I ordered from the same company (birthday gift to myself!).

I stamped the image, cut a background circle in a larger size, inked the edges and presto... great start to a garland!  I added paper, cut to look like ribbon, and a few green rhinestones too.  Finally I made 2 tassels (w/ bling!) and strung everything on yellow/white bakers twine.  I so love this!

I think it would be fun to put on a co-workers office door or the front of their desk!  Even strung across a cubicle!  I'm going to make one for a friend of mine (who has everything)!  

Check it out in my Etsy store if you'd like to!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013!

A new year has arrived, are you ready!?  It's always hard to believe when one year ends and another begins.  It's also an exciting time for me!  I love the idea of a fresh start and the suspense of what the year might bring! 

I used to make New Year's resolutions but not anymore (I do think about getting back into an exercise routine... every new year...).  I tend to make goals throughout the year and look forward to achieving them at regular intervals.  This year I have big goals in mind (and on paper!) and my customers will reap the benefits.  Lots of crafty goals and projects are in the works!   I look forward to sharing them with you!

Spread your wings and enjoy the new year and all of it's possibilities! Come back often and post comments if you like!

Photo by Eugene Fischer

Curly Q Wire = Fun!

I have used this Curly Q wire for years and I continue to find new uses.  Most recently I used it on my Christmas cards and packages.  You can make it any shape you want.  Wrap it around a pencil, remove, and you've got a fun spiral shape!  Love it!  Can't wait to share it with others!  Check it out in my "destash" section of my Etsy store if you're interested:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/118224294/curly-q-decorative-wire-silver-or-gold-5

Mini Hangers! So cute!

Ok, I have a new addiction... MINI HANGERS!  They are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand!

I had an idea based off a Christmas ornament my sister made for me many years ago.  Each year I hang it on my tree and think "why don't I make something similar since I LOVE this ornament so much?".  So here I am, decades later, making hangers!  Go figure!

Since taking these pictures, I have advanced the hanger to include clips for hanging your favorite Christmas card, photo, a quote, anything!!!  I will keep you posted!

Etsy Listing