Weekend

Howdy.  I hope all of you are having a good year so far.  Me, fairly ok.  I seem to always run out of time.  I truly cannot tell you where this year has gone.  But, it is quickly approaching 'half gone'.  Tomorrow is June 1st!  Holy smokes!

Anyways, if you are new to my little piece of 'blog-land' I host a 'party' of sorts once a year.  It's for my Bunco group.  (That is a group of 12 women, who get together once a month, and play Bunco.)  As the hostess, you provide dinner (some of us cook and some don't) and you provide prizes.  So, once a month, we get together, play a dice game, eat, chat, laugh, and simply have a wonderful time together.  At the end of the evening, there are prizes for everyone.  Biggest winner, biggest loser, who had the last Bunco, who had the most Bunco's, and, well, you kinda get the idea.  Everyone gets a prize.

Well, I'm a theme girl.  I like things to 'belong together'.   For the last few years, I have hosted in July, and the same holds true this year.  In the past, I have had different, but fun themes: Christmas in July, Boxes and Bags, Home-made & Hand-made, and several others.  This year, my theme is: Farmland.

my inspiration

Since I am hosting in July again, I wanted something shabby chic, elegant, relaxed, and just plain fun.

So, as I get prizes and decorations complete, I will be posting them here.  My 'party' is July 10th.  So, I need to get started.  

I almost forgot.  I send out an 'invitation' to all the ladies.  Just a cute little reminder.  Sometimes, life gets pretty crazy busy, and I don't want anyone to be caught off guard.  I'll post those sweet cards here, soon.  Hopefully tomorrow.

So, I am off into town, to pick up a few crafting supplies that are on sale (and yes, I have a coupon).  See you soon. {smile}

Update on my message board:  I did find a beautiful soft brown linen material to use on my message board.  I am waiting for my husband to cut me a piece of wood to attach the material to.  Hopefully that gets done today.  We'll see.  :/

Leave Me A Message

~ photo heavy post ~

Inspiration.  Determination.  Bliss.

These three words really sum up my obsession desire to create my own message board.  

If you are like me, you can spend hours a fair amount of time, getting inspired by Pinterest.  I am always in awe over how creative and clever folk are!  Having a creative idea, and actually getting it to work, in real life, as it does in your mind, is a talent.  I don't know about you, but I have done some crafting, and ended up with a pile of trash,  and completely frustrated.

I don't know if it is my desire to create beautiful spaces around me, or the desire to learn something new, but I have a lot of crafts I want to do.  I also have quite a few boards on Pinterest.  Ok, 59 boards.  

I have a fondness for shabby chic style accents.  And when I saw chicken wire message boards, it was love at first site.  I know that this is not a new idea, and they are everywhere.  But, I refuse to pay a high price for something I can do myself.  So, here is how I did it!

I started with an open frame:

not pretty, but the detail is great.

I took a medium grit sandpaper, and created my own imperfections.  I used a complete spray paint (primer + paint) in a warm, pretty ivory color.  I painted the frame.  I used two coats.   I also had to wait 24 hours once I was happy with the color coverage. 

*please read the complete instructions on the spray paint. Each manufacture has their own nuances when working with their product.

Love the detail.  But my frame looked too flat.  2-dimensional.  I wanted something prettier.  Something with character.  Something vintage.  Something shabby chic!

I wanted a product that would bring out the details,  to show some visual interest.  And look what I found @ one of those big box home improvement stores!

Before you cringe, this color is actually a deep, brown.  Not black.  The salesperson couldn't tell me if this was black or brown, and really wasn't any help.  I left the store frustrated.  When I got home, I did some searching on the internet, and got my questions answered.  Went back to the home improvement store, and made my purchase with confidence.

*Always read the directions on how to use the product. *  Always.  You do not want to be surprised or disappointed with a product because you didn't know how the product is intended.  This particular product only has a 15 minute workable time under perfect conditions (temperature and humidity).  

I had to wait at least 24hrs after my last coat of paint, before I could continue.  Boy, a whole lot of waiting!

I brushed it on, and wiped off.

One of the things I loved about this project, was that if you didn't like how it turned out, you just wipe it off with a damp rag and start over.  

If you think the color is too dark, wipe some more.  If you wiped off too much, add more.  If you don't like it too heavy in the creases, wipe them some more, too.  The color was fairly easy to control.  Love that.

I purchased the smallest roll of chicken wire I could find.

I used my husbands staple gun to attach the wire to the inside of the frame.  The wire is wider than the frame, so I used my husbands wire cutters, too.  Gotta love a well stocked workshop!

I love how this project has turned out so far.  But, I want something behind the chicken wire, to ground the frame.   I'm not too much of a fan of open frames.  But, if you are, this is your stopping point!  I will swing by the fabric store tomorrow and see what they have in the burlap family.  Or possibly linen.  I know I want something soft, neutral, and appropriate for this project.  Stay tuned to see what I select {smile}.

The other craft that is at the top of my 'to-try' list is, faux mercury glass.  I have a few canning jars that I would love to transform.  I also want to create a special framed mirror using this technique.  Please stay tuned for those projects, coming soon.

If I didn't answer any questions you have about this project, (or any others) please contact me.  

Planted

If you have been waiting for this post, my apologies!  You'd think I had to travel somewhere to get this photo shot.  And truth be told, all I had to do was grab my camera and walk into the kitchen.  Not far at all!  But, it was actually a little more involved than that.  I did photograph the planted succulents after they were potted, but did n't check the photos.  Had errands to run, and got busy, and the photos were all blurry.  So, I shot them again.  Here is the best photo:

I actually had three jars, but my oldest granddaughter went with me to the garden shop to select plants, so I gave her one of them.  

I used two 8 oz jars and one 16 oz jar.  I just love these things!  I want to try my hand at faux mercury glass with a few canning jars and make some coffee filter flowers to put in them.  Lets see if I have time to complete the project, patience to dye the coffee filters, and the courage to try yet another new project.

Thank you for stopping by!

Chalk Paint

Wheew.  You would think I felt off the face of the earth.  I haven't (smile).  Actually I have been working with homemade chalk paint.  LOVE IT!  The project right now is painting and distressing some canning jars.  I want to add some succulent plants to them.  I'm thinking that the low water requirement along with the closed container, I should be ok.

here is what I started with:

I added 2 coats of ivory paint, and then one coat of titian white paint:

Pretty, huh?  I used a sponge 'brush' applicator.  But I still got brush marks.  I know the theory is to use a foam applicator to keep from getting brush marks.  I must be heavy handed when painting. {smile}

I then took two different grits of sandpaper, to do two different things.  The softer sand paper I used to remove the white and leave the ivory.  I used the heavy grit to remove the paint in splotches.

this is what I ended up with:

I sprayed two coats of sealant in a semi-gloss.  I am a fan of shiny, but felt that regular gloss is too shiny and the matt is too dull.  See where I am going with this?

I really wanted something rustic, vintage, and shabby.  I really like this little project.  {smile}.  I did go to a home improvement store and picked up some succulent plants.  However, I forgot to get their specialty potting soil.  I know, sometimes, I am not the sharpest tool in the shed.  But, my heart is in the right place {smile}.  Once I get them planted, I'll share another photo.  I really couldn't wait to share this with you, so sorry that it is incomplete.

Home-Made Chalk Paint recipe

3 parts paint.  (I used acrylic paint I had in my craft room)

1 part Plaster of Paris

1 part (equal to the Plaster of Paris) water

directions:

mix water and Plaster of Paris in a bowl, cup or other paint holding vessel.

add paint.

mix, and start painting!

I waited 20 minutes or so in-between coats.  For my wait time, I just started painting other objects.

I allowed my painted projects to dry 24 hours before I started distressing.  Allow the paint to dry an additional 12 -24 hours before adding the sealant.

If  you use this recipe or get inspiration from my blog, please use a hyperlink to refer your readers to this post.  Also, I'd love for you to share with me, as to what you painted.

Message Clip

Let me start by thanking those who played to win blog candy.  {smile}  I'll be emailing you to get your addresses.  I hope you enjoy making your Tussie Mussie's, as much as I did.

Now, for today's craft.  I was looking admiring the chalk painted items on Pinterest last week.  So much so, I tried my hand at making my own homemade chalk paint.  I wanted to 'paint' some canning jars and add some small, low water plants to them.  Well, I had such a great time painting them, I started painting some wooden clothes pins.   I did distress my jars, which led me to distress my clothes pins.  And, well, as the jars are drying from the sealant, I set out into my craft room to work alter these painted clothes pins.  And this is what I came up with:

I used a heavy grit sandpaper.  I really wanted them to look weathered and worn.  And then, I wanted them to look shabby chic.  Girl-y.  Pretty.  And 'standing the test of time'.  

I used 3 different stamp sets for the sentiment.  I wanted something 'loving', something 'sweet', something 'home-y'.  So, I came up with 'Sparkle', 'made with {heart}', and 'bliss'.

I inked the tips of the paper blossoms with pool party, blush blossom, and certainly celery classic inks from Stampin' Up!

I cut the lone leaf from some burlap 'ribbon'.  I made multi-loop bows from matching dyed seam binding.  I added a lone pearl to the other side of the bow.

I stamped a scrap piece of pattern paper with a Paper Trey Ink stamp: Boutique Accessories stamp set.

The two end pins were stamped with retired Stampin' Up! stamp sets.  And I do mean retired. Like 8+ years retired.  The middle pin was stamped with a Paper Trey Ink stamp, from the Handle With Care mini stamp set.

Thank you for stopping by.  I haven't decided if I want to add magnets to the backs, or push pins, or leave them.  What would you do?

Daughter's Card

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful, selfless mothers out there.  I can now share a card I created.  I used the sketch over @ Mojo Monday for this card.  However, I wasn't a great fan of the diamond shape, so I used a different shape.  

I used pattern paper from Kaiser Craft.  When I saw this pattern paper, I instantly thought Mother's Day.  Don't know why, but that was my first thought.  Maybe its because it reminds me of vintage wall paper, or the fact that I truly miss my grandmother.

here is the sketch:

here is my card:

The polka dot pattern paper is from Heidi Swapp.  The reverse side has different texts on it.  But there is just something about this color of polka dot pattern.  Its not blue, its not green, is something that is a wonderful blend of the two.  

The floral and rich red pattern paper is from Kaiser Kraft: Telegraph Road. I just LOVE it.  

Ok, I changed the diamond shape for this top note shaped piece.  And the rectangle piece I switched for a coin envelope.  (Yeah, I made my own.)  I added the red pattern paper to the outside of the envelope to help give it some character.  I machine stitched the pattern paper to the envelope.  I used some gold bakers twine and tied a double bow, tied the key and button to the flap.  

I added a tag to the envelope.  I stamped 'Happy Mother's Day' and 'I can't imagine a wold without you' on the tag.  Because I truly can't.  It's amazing to me how when we are younger, us girls don't want to be our mothers.  But when we become mother's ourselves we immolate them.  And we are happy to.  

I did change the banner piece coming out of the rectangle piece.  I simply used a tiny vintage safety pin to elevate my banner.  I stamped 'made with {heart}' on the banner piece.  Because I truly did {smile}.

The key was purchased last year, for a craft I was working on for some Christmas craft fairs, and I have a few left over.  Oh, and the stamps are from Verve: One Person.

Well, I am off to my daughter's house to have lunch with her and her family.  Then to a local restaurant to take my mother-in-law out to dinner.  Take a moment to let your mother know how special she is today.  and always.

Happy Mother's Day

Today, holds a special meaning to all women who are mothers.  It's an exclusive 'club'.  The price of admission is becoming a mother.  You notice, that I didn't say, 'have a child'.  It's not that easy.  You need to be a mother; to nurture, care for, teach, love unconditionally, and give your whole heart away to the smallest of 'people'.  And not a mother to a chicken, a dog, a cat, a bird, or a tank full of fish.  A human baby.  A mother, to a human child.  

I am truly blessed to have two children.  They are both grown now.  And yes, they have children of their own.  My son has 3 children.  My daughter has 4 children.  (no, there was no contest)

And they have wonderful relationships with their children.  It makes my heart happy! {smile}

I got to spend some time with some of my grandchildren before this glorious day.  I thought about a 'gift' that they could give their mom, and I had (I think) a great idea.

Have each child make a picture.  Take a picture of the picture and make it the front of their Mother's Day card.

The picture 'canvas' is a 6" x 6" white heavy weight card stock.  I inked my granddaughters hand in Old Olive classic ink and had her place her hand on the paper.  These 'fingers' are the stems to flowers.  

I then inked her thumb in strawberry slush classic ink.  Her thumb 'prints' are the petals to flowers.  I inked her finger in crushed curry classic ink, to create the blossom center.  

I inked her thumb in old olive classic ink to create leave on the stems.

The random 'petal's are her doing.  I figured it gave her masterpiece an unique and original 'touch' [no pun intended {smile}].

The banner piece I found HERE.  It says, 'Mom, thank you for helping me grow'.  I thought it was perfect.  (There is also a download for teachers.)

So, mom has an original masterpiece to hang, and a matching card {smile}.

Thank you for looking.  I'm so happy that you had a chance to swing by.  Stay tuned for more creative crafts!  A little hint: I went to a home improvement store and I think I have a clever craft for you.

Teamwork

Good Morning.   I hope this post finds you well.  I have been busy crafting, and getting things listed and weighted for my Etsy shop.  Sorry I haven't posted this week.

If you don't know, I work in a local hospital.  And recently our department has needed some help from the nurses.  So, in my usual fashion, I made them some cupcakes and a card {smile}.

The cupcakes were a lemon cake with a red raspberry whipped icing.  I was focused on pink lemonade, so that is where I got my inspiration and their name {smile}.

But, a 'gift' isn't complete without a card.  So, here is what I whipped up.  I wanted something simple but with some visual interest.

The card base is Ocean Tides cardstock by Paper Trey Ink.  They make a good heavy card stock, like Stampin' Up!.  The black and cream text pattern paper is a retired piece from Stampin' Up!  I can't remember what the name of the DSP is, but it is at least 2-3 years old.  The floral pattern paper is from Bazzill.  Believe it or not.  I love the sweet, simple floral design in stripes.

I tied some gold bakers twine thru the back of a Bo Bunny button and added it to the left of my sentiment banner.  I inked the sentiment in basic black classic ink and stamped on a very vanilla piece of card stock; both from Stampin' Up!  The stamp was a free gift from Verve.  So, I don't know if you can 'buy' the stamp.  I love the mix of font and the simple sentiment.

Thank you for stopping by.  Don't forget, I have blog candy available to 'win'!  Take care.

Altered Clock

I debuted my altered clock this weekend at the craft fairs.  I received a good response from folks who stopped by my booth and had a look.  So, I am ready to part with it.  I have placed my clock in my Etsy shop, here.  This beauty is for sale.  I used almost $36 in various products and over 4 hours of solid work into creating this one-of-a-kind original art piece.

I added layers of gesso, and various shades of paint.  I did some random stamping in 3 different colors.  I added paper, fabric, clay, and acrylic blossoms.  Various gears where added for clock mechanisms, and some different metal leaf clusters to add different textures.  I added a few pearl sprigs to help give this clock a romantic look.  I added a few resin pieces: frame, swag, and bird.  I did some heat embossing: clock face, and the butterflies.  I had to add a multi-loop bow made from seam binding.  And to help give some visual interest I even added a zipper pull with a crystal dangle.

Thank you for looking.  I will be working on another clock (hopefully) later this week.  I will be writing a tutorial for Kindle, also.  So stay tuned for that.

More Cones

Wow.  That's kind of a crazy title, huh?  But, as promised the other day, I wanted to share some more of these super cute paper cones Tussie Mussies.  

This photo doesn't show all of the ones I made.  And it doesn't depict my favorite.  I'll have a few photos of that in a solo soon {smile}.  Ok, before I get past this thought of my favorite, sometimes I create stuff for craft fairs that then just can't part with them.  Don't know if that ever happens to you.   So, my solution may not be original, or 'fair'.  I will either remove it from the 'to be sold' batch and keep it for personal use, or I simply make it my 'sample'.  That sounds kind of sneaky, huh?

Here is most of the ones I made the other day.

Ok, before you say anything, let me say, that photographing these little buggers was a nightmare.  I wanted to photograph a bunch of them, and not one at a time.  The clothes pins are there to keep them from rolling over.  

In this photo, I have 2 'Adore', 2 'Mom', 3 'Happy Mother's Day', and one with no sentiment.  At first the medallions were all looking the same.  Yuck!  So, I started switching it up a bit.  However, not due to lack of creativity, but maybe time, patience, or just the strong desire to get them done, they all have the same center medallion piece.  Oops.  Sorry.  

and here is how they will be displayed:

Today, I will be at the La Cueva High School, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from 8a to 4p.  I really enjoyed myself creating these little cuties.  Don't forget your chance to win some blog Candy.  See  Thursday's post, here

I am off to load the car and get on the road.  Hope you have a great weekend, and get a chance to do whatever craft makes you happy {smile}.

Bingo!

Happy Friday!  I hope everyone had a tolerable week and is anxious for the weekend.  I know I am.  Well, my weekend already kind of started.  Today, I am at a Craft Fair in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.  I haven't done this venue before, so my fingers are crossed that it will be successful.  Now for me, a successful craft fair, is that I make back my booth rental, and have a fair amount of foot traffic. 

I wanted to share a card I created, it will be for sale at the craft fairs this weekend.

I came across three wonderful challenges:  Sugar Creek Hollow (Bingo), Cardabilities (Sketch), and the Shabby Tea Room (Bingo).

and here is what I made:

Ok, lets get started on the particulars.  For the bingo challenge over @ Sugar Creek Hollow,  I used the right column down (sewing, distressing, and die cut) and the diagonal right to left (sewing, ribbon, and flowers).  For the bingo challenge over @ the Shabby Tea Room, I used the right column down (buttons, polka dots, and vintage trim) and the middle column down (fabric, ribbon, and flowers).

For the recipe:  I used this beautiful pattern paper, I believe it is Teresa Collins.  I like it, because it doesn't have too much going on, so it is beautiful as a supporting, coordinating pattern paper.  As for the gorgeous floral pattern paper!  Oh, my!  I now wish I had purchased 3 sheets of it.  I only bought one (frown).  And it was a purchase I made in Phoenix, so it's not an hour drive into town for me {frown}.  So, I have been hoarding it.  Notice the small scrap?  At first, I was going to accent the pink flower in the pattern paper, but the blue was so much easier to match.  The doily is Martha Stewart.  The white lace trim is from a local sewing store.  The crinkled seam binding is from my stash.  The buttons are Paper Trey Ink vintage in cream, white, and kraft.  The paper flower is from Reflections.  I added white distressing paint and dazzling diamonds glitter to it.  The sentiment is from Verve.  I purchased the stamp set probably 5 years ago.

I machine stitched my card, twice.  I guess for good measure.  (just kidding).  Sewing 'random' is very hard.  I guess it's a habit to sew straight.

Well, thank you for stopping by my little piece of blog-land.  I hope you get a chance to play along in all, some, part, on maybe one of these challenges.  All three sites have wonderful inspirational work by their design teams.  I am off to load the car for my 1st craft fair of the weekend.  

Tussie Mussie Candy

Howdy.  Whew.  I didn't realize that it had been so long since I posted.  A week and a half.  WOW!  10 days.  Holly Smokes!  Well, for those of you who have stuck it out with me being absent, I have some candy to reward you!  Keep reading, but let me show you some photos.

I have two craft fairs in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area tomorrow and Saturday.  So, I have been busy creating stuff to sell.  But, I sincerely apologize for being absent.  I generally photo and share what I have been working on, and I sincerely apologize for not being here.  Please stay tuned.  

While I was brain storming on what to create for the craft fairs, since Mother's Day is basically right around the corner, I stumbled upon these sweet little treat holders: Tussie Mussies.  Ok, they are basically paper cones.  But, come on, that name is just too cute!

So, I set out into my craft room and whipped up a dozen.  I'm not sure how popular they will be, and didn't want to make 25, to sell 2.  Know what I mean?  And so, I figure a dozen is a good starting number.  But, who knows, these little cuties are a blast to create.  I just may end up at the craft fair with 2 dozen {smile}.

Ok, you are probably asking yourself what's all the blah, blah, blah about?  Well, its the 'candy'!  I will send two lucky random winners all the supplies to make their own Tussie Mussie (paper cone) {smile}.  How super cute would that be?  But, here are the particulars.  Please read carefully, and good luck!

1.  post a comment on this post about the paper cones Tussie Mussies.  Please include a favorite color.  

2.  have an email address attached to your comment, so I can contact you, to obtain a mailing address, to send you your 'Candy'.

3.  the winner will receive all the materials to create one cone: cone base, bottom 'cap', two lengths of ribbon, the strip to make the medallion, two circles to stack and a middle sentiment piece.  

4.  supplies will vary from those pictured.

5.  the 'contest' ends May 11th, 2014.  I figured that I had been absent for 10 days, I should at least give you 10 days to come back and enter to win some 'Candy' {smile}.

I will post some more photos, soon.  I promise!  But, until then, good luck with the Blog Candy contest, and happy crafting!