Pink Lemonade

Antiqued Brass & Crystal Drop Necklace

I had so much fun making this project! You know when you have an idea and you sketch it out onto paper and then it actually WORKS when you go to make it? Well this was one of those very projects. I had this beautiful Tear Drop Suncatcher that I just thought would make a great dangle for this focal piece. I threw on a pair of the 10mm round beads and a pair of teal colored Asian crystals and bam, done! Enjoy!

 

Supplies:
Connie Crystal: Tear Drop Shaped Suncatcher CCART 1048, 10MM Round Beads
Brass Filigree Oval, Bead Cap, Eyepins , Antique Brass Chain & Clasp

Echo Creative Club Blog Hop

Hi All!

I didn't realize there was a specific hop time and I was supposed to run the photos of my necklace and share links to everyone else's beautiful creations. Sorry for the delay!!! Here's a few photos of my necklace if you missed it the first time around...First the ingredients...



 Jeannie makes the most beautiful pendants using polymer clay. I love how "shabby" her line of Peeled Paint components are. For this month's project I wanted to play along with Art Bead Scene and while Jeannie had created a specific Peeled Paint Gin Blossom Pendant for this month's challenge but I really wanted to work with the beautiful Cappuccino pendant....because I loved the other bluer hue that I was seeing the inspiration photo. So once my pendant arrived I went through my stash and pulled together a grouping of bead to accompany...here's what I put together to work with....this is what I made with what you see above!

 

 

Again my apologies for not realizing there was a true hop, I thought that we all needed to post BY the 25th...so here's the links to everyone else's beautiful creations! Wait till you see what they have done!! OOoo La La!!!

Cindy Cima Edwards  http://www.cindycima.com

Courtney Breul  http://beadsbybreul.blogspot.com

Dagi  http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com

Jeannie K Dukic http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog

Keri Lee Sereika http://www.pinklemonade.typepad.com (RIGHT HERE!!!)

Kristen Stevens  http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Malin de Koning  http://beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com

Molly Alexander  http://www.beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com

Shannon Chomanczuk  http://www.formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com

 

It's an Inky Antics Action Wobbles Blog Hop.. wiggle, wiggle, wiggle :)

Howdy Howdy!!!




Welcome to Inky’s “Action Wobbles” Blog Hop!  I hope you’ve come from Debbie's blog . If you didn't perhaps you should hop on over to the Inky Blog to be sure you don't miss a stop along the way!  Today we are all featuring the Inky Antics Action Wobbles They are kind of like a plastic spring with a bit of adhesive on either end that allows you to pop up your main image and when it is touched it wiggles back and forth! TOTALLY FUN!!! I had hoped to figure out how to shoot a video with my camera and upload it but I didn't get a chance to figure all that out! My card today is based on this week's Card Positioning System's Sketch....check it out if you need a fun challenge to get in gear!

 

Here you can see how I used an Action Wobbles spring along with Aviator Benton  Clear Set drawn by artist Darby, which you can find on this page: http://www.inkyantics.com/may2012hop.htm.

I also decided I wanted to finish the inside of this one... :) The sentiment was too adorable NOT to use!

The blog hop starts today and ends on Sunday, May 27^th at midnight Central time. Please visit each DT members’ blog to view their projects and leave a comment for each designer. The more you comment, the better your chances are to win. (Limit one comment per blog, please). THREE people’s names will be drawn at random to receive a pack of Action Wobbles and an Inky clear stamp set. The winners’ names will be announced on the Inky Antics blog next Monday, so remember to stop back and see if you’ve won.

 

Your next stop will be Tex’s blog .

 

 

 

Crystal Irwin
Debbie Fisher
Keri Lee Sereika (right here!!!)
Tex Gerard
Michelle Pearson
Jovi Kloess
Trudy Sjolander

 

 

You're The Best....Plane & Simple

 

I loved this sentiment when I saw it! My hubby flies the C-17 Globemaster for the USAF and so I of course had to have this set by My Favorite Things! I mean, talk about perfect!!! This is my CPS card from a few weeks ago, yes I forgot to load it! It seems I am a much better creator than I am blogger lately! I have 24 project photos loaded to blog about but just have been whirling along not taking the time to blog them! 

This week we are in DC visiting my sweet love who has been deployed up here since the third week of April....it was time to get some "Daddy time" for all the kids so we hopped in the car and will get to visit with him for a few days....it's wonderfully refreshing to see all fo my children piled on top of him in the hotel room bed all trying to get snuggled up and comfy to watch some "Deadliest Catch".... LOL!!! I hope you have a wonderful week! I will try to snap a few photos of us as we "do the tourist thing" here in Washington DC....until then, ENJOY!!! 

Echo Creative Club: The Project

So remember my post from yesterday? well I was able to get up EARLY before the kiddies today and created my very first Echo Creative Club Design! :) Working with Jeannie's Gin Blossom Pendant was so much fun. It's different than what I create with polymer clay and so it was a refreshing change of pace to work with someone else's creativity as the focal point! :)

Like I said, I was totally inspired by the Art Bead Scene Blog May Monthly Challenge ...so many colors and textures that I saw on that beautiful piece of art! Here's a close up of the bottom portion of my necklace....it gives you a feel for all the different things I have going on with this piece...I love how it turned out! :)

 

Echo Creative Club

This is my first month participating in not one but TWO new ventures/challenges. First off I have joined Jeannie's Echo Creative Club. Jeannie makes the most beautiful pendants using polymer clay. I love how "shabby" her line of Peeled Paint components are. For this month's project I wanted to play along with Art Bead Scene and while Jeannie had created a specific Peeled Paint Gin Blossom Pendant for this month's challenge but I really wanted to work with the beautiful Cappuccino pendant....because I loved the other bluer hue that I was seeing the inspiration photo. So once my pendant arrived I went through my stash and pulled together a grouping of bead to accompany...here's what I have to work with right now...

 

 

Here's the inspiration photo....I can't help but think the colors, the peeled paint on the pendant and the ornate brass connector links really have a great feel that works with the challenge piece! I will be sure and update with my finished piece soon!  Till then ~ enjoy!

 

Citrus Sparkle Necklace

Today I have a very sparkly and Springy necklace to share with you. It all started when I saw the Connie Crystal 20mm Ball. I saw that and thought that it would be a beautiful center piece to a sparkly crystal and silver necklace.  I added some 10mm Connie Crystal Beads and a few other Asian crystals for a bit of color....it looks so citrusy to me. :) It's so hard to capture the true sparkle of this necklace but I hope you can see the light bouncing through that beautiful ball. Enjoy!

Winners?? Anyone out there?... and a pretty little card too!

I posted the names of the winners of the free copy of my newest book Exquisite Embellishments for Paper Crafts on THIS LINK. STEPHENIE SMITH please send me an email with your address. (kerilee 79 at gmail dot com)...if this goes unclaimed by Monday I will be doing another draw.

Okay business out of the way, I have a delightful card to share with you today. It's my card for this week's CPS Card Sketch. I thought this would be the perfect card to share today as it's heavily embellished yet delicately balanced and I thought I would make a few pointers on it.

First, it has not one but FIVE buttons...can you find them all? The use of buttons in layers and as centers to bows is a great way to "kick it up a notch" without going overboard and loosing the focus of your card, which in this case is the Clearly Sentimental About Birthdays sentiment by My Favorite Things. This card also has two sizes and two colors of bling by Want2Scrap....I am their guest designer this month so I felt it necessary to add TWO types of bling...JUST KIDDING, I am in fact their guest designer but when I went to add my bling I did two things, I looked at lines and scale and I looked at color and "open space". Adding a strip coming out from behind the sentiment panel really helps the sentiment to shine...you may not have noticed if I had left this strip off but WOW what a difference it made it stepping up this card....I then said hmmm I need just a little POP! in that bottom right corner to balance the top left...and BAM two quick dots of beautiful deep blue bling and my card was complete! So don't be afraid of embellishing, just THINK IT THROUGH FIRST and make sure you are EMBELLISHING the focal, vs CROWDING it out. Enjoy!!

Supplies:
Stamps: My Favorite Things - Clearly Sentimental About Birthdays
Ink: Tsukineko - Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Bazzill Prismatics
Patterned Paper: Unknown
Bling: Want2Scrap
Buttons: Buttons Galore & More - Gold Bulk Pack
Ribbon: Unknown

Winners! Winners!!! & a How to Make Felt Loop Fringe Flowers Tutorial to boot!

We have some winners!!! :) I chose one person from my blog using random.org and that person is STEPHENIE SMITH! Please send me an email with your address. (kerilee 79 at gmail dot com)

 

Then we drew two designer blogs and they are were NinaB's & Tami Mayberry's. And from those blogs we drew two winners as well! Carole & Hawaiian Librarian.

Congrats ladies!!! I hope you enjoy the books! :)

And now for the long awaited tutorial! :) Today I would like to share WITH PERMISSON FROM DRG & ANNIE'S ATTIC a step by step shown in the book on how to make FELT LOOP FRINGE FLOWERS. And while they were created and show on a card I have made NUMEROUS flowers just like this and have stuck them to pin backs, hair clips, head bands and more! So without further ado I give you -

 

Felt Loop Fringe Flowers Tutorial. :)

You will need some felt, a sharp pair of scissors & a hot glue gun for this tutorial...pretty short list, right?

01 – Fold 1”x12” length of wool felt in half length wise. Cut a circle of felt approximately 1” across.

 

02 – Hold fold facing dominant hand and snip 3/8” long cuts from folded edge toward free edges approximately ¼” apart.

 

03 – Begin to roll folded, cut felt from one end.

 

04 – Continue to roll, holding tight to center of flower from both top and bottom.

 

05 – As you continue to roll, apply light pressure to outer edge of flower to create a widening base. This will give the flower both spread as well as keep it flatter rather than puffier.

 

06 – Once you reach the end of the length, adhere end using a dot of hot glue. Apply hot glue to spiral on back side of flower.

 

07 – Cover hot glue with felt circle, press and hold until glue cools.

 

08 – Fluff flower from top side with fingers prior to attaching to project.

Have fun playing around with the width of the piece of felt as well as how wide you snip the loops to create largers and smaller flowers. The possibilities are endless! If you make one, please share a link with me! I would love to see what you do!!!

 

They are here! They are here!!!

My shipment of books arrived!!! Don't have a clue what I am talking about? Click this link! I have not even seen the book in print until today! I had seen the electronic proofs but NOTHING COMPARES to getting the ACTUAL PAPER PRINTED BOOK IN HAND!!! :) Tonight is your last chance to get your name in the hat to win a FREE copy! Be sure to do the hop and leave a comment for each person to increase your chances. I will draw three random winners tomorrow!!!! :) And be sure to come back to get a sneak peek at one of the many step by step tutorials in the book too!!!

 

How to make Spring Cascades earrings in just a few short steps

Hi All! I am so happy to share with you a fun new set of earrings today! And not only that, I have a few step out photos to help you see how I made them!!! Cascading earrings are "all the rage" right now. You can see them everywhere....mine are made using some gorgeous & sparkly Connie Crystal Beads, some pink lucite flowers & cats eye beads, some silver spacers & seed beads and some silver elements to bring it all together. Want to get started?

 

 

 

First gather your supplies:
Connie Crystal: 2 - 14mm Octagons, 2 - 10mm Bead AB, 2 - 8mm Bead AB, 2 - 6mm AB
Assorted Lucite Flower Beads, Cats Eye Beads, Seed Beads and Silver Spacers
Silver Toned Chain, Earwires & Headpins/Eyepins
Tools Required: Chain Nose Pliers, Round Nose Pliers, Wire Snips

Begin by threading eye pins through the 10mm AB beads and turning other ends into loops, cut length of chain, open one link and place through hole in 14mm Octagons, thread remaining beads onto headpins as shown.

 

Use tools shown to trim ends of headpins and turn loops at ends in preparation for placing onto chain.

 

Use chain nose pliers to assemble earrings by turning loops open and place loops on different places on chain to create cascading flowing flower baubles. Attach to ear wires to complete earrings.

 

There you have it! A super simple project that makes a great Spriny pair of earrings...just right for that flirty new skirt or top you just bought...or the perfect gift for mom on Mother's Day!! Enjoy!

 

Exquisite Embellishments Blog Hop

I am so thrilled to welcome you to the Exquisite Embellishments Blog Hop! This is the release of my second book and I couldn't be happier to share this special day with you all, my blog readers! Thanks for always keeping me on my toes and helping me to believe in myself...it has truly been a major part in making these books happen!

I have to also thank my AMAZING TEAM OF DESIGNERS!!! These pages are once again FILLED with the talent and creativity of some of the top designers in the paper crafting industry! And so without further ado I present to you "Exquisite Embellishments for Paper Crafts"!!!

 

Isn't it GORGEOUS????? The cover boasts art work from three different designers who have been featured in the book, Sherry Wright, Kandis Smith & Sharon Reinhart. And let me tell you that is just a taste of the delights that grace each and every page!
I had the honor of also being able to add a few of my own projects to my book and I thought I would share one with you today. Here's one that I loved how it came out. While it's simple, I felt the EMBELLISHMENTS really hit a home run! Drawing inspiration from nature and the "sandy color theme" I felt the use of raffia paper ribbon, mother of pearl button, self adhesive pearls and just  hint of fine lace really made this card "complete". I hope you enjoy!

Supplies:

Stamps: Gina K Designs –  A Year of Borders, Gifts of the Sea
Cardstock: Kraft, Tea Stain, Cream
Dies: Spellbinders - Labels Eighteen
Ink: Tsukineko VersaFine – Onyx Black; VersaMagic - Wheat
Copic Air Brush System & Copic Marker: E55
Raffia Paper Ribbon
Pearls: Want2Scrap
Lace Ribbon, Button
Twine: The Twinery – Cappuccino

 

Would you like to see a few more projects? Well we have a list of the designers who were able to participate in the book and take part in the blog hop today too! Be sure to leave a comment for each and every designer as we will be drawing not one, not two but THREE winners at random. Each winner will recieve their very own copy of the book absolutely free! The more comments you leave the more chances you have to win! :) Have fun hopping!

Keri Lee - http://www.pinklemonade.typepad.com
Linda - http://lovelylindascraftcentral.blogspot.com.au/
Sherry - www.sherrywright.typepad.com

Lori - http://www.loricraig.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com

Heidi - http://embellished-dreams.blogspot.com/

Kandis - www.mycreativetreasury.blogspot.com

Nina - http://ninabdesigns.blogspot.com/

Sharon - smrdesigns.blogspot.com

Melissa - lilybeanpaperie.typepad.com

Jessica - http://iembellish.blogspot.com/

Tami - http://tamimayberry.blogspot.com/

Teresa - http://paperieblooms.blogspot.com/ 

Jing Jing - http://thislittleartofmine.blogspot.com/

**** Be sure to check out my post on how to make a fun and flirty pair of Spring earrings using Connie Crystal just CLICK HERE!****

A card...on time with the regular schedule for once! :)

I have to admit life has been hectic this past week and a half. One week ago Sunday we got home from our cruise. One week ago Tuesday Adam left for a three month deployment to Washington DC. One week ago today Elliott fell out of bed at 2:30am and broke his arm. It will be one week tomorrow since Elliott had to have surgery to set his arm. And then right following that we drove to NC to go to the twins one year old birthday party, then drove home again Sunday morning....so yeah...it's been a very hectic week here....today we go back to the Ortho to have a re exam and Xray and get a new cast put on EJ's arm....please pray all's well there...because he broke his growth plate we have to be very careful and keep an eye on the healing process...we are hoping to avoid any complications!!!


Well today is the day of the week that I post over at Card Positioning Systems and I usually forget to post my card here on my blog...well not this week! That is right! Here is my card of the week IN THE RIGHT WEEK! LOL Enjoy!

 

 Hey have been over to Want2Scrap this week? Well they are having an awesome sale!!! Now through tomorrow night they are having a 30% off sale!!!  Then May 5th 99 cent bling all day!!!!

 

Supplies:
Stamps: Skipping Stones Designs - Pumpkin Seed Sentiments

Ink: Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Ink - Rouge & Tsukineko Memento Dye Ink - Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Bazzil Basics
Buttons: Buttons Galore & More
Jacquard Lumiere 3-D for button centers - Pearl
Pearls: Want2ScrAP
Ribbon: My Favorite Things - Pink Lemonade
Dies: Spellbinders - Butterflies 2 & Ribbon Tags Trio

Back home and getting into the swing of things...

Well I just spent a lovely week with my honey on a cruise of the Western Carribean...it was wonderful to just have a few days of time with "just us". :) We got home on Sunday afternoon and he has now deployed to Washington DC for 2-3 MONTHS...UGH the not so fun part of Military life...

Anyway, I was looking through some files and realized that I never shared my CPS258 card with you all! I really liked how this one came out because I felt the buttons were so perfect for the sketch and the stamps! All of the buttons came from Buttons Galore & More Gold Bulk Button Pack. I just clipped off the shanks and glued them onto the card front and the knot in the center of my bow. I hope you enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies:
Stamps: The{Stamps} of Life - moremusm2love, swirls4words
Ink: Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Ink - Chestnut Roan
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: October Afternoon
Buttons: Buttons Galore & More - Gold Button Bulk
Ribbon & Trim : Unknown

Handmade Vintage is hot...

and making "vintage jewelry" items has never been easier! Today is my first official post as part of the Connie Crystal Design Team and I thought I would start off with a sweet "vintage" necklace. This necklace measures 26" and then it has an added 3.5" below the knot that "dangles" oh so sweetly. I used an Ornate Crystal from the bottom of the Ornate Crystal Suncatcher as my main focal. I just sort of "briolette wrapped" the top and then added a copper jumpring. I took an extra long length of bronze chain, folded it in half and tied it in a knot. Then I added the crystal. Then I simply made some baubles using some pearls from my stash and bam! Done! :) I hope you enjoy this piece. I sure had fun wearing it! :D

 

 

Just a note...

Today is quick and simple...I just did a fun little note card for my Card Positioning Systems card this week. It's an easy sketch to whip together so I hope you have time to play with us! :)

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper - My Minds Eye
Stamps: The Stamps of Life - Mum2Stamp, Type4Backgrounds
Ink: Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Ink - Rouge, Black Bird, Gray Whale
Buttons & ribbon: Buttons Galore & More - Retro Pink Pack

Handmade Vintage Button Ring

I have got the spotlight over at Buttons Galore & More today!! Here's the link to my Handmade Vintage Button Ring. Just in case you want a little teaser... ;0)

 

And don't forget the "Pin it to Win it Contest" that BG&M is hosting through April 27th!!!

Buttons Galore & More Fabric Blog Hop: Create a Great DIY On The Go Crayon Holder

Good morning! Well, do I have a fun little project to share with you today! :) I am part of a fabric focused blog hop hosted by Buttons Galore & More. Buttons Galore & More creates awesome matching buttons to all sorts of product and today we are focusing on this fun pirate fabric by Laura Kelly. I decided to make a fun little on the go crayon holder. Once I had sewn the entire piece I decided to embellish each little pocket with a button of the color crayon that goes into each pocket. I have taken step out photos and will run a tutorial either here or on 365Daysof Crafts this week...so stay tuned! :)

So now without further ado! Here's my project! This is it rolled up.



Untie that pretty bow and you have...a PACK OF FUN!!!! :)

 

Please be sure to check out everyone else's projects then head to the Buttons Galore & More Blog to leave a comment for your chance to win prizes!!!! So head on over to Laura's Blog to see what's cooking there! :) Have fun!

Here's the list of participants in case you get lost along the way! :)

Laura Bray www.katydiddys.blogspot.com

Cristal - www.blueyecicle.blogspot.com

Keri Lee - www.pinklemonade.typepad.com

Laura E - www.lauraevangeline.blogspot.com

Niki- www.nikimeiners.wordpress.com

Jen - http://www.100directions.com

Allie -http://welltrainedpaper.blogspot.com/

Ann - http://www.creativitystirsthesoul.com/

Elise - http://mamacowcreations.blogspot.com/

 

Create Button Elements In Groups

A card...yes can you believe it? I am actually sharing a card today! :) I keep forgetting to blog my CPS cards for each week's sketch so for the next few days you will have a few cards to enjoy! :) This week we had a sponsor but it wasn't a product sponsor so we were all free to use whatever supplies we wanted! I love getting a "free week" because it's fun to mix, match and go kinda crazy now and again! :) I am a newly added member of the Buttons Galore & More Design Team and so I thought I would really add some happy fun to the simple sentiment with a cluster of buttons from the Girly Collection.  By mixing up the type of twine tied through the holes you get a whole different feel than if I had used the same in each, or God forbid left them "naked"!!! GASP!!
I hope you have a few minutes to come and play with us at CPS this week!!! Enjoy!

 

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: October Afternoon
Stamps: Gina K Designs
Ink: Tsukineko
Buttons: Buttons Galore & More
Dies: Spellbinders
Pearl Heart: Want2Scrap
Ribbon & Gems: Misc

Buttons Galore & More Pin It to Win It Contest Starts Today!

I am sure you all have heard of a pin it to win it contest...well Buttons Galore & More is having one that starts today and goes through till the 27th of this month. There are lots of prizes and fun going on so be sure to hop on over to the BG&M Blog and get all the details!

 

Collective Creative Canape Blog Hop

I am part of a group of jewelry designers who have all partnered up and swapped beads with one another and we are all posting our creations today! I hope you have time to hop through and feast your eyes on everyone's fabulous creations! :)

I was the hostess for this swap and since there was an odd number of people I have been delighted to have not one but TWO partners. For the first canape I have to work with I used the supplies that Rochelle of A Creative Chelle sent to me. She sent so much that I was able to make this necklace & earrings set and still have quite a bit of the canape ingredients left over!!! So here's the necklace and earrings that I made using her fun goodies! Please take a minute and be sure to hop over to Rochelle's blog and see what she made with my goodies! :)

 

And secondly I have created just a sweet little set using the fabulous elements from Liz DeLuca of Creative Arty Facts. Liz does handmade lampworked beads....talk about WOW amazing craftsmanship....I loved her beautiful goodies that she sent. I have only used about HALF of what she sent so you will be seeing more in the days to come. :) Please be sure to hop on over to her blog and see what she made using the goodies that I sent her!!

 

 

 

 

Here's the entire blog hop list. Just in case you get lost in the middle you can always pop back here and check out what everyone has made!!! Tons of gorgeous work and projects on display!!!

Keri Lee Sereika www.pinklemonade.typepad.com

Beth Emery www.storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com

Niki Meiners www.nikimeiners.wordpress.com

Karan Parker www.karanskrafts.blogspot.com

Liz DeLuca www.creativeartyfacts.blogspot.com

Lynne Bowland www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.com

Judy Turner www.silver-rains.blogspot.com

Erin Grant www.Erinsjewelrycreations.blogspot.com

Bryna Lumb www.brynasbeadbox.blogspot.com

Rochelle Brisson www.acreativechelle.blogspot.com

Linda Youkman www.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com

Carmen Lau www.littlemake.blogspot.com

Cheryl Foiles www.getyourbeadon.com

Kelli Jacobson www.CreativeMoonJewelryAndThings.com

Elena Gianni www.ilmondodipucci.blogspot.com

Tania Hagen www.pelimadesign.blogspot.co.nz

Cindy Muse www.cindyshandworkcrafts.blogspot.com

Stephanie Woods www.skwds.blogspot.com

Lisa Lodge www.pineridgetreasures.blogspot.com

Inky Antics Easter Blog Hop!

I love participating in the Inky Antics blog hops...even though I am not on their team I am an "honorary member" of it for these fun hops! This month we are all making fun and fabulous projects showcasing Inky Antic's Easter Stamps! :)

If you’ve come from Crystal’s blog then you are right where you should be! I was the rebel on this project and pulled from the dusty archives a SUPER CUTE SET by artist Jane Miller called Bunny #3 Clear Set... you can find it on this page: http://www.inkyantics.com/march2012hop.htm.  I have always loved Inky Antic's images and Janie's animals have always warmed my heart! Today I have just the finished project to share with you...but soon Jackie will be running a full step by step photo tutorial on how I created this project so be sure to subscribe to the Inky Blog to be sure you don't miss a minute! :) Today I made a fun little Inky Egg Holder! Tell me this wouldn't make your first grader grin with glee when he arrived at the breakfast Easter table to find this happy little egg lovin' bunny at his place! My kids don't really like to eat "butter eggs" as they are called in my house (hard boiled)...so I think I will substitute some delightful Cadbury eggs for my little ones... you could too! :)

The blog hop starts today and ends on Sunday, March 25^th at midnight Central time. Please visit each DT members’ blog to view their projects and leave a comment for each designer. The more you comment, the better your chances are to win. (Limit one comment per blog, please). Two people’s names will be drawn at random to receive a surprise Inky prize pack. The winners’ names will be announced on the Inky Antics Blog next Monday, so remember to stop back and see if you’ve won.

 

Your next stop will be Inky Antic’s Blog  - Have fun hopping along the way! :)

 

MMMM More Yummies!!!

Hey Yall! Sorry I haven't been blogging, too much else going on...but you will be thrilled to know that I have had a few moments side by side to get some photos done of the second Collective Creative Canape that I have rec'd...this one is from Liz DeLuca of Creative Arty Facts. Liz is an amazing art bead maker...I am AMAZED at what she made...and the attention to detail...WOW...blown away...I can't wait to create something with all these pretties!!! Our big reveal and hop is set for April 1st...mark your calendars, you will NOT want to miss this! :)

 

Ohhh the yummies!!!

 

I am hostessing a small group swap between beaders/jewelry makers from all over the world. Based on the "Bead Soup Blog Party" idea by Lori Anderson, we are all sending our partner a focal piece, and a nice selection of "accompanying" beads/components. Well since I was hostess and we ended up with an odd # of participants I took two parnters on... My first selection to arrive is from Rochelle over at A Creative Chelle. First of all, look how pretty it came out of the package!!!

Then upon opening I found OH SOOOOO YUMMY beads within!!! Isn't it soooo pretty!? I can't wait to create using all these gorgeous pieces...

Our group will all be revealing our projects that we have made on or around April 1st. So keep an eye out for the little blog hop we will be doin!!! Enjoy!

Create handmade embellishments....

Using stamps, Mold Maker by Sculpey & Sculpey clay!!!! I used a stamp from the stamp set Gifts of the Sea to create these two fun shells...first I stamped the Mold Maker with the stamp, then baked and cooled. Once cooled I pressed clay into my newly created mold, then baked the clay shells and used them as my embellishments. Fun and sooo creative! :)

This card is for this week's CPS Sketch 255. I hope you enjoy a peek into MY creative process!

Supplies:

Stamps: Gina K Designs Stampy By Melanie Muenchinger - Gifts of The Sea

Ink: Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Ink - Creamy Brown & Chestnut

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Prismatics

Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon - Seam Binding

Trim: Webster's Pages

Button: Buttons Galore & More - Sports Assortment

Clay: SculpeyIII (for molded shell embellishments)

Switching Gears a bit...here's some paper crafted, stampy stuff!

I realized I haven't been blogging my CPS cards for QUITE some time!!! So today I thought I would share last week's card using CPS254 sponsored by Lil' Inker Designs. Tell me this kitty isn't just THE CUTEST!!!!  I hope you - Enjoy!

 

 

 

Supplies:
Stamps: Lil Inker - Cutie Cat
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa & Tuxedo Black
Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye
Cardstock: Bazzill
Bling: Want2Scrap - Baby Bling Light Pink & Light Green, Scalloped Heart White Pearl
Colored Pencils, Gamsol & Blending Stumps
Snip of green silk ribbon

Speak up and make someone's day~

Two weeks ago after our first soccer games of the season we took our kids out to lunch at Perfectly Frank's right here in Summerville, SC. (He was featured on Triple D - Diners, Drive-ins & Dives on the FoodNetwork)... after a short wait in line, perusing the extensive of delightfully delicious menu I arrived at the counter order and the sweet gal behind the register taking the order looked up and said "Oh wow! I looove your necklace!" (remember my post about Learning a New Skill? )When I told her "thanks I made it!" she was like "Oh wow, you made it? Cool, how?" So I gave her the quick run down and then it was time to place the order and the "moment" was over...but I took her name and made a mental note that I was going to make her a necklace and write her a note to let her know just how much it meant to me that she said something so sweet.... Well today's the day! And just a note of encouragement to all of you out there reading...when you see beauty...speak up, you just never know who's heart you are going to touch!!!

Today is Lori Anderson's FIFTH Bead Soup Blog Party and while I didn't take part this time (missed the deadline for submitting my name for the lottery) I decided that I would create while I was hopping through the 200 participant list! :) So here's what has been happening in the studio today! All the metal you see started out as flat sheet or round wire...then I worked and forged them into what you see before you now...enjoy!

 

The growth of a new skill....

So I have been in the studio...rennovating...yes..you know those pics of my studio that are on the sidebar? TOTALLY new stuff, a new Rolling Workbench that I bought at Sam's Club, torches, tools, metals and more! :) I have really been enjoying the process of making jewelry components from various metals...especially COPPER! Becoming familiar with my tools, torches and finishing touches is a really fabulous process. Remember my post about learning a new skill? Well the more I have been learning the more in love I am falling!!! I believe I have found a new niche that I want to explore and learn all there is to learn...I am finding myself thinking about, pondering on, reading all I can about metals, stampings, enamels etc...and the best part?? I am hopefully going to actually make some finished pieces in the next few days...not just fool around making my own components! LOL

Here's a few things I have made over the last few days... all are hand forged pieces that started out as simple copper sheet metal. I applied a black/brown patina to this batch to see how it looks...loooving it... What do you think? (ps - sorry for the poor pics, I am just too excited to take the time to really photograph them up properly right now! LOL)

 

Inky Antic's Spring HoneyPOP Blog Hop!!!

 Welcome to Inky’s Spring HoneyPOP Blog Hop! If you just happened along and found me, that's great because I am the starting point!!! Today I used the Carrott Bunny HoneyPOP stamp set & both the green & orange Honeycomb Paper Pads to create my projects, which you can find on this page - HoneyPOP at Inky Antics. Our challenge this week was to create a card using the Honeycomb Paper Pad as well as one that doesn't use it, so we can showcase the way the stamp set can be used on it's own! I hope you enjoy!

 

First I made a standard A2 card (4.25x5.5) this is the front:

And this is the inside with the fun HoneyPOP element - that special little something that always makes people smile!

And then I created this cute little gift card sized card (3.5x3.5) with just using the stamps without the Honeycomb Paper Pad.

 

Just goes to show how adorable this set is - WITH or WITHOUT the accompanying Honeycomb Paper Pad. :) I hope you have enjoyed my stop along the hop! Here's the specific info you need to keep on hopping!

The blog hop starts today and ends on Sunday, February 27th at midnight Central time. Please visit each DT members’ blog to view their projects and leave a comment for each designer. The more you comment, the better your chances are to win. (Limit one comment per blog, please). Two people’s names will be drawn at random to receive a surprise Inky HoneyPOP prize pack. The winners’ names will be announced on the Inky Antics blog next Monday, so remember to stop back and see if you’ve won. Your next stop will be Debbie’s blog. And just in case you get lost along the way - here's a list of all who's playing along today!

• Keri Lee Sereika (RIGHT HERE)
• Jovi Kloess
• Debbie Fisher 
• Trudy Sjolander 
• Tex Gerard 
• Crystal Irwin 
• Michelle Pearson
• Inky Antics Blog

A virtual design challenge

Melissa over at Chinook Designs put out a virtual design challenge where you have to say what you would do with the focal piece she put up on her blog. 

The piece was this oh so sweet little fired heart she made and sells on her Etsy store - Chinook Designs. 

So now the fun part was cruising Etsy and coming up with a design as to how I would work this little gem into a design! :)

Here's what I would pair it all up!

I first thought that I would combine these lovely Vintage Pearl Drops from Beed Happy. 

 

 

As well as some of these gorgeous Cherry Quartz beads from Better Than Retail.

And of course I have to add in my metal components - you know how I looooove metal!!! So I threw in this antique bronze chain from Beads4All. 

And these fun pieces from UpsyDaisy....

And to top it all off and throw in a softness I am going with this beautiful recycled sari ribbon from jmozart.

 

Can't you just see it all now?? This was a fun virtual challenge...anyone can play along! I would love to see what YOU do with it. Even if you aren't a jewelry maker you can play...just think of colors, styles, textures and put em all together!!!! Have fun! Let me know if you played along!