Peek at My Week: December 23-29

This has been the last full week of the year, and a busy one at that. We had so much going on, somewhere to be just about every day. Take a peek!

Since I knew the week ahead was going to be hectic, Sunday was a stay-at-home, wrap presents, and watch Christmas movies day. Then, Monday was Christmas Eve!

I helped my mom get ready by baking cookies and pre-cooking the live crabs. 

On Tuesday, Christmas Day, Pat and I exchanged our gifts and had breakfast before heading to my mom's for more eating, gifting, and family time. 

Above are two of the gifts I received this year. I love getting presents that keep me busy and let me try out something new. 

And, our seafood dinner was delicious!

Wednesday was the day of an annual party hosted by friends. I made my favorite Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies for the party. They went over well!

On Thursday, we had Christmas with Pat's side of the family. 

After dinner and gifts, we played a fun game that involves unrolling a large ball of plastic wrap. I really hate wasting that much plastic, but the fact that we gave metal straws to just about everyone makes me feel a little better about it. 

On Friday, we had a day to ourselves. 

I worked on a few projects including the SJ Designs Honey Do List Challenge (reveal tomorrow!)

And, I tried out my new pasta roller and cutter set as part of our dinner. It was fun AND delicious!

Saturday was really all about football, but I started the day hopping through the reveal blog posts for the Art Elements White Challenge. 

Then I was tuned to the television for the rest of the day. At the end of the day, Clemson and Alabama (Roll Tide!!) will be meeting on the 7th for the National Championship game. 

As for inspiration for this week....I was so busy, there wasn't much of it. But there were a few:

• This article from Jerry Saltz on How to Be an Artist is lengthy but a dang fine read. 
• Here's a pretty little Bracelet Tutorial for the New Year from Chinese Knotting. 

• And, here's a Peyote Fan Earring Tutorial by Linda Genaw. It makes me wish my peyote game was better. 

Oh, and despite the crazy week, I DID get my stamp carving done each day! I'm super surprised that I've been able to keep this up all month. I had my doubts at the start. 

Here's hoping you also had some fun mixed in with what was most likely a crazy week too! And, best wishes that the week to come holds loads more inspiration and fun. Make the most of it!

New Jewelry Tools, Member of the Family, and Giveaway Winner

Hello all!!

I've got a variety of subjects to touch on today. The first is a touchy one for me. I'm excited about the new jewelry tools I got for Christmas, but sharing them always makes me feel like I'm showing off or something. That's entirely not my intent. I just like to show you what I'm working with now. So here's a quick collage.

Left to right, top row: An enameling kit, bezeling tools, & Euro Punch

Bottom row: Levered Disc Cutter, Dimpling Pliers, and Leuchtturm1917 journal (for bullet journaling)

I've messed around with all of these, you can see proof of that on Instagram. 

Other than the new tools, we have another addition to our house. Yesterday, this cutie joined the family!

I've always loved orange tabbies, but this one is a rare female. We're fairly sure we've settled on the name Leeloo (from The Fifth Element (movie)). 

Now, for the winner of my Romantic Christmas Ornament...

Mischelle, I'll be contacting you to get your info so I can send you your ornament. Thanks to all of you who played along. 

I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful Christmas and a fantabulous New Year! I'm looking forward to what's to come and love having you along for the ride. Let me know what's new in your world!

Kindness in the form of Craft Supplies

Is there anything better than new craft supplies, even when they're simply new-to-you?

I have the most kind and generous online friends. Jenna of The Painted Apron is the perfect example. On her blog, she shares her amazing art, yummy recipes, and inspiring decor along with much more. In addition to all that talent, she's one of the kindest people I've ever met.

After leaving a comment on one of my blog posts, Jenna e-mailed me with a question. Working on downsizing and minimizing her stash, she wanted to know if I was interested in some of the craft odds and ends she had been collecting and was ready to part with. Obviously, I jumped at the offer. We met a few weeks later at the Eastern Shore Art Center, where we briefly admired the work of another artist. After chatting for a bit, she graciously bestowed two heavy plastic boxes upon me.

Oh, the treasures inside!

I will admit that before I took these pictures, I did a quick sort through the goodies with my niece - pulling out the very few items I knew I couldn't use and letting said niece keep a few for herself. Rest assured that the unused items will be donated, and there's still so much awesomeness.

I've already got ideas for a couple of the items in this awesome stash. But, I definitely need to go through it more to let the bounty inspire me. There's just so much!

The bulk of it is costume jewelry, but there are also bottle caps, glass tiles, knobs, dominoes, and so much more.

To Jenna, thank you SO MUCH for the craft bounty, all the fun I'll have sifting through it again and again, and the inspiration contained in these two boxes. I encourage the rest of you to check out Jenna's blog, The Painted Apron, and her Society 6 Shop which features her artwork on various materials.

Here's hoping you're having a fabulous week and that much kindness comes your way also.

2016 Christmas Gifts

My Christmas Gift post from last year was so popular, that I figure I better share the awesomeness that I received this year as well.

My main big-ticket item was a sewing machine!

This Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine that will replace my old machine that had some bobbin issues neither Pat nor I could figure out how to fix. It was an issue that rendered the machine useless unfortunately and made it hard for me to learn to sew better. I'm looking forward to creating lots with it and have already started. I'll be sharing something soon I hope!

Pat also gifted me these bracelet bending pliers.

They make it easier to bend metal pieces into a curve to fit wrists better. Clever, right?

In addition, the big surprise was this Wanderlust 2017 membership from Everything Art.

It's a year-long mixed media art class membership. I'm smitten with it so far, and there's only been one class! Hopefully, I'll share some of my creations before too long. We'll see. I love this gift as it's one that will keep giving all year long!

Finally, my mom got me a bit teary-eyed with her gift.

Check out the Victrola Turntable and albums. The sentimental part of it was the records. She gave me a selection of nine of my most favorite albums from the collection I grew up listening to. As an added bonus, I had free access to the rest of her collection to pull out some other best-loved ones. I was listening to them before we ever left her house!

So that was my Christmas. How about you? Get anything good?

Top 16 Posts of 2016

My feedreader is flush with end-of-the-year roundups. 

Not to be left behind, here are my top 16 posts of 2016.

#1 - Custom Wall Unit to TV Stand

I shared how we took an oversized wall unit that was just left in the house and transformed it into a TV stand that's much more our style.

#2 - I Don't Believe I was that Good | Christmas Gifts

I'm still not sure why what I received for Christmas was so interesting, but rest assured that I'll be sharing some of my gifts from this Christmas before too long.

#3 - Dollar Tree Altered Playing Card Self Challenge

With only supplies bought at the Dollar Tree, I challenged myself to alter a playing card.

#4 - Making Prints with a Gelli Plate

Since I do love my gelli plate so much, I shared some of my prints, info about the plate, and a link to a video I made in this one post.

#5 - Our New Home - one year later

I'm tickled that y'all are enjoying our progress on the house. The next post or two will be doozies!

#6 - From the Junk Drawer (WOYWW)

I do love making something from nothing. This post really just showed some of the components I had pulled out on my desk to try to alter.

#7 - Crackle Clothes Pin Magnets | DIY

I made these magnets for my booth, but had to share because I knew they were perfect for many other uses as well. 

#8 - Renovations Underway

More changes have been going on at the house, and I just had to share. There are more pictures and more changes to come in 2017. You just wait!

#9 - Scrabble Family Tree | DIY

Pat and I worked together to make this game-centered gift for his mom for Christmas. He made the frame, and I figured out how to work out all the letters scrabble-style. It was a fun project and well received.

#10 - Birthday Desk (WOYWW)

There was a bit of attention given to this post that showed off what became of the junk from the desk the week before (#6 on this list). I'm pretty pleased with what became of it myself. I also shared some of the craft supplies I purchased with birthday money (hence the title). 

#11 - Friday Finds 11 | Critters

Cute animals always draw a bit of attention, and this post was no exception. Of course, not all the critters are what everyone would consider cute as I do show some of the snakes, frogs, lizards, and bugs we found on the property.

#12 - Our Raised Vegetable Garden (Take 1)

Taking another step toward homesteading, we finally got our garden started. Pat built the raised beds, and we worked together to get the seeds planted. I'll be sharing the progress of the plants very soon!

#13 - New, Upcycled Displays in Jewelry Booth

With Pat's help, an old rake head, a leftover door panel, and some bottles were upcycled and used to add a little more interest in my jewelry booth at the antique store.

#14 - One Dollar Valentine Stamps DIY

Using a pack of erasers from the Dollar Tree, I created a set of positive and negative stamps for Valentine's Day. This post walks you through my process. 

#15 - ZnetShows Creative Spark Summer 2016 Reveal

With the reveal of ZnetShows' latest issue of the online magazine, Creative Spark; I shared the several pieces I contributed to the issue.

#16 - Art at the Beach 2016

In May, I participated in a fun art retreat with other mixed media artists. It was an exceptionally inspiring weekend, and I learned so very much about myself and creating. 

So, those were the sixteen most popular posts of the past year. Which was your favorite?

There's plenty more to come in 2017. 

I hope 2016 treated you well, and wish you ALL THE BEST for 2017!!

Scrabble Family Tree | DIY

I don't want to make the same mistake I made last year in not sharing the Christmas gifts Pat and I (mostly Pat) made. Last year, he went overboard turning some pens on the lathe, building a birdhouse, and crafting a life-sized nativity. However, I don't think I shared any of that. What a shame! Because his shop's not quite in the shape he wants it yet, we didn't get but one gift made this year.

It was one of those things that hit me randomly, and I just had to create it.  Let me preface it all with: Pat's mom is a big fan of the word game Scrabble. So, we created this Scrabble Family Tree of sorts for her.

Fortunately, I have a nice collection of Scrabble tiles. Some of these were bought new in the scrapbooking section of a store and some came out of thrifted Scrabble games.

I started with a list of the family names to include - didn't want to forget anyone. From there, I sketched it out to get all the names to connect to our surname, Smitherman.

Once I had a layout I liked, it was just a matter of gluing the tiles to the board. (Getting a board was another matter entirely. . .I didn't have one at the house like I thought. Gah!) E6000 glue did the job perfectly. I started in the middle and worked out so I wouldn't mess up any of the tiles.

We left the board flat to dry for a few days while Pat built a frame with some cedar he found in the pole barn.

Now, I can't explain how he built the frame or set the board in it, but if you've got some wood skills or know someone who does - I'm sure they can figure it out too.

In the end, his mom and the rest of the family thought it was really cool. And, I was pretty pleased with how well the names evolved on the board. . .as though playing the game. Stating with Smitherman, it works out that Pat's dad, then mom, then the four of them (his brothers, sister, and himself), then the rest of are added to the board working off each of the letters already down. It tickled me, but may not work as well for other families.

So, if you've got a scrabble-lover or game fanatic in your family, this might be just the right gift for them too!

Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions (even for Pat) about this project!

I Don't Believe I Was THAT Good | Christmas Gifts

Let me start this post by saying that I'm not sharing this list to boast or brag. I just want to share how well my family knows me. . .even better than I do sometimes, and get some input from you.

I was completely spoiled and surprised this Christmas with the gifts I received and just want to share what was under the tree. It's a reverse wishlist if you will. As well, I'd love your input on how best to use some of the gifts. Let's start with the big ones.

Pat got me a blue FitBit Charge HR. I did ask for one specifically but wasn't sure he would get it (I gave him plenty of options for things to get me.) I really didn't do much research on them, I just knew that I wanted something on me to help me know if/how much exercise I was getting in a day. A good friend had already done the research and recommended this model, so that helped me out a ton. Apparently we can be friends on it too, so if you want to be mine, here's the link to me.

What Pat really surprised me with was this Silhouette Cameo with a vinyl starter kit. It wasn't on the list and wasn't something I was expecting at all. Of course, I'm not complaining by any means. This baby is pretty sweet. I can do those cool vinyl labels/decoration, cut paper shapes, make stencils. . .there's even a sketch ability if you have the pens. Oh, boy! The options are endless. I've played with it a little, but am just a little overwhelmed with all it can do. I can't decide where to start. What would you make with it?

He clued his sister in on my gift and she gave me even more options with a pack of glow in the dark sticker paper, printable tattoo paper, printable adhesive kraft paper, and some stencil material. Told you I was a little spoiled.

My biggest surprise of Christmas came at my mom's house. . .

The family got me a KitchenAid Stand Mixer!!!! I've been wanting one for years and years but wouldn't let Pat get it for me as a gift because I felt that he would benefit from it too much. I've already made two kinds of cookies and waffles with it. I love it so!

There were also some smaller gifts scattered in there that also rocked. . .

get it. . .rocked

My brother-in-law and niece gifted me with these sets of gemstones. I can't wait to figure out how to work them into some jewelry!

Another niece gave me Alabama salt and pepper shakers. . .ROLL TIDE!

My sister-in-law also gave Pat and me these bracelets. Poor Pat, his braided leather one was too small, and I had to relieve him of it. What a shame. Let me be the first to admit that I've never been a big bracelet wearer. I love how they look on other people, and I enjoy making them. I just hadn't found any that I felt comfortable wearing for long (other than the friendship ones we made in middle school). These two have barely left my wrist (the one without the fitbit) since we got them.

I received numerous other wonderful presents, but really the best present of the whole season was getting to enjoy time with our families. I really am blessed beyond measure.

Now, I want to know a few things from you. . .

What did YOU get for Christmas?

How would you use the cameo?

What mixer recipes do you recommend? (I'm looking for any excuse to use that bad boy!)

Whether or not you got anything spectacular, I do hope you got to spend time with those you love too. It really is the best part.