Showing posts with label links. Show all posts
Showing posts with label links. Show all posts

Peek at My Week: July 29 - August 4

Another week whipped past me and now we're almost in the middle of another one. How did that happen?
Despite having a "helper" this week, it's been hard to get anything done. Once she's in my lap, I can't bear to disturb her!

I spent more time on the raised beds. I only have one that wasn't covered in weeds so I used it when I transferred more compost tomatoes into it. Like last year, they've seriously drooped. But, I'll wait and see if they perk back up like before. 

The purple color of my single Crepe Myrtle stopped me in my tracks. Isn't it lovely?

I also took pause outside the pole barn when I spied something poking up from the ground. Yes, three years here and I'm still steadily finding buried treasures!

The old hinge had a beautiful patina on it. I hope to start assembling some of these finds into art at some point. 

I did steal some time away from the property to enjoy a night out with one of my best friends for her birthday. We enjoyed some drinks and a cheese plate. It took some work to find a place near me that had both a good beer selection and a good cheese selection. We're thinking we may need to open our own beer and cheese place. Ha!

I played with much more tin - experimenting with a variety of designs. However, for the most part, I spent a huge chunk of time just punching out tin.

I also worked on home decor projects like finishing up the other two chairs. The above was the before.

Now I have two of each of these re-covered chairs. I adore the mismatched-ness of them.

Art was hung and re-organized around the house. I made this earlier in the summer and finally sealed it to be hung outside. There's been a real lack of artwork in the house as most of our pictures are buried in a room that's begging to be unpacked (waiting for some bookshelves to be built). The lack of items on the walls has started to drive me a little batty. To remedy that, I grabbed a bunch of art from the craft room and hung it in the hall and in one of the bathrooms. There's still the rest of the house to worry with, but it's a start!

Oh, please tell me you find this amusing too. Pat says it's not all that funny. 
See, the Doctor of Physical Therapy is Dr. Walker. Funny right?

I ended the week with a large margarita at our local Mexican restaurant. Yes, that's a single serving. I think the mini pitchers are so cute. It may look bigger than it is because I have TINY hands. It was so good!

Here's some of the inspiration I found this week:
Art & Artists:

Television:
  • Mr. Roger's Neighborhood was one of my favorite shows growing up. As of late, Mr. Roger's has been given a lot of attention. One of his actual neighbors shared his story about meeting him.
  • Have you heard about Making It on NBC? It's a craft competition show. I've been waiting months for it, and it finally premiered last week. So, you haven't missed much yet if you want to jump in and catch up. 

It's time to make this week count, and that means actually getting some stuff done. How's your week shaping up?

Stuff I Found Online

I've been swamped with some tasks about the house and the camper, so I'm a bit behind on my bloggy-ness. Instead of leaving you with nothing from me, let me share some of the wonderful I've recently discovered online.
  • First, a creative quote I really like.
  • I'm a sucker for anything Tiramisu, so this recipe totally caught my eye.
Tiramisu Bread from The Cooking Bride

I'll leave you with that laugh for now. Have a great day!

Inspiration and Eye Candy

I've been in the midst of catching up on all the things and that includes going through my feedreader, e-mails, digital files, and every other location that I've stashed and saved links. At the beginning of May I mentioned sharing the interesting that I find every so often. As with that post and any other ones I do like this remember - {{If you're going to Pin or Tumble or share these yourself in some way, PLEASE make sure you go to the original source and do so!!}}

Let's start with these tin can lanterns.  These looks super simple to make and how great is the recycling aspect of them!? I think they're perfect for summer, and wouldn't they be great to put some citronella candles in to shoo the bugs away?

Summer Lantern Tutorial from Whee! The People

These 'bits and bobs' collections from Vintageologie are so very inspiring and beautiful. You can find more like this at the Vintageologie facebook page.
This turquoise, blue, and green collection was my favorite of the three collections.

How simple and yummy are these Strawberry Waffle Parfait bites from The Painted Apron? She combined some great breakfast items with pure delicious-ness to come up with a unique breakfast/snack.
Breakfast YUM from The Painted Apron

This guitar and bass bangle from Erin Siegel is awesome! It's rock-n-roll, but still nice enough to be worn to work. The link will take you to her tutorial for it, including how to make the chic tassels.
Guitar and Bass Bangle tutorial from Erin Siegel

Lastly, this short and sweet list from Handmadeology of some of the most common photography mistakes for your products had me really thinking about my own photos and how to improve them. I hope it helps you too.
Handmadeology's list of 10 Common Photography Mistakes

I think there's a little something for everyone in this list so I hope you found something to inspire you over the weekend. Have a great one!

You'll Like This

Way back when I started blogging (ages ago), I shared bunches of links to just some of the cool stuff I found on the internet. In fact, I shared so many links that I had daily themes as to what I shared. (Seriously, check out April 2008. It's full of linky goodness.) Somehow, I let those posts fall to the wayside. I want to bring my link-sharing back. . . kinda. Now, I promise I won't be doing this daily like I used to. And, I can't promise that I'll even post links weekly. I just want to make sure you get to see some of the awesome, inspiring, and helpful things I find. {{If you're going to Pin or Tumble or share these yourself in some way, PLEASE make sure you go to the original source and do so!!}}

This collection of slightly creepy, but stunning photos is simply called Bothers Grimm's Homeland. Here's just one of them.
Brothers Grimm's Homeland by Killian Schoenberger
For something a little lighter, here's 10 Light & Fresh Spring Dips from TheKitchn
10 Light & Fresh Dips for Spring Snacking from TheKitchn
Isn't this colorful boho bracelet from Three Trees just dreamy?
Colorful Boho Bracelet, Tribal Jewelry by ThreeTrees
How fun is this light up paper mache garland? Too cute, right? And, looks easy enough.
Paper Mache Lit Garland from Oh Happy Day
I'm swooning over these Rustic Polymer Clay Beads/Headpins. I might just have to break down and get them for myself.
Rustic Polymer Clay Beads/Headpins from BeadsByEarthTones
For my geeky girl side, this image that includes each of the first and last lines of each Harry Potter book is just too awesome.
First and Last Lines: Harry Potter from Slow Robot

I suppose that's plenty enough Internet awesome for one Friday. I'll keep my eyes open for lots more! Have a happy day.

A Rundown of Valentine's Past and a Plea for Help

Valentine's Day approach-eth. . .

and once again I am stricken with a bad case of the I-don't-know-what-to-make-for-hims. While I continue to search for just the right project, I thought I'd share with you some of the links and instructions and projects of years past.

Also, I have a "Valentine Love" Pinterest board where I collect fun ideas. I just haven't found the perfect one yet and am RUNNING OUT OF TIME!!

If you have any fabulous, fun, lovey-dovey ideas or have seen any, feel free to share them in the comments section. I hope my links help you find something loverly too!

Link-a-palooza

So, so true!
I've got a long list of chores and an even longer list of creative/business tasks. But, here I am. Don't worry, my timer's going

I feel like I should talk about how I am/have been feeling the last few days. But talking about the weepies and my desire to just watch episode after episode of Buffy is pretty boring. Seeeeeeeee.
Instead, let me share some fun, informative, etc. links with you in a full-on

It's a shame really.

I've added a couple new items in the shop this week if you're interested.
Hoot Owl Bracelet
Falling Leaves Necklace
And re-listed a necklace
Bright Daisy Necklace
Now it's back to that darn to-do list before the weekend starts. The Crafter's Devotional Group will be having the first blog hop (again, kinda) tomorrow. So make sure to check back in for that! Have a great weekend.

Link-a-palooza for a Busy day

I busted out a few more shabby pendants yesterday. This time I kept them 'as is' without adding any kind of image to them.

I've got a pile of more shapes ready to be altered, and I want to play around with some different options for decorating the front of them. However, a good friend and her fiancee are exchanging vows today so I'm heading out to the courthouse in just a few. Eek!

Since I'm short on time, it's the perfect opportunity for a




One last reminder about the Bead Soup Blog Party tomorrow and that's it for me today. I've got a commitment out of the house in the morning, but I'll be hopping the soups as soon as I get home. You can count on that! See ya later gators.

Giveaways from the Bead Soup Second Reveal

I've finally finished going through all the Bead Soup Blogs for the second reveal and am not sure if I'm relieved or nervous about being in the third reveal. These first two reveals have been phenomenal and I hope I don't disappoint. I know that seeing these first two has definitely inspired me and pushed me to think outside the box a little more. I guess we'll see how that works for me in a little less than two weeks! Eek!
Dragon Eye Earrings - new in shop


**Giveaway alert **
I did find a few giveaways in this second reveal, so I figured I'd share them with you like I did last time. Here goes:

I've whittled away most of the day on Bead Soup posts and am inspired to hop back into the midst of creating my own. I might even have a giveaway of my own. . .hmmmm. Tempting, tempting. I guess you'll have to make sure to hop by on August 25th and find out.

Post-Vacation Link-a-palooza

I recognize that I should be sharing some vacation photos and stories with you, but I'm not sure either are fit for the internet. Besides that, I haven't worked up the momentum yet to upload all the pictures. On the other hand, I have made it into the craft room in little spurts when I haven't been trying to get the house back in order. Oh sigh. Why does it seem like there's so much more work before and after a vacation than any other time??
Just a peek at what's on my craft desk at the moment

I really should be working on my Bead Soup piece(s), but I'm trying to get the creative juices flowing before I dive into that pool. Don't forget that the second reveal of the Bead Soup Blog Party is tomorrow. I suggest you hit up hostess Lori Anderson's Pretty Things blog to get the ball rolling. There will probably be plenty of posts up around midnight Eastern US time.

While I've got you here, let me go ahead with some links so this feels more like a real post.

As soon as I returned from vacation, I did put a few items ON SALE in the Etsy shop. In addition, I added these new earrings in there.
Gathering Flowers Earrings
I hope you found something cool in the links today and hope to be back in the next day or two with something more than links, but we'll see how busy the Bead Soup Blog Party keeps me before I make any promises!

Link-a-palooza: Motivation and Inspiration

I want to start with a huge THANK YOU for all your kinds words and interest in my Shabby Beads yesterday. I've had the ones listed made for a while but have been too nervous/chicken to actually list them. Your support means so very much!

Now for the nitty gritty

I've got a few interesting items to share.
I guess I've been looking for lots of motivation and inspiration lately. Here's hoping these lists and links help keep me moving forward as well as you!

As always, let me share shop news before I head out. I marked these three pieces on sale today. . .20% off!
Moonlit Shadows Necklace
Pulling Petals Necklace
Exclamation Earrings

Have a creative weekend!!


Link-a-palooza: Mostly Giveaways and BSBP reminder

I was all kinds of lazy yesterday and just wanted to read through my jewelry friends' blogs. That's exactly all I did too!

In my huge pile of blogs, I stumbled on quite a few giveaways and whatnot.
I do love me a good giveaway. In fact, I just received a package of goodies I WON from a recent giveaway. When Genea and Staci Louise had their Curious Design Challenge (an Alice in Wonderland-themed challenge), both each had their own giveaway. I was lucky enough to win Genea's pack of Alice inspired goodies. Here are some phone pictures of my package. The ones on Genea's blog are MUCH better though. (I was too excited)
The pretty packaging always gets me!
Genea's hand stamped notecard
The GOODIES!!

Now that I've got your moth watering for free-stuff, how about some of those Giveaway links?

**First up, Marsha Neal is hosting another Silk Color Palette Challenge and is having a giveaway of a set of ten silk strands.
There's loads more info on her blog post. In addition, you can even make your own silk color palette for a chance to win. Here's the one I've made and will be linking up. I've got a thing for rainbows and bright colors. This Palette covers the rainbow, plus a white, brown, and black. The necessities, you know! I've named it Full Spectrum (aka ROY-G-BIV plus some).
Full Spectrum (aka Roy-G-Biv plus some)


**Cindy at Sweet Bead Studio shows off some of her items from Easy Wire 2012 and is even giving away a pair of earrings from it.

**Jenni of Jenni's beads has a great collection of handmade components that she is giving away. it's some really beautiful pieces!

**ArtBeads' Blog for Beaders is giving away a Nunn Designs prize package. You just have to complete a short survey on what you would do with the supplies.

**Mary Harding has the cutest ceramic asparagus pendant that she's giving away. Leave a comment about what YOUR favorite vegetable is to be entered!

**Lastly, this isn't a giveaway so much as a reminder that sign-ups for the Bead Soup Blog Party are now open. You only have this weekend to sign up. Hop on the party train! Do it, do it. . .
 no peer pressure or anything ;)

I also placed four items in the shop on SALE this morning. So if you're up for clicking ANOTHER link, you can check out my On Sale section of the CraftyHope shop.

There's another storm heading in now and the thunder's booming so I better get off this computer. I hope y'all have a GREAT weekend!!

What's What Vol. 4 (May 18-June 11)

 I knew this would happen. I'm just a few weeks back into blogging, and things went awry. Let's see if I can knock out a little bit ...