tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218320892024-03-07T18:36:00.530-08:00The Virginia PurlThe Virginia Purl is a blog about my knitting, crocheting, spinning, gardening and cooking. Hopefully when you visit you will take away something useful even if it's just a smile.vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.comBlogger281125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-26238674884348798422015-09-04T13:20:00.001-07:002015-09-04T13:20:10.597-07:00Book B<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't got a name for the second clip art book, but I am sure it will come to me over the vacation weekend. I worked on it for a few hours last night and again today. Thought I had better get it posted before I forget. I don't have an outside cover or a bird for it yet, so all you are going to see are the insides. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The inside the front cover and first page. I started out not over doing it but as I went on, I got a little crazy.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RR5uy2HLEcA/Venw_JnxUOI/AAAAAAAADfA/bBHJDFoUSYM/s1600/942015camera%2B003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RR5uy2HLEcA/Venw_JnxUOI/AAAAAAAADfA/bBHJDFoUSYM/s320/942015camera%2B003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Second set of pages. There is a old world map behind the little pocket. It's from a new to me set from <a href="http://www.lost-coast-designs.com/index.html" target="_blank">Lost Coast Designs</a>. I first was introduced to them by <a href="https://thefrugalcrafter.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Frugal Crafter </a>. The link I put on above is Lindsay's blog. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-leXz5KW28/Venw_MKsHVI/AAAAAAAADfI/6ZATfWC9JpQ/s1600/942015camera%2B004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-leXz5KW28/Venw_MKsHVI/AAAAAAAADfI/6ZATfWC9JpQ/s320/942015camera%2B004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This set of pages is made from paper that I made over a month ago. It's on very inexpensive water color paper that was purchased in the bargain bins at Jo Ann's. The paper was in a pad of about 15 sheets. I paid $1 a pad. I think if I remember correctly I got either ten or twelve of the pads. I cleaned them out. They are great for doing watercolor backrounds for card making. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I cut a 3X3 square of the paper for one side and then the other side was the left over paper. I fussy cut those little flowers out. I hated to waste them. I am not a blue person but I actually really like those. I stamped the word Spring, which did not go so well, but since this is just for me, it can stay. Even trying to go around everything with a colored marker and then a black mark, didn't improve the look. The pocket on the other side is just some left over cardstock with some random stamp on it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngMy03F2Blc/Venw_L4FBwI/AAAAAAAADfE/FAQpKCTFDrQ/s1600/942015camera%2B005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngMy03F2Blc/Venw_L4FBwI/AAAAAAAADfE/FAQpKCTFDrQ/s320/942015camera%2B005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This set of pages is made from my attempt at circles as I saw on a Shannon Green video. Mine didn't turn out as hers did, but I had fun doing them. I think I did about five or ten pages trying to get them to kind of look like Shannon's, but no luck. Still, I like them just fine. The top of page is stamped with another random design element stamp and then colored in the magic markers. After I got done coloring, I realized that none of the colors I used had anything to do with the paper down below. I like it anyway.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a70FIn_sE6A/Ven0DfNF8aI/AAAAAAAADfs/5DeWFIiMkcM/s1600/942015camera%2B006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a70FIn_sE6A/Ven0DfNF8aI/AAAAAAAADfs/5DeWFIiMkcM/s320/942015camera%2B006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Again, more attempts at circles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hQIpb1m-DQw/Ven0DflSwwI/AAAAAAAADfg/3H0f-5kt0Wc/s1600/942015camera%2B007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hQIpb1m-DQw/Ven0DflSwwI/AAAAAAAADfg/3H0f-5kt0Wc/s320/942015camera%2B007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These circles were not done with the same thing in mind as above. I was using up some left over red ink and stamped on a piece of paper that happened to be on the desk. I draw black Posca pen around them so they would show up. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YkpzRCV6lQU/Ven0DnnsxvI/AAAAAAAADfY/kT3DUmxWZYw/s1600/942015camera%2B008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YkpzRCV6lQU/Ven0DnnsxvI/AAAAAAAADfY/kT3DUmxWZYw/s320/942015camera%2B008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had to use another Crazy Bird from Tim Holtz. This one is done on typing paper and then painted. I named him Horis but misspelled it. I am going to go back and put a name plate over the misspelled name. Smacks forehead. The other page is from a shopping bag. I bought something and they put it in a large white shopping bag. I came home, cut it up, and then Gelli printed on it. I took a set of grouped leaves and stamped on the paper three times, colored them in and then accented with some black pen. I wanted the bottom part to look like a planter so I cut strips of leftover brown card stock and glued them on top of the stamps. Then I took a black Posca pen and made bricks. It has some depth and texture.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KjW2TOcnCeg/Ven0ETXfSbI/AAAAAAAADfw/rlaUfvbhD1k/s1600/942015camera%2B009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KjW2TOcnCeg/Ven0ETXfSbI/AAAAAAAADfw/rlaUfvbhD1k/s320/942015camera%2B009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is another one of the birds from the Crazy Bird set. Her name is Pasha. Don't ask me why. I have no earthly idea where that name came from. I did the same thing to this page that I did to the other; Gelli print, stamped leaves, drew on them and then put the pocket over them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iNOWj4zyYoA/Ven0ERsFDrI/AAAAAAAADhk/BlODwWZI-iM/s1600/942015camera%2B010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iNOWj4zyYoA/Ven0ERsFDrI/AAAAAAAADhk/BlODwWZI-iM/s320/942015camera%2B010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This post have gotten a bit long so I will stop here. I will do a part two in a few days. There are lots more pictures. Hopefully I will have time between then and now to come up with a cover I like for the book. Have a fun and safe Labor Day everyone!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
THE END</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span>vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-39296887009392396612015-08-29T15:22:00.000-07:002015-08-29T15:22:05.295-07:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Albert Album</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last post I talked about the skinny notebook. Now I am going to introduce you to Albert. The Albert Album was inspired by a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tknkoAsr_7s" target="_blank">YouTube Video by Lindsay Weirich The Frugal Crafter</a> I have given you the link to the exact video I learned this mini book from. My book is basically a mini pocket pal goodie holder. I had been taking things from the back of the pockets and throwing them into a drawer not really sure what to do with them. So I had watched Lindsay's video and decided that was the perfect idea for two ideas I had swirling around in my head. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I needed a way to be nicer to the die cuts, paper paper clips, stickers, etc that my swap partners were enclosing in their pocket letters. The second idea came from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48AwHZnoJUA" target="_blank">Cat Hand's YouTube video.</a> from the other day. Cat was using up scraps from her Gelli prints and mixed media art. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A light bulb went off in my head. I can kill two birds with one stone. Thank you ladies!! The first idea became the book to save my pocket letter goodies to a life of darkness languishing in a drawer. The second idea was to use my scraps from my Gelli prints and incorporate them into my little mini book. So here is what I came up with. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ma2HMZMY4veqSbfwFcPnzxf4XxSLhjIhFSUXUDFbnN8Kj8UVR_lJ2HlpDmCuKwcdof5CwqnWoMudvA783EGZV2O3pDRyzY2kQmXUvpBsc0QBaiNGxxdPEVu_x_Qha11ib-qj/s1600/Aug8292015camera+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ma2HMZMY4veqSbfwFcPnzxf4XxSLhjIhFSUXUDFbnN8Kj8UVR_lJ2HlpDmCuKwcdof5CwqnWoMudvA783EGZV2O3pDRyzY2kQmXUvpBsc0QBaiNGxxdPEVu_x_Qha11ib-qj/s320/Aug8292015camera+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is my first mini mixed media album. This is one of the Tim Holtz Crazy Bird Stamp set. I am just in love with these little guys. I named this guy Albert. He is the first in what might be a series of albums with pocket letter mini die cuts and all kind of flattish goodies. The glue bottom is just there for scale. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jgZJ85Jk8o/VeIoem_wfiI/AAAAAAAADcE/f0j6fFp7yXg/s1600/Aug8292015camera%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jgZJ85Jk8o/VeIoem_wfiI/AAAAAAAADcE/f0j6fFp7yXg/s320/Aug8292015camera%2B002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is the inside of the cover and first page. I used the scraps from my Gelli prints as pockets to hold my die cuts I have accumulated. I have three old typewriter die cuts in the first pocket.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy-5qbq1NWw/VeIoesewzmI/AAAAAAAADcI/g-gBQfjz4Qc/s1600/Aug8292015camera%2B003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy-5qbq1NWw/VeIoesewzmI/AAAAAAAADcI/g-gBQfjz4Qc/s320/Aug8292015camera%2B003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is a strip of a stamped and Gelli printed piece of cardstock. I had a long strip of it and cut it down to the size of the page. Then I slipped in two camera stamped pieces of cardstock. It was one long piece and I just cut it in half so they would fit into the pocket.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfK2xeuCAX8/VeIof_sCxzI/AAAAAAAADcY/MVSABUYSgtw/s1600/Aug8292015camera%2B004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfK2xeuCAX8/VeIof_sCxzI/AAAAAAAADcY/MVSABUYSgtw/s320/Aug8292015camera%2B004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After I had just about finished the album I realized that if I wanted it to stay on the small size, I could not put stuff on both sides. Most of the scrap paper pockets are on the right hand pages. I wanted to do cute things on the left hand side that really didn't take up much space. Someone gave me this paper page marker. I did have thin strips of papers so decided they would make a great place to display the page markers and still not take up much room. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UHlrJ4XGXzA/VeIogjcuEeI/AAAAAAAADcs/H8SG4xOxF-Q/s1600/Aug8292015camera%2B007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UHlrJ4XGXzA/VeIogjcuEeI/AAAAAAAADcs/H8SG4xOxF-Q/s320/Aug8292015camera%2B007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is another page that has two of those paper page markers. They were just too wonderful to leave in that dark drawer I had. The other side is a pocket from left over paper.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0aFEoHVDXM/VeIoh5UPRRI/AAAAAAAADdE/HIB1zL7v-iE/s1600/Aug8292015camera%2B012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0aFEoHVDXM/VeIoh5UPRRI/AAAAAAAADdE/HIB1zL7v-iE/s320/Aug8292015camera%2B012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I bought some really cute envelopes from Tuesday Morning but they were too large of a square to use in my pocket letters. So I just cut the top off and have used it as a pocket. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv388xoxa8A/VeIokkaG59I/AAAAAAAADd8/-KB0sJ7-WDE/s1600/Aug8292015camera%2B019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv388xoxa8A/VeIokkaG59I/AAAAAAAADd8/-KB0sJ7-WDE/s320/Aug8292015camera%2B019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The left page I used up some die cuts that I had made from another project and just glued it in there. Doesn't bulk up the book but still adds some interest. The other side is a Gelli printed tag that I cut the top off of and laid it on it's side. I might add something to the orange circles on there. Don't know for sure yet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MynyabhhRsU/VeIolW7WlbI/AAAAAAAADeQ/6pLkzaLoKrk/s1600/Aug8292015camera%2B022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MynyabhhRsU/VeIolW7WlbI/AAAAAAAADeQ/6pLkzaLoKrk/s320/Aug8292015camera%2B022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Again the one side is left over Gelli pint paper used as a pocket. The side with the bird sticker on it was just like orange one above it. It was two die cuts glued together that I didn't use up. This time I laid it on it's side and cut off 1/3 of it then glue that over the bottom 2/3rds. It's a very shallow pocket but it will fit one die cut that is small.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gajt0Mgt1ts/VeIomf4kYsI/AAAAAAAADeg/XQ4Kplrai9k/s1600/Aug8292015camera%2B023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gajt0Mgt1ts/VeIomf4kYsI/AAAAAAAADeg/XQ4Kplrai9k/s320/Aug8292015camera%2B023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These pages are from the same left over Gelli print papers. Of course there is a pocket on the left side but the right side is a little different. I had a super long skinny strip. I wanted to stamp something and wanted to frame it to add interest. So I cut the skinny strip length wise and the glued sections around the page to frame the stamp I used. Used up that left over strip. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have twenty-three pages in the book. All of them have a least one pocket and many have a skinny strip on the other side so that it can hold something flat. I am really pleased that I was able to take two ideas from YouTube and combine them to make something useful and cute. I know there will be more swaps so that means more die cuts and do-dads. So stayed tuned down the road for the the B album. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
THE END</div>
</span></div>
vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-30065551337764848102015-08-28T06:55:00.001-07:002015-08-28T06:55:16.598-07:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">From Skinny to Fat...it's a good thing!</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn't sure I was going to do this project. Don't know exactly how it happened. Woke up this morning (yes it really happened the day this post is being posted) at 5 am. Not happy about it but I have learned to live with my inconsistent sleeping habits. So I find something to do with my time between being awake and being awake with coffee. This is the story of my morning today Aug. 28.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once-upon-a-time there was a cute but very lonely little $1 spiral notebook from Dollar Tree. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HE1Qn5r66-I/VeBigzmj3LI/AAAAAAAADaM/rxi5uL-VgOQ/s1600/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HE1Qn5r66-I/VeBigzmj3LI/AAAAAAAADaM/rxi5uL-VgOQ/s320/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B001.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it came to live with the crazy craft lady, there was a plan but the plan did not work. So the lonely little sprial notebook sat on the craft table patiently waiting for something good to happen.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then today, it happened. In the wee hours of the morning, inspiration! Oh joy! Now the little notebook will be reborn. Born into something beautiful and useful at the same time. How is that possible? The crazy craft lady had a plan. A plan to be frugal and make something useful; and so it was.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NW5rgHIIXBI/VeBigu4JzrI/AAAAAAAADaQ/_XVu7ODwxs0/s1600/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NW5rgHIIXBI/VeBigu4JzrI/AAAAAAAADaQ/_XVu7ODwxs0/s320/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B002.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
This is what the little notebook looked like before the inspiration. It was useful but plain and way skinny. Then the transformation began to take place. Craft madness to insue!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-matdm66kHFQ/VeBig7QE4LI/AAAAAAAADaU/3AMDqJ6pCK8/s1600/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-matdm66kHFQ/VeBig7QE4LI/AAAAAAAADaU/3AMDqJ6pCK8/s320/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B003.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every page was made over with small pieces of Gelli plate art and little goodies the crazy craft lady was gifted from Pocket letter swaps. So much stuff, so little space. Now the little skinny notebook will become beautiful and useful. Is this her way to fame??</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yG_jYPkfVEo/VeBihoBUj3I/AAAAAAAADao/fZg642-12sQ/s1600/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yG_jYPkfVEo/VeBihoBUj3I/AAAAAAAADao/fZg642-12sQ/s320/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B004.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surely the world will see the plan was working. The plan to take left over beautiful paper and create places to store beautiful things.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B1cVxN3FS5w/VeBih0NQnFI/AAAAAAAADas/BFvBY8OSS_E/s1600/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B1cVxN3FS5w/VeBih0NQnFI/AAAAAAAADas/BFvBY8OSS_E/s320/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B005.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every page was adorned with unique pieces of art that now instead of being discarded, will be displayed and admired. Little pockets were filled with gifted and loved items the crazy craft lady wanted to keep. They needed a place of honor until they would be given new life at a later time in another creation to be mailed to new people and new wonderful places.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2X1RHB27wJI/VeBiilCW3aI/AAAAAAAADbQ/IO1FtjCaQag/s1600/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2X1RHB27wJI/VeBiilCW3aI/AAAAAAAADbQ/IO1FtjCaQag/s320/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B007.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pockets of love were filled with paper banners, washi tape, tags, and die cuts. All were loved and appreciated.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bzHlegivxIQ/VeBiikB_WOI/AAAAAAAADbE/qPnyNrhOeGY/s1600/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bzHlegivxIQ/VeBiikB_WOI/AAAAAAAADbE/qPnyNrhOeGY/s320/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B008.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some pockets even were embellished with items that were gifted to the crazy craft lady. They were perfect and the love showed.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zxu7fgW2TIM/VeBii8OrtRI/AAAAAAAADbA/oara67gkcEI/s1600/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zxu7fgW2TIM/VeBii8OrtRI/AAAAAAAADbA/oara67gkcEI/s320/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B009.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every page of the skinny little dollar book began to fill up with mini works of yummy art.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLKPH7dhm-Q/VeBijvQwT8I/AAAAAAAADbY/hDD3pN-HWI4/s1600/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLKPH7dhm-Q/VeBijvQwT8I/AAAAAAAADbY/hDD3pN-HWI4/s320/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B010.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some pages are still evolving and have yet to be filled with gifted wonders, but it won't be long little book. It won't be long.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kftw2XPN2Z8/VeBijtyrp4I/AAAAAAAADbg/o5AH7fpBJzg/s1600/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kftw2XPN2Z8/VeBijtyrp4I/AAAAAAAADbg/o5AH7fpBJzg/s320/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B011.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Textured paste goodness with tags and vintage cards for pockets in the future filled up the little spiral notebook.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsyOG5dk2gY/VeBijz_FBeI/AAAAAAAADbc/m3yRQiANnRQ/s1600/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsyOG5dk2gY/VeBijz_FBeI/AAAAAAAADbc/m3yRQiANnRQ/s320/VAPurlBlogPost8282015%2B012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the little spiral notebook was open to the joys yet to come and got FAT.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THE END</span></div>
vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-35124848493264557452015-08-27T05:58:00.000-07:002015-08-27T05:58:58.791-07:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is for the Birds!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am just super excited I have the day today to play with some new things that I got in the mail. I love Tim Holtz items, but they are pricey and they rarely go on sale for anything less than 30% off. I would rather buy items on sale or with a coupon but I could not resist the new<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Holtz-Cling-Rubber-Stamp--Bird/dp/B00SW6KT3C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440678534&sr=8-1&keywords=crazy+birds+stamps&pebp=1440678534845&perid=0KDMJRN10TGEDTYK0F94" target="_blank"> Crazy Birds</a> set. I did not buy the die set. I think you get a better deal if you buy them both together but I actually enjoy fussing cutting them myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was surprised at how large each bird is. I bought them so that I could use them in my Pocket Letter Swaps. <a href="http://janettelane.blogspot.com/search/label/Pocket%20Letter%20Pals" target="_blank">Janette Lane</a> is the creator. She has a blog and a YouTube channel. If you are interested in getting started there are loads of videos to watch before diving in but before you do please be aware that there are people who say they want to swap with you who never intend to fulfill their end of the bargain. I have had this happen twice now. So just go in with your eyes wide open about what you are getting into. Okay now that is done!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmUD8Ave6DFGXgU9vCFy1HSADypgCZDGbDPZ5N2hEfniV913lHTCj1_sJlomSFBD55_0AZCYnh521P9KhUJzUDadzG6MyrgaG4JvcVV5K3nVbEzWoUjMklIRZDgCsi-RkNpMJ/s1600/8272015+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmUD8Ave6DFGXgU9vCFy1HSADypgCZDGbDPZ5N2hEfniV913lHTCj1_sJlomSFBD55_0AZCYnh521P9KhUJzUDadzG6MyrgaG4JvcVV5K3nVbEzWoUjMklIRZDgCsi-RkNpMJ/s320/8272015+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is done a paper I made a <a href="http://www.gelliarts.com/" target="_blank">Gelli</a> plate. After printing on a piece of card stock, I then stamped the bird and added colors to him\her and cut it out. The backround is also from a Gelli print I did on a misc. white paper bag. I had some silk leaves that I laid down on the plate and went from there. I wrote in the word Leaves in lots of empty spaces. Just used it as a backround so that the bird would show up well. I took my newly purchased<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Uni-posca-Paint-Marker-Pen-PC-1M12C/dp/B001VB4T86/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1440679638&sr=8-3&keywords=posca+paint+pens" target="_blank"> Posca pens</a> to color in the beak and the whites of his eyes. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qjRvkNGgBi20jQvDZ8aWtqo4dp5kfyY51P036AMQZWB_bUsVzEw1iG3yX_N5mCVxYR-g8mU6lQSmQYOwPOFWvT0P_L_yr7-H0jKgMQ7S6ydUT-qQXtrVXdZKZhtrX-eL9yEs/s1600/8272015+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qjRvkNGgBi20jQvDZ8aWtqo4dp5kfyY51P036AMQZWB_bUsVzEw1iG3yX_N5mCVxYR-g8mU6lQSmQYOwPOFWvT0P_L_yr7-H0jKgMQ7S6ydUT-qQXtrVXdZKZhtrX-eL9yEs/s320/8272015+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did the exact same thing with this cutie. The paper he\she is printed on was from a random Gelli print and then again stamped and colored in. I cut it out by hand and will use it some place in the future. Maybe a card?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVdJ2g0mqxnLFQ5F1-Pteir-OI7Ot9iLNEyGecALoRLT-8orFSJLNWoEjNvtAq5K0cwlnpZnkMseJYDUPwFVIVz7zSMYm7j1nyO8KCUl_n7kFogbLy-e1RtfQE061O7YUqrDj/s1600/8272015+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVdJ2g0mqxnLFQ5F1-Pteir-OI7Ot9iLNEyGecALoRLT-8orFSJLNWoEjNvtAq5K0cwlnpZnkMseJYDUPwFVIVz7zSMYm7j1nyO8KCUl_n7kFogbLy-e1RtfQE061O7YUqrDj/s320/8272015+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This little freaked out bird was done a thinner paper from a Gelli print and when I colored him\her it really made the paper very soft. I wanted this blue to be more vibrant. Might have to redo this one. The bird is cute but think the color is all wrong.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxeDrmcXH4w/Vd8IJ83uXQI/AAAAAAAADZ0/XLFJYDzIODY/s1600/8272015%2B007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxeDrmcXH4w/Vd8IJ83uXQI/AAAAAAAADZ0/XLFJYDzIODY/s320/8272015%2B007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This one has not been cut out. Again from a Gelli print but using a metallic paint as the backround. It's hard to see from this photo but the bird is metallic shiny even though when I colored it in I did not use a metallic paint. The paint that I used let the metallic from the print come through. I really like that effect. Might have to try that one again just to see how it turn out with another color.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So those are the ones I have colored so far from the set. I have no immediate plans for any of the birds. I just wanted to play with my new stamps. I think it was money well spent from the prospective that they are large enough to use for an A-2 card and small enough for a pocket letter. I am so pleased with them. I am thinking about stamping them on to book pages or newsprint of some kind and see how they turn out then. Stay tuned for more!</div>
</span>vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-6920288411213799562015-08-22T05:39:00.000-07:002015-08-22T05:39:09.541-07:00Lost Touch<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some how I lost touch and pretty much any interest in working on my blog. I got way more interested in doing the crafts that I was supposed to be posting on my blog. I went back to work after having had a year off and then everything seem to just snowball. So much has happened since I posted two years ago. I have gotten more into my crafts, sold some items from my Etsy shop (which is totally empty right now), gone to several craft shows to hock my wares, and I became a grandmother. Becoming a grandmother was so exciting because we really did't think it was going to happen at all. So it really was the best thing ever to happen to our little family. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqw833pSosGHLfnA99xO_nDSLn-6sDwazLmirWMoBppGEzTfvBZc2gDaSjnTL4Xu88rX163oy_wJ05fpZmwgHgYv9zmaVZwATGhekiXwA8pG3OE1ITplC951b-SZp8i5uBHMn6/s1600/Liam+week+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqw833pSosGHLfnA99xO_nDSLn-6sDwazLmirWMoBppGEzTfvBZc2gDaSjnTL4Xu88rX163oy_wJ05fpZmwgHgYv9zmaVZwATGhekiXwA8pG3OE1ITplC951b-SZp8i5uBHMn6/s200/Liam+week+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is Liam at two weeks old. He is just a little over nine months old. We are just over the moon about this little boy. The part that is hard for us is that he currently lives in Germany with his mom and dad. Soon they will be on their way back to the states to live in Colorado. We are excited about that because that means, hopefully, we will be able to see him more often. I now have to sell more things from Etsy (when I get them in there) and go to more shows so that I can save up plane fare to give him lots of hugs and kisses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I am going to try and blog more often about my art adventures. I am hoping to get started on YouTube too. YT might take me a while. I want to buy a decent video camera and not use my cell phone. Plus we can use the video camera to take videos of Liam. Bonus! So where do I start. Too much time has lapsed for me to catch up on two years worth of photos and crafts adventures so I think present day will have to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently I stumbled on to Pocket Letters via watching a YouTube video. It truly was a happy accident. Along with making cards, making rolled paper ornaments, origami, and working on watercolors, I have really gotten into pocket letters. It is the best of all the paper art world. You get to do nine tiny pieces of art. Pocket letters are put together using those nine pocket plastic baseball or collector card holders. They fit in a three ringed binder. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWnW8TeRMok/Vdhl3qcFw1I/AAAAAAAADYk/RTHcPGAM-Wo/s1600/8212015%2B011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWnW8TeRMok/Vdhl3qcFw1I/AAAAAAAADYk/RTHcPGAM-Wo/s320/8212015%2B011.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is how I store my received pocket letters from swapping with other crazy people on a FB site. I have already outgrown this binder and will have to find a larger one. Which means I am going to have to have space on a bookshelf to store the binder. That will be a larger problem in itself. I think anywhere that crafts can be stored, is taken. So that means cleaning out older craft items to make room for the new ones. Thankfully fall craft shows will be starting soon so that means I might be losing some items! That is the concept to a craft business right??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most pocket letters have some kind of a theme. I have joined seven themed swaps: sunflowers, black and white, gardening, ATC (artist trading cards), under the sea, butterflies, and the color orange. The color orange theme won't start until September. So that's a work in progress. I will show some of the PLs (pocket letters) I have gotten over the last six weeks. Some are still on their way and others I might not get here at all. When you sign up for a swap it's a matter of total trust. Some of us are trustworthy and then there are the "flakers". Those are people who take your swap and never send one back like they are supposed to. I think I have two flakers in my swaps. One, I know already is a flaker and the second one I think one is about to not send her stuff. So sometimes things just don't go the way they are supposed to. I have created an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of what's going out and what is or is not coming in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So now with the pictures so you get a better understanding of what I am talking about.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9JWRil6o78/VdhpAEgmIhI/AAAAAAAADY4/uf-1WtYsFLs/s1600/Phone%2B7202015%2B087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9JWRil6o78/VdhpAEgmIhI/AAAAAAAADY4/uf-1WtYsFLs/s320/Phone%2B7202015%2B087.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an example of a getting to know you pocket letter. Each pocket holds a card cut to 2 1/2"X3 1/2" card stock or piece of paper. I did water color painting, quilling and stamping techniques to create the cards. The large sunflower is quilled and is a magnet she could use.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOZWSH1qyD0/VdhqXK3qByI/AAAAAAAADZE/Z-AqiWDzd-s/s1600/Phone%2B7202015%2B109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOZWSH1qyD0/VdhqXK3qByI/AAAAAAAADZE/Z-AqiWDzd-s/s320/Phone%2B7202015%2B109.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the backside of the same PL. We were trying to get to know each other so I wrote a note on the back of every pocket explaining why I did the things on the front. You are also supposed to include what is called a "goodie". Goodies include cute buttons, magnets, die cuts, ribbons, washi tape, rubber stamps, tea bags, instant coffee samples, sequins, etc. Anything that is small and can be used for another pocket letter down the road, is great. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have loads more photos of pocket letters but think this is enough for starters. I will try to post at least once a week. Keep your fingers crossed and thanks for visiting my blog again.</span>vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-36890628789515643772013-12-14T13:58:00.000-08:002013-12-14T13:58:21.203-08:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upcycling with style</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have had more than a few posts about loving the rolled paper anything. Plus I found that this newspaper upcycling could work in two ways. The first way is to sell and the second way is to use for containers that are partically free to hold items in the studio. Why spend money when I can make them for almost nothing. So I have. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I started out storing my rolled paper tubes in left over plastic drink containers but have decided after I had cut them down; I cut them down too short. So back to the drawing board. I found an empty cornmeal container and went to town. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F5qM_hvkDPE/UqiMwnu0DkI/AAAAAAAADIg/MNppP17l2Zw/s1600/12102013+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F5qM_hvkDPE/UqiMwnu0DkI/AAAAAAAADIg/MNppP17l2Zw/s320/12102013+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I took the mostly plain newspaper tubes and hot glued them to the sides of the container. It's cardboard so I figured hot glue would take less time than regular white glue. Worked like a charm. Here is the side view.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNojKQMutJs/UqiN42toc7I/AAAAAAAADIs/ortWzbc8Npw/s1600/12102013+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNojKQMutJs/UqiN42toc7I/AAAAAAAADIs/ortWzbc8Npw/s320/12102013+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I cut off the tubes even with the top and bottom of the container. No one but me will be seeing these on a regular basis so the fact that some of the tubes were fatter than the others, doesn't matter to me.</div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2WGSzA4oDog/UqiQTPRkAFI/AAAAAAAADI0/p6kTU_pG_IQ/s1600/12102013+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2WGSzA4oDog/UqiQTPRkAFI/AAAAAAAADI0/p6kTU_pG_IQ/s320/12102013+003.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also had one Crystal Light container and did the same thing to it. I love how heavy it is once it has two coats of paint and three or four coats of varnish. When I add tubes to it, falling over won't be an issue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mfnU6jEwXF8/UqiRZAew1tI/AAAAAAAADI8/5jyNh0qX9vg/s1600/12102013+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mfnU6jEwXF8/UqiRZAew1tI/AAAAAAAADI8/5jyNh0qX9vg/s320/12102013+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is the view from the top to the bottom. It's messy but again no one is going to be picking it up to do a potiental buyer inspection.</div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MyXWQ12eUxg/UqiVj5YoI_I/AAAAAAAADJI/q3BIljbQ2AE/s1600/12102013+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MyXWQ12eUxg/UqiVj5YoI_I/AAAAAAAADJI/q3BIljbQ2AE/s320/12102013+010.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought I should try making a smaller version of the of the larger container I made for the smaller tubes. So this container is from weaving the paper tubes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0mgH0Amkvs/UqiXIvXG51I/AAAAAAAADJU/S2tvogXzq_M/s1600/12102013+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0mgH0Amkvs/UqiXIvXG51I/AAAAAAAADJU/S2tvogXzq_M/s320/12102013+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In keeping with the upcycling concept, the bottom of the purple container is made from our pizza box from last week on Friday night. I found a glass and traced it onto the non-greasy parts of the box and cut them out. The rest is newspaper, glue and paint. </div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mgkvdSNEkZs/UqzMC01M54I/AAAAAAAADJw/RgHCsp4JUPw/s1600/12102013+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mgkvdSNEkZs/UqzMC01M54I/AAAAAAAADJw/RgHCsp4JUPw/s320/12102013+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted to show how the container dips in the middle. I think it's because I pulled the paper tubes too taunt, then loosened up towards the top again. When it stands up, it's less noticeable. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DaThnHrbyAY/UqzSMlQ9zVI/AAAAAAAADKA/coZks4pNmVk/s1600/12102013+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DaThnHrbyAY/UqzSMlQ9zVI/AAAAAAAADKA/coZks4pNmVk/s320/12102013+001.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is my very first attempt at weaving the newspaper tubes into a vase. I only used 9 spokes. If I had not applied a varnish to it after painting, it would not withstand any day to day use. I am using it, but I made a second one. I used 17 spokes in that one and it turned out much better.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8LXpqzLyqJ8/UqzTPPUcNhI/AAAAAAAADKI/4wpbRGPAxo4/s1600/12102013+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8LXpqzLyqJ8/UqzTPPUcNhI/AAAAAAAADKI/4wpbRGPAxo4/s320/12102013+013.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think this one is much better. There is less of a dip in the middle like the purple one and having more spokes makes it stronger even before the varnish. </div>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-akBj4C_udB8/UqzTw7mEPMI/AAAAAAAADKQ/uXi80yNuwuk/s320/12102013+018.JPG" width="179" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the group shot. I am going to keep making these until they look even and prettier but for now they are containers just for me. Such a cool craft.</span></div>
<br />vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-8461534799663402112013-12-05T05:39:00.001-08:002013-12-14T13:40:22.816-08:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Obsession-UpCycling Paper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been really busy getting ready for more shows this winter because once Christmas is gone, my sales will drop like a rock. So I have to get as much expose and back for my buck while I can. I have been in the studio day and night. Well, that might be because I have a new craft obsession. I have always loved paper, but now I really LOVE paper. This new concentration of my attention is from watching way too many YouTube videos. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v3t2iFGZaEM/UqB8CavXBII/AAAAAAAADHc/oF2NrvP3jGY/s1600/hand+photos+112713+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v3t2iFGZaEM/UqB8CavXBII/AAAAAAAADHc/oF2NrvP3jGY/s320/hand+photos+112713+010.JPG" width="179" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Funny enough, one of the most colorful resources for my latest paper adventure is this catalog. I had three years of them and decided to toss them. I thumbed through them to get our personal information off of the cover and the inside to shred. While looking through them, I found a ton of colors I thought would make great paper tubes.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKU19kCvN8s/UqB82Lp7WeI/AAAAAAAADHk/99OFMHsUY38/s1600/hand+photos+112713+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKU19kCvN8s/UqB82Lp7WeI/AAAAAAAADHk/99OFMHsUY38/s320/hand+photos+112713+011.JPG" width="179" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at that purple! I didn't care there was writing on it. It would look great anyway. I found reds, oranges, yellows, deep browns, greens, golds, and the purples. Perfect!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVORgaLuUAKQCCv584PS7-77hBC0wA9GP1c5cWCQqdYA6Izo3vFtmptvDgOUF0FI_6neJgjQLOkwBuzUDMUDzaDViMrkp_Pykrum7s6we4rUbpk1WgHhUh67uhKOrl22pfQOW/s1600/hand+photos+112713+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVORgaLuUAKQCCv584PS7-77hBC0wA9GP1c5cWCQqdYA6Izo3vFtmptvDgOUF0FI_6neJgjQLOkwBuzUDMUDzaDViMrkp_Pykrum7s6we4rUbpk1WgHhUh67uhKOrl22pfQOW/s320/hand+photos+112713+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at those beautiful colors. That all came from a few years of Penzey's catalogs. Who doesn't think those look like the old Pixie sticks with that sugarly powdered stuff inside?? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPN2pMXQoL14NgRif3-mSN75Vdecb69jFIgcLZYkO9i7nJ3lUKEipyWrAiy1H0j4ZPPLzPujgNueXgNoG4OExor5DQVSbJDUO6GdQUhHld8XxOvFkOHJve8Onkud2sW1TOFkwK/s1600/hand+photos+112713+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPN2pMXQoL14NgRif3-mSN75Vdecb69jFIgcLZYkO9i7nJ3lUKEipyWrAiy1H0j4ZPPLzPujgNueXgNoG4OExor5DQVSbJDUO6GdQUhHld8XxOvFkOHJve8Onkud2sW1TOFkwK/s320/hand+photos+112713+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this is what I did with some of the tubes. It takes a ton of tubes to make these. I rolled my tubes with a shrimp skewer. I wanted something small and I got it. It took forever to roll them and then to mash them flat and then rolling them into a shape. This is my first oval. That will be a lovely oval shaped box by the time it's over.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JMyrTKUxs5k/UqB_HRorrrI/AAAAAAAADII/WnG_-wpMj1o/s1600/hand+photos+112713+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JMyrTKUxs5k/UqB_HRorrrI/AAAAAAAADII/WnG_-wpMj1o/s320/hand+photos+112713+007.JPG" width="179" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After I roll the tubes, I sort them into dominate colors. I try to group all the purples together and all the blues together, and so on and so on. It makes it easier when I am looking for a color to not have to sort through hundreds of tubes. I have a misc. container but for the most part everything is broken down into color group. I do have a container (in the back of this photo) that has tubes that were rolled with a dowel. I kept the fatter tubes together for larger projects. I did not break those down into color groups, because most of them are from newspaper. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBEgy-7tE_c/UqB__DV_9nI/AAAAAAAADIQ/_ix7i4eFd7w/s1600/12052013+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBEgy-7tE_c/UqB__DV_9nI/AAAAAAAADIQ/_ix7i4eFd7w/s320/12052013+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a better picture with some of the colors group together. So now you see why I now look at "junk" mail differently these days. Catalogs seem to be my best source. There is always newspaper but I love the color from the catalogs. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will post more pictures of finished boxes as soon as I get the knobs on them. There are different sizes and shapes and even some that are fun subjects. So there you have it. I have been busy! I take a ton of pictures and have them all downloaded; just need to attach them to words and get them up here for you to see. I realize that so many of you who read my blog are knitter and crocheters. I haven't done any of that in a long time. When Mr. Hunter/Gatherer has his two week shut down from work and craft season is over for a bit, I will pick up the needles and knit something, hopefully! Until next time. Keep an eye for me for pretty paper!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-11546209455726130002013-11-24T20:18:00.000-08:002013-11-24T20:18:17.421-08:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Craft Room Update</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been meaning to post for a few days but I have been on a tear with paper (pun intended) lately so my attention has been focused on that to the point that my hands have just about had they can take. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few years ago I did a post about us changing my youngest son's room into my new craft studio. We tore out the carpet, repainted and I moved in. I have changed the arrangement at least three or four times and every time I think it's going to be "the" arrangement. Not so much. Okay, not at all. I have once again come upon a new way of arranging things again and now I finally am going to post the pics. I know sometimes Mr. Hunter/Gatherer is not amused but he is a good sport about most silly things I do. We would not be able to stay married this long if he wasn't.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4mWLOknOTkA/UpLHMweXfGI/AAAAAAAADEs/1JS3naedl3U/s1600/studio+mess+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4mWLOknOTkA/UpLHMweXfGI/AAAAAAAADEs/1JS3naedl3U/s320/studio+mess+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This scene has changed over and over but what still remains is, I still am not happy with it. It still looks cluttered no matter how many containers I buy, repurpose or embellish. It's slowly getting there but not quite yet.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8MD_kqowSpM/UpLJ1auvuxI/AAAAAAAADFA/HKc9CPJ54M4/s1600/ATC,+and+postcards+11162013+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8MD_kqowSpM/UpLJ1auvuxI/AAAAAAAADFA/HKc9CPJ54M4/s320/ATC,+and+postcards+11162013+006.JPG" width="179" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In order to have some sort of order I needed to not put all my quilling paper away in an Iris cart. I just got tired of looking through drawers and never knowing what I did and did not have. So I already had two small curtain rods mounted on the wall for mobile storage and decided my quilling paper needed to be there instead.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWoTNQ7Es1uA2Qab1fSKZBQAb2-kLPHqsqyiSVhqih9mun7ztt2w7GD1r8kgNzuL96JMswbjcSFeDEdtxcFEY1Y97P_8O7YrYOEPxPNqvRrMxb2YCoGBfQonBeFkEoYo4W6Hq/s1600/ATC,+and+postcards+11162013+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWoTNQ7Es1uA2Qab1fSKZBQAb2-kLPHqsqyiSVhqih9mun7ztt2w7GD1r8kgNzuL96JMswbjcSFeDEdtxcFEY1Y97P_8O7YrYOEPxPNqvRrMxb2YCoGBfQonBeFkEoYo4W6Hq/s320/ATC,+and+postcards+11162013+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is one of the rods done. I left the paper in it's original packaging so I would know the name and the size of the paper. I made a lot of wire S hooks so they would hand on the rods. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1A9E3YdsvlTwsEcbHxPBYLBokVwgqeBtHkHgjqZvj_qi3u0twYxpShT-ennmxRmZl0ngFveILzXHRI6wRZSsODvFph_rv00ErnvCOzJpP5CIGlC9ovQLTcq3dF9yreowOIqV/s1600/ATC,+and+postcards+11162013+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1A9E3YdsvlTwsEcbHxPBYLBokVwgqeBtHkHgjqZvj_qi3u0twYxpShT-ennmxRmZl0ngFveILzXHRI6wRZSsODvFph_rv00ErnvCOzJpP5CIGlC9ovQLTcq3dF9yreowOIqV/s320/ATC,+and+postcards+11162013+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is how it looks now. There is not really organization to the colors. I did however group all the same colors together. That's a ton of paper strips but it makes me happy everyday when I walk in here and see it. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5cULFwDyOA/UpLJ9rHkXOI/AAAAAAAADFY/r5Ac70xRoF8/s1600/ATC,+and+postcards+11162013+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5cULFwDyOA/UpLJ9rHkXOI/AAAAAAAADFY/r5Ac70xRoF8/s320/ATC,+and+postcards+11162013+009.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I bought this magnet board from The Container Store years and years ago and never really used it but now it has a use for all my little canisters that I bought at Michael's. I put all my tiny magnets up there at the top and there are a few quilled magnets up there too. There will be more and more as spring comes.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIRp5iIg7Xg/UpLKAQ_uBVI/AAAAAAAADFg/ON10_N9TBLQ/s1600/ATC,+and+postcards+11162013+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIRp5iIg7Xg/UpLKAQ_uBVI/AAAAAAAADFg/ON10_N9TBLQ/s320/ATC,+and+postcards+11162013+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This shelf is from another room and I just stuck some stuff up there that I am not sure I want to see either in my Etsy shop or at craft shows. I know I should sell them and eventually I will,but just not yet.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXS4L3KzDFs/UpLKHQ8LILI/AAAAAAAADFw/4Kfmyp8CaDQ/s1600/ATC,+and+postcards+11162013+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXS4L3KzDFs/UpLKHQ8LILI/AAAAAAAADFw/4Kfmyp8CaDQ/s320/ATC,+and+postcards+11162013+012.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This rack was on another wall and got moved. It holds my jars of buttons, glues, beads, spray fixatives and now had beads that I have made hanging from the bottom. They will be either in my Etsy shop or at a craft show soon.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTB-4cEzBn8/UpLKS1bpiPI/AAAAAAAADGA/RbnVKU_fXuM/s1600/ATC,+and+postcards+11162013+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTB-4cEzBn8/UpLKS1bpiPI/AAAAAAAADGA/RbnVKU_fXuM/s320/ATC,+and+postcards+11162013+014.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is one of the craft twirly things. The name escapes me but piling it up with different stuff does not. The top section has large and small wooden clothes pins I use everyday. I got tired of opening and closing drawers to look for them so out in the light they come. I also have bling packets hanging on the top rack also. The rotating part holds my paint brushes, magic markers of all kinds, rotary cutter, scissors, chasing hammer, and all kinds of other tools that I use on a regular basis. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There are two bookcases and in here as well as a desk, a wing back chair, a fan, three rolling carts, and a huge wire rack with wheels that holds all the bins and display items for craft shows. The room is full. The walls are filling up fast too. The closet is full and needs more organization but like everything else around here, it will happen when it happens. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So that is how I spend some of the time I could be blogging. I watch YouTube videos about how everyone else arranges their craft rooms and then I get ideas how to make mine more functional. I think better with less clutter. How about you?</div>
</span>vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-78211305647405108552013-11-17T10:24:00.000-08:002013-12-05T05:42:37.599-08:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Long Time No See</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't blogged in two months but have a ton of projects that came and went not to mention all the pictures I took of them. I need to figure out a schedule so that it's not months in between blog posts. Since opening up <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MessyTableDesigns?ref=search_shop_redirect" target="_blank">Messy Table Designs</a>, I have been busy learning new things in classes, on videos and reading blogs. There are so many ideas out there I feel a wee bit over whelmed. I have done some craft shows this fall and have applications to do more in the spring so rotating stock between seasons is always an ongoing process.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have some pictures that I wanted to post of the work that I am currently doing. I am not sure that any of these items will end up in my Etsy shop or at a show. These first projects are the prototypes of better things to come; hopefully! I started by watching one video in Spanish (Spain Spanish) and I made items similar to what I saw in the video and actually sold a couple of pieces in a show I did earlier this month. That video lead me to another one and then I started watching more and more and finally decided to try a project. So the pictures I am about to post are my first attempts at what I have been watching lately. I love the idea but it needs to be refined (that's my way of saying, I need to get better at doing them.) So here they are...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tzZpCkoLtMs/UojuJm2lVtI/AAAAAAAADCc/lm_9JFcXY7k/s1600/Junk+mail+boxes+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tzZpCkoLtMs/UojuJm2lVtI/AAAAAAAADCc/lm_9JFcXY7k/s320/Junk+mail+boxes+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">This is this weekend's effort. It's an oval box made from three Oriental Trading Company catalogs that were duplicates. I asked to be taken off the mailing list but they don't listen so I decided to use them first. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_D6oWv8TkHA/UojvUD_ZKqI/AAAAAAAADCg/lmkdd5K5acQ/s1600/Junk+mail+boxes+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_D6oWv8TkHA/UojvUD_ZKqI/AAAAAAAADCg/lmkdd5K5acQ/s320/Junk+mail+boxes+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the box without the lid.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg105jHvGNRJkBfFMRP5wXgqB53b2EyqLVLBFUXZM_L-fR2C9IPKSj_Qg0OeRSlytv5dC3HV7lHJvn51rNDWWzeISVdRdakAS6gxSyo0mcabCRvCLuTa3h-_nmvvm5RQ0krKnzO/s1600/Junk+mail+boxes+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg105jHvGNRJkBfFMRP5wXgqB53b2EyqLVLBFUXZM_L-fR2C9IPKSj_Qg0OeRSlytv5dC3HV7lHJvn51rNDWWzeISVdRdakAS6gxSyo0mcabCRvCLuTa3h-_nmvvm5RQ0krKnzO/s320/Junk+mail+boxes+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The inside of the bottom of the box.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYQ5QSlf5dc/UojwFeTW1uI/AAAAAAAADCw/Asz6uzJRYSA/s1600/Junk+mail+boxes+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYQ5QSlf5dc/UojwFeTW1uI/AAAAAAAADCw/Asz6uzJRYSA/s320/Junk+mail+boxes+005.JPG" width="179" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The top knob.</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mvl4rgM8Okw/UojwMLix0ZI/AAAAAAAADC4/Dqa51ooEnCc/s1600/Junk+mail+boxes+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mvl4rgM8Okw/UojwMLix0ZI/AAAAAAAADC4/Dqa51ooEnCc/s320/Junk+mail+boxes+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another beauty shot of the top knob.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once this thing completely dries, I will vanish it (an invaluable tip I got from a YouTube video). I have been using a combination of Mod Podge and Diamond Glaze to try and harden my boxes. This is will be the first one to get the varnish. I can't wait to see how it will turn out. I am debating if I should paint it like the next one you are about to see.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Round Box (The second box I have ever made with junk mail)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1DUXnhsDFa8/Uoj_7nanACI/AAAAAAAADDI/KvYmQyDXBNs/s1600/Junk+mail+boxes+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1DUXnhsDFa8/Uoj_7nanACI/AAAAAAAADDI/KvYmQyDXBNs/s320/Junk+mail+boxes+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really, this is junk mail and newspaper, really.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m5RkEUIUCtk/UokARS8hTqI/AAAAAAAADDg/tAIp65MCzNE/s1600/Junk+mail+boxes+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m5RkEUIUCtk/UokARS8hTqI/AAAAAAAADDg/tAIp65MCzNE/s320/Junk+mail+boxes+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the side view with the lid. It looks like it's sloping but it's not. It's just the paper.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_RaBDxsIdQs/UokAki2UI4I/AAAAAAAADDo/d7Js3oeAnFA/s1600/Junk+mail+boxes+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_RaBDxsIdQs/UokAki2UI4I/AAAAAAAADDo/d7Js3oeAnFA/s320/Junk+mail+boxes+009.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The knob. This one is small. I didn't see making the larger knob until after this one was already done. It's still sturdy though.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ENdzTZpGyU/UokA2drnGYI/AAAAAAAADDw/pBHVX1VT5Ps/s1600/Junk+mail+boxes+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ENdzTZpGyU/UokA2drnGYI/AAAAAAAADDw/pBHVX1VT5Ps/s320/Junk+mail+boxes+011.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the inside view.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This box started out as the first one I showed; bright colored paper ads, but I painted it with some watered down paints and then dry brushed it with gold leaf from a tube that I had on hand. It's been sealed with Mod Podge and that's the shine.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOiJTce9FwU/UokGM9hcjtI/AAAAAAAADEA/Pg-bBKy86SM/s1600/Junk+mail+boxes+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOiJTce9FwU/UokGM9hcjtI/AAAAAAAADEA/Pg-bBKy86SM/s320/Junk+mail+boxes+012.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is my very first attempt at anything with junk mail besides throwing it into recycle bin. It's rough but it was fun and I learned all kinds of things.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KLe0aBAV97s/UokGv6dxjKI/AAAAAAAADEI/--8equ1yzhI/s1600/Junk+mail+boxes+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KLe0aBAV97s/UokGv6dxjKI/AAAAAAAADEI/--8equ1yzhI/s320/Junk+mail+boxes+013.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The view of the base and the wonky sides.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p9iGL0F1JwI/UokG6dv2BhI/AAAAAAAADEQ/lzU7_bxDMVA/s1600/Junk+mail+boxes+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p9iGL0F1JwI/UokG6dv2BhI/AAAAAAAADEQ/lzU7_bxDMVA/s320/Junk+mail+boxes+014.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Better view of side and inside bottom.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this is only one reason why I have not had time to blog. These bowls take a lot of prep time and then drying time from both the gluing and the painting. Anyway...that's is some of what I have been up to lately. Now I have become obsessed with rolling paper tubes, looking at all the junk mail that crosses our threshold, and shapes for bowls and boxes. I am just in love with this whole idea. I may be late to the party, but I can still have a good time!</span></div>
vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-60272401763503900122013-09-11T05:39:00.000-07:002013-09-11T05:39:52.495-07:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Been Busy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realized today that I haven't blogged in nearly four weeks. I have tried to at least get the Wordless Wednesday up but never seem to find the time to do an actual blog post. The fall is super busy for me. I have been ramping up the creating because fall is the time of the year for craft fairs. People are starting to think about gift giving and I want some of my creations to be those gifts. I have come up with some new things for the line up this year. The trick is to come up with something new every year so that people want to come back to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MessyTableDesigns" target="_blank">your shop</a> or your booth. We attend a craft fair over this past weekend and there were some really beautiful things but I did not purchase one thing. The BIG craft show for me to attend, is the <a href="http://www.neptunefestival.com/events/boardwalk-weekend/13" target="_blank">Neptune Festival</a> Boardwalk Show. We try to attend every year to see what the out-of-towners and out-of-staters are creating. I think I purchase something every year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been busy so my desk is in work mode all day, every day. I have not found my organization happy place lately. After the craft season is over, I will look for better solutions for my beads, wires and pens. It's just too crowded on the work table. So here are the no so beauty shots of what I am talking about. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQJ_wzPTRps/UjBh73UykaI/AAAAAAAADBw/bWA0UUldM5A/s1600/Messy+desk+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQJ_wzPTRps/UjBh73UykaI/AAAAAAAADBw/bWA0UUldM5A/s320/Messy+desk+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was taken this morning as you can see from the time date stamp. I left everything where it lay last night when I went to bed. Some days it just ends up that way.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZA7WVPHCXI/UjBiN69YqSI/AAAAAAAADB4/xg28gpZOLug/s1600/Messy+desk+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZA7WVPHCXI/UjBiN69YqSI/AAAAAAAADB4/xg28gpZOLug/s320/Messy+desk+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was not kidding when I said there is too much stuff on my work table. I need to find an inexpensive solution to my storage and organization problems for my main supplies.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HGrDOcEreS8/UjBikqfV57I/AAAAAAAADCA/wpSPLbF9QKg/s1600/Messy+desk+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HGrDOcEreS8/UjBikqfV57I/AAAAAAAADCA/wpSPLbF9QKg/s320/Messy+desk+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the other side of the table. Just an unholy mess but it's not going to get any better from now until after gift giving season is over. I have tried numerous times to keep thing organized without spending big bucks. If I buy anything for storage for the business the state of Virginia makes my pay a property tax on it every single year I am in business. So I am always looking at cardboard boxes, scarp wood, etc that I can make things out of to keep from paying them one more dime than I have to. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So now you can see why I have not been blogging too much lately. I just need to keep my nose to the grindstone and make some $$ this season. If you have any storage ideas that I can make myself or purchase to save money and still stay neat, please leave me a comment!!</span></div>
vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-73127247858803797642013-09-11T05:12:00.001-07:002013-09-11T05:12:13.347-07:00Wordless Wednesday<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wordless Wednesday</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ip4RgLlEGw/UjBeDQiWbLI/AAAAAAAADBk/Hc8U-_M012s/s1600/Garden+and+postcards+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ip4RgLlEGw/UjBeDQiWbLI/AAAAAAAADBk/Hc8U-_M012s/s320/Garden+and+postcards+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-64491903216200767162013-09-04T14:02:00.003-07:002013-09-04T14:02:19.371-07:00Wordless Wednesday<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wordless Wednesday</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufUFajF7Npw/Uiefwh-ldFI/AAAAAAAADBM/HjVq-hSV-t8/s1600/Garden+and+postcards+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufUFajF7Npw/Uiefwh-ldFI/AAAAAAAADBM/HjVq-hSV-t8/s320/Garden+and+postcards+004.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Penguin Gourd</span></div>
vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-82931990460179973852013-08-21T07:12:00.001-07:002013-08-21T07:12:25.841-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UiKQTBmZWnE/UhTKpcFJ6cI/AAAAAAAADA8/HUytRsycWss/s1600/studio+mess+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UiKQTBmZWnE/UhTKpcFJ6cI/AAAAAAAADA8/HUytRsycWss/s320/studio+mess+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Norfolk Botanical Garden, Norfolk, Virginia</div>
vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-45928015173766529722013-08-14T01:00:00.000-07:002013-08-14T01:00:10.767-07:00Wordless Wednesday<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wordless Wednesday</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxQHvu0da3rvkEwD3t23tBpYOGMcm21Ho4S_aTq12amyzoDFGVsyeD5yaqQZW7KjiHu2luRxOOE0D6g94-i35pZ92a2AjgjwKiBX2dJ3fDHAoGuL5Ac8h4T8gXKFasguPzTov/s1600/boxes+and+beads+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxQHvu0da3rvkEwD3t23tBpYOGMcm21Ho4S_aTq12amyzoDFGVsyeD5yaqQZW7KjiHu2luRxOOE0D6g94-i35pZ92a2AjgjwKiBX2dJ3fDHAoGuL5Ac8h4T8gXKFasguPzTov/s320/boxes+and+beads+002.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx8IQGSN9lPmfMbcNGgmFscbVBxGrp73-yOLISxgMTGT0AVJaSjo4oCaNo75WnPl3ORmSjMapUoHyZtqFqMa_7Me0C86qV-NzW-JaukYg5L1BsGcOu_rfpa95kCcLPL2_xbie/s1600/boxes+and+beads+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx8IQGSN9lPmfMbcNGgmFscbVBxGrp73-yOLISxgMTGT0AVJaSjo4oCaNo75WnPl3ORmSjMapUoHyZtqFqMa_7Me0C86qV-NzW-JaukYg5L1BsGcOu_rfpa95kCcLPL2_xbie/s320/boxes+and+beads+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very slow day at work, so it's time for a nap.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-60397230719999407912013-08-11T14:59:00.000-07:002013-08-11T14:59:14.147-07:00Rock, Paper, Scissors<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well there is not rock but lots of paper and scissors this week. I have been busy getting things for the fall craft sales. I know I am going to do at least three but might try to do more if I can swing it. Part of having an Etsy business is not just making and posting things, it's trying to market, cost control, cost control, and more cost control. So this post is about my Cost Control methods for one aspect of the business.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The thing I love most about having my own business is I am not restricted by what I can and can not do...well the lack of funds sometimes. For the most part the lack of funds leads me to try creative ways to still do what I want, but finding an expensive path towards my goal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week's goal is inexpensive packaging. I love that so many businesses have a certain color or a certain paper that is identified with their name. The most famous is Tiffany's packaging. You know when you get<a href="http://www.tiffany.com/csr/responsiblesourcing/paperpackaging.aspx" target="_blank"> this</a>, you are getting something very special. I want my clients to know that I think they are special by hand making as much as I can for my business. I make all the jewelry myself, the paper beads, the paper bead jewelry, the mobiles, the quilled trinket boxes, etc. So why would I buy pre-made packaging? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been searching the internet for weeks trying to find packaging that would work for my business. I have found two things that are going to work and so I have been making them; envelopes and boxes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/item/Envelope-Template-Kit/2506_006/40713000.html" target="_blank">Paper Source</a> is where I got my envelope templates. I have seen loads of cute handmade paper things on Pinterest but never found a template that I could use over and over. I stumbled on to Paper Source and finally found what I was looking for. I made the investment and it has been a blast playing with them. I mostly used the smallest two in the set, but eventually I think I will use the others. My main goal was the smallest one. Here is what I did with them.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--1C4g6mE5Ro/UggEYW7T3eI/AAAAAAAAC_k/RiLp3iauIDA/s1600/envelopes+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--1C4g6mE5Ro/UggEYW7T3eI/AAAAAAAAC_k/RiLp3iauIDA/s320/envelopes+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are made from scraps of scrapbook paper that was large enough to lay the template on. Then I took a bone tool and made the creases more crisp, glued them and let them dry. When a customer buys earrings I can slip a business card and the earrings into the envelope. The envelope is the same size as a business card so that's perfect for what I wanted. When I made these I didn't know my business card would fit. Worked out well just by luck.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I had to move on to boxes to put my quilling and necklaces into. I found this <a href="http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/make-your-own-gift-box-2.html" target="_blank">pattern</a> on via Pinterest and then followed the link. I made the box twice between the YouTube video and her picture tutorial. It took me a bit to get the hang of it because she does it so quickly. I had to keep starting and stopping the video. And these are what I came up with.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0W5kOA1SW24/UggFi2mRagI/AAAAAAAAC_w/yUJgQKwv5aM/s1600/envelopes+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0W5kOA1SW24/UggFi2mRagI/AAAAAAAAC_w/yUJgQKwv5aM/s320/envelopes+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These bottoms of the boxes were made from origami paper that I had on hand. The lid has to be larger so I had to use scrapbook paper for the lids. I had a ball making these. Once you make one you are hooked. Making them takes no time at all. You can make any size you like as long as the top is 1/2" larger than the bottom. If you make the box from scrap book paper, it's a 12X12" square. That part would be the lid. The bottom would measure 11 1/2"X11 1/2" square. I have made about four different sizes. I can put cotton in them to make them look nice. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EK6sEB_haLE/UggGaPG_x_I/AAAAAAAAC_8/zG49f9tQ3mQ/s1600/envelopes+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EK6sEB_haLE/UggGaPG_x_I/AAAAAAAAC_8/zG49f9tQ3mQ/s320/envelopes+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a box totally from scrapbook paper using the above measurements.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VwUpPH3ueXc/UggGqFYkh3I/AAAAAAAADAE/qCdA8YFFqvI/s1600/envelopes+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VwUpPH3ueXc/UggGqFYkh3I/AAAAAAAADAE/qCdA8YFFqvI/s320/envelopes+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To contrast the different sizes, the green one was made with origami paper on the bottom and scrapbook paper for the lid and the bottom one is the same box as above.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iE4JLHVy04Y/UggHFH7bXSI/AAAAAAAADAU/JuvTA7uGkVU/s1600/envelopes+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iE4JLHVy04Y/UggHFH7bXSI/AAAAAAAADAU/JuvTA7uGkVU/s320/envelopes+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tried these which I don't think are going to work for the business but I made two of them with one sheet of scrapbook paper. I got this idea from <a href="http://www.usefuldiy.com/diy-simple-beautiful-envelope/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have <a href="http://rosdavidson.typepad.com/ros_davidson_live_life_an/2011/07/recycling-leftovers.html" target="_blank">another box </a>in mind to use but have to make a few to see if they are going to work for the business and how cost effective they would be. So these are what I have been up to lately. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you were my customer and made a purchase, would having a handmade box or envelope be the "cute" factor that would be the icing on your purchase?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-56910927505459604792013-08-02T01:00:00.000-07:002013-08-02T01:00:08.015-07:00How Does Your Garden Grow<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How Does Your Garden Grow?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have not done a post in a while because I have been busy doing lots more cooking than usual and of course working on items for my Etsy shop, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MessyTableDesigns?ref=ss_profile" target="_blank">Messy Table Designs</a>. I did remember to take pictures for future posts so let's get started. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am crazy in the spring about getting the garden started. We go through our seed catalogs for things to plant that have worked in the past and try to add something new. We are limited with our space because of the dogs. There are six beds of different sizes. You have seen pictures before so I won't go over those again. As the summer marches on, so does my love for the garden. While I love what comes out of it, I hate the hand watering part. You have seen our water barrels; 5 in total. I have to fill up buckets and large plastic watering cans and walk them back and forth. We don't have enough pressure to hook up a hose otherwise I would hooking that baby up to save the wear and tear on my elbows and back from hauling water. Wish we could tap into the neighbor's waterspout. Their waterspout would fill up the five barrels we have but, it would require we cut up their downspout and we don't have permission to do that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So with watering, weed picking and all kinds of composting and organic fertilizers our garden has been pretty darned good this year.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vt6LNZdKxx0/UfkQz9dLWiI/AAAAAAAAC_A/UIc9rZrTHnk/s1600/button+bracelets+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vt6LNZdKxx0/UfkQz9dLWiI/AAAAAAAAC_A/UIc9rZrTHnk/s320/button+bracelets+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not sure how many tomatoes (Roma) we have lost to squirrels but these escaped the teeth marks. We had to pick them before I would have liked, otherwise we would have had to put them in the compost bin. I did not weight these to see how much we had but I got 1 1/2 quarts out of them. So not so bad.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SaWdYr5_m6A/UfkRnmweGiI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/_wJOYcOvcpQ/s1600/Postcards+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SaWdYr5_m6A/UfkRnmweGiI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/_wJOYcOvcpQ/s320/Postcards+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is our first harvest of our third year growing potatoes. First year was only 2 1/2 pounds of slips. Then we were encouraged about that first harvest and grew 5 lbs in potato towers. Our harvest was good but not as much as we had hoped. So back to beds we went. We ordered 7 lbs of Golden Red slips. Half were planted in one bed and the other half in another bed with beans and peppers. Golden Reds (I think that's their name) is a cross between a Red Bliss and a Yukon Gold. They have the typical red bliss look but the inside is a nice golden yellow that is a very creamy potato. This bowl holds 7 1/2 pounds. We have not harvested the other bed. Those plants have not wilted back enough to dig up. We thought we would give them a few more weeks. I think we are almost there.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that is our harvest update as of today July 30, 2013. I have picked basil and made pesto once. It was yummy. The bugs are beginning to get to it so one huge picking might be all I get. A canning post with tomatoes still to come either this week or this weekend when I find the time. Happy Gardening everyone.</span></div>
vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-5809653108759419212013-07-31T06:16:00.003-07:002013-07-31T06:16:43.906-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wordless Wednesday</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUnIc8rKOkRiOtOggB_hcYxOoNMagC7Sr5umkSvYReviMjH6hZ0vq_OTCmCf72dlHBlcqrnrUo_4DFCiDjaZCRr3A3chos499D0f0myVVS4dbrPTrbVpAXnvonEjziw1OD2jn/s1600/Zentangle+Postcards+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUnIc8rKOkRiOtOggB_hcYxOoNMagC7Sr5umkSvYReviMjH6hZ0vq_OTCmCf72dlHBlcqrnrUo_4DFCiDjaZCRr3A3chos499D0f0myVVS4dbrPTrbVpAXnvonEjziw1OD2jn/s320/Zentangle+Postcards+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Zentangle Art Post Card</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-64652007636728193392013-07-24T07:05:00.002-07:002013-07-24T07:05:23.491-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlxOqMyEqUs/Ue_e7FjRo6I/AAAAAAAAC-c/JAUq_Vjk9YI/s1600/Max+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlxOqMyEqUs/Ue_e7FjRo6I/AAAAAAAAC-c/JAUq_Vjk9YI/s320/Max+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Max does not like to have his picture taken.</span></div>
<br />vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-36838871884686551532013-07-19T01:00:00.000-07:002013-07-19T01:00:02.461-07:00Cast Iron Skillet Brownies<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cast Iron Skillet Brownies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't posted anything from Pinterest in a while and thought I should post this because it's so simple and it's so delicious.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.simplyfoodlove.com/2011/04/cast-iron-skillet-brownies.html" target="_blank">Cast Iron Skillet Brownies</a> is really easy to make. I have never made brownies in a cast iron skillet before. I have two skillets; one is just a regular one and the other is a griddle pan. I rarely use them. I thought this recipe would be a great start to get me to use my cast iron skillets more often. So here it is.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LmUux376W1s/Uea6DBUSSbI/AAAAAAAAC90/wlDTqbJs4T8/s1600/028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LmUux376W1s/Uea6DBUSSbI/AAAAAAAAC90/wlDTqbJs4T8/s320/028.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are the brownies before they were put in the oven</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHVQIh9t0IE/Uea6I_97kHI/AAAAAAAAC-E/1030-OE893E/s1600/030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHVQIh9t0IE/Uea6I_97kHI/AAAAAAAAC-E/1030-OE893E/s320/030.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are the brownies after they have baked in the oven. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6bZ_BCyE-mA/Uea6LubEyPI/AAAAAAAAC-M/6wrGLLBln-Q/s1600/031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6bZ_BCyE-mA/Uea6LubEyPI/AAAAAAAAC-M/6wrGLLBln-Q/s320/031.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is what happens when something looks super good and I am unsupervised! Yummy!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-42244230905408586542013-07-18T01:00:00.000-07:002013-07-18T01:00:03.499-07:00Diva Challenge #127<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Diva Challenge #127</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The challenge this week really was a challenge for me. There were two new tangles to try of which I had never heard of before. One was <a href="http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs023/1101168872594/archive/1103850010798.html" target="_blank">Cirquital</a> and the other was <a href="http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs023/1101168872594/archive/1102039140731.html" target="_blank">Opus</a>. Since I had never done either of these tangles before I followed the link and then sketched them so I would have some idea of what they were.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAY36dRe-gmyR6BLe0njwUjjRdu7kxzequ3Yefbk6QLknoBqd8AJdCK7wckWfyp-eifWp1MxeX1tUKRENLlNzRGOfK0_L69MTlmhrMcOSkdKuzVtYT8H3dQzL_R59q-AW5qV7F/s1600/Max+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAY36dRe-gmyR6BLe0njwUjjRdu7kxzequ3Yefbk6QLknoBqd8AJdCK7wckWfyp-eifWp1MxeX1tUKRENLlNzRGOfK0_L69MTlmhrMcOSkdKuzVtYT8H3dQzL_R59q-AW5qV7F/s320/Max+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I sat down and sketched my version on the challenge. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMfwVwoM37h8CHAgxU8BItOmMl3gQKGbe8P4gesUr2mmBQoFmQkTLumqnOl0CGK9OKNHqSP6Fj0fr4SLR770zybsaKslS0UgAK2sTVSGoviHtJPKPMQVWG3EjCiXsddjXmxmF/s1600/Max+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMfwVwoM37h8CHAgxU8BItOmMl3gQKGbe8P4gesUr2mmBQoFmQkTLumqnOl0CGK9OKNHqSP6Fj0fr4SLR770zybsaKslS0UgAK2sTVSGoviHtJPKPMQVWG3EjCiXsddjXmxmF/s320/Max+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used the end of a frozen orange juice can for the large circle. The rest were made with a ruler that had different sizes of circles. I shaded with a Zentangle pencil I got in a kit and used a paper nub to smooth out the pencil marks. I am not sure how I like this one but I have learned two new tangles in the process of the challenge.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://iamthedivaczt.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://iamthedivaczt.blogspot.com/</a>vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-28923379131135785482013-07-17T07:59:00.001-07:002013-07-17T07:59:07.609-07:00Wordless Wednesday<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wordless Wednesday</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GxEpXb1EYs/UeaxIIz90-I/AAAAAAAAC9M/tz-PDpuZTrY/s1600/093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GxEpXb1EYs/UeaxIIz90-I/AAAAAAAAC9M/tz-PDpuZTrY/s320/093.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Black Eyed Susans</span></div>
vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-55685950833669111772013-07-11T08:41:00.000-07:002013-07-11T10:12:14.199-07:00Challenge #126 Stencil Fun<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to say that I really loved this challenge because this time I actually had no struggle with this challenge, well sort of no challenge. The only minor challenge was trying to decide which stencil to use. I have six so far. Five from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/120539314/new-kaladalas-5-piece-sampler-in-007?ref=shop_home_feat" target="_blank">here</a> and one from <a href="http://www.dreamweaverstencils.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. I have used them all numerous times and love them. I have to order from the internet when ever I want either brand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here is my entry for <a href="http://iamthedivaczt.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Challenge #126 Stencil Fun</a>.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWuNz3cNZV1NU2IXoQhmWKl2nPNTliMMM2uFMOcm7wTVoQBKgr74OpOLSDTHvXfXFzd4dbAgoG_C_rifVeDWWXUlTpkimqKVd1Z2Ellu8ZDKSS0whyyzARFFB00XfIlKiRU-G/s1600/Display+for+Mobiles+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWuNz3cNZV1NU2IXoQhmWKl2nPNTliMMM2uFMOcm7wTVoQBKgr74OpOLSDTHvXfXFzd4dbAgoG_C_rifVeDWWXUlTpkimqKVd1Z2Ellu8ZDKSS0whyyzARFFB00XfIlKiRU-G/s320/Display+for+Mobiles+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't have any official Zentangle squares so I whipped out the ruler and measured this one to be sure it was the right size. I did it in my sketch book as you can see. My stencil was a series of heart stencils that had a circle in the middle. I didn't use the whole stencil but enough to make it basically uniform. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEhfImBa_Us4eWenssIV1gIhSzqv_Oz8_1BDoYSpo9Vy6VqmXKHdz2H3ICV_Pc-t91bDXZIVhuJT5YfZWe8DvqOQhrrhTXo4jAVYluToNTsdPTGpNS1b-usSdb3-1x2vIOU70/s1600/Display+for+Mobiles+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEhfImBa_Us4eWenssIV1gIhSzqv_Oz8_1BDoYSpo9Vy6VqmXKHdz2H3ICV_Pc-t91bDXZIVhuJT5YfZWe8DvqOQhrrhTXo4jAVYluToNTsdPTGpNS1b-usSdb3-1x2vIOU70/s320/Display+for+Mobiles+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since I hadn't intended to show the sketch book I took black squares (I had them on hand) and blocked the square off so that it would show better.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyNOPbwW92b1TKsqkC6Hw0ZPkMFlvdav40ChbnCd9n89kb0Uvm3MpBu10pC8MZaTfnHwcjJsukxHiOtJDqvDyN3RVfIcic4lXPPdSDah2hnRsAVnb3NCqGlllY6JOHqJU2bTJ/s1600/Display+for+Mobiles+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyNOPbwW92b1TKsqkC6Hw0ZPkMFlvdav40ChbnCd9n89kb0Uvm3MpBu10pC8MZaTfnHwcjJsukxHiOtJDqvDyN3RVfIcic4lXPPdSDah2hnRsAVnb3NCqGlllY6JOHqJU2bTJ/s320/Display+for+Mobiles+009.JPG" width="179" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought using the stencil was super easy and left the creative part of my brain for what to put in and around the hearts and for coloring with watercolors. I had fun doing this one. I didn't want anything fancy, so I decided lines was the way to go. Sometimes plain and simple are still pleasing to me eye.</span></div>
vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-5652260280213223632013-07-10T01:00:00.000-07:002013-07-10T07:13:09.880-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfu7FaOpRIvgNjsuOOw8IMl3-jbzyZO93PeZpX4mSjaxiSm61VNRApgJUc-mP9xGHWtalAK2ocSU2AA0VJe0_iukyCvHL4byhBKUBrvGTQWzX7a_9Y4RleUuT9Bu_i-TJcj3T/s1600/IMG_0807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfu7FaOpRIvgNjsuOOw8IMl3-jbzyZO93PeZpX4mSjaxiSm61VNRApgJUc-mP9xGHWtalAK2ocSU2AA0VJe0_iukyCvHL4byhBKUBrvGTQWzX7a_9Y4RleUuT9Bu_i-TJcj3T/s320/IMG_0807.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>I long for Autumn...</i></div>
<br />vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-19205869068391961762013-07-08T09:22:00.000-07:002013-07-08T09:22:34.821-07:00Garden 2013<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think my first introduction to gardening came from both sets of my grandparents. One side of the family were beef cattle farmers and the other lived in a smallish urban city and had two or three cherry tomato bushes in the front flower beds. Later years in culinary school, I started getting the bug to garden. I thought about it for a few years and finally planted some basil. You have to start somewhere right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now we have seven small beds in half our back yard. It's fenced off to keep the noisy dogs from getting into everything. First we had chicken wire, then white plastic fencing and now we had graduated to real metal fencing. There is a mail box right outside the gate that is filled with our quick need gardening supplies such as clear plastic bags, hand spades, mini cutters, twist ties and gardening gloves. It's our old mail box from a few years back. I saw the idea on some garden show years ago and stored that idea away for another time. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XdMcT14JtEM/UdreQ5XApnI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/EJuA6sdqZes/s1600/Garden+2013+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XdMcT14JtEM/UdreQ5XApnI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/EJuA6sdqZes/s320/Garden+2013+001.JPG" width="179" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would have hated to throw this box away so here it is. It opens from both sides. When mail started disappearing in our neighborhood, we opted for a locked mailbox. This one got moved to the backyard for more use.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W5WBITtiik0/UdrelFG6ApI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/_Z6r__TgPnE/s1600/Garden+2013+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W5WBITtiik0/UdrelFG6ApI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/_Z6r__TgPnE/s320/Garden+2013+002.JPG" width="179" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the loaded down box. It does come in handy. Why should I store plastic bags for the yard under the kitchen sink when they are just as safe here and closer to the source where they will be used.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWwr659z-0E/UdrfCjJa9iI/AAAAAAAAC6g/8nSSL8eOtk8/s1600/Garden+2013+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWwr659z-0E/UdrfCjJa9iI/AAAAAAAAC6g/8nSSL8eOtk8/s320/Garden+2013+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We decided that our water bill could not stand to be any higher than what it was. I saw water barrels on a gardening show and decided we should give them a try. We have five in all and are going to add two more if possible.Each one holds a different amount of water anywhere from 50 gallons and on up. The down spout from the gutter empties into one main barrel which is then connected to all the others for overflow. I have to say whatever it saves in our water bill, it sure takes it's toll on toting water back and forth to the garden. If we had been smart we would have made our garden on the side of the house with the barrels. The next garden will have more thought into it...I hope. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MXL-7HgBm8o/Udrf_Z-bJuI/AAAAAAAAC6w/FXcqdLikeGo/s1600/Garden+2013+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MXL-7HgBm8o/Udrf_Z-bJuI/AAAAAAAAC6w/FXcqdLikeGo/s320/Garden+2013+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We wanted to do some composting so here is the lone barrel. We want to have one or two more but we are trying to decide where we can put them. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqDDqK2kDlE/UdrgWcqW3SI/AAAAAAAAC64/reNb0bSH_x8/s1600/Garden+2013+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqDDqK2kDlE/UdrgWcqW3SI/AAAAAAAAC64/reNb0bSH_x8/s320/Garden+2013+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year we had to order 1500 lady bugs to get rid of aphids. We had stressed the plants by putting them too close together so we cut our tomato plants by half and they seem to be doing much better this year. There are five plants in the bed. They are loaded down with tomatoes this year. Last year, it was touch and go.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2AOgOe67XlU/Udrg06ynhvI/AAAAAAAAC7A/Q8Q9YvYsLCk/s1600/Garden+2013+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2AOgOe67XlU/Udrg06ynhvI/AAAAAAAAC7A/Q8Q9YvYsLCk/s320/Garden+2013+006.JPG" width="179" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is bed #2. There are potato plants in here as well as birdhouse gourds on a trellis. Last year we had a hard time with the gourds not producing, but this year they are going crazy. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RoXLbSO-eEg/UdrhHy6B0kI/AAAAAAAAC7I/PDWubNNynIY/s1600/Garden+2013+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RoXLbSO-eEg/UdrhHy6B0kI/AAAAAAAAC7I/PDWubNNynIY/s320/Garden+2013+007.JPG" width="179" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bed #3 has one tomato plant, one basil plant and the rest are green beans. We eat a lot of green beans. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7kURqUM6TP75-j-LybWoR1z5h0WWTeThrKoisHSPj2bEQUv_26ojyFFN81fbOUYl6mHEH0dQPJnzbC6MwBY-chf1WgHcfpwWoClxTfBCqBGST4UwYpTcEOkaGJdlGxXkJEOq/s1600/Garden+2013+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7kURqUM6TP75-j-LybWoR1z5h0WWTeThrKoisHSPj2bEQUv_26ojyFFN81fbOUYl6mHEH0dQPJnzbC6MwBY-chf1WgHcfpwWoClxTfBCqBGST4UwYpTcEOkaGJdlGxXkJEOq/s320/Garden+2013+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the foreground there are two containers loaded with carrots. We tried them in the ground once and got the stubbiest little carrots so we decided two years ago to do them in pots. It's worked really well this way so this might be the only way we get carrots. They are taller than they ever have been. So we shall see.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X3XIgT3Gw38/Udrh8rUhMUI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/3pxkPfyMi48/s1600/Garden+2013+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X3XIgT3Gw38/Udrh8rUhMUI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/3pxkPfyMi48/s320/Garden+2013+009.JPG" width="179" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beds #4&5 are both loaded with more green beans but the trellis has one penguin gourd plant. We tried sprouting others but they just never came up. This one is going really well. I will be excited to see happens to it as the summer goes on.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAuq-xFVq4g/Udrigvs80NI/AAAAAAAAC7g/Nx9WIOS_Uog/s1600/Garden+2013+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAuq-xFVq4g/Udrigvs80NI/AAAAAAAAC7g/Nx9WIOS_Uog/s320/Garden+2013+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is just another angle of the same beds above. You can't see it but there is a little path between two small beds. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXG6TwxL-cw/UdrixgW6qqI/AAAAAAAAC7o/GvXBvBK7ogM/s1600/Garden+2013+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXG6TwxL-cw/UdrixgW6qqI/AAAAAAAAC7o/GvXBvBK7ogM/s320/Garden+2013+011.JPG" width="179" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is bed #6. It looks kind of strange because it has Jacob's Cattle beans (on the far end). They are dried beans. We plant them and leave them alone until fall. They dry right in the bed and then when they are brown, I go collect them and pop them onto a cookie sheet and let them dry the rest of the way in the house. Then when they are super hard, they go into a jar for eating this winter. The other half of the bed has red potatoes and some really small bell pepper plants. They are no doing so well so I am thinking we are not going to get bell peppers this year. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SlnTWURot6E/UdrjmbD-y4I/AAAAAAAAC70/Eyb-OkhUPjE/s1600/Garden+2013+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SlnTWURot6E/UdrjmbD-y4I/AAAAAAAAC70/Eyb-OkhUPjE/s320/Garden+2013+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bed #7 is our lost bed. Yes, I said lost. We are not sure what this bed is supposed to be. We had asparagus last year and left them alone. This year only half the ferns came up. We have never grown them before so I am not exactly what has happened. The plants in the front are Boston Bib lettuce and some other mix that is going to see now. This bed needs to be used better so I planted some kind of trumpet vine that hummingbirds will love and it will grow over it and give it some shade. I think we are going to relocate the asparagus to some other bed because this one will be shady eventually. I can grow more lettuce in this one, I think.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7llt3e11Adk/UdrkelVOLAI/AAAAAAAAC8A/V43dOqfm2Ns/s1600/Garden+2013+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7llt3e11Adk/UdrkelVOLAI/AAAAAAAAC8A/V43dOqfm2Ns/s320/Garden+2013+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is just a long planter where I used burlap when the coconut lining fell apart. It works perfectly. I have three that have the burlap lining.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that is our city garden right now. I think we are going to build the beds up and a few more boards in the fall. I would like taller beds. My back is killing me! I will be back when we have more things from the garden to show. </span></div>
vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21832089.post-68440011314347354622013-07-02T06:38:00.001-07:002013-07-02T06:38:05.552-07:00Butterflies<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been experimenting with all the paper I have accumulated over this past year for the business. I copied a pattern from Pinterest and have been trying to get it to work for what I want it for. I finally finished the first prototype. This is not a huge post but I did want you all who come and read, that I have not forgot about blogging. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday I got a friend, Juanita, to put my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MessyTableDesigns?ref=ss_profile" target="_blank">Etsy</a> shop on my Facebook page. I am hoping that it will give my business more exposure and eventually more sales. I don't think anyone with an Etsy shop would ever turn down more business! I know I sure wouldn't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Garden Update: I picked our green bean plants within an inch of their life and thought I would skip two days and then see how the garden was going. Much to my surprise, I picked at least another pound of beans. I have to get those ready to give to my next door neighbor. They are always so nice to us and I am in love with the dog, so they get some garden love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that's it for today. Of course there will be a Wordless Wednesday picture for tomorrow. Haven't decided what yet, but there will be one! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OflqHmaojdU/UdLVekVflWI/AAAAAAAAC5g/TL0PxLKqA-c/s1600/butterflies+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OflqHmaojdU/UdLVekVflWI/AAAAAAAAC5g/TL0PxLKqA-c/s320/butterflies+014.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pattern for this mobile came from Pinterest</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PnJPdlHOTrc/UdLWedcDM0I/AAAAAAAAC50/_2EZYOeZ11M/s1600/Mobiles+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PnJPdlHOTrc/UdLWedcDM0I/AAAAAAAAC50/_2EZYOeZ11M/s320/Mobiles+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A picture of Quilled butterflies</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIO_6YRgGZ0/UdLWg5hRy3I/AAAAAAAAC58/EaVdvkGbvtQ/s1600/Mobiles+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIO_6YRgGZ0/UdLWg5hRy3I/AAAAAAAAC58/EaVdvkGbvtQ/s320/Mobiles+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are what I made from looking at the photograph above. I haven't done anything with these guys yet, but hopefully they will be used in a project for my business. I am trying to come up with new Quilled items to sell in my shop and to sell at craft show this fall for the Christmas shopping crowd. If you have any ideas you would like to see quilled or in a mobil, leave me a comment.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>vlb5757http://www.blogger.com/profile/05444876262831798051noreply@blogger.com0