My Planner

Howdy, and good morning.  One of my new years resolutions, is to be more organized.  Can someone be 'more' organized? or is it simply 'organized'?  Well, I feel that I am pretty organized, per say.  But, I  also believe that there is always room for improvement.  So, I am working on being 'more' organized.  And to help me conquer this task, I purchased a planner to keep everything together at my finger tips.  {smile}

If you do a search for 'planner' on the internet, you will be bombarded with images, tutorials, and various manufacturers products.  A lot of eye candy!  So, during the last week of December, I headed to a local craft store, and picked up a few items.  And I finally did a little bit of crafting, and decorated the cover of my planner, and the inside cover of my planner.  {smile}

My planner is striped in a rose gold metallic and cream.  I really liked how these two colors looked together.  I started with a paper lace doily from Stampin' Up!.  I layered a scrap piece of cream and gold metallic lace, towards the bottom of the doily.  Then I added a piece of pink polka dot washi tape.  I purchased that big beautiful fabric blossom in the clearance isle of a craft store.  So, I hot glued the blossom, to the cover.  I die cut two leaf pieces and my initials from a scrap piece of glitter paper, that is pretty similar in 'gold' color on the cover.  I adhered the two leaf pieces to the upper left of the blossom, and adhered my initials to the right of the blossom.   I adhered the rose gold and rhinestone charm just under the blossom.  And the final touch was adding a trio of blush sequins, and a trio of flat-back 'pearls'.

I am pretty happy with how the cover is decorated.  I didn't want too much on the cover, as I use my planner daily.  It's kind of a ritual now a days.  I open it, and look at my various sections each morning, while I am drinking my coffee.  It helps me stay on track for projects, and I get to review my calendar, and make notes of different items of interest.  I am truly loving this whole process! {smile}  I also wanted to make a few additions for my planner, and to make the inside just as pretty!

I trimmed a Project Life card and re-rounded the corners to this beautiful metallic card:  'By being YOURSELF you put something WONDERFUL into the world that was not there before'.  I think all of us need reminders how special each of us are.  And that we should celebrate not being carbon copies of each other.  

I made 4 different but equally beautiful 'clips'.  I took large paper clips and simply added things I love!  Three are made out of paper, and one is another beautiful blossom.  {smile}  The sign, coffee cup, and mason jar are made from paper.  I added a little foam adhesive between the front and back piece of heavy card stock.  And hot glued the paper clip in place.  For the blossom, I simple tied a double bow to the paper clip and hot glued the pink paper blossom to the bow.  I backed it with a scrap piece of pink felt.  I added some small gold accent post-its, and two magnetic closures: a tiffany blue flag, and a gold metallic diamond shape.  I printed a calendar year onto heavy card stock and slipped that in the large pocket.  So, I can see the whole year in one view.  I also made a few notes for each month.  That is where I jot down large projects.  

Well, thank you for looking, and spending a little time with me, to see what I have been doing.  I hope you are still on track with your new years resolution(s), too.  Changing how you do things, and creating 'good' habits are hard.  It does take work, and discipline.  But, I know that I am happy with the changes I have made this year.  I am still exercising 3 times a week.  Running 2 days a week.  Making better, healthier choices of food.  And having time on my calendar to craft, really takes the stress away.  I don't fret about deadlines anymore, and I can get so many more things done in the day.  It makes me believe that my stress is reduced, which is good for my heart, and my family. {smile}  And I continue to work on my 'problem' areas each day.  So there are strides there.  And feeling like I am in control of those areas, is empowering!  Have a great day!

Inspiration

Good Morning.  Yeah, I know it's early.  But, I just love the quiet at this time of day.  No one awake.  No one moving around.  Just me, and my coffee.  Love this time of day! {smile}

My brain is moving in different directions, my thoughts are going every which direction.  But, I'm sure most of you can relate to that.  Todays frenzy is about jewelry.  I know, how crazy is that for me. But, I want to share with you, my first show.  I signed up to be a jewelry designer for a new (to me) company:  KEEP Collective.  They sell bracelets, pendants, and key fobs (keepers), and some very beautiful and unique charms (keys).  So, you can create your very own one-of-a-kind inspirational jewelry piece: spell out what moves you, or add your monogram, or anything your heart desires!

Their bracelets (keepers) are reversible, so you can get two different looks and their charms (keys) are removable and repositional, so you can change the look easily!

Get 8 looks with one keeper and 2 keys. 

Anyways, today is my very first 'showing'.  My sweet daughter is throwing a party, so she is the hostess.  {She is just the best!}  So, I have invited some of my friends, and some of her friends, to share this 'new' company with.  I know it will be a success, because these pieces are top quality! and simply gorgeous in real life!

I just wanted to share with you my good news.  But, if you just love this, or are simply courteous, stop by her house today 1130a -2p, and 'play' with some pieces.  You can place an order with me at her house, or on-line.  Either way you will love what you create!

Here are some beautiful pieces you can make:

spell out your destination

add words/letters/symbols that are important to you

add a time piece, or add a word, or spell it out!

make it a monogram

make your own custom set (rose gold and rose quartz)

The look, the design: is all YOU!  Use your favorite metals (silver, gold, rose gold), your favorite materials (leather, metal mesh), and add what YOU love (words, letters, stones, symbols).  Create your own one-of-a-kind jewelry piece or collection!  Buy a few pieces to start, and create your custom look over time.  Let your family and friends know how much you love KEEP Collective, and they can give you gift certificates so you can add to your collection, or simply start your own!

Well, I'm off to get my stuff together, get some breakfast, and do a quick run before I head into town!

Magnetic A

Welcome.  Yeah, I've been busy crafting! and all I can say, is, YAHOO!  I just love it!  It really does my heart and soul good to create something with paper, seam binding, and buttons!  happy, happy, happy!  {big grin}

All of the items I am sharing with you, are for sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.  And what doesn't sell, will be for sale at several local (Albuquerque, New Mexico) holiday craft shows.  [please note, that I have not shared everything I have made for the craft fairs on my blog.  some items either don't photograph well, or don't ship well.]

One of my top sellers, are magnetic monograms.  I take 4" tall letters, and alter them.  I use pattern papers I have on hand, and add various embellishments.  You know me, seam binding, and a vintage button or two, and always something feminine like a rhinestone(s) or pearl(s). {smile}

All I have left to do, to finish this monogram, is to adhere the two round, strong magnets to the back, and viola!  

I used a scrap piece (4" x 4") of my favorite text pattern paper from Melissa Frances.  I love the dark grey color of the text, and the beautiful font.  This pattern paper is very easy to work with.  You add the color you love!  I painted the letter with a pearl cream color paint.  I wanted to keep the letter neutral, so the color doesn't compete with the pattern paper.

I wrapped some white crochet trim around the lower portion of the wide leg of the letter.  I wrapped some pale pumpkin dyed muslin around the middle of the letter and tied it in a simple bow.  I added a light coral lace blossom from Prima, Coffee Break collection.  I just love the soft, beautiful look of these lace blossoms.  

I added a light coral paper blossom just above the lace blossom.  I added some of the pearl cream paint to the tips of the paper blossom.  I tucked in a clock stick pin from Prima.  And finally, I added two berry sorbet vintage buttons, from Paper Trey Ink.  And finally, I wanted to add some sparkle, so I cut the legs off a rhinestone brad, and tucked it in close to the muslin bow.

Want to see more photos of this gem?  Head on over to my Etsy shop!  and Thank You for taking the time to visit me, and I hope I have inspired you, to create something beautiful, and in your favorite color!

'O' What A Magnetic Monogram!

Howdy!  I'm glad that you stopped by.  I have been busy getting things done post craft fair.  It always takes a bit of work to get things organized and set up for the start of the craft fair.  But it takes a lot of work once you have everything packed up and ready to head home.

You see, products that I don't sell at the craft fair,  need to make sure everything is wrapped correctly. Everything is photographed.  And organized so that I can not put it in my virtual shop over @ Etsy.

I want to share a magnetic monogram that I created.

and here is another view

The magnetic monograms that I sell are a big hit.  The letters measure roughly 4" square.  I paint the letter first.  Then I glue the pattern paper to the letter.  A bit of filing, sanding, inking, and tender care, these letters look wonderfully aged.

I add strips of lace, trim, or multi-loop bows of seam binding.  Or a collection of it all {smile}

I try to make a large variety of letters.  However, I can not find a 'Z'.  So that is about the only letter I don't have.  I'll be busy making more of these gems this weekend.  

I also do custom orders.  So let me know the letter, and then things you love and hate.  An example:  'T', florals, polka dots, buttons and vintage.

Thank you for looking.  I have added this letter and a 'T' to my Etsy shop.  Let me know what you want!