Scrapbooks are often filled with pictures, stories and other memorabilia. Thus, I have created this an online scrap-blog. Displayed are stories from my everyday life; from my art projects to crazy friends. My world isn't full of wild adventures, but rather interesting vignettes that converge into my day to day existence.
Here's an update on my Stitchalong sampler! (click for a close up)
I added a fun crab on a sandy beach (I love his little pinchers), a hootie owl on a branch with big yellow eyes, a pretty pink star (my lease favorite inchie so far), some purple lattice and a spider-webbed rose from silk ribbon. I'm kind of thinking I should have picked a theme like most of the other stylin' stichers in the stitchalong, but I'm having fun just doing my own thing! I'm curious what will pop up tomorrow!
So the Ireland post office must hate me because it took forever to get my Christmas and ultimately my Valentine's swap from Claire. The Christmas package was sent back to Claire for some absurd reason and by the time she got it, it was time for my Valentine swap to be sent.
So in early February, on a Tuesday, I come home from work to find a stack of boxes in front of my door! I was so excited I hustled them into my room:
The top white box was a shipment of handmade soap from an amazing online site (future blog post on that), the middle box was my "Christmas" swap and the bottom box was my "Valentine" swap!
getting 2 swaps at once is pretty damn awesome! Since there are so many goodies packed into each swap, I'll have to break them down. I hate to be a tease, but I promise details to come soon!
I was wandering through my photos today trying to organize things a bit when I found this....
....A picture of my mom and I around my Nana's kitchen table. This photo wasn't retouched in any way, just scanned as is. I've had it in the depths of my computer photo files, but I guess it got lost in the shuffle.
Above the sink, where the light is pouring in through a giant window,There is a vast, New Mexico prairie. There's probably a cow or two in the pasture wandering around and a fence beyond it somewhere in the distance.
I love this picture. It's hard to believe I had hair that blond or that long now that it's cropped close in a bob. The iced tea spoons on the table. Reaching for a watercolor pencil to "color" while my mother sketched out a beautiful flower to later be enhanced by water. How young she looks....
I've always loved this siteIt's been on my favorites for a long time. If you haven't seen it, check it out and play around! It's great for stress relief or for creating a masterpiece! Just remember to click "replay painting" when you're done!
More stitches from the Stitchalong to come soon!!! I can't wait to share them with you!!!!
Do you remember that wonderful red & white box from the Valentine's "love & red" swap I sent to Claire? It's okay if you don't, you can pop over here to read about it.
You've been waiting and here it is!
Claire loves to bake and likes a wide variety of supplies so I sent a bunch of fun things she may not be able to get over in Ireland. A few highlights: multi-colored Valentine sprinkles, festive cupcake liners, 2 mini bunt pans, "Ireland" embellishments, a mini scrapbook kit (that includes paper/stickers/chipboard base) ....
Some more things I've included are candies, craft supplies (like Thickers, ribbon, stamps, deco tape etc.) broach, pendant, frame, and other Valentine-ish and red things that I thought were fun all crammed...er....tucked into that pretty red & white box!
Yes, I have pictures of the Christmas and Valentine swaps from Claire! They're coming soon!
Through my amazing friend Bryanna, I stumbled upon this uber fun stitchalong! *click on the button for further details*
I thought to myself that I had tons of suppies stock piled away in some crappy box in the back of my closet, why not put it to use? So I hemmed (no pun intended) and hawed about it and wondered, would I actually sew a square a day? One way to find out.
So I hauled out my supplies and tried to organize things a bit: loose thread tangle? Check. Tons of floss? Check. Silk ribbon. Check. Needles, scissors, cloth, rainbow weave, hoops, sewing books? Check. So I made a big grid of 1x1 inch squares on some wonderful fabric my buddy Bryanna sent me and saddled up the ol' hoop. Then it sat....on my desk...all afternoon....looking at me......
It was just as bad a a blank sheet of paper, a blank page in a novel, a blank canvas. It was darn right intimidating! So I turned over to Bryanna's blog for some inspiration and saw the most darling Alice ever stitched! It was so stinking delightful that I found a jumping off point! Wouldn't you know it? Out popped a lovely Cinderella!
Yes, she isn't in the first square, her stitches are random and she isn't a 1x1 inch either, but how fun is this? I used floss for her hair, skin and dress and silk ribbon for her shoulder and hip poofs! *click on the pic for a close up. Being ever cautious I waited a day to see what would happen. Would I have the desire for another day?
Presto! Day number two! what is it? I have no idea; a green amoeba, tangled ivy, splatter? Does it matter? The point was that I had fun and I enjoyed the colors!
So after square number two, I clicked over to Amy's blog and signed up! I know my stylings aren't perfect, but then again what art is? I'm not sure what direction this project will turn, but I know that I'm having fun already seeing what jumps out of my needles! Stay tuned.....
So recently my mom has been expanding on her creativity in her studio and I have been lucky enough to be on the receiving end for some of her designs!
The first item up is this amazing black & white scarf! My mom has knitted me scarves in the past, but since she really is a quilter at heart, she turned out this beautiful reversible scarf for me!Please click on the picture for a more detailed view.
Below is a photo that shows the other side of the scarf. It's a combo of roller coaster fabric and flower print! How fun is that?!
The next amazing Quilted wonder is a mug caddy. Once again, I'm sorry that blogger is being evil by showing this picture on it's side. Now it doesn't look like much when it's laid out (aside from the amazing fabric...
But when you put it inside a mug (or in my case, a cup) it adds extra organization and flare!
For the Grand Finale, I present you with this gorgeous gemstone bracelet.
Now, for those with a keen eye, you'll notice that all the stones here are real and not plastic/faux reproductions. The reason for this amazing creation was a special request from me to my mom. You see, stones have wonderful metaphysical properties and when you combine certain stones with others, it can amplify those properties. You might be skeptical, but they really do give you a boost if you allow them too. If you still have doubts, you can think of it like a placebo where it will only work if you believe it will.
So the main reason for this compilation was the want for more love, romance and friendships in my life. The last time I wore a bracelet with rose quartz beads on it, I ended up meeting and dating a great guy for 3 months. Since that bracelet bit the dust a long time ago I thought it would be nice to get a better one.
Enter my mom. Mom has been turning out beautiful beaded jewelery lately and knowing her (and her massive supply of stones) I knew I could turn to her for beautiful piece of jewelry with some love & friend boosting properties. I told her I wanted Amethyst and rose quartz to enhance romance and friendships, but that she could add to it and design it. Below, I have outlined what each stone is and what their properties are.
1. Turquoise - healing stone. Attracts friendships, luck, and happiness. Keeps you truthful to yourself. (it happens to be one of my favorites and will help boost finding new people and add luck to my romantic search).
2. Amethyst - calmness, clarity, intuition, protection. (when combined with rose quartz, it boosts loving properties).
3. Labradorite - strengthens the will and inner strength and convictions. It reveals your true path. (this will boost my chances by keeping me going in the right direction)
4. Turquoise - (see #1)
5. Moonstone - Opens the spirit to the feminine aspect. Draws love and helps in interpersonal relationships. Acts as protection for women. (these are strategically placed next to stones to boost their qualities. The best stone is in the center).
6. Amethyst - (see #2)
7. Jade - wisdom, mercy, humility, generosity, peace, and harmony. Protective and lucky when worn as jewelry. (this is an extra boost to keep myself open minded and aid in luck)
8. Fresh water pearl - beauty, faithfulness, humility, innocence, integrity, modesty, purity, refinement, wisdom, and wealth. (another enhancement stone to keep me true to myself).
9. amethyst - (see #2)
10. Quartz - the greatest of all healing stones. Acts as an amplifier for psychic energy and aids meditation and visualization. (this will help amplify the rose quartz)
11. Moonstone - (see #5)
12. Rose Quartz - great for attracting love by opening the heart. Promotes self-loving and heals emotional wounds as well as promoting peace, forgiveness, and nurturing. (this is in the center to really push the romance)
I know each of these stones has multiple meanings and properties, but those were the highlights. Each of these peieces were carefully picked out by my mom for their properties and placed next to stones to help enhance the energy. The rose quartz has a hidden rainbow when shown in sunlight, the amethyst is a rich purple (the darker the color, the more complex and powerful the stone), pure fresh water pearls that aren't dingy, a big hunk of rose quartz to boost my romance, a brilliant cut of moonstone.....I mean, she put so much heart into this bracelet.
When I wear it, I feel a new sense of confidence. It has already boosted the slump I was in and has prompted me to get out there! Thanks again mom, I can't wait to see what new people it brings into my life! (Again, sorry for the side ways photo)!
I'm a mid 20's gal who doesn't sugar coat life. I work with a lot of different mediums of art and have a bunch of interesting people in my life. I love wine (red) and beer (dark) and can solve 3/5 of a rubix cube.
