thank you jefra…

In about 30-45 minutes at Spark, I learned more about my camera, photography, and just trusting my eye than I knew was possible in that amount of time.  Thanks to Jefra, my eyes have opened more to some of the cool possibilities that my camera holds… 

Thank you Jefra!

These 2 she took of me on my camera…  seriously cool…  love giving someone my camera and getting this back…

These below, I took, playing around with lenses, the LensBaby, and just having fun…  It was amazing to just take pictures to take them - they might be slightly out of focus or a little different, but it was about the experience of “playing” which I have not done in a long, long time… 

And this is Miss Jefra herself…

how i learned to sparkle…

This weekend was amazing.  I went to Spark, prepared to teach, share my knowledge of Fiskars tools, and to help spread the love of crafting.  What I wasn’t prepared for was the amazing amount of wonderful stuff I would learn.

First, I just have to thank Margie, Jefra, Rhonna, and Liz for having me there.  They invited Fiskars to take part in this event and for that I am truly grateful. 

Second, I want to share a few photos of my adventure.  It was truly an event that I will never forget.  There was music playing continuously throughout the venue, candles in the trees, and paper chains decorating everything.  You were inspired artistically just walking between event halls.  The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, and Spark truly sparkled.  There were pretty things around every corner, tucked behind tables, displayed prominently, and in every part of the entire weekend.

Finally, I want to share a bit with you about what I learned from all of this…

• I learned to be me – to let my creativity, imagination, passion, and light shine.
• True friends are friends, no matter where they live.
• Creativity can save your soul, your sanity, and your health.
• I am blessed.
• I am beyond grateful

Now, go let your light shine…

 

taking a few days off to

Unfortunately, my grandmother is very sick and today they took her off of most of the machines and gizmos that they use to help with a lot of the essentials.  They have moved her from the ICU into her own room, with just a small oxygen tube and some pain meds to keep her comfortable.  It has been a rough few days for our family and for the next couple things will be on the quiet front here.  Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers as we go through this.

Thank you…

 

 

trunk or treat – inside…

Yes, it rained.  There is a small overhang outside the main doors to the church that a few people were able to back up to, but we ended up inside.  They gave everyone 2 chairs and that was our “trunk.”  The boys didn’t care – they still got to decorate and get free candy…  really, what more is there in life, right?

So, here are a few pics from trunk or treat…  we really did have a great time!

And, yes, Jacob is Woody from Toy Story and Owen is Darth Vadar…

locked away

in a room all this week… We are in these crazy brainstorming session meetings all week and I feel totally out of touch with the outside world. I decided to sneak out for a minute, check my email, and catch up around the outside world.

I am super excited about tomorrow.  We have “Trunk or Treat” at our church.  You decorate your car trunk or the hatch back of your SUV, park in the church lot in a semi-circle, and the kids trick or treat from car to car.  Of course I am hard at work on trying to figure out exactly how to decorate my trunk and tonight will be the night to empty it out and get it ready…  I will be sure to share some photos of it… this ought to be interesting. 

Okay – back to my hole…

terrorific tuesday

I am super excited to be included in this week’s group – thanks so much!



Trick or Treat!
Frame and post it note holder dressed for Halloween

Costumed Kokeshi Dolls
Try out a Halloween idea for a traditional Japanese doll with Crafterella

Halloween Mask
Phyllis Dobbs created a fun and easy Halloween mask - great for adults and kids!

Fun Halloween Lanterns
Stephenie Hamen accessorizes plain paper lanterns with her paper punches.

Black Widow & Bloody Necklaces
Pattie Wack uses 3-D paint to create chokers that will creep out your party guests!

Tutu Cute Halloween Wreath
Vanessa creates an inspired wreath made of tulle!

Mad Scientist Party
Amy of Living Locurto shares a slew of fun ideas to host your own Mad Scientist Party.

Halloween Zombie Dolls
Crafty Chica shows how to add some zombie love to your decor!

Halloweenies!
Boopsie Daisy shares some of the wonderful Halloween dollies that she dreams up!

Crafty Chica's Ghost Story!
Kathy Cano-Murillo shares a haunted crafty tale!

Halloween Cone Witches
Make these cute little paper cone witches for Halloween!

Halloween Leftovers
Mel takes the leftovers from last week's project and makes a cool Goth choker!

Brenda Pinnick Halloween Owls
Seasonal Owls for Scaring or Delighting Trick or Treaters

The Impatient Crafter
Margot creates another spooktacular mixed media necklace with a bite.

Halloween Batty Windchime
Heidi Borchers creates a super cute windchime with personality!

Kitschy Kitschy BOO
Add some Halloween flair to your day with this cute kitschy bracelet and earring combo!

Simple Halloween Gift Tags
Studio Mama makes a strong impact with these quick and easy tags!

Strands of Beads
Melissa once again gives some pretty flower beads a Gothic makeover with this simple earring design

Costume Fun
Sharron Westerfield shares her passion for costume-making and the joy it brings her grandchildren.

Return of the Birthday Zombie
Candace is cracking herself up with this ghoulish gift box idea

Doodle Pumpkin
Swelldesigner a.k.a. Alexa Westerfield shows you how to make a fun pumpkin on the fly!

fun halloween lanterns

Yes, I am still at it, making Halloween stuff…  I just love easy-to-do projects and this is one that is super easy!

I bought some great little and cheap paper lanterns at the craft store in several Halloweeny colors.

Then I got out my favorite punches and got to work!

For some, I just punched out Halloween shapes and added them on with pop dots.

For Frankie, I got a bit more creative…  making a round Frankenstein, by the way, is difficult.  If he isn’t somewhat squareish, he just doesn’t seem to be Frankie enough…  oh well – I still gave it a shot!  I used punches and scissors to create him…

All in all, it was a fun little chance to be creative.  When I hang them, I think I will just use some battery-powered lights – I will see what I can find.

Anyway – one more week and a day… then it is time for the Halloween Hauntings to begin!

work in progress…

I am in the midst of finalizing some projects – my class for Silver Bellas and my project for Spark.  Just wanted to share a little corner of what I have been working on. 

This is a project that I am super excited to teach and share…  I will share all the details after, but wanted to let you in on a little hint anyway…

Have a great weekend!

our little monkey man

That would be Jacob – king of the monkeys.  I think that we counted recently and the kid has like 22 stuffed monkeys of various sorts.  So, now that it is time to redo his room and move him from toddler bed to big boy bed, I am crafting some monkey love for his room.  We have safari stuff picked out for his bedding, enough monkey to fill shelves around his room, and now we have a bit of wall decor. 

I had a blast using these papers and embellishments from Colorbok - they fit Jake to a T!

Anyway…  here is the monkey man’s little wall hanging…  It is nothing fancy, but it is all Jacob!

felt trick or treat bags…

I had fun making these and added them to the Official Fiskars Page over on facebook, but wanted to share it here as well!  These were fun to make!!!

As a kid, I fell in LOVE with felt.  As an adult, I continue to have a true passion for it…  not the real fancy stuff – no, mine is a passion for the $0.25 pieces of it from the craft store.  I think it must trace back to the early days of Kindergarten and felt boards.  Anyway, I still love it and grabbed some from my local store to create custom trick or treat bags with my kids!

First, I bought one yard of low-end gray felt.  I purchased several Halloween inspired colors of the $0.25 sheets as well.

Next, I folded the yard in half and used my rotary cutter and clear ruler to cut out the bases of the bags.  They are 19” tall and 12” wide.  This ensures that the bottom of the bag will stay together when loaded down with candy!
Then I sewed both sides with a simple stitch on the machine.  This way it is secure with no holes.  There is nothing worse than kids crying over a lost piece of candy.

I quick drew out a handle template and cut that out using the rotary cutter. 

Next I did an orange whip stitch on both sides and around the handle openings for some added stability.

Finally, it was time to add in the fun!  I cut out a pumpkin shape and embellishments and went to town decorating my bag.  I used tacky glue to add and hold all of the embellishments.  You could easily add the whip stitch here as well, but I just went simple with the glue this time.

For the kids, I pre-cut out the pieces and added the googlie eyes so that they can just place them and glue them when they are ready to make theirs.  All of the prep work is done and they just need to decorate! 

See – easy peasy lemon squeezie!