Now This BLOG is FABULOUS!

I have been lifting ideas, images and inspiration from this blog for a few months now, so I suppose it's time I gave her props and shared with all of you how fabulous Cathe Holden and her blog Just Something I Made really is.
I have used no less than 6 of her tutorials and ideas in my own household, and that is really amazing since I always thought I has some great things going.
One of my favourites and latest finds deep in her archives is this, which I will share with you because I'm sure she won't mind, and I am using today. I have tons of fabric and leather renmants lying around in piles and in drawers, last night I gathered them up and I am in the process of printing the pdf file for Organizing Fabric Renmants as we speak (I'm multi-tasking!!). It is time to get them rolled up and sorted in my newly acquired giant drawer filing cabinet.

You can get the PDF format labels to print yourself from her tutorial.


Another one of my favourite tutorials was this one,

called Leather Mounting Plaques, using the free pdf file (which you can get from Cathe's blog)
I made a few brooches and it gave me the idea for using some die cuts for a similar look.

I have too many charms and just wasn't sure what to do with some, so this was a perfect way to make unique gifts and items for my Etsy Shop.



For my next project (as soon as I get my sewing machine back) I will be making this!

I happen to have a few placemats in a blue flower print, which I picked up more than 5 years ago for 10cents each at liquidation world. I'm tired of squashed tissue boxes in my mini-van, and using this idea will save me from the frustration of muddy/slushy boot prints on my kleenx next time I go use one. I will eventually post a picture for you all to see the finished product.

Anyhow, if one day you find yourself bored and looking for some wonderful inspiration from a great designer, go visit Cathe at Just Something I Made, you'll find yourself lost in her blog for hours!

T'is the Season!

Ok, I love this tag! Read more about them at the bottom.


In the recent months I created lots of wondeful cards, tags and tons of other items and proceeded to stock my ETSY store to the gills really, expecting to do well this season. With sales being less than stellar, and time passing way too quickly for my liking, I decided to get started on making a few things for our family, friends and neighbours and concentrated the past few days and spare hours making some really sweet things for us rather than the store.


For all the kids in the family, I've made these cute little brooches. I am obsessed with using my die cutters for as much as possible, let's just say I'm getting my moneys worth out of that wonderful Big Kick (Big Shots older brother!).

I used felt for these and I added the bar pin behind the felt so it will last for a long time. I used these cute snowflakes I found last year at the dollar store and rhinestones from Michaels. I'm happy with them, hope the kids like them too.

So this was my 2 day project, I spent one day folding the rosettes, the next putting together the die cuts and punch outs and hot gluing it all together.

Now, the idea was lifted from LARK AND LOLA's blog, from a tutorial called Antique Music Rosette Ornament Tutorial. Although I didn't have the antique music sheets, I did have a vintage Websters dictionary with yellowed pages, perfect for this project. I used some of the same and similar chipboard die cuts from K and Co, I got them from Michael's. I know that they are supposed to be ornaments, but I will be using mine as tags for all the handmade gifts I'm giving out this year. Brown paper packages tied up with string......oh my, these will look wonderful on the gifts!






Anyhow, I am getting more and more excited about this season, I love the snow, the twinkling lights and of course, the art of giving!

Cheers,
Viviana

Creating Frenzy, I love Christmas Time!

I've been in a 'creation frenzy' for the past few weeks, and this is just a tiny bit of all the things I've been working on. I honestly need a real workshop, my diningroom table is no longer good enough!

In am working on tons of Christmas Cards, most of which don't make it to ETSY because I do sell them locally and some that sell as soon as I list so we don't get to enjoy them for long. I made this one, snow globe card, because we never had a snow globe when we were kids, but I've always been fascinated by them. This card gives me a nostalgic feeling.



This little brooch was inspired by all my purses. I have these little charms, but I wanted to use them in a less traditional way, not on a necklace atleast. I am working on a few more with different colours of leather, which I die cut, thus achieving the prefect base for showing off the little gems!






The cuff and matching ring are an experiment in creation. I started making leather covered buttons because I couldn't find anyone who sold them at a reasonable price. I made a ring and then I thought a matching bracelet would be hot. This is the result, and I love it. I mostly wear charm bracelets, which dangle and get tangled and sometimes just don't finish a look quite like I want them to. This cuff looks great and I love that it looks rocker while still being sexy and soft!



I discovered a couple of really great blogs, with ideas and inspiration galore. The first is "Just Something I Made" where I got the patterns for some of the plaques for my brooches. I love all the ideas she shares and love that I have found someone who thinks outside the box! This brooch is my take on her idea. I have added a couple to my store. We'll see how they do.



Now I'm off to go create some more, I have a few craft sales to go before the season is done and, I also have to finish my gift making for my own family and friends. Hopefully, I can keep up the pace and be done in time to go out an enjoy a bit of the beautfiful days we are having this fall!

Tonight I will start looking through our decorations, it's almost time to get them out, I can't wait to see my little house looking all warm and cozy and ready for entertaining!

Cheers!