Some Valentine Freebies

Isn't he a dream?? Oh that picture sure made me laugh out loud, so much so that my son came upstairs to see what was so funny....



These all came from Heidi at Shabby Chic Papirskatter Looking through her archives makes me happy!!

Mid Week Day Dreamin'

I'm usually way too busy with kid/child related things to actually get things fixed/organized in my house, let alone paint and even re-decorate, but it's usually in mid week, that I start to daydream about what I would love to do to my little house, maybe ove the weekend when I have some spare time (RIGHT?!),I dream of the rooms need a splash of loving colour and what my dream deck and garden would be .... I call it My Mid Week Day Trippin' or Dreamin', depends on who I'm chatting with.


I was hanging out at Rose Petals and Rust, and got dreaming of having my own little cottage, like the one she is building in her yard. Unfortunately for me, I have a tiny yard and being in Calgary, Alberta...it's much too cold for having an outdoor playplace...so I have to settle for the dreary basement or the spare bedroom.

This is sort of how organized I'd like it, like a little store (check out the rest of that room here).

This closet space is quite appealing too. Check out Karen Russell's blog for more on her incredible perfect scrap space.


One of these index card holders would rock too, imagine the possibilities?!



I picked the spare bedroom.... It's slightly bigger than the walk in closet, it's not at all like the dungeoun of a basement, and it does have a window, BONUS!

So far, it looks like an office
and not a great place for inspiration or creations, however, I am bound to make it work. I've started by moving stuff around a bit, and removing the huge sliding closet doors our of my way. Hopefully it's a start, I will recreate this space into something I love to work in. I think my family is getting mighty tired of eating meals off the coffee table, or fighting for a spot to eat with my growing pile of projects on the dinign room table.
I have to figure out how to combine both spaces into a small room, so far I've only got about 1/2 of my stuff, and I'm still trying to place things where they will work...
obviously I will move that from the window!

Wish me luck. in the meantime, check out this lovely little thrift store find, $1.50!!

Wondering what I should use it for? It is bigger than the average train case, but not as big as a suitcase either. It is a lovely little find!

Cheers,
Viviana

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!

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!