~ Happy 2012!

Happy first day of 2012, all!  Hope you have great creative projects in store for this year.

I finally got around to uploading some of my photos of handmade Christmas presents.  The projects above are chainmaille bracelets with personalized charms for my sisters-in-law and mom.  The weave is byzantine with rings I ordered from Blue Buddha Boutique.  The charms are scrapbooking charms from 7Gypsies which are now very hard to find.  I printed photos to fit on the double-sided charms and sealed with Golden self-leveling medium.

Come back this week for a visit in the next few weeks.  I should have some new photos and other projects to share soon.

~ My Blog – 2011 in review

Thanks to all who have visited my blog this year and over the last several years!  Happy New Year and may you have good luck and prosperity in 2012!

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The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 23,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 9 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

~ Latest Cooking and Crafting

 

Been busy these last few weeks with all sorts of crafting – candy-making (first time — not so good but tried it anyway), Christmas stocking card class at work, jewelry-making and pie-baking.  I’ll have more photos to share soon!

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~ Team Emmett Bracelet

Here is my most current Twilight-themed project for a recent contest I ran on the Twilight Sorority Facebook page.  This is a combination of Byzantine chainmaille with scales, beaded embellishments and a double-sided Team Emmett charm.  It is a more elaborate Twilight-themed bracelet than the ones I’ve made in the last few months.  Congratulations to my Twi-sis, Christina, who was randomly chosen as the winner!

 

~ Autumn Card Class

It has been a while since I’ve posted photos from a lunchtime work class!  Here are a few of my co-workers who made my latest card design last week.

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Supplies:  Stampin’ Up! – cardstock; Bella Blvd – patterned paper; K&Company – cardstock stickers; The Twinery – twine

~ Oopsy! Turned a boo-boo into something good!

Here is my latest chainmaille –  a 6-in-1 with scales and beaded embellishments.  The reason I call it a “boo-boo” is because a co-worker ordered an 8-in-1.  I mindlessly went along with the 6-in-1 weave and when I finished it realized I made the wrong one!  D’oh!  So, instead of wasting it I added scales and beads and matched the colors to a new dress I just purchased. =)

Was very productive this past Veterans Day weekend.  In addition to the bracelet shown to the left, I completed two Turkish Roundmaille bracelets and two 8-in-1 bracelets.

 

~ October OZZ Project – Donna

In all of the excitement prepping for the Handmade Holidays Blog Hop, I completely forgot to post my latest Bind-it-All OZZ project.  So here we go, a farewell book for my good friend, Donna.  This book held well-wishes for her as a keepsake to take to her next job.

For more Bind-It-All Inspiration (and supply lists), please go to the Zutter Zisters Site

Winner!!! Handmade Holiday Blog Hop

Drum roll, please!  The winner of a Zutter Spinner Album is – Bashful!  Congratulations, Bashful!  Please send your name and address to me soonest so that I can forward.  Thanks, everyone, for participating.  It was a great hop!

~ Autumn Crafts

Photos from projects I’ve made the last few weeks.

Pumpkin Treat Bags

I made these for my co-workers for Halloween – orange paper bags, green duct tape, pipe cleaners and candy (of course!)  Cut off any excess “stem” with pinking shears to give it a rough chop.

Paper Haystacks

One of my co-worker’s mothers asked her to ask me about Thanksgiving decorating! (hee hee)  This was what I shared with her.  Each haystack is made out of two strips of 5″ x 12″ pieces of patterned paper.  I used the Martha Stewart fringe scissors to cut the hay.  Roll the strips together.  I rolled two different ways –(1) end-to-end and (2) both strips rolled up together one on top of the other.  I prefer the end-to-end method.  Use a bone folder or your fingers to puff out the out layers of paper and secure with a little adhesive and twine.  For more information on how to make this, go to The Twinery for their version.

Rosette Embellishments

Working on a new card class and these are some of the embellishments I made.  Not so convinced these will be very autumn-y but what the heck.  I’ll figure it out!

Latest Twilight-themed Bracelets

One of the bracelets below was a special order of charms made from pictures taken at the Baltimore Twilight Convention plus autographed fan photos.  The Edward one was a prize I made for the Twilight Sorority Facebook Page.

Handmade Holidays Blog Hop – Day #3

Welcome to the Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!!


Calling all crafters! We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season. This 3 day Hop includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could make for the holidays, all in one place on this Hop!

To sweeten to Hop, we’re offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors!

Visit the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each by Nov 7, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST. Each day we will be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from!

Nov 6
Clearsnap – http://clearsnap.blogspot.com
Spellbinders  http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/Community/Blog.aspx
Hampton Art - http://blog.hamptonart.com/
Zutter – http://binditall.blogspot.com/
Graphic45 – http://g45papers.typepad.com/
Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/
The Twinery - http://www.thetwineryblog.com/
Authentique Paper http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/
Glue Arts - http://gluearts.blogspot.com/
Sabrina Alery – Clearsnap http://sabrinaalery.blogspot.com/
Laura Denison – Graphic 45 http://www.followingthepapertrail.blogspot.com/
Karen Taylor – Donna Salazar Designs - http://creativeyearnings.blogspot.com/
Beverly Sizemore – Hampton Art  http://bevscreativepath.blogspot.com/
Kazan Clark  – Spellbinders http://nunutoolies.blogspot.com/
Janeen Shember – Authentique Paper  http://suburbngypsy.blogspot.com/
Charlotte Jenkins – Clearsnap http://suepup.blogspot.com/
Grace Hester – The Twinery http://gracehester.typepad.com/
Nicole Eccles – Graphic45 http://nicoleeccles.blogspot.com/
Audrey Pettit – Donna Salazar Designs - http://audreypettit.wordpress.com/
Nan Paturzo – Zutter http://scrappynan.blogspot.com/
Jeannie DeGruccio – Authentique Paper  http://polkacabana.wordpress.com/
Tamara Tripodi – Glue Arts http://happylifecraftywife.com/
Julie Ranae Murray- The Twinery http://juliesopenwindow.blogspot.com/

Cheers to creating gifts from the heart this holiday season!

Happy Hopping!

Handmade Holidays Blog Hop – Day #2

Welcome to the Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!!


Calling all crafters! We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season. This 3 day Hop includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could make for the holidays, all in one place on this Hop!

To sweeten to Hop, we’re offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors!

Visit the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each by Nov 7, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST. Each day we will be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from!

November 5
Clearsnap – http://clearsnap.blogspot.com
Spellbinders  http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/Community/Blog.aspx
Hampton Art - http://blog.hamptonart.com/
Zutter – http://binditall.blogspot.com/
Graphic45 – http://g45papers.typepad.com/
Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/
The Twinery - http://www.thetwineryblog.com/
Authentique Paper http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/
Glue Arts - http://gluearts.blogspot.com/
Jan Hennings – Glue Arts http://papercraftpleasures.blogspot.com/
Kim Sonksen – Donna Salazar Designs - http://kimsonksen.blogspot.com/
Jamie Harper – Hampton Art www.jamieharper.typepad.com
Jenny Suchin – The Twinery http://www.suchins.blogspot.com/
Heather Conklin– Authentique Paper  http://goldiecar.blogspot.com/
Gloria Stengel- Graphic 45 http://gloriascraps.blogspot.com/
Christine Emberson – Spellbinders http://hope-chances.blogspot.com/
Julie Overby – Spellbinders http://joverby.blogspot.com/
Mary Dawn Quirindongo – Clearsnap http://mypinkmexico.blogspot.com/
Lea Sanders – Zutter http://leasanders.wordpress.com/
Tara Orr – Graphic45 http://eachmoment-onlyonce.blogspot.com/
Patti Milazzo – Glue Arts -  http://pattimilazzo.blogspot.com/
Emily Lanham – Authentique Paper http://createserendipity.blogspot.com/
Jessy  Christopher – Donna Salazar Designs - www.teacherjessy.blogspot.com

Cheers to creating gifts from the heart this holiday season!

Happy Hopping!

=======================

It’s my turn, my turn, my turn! =)  Hope you all have been inspired by the beautiful projects so far on the Handmade Holidays Blog Hop. My take on holiday projects is The Calendar.  This everyday life tool can be made as simple, elaborate or personal as you want it to be for family, friends, co-workers, anyone that is near and dear to you.

{{{Don’t forget to leave a comments on this and all of the blogs you visit for a chance to win awesome product prizes!}}}

The Bind-it-All makes easy work of combining different pieces of my calendar.  My project displays family moments throughout this past year in a home decor format.  You can choose to make your calendar a table-top display instead.  To see an example of a tabletop calendar, click here and here and here.

To help you in your calendar crafting, I’ve already made JPEGs for 2012 – Click here to go to the post and save them to your computer.  If you’d like the 2012 with Federal Holidays, email me at leasanders@yahoo.com and I’ll send you a zip file. =)

How to –

  1. Trim Zutter frosted acrylic sheets into 4″ squares.  Trim patterned paper into 3.75″ squares and adhere.  Pay close attention to which months you are adhering back to back!
  2. Print calendar months and photos.  Punch photos and attach epoxy shapes or leave photos unpunched.  Arrange and adhere months and photos as desired.  I popped up the epoxy covered shapes with pop-up glue dots to give more dimension.
  3. Zutter punch and bind using the Bind-it-All.  I attached three months per column x 2 but you can choose to make one long 12-month or a 6-month back-to-back calendar.  You choose!
  4. Embellish with twine and additional epoxy shapes.
  5. Add both columns of calendar months to a dowel and glue end caps.
  6. Tie twine to the end caps to make the holder.

Tools

  • Zutter – Bind-it-All
  • Fiskars – scissors and paper trimmer
  • Epiphany Crafts – punches
  • Glue Arts – Glue Glider Pro

Supplies -

  • Zutter – 1/2″ white o-wire, frosted acrylic sheets
  • Creative Imaginations – patterned paper
  • The Twinery – twine
  • Glue Arts – adhesive
  • Epiphany Crafts – round and heart epoxy caps
  • Zots – glue dots
  • Gorilla – Super Glue
  • wooden dowel and caps

Handmade Holidays Blog Hop – Day #1

Welcome to the Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!!


Calling all crafters! We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season. This 3 day Hop includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could make for the holidays, all in one place on this Hop!

To sweeten to Hop, we’re offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors!

Visit the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each by Nov 7, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST. Each day we will be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from!

November 4
Clearsnap – http://clearsnap.blogspot.com
Spellbinders  http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/Community/Blog.aspx
Hampton Art - http://blog.hamptonart.com/
Zutter – http://binditall.blogspot.com/
Graphic45 – http://g45papers.typepad.com/
Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/
The Twinery - http://www.thetwineryblog.com/
Authentique Paper http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/
Glue Arts - http://gluearts.blogspot.com/
Sherry Cheever – Graphic45  http://sherrycheever.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Claire Towle– Hampton Art http://studio1975.co.uk
Emily Leiphart- The Twinery http://www.leiphartonart.blogspot.com/
Andrea Budjack – Glue Arts  http://andreascreativepapertrail.blogspot.com/
Lesley Langdon  – Spellbinders http://www.lesleylangdoncreative.blogspot.com/
Daniela Dobson – Clearsnap  http://danieladobson.blogspot.com/
Natasha Naranjo Aguirre – Donna Salazar Designs- http://mymomentsoftranquility.blogspot.com
Lisa Day – Glue Arts -  http://www.lisaday.typepad.com/
Lynne Forsythe – Zutter http://lynneforsythe.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Priest- Clearsnap http://hydrangeahippo.blogspot.com
Tifany DeGough  – Authentique Paper http://inkblotsbytrd.blogspot.com/
Holly Simoni  – Spellbinders http://www.hollysimoni.typepad.com/
Fleur Smith – Zutter  http://fleursbydesign.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Johnson- The Twinery http://www.parkersprints.blogspot.com/
Robyn Weatherspoon – Clearsnap http://robynweatherspoon.blogspot.com/

Cheers to creating gifts from the heart this holiday season!

Happy Hopping!

~ Fiskateer Secret Agent Challenge – Fall Gatherings Border Punch

I was a lucky girl when Fiskateer Rebecca picked me for a secret mission involving a black frame and the new limited edition Fall Gatherings Border Punch.  My finished project is shown above.  Click on the following PDF for details on how to make this project – Secret Agent 003703.  Happy fall, y’all!

P.S.  The winner of my Twilight Bracelet blog contest is Anna Hong!  Congrats, lady!  I will hold another contest soon so stay tuned, Twilight lovers!

~ Happy Columbus Day, Dragonscale and a Twilight Bracelet Giveaway!

One of the perks of being a Federal employee is the holidays.  Oh, how I love a day off!  For those of you out there enjoying a Monday off, have fun because the work week starts all over again tomorrow! =)

I worked on a few projects this week, one of which I can’t show until the Fiskateers site puts it up but it will be up soon enough!  The one I can share is a chainmaille project – dragonscale cuff in aluminum with anodized aluminum inner rings in irridescent gunmetal and blue.  I’ll have a few autumn/Halloween/Twilight projects to come in the coming weeks, so come back a visit a little later.

P.S.  For those of you who want to get in on the Twilight Sorority custom bracelet giveaway — Just go to any of the Twilight posts on this blog and leave a comment.  Comment to your heart’s content but only one entry per person.  The contest will close on Thursday and I will announce the winner on Friday.  The prize is a custom Twilight charm bracelet with your choice of “team”.  Good luck and thanks!

~ New Fiscal Year Treats

Happy New Fiscal Year to those of you who follow the October – September Fiscal Year.  To celebrate our accomplishments in FY11 and wish everyone a good Fy12, I made Smarties and Dum-Dums-filled treat boxes for my and husband’s offices.  Just a little something to brighten everyone’s day. =)

Supplies – pillow boxes, ribbon, tulle – Michaels; cardstock – DCWV, Paper Source; baker’s twine – Timeless Twine; eyelets – Making Memories

July OZZ Project – Fourth of July Weekend

I’ve been a bit remiss in posting my last Bind-it-All project!  Here you go –

For more Bind-It-All Inspiration (and supply lists), please go to the Zutter Zisters Site


~ 2012 Calendar Months

        

        

        

All, just got around to making calendar JPEGs for 2012.  Unlike prior years, these graphics are free of U.S. Federal Holidays.  Feel free to use for your own calendar projects.  Would appreciate it if you leave me a message if you use my JPEGs or link to this post to share with others.  I will be working on Bind-it-All calendar gifts very soon and will post them here when I’m done.

To save the images to your computer, click on one of the months to enlarge the graphic.  Right-click and save to your computer.

        

        

        

~ Happy Weekend and Two More Bracelets Left!

Happy weekend, all!  The weather is starting to cool down here and that means Fall Frolic!  Lots of pictures to be taken in the fall months with our family.   This area is great for catching the changing colors, pumpkin patches and outdoor fun.  I’ll be sure to post pictures as I take them.

Two more bracelets left – both with round charms.  The most recent bracelets made are both Team Edward with square charms.  If you would like to take advantage of one of the two remaining bracelets, let me know.  Click here for the details.  Hurry!  Once these bracelets are gone, they’re gone!

~ Artsy Day in Old Town Alexandria

Yesterday was a beautiful day at Old Town Alexandria.  We spent most of our day doing artsy things at the Torpedo Factory, a converted facility that used to make weapons, now a haven for art studios, and the Alexandria King Street Festival of the Arts.  Oh, how I wish I could be a free-wheeling fulltime artist! =)  Our visits were two-fold, outdoor time for the family and to spur some ideas in my daughter’s head to produce projects for her art portfolio.  We ended our visit at La Tasca with yummy Spanish tapas.

~ New Breaking Dawn Posters

Alrighty, all, {{{{{love}}}}} these new posters!  Yep, that’s all I was going to say in this post.  Enjoy, Twilight Fans!

~ Random Food Photos


This weekend was great for local veggies and experimental recipes.  I picked up some great fruits and veggies at the Lorton Farmer’s Market – apples, peaches, basil, various varieties of eggplant, tequila peppers, okra, squash flowers and bread. 

Early in the weekend, I made two loaves of apple bread that didn’t excite me so the next day I turned it into bread pudding with 1 pint heavy cream, 4 eggs, 1 stick of butter cinnamon, sugar and pumpkin pie spice.  It was awesome and even better heated up!

Today’s first-time, made-on-the-fly recipe is Platanos with Peppers and Onions.

Platanos with Peppers and Onions

  • 3 platains (still firm, no longer green)
  • 5 tequila (or other mild) peppers
  • 1 red onion
  • chives
  • canola oil
  • salt
Peel and cut plantains into bite-sized, even pieces.  Brown in oil in batches, drain.  Sprinkle salt over the browned plantains and set-aside.  Cut onion and peppers into strips, stir-fry for a few minutes to take some of the rawness away from the veggies.  Add the plantains back to the pan with chives.  Turn the ingredients in the pan until well-incorporated.  Add salt if needed.

~ Custom Twilight Charm Bracelets

My last two Twilight-themed bracelets sold so quickly I decided to make more charms (squares and rounds) and beaded embellishments for five more custom bracelets.

Each bracelet comes with:

  • Four square or round double-sided gloss-finish charms (one side as shown above with book covers, the other side is your choice of “team” or desired photos).  See photo below of the latest Team Jasper custom bracelet for an idea of the finished product.
  • Ten beaded embellishments (Czech glass, Millefiori, semi-precious Jasper, Bamboo coral, shell, bead caps, spacers, headpins)
  • Toggle closure chain (standard fits 7″-7.5″ wrist, larger size chain fits up to 8″ wrist)

Cost for each bracelet is $30 ($25 bracelet, $5 USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate).  Insurance is customer-optional for additional $1.80 (protects you in case package is lost or damaged in transit).  Overseas orders will incur additional shipping and will be calculated at time of order.  Orders will be mailed within a week of payment receipt. Payment accepted via PayPal.

Ready to order?  Send me an email (leasanders@yahoo.com) with the following info:

  • Name and address where you want your bracelet to be mailed
  • Which “team” or other photos you want on the backside of the charms
  • Choice of standard or larger chain
  • Insurance or no insurance option
  • Your PayPal email address so that I can send you an invoice for payment

DON’T WAIT!  Bracelet price will go up to $35 ($30 bracelet, $5 shipping) in November!

~ Halloween Card Class

09/01/11 Update – Download a copy of the PDF instructions to make this project – Haunted House Halloween Card by Lea Sanders

{opened card}

Just finished making a sample card for my first class at work since moving to our newly renovated spaces.  It will be nice to teach another class as it has been months since the last one!  I got the idea for this card from a similar one I saw at Queen’s Ink at Savage Mill.  This is also my first project using Timeless Twine product.  So cute!

{closed card}

Supplies:  Bazzill Basics – cardstock; Creative Imaginations – patterned paper; K&Company – Grand Adhesions; Timeless Twine – Halloween twine; black aluminum sheet

~ Another Year Older and a Team Edward Bracelet


Happy birthday to my baby girl, Miranda.  Goofy girl couldn’t figure out which face to do in pictures so I captured several and made a colorful combo.

Latest Team Edward custom order finished this morning.  Various beads included – Czech glass, semi-precious Jasper, Bamboo Coral and shell.

Still one more bracelet available.  If you’re interested, email me at leasanders@yahoo.com.  Additional details in the post below this one.  Thanks!

~ Team Jasper Bracelet

I had a lot of down time during Hurricane Irene to complete a custom Team Jasper bracelet.  This was one of the prizes for my recent Breaking Dawn Quotes Contest.  The now discontinued rectangular charms by 7Gypsies are covered on both sides (book covers and Jasper) and brushed with Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi-Medium in Gloss.  Black Millefiore, Czech glass and jet beads finish out the bracelet with red anodized aluminum jump rings, bead spacers and caps.

Speaking of beads, I had quite a bit of down time that I crafted two other bracelets with more elaborate bead dangles with book cover charms (just like the ones above).  NOTE:  This is one of those rare opportunities where I am going to sell the finished product as I normally don’t sell my work.  You get to choose your “team” or whatever you want to put on the backs of the four rectangular charms.  Cost will be $30 each which includes the shipping.  Payment accepted by PayPal only.  If you would like to purchase one of these “made during Hurricane Irene” Twilight-themed bracelets, please let me know ASAP.  Email me at leasanders@yahoo.com.   Thanks!

~ Winners – Breaking Dawn Quotes Contest

Thanks to all who participated in my Breaking Dawn Quotes Contest!  The three winners are listed below.  Congratulations, Twi-hards!

Email me soonest with your names and addresses so that I can drop your prizes in the mail.  Thanks for playing!

~ Two New Beaded Olivia Chainmaille Bracelets

Sorry, such a short post.  Just wanted to get these pictures out there to share.  Latest chainmaille projects.  {below} Aluminum project for a high school friend’s custom order and {above} brown anodized aluminum and brass for me, a fall-inspired, Renaissance Festival kind of piece. =)

If you are interested in a similar bracelet to the one below, let me know at leasanders@yahoo.com.  Thanks!

~ Mixed Media Twilight Saga – Breaking Dawn Canvas Project

Okay, Twilight fans, here is my latest project incorporating the techniques I learned at a mixed media paint course I attended a week ago with ShaDeeLa.  The project started out as a plain white 8×10 canvas, a few pieces of thick chipboard, acrylic paint, alcohol ink, glimmer mist, patterned paper, ribbon and gems.

Step 1 – I first painted using brown, red and black acrylic paints on the canvas, followed silver glimmer mist.  After letting this dry I added red and black alcohol inks that I let drip and dry-brushed across the canvas.  I set this aside overnight to dry completely.

Step 2 – Using rubber stamps and white acrylic paint, I stamped a random design along the edges of the canvas.  The paint reacted with the alcohol inks from the night before, making pinky streaks where the paint touched the ink.  Using a red chalk ink pad, silver acrylic paint and black Staz-on, I distressed the scrolled chipboard piece.  With black crackle paint, I painted a medium layer onto the frame.  I set this aside to dry overnight.

Step 3 – Added a strip of tissue tape to the bottom of the canvas.  After Photoshopping a photo I scanned from the latest Entertainment Weekly, I printed and attached with a clear transparency to the crackled frame with pop-up foam tape.  Patterned paper was cut and inked and adhered to the scrolled chipboard.  Both of the chipboard pieces were then attached to the canvas using pop-up foam tape.

Step 4 – Flowers were diecut from patterned paper, formed and glue-gunned with gems to the project.  Ribbon was added to the edge of the frame and a piece tied to the bottom of the scrolled chipboard.  A sparkly “love” sticker was the last addition.  This project took about four days from start to finish.

{close-up of the flowers}

{close-up of the paint, ink and stamping}

{close-up of the crackle paint}

~ Another Year Older and Chainmaille Class

Happy birthday, Jacob!  Where did all the time go?  My youngest is not a baby anymore having celebrated his 13th birthday.  Here are a couple of photos with his cake.

Miranda and I went to learn the chainmaille weave Olivia Lace at Off the Beading Path in Occoquan with Ann Goodwin yesterday.  Once I got the basic gist of the weave, I was off and running!  Bracelet shown below is my finished project.  It has been almost a year since I started chainmailling and I still find it a lot of fun.  So many weaves, so little time!

~ Awesome Art Class at Queen’s Ink

Miranda and I attended an all-day mixed media paint class yesterday.  The three teachers, ShaDeeLa (Sharon, Dee and Deb), and helper-mom Mimi, taught a very technique-heavy and “work out of your comfort zone( for me)” class using acrylic paints, inks and other art materials.

I was definitely out of my element as abstract painting really isn’t my niche.  There is definitely a natural flow and controlled chaos in this type of art that I’ll try to embrace more in future projects.  I wanted Miranda to learn some new skills to apply towards the art she needs to produce for her portfolio.  When we returned home from our long day of art and shopping we put the test to the men in the house.  They were able to pick out who painted which project right away! =)

I recommend taking classes with these talented ladies and at Queen’s Ink in Savage, Maryland.  Well worth the time and experience.

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