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.

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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.

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!

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!

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.

Click to view slideshow.

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

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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.

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

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.

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!

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!

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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

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!

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!

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!

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