Better Late Than Never

My body just seems to have shut down lately.

As a result, I have not been writing and posting blog posts as I usually do.

The past couple of days have been rainy and dreary for sunny Florida.  It matches how I've been feeling!  We sometimes need these down days.

Although I'm a day late, I am participating in "Still On The Verge's" New Friends Friday Blog Hop.  The hop is still open, so you can click on the button to join in.

How was your Valentine's Day?  The Captain and I had an awesome day . . . our first Valentine's Day as a married couple.
I'll be back to normal, posting awesome projects that I run into through the world of Pinterest and Bloggerville as soon as I am feeling better.  The creative streak is not with me at the moment . . . it happens!
The Food Network has cancelled one of my favorite food shows, Dessert First.  Apparently, Anne Thornton was "stealing" recipes.  Where is the line drawn on stolen recipes?  You can use someone else's recipe and adapt it in such a way to make it your own.  Can't you? When you think about it, almost every recipe is an adaptation of another.  There is such a fine line . . .
I'll be going back to bed to enjoy another day of rest and watch the service for Whitney Houston.  Although we said goodbye to Whitney long ago, she will be missed . . . no more comebacks, no more second chances except for a movie that is set to be released this summer.  It is her hello again and goodbye forever . . . a beautiful soul with the voice of an angel.  RIP Whitney . . . your mark on this world will live on forever in our hearts, in your songs and movies.  
Heaven needed another angel.

Handmade Valentine Cards

Love is definitely alive and well in Bloggerville!

Handmade cards have become very popular and so much more personal and special than a store bought card. There are many resources for graphics and tutorials on the internet.  Besides, a little imagination goes a long way with stuff you have in your craft stash.  Your card doesn't have to be made with expensive die cuts, card stock and stuff you have to go out and buy . . . that is up to you!

Here are some examples of what some crafty crafters are coming up with in Bloggerville for some inspiration . . .

http://theautocrathaley.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentines-day-cards.html

http://dancingintherainjb.blogspot.com/2011/12/bouquet-of-love.html

http://polkacabana.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/cheery-lynn-designs-tuesday/

http://scrappinonashoestring.blogspot.com/2012/01/it-dont-mean-thing.html

Happy Valentine crafting!

Valentine Soap Idea

What an awesome idea for Valentine's Day!

Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom is one of my favorite crafty blogs.  She created these cute one-time use soaps in the shape of conversation hearts for Valentine's Day.  Cute and clever!

Use this technique for any occasion or holiday.  I'd love to make some in a retro flower design for every day use.  They can be color coordinated to match your decor . . . or how about matching a repeated pattern?  The possibilities are as endless as your imagination!

Click here for the tutorial :)

Heart Pillow ~ Faux Chenille Technique

Faux chenille is one of my favorite applique techniques!  

Back when I designed shirts and jackets for my boutique, I used denim with great results.  I've thought of experimenting with the combination of rag quilting and applique for a bedspread using this method with denim.

By the way, did you know you can strip the color out of denim and dye it?  It is a very versatile and sturdy material . . . my favorite for these type of sewing projects . . . great for purses and tote bags.

This heart pillow is a cute gift or decorating idea for Valentine's Day :)  

Click here for the tutorial from the blog Ameroonie Designs.

Heart Shaped Pot Holders

Another project for Valentine's Day!

 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia shared the pattern for Heart Shaped Potholders from the book Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing & Fabric Crafts with readers of The Purl Bee.  

Click here for the tutorial.

Heart Applique Dishtowels

Time to get ready for Valentine's Day!

Aren't these cute dishtowels?

Don't stop with dishtowels!  I can see a tablescape with placemats and napkins to match, using red plates.  How about towels for the bathroom?

I'm needing to get my sewing area organized and in working order so I can make all the stuff I get inspired to make from the creative bloggers out there.

Click here for the tutorial from the awesome blog Skip To My Lou. 

Check out the rest of the blog while you are there!

Vintage Jewelry Mirror

Although I have been taking a break from buying and selling vintage jewelry, collecting it remains one of my passions.  Since I have boxes and boxes of inventory and more boxes of mismatched or broken jewelry, I'm always searching for awesome projects and ideas to recycle them or redesigning into another piece of jewelry.  This project is the most awesome I have seen in a very long time!

Georgia Peachez is a blog about an artful life . . . and the passion for rummaging thrift sales, flea markets and garage sales and repurposing those items into something awesome to feather her nest or resell.  If this is your "thing", you will LOVE this blog!  I kinda got lost there for quite some time and didn't even scratch the surface.  It is definitely one of my new favorite blogs . . . what an inspiration!

Click here for her blog post that includes the vintage jewelry mirror with lots of photos of the transition from plain to fabulous.


UPDATE:

Since I published this post the Georgia Peachez link no longer exists for the jeweled mirror.  I hate when awesome blogs disappear!

I did find a general link for a jeweled mirrors on pinterest  click here.

Pink and Grey Eye Makeup

Love this color combination!  

I've used this color combination, but not in this order . . . must try!

Click here for the tutorial from Nerdy Girl Makeup . . . awesome blog :)

Merry Christmas

From our family to yours

Merry Christmas!

Hope your day is happy, festive

and full of love :)

Make your own fabric napkins

Why waste money on paper napkins when you 

can set a pretty color coordinated table using

fabric napkins that you have made yourself?  

This is another project you can use your 

fabric scraps on . . . even old clothing.  

Use your imagination!  Patchwork fabric

napkins are awesome :)

Click here for the tutorial from

 Robie Kaye Dodson at So Sew Something!

With the money you have saved . . . 

buy some pretty tableware :)

Junk Christmas Tree

What an awesome idea!

Everything on this tree came from Lindsay's junk drawer.  

Check out her tutorial . . . you will be amazed at 

what it looked like before she spray painted it.  

I'd love to make one with just mismatched and broken jewelry.

Ruffled Christmas Tree

One of the most treasured items in my Christmas

collection is a festively colored fabric Christmas

tree with matching place mats and napkins that

my mom made many years ago.

The featured fabric Christmas tree is very much

different than the one in my collection, but could

also serve as a table centerpiece . . . make

some coordinating place mats and napkins to

complete the tablescape.  It looks like a

quick and easy project too!

I found this tutorial at an awesome website that

is new to me . . . love web discoveries!  It will

be listed on my favorite blogs page . . . 

Click here for the tutorial

Dramatic eye makeup

Wow I love the dramatic eye look!

My favorite is the high contrast of silver and black.

One of the things I love to do is experiment with makeup when I'm home alone and have nowhere to go.  Great makeup application takes practice practice practice.  Don't be afraid of bold colors, black eyeliner or false lashes . . . go for it, but by all means, practice.

Here are some past blog posts that include tutorials on makeup techniques:

How To Make Your Eyes Beautiful

Put Your Best Face Forward

List organizer

What an awesome little 

organizer to keep your lists in!

Would make a great little gift :)

Click here for the tutorial

Sugar Scrub Recipes

Rebecca at Soap Deli News Blog has the most

delicious looking soaps and sugar scrubs!  

You can either buy the items from her or 

if you want to make them yourself, she has

 provided recipes and even ideas for glass jars.

They would make awesome holiday gifts!

Click here to go to the blog post

Sewing Machine Thread Holder

What an awesome idea!

This is a cool way to keep all of your sewing

machine thread neat and orderly.

Click here for the tutorial

One Hour Bag

Here's a quick and easy bag that

can be made in just an hour!

I'd love to make one out of

patchwork denim.

Click here for the tutorial