Decorative Tape

   Well I learned something new to help with my crafting projects. I learned how to make decorative tape using 3M Micropore paper tape, my stamps, and acrylic paint. I had lots of fun and I am looking forward to making some more. I watched quite a  few videos on YouTube but the one I liked the most was by The Artistic Pagan.
    I am still a bit scared about making my first card but I have done a few other things like creating an art journal and just having fun playing around with different mediums. I must say I don't think too hard about anything I do I just create and that makes it relaxing and fun.
    I am hoping to put together a video soon of what I have put together. I don't think I will be doing any tutorials. I will simply leave that for the individuals better qualified to handle that but having a slide show showcasing all that I have done and what types of crafts I am involved in would be something that I would love to share.


    Here are some of the things I have worked on recently.

    I also used a few stencils I had on hand. I love the one with music stamp. It just looks wonderful. I love my other ones as well but since music tends to speak to the soul this one speaks to me. LOL.

 

    This next one is honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month. Yes October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month but I think we forget about domestic violence and I wanted to do something to remember it.

  

I used a straw to roll them onto so when I am ready to use I will have them handy. This tip also came from The Artistic Pagan. I thought it was pretty cool and I always have straws around. The last photo is what I created for my art journal using some fabric in honor of breast cancer awareness. 

I just love being creative and can't wait to see what else I can come up with next. Of course I am being told I need to open up a shop or go to craft shows. I don't think I am ready for that but who knows what will happen.

Until next time, Happy Crafting

Too Many Ideas

Boy oh boy. I get way too many ideas and love way too many things. I am already thinking about how I can do something special for awareness. I am plotting and planning and hopefully I will be able to get what is in my head out how I would like it. I think that is the biggest challenge in crafting. Nothing is ever simple when it comes to the mind of one who crafts.

Seeing things in so many different ways is a gift and a curse. A gift because it means my mind never stops thinking of something new but a curse because trying to get it together can drive me crazy. I wouldn't trade it for the world though. I love the challenge of making something and seeing how someone else will like it.

I need my own crafting space but alas that is not to be at the moment. I can dream though. I can even imagine what it will look like and how much space I will have. There also lies another dilemma because I need my own writing space as well and that needs to be a separate room from my crafting space. LOL. I just need the whole house to myself. Well I have a long way to go before that happens.

Oh well in the mean time I will keep dreaming and making my crafts in my space.

Back to Beading

I hadn't beaded in about a week or so because I was trying to figure out the right pattern to work on. I went back and watched a video by Gianna Beading 4 Perfectionist. I had been thinking about trying this pattern but I was a bit afraid of it. So after watching the video I decided to go for and see if I could work it out.

Well I must say I am liking the results. Odd peyote isn't as hard as it seems. Once I got going everything smoothed out and I am on my way to making something that I really like. I may even make another one for a friend because I like the pattern so much.

This is the earrings and bracelet I am currently working on.

I used trans tropical teal and matte white 11/0 delicas and white 15/0 rocailles with 4mm Swarovski bicones. Even though I am not finished yet I am already thinking about what type of clasp should I use on this piece. It is turning out so well. Beading is fun. What can I say except that I am addicted.

Finished a bracelet!

Well I finished one of my Cellini Spiral bracelets. I must say that I was really proud of myself. The bracelet isn't that complicated but it is time consuming. Late nights have a way of getting things done though. I guess my insomnia came in handy even though I wish it were different. The colors are perfect and coincide with spring finally making its arrival.

I am planning on finishing a few more one with pink and purple as the base colors. Can't wait to see what that will look like when I am finished with it.

New Project!!

I recently learned how to do the Cellini Spiral. I wanted to learn how to do something different. This particular stitch has its challenges but I am liking how things are turning out. I tried it with different types and sizes of beads.

I wish I could say I was good at creating tutorials like other individuals but me I am just good at perfecting my technique. Here are a few pictures:

These were my started pieces. The mixed green, yellow and orange have rocailles, delicas, hex cut and seed beads. I may have to take that one apart due not having enough of the orange bead. 

Now this one is almost complete. It is smaller than the usual Cellini Spiral but I like its elegance. 

I also had the pleasure of working on one other piece. Jill Wiseman's Festival of Lights bracelet. That was a fun piece to work on. I want to make another one as an anklet for the summer. I think that would be cute with a nice pair of scandals.

Getting Back to Crafting

I haven't done any of my normal crafts in a while. I am feeling out of touch. I keep seeing all the beautiful tatted pieces and I want my shuttle back in my hand. I need more thread because I have gotten used to the feel of using thread smaller than a size 10. I want to loom but I really want a specific loom to help me with my designs. I need to get back on my sewing machine because pillow ideas keep coming to me.

I just feel lost without all the things that have brought me joy. I did manage to make a few pairs of earrings though. I just need to add the finishing touches. 2014 I have a few things to accomplish and I am mapping out those things. I need to get my coding certification, find a new job, and make time to craft. That along with being mom is going to require discipline and making my schedules out along with using them. I don't make resolutions but I am deciding to make a plan. 

I did manage this past weekend to make a few items. Beadaholique had a video on making Christmas Tree earrings out of Artistic Wire so I made a pair. I also made some earrings out of buttons. I need to finish them but I think they look cool. Maybe I will do an interview with my fellow crafters and see how they are handling things. Now there is an idea.