Lemon Bath Bombs

Mar 25, 2015

Lemon Bath Bombs

With all the craziness of bath bombs right now, I decided to give it a go and attempt to make my own. I looked all over Pinterest at the ingredients in lots of different bath bombs and by adding and taking away certain ingredients from recipes here is the recipe I created. These little bath bombs smell just like lemon bundt cakes. On my next batch I will add a bit more Lemon Essential Oil (EO) to my next batch as it didn’t smell as strongly as I wanted in my bath but this is the only thing I will change when I make them again. Also depending on the EO used will determine the amount of drops needed. If you make Peppermint bath bombs you will not need as many drops because the oil scent...

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Need a crown, of course you do!!!

Mar 18, 2015

Need a crown, of course you do!!!

Saturday, I was at The Crafty Scrapper attending a birthday crop for my super sweet & awesome friend Trisha Perkins. At her party, she had Cheryl Darrow of Ten Seconds Studio come and instruct everyone on how to make leather crowns. This was WAY WAY WAY out of my comfort zone as I’m a vintage paper kinda girl and there was zero vintage paper to be found here, but let me tell you I now have a new addiction. Working with emboss-able leather is so fun and if you ever have the chance to take one of Cheryl’s crown classes do it, you will LOVE it! Cheryl brought her tools  and molds for the non-doodle calligraphy girls in the class, which as you can see I was one of those girls. Once everyone had their leather pieces embossed...

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Valentine Home Decor Accent

Feb 9, 2015

Valentine Home Decor Accent

This valentine home decor piece showcases one of the handmade Penny Candy Dolls I now have in my etsy shop. I love these dolls from long ago and when possible make molds of dolls I think you too would like to use in your crafting projects. This little cutie is holding a book underneath it’s arm. I put together a tutorial so you too can recreate this home decor accent. I plan on displaying this year round in my studio. Supplies Used: Large Wooden Spool, Vintage Sheet Music, White Crepe Paper, 2 Chipboard Hearts, Dina Wakley Media Ruby Acrylic Paint, 16 Gauge Wire, Diamond Glaze, Maya Road Red Glitter, White Embroidery Floss, Red & White Baker’s Twine, Martha Stewart Crystal Coarse Glitter, Ranger Multi Medium-Matte, Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue, Flocked Flower, Handmade Penny Candy Doll with...

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Tamarack ~ Beckley, WV

Sep 17, 2014

Tamarack ~ Beckley, WV

If you ever find yourself close to Beckley, WV you should really take the time to look around Tamarack. This retail shop is filled with wonderful West Virginia artisans of all kinds. We always stop on our way home and each time we visit they have new artists. You will see some gorgeous handmade quilts and tucked among artisans work are lots of jars filled with local honey, bbq sauces and for those with a sweet tooth, handmade candies. Mom and I instantly gravitate to the molded and hand blown glass. You will find glass everything there, vases, bowls, ornaments, glassware etc. Dad being a wood carver he gravitates to all the wood working items. They have handcarved sculptures, bowls, toys, utensils, holiday ornaments and more. They have some bronze statues and coffee tables...

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DIY Sugar Body Scrub

Aug 27, 2014

DIY Sugar Body Scrub

Ingredients: 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil (solid jar form not liquid form) 1 1/2 Cups Sugar (I used Imperial Pure Cane Sugar but you can use Raw Sugar if you want a coarser scrub) 10 Drops Lemon Essential Oil 2 Drops Peppermint Essential Oi Directions: Place coconut oil into medium sized microwave safe bowl for 25-30 seconds to melt. Add essential oils to melted coconut oil and stir. Add sugar to coconut oil and stir until mixed well. This sugar scrub makes enough to fill a small mason jar and one large medicine bottle, I know odd choice but it’s all I could find to hold the excess sugar scrub. This sugar scrub is not overly oily which is how I like my sugar scrubs. If you prefer more oil in your body scrubs you can increase...

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Charm Bracelets and Bangles

Aug 13, 2014

Charm Bracelets and Bangles

I love the sweet sound of charm bracelets and I’m so lucky to have my grandmother’s charm bracelet. I still remember the sound her bracelet made as she wore it. I LOVED being able to find the engraved charm with my name and birthdate, it hung nestled among all her grandchildren and other special charms she had been given. These two charm bracelets are crafted from hand cut vintage tin, that I cut, sanded and turned into charms. Each charm creates a soft sweet sound that reminds me of a wind chime far off in the distance on a Texas farm. I accented each charm bracelet with a strand of pearl like beads and the bottom charm bracelet has vintage clear glass beads wire wrapped and attach between the tin charms. Each bracelet is a one of a...

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Bellie’s Here For A Visit

Jul 30, 2014

Bellie’s Here For A Visit

This past Saturday, Isabella (a.k.a. Bellie) my 7 year old niece came for her week of everyday fun. We have had a blast doing one paint project after the next. This girl LOVES to PAINT! She wants to paint over going to see a movie, getting a makeover at Sweet & Sassy, eating breakfast at IHOP etc. I suggest something fun to do for the day and all she says is can I just paint. So paint is what we have done all week. I asked her Sunday what she wanted to paint and she said a horse. At first I panicked because this auntie does not draw especially horses. So I found some coloring pages of My Little Pony online, printed some out, let her pick which one she wanted to paint then...

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Being an Aunt…

May 29, 2014

Being an Aunt…

Means you can surprise your nieces before bed for a surprise adventure in their jammies. Means you can load your nieces up on a Sonic Shake sugar high right before bed, take them home and let your sister deal with their sugar high. Means you will crawl out of bed bright and early to take them to school for Muffins with Mom & their Book Fair. Means the only payment you want for getting up super early to attend Muffins with Mom and the Book Fair is a sweet selfie with your nieces plus one best friend. Means you get to throw a surprise mini birthday party for a very special 7 year old when she comes home from school. Being an aunt is the next best thing to being a mom. Amanda, Brittain, Madelyn and...

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Hi, Valentine!

Feb 14, 2014

Hi, Valentine!

This adorable image reminds me of the cards I would see in gift shops, when I was little. These two have such sweet faces and how can you not love all that pink. If you’re in need of creating a last minute valentine right click on the image to enlarge it, now right click on the image again and choose “save image as” to save it to your computer. Now you can print the image in any size you wish. I think printed in 2.5″ x 3.5″ is a sweet size and would be so cute left on your co-workers desk. I think adding Diamond Stickles to the flower centers, headband and the pink on the puppy would be a nice addition to your card and still keep it in the quick and simple...

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Handmade Eclectic Jewelry

Jan 29, 2014

Handmade Eclectic Jewelry

Lately, I’ve been creating unique pieces of jewelry in my studio using bits & pieces of vintage jewelry I’ve been collecting. The heart shaped pendant in the photo above is one I cut from copper sheeting, soldered and accented with a vintage postcard image, red rhinestone trim and German silver glass glitter. The front and back of this pendant is covered with a layer of clear resin. Then I created the necklace from pearl, iridescent pink and red beads. This bracelet is created from a vintage earring that I could not pass up at a flea market. I LOVE the coral color and all the detail. The scallop lace around the outer edge and flower center is so intricate. The earring is attached to a bracelet that has a spring type hinge. This type...

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Season’s Greetings Altered Hoop

Dec 16, 2013

Season’s Greetings Altered Hoop

I decided to make a fancy holiday altered hoop with this little embroidered piece I stitched using two new stamp sets by Pink Persimmon, Christmas House & Holiday Hello. I find great joy in hand stitching a bit each night. It’s a great way for me to relax as I’m usually wound up tighter than an eight day clock. This sweet holiday decor piece can either hang or sit on an easel to add a little holiday cheer to any spot. The wooden hoop measures approximately 4″ in diameter. I used Maya Road Rhinestone Trim, Fabric Tape, and Satin, Mini Gingham and Tulle Trims to alter the side and back edge of the hoop. A White Snowflake Transparency adorned with a vintage earring and a clear glass button accents the front. I hope this...

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Sweet Little Baby of Mine ~ Shadow Box

Nov 14, 2013

Sweet Little Baby of Mine ~ Shadow Box

Last night, I finished my first fully constructed shadow box. The shadow box, mini canvas and baby are all constructed of plaster, then painted with acrylic paint and aged with an acrylic glaze. The inside of the shadow box is accented with vintage crocheted doilies, ledger paper from the early 1900’s, flocked flowers, tulle trim, and a vintage perfume bottle perfectly sized to hold baby’s first curl. The space just below the baby can be personalized with a child’s name if desired. The name will be typed onto vintage notebook paper that has been perfectly aged using my vintage Underwood typewriter. The vintage perfume bottle is not attached to the shadow box. It sits sweetly inside just waiting to hold baby’s first curl and there is still space left to place other treasured mementos, next...

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Strands of Strength

Nov 12, 2013

Strands of Strength

Today, I have to tell you about my super sweet 10 year old niece, Madelyn. This is a selfie I took of us soon after I arrived in Beaumont, last Thursday. I wanted to capture a photo that portrayed how proud I am of her and how adorable she looks with her new hair cut. After learning about “Stands of Strength” in an advertisement through Altus Cancer Center Madelyn discovered there was going to be a local event held for those who wished to, could donate their hair. Well Madelyn being the super sweet, giving and thoughtful little girl started growing out her hair so she could donate it to “Strands of Strength“. “Established in 2011 by a cancer survivor, Strands of Strength (SOS) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide wigs...

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Knick-Knack Paddywack ~ Card

Oct 21, 2013

Knick-Knack Paddywack ~ Card

This little boy riding his scooter image is a stamp from my Antiquated Collection ~ Knick-Knack Paddywack stamp set. It reminds me of my sweet uncle Ed as a child. I can picture him riding his scooter up and down Dog Run as a little boy while growing up in Salem, WV. I can also picture and hear Grammy as she saw uncle Ed shoot down the road from her kitchen window telling him to be careful as she came out of the house wearing her apron. Gosh I miss that house. I have so many wonderful memories spent with my grandparents in their home. I decided to keep this card pretty simple and just cut rectangles using patterned papers from the Pink Paislee ~ Cottage Farms collection then added seam binding, a Maya Road Bingo...

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Sweet Little Girls ~ Card

Oct 17, 2013

Sweet Little Girls ~ Card

This card is stamped using my Antiquated Collection ~ Sweet Little Girls stamp set. Can you tell I have a serious crush on Coffee Archival Ink? It is now my go to ink when I need something permanent. It’s the perfect shade of vintage brown. The little girls can be colored using Distress Markers or Copics but again, as I did in yesterday’s post I left them simply stamped on solid cardstock. I love how the stamped images look as if I just cut them out of a vintage magazine. The patterned paper used on this card is Pink Paislee ~ Cottage Farms Collection. I think the modern design mixed with the vintage girls works perfectly...

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Sweet Darling ~ Card

Oct 16, 2013

Sweet Darling ~ Card

Seam Binding and Archival Ink make for a fabulous combination. I wanted a little something different for the title of my card so I decided to stamp the wording onto seam binding. This effect reminds me of the cute satin tags I’ve seen on baby items in antique shops. And the best thing is this is a beautiful and super simple way to create unique titles for cards, tags and layouts. I mean really could it get any simpler? We are talking, ink & stamp, that’s it! The patterned paper used on this card is by Pink Paislee. It’s their Cottage Farms Collection. What I love so much about this line is that it can look vintage or modern. I tell ya, that Rebecca is so awesomely talented and super sweet. I’m thrilled that...

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My Life In A Dinghy ~ PDF

Oct 7, 2013

My Life In A Dinghy ~ PDF

Thank you ALL for each and every sweet comment and email left and sent for this blog feature. I and I’m certain all the amazing artists featured really appreciated them. Since so many of you asked for the dinghy template I decided to share the PDF so you too can participate and create your very own “My Life In A Dinghy”. Please, if you create a dinghy send me a photo as I would love to see and read what life would be like in your dinghy. And you never know you too might be featured on my blog as I’m planning to continue this blog feature. So watch for new “My Life In A Dinghy” features as they will be sailing through off and on throughout the remainder of the year. My Life...

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Sweet Little Girl ~ Hand Stitching

Sep 16, 2013

Sweet Little Girl ~ Hand Stitching

After having Charlotte Lyons as my “Delightful Arty Crush” last week, she got me inspired to do some embroidery. Well, not having anything to stitch I started looking around my studio for ideas and it came to me that my Antiquated Collection stamp set “Sweet Little Girls” just might work. So using Coffee Archival Ink I stamped a little girl onto some muslin and started stitching away. I’m really happy with how she turned out. The next stamped images I’m going to attempt to embroider are in the Kick-Knack Paddywack stamp set. I think several of these will make really cute embroidered pieces. I’ll keep you posted on how they turn...

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Kids Week 1

Jul 8, 2013

Kids Week 1

This week my super sweet amazingly awesome 10 year old niece Madelyn is visiting. We have so many fun things planned to do each day that we decided we would share them all week long. We will be doing things like Painting with Candy, making Flip Flop & Sundae Cookies, Decorating Jumbo Marshmallows, making Rainbow Colored Spaghetti, drinking Fish Bowl Punch, creating Plaster Cupcakes, designing a Fairy Doll, making our own Custom Nail Polish, making Bracelets and Charms and anything else we can think up or find on Pinterest. I’m telling you it’s going to be an awesome week I have a Pinterest Board titled “Things to do with my nieces” if you want to check out the board. I pinned things I thought both Madelyn (10) and Bellie (6) might like to do...

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Studio Makeover ~ Part 2

Mar 27, 2013

Studio Makeover ~ Part 2

I am so close to being finished with my studio makeover. I just need to hang the curtains over the shelving unit to the left, find a small piece for additional storage to put up on the shelves along the wall on the far left then hang some vintage photos I have and bam… it’s done. I’m really loving the mix of all the things I love with my supplies. To me, personal touches are what make a room warm and inviting.  So let me give you a close up tour and show you how I combined personal treasures and vintage finds among my crafty products. This is what I see when sitting at my work table. I’m using a berry basket to hold my adhesives, a mini pie tin works perfectly for my...

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Valentine’s Day Charms

Feb 10, 2013

Valentine’s Day Charms

These little charms are so sweet (I know, excuse the pun but I couldn’t help it) that I can hardly stand their cuteness. They are a perfect accent for any sweet Valentine to wear all month long. When Maya Road released their Vintage Glass Memory Vials I was so excited because they are the perfect miniature size for charms of any kind. You get 10 Vintage Glass Memory Vials, five of each size per package. I’m going to make a few using the sand I brought back from Greece and Italy then metal stamp a charm with Mykonos and Bellagio to attach to each vial as a fun memento. I love funky jewelry and plan on having loads of fun with these. The supplies needed needed to make your charms are a package of...

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