New Pins!

Hi folks! If you've been following along with my bumbles over the last few years you'll know the progression of my beaded pins.

Pin set on one of my cards - click to see the post

If not, it sort of goes like this: First I started using them on my own cards and, upon suggestions and requests added stick pin sets to my Etsy shop. I eventually added single pins with larger beads and a sturdier base wire. I don't make a lot of sets anymore, mostly since they're more work and use more materials. I know I reached the maximum price possible. There are so many sellers out there selling sets for pennies, and I won't do that to myself!

Pins made in January 2012

While I've been making fun faceted crystal pins, I've been building a collection of authentic Czech glass beads and crystals, semi-precious stones, genuine Swarovski crystals and pearls, truly vintage faceted crystals and beads as well as made-in-the-USA pewter findings.

My beautiful collection is also "Inventory", according to the resident accountant/tax man/husband. As happens each year, taxes were filed and -according to him- inventory is too high. *sigh*

So, introducing a new line of heirloom-quality pins!

They might not look too different to you, but the materials are all top-notch and worthy of years and years of use. I'll be adding this first batch to the shop today, as I edit the photos. Material details will be in each listing so you can choose from Swarovski to vintage.

Thanks for visiting today! I hope your weather is more seasonal than mine. I broke down and turned the heat on this morning since the house was 58. Yikes!

Cheers,
Susan

On The Boardwalk

Hi folks! I'm excited to share today's card with you. If you have a Tuesday Morning shop nearby, you know great deals can be found regularly.  Late last year I found 25-packs of Graphic 45's On The Boardwalk papers for $2.99. The packs were 25 sheets of a single design and they had all the designs available. I think there were only 2 designs I didn't buy. I sent off half to my extremely creative sister and (apparently) hoarded the rest for months.

Until now. 

When I pulled the papers out I was first inspired by the "on the boardwalk" film strip and started there. I made the umbrella and used a Distress Stain(ed) bamboo skewer for the umbrella handle.

I love all the dimension on this card! It's a thick one, though. The lovely lady is attached with 1/4" (6.35mm) of pop dots, not to mention the 1 1/4 inch (3.18cm) high umbrella. All I can say is this card had a mind of it's own!

I used a heavy layer of Picket Fence Distress Stickles on "beach" and Frosted Lace Stickles on the Coney Island disc.

 

Thanks for your visit today. It's a beautiful day here in Maryland and I'm getting ready for a community yard sale on Saturday. My dining room is FULL of stuff we've been carrying around but not using for years. Ugh. I'm not sure how I'll be able to look at it all week. :) By the way, how the heck do you price stuff for a yard sale?

I hope you have a great day!

Cheers,
Susan

Happy Winnings and the Last Easter Card

Hello hello! We worked in the yard today and are all tired and happy this evening. I hope your weekend was great!

Last week I was lucky enough to win a prize over at the oh-so-inspiring Linda Cain's blog, FRIENDS in ART. I expected to receive the Retro Cafe Art Theater Shrine kit and was spoiled to receive so many goodies! Here's the photo she posted - I'm too excited to make my own photo at the moment!

Thanks so much, Linda!

I also want to show you my final Easter card of the year. When I made this card for someone, I also made a blank for myself, as a way to use up paper and add more to the shop. All the important info is on that post, so I'll let you wander over there if you are so inspired. :)

I bought this stamp specifically for that large Easter card order and I'm so glad I did. I adore her hat so much!

Thanks for visiting today! Tomorrow I'll take you to the beach with Graphic 45!

Cheers,

Susan

Destination: Paradise!

Hello, hello creative friends! Since I didn't make a lot of paper projects last year and yet didn't stop buying (is that considered hoarding?), there's a lot hanging around. Here's how the leftover scraps of Graphic 45's Tropical Travelogue inspired me this week.

 
I cut out the lady and set her outside the window frame, as if she's showing off her fantastic South Pacific view.

I wanted to clip the "destination" tag and the "paradise" ticket together but the chipboard ticket was too thick. I used a Cricut spatula to cut the thickness in half. It seems so simple but I was pretty thrilled to think that one up. It's the little things!

Here's a view of the inside. I really like the fold on the left - you'll see a lot more like it.

I ordered a sheet of the floral background paper to use as gift box top - hopefully it will arrive today, 'cause you know there is more fun stuff in that order!

Thanks for visiting today! I hope you have a creative weekend. :)

Cheers
Susan

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men...

...Often go astray.    (Thank you, Robert Burns)

Hello hello! How about another Easter-themed card? I wanted to share all of them before Easter, but, you know, life got in the way. *wink*

This is made with Bo Bunny's Vicky B paper pad. Lovely bright colors! Looks like Tilda is having fun painting all the eggs.

The stripey panel on the right is permanent - it doesn't pull out or anything. I'm not sure what I was thinking except I knew I wanted to see the stripes. As a result, I had to make the gift box rectangular instead of square. No big deal!

I'm not sure if you can see the glossy effect on the top left circle panels (front and inside). I covered the circles with Glossy Accents and set coordinating Dew Drops (remember those?) in the wet GA. It's a neat effect!

Thanks for visiting today. I'll try to share all Easter cards this week -- two left on the computer and more still on the camera. Yikes! Anyway, fun fun fun!

Cheers,
Susan

Tilda and her Lamb

Hello hello! Is it Easter yet? No? Good, since I still have 4 more Easter cards to share with you. Phew!

How pretty is this little one? She's taking her favorite lamb for a walk and she just might be passing your house right now. :)

I used Basic Grey's Marjolaine 6x6 pad for this card and it's matching gift box. I can't get enough of the blue-green combination and this pad has (had!) some really nice ones.

Tilda and Lambie are layered and popped off the page. Flowers are Prima, Recollections, Wild Orchid and my wholesalers. Love all the flowers!

Thanks for visiting today!

Cheers,
Susan

Tilda's Collection of Easter Eggs

Hello folks! Easter is coming up and Tilda already has a collection of eggs, ready to hide for her friends. The papers on this card are Pion Design's "Fairytale of Spring".

Tilda is colored with Faber-Castell's yummy Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils. I'll be using these a lot more! The bench is color with Prismacolor pencils (still a favorite!).

There's a tag tucked in on the right side, with loads of flowers to pull the tag out.

Large panel for Happy Easter wishes!

The card and matching gift box set

Thanks for visiting today! I have a few more Easter cards to share over the next week or two. Yay!

Cheers,
Susan