fun | Bead Happily Ever After

Lend me your ears . . .

Posted on December 8, 2009 by crystal

The lovely Julie of the The Play Date Cafe has let me know that we are not limited to one entry per week in the creativity challenges! Earlier today, I made and entered a greeting card for this week – which was really fun – but I kind of missed making a jewelry entry! 😉

Soooo, for Challenge #7 I’d like to add…

They absolutely glitter in person – truly gorgeous for the holidays! I love the combination of pearls with the Vintage Swarovski crystals in Siam Ruby and Green Turmaline!

‘Til next time,

When you care enough . . .

Posted on December 8, 2009 by crystal

You’ve probably heard the Hallmark Cards slogan that says “When you care enough to send the very best…” I have a feeling that making the card yourself would probably mean the most, though. 😉

I haven’t made many cards but I love to receive a handmade card and occasionally I have fun playing with pretty paper, rubber stamps, punched-out shapes, and ribbons. It takes me back to the time when, as a child, I’d watch Captain Kangaroo on TV. Does anyone know who the heck I’m talking about? LOL

That really was a long time ago, but the Captain used to pull out the colored paper, paste, and blunt edged scissors for a segment of the show he called “playtime”, where he’d demonstrate how to make something fun.

Lately, I’ve been entering my jewelry in The Play Date Cafe’s weekly Creativity Challenges, but since most of the others enter cards, I thought I’d try one this time.

Here’s my entry for Challenge #7 with the colors green, white, and red:

I love snowmen and when I saw that I had some appropriate buttons in my button box, I was off and running. The little guy needed a scarf to snuggle around his neck. I decided to use embroidery floss to crochet one. The hat is black felt and the trees were made with a Martha Stewart paper punch. With all that personality, I just knew he must have a heart. Luckily, I had a heart-shaped sequin for the finishing touch!

‘Til next time,

One-word answers

Posted on November 19, 2009 by crystal

Sweet Paulette, also known as Beedeebabee, has invited her readers to answer the following list of questions.

The rule is that you may only use one-word answers – which is quite a challenge! I’ve given it a try here and I’d welcome your answers to a few (or all) of the questions in your comments! (Or post to your blog and leave us the link so we can visit!)

Remember now, just ONE word! 😉

Here’s my take on it . . .

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your hair? short
3. Your mother? cheerful
4. Your father? noble
5. Your favorite food? pasta
6. Your dream last night? Thanksgiving!
7. Your favorite drink? tea
8. Your dream/goal? helping
9. What room are you in? den
10. Your hobby? many
11. Your fear? heights
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? content
13. Where were you last night? etsy!
14. Something that you aren’t? mean
15. Muffins? corn
16. Wish list item? travel
17. Where did you grow up? Boston
18. Last thing you did? phoned
19. What are you wearing? jeans
20. Your TV? comedies
21. Your Pets? missed
22. Friends? caring
23. Your life? lucky
24. Your mood? good
25. Missing Someone? daughter
26. Vehicle? Taurus
27. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
28. Your favorite store? TJMaxx
29. Your favorite color? purple
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? November
32. Your best friend? several
33. One place that I go to over and over? blogland
34. Facebook? Nah!
35. Favorite place to eat? home

Making a list . . .

Posted on November 13, 2009 by crystal

Checking it twice . . . Gonna find out who’s naughty or . . .

Oh, hello there! I’m going shopping.

Wanna come, too?

You do? That’s great!!! 😀

I don’t know about you, but I need to make some progress on my Christmas gifts. Let’s hop on over to etsy and do a little browsing, shall we?

Hmmm . . . Ornaments are always a nice present!!

Gingerbread Personalized Christmas Ornament

Anybody here love gingerbread people? This little one does.
Talk about adorable!!! Only 2-1/2 inches tall! Hand sculpted design, polymer clay. From Buttonwilloe

And look at this beautiful purse!

Little Blue Birdie Winter Wools Repurposed Blazer Bag

This stunning bag will take you all through winter into spring. Made from “UpCycled Wool” obtained from re-purposed clothing. The artist hunts through local thrift shops and friends closets for fine quality wool garments, brings them home and washes them in HOT water. The process is called fulling. The wool from this bag was retrieved from a nice wool blazer! From PineBlossoms

If there’s a young lady on your gift list, chances are she’d love a pretty winter outfit for her doll.

Crocheted Three-piece Holiday Poncho Set

This set consists of poncho, hat, and purse. It’s crocheted for an American Girl Doll using an acrylic blend yarn in a holiday cranberry with a gold metallic thread that adds sparkle. The set is trimmed in extremely soft white Bernat Boa eyelash yarn. From lavenderlore

This next item is one of those gifts that you’ll want to buy TWO of – so you can keep one for yourself! 😀

Felt Mitten Pin

Imagine how adorable this little mitten would be on your winter coat! Or you could use it to anchor your scarf while dashing through the snow on a bright winter day! Lots of hand embroidery, beads and a pretty button embellish this mini work of art. It’s 100% wool felt, all hand stitched, and measures just over 2 1/2″. From beedeebabee

And finally, what’s a gift without a festive tag?

Vintage Style, Victorian Inspired, Saint Nick Gift Tags

These pretty tags will be kept long after the gift is gone – especially if you jot a special little message on them. Made on high quality ivory card stock, with a touch of red. A very realistic victorian style image is printed, and the sentiment has been handstamped. The edges have been shaded with a coordinating ink for a vintage look. Burgundy satin ribbon ties. From frenchcountry

Well, this was a good start but I’m not finished, so I’ll be browsing again soon. I hope you’ll join me again next time! 🙂

Let’s Go Shopping… Again!!

Posted on October 22, 2009 by crystal

Hi there!

It’s Crystal – your faithful cruise director. 😉

I’ve just rented a virtual bus with comfy seats and plenty of passenger room, so hop on and let’s go shopping!!!

We’ll be browsing on etsy today. In case we get carried away and lose all track of time – a brown bag lunch will be provided. Hope you like peanut butter and jelly!

Aw c’mon. The bus ticket is free! 😉

Card Table Playhouse
“The Animal Sanctuary”

Deep in the woods, in a Playhouse Neighborhood, is the Animal Sanctuary. All of the animals visit there! Fish swim in the pond, deer walk by the window, and the dragonflies dance in the summer air. Simply adorable! (Playhouse will fit over your own card table.) From: missprettypretty

Crochet Hat with 7 Interchangable Flowers

This darling hat comes with 7 interchangeable flowers to match any outfit! It’s available in 4 sizes – newborn to adult! From: 2crochetmamma

“Waiting For the Full Moon”
Fused Dichroic Glass Pendant

Shimmering Dichroic glass on a White Base sets the stage for this lonely tabby waiting for the Full Moon.
From: ccvalenzo

Acorn Coasters in Rich Fall Colors

So attractive! This set of four acorn coasters has two coordinating brown prints on the front, with a warm rusty brown backing. Topped with pretty decorative stitching. From: peganders

Well, it’s getting dark . . . we’d better get home.

Hope you had fun. Let’s do it again soon! 😀