Wednesday, May 30, 2012

10 Things I've Learned From Pinterest

I'm shamelessly stealing this idea from Urban Heirlooms Style who wrote this post about Pinterest earlier in the month.  Enjoy!

1) You can do anything with spray paint.
Source: flickr.com via Pearl on Pinterest

2) Just in case you can't use spray paint, Mod Podge will never fail.

3) Who knew that there were so many ideas for cakes with different colored layers?

4) You can make a fabric or paper wreath for literally any holiday, season, or event.

5) Paint chips are a must have for your craft supply stash.

6) There is nothing that can't be made better with a fabric or paper flower.

7) Who knew that decorating for minor holidays like St. Patrick's Day could be so much fun?

8) Planning for future events that may not ever happen just became so much easier.  Seriously, if you are 15 years old, why do you have a "for my kids someday" board?

9) When all else fails, make a casserole.

10) Everyone has turned into wannabe decorators.
Source: bhg.com via Karen on Pinterest

What have you learned from Pinterest?

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

a mystery unveiled

The distinctive camouflage markings are barely visible through the thick underbrush.  Most people pass right by them without even stopping for a second look.  The person who is meant to find them is the only one combing every square inch for a tiny glint of metal or sun reflection off of the glass.  The thin camouflage piece has a silver key and a bottle with a message attached to it.  The bottle holds a seemingly meaningless scrap of paper.  Only the intended recipient will be able to decipher its message.  This message will lead the recipient to the door that requires the key and that is hiding away the treasuries just beyond it.

The June EBW Challenge is Mystery.  You can read more about it here.  I love mysteries and was excited about the narrative element that this challenge could include.  It took me a couple weeks to put together this concept and then a couple more weeks to create the piece.  Putting together the concept was the real challenge for me for this piece.  And yes, it does include one of my new bottle charms!  I'm excited about that.


Like all of my wrap bracelet/necklace pieces, this can be worn as a bracelet or necklace.  Both charms are detachable, giving you the option to wear it with both charms, one charm, no charms, or any other charms of your choosing.  While the charms add a substantial presence to the piece, they are extremely light weight.


This piece is available for sale here.  As always, if you're interested in something similar but with different colors, charms, size, etc., don't hesitate to contact me.  Voting for the June EBW challenge will take place the beginning of June.  I will post all of the information about it then.  To get a sneak peek at the current entries, search EBWC on Etsy.

What have you been working on lately?  Have you taken on any new challenges?

Newest articles:
Looking for older articles?  Click here!

I included this post in Michelle's Delicately Constructed Friday - 6/1/2012.

Where I Linked Up Today:
Treasury Tuesday

Monday, May 28, 2012

Scavenger Hunt and I Heart Macro on Monday (5/28/12)



Welcome to another edition of the photo Scavenger Hunt and I Heart Macro!  I had a lot of fun taking a couple mini field trips in Milwaukee this week to get my shots for these two memes and the May monthly challenge.  Enjoy!

1) Beneath Your Feet
Jake doesn't like to feel anything under his feet except carpet and thinks that I'm crazy to do this, but one of the things that I love about summer is getting to feel the grass.

2) Capturing Movement
One of my little field trips this week was to one of the lakeside parks in the north Milwaukee suburbs.  I seriously can't believe that it's taken me almost an entire year of living in Milwaukee to visit this location.  It will definitely not be that long before my next trip up there.

3) Texture
We take a lot of walks through the VA grounds, but I've been making an effort to bring my camera with me more often lately (as evidenced by the Memorial Day picture and by some of my other hunts), which was my other mini field trip this week.  The VA just turned this fountain on again.

4) Face Your Fears
Recently I've started contemplating upgrading to a DSLR camera and finally learning Photoshop.  I have avoided Photoshop for a long time, but I'm determined to make this transition within the next year.  This will be an overwhelming process for a lot of reasons, but it will be really exciting, too.

5) Currently
We are counting down the days to the end of intern year.  Only a little over a month left!

Check out Ashley's blog to see what other people submitted for the themes this week.



Here's my shot for I Heart Macro.  I am really proud of this picture.  Check out that hint of bokeh!

studio waterstone

Finally, don't forget to check out my May Photo a Day Challenge Board on Pinterest.  I'm continuing to get that updated at least once a week and will share the highlights from that challenge here at the end of the month.  Stay tuned on Thursday for that post.

Where else I linked up today:

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Treasury Round Up - 5/27/12

This past week I was featured in a several beautiful treasuries that are perfect for the end of spring/beginning of summer.  Please help me thank the curators who featured my work this past week by visiting their shops and checking out their treasuries.

Linda (PruittDesign) included my Beaded Rope Bracelet - Triple Strand - Purple, Turquoise Blue, Pink in her Backyard Summer Bash treasury.  Does this treasury say summer party or what?  There are so many fun items here.  Check out Linda's Plum Dangling Flower Earrings.


Margaret (SplendidLittleStars) included my Beaded Cuff Bracelet - Easter Morning in her Summer Forests treasury.  This is such a whimsical collection!  Margaret did an amazing job pulling together the items for this treasury.  Check out her HEART T-shirt.


Margaret also included my Button Dangle Earrings - Two-Hole Explosion in her color, glorious color! treasury.  Of course I love the mix of bright items here.


Sharla (BeadedTail) included my Button Charm Bracelet - Purple in her Something For You and Your Dog Too! treasury.  I love how colorful and fun this collection is.  Check out Sharla's Purple Polymer Clay and Swarovski Crystal Sterling Silver Earrings - Plum Drop.



Thanks to those who linked up with me last week!  Here are a few of the items that they featured last week.  Click on the photos to check out the product listings.



I am really touched by all the people who I have inspired to start their own treasury round ups with awesome shop features and write ups!  Please link up with me and grab a button for your own post.  I know that not everyone posts these rounds ups on Sundays, which is fine.  I will leave this link up open all week.

If you link up, take the time to visit and comment on at least one other post.  No one benefits from linking up if we don't all support each other.  Thanks!


 


treasury round up

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Saturday Link List: the graduation edition

Welcome another special holiday edition of my Saturday Link List!

I have a handful of articles up for graduation.

I did not put together a graduation Pinterest board, but I've simply pulled some resources from the site for you.  Enjoy!

Graduation Cupcakes - Cupcake Decorating Ideas from Alissa Roberts
Source: alissaroberts.hubpages.com via Rose on Pinterest

Huge collection of 2012 graduation printables.  Water bottle wrappers, candy wrappers, pendants, cupcake toppers, and more.



Graduation cap treats from Bakerella
Source: bakerella.com via Kelli on Pinterest


Graduation bookmark favors


Graduation cap card with free pattern and step by step instructions.
Source: megacrafty.com via Rose on Pinterest


High School Flashback Party Idea...I love retro party ideas!
Source: howdoesshe.com via Rose on Pinterest
"

Keys to Success" Graduation Party Decor Ideas


Graduation Quote Ideas from Martha Stewart


Of course I had to include a med school graduation party idea.


Create your own link list and grab a button for your post or simply spread the word on your blog.

Saturday Link List

Did I feature your work here?  Grab a button for your blog or web site!
Saturday Link List


Did you use one of the resources, tutorials, or recipes from my link list?  Leave me a link in the comments or send me an e-mail (randomcreative28@gmail.com) with your photos and stories.  I would love to post them here.

Stay tuned next week for a brand new set of June recipes!