Busy, Busy, Busy.

Sorry haven't written for awhile but with weddings and graduations coming up I am trying to stay on top of things but have not been able to keep up. I am also working longer work hours and cannot write all the time. I will try to keep up better and post new ideas. Until then many blessings.

Learning A New Craft.

This weekend my 7 year old Joshua saw a picture of polymer creations. The lady had made some bow rings and mustache bling and he showed it to me. He looked at me with his baby blues and said, " Mom, I know you can do it! Think how happy Mickayla will be if you could make those." Joshua is so sweet and he is always thinking of his older sister, how could I say no. So he and I watched some YouTube tutorials and the next day I bought some polymer clay. I have been making charms left and right and now am working on some key chain charms.Below are some creations of my children. Mickayla, my 14 year old, then Joshua who is 7 holding a Wii remote, and then Jonah who is 14 1/2 months with his diaper and sippy cup. I think they are good for my first try, ha ha. More to come. Many blessings until then.

Crafting Gives Freedom

OK,  so I have to tell ya I am a newbie to this blogging thing. I have tried a lot of things to perk up my blog and I will probably be trying out more in the future. I started this blog because I wanted to share ideas about crafting that I have picked up along the way and teach new crafts. I am myself self-taught and usually what happens is I see something that sparks an interest and I just try it.Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't but that's life. You learn by making mistakes. I love doing crafts. There's just a sense of freedom even when there is chaos around you. It calms me, it keeps me sane. I have a sense of belonging. Crafting also helps me to feel better about myself; accomplishment. The best thing about crafting is that there is no right or wrong way to create, it's like your the artist and the inspiration around you is your palette. Anyone can create beauty. I like to look at the past for inspiration, I love vintage. There's just something about that era. Something romantic, something innocent and pure. I am going to try more vintage crafts. My plans are to do Melissa's, my niece, wedding shadow box, also been asked to do another shadow box for my boss Veniesha, and I still have to make pillows for our new bedding. I also want to make a large supply of cards, exploding purse cards, boxes, and more so that if I ever go to a craft fair I am prepared; however, that will have to wait for now. June 29th isn't far off and I need to have that gift done as well as a card. I will start that tomorrow. Then I will do Veniesha's next. I will take really good pictures to show the final result. Until then, many blessings to you all.

My Greatest Creations

Kayla's hero, my  handsome husband Terry

Kayla, Joshua, and Jonah

My greatest creations are my children, actually our creations. My oldest is Mickayla, Kayla for short. She is 14 going on 20, ha ha. She is the exact opposite of me. I am classy and crafty and she is relaxed and laid back. We are total opposites. She loves music and I love crafting. My motto is,' why buy it when I can make it?', her's is, 'why make it when I can buy it?' Eventhough she is a typical teenager she still has heart. 

Joshua with his little buddy Jonah.

Then there's Joshua. He is 7 years old and the sweetest kid you could ever meet. He has a love for everyone that he meets and goes out of his way for everyone. He is a great big brother to Jonah and very honest. He tells on himself even if it means he will be punished. Joshua is very supportive of everything I do, he likes when I make things for him especially.

Last but not ever least is Jonah. Although he is only 14 mos. He is full of energy and smiles. I bet his smile could light up the room. He is walking and talking and full of curiosity. Sometimes it is hard to craft around him because he is into everything as a toddler often is. 

Button Bracelet and Matching Ring.

Take card stock and apply Modpodge to protect the picture and this will also make it flexible to work with.

When the card stock is to your liking then cut a strip wide enough to fit around your bracelet and begin decoupaging the paper onto the bracelet.

To decoupage you just add the Modpodge to the bracelet surface then add the paper and a generous amount of Modpodge and using your fingers dip in water and gently smooth out bubbles.

Next add the buttons using the Quick Grip glue to bracelet top.

Add ribbon to inner side of bracelet then smooth out and let dry.

Matching Ring

1 ring bling

1 button

1 tube Quick Grip or quick drying glue adhesive.

Take button and apply Quick Grip glue to back then place onto ring bling. Wait til dry and voila!

Now you have a matching bracelet and ring set. Unique as the person who is wearing it.

Bedroom Finished, Onto Next Project!

Well we finished our bedroom, well I still need to shop for new bedding but the room is done, new flooring, painted, and the vanity and sink are in. Now it is on to the next project or shall I say projects. My niece is getting married June 29th so I must go to work on her gift which I am making. Don't get me wrong I could buy a gift and there is nothing wrong with buying gifts, but I am  Lara Crafty Murphy for a reason. If I didn't make her a gift she would think I was mad at her since my thing is to make gifts. Below is a gift I made in celebration of my mother LaVera. I also made two cards, one for my mom and one for a co-worker's mom. I will be doing a tutorial on this later this week so stay tuned. Remember to also visit my pal Judy at pursuitoffunctionalhome.com for her latest tips and ideas. She is wonderful! Again, Happy Mother's Day to all you Mother's and May God Bless.

Matching ring makes a set complete.

Crafter's Companion Frou Frou Mother's Day Card



 

Crafter's Companion Frou Frou Mother's Day Card

Bedroom Project

The reason I haven't written for a while is that I my husband and I are re-decorating our bedroom. So far we painted it; my daughter Mickayla did most of the painting due to my work schedule, then we put in a new toilet and bathroom tile, and now we just finished laying down the hard wood flooring. So exciting! Tomorrow we are going to go to Menard's and look at a sink and vanity, yay! I plan on making my own pillows using the new Crafter's Companion Frou Frou cd-rom I got in the mail and following a tutorial I saw on the site, also plan on decorating the bedding and accessories. I will be done soon and then will be posting more crafts and ideas. Until there Many blessings to you all.