Tag You're It

I had a little fun this past week on one of my days off!

I feel bad that I have limited time to write on my blog and 'show off'.  I used to be so diligent.  But I'm happy to say ... that LIFE has changed a bit, and a few things have to get rearranged.  And you know what?  That's OK!

I love a good deal, a bargain, a sale.... a steal! (Really not shop lifting)  but I was in another city last week and decided to check out their GWI (Goodwill).  It was a bit different than the one I work for.  And I found in the arts and crafts a few fun items that were priced just right!

 

This brand new TAG pad was 99c.  I loved all the papers and thought I could have fun with them.  So, I brought out my acrylic paints and stencils and other 'stuff', and started adding color.

 

 

I ended up painting 12 tags. 

 

While I waiting for each layer to dry I did much needed house work.  A load of laundry.  Vacuumed a room. Unloaded the dishwasher etc.... and then as my reward .... I went back to 'creating' another color or layer.

 

Mixed media.  Different colors, textures, hues, splotches.... random.

 

Not trying to create something here that is recognizable.... just adding color and leaving spaces open to see the base card. Pops of color to make a little whimsy.

 

 

Typed up some positive words that get mod podged to the tags.

 

Then, once all that is dry... added punched hearts, stars and flowers, buttons and finally ribbon.

 

I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do now, with those tags.  The are pretty big... 4" x 9".... where a 'regular' tag would be 2-1/2" x 3-1/2".  I could certainly add the tag as a 'card' for a wonderfully made creative greeting of some sort.... be it a crochet scarf, pack of note cards, or a cuff bracelet. 

 

You never know what kind of FuN MaiL might be coming your way!

Feeling the Love

My creative time has gotten shorter and shorter, but I still can't help myself... I NEED to be creative every day.

After a normal shift yesterday on a hot Friday afternoon, I came home, kicked off my shoes ... and saw some cut belts that I'm making into bracelet cuffs and had to start the painting process.  Just dipping my brush into the paint and making swirls and dots ... helped me relax. Well, it really made me giddy .... just thinking what I could turn the cuff's in to!!

Creating something is part of who I am.

Last week I was working on prdesigns creative greetings for my stash (I keep all kinds of greeting cards in labeled bins so that I have them on hand to give as gifts, mail out for special occasions, or if people want to purchase them)  and I decided that it's not hard to make two cards at once.... using the same papers, colors and themes, but then switching up the sentiments and the layout....

 

I actually had my paint brushes sitting in muddy water and my acrylic paints near by.... decided to doodle daisies on the front of craft cardstock.  Once dry, I made these two cards, one is a happy hello, and the other can be a happy, but thoughtful get well card.

 

And then by using thin paper scraps from another project I had laying around (I really must clean the piles in my craft room)  I was able to create these two cards. 

 

Banners and ribbons are being used every where in paper crafting.  The card base is pretty much the only difference between these to cards.

 

 

I was taking to heart the other day, when I read a comment about buy greeting cards from the dollar store.  A penny pincher was doing that.... because the recipient of the cards (gift) just toss them anyway!

 

And then I'm uplifted when many of my friends 'hoard' their cards, send them only on the most special occasions.... because they are too pretty!!! Or they even frame the card!  Such a compliment ... but I don't think I could create a lesser card just because the recipient will 'toss' it out with the wrapping paper.

 

Those who receive whimsy from creative greetings feel the love that is behind the crafting!! What a great feeling to accomplish that!

Cuff Bracelets

It's all about cute, whimsy and fun.... and of course, uniquely one of a kind!

I've created up-cycled belts into bracelet cuffs. 
And I have a few for sale.

All belt material is slightly used, with imperfections. 

Bracelets snap together to close.  Hand stamped positive sentiments are embedded into a metal plate, attached to the cuff with rivets. Other embellishments like lace, denim and fiber may be added.  Cuffs are painted with acrylic and sealed with Mod Podge.

 

 

#10 JOY LOVE LAUGH

Snaps on center at 7-3/4"

1-3/8" wide   white belt

Painted hearts - blue red tan

AVAILABLE

$18 includes shipping



 

#11 Be Brave

Snaps on center at 7-3/4"

1-1/2" wide    brown belt

Painted flowers - yellow pink

cream lace

AVAILABLE

$18 includes shipping

 

#12 SHINE

Snaps on center at 7-3/8"

1-3/8" wide   brown belt

Painted flowers - green blue cream

AVAILABLE

$18 includes shipping

 

 

#13 happiness

Snaps on center at 7-5/8"

7/8" wide    tan belt

Painted flowers - blue yellow tan

cream lace

AVAILABLE

$18 includes shipping

 

#14 INSPIRE

Snaps on center at 7-1/4"

1-3/8" wide    brown belt

Painted flowers - blue pink cream

denim

AVAILABLE

$18 includes shipping

#15 BLISS

Snaps on center at 7-3/4"

7/8" wide    tan belt

Painted flowers -  purple blue tan

purple lace

AVAILABLE

$18 includes shipping

#16 BELIEVE

Snaps on center at 7-1/8"

7/8" wide    blue belt

Painted flowers - blues and green

AVAILABLE

$18 includes shipping

#17 INSPIRE

Snaps on center at 7-1/2"

7/8" wide    cream belt

Painted flowers -brown tan green

AVAILABLE

$18 includes shipping

 

 

I am an artisan, a crafter who loves to share my work.  I try my very best to create quality work. And I am my own boss.  I request payment (checks or cash) for items I create, up front and in full. Custom orders can be requested.... on sentiments and color schemes.  They may take a little longer depending on what materials I have on hand. All items mailed first class with USPS.

 

For further information, please contact me at prdesigns1@sbcglobal.net

Put a Cork in It!

You know, there are things that just make you go hmmm!

Or little things that make you laugh out loud.

Inside jokes.

Funny how you see a bunch of signs that you never saw before?

Since before we really started drinking wine, I had kept a few wine corks, even dated them with permanent markers on  the ones for an anniversary or a special occasion.  Then I started putting wine corks in a semi huge glass vase.

After our walk through a few wineries earlier this summer, I saw that there were special wine cork 'holders' being sold in the winery gift shop.  But for $28 bucks, I thought I could create something more cost efficient!

 

I couldn't find the materials I was looking for... but I did find the perfect gift for wine enthusiast or your cork-collecting friend.

 

After I found my great buy (which was 1/4th the cost of a new one) I was watching the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and he wrote a thank you note just for this cause...

 

Thank you people who save wine corks for basically saying, hey look, I'm a hoarder and an alcoholic.

 

 

By the way, I am neither!!!!!

 

But now, someday and with Pinterest,  I have a ton of ideas what I eventually can do with all of those corks ... http://www.pinterest.com/pin/136937644894915378/

 

Plus, the new cork holder looks cute, and that's what counts!