Committed to Creating Every Day

Yes, I'm going to take up the challenge. For the month of November I commit to create every day. I figure I have charms to make, gem trees, jewelry, artist trading cards, books, sewing jewelry bags and creating items for holiday presents that this should be a no brainer. I will be posting my progress here on my blog if not everyday but every few days to show you what I have accomplished.

This idea came about from Peggy Krzyzewski, author of "Making Mixed Media Art Charms and Jewelry" and her blog post titled Commitment Issues. I have started a link of those bloggers that will be taking up the challenge so if you want to join in, leave me a comment or send me an e-mail with your blog address and I'll add your blog to the list so people can follow our progress.

This doesn't mean you have to create a tangible item each day but devote a block of time to creating. I know some days all I do is create my card background for my ATC's and not finish any of them and other days I finish quite a bit as I have more time.

I know Jenn, Editor of Cloth Paper Scissors left a comment on my blog yesterday about the Cloth Paper Scissors Gift issue and yes I have it. There are some great ideas for creating and gift giving. I especially love the Wrap It section of the magazine as there are some great ideas that you can use anytime and not just for the holidays. Check out the Interweave store or click the link to get your copy.

Creative Blogger - MezziG of Creative Outlet

This week I'm featuring MezziG of Creative Outlet. What a wonderful creative soul. In one of her posts this week she shows us her most recent creation that she made for a bead challenge. It just so happens that she won this challenge. Isn't this just a great design? I never use seed beads in my designs but seeing the versatility in design, I may have to rethink that.

Fringe is such a big design feature right now as well as the bib style and this has both of those. Click on over and check out her blog.

Well around here life has been quite hectic. Our kitchen is almost gutted now. Sounds very hollow in there and it is so large. Amazing how big the room looks without cabinets and appliances. We are eating in the motorhome....feels like we are camping in the back yard...oh wait we are. I can't imagine living through a kitchen remodel without having another home whether it is a RV or weekend cabin that you can retreat to. Our dining room is full of the appliances and the living room is full of the dining room furniture and boxes of kitchen stuff. I'll have before and after photos when it is complete... you really don't want to see them now.

I was really hoping to have pictures of my new craft room cabinets to show you today, but alas I haven't taken them yet and I still have to unpack everything, so hopefully tomorrow.

So, until then have a great day.

Creative Blogger - Heart On My Sleeve

Yes, another featured blogger from my group Creative Bloggers. This time a jewelry designer right up my alley Heart On My Sleeve. Be sure to check out her blog. She remakes and fixes old jewelry. Take a look at what she has done to this old leather bracelet.

Old bracelet

Remade into these wonderful earrings.

She's going to be able to get a lot of earrings out of that bracelet. So, this has given me the idea to make these earrings to go with the leather necklaces I've made. Here are the necklaces....don't you think they would go great together?

I'll have to get right on that after all the other things I had planned for today. Never a dull moment around here. My sister-in-law wants me to make her a hipster bag for an I-Pad so I really need to practice putting in a zipper. My new best friend is the seam ripper...LOL. I haven't done zippers in quite a while and most of my bags have the magnetic clasp. I'll post pictures when I have it completed.

Happy Monday!

Creative Blogger - Precious Willow

It's time again for a featured blogger and this week it is Phersmay from Precious Willow. This creative blogger friend is a Canadian Jewelry Maker. I love to look at other peoples jewelry and their creativity.  Phersmay is no exception. Her designs are unique, up to date and beautiful to look at. She also has a special in her Etsy shop until May 31st where she will give you a $25.00 gift certificate with each order. What a deal. I think everybody should take her up on that one. Here are a couple of examples of some earrings that I find especially beautiful.  

Feel free to visit Phersmay's blog and Etsy shop to find more wonderful items.

Creative Blogger - Julie Chats

Come meet Julie. Julie has two children and was recently chosen as a Featured Writer on the Oregon Women's report. She also teaches scrapbooking classes and does promotions, marketing work and writes a blog for her local scrapbooking store Whimzee's Scrapbook Studio. In this blog post of hers, she shows off her most recent mini album. Here is a pic. It is an album from Punky Spouts.

I love all kinds of scrapbook paper and card stock along with the embellishments, but never find the time to get it all together with my jewelry, bag making, painting, etc. So, I do appreciate the creativity that goes along with putting one of the albums together.

I invite you to check out Julie's blog and join her on her scrapbooking adventures.

Featured Blogger

I started a new Blog Ring with Creative Bloggers so I'll be featuring a new blogger each week for a while. This week's Featured blogger is Melanie aka Bags by Melanie....a girl after my own heart. I checked out her Etsy shop and she has some really cute items especially these tissue holders. Yes, I am still getting over the darn Spring cold so these looked very inviting and needed at this time. I may have to try to make me one...or not. LOL Maybe I'll just buy one from Melanie. Check out her Etsy shop and her blog for more great items.

BTW all you Entrecard droppers, Melanie is also a member so drop your card on her and say hi.

A Day for the Dogs

Today the dogs got to go to the spa. They had the full treatment, bath, clipped, teeth brushed, nails filed, the works. Now they are all clean and full of energy. The little one is asserting his dominance, while the spaniel is stealing all the chew bones. I guess we are back to normal. We sure did miss them while we were on vacation. I'm told they were perfect angels while at grandpa's house for the week. It's hard to be away from them for too long, but it looks like we will be again next month when we go to Napa. Buddy the spaniel wasn't too happy that I was taking his picture while he had a chew bone....he didn't even want to look at me for fear I would take it away from him....well it was Leo's bone. Oh and don't you just love the 70's vintage gold carpet. We have yet to remodel our house. That's next on the list.

I just ran across a Creative Blogger friend Marsha's Etsy shop and blog Spinal Fusion. What cool earrings.
I love the funky disk ones in the middle. Check out her Etsy shop for all kinds of goodies at reasonable prices.

Hope you had a good Monday.  Cheers, Dana

Creative Bloggers Featured Artist

I just joined a new group called Creative Bloggers. The purpose of this group is to support and network with other bloggers. This weeks featured blogger is Michelle Harvey from Michabella Creations. Michelle creates contemporary jewelry that is very fashion forward. Her work was recently chosen by Keith Lissner for his runway show during Boston's Fashion Week. Here is one of my favorite earrings of Michelle's that Keith choose for his show.

You can also check out Michelle's web site HERE for some great affordable jewelry.