My coworker is seriously the best coworker anyone could ask for. I sit next to her and she truly is my best friend at work! I couldn't be luckier. For her birthday this year, I wanted to make her some jewelry. I made this necklace and pair of matching earrings for her.

This is the necklace a little closer up. She wanted something she could wear with anything. And I think I succeeded.

These are the earrings. She doesn't wear big earrings, so I made a small pair that she could wear with or without the necklace.

She was so surprised and wears them all the time. That's a pretty sure sign that she liked them!

Happy crafting!

I have been working on this necklace for a while and finally got around to finishing it! I can't wait to wear it! I know this necklace and earrings are going to be a nice addition to my collection!

I have a few more necklaces and earrings to show you, so I hope you don't get too bored seeing them!

Happy crafting!

Last year for Christmas, I had a request from my step-mom for a silver and gold necklace and earring set. Now, I don't wear yellow gold. I think it looks great on other people, it's just never been for me. So it was a bit of a challenge for me to make these.

I ended up getting a really long gold chain and added some silver beads to the necklace in various places. Since the chain was so long, I doubled it up before adding the beads to it. I think it gave it a really nice touch.

For the earrings, I used gold earring hooks and then used the silver beads.

She has told me that she has gotten lots of compliments on them and I am so happy that she likes them so much!

(And on a side note, this took so long to post because I gave them to her and forgot to take a picture. I just got a picture from her the other day and wanted to make sure I posted this right away!)

Happy crafting!

It's been FOREVER since I made a card! I am almost embarrassed with how long it's been.

Just after Thanksgiving, it was my dad and step-mom's anniversary. I had some extra time, so I thought I would make a card. This is how it turned out.

I was pretty happy with how it turned out and happy that I was able to find a little bit of card-making-mojo! I don't know when I'll have some extra time again to make more cards, but this definitely made me want to make some time for it!

I sometimes don't have the time I would like to make a card from scratch for someone. So I usually have some store bought cards saved up in my stash. One of the simplest things to do to these cards to add a little special touch to them, is to add glitter.

These two cards I just added some glitter to. The first one I added dots of glitter and the second one I added glitter to the stems.

These pictures don't do these cards justice at all. I couldn't get the colors to look right. But take my word for it, glitter added that special touch I was hoping for.

So keep this little trick in your bag of goodies for those times when you are crunched for time, but want something a little more special.

I have also added glitter to a whole set of cards and gave them as gifts. People love how they turn out and you'll be glad you added a personal touch to them.

Happy crafting!

Difficulty:
(4/5)

This is a bag that you will use all the time and won't break the bank making it...so make it in all the colors you can think of! It's very durable, washable and it makes a great gift! When you carry them around, you'll get lots of compliments!

››› Click here to see the rest of this project ‹‹‹

I feel like I am saying this a lot. It's been a long time since I have posted anything on here.

Life has been crazy.

My husband and I are expecting our first baby in February and we have spent our free time getting other projects done around the house before then. It didn't help that I spent the first trimester of my pregnancy sleeping a lot. That took up a lot of time, too! :)

So, I am going to try to write a few posts that I have had saved up and do my best to post less sporadically. And I have a really special one coming tomorrow...one that I have been asked to post a number of times! You'll love it!

But we'll see how good I am at that once the baby arrives!

Happy crafting!

Difficulty:
(1/5)

With the holidays approaching and desire to make cards is upon us, this is a simple guide to making your own pattern paper and mass producing cards. Make a variety of colors and keep them on hand. Or give a matching set of cards as a gift!

››› Click here to see the rest of this project ‹‹‹

For this holiday season, I am sure many of you are making your own cards. Here are a few tips I have learned from making mine.

• Start early. If you are just starting now...you still have time, but don't think it will happen overnight.
• Have your design planned before you start. Don't just dive in hoping something will come to you. It might, but you don't want the added stress if it isn't the way you want it.
• Pick a few colors to work with. You don't want to make it too busy because that just means more time.
• Do one part of the card at a time. This means you'll be going through all your cards a number of times, but it keeps you from forgetting something. For instance, fold all your cards, then attach all of one color to each card, then attach the patterned paper, then stamp your sentiment to all of the cards...getting the idea?
• Get a friend or family member to help. Make it a goo excuse to get together and just chat. The work goes twice as fast and it will just be more fun.
• Don't worry about being perfect. I have done this WAY too many time. Most people won't notice a small imperfection that you can't stop looking at. In a worst case scenario...just send that one to grandma who can't see real well anyway!
• It's the thought that counts. This goes with the previous one. Your friends and family are going to care more about the thought that went into the card than how detailed they are.
• Find a large space and don't be afraid to spread out. You won't believe how much space 60 cards can take up! Put things on the floor as they are drying or if you just want to feel accomplished by everything spread out around you in a sea of cards!
• Buy a stamp sentiment for the inside of the card. You can find something as simple as "Seasons Greetings" to a much longer holiday phrase. This will save your hands from writing what you want to say on the inside. And by the time you are done making them, I promise you aren't going to want to write inside them. Signing your name will be plenty!
• Print your addresses on labels. Again, you don't want to be writing these out. So save a document on your computer to have on hand. This can be your address book, too. It's dual purpose. But after printing on labels, you just stick them on and voila!
• When all else fails...order photo cards online! Like I did this year because I haven't had an ounce of time to make cards. But making cards is still my preferred method for the holidays. :)

I hope some of these tips have helped give you some ideas you hadn't thought of before. Or just some ways to make an daunting task a little more fun. Happy card making!

So did anyone out there miss me? I have been busy with school and haven't had a moment to do any crafts. I have a few things saved up that I will be sharing, but I have no idea if there is anyone out there paying any attention to little old me anymore.

If you are still out there, thanks for sticking around. I hope to post something once a week or so for now. At least until I have some things made. I might post some ideas I see that I want to share.

Happy crafting!