Cross Stitch Brooch: Full of heart.

This week I'm showing you three cross stitched brooches that my mom made.

All of the brooches this week were made from The Creative Circle kits during the 80s. My mom said they would have home parties where everyone could buy kits and learn stitches. Doesn't that sound like fun?

Eggshell Jewelry: A rose brooch.

I saved the best eggshell brooch for last. This is my favorite one and is also my mom's favorite. She wore it often and can still remember exactly which suits and dresses she wore it with. You know how when someone wears something they love they have a sparkle in their eye? Her eyes sparkled just talking about making and wearing this brooch. I love the softness and Victorian feel of it.

Even though the exhibit of eggshell jewelry is now over, the small look into my mom's jewelry box is not! Next week I have some other handmade brooches to show you.

Eggshell Jewelry: A Santa brooch.

How cute is he? I can remember my mom wearing this brooch every year at Christmas time. It's held up very well over the years. You can tell that my mom takes great care of her jewelry.

Next time I will show you my favorite eggshell brooch of all.

Eggshell Jewelry: An angel brooch.

This little angel must have had a lot of wear. She has a small hole near her face. Considering how old this piece is, and that it's made from an eggshell, that's not bad!

Two more still to come!

Eggshell Jewelry: A bird brooch.

Before Easter, someone at N's school asked me if I had any ideas for crafts to make with eggshells. I immediately thought of the pins that my mom and aunt used to make when I young. I have a clear picture in my mind of them sitting at the table working creatively. I asked my mom to bring them over so I could share them with you.

The pins were made out of eggshells with decoupaged paper. After blowing out the eggs, they were cut to size with a Dremel tool. My mom told me their favorite papers to use were gift wrap papers, but anything with a nice picture was fair game.

This sweet little bird pin is one of my favorites. I think it should stay here with me for a while!

I have three more to show you this week.

Happy Easter.

A friend and I recently went to a card class where we made cute Easter/spring gift cards. It was fun to try out a new craft. I don't foresee giving anyone gift cards for Easter--or spring for that matter!--even though N did volunteer to be on the receiving end.

I think the optimum situation for me to make cards is in a class where someone else has already cut everything out!

My mom and I are going to make cards for Lolly's Secret Card Drive. I wonder if I can convince her to cut my stuff out?

Embroidered pendant.

I came across this vintage pendant and couldn't resist.

I love to walk into a room and find this.

Looking for signs of spring.

N is on spring break this week, so I took a few days off. Yesterday we went for a walk on the trail.

We found pinecones.

And we saw a large, white rock in the middle of a field.

But, there was only the slightest hint of green everywhere we looked.

I discovered a surprise message for me on the trail.

We continue to wait patiently for more signs of spring.

Jewelry Inspirations by Sherri Haab

I have several of Sherri Haab's books and I really like her newest one, Jewelry Inspirations: Techniques and Designs from the Artist's Studio.

The book provides easy to follow directions for basic jewelry making, such wire wrapping, while offering an overview of techniques and detailed instructions for individual projects. In the beginning, and sprinkled throughout, she shares her memories and inspirations, as well as tips for remaining inspired and involved.

When we fear that our piece isn't going to turn out perfectly, this holds us back. creativity is the ability to allow ourselves to be okay with something spontaneous or unintentional. Sometimes this leads us to an inspired direction and to unexpected findings that help us to expand creatively.

The projects range from polymer clay to resin, to shrink plastic, to using vintage items. I found several projects to inspire me: making a pendant out of a vintage metal button, transferring an image onto sea glass, making a resin flower, and more. Even N was inspired when he saw me looking at the book; he's ready to break out the shrink plastic!

You can preview several pages of the book on the Random House site.