Birthday party craftiness.

I knew N's party was a success when they were all going to bed and said they felt as though they'd just gotten to the party and didn't want it to end. At that point they'd been here for six hours!

They ate pizza, ran around the house playing tag, played video games, decoded secret messages, investigated whether or not dragons are real (of course they are), wrote books, and made felt animal puppets.

When they slowed down and seemed in need of something to do, I asked them if they wanted to make some puppets. All but one boy said no. And that one boy was not N, who previously was excited about the puppets.

I pulled out the kits to show the one boy who wanted to make them. Once the other boys saw them, they were all on board and most of them made two.

Afterward, they put on puppet shows and played puppet tag.

The kits were from Martha Stewart. I bought them at Big Lots sometime during the summer. Each $2 kit had four puppets. All the boys had to do was peel off the backing and stick all the pieces into place. It was a perfect project for four busy boys.

I think I enjoyed N's first sleepover party as much as he did.

Finally, some beadwork.

I bought this kit from Glass Garden Beads at the last Bead & Button Show. This is the Cape Cod Blooming Crystals kit.

Sometimes it's nice to have easy kits like this on hand for those days when you feel like making something, but don't want to tax yourself too much.

This weekend we are celebrating N.'s birthday with a sleepover party. Wish me luck!

More mystery photos.

Once again mysterious photos have shown up on our camera, this time featuring Chip...

...and Dale.

No one admits to taking these photos. It's a mystery indeed.

Etsy Favorite: Anne Holman

Anne Holman's shop has been in my favorites for a while now. I first added her when I came across her map jewelry, which are made with vintage maps. I'd like to have one with a map of Chicago.

But I also really love the pieces she makes with antique glass.

And anything with filigree and antiqued silver captures my attention.

But most of all, I'd like to add this piece to my collection.

Damask design, antiqued silver, and antique glass all in one piece. Sigh.

A day of thanks.

Wishing you...
and yours...

the best Thanksgiving.

And lots of pumpkin pie.

Etsy Favorite: Rachel Loves Bob

I haven't shared any of my Etsy favorites in a while. I think these button embroideries from Rachel Loves Bob are great and wanted to share them with you. Most of us who love beads also have a healthy appreciation for buttons.

I've had this bird in my favorites for a while. It would look very nice in my house.

I like that the empty spaces are filled in with beads! Very clever.

I'm hoping to get back into blogging a bit more regularly. Hopefully it will motivate me to start making stuff; if not, I'll show you more of my favorite things on Etsy!

Painted vase.

For my birthday last month, a friend and I went to a paint-your-own pottery shop. The shop is in a really quaint, historic town in Illinois. We made a day of it by having some lunch and doing some shopping after painting. I painted this pitcher/vase, which I now use for some of my vintage beaded flowers.

I haven't been working on much of anything lately. N's homework takes up a good portion of our evenings and we've been busy running around on the weekends. Plus, I've been reading more. Maybe this weekend I'll find some time for beading...

Chicago Craft Social.

I had the best time last night at the Chicago Craft Social in Evanston, Illinois, where crafters get together to make things and be social. So fun!

There were a variety of projects to choose from and snacks were available. My friend Christina and I were too busy making things to stop for snacks!

I saw on the list of projects that one of the tables would be making terrariums. I bought a container to make a terrarium more than a year ago, but never did it. I brought my container along just in case.

There were a variety of mosses and plants to choose from and even little animals to add. Here's a better picture of the inside.

Next I made a fleur de lis ornament taught by Simone of Craft Fancy. I saw people walking around with some sparkle and had to find out where they got it! I'm looking forward to visiting her shop.

After these projects, Christina and I met up and made paper owl collages.

I have one more project that I started, but need to finish at home. It involves chalkboard fabric, which I never even knew existed!

Now that we've checked it out, we decided we need to bring more people with us next time. We met a lot of great people and had a fantastic time. Can't wait to do it again!

Amy Hanna.

I ran across this magazine at Barnes & Noble and really liked the necklace on the cover. I liked it enough to buy the magazine and learn more about the designer.

I learned that Amy Hanna also had a book.

A beautiful book.

She also has an Etsy shop and blog, both with beautiful reworked vintage treasures. I think this pretty locket I found on Etsy would work will in a design inspired by Amy Hanna.



I have a tangled mess of old jewelry in a box. Maybe there's something in there that I could reuse to make a new treasure with this locket.

Fawn.

I noticed that I seem to be acquiring some fawn things. I received this necklace from a great friend for my birthday. The necklace was made by Figs & Ginger. I love it.

For a while I've kept an eye on Elisabeth's shop, The Illuminated Owl. She creates art with leather. I ordered a fawn cuff from her that didn't fit me. Elisabeth was wonderful and offered fantastic customer service. Now this cuff will be on its way to me soon.

In keeping with the woodland sort of theme, I was drawn in by this ornament kit from Alicia Paulson of Posie Gets Cozy. There are beads and sequins!

I should get to work on them soon. Christmas is coming fast...