Beaded Sun Catcher

I have had a beaded suncatcher pinned on Pinterest forever!  I decided of course rather than make one for myself that I would make one for my partner in the Random Swap.  I used memory wire and glass beads to put this together.  It takes A LOT of beads. It ended up costing me more money than I anticipated since my local bead store that sells loose glass beads charges by the ounce.  Glass beads are heavier than I thought! A fellow Craftster member made one and used more seed beads in hers.  I hate working with seed beads but it may be a good alternative to use as a filler for next time.  Another tip if you decide to make one for yourself... rather than pushing the beads round and round the wire to the bottom just string a few on then pull on both ends of the wire and they will slide right on down. 

Here is the one I made my swap partner

 

I  decided I liked the finished product so much that I just HAD to make one for myself.  I ordered some glass bead mixes on Etsy for a decent price and made this purple and blue beauty to myself.  Now I just need to find somewhere to hang it. 

 

I think that these would look equally as nice hanging in a bedroom or nursery too!

Manic Monday

A pink elephant hoop I received in the Ongoing Wish Swap!  Love all the cool stitches!

 

Also included with the hoop is this gorgeous altered matchbox.  I love the style!

Coppertone ClearlySheer Sunscreen

 

I was invited to participate in another campaign from BzzAgent. This time for a new sunscreen from Coppertone.  Living in Arizona sunscreen is a must!  Especially this time of year when we spend so much time out in the pool to beat the heat.  In my BzzKit I received the Coppertone ClearlySheer Sunny Days Body Lotion which is perfect for everyday use.  I put lotion on my arms and my legs every day before I leave the house and this is great since it already has the sunscreen built in!  I don't have to try to remember to put on a second lotion before I leave the house.  I am always sure to protect my face but the other thing I love about this product is that it helps to protect parts of my body that I don't think about such as my hands. It goes on smooth and doesn't leave me smelling like I am on a tropical vacation or like I took a quick chemical bath before leaving the house.

I also love the ClearlySheer Beach and Pool Sprays that were included.  It is so much easier to apply on kids.  Just point and shoot.  I always like to still rub it in after spraying it on to make sure we got full coverage. I would imagine this would be really nice on the beach when everyone is covered head to toe in sand!

Here are my kids enjoying the pool after being sprayed down

 

Overall I would recommend adding Coppertone ClearlySheer Body Lotion to your everyday routine and keeping a bottle of the spray handy for outdoor play!

**I am a BzzAgent and received the products above for free in return for my opinion *

**All opinions are my own**

Craftster Hoopla Along April

 

Aprils theme in the Hoopla Along was Under the Sea.  I went to Etsy to search for a pattern and this set caught my eye.   Its by Kimberly Ouimet  I stitched it up using a chain stitch and back stitch.  I love the nice thick lines on the chain stitch and it works up very quickly if you use this cheater method I learned from Sublime Stitching.  I even used a bit of thread from Sublime Stitching for the sea star.  It was my first time working with their thread and I loved it!  I think I may need to purchase the entire set!

Manic Monday

 

L is for Lindy

Altered L received in the Ongoing Wish Swap.  

LOVE the colors!!!

Typography Shrine

This project was made as a personal swap with another Craftster member who is also a graphic designer.  She made me something I needed to make personalized earrings and in return asked for one of my shrines.  She wanted a graphic design or typography themed shrine though.  I said hmmmmmm not super sure what I would do for that....  

I did a few searches for typography to get some ideas and then I went through my stash.  I knew I had this great & symbol and have had it for years.  That was the start and what the rest of the shrine ended up be based off of.  

I went on a hunt to the Craft store to see what else I could find and decided that some tiny symbol stamps would work for something and I found the number charms along with a tiny metal box charm.

I spray painted my shrine black and began to assemble it with a black, white, and neutral theme.  The & bead had the perfect loop on it for me to hang the 3 from.  This gives it some needed depth.  I decided to use the stamps as a base.  It's hard to see but I chose another & and the ! for the front.  After I hung the three it still seemed to bare..  I decided to alter the metal box charm I purchased with some of the alphabet. 

 

Here is the back of the shrine

 

I ended up also using a bit of black and white striped washi tape since the paper I used with the 7's didn't agree to being cut...

I really hope the person I sent it to liked it.  This one made me stretch my imagination a bit since it wasn't a typical theme.

Manic Monday

 

Jewelry received from underthemountain in the Ongoing Wish Swap.  

I love everything she makes and she always spoils me with her claims!

Easy Tote Bag

 

 This is the second tote bag I have made using the 20 Minute Tote bag tutorial from The Purl Bee

This one was made for the Box of Color Swap and was just as easy to put together as the first one I made. I admit I went a bit over the top with the straps though... They are quite a bit longer than what you would normally find on a tote bag.  

The next time I make one I am thinking of making it lined and maybe with a pocket on the outside.  I gotta say I love the internet and Pinterest which helps to teach me all kinds of new things to make.  Not everything is successful but I know I have mastered the tote bag!

Manic Monday

 

Hidden Skull Hoop.  I received this from the fabulous kittykill in the Ongoing Wish Swap.

I have been wanting one of her hoops forever and this one is AWESOME!