Theme for today is blue. Recently, we visited family in El Paso, and hit up a couple thrift stores. One of my favorite items I brought home is this lovely lamp. I believe it was $6, but now I’m on the lookout for the perfect shade to compliment it. Any suggestions? I’m thinking something more rectangular might be nice with the detail on the lamp. For now, I may just rip out the rusted old lighting and use it as a nice decor piece.

Another absolute favorite item I brought home is this lovely ceramic pitcher my mother-in-”love” gave me. I was admiring it during one of our many late night talks, and before I knew it she’d given it to me! So sweet of her. She picked this up when she was 19, I believe, while living in Florida. This will make a lovely container for displaying flowers or using as a pitcher. Love it!

Foodie Friday is tomorrow. Is your mouth watering yet?

Welcome to the first of many Make It Mondays! Mondays will showcase items I have made be it crafts, art, home decor items, clothing or even food (if it can’t wait until Friday!) Sometimes, handmade items and ideas from other fabulous makers will be featured. Today, I’m sharing a quick 5 Minute Ring.

Tonight, I wanted something simple. After a hectic day full of work, appointments, MAJOR thrifting and a late dinner, I didn’t want to think too hard. I managed to knock out this spunky little number in about five minutes. It took longer to pull the materials together than to actually make the ring! I have been dying to transform these old clip ons into something more wearable for my tastes.

The Project: 5 Minute Ring

The Materials:

- Any clip on earrings you adore, but don’t want to hang from your lobes
- Button Shank Remover, jewelry making pliers
- 2 headpins

The How-To:

1. Remove the “clip on” portion of the earring. Mine was quite simple. The button shank remover easily cut through three tiny metal tabs which held the “clip on” portion to the beading.
2. Slide one headpin through one hole on the right outer edge. Slide a second headpin directly across from the first on the left outer edge.
3. Now begin to twist the headpins together creating the ring shape, but remember to measure your finger early on so it doesn’t end up too small. Be sure to tuck the ends away from the inside so they don’t scratch or dig.
4. Now you’re done! See how easy that was?

You could certainly use a real ring base. I did not have one on hand, but this was a perfect solution. I can always go back and replace it later if necessary.

The possibilities are endless. Get started!

***Check back tomorrow for Trashy Tuesday!

Finally! I have photographed (Thanks, Dustin!) and added these two notecard sets to my Etsy shop. I designed and printed these back in November for my first craft show. These are sold in sets of 5. They are blank inside, perfect for any occasion. These are original designs, printed in my home studio using my Gocco printer. I’m hoping to use the “Robots Unite” design for tshirts soon! We will see how that goes. Also, I was toying with the idea of using the blue swirls for a fabric design via Spoonflower. I have never designed fabric before, so that could be fun! My Etsy Shop. Enjoy! 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY ETSY SHOP >>>

For the past several months, I’ve been drooling over this vintage table and chairs set. It’s gone down in price a bit from the original listing, but still was not in OUR price range. I’ve kept an eye on it, hoping it would drop enough for us to purchase.

Today the unthinkable happened… SOLD! I guess it’s time to find a new dream. I think I’ll survive. <wink>

Yesterday completely got away from me, but here is my blue inspiration for “Blue Monday”. I will share soon what this beautiful blue belongs to!

If you’d like to see more Blue Mondays or just need a dash of color in your day during this dreary, cold winter… check out all the Color Week participants on Curious Bird.

I was playing around with a possible business card last night. I think I’m liking this. I need to get some cards printed for this show on Friday that was TOTALLY last minute, so Kinkos will have to do. I do have a fondness for this 50’s teal/blue (as I see it). I was inspired by my “new” metal coffee and sugar containers I bought for under $2. Also, threw in a design element from one of my new Gocco card designs. I think I’ll work on a little of the spacing, but what do you think? 

*sigh*… ’tis the end of color week… so sad. I noticed a trend with the blue in my house… it’s all pretty much the exact same color! It is such a wonderful color! Enjoy! 

*Ikea vase that needs some flowers.

*Plastic bag holder I made from old tshirts.
Although, it’s been pretty empty for a while now, which is a good thing. 

*My blue sewing machine. She’s been a little neglected this week.

*My yoga mat…also been neglected.

*Time for some vitamin D. Just a few minutes out in the Hawaiian sun. 

*Tshirts waiting to be screen printed.