With Fall comes change, especially in the Upper Midwest. Lately, during the usual commute to campus, I've watched the cornfields slowly disappear and the ground grow bare. The leaf colors have peaked and the beautiful St.Croix River is losing it warm, welcoming glow. It's quite obvious that Summer has left us far behind. Still, it's an amazing time of year and one that Ethan and I are greatly enjoying.
A familiar tradition that captures a great deal of attention in October is Halloween. Over the weekend, we started on Ethan's Halloween Costume, a blue angry bird made entirely of felt and polyester stuffing. He'd requested the special costume a number of weeks ago, so I'd been wanting to create it for him. Amazingly, the costume came together quickly and easily, but then we ran into a slight problem; turns out Ethan is much bigger than I thought! Looks like I'll be creating an angry bird number "2" next weekend. The costume is still really cute - I look forward to making another. Here's a link w/instructions for creating the entire angry bird family: HERE
Photo Credit: Twin Dragonfly Designs
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Another project I'd assigned myself this last weekend was a duo pair of simple necklaces. I happened upon one of my favorite bead store a number of weeks ago called the Bead Monkey. It was there that I spotted a large, dark burgandy crystal beneath the glass of the front counter. It had been a long time since I last purchased a bead of it's beauty and size. For some reason, I just knew I could orient a simple design around it, and I'd felt a slight nudge to be crafty outside the arena of scrapbooking. I brought it home, took out a number of trays from my heavenly bead collection, picked up some antique base metal chain and got to work formulating something I could where no matter the occasion. When it comes to necklaces, especially on petite ol' me, less is more. I eventually followed it up with a second one, though of a different variety stone.
*One of the great benefits of beading is finding out just how easy it is to make one's own jewelry! I remember, way back in the day, walking the Nordstroms jewelry department, and coming across several gorgeous necklaces ranging in price from $65 to $150 each. Most hadn't been anything special, minus the genuine materials used to create them. Knowing this, I'd return home and feel further inclined to take refuge in my beading passion. Fast forward to today, and my much neglected, significantly-sized bead collection rarely see's the light of day. It is only on occasion, such as this last weekend, that I help myself to it's treasures. These two necklaces remind me of why I once loved the hobby so, so much.
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I'm wonderful friends with Bella Blvd. I've known the owner, Stephanie, since it's fruition some number of years ago. Last week, she surprised me with a box of Bella Blvd. goods, including an assortment of their playfully designed washi tape and soon-to-debut "Kiss Me" product collection! I was elated by the package's arrival. I intentionally tucked the box away 'til night time so that I could enjoy it in silence, without the interruption of a busy house and kids. I then photographed the tape - my fave is the kraft roll with white tiny polka-dots, at the very bottom. :)
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Since the start of Kindergarten, Ethan has been developing and growing at the speed of light! Suddenly, he's all grown up! Here he is, standing midway inside a haystack maze at our local Gertens Nursery establishment. He cruised through it , and some where along the way, he managed to leave me behind. Kids always have us on our toes, don't they? They're always one step ahead...
There are a couple of scrapbook projects under development. Can't share those 'til next week though, so hang tight! Hope all of you are well - I certainly am :) Times are good! Happy Crafting!
