Designing in Life

Get Ready for Love Day

That's what they call Valentine's Day in Puerto Rico.  Well it's really called The Day of Love, but I have friends who winter there, and they call it "Love Day."

If you're trying to find just the right card, how about this one.  It's a vintage card from The Graphic's Fairy, and you can download it here.  There are quite a few to choose from, but I happen to like this one.

I opened it up in Photo Shop and inserted this –

Don't have Photo Shop?  Print it out and write that special person's name on it.

 

 

Button Calendar

Okay all of you crafty people out there.  Here is a pretty cute calendar to make.  I'm sure many of you have extra fabric and plenty of buttons around, so get started.

I found this project on Craftzine, posted by Diane Gilleand.  It doesn't look very hard to do, and it looks like it could be a fun project to make with a child or grandchild.  Because it's a perpetual calendar, you'll have it for years to come.

A Printable Calendar for You

This is just one of the  owl pictures from Shivana's  My Owl Barn.  She's offering a printble 2011 calendar with 30 owl-themed pictures (by different artisits) to choose from for the top of each month.  I had a hard time choosing because they're all so darn cute.

I guess it's not too soon to start thinking about 2011.  Whoa, time sure is flying by.  I'm sure trying to make the most of it!

Home Again...Again

I've been in Jersey City again.  Son-in-law, Jim, had a business trip to go on, and with Beth still on crutches, I went down to help with the girls. It was a fun trip.  I have a few pictures, but need to download them – and just haven't had time yet to do that, but will asap.

When I got home last night, I weeded through some of the catalogs that arrived.  Check this out!

Vintage butter knife plant markers from Napa Style.  Looks like everyone is getting in on the vintage silver plant markers, like the ones I posted on June 2.  One thing you can bet on.  A few weeks out in your garden and they will not be shiny like they are in this picture.

And look at these.  My sister gave me something just like this years ago.  I still have them, but now I'm thinking I should get the silver polish out so they look new.

 

These are made in Wallingford, Vermont by Brian Bentley Wind Chimes. I know there must be a multitude of things you can make from old silverware.  I remember having a bracelet made from an old silver spoon.  Hmmm, I wonder what ever happened to it?

What a Find!

I am always looking for graphics to use as backgrounds or to incorporate in what I'm working on.  There are hundreds of places you can go to buy great graphic images.  BUT...the best are free.

The Graphic's Fairy is a great source of free vintage art graphics.  I had a lot of fun looking through them.  Here are just a few that caught my eye.

Aren't they great!  If you make your own invitations or cards, you'll find something, I'm sure.  The possibilities are pretty endless!

Valentine's Cards

Last year I made these cards and left them on each person's desk at work.  They're very sweet and would make a nice little card for kids to give.  If you'd like to whip up some for yourself here is the link to Bunny Cakes craft blog where you can download the pdf.

I'm starting to wonder what I'm going make this year!?  I'd better get started!

Keeping Little Heads Warm

A workmate makes these little hats and sends them off to her daughter who teaches kindergarten.  She's made about 26 of them this year.  They get sent home with the kids, they keep some at school for just-in-case and some have found their way into first grade.

I'm not sure what pattern she uses, but will be happy to ask if anyone wants to make one. 

Crocheting

This is a scarf that I made for a Christmas present.  I'm working on another one that will be two colors.  This one is cotton, and the one I'm working on now is wool  The "granny squares" are actually 6 sided, so not really squares.  Pretty easy to make, but time consuming.  I seem to forget that it really is best to start projects like this no later than September...note to self!

Decorations

I'm working away at some Christmas presents.  Maybe you are too.  Here is a link to Fantastic Toys for a tutorial on how to make some vintage looking ornaments out of felt.

Almost on Our Way

I will be taking a bit of a break to visit relatives over the holiday.  I was hoping to wake up tomorrow morning with grand daughter Chloe climbing into bed with me.  Sadly, she isn't feeling well, so off to South Jersey and Lancaster Pa I will go, stopping at her house on the way home.

Yesterday was Chloe's 4th birthday (my how time flies) and I made her a special crown for the occasion.

Her birthday party has been postponed, so she'll have this whenever it finally happens.  I found the directions on Homemade by Jill but did modify the pattern.  I used velcro to fasten the back.  I'll have to make one for Phoebe next year!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone.  I'll talk to all of you next week.