Bridesmaid Accessories

Its Wednesday. Hence I must make this short since its ANTM and GLEE night.  But I got my daily etsy email and it held some adorable earrings from Shy Siren.  Here is my bridesmaid dress from David's Bridal.

So I need some adorable accessories, and any excuse I can find to purchase new jewelry I am there!  Our hair is going to be pulled back, similar to the style shown above.  So here is where my etsy obsession and Shy Siren come into play. I found the following earrings, let me know what you think.

I want something sparkly..and I think these fit the bill.   But enough blogging and etsy for tonight GLEE is almost here!  Downloading new songs now so my ipod will be up to date for my walk tomorrow.  Goodnight!

I love paper more than most

Yes, I do love paper and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  Since I can remember I have loved perusing the aisles of paper at Michael's, Joann's, and all the local craft stores.  I love letter writing and finding just the right card to say what I sometimes can't formulate into words.  My sister is getting married this year.  And this past Sunday we threw her a bridal shower.  I got to showcase my love for paper and all things creative with a few distinct touches throughout the party decor and mementos.  All the photos of 'paper art' you see are my designs created specifically for this party using the noted supplies. 

1. Bride sign was made using making memories sparkle chipboard letters, Hambly screen printed paper, and a cricut machine (using the home decor cartridge ).

2. Airplane cookie cutter from Michael's, wire ribbon from Michael's, wedding ring punch, ring punch, green ink for edging, and stamp.

3. White cardstock, silver ink, Zig Ball Pen writer , glue dots , toothpicks and adhesive.

4. Chocolate cupcakes and vanilla frosting, green and white jimmies , 's' stencil made from hambly screen printed paper using cricut machine.

5.Yummy appetizers from costco!

6. Second portion of the favors : boxed cupcakes tied with the michael's wire ribbon, and a label using my fantastic dymo label maker (clear label tape ) 

Super fun afternoon with some awesome ladies.  Thanks for coming out to support my sister!! 

Birthday Randomness

Last Friday was my 29th birthday.  It was filled with a ton of 'facebook notifications', happy bday texts, great lunch with mom at pizza nova, and a ton of strawberry throat lozenges.  Yep I got a cold.  And for those who know me know that I NEVER get sick.  I have an abundance of sick days and rarely use them.  Actually the last time I was sick was last year around new years.  But that is besides the point.  I worked the day before and it happened to be the first day of school.  I work for a university bookstore and while waiting for work to start I sat at a table outside the coffee shop and found the following post-its.  School has begun, let randomness reign!

Making somebody's day special

Since I was about 8 or 9 I have absolutely loved photography.  I got my first camera, a child's 110 version, as a thank you for babysitting my neighbor's daughter.  I took countless rolls on that little plastic piece of fun.  I used the pop-up viewfinder to frame my subjects, usually my dogs and camera-shy sister.  The photos I took are long gone but the memories and love of photography that it instilled in me are still alive and well.  I have graduated to a larger 'version', a more grown-up camera, my Canon Rebel xTi DSLR.  Very few of my friends are as passionate about photography as I am, but there is one, and today is his birthday.

Besides photography he loves cars.  You name the make and model and he can rattle off the specifications about each one.  Noting features, benefits and downsides about them all.  I've even been eating dinner with said person and he can name the car that is approaching down the street just by the sound of the engine.  So for his birthday I decided to make his present.  Originally it was to be his Christmas gift but I couldn't wait. 

I created a 3D framed version of a photo he took in Germany of the Audi R8 he drove while on vacation with his family.  I also included a sound bite of the car's engine from a video he posted on facebook using a message memory button.  And needless to say it was a hit.  Here's how I did it.

First chose a photo with multiple layers.
Let me explain. You'll need a photo that has a background, middle-ground and foreground.  The photo I chose was relatively easy to divide up because it had a plate glass window, a bridge, shadows, and the main subject, the R8.

You'll need a few rolls of adhesive foam tape.  I like 3M's version.  Add to your list of supplies a pair of scissors, sharpness has no bearing here.  A neutral background, as not to interfere with your photo.  Depending on the size of your photo you won't need a background.  Due to clarity issues with my photo I printed them at 4x6 size and my frame was 5x5, thus requiring a background. 

 Make sure you print enough copies of your photo just in case you make a mistake or discover more 'layers' than you originally thought.  Position them on top of each other with the full uncut photo on the bottom layer and building up from there. Use as much tape as is necessary to build the layers up to create as much dimension that you want.  I varied the layers using a double stack of tape on two layers to create a different effect.  The sound button was adhered to the back of the frame with the adhesive that came with the product.

The finished product is pictured below.

 

Supplies used:

Scissors

Ruler

3M Foam Mounting Tape Roll (#110)

6-10 copies of your photo

Black cardstock for background

5x5 Shadowbox Frame from IKEA

This project took one night to assemble while watching Gossip Girl and the Office reruns but the result was priceless.  It made my friend's birthday extra special, even if he spent it at work, and that is all that matters.  Here's hoping you made somebody's day special.   

I'm not a cat person

But, I am a fan of silly pet stuff.  While browsing the blogosphere (I call it 'bouncing through the internet') I stumbled upon this site.  I immediately thought of a coworker who has an adorable kitty and with whom I share an affinity for the lolcats webstite.  We typically start or end most fridays at work with a page of lolcats. 
Suck UK is full of funny products that incorporate humor with everyday desk or home accessories.  But by far the funniest thing on their site is this cat play house in the shape of a tank or firetruck.  Watch the youtube videos on the page and you'll see why you need one, even if you aren't a cat person.  

Etsy, my love

So Wednesday is now my favorite tv night.  First is ANTM, all the model makeovers, photo shoots, and Tyra asking for more 'smiling with your eyes'.  Then is my new favorite show, Glee.  Besides being such a great dead-pan comedy it has some amazing vocalists that showcase their talents every week in new ways.  And iTunes has all the songs online the next day so that I can sing along.  So today is Wednesday and I got my latest etsy purchase in the mail (hence the blog title).  Inexpensive and beautiful earrings from CHR designs.  I love perusing the site for new 'cute' must have items.  These are the earrings I just received.  I love them. I cannot wait to search my closet for new ways to put them to good use. They were only $15 dollars, and are the perfect delicate shape of swirly matte gold.  Simple, yet just interesting enough to be different from the run-of-the-mill jewelry I usually find at Forever 21 or H&M.  And while I truly love shopping for costume jewelry at those stores sometimes I can't find anything special looking that everyone doesn't have.

I also purchased this purse to accompany my bridesmaid dress for my sisters wedding in November.  A ruched black and white damask envelope clutch from littleellie.  I bookmarked it months ago planning on purchasing it eventually.  And when I saw the earrings I decided to splurge and get both at once. 

I love the feeling that no one has my stuff and etsy gives me the opportunity to be originally stylish and support craftspeople all over the globe.  There is such a diverse amount of stuff on this site.  From vintage shoes and glass mason jars to crafting supplies and bejeweled necklaces this site has it all.  Even if your strapped for cash etsy is such a fun place to window shop and bookmark your favorite finds when your cash flow improves.  Someday when I get organized enough I'll create an etsy shop of my own to sell my photo projects.  But until then I'll keep supporting the local arts and keep on shopping!!

Feeling Kinda Sunday

This is my favorite time of the year, not only because I'm a fall baby (although that does play a role), but because its football season.  My typical fall Sunday ritual is hanging out with friends, ordering pizza and breadsticks, and flipping between all the gridiron goodness.  We yell at the ref's  (as if they could possibly hear us) scrutinize all the playcalling and question why Turner always throws the challenge flag when there is no reason for it.  We love it all.  But most of all is the time shared amongst friends.  Tomorrow night my Chargers take on our biggest rivals, the Oakland Raiders.  Monday night football, and its our time to shine.  Lets go Bolts! 

Endless Summer

It is coming to the last few days of summer.  My favorite season is fall.  Leaves changing, warm sweaters, and the start of football season.  But summer, summer is the 'fun' season.  When there are so many activities and seemingly endless days to accomplish them all.  I thought I'd end the unofficial end of summer (labor day)  with photos from this summer.  Baseball games, the county fair, the zoo and Disney.  A summer chock full of dinner and movies with friends, afternoon shopping with mom, and a casual work summer.  All in all a great time had by all. 

 

  

baby got back

It must be that time of the year. Two of my friends are having babies..and both are due within days of each other.  Just got the baby shower invite for the local friend.  I've known her since high school, she's always been an uplifting and spunky girl. She also happens to be my hairdresser.  So not only does she know all my secrets but she is entrusted with my 'crowning glory'.  I found these while sifting through some of my favorite blogs.  I especially like how your kid could be predicted to be a 'donut tycoon'. I've included some of their funnier products. 

While I know most people do a registry I think this would be adorable as part of a gift basket. Hmmm?  Someone's going shopping!!!