Bamboo Place mat Tiles

Several people have been asking about the bamboo tile place mats I posted about last week...instead of e-mailing everyone I thought I'd go ahead and make a few things up and post them in the next couple days.

In the mean time...Yes, these can be used just like dominoes.

I have beige/tan color and a lighter brown (you could still see stamped images on them).

They have two holes going through them length ways so you can thread them for a necklace, key chain, bracelet, earrings, etc. Way cool...no drilling - YEAH!!

Alcohol inks WILL work on them. They are sealed to resist foods and drink spills since they are place mats so the glossy surface works well with AI's. They can also be painted, decoupaged, stamped (with Archival or Staz-On) and more!

These little puppies are just way cool!

Hi Everyone!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever else you celebrate :) We had a nice but busy time of it with 5 different celebrations to go to.

I have a few things to share with you ~

First and foremost...I have finished the majority of writing on the book!!! I got on a roll last week and ended up finishing chapters 8-10! Now, the only writing I have left is the gallery information (which will be easy) and the appendix (easy but VERY time consuming - I have to write up supply lists for EVERY photo in the book - which at this time is several hundred pics!) I am working on examples for chapters 5-10 now so if I miss a day or so you'll know why...I have to make the examples for all of those pics.

a few other tid-bits of news....

I have a card in the newest issue of Crafts & Things!

It's a valentines card called "The Kiss" :)

And....

I am going to be written up in our local paper!!

The guy e-mailed me on Christmas Eve.

He wants to set up a time to talk to me and get some pics :)

How cool is that...pretty wild I must say.

So, that's what's been up with me...what's up with you all?

Happy Everything -

It's me again...while the net is up I'm posting - LOL!!

I just wanted to take a bit of time and send out a few greetings to everyone out there....

Happy Hanukkah
(a few days late)

Warm Winter Wishes.....

Merry Christmas To All

And To All A Good Night!!!

I hope you all have a very safe and enjoyable holiday!!!

Take care Friends!!

I'm Back!!! Catchin' Up! Gift Ideas 22-25

Oh my, it's been wild around here...we had one heck of an ice storm last week which knocked out power in the surrounding area. Luckily we never lost power ~ Dad's kept flickering on and off though but he never lost it completely. Our Internet has been having difficulties though ~ it kept going on and off...every time I tried to post it would loose contact and consequently I'd loose what I was typing or my photos wouldn't upload or would freeze half way through :( Sooooo I just took that as a sign to get my butt in gear and write.

Good news on the book front ~ I've just finished chapter 9 (the writing portion)!! Only 2 more chapters plus the appendix to write. Of course I have examples and step by steps to actually make for chapters 5-11 soooooo, still alot of work ahead of me but hey, it's rollin' along! I'm so excited about it all.

Since I still have 4 more gift ideas to go for my 25 I'm going to post them all right here, right now...

Gift Idea #22 - Stamped Tiles

This goes right along with the idea of stamping on the giant mug...think of all of the rubber stamps you have in your stash ~ now translate those into themes! The possibilities are just endless!! Here are a couple sets I've made....

Gift Idea #23 - Beeswax Family Plaque

Another idea to put that beeswax to use! I know I still have to post the directions...those were partly what I was having trouble posting. I am planning on adding those Friday :) Everything on the plaque was added using only beeswax! It is actually hanging on my wall and I haven't had a thing fall off or come lose ~ it's great stuff!

Gift Idea #24 - Remember When Frame

O.k....HERE is a classic weathered and distressed frame - quite a difference from the mirror huh? The background paper is decoupaged onto the frame, sanded, distressed and then for added texture I used distress embossing powder on a good portion. Other collage embellishments were added after it had cooled. The photo btw is my mom's family (not as blurry in person).

and

Gift Idea #25 - Stamped Candles

These are such a fun and easy gift idea...just stamp on tissue paper, melt into the candle using your embossing/heat tool; add a few embellishments and you're done! It's a great way to get the kids involved too...they can stamp the heck out of the tissue paper and you can help melt it into the candle. Let the kids have at it for the finish decorations. They make great gifts for just about anyone on your list :)

Whew...how was that for ideas???

Sorry they are all coming so late but I guess it's better late than never :)

Maybe you can use them for an upcoming birthday or shoot ~

Valentine's Day is just around the corner - LOL!!

Gift Idea #21 - Distressed Mirror

25 Days of Gifts

#21 - Distressed Mirror

Now, I know what you're thinking...

sand paper;

Distress Inks;

worn and weathered

right?

....

....

....

....

....

WRONG!!!

This is a fun and funky mirror that I embossed with Distress Embossing Powders!!!

Now, I don't think it looks worn and weathered in the least. By using a variety of powders and adding the gemstones I think it's pretty cool!

This was a small metal mirror that I bought at Hobby Lobby. Inked the entire frame with Distress Embossing Ink, sprinkled a variety of powders over the whole thing and heated. I went back and added walnut stain Distress EP's around the edge. After it was all cooled I sanded off the high spots where the metal was embossed; added the ribbon & gems. Way easy and neat results.

So, are you all ready for Christmas?

We went shopping for a few more goodies today. Just need to get some treats for the stockings and I think I'll be done :)

I'm planning on writing up the instructions for the beeswax collage that I shared earlier and should have them posted tomorrow for anyone interested.

Have a wonderful day everyone!!

Bamboo Tiles

O.k....I can't share the examples I have here because they are going in the book but to answer some of the questions -

Why do I like them? - These tiles are pre-drilled on both sides - long and short. Because of this you don't have to worry about trying to drill through the front which leaves them open for lots of cool projects. They are light weight, colors are awesome and they take a variety of mediums very well.

What can you do with them? - OH MY!! Loads of things - again since they are pre-drilled they are excellent for jewelry - necklaces; pendants; charms; bracelets; necklaces. If you want you could even make a belt - strung horizontal or vertical; key chains; magnets; hang-y down embellishments for canvas; altered books or gift cones. You can make ornaments; card, scrapbook or other types of embellishments. They are excellent for stamping and coloring. You can use a variety of image transfers; and so much more! They are just WAY cool!!

HTH :)

Enabler Alert - Bamboo Tiles - CHEAP!!!!

Bamboo Tiles

O.k...a few people have asked me about bamboo tiles - you know the ones that are actually place mats and are SOOOOOO popular but nobody can find....let me correct myself....you can find them on e-bay but the person selling them is charging $12.00 for ONE place mat - 140 tiles!

Well, a few months ago I found them for a great price ~ a steal actually but I could not remember for the life of me WHERE I saw them. I have searched and searched because I needed some for the book. I FINALLY found them today!!!

I was so tickled and couldn't wait to share em with you.

It's another e-bay seller but this store has them

4 (YES THAT IS F-O-U-R) full place mats for get this...

By It Now Price of $13.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How freakin awesome is that?!?!?

Not only that but they have it in beige (the link above) but they also have it in...

Sage

Mahogany

Brown

and

Black!

Just in case you're wondering ~ I'm not affiliated with them in any way ~

well, other than being a new customer - LOL!!

Also, I checked out their rating - 100% positive!

The store is called Linen R Us so you can add them to your favorites :)

Gosh I love it when you get a bargain like that...

Gift Idea #20 - Forever Friends Necklace

25 Days of Gifts

#20 - Friends Forever Wire & UTEE Necklace

This is a bit of a twist on #19's Glaze Filled Necklace which you could actually do with this one but I used UTEE instead. No wait time since the UTEE cools really quick (compared to glaze).

I placed the frames over various collage images/words and poured the UTEE into the frame. Once the frames had cooled (like 2-3 minutes since it's such a small amount) I took my craft knife and cut around the outside edges removing it from the collage sheet. I used E-6000 to assemble the frames and beads and then strung it on 3 pieces of jewelry wire.

Have a wonderful day Friends!!

Gift Ideas # 18 & 19

Man, things are wild here...missed yesterday totally and getting late tonite! Anyway, here is yesterdays and today's ideas...

25 Days of Gifts

# 18 - Stamped Suede

If you've never worked with suede before you should really give it a try. It's really amazing stuff - soft and supple yet very durable. Easy to work with - cuts like butter in die cut machines, is easily stamped (using a fabric ink or acrylic paint) and can be easily attached to a variety of projects without special adhesives.

#19 - Glazed Pendant

This is another favorite of mine BUT it is a bit of a pain when you hate waiting like I do. It is a glaze filled pendant. I love the fact that you can take a pendant jewelry blank, create a "cool" little collage in a short amount of time. The glaze (Diamond Glaze; Glossy Accent; Etc) makes a GREAT finished project but it takes FOREVER to dry. It never fails...I usually get impatient and end up touching at least one (to check if it's dry) before it's all the way dry OR I inadvertently move it and stick a finger in by accident. So if you can stand to wait for the finished product they are great little gems to make as gifts or even keep for yourself ;)

Hope you're all staying safe and warm...we're supposed to get a big ice storm tonight/tomorrow so if we still have electricity I'll see you with idea #20...if not ~ we'll I'll catch everyone up when it comes back on.

Till next we meet....

Stay Safe and have a Great Friday!!

Gift Idea #17 - Crackle Paint Frames

25 Days of Gifts

# 17 - Crackle Paint Frames!!!

Hey there Peeps!

Hope the week has been treatin you nice so far :) It's snowin to beat the band here...looks like Christmas!! Today I wanted to share a couple of my favorite frames with you. They are both coated in crackle paints :) I just LOVE them!!

Each has been embellished with some fun goodies from my stash.

Have a great evening!!