:: Get Creative! Eye Dropper Drawing ::

Want to try a foolproof art project? Try Eye Dropper Drawings by Carla Sonheim! It looks very unique and is easy to do. I took Carla's art class, Imaginary Creatures this summer and loved it- it really lets your imagination run loose!

See how to create this one-of-a-kind piece here.

Preserving Summer- Make Popsicles

Summer's not over yet! Here's a yummy popsicle recipe sure to bring a smile to your face:

• 4 cups of yogurt (or five!) Preferably Strawberry flavored
• 1 cup of peanut butter
• A handful of strawberries
• A popsicle mold

Step 1: Make a layer of peanut butter on the very bottom of the cup and try to pack it down.

Step 2: Pour in the yogurt.

Step 3: Add the strawberries! You can have them in a layer, or placed in the yogurt.

Step 4: Place a popsicle stick into the popsicle and freeze for 3 hours. Enjoy!

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Butterfly Dress

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When I saw this dress online, I fell in love. This dress is perfect- whimsical, unique, and an eye-catcher! These are the original sketches of the butterfly dress by Luly Yang.
Pure beauty...

Pearl Person Brooch

{photo: via Pinterest}

This whimsical, quirky brooch is adorable! Surreal and made from freshwater pearls and polymer clay, a brooch like this is truly one-of-a-kind!

:: DIY Idea: Modge Podge Candle Holder ::

{photo: via Pinterest}

These modge podge candle holders are perfect for placing on the patio, enjoying it's warm glow while savoring the last bits of summer.

Place on a colorful tablecloth underneath for a bright party "look" or place the candles on a wooden table for more of a countryside feeling.

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I have a shop feature over at The Handmade Blog! See the post here.

Do: Paint a Flower Pot

You probably remember painting flower pots when you were a child... using thick acrylic paint and decorating it with stencils and the occasional glob of paint.
            Now you can put a modern-day twist on a classic garden project. 

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For a flower pot, all you need is a flower pot, paint, and any other medium you'd like to use. Use one light colored paint for a nice mellow feel, or a darker ones for more of a serious look. (It looks great on desks)

And to change it up, you can even add some chalkboard paint like the picture above.
(You can add a short-but-sweet message or even label what's growing inside the flower pot)

Make sure to use your imagination!


*Tip: When painting a flower pot, place it upside-down on a table to make it easier to paint.*

Blue + Yellow

I love colors that are opposite on the color wheel- they contrast so nicely...

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Summer To-Do List

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It's funny. 

I had lots of things planned this summer; making ice cream, gardening,visiting Yosemite.

 I truly had the perfect summer to-do list. 

But life isn't perfect.

 Neither are to-do lists. 

As usual, something comes up and knocks down your daydreams like dominoes... (or plans)

And then you improvise.

 Instead of making ice cream, you go to McDonald's and pick up a soft-serve.

You visit your local park and breathe in the beauty of trees, and grass and... playgrounds.

My summer didn't go exactly as I wanted it, but now that I look back, 

I saved myself a lot of work.

- But next year, my summer's going to be perfect.

5 Questions with Ilze

A felted world full of flower brooches, pins, jewelry, i-phone cases, crochet hats, and other accessories...
In the wonderful world of Ilze's Creations, you can find fun items that are sure to catch your attention! 
      So today, I'm interviewing the creator of the shop- none other but Ilze herself.

1. What would you consider your main source of inspiration?
My main source of inspiration is the color combinations and my own mood. My mood can be affected with different things, starting with music and ending with an environment surrounding me. I like nature especially- woods, meadows, flowers, garden, sea... It's really not that much, sometimes it feels so good to just to stand with your bare feet in the grass!

2. Who (or what) influence you to make your items?
I come from a family of many artists and artisans, My great grandmother was a teacher in craft school and both my grandmothers made items for friends and family.

3. What was your favorite craft project as a child?
As a child, I didn't have one specific favorite crafting technique or project. I was trying a lot of things- I learned and explored. I recall how I sewed and crocheted clothing for my dolls. Later I learned to knit and was also interested in techniques such as tying and weaving.

4. Most treasured item? (your grandmother's plate, mittens you made, etc.)
It's hard to pick one item. For example, treasure items for me are vintage crafts that my great grandmother made. The crafts themselves are more than 100 years old and I have them. They are a collection of crochet, embroidery, lace, and embroidered silk items. Also the mittens I made myself more than 10 years ago. They are quite worn out, but treasured. For patterns, I used Latvian national ornaments. There are many beautiful patterns in traditional ornaments and each region has it's own differences an uniqueness. Another treasured item I have is the bright pink rose I made. The rose itself is not an old creation, but a new one- I really like it. In each craft that I make, there is a part of me within it, all my creations are favorites to me.


5. Cookies or Cupcakes?
I prefer cupcakes because cookies seem to dry for me. The best cupcakes are homemade!


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Thanks for sharing Ilze!
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You can learn more about Ilze and her creations on Twitter, her blog, or at her Etsy shop.

Lazy Days

Today is a lazy day. I am blogging, and planning for my September blog post series: Stitching Your World. I also plan to add more items to my shop today. (Silver Chair necklaces anyone?) Although I want to get more done, it's time to realize that it's a day to sit back, relax, and enjoy a glass of lemonade.

DIY Idea: Lightbulb Vase

Isn't this a great vase? It's very pretty to look at...

Photo from: blog.freepeople.com