Once in a while, late is actually better than on time ...

Case in point ... back in August I did a little side exchange (a charm for a charm) with the most gracious T of Running w/Scissors ... well, I got her wee package in no time flat (with a bonus charm to boot)

... AND ...

... well, uh, um ...

... she still doesn't have hers ...

BUT

she WILL have it before this week is over

AND

Because it took me 100 years to get my act together, it's not just one, not two, but three of the lil crane charms

AND

it doesn't stop there

Check out what's headed to her mailbox:

top/lid of an altered Altoides tin

bottom - if you've ever visited her page, you'll recognize her "logo" from her banner.

side
(ok, yes, this IS from before completion, but I forgot to take one of the side)

inside

and there's just a little bit more:

and here's a close-up of the goodies for inside the treat box:

(and yes, I did check w/her first to see if she wanted to be surprised or if it was cool to post pictures)

See what I mean?

More Cranes (go figure) & a WIP

I have finished turning all the dipped cranes into charms ... these six:



are headed to CA to be part of the HeArt Collective Charm Swap
(five for the swap and one just for the hostess)
After these leave, I'll still have a little over a dozen in my possession.


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In other news, I have thrown caution to the wind and am focusing on the Under the Sea Swap.

... I don't believe that I am spoiling anyone's surprise as it is
my understanding that my partner does not have a blog ...

I love the cat head from the free Pointy Kitty pattern (found HERE) so much that I decided to use it on a ... drumroll, please ... CatFish for my swap partner:



here's the head attached to the body:



and a view from above:



(would you believe I came up with the fish body shape? me, either, but I did.)

with a "spine" of sorts added:



and a few scales, too:



I have to admit that I am not really planning anything out, but simply just going with the flow ... also known as stalling cuz I can't quite decide how to do the face. Hopefully it'll come to me at some point before the deadline.

Project, Prizes & PIF's

Nothing like biting off a little more than I can chew ... I recently saw THIS post at Crafting with Cat Hair ... and somehow I am determined to make at least one doll to contribute. In a nutshell, Craft Hope is currently taking donations of handmade dolls for the children of Casa Bernabe, an orphanage in Nicaragua & the deadline is June 13th. Click the image above for the whole scoop.

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It often pays to follow the rules ... case in point, Saucy from Saucy's Sprinkles (found HERE) offered up a few pairs of cupcake earrings for getting the word out about her Jonas Brothers concert giveaway ... I was game & a lucky recipient of these ADORABLE made-by-Saucy cupcake earrings:



too sweet, eh?!? If you happen to be a Jonas Brothers fan (or know one) there is still time to enter the giveaway ... just go HERE for all the details.


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And remember Amber Dawn's International Charm Day? If not, go HERE. She had some wonderful giveaways including a signed copy of this:



The first round winner never claimed the prize, so there was a second drawing ... and I was drawn!! The book just arrived yesterday and I have to tell you it is chock full of goodness. I stayed up way too late last night ooohing and ahhing over it. I can't wait to try my hand at some of the projects.


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Plus, Lorraine from Love of Collage posted a mini charm swap (HERE) in honor of International Charm Day & I jumped at the chance. Lorraine sent these little beauties:



In exchange for a couple of my dipped crane charms ... my package just left the states this past Monday, so I am hoping that she'll receive them before the end of the month.


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As if that isn't enough, I have signed on for two Pay it Forwards ... the first with Bairbre Aine of Don't Interrupt Me When I'm Talking to Myself and more recently with K of Urban Craft

Now it's my turn to pay it forward.

Here is how it works . . . I will make a handmade gift for the first 6 interested people who comment on this post (because I signed up for two PIF's). I'm not exactly sure what the handmade gift will be, but if there's something that you'd really like me to make for you, just let me know and I will at least consider giving it a whirl. Also, please note that I am giving myself three months to complete the task. The only catch is that you must be willing to continue the challenge by sending a handmade gift to 3 people. That's it. If you would like to participate, please be sure I have some way to contact you to get your mailing address.

International Charm Day - a Tutorial ... I hope

Many of you already know that I have a thing for paper cranes, so in honor of

International Charm Day
(click above to be directed to the event blog)

I give you my step-by-step on taking a paper crane from ... paper to charm.

(fingers crossed)

Materials: Assorted Origami Papers
Petal Porcelain (or other preferred setting agent)
Paint Brush
Wax Paper
Needle (or straight pin)
Head Pins
Various small beads

Step 1: Select your paper.

I highly recommend using thin paper (thinner than copy paper, but that can still hold an edge - tissue paper is out). The sheets below are 6"X6" origami papers.



Step 2: Cut your papers into 1" or 1-1/4" squares:



Side note: The smaller your squares, the more difficult they will be to fold, but practice - I promise it's worth the effort.

(I used the 1-1/4" squares for the photo's below)

I like to cut up a bunch of squares in one sitting, so I'll have a nice stack to work with:



Step 3: Put on some favorite crafting music or pop in a movie
(preferably one that doesn't require your full attention and is good for a giggle)

Step 4: Fold yourself some little paper cranes - I usually fold at least a dozen at a sitting.
(more is better as I almost always have a few casualties in the dipping process)

Another Note: If you don't know how to fold a paper crane, I recommend CLICKING HERE. (There's even a printable PDF link on the page - don't be daunted by the instructions; they look more difficult than they actually are. Also, practice a few on larger 6"x6" squares first.)

The picture below shows a nutshell progress of the folds:



Step 5: Once you have your flock, take a photograph of them!



Sorry about the bad photo - happens when you wait till after dark to take pictures.

Step 6: Dip each crane in The Setting Agent.
(I generally dip them twice - one time I hold the crane by the tail and the other time by the head)

**** Sorry - I don't have pictures for Step 6 Through Step 14 ****

Step 7: Brush off the excess Setting Agent and allow it to dry completely.
(at this step, it is common for the beak and wings to want to turn up - try to push them down gently with the paintbrush as you are removing the excess Setting Agent - also, if you are really careful, you can sometimes "reshape" them once they are completely dry from the first dipping.)

Step 8: Repeat Step 6

Step 9: Repeat Step 7

Step 10: Carefully poke a hole through the bottom of the crane
(if you brushed the excess Setting Agent off, there will still be a hole in the bottom - you'll see)
up through the center of the back
(as close as possible - it's fairly easy to find the center as you will be able to see where you folded the paper)

Step 11: Feed a head pin through the hole, add a bead (or beads).

Step 12: Trim any excess length off the head pin.
(keeping in mind that you will finish the head pin off by making the end into a loop for hanging)

Step 13: Can you guess?!? Yep, finish the end of the head pin by turning it into a loop for hanging.

Step 14: Add a coat of clear varnish for shine
(optional ... you might choose to paint your cranes prior to adding the varnish if you used a solid color paper)

Viola!



Yes, I know, this isn't a crane from this batch - the first flock is still drying. Thank goodness I save ALL my photo's.

As an added bonus, I'm offering sets of six dipped cranes to two people. If you'd like to be included in the drawing, please leave a comment on this post by midnight EST time on Thursday, April 30th. I'll let Sadie draw two names from the hat (or bowl, or bag ... ) on Friday, May 1st

BONUS that'll be May Day ... the first day of my birthday month!

Have fun visiting all the participants from the first ever

International Charm Day!
(click above to be transported to the event link)

Thank you, Amber Dawn, for hosting such a FUN event!!

A Charming Day, A Swap & A-Dressing the Situation

Amber Dawn has come up with a great idea, but before you click the image below for the details, go visit Terisa at Running With Scissors to read her charming post - it's a lovely tribute to Amber and the perfect lead in to:



Love the idea ... if you do too, make sure to leave a comment on Amber's post.


Perhaps you've already seen this one:



... maybe you're even signed up for it ... well, I've thrown caution to the wind and me, TOO! At this point I have no idea if I'll be trying to create an actual doll or a softie sort of creature ... thanks goodness there's some time ... if you haven't already signed up, click the image above for the whole scoop

Finally, please visit this post:



It was Monica and her Pink Artist Project that inspired me to not only participate in my very first call-to-artist charity event, but to actually start my blog ... I will forever be grateful to her. So, even though I know zero about making a dress, you can bet I am going to learn. Either click on the image above or HERE for her unique request.

Upcoming Events

Have I ever mentioned that I am the Queen of Biting-Off-More-Than-I-Can-Chew? I guess that's only a half truth as I always seem to pull things off right at the 11th hour ...

Currently on my plate:

Donna at The Cookie Sheet is having a Breast Cancer Awareness Giveaway. The Prize is a signed 8 x 10 matted and framed copy of her original illustration and rhyme "Princess Pink". Click on the Cookie Sunshine picture above for a direct link to more details - there's still time for you to participate as the drawing is not happening until November 1st. (My part is done - with the exception of crossing my fingers every now and again - but I wanted to give YOU a shot at it, too)

Kathryn our lovely Collage Diva is hosting:

A Soul Journal Halloween Blog Part this

Sunday, October 26th.

The photo above will link you to her party announcement ... but you can find additional party suggestions, ideas, etc. HERE - HERE - HERE and HERE ... her pages may take a bit to load, but be patient as they are definitely worth the wait! Hope to see you there ...

And don't forget about the:

Terisa is accepting artist contributions until November 1st. Please click on the above image for complete details.

Just in case you haven't heard ... Stephanie & Susanna are hosting:

Dia de Bloglandia on November 2nd

Visist them HERE and HERE for some serious Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) information and inspiration ... there's still time to join the party, so head on over and sign up.

Finally, I wanted to remind everyone about:

Some amazing artists are already signed up, but there are a few spaces still available. If you are interested, click the above image and leave Amber Dawn a comment.

I know that Sunday is going to be here before I know it, so I am off to finish what I've started for Kathryn's Soul Journal Halloween Blog Party.

May your day be so full of smiles that your cheeks hurt!

Moonlight Squash Blossom & Pink Pretties

Not too long ago I was visiting Cat's blog and she posted a few items that she had just finished. All of the new pieces were stunning, but one just sang to me. For days I would go visit her Etsy shop just to drool (ok ... also hoping that nobody had purchased it, either) and finally last week I was in a position to treat myself to a prezzie ... drumroll, please ....

Tada!

My new necklace, Moonlight Squash Blossom, arrived in the mail on Monday:

here's a detail of the piece:

Pictures really don't do this stunning little work of wearable art the justice it deserves.

* sighs *

AND

This past weekend I also recieved my package of little pink pretties from

Amber Dawn's

Think Pink Charms Exchange:

Above is a group shot and the next four are close-ups.

(Feel free to click on any photo to see larger versions)

I can't begin to tell you how impressed I am with each of these amazing little pink creations and feel so lucky to have them. I will definitely wear them with PINK ARTIST PRIDE!

... and think about this ...

all of this came about thanks to a community of people answering

Monica's

call to artists for a very special project ... speaking of which, the drawing for

Love Squared

& other fabulous artful prizes is still happening ...
the drawing is open until October 15th, so go check it out.

Soul Journal - Days 7, 8 & 9 ... Plus a Charmed Sneak Peek

Did you think Sadie and I had thrown in the towel on our Soul Journals? Nope, just put them on pause for a bit.

Day 7

We were instructed to journal (in small writing with a ball point pen) on two pages using the prompt, "I forgot to tell you". Once done, we covered the entire two pages in tape (Sadie and I used plain masking tape, blue painters tape and duct tape). Somehow I forgot to take a photo at the completion of Day 7 ... oh well.

Day 8

We sanded the tape to scuff the surface, put a light coat of gesso on and then painted (with a dry brush) and wiped off the paint - I used yellow and pink to make some sort of seriously Easter egg-ish washy finish. After the paint dried, we sanded the pages some more. This is how mine ended up:

oh! we also picked a flower and pressed it somewhere in the book ... hmmm ... wonder where it is.

Day 9

Time to revisit the pages started on Day 6 ... we were to add a lighter color (I actually chose three - magenta, a really light powdery blue and a glitter paint) - wiping and dabbing along the way. Once the paint was to a point that we liked, we had to grab a pen or marker and write: 8 words describing your pictures, circle one picture, draw a messy square around four, draw a dotted line around two and draw a broken "stitch" line around one. Work them till satisfied ... I started off with my handy dandy fine point Sharpie. I thought I was done when I finished the prompts ... UNTIL ... I saw the white Uniball that Sandy had sent along with the Mad Hatter Winning Package of goodness ... oh, I do believe that I am in LOVE ... ok, here's Day 9 fini:

and a close-up to boot:

... and it should also be noted that Sarah asked how many of us found and put together the word "ART" ... uh, guilty (yes, I have been known to state the obvious on occasion)

And for the Charming sneak peak

... this is where I am with the Michelle original designs/glass/Sculpy prototypes that I am working on for possible inclusion in Amber Dawn's latest Black and White Charm Swap:

Not so easy to photograph ... If they don't end up working out (or making the cut for the exchange) I know that I can easily turn them into little tiny magnets ... something about them appeals to me.

... Remember ... you can click on any image to see a larger version ...

... and all Large Itallic words (except these two) are actually links ...

Here's hoping all is well in your little universe!

Crane Charms

It's time to share a little mixed up progress on the crane charms (first mentioned HERE) ... this first image is the first batch of cranes post dipping into the Petal Porcelain Setting Agent. I had used decorative papers (rather than thin origami sheets), so the paper was a tad too thick for the size crane (1 1/4" square) I folded:

I was really happy to learn that the setting agent really fortified the cranes - they have hardened really nicely. With this first batch I followed the directions on the bottle and dipped the cranes in the goo and brushed the excess off. I set them on wax paper overnight to dry. Due to the amount of product on them, the bottoms "puddled" slightly which took away the crisp points ... since then, I have thought about how to improve on this and think that simply brushing the setting agent on (in stages) might work better ... that and using thinner origami papers ... so I have folded a bunch of little cranes (there are about 10 more than pictured ... if I'm going to fold one, it's just as likely I'll fold 10 or 20 or 100 ...) ... these are folded from 1" squares and 1 1/8" squares:

The papers are still very pretty and the cranes came out much more precise.

The picture below is a condensed version of the process. The papers in the background are (or were) 6" squares of origami papers - in pinksl, of course. The diamond shapes are cranes in progress, the two completed cranes on the left have not been dipped or brushed and two cranes on the right are two from the original test batch (dipped):

Below is another dipped crane from the first batch. I still like the decorative papers that I originally used, so will be trying to slavage some if possible. Here's one that I am hoping to save (it has also had a coat or two of diamond top coat polish applied):

Even though I have a feeling that this second batch is going to be better than the first (fingers crossed) I did want to do a prototype of the charm that I was picturing - the next two pictures are the first completed prototypes:

Amber Dawn let me know that she can only accept one set of 12 charms from the participants for the Very Special Think Pink Charm Exchange. Considering the whole idea is to provide Monica with additional raffle items, this totally makes sense. I already completed a set of twelve sparkly pink ones (see the previous post), so I'll be sending those out to Amber Dawn for the exchange ... BUT ... she has given me the go ahead to send two of the completed crane charms, too - if they are high enough quality, she will be use them on the raffle bracelet(s). Wouldn't that be cool?

Being involved in both of these projects has been more satisfying than I could possibly ever explain. I am humbled by the experience and grateful to have been exposed to such an inspiring, kind, creative community of generous hearts. My faith in the world & humanity has been restored ... tenfold.