Linky Inspiration

My grandmother has begun another hospital stay. Since my job is one of the most flexible ones in the family, it's easiest for me to come stay with her. That's probably for the best too because otherwise I'd be worried sick about what was going on with her.

While she naps, I thought I'd poke my head in here. I know I should be posting an October goal review this week, but with my attention and presence diverted to family matters, it'll have to wait.

Instead, here's a few pieces of inspiration I saved just for y'all!

Last week, we tried these Korean Pork Chops from Jo Cooks. I was really pleased with how easily they came together and elated over how tasty they were.

Cathe Holden creates stunningly beautiful assemblage art. I love looking at all the details she includes in each of these works.

Julie Fei Fan Blazer is hosting a show called Make it Artsy that's airing on PBS at some point. Here's some information from Julie about the series. However, there are projects available for viewing on YouTube. I can't seem to get YouTube to load on the hospital's limited guest wifi, so I don't know which of these is which. In any case, here are two videos I found particularly inspiring: Video 1 and Video 2. In one of the videos I watched with Julie, she said something along the lines of, "There are no mistakes, only creative opportunities." This really hit me in the right place.


The Art Elements blog has a great tutorial on how to Cage your Trinkets and Treasures in wire by Cathy Spivey Mendola. I think it's a pretty cool and versatile technique!

Finally, a quick reminder about my feature as a Jewelry Superstar on Cut Out + Keep. All of my tutorials for last week are now live and ready to be viewed. Go check them out and let me know which one is your favorite!

I hope I spread a little inspiration your way. Now, what's been inspiring you lately?


I linked this post up on The Ultimate Rabbit Hole at The Geeky Shopaholic.

Halloween Projects and Tutorials from Around the Web

As you can imagine, I've been steadily trying to catch up on. . .everything since dealing with vision issues and moving and whatnot. In going through my feedreader, I've stumbled on some cool, creepy, and neat Halloween ideas that I thought I'd share with you before the actual day gets here. You know, give you enough time to make one of these projects or at least think hard about them.

These pumpkins with the doorknob tops are so cute and vintage-y. And, they look pretty easy to make too - BONUS!

Vintage Doorknob Pumpkins from Finding Home Farms

I'm obsessed with Tim Holtz products and have always wanted to make a little Halloween collection of apothecary/witches jars so this Undertaker's Parlor that combines both totally appeals to me.

Undertakers Parlor from IGIRLZOE

More pumpkins and upcycling! Again, these are made so easily and from thrift store finds. I might just have to make a few.

Pumpkin Candy Jars from Craftbits

Now for a few projects on the spooky side. . .
This first one is kinda labor intensive, but it looks like the results might be worth it! Seriously, a full-body ghost in your front yard!? Want!

Packing Tape Ghost from The Crafty Geek

A friend of mine actually made a set of these floating crystal ball candlesticks before I even saw the link in my feedreader. She did different images in hers but I like that the tutorial includes printable images to make it easier for you. I think they're pretty awesome.

Spooky Crystal Ball Halloween Candlesticks from Flamingo Toes

Lastly, something a little less spooky. . .and yes, pumpkins again. But these are faux quilted pumpkins.  For real, they are NO-SEW patchwork pumpkins. So adorable!

No-sew Patchwork Pumpkins from Crafts n' Coffee

That's what I've stumbled across so far. I'm sure there are tons of other amazing projects and foods and costumes and gosh knows what else that I've missed and haven't gotten to yet. But, I did need to share these. Remember that if you want to pin or save these projects, I ask that you go to the original source to do so.

What are some cool projects that you've made for Halloween? Help me catch up!

Stuff I Found Online

I've been swamped with some tasks about the house and the camper, so I'm a bit behind on my bloggy-ness. Instead of leaving you with nothing from me, let me share some of the wonderful I've recently discovered online.

• First, a creative quote I really like.

• I'm a sucker for anything Tiramisu, so this recipe totally caught my eye.

Tiramisu Bread from The Cooking Bride

• You should definitely check out the Flickr Photostream of Zuzana Liptakova. The polymer clay work is delicate, beautiful, and inspiring.
• Bead Addict, Lizzie, shared the giveaway goodies she won from me. I hate that it's taken me so long to share this link.
  

  

  Just some of the selection Lizzie she shared

• The book lamps made in the BomDesignNL Etsy shop just blow me away with their beauty. I wish I had that kind of cash to spend on them!

  

  BomDesignNL Book Lamp

• If you're a tad bit of a Grammar Nazi like I can be sometimes (I know I'm not always right), you will likely enjoy this Word Crimes Video from Weird Al.

I'll leave you with that laugh for now. Have a great day!

Inspiration and Eye Candy

I've been in the midst of catching up on all the things and that includes going through my feedreader, e-mails, digital files, and every other location that I've stashed and saved links. At the beginning of May I mentioned sharing the interesting that I find every so often. As with that post and any other ones I do like this remember - {{If you're going to Pin or Tumble or share these yourself in some way, PLEASE make sure you go to the original source and do so!!}}

Let's start with these tin can lanterns.  These looks super simple to make and how great is the recycling aspect of them!? I think they're perfect for summer, and wouldn't they be great to put some citronella candles in to shoo the bugs away?

Summer Lantern Tutorial from Whee! The People

These 'bits and bobs' collections from Vintageologie are so very inspiring and beautiful. You can find more like this at the Vintageologie facebook page.

This turquoise, blue, and green collection was my favorite of the three collections.

How simple and yummy are these Strawberry Waffle Parfait bites from The Painted Apron? She combined some great breakfast items with pure delicious-ness to come up with a unique breakfast/snack.

Breakfast YUM from The Painted Apron

This guitar and bass bangle from Erin Siegel is awesome! It's rock-n-roll, but still nice enough to be worn to work. The link will take you to her tutorial for it, including how to make the chic tassels.

Guitar and Bass Bangle tutorial from Erin Siegel

Lastly, this short and sweet list from Handmadeology of some of the most common photography mistakes for your products had me really thinking about my own photos and how to improve them. I hope it helps you too.

Handmadeology's list of 10 Common Photography Mistakes

I think there's a little something for everyone in this list so I hope you found something to inspire you over the weekend. Have a great one!