October Goal Review

Since it's already the middle of November, I guess it's about time to summarize how I did on my goals and tasks for the month of October.

As a reminder, each week I wanted to complete a general Goal, a piece of Jewelry, an altered Card, at least one Blog post, and a Journal page. I'm covering weeks 39-43. That may sound like a lot, but I wasn't near as productive as I would have liked.

Week 39 (Sep. 25 - Oct. 1)

Goal

This week, I wanted to develop basic jewelry tutorials but that just hasn't happened yet. 

In fact, none of my goals were met this week as I spent the majority of it at my mom's house with my grandmother and niece while my mom was on vacation. 

Week 40 (Oct. 2-8)

Goal

Making a texture block like the ones in this Gelli Arts Texture Block video was the goal for this week. It just didn't happen.

Jewelry

I was a week behind on my jewelry-making, but was able to exceed my goals with these pieces. 

They were all made as part of my Cut Out + Keep Jewelry Superstar feature. And, I just realized that I shared the earrings with y'all last month. Sorry about that!

Card

Catching up on Week 38, I made this card.

It features washi tape as the background and a paper feather received in a swap as the focal. I also doodled with some black and white pens.

Blog

My September Goal Review and Keeping Busy (WOYWW) were posted on the blog that week. 

Journal 

Like the card, I was able to get an art journal page for Week 38 done. 

The background was made from collaged papers, brayered paint, and paint doodles. I added the girl with paint, watercolor pencils, and pastels.

Week 41 (Oct. 9-15)

Goal

I really wanted to get a few portions of the living room organized. In particular, a stack of boxes next to the tv cabinet was driving me crazy. The contents of those boxes now has a new home, carefully concealed in the living room. I'm considering that goal done.

Jewelry

This week, I made the washi tape earrings featured on Cut Out + Keep and a long necklace with one of my assemblage keys. 

Blog

Not only did I share a great way to use up leftovers with my Chili Cheese Nacho recipe, but I shared some of my finds from the Robertsdale Antique Show.

Week 42 (Oct. 16-22)

Goal

I knew it was past time to start my Christmas List, so I made it my goal for the week. And, I even got it started!!

Jewelry

These earrings and necklace were made, along with another pair of earrings that was given as a gift.

Card

Back on the card-making wagon, I was able to get the card for Week 39 done. 

It's a gelli print with some doodles and a chit chat sticker.

Blog

You got a peek at what I was working on from the junk drawer for WOYWW. (It was the necklace above ;)  )

Journal 

Two pages were made this week, to make up for Weeks 39 & 40.  

I made this page with brayered paint, stencils, stamps, and doodles (in paint and pen). The focal is a magazine cutout and the text was hand lettered.

Gelli prints make up the background for this page. I toned them down with gesso before adding shades of blue paint around the edges. In the center, I painted the sailboat with a combo of acrylic paint and neocolor ii crayons.

Week 43 (Oct. 23-29)

Goal

This week, I had hoped to get my "Shit-to-do" list made. It's basically a list of things I want to get done around the house (home repairs, decorating, and whatnot.) It was a week of ups and mostly downs, so it just didn't happen.

Blog

I did get a chance to share the news about being a Jewelry Superstar as well as my Birthday Desk (WOYWW).

November's already not looking so great in a multitude of ways, but I am trying to stay positive and continue to move forward. I'm already beginning to think about how I want to handle my goal(s) for next year and what I want to accomplish. It's really hard to think about moving ahead when you're so far behind. I guess I better stop whining and get to it!

Have you already started considering your goals for 2017?

Our Raised Bed Vegetable Garden (Take 1)

We finally started our garden!

I can't take much credit for it though. Pat did all the research. He decided raised beds would be best and then built those babies. He figured out what the soil mix should be and ordered all the supplies. For my part, I helped choose what we would plant.

We're not even super sure we've done it all right. Several of the seeds that should have probably been started inside. However, since we started late, we just stuffed them all in the ground.

We'll be happy if anything grows at all. The heat and lack of rain this autumn also has me concerned. I'm going to do my best to keep everything watered while we take this on as a learning process.

As for some of the specifics:
We planted broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, red and yellow onions, garlic, carrots, mesclun (salad mix), kale, and spinach.

The raised beds are 3 ft by 6 ft and contain nine bags of top soil, 3.5 bags of compost, and 1.5 bags of potting soil. We dumped them all in, then lightly mixed and fluffed - making sure not to pack the soil.  Into each box was planted three rows of plants. I sorted them into leafy greens, root vegetables, and other vegetables.

We even started a garden journal to keep track of what was planted, where, the weather and water schedule, and what works, along with any other pertinent information. It's just a composition notebook I had on hand. I hope to gussy it up (the cover at least) a bit later.

I also plan on starting a little herb garden and making plant markers from recycled materials. One thing at a time though.

For now, I'm just trying to be patient and see what becomes of our little garden. Got any tips for a gal with a black thumb?

I linked up this post at The Homesteader Blog Hop.

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.

Birthday Desk (WOYWW)

Once again, I'm joining up with other crafty and talented individuals to share our work desks at Stamping Ground for What's on your Workdesk Wednesday.

Before I reveal my desk, let me show what became of some of the junk on my desk from last week.

This necklace was made with those bits.

Here's a better look.

Now for my desk. It's a little less crafty.

Sigh, lots of to do lists. But, if you look there on the left you see my little pile of bags. I've spent the last couple of days doing some shopping with my birthday money. 

Here's what I picked up.

Let's see...the Tim Holtz stamps (and stencil) were on sale at Michael's. Above them is a rhinestone assortment and some washi tape from Hobby Lobby.  Along the top, next to the washi tape is a button stamp and some masks. There are two galaxy markers I got that the dollar spot at Target. I'm not sure how they'll work, but figured I'd try. Then, there are a couple of dies and a die/stamp set from Tuesday Morning. Finally, some little Prima girls and rust-colored Gilder's paste.

I also got a few jewelry supplies.

I found the ear wires and bead caps at Tuesday Morning and the rhinestone spacers on clearance at Hobby Lobby.

So that's my desk for the week. I've still got a little more birthday money and am trying to decide what else I need. Gimmie some recommendations. What's the craft supply you couldn't live without?

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm a Jewelry Superstar!

Exciting News!!

Several weeks ago, I was contacted by Cat from Cut Out + Keep to see if I would be interested in being their Jewelry Superstar for a week.

Would I!? Cat asked me to put together seven tutorials to be shared over a week's time. I hinted at these projects on my September Goal Review and on a WOYWW post.  This is the week! My first tutorial went live yesterday, along with an artist interview and links to some of my social media.

Here's what Monday's tutorial was, a Button Bangle.

And, today's tutorial of Sweet Key Earrings has already been revealed as well.

You'll have to check back throughout the week to see what other tutorials I shared. And, while you're on the site, take a minute to explore. There are a ton of great tutorials and inspiration!!

I'd like to thank Cat for asking me to participate in this. It's been a pleasure and an honor. Thank you!

Now, go check it out and let me know what you think!

From the Junk Drawer (WOYWW)

Feeling a little motivated this morning, I pulled out one of my junk drawers. This one is literally labeled JUNK as it doesn't fit into any of my other junky categories (keys, charms, rhinestones, buckles, etc.).

After sorting through it for a few minutes, I had this laid out on my desk.

Mysterious huh? (Sorry for the quality of the pictures. It was dark and I used my phone.)

It's all very organized in my eyes.

On the left is my junk drawer.

Along the top are some items I want to solder for various reasons.

There's a lot of safety pins in the mix because I want to make them even more safe by soldering them closed. That'll make me feel better about using them in jewelry.

Along the right are the pieces for two possible necklaces.

The bolt-like thing on the top is on its own as it looks something like a bail to me. The other pieces may likely come together in some sort of tassel assemblage piece.

In the center of my desk were some watch backs. I realized there were a ton of them in the drawer. As I pulled them into a pile, I saw that they would be perfect for a statement necklace of some kind. But, first they need holes.

After making an arrangement that made me happy, I marked where I want holes and numbered some of the pieces. That wonderful man-of-mine will use the drill press to make the holes for me. And, this picture and the numbers will serve as fabulous reminder of this arrangement.

Now to actually pull all this together and make some jewelry! Do you see jewelry here, or do you just see junk?

I'm linking up on The Stamping Ground for What's on You Workdesk Wednesday.

Friday Finds #13: Robertsdale Antique Show

It's been far too long since I did my last Friday Finds post. To make up for it, I hope this is a good one!

Last weekend I shared this image on Instagram.

A photo posted by Hope Smitherman (@craftyhope) on Oct 8, 2016 at 12:29pm PDT

Before I even posted it on Saturday, I knew I wanted to head back to the Antique Show in Robertsdale where I found the flat keys. Alas, Pat and I had visited the show with very little cash on us.

Sunday morning I made sure to hit the ATM before heading back to the fairgrounds where I got more of those keys.

My initial thought was to stamp the keys with words. However, someone mentioned enameling them, so I knew I needed more. Now I just need to find a beginner's enameling kit. Any suggestions?

In addition to the keys, here's what else I picked up.

The vendor had tons of those Asprin tins, but I just grabbed the one. I've been on the lookout for small tins, and the tiny round one totally caught my attention.

There was a whole box of religious medals and other charms. I picked through it a bit before deciding on these three. I didn't want to go crazy!

There was quite a selection of these brass stampings in the booth. I actually got there before the vendor that morning and had some time to pick through them before narrowing it down to these four. I've got some ideas for them, now to just put them into action.

The last item I picked up before leaving the show was this.

It's half of a spool of some sort (at least that's how it was marked)

The seller had a few of them. What sold me on this particular one was the "bottom" of it.

Chippy paint gets me all the time. And, look at those colors!

As for what I'm going to do with it. . .well, inspiration struck when the vendor had it displayed like this.

Do you see it? It's likely going to end up as a bracelet display in my booth. While it would totally work as a display in this vertical position, I'd like to turn it on its side so that the chippy paint can be seen. I've just got to figure that out first.

I stopped myself with that last purchase. And, the vendor gave me his card, mentioning that he would be back for another show in June. So, I just have to make sure I use up these bits before I go buying more in June!

That's it for now. You found anything good lately?

Raid the Fridge - Chili Cheese Nachos

Lunchtime around here often becomes a back and forth of, "What do you want to eat?" "I don't know, What do you want to eat?" almost daily. While I do still plan our menus, lunches are kinda free-form. There's usually the makings of a few types of sandwiches, bean burritos, tuna salad with noodles, and the like on hand. I'm usually up for running out and picking something up too. And, then, there's the leftovers. Most of the time, we eat them as they come. Every once in a while, I'll transform them (think cold rice turned fried rice.)

Yesterday was a transformation day. I started to heat up leftover dirty rice but then remembered Pat's interest when I had mentioned nachos to him over the weekend. The chili (that was on the verge of being tossed) suddenly had my attention.

These directions are stove-top and oven-centric as we do not currently have a microwave. I think this also helps keeps the chips crunchy. If you're pressed for time, you could always zap yours.

Leftover Chili Cheese Nachos 

Ingredients:
Leftover Chili
Tortilla chips
Shredded Cheese (I used cheddar and monterey jack with peppers)
Optional Toppings (tomatoes, onions, avocado, leftover corn, salsa, jalapenos, lettuce, sour cream/plain greek yogurt, etc.)

Directions:
1. Heat your chili and preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Gather and prep toppings (shred cheese, chop veggies)
3. Lay parchment paper over oven safe plate(s) and spread chips over the paper.
4. Top chips with warm chili, leftover corn, and shredded cheese(s)
5. Heat in oven for 5-7 minutes (or until cheese is melted)
6. Grab corners of parchment paper and transfer nachos to a room-temperature plate.
7. Top nachos with your favorite ingredients.

These went over smashingly well and helped shake up the lunchtime blahs. I think transforming the chili definitely made our lunch more interesting and got us out of a same-old same-old rut. I hope my stroke of inspiration inspires you to raid the fridge and transform your leftovers.

Please let me know other ways you make leftovers more interesting!

This post was linked up on The SITS Girls Recipe and DIY Linky and on Friday Frenzy Blog Hop on Little House Big Alaska. 

Keeping Busy (WOYWW)

Last week may be considered the "Lost Week". I wasn't near as productive as I'd have liked because my schedule was off. I did get to spend much of the week with my grandmother and oldest niece while my mom and step-dad went on vacation. As well, I helped a friend prep for her daughter's birthday. We also agonized over what to do about my sweet Asia kitty. Her illness isn't getting any better. While steroid shots seem to make her feel better for several weeks at a time, she's still struggling to breathe and looks uncomfortable the rest of the time. We cried and prayed over what to do, but the decision is so very hard to make. For now, she's received another shot while we monitor her even closer to try to make the decision and come to terms with it.

Gah! Okay, enough with all that. Here's what my desk looks like today.

There's a little of everything on there once again.
At the far left is my art journal, open and waiting with a blank page.
Next is my bullet journal, also waiting for me to set out the day's list.
Then there's the altered playing card that I'm currently working on. It's got some washi tape and gesso lines on it, but that's as far as I've gotten.
Finally, there's a bead mat with an assemblage key, some wire wrapped czech glass beads, and a variety of pearls that I'm trying to decide on. (You can see my mat better and pick your favorite on my Instagram video.)

If you're curious, the top of my desk includes a small trash bin (the green thing at left with the clothes pins on it.), a glass container with various supplies (rulers, x-acto, bone folder, wooden skewers, knitting needles, etc.), a swiveling organizer that holds my pliers and scissors, a bowl of miscellany (tape, glue sticks, lip gloss, liquid paper, and tape measures), a cup and saucer that I throw things in to keep them from getting buried), a plastic cup of water with some paintbrushes, and a nice big selection of pens and pencils (I have an office supply issue.) Also on my desk are my timers, which I set to try to make sure I get up and move around every half hour or so.  You know, for my health.

That's the bulk of it for today. And now, it's time to start tackling some of these tasks. Here's hope you keep happily busy today too.

I'm linking up my desk on What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday at Stamping Ground. Come play along, or just tell me. . .what are some of the supplies on your desk that are always there?

September Goal Review

Yet another month has passed. I can't believe it's already time to do my monthly review. But here we are and here it is.

As a reminder, each week I wanted to complete a general Goal, a piece of Jewelry, an altered Card, at least one Blog post, and a Journal page. I'm covering weeks 35-38. I'm still behind on these goals and tasks so some of this is just me catching up.

Week 35 (Aug, 28-Sep. 3)

Goal

The goal I set for this week was to create a blog header that reflected my current interests and blog topics. However, I didn't get to that one. Instead, I was able to tackle Week 33's goal to finish my wood block painting that I had started at the Art at the Beach 2016 retreat. 

I'm not positive this painting is done. Once I looked at it through the lens of Photoshop, I realized that some shading would really enhance it. I suppose it will be a work in progress for a while. 

Card

This one counted for Week 33. It's a super simple altered card with just some paint, a quick stamp, and a couple of collaged pieces. The word imagine is accented with a stabilo all pencil. 

Blog

I wrote my August Goal Review this week. 

Week 36 (Sep. 4-10)

Goal

I was able to clean and organize the craft room as I had planned. As well, I completed week 35's goal of creating a new blog header. 

Here's a peek in case you're in a feed reader.

Jewelry

I finished up the garnet bead and key necklace from the Wonder and Whimsy August challenge.

This counts for week 33's jewelry. Still catching up!

Blog

Two blog posts were completed: Looking Inward for Inspiration and Re-Organizing the Craft Room. 

Journal

This was also for Week 33. It consists of some collage, some paint smearing, a little stenciling, and some doodling. The image was stamped on deli paper and glued in with matte medium. I painted and smeared around the edges to work it in. There's also some Stardust gelli roll pen on the page to add some sparkle to this magical page. 

Week 37 (Sep. 11-17)

Goal

I set out to brainstorm ideas for my future website. Once again, that didn't happen. However, I was able to cut a variety of paper shapes with my Vintaj BigKick as I had set out to do in Week 34.

I know this isn't a super-impressive or big deal of a goal. But, it gave me a chance to learn the machine a little more and familiarize myself with some of the different dies I have. 

Jewelry

I do have to admit that I kicked some butt this week in the jewelry-making department.

Week 34's earrings started out as something completely different. I'm so very happy with how these came together.

Week 35's earrings include beads from StudioJuls along with some tarnished and patina-ed once silver-tone hearts. 

Weeks 36 and 37 are two different button bracelets for which I'm making some tutorials (You'll hear more about that in a few weeks). However, these two caught me up in the jewelry-making goal. Yay!!

Card

This was for Week 34. The background is just a gelli print on a piece of music. I added some doodles and marks with pen, pencil, and paint. The image is an old photograph. I cut the words from a calendar. 

Blog

Cheesy Bacon Avocado Dip was the topic for this week. I urge you to try it. So good!

Journal

Two pages were completed this week!

As you can probably tell, I've been working on lettering. 

For week 34, I used some gelli prints that both included raindrops (the same stencil) as the background. I blended them together with a little gesso before sketching clouds. The clouds were filled in with more gesso and outlined/accented with a combo of Neocolor iis and Derwent Inktense pencils. A Uni-Ball Air pen was used to write the words. 

The week 35 page was made with various ephemera and collage papers glued around the edges. They were softened with gesso. Die cuts of a gelli print were used to make the flower petals and leaves. The petals are stuck together with a lime green brad. A green gel pen made the stem. Charcoal was added around the page and under the flower and leaves for shadow. Again, I used the uni-ball air pen to write the words. 

Week 38 (Sep. 18-24)

Goal

For the last full week of the month, I had hoped to research e-mail newsletter options. While I did do some minimal research, a decision wasn't made. Therefore, I can't count this goal as done yet.

Jewelry

Since I caught up on my jewelry-making goal the week before, all jewelry made this week either met the goal or exceeded it. 

The black and white earrings were made using old clip-on earrings that were smashed and cleaned up. The black lines are stamped, embossed, and sealed on there. I showed a lot of the process for these in my Instagram story.  You won't find it there now, but you should totally follow me!

The other pair of earrings and the necklace also incorporate upcycled aspects and are also part of the tutorial project I'm working on.

Card

While I didn't quite catch up on the altered playing card making, I did get a few done.

Week 35's started with some spray inks that were dabbed around and dried. Red acrylic paint was applied through a stencil. The flower was painted on with gesso before being outlined and colored with the Derwent Inktense pencils and NeoColor iis (can you tell I LOVE these two products!?)

Week 36's card was actually started weeks ago when I glued a gelli print to the card. After outlining some of the raindrops, I was stuck and put the card aside. While staying with my grandmother, I picked it back up and added a few marks before gluing down the balloon stamp. I outlined the stamp and left the card at that. 

For Week 37, I was simply playing with the lovely Neocolor iis and the Inktense pencils - showing my niece how beautifully they melt and blend. When the card had dried and I looked at it again, I saw a face; the eye in particular. With that, I drew it out and colored it in more prominently. I used a white water-based Sharpie poster paint marker to add a couple of highlights.

Blog

The What's on My Desk (WOYWW) post was the only one I got written that week. 

Journal

I finished up another two pages.

You may have seen the beginning of Week 36's page in my WOYWW blog post. I used up some black paint by just drawing squiggly lines all over the page. Later, I played with Gelatos and Colorix crayons to color in the pages (smearing them with water). The words were written with a black Sharpie poster pen and outlined with a white one.  

The Week 37 page began as a magazine page that had been previously painted with acrylic paints. It was a little small for the journal so I filled in similar colors around it. I stenciled some shapes and stamped some textures onto the page before picking out some magazine cutouts and a printed quote. These were simply glued down and outlined with a stabilo all pencil in black. I also outlined the whole page with a black pen.

So, that was September in a creative nutshell. I caught up on a few tasks, but still have a ways to go with others. I'm learning to try to create in spare moments and that not everything has to be perfect on the first try. The simple act of creating makes you more creative. I hope you take that to heart. Shoot, I hope I do too!

Have a wonderfully creative October!