3 in1 Mini - Album Tutorial

Oh hello friends, I hope this finds you well. I came across this great tutorial by Julie Kirk and had to share it. Anyone who loves paper, collecting, scrapbooks, and more will love this three in one journal. At the end of the tutorial are suggestions to alternate versions of it. What projects are you starting on? Are you finding time for your paper crafting, crafts or sewing? Well if you are busy like me with weddings, showers and such you might have to bookmark this tutorial for a bit later but I think this mini - album will inspire you to get crafty~but if you do a mini book soon be sure to share your creation right here so we can see it by posting a link in the comments and do let Julie know too~
To read a great interview and learn more about Julie pop on over to Popular Crafts. If you give her a visit let her know you found her via my blog. Don't forget to let me know what you are up too~

3in1 Journal A Notes on Paper Tutorial

Tea Cup Tuesday

Oh hello friends, Here are some roses fighting for space waiting for their time to bloom and on my window sill this is where I keep a few of my mom's keepsakes so I can see them every day. This happens to be a teapot that was handmade by a local Lake Tahoe artist. The artist and my mom took a pottery class together. My mom was just a beginner but they became friends prior to her passing and she had given her this hand painted tea pot~ Now I have this to remind me of her. It also reminds me that with honing in on our crafts one day we each shall bloom when the time is right~ So keep creating, keep inspiring with time and patience we can make beautiful things just like this artist did. Never give up on your dreams~

Crafty Inspiration

1. Pink Lemonade Craft or Garden Apron, 2. lolliPOPs!, 3. pattern, 4. Before and After Thread Bag, 5. flores e espinhos..., 6. teeny weeny., 7. Crafty Pay It Forward Cowl, 8. Dou-te o meu coração :) / I give you my heart :)

I was looking for a little crafty inspiration tonight and this is what I found. Handmade aprons which I always love. I like to use mine when crafting or painting. Cute little ribbon and spool dolls. I was so excited to find these because we just got some round wood beads at a yard sale and I think it is a project my daughter can do with me. She is dying to learn how to knit or crochet too. But I haven't done either since I was a teen. But one of her sisters knows how to knit so maybe when we go to visit she can help us with that. I love hands on learning for something like that! I also saw this cute little bag makeover. A baby bag turned into knitting thread bag.
And who wouldn't love a doll hand crafted holding a heart~

For you crafty ladies who crochet here is a free pattern I came across for a lovely cowl like the one above. And if you don't want to make your own apron but were swooning over the craft apron you can look at Pamwares Etsy Shop. Or if you rather give it a go, here is a apron tutorial from One Pearl Button. But what ever you do have a wonderful day ~

What crafty inspirations have you seen lately? Has it made you want to sew? or knit and crochet? What projects with the kids or grandkids do you have this summer in the works?
I am listening~

Flower Photography

* Click to expand~ *Click here to see it in flickr at full size~
this blog template is too small!

I wanted to share some flowers that were in bloom in my backyard. This may well be some of my color inspiration for the week~Left to right; is a Butterfly Bush, Pomegranate flower, Chives flowering, Rose. When I combined these images I thought how nice it would be to see them matted and framed just like this! What is blooming in your flower garden? I have been taking an e class, Sammie is on summer vacation and hubby is working out of town and weekend after next is my second youngest daughters bridal shower~ One word, busy! So forgive me if I am not blogging quite as often with crafty goodness and tea parties. What is going on in your summer right now? Are you crafting? Tending to the garden? Making some sun tea? I love mine with lemon~ How about you?

Tea Cup Tuesday "Tea Cup Pin Cushions"

Country Living

Anniescupboards

mmmcrafts

pincushioncrazy46's

pincushioncrazy46's

CCraftsCollectibles

Couldn't you just see making a whole bunch of pretty pin cushions and lining them up on a shelf or hutch for display with your sewing or crafts? I found the cutest little pin cushion tea cups this week and at this site is a tutorial that has step by step instructions to making one. You could make so many different looks, just seeing a few examples has me inspired to make one. It looks simple, fast and easy! I think this project is going on my list in the coming weeks and I'll show you the results when I am done! Now off to find the perfect tea cup to match my crafty sewing room~ What crafty projects have you done with tea cups? Do you think this is something that you would make? Well, I will have a cup of tea and enjoy all your tea cups while dreaming up my fabric and cup combination's~

Sew I Love Notions

Creative Seconds
Whoa Wedding
Vintage 1955
The Gatherings

My Sparrows Nest

A Little Birdie Told Me

Country Living

Today I had to share my love of vintage notions. Where did I get this love you ask~ I believe it was from my grandma letting me sort through all her spools of thread looking for the right color to match the fabric or was it when she had me sorting through her buttons searching for the perfect one. What I didn't know is that it was probably a ploy to keep me busy as a child while she finished her sewing~ But regardless she instilled a heart's desire for all things notions~
Now to store it all I will have to do a separate post on that~ But I was swooning over this cream suitcase with the lavender silk inside. Do you love notions? Vintage or new? What about retro suitcases and trunks? Do you sew or do some other needle craft? Please do let me know~

Tea Cup Tuesday

I hope this finds you well after a long weekend! I just had to share this selection that my daughter Krissy picked out for her bridal registry~ I love it. This is designed by Ralph Lauren and called Mandarin Blue. This tea set is a complement to the China set. They even have vases. How could I not start her out with this set as a bridal gift? Shh, can you keep a secret? I thought it would be fitting if this was one of the gifts I purchased on her list and gave to her. Her grandma had collected cups and tea pots and we split up her collection throughout the family. I love that it has the Asian flair with flowers in the bottom of each cup! Quite a few places carry the design such as Macy's. I hope we can have quite a few games of scrabble over tea when I get to travel to her home and visit to carry on the love of tea and games gifted to us by my mom~
What things do you like to do while having tea?
A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend. ~Author Unknown