Wild For Style

The end of the summer does not mean the end of great fashion.  I have added the perfect pieces to take you from the final days of summer right into the new fall fashions.

First, my Millefiori glass necklace is perfect for those late summer days at the lake or back yard parties.  It can be worn as a necklace or as a bracelet

Next, this necklace makes a bold statement with its asymmetrical design featuring a large fucshia shell focal surrounded by animal print ceramic beads.

Lastly, the Girded Silouhette necklace features a large semi-precious black stone wrapped with silver wire in a geometric patter.  The pendant is hung from an 18 inch silver chain.  Perfect by itself, or make an even bigger statement by pairing it with the animal print necklace.

All three of these necklaces feature a handcrafted 20 gauge silver wire hook clasp.  These clasps create great versatility in these pieces.  Use the clasp to hook these pieces onto other chains to create a fashion-forward layered look or to wear the pieces as bracelets, sweater links, or eye glass chains.

Don't wait!  Grab these from my Etsy shop today.  Each piece will arrive in a gift box with coordinating card ready to give to yourself or someone special.

I'm linking to these parties:

All Thingz Related
Anti-Procrastination Tuesday
Tip Me Tuesday
Get Your Craft On Tuesdays

Romance in a Box

One of the sweetest memories I have is of my keepsake box--a shoebox filled with love notes, movie ticket stubs, and pictures of me and my highschool sweeties.  I decided to make one for my sweet neighbor and bible study sista.  She and her hubby are highschool sweethearts.  She has been feeling a bit overwhelmed since they adopted their little girl from China.  So, I thought what better way to help them keep that feeling of "first dates" than a box full of romantic notions.

My box is sweet, but if you are more of a "wild child", then check out The Dating Divas' "Wild About Him" post for a little more steam.

I started with a simple shoe box and a couple of sheets of scrapbook paper which I tore and used Mod Podge to cover the box. 

I decided to paint the inside purple using acrylic paint.  It covered well but did take a couple of coats.  I covered the holes in the box with prima flowers and added a ribbon to make the top box edge look a little more finished.

I printed date ideas from the Creative Stirrings blog onto card stock.  You can download my template here.

I also wrote romantic notions onto strips of card stock and rolled them up.  I made a box from scrapbook paper following instructions in this video that I found on Etsy. 

Here is my finished product:

I'll add a little journal for them to write love notes to each other and some scented candles to the box.  I hope she likes it and it gets tons of use!

I'm linking to these parties:

Fabulous Friday at Frou Frou Decor

Scrappy Saturdays at Scrappy Gifts

Market Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Made By You Monday at Skip To My Lou

Templates Galore & My First Etsy Sale!

I just made my first sale in my new Etsy shop!  I literally squealed with excitement.  Now I need to worry about packaging.  There are several Etsy articles on the importance of branding and packaging, so I know that I have to set myself apart but still be cost and environment conscious.  So, I've decided to package the 3-strand Ivory Pearl Necklace purchased by a wonderful Etsy shopper in Florida in a pillow box.

Check out these boxes here.

I'd really like to use paper that is embedded with seeds that can be planted like the ones shown here, but I don't have any of that paper handy at the moment.  So, I will pull from my stock of beautiful scrapbook papers and use the template found here.  This link is chocked full of templates for envelopes, cards, and boxes.  Be sure to check them out!!

Receive your own beautiful pillow box filled with beautiful jewelry items from my Etsy shop. Visit me soon at Dandelion Designs.

A Great Lake

On Thursday, we had no appointments a the Cleveland Clinic, so we decided to see the city a bit. We went through Cleveland's Little Italy. It was a very cute area with shops and bistros. We didn't stop because the entire area was on a hill that was way too steep for my wheelchair.

We meandered through the city until we came to Lake Erie. I was so excited to see my first Great Lake! Lonnie was born in Michigan and has traveled in the area a lot for work. But I could tell that he was excited to see me so excited. Cody loved it, too.

The sea gulls kept hovering right over us. I thought they were either going to swoop down and pick up Cody or poop all over us. We were able to get out of there clean and with yorkie in tow.

It was a lovely day and a new experience for me.

Chili 3-Way

Yesterday, I had my first taste of the famous Skyline Chili. I ordered chili 3-way which is chili, spaghetti, and cheese. I also got a Greek salad.

When I took my first bite, that distinctive taste hit my tongue. What was it? After several bites, I think I have it. Cinnamon? CINNAMON!! Guess who's allergic to cinnamon? That's right, this guy!

Do I stop eating? No. I take a Benadryl and keep going. My reaction is usually mild with just some itching. The worst reaction I ever had caused blisters in my mouth and vomiting.

I didn't finish my lunch and we started back to the hotel, and then it happened. My tongue started blistering. A couple more Benadryl finally calmed it down.

Little did I know that incident would be the beginning of a really bad day. More on that later.

Cleveland Bound

We are on our way to Cleveland, OH to visit the Cleveland Clinic. We just came through Cincinnati and I saw the Bengals' stadium. Can't wait to get some Skyline chili.

Best Pal Scrapbook Page

 love my kids.  My little ones are playful, snuggly and loving, and sometimes a giant pain!  However, I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.  I keep everything from them and wanted to share with you a scrapbook page I made using some of their things.

Did I forget to mention my kiddos are "fur babies"?  Believe me... they still eat, drink, poop, and whine!

The think I love most about this layout is that I used a large section of a treat bag that I kept.  This bag was from a gormet shop in Franklin, TN.  I actually bought them when we had Baby, an elderly, blind Maltipoo we adopted.  Baby passed away shortly after we got Cody.  Sadie came along a couple of years later.

Cody aka "C-Note"

Sadie aka "Doodle-bug"

I haven't put their pictures in this layout yet.  I've thought about framing it and giving it to our neighbors who also have fur babies. 

I'm linking to these parties: