{ the wood burning }

I got the idea of this from Etsy.....gotta love that Etsy....time-sucking vortex that it is! This is a piece of stained wood that I used a wood burner on create the outline of the picture that I then painted. LOVE IT! I plan to make several of these. There are so many possibilities with this technique!

{ the christmas decor }

My dad and I were playing around with the saw (probably not a very safe idea) and decided to cut some triangular pieces. I have a "thing" about symmetry, so I was trying to step outside my comfort box and create something that wasnt SO symmetrical.

I went shopping at my home-away-from-home (the Hob) and was fascinated by the yoyos. I bought a pack of pre-made yoyos and used them as ornaments. I am IN LOVE with the yoyos. One of my friends (who obviously pays more attention when I talk than I think she does) gave me a yoyo making kit for my birthday!!!! So fun!!!!

I would like to introduce you to Tommy. Tommy, the penguin. If you know me at all, you probably know that there is very little I love more than a penguin in winter attire. Since I was truly embracing the handmade Christmas, I made him into an ornament for an ornament party I attended. I had a hard time letting go of him. Hes just soooooooooo cute! He started as a wooden egg that I painted. Then I glued some felt on him for his arms and legs and beak. Then.........I added some ribbon for his scarf. I will tell you (just to set your mind at ease) that he now resides at the home of a good friend of mine. I know she will take good care of him.

{ the yarn wreath }

Another very dear friend of mine was going to do this craft with her daughter during the Thanksgiving holiday. I wanted to try it out first. Im not so sure I will ever make one this size again, but I was happy with the final product. I have made a couple really small wreaths...no pics of those though. I think the colors are what makes this one so stinkin' cute.

{ the gift }

I had a birthday last month and one of my very best friends (yes, Jen...that would be you) gave me a super awesome present. Im an adventurous crafter and will try most crafts. I almost never get handmade items as gifts. I assume this is because I make a bunch of different types of crafts. But my friend Jen gave me a handmade gift....she knew I would try to make one! And boy, did I???? I decided this past Christmas would be a handmade Christmas. I would make every gift I gave. Thank goodness I am a spectacular procrastinator and had not started working on many gifts. I bet I made twenty of these things to give as gifts. Here are a "few."

{ the painted cross }

I have recently fallen IN LOVE with modeling paste. I'm talkin' true love! Another new love of mine......wood. I love painting on wood. My dad has a wood shop and has a ton of scrap pieces of wood. Guess who is taking advantage of that! I hope my house doesnt get infested with termites.....

These are a few of the crosses Ive made with the modeling paste. Just to spice them up, I sand the sides and edges and a little on the background color. Then I stain it a little bit.

{ the worded paints }

So, yes. I have not posted anything in an extremely long time. I know you are eagerly anticipating what I have for you today, huh? Yep, that's what I thought. But first, let me fill you in on what I have been doing for the past five months....

I've been painting....lots and lots of painting!

{ the bottlecaps }

So, for several months (like 10-14) I have been collecting bottlecaps...beer, soda, whatever I could find. Thank goodness the guys at D'Casa know this and save their bottlecaps for me! Well, after having them pile up hundreds upon hundreds, I decided to create something with them, which was my original intention. I gave this to a friend (who also donated caps) for his birthday. It only took a day and a half to complete. I think it is one of the coolest things I have made!!! Click on the picture to get a closer view.

{ the auction }

I made these for a silent auction for a family in need. The blue one is my favorite! What do you think?

{ the necklaces }

This is something new I am trying out. I have a gazillion bottlecaps that mis amigos from D'Casa save for me. I usually get a cup full of them when I go eat there. But since I work with 4 year olds and need G-Rated accessories, I decided to paint them! I am giving one as a gift to an 8 year old for her birthday. I am sporting the 'J' today! More pics of these to come soon. $7

{ the painting }

This was a present for my friend Stephanie's birthday.