{ 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.

{ the magnetic memo boards }

So fun to make; so colorful! Can be yours for $25....any colors or letter you want!

{ the crosses }

I stole this idea from a lady at the Canton Flea Market! Only because I thought she was overcharging....plus, mine are WAY cuter!!!!! $15

{ the baby gift }

When my friends have babies, I like to give them a different type of gift. My good friends, Katie and Jason, are expecting their first child at the end of July. A few friends of mine gave her a baby shower this afternoon. Below is a picture of Katie and Jason's present.

I have made several of these the past couple of years.....and I must admit, this is my favorite word album so far. I think it's the colors that makes me love it so much.

This is the card I made for the shower. Isn't it adorable?

Post a comment; let me know what you think!