Teaching an old dog new tricks

I've been very inspired lately to learn and create some new pieces. I have so many ideas floating around in my head, and yet I struggle to find the time I need to work those ideas out. Soldering has been something I have wanted to learn for some time now, but just never got around to hatching it out. I thought it might be best to learn soldering as sort of a building block to learning more complex metal smith techniques, which is my end goal. I finally bought the supplies, and referred to the tutorials and books I've had had for awhile, and sat down to do it. It's addicting! I want to solder everything in sight! I've made several basic pendants, which as you know are made by everyone and their mother, but it's new to me, and I'm enjoying the possibilities soldering allows.


I picked up a few new art books recently thank to my 50% off coupon from JoAnns. I never realized what a great selection of art books they carried. I now have a list, and every time I get a coupon I'll be picking up a new book!


One of the books I got features some amazing jewelry by some very talented ladies. My work tends to be, pretty, romantic, and rather girly, but there are some amazing wire techiniques in this book that I'm really excited to learn! Many of the projects are made using a more rustic approach to wire wrapping. I am usually a very precise and neat wire wrapper, so this messy technique is a little foreign to me, but I'm loving the freedom of it! It's organic and very liberating!

My latest purchase was a tiny little sewing machine for crafting. I really, really want to learn to sew beautiful things like this gal, and this gal, and this one too, but for now I'll be content to sew small things like paper and felt. So much to learn, so little time!

Ohh I also am dying to make a few projects from this gorgeous book! For now I'll just drool over the pages!

And the winner is...

My random number generator, AKA: My husband, picked lucky number:

1

for my B-Day giveaway!

That means Heidi of Digital Misfit is the winner! Congrats to you, Heidi, and thanks to the other 6 of you for playing along!

Heidi, please email me your snail mail info so I can get your necklace off to you!

Fabulous Friday- Jewlery Display

I stumbled upon the blog Simply Seleta today and thought I'd join in her Fab Friday. If you'd like to participate you can see all the rules here, but basically you just have to blog about something fabulous from your day!

Today I was feeling crafty and have been itching to make some display pieces to hold my jewelry that I sell at a few local shops. So I used my morning to be productive and made two of these cute pin boards to hang my jewelry on!



I already had the frames but they were gold and not very attractive, so I spray painted them aqua and antiqued them a bit. next I wrapped the peg board (what used to be in the frame) with batting and burlap. I screwed the boards back in place and added a little decorative trim to finish the pieces off. I just used pearl tipped straight pins to hang the jewelry, and viola! I have two new pretty pieces to display my wares!

I think these definitely qualify as Fabulous!

Infectious

I told you dance was infectious! I just saw this on Dede's blog and had to share!

Zumba

I've told you guys a little bit about my journey towards weight loss and a healthier me, but I haven't given much of the details about what routine consists of. I discovered Zumba about 4 months ago, and have become completely hooked on the Latin infused dance workout! I started dancing at about age 4, and continued throughout high school. I even danced and cheered competitively in high school. I love to move and dance to a good beat, but since having children and gaining weight I'd lost my rhythm! When I stumbled upon Zumba I was so excited to try a form of exercise that actually seemed fun! I own a treadmill, but I'd really rather do laundry than step on that thing! It is sooooo boring! I can't stop looking at the clock when I'm on it!
Now with Zumba, I am going 4 times a week, and the workout is amazing! I'm sweating bullets when it's over, yet the times seems to fly by because it is just so much fun! I'm also doing a toning and weight training class 2 times a week. It's brutal, but effective! My legs are actually burning right now from the million lunges I did in Monday's class!

So it may sound like I'm a spokesperson for Zumba, but really I just wanted to share with you this fun and very effective workout with you guys, because it has truly been the main force in my quest to shape up! There are Zumba class all over the country, so find one near you and try it out! I promise you'll be hooked!

Happy Birthday to Me (and him)!

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthhhday to meeeee, happy Birthday to me!

If you'd hadn't guessed already today is my birthday! My 31st to be exact. Can't say I am very excited to have aged another year, but I did have a wonderful day! My hubby surprised me with flowers in the morning and a very "heartfelt" card! he usually gets me funny cards so I was a little surprised to get such a mushy card from him until I saw his little note under the mushy quote! Enough said!

That's how it goes from here on out. Once you turn 30, your birthday celebrations are more and more subdued, and people have wished you so many happy birthdays, that they can't think of any more creative ways to tell you how special you are! They just look for it already written in a card! I confess, I did it to him too on his birthday last week! Yes, his birthday was last week, he's just a mere 6 days older than me!

The kids made me some cute cards, daddy took care of dinner and bought us all cupcakes too. He thought he was hilarious putting all 31 candles on top of my cupcake!


When they were all lit my four year old exclaimed, " the fire department is going to come!". Ha! he also asked if I was going to have a pinata! You do know a Pinata is the true sign of an awesome birthday party, right? Sorry no pinata!

Since we went out to dinner for the hubby's b-day last week (and you practically need to take out a second on your home to pay for dinner and a babysitter these days!) I opted to keep it casual today. I'd much rather be in bed early with a new movie anyways!

So since I'm celebrating my second year in my 30's, I'd like to celebrate with you all with a giveaway! The winner will be able to choose one of the vintage charm necklaces shown below! To be entered, just leave a comment with your name, the necklace you'd like, and a way to contact you. The winner will be drawn on Monday April 20th.

OK, off to enjoy the rest of my birthday! See ya!

Happy Weekend!

Hope you all have a great weekend! I'll be spending mine in this fabulous beach town:

Capitola, CA! Can you believe my husband grew up here? We visit a lot since he has family here, and you won't hear me complaining about it!

We'll probably eat here:And I will definitely be spending some time at my favorite antique stores like this one:


Center Street Antiques, Soquel CA.

Hope you guys have a great weekend too!