Embroidered Owl and University of Super Villains

Today I actually got to use the owl applique on a garment.  I bought this jumper for my future niece a couple of weeks ago, and just thought they were a little plain.  So I decided they needed a little decoration.  And the owl fit perfectly!!

 (Yes, I think I need to take a better photo too).  LOL

 I think she's so darn cute and sparkly!  I just love how she turned out.  I might embroider "Lil' Hoot" on the back, but I'm waiting to hear if my niece is actually going to be a niece and not a nephew.  LOL

 I also embroidered the owl on a bib.  I think that turned out too cute!  I'm going to embroider her in different  colors within the next couple of days.  And I want to see what other designs she has to embroider.  I did find a cute turtle the other day, turtles are always cute.

And her's the blue owl close up.  I really like this owl!

 

So, last weekend we were driving around downtown and I saw this hanging from one of the bank buildings.  How cool is that!!  I tried to google what this could possibly be, but nothing yet.  Hmmm, will have to check it out!  Maybe it's Dr. Horrible??  LOL

Embroidered Owls and new necklace

 One of my nieces is very fond of owls. So I found this great program on etsy by artapli.  She has a lot of great designs on her site, and I really loved these owls!  The design comes with 5 owls in 7 different sizes.  I think that is so awesome!  I just love how she included all the designs.  Plus she included a free design in my purchase.  I know I'll be purchasing designs from her again!

 I'm really starting to like this applique embroidery.  I was a bit fearful at first, not knowing what I'm doing, but now that I'm getting more and more used to doing it, it's really very easy to do!

I'm also working on some jewelry.  I posted a necklace I made for my sister-in-law awhile back, and one of my friends said she wanted to order one.  And I took it to work, and my friend at work wants me to make her more jewelry. 

Now I'm getting inspired to create more things.  Check back to see what is next!

Hillbilly wine glasses & the gun show

 So, we saw these glasses when we were in Reno a few months back, they call them Redneck Wine Glasses.  We thought they were really cool because a friend of ours always drinks wine out of a mason jar.  So we bought one.

Then while in Beverly's the other day, they had a video on how to make them.  And of course, I had to come home and find the parts to make them. Cause that's the way I roll.

They're really easy to make, just find some E-6000 and you're pretty much all set.  Just love it that we can make them now!

 Last Saturday we went to the Gun show.  I love going to the Gun show cause I can find so many different cool things there.  I just LOVE the ninja t-shirt, so I had to buy it. 

 This one booth had these really cool patches.  I have to find something to put them on.  They are backed with Velcro, so I just have to sew the other part of the velcro on them.

And I found these really cool bracelets there too.  They're leather with fun crystal studs on them.  I just think they're so fun!!  My friends think I'm turning into a biker chick.  ;)

I get questioned a lot about going to a gun show, yes, they sell guns there, no, you can't take them home right then and there, they follow the law, there is still a 10 day waiting period to take them home.  You have to go through a transfer dealer to pick it up after that 10 day period.  I love going cause I can find a lot of tools to craft with, and there is always jewelry and stuff to see.  In actuality, I usually purchase more than my bf does when we go to these now.  LOL  If you haven't gone, you really should check one out.

X-Factor Auditions

 Yesterday my friends Debi, Joanne, and my step-daughter Ashley and I went to see the X-Factor auditions at the Oakland Coliseum.  Debi went to the auditions for America's Got Talent, and she invited us to go along to the X-Factor ones. 

The auditions were a lot of fun to watch, and it was so very interesting to see how they film things for the tv show.  And it was cool to be a part of the Live audience. 

We were lucky that they gave out actual tickets for the audition, so we didn't have to wait in line once we waited in line for the tickets. (Ok, I didn't officially wait in the ticket getting line cause I was getting lunch). So, we got to find a bit of shade, and have some lunch. 

I thought it was interesting that they had a dress code, and so many rules on what you could and couldn't bring into the audition.  Again, we were lucky because we were allowed cellphones, and they let everyone tape the judges walking into the arena.  But asked us to put them away once taping began.  My friend Debi was next to where they walked in, so she got some great photos.

 

The judges talking.

 Demi Lovato and Simon walking in.

L.A. Reid, Demi Lovato, Brittney Spears, and Simon Cowell

Simon signing autographs and taking photos with the audience.

I thought it was so nice of Simon to take time to greet some of the audience members.  I thought he was really a very nice guy.   He really treated the performers with respect, not really mean like they showed him on Idol.  I really did enjoy watching the taping of the show.

What I thought was interesting was how much input the audience has on who they choose to go through.  But they said to us a few times that we're the ones who are going to buy the music, and that helps them to make their decisions.

I can't wait to see the actual show to see how they will edit everything together.

Chutebox

So I finally bit the bullet (ha ha ha) and put my earrings on Chutebox.  It's a site that one of my friends has created, and I thought I'd try it out and list a pair of earrings on there.  I'm actually going to list more items as the week goes along.  But these are the first pair of earrings that I'm listing.

It makes me nervous wondering if I am putting the right prices up, so we'll see if they sell.  My Etsy shop will be back up and running in a couple of days or so too. 

Will be interesting to see if anything will sell!  ;)

More Earrings

 Last night I was in jewelry mode, so I made some earrings that I will hopefully put on my friend's website.  I just love playing with beads and making different color combinations.

 The above pair have silver glass teardrops.  They just look so cool with the clear glass beads.

 I love the crystal "wedding band" spacers.  They are so fun to work with, and did you know they use them in fishing too?  LOL  I had no clue.

 I found these earring wires at Beverly's.  I just love how fun they look.  I'll have to see what they look like on someone.

 I think I need to make another pair of these

 And this is what they look like close-up.

 Of course had to do some Giants colored earrings

And I just love these hearts.

Flea Market day, beads and more

 Yesterday was flea market day, and of course I had to go to check out what types of beads were out there at 2 of my favorite booths and found some really cool beads.  I am looking for different teardrop shaped beads to use in bullet casing jewelry.  And I found some great silver and gold Chinese glass beads, and a dark blue that I didn't have before.  And at that same booth she has great bracelets for $1. 

The starfish, dice, and flower shaped beads were from another booth.  They usually have really interesting beads that I can't find at any other booths.  I can usually find them at the bead store, but it's much cheaper at the flea market.

 This is what the blue, silver, and gold beads look like all done up.  I really like the gold ones.

 Before going home, and after visiting an old friend, I stopped by Nothing Bundt Cakes shop in Sunnyvale.  They have some really yummy cakes.  I'm not too into the icing that they use, I am really not an icing person.  But I love the cakes, they were really moist!

And last weekend the USS Iowa began it's trip to Long Beach I think, where it is going to be a floating museum.  Here's a pic I got from the San Jose Mercury News of the Iowa going under the Golden Gate Bridge.  The GG bridge also had it's 75th birthday last weekend.  Being from the bay area, I just love the Golden Gate.  For me, it's always a symbol of being home.

Urban Threads

 

One of my favorite sites to purchase machine embroidery designs is from Urban Threads.  I just love their designs, and there are so many different types of patterns.  Cute ones like the panda above, goth, steampunk, dragons, ninjas, fairies, monsters, and so much more!

One of my favorites is her breast cancer one.

 

 I have this on a sweat jacket, and I get so many compliments on this one.  I did change her hair to be black like mine, and for her complexion to be a tad more tan so she'd look a little more asian.  :)

If you're an embroiderer, check out her site, she also has some really great projects on it as well!

Raiders embroidery and Bullet Casing Jewelry

Anyone who knows me knows how much of a Raiders fan I am not.  My family has always been a big SF 49er family, that I think they would disown me if I ever thought to become a Raiders fan.  But one of my best friends from high school is a big Raiders fan, so I thought I'd make her a Raiders Scarf.

 The emblem I found online, and it was pretty big.  But it was the right size for the scarf.  I think it turned out pretty cool.

The scarf is a fleece scarf, so it was really easy to embroider.  I've learned to use tear away stabilizer, I really love the stuff, our JoAnn's stopped carrying it, so I'll have to search around for another source.

 

I also found some really cool teardrop shaped beads from my flea market bead seller lady, and they fit perfectly on the bullet casings that I'm turning into jewelry.  I did one of each color to see how they would look, now will have to either make the other side or use those as charms.  I really like how they turned out.

Laura's Baby Shower

 Yesterday was Laura's baby shower, and it was so much fun!  My friend Debi made so many cool and creative things for the shower!

 We were welcomed at the front door by the coolest Stork that Debi made herself out of paper mache.  I love how it turned out with the baby diapers!

I noticed on the table that she had a baby sticking out of a bowl of candies.  I thought that was so clever!! 

 One of the games we played was to decorate a bib for the baby, the best one would win a prize.  Course I had to make the Captain America one.  LOL

Just love all the cupcakes and cake pops!  Delicious and cute!!

 

I made Jackson this banner from Big Dreams Embroidery . I just love how easy they are to make and how nice they turn out.  I need to make them in all the different shapes and sizes now. :)

I just love how everything turned out!  Congratulations to TJ and Laura!!

Bangle storage

 It's been awhile since I've posted.  And they've changed the way you post on blogger now.  Interesting.  Love the way you can choose multiple photos at once, just took a bit to figure out how to post them.  LOL

I've also figured a way to store all of my bangle bracelets that I just LOVE.  Found some really great bangles at Forever 21 for $1.80.  Who knew that they had such great jewelry for really cheap.  Ok, well, all you teens and tweens out there knew, my nieces, etc.  But I had no clue.  So I was very excited to find them, but when I brought them home, I realized I had no where to put them.

I was thinking I could go to Bed Bath and Beyond and maybe get a paper towel holder.  Then I looked over and saw my almost empty CD case.  Hmmm, that would work!  So now I have storage for my bracelets, and it's covered so I don't have to worry about dust.  And I can stack multiples!  I'm so excited!!  

 I just now have to use up more CD's so I can use the cases.  :)

 Last night we had yummy Carne Asada!  Phil's Carne Asada is my favorite!  He got the recipe from an old friend of ours who's family used to make it for our BBQ's at a company I used to work for.  We'd look forward to these BBQ's every year cause of the meat!  And now we make it at home.  One of the ingredients is worcestershire sauce.  And at Safeway, they carry a thick worcestershire sauce.  And that made the carne asada even better!! Hmm, think I need to have some for lunch.

And it's Cherry blossom time.  I just love the cherry blossoms!  Our street is lined with Cherry Blossom trees.  And when the petals fall it looks so much like a blanket of pink snow. :)

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

8th Street Surf

One of my co-workers has designed these really cool surf shirts. Love the designs.

These are two of my favorites. Check out his site at: http://8thstreetsurf.bigcartel.com/

Being a little more creative

After a non-creative January and February, I'm getting back into the swing of things thanks to one of the girls on our tournament softball team. She asked if I'd help them out with some embroidery for her high school team. Here are a few ideas that I came up with using a pawprint from embroiderydesigns.com and script font.

The top one is my favorite.
But I like this one too. We're still tweaking the design, I think we're going with this:

I'm so excited that I finally figured out how to outline text. Since I've been embroidering, it's been helping more of my creative juices flowing.

We've been looking at different ideas on etsy, and came across bullet casing jewelry. What's cool about it is that they use spent casings. Kind of recycling if you think about it. And luckily my bf had some that he didn't need anymore, so I decided to make some of my own.



These are some of the ones I came up with. I have more to play with, so I'll be doing a lot of playing, it's so good to be back in the swing of things!!