Updating shop and other crafty things...

It's been a great day to take photos outside with my new lightbox:

I made the lightbox today after reading this blog post by Etsy seller Folk Photography. It's a great tutorial for taking better pictures of your products. I didn't know it was so easy!

Here are the two books I added to my Etsy Shop today using product photos from my new lightbox:


In other crafty news, hubby and I are loving the new mouse pad I made from fabric that I had left over after making this bulletin board to keep track of our schedules, homework, notices, etc. in the study.

Here is the mousepad, made by reusing an old mousepad that had worn the paper off the top, and attaching the fabric using No-Sew:

Etsy Bloggers Blog Carnival

The May 12 edition of the Etsy Bloggers Street Team blog carnival sports the theme “Spring Bloom”. Now, I know I mainly talk about handmade books, journal related topics, and a bit of family here, but I thought I'd share some of my other handmade endeavors too. This week I made these copper and Czech glass earrings in honor of spring. I found that I was purchasing lots of fun earrings from many wonderful Etsy sellers, wanted to spend less money, and decided that I could make my own. I don't wear much jewelry except my wedding ring, a fun anklet I bought from Dornick Designs on Etsy, and my collection of fun earrings. My daughter things that these earrings look more like lamps than a "Spring Bloom", but I'm happy with them! And the other earrings below are some that I've made since purchasing supplies. I need a lot of work on my wire wrapping skills, and have no intention of adding earrings to my Etsy shop, but I'm loving wearing these fun, new earrings and so will the girlfriends that I make them for.

New Handmade Stamp...

I've been commissioned to make a guest book for a wedding occurring in September. I love carving stamps for my books and thought I'd share this one that a carved yesterday to compliment the book's paste paper covers.

Here's one of my favorite artists, Geninne in Mexico, and her tutorial for making handcarved stamps. Browse her blog for fun stamps, colorful bird drawings/collages, and other whimsy!

Mother's Day with the Etsy Bloggers...

This is my submission for the Etsy Bloggers Street Team Blog Carnival for this week. According to the team...

"The theme for May 5 is “Mother’s Day”. Blog about anything that we have gave or received as a mother, or given to our mothers that was/is very dear to you. Ex. a memorable phrase, a gift, a special handmade creation you received/or made,pictures, spoken word/story/drawing,writing, a video of a special occasion, etc….something that you will never forget that was done for you as a mom (doesnt matter who you received it from) or something that YOU have done for your mother..or any mother."

I've been wanting to show you the wonderful dress that my amazing mother-in-law made for our oldest daughter's first communion last weekend. She was instructed to make it simple and pretty. She did:

Something special about my mother-in-law: She treats me like her own daughter! My own mother passed away 14 years ago. My mother-in-law (I wasn't yet married to her son - so she was my boyfriend's mom!) knew that it was a tradition for my mom and I to talk on the phone (loooong conversations with lots of sharing and giggling!) every Saturday morning. I won't forget that my mother-in-law made it a point to call me for several Saturday mornings after my mom's passing. She just took time out of her busy schedule to fill a void. I was touched!

Here is a drawing I did last year from my mom's high school graduation photo:

Recently I asked my dad for my mom's old sewing machine, that HE hasn't used in 14 years! I should be picking it up soon. I have never really learned to sew, but I mom was an avid maker of clothes for me as a child! I loved wearing those clothes, but whenever I saw the sewing machine on the table I knew I would be hearing some "bad" words! It seemed to frustrate my mom so I never wanted to learn. Well, now I do. Hopefully I'll have some things to show off here before too long that I make with her machine!

A shout out to my beautiful step-mother too! She has done so much for me I can't begin to list them all. After marrying my dad (after my mom died) she has taught me much about giving of myself, just by watching her example! I don't have a photo to share, but I couldn't let that go unsaid. Thank you Jerry!

My own children give me gifts beyond comprehension. My favorites are the kisses and blessings and prayers at bedtime, the cute words that they say, the dancing in the kitchen at dinnertime, telling Mommy and Daddy that we are their favorite Mommy and Daddy, gentle touches while I help them with something - the hand on the arm or the head on the shoulder. I could go on and on!