Learning something new!

Kumihimo! It's fun to say and if you like to craft, it's fun to create.

Well, I might be getting ahead of myself.

While on vacation in July, I cut all the cording and knotted it to the board, added the weights and then had to come home.

It's been wrapped up and put away for over a month. Now we're taking a mini-trip for the holiday weekend and it seems like the perfect thing to take along.

It's all wrapped up and ready to be packed!

I can't wait to see if I can master this cool weaving method.

The instructions seem pretty simple and I know LOTS of people do this, so I'm not going to be afraid!

If you're not familiar with kumihimo, here's a link to wikipedia.

If you've experienced kumihimo yourself, please share your stories. I could use the encouragement! :)

Love Those Crafty Bloggers!

I could spend hours jumping around from blog to crafty blog to see what people are up to in their little piece of the world. 

Sunday is the best time to do that, but since I got caught up doing lots of other things yesterday, I'm grabbing a few extra minutes this early Monday morning before getting back in the groove. 

Here are a few links if you want to join me!

Art Bead Scene
Check out Brandi's art bead palette of the month!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew shares the Reveal for the latest design challenge, Dark Bloom.

Craft Organizing
Tips for organizing or not organizing depending on how things go!

Resin Crafts Blog
Super easy coasters with resin and glitter!

How to Repair Beaded Fringe
Here's how to DIY bead fringe repair or find a pro. BTW, craft repair is a very nice niche especially as a supplement to selling items you make from scratch.

Beading Arts
Cyndi has a review of Irina Miech's new book, Finding Style. You'll love all the new components that are available now!

Thinking About Sparkle Today

 Wishing I had some sparkly shamballas to wear today!   

Should I give up my exercise time to make something real quick? I know the RIGHT answer, so why am I rebelling against my own good choices?

BECAUSE I NEED SPARKLE!

These projects were made as part of the Cousin Ambassador program. I received the blue necklace back, but gave it away to someone who admired it. If I had the pieces I need to recreate the INSPIRE necklace, I would make it into a bracelet.

Okay, running off to dig up beads. I'll have to do double-time on the treadmill tomorrow!

Have a great Friday! If you have some sparkle to share, please do! :)

Feeling Daintyfied!

                                          

I'm feeling pretty lucky to have all these daintyfied elements to play with! Can I just say...they are so DAINTY! :)

                             

I don't know what it is about tiny little things like this, but they definitely spark that little girl in me.

I remember having a handful of those tiny little glass animals when I was little. I don't know why I was so fascinated with them, but whatever it is gets stirred up when I see things like this.

Of course, I was drawn to this sweet little owl with the big faceted eyes and sweet face! The daintyfied collection is from Cousin Corporation and will be in Michael's stores beginning Aug. 15.

I'll be taking a trip to mine so I can see ALL the pieces and grab a silver toned bangle.

I'm also curious to see if there are any more little animals included in the collection. :)

My fellow Cousin Ambassador, Allison Cooling, a.k.a. Quiet Lion, has a couple of great posts about the pieces SHE received from the daintyfied line. Her posts can be found here and here. 

See you at Michael's! I wish this weekend was the 15th! I feel the need for a craft store trip THIS weekend!

Patience is a virtue...patience is a virtue...patience is a virtue... :)

Magically Delicious Universe Moment

It's not surprising my latest MDU moment involved jewelry! :)

I started a new mantra Thursday morning. The one I selected is intended to clear obstacles and awaken the manifesting energy of the universe. Yay! It's always exciting to start a new routine for the purpose of making life even better. :)

The MDU moment happened that same evening. I had a Cousin Ambassador project on deck that I hadn't had the chance to work on, so I thought it would be the perfect time to look through the pieces and parts I received. FUN!

In an awesome moment, I realized I had received a beautiful gold toned bangle bracelet from the new Cousin Daintyfied collection. It fit my wrist perfectly and because it is very dainty, I thought it would be perfect with a few charms hanging from the top circle.

The gold charms in my package were the OM symbol, Buddha and a sparkly elephant, which happens to be a good representation of the mantra I selected that morning.

Okay universe, message received! Love you too! ;)

Don't you love it when you get pretty instant validation that you are on the right path? Me too!

More on the new Daintyfied collection soon...just wanted to revel in this moment a little bit longer. :)