~ Spinning in Style ~

I got a call from my Mom awhile back asking me if I could make an earring holder for a friend's daughter who was turning 12 and getting her ears pierced. I scoured the local Goodwill for things that would work & actually bought 3 items that I thought would work really well.

ENJOY the BEFORE & AFTER photos of the winning find!

BEFORE: a dusty little spinning picture frame, found at Goodwill for $3.99.

AFTER: a funky pattern & a new purpose!

I removed the glass, inserted plastic mesh & what was once a spinning picture frame is now a stylish earring holder.

Handmade Gift Exchange

Linda over at Craftaholics Anonymous hosts a Handmade Gift Exchange twice a year & I decided to participate in the one she held in June! What a fun experience! After you sign up, she gives you a partner  & then you make something for that person before the month is up & mail it to them! I met a great gal who blogs over at The Tootsie Wootsie. She has some great tutorials & makes AMAZING bib necklaces! Go check her out!

After reading her blog I found out that we had quite a few things in common, one of them being our love of turning "found items" into beautiful works of art. Here is a little photo progression of the gift I made her:

Initially the charger was an oil rubbed bronze color, but I forgot to take the true before picture.

Who doesn't LOVE gloss black?? 

A little fabric flower detail never hurt anyone!!

Hope this inspires you to take a closer look at what you already own or what can be found at your local thrift store, because there is beauty and often function to be found in much of what we cast aside!!

Ironman & a little vacation

I feel like I am finally caught up & ready to move forward after our last minute trip to Idaho. Jae Bird and I were there for a month & sure enjoyed our visit!

Our biggest reason for going was to watch my dad compete in the Coeur d'Alene Ironman which was held on his 54th birthday. It was his first Ironman competition & his goal was simply to train for a year & to finish before the 17 hour race time limit. He finished in 15 hours & 37 minutes! What an accomplishment (I'm tired after driving 140 miles in the car, but to swim, bike & run a total of 140 miles in 17 hours or less is CRAZY! The 1st place in the Men's Professional division came in at 8 hours & 19 minutes! CONGRATS DAD!

After crossing the FINISH LINE!!

We also spent some time with my sister and her family! Her son is about 6 weeks older than Jae Bird & we are so excited for our children to grow up together. They were waiting for some news about her husband's job & then would be moving to the D.C. area. So glad we saw them, because a few days later they got some GREAT news & packed up and headed out!

Hope you have had some fun this summer, but I also hope you are looking forward to some new Monthly Project Challenges and crafty time with me!!