Gamer Birthday

My son Benjamin's birthday is today and he is a big video game fan, so I just had to use the Level Up stamp set by My Favorite things to make him a card.  This is not my design.  I copied a card from Amy Rysavy because I was in a hurry to get it done.  (of course!) 

The card was super quick and easy to make.  I pulled out the Game Controller dies by My Favorite Things, which I've had for ages and never used, so it was about time!  I simply stamped the sentiment in Onyx Black ink on white cardstock and layered it on True Black before adding it to a white card base.  I cut the controller out of Smokey Shadow cardstock and then glued on the little pieces using various colors of cardstock.  I used foam tape to pop it up for dimension.

I like how it turned out and I think my son will love it.  :)

Stamps:  Level Up (My Favorite Things)

Dies:  Game Controller (My Favorite Things)

Cardstock:  White, True Black, Smokey Shadow, Bright Buttercup, Pure Poppy, New Leaf, Hawaiian Shores

Misc:  Onyx Black (VersaFine); foam tape

Cat Earrings

I made these two pair of earrings as a birthday gift for a friend who loves animals and owns several cats.  I had these Czech glass beads in my stash, which is what sparked the idea.   The first pair uses black cat head beads with a gold wash.

While I had everything out, I made another set for my daughter Emily as a little surprise.  The second pair of earrings uses alabaster sitting cat beads with a copper wash and some coordinating metal spacer beads.

I made a little gift box using the Curvy Keepsakes Box die by Stampin' Up and stamped it with cats from the Say What: Pets stamp set by Lawn Fawn, but I forgot to take a picture of it before I gave it to my friend.  She really loved her birthday gift!

Yoga Bracelet

Here's the last of the jewelry projects that I've made over the past month.  I actually made it on Wednesday!  This was another kit that I received in a Potomac Beads subscription box.  Prior to this, I hadn't done macrame since I was a teenager.  It was really easy and quick to make following a tutorial on their Youtube channel.

The bracelet uses colors that I wouldn't have chosen for myself, but my daughter really likes it and it was good practice with a new technique.  I didn't have enough thread in the kit or I would have added at least two more wraps.  It's definitely a make-again design once I get some additional thread in other colors. 

This design would be a great way to use a variety of smaller beads from my stash.  I think next time I'll do a random mix instead of sections of the same bead.  It would give the bracelet a completely different look!

Hawaiian Tropics Necklace & Earrings

I made this Hawaiian Tropics necklace from a kit that came in a Potomac Beads subscription box last summer.  It involved lots of wire loop practice!  I followed the tutorial on their Youtube channel.

I love the fun colors in this necklace, as well as the Czech glass leaves and melon beads.  I also made some matching earrings using some of the same bead links that I made for the necklace.

Here's a few more close-up photos.  I took my time and had to remake a few links through the process, but I love the final result.  It's a fun necklace to wear!

Autumn Rhapsody Pendant

I have one more Humblebeads project to share.  This design was a tutorial by Heather Powers for The Great Bead Extravaganza group on Facebook and you can find the video for it here on the Humblebeads Youtube channel.  I was lucky enough to get a kit when they were available last year.

It features some soft sari silk and one of her polymer clay house beads, as well as a cool technique using SuperDuo beads.

I love the little Czech bell flower bead dangles and the metal leaf charm.  This design has so many textures.

The design uses 2-ply waxed Irish linen thread with a custom SuperDuo bead mix that came with the kit.  You can see another Humblebeads design with more SuperDuos on my blog here.

I love how the design forms oval-shaped links and will definitely use this technique again with other colors.

I love this necklace and can't wait to wear it in the future.  The tutorial was easy to follow and it turned out really well!

Harvest Earrings

I'm back with a second pair of earrings that I made with a kit from Heather Powers of Humblebeads which I purchased last fall.  I love this design and it would be so easy to change it up with different colors and beads.

You can find a tutorial here on the Humblebeads Youtube channel.  Super easy and quick to make!

Autumn Equinox Earrings

I'll be posting some jewelry over the next few days that I've made from kits over the past month.  These earrings are a design by Heather Powers of Humblebeads.  They use her polymer clay beads and feature some simple wire working to create mini bead pumpkins.  I bought this kit last fall and finally got around to making them.

Aren't they fun?  They were really easy to make too.  You can find a tutorial here on the Humblebeads Youtube channel called Autumn Leaf Earrings.