12 Adorable Cookie Tin DIY's and A Free How-To

A few years ago my mother and I took off on a driving trip to Florida, stopping along the way at every Antique Mall and thrift store we could find.

Boy did we ever have fun!  Although my love affair with tin hadn't started yet, mom's was in full swing.

Last summer we took another trip, this time to Bead 'N Button in Milwaukee.  It was here that I completely fell in love with tin and began to see the many possibilities for creative expression.

All those tins my mother bought on our road trip were cut down and turned into adorable Christmas tree ornaments.  The Hershey's cocoa tin pendant pictured is one of those ornaments that she made into a necklace for me.  Isn't it cute?

Do you make jewelry or other handmade items and are you looking for easy, inexpensive ways to gain clientele and sell your items.  For my top 4 "Quick And Easy Ways To Gain Clients" and a subscription to my "Cheat Sheet PostCard Series" subscribe here.

Unique Jewelry Creations and One Easy Way to Gain Clients

Over the past couple years I have been making jewelry and loving every minute of it.  I have found my favorite materials to work with are copper and natural stone with some wire-weaving mixed in.  

Yesterday, while out running some errands I happened to be wearing one of my favorite necklaces and was pleasantly surprised and encouraged by the amount of compliments I received.  Wow!


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A Look Back.....

This is a look at what I was doing last year about this time.  I really wish I could say I've made great strides over the summer with this project, but I'd be lying.  Here's to another summer gone and a hopeful heart that next year I'll be able to check something, anything, off of my growing project to-do list.

Memoirs of Building Our Home- Part 4

Have you ever designed and built your own home, how did it go?  We started our journey in the Spring of 2007 and moved in the very end of January 2008 and what a journey it was.  This is my attempt to chronicle the progress we made and the variety of mini-projects we took on ourselves.

Here are some links to get you caught up if you'd like:
Part 1- the basement is poured and the beams are in, time for framing to begin.
Part 2- framing is nearly done
Part 3- Windows and doors and a few small concrete projects

The framing is done, windows and doors are in and we now have a lockable shell.  Its time to put in the plumbing, electrical, computer/phone wiring, house vaccuum plumbing/wiring and gas lines.  Do you think I took a single picture of all that?  

Business Card Fun....

Over the past couple weeks I've been playing around with ideas for business cards.  I'm thinking of using my "artsy-fartsy" creations for the front of a business card and filling in the back with more pertinent information (and possibly snippets of the other business cards).  So far I've started six differing designs and am planning to pick and choose those that I like and would like to have printed.  Here's what I've got so far:

#1

I love the look of a color-washed background so that's what I started with.  I thoroughly wet the paper and then start adding the paint running it horizontally and adding water as necessary.

 Next I used book pages to cut out my tree and drew in my froggie.  I thought the tree was too plain so I used a stencil to add a design.

 What's a tree without leaves?

 I thought it was too boring still so I came in with a pallet knife and more paint.

Outlined everything with black marker and added "The Chirping Frog" with letters cut out of a magazine.  I think this one is my favorite so far.

#2

My mom told me the first attempt was too busy, still my favorite mom but I'll try again and leave it more plain.

 Same background technique except I drew in my tree and frog first and tried to keep those areas fairly clean.

 I used decorative paper to make my frog and the inside of the tree is a short sentiment about antiques and then a montage of a variety of antiques and collectibles by name or maker.

I used magazine letters again, I love them and outlined everything in black.  Sorry mom, it's still too plain.  I think once I add some leaves to it I'll be happy with it though.

#3

 I started with a variety of paint colors, three shades of pink, two blues and a couple greens.  I used a palette knife and just started adding colors.  I also made the flag pole with a pallet knife.

 I made a building with paper and added in my frog, changing her up this time.  I am liking it so far but its not done yet.

I added my name, "The Chirping Frog" with magazine letters again (can't help it, I love them) and started writing out a few things about my business on the right bottom corner.  I really don't like the corner so I'm probably going to end up scrapping this one.  Once I start messing with it I'll have no choice.  I can always re-do it later.

#4

 Last night I got a start on two more ideas.  Not sure I like this one, but here goes.  The background is a solid piece of paper.  I cut out the colorful flowers and Miss Froggie out of paper and used spackling compound and a stencil to add the white flowers.

 I added a little color to the Frog and the raised plaster flowers.  It's a little too bright for me so I tried to tone it down with some water and white paint.

 Not sure what else I'll do now.  I still need to outline and add my name, "The Chirping Frog" but really not sure what else I'll do.  This one's still percolating.

#5
I'm thinking I'm going to love this one but it's just a start.  I began by ripping a variety of papers in shades of brown and green (the idea of ground to treetops).

Then I drew in my tree with white paint.  I'm a contrast girl so I'm thinking I might just leave it white, and that's where I quit for the night.  My "artsy-fartsy" work space is upstairs in the boys loft but when its dark the lighting is horrible.  Lots more to do on this one but I'm loving the direction its taking so far.

#6

This is a trial which I proceeded to paint and hated so I threw it out.  Planning to try again later.  I really love the linework but I did this one in pencil, planning the next one in ink (what color, I'm not sure).  

So, what do you think?  Am I completely crazy to try using my own artwork for business cards?

New Additions at The Pink Elephant Antique Mall

Nestled between exit 33 and 37 along I-55 in southern Illinois (about 30 minutes outside St. Louis, MO) is an old school building turned Antique Mall called The Pink Elephant Antique Mall.  I've had a booth in the basement for a couple years now and my love for vintage (antiques and well, junk) has only grown over my time there.  It's a really amazing place with so much to look at and a little something for everyone.  

Just a couple weeks ago a new addition has opened called Christmas Decor & More, LLC.  Yesterday I had the opportunity to take a look at the new shop and it's adorable, mainly Christmas items but some fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving items as well.  Take a little tour with me of the shop.  

I've seen variations of these all over Pinterest and they are so beautiful.  The owner of the shop made this one, isn't she gorgeous!

Who doesn't need a little camo in their holiday decor?

If you have a gigantor tree and are looking for large ornaments, she's got an assortment of unique items to choose from.

Humongous stuffed reindeer.  He's gotta be over 6' tall.

The kiddos would love a super-hero stocking.

An assortment of holiday mugs and glasses.

A glass set for one of our "must-see" holiday movies (I might just need that)!

This is my favorite, do you have some explaining to do this year?

They're pink and huge, not sure how tall but at least 5'.  What a statement they'd make on either side of your front door.

Love it!

I always have a hard time finding stocking holders that I like, these are perfect and the others available are cute too.

Not only did a new Christmas shop open but a diner is in the works as well, not open quite yet but soon, real soon.  

Isn't it cute, can't wait for it to open and set a menu.  I hear they'll have chicken n' dumplings, my favorite.  Really hoping the rumors are true!

If you've never stopped in for a visit you really are missing out.  Here's a peek inside the mall as well.

I am standing on the landing upstairs looking over the gym space and you can also see the stage in the background.  But wait, that's not all, there's still the upstairs space and a basement.  Lots to see with a little something for everyone!

A look back...

This is a compilation of two posts from a year ago when I was scrambling to get this project done.  This year I have been so busy with inside projects that my poor yard is really suffering and in need of some serious attention. 

What were you doing last year about this time?