something I made

a journal for a friend who is outreach and education director on a working organic farm



some inside pages








I covered chipboard with paper outside and in to make the covers.
For the inside pages, I copied parts of pages from books, hand stamped, and hand drew pictures. All designed pages are acid free. I added about 10 pages in the back that are not archival and therefore can be used for notes and ripped out.
Once everything was created, I lined up the pages, stacked them inside the covers and held all in place with clothespins. Next, I drilled 3 holes through which I fed strips of leather to tie the journal together.



from the front (left)







the back (right)

This was a fun project. I am enamored of making journals, have made some in the past. It's safe to say this was a learning experience. But all in all, although not perfect, I think this journal turned out rather well.
See my post about the farm (and the cutest little piggy snouts) here.
PS: For the cover I used patterned paper which I embellished by stamping and hand drawing designs.
Go check out this post from AlpHa Buttonpusher. It's a tutorial!
photos by me ©2009

Summertime enterprise

What did I do this Summer? Let me tell you!

above photo: Asheville, NC

above photo: Melt Restaurant, Cincinnati, Ohio

left photo: Bonbonerie, Cincinnati, OH See previous post here.

photo on right: L'Escargot Restaurant, Sint Maarten, NA

dinner on our friends' new deck. I posted a flower from their garden here.

photo below: visited several Farmers' Markets

and attended dear friends' son's wedding (3 more to come this year)!What did I do this Summer? See first photo!

How about you? What did you do this Summer? This one is for the etsy bloggers' street team carnival hosted by Storybeader!

photos by me © 2009

mystery plant

This plant was found growing out of my compost pile. It remains a mystery.
See the very huge, dark green leaves?
And here is the start of a fruit.
Anyone know what this is???!
photos by me © 2009

a treasury of etsy bloggers

This treasury was created by Patti of Peacox Creations. All the shops featured here are participating in the etsy bloggers' street team MEGA GIVEAWAY going on right now (till Friday)! Travel here--to the team blog for all the information. 27 items to be given away; over $300 total value!
AND, be sure to check out Patti's blog!
PS My earrings are in the middle column on the bottom. (20% off this pair only, if you mention you saw them on this blog.)
photos © by the individuals above 2008-2009

Memories for Life

Edi is the creative and talented owner of Memories for Life Scrapbooks. Just look at the scrapbooks she makes in her workshop! Custom word albums are her specialty.







She even makes scrapbooks out of flip flops!
"I owe my start in crafting to the 4-H Club. My aunt was our leader and she always had a different project for us each month. The month we learned how to make handmade greeting cards with stamps...I was hooked! Then shortly after we had a month learning how to scrapbook...and it was love at first sight :) I've been paper crafting for over 12 years now!"
See how she gives back here.

Be sure to read Edi's wonderful blog where she warmly shares her life and interests. Here she is cutting letters and numbers with her scroll saw. See her latest toy here.I could go on, but go discover her for yourself.... Edi is the etsy bloggers' team's blogger of the month! This is so deserved because she participates and supports our team so well.
photos © Memories for Life SB

I've been featured!

by Audrey's Country Crafts!
Scroll down and see my shop, Splendid Little Stars, on the left side of her blog!




Right now she is hosting a give away for Heavenly Soaps.




On Audrey's give away blog, she is featuring a give away of a zippered pouch by J Pat Purses.









Audrey shares some wonderful recipes on this blog. Find Rubarb Crisp here. Or how about a scrumptious Oven Apple Pancake?! YUM!



Be sure to check out her etsy shop! (photo of blue raggedy bag.)
photos & button © by Audrey

chocolate cherry mouse

My friend Rachel brought a whole tray of chocolate covered sweet cherry mice to the celebration of my mother's life this past weekend. This was so thoughtful and apropos because my mother's name is Cherry.


Cherries are dipped in tempered chocolate, given sliced almond ears, chocolate chip noses, and red candy eyes. So cute! And yummy, too!



See past posts about my mother here:
family photo of long ago beach time
Cherry Pie #2
Cherry Pie #1
sad
photos by me © 2009