A few more layouts...

Here are a few more of the pages I've made recently using Studio J.  They are all from 2009, back when my girls were MUCH smaller.  Enjoy!  The last 4 layouts use *NEW* papers from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book.  I used Dreamin' for the Father's Day layout, Elemental on the painting pages, Roxy for the gymnastics one, and the pumpkin farm pages were done in Mischief.

New Studio J Layouts

Last week I hit a wall creatively with my knitting, and I just needed to take a break.  I decided it was a good time to catch up on some scrapbooking.  I tried putting together all the pages created for our 2009 family albums, but there were too many gaps.  I had scrapbooked the Samantha's family birthday photos, but not her party photos.  I had done most of Feb-June, but once Summer hit, and we adopted Ruby, there were gaping holes in our family history except for the pages I had scrapped of her.

So, I played catch up.  And it felt great!  I created 20 layouts (40 pages) in just 2 days (about 6 hours total).  And now, I'm proud to say, that 2009 is complete!

Here are some of my favorites... If you click on the photos, you should be able to see them larger.  I can't believe how much Sam has grown in 2 years!

I will post a few more this week.  :) 

Winner!

Amy randomly selected a winner of this week's contest!  Congratulations Jessica!  Send me an email at nonapearl@firebin.net and I will give you Amy's contact info so that you can get your 25% coupon!

Everyone else - you can still get Amy's beautiful jewelry at her Etsy shop Sweet Silver.

Have a great weekend!

Knitting Outlet

I've felt creatively uninspired lately, and I think it's because all of my creative energy has been spent on making stuff for other people.  Market season is tough in that way.  I make all kinds of cool stuff, and then it goes to live with someone else.  Not that I'm complaining - obviously getting paid to be creative is pretty awesome in and of itself.  But every now and then, I need to make something just for me.

So I decided to revisit my Monkey socks.  This pattern is by Cookie A. and is universally one of the most knitted sock pattern ever.  I can see why!  This is my first pair of monkeys, and the pattern is simple and easy to remember, but still interesting enough that I haven't gotten bored with it.

I'm knitting my monkeys in Knit Picks Felici Self-Striping sock yarn, in the "Afternoon" colorway.  I'm also knitting them two at a time - so that I don't succumb to the mind numbing horrors of "single sock syndrome".

And here's a tip for those that like to knit socks 2 at a time...  Stuff the yarn ball in the cuff of each sock before stashing in your work bag.  This will keep the ends from tangling and causing major headaches later.

All for now.  I actually have to return to the market knitting and designing process today (after 2 days off).  However, taking that break has brought some much needed rest and rejuvenation.  And I'm ready to tackle some new challenges.  In the meantime... perhaps just a few more rows on the Monkeys?  Yeah... I can swing that.  

Sweet Silver

Amy is a loving wife, and busy mom of two young boys. She works part time, and then somehow finds the time in the evenings to make jewelry too. Amy has been hard at work over the last year designing and creating amazing pieces, and I just had to take a minute and show off her work to you all!

Here is a link to her Etsy shopSweet Silver. I've also included some photos of her beautiful creations below. Amy really enjoys making custom pieces for people, so if you are looking for a thoughtful gift for that "hard to shop for" mom, aunt, cousin, wife, or friend, look no further. My favorite of her necklaces are the ones with the initials. Think of how cute that would be for a mommy (with her children's initials), or for a newlywed couple.

After you've browsed through her photos, be sure to read below for how to win 25% off your choice of one of Amy's necklaces, earrings, or bracelets, and a great offer to EVERYONE who shops with Amy thru midnight on Saturday (8/27).

Lovebirds (front)

Lovebirds (back)

(my personal favorites!)  Teardrops Necklace Front:

Teardrops Necklace Back:

Arctic Ice Earrings:

Fruit Salad Necklace:

Grape Candy Earrings:

Isn't her stuff sooooo cute?  How would you like to get one of her pieces (your choice) for 25% off???

Earn drawing entries in the following ways (1 entry per way).  Amy will draw a winner on Friday and we will announce it here on my blog and also on her facebook page.  Here's how to enter:

Like Amy's Sweet Silver Facebook Page (then post here telling us you did)

Add Amy's Sweet Silver shop to your favorites on Etsy (then post here telling us you did)

Purchase one of Amy's creations (post here telling everyone which one)

Put a link to Amy's facebook page or etsy shop on your facebook page or blog (and post here with your link)

In addtion, Amy has agreed to offer FREE SHIPPING on any of her creations to EVERYONE who place orders in her etsy shop thru midnight on Saturday (8/27)!  You will need to enter the coupon code NPBLOGFREESHIP  to receive free shipping.  Don't delay, get your free shipping today!  (And get a jump on Christmas shopping while you're at it!).

Personalized Banners

You may remember at the start of the summer I began making fabric banners to sell at the market.  If you've forgotten, you can read about it here.

Well, the first week I started selling them, a local teacher asked if I could personalize 2 banners for her classroom.  She gave me colors to match when selecting fabric, and asked if the banners could say "READ" and "IMAGINE".

Of course I jumped at the challenge.  I purchased the fabric, and then contemplated how to go about doing the lettering.  I experimented with cutting felt shapes using metal dies and my cuttlebug, and found that it works REALLY well!    Woohoo... I ended up using the diesel alphabet by sizzix, and the scallop circles from nestibilities.  Here is a photo after I stitched the letters to the circle.  (Please ignore the massive amount of leg showing.  I WAS wearing shorts - I promise.)

The next step was sewing the letters onto the fabric banner.  I finished the banners at around 9 pm and had to give them to the teacher the next morning at the market, so I wasn't able to get really good pictures, unfortunately.  But hopefully you'll get the idea!

Here they are pinned, and ready to be sewn on.  Then I sewed the triangles together using twill tape.

It was hard to fit the whole "IMAGINE" banner into one photo.  It's about 6' long.  The two blue fabrics on this one are different, even though you can't see it well in the photo.  One is a navy and cream stripe, and the other is a medium blue with small dark blue flowers.

I'm going to make one for each of my girl's rooms next!  If you are interested in having a banner made, please email me directly for pricing and more information.  nonapearl@firebin.net

Featured

If you don't get Knit Pick's weekly emails, then you might have missed this today: (Click photo to see the real ad)

See that little pattern on the bottom right?  :)  That would be my latest!  Woohoo!!!  And I'd like to give a shout out to my friend Emily for modeling.  Thanks Em!  She gives killer massages, and specializes in pampering women (especially pregnant women) at her spa Tranquil Haven.  I encourage you to check her out and book an appointment if you are local.  I had the lavender massage on Monday and it was UH-mazing.

My new pattern is for sale here at Knit Picks, and will be up in my Etsy and Ravelry shop by the end of the week.  And if you don't know how to knit, yes, I do take custom orders.  Just email me at nonapearl@firebin.net.   

My blog - on Facebook

Hey everyone,
Just a quick bit of news!  In addition to following me here (by clicking the "follow" link in the right hand sidebar), you can now "like" my blog on Facebook!

Keep track of all of my latest posts, see updates that you might miss if you only check my blog here, and best of all get another chance at blog candy!

My first contest went fast - I gave away 5 handmade cards to one of the first 25 people to like my blog on Facebook   Next, I'm going for 100.  Then I'll draw a winner to receive 10 handmade cards!  Woohoo!

Click the link below to be taken to the Facebook page, and "like" it!  It's as easy as that.  :)

Go to the "Nona's Pearls of Wisdom" blog page

Also, one quick note about Facebook.  I've set up this blog page for EVERYONE, so feel free to tell as many people as you like to "like" it.  It will be a completely public page.  However, if you find and friend me on Facebook, and I don't know you personally, don't be surprised if your request is denied.  I keep my personal Facebook page private, and limit my friends to actual "real life" friends.  Thanks for understanding!

Pillowcase Dress

I've been sewing again, and boy is it fun!

I wanted to try my hand at making a pillowcase dress, but I didn't have any pillowcases to spare.  So I got 3/4 yard of this adorable strawberry fabric, and made my own pillowcase.  Then I went to work adding armholes and a casing for the ribbon at the neckline.  It was SUPER easy, and fast.

Best of all, it fits BOTH my girls - as a dress for Ruby, and as a tunic/short dress for Samantha.

WINNERS!

Sorry I'm a little late posting this.  My sweet husband randomly selected the three following ladies as winners of my latest contest!

Nancy Mulder

Maureen Osullivan

Jeanie "B"

You three lovely ladies have all won one FREE template (of your choosing)!!!

Congratulations!

Please go to my Scrapbook Templates Tab above and browse through the listed templates, then email your choice to me at nonapearl@firebin.net.

Thank you all so much for participating.  I will have a new template and contest up soon.

August Template and Contest!

My latest template is finally here!  I hope you will enjoy using the new Dreamin' papers, fall stamps, and exclusive CTMH Cricut Cartridge!

With this template, you will be lead in making 25 cards - 5 cards each in 5 different designs!

Best of all, this template can be used with ANY of the new style paper packs just released by CTMH.  Mix up your paper and stamps and inks to create tons of different looks, all with one simple template.

I want to get the word out!  So my contest this month will go a little differently!  

I'm giving away 3 free templates!

3 lucky winners will each get their choice of  1 of any of my templates.  Contest runs Aug 5 - 12th.  I'll select a winner next Friday at 5 pm and post the winning names that evening.

Get separate entries into this drawing by doing the following:

-Add a comment to this post

-blog, tweet, and/or post to facebook a link to this page 

(post a comment for each one you do)

-purchase a kit template (1 entry for each purchase)

- purchase a teacher's license (1 entry for each purchase)

This template can be purchased for only $5 by clicking here -

To purchase a Limited Teacher's License for this template, select the "Dreamin' Template" below (or other desired kit for which you would like a License).

Note: Licenses and Templates are sold separately.

Kit Template:

Dreamin' Fanfare You and Me Thrifty 30 Sophia Lucky

To read more about what you can do with a Limited Teacher's License, or to see my other Templates for sale, just click on the "Nona's Papercraft Templates" tab at the top of this blog.

And here's a sneak peek at what you'll find in the Dreamin' 25 Card Workshop Template:

You'll need a few CTMH supplies to make these cards, including the Dreamin' Level 2 papers, and Cricut Art Philosophy Collection.  Order them from YOUR Close To My Heart consultant.  If you don't have a consultant, consider shopping from Christine David!  She is my consultant, and close friend.  (And she's offering a great special on the cricut this month!)

Sewing Project #2 - Baby Blocks

I've been dying to try out another of the patterns from Georgia Leigh's Puking Pastilles etsy shop.  My cousin Jill is having a baby shower in the coming weeks, so I thought the graduated baby blocks would be perfect!

I admit, the fusible interfacing step frightened me, and sewing the corners absolutely TERRIFIED me, but I gave it a good ol' college try.  There was no need for fear...these guys are easy, and SO FUN!

Fusing was cake...

I used a quilting ruler to make sure my edges were nice and straight - and I enlarged the blocks just a smidge. I took this photo after adding the interfacing 

One corner/set of 3 blocks done.  I had to redo the second set, because I messed up the "mirror image" part - even after double checking twice.  Thank you seam ripper!  You are my friend.

 And, voila!  A finished, soft, jingly, baby block!  (Per Georgia's advice, I added a kitty bell toy to the center, so it makes a nice little sound.  Gotta cater to all the senses we can, right?!)  

Now I just have to make the medium and small sized blocks.  No problemo!

We Have A Winner!

Before I debut a new Template Kit for August... (YES, there is a new template in the works.  And YES, it does feature *new* CTMH papers and stamps and cricut cartridges)...

...I'd like to announce the WINNER of my Fanfare Template pre-cut paper kit.

Using a totally scientific, random, number guessing system (wherin Dave, my husband, guessed a number between X and Y, where X, Y, and all numbers in between, corresponded with numbers assigned to each entrant's name) the winner is....

LORA WRIGHT

Congratulations Lora.  Please email me at nonapearl@firebin.net with your snail mail address, and I'll get your kit off to you.

Thank you to all who participated this month.  Just a few more days wait for the new template kit!