Love is sweet...especially when it is simple and handmade

I started a search on Etsy today for rustic items...before I knew it I was planning my wedding...only thing is, I am already married! LOL But, this would be lovely if we renewed our vows. Our 5 year wedding anniversary will be coming up in April of 2012. (Hint, hint hubby!)

Lots of these items would be lovely around the home. Especially the mason jar light fixture, wood candle holders, the love is sweet sign and the birch poles!!! Hmm, I am getting some decorating ideas!!!!

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the handmade market place! There is such a loveliness about purchasing items that are not mass produced and having items custom made just for you! I encourage everyone to purchase something handmade. There is so much time and love that goes into each piece. The artists are creating what they love so you know it is made with love and thought! Maybe...you could make something yourself? What are you waiting for??? Let's get creative!

Thanks for stopping by today...see you soon!

Have a lovely day!
-Nikola

To view my Etsy treasury just follow the link below:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTI2NDYxMHw2NTE3MTUwMjg/love-is-sweetespecially-when-it-is?index=0

Photo Project with Picnik!!!

Well, we are still remodeling our first home we purchased earlier this year. I have been talking with the kiddos to see what kinda "theme" they want for their room. My little man, Parker, want an old cowboy feel to his room. Of course, we found some amazing things at Hobby Lobby. (Our FAVE store!) But, I wanted to make something for his room. We live in a town of 73,580 which isn't too tiny. We live in city limits but the fun thing about where our house is located is there is an old sale barn for farm animals across the street, an older business with an awesome vintage clock and even some donkeys a few lots over. Kinda comical to us!!! (Don't know how the donkeys are in this residential area.)

All of these items would tie in lovely with my son's bedroom theme. So....I got my camera out one day and began taking pictures. I am glad I got pictures of the old sale barn because the grandfather clause has just expired and it will be tore down for housing. (kinda makes us sad) Another item I took a picture of was the stop sign with our street names on it. The thing I love the most about the pictures are that they have some sentimental meaning behind them. Reminders of our first home we purchased!

Once I took the photos, I edited them to make them appear aged. My favorite photo editing site is picnik.com! There is a free program that I use or you can upgrade for a very low price and get other amazing features!

To get a vintage look follow these steps:

• Upload your picture
• Click on the create tab at the top of the screen
• Click on the EFFECTS Tab to the left
• Scroll down to the 1960's option, you select what % you would like & APPLY (I personally don't like the rounded corners, just click off the check mark to remove corners)
• Scroll down to the FILM GRAIN option. (I personally like the light rather that the dark) Click APPLY
• OTHER effects I like to play around with is Lomo-ish and Cross Process. These also give a vintage feel to the photos. You can choose one or more effects to customize your pics!
  

Play around with each effect and find out what works for you! Always select apply after each affect to add it. You can add text, stickers, frames and even create FANCY collages for scrapbooks & brag books. Some of the items will have PREMIUM next to them and those are the features you have to pay for. There are soooo many free options though! You can create one item at a time without an account or sign up for a free account and upload 5 pics at a time. With the premium account you can upload 100 pics at a time.

Here are some useful videos I found on youtube.com that help you edit your photos more w/picnik :)

http://youtu.be/vfkYhK0Yfhg

http://youtu.be/pnQRnJ4bh1Q

Have a lovely day!
-Nikola

Handmade Wire Crosses

Hi, Y'all! It's been a HOT summer!!! It hit 102 here today! I personally am not a fan. I grew up in Washington state so I prefer a milder climate. Well the kiddos are back at school and I am able to focus more on my crafting...and blogging...lol...I know it's been awhile.

Well, while I was trying to stay cool, I picked up a new hobby and I am very EXCITED about it!!!! I am creating wire and beaded crosses freehand! One night I sat down and began twisting and molding wire and wrapping it with beautiful glass beads. It came very naturally for me. I enjoy it very much. It can be very tedious when working on a larger project and I get cuts on my hands but it is very fulfilling. Sometimes it can take HOURS to complete one cross and I have to take breaks. As I master my techniques, I know the process will be faster. I do not use a form to make my crosses. They are all freehand and a little imperfect just like me! :) The good news is that no two crosses will be the same!

I started listing some of them in my Etsy shop but I still have a ton to list. I have a bunch of pics up on my FaceBook Fan page.

I have also been brushing up on my painting skills! I've been learning more about textures while using acrylics. Acrylics are my fave to work with!!! I hope to be creating more paintings soon...I have a few mixed media pieces in the works.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope to see you soon!

HAVE A LOVELY DAY!
-Nikola