A little over a year ago, I bought a Cricut machine.  I only use it for personal projects - I don't sell what I made from that little machine.  But I am having so much fun creating things for my kids, my friends and my family. I wanted to share some projects with you because I thought you might enjoy seeing some other crafting projects that I work on other than SugarTops Hand Stamped Jewelry.  These are my favorites. I hope you like them as much as I do.  I am wishing all of you a healthy and Happy New Year in 2019.

I have been saving special pieces of baby and toddler clothes since Riley was born.  The kids eventually get old enough, where their clothes are not sentimental anymore.  They have already experienced their first birthday, first Christmas, or have outgrown that super cuddly white jumpsuit.  I had a box in their closet, that I kept throwing clothes into as they outgrew them.  The box was finally ready to be turned into something I could cherish forever.  I sent them to a quilter, to design something very special... just ... for ... me.  #chooseyou.  DanzaGatto Designs has created a quilt that I will love forever, and hopefully pass on to my children one day.  The pictures below are the different stages of her process.  Please LIKE her Facebook page and support this local artist, craftswoman, and quilter- https://www.facebook.com/DanzaGattoDesigns.

I spent some time at the end of 2015 taking a self development class, hosted by a special woman I am proud to call my friend.  Jane Ammon, photographer, and now life coach, taught me how to find myself again and make steps towards the person I want to BE.  One of the things I realized is that life I passing me by.  It may not seem like it, but I often find myself going throughout he motions - every day.  Get up, get the kids to school, go to work, get home, rush dinner homework maybe an evening commitment, then work a bit in my studio, until I collapse on my pillow.  I need to spend more quality time with the people I love.  I need to slow down, not work so hard, and make memories with my friends and family.  I need to put "making memories" first, and then really BE PRESENT when those memory making activities are happening.  Tonight, my girls and I made these painted mason jars.  I had been wanting to try this craft project for a while now  - and by doing it together with my kids, they were so happy to play with me in the studio and they were so proud of what they made.  Then we painted their nails before they went to bed.  It was a solid few hours - just me and my girls.  It was perfect.  Now, I have these little gems as new decor in my office.  They cost me $5 total to make.  Gotta love that!  It was really easy - just buy multipurpose acrylic paint, paint the outside, cure as per the bottles instructions (mine was 30 min in the oven), sand the raised edges, and decorate with whatever ribbon or twine and gems you have around the house.  Filling them with silks flowers are beautiful too.  I am going to fill mine with memories from 2015, so on the next New Years Eve, I can sit and read all of the great things we did making memories this year.  If you are interested in Jane's class "Choose You", check out the FACEBOOK PAGE HERE.

We had to order custom stamps with the Good Vibes & Easy Living design.  These stamps are "made in the USA" from one of the best metal stamp shops around.  My husband has been hired on as "temporary help", LOL, and he is stamping his little heart out.  Its nice to have someone to support you in these initiatives  - I love you Tommy Breen!  I hope you like being paid in cookies!  Thank you for all of your help.  This  weekend the Kiernan Clan is coming over to assemble and ship!  About 25 bracelets will be going out in the mail by Saturday morning... and the rest Monday!  Next week I should be able to let everyone know what the donation amount will be to Seton Hall Prep in Brendan's name!  Im excited for that announcement - and to post pictures of this weekends assembly line!  

We are also making extra's this weekend... and I will open the listing back up mid next week to sell through the extra's we make this weekend.  I will open the listing on my website and post it on the Facebook page!  

About 3 weeks ago, I was honored to have been given an opportunity to get involved with a project that would change me forever.  Many of you know about a young man, Brenden Tevlin, who's life was taken far too young.   His family asked me to make a memorial bracelet, and when I posted it for sale.... I received over 150 orders in 6 days.  AMAZING.  The proceeds for this bracelet are being donated to Seton Hall Prep, where Brenden graduated from just over a year ago.  I will post the production process of these bracelets here, so the family can see how they are coming along!  I have lots of help - and we should get some great pictures to post from this crew...   Stay tuned here to follow us along.  I'll be blogging the production, the shipping, the fun, and the donation at the end!  Thank you everyone for throwing me into this project - and helping my soul grow.  

This is the #1 most frequently asked question year after year.  You will be surprised how easy it is to darken your letters again and polish up your piece to get it looking brand new.  Lightening letters is normal, and will vary per person.  It depends on what soaps you use, how often you wear it, and any other chemicals it might get exposed to, like chlorine or cleaners.  Remember, these are hand made, and need to be handled with love.  98% of all my pieces are sterling silver and can withstand heavy wear ( I wear mine all the time!), but maintenance on hand made jewelry is normal.  Click through the pictures below to see how easy it is to darken your letters at home.