Monday Jewel [Naomi Fujimoto's Pearls]

Happy Monday! 

It was my first time to buy Bead Style magazine and I'm so thrilled that I did.  The cover page sold it to me.  Look at that gorgeous pearl necklace!

A couple of Mondays ago, I wrote a tutorial on an MOP brooch and a blog on how I love pearls so I am uber excited to come across this wonderful project.

This necklace was designed by Naomi Fujimoto where she "mixed metals and irregularly shaped pearls in an elegant statement necklace."

I think she used Mauve colored pearls and combined it with brass and copper shades of metal beads.  I love how bold, beautiful and chunky the necklace is.  The bracelet and earrings are lovely as well.

All I have to do now is find me pearl strands and metal beads.

Happy beading!

Cabby Crafter's Happy Feet! [S:C:F Stylish Blogger Award]

Cabby Crafter is in blog heaven for receiving its first award.

I am humbled by this very special recognition and I am encouraged to blog more and better.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH to Lili of swanky::chic::fete. 

I love her blog and have been following it regularly.  I like her articles, party links, features and gorgeous photos. Click on her link and I know you would love it too.

Lili of swanky::chic::fete

Here are 7 random facts me, the Cabby Crafter.

1.  I have been married to my dear husband for 2 years and 11 days today.  It has been a fun and exciting journey together.

2.  I am a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, saved and sustained by His grace.  I am the pianist and I used to sing in our choir during my youth days.

4.  I am a Medical Doctor, a Pediatrician and Certified Medical Acupuncturist in my native land.  Caring for infants and children are my life!  We are praying that God will bless us with our own.

5.  I studied piano, Japenese cooking, chocolate molding and baking.  Little did I know that these skills would help me later in life. 

6.  I love to travel with family and friends and I never thought that I would be relocated to a foreign land.  It's been 8 months since I came here and I miss my parents and family every day.

7.  I love to craft:  papercrafting, mod podge and crochet.  At present, my passion is to learn to make jewelry.

There are so many great blogs out there and my own list is getting longer everyday.  I would like to mention a few of them here.  These blogs, among many others, have influenced me and my blog life (in no particular order). 

(drumroll and marjorettes dancing please...)

The Blog Guidebook

Craftaholics Anonymous

Beadwright

Diva, Baby Bows and Then Some...

Planner Perfect

Lucy's Cards

Simply Crafty

Triz Designs

The Style Spy

Inspired By

Thank you all for your creative ideas, tutorials and amazing articles!  I am so glad to get to come across you in blogland.  All the best!

Heart to Art Recycled Deluxe Wall Decor [Nap Time Crafters: American Crafter]

Have you seen or ever heard of this great contest:  BE THE NEXT AMERICAN CRAFTER!  Check out Nap time Crafters to see what it's all about.   

Have you ever wondered what to do with all the Yellow pages directory that they keep on sending to your doorstep?  Do you want new ideas on what to do with your toilet paper roll?  Today, I will share with you a wall decor that's all that:  paper, tissue roll and mod podge.  This is my 'heart to art' take on that.
Instructions:
1.  Paper:  Use the colored tabs of the Yellow pages and cut 1 1/2 inches.  I used orange, red, blue and green tabs.
2.  Tissue Roll: 
     a.  Measure 1 inch and cut.  1 tissue roll will have 4, 1 inch segments.  Cut out 21 pcs or more as you can see later.
      b.   Measure 3/4inch segments and cut.  Make about 7-10.
3.  Apply a generous amount of mod podge on the tissue roll segment and wrap with paper.  Apply another layer of mod podge to create a clean and polished look.  If you are new to mod podge, you may want to read THIS.
4.  Flower:  Pinch 2 opposite edges of the wrapped segment to form a marquise shape.  Make 5 of these and adhere to one another (colored edge on top) as seen in the photos.  To complete the flower, crumple a small piece of paper and cover it to form a round shape.  Affix it to the center of the flower.

Steps to "Recycled Deluxe Wall Decor"

5.  Leaves:  Use green paper to cover the segments.

6.  Time to be creative:  I used 3 flowers and worked my way around them by adding leaves and round shapes.  I like wavy patterns so I did that here.  Finally, I stuffed them with white tissue paper to make them 'pop' against my hunter green wall. 

I hung the wall decor below my 2 frames.  Here it is:

RECYCLED DELUXE WALL DECOR

A Bead A Day Pay it Forward Giveaway [Tuesday Fave]

Everybody loves a giveaway, don't you?  It's nice to know that there are generous bloggers who are willing to "pay it forward."  I recently discovered a very interesting blog on jewelry making/design:  "A Bead a Day" by Lisa Crone .  This week, January 22 - 29, she will be giving away a metal stamping kit called Ballroom boogie. 

I know the chances of me being the winner will be slim if more of us join but hey, the more the merrier, right?  If you want to join, click HERE.  Check out her beautiful pieces of jewelry and her new book, "A Bead in Time" as well. 
Good luck to all of us.
Thanks for this awesome giveaway, Lisa.

[Jewelry] Swirly Bracelet

Happy Monday! 

Today, I will share with you a cute bracelet that I made using swarowski crystals and swarowski pearls. It's a simple project that makes beautiful and dainty bracelets. So, grab your wire cutter, flat nose plier or crimpers and lets get beading ☺. Here are the materials needed for a 7 inch bracelet:

30 pcs swarowski 6 mm jet black
15 pcs swarowski pearls
15 pcs curved spacers
2 crimp beads
1 pair lobster clasp
beading wire

 Instructions:

1.  Attach one end of the lobster clasp to the wire and secure with crimp beads.

2.  String the curved spacer, 1 crystal, 1 pearl and 1 crystal as seen below:

 

3.  Insert the end of the wire to the opposite end of the curved spacer.



Make sure that it is snug.  You have made your first link!

9 more to go and we are done.

 3.  Once again, insert a curved spacer, crystal, pearl and crystal afterwhich, insert the wire to the opposite end of the curved spacer as follows:

The bracelet will take its "natural swirly form"

 4.  Repeat the same procedure until you have done 10 sets of "curved wire, crystal, pearl, crystal."

5.  Once you have inserted the last set, insert a crimp tube then the lobster clasp.  Make sure that the bracelet is snug.  Once you are happy with your project, you may crimp the crimp tube using your tools.

Note:  You may add a spacer bead on both ends, before attaching the lobster clasps.

Enjoy your new bracelet!

Make one now and share your photos with me.  Bead away, my friend! 

First Cake Pops [A&S Birthday]

A couple of weeks ago, I made a blog on Bakerella and her book Cake Pops.  She was so creative and ingenious to have come up with such a concept that has and is still sweeping the world of desserts.  There are many blog sites raving about cake pops so I thought of trying it out.
Most of the instructions call for a boxed cake:  I chose Duncan Hines Red Velvet and made Cream cheese frosting to bind it.  After the crumbling, mixing, rolling and chilling, it was time for the fun part... coating with chocolate!  I took chocolate molding lessons several years ago and I never thought I will be able to use it again.

Steps to making Cake Pops

It was my first time to use Wilton candy melts and it was relatively easy: it melted easily and the consistency was just right.  I used Wilton decorations as well.  Here it is:

My first Cake Pops Creation
Decors:  Wilton
Letters:  Cricut -  Basic George

Making cake pops is therapeutic and tedious, requiring lots of sterility, patience and creativity.  It is great making people smile and be happy. 

Overall, I guess one should skip drinking soda during a party and reserve the sugar high for 2 cake pops which would be enough to satisfy their craving.

Have fun!

. 

  

MyHub's Vday card [HA January 2011B]

It's Thursday Card Day here at Cabby Crafter's corner ☺. 
I had fun shopping today with my sis--law.  We went to a local craft store where I was able to buy my new HA Clear Stamp.  Yay!  As soon as I got home, I made a card for my hubby.  We recently celebrated our 2nd year wedding anniversary and this is an advanced V-day card - the card says it all about us... "You had me at 'Hello.'"
Likewise, it is an entry for HA ongoing contest for January 2011:  Inspired by the 2011 Catalog & Card Insides.  Technique:  Masking.  Why don't you check it out HERE join the fun!
Stamps:  HA CL483 TYPE, HA Alphabet set
Base card:  Cream cardstock
Mat:  chocolate brown, white, and DCWV pp, yellow pp
Inks:  Memento Rich cocoa, Versafine Onyx black, Colorbox pigment ink Scarlet, Ranger's Distress Ink Walnut Stain, Antique Linen
Adhesives:  Tombow mono adhesive, Dimensionals
Here is what I made:

HA V-Day Card

Ha V-Day Card Inside

Crocheted Case for Android phone [Wednesday Crochet]

Today is Crochet Wednesday and I made a crocheted case case for my Android.  Yay! 
I made it following the video tutorial of Teresa of Art of Crochet.  Her video tutorials  are great for beginners and for those who want to improve or try out new crochet designs.
I used brown yarn and an olive green button for accent.  It took about an hour (with a few distractions) to finish it.  I love it! 
More crochet projects on another Wednesday.  Have fun!


Android phone Case



Sugar Pop Ribbons Pearl Giveaway [Tuesday Fave]

Once again, it's time to share one of the recent blogs that I have been following:  Sugar Pop Ribbons.  I like the way she reviews products - things you need (or want) for your home,   food, accessories, bags and now jewelry, specifically pearls.   It is serendipity that I wrote a blog tutorial on pearls just yesterday (click HERE if you missed it) and today, Sugar Pop Ribbons (SPR) is giving out a Pearl necklace from Pearl Paradise.  Check out their line of pearls and join SPR's contest.
As I mentioned in my previous blog, I love wearing pearls.  When I browsed Pearl paradise's website, I was in heaven, or paradise for that matter ☺.  I  love their collection of Golden south sea pearls paricularly these 2 - head over to Pearl Paradise to see what I'm talking about. 



Pearl Paradise Golden South Sea Pearl

 Attention:  My wonderful husband ☺...


Romance collection Golden South Sea Pearl
& Diamond Pendant

 Absolutely beautiful!  

Mother of Pearl Brooch [Jewelry Monday]

I have always loved wearing pearls, it makes me feel classic and elegant. Today, I will share with you how to make a brooch using mother of pearl chips.

A pearl is defined as "A hard object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, and valuable." More about pearls HERE. 

On the otherhand, Nacre pronounced "NAY-kər", also known as mother of pearl (MOP), is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some mollusks as an inner shell layer; it is also what makes up pearls. It is very strong, resilient, and iridescent.  More about nacre HERE.  There are many jewelry accessories that make use of MOP.  In my recent visit to some jewelry shops in the city, I saw a lot of brooches made of MOP so i decided to give it a try.
     Materials needed to make 1 brooch:
          5 mother of pearl
          1 round pearl
          small beads / rice pearls / crystals
          gauge 22 or 24 gold or silver wire
          pin back
Tools:
wire cutter, flat and round nose pliers, nylon pliers (optional)



Mother of Pearl Brooch

 Directions:
1.  You may either use the flat or embossed part of the MOP chip.  Insert the wire on 1 MOP chip and twist 2 or 3 times around the base.  Be careful not to twist too much as it will break the wire.  Repeat until the 5th chip is attached. 
2.  Make sure that the flower pattern is snug by looping the wire around the chips in a "star" pattern.
3.  To make the center accent, you may use crystals, freshwater pearls or seed beads.  For the example above, I used a pearl and glass beads.  Insert the pearl on the wire and secure by looping the wire a couple of times around the flower pattern.
4.  Insert the glass beads to form a base for the pearl to sit on.  Secure beads.  Make sure that the wires end on the back part of the brooch.
5.  Attach the pinback by looping the wire around it.  Make sure it is snug.
Tadaaaaa!   Your brooch is now ready.  
Let your imagination run wild and be creative.  Have fun! 
Oh, if you're not in the mood to make one yourself, I would be more than happy to make one for you.

Birthday cupcake [HA January 2011A]

Yay! I was able to make a card for Hero Arts in time for todays deadline. Whew! This months theme is: Inspired by the 2011 Catalog and Card Insides.
The new catalog is full of beautiful designs, from background stamps, floral themes, sentiments, quirky themes, etc - check it out HERE. 
Here are the HA stamps that I used:  CL158 sprinkles and LP133 Ink n' stamp: Sweets
Materials:
Paper:  brown card base; yellow designer paper, metallic brown paper
Ink:  Versamark, Ranger's bundled sage distress ink, Memento Rich cocoa
Embossing powder:  Judikins black
Color:  Derwent watercolor pencils
Punch:  Martha Stewart bubble punch
Glossy accents (applied to the 'cake' of the cupcake)
Adhesive:  Tombow monoadhesive, dimensional adhesive

HA January 2011A

Bee a Blogger [The Blog Guidebook]

Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging!  If this is your first time to read a blog, let me give you a big welcome hug ☺.  I have been a blogger since June 2010 (give and take) but never really got the hang of it.  Thankfully, I have very kind friends and fellow bloggers who are very willing to lend a helping hand. 

I recently came across this awesome blog that helped me in the quest of being a better blogger in 2011.  Hooray for The Blog Guide book!!!  If you are new to blogging or are contemplating to start your own blog, you may want to check THIS - they posted a comprehensive tutorial for beginners.

The Blog Guidebook

There you have it friends.  Bee a blogger!  Happy blogging!

Cake Pops & Paper Straws [Bakerella]

Happy Monday! 
What can you say about this photo?  Are real cupcakes or what?  Look delicous, huh?

Photo from Bakerella

Two weeks ago, I came across Bakerella - more about them HERE.  Angie Dudley is a genius for coming up with the now very popular 'cake pops!'  I spent several hours browsing through her website, watching her on The Martha Stewart show , looking at all the cute photos and recipes.  Aren't the paper straws lovely?  Bakerella has an ongoing contest - click HERE if you want to join.
Her website encouraged me so much that I decided to buy my own "Cake Pops" book.  


My Own CAKE POPS book

It was the last copy at the store where I bought it.  Yay!  All the photos and ideas were great!    So what are cake pops?  They are "tiny candy-covered confections made of crumbled cake mixed with frosting that you can mold into different shapes and decorate for any occasion.  They are super-sweet, extremely moist and completely covered in candy coating."  There is no limit to the designs that one can create with it.
I am pretty excited to make a design for our upcoming reunion and birthday celebrations in April.
Your dessert table would surely impress your guests with your personally created treats.  Happy creating!

Cyber Sunday [Blogs galore!]

How is your Sunday, my friend?  Mine is going pretty smooth.  It's busy in my cyberspace.  I'm sure you know what happens once you open the internet, read one blog after the other and discover new things.  Well, I discovered a lot today.  I was reading Amy's mod podge blog when I learned about Saturday mornings blog's quest to be the Top blog for 2010 which was hosted by The Blog Guidebook. 
I have been blogging by trial-and-error and with the help of friends for the past several months but I never really got the hang of it... until 30 minutes ago.  I watched blog guidebooks video tutorial for beginners and it was really helpful.  I am now motivated to write and explore more of this blogosphere as bloggers fondly call it.  Thank you very much!
Happy blogging!

Saturday Mornings: BIGGEST GIVEAWAY EVER!!!!! $250 in prizes!

I recently came across a blog that is packed with so much creativity. Check out Saturday Mornings: BIGGEST GIVEAWAY EVER!!!!! $250 in prizes! I encourage you to join, vote and support fellow blogger Dana. 
You may vote by clicking HERE.  Voting ends January 9, 2011 - that's TODAY at 9PM, PST.
Have a great weekend you all!

A couple's birthday [LGE ♥ MVSE birthday cards]

Hello friends!  I would like to share with you 2 cards that I made for my brother and his wife's birthday.  These are rather simple cards but definitely handmade with love ♥.

It's always challenging to make a card for a boy or a man in this case.  Here, I used a dark blue card base and added a PP of buttons.  To add texture and dimension, I embossed a diamond pattern for matting and stamped Hero Arts sentiment and placed it on the center.  Finally, I added blue brads on the four corners using my new Making Memories instant setter (a Christmas gift from my uber loving SIL); blue embroidery floss was wrapped around the brads to add interest. 



LGE



This next card was made for my brothers wife.  Oh, she loves and looks really good wearing the color yellow so I made her a card in yellow tones and coordinates.  I used a yellow cardbase and a printed PP.  I added a brown mat which i background stamped using Versamark and DeNami stamp.  I added a scallop border punch from Martha Stewart.  Then, I stamped the sentiment using Memento in Rich cocoa against a sage green distressed background.  The final step was an engraved rust colored button with yellow embroidery floss - just to add a little interest.

MVSE

Happy birthday to two most wonderful, special and loved people!  Cheers!

Petunia pickle bottom bag [Sugar Pop Ribbons giveaway]

Two weeks ago, I discovered a new website that makes very nice bags:  Petunia Pickle Bottom.  Check out their Cake line of bags... absolutely delish!
I don't own a PPB bag yet but I'm glad that SUGAR POP RIBBONS has a giveaway.  I am hoping that I would win the green cameo clutch.  I love the look of the fabric and the over- all design of the bag.  It looks so stylish and chic plus the versatility that comes with every PPB bag.


Apple Tart Cake
Evergreen and lime vintage inspired floral European cut velvet with coordinating evergreen tweed and evergreen water resistant lining
Diaper/Wipes pocket
Ointment/cream/pacifier pockets
Fold-out, detachable, water-resistant changing pad
Detachable inner zippered coin purse (in matching cut velvet fabric)
Detachable wristlet strap
Embossed plastic Cake wipey case in coordinating color
Dimension of Clutch: 12 X 8 X 4.5"
Dimension of Changing Pad: 23" diameter circle

 I don't know about you, but I am dreaming of having my very first PPB bag.  For now, all that I can do is to wish... hope...  pray... beg ☺.

Party Ideas [Sweet Designs]

Party planning is a booming thing nowadays.  There are many beautiful party blogs out there such as THIS.  I recently saw the The Today's Show's feature on Amy Atlas and I just love her ideas!  She had a nice feature in her Sweet designs blog today that made me want to have a baby or a toddler at that.  Amy featured Stephanie of Spaceships and Laser Beams - check out their Etsy shop. 


Dessert table



I especially love these snowflake rice pudding containers.  Isn't that adorable?!

Snoflake pudding containers

Ohhhh... I love parties and I can't wait to make something as creative as these wonderful and uber talented ladies.

First Card for 2011 [ACD Bday card]

This is my first handmade card for the year 2011.  Yay!  Several of my lovedones are celebrating their birthday this January starting off with my sis-in-law.

I love this floral scalloped background paper!  I have used it in one of my Christmas cards and decided to use it this time again and with brown matting.  When I was cleaning my tiny craft space, I saw an Inkadinkado stamp set that I haven't used:  97635 Round frames.  I stamped the scalloped frame with bundled sage distress and memento rich cocoa dye inks.  The sentiment was stamped in colorbox' scarlet ink.  I handcut it and secured it with dimensional adhesive. 

To add dimension, I placed a red button, tied it with twine and secured it in place.

It's simple but handcrafted with a lot of love.  Happy birthday, Manang!

Craft loot [Craft stuff]

After 2 days of refraining from spending, I finally gave in.  I must admit that the "SALE" going on in all the craft stores are creeping my neurons... haha.
I went to two stores:  Hobby Lobby and Michael's.  Wow, they really slashed off the prices of Christmas items and to my surprise, people were actually buying and stocking up on them, to use for Christmas 2011... talk about adcanced preparation.
I haven't started any crafting yet, except for my crocheted camera case ☺.
After going around and around the stores, here's what I got:

Yup, that's all that I got... for now ☺.

Exploring new things for the new year [Field trip to Broadway Ave]

Happy New Year!

We started the new year by exploring a new place today.  We went downtown Chicago, along Broadway avenue and explored all sorts of Vietnamese delicacies, stores and even a patisserie.  It was a sunny, nice, cold with no snow since yesterday and windy day - we are in the windy city after all. 

There was one charming cafe, check our Ba Le. 

They served cute and declious looking french pastries, salads and meat products.  Next stop down the street was another pastry shop, click HERE: La Patisserie P.  It was a small bakeshop but with the amount of people who came in during the 15-20 minutes that we were there impressed upon us that they were well loved.  They had pan-de-sal (Filipino rolls), taro pastries, hopia, and even siopao which are foodstuffs from the Philippines.  Perhaps, they have a large Filipino following.

We tasted their taro roll.  It was crunchy, mashed taro with meat stuffing inside.  It was good and very filling too.

A few steps down the road led us to Tai Nam Market.  They had stores that sold beauty products and grocery/fresh produce.  For lunch, we went to a Thai place where we had:  Tom yung kung (my favorite), pad see yew, and cried beef.  It was my first time to try cried beef or tiger cried beef which is like 'beef salad':  beef with lettuce and basil leaves, topped with super chili sauce... yummy! 

After a hearty meal, we headed home.  What a great day to spend with my sis-in-law and cousin.  Guess what I had for dinner?

Pan de sal with ham and lettuce plus my Bigelow lemon ginger tea.  Delish!

I felt like it was my day off while my husband changed our sheets and did the laundry.  Thanks, butchok ♥!