Leap Day Deals!

Happy Leap Day!  Are you all wearing your yellow and blue and waiting for Leap Day William? ;) I wanted to pop in today to let you know about a few specials I have going on over at my shop and on my Facebook page.

Visit my Etsy Shop and TODAY ONLY get 29% off of your ENTIRE purchase!  Use code LEAPDAY12.

Visit  my Facebook Page and pop into my 24 Hour First Dibs Album to receive FREE SHIPPING on email orders placed within a 24 hour window.  Today we have the following:

Bird on a Branch charm necklace in copper for $10

Red Flower Earrings for $6

Also, as soon as I reach 200 Facebook Fans I will be hosting a giveaway, so make sure to "like" my page!!

My Not-So-Strange Addiction

I'm totally addicted...so much so that I haven't allowed myself to give in out of fear there will be no turning back.  This is the 12-step kind of addiction. The kind that will require going cold turkey if I don't control it here and now.  What am I talking about??

Polyvore!

Ever since I discovered that I could make my own fashion boards it's pretty much all I ever think about!  Granted, I've only made four sets since I opened up my account.  But that, my friends, is by choice.  I must ration the fashion.  (yep, I'm copyrighting that!)

I posted my first board yesterday.  Here are a couple of other sets I've put together in the last few days:

Polyvore

Doesn't this make you want to have lunch on the pier?  I wish I had a pier nearby!

Polyvore

Earth tones with a hint of blue-green...this outfit almost makes me want to work outside of the home. I designed this with Sunday Mass in mind (plus tights!). I have similar boots, skirt and earrings, just need to hunt for a few more accessories to complete the look.


Do you have a Polyvore addiction?  If so, follow me! 

Aqua Flower Earrings

I'm loving today's project:

I was inspired to make these earrings after trying a crack at making my own fashion board on Polyvore:

Gray and Turquoise Spring 2012 by aquaseventy6

I just bought this amazing gray knit maxi skirt at a local consignment shop for $4 (what, what!) and popped onto Polyvore for some fashion inspiration.

After finding those beautiful aqua flower earrings, I knew I could recreate the $40 look at a fraction of the price.

These 12 mm earrings are set on a hypoallergenic, nickel-free post and backing.  They are light weight and provide a  fun pop of color.  I can't wait to sport them out this weekend!


Are you a fan of Aqua Seventy6 on Facebook?  If not, you are totally missing out.  Every day I post an item (or two) for sale with FREE SHIPPING prior to listing in my etsy shop. Click here for more info!


Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

"Pink Ribbon" Rag Wreath

I know I say this a lot (or maybe not enough), but I miss my friends and relatives back in Florida. Every time I miss a birthday party, baby shower, baptism, or even a Friday night dinner out with friends, it is like a million knives flying through my heart.

This is why I was so touched (and excited) when my cousin (technically my husband's cousin's sister-in-law, but after being friends for 20 years, and catching the bouquet at my wedding, we are practically blood relatives) asked me to create a special wreath for her mom's Pink Party, celebrating 5 years of being free of breast cancer.

She told me exactly what she wanted and I was thrilled to get right to work.

A rag wreath is one of those projects where you really have to LOVE person for whom you are making it, because it is quite time consuming.  Good thing I LOVE these ladies!! ;)

Each strip of fabric is ripped and individually tied to the wreath base. The more strips you fit on to the base, the fuller the wreath is. I wanted a FULL wreath.  I used a total of 3.5 yards of 5 different fabrics.

One of the fabrics was a floral print with pink ribbons.  Another fabric had the words "Faith, Hope, Love, Charity".

I love how the different shades of pink give it depth and texture.

I love the end result so much, that I am planning to make myself a springtime rag wreath (if I start now, it may be complete by spring!!)

I hope my cousin loves this wreath as much as I loved making it.  Here's to a lifetime of health for the beautiful "L" and a cure for breast cancer.


Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

Fabric Button Adjustable Ring

Although I've been working on some fun beaded accessories, I still love using fabric in jewelry.

This fabric covered button is set on a round bezeled fashion ring.  The fabric is Haven's Edge The Garden Turquoise and the ring, which sets normally at about a size 6, can be squeezed tighter or opened to adjust to almost any adult finger.  The bezel measures a little less than one inch diameter.  I coated the fabric in a decoupage sealer to keep it from getting dirty by wear.

What I like most about using fabric in jewelry is that each piece can be personalized using the fabric of your choice giving you options as well as one-of-a-kind looks.  Click here to see some other fabric jewelry.

Are you a fan of Aqua Seventy6 on Facebook?  If not, you are totally missing out.  Every day I post an item (or two) for sale with FREE SHIPPING prior to listing in my etsy shop. Click here for more info!


Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

Turquoise and Coral

I'm so super stoked about today's post.  So stoked, in fact, that I am writing it the night before to make sure it is up bright and early.

Yesterday I was finally able to visit a very elusive bead shop in my area. I say elusive because homegirl doesn't open until 10 a.m.!  Hu-lloooo, some of us have work to do!  We need you to open your doors bright and early, how about 8? ;)

I had an idea in mind, but it took about fifteen laps around the shop to figure exactly what I wanted for my next project.   All I knew is that it HAD to be turquoise and coral!

Here's what I made:

I can make these in any size.  Above are examples of a 16.5" and a 26".  Because some of us are into length! :)

16.5"

26"

My favorite color combo!

I almost kept this one for myself!

Are you a fan of Aqua Seventy6 on Facebook?  If not, you are totally missing out.  Every day I post an item (or two) for sale with FREE SHIPPING prior to listing in my etsy shop. Click here for more info!



Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

Tea Towels Turned Curtains (Take 2)

Over the summer, I turned some tea towels into kitchen curtains.  They turned out a little shorter than I had hoped, and so I added some eyelet trim, which made them a little more granny-fied than I had intended. 

A couple of months ago, I picked up three other tea towels on clearance at Target. I set one on the oven handle ("for pretty"), and sure enough, Hubs used it to wipe up a gunky mess. Why he would use a perfectly new tea towel when there are a million raggedy old dish towels two inches away is beyond me! ((sigh))

Anyway, there was no way I was letting my  other two tea towels be destroyed, so I decided I would use them to replace Granny Curtains.

This is how they came out:

I set these with the stripes vertically instead of horizontally like Granny.

I then trimmed off the excess fabric so they would be just the right length,
and sewed a pocket for the rod.

...and voila, a new set of curtains for about $4.

Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

Felt Applique Wristlets and Enjoying the Snow

Here is a preview of my latest project:

But, before I get into the details, I wanted to share some thoughts and a fun photo from this morning.
 ................................................................

It's such a beautiful morning here in Virginia.  I am thoroughly enjoying seeing all of this weekend's snow glimmering in the sunlight.  The sound of the snow melting from the trees is one I won't soon forget.

My kiddos made their first ever snowman.

I'm proud to say that they did it all on their own.  Not bad for two former Floridians!

.............................................................................
Last week, my daughter asked if we could make some more fun little wristlets similar to the heart applique wristlet from earlier this month.  She picked out a few fabrics, some felt, and we got to work.

Here is what we came up with:

Blue and white chevron with pink bird applique

Inside of the bird wristlet

Yellow and white chevron with an elephant applique

Inside of the elephant wristlet.

Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

Summer on the Brain: Bucket List

I have summer on the brain. It's probably because it's currently 45 degrees outside and rainy.  Maybe it's because I've gained (mumble mumble) pounds in the last few months.  More than likely it's because most of my friends and family live in Florida and California and I am already seeing photos of them on the beach.

The problem with summer is that it's never long enough.  Before you've even gotten a tan, Target has rolled out the Back to School carts. I have all of these great summer plans in June, and by August I've either forgotten or given up on most of them.  NOT THIS YEAR.  I am vowing, here and now, to make this summer count! I am going to make a SUMMER BUCKET LIST!

I turned to my BFF Pinterest for some summer bucket list inspiration:


I love this Summer Bucket List by Delia Creates.  She used clothes pins and a metal bucket.  I love how her little ones helped plan the itinerary!

Delia Creates

Last year Autumn featured this awesome window turned chalkboard with her family's summer plans.

Here is a fun poster board idea by Raising Lemons for listing your summer plans.  These can be crossed out when complete.

Raising Lemons

Patricia at Good + Happy Day used popsicle sticks for her bucket list.

Good + Happy Day

These ideas are definitely inspiring me to come up with a great summer bucket list of my own. Thanks ladies for being so creative!!

NOTE:  Before pinning any of the photos above, please visit the ORIGINAL SOURCE so that the authors may benefit from the views, and to make it easier for anyone who pins it to find the project details!  Thanks in advance!!!

My Fun Valentine's Day Date

Yesterday was Valentine's Day.  For the last couple of years, Hubs and I have forgone traditional "gift exchanging".  Sure, occasionally we give each other a little present on Mother's Day or Father's Day, and Santa always brings a little something for Mommy and Papi.  But, for the most part, we tend save the money we would have spent on a gift and go out to a nice dinner instead.  We are foodies...

Since we live so far from our relatives, and can't exactly see spending more on a sitter than what our kids would spend at a restaurant, our "date nights" usually consist of a party of 4.  Believe it or not, we LIKE it that way!

Even so, it is always nice to be able to spend a little QT without the kiddos.  We decided that instead of a fancy Valentine's Dinner, we would have a yummy Valentine's lunch.  We had been wanting to try this new restaurant that the paper and friends have been buzzing about, and this was the perfect opportunity.  After all, it was our 20th Valentine's Day together!

Let's rewind a bit...

For the last few months, I have looked like a bag lady from morning until 5pm, which is when I shower and put my PJs back on.  I'll admit, this winter weather has me in a fashion RUT!  It doesn't help that we have to be out of the house by 7:30 every morning, and once you hit your "mid-30s", lip gloss and a pony tail just doesn't cover it....ANY OF IT.

So, yesterday morning I decided that Hubs could take the kids to school while I prettified.  I was at a loss for what to wear, and that is when I remembered my clothing board on Pinterest.  The fact that it was going to go up to the 60s was a big deal!

I was inspired by this photo:

Polyvore

Here is my recreation:

I found all of the elements (the cheetah print shoes, the brown slacks, the white top, the cropped denim jacket, the wooden bracelets and the beaded necklace) right in my closet!  HOORAY for inspiration!!

I decided to pull my hair down from its perpetual pony tail and curled it a bit for volume.

I felt like a million bucks!

The drive to the restaurant was BEAUTIFUL:

We were pretty early, so we popped in to some amazing neighborhoods and drooled over their million dollar mansions!

When we finally sat down for lunch, what did we see? One of our favorite wines on the wine list!  THIS is exactly why we don't do gifts.  This wine was a gift to both of us!

This afternoon ranked in my top 2 Valentine's Days.  The weather was perfect, the food was yummy, and I had the best company!

How was your Valentine's Day?  Tell me in the comments!