Kisses and Summer News

I hope you are all enjoying your Valentine's Day!  I'm sorry that it's been a few days since my last post, but I have been working hard on a couple of new projects as well as listing some items in my shop.

My friend emailed me a couple of weeks ago with a list of summer activities she already had set up for her kids.  My first reaction was "SUMMER?!?"  We hadn't even seen a snow flake, yet! But as I started to contemplate the next few months, I realized that summer really IS right around the corner.

June will mark ONE YEAR (can you believe it?) that we've lived here in Virginia.  Last summer was a roller coaster, to say the least.  The moving trucks arrived the same day that the kids got out of school, and the next day I was on an 800 mile journey to start a brand new life.  It was a very tough transition for us, and even though we did our best to give our kids an awesome summer, I feel as though my heart wasn't 100% into it. 

I decided that this summer would be different, and this is what it means to you, my friends, readers and clients:

For the next three months, I am going to do my best to create my little fingers off.  There is a spring trunk show in the works, and I will be filling my shop as quickly as possible.

Once the kiddos are out of school, I will only be working on special order items.  I will still be blogging and updating my Facebook and Twitter pages with personal DIY projects, handmade gifts, and crafts, but the shop will likely not have any new items until the fall.

My goal is to completely immerse myself in the summertime.  I am looking forward to hanging out with some new friends by the pool, read lots of trashy magazines, and catch up with the stacks of books on my nightstand.

Now that we have summer on the brain, let me bring you back to my current reality.  Here are some pics from this weekend's first snow fall:

The kids were so stoked!

Don't hate on the face.  It was the middle of the day and we were all still in our PJs.
I promise I looked much better after showering and putting on some make up!

I Heart My Wristlet

I don't necessary create according to season, but there is something about hearts and love around Valentine's Day that brightens my spirit.

Doesn't this wristlet, with its mix of sweet and tough, just brighten YOUR day???

For today's project I was inspired by a couple of Valentine's-related pins I came across on everyone's favorite time-killer, Pinterest.

First was the Deux Lux 'Resort' Wristlet from Nordstrom.com. Next was this DIY art project by Southern Lovely.  (I was going to add the photos, but I wanted to make sure you visited each site!)

This 8" x 7" wristlet features a felt heart applique (shout out to my guuurrrlll Marcy over at K.a.i-y.a. Designs for her applique lesson over Christmas break!), an 8" wrist strap, fleece interfacing, a handy inside pocket and finally a matching covered button zipper pull.

I know I've said this before, but I love it so much, I don't know if I will be willing to part with it!


Just a reminder:  If you are an AquaSeventy6 fan on Facebook, I am holding a "24 Hour First Dibs" special.  I am posting items on my page for 24 hours before listing them in the shop.  If you order before the 24 hour window expires (or the item is sold out) you can have it shipped FOR FREE!  Check it out!


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

Fabric Pendants

I just adore colorful fabrics mixed in with metals to make funky accessories.  If ever I need a quick statement piece, I turn to my Fabric Button Pendant Necklaces.  I have them in all sizes and patterns, and they always give me the pop of color I need to funkify an outfit!

My newest incarnation of the Fabric Button Pendant Necklace is 18 inches, copper-colored, and features a 3/4" (19 mm) button covered in fabric and set on a round copper bezel.

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

Love and Other Indoor Sports

I remember being a kid and discovering Judy Blume in my Catholic school library.  I seriously thought I was getting away with something by reading her books!  One that stands out in particular is Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself.  In the book, Sally comes across her babysitter's love letters signed "Love and other indoor sports" and starts signing her letters the same way.  I'm pretty sure I was tempted to do the same thing, but a part of me knew there was an underlying dirty message in that signature, so I didn't even risk it.

My newest piece in my Charm Necklace collection reminds me of Sally J. Freedman.  I shall call it "Love and other indoor sports."

20" necklace with a 1" Love charm

If you are an AquaSeventy6 fan on Facebook, I am holding a "24 Hour First Dibs" special.  I am posting items on my page for 24 hours before listing them in the shop.  If you order before the 24 hour window expires (or the item is sold out) you can have it shipped FOR FREE!  Check it out!


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

DIY Valentine's Day Cards

My little mama wanted to make some special Valentine's Day cards for her new classmates this year.  We came up with a super fun tutorial, so easy a 9-year-old could (and did!) follow!

Here are the materials we used:

• Plain white card stock
• Colorful patterned card stock
• Funky edge scrapbook scissors
• Sewing machine
• LOVE stamp
• Pink stamp pad
• Aqua colored pen/marker

Step 1: Trace a heart shape on the back of the patterned card stock

Step 2: Cut out the heart using the funky edge scrapbook scissors

It should look like this!

Step 3: Sew (or have Mom sew) along the edge of the heart
to the piece of white card stock.

Step 4:  Add a fun stamp to the card.

Step 5: Add your friend's name on top and your name along the bottom.

Easy peasy and too cute for words! 

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

Faith, Hope and Love

Happy Monday!  Here's a little look at my Faith, Hope and Love Necklace. 

When I was creating this piece, I had in mind all of us who are struggling to keep Faith, Hope and Love in our lives.  Many times we think that what we are going through is the hardest thing anyone has ever had to face.  Then we look to our left and look to our right and see that there are people, young and old, facing situations much more grave than we could imagine.

I hope that the sweet angel who will soon be the owner of this piece continues to keep her faith and hope and know that there are many people out there who love and are keeping her in our prayers.

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

Owl Print Kindle Case for Hannah

My friend was in need of a cute case for her daughter's Kindle Fire.  By tweaking the dimensions of The Everything Pouch, and adding a strap and some fleece interfacing I came up with this:

Hannah loves owls, so I found this great print.

Full Disclosure:  This is not Hannah's actual Kindle Case.  Her's is in the mail.  This was an extra one I made for my own daughter who just fell head over heels for this fabric. (Too bad we don't own a Kindle!)  Hannah, your case is a bit bigger!  :)

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