New Blog Name and URL: Thousand Islands Crafter

Hello Everyone,

Well, Winter is finally over in the North Country and since Spring has arrived I have decided to change my blog and brand to reflect who I am and the crafts that I make and love.

The new name of my blog will be "Thousand Islands Crafter". I will have to create a whole new blogger page, so if you don't mind following me over on that page. Here is the URL: https://thousandislandscrafter.blogspot.com

I already updated my Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, BlogLovin' & TikTok. I've added the links so you can easily find me.

My sweet husband graciously gave up his large studio in our bonus area, so I could have more room to craft. He added shiplap to the walls and moved all of my crafting desks and supplies upstairs with a bad knee (he had been suffering with that one for over 30 years). There is still some small fine tuning he wants to do, but, that can wait until he is 100%. So, thank goodness he had surgery for the total knee replacement, with wonderful success. He feels so much better already and I am so happy for him because he was in so much pain for so many years. Our sweet Labrador Retriever pup, Lexie, who is 6 1/2 month old was spayed too. So, basically, I was playing nurse for a few weeks and busy unpacking my studio at the same time.

I will share any future posts here a few times with the link...in case anyone misses this post. 

Take care and see you all at the new blog. I can't wait for you to see all the new crafts I have been reading about and trying. I can't wait to post them for you!! 

See you soon!!

Alisha

Home Sweet Home Shadowbox…sorry I have been MIA

Hello,

Here is my May 2021 project for the #VIPCraftersClub group that I belong to at Better Life Blog.

Our project this month, is this beautiful "Home Sweet Home" shadowbox. We had the option of changing the shadowbox to other phrases or making it just a monogram. (I am definitely doing a monogram next for my crafting studio!!)

It has a raised look with some pretty foliage underneath, along with some pretty butterflies! I cut my background paper to fit my 8" x 8" shadowbox that I got at Michaels Stores. I used my Silhouette Cameo 3 to cut my "Home" letters, butterflies and foliage. I also used to it cut my vinyl with the wording "sweet" and "Thousand Islands, New York" which I mirrored. I like to put my lettering on the inside of the glass. (Note: I do this, so that cleaning my glass is easier and I won't ruin the vinyl). I used my purple glitter pens on the purple butterflies to give them some extra pop. I used 1/8" foam tape to give the letters dimension and hot glued the butterflies and foliage on.🏡🦋

***Note: I used my color wheel to color coordinate everything. The yellow vinyl I feel is getting lost and I’m thinking of changing it. I am thinking pink. What do you think??

I loved making this project and had so much fun making it too!!

If you would like to join this wonderful monthly group with me and meet some wonderful people and make beautiful crafts. 

**You can use my link to sign up: https://betterlifeblog.com?ref=aschultze or use my code "aks29off" (without quotes) and you can save $29 when joining.**

New York Thousand Island State of Mind

Hello Everyone,

Here is my April 2019 project for Better Life Blog - Cricut and Silhouette Crafting. This month we used crayons and melted them with a heat gun to make a beautiful map art!  #vipcraftersclub

On my Silhouette, I used Oramask 613 stencil vinyl and cut out my home state of New York. I used painters tape and taped all around the stencil and the rest of the board, so that the melted candle wax stays within the stencil. I chose about 7 different crayon colors and melted one at a time and took a straw and just blew the melted colors around within the stencil. Once I got the look I was going for and it was dry, I removed the painters tape and any crayon shavings that were on the frame.

I then cut out on my Silhouette with Oracal 651 glossy vinyl the word "home" and the "anchor" and applied it to the board. 

I love how it came out. I will probably make another one to show all the different states and countries we have lived in since E has retired from the Military. 

If anyone would like one for their home state, please drop me a line.

Have a great weekend!!

Enjoying The Journey in The Bay

Hello Everyone,

I finished my first project for March 2019 at Better Life Blog - Cricut and Silhouette Crafting. I had so much fun and I learned so much from Nancy and everyone in the group. It was my first time working with Oracal  813 stencil vinyl with my Silhouette, weeding, working with Folk Art chalk paint and the first time using Dr. Ph. Martin's watercolor paint for making the cardstock butterflies. I love how it came out and can’t wait for next months project! #vipcraftersclub

I've already had inquiries from some people about wanting to purchase one. If anyone is interested, please drop me a line.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Beading for the Soul

Hello Everyone,

I know...I know. I have been MIA for a very, very long time. Please forgive me. I first lost my sewing mojo for no apparent reason at the beginning of last year. I know this happens to a lot of us and I have read about it on a lot of blogs and other social media pages that I follow.  I figured if I look at Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and other wonderful blogs I know this will spark ideas and thank goodness it worked. Well, this also sparked my beading and jewelry and mojo back too.  

Last Spring, my father passed away. It was unexpected and I was not prepared to lose him so soon. You always think you are going to have so much more time with your parents. I am just thankful for all the time that I did. I loved him so very much. It was a very hard summer of grieving and I know that he would want to be sewing and be crafty. 

I have been watching a lot of Candie Cooper who is one of the Bead Goddess' of Jewelry Making. This kit is sold out in her store, but, she has other beautiful earrings/bracelet kits, monthly clubs and gorgeous jewelry in her store. Have you watched her FaceBook Lives too? Or been to her Etsy shop?

"Attitudes of Gratitudes" Bracelet and Earrings Kit" by Candie Cooper (I chose this kit "Attitudes of Gratitudes" because I loved the name and the color.)

Well, Candie's FaceBook lives are the reason why I got back into making jewelry again. She has wonderful tutorials on her page too. Thank you Candie!!

Let me take you back a few years. When we were living on a Military post, and I started my crafty adventures (ie sewing, knitting, beading, etc.)  I started making bracelets and necklaces. Here are the post I did and here are some of the pictures from those posts. 

The bracelet I made for my Mom in the picture above broke.

I had also made a Fleur de Lis necklace charm necklace for myself once and it broke and was gone.

So, needless to say, for the longest, I wasn't making any bracelets or necklaces.

When I ordered this kit from Candie's Etsy Shop I couldn't wait to receive it. It didn't take that long to put the stones in and once you got the hang in using the prong tool it was easy. It looks so pretty alone on your wrist or stacked with other bracelets. The bracelets can look dressy or casual. The earrings are fit very comfortably in your ears too. I have very sensitive ears and when my ears don't like earrings they let me know. 

 Description: 

• Made in the USA chain
• Chain is oxidized silver color
• Total chain length 9" (6" row of crystals)
• Swarovski Crystal

Source: Candie Cooper

Source: Candie Cooper

 I used this prong tool to push prongs over to set the Swarovski Crystal.

Source: Candie Cooper

"Roses are Rose Gold Crystal Bracelet kit" by Candie Cooper 

Source: Candie Cooper

Source: Candie Cooper

Description:

• Made in the USA chain
• Chain is oxidized silver color
• Total chain length 9" (6" row of crystals)
• Swarovski Crystal

Now, that I have my crafty mojo back. I have been venturing into other crafts. I can't wait to show you what I have been making.

Have a great weekend!

Alisha