Friday, October 8, 2010

Friday Pendant Giveaway - Week 1

For the next 10 weeks (October 8th - December 17th) I will be offering the 'Friday Pendant Giveaway' on my blog.  Each Friday I will list a new pendant that one lucky blog member will win the following Friday.  They can choose the pendant I have posted or one of their choice.  All you must do to enter the giveaway is to be a follower (or become a follower) of my blog.  Then each week you can earn 1 entry point for each comment you leave on any of the social media websites.  Joining Pretty Whimsical's Facebook page or linking to your blog, or sending a 'tweet' about the giveaway to @prettywhimsical, will also gain you a point.  Please leave a link(s) of which sight(s) in the comments under each weeks' giveaway so I can keep track of your entries.  I will announce the winner every Friday on my blog and we will start a new giveaway.  Can't wait to find out who my first WINNER will be!

HERE IS THE FIRST PENDANT!



 

Monday, October 4, 2010

Do You Suffer From DIY Paralysis?


Pom Garland ... Rainbow Swirl - DIY Kit

While reading over some of my favorite blogs this week, I came across an article called 'DIY Paralysis:  3 Principles For Regaining Your Momentum'.  This title made me laugh because it spoke so clearly to the state of total frustration that I sometimes feel when I have too many ideas running around in my head.  Working on-line and in the Etsy community, I am constantly surrounded with creative minds at work.  Each day brings a myriad of fresh ideas as I stumble across projects I know I could make if I just had the right materials or the TIME.  Notebooks have been filled with wonderful schemes of creations I want to try.  There is no end to the possibilities.

As I was enjoying Tara's post I realized I had grown up in a very nurturing environment, perfect for a DIY student.  I've spent many an hour watching how-to T.V. shows and wondering around craft supply stores dreaming of what to create next--Martha's words always ringing in my ear...'it's a good thing'.  But with all this knowledge and potential craftiness came an overwhelming burden to make everything myself--throwing myself into this state of paralysis.  

MAKE-IT-YOURSELF CLUTCH PURSE KIT - As Seen on The Martha Stewart Show

I wanted to share Tara of Scoutie Girl's 3 principles for regaining momentum, once you've been paralyzed.

1. She suggests 'using inspiration sparingly'.  Be selective with the information you consume.  Don't be bombarded with the how-to networks, websites, tutorials, books and magazines that exist to fill our days with pretty pictures and list of materials.

2. 'Recognize appropriate scale'.  Choose projects you are most likely to finish.  My husband and I are have been trying finish home remodeling projects for three years now.  Some of the tasks have been daunting and we are now finally in the finishing stages of many of the projects--so I understand this principle well. 

3. 'Do-it-yourself doesn't mean doing it all!'  She points out that shopping on Etsy is a 'frustrated DIYers dream'.  Buy instead of make.  Now this is a good point when hearing the 'I could make this' voice inside my head.  And don't forget there are always DIY kits you can buy when you just can't resist the temptation to make it yourself. ; ) 

Curly Sheep Needle Felting Kit




Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Wordless Wednesday--Fall Is Here!

pinkingedgedesigns


orangethyme

Shhhh...I know this is supposed to be 'wordless' but I couldn't resist saying these are my two favorite colors of fall!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Saturday Link Love

Sew Many Ways Sewing Room

I shared with you my dream office nook last time so I thought I would share with you my dream workspace for this weeks 'link love'.  Sew Many Ways sewing room is something to drool over.  I wish I was capable of being this organized but even if this is out of my natural tendencies, I can dream can't I?! 

I HAVE to try these yummy Root Beer Float Cupcakes.  And you must read Confessions of A Cookbook Queens 'what to do when a strange man knocks on your door at 8 a.m.'!  This is very funny and something I can totally see myself doing!

I'm wanting a 'hanging daybed' after seeing this post by Post Road Vintage!  Something else to add to my husband's honey-do list. :)

Have a wonderful weekend!