Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Matte Red Lipstick in Flirt 621

Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Matte Red Lipstick in Flirt 621 is a perfect blend of emollients and pigment, the quality of this lipstick is amazing.  Everyone needs a red lipstick but finding the right one can be difficult.  I have been searching for the perfect matte lipstick that is not drying to my lips.  I was a little skeptical when I first received the free Dolce&Gabbana red Matte Lipstick sample from BzzAgent.  It looked like every other red lipstick on the market. Then I tried it on and instantly fell in love with it.

The Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Matte moisturizing formula lipstick in Flirt 621  is a rich red color with subtle blue undertones.  What is good about blue undertones in a lipstick is that it brightens your smile and Creates the illusion of whiter teeth.  Additionally, the pigment and lasting formula on this lipstick is amazing.

 

The formula in this lipstick is moisturizing and not drying on my lips.  I have tried so many of the matte lipsticks and most dried my lips out and made them look bad.  My teenager tried it on and loves it too.  She even kept the sample.  

Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Matte Red Lipstick in Flirt 621 is not cheap at an average price of $37.00, however I believe it is pigmented enough that a little goes a long way on my lips.  I liked it enough to pay the $37 for the full 0.12 oz. tube.  I recommend visiting Sephora or Macy's to see the lipstick for yourself if you are searching for a non-drying matte lipstick that is a rich pigmented red. 

Thank you to Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and BzzAgent for sending me a free sample to test and review. If you would like to test and review products, then you should contact BzzAgent for more information. They are great to work with and their website is super easy to use.

Jewel Loom Inspirations by Julianna C. Avelar | Review

Jewel Loom Inspirations by Julianna C. Avelar is wonderfully done book filled with colorful and beautiful projects for making loom jewelry using her Jewel Loom (from Beadalon). I did a book flip though so that you can enjoy the beautiful projects, however I did  cover the materials lists for each project and quickly passed through the instructions to preserve the joy of actually owning the book.

The “Jewel Loom Inspirations” book is a wonderful book for the first time and beginning Beader to learn how to use a loom and how make a variety of different type of jewelry projects.  The more experienced Beader may enjoy the many beautifully designed projects that are included in this book.  The Book is perfect to use along with Julianna’s Jewel Loom kit from Beadalon.  

The technique pages include well thought out photographs so that the reader can truly follow along. 

There are some great step by step photo for each technique, as well as the project. Below is a picture I took of Julianna demonstrating her "Jewel Loom" at a local Craft Show.  It really is easy to use the loom and her designs for it are excellent.

The projects included in the "Jewel Loom Inspirations"  book are very contemporary and can be worn by anyone wanting to make and show off unique and beautiful jewelry.  

The book contents includes:

• ·      Introduction
• ·      Getting Started
• ·      Materials (easy to find materials, including adhesives)
• ·      Tools (she lists tools that are specific to these projects)
• ·      The Jewel Loom (A great explanation of the Jewel Loom and how to use it)
• ·      Stringing The Warp Threads
• ·      Building a Base
• ·      Finishing Techniques
• ·      17 Projects:
• o   Checkered Cuff
• o   Ocean’s Desire Beaded Bracelet
• o   Elegant Pearl Bracelet
• o   Ombre Cubed Bracelet
• o   Great Pyramid Cuff
• o   Surf’s Up Beachy Cuff
• o   Bugle Bead Leather Cuff
• o   Mix-and-Match Beaded Band
• o   Boho Happiness Wrap
• o   Mardi Gras Beaded Band
• o   Funky Fringe Headband
• o   Loopy Jewel Ring
• o   Victorian Choker
• o   Goddess Amulet
• o   Sunshine Sparkle Earring
• o   Swarovski Crystal Brooch
• ·      And a wonderful Inspiration Gallery that features the work of other Designers & Artists.

I really found that the “Jewel Loom Inspirations” project photographs, explanations and tutorials in this book were so very helpful in figuring out how to properly use the jewel loom.  She also offers some tips throughout the book to help the reader gain some additional insight and/or skills.  The step-by-step directions in this book are well thought out and very easy to follow. The photography of the jewelry projects in this book is beautiful.  The projects are fairly easy to do and do not involve a tremendous investment in time and money.  

For those that love using beading charts, this book does have one for a more difficult project.  However, the design of most of these projects truly does not require a graph to be able to complete the projects. 

I love this book and would recommend it as a great accompanying gift with the Jewel Loom Kit.

You can buy either through Amazon.  I am including a link for you. 

DIY Midori Style Passport Size Travelors Notebook Tutorial

I wanted a plastic or vinyl passport sized Midori Style Traveler's Notebook in a fun color to carry in my purse.  Since I did not want to spend $30 or $40 on one,  I decided it would be fun to make one.  For those who are not familiar with the passport size midori, these are leather covers with elastic that hold one or more notebooks.  These notebooks come in vast selection of papers from water color paper to grid paper.  What one puts in their midori depends on what they intend to use it for.  I want mine to do brain dumps in, so I just needed inexpensive paper notepads.

I decided to pay a quick visit to my local Daiso store to see what products they carried that I might use to make my passport traveler's Notebook.  I was really pleased to find this cute passport cover in a fun green color that I could easily convert into a Midori Style Travelor's Notebook.  This book has a pockets on the inside covers which can hold cards, stickers and etc.  This is the perfect choice for my DIY Midori Style Passport size Travelors Notebook.

Supplies Used for this Project:

• 1 vinyl passport cover  ($1.50)
• 2 passport sized journals ($1.50 for a set of 3)
• 2 charms ($1 at Michaels)
• Assorted beads (from my bead stash)
• 2mm Elastic Cording   ($1.00 per yard)

Tools Used for this Project:

• Steel Leather Hole Punch (size appropriate to the elastic cording)
• Cutting Mat
• Scissors
• E2000 Glue (optional)

Step 1:
Open up the passport and lay flat.  Punch two holes approximately a 1/4" from the top, using the steel hole punch.  Then punch two more holes 1/4" from the bottom of the passport cover. Using the process as step one, punch one hole in the center (middle) of the spine.

Step 2:
Take the elastic and measure it out to 2 1/2  times the length of the notebook.  My book is around

 Thread the elastic through one of the bottom holes and then through the opposite hole.

I like the look of bead on my fauxdori. So once I threaded the elastic, I added a bead and then tied a knot.  Then I pulled the knot through the bead to hide it.  Additionally, I wanted a book mark so I left about 5 inches of elastic at one and then rethreaded that through one of the holes.

Step 3:
Add a few beads and a charm to the elastic book mark to decorate it a bit.

Step 4:

Take the elastic and cut a piece that is a little less than twice the width of the folder.  Add a charm or a bead and tie a knot.

Thread this piece through the center whole, leaving the end with the knot on the inside. Use this piece to hold the cover closed when not in use.

Step 5:

To finish the project, just add the notebooks by opening them through the middle and slipping them through the elastic.

These two fit perfectly.

This was a pretty easy project to do and I ended up making a few extras.  I changed where I put the holes for the elastic on the pink one so that it would look different.  I really like how they came out.

Note: This is not a sponsored post, I purchased everything I used in this project.

Pebeo Fantasy Paints on a Cabochon Tutorial by Kathy Davis

The wonderful effects that Pebeo Fantasy Paints make are truly inspiring! The colors create amazing combinations after you lay them down.  You never know how it's going look when you're done. And that's part of the fun!

I've been painting glass cabochons for the past year.  It's a simple technique and lots of fun!  But when I saw the Prisme Effect paints by Pebeo, I wanted to use them on the glass. The only problem is, the effects are on the top-side of the paint and that's the underside of the cabochon!

My solution was fairly simple, just use the paint on plain index cards and when the paint is set, drop the cab onto the tacky surface.  This tutorial is to share with you how I made the paints work for me.

Supplies Used for Tutorial:
Pebeo Fantasy Prisme Paint- the Discovery sets are a nice way to start
Toothpicks- strong ones! or small stir sticks
Glass Cabochons and matching bezels or trays
Small sharp scissors
E6000 glue

Step 1:
I stir the paint according to the directions from Pebeo.  I like to use large toothpicks.

Step 2: 

Then I drip the paint onto the index card. It is fun to mix colors and see what happens!

Drip

Step 3:

Wait patiently.  The paint starts to do its' molecular effect after just a few minutes.  

Note: I make sure the paint splotch is large enough for the cabochons I have.

Step 4:

I let the paint sit undisturbed for about 2 hours. I touch the edge of the paint to see if it's dry enough. I don't want the paint to move, but it should still be tacky to connect to the cabochon. If it's just right, I carefully press the cabochon firmly into the paint. You don't have second chances with this move. Press firmly from the backside of the paper to remove any air bubbles. And let it sit overnight to fully dry

Step 5:
With small sharp scissors, I cut out each cabochon close to the glass.  If the paper pops off of the cabochon as you cut, the paint was too dry.

Cut Out Excess Material

That's okay, just glue the cabochon to the paper with E6000 glue.  This glue also works to connect the cabochon to a bezel setting.

I'm looking forward to playing more with Pebeo paints! Next time I'm going to make glass eyes for my sculpted characters!

What types of projects do you think you would use this type of paint technique for? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Note: This post is not sponsored. I paid for all the items used myself.


Editor's Note:

Although artistic exploration has been a lifelong endeavor, Kathy has been working with polymer clay for the past 12 years. She is both a wonderful artist and a giving instructor. Her students have been both novice beginners and experienced dollmakers.

Kathy is also a senior teacher for Art Clay Silver. She has enjoyed both adding silver to her dolls and adding character to her silver.

Kathy has displayed in many national-level doll shows and has received several awards for her creations. Collectors across the nation and around the world enjoy her work.

Whether it's animal or human form, Kathy Davis gives her sculptured dolls and figures a wonderful sense of character. Each of her dolls seems to have a life of its own and a secret to share. Her characters may or may not look like they are of this world, but she hopes to represent common emotions and experiences in each one.  

Check out Kathy's Work at: http://www.kathndolls.com

Cricut Mystery Box - December 2015 Edition Unboxing & Review

The Cricut Mystery box is released once a month and those lucky enough to purchase one get some great deals.  I was lucky enough this month to purchase a December 2015 box before they ran out.  This box does not disappoint.  For those who are not familiar with the Cricut Mystery Box they are sold by the Cricut company and the contents are always a mystery.  Each box usually contains a cartridge or two and some other fun things.  Contents can vary slightly  from person to person.  If they run out of an item they may decide to put in a different item instead.  So it is fun to compare with friends who also order the mystery box to see if they received the same or similar items.

This month I got three premium cartridges to use in my Cricut machine:

• the Cricut Valentines Day Cartridge
• the Home for the Holidays (Spring and Summer) Cartridge
• and the Fancy Boxes Cartridge.

Spring & Summer Holidays Cartridge

Fancy Boxes Cartridge

Valentines Cartridge

I don't own any of these and thus was super excited to get them in my box.  Additionally the box had the following items in it:

Dry Erase Vinyl (White) (12"x12") - 4 pcs
Vinyl Home (Multi Colors)(12"x12") - 6 pcs
Vinyl Bright (Multi Colors)  (12"x12")-  6 pcs
Chalkboard Vinyl (Black) (12"x12")- 4 pcs
Gold Vinyl (12"x12") - 4 pcs
Stencil Vinyl (12"x12") - 4 pcs
Printable Vinyl - 8 1/2" x 11" - 10 pcs
Clear Transfer Tape (12"x12") - 20 pcs

All the vinyl came with instructions and as you can see this was an amazing deal for my investment of:

Mystery Box      $49.99
Tax                         4.37
Shipping                 5.98
Total Cost           $60.34

I have priced vinyl at my local craft store and this was a really good deal.  I have been wanting to do some projects using the vinyl, so this is really going to come in handy.  I like the quality of the vinyl I that I got from Cricut. As for the cost of the box, well I found that the cost could have been less if I had a coupon. I have been told they sometimes have coupons for free or at least discounted shipping. Unfortunately, I did not have a coupon to use.  However, that really did not bother me since this was such a good value for me.

The cost of the Cricut "Mystery Box" changes each month, as do the contents.  The box is usually sold some time in the middle of the month, so you need to get on their email list and actually read the emails to know when the next box is released.  Additionally, the Cricut website has sales and special savings that they offer through out the year.

Note; this is not a sponsored post. I purchased everything.

Book Review | Washi Tape Greetings Kit Courtney Cerruti

The Washi Tape Greetings Kit is a inclusive kit that provides the user a great way to start crafting with Washi Tape.




This is a video of what is in included in this cool "Washi Tape Greetings" kit. If you are fan of Courtney Cerruti's Washi Tape 101 Book, then you will enjoy this kit. I found this kit to a cute collection of tape and cards that allows the user to design their own washi cards using the supplies included in this kit. I think the kit is a wonderful way to introduce others to the fun that is Washi Tape.

Supplies included in this kit are:
2 rolls of patterned washi tape
12 White Postcards
2 Fine-line Permanent Markers in Black and Pink
and a cute 16 Page Full-Color Instruction Book.

Personally, I love crafting with Washi Tape and consider this a great kit for the price. I also recommend her other kits, which is the "Washi Tape Party" kit. I should warn you that you may become obsessed with washi tape and end up with a huge collection (luckily they don't take up my space).



I joined a Facebook Planner Group and one of the members sent me these really cool Washi Tape samples that I will also incorporate into some fun projects.


I think I will combine them with these great animal page flags and make some fun gift tags.




Courtney also has some other fun Washi Kits, and her newest is the "Washi Tape Gift"  Kit.


What types of products do you make with your Washi Tape? What are some of your favorite projects or tape lines?  Leave a comment below and let me know.

Note: this is not a sponsered post, I purchased everything and really enjoyed the items.  The best price for these kits is on Amazon.