Sunday, August 8, 2010

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

It's always great to go on vacation but there's also something wonderful about coming home ( I love my bed!).  We had a great two weeks away visiting my mom, friends, brother-in-law, colleges ( $$$) and I got to visit some great creative shops along the way. I blogged about a couple of them or tried to from my phone our the i-Pad ( still not convinced it's the best thing since sliced bread).  I got to go to two of my favorite bead places, Beads Galore and Scottsdale Bead Supply and stocked up on some great things to play with later.

Last year, one of my BFFs gave  my mom a present for Christmas that my mom fell in love with and wanted to give similar ones to a few of her friends. It was one of those glass blocks with lights inside like you see here So she asked if I could make them and if I minded doing any crafting while I was on vacation. HELLO? A chance to be on vacation AND use a glue gun?! In addition to the opportunity to go to craft stores including one I don't have at home? Bring. It.

I'd seen these glass block projects but hadn't made any and now I'm hooked. Maybe they're not new news but they're still fun to play with and there are endless possibilities. There are a variety of places you can get the blocks. Least expensive is your HW store but they typically don't come pre-drilled to put the lights in and I wasn't about to do glass drilling ( I understand you can go through several drill bits). So mom and I used our Michael's 40% off coupons and bought the more expensive ones they sell there ($16.99 pre-discount for the large one) that come with different closures for banks, lights, or simply plugging the existing hole. So started with this: 



Used a variety of ribbon (some from mom's recycled stash ... re-use, re-use!) stickers ( red and gold block) , Christmas picks from Hobby Lobby, and 1 string of 100 mini lights per block and ended with these:



She wanted one for a friend who wants to keep this out all year round, and the friend wanted black and white which I love working with so that's this one:

which I kept really simple using only black and white polka dot ribbon and two vinyl pieces I brought with me that I'd picked up at JoAnns on sale for $.50 !

Crafting on vacation?! WIN-WIN!  And mom now has a glue gun :)

Linking up at:
  UndertheTableandDreaming Beyond The Picket Fence

15 comments:

Christine said...

Carol,
Welcome back...sounds like you had fun. I have been wondering about those glass blocks...they came out nice! Thanks for sharing, might have to pick one up!
Christine

Lori said...

Awesome! Nothing like using a gun on vacation! rofl! They turned out really great, I've eyed those before too, just have never done it. Beautiful gifts, too!

lindalou said...

What fun. Great ideas for gifts as well. I know my mom has mentioned them before too.

LuLu Kellogg said...

Welcome back!

I have a few of these blocks also and LOVE them. My favorite one is the black and white one....beautiful!

LuLu♥

Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} said...

I was wondering where you had been! So glad you had such a good vacation. Those blocks are darling. I've seen them done up at crafts and have always loved them!

Melissa said...

Oh!! I've been coveting glass blocks for awhile too but never wanted to spend on them. I just found one at the thrift store.

Isn't it just loads of fun to craft with your Mom!! I love crafting with mine.

Babes Mami said...

I haven't heard of these but now I'm marking this for future use!

Cindy Adkins said...

Welcome back!!! I love your blocks--wow!! I love the black and white--it's beyond exquisite!!!

I sure hope you'll link it up to the Creative Spirit challenge going on right now! At the end of the challenge, some lucky person will be crowned
"Miss Creative Spirit" for August.

Hope you'll link up!

and thank you so much for your comment about the magazine--I'm excited!!
Hugs,
Cindy
P.S. I sure hope you had fun on your trip!

Lorrie Everitt Studio said...

wow great idea ... I'm thinking that they would make a great decoration for a wedding or anniversary party ... have to tag this idea!

Michelle L. said...

Really gorgeous! I think you created three super spendy-looking art pieces, they look really expensive and luxe. Now I want to try!!!

- Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl said...

Very cute idea! I wonder what silhouettes would look like. I might just have to try that!

Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com

cfoxes33 said...

I'm a new follower. Love the glass blocks.

scrapwordsmom said...

So happy you are writing in your journal. That counts as part of the Challenge!!!!

Did you see that ALL Challenge participants is getting a surprise from me?

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

I do love these, way to plan ahead! Thanks for sharing.

Doreen said...

Hello - I couldn't resist looking up your blog based on the name! I saw it listed on Paisley Passion's comments! I love your vacation blog from August 8. And I agree: Crafting on Vacation: Win-Win! In fact, I'd love if you visit my blog and check out my latest post on http://altered-artworks.blogspot.com.
Looking forward to following you!