Copper and Teal Magic by Pinterest

This dress...

Source: flickr.com via Megan on Pinterest

Paired with theses...

Sam Edelman "Nova" in Copper

I think I have died and gone to heaven.

Have you heard of Pinterest?  If you have, lets be friends...or follow each other....or whatever you do on there.  If you haven't, let me send you an exclusive invite (which is dumb, blah, blah, blah, but whatever) because it will change. your. life.  If you like looking at pretty things, that is.  Which I do.  And I like to be inspired by them as well.  Which is what this site is made to do.

In a nutshell, you sign up, virtual "pin" photos to different "boards" in your collection.  Add a caption (and tag people if you want...haven't figured that part out yet) to the photo you have pinned.  Gaze at the beautiful photo longingly.  Find more beautiful photos.  Repeat.  

The other thing you can do is "pin" photos you find across the internet.  On one of your favorite photography sites?  "Pin it" right there and add it to your collection.  Super easy.

Basically, its a really nice way to organize ideas, inspirations, and other neato things and share them.

This is one of my boards (mind you I just started recently so it is still pretty sparse) that I titled "All That Glitters" .  Staring at Swarovski Crystals for hours at a time and I'm becoming more obsessed with all things sparkly.  You'll notice a theme of tulle and sparkle in the pictures I've pinned...I need something in my wardrobe that looks like those photos!

So check it out, let me know if you'd like an invite, and make sure to share any fabulousness that you find!

Oh the places I could go!

Silhouette Machine Contest

This Silhouette machine looks like it works magic. I need it!

Have any of you ever used one? What do you like about it?
Will I never leave my craft table if I have one?  Because I'm ok with that.

ShopRuched.com Shoe Challenge

While browsing around on the internet, I discovered this little gem of a shopping site called Ruche.  They have "a vintage inspired boutique with a modern touch" and their clothing reminds me of things found at ModCloth or Anthropologie but certainly cheaper.  I drool over things from both sites but can rarely justify a purchase from them.  Ruche has a really great selection of beautiful dresses, which is where I typically go first when checking out a new site.  If I like the dresses, I'll check out the rest of the site.  After approving of the dress selection, I discovered that they also have some really fantastic footwear options that made me smile.  I've picked just a few favorites and brainstormed some fun ways to make them into DiscoToes.

-----------

This Swarovski Crystal in "Smokey Topaz" would look beautiful covering the heel or following the polka dotted pattern on the section above the toe of the shoe.  The colors would blend nicely but add something special at a closer look.

Chelsea Crew "Malibu" Brown Heel $65.99

-----------

I like the smokey navy color of these pumps but I'm not loving the alligator print that outlines the top and the chunky heel.  I would cover the alligator with these "Dark Indigo" crystals.  The high contrast between the suede and the sparkle would be amazing!

Oceanside Walk Pumps $32.00 on sale

-----------

These shoes are cute enough on their own.  I love the peep toe and the floral pattern is fun but colors...they are pretty dreadful on their own.  I think three shades of pinks, "Light Rose", "Rose", and "Fuchsia"would make the perfect petal colors.  The heels could mimic the pinks, maybe fading from dark to light as they move down or be really wild and go for bright greens.  A beautiful spring bouquet for your toes.

Poetic License Feel the Rhythm pumps $120.00

-----------

While the final pick is not a pair of shoes, I have no doubt that the disco treatment would be really stunning on it!  The delicate pink flower details would be hi lighted with "Vintage Rose" stones placed in the centers.  So delicate and romantic!

Beaumont Meadows Crossbody Bag $68.99

all stone images from www.jewelrysupply.com

Which design is YOUR favorite?  I'll take the most popular choice and turn it into a digital design for a better idea of what it would look like!

Do you have a DiscoToes challenge for me?  Send a picture or link of some shoes you've been lusting for and I'll do some digital designs for you!

Coming Soon!

I've been working on TWO fantastic pairs of shoes the last few days and I can't wait to share them in all of their glory.  They will both debut at graduation ceremonies in San Diego and Los Angeles for two really awesome gals and I will have full reports and pictures soon.

For now a little tease...

Sunshine Sparkles for Miss Meg

Sophisticated Snake for Miss Lauren

There are finishing touches to do on both and I can't WAIT to deliver them!

Etsy Seller Shout-Out

I love getting packages in the mail.  The anticipation of it arriving, ripping open the packaging, and seeing the prize for the first time is just so much fun.  I've been waiting for a few days for this little gem to arrive so as you can imagine, I did a happy dance when I found it waiting for me after work!  

It is from Sweden which I think is neat.  I've never been there and it seems like a nice place.  And they have giant stamps, so thats cool.

Then I OPENED the large stamped package to find my (cracker jack-like) prize:

Yeay for stamps!!  It is mounted on a little stump, which is both cute and functional!!

I have always had a thing for stamps (of the inking variety).  I don't really understand the appeal, but I like them nonetheless.  I had a Mary Engelbreit rubber stamp set when I was little and would stamp all kinds of random things, just for fun.  I still have them.  The longevity of them is pretty amazing.

I like stamps even more when they are personalized just for me!

I did an etsy search for custom stamps and found quite a few shops that offered the service. 

But then I saw these:

ttyr.etsy.com

The artist's name is Tyr and she is from Sweden (hence the super cool Swedish packaging).  She was easy to work with, super fast (even though she was sick!) and took my ideas and made them into the perfect design!  I sent an example of the logo I had worked up with my shoe and the two types of text and she put her own spin on it.  I HIGHLY recommend her for making a custom stamp for your business!  Her stamps would also be perfect for wedding invitations, monograms, kids names, teachers...the possibilities are endless.  Visit her blog at: http://tthisisjusttosay.blogspot.com/ to see more of her super duper cute/nerdy/funky work!

I plan on making simple and classy business cards with my stamp by embossing blank cards with my stamp.  

Like this:

The raised texture is so nice and looks like it was professionally made rather than done in your craft room.  If you've never embossed, its VERY easy and looks SO classy.  If one person leaves me a message,  I will do a tutorial on embossing.  But seriously, you have to leave a message...mainly because I want to meet you...or if I already know you, to say hi again.  Or, how about this, the first person to leave a message gets a set of embossed notecards.  So GO!