photos+beads combo

In these cast pendants, I’ve used some of the amazing photos people sent in for Mother’s Day, and reduced the size using the LW Small Squares Photo Cropper, or just by cutting out a silhouette (bottom right), leaving some of the clear resin open so whatever’s behind it shines through.

For the ones on the right, I simply dropped in some little seed beads.  For the top right one I layered two images of sweet brothers.  In the bottom right pendant I layered in a piece of clear plastic that had a hologram print on it (cut from a birthday card!).  In the bottom left pendant I also layered in Bella’s name in sterling wire.  I LOVE LAYERING!!

fun with quilts & a “song”

Here are some of the class samples from our class at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach, CA.  I hope you have a chance to visit this show and the Make It UniversityTammie Bowser’s Award-Winning Mosaic Quilt “Song”, along with beads, findings, fabrics and more. area, which showcases all sorts of mixed-media crafts.   These samples show a variety of techniques, using images of

Whether you’re a quilter or not, this show is not to be missed.   Half of the show floor is a gallery/museum of outstanding quilts and fabric arts – both traditional and contemporary, and the other half is filled with vendors presenting all variety of supplies and inspiration.  You will be AMAZED, so bring all your friends along!   Makes an excellent family bonding activity too.

scrappy little windows

Want to make your creations even more unique?  Here’s a great crossover from the popular activity of scrapbooking, which adds coordinating elements and a name, date, or saying of your choice.   Click here for a printable how-to PDF.

 

fun with Obamicons

We’ve all seen the amazing  graphics created by Sheperd Fairey.  Despite the overplay, this is still a cool effect.  Now you can convert your own pix into “Obamicons”!  Just visit Paste Magazine and click “create”.

WARNING:  this is an addictive time suck, and lots of fun!

beautiful bubble beads

This necklace is pretty easy to make – no computer or printer needed!  You can use any bits of color you can find;  a few glass beads, paper, or scrap leftover from another project.  Use your Medium Circle and Small Circle Molds to cast these “bubble beads”.  I absolutely love the way color and texture bounces and reflects up the edges of each Little Window, creating a frame of color.  Arrange them on your table any way you like, then drill holes where they touch.  You’ll link them together with thin colored wire in colors that coordinate with the beads, or with large jump rings.  I didn’t have a chain to go with mine, so I quickly finger-crocheted the cord to fashion this design.

For more detailed how-to’s, check out the free “Embedding” video at little-windows.com.

hello retro!

Turn the past into presents!   Look at these old images that were scanned and turned into outstanding photo gifts.   Each pendant shines with a happy memory. I especially love pix from the 70′s – the colors, the clothes, the hair – it’s all quite awesome. Here are a few I hope will inspire you…

Dig through your old photos and see which memories make you giggle, laugh or cringe – those are the best!

Rubik’s photo cube

Two awesome gift ideas:  the 4-square Rubik’s photo cube – now available for sale WITHOUT STICKERS (save the fingernails!)  at  little-windows.com – and a magnetized checker game.  Both of these projects use the Doming Technique and Little Windows FREE Medium Square shape Photo Cropping Software, which you can sign up for on our homepage

And if you’d like to transform a 9-square cube you already have, click here for a how-to PDF.

Part  I

Part II

double donut necklace

Here’s a gorgeous new look!  This is one of my designs, using the Doming technique to create a spinning inset within gorgeous shell donut beads.  This is all put together with a simple wire-wrapping technique.

Little Windows 2-faced Spinner Heart

The tricky part is finding donuts that fit within one another.  So don’t feel like you have to stick with shell beads, you can try those cool resin donuts, metal ones, anything you can find, really.  And the inside one doesn’t even have to be a donut, it can be a flat bead too.  You can get these beads online, and they may have them at your local craft store or bead shop, just be sure the holes are drilled straight.   I’ve made my domed pieces a bit smaller than the inner bead so the pink of the shell will show, but it can cover the whole bead too.  There are lots of ways to customize this design, from the type of chain to the accent beads and the charm you use at the bottom.   Watch the how-to video to see how it’s done.

gifts for mom

We have so many ideas for Mother’s Day gifts. Each one the essence of love between a mother and daughter, husband and wife, grandmother and grandchild, sisters and brothers. Here are just a few of my favorite from the many custom-made treasures we created this Mother’s Day.

The first one because it shows a lovely girl in her element, the reflections of the tulips around the edges of this Little Window are spectacular. The second one captures sibling love, what a treasure for this mom! The center one is excellent – each of these kid’s personalities shines. I love the 4th one for 2 reasons: 1) this is a great example for moms with older children, and 2) because the pretty young girl in the photo had this made for her mom for Mother’s Day, and I hope my girls will be that thoughtful as they grow up! The last one is just a beautiful moment showing a near-silhouette of a girl at the beach, which seems timeless. Hope this inspires you!

cool press!

I feel like a new mom! Real Simple Magazine selected Little Windows as one of only 4 items in their Mother’s Day Gift Guide this year. Check it out…

Thanks to all you Real Simple readers across the country for making Little Windows your favorite Mother’s Day giftable! Don’t forget, we’ve got gift certificates too in case you just can’t choose from among the many brilliant designs!