Cards, Cards, Cards!!!

I have had a lot of questions about my handmade cards.  To this end, when I post a new card, I will try to list the items that came together to make the card.

Also, if any one is interested in learning to make cards from scratch or would like to make cards from a kit, please inbox me.

Here is a card that I finished a minute ago for my big sis, for all of her help on Saturday at the trunk show.
Below the card or the items I used to complete it.

Items to make card:
   Cuttlebug folders - Heritage, Spots & Dots, and Swiss Dots
   The ice cream cone was cut from the image on the Brother Scan N Cut
   The wording is from CTMH, Icean Cream Dream S1506, Stamp of the Month
   Stampendous! White Embossing Powder
   Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distressing Ink
   Foam tape
   Kraft, brown and tan paper
   Three diamond specks

Cardmaking has double-fold benefits - a spark of creativity and ingenuity on your part and the joy and happiness on the part of the recipient who receives such a personal and thoughtful gift.

Feel free to leave me your comments or thoughts.

Thanks for stopping...bye (until next time)!!!

Finished Afghans

His. 

Mine. 

Thanks for stopping...bye. 

Trunk Show

Thanks to all who showed up and supported me for the show!! It was truly a blast!!  Here are some pics of the setup. 

Thanks for stopping...bye. 

Private Trunk Show

Hi, guys.  Here are just a sampling of the items that will be available during the Private Trunk Show.

There are several crochet shawls...

 pot lid covers (to protect fingers from the heat)... THESE HAVE BEEN SOLD.  MAKING MORE!!!!

 wash cloths...

 a reversible child's dress...

 water bottle or can kozzies...

 crochet baskets...

 lots of handmade albums, just waiting for those special pictures...

 or explosion boxes for special pictures...

 or embroidered pieces to hang...

 note and post-it note covers...

 handmade cards for all occasions...

 and other handmade scrapbooks...

 as well as lots of handmade jewelry

Please contact me should you have any questions or see anything you may be interested in before the sale.

Thanks for stopping...bye.

Catching Up!!

Yet again, time has gotten away from me.

These are some of the things that I have been doing.  Hope you enjoy.

Beaded butterfly

This butterfly was weaved using 11/0 seed beads in orange and blue, and black 3 mm beads for the body.

Beaded bracelet

 I really love working with seed beads.  On this bracelet, I used 11/0 seed beads to make the cylindrical pinkish-looking beads and then added the darker pink beads to make this elastic bracelet for a great niece.  Her mother and grandmother received one made with black beads.

Pandora-style bracelet.

This blue glass bead bracelet was made for the older daughter.

Crochet tea set.

Although it was not stiffened before this picture was taken, this tea set was crocheted for my sister, who collects tea sets.  The set includes the tea pot, a cup and saucer, and a plate with a chocolate chip and thumbprint cookie.  After seeing the pic, she requested an additional pot, cup, and saucer.

Fruit from the garden.

This is just one of the picking times from the grapevine and the pear tree in my garden.  My blueberry bush did not make it this year; but, I did get two figs.  Gardening is another one of my loves.

Crochet donuts

When my sister-in-law saw my sister's teapot set, she requested crochet donuts that she could plate and keep on her kitchen table.  This is the result.  Some or vanilla and some chocolate on the underside.

Beaded bead

I really do enjoy taking smaller beads and making a beaded bead.  This one is "puffed" and has the same design on the other side.

Handmade copper earrings.

This is a new technique that I am learning.  Here, I am working with copper wire, before I use the more expensive sterling silver wire.  I used two strands of copper to twist the hoop portion, then made the copper jump rings and earring hooks.  This was fun to do, and I am presently working on a few larger hoops for the granddaughters using the twisted copper.





Hope you enjoyed.  I also hope I can do a better job of getting pics of my completed projects before they fly the coop.

Thanks for stopping...bye!!!!

Website Opening

Good morning, guys.

It's official!!! Yesterday was the opening of my new website - Niklevinbe, Things Made By Hand (Bernie's Place).  Whew, that was a mouthful.  But, to get there, you only have to type in niklevinbe.com.

Just by way of information, Niklevinbe, the word, was created approximately 38 years ago.  I have always held it in the back of my mind for when I created my own business - one day.  Well, this is the day!!

The term is a combination of my family's names - children, spouse, and myself.

The site will include most of my handmade items (not including the ones that get away before I can show them or get pictures).  Check out the webstore -- there will be knitted and crocheted, and a lot of jewelry to start off with.  There will also be a few cards and mini albums.

This has been a huge undertaking, and it is still a very large work in progress.  But, I'm getting there.

I thank God for the ability and presence of mind to undertake this new venture.  I also give a big THANK YOU to all the people who have allowed me to make something special for them for their loved ones.  I will continue to try to bring you fresh and different items at your request.

Join me and stop by Niklevinbe.com.  Leave me any suggestions or comments you may have and, as usual...

Thanks for stopping...bye!!!

One for Me!!!

Just sharing my charm bracelet that I made for myself.  This one isn't going anywhere but on my wrist.  On it are my initials and my interests. 

Hope you guys enjoyed.

Thanks for stopping...bye.

Happy 2014!!!

My prayer is that this year will be a banner year for you. Let your creative juices flow.

Enjoy some of my projects for the new year.

Card for granddaughter's other grandmother.  Do you see all the clutter on my desk??!!!  This is the normal and not the exception.  There is always a flurry of "mess" on the desk.

Sympathy card.

Crocheted mini hats that are used as hot pot lid holders.  These were given as Christmas gifts.

 Thank you cards made for a granddaughter.

Birthday gift for granddaughter.  Not sure you can clearly see the three rings.  They were ribboned together on a card and then put into the handmade gift bag.  These are soooo much fun.  I will now make all of my own gift bags.  Below this is her birthday card with handmade envelope.

Mini album that was made as a birthday gift for my brother-in-law.

Knitted and crocheted scarves.  We are making these at the Center.  One of my diva ladies has also learned to knit (she's in her late 70's) and she has knitted well over two dozens -- in different colors!!!

More crochet.  Pair of granny slippers for a granddaughter and face scrubs with pouch that were given as Christmas gifts.

New Year card made for my daughter to give to a special someone.

Ring that was made for me.  Kept it for about 20 seconds before it was whisked away.  Oh well, need to make another now.

Helmet cap that was crocheted for my granddaughter.  And there she is modeling it!!!!

And lastly, my new favorite passion - micro books for charms for my mini book albums; or that was the intention.  I can't seem to make these fast enough.  They disappear, literally.  One is even hanging on my hubby's mirror in his truck.

Hope you guys have enjoyed.  See you soon with more.

Thanks for stopping...bye!!!