Painted Bracelets

Awhile back, I got the nifty idea to paint this weird little wood-like thing that used to be part of a belt I had.  I'd already made some of these things into jewelry (you can check it out here), but I was bored, so I decided to take it to another level.

So it took me a while, but I finally managed to get the first one I did onto a spiral rope bracelet:

Paint, punches, and sparklies! What more can a gal ask!

Here's some more, waiting to be bracelet-ed up:

Kinda like the flowers my old nail tech used to paint on my nails! 

This one is actually all done, but that's another post...

And finally, the one I painted tonight:

I painted another dolphin! And I have an AWESOME plan for the bracelet!!!

As you can see, it's rather smallish! 

Eventually, these will be making it into my Artfire store. I only have 2 done so far, but I have ideas for several more!  Stay tuned!

My First SU! Workshop!

So, last Saturday, I held my very first Stampin' Up! Workshop as a demonstrator!  I was also the hostess for this one, and let me tell you, it's a lot of work being both! Especially when you're already over-busy with the "real" job! Not only did I have to get the house all clean and pretty (thanks, Amy, for all your help with that! You're awesome!) I also had to plan the menu and the projects!

For snackies, I went basic--cheese and crackers, some fruit, brownies, and the not-so-basic bacon-wrapped smokies (so good.  so not good for you...) And again, thanks to Amy for wrapping the wieners (lol!  that just sounds so wrong to me!!!) So, I think the food-stuffs went over pretty well.

For the crafty-fun portion, I planned two cards--a basic greeting card and a gift card holder card.  And since we're in Sale-a-bration, I decided to use one of the SAB sets--the Punch Bunch.  I also used a hostess set I received at my last Workshop before becoming a demonstrator--Cute by the Inch.  If I do say so myself, I think the cards I planned are really cute!  Here're some pics:

Good for Business cards or Gift cards! LOL!

So, I had about 6 guests come to the workshop, including my momma!!!  I think my guests had a good time, and I was able to get some pics of most of their creations.  I have to say, the best part of being a demonstrator so far, is seeing what my guests created using my basic idea.  I'm just giddy at seeing what they did! 

The work area!  Sad to say, at my house, all we've got is the coffee table...

My momma!  and the inside of her card!

Ms. LaRita's card (and she didn't think she could do it....)

Now, of course, in true Rana fashion, I prepared too many supplies (I do the same thing in cooking...) So later on, I decided to use those supplies and make some more cards (I had fun...)  Here's what I made:

All cards using the Cute by the Inch hostess set.  Quite possibly, my favorite set....

Sweet Summer & Punch Bunch Sale-a-bration sets, punches, and the Funky Four set. And markers!  I love Stampin' Write Markers!!!! In fact, I'm a little bit jealous--one of my guests, Lynsey, ordered the whole set.  I want!!  Maybe for my birthday...

And of course, no crafty evening would be complete for me without some help from the kittehs...

Buttercup either wanted to use the wheel, or eat the wheel...

Dobby just decided to lay there and be cute.  And you must admit, he is teh kewt....

So there it is!  My first workshop, and it's aftermath! Lol!!  Thanks to all my guests for coming out, I hope you had as much fun as I did!