Peace Craft Love Podcast; Personalized DIY Gifts YOU Can Make

Since we are getting so close to Christmas, we decided to share some of our ideas for some easy gifts you can make.

Several years ago, Terry and her four children made a fun able cloth that is still used today. All you need is paint, cloth, and little hands!

Do you have a family history buff in the home? Tammy made a resin photo pendant with a picture of her great, great aunt! You don't have to use old photos though, you could use a photo of your pet, or even a flower, or whatever! Here is a link for instructions. 

Do you love to scrapbook? Even if you don't here is a great idea. Terry is in the middle of making an easy one from a trip she and her husband took to Qatar. She shows one that is already done from a cruise in 2018.

Tammy is in the middle of making a pretty cool item that many of us probably never heard of. Altered Book. Check out this link for more info on how to put one together.

Do you have someone who loves to make jewelry or sew? These next ideas would be great for those on your gift list. Terry show a few items from her November issue of Bargain Bead Box, but if you want to see everything, check out her video here. Oh! By the way, if you want your own subscription or want to give one as a gift, go here to sign up, and use the code FLAMINGO to get $2 off your first subscription. 

One other thing...if you want to see what Terry did with some of the items in November's subscription, here is a vlogmas video showing what she made. 

Tammy shows off her subscription of fabric from The Sunny Path. Check out her video of a more close up view here. She also shares the link to The Sunny Path Etsy shop on her video.

Remember, The sisters have their own Etsy shops. Tammy is getting ready to shut her shop down for a bit, but Terry's is still going to be around for awhile. She has a variety of ornaments and jewelry made from seashells, natural and glass beads, and recycled guitar strings. 

If you want some good deals on Dolls...go to Tammy's shop (for a limited time).

Well, I hope you enjoy our video! Please let us know what you think in the youtube comments, give us a thumbs up and subscribe!

Until next time...

Here's hoping y'all have a wonderful day, and a lot of Peace Love and Crafts!

TIME TO GET MY REAR IN GEAR!

 It has been over SEVEN months since the COVID lockdowns. Here in Louisiana, we are still somewhat on a lock down. You really would not know it though if you went out and about, though. Too many people are not taking any of this very serious at all.

Pretty much everything I was involved in is still shut down. I was part of a senior citizen dance group called, Southern Sass. We lined dance and would visit and perform at various areas in the community, including assisted living, nursing homes, the veterans hospital, events for the seniors in our community, etc. 

Every month, we would dress for the occasion. Always with some sort of a hat and lots of bling. I miss those days. I miss the camaraderie of the seven ladies that make up our group...ages 61 to 82. 

When the shutdowns first started, I kept myself busy making masks for my TappingflamingoBling jewelry shop on Etsy. Since August, though, people are not buying many masks. Well, if they do, they are buying the China made ones at big box stores that are pretty low quality. Remember, you get what you pay for....

During the first months of the shutdown, I was so busy, I would forget to eat, and then my precious fur baby of 14 years died, and I pretty much shut down for awhile. Needless to say, I lost weight. 

As the months have gone on, I find myself bored, and eating things I should not. Because of that, I have gained a bit of weight. This past weekend, I was going through some of my clothes, and got really frustrated at myself. THAT'S IT!!!!!! I have got to STOP!!!!! 

I have myself on a strict schedule, now, and I plan to stick with it. My goal is to loose 5 pounds by Election Day. Here is my plan....

Everyday, I will exercise in some form for 30 minutes or more. Walking (which at my pace is about 2 miles) or yoga or a stationary bike. Always allowing some time for stretching. I need to keep my flexibility up.

After I finished exercising my body, I get cleaned up and dressed for the day. I also make sure my bed is made. That is so important for my mind, so some reason. 

For breakfast and lunch I will have either 2 eggs or a smoothie. I know this works for me. It seems if I eat eggs, my weight seems to go down. As far as my smoothie goes, I do not add any sugar. Here is the recipe I use:

1 cup almond milk

1/2 banana

2 dates

4 ice cubes

about 1 cup of either frozen strawberries, cherries, pineapple or mixed fruit of mango/peaches/strawberries, or a combo of all of the above

1 heaping tablespoon ground flax seed

1 heaping tablespoon of pea protein or kale protein or spinach protein, which is just ground up freeze dried peas or kale or spinach.

I scoop Doterra Trim Shake

Dump ingredients in order your blender recommends and blend. 

It is soooooo very gooooood!!!!

After I get my smoothie all fixed, it's time for me to get my spiritual side in order. I like to take about 30 minutes each day to study my Sunday school lesson and scriptures, and write in my journal.

I love having my Scriptures on my iPad. It makes it very convenient to study my lesson along side my Scriptures....just click on a link and it takes to directly where you need to read.

In my daily schedule, I have included talking to my mom, one load of laundry, some other chore, practice my dulcimer for 30 minutes, and work on my business. Each morning, my middle son calls me on his way to work. It is during this time that I walk or ride my stationary bike. I love that he calls me so often. 

Yes, being at home can be boring, but there is so much that needs to be done, that it doesn't have to be. Oh! and by the way, I lost my first pound after one day of this...so that...is....very.....ENCOURAGING! 

Peace Craft Love Episode 1

Welcome to our first Peace Craft Love Podcast episode. My sister, Tammy Powley, and I are so excited about our new adventure!

This will be a bi-weekly experience where we share things going on with Tappingflamingo and The Crafty Princess...

Mostly, we talk about our love of crafting, but will also share other fun stuff. 

Here are the highlights and URL's for Episode 1, October 16, 2020.

OUT OF SIGHT

Terry shows off a creepy, yet elegant necklace and earrings inspired by SJ Designs Jewelry's Honey Do List October 2020. A photo taken when they visited Kutna Hora in Czech Republic is the inspiration for these pieces.  https://sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/2020/10/inspiration-for-october-2020-honey-do.html?fbclid=IwAR1QNMOyr4xYqM8hVXiWR9z1ZueXxbx_6LEA8AUp33XMTFGXwgPkcG_zNro

Here is a link to Terry's Youtube Channel showing the process on how she put together the ensemble. https://youtu.be/HZqM1vOPGHY and also a link to the blog about these pieces. https://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com/2020/10/spooky-inspiration.html

Tammy showed some Halloween dresses she made for her dolls.

Blythe Libby Pattern: https://www.etsy.com/listing/112199926/dolly-delicacies-sewing-pattern-for

Tammy also showed this gorgeous piece she made, but is thinking about taking it apart and repurposing it.

Pink Flamingo Bulky 5 and Begonia Medium 4 yard: https://www.darngoodyarn.com/collections/darn-good-yarn

HERE'S THE SKINNY

Terry is wrapping up a wedding gift and shows some of her guitar string ornaments and how they can also make pretty gift toppers.

Tammy started a butterfly cross stitch using this pattern: Dimensions 73147 Needlecrafts Counted Cross Stitch, Welcome Butterfly

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DEGP56/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1%20Luxja%20Double-Layer%20Sewing%20Supplies%20Organizer:%20https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082KLJBCD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Tammy is also working on more dolly dresses with this new pattern. Frill long sleeves dress #18" dolls dress: https://www.happybankkycraftymom.com/post/frill-long-sleeves-dress-18-dolls-dress-with-free-printable-pattern

One of Tammy's favorite orders lately is this Luxja Double-Layer Sewing Organizer. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082KLJBCD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1&fbclid=IwAR3JMpd0WWMCzoev7ckpnve6nBA1UuGEZkNIss5hCrFvDfozmpa-L16dFeY

FAR OUT

Have you ever found something along the side of the road and brought it home to make it better? Well this is what Terry is planning with her trash to treasure find. 

Tammy is planning to make a boho style cardigan using this pattern. I can't wait to see it done! 

East Asymmetric Fall Cardigan by Annoo Crochet Designs. http://www.annoocrochetdesigns.com/2020/08/east-asymmetric-fall-cardigan-by-annoo.html

GROOVY GOODS

Terry shows off the Bargain Bead Box for October 2020, and a sneak peak at a couple of her creations. https://www.bargainbeadbox.com

Tammy just got this ergonomic handle crochet hook set from BeCraftee https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y7QWHUO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

WE DIG IT

We love Erica Arndts Youtube Channel! She has all kinds of crafting videos and is a home school mom! Check out her video for crafting and home school ideas. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0wN7fS1ATmM4ZTafhB9oBg

OUR GIGS

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TappingflamingoBling

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LotusFlowerKawaii

Hope you go check out our video and some of the other places we are located.

In the mean time....

Here's wishing you

Peace, a lot of Crafting and love....

Other places to find Terry

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ1e1qvZWpkFOKmIGqQStCg?view_as=subscriber

TikTok as Tappingflamingo

*Caribbean Cruisers 411 https://www.facebook.com/groups/23716... Check out my new facebook page called Beach Bums and Cruisers! https://www.facebook.com/groups/57613... https://www.facebook.com/tappingflamingo https://www.instagram.com/tappingflamingobling/

Other places to find Tammy

https://www.etsy.com/shop/kawaiidollshop

https://www.facebook.com/kawaiidollshop/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DollyDaily/

https://www.facebook.com/AboutJewelryMaking

https://twitter.com/tammypowley

https://www.instagram.com/tammypowley/

Spooky Inspiration

I love to design, and I love to be challenged. Sometimes, it can be very difficult, but it helps you to grow. In this post, I will show you what I came up with using this very "creepy" picture.

Each month, SJ Designs Jewelry has a challenge. Her husband, for the past five years, has been giving her a challenge to get her out of her comfort zone and also help her use some of her bead stash. They call it Honey Do List.

This month's Honey Do List is a "creepy" picture of some skulls. This photo was taken in Czech Republic, at Kutna Hora which is "bizarre bone church" they visited. This was definitely a challenge for me.

Well... I don't have any skull pieces I could use, and I don't work with bone. I did remember, I had some white howlite that might look like bones....sorta. I wrapped the howlite bead with brown copper wire and added some dangles for more interest. 

As I studied the picture, I saw reds, oranges, golden hues, dark brown, and copper. I remembered, not long ago I received dark brown Brecciated Jasper beads from a Bargain Bead Box subscription, and knew they would be perfect in this piece. In October 2020 Bargain Bead Box, I received some faceted garnet crystals I knew I wanted to use. The only thing...they were teeeeeny tiiiiiny, which meant ity bity holes.

I gathered red jasper, sesame seed jasper, golden crystals and copper and started creating. 

Funny thing is, when I'm creating, things get changed quite a bit. I went from having a long necklace to a short one. I went from one clasp to another, and some of the beads changed a bit. 

I chose this bamboo looking toggle clasp, because it reminded me of bones. 

Oh! I had to make some matching earrings...

I'm actually working on a video that will soon be posted to my Tappingflamingo YouTube Channel. It shows how I went about putting it all together. Hope you go check it out and let me know what you think. 

No, this pieces is not that creepy or spooky, and it, honestly, it was not really that challenging. I find, that once I get started with a piece, things just kind of fall in to place. 

The Tappingflamingo is The Bohemian Hippie

I love my Florida upbringing. It is part of who I am. 

I am The Tappingflamingo

and...

I am also The Bohemian Hippie.

why am I Tappingflamingo?

well, Florida has a lot to do with it. The sandy beaches; the warm, tropical breezes; the sunshine; the palm trees; and even the beautiful colors of yellows, blues, browns, greens, purples, oranges, pinks. I love colorful things.

Tappingflamingo also because of my dance background. I love dancing, and yoga...

Why The Bohemian Hippie?

I play the mountain dulcimer.

I love to dress comfortably. Dresses that flow, layers, lace, Birkenstocks, denim, beach wear, long/easy going hair, etc...

oh, and of course...jewelry

I love jewelry. I love to wear it and make it.

Crystals, feathers, sea shells, hemp, wood, recycled guitar strings, paper, sari ribbon

Oversized earrings, layers of necklaces, bracelets that stack up and down the arm, and anklets

A lot of my friends tease me about being such a hippie. I don't mind, because I know I am. After all, as soon as I graduated from high school, our family drove all over the country for six weeks pulling a pop up camper with our red VW Van. Can't get more hippier than that, lol...

anyway.....I've made nature inspired jewelry for quite some time. In my research of the style I make, I have learned the style is bohemian hippie. I love the bohemian style, and as I have researched what that is, I have learned that I am A Bohemian Hippie...tropical style, of course...

Putting Together Family History Notes

For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in my ancestors. Growing up, I knew very little about my dad's family. Never meeting his mother or father, I was always asking questions about them. My dad, being the youngest of a passel of kids, knew very little himself, or so he thought. He never met his father, but he did know his mother pretty well.

For the past few years, my dad has started to open up more about his family. In addition to that, I have had contact with several long lost relatives with very interesting information. Because of this, my sisters and I want to write a book. My dad is also onboard with this, and being that my dad is 84, I feel a great need to get started. I have interviewed him on several occasions. Using the notes from these interviews, I have decided to go ahead and start to blog about them. My sisters and I are not at a point where we can actually work on a book, but I feel using my blog will help to organized our information.

One other reason for writing the story of these people is so that we can learn from what they went through. I share their stories with the world so that we might understand more why they did the things they did, and why their children do the things and think the way they do. Their children being my parent's generation.

I grew up as the oldest of three girls, and our father made sure we had the very best of things, including education. We were not spoiled, but our parents made sure we had what we needed. They were hard workers and taught us well. They taught us to respect others, especially our elders, and also to respect ourselves. I am grateful for the teachings our parents provided us with. All three of us girls turned out pretty well.

I plan to post a new chapter most Sunday. The stories will be from not just my father's side, but also my mother's side. It will be more of a story of my mom and dad, but I do need to give background on their families, as it is very interesting, and explains a lot as to why we are the way we are.

I once wrote a blog about what I call the 11th Commandment..."Thou shalt not judge." My thoughts from this blog coincide with the story of my ancestors, as we do not have their whole story. There are quite a few gaps, so please do not be too quick to judge. I do plan to fill in what I think might have happened from information we have from those times. I will make sure to let the reader know when things are fact and things are speculated. 

So, stay tuned for more adventures from my family roots; The Lynch/Kublinger/Kiblinger line from my father's side, and the Dudley/Driver/Trautwein line from my mother's side. 

By the way...to those who are related, and have more info or questions...please let me know. I would love to make contact with you, and collaborate. 

MY Definition of Beach Boho

You have probably heard the term "Beach Boho" before. What, exactly is that? Well I am going to give you Tappingflamingo's idea on that subject.

Beach Boho...Beach Bum....Beach Hippie....Beach Cottage...However you want to refer to it..these are all synonyms...at least in my opinion. 

Can you be Beach Boho and not live near a beach? Of course you can! I was fortunate enough to grow up close to a beach, but since I left for college, then got married, I've only been able to live near a beach for 5 years...and I've been married for 35 years!  So, what I do is dress my body and my house in the beach style. 

I even opened up an online store with handcrafted jewelry that is in this style..."Whether she cruises the high seas on a ship, hang tens on a surfboard or just likes a quiet walk along the shores...Wearing a creation from TappingflamingoBling will keep her favorite places close to her heart and soul."

So...what does one who dresses and decorates in the Beach Boho style wear? What does she have in her home? Well, I will show you...

As far as my makeup, I like to go very simple. I do use a self tanner, as I am a natural blonde. I have blue eyes, and very light skin. Because of this, I do have to be careful. Growing up in Florida, I did worship the sun quite a bit, and as I have grown older, I'm starting to see the consequences of that. I still love the feel of the warm sun on my skin, I'm just careful not to get too much.

But back to the makeup...I only wear foundation, and blush. Occasionally  I do wear something very light on my lips, but that is it! If I was not allergic, I would wear mascara. 

spending some time with my little girls, Sox

As far as my hair goes, I love to wear it long. My friends ask me all the time when am I going to cut it. I don't see that happening...EVER! I've tried that, and it is just not me. So what if I am almost 60, I have very healthy hair, and I am going to keep it long. I style it very simple. It is cut to shape around my face, and I have bangs. Sometimes I do try to curl it, but for the most part it is straight, because that is how it like to be.

When I dress, I always...well 99% of the time have Birkenstocks on my feet. This started out because of my feet issues...plantar fasciitis, bunions, neuropathy, etc...all due to my dancing days. I do love the fun Birks, though. 

Mom and I in our bright colors

I love to wear bright colors, and most of the time I am wearing capris and a pretty t-shirt. During the few months of cool weather we have, I will wear cropped leggings and a short flowy dress or tunic.

Jewelry...here is the fun part. I LOVE jewelry...and this is why I opened up my shop. So I can make more and share my talent with the world. 

Usually I am wearing shells, 

beaded wire wrapped shell necklace by TappingflamingoBling

or crystals. 

freshwater pearl and crystal geode necklace by TappingflamingoBling

Sometimes I wear long necklaces, 

freshwater pearl and lavender sea glass bead necklace by TappingflamingoBling

sometimes short...

aventurine and wire wrapped broken shell necklace by TappingflamingoBling

hardly ever a choker, though. 

Earrings, 

Czech Bead earrings by TappingflamingoBling

YES! 

carnelian earrings by Tappingflamingobling

And I love rings! 

They don't have to be expensive, though. This one was less than $45, including shipping and tax!

recycled guitar string bracelet by TappingflamingoBling

Bracelets, yep! 

waterproof surfer style bracelet set

Love to stack them. 

recycled guitar string bracelet and waterproof surfer bracelets by TappingflamingoBling

I love to mix them too!

So, how is my house decorated? Well, I call it eclectic. 

Most of the pictures I have are beach themed. 

I like to collect salt and pepper shakers

and I love dishes...I think that is my weakness.

I love light airy curtains, and lots of windows. 

So...there you have it. I am a Beach Bum Boho Hippie Cottage type of gal!

Oh and by the way...I play the mountain dulcimer...and that is about as hippie as you can get....