As a designer we get to try all kinds of cool craft products, often new and sometimes ones that have been
around for awhile. Etchall is one of those products from B&B Etching Products Inc. , a staple in the Craft Industry.
Etchall is a creme that when applied to glass, porcelain, ceramics or marble using a stencil and masking off areas
beautiful designs can be created! It is so easy!

I took an empty glass mason jar, used one of my favorite die cuts, a bird to create a stencil and 
twenty minutes later I had an etched design on the jar. Added some candy or foam birds eggs, jar cover,
tied around ribbon, tulle and rafia, glued a nest on the top. A sweet tweet hostess gift or
centerpiece for the table in less than an hour! It is addictive, I love birds, thinking a whole set of glasses
coming up!

Tips: Choose a die cut for a stencil that the area around the die cut will make a good stencil.
The etchmask vinyl will go through a die cut machine very easily.
With the bird stencil I also needed to use the little center piece between the legs.
Make sure you smooth the vinyl using the Etchall squeegee so there are no gaps,
I added extra strips to cover more of the surface to protect the remaining glass.

Then it is just a matter of adding the Etchall creme with the squeejee.
Wait fifteen minutes, scrape excess back in jar to reuse!
Wash off and remove stencil under running water, no muss, no fuss,
no smell. Dry and admire!

In the above photo you can see how important adding the extra detail stencil piece was.
If not my bird would have had a stump for legs! I can't wait to try some more projects!

Check out some other great designs from our talented Designer friends! Just hop along
with the DCC button in the Sidebar! Enjoy!

What a fun hop with such talent and goodies! Laura Kelly's new fabric line available at Joann's!
Fabric: http://www.joann.com/holiday-inspirations-patriotic-fabric-america-the-beautiful/zprd_12267134aButtons
 Buttons: http://www.buttonsgaloreandmore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=LK151

Since I also run a B&B I am wearing aprons everyday. I have been making them for all occasions and have been upcycling men's shirts into full length aprons called "Shirt Tails!" I had the perfect blue shirt for this hop and will now have a wonderful apron to wear for my USA visiting guests! I decided to try and use all of the fabric and extra shirt pieces to create a collection for the B&B to entertain with a USA theme!

(oops, looks like I used the Italian spelling of my name! Mama Mia!)

Now for the fun part finishing the apron! I added some buttons, a ruffled flower to the collar! Check out all the wonderful designs below! Laura Kelly and Jen Goode hosted a fun energetic hop, loved the goodies, so sweet (candy was too!)

Locally 10 awesome days of Giveaways for edVentures! Creative workshops all summer! I am teaching! Full class details on my Class Page!

Usually for the blog hop I create a crafty design with stepouts, this week was incredibly full and left me scrambling late this evening on what to do for the hop. Two months ago I opened a Bed and Breakfast in a heritage home in my very pretty city Fredericton, NB, Quartermain House B&B. This past week I hosted guests staying for UNB graduation, hosted a Red Hat special birthday party in the Parlor, helped host our local Women in Business and decorated for the ACFA Cat Show.

i also thought about how do I define HAPPINESS, creating makes me happy, it is an energy that feels like a big smile inside, creating to share for others to enjoy and so here is to a very special Happy week!

For each event I created food and decor. More than that though was the common thread through the creativity of this week, the people, the gatherings and the celebrations. There was laughter and smiles, hugs among friends, proud and beaming parents chatting across the table mixed with the aroma of fragrant French toast and rich coffee. There was HAPPINESS!

The "Scarlett's" enjoying the Parlor and my pink lemonade cupcakes along with champagne!

Two of our lovely Women in Business members modelling my "Shirt Tail" Aprons made from men's shirts, each with a story for a day of the week!

My simple wreath created with a foam wreath, ribbon and cardstock welcoming my visiting UNB graduate parents and their accomplished grads!

To HAPPINESS, to those moments, to that feeling, to those times that make our hearts & spirits sing! To the Joy, to life's celebrations! for more Happiness just hop along with our DCC, Designer Crafts Connection button in the sidebar!

Words evoke feelings, inspiring words like " joy, dream, happiness, soar, love, peace" displayed remind us in the moments of everyday of the richness of life. These stamped sentiment spheres are so easy to create using Smoothfoam balls. The full instructions are on the Smoothfoam blog. I keep them displayed in this natural willow basket in the foyer, a lovely reminder each time I walk by!