A Is For . . . (Blogging From A To Z Challenge 2014)

Welcome to Blogging From A To Z series with Pin & Tack.

It's all about challenging yourself to write based on a letter.

Today's letter is . . .

My automatic thought was "apples" - Ha ha ha. Not very creative, right? Well, I don't mind going with the easy, but I decided to try a few different words.

My inspiration is handmade. I adore all things handmade. I spend a little too much time checking out others' craftiness. Now, I can justify it. I must look 'cause I need some As to share with you!

Almond

Anchor

Apron

Did you enjoy this little exploration? What A word would you have chosen?

Don't be shy - share yours in the comments & stay tuned tomorrow when I explore the B word.

With blessings & joy, yours truly . . . Corrinne Quinn

Blogging From A To Z: Reflections

This was my first year to participate in Blogging From A To Z. If you don't know what that is, click here & you can find out all of the information.

This is my reflection post after completing the challenge. Yes, I blogged everyday in April (except for Saturdays - our scheduled days off.) Originally, I thought "yeah, this is going to be EASY!" As the days past, I realized that it wasn't as easy as I thought.

It's not that it was difficult. I just wished that I had planned a little more about what I wanted to post. Many days I was so busy with other work that I felt rushed & sometimes just uninspired. For next year, I am going to make it a point of planning my posts along with setting them up in advance when possible.

I enjoyed the experience, though. It made me post regularly along with looking for "different" topics & areas of interest that I might not have mentioned.

I had a lot of fun checking out the other participants' blogs, too! I usually only visit "crafty" blogs, so BFAZ introduced a variety of bloggers that I might never have found.

Overall, it was an amazing experience. The only problem was my lack of preparation. Next year, it will be so much better!

Z is for Zebra

Z is for Zebra . . . Zebra print, that is.

{ Black & White Cake Pops - Stacey Cakes Bakery }

{ Ruffled Purse - Wishful Gifts }

{ Pot - JMN Pottery }

{ Dog Collar - Studio 1070 }

Y is for Yellow

Y is for oh, sweet, wonderful yellow! This color is happy, light & just so much fun.

{ Sun & Cherry Distressed Clothes Pins }

{ Mustard Seed Boutique Bow }

{ Sunshine Sparkle Tile Ring }

{ Sunshine Dust Thumb Tacks }

X is for XOXO

X is for XOXO . . .

{ Source: Vinyl Wall Decal, Tasty Suite }

{ Source: Baby Shower Banner, Beantown Baby Crafts }

{ Source: Authentic French Ephemera, ART Chix Studio }

{ Source: Eco-friendly Snack Bag, House Jewels }

{ Source: Pottery Napkin Rings, Symmetrical Pottery }

W is for Wild

W is for wild - Wild animal, that is. This card is all about the wild animal print. Flowers have layers of cardstock AND fabric with animal print on them. The highlight? A super cute zebra holds two flowers by the stems.

This card was submitted to wonderful challenge blogs - See below for links & details, so you can create your own & join in the fun!

Little Red Wagon: Challenge #130 - At Least 3 Flowers

Paper Pretties: Challenge #203 - Clean & Simple (CAS, baby, yeah!)

Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes

This card is available for FREE! Yep, it's free. Click here if you'd like to have it as your very own.

V is for Vegweb

What is Vegweb? Well, I am oh, so happy to tell you about it. Vegweb is a site that is dedicated to providing 100% vegan recipes. The best part (besides it being vegan, of course) is that REAL people post the recipes and REAL people comment on the recipes. They even tell you little tips to make the recipe better or alternatives to try. You can also see pictures from those same REAL people who tried the recipe.

I've been vegan for 6 years now and this is my go to site. There is every type of recipe! Most are super easy, quick & use ingredients that are already in your kitchen, especially if you are a vegan.

Here are links to a few of my favorites - Maybe you'll give 'em a try. If you do, I'd love to hear about your experience!

Cashew Gravy (I make this every Thanksgiving. My non-vegan family absolutely loves it!)

Crunchy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Thanksgiving Meat Loaf

U is for Umbrella

U is for . . . uh . . . I am really tired today & I have been busy, busy, busy in establishing my challenge blog, Tuesday Alchemy. I highly recommend checking it out if you like to create ANYTHING or you like to win prizes or you'd like to be on a design team. Ok, ok, enough with self-promotion.

I decided to give myself a little mini break & do some web window shopping. Here are some wonderful umbrellas that might just tempt you to spend your hard-earned cash OR at least take a look and dream.

How sweet are these invites?

{ Source: Something Printable }

This art print was made for children, but don't let that stop you.

It would be adorable for any whimsical woman.

{ Source: rkdesign88 }

Be unique with this beautiful umbrella necklace!

{ Source: Revelle Rose Jewelry }

This crochet umbrella is handmade from 100% cotton.

Spectacular! Yes, I want it now :)

{ Source: kolus79 }

T is for Tags

My partner shop, The Moonglade Garden, offers a lovely variety of handmade parcel tags. They are perfect for embellishments, favor tags, journaling spots & all occasion gift wrap. Tags come in a wide range of colors, embossing & are always made from archival, acid & lignin free cardstock.

S is for Sneak Preview

S is for Sneak Preview & that is what I'm giving you today. We are coming up on our 11th challenge at Tuesday Alchemy - Can you believe it? It seems like only yesterday that I started this challenge blog. If you haven't participated, I highly recommend joining us. It is open to ANY craft and you can enter as many times as you'd like and submit it to as many other blogs, too.

This week's challenge at Tuesday Alchemy will offer a prize! Our wonderful sponsor is Karen's Scraps And Graphics, which I am very excited to have join us. They are a mother & daughter team, who create an abundance of fantastic digital graphics.

Here is the preview photo. Can you guess what our next challenge will be? You can find out if you're right & join in by going to Tuesday Alchemy on Tuesday, April 25.

Don't forget to check out our upcoming sponsor, Karen's Scraps And Graphics, too!

R is for Roses

Roses . . . They are beautiful flowers & they actually can be quite easy to grow. I have quite a few in my backyard as they make excellent cut flowers.

These tea light holders were embellished with roses for a shabby chic, romantic look.

Q is for Queen

Q is for Queen.

This kitty queen is very sweet art by Lisa Ferguson. But better still, it can be personalized for your little queen, furry or not!

{ Source: Studio Ferguson }

Have you done a Tarot reading lately? If a Queen shows up, it's time for emotional maturity, composure & control. Find out more at Keen. The photo shows the Queens from my personal Tarot deck, which is the Enchanted Tarot by Amy Zerner & Monte Farber.

These cupcake toppers may look vintage, but they are actually newly made from clay & tin. They are fun, quirky additions to your treats that will definitely bring smiles.

{ Source: Moonfaire's World }

With this shiny ring, your finger can announce who you are to all.

{ Source: Pin & Tack }

P is for Pins (Pin & Tack's Item Of The Day)

Pins are my specialty & I've made countless of them to date. They are my top sellers & come in a wide range of colors. Any color to be exact. I love to make them custom fit a specific scheme! Here are a few of my personal favorites:

{ Tea Rose & Chocolate with Boutique Bow }

( Mint Ice Cream }

{ Blooms, Lace & Script }

Clothes pins can be used for so many things, such as party banners, photo display, organization & embellishments for other crafts.

O is for Orange

Orange can be a tricky color, but if you pick the right coordinating colors, it is absolutely splendid! Unless it's Halloween, I highly recommend NOT using purple or green (unless it's a very small amount.) Try orange with neutrals. They make it pop & tone it down. I used white & silver with orange for a clean look that isn't obnoxious.

My micro clothes pins are not just for banners or gift wrap. Use them on cards for a fun 3D element that everyone will enjoy.

This card was submitted to these wonderful challenge blogs - See below for the link & details, so you can join in the fun & share your own creation:

One Stop Craft: Challenge #178 - Three Circles

Paper Playtime: Challenge #72 - Say It With Sentiment

{PIN}spirational: Challenge #3 - Photo Inspiration

It will be available in my shop (click here) if you'd like to give this to someone special :)

N is for Nona's Needles (A Double N!)

Mondays are normally reserved for Pin & Tack's Item Of The Day. Today I decided to feature another wonderful shop, Nona's Needles. First of all, it has two Ns, which works great for today's A To Z challenge. Second, it is my mama's shop. I am a huge fan (& not just because she's my mother, either!)

Nona is a daily crafter, who enjoys crocheting & knitting along with cross stitch & sewing. She has been creating for a very long time & I don't recall a time when she didn't have some project going on. Her pieces are splendid & I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do.

Below is an example of her cross stitch work. She created this just for me - No reason, just because & she had it framed, too. It's 18"x22" unframed, so it's a poster sized beauty. There is beadwork throughout.

Check out Nona's Needles & if you use Coupon Code: PINANDTACK at checkout you will receive 10% off your order. Thanks, Nona!

M is for Mermaids

M is for these mythical beauties. They are full of magic, whimsy & playfulness. Today, I am featuring handmade works from Tuesday Alchemy's design team. We created these pieces for one of our challenges, which was mermaids :)

L is for Lilac (Pin & Tack's Item Of The Day)

Lilac is just lovely (hey, it's another "l" word - yeah!) It mixes well with a variety of colors & works in any season. You should give it a try.

{ Lilac Lace Boutique Bow }

{ Lavender Dust Thumb Tacks }

{ Lavender & Cream Distressed Mini Clothes Pins }