DIY: Bloggy Buttons

A while back when I was trying to make my blogger button over there on the side bar, I came across this on Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust's blog. I thought that was super cute and promised myself if I ever got to go to a blogger meeting, I'd make something similar. (See this post for blogger meeting info.) 

I just love a good DIY project!

Now, before you freak out on me and start with that, "how dare you cut up a book" thing, please know this book was old, its cover destroyed and pages missing. I don't remember when or where it came from exactly but my best guesses would be either from a second-hand, thrift store or from my husband's job (he works for a book distributor, lucky me, but they get to buy returned/damaged library books for like $.50 when they get those in.) SO...this is me recycling. I'm reusing the paper so that this book doesn't end up just in the trash. This is a GOOD thing, right? Right. Okay now, freak out avoided. 

This is what I came up with:

I changed the way I made the flower part from the original post from Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust, for a way that worked better for me. I cut my pages in half and trimmed the edges so it made more of square shape. 

Then folded the squares accordion style, bent them in the middle, and taped the ends together into the little fan-type shape. I then took un-waxed dental floss and tied two fans together and taped their edges together using matte, un-shiny tape. 

Once it was secured and made the flower shape I added glitter glue to the edges of some of them, in different ways (some all around, some dots, etc). Next, I made the front badge part and the back card with my blog info using free downloadable templates from Better Homes and Gardens. I tried to come up with different bloggy saying and designs. I printed those, cut them out, glittered some and attached the badge the front with hot glue. 

Then I flipped them over and hot glued large safety pins to the back. Over top of the pins I hot glued that smaller label with my info to the back as well.

I think they turned out super cute! Each one is slightly different and hope they there will be one to meet each personality. I sure hope the local bloggers like them!

And here's the one I made for myself.

Sorry about the blurry pic, I'll try to get a better one soon!

Mega Monday: Onyx

Mini Mani Monday:

I'm wearing

Sinful Colors in Winterberry on largest section

Art Deco in Silver Glitter to separated the two main colors

Rimmel in Wild Orchid on on tips

Seche Vite Top Coat (this is the BEST stuff ever)

Amazon book description can be found here.

My thoughts...

***Possible Spoilers to follow. Continue at your own risk.***

I really like the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. What is unfortunate is that I was sick while trying to read Onyx. I still enjoyed it but my constant coughing and consistent headache made it difficult to read than a couple pages at a time, which really messed with my concentration. BUT even with all that going on, I STILL totally enjoyed this installment. This is book two in the series, the first is Obsidian (see this post for more info). Onyx continues with the characters and exploring the repercussions of actions established in book one. Onyx also introduces some new characters to the mix and of course creates inta-drama that forces the hand of some of our beloved characters! Our herione Katy is trying, not always successfully, to come more into her own.The relationship between her and Daemon is changing. There are some heart wrenching parts and some parts that are just hawt. There is excitement and action. It ends on a super excellent cliff hanger that will have readers begging for the next installment, Opal (which is set to release in December 2012. YaY!!!)

For a bit of creativity: 

Per my usual, I couldn't just leave the story alone once I was done reading. I wanted to have a part with me. I got to thinking about Katy wearing her obsidian necklace Daemon gave her. And I decided I had to have one! After several hours in two different craft stores and a very helpful hubby this is what we came up with based on the description in Obsidian. (p.s. SPOILER ALERT: Katy's still wearing it in Onyx.)

Me wearing my "obsidian necklace"

squinty eyed and all!

*By the way..thanks hubby for being my official photog for this post! 

Isn't he the best? 

And wish hit a happy birthday, it was yesterday!

p.p.s. Sorry about my vanity in this post. I mean two pics featuring me! Geez!

*I was sent a review ARC by the publisher*

Obsidian Obsession

Hey y'all! I want to share a book I recently read. Obsidian is a young adult fiction novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout. (*note: this is the book I'm reading in my profile pic ;)The book is very good and the author is going to be doing a signing this Friday in Woodstock, GA. Here's a link Jennifer's blog explaining about her tour and the #daemoninvasion.


I reallllly wanna go but hubs has to work, as I'm sure most people do. (But he is usually my go to partner in crime.) I really don't want to drive all the way out there by myself but if no one takes pity on me and comes with, I guess I'll be forced to go it alone. :( 


Anyways, enough of my pity party, here is my "review" for Obsidian. I think should you check out Obsidian and obsess with me!


Obsidian is about a teenage girl (Katy) who is new in town and moves in next door to beautiful, exotic, and odd sibling duo (Daemon and Dee). 


I really like that at the end Katy stood up for herself and is an admirable female character. As much as she finds Daemon attractive, she has more self respect. She decides she doesn't want a "good enough" relationship. Katy wants a relationship where she has more things in common than physical attraction. She actually says, "I want someone to care for me like my dad cared for my mom. And you aren't him."  Luckily for Katy, Daemon loves a challenge! I can't wait to see how this plays out in the next installment.

One thing I didn't (but did) like is the hot/cold relationship Katy and Daemon had through out the whole book. Come one kids! Either you do or you don't like each other. I think that helps add a layer of passion, if you will, to their relationship. Love and hate are both strong emotions and often they overlap more than one would hope.

I really loved at the end of the book (at least in my copy) were a couple of chapters from Daemon's perspective. You really find out more about why he acted the way he did. Those chapters really endeared Daemon's character to me. I mean, I got that he was a totally alien hottie but this helped understand his attitude and stand-offishness.

I liked that Katy was a blogger and that she was obsessed with books. That helped me identify with her as a "real person."

Here's a quote from the book, because if you are like me...I didn't know what "obsidian" was before I heard about this book!

"This is obsidian--volcanic glass. The edge is wicked sharp and will cut through anything," he explained quickly. "It's the only thing on this planet, besides us, that can kill the Arum. This is their kryptonite."

I'm so flipping excited about this book and signing I got crafty and created this tee shirt (with help from a very awesome friend!).We used the Cricut to cut out the letters of the word in vinyl. Then stuck the letters to the shirt. Next, I sprayed the tee shirt with bleach from a spray bottle. I over saturated the shirt with the bleach so I had to move on to Plan B. I used spray paint over top were I over bleached so the word would alas show up. (None of my DIY projects ever turn out right the first time I try.) Anyways, I'm still pretty stoked at the way the tee turned out. Lastly I did some cutting on the tee (around the neck, arms and bottom) and I'm calling it finished now.