Salvaged Parts: Deconstructed Jewelry

If you're looking for a quirky, low cost way to spice up your cards or add a little bling to your scrapbook pages, hit the thrift store, check out some rummage sales, or rifle through the closet of a family member. Old, unwanted, or broken jewelry can quickly and easily be salvaged for usable charms, chains, and beads. I especially love deconstructing vintage earrings - that way I can make two identical cards using the same design element!

Just look at the treasure trove of inspiring goodies I purchased this weekend from my aunt who sells vintage jewelry. Ideas are already swirling in my head on how to design cards and gift tags inspired by my salvaged parts. Stay tuned to see what I come up with!

It's Confirmed: A Jewel of a Cake

Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. -Proverbs 20:15

This past weekend I had the unique pleasure of decorating a cake for my cousin Emily's confirmation. My aunt baked two Half Sheet cakes and frosted them with luscious white buttercream icing. Playing on the theme of Emily's confirmation bible passage, I chose deep jewel-toned hues and even found a jewel-shaped candy mold to make white chocolate gemstones to scatter around the cake. I made roses, daisies, and drop flowers from royal icing and used tinted buttercream icing for the scroll-work ivy and leaves.

As a centerpiece for the second cake, I crafted a three-dimensional floral arrangement to add depth, flair, and a little bling to the cake. Cotton wound floral wire and colored royal icing make for vivid sprays of color on this white cake. Edible glitter and pearl dust add even more sparkle to this lustrous cake.

Emily got to have her cake and eat it too on her special day!