Another Thing Crossed off my To-Try List.

It should come as no surprise to you that I am a huge fan of handmade items.  I would much rather spend my money on something that someone made with their own two hands instead of a machine.
Along those lines metal stamped items are some of my favorites.  They can be beautiful and creative.  You can easily tell if something is hand stamped or lazer engraved.  {Hand stamped is never going to be perfect.}

I have ALWAYS wanted to try metal stamping.  A couple of weeks Pick Your Plum had metal stamping letters up for grabs. I'm sure you know what's coming next , yeah.... I bought some.
I have held on to them for a while now.  I was scared to use them.  Mostly I was scared to ruin the metal pieces I had.
This weekend I got over myself and made two pieces.

The first one is the "bookworm" necklace that I am giving away for the book link party.

 
The second piece I made with a washer from Home Depot.  I think it cost me all of 11 cents.  It is rougher than what you would buy from Hobby Lobby and thicker.  But it worked and I kind of like the more industrial look.

I accidantly stamped the U in Laugh upside down.  I almost tossed it as a fail, however the more I looked at it the more I like it.  It reminds me to laugh at myself more.  This one I am keeping for myself.  But I have an entire list of people I would like to make more for.  So I am adding metal stamping to my ever growing list of crafts I love, and crossing it off my to-try list.

I used this wonderful tutorial, from my friend Adrianne at Happy Hour Projects, to figure out what I was doing. If you have ever wanted to do any metal stamping you need to read this tutorial.  She spells it all out from what supplys you do and don't need, to how to line up your letters.

If you would like a chance a winning the "bookworm" necklace all you have to do is link up to the book link party going on now.  Every link up is an entry to our giveaway.

Thanks for stoppin' by and hangin' out.

I will be linking up to these fantastic parties.