There hasn't been much time for anything crafty lately, so tonight I made a point of doing something fun!
I learned to solder a couple of weeks ago when I visited my friend Bev's house for an afternoon. I must say, soldering is FUN, but I'm not very good at it yet!
I've been meaning to try my hand at it sooner, but didn't have any flux here at the house. Well! Alan surprised me today by stopping at the hardware store when he was in town, and picked me up some flux and solder! He's so thoughtful! I was so excited, I had to try it out right away!
I made this little 2x2 (twinchie!) flower charm using stamps from my recently released Whipper Snapper stamp sets called Blooming Expressions and Blossoms & Butterflies.
I discovered that I really need to get myself a better soldering iron if I'm going to do many more of these kinds of projects. The iron I currently have is terrible at maintaining a constant temperature. I'm hoping that once I get an iron that's a bit more consistent, my soldering results (and skills) improve.
LOVE your charm Anna, you did a great job and your image is gorgeous as always!!
I posted my 2nd solding project too, I need practice Ü, I just love doing this and see me doing a lot more!
{hugs}
Posted by: pam hooten | August 14, 2008 at 09:32 AM
WOW What a great DH!!! What darling charms Anna, I LOVE the gorgeous stamping and shading on both!
Cyber hugs,
Jennifer :)
Posted by: Jennifer Meyer | August 13, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Well that's a great first attempt at soldering . . . it's fun, isn't it? I promise, you'll get addicted! Beautiful collage you created, Anna!
Posted by: Sharon Harnist | August 13, 2008 at 01:32 PM
How totally cute are those! I need to try that and I just love the designs you used and the colors.
Posted by: PaperCutting Kind of Day | August 13, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Very cute... my sad thing is I purchase all the stuff to do this months ago and just haven't had the courage to try it! Love yours!
HUGS
MichelleO
Posted by: Michelle Oatman | August 13, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Great stamping and I love the charm shape.
Posted by: Heather Fullerton (Retired Heather) | August 13, 2008 at 12:27 AM
Love the inspiration here! Thanks so much!
Posted by: barb schram | August 12, 2008 at 11:04 PM
These are so pretty! You can just touch something and beauty springs from it! What an awesome man Alan must be to bring you such a great gift (only a true crafter would understand-teeheehee)- he seems to be a keeper! Life has been so hectic I've not had time to keep up with my blog roll and I am just learning the sad news about C-Biscuit. I am so sorry for your loss and continue to find your caring nature so inspiring! Take care, Beth
Posted by: Beth | August 12, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Ahhhhhhh! Wonderful, Anna! I do love those new stamps too! You'll be teaching us the advanced version soon enough!
Such a sad story for C-Biscuit. I'm so sorry to hear that.
(((hugs)))
Posted by: Savor the Journey * Tex | August 12, 2008 at 07:27 PM
These are Beautiful!!
You sure learn fast...
They look wonderful!
Posted by: Dee | August 12, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Well done! :)
*hugs*
Posted by: Monica Löfstedt | August 12, 2008 at 12:33 PM
so sweet! I love these
Posted by: Debbie Fisher | August 12, 2008 at 11:51 AM
No laughs today, friend. So sorry about C-Biscuit. It seems like lately so many are losing their extended family. My friend, Chuck, lost his favorite horse when it was struck by lightening a few weeks ago. I'm standing in a puddle under your pedestal about now. But your stamping is still wonderful. LOVE these little soldered beauties. I took a class and tried it. It was kinda fun, but I told myself absolutely no more new toys, then I discovered the cuttlebug and it all went downhill from there.
Posted by: nise | August 12, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Very, very, very neat-o! I'm impressed. My Dad is a welder, among other things, but he'd never teach me the skill. (Girls can't do guy stuff, ya know.) These charms are adorable, and I love the stamps. I may have to branch out into unmounted stamps, something I have been avoiding.
Keep up the good work, and keep a smile around you.
Posted by: Shala | August 12, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Beautiful job. Do you just use memory glass and metal tape, then you solder?
Posted by: Char- D | August 12, 2008 at 10:31 AM
These are just adorable! I am trying not to get into soldering too...too many crafts not enough hours!! You did a great job though and I am sure we will be seeing more great soldering projects from you! I also want to add my condolences...so sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Danielle | August 12, 2008 at 10:17 AM
These are gorgeous..soon you'll be branching out and making your own line of jewelery. So sorry to hear about C-biscuit...I grew up on a farm and I know how attached one can get to the animals. Take care.
Posted by: Erika | August 12, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Hey, for a beginer those look pretty good to me. That's the good news. The bad news is, come on girls, now we have to try it! lol
Posted by: Phillis | August 12, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Beautiful Anna, I am inspired and may have to go raid the shed!
Posted by: Shelly | August 12, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Just beautiful Anna.. The charms are wonderful.
I am very sorry about C-biscuit.. It is always sad to lose an animal even if they are around for a short period of time.
Posted by: Janine | August 12, 2008 at 08:51 AM
I think it looks great!
Posted by: Michelle Adams | August 12, 2008 at 08:17 AM
FABULOUS Anna! I saw the first one, remember? I ended up getting the soldering tool from Hobby Lobby, just like Bev's. Haven't tried it yet, but I just now got my memory glass! You go girl!
Posted by: Sherry Cheever | August 12, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Everything you touch is beautiful! Keep soldering. (What I wouldn't have paid to be watchin' you girls solder at Tex's house!!)
I was SO sorry to read about C-Biscuit, Anna, I know how much you love your animals. What a sad day for all of you! I'm just so so very sorry!!!
Posted by: QC | August 12, 2008 at 07:31 AM
WOW! Anna, this is absolutely beautiful. Totally breath-taking!
Posted by: Joy Kennedy (JoyOfStamping) | August 12, 2008 at 07:28 AM
I love these!
Posted by: Tami M. (tmarie) | August 12, 2008 at 07:24 AM
These are both absolutely darling Anna. I've never even considered soldering, and I just figured it would never work into my art style, but I'm looking at gift potential here. So, you wanna do a tutorial and material list and where to buy the "stuff"?
Posted by: Barb Hardeman | August 12, 2008 at 06:52 AM
Too cute! Is there glass or plastic covering the top of the image? Directions please! :0) These would make great book thongs! One of these, a gift card to a book store and you've got a "WOW" of a present!
Posted by: Randee | August 12, 2008 at 06:35 AM
They're beautiful!
Posted by: Dotty | August 12, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Flux and solder were two things I thought I'd never have to deal with again after I got out of the AF more than 20 years ago, but you and Ellen might motivate me to borrow my Russel's tools!
Posted by: kathynruss | August 12, 2008 at 06:29 AM
I think that your "twinchies" are ADORABLE!
Posted by: Melissa | August 12, 2008 at 05:57 AM
These are sweet!!!!!
Posted by: Vicki | August 12, 2008 at 04:32 AM
They are lovely for your first try! I have yet to get into that...just give me time!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | August 12, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Wow, this is your first try??? They are both beautiful! Soldering is something I'm going to leave to the rest of you out there! LOL I can't wait to see more! And Alan is such a wonderful guy...you have a real keeper! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | August 11, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Oh my! This is just beautiful!!
~Kendra
Posted by: Kendra - SCS:apigonfire | August 11, 2008 at 09:25 PM