I had two intended targets: books and crafts, but being [...]]]> My DD and I went to check out a college a few hours away and while she was hanging out with friends who are doing a summer program there and getting an insiders view of the campus, I went shopping…alone.   Oh the joy!

I had two intended targets: books and crafts, but being as it wasn’t a huge city we were in, I had limited choices.  I did in fact manage though, lol.

I found a book by Laurie Mika called Mixed Media Mosaics which I had wanted for a long time.  Totally up my alley in the way of crafts as it combines several techniques: mosaics, polymer clay and embellishment.  Of course, I figured that if poly clay tiles work, then UTEE tiles would work too, so I made a few.

The other great find of the day, though I didn’t realize it at the time, was a Chain Maille Kit I bought for DD to try.  I have been attempting to bring her over to the crafting dark side for years and while she shows a mild interest, nothing has captured her attention till now.  She sat up making a Byzantine chain bracelet until it was done and looked around wanting more.  We’ll handle that on our next back to school shopping trip.  Living in the boonies requires restraint, no spur of the moment retail therapy for us. Sigh!

Without enough jump rings to finish another maille project, she dug in my jewelry making stash for inspiration and found things to make 2 necklaces, also accomplished that same evening and with great looking results.  Can we say addicted?  LOL.  Mom wins!