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Raising the Barrs

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Elmer's and Xacto Loot from BzzAgent!

When I saw that BzzAgent was doing an Elmer's campaign I was super-excited, but never imagined I'd get to sample as many products as I did! Look at that box up there! In all, I was sent:

• Elmer's CraftBond All-Purpose Glue Stick
• Permanent Tape Runner
• Clear Glue Pen
• assortment of sticky spots
• Xacto Designer Series Zig Zag Decorative Edge Scissors
• Scalloped Decorative Edge Scissors
• Corner Rounder Punch

All of the products are very high quality and easy to use. I tested some of them out on a project for a baby shower I hosted a few weeks ago.

The parents decided not to find out baby's gender, so I made a banner with just the first initial of the baby's last name. They had a girl by the way, and named her Margaret.

The shower went very well and mommy LOVED the banner, thanks BzzAgent!

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Make sure to check out the entire Elmer's product line at a store near you!

52 projects challenge

One of the personal goals I set for myself this year is to finish all of the craft projects I've started or purchased materials for and not gotten to. I was inspired by a post over at the mothering.com forums where we were challenged to complete 52 projects this year. I want to do more "stitching" in the upcoming months (that's where I started after all), but I've really been enjoying faster projects. Here's what I've been up to:

Project 52/52:

I finished Aidan's box and wooden puzzle in January - the other was done before Christmas. (hoorah!)

Project 51/52:

I'm going to count these two wimpy projects as one. The first was going to be awesome! I got a freebie calendar from Oriental Trading Company that was pretty gaudy (appreciate it though!)

and got the advice to re-cover the pages myself! Rock on! I did two (well, one and half) but then received another much prettier freebie in the mail and decided to let myself off the hook. Worked out well anyhow b/c I was able to bless someone else who needed a new calendar immediately. :) Jan & Feb pics:

The other project I'll count (because I can) is not really very crafty. My toddler steps on crayons and breaks them (or breaks them on purpose) all the time and I finally decided to collect them and turn them into new wafer type crayons. I should have looked up a tutorial or something b/c I nearly burned the house down! lol!

They work though! :)

Project 50/52:

This was the most time-intensive, but my favorite so far this year. I got this idea from a magazine and made one for myself - learning a lot along the way - and then made one for Hillcrest using our logo. The day it was done I found this tutorial. *smacks head* I totally did it the hard way! lol!

Project 49/52:

Another fun one! I'm going to do more of these, this was my trial. Lily doesn't know she's getting this matching game when her little brother arrives - her mommy will know after reading this though! :) I decoupaged scrapbooking paper on lightweight wood tiles and used a letter stamp I borrowed from a(n awesome) friend. I can envision all kinds of things to do with these! Think I'm going to sew up a little drawstring bag to gift them in. :)

So 48 more to go! woot! :)

Toy Organizer

I can't for the life of me remember which book, blog, or magazine I got this idea from - but I definitely stole it. It took me a while to collect the materials and now I can't track the source down, but let me know if you have an idea where I might have seen it. :)

We've collected a fair amount of matchbox type cars, trains, and other vehicles that tend to shift to the bottom of the toy bin and Aidan really enjoys them so I've been keeping them in a shoe box for a while. I love this idea for gluing toilet paper or paper towel tubes to the bottom of a shoebox.

And my lovely friend April helped me choose scrapbooking paper and explained how to decoupage it onto the box and seal it. Very fun and easy project!

I *do* still craft!

Cross posted at my family blog a while ago.

It's been forever since I updated , but I haven't abandoned my true love - no worries. ;)

My friend Tori has been crafting up a storm and making me completely envious of her skill and determination! I wish I had half the talent she does, but crafting is partly about the process so it is (thankfully) very fulfilling despite. ;) I haven't knitted in forever and am sewing machine-less at the moment, but I've done a (very) few other things.

Presents for my little sister with a new undecorated college dorm room. Pencil/pen holder or vase, crocheted. And her name plate. Yay for Dollar Tree craft supplies!

Bracelet and Brooch for neice Skylar's 10th birthday! My older sister pointed them out in this month's issue of Family Fun (see it here) and I thankfully had all of the supplies on hand.

Way back on St. Patty's day I made Aidan a shamrock shirt:

And I thought I took pictures of this when I made it, but evidently not. Too bad b/c it's tattered and torn now. :( I'll have to write a whole post about our applique party sometime.

A is for "Aidan" and "army men."

Etsy Day!

Save Handmade!

The Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act would prevent crafters in the US from selling their handmade toys unless they spend a ridiculous amount of time and money to prove that they are safe from children (free from lead and other toxins).

While keeping our children safe is a priority that deserves attention at the federal level, the wording of this particular legislation stifles stay-at-home-moms, farmers market merchants, small craft company owners, esty sellers and the like by forcing them to adhere to testing and registration requirements that only large companies can afford to comply with. Click on the button above for information about the CPSIA and how you can influence changes in the law that will affect so many crafters.