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Thursday, December 9, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
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
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!
Sign up for Elmer's Craft It! Club and receive special offers, a newsletter, and more.
Make sure to check out the entire Elmer's product line at a store near you!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
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! :)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
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!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
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."
Friday, April 24, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
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.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Christmas Gifts
Geesh! Almost 2 months without posting! I couldn't post about the things I was making for Christmas, so I had a hard time keeping up with this blog. And of course, Christmas crafting was taking up most of what would have normally been blogging time. I got photos of almost everything I made for Christmas and almost everything was sewn. My friend Kim is letting me borrow her machine right now and I can't tell you how refreshing it is to be able to whip things up in a matter of hours rather than weeks!
Not the best picture, but probably the most satisfying project. I made a taggie blanket for little Timber that was so cute I almost couldn't give it away. It's black on the underside and so soft. :)
For another special little girl, my neice Kaeleigh, I made a doll-sized baby sling. I didn't make the doll, it came from my favorite local boutique, Luticia Clementines. And here's a photo of my little guy modeling how it's worn. He'll love me for this in 15 years. ;)
Kaeleigh's big sister Skylar is becoming such a little lady that I made her her own adjustable apron. She'll be able to grow into it for years. This photo is of me wearing it:
Quite a few relatives got variations of rice, barley, and flax seed filled heat and cold therapy packs based off of the ones on the Sew, Mama, Sew blog. What a wonderful tutorial! And everyone enjoyed them. yay!
My little sister Patty got a cell phone charm, the only non-sewn gift this year, based off of the crochet pattern from anapaula:
And would you believe that I made the same scarf for my friend Kim and my mother and failed to get a picture of either of them? geesh!
There are at least three things that I didn't get finished this year that are on my list for next year, and I got a ton of ideas. Hopefully by this time next year I will actually have an area in our new apartment dedicated completely to crafting! yay!
Not the best picture, but probably the most satisfying project. I made a taggie blanket for little Timber that was so cute I almost couldn't give it away. It's black on the underside and so soft. :)
For another special little girl, my neice Kaeleigh, I made a doll-sized baby sling. I didn't make the doll, it came from my favorite local boutique, Luticia Clementines. And here's a photo of my little guy modeling how it's worn. He'll love me for this in 15 years. ;)
Kaeleigh's big sister Skylar is becoming such a little lady that I made her her own adjustable apron. She'll be able to grow into it for years. This photo is of me wearing it:
Quite a few relatives got variations of rice, barley, and flax seed filled heat and cold therapy packs based off of the ones on the Sew, Mama, Sew blog. What a wonderful tutorial! And everyone enjoyed them. yay!
My little sister Patty got a cell phone charm, the only non-sewn gift this year, based off of the crochet pattern from anapaula:
And would you believe that I made the same scarf for my friend Kim and my mother and failed to get a picture of either of them? geesh!
There are at least three things that I didn't get finished this year that are on my list for next year, and I got a ton of ideas. Hopefully by this time next year I will actually have an area in our new apartment dedicated completely to crafting! yay!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Finally finished wool wrap!
Wow, this darn thing took me forever! It certainly wasn't because it was large or challenging... I just... *couldn't* keep at it. Have you ever had a project like that? For whatever reason, you reach a point where the motivation's just not there? I am very happy to have finally completed it! Today is my baby's 9 month birthday and I started the wrap a few days before he was born!!! It's a good thing I made it extra big! At least I knew myself well enough not to expect my newborn to wear it!!I used the Warm Heart Woolies pattern and country 8ply by Cleckheaton in this amazing green color. I should have sewn the buttons closer together, but I have a big boy and assumed they would need to be further out. I'll fix that sooner or later. For now it's still a little bit either way.
Monday, October 27, 2008
It Itches Winner
The winning caption for the It Itches contest was:
"Never stand too close to a knitter when you have an end dangling."
Teehee. :) Congrats!
"Never stand too close to a knitter when you have an end dangling."
Teehee. :) Congrats!
Friday, October 24, 2008
20 uses for Pumpkin, Squash, and Gourds
I wrote this article last year and it has been featured on Associated Content now for the second time!! Yay! Enjoy!
Just in time for Fall, I've compiled a list of fun ideas for using up your garden produce and celebrate the season with your family. Many of these projects can use gourds, pumpkin, or other squash interchangeably, but some are fruit specific so definitely check out the links listed. Enjoy!
1. Make Musical Instruments
Get creative and make shakers, maracas, drums, or even banjoes! This Website has everything you need to know about creating and caring for your gourd music makers!
2. Make a Bird House
This is a fun way to get your children interested in observing the natural inhabitants of your back yard, and they will be ecstatic to have the opportunity to keep their little flying friends warm as the cold weather sets in. Visit Amish Gourds for tips on how to begin and for supplies.
3. Make a Snowman
Speaking of cold weather, this project will have them day dreaming about wintry adventures all the way up to the first snow. Get ideas here and here.
4. Eat Them
Mmmm! Pumpkin pies, breads, soups, and more! There's almost no end to what can be done with squash in the kitchen. Get great recipes at Epicurean.
5. Decoupage Them
If you have a little one who just can't get enough of gluing things together, have them cut out pictures in a theme and make their own three-dimensional pumpkin or squash collage! See an example here.
6. Make a Gourd Ghost
One of many things you can do with fruit and a little bit of paint, have them create your front porch Halloween decorations using gourds or squash! Here's a ghost to begin with.
7. Carve Them
The internet makes making a jack-o-lantern or squash-o-lantern a cinch with printable pattern ideas. Find some here and here (scroll down for free patterns or order the pattern book). Check out her home page at http://www.pumpkinlady.com/ for more fun info also!
8. Make a Bowl
This Fall project using a sturdy dried gourd could be craft or art! Either way it will last for years to come. Directions here.
9. Make Candles
Candle making may already be something your family does together, but even if it's not, this fun twist on a wonderful hobby is just right for these upcoming months. I have found two different tutorials, one at kids crafts and one at homeschoolzone. Use one or both!
10. Bake the Seeds
Did you know that you can bake butternut or acorn squash seeds just like you do pumpkin? A little salt and olive oil to coat lightly and a baking at about 275 degrees for 15 or so minutes will give your family a bowl full of yummy and healthy snack for after school munchies or to put in sack lunches.
11. Make a Pumpkin Seed Flower
To get your littlest ones involved you may have to give them something a little smaller than a giant pumpkin to work with. Pumpkin seeds are great for art projects, check out this idea.
12. Dress Them Up
Have your kids design their very own Halloween costume for a squash, or create a miniature of their own. The possibilities are endless.
13. Make a Purse
This one might take more than a little guidance, but it's a wonderful ideas! Visit Martha's Gourds to find out more.
14. Candle Holder
Some people use decorative squash as a dining room table centerpiece. Take it one step further and make it a candle lit dinner! Here's the tutorial.
15. Make Dolls
Check out this website full of inspiring professionally painted and decorated gourd dolls, maybe your child could be the next Diane Piccola!
16. Make a "gourd dog"
Are your kids always begging for a(nother) pet?? Have them give this (much quieter) alternative a try.
17. Make Pumpkin Candy
An old Pueblo recipe with a tad more nutritional value than most Halloween candy!
18. Dry Strips of Squash
Native Americans traditionally dried pumpkin to eat as pumpkin leathers or even pounded the strips and wove them into mats!
19. Make Shoes
I can't guarantee that these would be comfortable, but this is a fun and educational project nonetheless. Please let me know if you endeavor to make high-heeled gourds, I'm dying to see it done! Here are instructions for shoes.
20. Use Them as Soup Bowls
You've heard of soup in a bread bowl! Soup in a pie pumpkin or acorn squash makes the whole table festive. Pureed squash makes a wonderful soup, too! Here's a whole slew of soup recipes.
BONUS!
Just in case you are ever in need, gourds can also be used as a national currency! That's right! Who says money doesn't grow on ... vines?
Just in time for Fall, I've compiled a list of fun ideas for using up your garden produce and celebrate the season with your family. Many of these projects can use gourds, pumpkin, or other squash interchangeably, but some are fruit specific so definitely check out the links listed. Enjoy!1. Make Musical Instruments
Get creative and make shakers, maracas, drums, or even banjoes! This Website has everything you need to know about creating and caring for your gourd music makers!
2. Make a Bird House
This is a fun way to get your children interested in observing the natural inhabitants of your back yard, and they will be ecstatic to have the opportunity to keep their little flying friends warm as the cold weather sets in. Visit Amish Gourds for tips on how to begin and for supplies.
3. Make a Snowman
Speaking of cold weather, this project will have them day dreaming about wintry adventures all the way up to the first snow. Get ideas here and here.
4. Eat Them
Mmmm! Pumpkin pies, breads, soups, and more! There's almost no end to what can be done with squash in the kitchen. Get great recipes at Epicurean.
5. Decoupage Them
If you have a little one who just can't get enough of gluing things together, have them cut out pictures in a theme and make their own three-dimensional pumpkin or squash collage! See an example here.
6. Make a Gourd Ghost
One of many things you can do with fruit and a little bit of paint, have them create your front porch Halloween decorations using gourds or squash! Here's a ghost to begin with.
7. Carve Them
The internet makes making a jack-o-lantern or squash-o-lantern a cinch with printable pattern ideas. Find some here and here (scroll down for free patterns or order the pattern book). Check out her home page at http://www.pumpkinlady.com/ for more fun info also!
8. Make a Bowl
This Fall project using a sturdy dried gourd could be craft or art! Either way it will last for years to come. Directions here.
9. Make Candles
Candle making may already be something your family does together, but even if it's not, this fun twist on a wonderful hobby is just right for these upcoming months. I have found two different tutorials, one at kids crafts and one at homeschoolzone. Use one or both!
10. Bake the Seeds
Did you know that you can bake butternut or acorn squash seeds just like you do pumpkin? A little salt and olive oil to coat lightly and a baking at about 275 degrees for 15 or so minutes will give your family a bowl full of yummy and healthy snack for after school munchies or to put in sack lunches.
11. Make a Pumpkin Seed Flower
To get your littlest ones involved you may have to give them something a little smaller than a giant pumpkin to work with. Pumpkin seeds are great for art projects, check out this idea.
12. Dress Them Up
Have your kids design their very own Halloween costume for a squash, or create a miniature of their own. The possibilities are endless.
13. Make a Purse
This one might take more than a little guidance, but it's a wonderful ideas! Visit Martha's Gourds to find out more.
14. Candle Holder
Some people use decorative squash as a dining room table centerpiece. Take it one step further and make it a candle lit dinner! Here's the tutorial.
15. Make Dolls
Check out this website full of inspiring professionally painted and decorated gourd dolls, maybe your child could be the next Diane Piccola!
16. Make a "gourd dog"
Are your kids always begging for a(nother) pet?? Have them give this (much quieter) alternative a try.
17. Make Pumpkin Candy
An old Pueblo recipe with a tad more nutritional value than most Halloween candy!
18. Dry Strips of Squash
Native Americans traditionally dried pumpkin to eat as pumpkin leathers or even pounded the strips and wove them into mats!
19. Make Shoes
I can't guarantee that these would be comfortable, but this is a fun and educational project nonetheless. Please let me know if you endeavor to make high-heeled gourds, I'm dying to see it done! Here are instructions for shoes.
20. Use Them as Soup Bowls
You've heard of soup in a bread bowl! Soup in a pie pumpkin or acorn squash makes the whole table festive. Pureed squash makes a wonderful soup, too! Here's a whole slew of soup recipes.
BONUS!
Just in case you are ever in need, gourds can also be used as a national currency! That's right! Who says money doesn't grow on ... vines?
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Sock the Vote
I don't need more yarn, but I wish I did so I could justify buying this:
Anne Schaefer has created four colorways of this yarn to "celebrate the women making an impact on the 2008 presidential election." There's one for Cindy McCain, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and the one I've pictured is Sarah Palin. They are only available until election day.
I'd love to hear her walk through the colors she chose and why. Check them out for yourself.
Anne Schaefer has created four colorways of this yarn to "celebrate the women making an impact on the 2008 presidential election." There's one for Cindy McCain, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and the one I've pictured is Sarah Palin. They are only available until election day.
I'd love to hear her walk through the colors she chose and why. Check them out for yourself.
Monday, October 13, 2008
It Itches
Franklin Habit (and Interweave) has released a book of knitting cartoons called "It Itches: a stash of knitting cartoons," and I want it!!! You can read about it by clicking the title up there or here. He's also holding a contest over at Knitting Daily for a chance to win this print with your own caption. My caption entry is below the picture. Click the picture to enter your own and try to win!
"The clothes you girls wear nowdays are so tight, it looks like you can't afford clothes that fit! I'll just let this out a little..."
Saturday, October 11, 2008
My Queue
I'm going to add to this later today - this is just what I found in my bookmarks.
Free Patterns from around the web that I *will* get to:
Toys:
Fuzzy Lamb (k)*
Baby's First DNA Model (k)
Toy Net (c)
Mouse and His Cookie (c)
Babies:
Punk Knitters soaker (k)
Curly Purly Soaker (k)
Baby Yoda Sweater (k)
Baby Legs (c)
Baby Legs (s)
Children:
Sundress (k)
Pillowcase Dress (s)
Women:
Isabella (k)
Accessories:
Hearts Scarf (k)
Warming Belt (for Rob) (k)
Pretty Puffs Slouchy Hat (c)
Misc:
Breastfeeding Advocacy Cloth (k)
iPod Nano Warmer (k)
Dog Bone (c)
Birthday Banner (s)
Wool Dryer Balls
*(k)- knitted (c)- crocheted (s)- sewn
Free Patterns from around the web that I *will* get to:
Toys:
Fuzzy Lamb (k)*
Baby's First DNA Model (k)
Toy Net (c)
Mouse and His Cookie (c)
Babies:
Punk Knitters soaker (k)
Curly Purly Soaker (k)
Baby Yoda Sweater (k)
Baby Legs (c)
Baby Legs (s)
Children:
Sundress (k)
Pillowcase Dress (s)
Women:
Isabella (k)
Accessories:
Hearts Scarf (k)
Warming Belt (for Rob) (k)
Pretty Puffs Slouchy Hat (c)
Misc:
Breastfeeding Advocacy Cloth (k)
iPod Nano Warmer (k)
Dog Bone (c)
Birthday Banner (s)
Wool Dryer Balls
*(k)- knitted (c)- crocheted (s)- sewn
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The Christ Covenant Presbyterian craft group started meeting a while ago on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. We originally decided to meet primarily for fellowship and to teach each other, but it wasn't long before we had a more specific goal in mind.
Every year our community holds a Fall Festival. Two years ago members of our church stood out on corners near the booths and passed out water bottles and information about our church (we are pretty new and still trying to get the word out). It was suggested to us this year that perhaps we would have a more credible presence if we purchased booth space, so we did. We also decided that rather than just having a non-profit booth, we would use our crafts as an opportunity to raise money and awareness for a ministry we support - Hillcrest Transitional Housing.
We have gotten to know each other so much better through this endeavor and had a blast making the items to sell. This weekend was the big weekend and we were very pleased with all of the items we were able to create and the way they were presented (see more photos in the previous post).
Here are a few close-up examples of the things we had up for sale:
The sad news is that we didn't sell a whole lot. We spoke with some of the other vendors and they said that this was their hardest year and that they were very disappointed with the outcome as well. I guess it's just the economy? We are going to make some calls to find out if we can be entered last minute into any of the other shows around town. We've still got 90% of our inventory left! It was certainly fun though! And we're inspired to use what we've learned to make an ever better display next year.
Now that the Festival is finally over, I have time to start investing in this blog, my etsy, and my other blog! Seeing all of those other craft booths definitely has my creativity flowing - stay tuned!
Every year our community holds a Fall Festival. Two years ago members of our church stood out on corners near the booths and passed out water bottles and information about our church (we are pretty new and still trying to get the word out). It was suggested to us this year that perhaps we would have a more credible presence if we purchased booth space, so we did. We also decided that rather than just having a non-profit booth, we would use our crafts as an opportunity to raise money and awareness for a ministry we support - Hillcrest Transitional Housing.
We have gotten to know each other so much better through this endeavor and had a blast making the items to sell. This weekend was the big weekend and we were very pleased with all of the items we were able to create and the way they were presented (see more photos in the previous post).
The sad news is that we didn't sell a whole lot. We spoke with some of the other vendors and they said that this was their hardest year and that they were very disappointed with the outcome as well. I guess it's just the economy? We are going to make some calls to find out if we can be entered last minute into any of the other shows around town. We've still got 90% of our inventory left! It was certainly fun though! And we're inspired to use what we've learned to make an ever better display next year.Now that the Festival is finally over, I have time to start investing in this blog, my etsy, and my other blog! Seeing all of those other craft booths definitely has my creativity flowing - stay tuned!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Liberty Fall Festival
I decided I needed to finally get this blog going so that I can post about my first craft show! Technically it's not MY craftshow, but I do lead the craft group! More to come!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
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