Been a long time :(

Sorry it has been so long since my last post.  Life has thrown me some challenges and I've put crafting and blogging on hold.  I hope to pick back up sometime in the near future.

Baby Gift Ideas

So I want and need to make some baby gifts for a friend and family member coming up soon!! 
I made my nephew a clothing and blanket set when he was born and it was fun, so wanted to continue for others.  Here is a pic. of the set I made him:

There are so many cute ideas it is hard to pick what to do.  After doing some searches on the internet, I've narrowed it down to these links:
Baby Shoes

Felt Baby Shoes

Felt Applique Tee

Baby Girl Roundup (Tons of Craft Ideas Here)

10 Minute Onesie Dress

Cloth Shoes

Baby and Kid Tutes

Nursery Crafts

When I finish my gifts I'll post some pics!

Transform Tuesday ~ Tee Transformations

Wow, this site has awesome tee transformations!!  Tutes for scarves, quilt, shrug, skirt and more!!  Have fun!  I want to do a scarf and skirt:)

Monday Methods ~ Decoupage (Easter Vintage)

Decoupage is so easy and fun!  You can do almost unlimited amounts of crafts. 
There are loads of projects and how to instructions here:


Check out these Easter Eggs!

Here are some cute St. Patty's Day crafts too!


I'm so excited to share with you an awesome website full of vintage images!!  It is called  The Graphics Fairy. There were 3 Easter ones that were so appropriate for the season, so I thought I'd post!  Just print out the clip art and decoupage away on an item of your choice!!



Easter Cards
2 Chicks
Easter Basket with Eggs

Super Book Sunday ~ Sew U

These books are awesome!  If you want instruction and patterns all in one, these are the books.  There are three different books that include: making your a wardrobe, sewing dresses, and sewing with knits.  The instructions are easy to understand and very helpful with diagrams and illustrated pictures.   The outfits are trendy and include variations to most of the patterns.  These are great for a beginner and also great for a more experienced sewer that wants to learn more skills.  These would also be great reference books for any sewer.

Surprise Saturday ~ Craft Blog

I just came upon this site tonight and thought it was pretty neat.  It is called Craft Blog You Make it, We Blog it.  Make sure to check it out!

Featured Blog Friday ~ How About Orange...

Today's featured blog is How About Orange!  I've loved this blog for a couple of years now.  There is tons of crafty goodness!  Graphics, tutorials, downloads and more make this blog Feature Friday worthy!  To tempt you to visit, check out this lovely tacks!!

Who can resist the thought of decorating their walls with fabric?

Tutorial Thursday ~ Scrap Your Story

I don't do a lot of scrapbooking, I wish that I could get organized to do so.  This was too awesome to pass up posting though.  Tons of ideas on how to journal and scrapbook about your life. 
Scrap Your Story

Tutorial Thursday ~ Best Bike "Basket" Ever!!!

This is the most awesome bike basket ever!  I've got to make these for my kids!!  Check it out!
Bike Basket Tute

Working the Craft Business Wednesday ~ Etsy How To's!!

Who doesn't love etsy??  I love checking out all the awesome and unique items that crafters make.  It is just amazing how talented people are.  If you want to join in and sell on Etsy, they provide excellent info. for sellers!
Here are the links:

Etsy Beginner Article

Etsy Seller Handbook

Working the Craft Business Wednesday ~ How to make your own Light Box

We all want better pictures when we are selling our wares.  This site has a simple and inexpensive way to construct a light box.

Transform Tuesday ~ Amazing Transformations!

All I can say is this site totally rocks!!  Tons of cute transformation tutes!!

Transform Tuesday ~ Peasant Shirt

Check out this cute tute about how to make a peasant shirt from a button down shirt.

Monday Methods ~ Reverse Applique

I love the reverse applique look!  Here are some instructional links:
Reverse applique using woven fabrics

Reverse applique

Reverse applique using words!

Reverse applique Monogram

Here is a revere applique shirt that I made:

Super Book Sunday- Complete Embellishing

What can I say, I'm totally in love with this book!  It has great how-to info with pictures and tons of projects.  There are a lot of vintage style projects, which I love.  The reverse applique and regular applique instructions are very clear and easy to follow.  My fav. project is the Daisy Sundress that is embellished using a regular sundress and adding straps and a pocket.  The bird reverse applique pattern is adorable as well.   You can finish off an outfit with a fabric wrapped bangle or hoop earrings and  a button embellished purse.  Anyway, really cute ideas and the instruction portion of this book is outstanding.  Enjoy!

Free Blog Design Giveaway!!

April Showers is giving away a FREE blog design!
Check out her site.  It is easy to enter!!!

Working the Craft Business Wednesday ~ WAHM.com

This is a great site with tons of information!  I've never seen it before and thought I'd share in case you all haven't seen it either.  Here are some articles that I thought were helpful:

Starting a Craft Business

Copyrights and your Craft Business

Tax Deductions for your Craft Business

Enjoy :)

Method Monday #2 ~ Shirring

I love this look, but it always looks so complicated.  Check out this site for a tute on how to shirr

Better Late than Never Methods Monday!

I love Scherenschnitte!  It is this really cool way of cutting paper.  This site shares a method of using stamps and then cutting.  I can't wait to try this!

Awesome and Super Easy Doll Diaper Tute!

Check out this Doll Diaper Tute!  You just need some felt, scissors, doll and sticky velcro.

Transform Tuesday #2

This is an awesome DIY Tee!

Transform Tuesday

Check out this hot dress!  She transformed a not so pretty skirt into an awesome hot dress!  I love it!!!  Spring and summer here we come!!

Super Book Sunday ~ Indie Publishing: How to Design and Produce Your Own Book by Lupton

What a fun and informative book I found this to be!  It is a practical guide to various ways of getting yourself published.  I've always wanted to write a book and this book totally motivates you to do that.  There were several methods of how to make the binding yourself, as well as a list of publishers that will help you make your book more professional and get an ISBN #.  You can produce a small scale book or produce a professional book to go big.  Indie Publishing explains the parts of a book to be included and also the types of books you could do.  This book is inspiring, informative and a must have if you want to produce your own book!

Featured Blog Friday ~ Indietutes

Indietutes is such a cute blog!  There are so many cute tutorials offered it is crazy!!   She has technique  instructional tutes too!

Here are some of my favs. (all pics are from indietutes blog and were used with permission):

Shirred Tank Top

Scoodie

Peasant Blouse

She also has an etsy shop where she sells patterns. 

Check out Indietutes today!!

Some Cute Clothing Tutes!!

Ok, couldn't pass up posting these:
Girl's Dress Tute

Tee Shirt Makeover
I love the layered shirt look, so might have to make one for me!

(pic is from Punkin Patterns blog)

Clipboard Embellishing Fun and Tute!

These are always fun to make!  My kids love clipboards to do artwork and schoolwork on!  We use these regularly at work too.  I think it is time to do some revamping of them :)

I made a simpler clipboard awhile back.  I cut out pics of butterflies and decoupaged them.  Here is a pic. of the clipboard that I made:

Tutorial Thursday ~ WAHM Mini Thank You Cards

These are fun and easy cards that are a great way to say thank you to customers.

Supplies:

• Cardstock
• "Thank You" stamp
• Decorative stamps
• Ink Pad
• Paper Cutter

How To:

• Cut cardstock into business card size pieces
• Stamp each card with a "Thank You" stamp and a decorative stamp (use a seasonal stamp if you want)
• You are done!
• These are great for small businesses to mail with packages
• You can punch a hole and use a string to tie to packages as well.

Working the Craft Business Wednesday ~ Basic Start up Checklist

The Small Business Muse has a large selection of articles about starting and maintaining a business. Check out this basic checklist for steps on how to start an online business.  Start your new business today and make sure all your bases are covered!

I'm going to be working through this, as I really want to get moving on my crafting business again! 

Transform Tuesday

Tuesdays will feature transformed crafts.  There will be recycling, refashioning, creative transformings!!  I'll either feature links or creations of my own!

Tee Applique, Tote Download, and Tee Embellishing

Tee Applique
This blog shares a creative and easy way of applique.  I've got to try this out.  I love how she made the bird.

Tote Download
There is a tote download here. 

Tee Embellishing
I love this look!  Check out this awesome tutorial to make a vintage style shirt.

Have fun sewing!

Monday Methods ~ Simple Seams

This site is awesome in the way that they describe all the ways to sew seams.  There are photos of each way and instructions.  Great resource to make clean and simple looking seams!

Super Easy Blog Banners

I've got to try this!!!  Vivian Masket did a paper scrapbooking supplies banner for her blog.  I'm not good with digital scrapbooking, so have avoided making my own banners and such.  This is such a cute idea for those that like to do basic scrapbooking techniques.  You could be as creative as you wanted.  I'm assuming that she made the banner, scanned it, and then tweaked it by using a photo editing program.  Her post was so empowering to me and has my creative juices flowing to create cute banners!!  I can actually do these!  Enjoy:)

Monday Methods ~ Sewing a Hem

Monday Methods will focus on techniques and how-tos of the crafting and sewing world.  This will include basic information and instruction. 

Today's link is about how to sew a hem  video. This site offers a whole Sewing 101 Course as well as other tips and crafting information.

I also found these hem along posts from another blog.

Tons of Clothing Tutorials and Sewing Tutorials

I found this totally cute website today!!  She has tutorials for sewing, clothes, maternity clothes, kids, and  more!  Her skill is excellent and her clothes adorable!  You'll have so much fun visiting her website!!
http://megannielsen.com/

Super Book Sunday ~ Handmade Home by Soule

I checked this book out of the library and was impressed.  The ideas are fun and simple, with many projects included that can be done with your whole family.  There is a brief how- to section in the beginning of the book, a bunch of projects, patterns, and resources.  My fav projects were the women's cloth pads (complete with pattern) and the portrait bookmarks (embroider bookmarks from your kid's drawings).  There is an emphasis on repurposing and reusing materials, which is always wise.  This book has an awesome variety of projects for your home, personal, kids, and fun!  Enjoy:)

Surprise Saturday ~ Easy Flower Bobby Pins

Easy Flower Bobby Pins

What you need:
-Bobby pins
-Flower pieces

How to:
1.  Slide the flower on the bobby pin through the hole in the center.
2.  Glue if you would like.
3.  Place bobby pin in hair
4.  A cute variation to this would be to layer the flowers
5.  Done!!

Featured Blog Friday ~ Adventures in Dressmaking

Every Friday I'll post a blog that I like and is craft related.  This week's blog is:  http://adventuresindressmaking.blogspot.com/

There are tons of tutorials listed, lots of links and helpful books. Bunches of ruffle shirt tutes are there to tempt you to sew:)  They are totally awesome!  I'm hoping to make some soon with shirts I have around the house that are boring.  Have fun checking out the blog.

Crafting to Give Hope to Those in Need

I found this site today! Crafters are working together and sharing their work with those that need it. Check out their sites to either buy something, donate, craft items and more:
http://crafthope.com/
http://nest.crafthope.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/crafthope

Tutorial Thursdays

Every Thursday I will do my best to post a tutorial or a link to a talented crafter's tute! Happy crafting! If any of you have a tutorial that you would like me to feature on one of these Thursdays, please let me know:)

Personalized Fabric Coasters Tutorial

So I get very tired of washing a million cups a day or filling up the dishwasher within a few hours with cups! For some reason we can never remember what cup belongs to which person. To solve this dilemma, I made some personalized fabric coasters! I originally got this idea from Amy Karol's book Bend -the -Rules Sewing
Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew (her website is here: http://www.amykarol.com/ ) . I used her idea for inspiration, but didn't read her directions. My kids helped to pick out their own fabrics.

Supplies:Fabric squares-2 for each coaster 4x4 or 5x5 would work well
Sewing Machine and thread
Twill tape about 6" long for each coaster
Fabric markers
Alphabet stamps


How To:1. Using a fabric marker, color alphabet stamps and stamp onto the twill tape the name of your choice.

2. Now sew twill tape onto the right side of one fabric square. Sew down both sides and trim off excess tape on both sides

3. Placing right sides facing, sew fabric squares together leaving an opening to turn.

4. Turn right side out

5. Sew the opening closed and you can top stich all the way around the coaster if you wish.

6. Your done! Pretty Easy!!
(Sorry, pic isn't rotated.)