Thursday, November 25, 2010

Sew, Mama, Sew Me An Art Tote!


Today my children's art tote was featured on the Sew Mama Sew Handmade Holiday Gift Guide! I have been a long time fan of Sew Mama Sew and was blown away when they contacted me to have my tote be featured! Through the month of November, they are featuring a list of some really amazing DIY gift ideas for that ever so special (and hard to buy for!) person in your life! Be sure to stop over and check out all the talent and ideas to make up their month long list



Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Free Victorian Printables

  



Who doesn't love free stuff? I know I do! I stumbled upon this incredible free printable 3D Victorian carousel and theatre awhile ago by Associated Content. I fell so in love with it! I do have a little confession to make here, though. I seriously debated on whether to share it with you all or not. Forgive me for being a bit selfish, but I know I am not the only one who just wants some things to be "special" for just ME. There are in fact times that I don't want everyone to know where I got something and I try to protect it's exclusivity. I thrive on the uncommon, so spreading the word on where I got my favorite shoes or sharing my secret recipes is robbing it's originality. That's just my snobbish opinion, but I know that you know what I am talking about! Right?!
Anyway, I figure you are all pretty cool and deserve a little something special, as well! I put my selfish ways aside and will now let you check it out, too.
(The carousel is already in full color but the theatre (which is 20 pages!) is made for you to color in yourself! So cool!) 

P.S. Feel free to thank me and also congratulate me on growing up!


Loved your visit! Until next time...
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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

DIY Faux Porcelain Leaves

Stark white porcelain and ceramic is all the rage right now. It's no wonder with it's sterile feel and subtle dimensions. It's a dream come true for the monochromatic type and also for people like me who are thrilled to see an age old trade made contemporary and classy. 

Did you catch the Host+Hostess section in West Elm? See? Told you! 


Even Esty shops are popping up with the milky merchandise
1. Whitney Smith                  5. Oenopia 
2. Wendy Jung                      6. White Earth Studio
3. Revisions                           7. Maap Studio   
4. Magalerie                           8. Alyssa Ettinger


Sooooo...when I came across a DIY faux porcelain leaves tutorial by Anna over at Take the Side Street using plaster of Paris, I was hooked! I followed her steps and made myself some pretty white leaves to adorn my walls! I would like to say that this garland would be great for Thanksgiving, but to tell you the truth, it's staying up all year long! I do have one bit of advise to add to her already great tutorial, however. I used a spray paint (Krylon) primer on all my leaves (front and back - 2 coats). This REALLY helped with the bleeding of the dye on the leaves and also made them less fragile and flimsy. You can find Anna's tutorial and list of materials here and make one for yourself too! 

(I also added some pine cones that I had collected from a recent camping trip!)


Best thing about this craft is that it cost me only $7.00:
Plaster of Paris - $2.99
Krylon Spray Primer in white - $3.00
Silk Leaves - $1.00

Thanks Anna for this great tip! You are one clever gal! 


Loved your visit! Until next time...
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Monday, November 15, 2010

Looking Forward....


As much as I dread the cold weather and the stress of the holiday season, there are a few things that get me through it. Things that I participate in that can actually help make sense of winter. I love hot chocolate at bedtime, bubble baths, curling up on the sofa and catching up on my magazines that have piled up all year long, making Christmas gifts for friends and family, but what I especially love is going to the local winter craft shows! Here in Utah (yes, that is where I live) we are fortunate enough to have some really great markets to showcase the local talent. This weekend I will be attending what I believe to be one of the best! The Bijou Market will be taking place this weekend on November 19th and 20th from 10-6:00 p.m. They have selected the Old Southworth Hall in Provo to house the event. If you check out Bijou's blog, they have been featuring various artists that are participating in the show and also hosting some great giveaways each day. This is good news for both the locals and the readers from afar! I have already been making my list of "must haves" and checking it twice. Here are some of my faves that I am looking forward to splurging on this weekend:
(For those of you who do not live in the area and can't make it to the show, you can still check out all the goods and some great Etsy shops via the vendor list)

This necklace from Armelle Jewelry.

This print from Sugar Fresh

These bookplates from Nifty Swank


Tea Towels from Vintage Fern


This hoodie from Adri Apparel


And finally, anything and everything by Elsa Bags, because Nicole is my fave!


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Best of luck this weekend Emily, Rashelle and Nicole!  I hope it is another huge success!



Loved your visit! Until next time...
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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Refashionista - Scallop Collar Cardigan

Remember how I told you that I was going to be a part of an upcoming Refashionista event? Well, that day has finally come! I can be seen over at Cheri's fab blog, I am Momma Hear Me Roar with a tutorial on how to make this cardigan today! I had a really great time taking on this challenge since repurposing clothing is pretty much a constant thought on the ol' noggin, anyway.  Stop on by and check it out. 
Oh, and you can also check out what I really look like. Please be kind - that was harder to do than the actual tutorial! 

Here's a question for you to ponder: Do you think I should host a giveaway and hand this over to one lucky medium sized winner? Just a thought......







Loved your visit! Until next time....
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Monday, November 8, 2010

Branched Out

Guess what I'll be doing today? Making these beauties! I have zero Thanksgiving decorations. Yes, you read that right: ZERO! I really like this idea that I found on Shelter Pop. It just so happens that I have 4 huge trees in my yard that would be delighted to gift me a branch...or 5. Hey Mom, no need to worry about centerpieces for the table on the 25th! I got 'em covered! Now if it would just stop raining long enough for me to go out and get them! 





Loved your visit! Until next time....
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Monday, November 1, 2010

Daily Planner Cover Tutorial

With the 2010 year coming quickly to a close, I am in the market for a new calendar/planner for my purse. I am not one of those people that take their schedules and events digital. I like the feel of a book that I am able to pen all my happenings in and then have the tangible evidence that I in fact conquered it all! I came across this great tutorial by Cathe Holden at Just Something I Made, that shows you how to make a cover for your daily planner by using an old book cover and some file folders. Cathe Holden's blog is full of DIY projects, graphics and free printables! Check it out - it is brilliant!

She made this.....


Into this!

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Here is Cathe's tutorial:

Find a cool vintage book close to the size and thickness of your planner and either a manila folder, decorative folder or heavy card stock.


With a craft knife, gut your book. I needed to cut the strings to remove the innards.


Save the pages for your craft projects.


Trim away any extra scrap along the inside of the book cover, but careful not to cut through the cover itself.


Turn the file folder inside out, and lay the book cover onto it with the fold of the folder lining up with the inside edge of the cover’s end paper and trace around the cover.


Draw fold lines just inside the drawn book line.


Cut the folder about 1″ outside the fold line.


Trim away the fold creating two cards.



Trim away the two corners just inside the fold lines.



Use a ballpoint pen to press fold scores into the cards.


Fold the flaps inward.

I chose to add packing tape along the non-folded edge for additional reinforcement. Run a strip along the edge and trim away excess.


Using a strong adhesive on the folded flaps only, (I used E6000), glue to the inside covers with the open sides towards the book spine creating pockets.


Place a piece of paper inside the pockets to keep any oozing glue from gluing the pockets shut.


Place stacks of heavy books on top of the pockets as they dry.


Trim your planner if necessary to fit into the pockets.


With book cover folded backwards, slide the covers of the planner inside the pockets.

Once the planner is centered and in position, add a piece of double stick tape inside the pockets to keep it from shifting. This can be removed later for inserting next year’s planner.


Start planning.


I can't wait to get started on this project!
**An abundance of thanks to Cathe for allowing me to post her tutorial!** 
To see more great planner cover examples by Cathe, click here!

Do any of you like to use a planner like this, or do you use modern technology to keep yourself organized?


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