A Little Home Redecorating

I have gotten the urge to redecorate the house.  I have made a big list of changes I want to make and started working on a few today.

I recovered and fixed the dinning room table chairs.  These chairs have been falling apart for a long time and in some need for help.

Then I added some color to the living room by covering the original couch pillows that came with the couch.

They are so much funner than the originals and much more my style :)

What's Up?

So, I have been super busy making Buckeye themed items for my customers.  This is my latest item that was requested by one of my Buckeye fans, a Messenger Bag.  I love making the felt buckeye appliques!  I am sure that I will have more and more items to show you :)

Also, I got an embroidery machine!!!  I am so excited that I can now personalize items.  This is a Key Fob that was requested.  These would make great Christmas gifts!!  I will be working on adding this option to my shop between school and craft shows. 

Making the most of my time

I had another great day at a craft show today.  It was a very last minute decision to do it but I am glad I did.  I knitted up this girls hat that I have been trying to get done for weeks when I was there :)  I am hoping to add some of my knitted items into my shop...someday.  People were probably confused when I was knitting but not selling any knit items.

Newest Creation

My newest creation...the Buckeye Wristlet!!  I have had this idea in my head for sometime but kept putting it on the back burner, but when a customer requested it I just had to do it.

I created the buckeyes and leaf applique using felt and then hand stitched it on.  I LOVE the way it turned out!!!

I Did It!!

I did my first craft show today!!  I wasn't going to do it.  I had decided a week ago that I just wasn't ready and there was no way I was gonna be.  I didn't have all my items made or my table display under control.

But yesterday my sister in law asked what time it was and when I told her I wasn't going she said "why not". So I found myself, with kids in tow, running around town looking for items for my table display.  And then I was up until 1am finishing items only to be back up at 6 to get ready and out the door.

I am exhausted! But I did it and had fun.  Here are some pictures I took of my table.  I wish it looked a little less like a flea market in the background but I didn't get to pick my location :(

My Favorite Tool!

Tools aren't just for the guys!  Every crafter needs lots of different tools.  My #1 tool is my glue gun.  I just use a little cheapy but it works great...or at least it did until a couple days ago {I must have worn it out}.

I simply can't survive without my glue gun so I ran right away to the local craft store to get a new one.  While I was there I decided to go ahead and get the non-stick mat I had been looking at for a long time but kept putting of.  I had been using a piece of wax paper up until now :( 

Well, it is amazing!!  I am so glad I finally got it.  The glue comes right off like magic.  If you are a glue gun addict like me, you have got to get this!

What Happens?

What happens from the time you take your child to school to the time you pick them up?  I just don't understand!  Here is my Emma right before we leave for school.  Clean and adorable.

Here she is the very same day!  Look at those jeans!!  This picture doesn't even catch all the dirt and filth.   

Tutorial: How To Make A Framed French Picture Board

  Picture Frame

Fabric {I used 1/2 a yard}

Batting

Scissors

glue gun and glue sticks

ribbon

stapler

buttons

Carefully remove the glass from the picture frame and put is a safe place.   Measure the inside of the picture frame and cut a piece of batting that size.  Place the batting on top of the board that goes on the back of the picture frame.

Cut a piece of fabric big enough to wrap around the sides of the board.  I sat my board on top of the fabric and cut around it.

Place the fabric right side down, place the batting on top, and then the board on top.  Wrap the sides of the fabric around the edges, pulling tight, and staple, being careful around the corners{I used a regular paper staple}.  Trim any large amounts of excess fabric.

Cut strips of fabric long enough to fold around the edges and place where you want them.  You can do as many strips of ribbon as you want.  Staple the ribbon in place where they over lap.

Turn the board over.  Pulling tightly on the ribbons, staple them on the back of the board, making sure they are not twisted on the front.  Trim any extra ribbon.

Now you are ready to apply the buttons.  I made fabric covered button since I love them so much :)

Using your glue gun, glue the buttons on top of where you stapled the ribbons.  I had to use a large amount of blue since I had to fill in the back of the buttons.

Carefully place the board into the picture frame and secure it into place.  You now have a fabulous looking french photo board ready to hang and display your cards and photos.

What's New In The Shop?

I have added a totally new item {not just a new fabric}.  Fabric covered push pins!  These are so cute.  They will make great gifts for teachers, students, and office workers.

And I am adding a new style of my Badge Blossoms :)  I just love these petals!  They are adorable.

Learning As I Go

Largest order so far { and there are some not pictured! }

I don't know why I didn't think of it before!  I am now treating all my items with scotch guard to help keep them looking like new.  I had a customer order a new lanyard from me because her current one that she purchased from me earlier was looking old and dirty from daily wear.  So I thought "hmmm...wonder what I can do to help keep this from happening".  My lanyards can certainly be thrown into the wash{maybe not the dryer though}, but I think the scotch guard will definitely help.  And of coarse I want all my items to maintain their original beauty.  After all, I do put a lot of care into them :)

Cloudy Rainy Days Are Great For Creating

Today was a cloudy rainy day...a great day for creating something new to add to my shop.  I made these mini On-The-Go Wristlets out of some new fabric I got.  I especially love the light blue flowered one in the front.  You know I love to share pictures...so here they are :)

I was so productive today.  I was the mystery reader today for my daughter Emma's kindergarten class, I whipped up these little beauties, and I took pictures for a tutorial on zippers. 

Wordless Wednesday

Crafting with my helper

Today I spent all day crafting...badge holders, lanyards, and key chains...with my faithful sidekick, Emma.  She loves to color and make stuff.

This is how it usually looks when I am making my badge blossoms...like a disaster.  I normally like things to be tidy and organized but I guess my crafting area is different.  I can't wait until I get my own craft room.  And hopefully it will be a little more organized.

Fabulous Find!!

I was out and about today picking up more supplies as usual {I really need to start ordering large quantities online} and I found this fabulous fabric...on clearance. 

I wonder what this will turn into :)  Any suggestions?

OH-IO

Today was the first game for the Ohio State Buckeyes!!  And to celebrate I created 2 new Buckeye style badge holders.

I was hoping to find fabric in an OSU design but was not so lucky :(  But just as I was about to move on to the next local fabric store, I found this fabric in scarlet and gray that I thought was perfect.  I am really happy with how  my buckeyes turned out.  Love it when I have an idea in my head and it works out perfectly :)  I am sure I will be busy making these for a while.  Lots of BIG Buckeye fans around here!

A Couple of Beach Bums

Hi guys!  We just got back from our annual family vacation to Folly Beach, SC.  I wanted to share some pictures of my favorite little guys.

We took Miss Emma sea shelling and thought we could get to the light house...guess not.

This pelican landed right in front of our path while sea shelling.  Miss Emma naturally wanted to pet it :)

Evan didn't want  me taking his picture but I snuck this one in :)

 Sand monster with attitude.

Finally!

I finally got my Badge Blossoms listed in my online shop!!  Right now they are listed in groups to choose a design from.  I am planning on listing them seperately as soon as I get them all photographed.  I am also trying to figure out my packaging.  I stapled a business card to the top of this ziploc bag...like the look but need to find a more professional option.

Show and Tell

Hi guys!!  It has been too long since I have shared with you.  Between my internet not cooperating and trying to spend as much relaxing time with my family, I seem to have neglected my blog :(  So I wanted to stop in and say hi as well as show some items I have been working on recently.

More Badge Blossoms!  I still have yet to get them into my online shop. 

I was so excited when I found this fabric and couldn't wait to make myself a wristlet out of it.  Luckily it was for me to begin with because it turned out a little lopsided :( I hate when things don't work out as planned.

Check out these awesome polka dots on the inside!! And my new bigger labels.  I LOVE my new labels.  They are simple and look great with any fabric.

I had a request for a wristlet made out of this pattern today.  I think it turned out great so I decided to list it in my shop.  No reason to not share :)

Here is the inside view.  I used the opposite fabric, black on white instead of white on black.