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!