Thursday, September 30, 2010

Welcome To My Studio --- The Paper Boutique

Today I have a video tour of a craft room set up for paper crafting.   The video is from http://paperboutique.blogspot.com/








Hope you enjoyed the tour.
Bette
www.byyourhands.com

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Handmade Spotlight - Gorgeous Beaded Earrings

Today our handmade spotlight is on some beaded earrings I found on ArtFire.com. While each pair is different, I found each pair simply gorgeous in their own special way.


Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Tuesday Tutorial --- Fall

Fall crafting is in full swing.   I thought I would share some fall tutorials with you today.   You still have time to make them for the season.

These fabric pumpkins would be great on your Thanksgiving table.   Tutorial on The Cottage Home.


Your children would love to carry this trick or treat back for Halloween by Cluck Cluck Sew.



How about making this wreath for your front door to welcome your guests.   The tutorial is on Small Fry and Co.

Thanks for visiting today.
Bette
www.byyourhands.com

Monday, September 27, 2010

Getting Organized - Getting Laundry Under Control

Is your laundry out of control? Is it keeping you from crafting? It doesn't take long for that to happen so today I am offering some tips to help curb the piles that are taking over your laundry room.

1. Try to do at least one load a day. I am good at starting the laundry and letting it sit in the washer or leaving it in the dryer when it's done. Make it a habit to do at least one load from start to finish everyday. If the dryer is empty it'll be easier to start fresh the next day.

2. Get a sorting system together. You can buy laundry sorters or just use baskets. I remember when I was a kid, we had a space in our bathroom that was under the stairs. The space wasn't good for much else, so my mom set up 4 baskets to keep our laundry sorted. One for whites, colors, jeans and my dad's work clothes. This made it really easy to tell what load needed done. Don't forget to empty pockets!

3. Keep your supplies organized and in the same place, preferably next to the washer and dryer. Try to treat stains when the occur with a stain stick or pre-treater, before you throw them in the dirty clothes basket.

4. I mentioned it before, but remove the clothes from the dryer promptly. This will reduce wrinkling and will make it so much easier when you want to start the next load.

5. Hate putting things away? I did until I had my kids dressers and closets organized. Get rid of things that don't fit or are out of season on a regular basis. This will make things easier to put away.

A little bit of organizing can go a long way and getting the laundry out of the way is one of the things we can do daily to help our homes more organized.

Thanks for joining us!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.blogspot.com

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Blog Party Sunday, Show Us What You Made

Welcome to our Blog Party Sunday.   The fall/winter crafting season is in full swing.   We would love to have you show us what you have been making.

You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops and you don't have to be a selling crafter to show off your art.    Even if you only craft for your own pleasure we want to see it,  so don't hesitate to join in.

The rules are simple:

1. Follow our blog

2. Handmade items only.

3. You may list up to 3 items.

4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops, post about it on your blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.

Just click on the Add Your Link button below and add your items.

And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.



Saturday, September 25, 2010

Time Saver Recipes ---- Golden Split Pea Soup

Here is another time savor recipe that my family loves.    It is super easy to make,  too.   Golden Split Pea Soup made in the crock pot.   Toss the ingredients in the crock pot, set it and forget it until dinner time. 


Golden Split Pea Soup

1 1/2 cups of dried yellow split peas,  cleaned
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
6 cups of unsalted chicken broth or water   (I use 2 c. of chicken broth and 4 c. of water)
2 tsp. chicken bouillon granules
2 tsp. ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/8 tsp. ground white pepper

Toss everything in the crock pot and set it on high.   It takes about 5 or 6 hours to cook.

Use an immersion blender right in the crockpot and puree it.  

I freeze leftovers in small containers for lunches.  

Bette
www.byyourhands.com

Friday, September 24, 2010

Trash to Treasure --- Makeovers


Trash to treasure can be as simple as repainting or refurbishing a chair, lamp, table,  etc.    But today I want to share some unique makeovers.  

Would you recognize these from what they started out as?

I think this first one could have started life as a bed headboard.


And here is the transformation.   Directions found at Faith's Place.




Here is a doll cradle that can be found at Junk Blossoms.




Transformed into a shelf.


This was a gun cabinet in it's former life.




But look at this beautiful pantry transformation by Pepper Towne.



And finally these two doors at the hands of Brendan Carpenter

became this beautiful trunk.


I hope today's post sparked some creativity in you.   If you have a makeover you would like to share with our readers,  please email me at byyourhandsblog@gmail.com

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Today's Featured Artist - Snugglebug Prim Blessins

 Our featured artist today is Cathy  from Snugglebug Prim Blessins.


Tell us a little about you?

I have been crafting and creating dolls for about 15+ years now and have never stopped loving it. My doll making has been on many journeys where I have worked in primitive, mix media, vintage, whimsical, art dolls, paper crafts and now have landed back into primitive doll making and folk art dolls which is my true love. Sometimes its good to venture into other venues, you learn so much and can take it back to the craft room and see how you can incorporate what you have learned into your own art form. It's a wonderful experience.


How long have you been in business?

I have had an on-line business for about 4 years now.

How did you get started?

When my daughter was a wee little thing, my brain ached for something to fill it besides barbies and stuffed animals. I found a magazine called the "Country Marketplace" and that changed my life forever. I never looked back and am thankful for such a creative magazine.


What is involved in making your craft?

When I am designing a pattern you will find sketches of my dolls everywhere, several proto types of doll bodies, (sounds like Dr. Frankenstein doesn't it, LOL), misc. fabrics here and there, and notes on how I made this or that. As we all know, lots of time and effort go in to creating a piece but it is always worth it.


What is your favorite thing to make?

I love anything folk art. Especially Santa's and I also love Halloween pumpkins and witches


Do you have set hours to work?

Mainly when my son is at school, but I have been known to work into the wee hours of the night, I am a night owl for sure.

What are your future plans for your business?

Recently, I have been learning to make soy tarts and soaps and am hoping to have them on my site and in many local shops soon.


What does handcrafting mean to you?

Now this is a loaded question. Anything handmade well (at your level of experience), not a China item embellished, but created by me, from scratch. One of things that drives me crazy is embellished China made products. Handcrafting is exactly that a well made hand crafted item.

Where do you sell your crafts at?

Mostly on the internet:

www.snugglebugprimblessins.com
www.snugglebugblessings.etsy.com
www.artsaflutter.com

but I do sell at these local places:

D.S. Griffith and Co. (the oldest general store in WV)
Contactin Colorfest Oct. 9 and 10
Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival Oct. 16 - 17

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Tuesday Tutorial - Winter Accessories

The way this year has flown by it probably won't be long before winter arrives.   I thought I would share some cold weather tutorials today.

You have plenty of time to get some of these items made before then.   And they would also make great Christmas gifts.

These are classic leg warmers that are back in style again.   Tutorial to knit these is on Fave Crafts.


I love these fingerless gloves.   I wear them a lot in the winter.

Crochet pattern instructions at Crochet Spot.




How about some cute animal hats for babies.  Instructions to make these is at Serendipity Crochet.




And we can't forget scarfs. Here is a beginner knitting pattern from Dana Must Knit.



Hope you enjoy making some of these fall/winter accessories.
Bette
www.byyourhands.com