Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Celebrate Handmade

The OFG Etsy Team is having a a celebration.
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=bicofg
Click on the graphic above to see all the new and wonderful creations.
Or type in BICOFG on the Etsy search bar.
This fun celebration runs now thru November 9th!
 Here is a sample of some of the great handmade items. 

Stop back and see us again,
Deena Davis

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Almost November

Well Halloween is this week and after all the festivities of that day we will be on to November and what is November.....Thanksgiving! Well for all of our USA friends that is. :)

I thought I would start with some decorating ideas for the Thanksgiving holiday. 


Now I definitely don't have a table like this or the size of table, but I am sure many of you do so I thought this is really a nice centerpiece for a table. FarAboveRubies has some really nice centerpieces to check out.




Fall leaves are always good for fall decorating and what is nice is that you can carry them over to Thanksgiving decorating also. Here is a great idea to use jars and battery lights from MumsMakeList.





I am sure many of you have fireplaces with mantels and if you do those are always nice places to do lots of neat decorating. This mantel decorations from AmericanProfile shows a great way to decorate that mantel. And it looks pretty easy. 





Then if you are me I always like goofy and whimsical things to put on the door and JustPlainAdorable has this really cute door hanger! I just love it!







So if you like to go all out for Thanksgiving or just put a few items around there are so many ideas you can come up with. This is just a few of the many. 

Have fun decorating! 

Colleen :)










Monday, October 27, 2014

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Old Farmhouse Gathering Halloween

Halloween primitives embody the up-cycle spirit!  The Etsy group, The Old Farmhouse Gathering, has been busy fashioning primitive pumpkins, dolls, and décor made to look old by incorporating vintage notions, fabric scraps, and found items. Here is just a small sampling of the talented artisans from Team OFG.
 

 
 
To view more fabulous work from the Old Farmhouse Gathering search OFG on Etsy.
LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!
 
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

Sunday, October 26, 2014

It's Blog Party Time - Show Us Your Handmade Halloween Items

Welcome to our Sunday Blog Party. We would for you to show us your...
 Handmade Halloween Items.

You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops or your blog.

The rules are simple:
1. Follow our blog
2. Handmade items only.
3. You may list up to 3 items each week.
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.





Thursday, October 23, 2014

Handmade Spotlight - Fall Gatherings

I just love fall.. all of the colors, the decor, falling leaves and pumpkins. This group of autumn handmade items really shows what fall is all about. Stop by and see these items by CLICKING HERE.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: SPOOKTACULAR FABRICS!

This time of year brings out all the ghost and goblins and why not bring out that spooky fabrics also. If you are needing some last minute fabric to finish off those Halloween projects why not check out the fabrics in these Etsy shops.

Witches, witches everywhere in this fabric from SimplyQuiltsCrafts. I love all the witches shoes on this fabric.





The colors of black and orange are a favorite for making Halloween quilts and crafts and RunnStitch has this wonderful collection of black and orange fabrics.





Then there are the spooky skeleton's of Halloween and this fabric from MaggieAnnsFabrics puts a little comical twist to them. 





And of course there is the traditional Jack-O-Lanterns! UCanMakeThisToo has this gorgeous fabric that has the Jack-O-Lanterns and everything else to do with Halloween. :)





So where you are needing just a little more fabric or going to try and get that last project made before Halloween the stores on Etsy have every fabric you can think of. I personally am going to start on Thanksgiving I think. Want to get a few of them done before I jump into Christmas. 


Have fun and happy sewing!

Colleen :)







Monday, October 20, 2014

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Autumn Greetings!

Autumn Greetings! 
 I am traveling longer than expected this week so I leave you with a quick up-cycle pop of fall color from Postcard Boutique
Vintage postcards add nostalgia to any seasonal décor.
 
For more pops of nostalgic whimsy, search vintage postcards on Etsy.
 
LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

Sunday, October 19, 2014

It's Blog Party Time - Show Us Your Handmade Halloween Items

Welcome to our Sunday Blog Party. We would for you to show us your...
 Handmade Halloween Items.

You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops or your blog.

The rules are simple:
1. Follow our blog
2. Handmade items only.
3. You may list up to 3 items each week.
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.





Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Handmade Spotlight - Jack O'Lanterns Unite

Since we're all talking about pumpkins this week, I thought I'd share this great group of jack o'lantern handmades. Below you'll find a collage of pumpkin and jack o'lantern items. If you'd like to see these items better, simply CLICK HERE.


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Making Fabric Pumpkins

Today I am going to share this video on how to make fabric pumpkins. Pumpkins are a big decorating item for fall and also Halloween and since Halloween is almost upon us there is still time to make some of these fabric pumpkins. 

I looked at several video's and I thought this one was the best and gave the best detail. I hope you enjoy watching it. Now get that fabric out and start making pumpkins! :)







Happy sewing! 

Colleen :)


Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries Blog





Monday, October 13, 2014

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Cashmere Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Season is in full swing! Leaves are falling, sweaters and scarves are layered on, and fresh pumpkins wait to be carved into jack-o-lanterns!  Houses are decorated inside and out as apple cider scented air wafts through open windows!  It's the perfect time to up-cycle old cashmere sweaters into sweet mini pumpkins!
Cashmere sweaters are easy to find in thrift stores this time of year.  Lambswool and Shetland wool sweaters also work well.  And don't stress if orange wools can't be found because hand-dying is easy- peasey. 

To prep the sweaters for crafting, machine wash and dry on high heat to felt the wool. If dying is necessary it should be done after felting. Prepare dye according to manufacturer's instructions. Cut the sweaters into strips and soak in the dye for approximately 15 minutes. Rinse and set out in the sun to dry.  I used a variety of  beige and pink shaded sweaters and was rewarded with a nice variety in orange hues.

 
Once the fabric is dry, press out the wrinkles with an iron on high heat. Cut strips into rectangles and squares ranging from 2 inches to 6 inches tall. This will create a nice variety in finished size and shape.  Fold each piece in half, right sides together, and stitch side opposite the fold.
 Now the wee pumpkins are ready to come to life!  Time to prep the finishing supplies:
Follow these eight simple steps for every pumpkin size. When creating the pumpkin sections (steps 7 and 8), start by anchoring floss at the top of the pumpkin and run floss down the outside of the pumpkin, bringing the needle back to the top by running it through the center of the pumpkin and repeating this action eight times.
Time for toppers!  Wee pumpkins need only a simple stem of fabric wrapped floral wire.  But for pumpkins 4 inches and larger the raffia-wrapped floral wire looks best accented with a wool leaf and curl.  Using wire cutters, snip stems 1.5-2 inches long. Leaves can be cut in random patterns for a touch of whimsy.
Using the wire stem, wiggle the wire around the top center of the pumpkin to create a small hole where the stem will be inserted. Remove stem and apply a small dab of glue into the hole. Reinsert stem and set aside to dry.

To apply leaves and curl to larger pumpkins, insert fabric wrapped wire alongside the raffia wrapped wire.  Pierce leaf upon the thin wire and push it down to the stem base, pressing firmly into remaining glue.
Use a thin paint brush end to wrap the wire, creating a curl.  Use jewelry pliers to shape wire stems and curls as desired.
Have fun!  Get wildly creative!  But use caution!  This craft is so easy and cost-effective, it's easy to end up with an abundant harvest in just a few hours!
To find gently used sweaters to up-cycle in your area simply Google search resale shops within your zip code.

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

Sunday, October 12, 2014

It's Blog Party Time - Show Us Your Handmade Halloween Items

Welcome to our Sunday Blog Party. We would for you to show us your...
 Handmade Halloween Items.

You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops or your blog.

The rules are simple:
1. Follow our blog
2. Handmade items only.
3. You may list up to 3 items each week.
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.





Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Handmade Spotlight - FALLing for Autumn

Today we're featuring a few lovely fall items from the talented HAFAIR Team. Type in the Etsy search bar HAFAIR to see more exceptional handmades. You can CLICK HERE to see these items better.


Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Fall Recipes

Now that fall is here it is time to get busy and use all those fruits and nuts that you harvested to make some delicious pies. Unless you are like me and have to go to the grocery store to get the fruits and nuts! LOL! :)

First I think we will start with blueberry. We do have some wild blueberries in our back fields, but didn't get enough picked this year for pies. We use them in pancakes, but Sifting Focus has  pretty good looking pie recipe. 






Next pie is fresh raspberry. We do pick lots of wild raspberries up here, but I use them for jelly and syrup....maybe next year I will pick extra for a pie. I found this recipe once off of pbs.org, but haven't tried it yet. Maybe you can try it for us. :)






I don't know how many of you have fresh pecans to pick, but if not you can do just like me and go to the grocery store to get them. Actually I have never made a pecan pie, but this recipe from Todays Mama for little mini pies looks pretty good and the pies look like a good individual serving. 






Now I do make pumpkin pies especially for Thanksgiving. Years ago I grew the pumpkins and had fresh pumpkin pies, but I haven't grown any pumpkins up here, but maybe when I get my greenhouse built I will grow them again. Nothing better than a fresh pumpkin pie with fresh pumpkin, but until then I will have to use canned pumpkin. This recipe from Inspired Tastes uses pumpkin puree, but I am sure canned pumpkin would work. 




Boy all this talk about making pies makes me hungry. Guess I need to get to the grocery store and get busy making a pie. :)

Happy Baking! 

Colleen :)





















Monday, October 6, 2014

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Steampunk Season

Halloween kicks off Steampunk Season here in Galveston, and many other cities around the world. Elaborate costumes, Dickensian accessories, and Victorian gems come to life in designs that astound the senses! These Etsy up-cycle artists have crafted works of art perfect for the discerning steampunk soul!
From custom orders to ready-to-go pieces, SilverLeafCostumes provides extraordinary outfits with high quality detail.  Want to see their work in person?  Check out their extensive show schedule for a Ren-Faire or Comicon near you!
Victorian with a sassy twist is sewn into every seam at auralynne!  Gorgeous headpieces, zany gloves, and gowns well-suited for this year's Witches' Ball.  This artist welcomes convos for special orders as well!
Head gear is a steampunk essential!  It's the smallest details that make the greatest impact.  For jaw-dropping accessories, strut over to CuriosityShopper.  Grab your coffee and be prepared to sit a spell.... this Etsy shop is stocked!
For the steampunk fan with a bohemian tendency check out the works at AmoursansAnguish.  This Etsy up-cycle artist is fabric focused meaning each piece will feel as amazing as it looks!  Perfect dresses versatile enough to fit in to the fantasy of every day.
For more fabulous steampunk finds search recycled steampunk on Etsy.
LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

Friday, October 3, 2014

Today's Featured Shop - Katie's Little Shop

Today's featured shop is Katie's Little Shop - Where Southern Roots inspire Rustic Decor

 You'll find an array of painted mason jar sets, bathroom sets, signs, growth charts, planter boxes, wall sconces and shelves.

Below is a sample of items offered, but sure to stop by Katie's Little Shop to see it all.

 

Set of 4 Pint Size Fall Mason Jars

 

Set of 3 Quart Size Mason Jars Wall Hanging

 

Rustic Planter Box with Painted Mason Jars

 

Set of THREE Painted and Distressed Elite Mason Jars

Thank you for visiting our blog today!

Deena Davis

www.ewenmeprintables.blogspot.com