Blog Party Sunday --- Show Off Your New Handmades

 It's blog party time again.  It's your time to share your  handmades.  Are you making things for St. Patrick's Day?  Are you crafting for Easter?   We would love to see what you have so don't hesitate to  join us today.


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 at the end of this post and add your items.

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

<a href="http://www.byyourhands.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy110/ByYourHands/blogparty.jpg" /></a>

Time Saver Recipes -- Sweet Potato Vegetable Soup

 Here is an easy soup you can make on the weekend and enjoy all week.   It is not only delicious but very healthy for you.

Sweet Potato Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

1 C. diced onions
1/2 C. chopped celery
1/2 C. chopped carrots
1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled
    and diced
3 C. chicken broth
1 C. chopped tomato
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp basil
2 C. frozen peas, green beans
   broccoli, or spinach
1 C. frozen corn
Or 3 C. of vegetables of your choice
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in pot.

You can cook this on the stove for about an hour and a half, set it and forget it in a crock pot for about four hours,   or for my preferred way to cook it,  in your pressure cooker on the soup setting for five minutes.

Today's Featured Artist --- Mamaw's Creations

Today's featured artist is Marie  from Mamaw's Creations.

Tell us a little about you?

 I live in a small town North of Pittsburgh Pa. called Tarentum.   I got married at 17 and have been married for 41 years. We have three grown children. Carrie 41, Crissy 39, and Chad 33.
They have blessed us with 7 grandchildren. Carissa 13, and Cole 10, were the first two then we had Alexis 8, Zachary 8, and Sydney 8….Triplets! 4 days later, after they were born,  we had another grandchild Darian 8, We went from 2 grandchildren to 6  real fast! Our 7th grandchild is named Dominic 5. I babysat the triplets and Darian and Dominic all together and let me tell you at times it was challenging!

How long have you been in business?

 I opened my website in 2002.  I was making grubby candles and dolls for craft shows and I got the idea for opening a website. The best move I ever made.

How did you get started?

 I had no idea of how to go about making a website but saw a ad in the country marketplace (I miss that magazine) and went from there. I love having my online store and since I have been on the web, have met so many wonderful customers and friends.

What is involved in making your craft?

 I love to design my own dolls and there is always a piece of paper laying around that I doodle on! I have even been known to wake up at night and write an idea down so I don’t forget it in the morning. I have worked with a lot of mediums but sewing with fabric is my favorite.

What is your favorite thing to make?

Primitive Raggedy Dolls is my favorite! It must be the kid in me that loves it so much. Seeing each doll come to life with their own personality pleases me

Do you have set hours to work?

I work on something every day! I guess I am addicted to crafting. I have been known to be in my craft room late at night especially when I have craft shows coming up and need the inventory.

What are your future plans for your business?

My plans are to keep designing patterns and sewing and to keep advertising all of my sites. 

What does handcrafting mean to you?

Handcrafting means to me “Made from the Heart”
I love what I do and I love it when customers come back and tell me they can see I put a lot of love in what I have made.

Where do you sell your crafts at?

website--- www.MamawsCreations.com
etsy --- www.MamawCreations.etsy.com 
I do craft shows all year round and I also own a beauty salon where I display my crafts.

Handmade Spotlight - Hoppin Down The Bunny Trail

Hoppin Down The Bunny Trail

Curated By: ewenmeprintab...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

Tuesday Tutorial ---- Tussie Mussies

We have a guest poster today with a darling tutorial for you.    Thanks so much to Sally Swift from All Things Homey blog for sharing this tutorial for her Tussie Mussies with us.

Historically a tussie-mussie was a small Victorian bridal bouquet. In the decades that followed, this term also became synonymous with a small cone-shaped vessel to hold a single flower or some other type of treat. Tussie Mussies were popular during May Day celebrations.
Last month I gave instructions on how to make a paper ruffle for a Tussie Mussie I was making. This month I am giving instructions on how to make the Tussie Mussie.

The four Tussie Mussies above are 5" high not including ruffle and the ribbon for hanging.

The following instructions are for this size.

1. Use a 10" diameter plate to draw a circle a 12" x 12" piece of paper or cardstock.

2. Find the center point of your circle and divide into 4 equal parts. Cut apart.

3. Fold 1/4" on one long side, cutting off the bottom corner.

4. Decorate

5. Glue long edges

To Decorate:

Tip: always decorate before joining the sides into a cone shape.

Decorations could include:
Lace ruffle, ric rac, gold trim, metallic pipe cleaners, ribbon. Wired ribbon is great because you just pull the wire and it gathers the ribbon.

Embellishments can be glued to the center front. I've used vintage lace, printed Victorian images, glitter shamrock, flowers, vintage buttons, ribbon, rhinestone, gold trim and ribbon flowers. The hanging ribbon can be glued on the cone before or after gluing on the ruffle. If attached to the outside of the cone, cover the ends with a little ribbon bow or button. I have used both tacky white glue and glue gun.

To glue the cone, use tacky white glue along the folded edge. Roll the cone so the two long edges glue, one edge on top of the glued edge. This can be tricky and frustrating but hold in place until dry.

Ideas on how to use your Tussie Mussies:
Give as a hostess gift, give as favors at a birthday party, to welcome a new neighbor, to welcome a baby, holds an invitation to a party or use as a container for a present.

Visit: http://www.allthingshomey.etsy.com for other Tussie Mussies and more handmade,original items!
Visit my blog http://www.allthingshomey.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by - comments are welcome!

Creatively yours,

Sally S. Swift