Blog Party Sunday, Show Something Handmade for Summer

Welcome to another Blog Party Sunday. Summer has finally arrived and that means barbeques, pool parties, vacations, and for some, trying to find ways to keep children, home for the summer, entertained.

For the crafter it is can be a slow sales time. So today we want you to show us something you have made for summer to tempt your buyers with.

I will start it off by showing one of the entries from one of our previous blog parties.
This is a sweet baby cocoon you can crochet while you are out and about this summer. Find the pattern here on the Creative Crochet blog
The darling baby inside the cocoon is another of Kristine's creations.

Show Us Yours:
So, now it’s YOUR turn for the party this week! What do you have for summer in your Etsy Shop, Artfire shop, or website that you would like to share with us.

Our guidelines:

1. Just click on the Add Your Link button below, and add your Etsy, Artfire, or website url to your shop for the link.
2. Add a picture of your item.
3. If you are a blogger, please add our button to your blog and invite your readers back to join the party.
4. Family friendly items only, please.

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

Upcycling Trash Into Treasures

Upcycling is a new word for turning trash into treasure. You will hear it associated with the green movement.

You have probably seen the koolaid juice bag purses. They have been around for a long time now.
Here they are turned into a lunch bag at Mommy Knows

Can you guess what this cuff bracelet is made from? It started out as the cuff off a western shirt. The tutorial is on Something From Cassie

I bet you can't guess what this necklace started out as. It is an eyeglass lens.  Made by In My Own Style.

I know you have seen these scrabble tile pendants. They also make great magnets.
Tutorial at Make and Takes.

My favorite thing to recycle is denim jeans into purses. They are also great for the backing on rag quilts.
Check out this tutorial for a hanging vegetable bag made from jeans legs on my blog, Bette's Tomorrows Treasures.

So what do you make from upcycled treasures?

Thanks for visiting today and happy upcycling.
Bette Shaw
www.byyourhands.com

Make It Yourself Father's Day Gifts

I thought I would share some Father's day gift tutorials with you today. Do you find it hard to think of something to make for your husband or father? I have always had a hard time with this so maybe these ideas will help those of you who like to make your own gifts.

For the coffee drinker here is a neat tutorial for making this cup wrap with a picture inserted.  You can find it here on Spin Control Blog.

How about this Ipod holder made from an Altoids tin from Hands, Heart and Head.

How about a tie you can make in fabric to match Dad's interests like golfing, cars, fishing,  etc.    The tutorial for this can be found on The Purl Bee.

How about this water bottle sling from Make It And Love It

And finally here is a tutorial to make a car registration holder at Mom's Mess.

Hope you found something here today to help you make a gift from the heart for the special father in your life.

Thanks for visiting us today.
Bette Shaw
www.byyourhands.com

Handmade Spotlight - A Few Things from Lollishops

After last week's adventure, seeking out all the different handmade marketplaces has started to become a habit for me.

This week I'm visiting www.lollishops.com - the frou frou friendly marketplace. (love that tagline)

Here are a few things I found in the Elegant Whimsy category. Links to these featured shops are listed below the images.

www.lollishops.com/the-finicky-frog

www.lollishops.com/thepinktulip

www.lollishops.com/cherry-heart-boutique

www.lollishops.com/holiday-frivolities

www.lollishops.com/petitepaperieshoppe

www.lollishops.com/pieceful-bits

www.lollishops.com/tinkeredtreasures

www.lollishops.com/blingnets

Aren't these items just awesome? Don't stop at just these... go visit www.lollishops.com and see for yourself.

Again, Thank You for visiting!

Deena Davis

www.byyourhands.com

Recycled Crafting with Plarn

Never heard of Plarn? I have to confess I had never heard the term before either.

It is yarn you make from attaching strips of plastic bags together.   I have seen many things made with it over the years but hadn't heard the term before.
To begin with here is a tutorial on how to make plarn on Planet M Files.

People have been making rugs from them for a long time but today there are many tutorials out there to make some interesting things with it.
Learn how to crochet an Air Pot planter at Abigail's Craftshow Blog.

Make a crocheted tote bag with instructions from My Recylced Bags.

Or how about their dishcloth with a scrubbie center.  My Recycled Bags

Don't know how to crochet? How about a braided plarn rug. Learn how to make one on Handmade in the USA. 

And if you can't crochet yourself, here
are a couple of cute plarn bags for sale in Sun Creations Emporium on Etsy.

Do you use plarn? We would love to hear what you make with it.

Thanks for visiting today.
Bette Shaw
ByYourHands.com