Friday, August 16, 2013

Today's Featured Shop -- The Vine Designs


Today's featured shop is The Vine Designs.    Mindy specializes in home décor and lighting as well as items for weddings or outdoor events made from natural materials.

Halloween Fall Solar Lantern Primitive Black with Orange Pinecones Spiders Pumpkins




Fall Winter rustic woodland door wreath, free shipping


OOAK Primitive lighted floral arrangment rusty tin




Beach shabby chic wedding lighting battery operated



Be sure and visit Mindy's shop to see all she has to offer.   https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheVineDesigns

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Handmade Spotlight - Everyone Back To School


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Tutorial - Turning Your Ordinary Printable Tags Into Something Extraordinary

As you know, I'm the owner of Ewe-N-Me Printables and have been working with paper crafts for several years.

While the printable tags you buy from me or another seller of printable items can simply be printed on card stock, hole punched and a sting added and they look great, let's take tag making a step further.

First of all, find your favorite tag file and print them on the best paper you have, card stock normally works great. Sometimes I use a matte photo paper, as  photo paper can really make the colors pop.

Trim the tags so the unprinted edges don't show. Many times I'll use a paper trimmer.

If you have any stamp/ink pads find one with a coordinating color and ink the edges. Just simply rub the edge of the tag along the stamp pad. You just want the edges, so go lightly at first, you can always add more if necessary.




This is how mine turned out after I inked the edges.


Before you punch a hole in the tag, let's look for some coordinating colored card stock and add a backing to the tag. I like to put glue on the back of my tag, line it up in the corner of the card stock so I only have to trim a couple of the edges. You want to leave about an 1/8 inch of the colored card stock showing around all edges. As you can see, it's a great way to use up your scraps.


Again, ink the edges of the card stock to match the tag. As you can see, I didn't go overboard with the inking. (click the pics for a closer view)


Now, let's punch a hole thru both layers… the tag and the card stock backing. If you have eyelets now would be a good time to use them… if not,  simple hole will do. You can see that I did use the eyelets here.


Rather than using plain string for the tie, I used coordinating ribbon instead. Sometimes I like to tie bows on the front of the tag… sometimes not, it just depends on how it works out.

You can add rhinestones, paper flowers and other things to the front go the tag if you like. Just use your imagination.




These are my finished tags... simple, but a little more than just a printed and cut tag.


If you're interested in finding the printable file for these tags they're located here... www.ewenmeprintables.com

Thank you for joining us today.
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.com


Monday, August 12, 2013

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Travel Crafting

Travel can often leave the crafter's hands idle- a fretful state for the creative mind!  But with some old clothing and fresh ideas, those miles can be productive.
 
In my closet I found two jackets that I love but discovered that the moths love even more. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. 
Both being 100% wool, these fabrics are perfect for small travel projects.  Cutting 5x5 squares makes for grab and go ease.
And I have just the right size project in mind! Check out some of the ultra cool mini crafts in Microcrafts!
The supply list is simple and air-travel friendly.  These supplies have been TSA-approved at airports across the world.
This trip I am bringing along the instructions to make little dogs.
Because I like to travel light, I traced the pattern and took a pic of the instructions to store in my iPhone.
 A quart sized Ziploc baggie of fiberfill is enough stuffing to create a full kennel.  With all necessary supplies packed up and stored in my carry-on bag I am ready for in-flight fun (and as it would turn out: delayed flight blues).
Hand stitching these wee critters made my travel time fly right by and kept my twitching fingers steady!  Now I can say I made lots of new friends in the airport ;)
LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck


 

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Blog Party Sunday -- Show Us Your Handmades

Welcome to our Blog Party Sunday.    We would love to have you show us what you are crafting.


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.