Back to Work and Baby Bibs

Mat leave sure has some grey areas when you work from home! I've been slowly getting back to crafting after the arrival of little Asher. He's a pretty drooly guy, which has inspired me to whip up a big stack of bibs for him.

First I Spy Quilt for Sale

I finally got the nerve to list my 'Cotton Candy' I Spy quilt. I'm not sure why I was worried about posting. I think pricing quilts is just challenging! I'm hoping to have the boy quilt finished sometime this month, it's going to be adorable.

Simple Favor

I had a local customer put in a big order and wanted to add a little something to say "thank you" while I was packaging it up.

The problems with this are many...
you have to keep costs down so you don't have to raise prices
you want it to be something fun or useful so it doesn't end up in the trash
you want your little parcel to still be able to fit through "The Slot of Doom" at the post office

Stroke of Genius! Hand stamped napkins. So simple, thoughtful and fun. Everyone uses napkins and they pack down flat.

Here are my adorable green matryoshka napkins. I think I want some for me! I think they would make great hostess gifts, add-ons for a foodie or fun to stamp in your theme for a party. Just make sure that you use waterproof/archival ink, or your guests may end up with mustaches!

A Few Great Treasuries!

Something funny happened to me this week. I made a little gift guide for my hubby with a few ideas for Christmas, and it ended up on the front page of Etsy! I didn't tag it properly, or worry about where I was putting each item. I just filled it with things I like. So here here are that and a few others for your inspiration!

Gift Guide for My Hubby

For a Mail Carrier

Young Artist


First Dance

Share your favorite treasuries and gift guides...I'd love some more ideas!
And remember to enter my giveaway! It closes on  Nov 20.

Sock Monster Tutorial

 

Last night I made my very first sock monster, and this is how I did it! Please excuse the photos. It was late, and dark!

I used the heel of my sock as a bum for my little monster, because I wanted her to be able to sit.

Then I cut a small V at the toe of the sock (for ears/eyes). And a slit at the bottom for legs. Make sure not to cut too high on the legs...it should be just a bit below the heel of the sock (the 'bum'). Turn inside out and sew, right sides together, the V for the ears, and the all round the legs. Your monster will be sewn shut with no way to turn right side out, but don't worry!

Next, cut VERY small holes for the arms. They will stretch out a lot, so keep them small. SMALL. Then, flip the monster right side out through the arm holes.

And stuff...

Now for the arms. One the other sock, cut in half lengthwise from the opening to the heel, and across to make 2 arms. I wanted my little monster to have 2 fingers, so I cut a small V in the top of each arm.

Turn inside out and sew, right sides together, leaving the base open. Turn, stuff and sew onto the monster, right where that little hole is. Then, make sure your monster is full enough with stuffing and attach the other arm.

Sew on eyes, and add a felt mouth. I glued the felt on because I was getting tired! I also added a sweet little felt heart by her bum.

If you leave an opening when sewing your monsters legs to turn it inside out and stuff it, you can sew the arms completely shut (after turning and stuffing) and sew them onto the sock without cutting openings. I chose to do it my way because it was faster and I wanted my monster to be a bit funny looking. The other way would look a bit more polished I think.

I am about to start selling DIY Sock monster kits in my Etsy shop, and I think they'll make great gifts for older kids learning to sew.

$5 Christmas!

I am SO excited about some of my latest finds on Etsy. ALL for $5!

Check it out...amazing, handmade goodies for your loved ones!

$5 Finds For Kids
$5 Finds For Everyone on Your List
$5 Finds for Friends and CoWorkers

And one more thing. Even better thank $5 gifts is FREE gifts!
Remember to enter my Mini-Matching Game GIVEAWAY!

Giveaway Time!

 With Christmas approaching, I think it's time for another giveaway! So....here is your chance to win a mini-matching game for your little one. Your choice of my "Laundry Day" or "Animal Tracks" set if you win!

These mini-matching games make great stocking stuffers or gifts for your childrens' friends and include six pairs hand stamped on lovely wooden tiles in a cotton drawstring bag.

To Enter:
Comment on my last post with an idea- mandatory first entry
Follow my blog-  1 extra entry
Visit my Etsy shop and tell me what you like best- 1 extra entry
Buy something from my shop- 2 extra entries
Become a fan on my Facebook Page- 1 extra entry

That easy, just pick and choose. The giveaway will close at 12pm MST on November 20th 2010, and you will receive your gift on time for Christmas if you are in Canada or the US.

Good luck!

Craft Sale Sneak Peek

Here are some of the items I have been working on exclusively for my craft sale on the 20th! Exciting!




Mushroom Stacker

Rainbow Stacker

Mountain Cave Stacker

Ladybug Mini Bowling

Bumblebee Mini Bowling

Under the Sea Mini Bowling

Hand Dyed Magnet Tutorial

I just tried dyeing wood for the first time and it went quite well. So well, in fact, that I've posted the final product on my Etsy shop, but I wanted to give my readers the opportunity to try this one out themselves!

How to Dye Wood with Food Coloring:

1.) In a bowl, mix boiling water (1-4 cups depending on batch size), food coloring (enough to make the water brightly colored) and unfinished wooden cutouts (Michael's sells lots of shapes).

2.) Let sit for 15-45 min, or until the wood has absorbed enough dye. Stir every 5 minuted or so to ensure even coloring.

3.) Remove wood for food coloring. Use gloves, or wash your hands RIGHT AWAY! Food coloring stains like crazy! Place on paper towel lined plate and let dry. It took mine a full 24 hours before being dry, and I turned them a few times.


How to Make Magnets from Dyed Wooden Cutouts:

1.) Make sure wood is DRY!

2.) Stamp images onto the best looking side of the cutout. I use Archival ink, but you can use acrylic paint (test it first and wash paint off the stamp immediately), water proof ink, or paint your own design on.

3.) Dab of hot glue on the back side of the cutout and stick the magnet on.


TA DA! It's simple, but time consuming.

These little magnets make great stoking stuffers, add-ins to gifts, kids gifts (careful though, can be a choking hazard), favors, or a little something to top gift wrap with. I'd love to see some in red and green for Christmas party favors!

Back in the game!

I finally got a new listing together! A Farmhouse Memory Game, with a cute little Pumpkin storage bag!

I am hoping to get the creative juices flowing again this week...I've been out of the game for too long! If anyone has any thoughts I'd love to hear from you!

Team SALE!!!!

The air is crisp and cool, the sun is shining, the leaves are turning and today is the first day of the Etsy Alberta Street Team Autumn Harvest Sale! I am so pumped!

FREE CAD SHIPPING and FREE US SHIPPING on orders over $50 from October 1-7. Time to start the holiday shopping! I've already bought some eyeshadow and am thinking of buying this Tim Horton's notebook for Daniel's stocking.

I've already been featured in a treasury and am planning creating one of my own later. My facebook page is all a flutter with updates, and I am itching to make some things! I think today is the day I will call myself "recovered" from my shoulder injury.

Wishful Gardener

I have been mourning the loss of my rhubarb plant at the end of this terrible growing season. Well...it's not dead, but it didn't produce anything either! I am still waiting until the soil is dry-ish to harvest my tiny carrot crop *sigh*.

But....I have been inspired! I stumbled along Cubit's, a lovely Etsy shop, just full of the most gorgeous seeds.  As soon as I live in a home with real sun and a real garden, I am going to place a big order! This coming Spring I will definitely try one new thing as well. She even has Purple Dragon Carrots! What kid could resist those???? This makes me think it's time to conquer my shady garden and almost black thumb.

I was drooling over her Rainbow Chard when I saw white squash, purple tomatillos, chocolate peppers and watermelon radishes. And most everything is organic.

I am thinking of putting a few seeds in my own stocking and thought someone else might want to do the same!

Treasury Features

I'm trying to figure out how one keeps a crafting/homemaking blog interesting when an injured shoulder prevents any work from getting done! The good news is that I'm back at about 90% and should be crafting again by the end of the week.

For now...here are the first treasuries that I've been featured in:
The Natural Child by mariescottage and Seller's Favorites by AngelicaV

Coming soon are black and orange gnomes for October and more teething rings in lots of colors.

What do you think of the girl gnome with hair? I would have to charge more but I think she's kind of cute.

And what about a black and orange teething ring? Too weird? Maybe just orange....