friendly visits

my friend from iowa payed me a visit and it was a fabulous time of playing, shopping, and crafting...

baby gifts

lots of baskets

and we even squeaked in a few shirts and dresses for the little ones... i will post more on those later.  happy weekend and here's to good friends.  cheers.

simple valentines

we made these simple valentines for the preschool party.  

what you need:

• paper tags
• letter stamps
• stamping pad
• buttons
• glue
• ribbon

what you do:

1. stamp each letter
2. glue a button over the letter o.  
3. add a ribbon through the hole
4. write a nice note to your valentine on the back and sign your name. 

sweet and simple.  simple today, sweet tomorrow... tune in then; we are making bottles of candy and cupcakes.  yum.  happy crafting.  what valentines will you make?  

crayon hearts

this is nothing new in the crafting world, as a matter of fact, i was doing this the very day my then boyfriend, now husband was preparing my apartment to propose 9 years ago this month.  just remembering that day made me think how much 1 and 2 would like this craft.

what you need:

• crumbled or shaved crayons
• waxed paper
• warm iron
• scissors
• string or thread

what you do:

1. crumble and shave broken crayons {i say broken crayons because we have lots that nobody wants to use, so we use them for crafts like this}
2. sprinkle onto waxed paper, either a sheet or a cut shape
3. place another sheet of waxed paper over to create a sandwich
4. iron on the lowest setting over the waxed paper sandwich
5. cut into shapes
6. hang by threading the shapes on string or thread using a needle
7. enjoy the love

what valentine crafts will you create?

happy wednesday.

art display

Now that B is in Preschool, she brings home lots of artwork and schoolwork.  Our refrigerator was beginning to become quite cluttered.  Solution...

I know this is not at all original, however I thought you would like to see my inexpensive take on this great idea.

What do you need?

1. 2 nails and a hammer, hammer in the nails the desired distance
   
2. 2 decorations to cover the nail head
3. glue (I used a hot glue gun), glue your embellishments to cover the nail heads
4. ribbon or string, tie each end onto each nail
5. clothes pins, to hang your art
6. fabulous art, to display proudly

Happy Crafting.

Likes

My new favorite things... Japanese Washi Tapes, more specifically, mt masking tape.  So simple, easy, lovely.  

I originally planned to use them to package my orders but now I think I will use them for many other things as well.  

First plan, some fun crafting with my little ones.  They are fantastic for all types of craft projects: card making, scrapbooking, decorating walls/doors, books, for letters, postcards, memos, wrapping presents.... the list is endless.  

You can write on this tape, stick it onto containers, plastic bags, paper or boxes. Wrapping, interior and collage projects will keep you busy with this fun tape.  It can be torn, so the kids won't ask for the scissors.  It does not stain after peeling off, the colors are so cute and there is a perfect degree of transparency from the rice paper.  The mt site says it best, these tapes have both sweetness and functionality.  

I love them.  

Here are a few resources.  You know, I love Etsy , so I ordered my tapes from Origamisan.   The arrived directly from Japan, quite quickly.  Fantastic customer service.  I have since found another economical resource as well, Ginko Papers.  I just love the name and the owner, manager, buyer, etc. is a woman and mother in California.  She has fantastic prices and a beautiful website.  

What will you craft or beautify with these fun Japanese tapes?

sign of the times

My front door needed to get with the season, too.  We usually have a wreath, but it needed to be simplified.  less is more?  

I took a sign I already had and flipped it over, painted it black, and stenciled in white.  

Happy Crafting.  Happy Monday.  

Happy Fall

Like I have said, this is my favorite season...   

Even my baskets are dressing up for Halloween.

It was time to get in the spirit of things.  

creative space

I have a little creative studio space to do my thing... everyone needs a little inspiration.  I wanted this crate because of the charm of vintage, but mostly because of the symbol on the side.  It is very similar to my family crest (on my dad's side).  

I use it for my fabric stash.  

I also have a bowling pin.  It reminds me of my grandfather who was a fantastic bowler.  

Next to the pin is my Nanny's Kewpie doll. Isn't she cute?!  

Happy Monday.

Handmades by... Me!

I'm doing it.  I'm joining the online Etsy community of crafters and those who love handmades.  I still have lots to do before I "launch," but I'm getting excited for the projects ahead of me.  I still need to log my costs and figure out all the shipping details.  I'm waiting on my fabric tags to arrive in the mail and I need to organize my crafting area, too.  

I have so many ideas for my store, I just hope I don't get too eclectic.  I need to find my niche.  I'm going to start with the things I loved as a new mom - 

sweet burpies.  

I went to the fabric store to get a few things to get me started... I just loved seeing it all together.  I can't wait to see how it all turns out.   

I also think I will go forward with the tutus I make for B - they are simple and sweet and she just loves them.  I still need to get supplies for that project.  I have a few other ideas, but first things first and like I said, I don't want to be too eclectic.