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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Inspiration

Inspiration is all around us, but curious little plants like these I saw hiking last weekend, really get me going! I don't think it will be long until they make it on to some dishes...

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

What To Do With Old Jars



Another good flower related project idea. Make unique vases from old jars simply by adding some paint. Super easy! Idea from Real Living and Canadian House and Home found via Poppytalk.

Monday, March 29, 2010

New Mugs in My Shop


I made these Cascading Flower Mugs over the weekend. One is intended as a gift for my cousin and the rest, well you can find them in my etsy shop!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Friday Giveaway!


This week's giveaway prize is a lovely photo from Casey of Casey McArdle Photography. Casey is a young and very talented photographer from Brisbane, Australia who is generously offering a print of photo called "The Gift". She is also including a matte, so it's ready to frame when it arrives at your door! To win, just visit Casey's shop, and leave a comment here with your favorite item. Shop hearts, item hearts, and blog followers are always appreciated!

And now a little more about Casey:

How did you get into photography?

I've always loved photography - I especially loved going through old family photographs when I was a little girl. I took a short photography class in high school and I guess that's when things really took off! I was taking photographs all the time and got lots of compliments. That's when I decided to save up for my very first DSLR camera and I haven't looked back since!

What is your favourite genre?
My favourite genre would definitely be portraiture - I love being able to take photographs for families that they will continue to look back on for the rest of their lives. I've recently shot for my first wedding too - that was an amazing experience.
Describe your perfect workspace.
I'm really messy, so my perfect workspace would be clean and completely clutter free - I'm working hard on achieving this! I have lots of photographs pinned up around my desk - they keep me motivated and make me laugh from time to time hehe. I also make sure that my lolly jar is always full - just in case I get one of those pesky sugar cravings haha.

What are your goals for the future?
I'm only 19, so I have many goals and dreams for the future. Professionally, I plan to promote my etsy store like crazy so I can get some more sales flowing. I also want to work on getting my name out there and developing a client base for my portrait sessions. At the moment I am working hard to complete my university degree (Primary School Education) so that I can move out of home! I would also love to write a book, get married, have 2 little children and travel the world!!

Thanks Casey, and Good luck!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Paper Hydrangeas


Looking for flower related crafts for my upcoming Cocktails and Crafts Party, I found these Hydrangeas made from paper lunch bags over at Mary Janes and Galoshes. Taylor runs a nice blog with lots of tutorials. Stop by and say hi.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

May I Brooch the Subject?


I'm sorry, I know it's a bad pun. Guilty as charged. My sister recently challenged me with another Craft-Off and this time brooches was the subject. So I started with the intention of making one, but a few hrs later I had a bouquet of 5 of them! (I attached a fabric covered wire to each to create a stem.) I think this is how I will present them at the upcoming craft fair.



 Em, one of these is for you. Can you guess? The rest will be in my etsy shop over the next few days.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Flower Topped Sugar Cubes


I love these little sugar cubes flowers from Bake It Pretty found via my mom. And since I'm throwing a Crafts and Cocktails party, I may just have to find a way to incorporate floating sugar cubes into a cocktail. Champagne Cocktail perhaps? If you have any ideas, share them!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Crafts and Cocktails


I've finally set a date for my Craft and Cocktails Party! April 24th. If you are interested, and are in the Southern California Area, let me know.

The theme is Spring Flowers, but don't be fooled, this is not your grandma's craft party. No doilies, no tea cozies, etc. I promise to keep the cheese factor to a minimum.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Giveaway: Earrings from SmileForSuzy


This week's giveaway prize is a choice of earrings from etsy seller SmileForSuzy. Suzy is a fun girl whose works are self admittedly funky, oddball, a little weird, and slightly offbeat. To win, just visit SimleForSuzy, look around, read her entertaining item descriptions, and then leave a comment here (by next Thursday at 8pm PST) with your favorite item and a way to contact you. Easy as pie.


Want to know more about Suzy? Read her blog, check out her professional portfolio here, and read my interview with her below.

How/why did you get into this stuff? I didn't discover shrinkydinks till I was already in college. And I felt so cheated from my childhood because I totally missed out on all this color and baking glory. So once I discovered shrinkydinks, I really just started doodling on the plastic and baking things and it just went on from there.


What word do you like? sweet! I know the word I like and the word I dislike aren't far off from each other. To each his own.

What word do you dislike? score! when used in place of a high five. I don't really know why.

Where/when so ideas hit you? Usually I'll try to sit down and consciously think of ideas. But every now and then I'll just see something while I'm out and it'll spark something and I'll have to write a note on my hand to remember.

Describe your perfect workspace. Sitting outside on a lounge chair in the sun with a board on my lap coloring and drawing.

What the craziest place you've ever been or thing you've ever done? Bonnaroo Music Festival 2 years in a row. It's four days of standing 12-18 hours in the sun with thousands of other people all for the music. Did I mention you camp on the premises?

What drives or motivates you? I love the feeling of creating. Sometimes I'll get anxious if it's been too long since I've made something out of nothing, I'll have to stop and do something then. It's a great feeling of release and I love the idea that people out there are wearing something I've created.

Tell me a random fun fact about you. I'm left handed, and so are my brother and mom. When I was growing up I didn't realize it was an unusual thing until they started teaching writing in school.
 
Thanks Suzy and good luck!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Last Minute St. Patrick's Day Treat


In case you're on your way out the door and need of a last minute treat to bring with you to a St. Patrick's Day Party or already home from celebrating and have the munchies from all that green beer, here is an easy St. Patty's Day treat recipe from The Decorated Cookie. Cheers!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Free Stuff: Printable Parisian Calling Cards

I've been on a little trip to Seattle the last few days. Couldn't find any Space Needle related posts, but check out these downloadable Parisian Caling Cards from Three Kisses Studio. Enjoy!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Giveaway!


Happy Friday! This weeks giveaway is a cute little pouch from Eva at eRoa. Made from recycled materials including an outer shell from Coco Chanel fabric, you can use this beatifully lined pouch to carry everything from your cash to your camera, alone or in your purse! To win, just visit eRoa and then leave a comment here with your favorite item and a way to contact you. Easy, right?

Now some more info about Eva:

How/why did you get into this stuff?

I started getting crafty in Chicago many moons ago. I sold my first coin purses at Woman Made Gallery at their annual holiday bazaar back in 2006. The pouches were a success. This gave me the confidence to approach local shops and continue selling them and do a few more bazaars at the gallery.

During this same time in Chicago, one of my sisters emailed me the link to Etsy. I considered it and in retrospect should have acted on that but never did. I was working full time and was focused on other things.

Now I love creating and making my pouches. It has become my main priority these days until I go back to work but even then I’ll be working in the evenings and weekends on new pouches and updating the look of my shop. I can’t stop doing what I love to do. I’ve had a few days where I started working at 8AM and didn’t go to bed until 7AM. When I get in the zone I just keep working.
What word do you like?
I like the word ‘chum’. It sounds funny and makes me laugh plus it’s the nickname for my other half.
What word do you dislike?
Oh man! I can’t say the word but can say it rhymes with ‘hunt’ and is used in a derogatory way to describe a female body part. So dislike the word.
Where/when so ideas hit you?
I get ideas from everywhere and everyone even when I am not looking for inspiration. I may be talking to a friend or my nephew says something funny or I’m browsing different magazines at the bookstore and I’ll get an idea.
Describe your perfect workspace.
My perfect workspace has plenty of windows for natural light. Love natural light especially for taking photos. It’s spacious and has plenty of storage. All my supplies and fabric are labeled and organized because I tend to be disorganized. I have a few sewing machines for different purposes. Maybe I use one wall to hang things that inspire me like postcards or photos or some of my collage work. Somewhere in the workspace I’d have a mannequin with a gown I’d make from recycled material (maybe it’s a work in progress that I keep adding to). Also there’s space for my office/shipping area. Music is important to in the workspace.
What's the craziest place you've ever been or thing you've ever done?
New Orleans and Mardi Gras in my twenties (before Hurricane Katrina). We’ll leave it at that. Love you New Orleans. Beautiful and magical city you were and are.
What drives or motivates you?
Trying not to be boring or pathetic.

Where/when so ideas hit you?
They have no rhyme or reason. I just learn to listen better to my inner voice. Sometimes the best ideas are those that happen spontaneously with no planning.
Tell me a random fun fact about you.
I’m silly on the sly.

Tanks Eva and good luck to all!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Upcoming Craft Fair: The Queen Bee Market


I 'm super excited to participate in The Queen Bee Market in Carslbad on May 1st! Just in time for Mothers' Day shopping, the fair will feature products from local artists such as accessories, home goods, recycled items, mixed media art, children's items, clothing and more! And better yet, part of the proceeds will go to Surfers Healing, a surf camp for kids with autism. The program stays afloat purely from donations from good people like you. Mark your calendars!!!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

New in My Shop: French Kiss Coffee Cups


I just posted some little coffee cups hand painted with sweet French phrases in my shop. Check them out here! More coming soon...

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Guy Stuff: Make a Guitar Slide


I had to post this because it is one of the first crafts I can remember my dad making years ago!!! A great post on Craftzine with links to a few tutorials over at Slideplayer.com. I'm not sure exactly how he made it, but I'm sure it wasn't using the "burning twine" method which sounds like a recipe for disaster, especially if  "find some old hemp twine, soak it in kerosene, wrap it around the bottleneck and light it on fire" is immediately follwed by "drink the contents".

Monday, March 8, 2010

Tutorial: Make a Flower Hair Clip with Fabric Scraps






Still on my flower kick, I put together this flower hair clip using scraps of material and fabric glue. It's super easy!!! (ignore my messy, freshly washed hair :)

Materials:
Fabric Scraps
Fabric Glue
Hair Clip
Scissors

Process:
1. Cut out the petals. For this flower I used 3 layers of petals. You will need 5 circular pieces for each layer. I made the largest layer of petals using pieces about 2.5 inches in diamter, the second about 2 inches in diameter, and the 3rd around 1.5 inches in diameter.
2. Cut out a base to attach the flower. Use the same fabric as the largest flower, but reduce the size to about 2 inches in diameter.
3. Glue the petals to the base fabric, pinching one side of the circlular fabric pieces. It's basically the same process as the paper flower tutorial and fondant flower tutorial. Let me know if this doesn't make sense.
4. Repeat the process for the next two layers.
5. Make the center of your flower. This will hide any glue used to attach the petals. You can sew on a button or some beads or use more fabric. I crumpled up more fabric circles about 2 inches in diameter, gluing carefully as not to let any glue show.


6. Cut out a strip of fabric about 3/8 in wide and glue to the back of your flower. The loop should be sized so that your hair clip will slip in and fit snugly.



Want more ideas for things to make with fabric scraps? Amy from Craft Chi gives you plenty more. Found via Craft Gossip.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Giveaway!


This week's giveaway is a yellow "Chain Me Up" Necklace from etsy seller Laci of ZigZags! Add a splash of color to a pair of jeans and white t-shirt with this unique piece crocheted from super soft yarn. Check out all of her great color choices and styles here! To enter your name in a random drawing, please visit  ZigZags and comment on this post with your favorite item from Laci's shop! It's that easy! (Entires must be received by 8pm next Thursday PST). And to learn more about Laci, read the interview below!



Interview with Laci from ZigZags:
Me: What drives or motivates you?

Laci: The need to create, and to express myself in ways other than being a mother. Being a mom is wonderful, but that just makes having "Me" time all the more PRICELESS.

Me: Tell me a random fun fact about you/What the craziest place you've ever been or thing you've ever done?
Laci: Me and my husband lived in Las Vegas for a summer.. 'NUFF SAID. LOL!

Me: How/why did you get into this stuff?
Laci: It is simply a natural reaction to life for me to create. I love it, it is my passion.

Me: Describe your perfect workspace:
Laci: QUIET. :D

Thanks Laci, and good luck to all my readers!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Flowery Shoe Clips


I told you I can't stop making flowers! I made these over the weekend and couldn't resist putting them in my etsy shop. Trust me, I agonized over the fact that they are not printed or painted, but they are Simply Pretty. More coming soon!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Amazing Paper Necklace


I found this amazing paper necklace over at Craftstylish. Very unique and very cool.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Top Art and Craft Blog?


I was just informed that I've been nominated for the Top 20 Art and Craft Blogs over at Adelle. Feeling flattered, I searched to find out who the nice reader was who nominated me. Um, yeaaaaah. Turns out it was me. And I was going to say "it was an honor just to be nominated" :)

Monday, March 1, 2010

Tutorial: Orange Blossom Fondant Flowers









This blog has turned me into a mushy, flower loving, girl. In fact, I can't stop making flowers. Last week it was paper flowers, and this week it's an edible variety made from rolled fondant and placed on top of miniature cupcakes drizzled with an orange buttercream glaze.




Materials:

- Cupcakes (I used this white cake recipe. but it was a little too dense for me. You better have a glass of milk handy when you are eating it)

- Frosting (I used a simple buttercream frosting which I thinned out with orange juice until it was a cinnamon roll type glaze consistency. I also added orange zest.)

- Rolled Fondant (you can buy this at craft stores in the cake decorating isle)

- Round fondant/cookie cutter (~1/2 inch diameter)

- Rolling pin

- Powdered Sugar



Process:



I essentially used the same process with the paper flower tutorial to make these:



1. Roll out the fondant using the powdered sugar to prevent sticking to the cutting board and rolling pin.



2. Cut out 5 circles with the cutter for each flower.



3. Assemble the flowers using the same method shown here, pinching one side of the circle to make each petal.



4. Attach to the top of the cupcakes using a little left over frosting as glue.







Now that's my kind of bouquet!