Monday, January 10, 2011


Good morning my fellow crafties! I type this for you stuffed up and dozy so if I forget something or my writing looks unedited, we ll you know why! Aside from that I have been a sorting and organizing machine! Unfortunately I am still ages away from the finish line but I am hoping to have you some photos this week. yes that's right I got my camera deal sorted out. Not only do I have a working camera but I have a memory card! (I cried in the wee hours of christmas when I realized my memory card was missing!) But now I can take pictures of my gorgeous girl, our new gorgeous kitten and of course my gorgeous handiwork!

But, this post is not about me (well not really) it is about you and your crafty endeavors! These are just a few of the lovely links from last weeks My Crafty Weekend.
 These gorgeous placemats were made by Steph of Silly Precious Piggies. For her mom as a Christmas present, wasn't that sweet?! To see more photos and get a quick run down of the how to visit her blog here.

I am inspired by this gorgeous Valentine rosette wreath made by Julie of Singing Three Little Birds. Doesn't it make you want to sit down and spend an evening making rosettes and wreaths?! To get the quick how-she-dunnit visit the blog post here.

How can you not fall instantly in love with this Anthropoly-esque scarf-necklace made by Maya of Little Treasures. To see more pictures of the pretty neck piece visit her blog here.

*sniffle sniffle*And there you have it folks, some of last weeks treasures. Ready to link up this week? What have you been spray painting, photographing, sewing and baking? have you been scrapbooking, beading or knitting? Please share with us you accomplishments! Below are some buttons which would be super if you added to your blog posts or sidebars but it is not necessary to play the game. What I do ask of you though is to visit the link before you and leave a note of encouragement. Bloggy karma you know?! Okay folks, have fun!


     
          

Sunday, January 9, 2011

CSN Gift Certificate Winner!

The winner of the forty dollar CSN gift card winner is...
Drum roll please!!


Comment number five which was The Sewing Dork who said "I'm a follower. Thanks for the chance!"
Check your email Cynthia!

Thanks everyone who entered! Hope we do this again real soon! See you tomorrow for My Crafty Weekend!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Fabulous Five! Craft Room Storage Edition

Sometimes it pays to browse your own bookmarks. I am currently in the process of bringing all of my our craft stuff from storage and have been running out of storage options for a lot of it. Mostly, my craft stuff and the bathroom. Seeing as how my bathroom has no vanity, walls (none finished) and no door my storage options are quite limited. But it also means my bathroom is a blank canvas and I can figure out now what works for us. Then there is the craft area...what is that internet term "For the lulz"? Seriously, it is almost a joke the amount of serious crap lovely supplies I have accumulated over the past couple years.
So today, after three days of unpacking and making a bigger mess organizing I thought I would surf my three years of accumulated bookmarks (Thanks Google Bookmarks!) for links not showing up on Google's radar when I search terms like "DIY Scrapbooking Storage Ideas" or "Creative Storage Ideas" and lo and behold the very first link in my bookmark list is "22 Bathroom Storage Ideas" from BHG.com. And even better, the very shelf I want for our towels is the first picture!

Now, could someone please tell me what the actual term is for this shelf? It is exactly what I need for between my tub and bathroom door(way).  (This one is a bonus because I need your help.)

And now for the fabulous five crafty storage ideas (Because bathroom and crafty just wonèt work together!) to help us all corral our crap carefully selected supplies in 2011!
 These hanging buckets made by Destri are gorgeous yes? They are also wonderfully functional. For the full tutorial on these pretty little ditties visit The Mother Huddle.I can't wait to make up a bunch from my vintage sheet/denim collection. It just so happens I already have the hanging bar from IKEA needing a home.

Although I just bought (I know! I know! But I was near desperation) a ribbon organizer, I wish I had thought to search my bookmarks sooner. Does it get any easier than some chain and curtain rods? This one made by Diane of In My Own Style shows you how to make it here. I love how absolutely customizable it is!


Have fabric that needs some efficient yet visible storage? Missy @ The Little Green Bean shows you how she got her fabric addiction in check with this gorgeous shelf and mini cardboard fabric bolts. If I didn't have more sheets than yards this is how I would be going, but I am totally keeping it bookmarked because eventually my fat quarters and yardage will need more than the tote(s) they are in.

After you have contained your fabric addiction you will need somewhere to put all of the coordinating thread and I think this DIY spool rack by Mandy of Sugar Bee Craft Edition is exactly where to go. I almost bought a spool rack last night but it did not hold enough spools and I did not feel like shelling out for two. Now I can make my own and it can hold my Serger cones as well!


I couldn't very well do a post about DIY storage and not reference BHG.com again could I? I love this mailbox idea. They come in a billion different sizes and the flyer holders are the perfect sized hooks for well...nearly anything!

While this is not my photo (Another BHG.com) this is very similar to what I have been doing for the last two days. I can't wait to:
  1. Be done.
  2. Take photos.
  3. Actually craft in the space.
For now let us revel in the fabulousness of other's crafty spaces.  Until next time (Which may just be about bathroom storage?) Have a fabulous Friday Folks!

Monday, January 3, 2011

My Crafty Weekend : New Year, New Projects!


I hope your holidays were as amazing, full of food, laughter and family as our were. Happy it is all over though. Today I am packing up the last of the decorations and relegating the seasonal boxes to their rightful places in storage. The first few days of the new year are always bittersweet yes? I am excited too though, for all the decorations dissappearing, my things like books and craft supplies are slowly starting to surface after more than a year of being stored. Slowly. Almost too slow but necessarily slow. More of that at another time though...

Right now I wanted to share with you a couple of super projects from last week! (Also, my apologies for not sharing last week, it had been so long since I had done a My Crafty Weekend I had forgotten!)

Lori of Paisley Passions never fails to deliver and deliver she did with these fabulous wood and vinyl growth charts. Check out her super easy (and adaptable for those without a Cricut) tutorial here.

These gorgeous snowflakes are made by Maleah of Little Eme. In her very first tutorial she shows how simple these are to make.

This stunning piece of canvas and photos was made by The Spangler of The Quick Unpick and you can make one too with her super easy tutorial.

And now it is your turn to share again! What have you been up to? Sewing, baking or painting? Knitting, crocheting or scrapbooking? I have some great ideas for some up coming projects but until things get a bit closer to normal around here and/or I get my camera situation sorted it is all about you guys! Here are some buttons you are welcomed and encourage to share but not required to. The only rule I have is that I ask you to visit the link before you and leave a note of encouragement. Think of it as comment karma. :)


     
          
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Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Year and New Giveaway!

Happy new year!! Wow, what a wonderful year 2010 was! It is so hard to believe that it has already been a year and yet only a year has passed! I thought a giveaway would be a great way to celebrate.
You may remember that back in September I did a giveaway for a thirty five dollar CSN giftcard. Well, it is time for another one, this time it is a forty dollar gift card.


You have surely heard of CSN stores by now? They have everything from adjustable bar stools to toys and toy storage and everything in between, heck I even found trade show displays yesterday! Although the gift certificate does not cover shipping, taxes or duty it can be used towards any items in any one of their 200+ stores.

Sounds pretty sweet yes?! How do you get in on this giveaway action? There are three simple ways you can enter for your chance to win:
  • The first is be a follower and leave a comment telling me.
  • The second is to tweet about the giveaway and leave a comment with your twitter handle.
  • The third way is to blog about it and leave a comment with a link to the post.
You have until 9pm Saturday January 8th to enter. I will choose a winner via Random.org and post it Sunday January 9th. Draw closed! Thanks for playing along! See you next time!

Good luck and happy new year!

Friday, December 31, 2010

Nuno Magazine : Shades of Gray

With the imminent new year upon us, I thought I would sneak in a fitting review. What is your new year's resolution? Excercise more? Quit smoking (Been there)? Go vegetarian (Done that)? How about something less intense, just as ethical and lots more fun? How about, you (and by you I mean we) resolve to craft with more recycled resources? Sound good? I thought so. And, to help you with both inspiration and instruction I present the second edition of Nuno magazine.

You may remember the glowing review I gave the gorgeous autumnal premiere issue. Well this review will be just as adoring. I am in love with the simplicity of the projects, the love and detail put into the magazine and of course, it is a gorgeous resource for any environmentally conscious crafter.

In this issue full of gorgeously photographed projects, there is something for every skill level...
Feeling particularly crafty? Try your hand at these beautiful "kokeshi doll inspired finger puppets".
 Can you knit? I envy you because you can make this lovely knitted clutch.

 For those last minute, quick but wonderful crafts, you can always create some wonderful newspaper bunting.

Elizabeth Abernathy & Co. have pulled out all the stops yet again in this 125 page volume. (Always ad free!) This  is but a sample of the projects you will find in Nuno: Shades of Gray. If you would like a larger sample, complete with four projects you can view the preview below.



If that preview has you wanting more, you can purchase the full 125 page issue for the low price of five dollars at both ElizabethAbernathy.com and NunoMagazine.com All for the incredibly low price of five dollars. Buying this magazine is supporting many movements in one, self publishing, paperless publishing, green-crafting, and of course the independent artist. That is a lot of bang for one's buck oui?!

Tonight may be full of champagne and sequins, but tomorrow when the new year is upon us you will want to grab a mug of coffee, your fresh new copy of Nuno magazine and a pad of [recycled]paper for the ideas that will ebb and flow as you read.

Have a very safe and incredibly happy new years! Cheers!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

My Crafty Weekend - Post Holiday Wind Down

     
          

Happy Holidays! Oh what a whirlwind weekend that was yes?! We were all ridiculously spoiled and Wednesday got so much stuff I can't even tell you because I am sure it violates environmental laws in other countries! Anyone have any great Barbie organizing tips? Besides a shoe organizer I am stumped! Anyhoo..! What I am interested in your handmade stuff! Those projects you had been keeping on the down low for the surprise factor, are you ready to show them off?! Ooh and organizing tips, I would love some of those! I know this week is all about the cleaning and purging, and hopefully relaxing! What about you? What are your plans for this week?

OK! Show me what you have been making, sewing, painting and baking! OOOh and we cannot forget the golden rule! Visit the link before yours and leave a note of encouragement! ♥ Happy Monday

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Wednesday on Wednesday

2010 Holiday Card


Wishing you a holiday filled with angels, 
heavenly and snow alike.

Love & Hugs,
Melissa, Ron & Wednesday

Monday, December 20, 2010

My Crafty Weekend : Holiday Round Up


It is Monday again my fellow lovelies. And if you are reading this you are fabulous reader who has stuck with me through my unscheduled hiatus. I want to thank you from the bottom of my coffee and craft loving heart. I am still living in a reno, and I really haven't a craft space (much less a sewing room) but I am hoping the new year will bring some amazing changes both for my home but also for the blog. So for my crafty weekend, I haven't any new projects to share (Trust me, a small piece of me dies each day that I get closer to Christmas without any creating.) But, I have been filling my think pads with scores of ideas for the blog and projects. I even think I might try my hand at self publishing, we'll see.

Because I haven't anything new to share, and truthfully I have no idea how many links we'll get today after such a long break between link ups (The last one was a pre Halloween edition.) so instead you get long run on sentences and all the tutes that i think would make up super fast for great last minute gifts. Oh and some party food thrown in for good measure. So I guess you can think of this as my first holiday round up.

So without further ado, i present to you all of my last minute gift ideas and recipes and I encourage you to share with us as well. Show us your masterpieces that you have finished in time for Christmas. Have any projects that can be made in a day? Or better yet a few short hours? Share those too! Oh and appetizer and desert recipes, what is the holidays if not a green light for feasting until we need turkey pants? Here are some buttons that make me just giddy when I see them on your posts and/or sidebars but not necessary to play the game.

     
          

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Sew What! Holidays Challenge Three Reveal!

This is going to be super fast! I am in the middle of moving and due to being sick last week I didn't get any scheduled posts done up. But I did get my stocking done and photographed weeks ago, thank goodness! Wanna see it? Here we go!

The challenge was a stocking and a toy if you had the time. Well, I ran out of time for the toy but I finished the stocking!I made it from recycled denim! The white jeans I turned into a skirt for  week one challenge plus some black denim from a pair of jeans I was given for the fabric. I could not be happier! Seriously, with every stage I was more and more impressed with how it all came together.
I lined it with black felt and added a vintage brooch I bought at a yardsale for a dollar. Pretty yes?
I'm sorry if the pictures are not awesome, I just didn't have time tweak the levels in Photoshop.

I hope you love it though. And if you want to make your own, stick around, sometime this week I will have the tutorial posted!

If you would like to see what Cynthia created click the button!

Sewing Dork Button

Okay, thanks for your patience guys! I'll be back as soon as I have internet access, or access to the internet! ♥