Etsy Treasuries

I've been on a craft vacation for a while....I've got a few new things to show you all, those are coming soon...but for now, I just wanted to say that I've started making CUPCAKE WRAPPERS! They are so much fun, and I've already been included in two treasuries on Etsy!

This one a few days ago.....

And this one today!

Super fun! If you'd like to check out the cupcake wrappers I've been making, you can go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/homeholidaykeepsakes

Plain Onesie Transformation!

I am SO excited! I got some flocked heat transfer material at the store and used my vinyl cutting machine to cut out this adorable submarine! I ironed it right on to one of my baby's little onesies and made it INSTANTLY stylish! Now that I've tried it once, it's all I want to do! I'm thinking of all sorts of cute baby things I could cut out and iron onto his clothes...I'd love to hear your ideas for cute baby onesies! Just leave me a comment...

Card Making

Making cards is another hobby of mine that I really enjoy...two years ago I was so into it that I actually got into the October 2008 Edition of Paper Crafts Magazine---I designed the "Road Card"--you can check it out here if you want! I haven't had a lot of time (or space!) to do a whole lot of it lately, but I wanted to share some of the cards that I've made with you all!

{A hand stamped holiday card--this was actually a small swirl stamp and I just repeated the pattern to create the tree}

{Invites for Thanksgiving Dinner}

{Everyone could use a little comedy--front}

{Inside}
Isn't this so true?!

{Show a friend you care card--front}

{inside}

{romantic card for that special someone}

{I used an old road map for this card! I crinkled it up really good then used a tea dye stamp pad to make it look even older!}

There's nothing like a homemade card! I'd love to see some of your card creations---leave me a comment with your link if you have some!

First Etsy Sale!

I am so excited--this last week I had my first Etsy Sale! I sold the vinyl saying "Live Laugh Love" to a wonderful nice lady, and I had so much fun packing it all up and sending it out! I also sent her a bonus freebie--a super cute vinyl sewing machine--which she loved! Here are a couple pictures of what I did so you can get an idea of what you get when you place an order with me. Thanks for looking!

Paper Covered Treasure Box

I just love working with paper...especially on wood with Mod-Podge! I made this treasure box for my husband to put memories of us in...any cards we've given each other, love notes, ticket stubs from dates, pictures, little trinkets...fun things like that. I thought it'd be nice to have all those treasures in one place (it's already full!). I got the wooden box at the craft store--it was plain and screaming to be dressed up. To do this, I removed the metal pieces that were removable--pieces that were screwed in. The other pieces I had to cut the paper to fit around them. I cut my paper to fit each side, then I adhered the paper to the box using Mod-Podge. I inked the sides with a dark brown chalk box. I also applied the "together forever" vinyl and hand wrote our names at the top. Next, I sealed it with the Mod-Podge, waited for it to completely dry, and then I reattached all the metal pieces I removed.

{I had to cut the paper to fit around these pieces.}

{I was able to remove these pieces before adhering the paper to the box.}

The final product---it looks like the paper is a little pink--but it is actually a pretty red--just so you know :-)

Baby Car Seat Canopy

My baby grew out of the cozy cover we bought for him at the store---his little head was popping out of the head hole so you couldn't close it to keep him snuggly warm...so we needed something bigger to protect him from the elements. The weather is still not too good here--you'd think we'd be having some spring time weather by now! It snowed last week and it's been rainy with an occasional hail. And of course, it's ALWAYS super windy here. This baby car seat canopy was a super easy and fun project to make. All together, it probably took me 2 hours to do...and I'm so glad I did it! We used it yesterday (it was raining and chilly) and he was so cozy inside that he fell right asleep! Definitely worth it!

You'll need:

1 1/8 yd minkee

1 yd cotton or flannel coordinating fabric

2 magnetic clasps (you'll also need some felt to put between the clasp backing and the minkee)

grosgrain ribbon (for loops to hang toys inside)

Trim the minkee and coordinating fabric to 35 1/2" X 40 1/2". I finally took out my quilter's mat and rotary cutter and used that to trim the fabric. It was SO easy and fun! I love it and will definitely be using it more often!

Next I cut 4 strips of fabric from the minkee, each measuring 3 1/2" X 8 1/2". You'll use these for the handle straps.

Put your fabric right sides together and sew all the way around with a 1/4" seam. Leave a hole to turn the fabric right side out. Do the same with your fabric for the handle straps. Turn out each piece and press (I didn't press mine beacuse I didn't want to flatten the bumps on my minkee...I know someone that tried pressing minkee with bumps and she ended up with no bumps!) then hand sew the openings closed. BEFORE SEWING THE STRAPS CLOSED: you'll need to add your magnetic clasps. Then sew the openings shut.

Now center your straps on the large piece--attach them by sewing through all thicknesses of fabric.

I decided to attach some looped grosgrain ribbon to the inside to hang toys for my baby to play with...all I did was sew the ribbon into loops, then I sewed them right into the seam from the handle straps.

Super Easy No Glue Fridge Magnets

These magnets are so super easy to make...and they look so cute on the fridge. I would be careful, though, if you have little ones at home...you wouldn't want them to get ahold of these. All you need is a brad, a flower, and a magnet. Are all brads magnetic? For this project they need to be! When I made these, I thought they were so great, because later on down the road if you want to use the brads or flowers for another project, they are so easy to take apart and recycle!

Easy as.....

1...............................

2..................................
3!