Yay for Consignment!

In my town is the biggest consignment shop in my state.  So that fairs pretty well for me!  I've only bought a couple things from the store.  Where I really benefit is from consigning my own clothes.  Saturday I took some summer clothes that no longer fit.  You don't get paid until those items are sold, but apparently I had some money in my account from a drop off in the winter-- $37!  I'll go back in a few months to see what I made from my summer clothes.  Another bonus is that whatever clothes don't sell they donate to charity so you get to help people and you get a tax write-off.

What to do with the $37?  Well since I gave up some clothes, I'll be using that money to make new ones!  I've got lots of projects waiting to happen...

J Crew Inspired Tee

J Crew inspired tee tutorial from love stitched

Materials:

Final product:

So easy and kinda fun!  I wore it to work for casual Friday.

I think I'll try it with a fun color shirt next time.

Plum Cobbler

My parents have a plum tree at their house, and their tree was exploding with little pink plums this year.  Dad brought me a couple sandwich bags full, and I found this recipe for a plum cobbler.

I added some blackberry topping to jazz it up!

It definitely was a little tart, but yummy!

Meet Ruby. Pit Bull Awareness & Education

Meet Ruby

Ruby was adopted from a humane society when she was a puppy.  She's now 3 three year old and thinks she's still a baby.

Ruby as a puppy:

She didn't stay a fur ball for long-- she grew really fast!

Ruby is a pit bull and boxer mix.

The mention of "pit bull" makes some people nervous.

I understand there are a lot of fears about pit bulls, but those are misconceptions.

Pit bulls (and boxers) are bred to be family dogs-- protecting their family.  Loyalty is one of their greatest traits.

Here are some things you may not know about pit bulls- they are loving, intelligent, funny, cuddly, and great with kids.

Pit bulls that are prone to attack have been abused by their owners.  It is a shame that pit bulls' amazing traits (loyalty and intelligence) have been used against them for the gain of their owners.

Even the dog whisperer has pit bulls and uses them to rehabilitate other dog breeds!

Before you rule that an entire dog breed is unworthy of love and should not be allowed to live in certain cities, educate yourself and meet a pit bull that has been properly trained and loved.

Pit Bull Breed Info
Pit Bull Lovers
Pit Bull Rescue

Ruby says, "do it for me!"

Ruby has brought me and my husband such happiness.  She is part of our family and is an exceptional dog.

My Day Job

This is where I work and what I do.

what I do = write, film, edit videos

A Reminder for Today

Open Soul

A Print A Day

Do yourself a favor

and go to

A Print A Day

Mini Cards Tutorial

After I sent off my scraps for the Scrap Swap, I got a package of scraps in return :).

Inside was this homemade card from Mamma Tortilla that was adorable!

I was inspired and decided to use my scraps from the swap to make cards as well!

First I got out some card stock and folded it in half.  Then I picked coordinating fabric and cut strips.

I also used some ribbon.

Using a zig-zag stitch, I sewed the fabric onto the front of the card stock.

I stamped the back.

And you write you message inside!

You can leave sweet little notes on people's desks at work or for your significant other :)

Want some cards but don't want to make your own?  Pick some up at my etsy shop!

Boys Are Cute Mini Cards

Girl Talk Mini Cards

Summertime Mini Cards

Hospitality Week 3

This week's hospitality topic: Recipes you make for guests

I rarely make the same thing twice for guests.  I love trying out new recipes, so I'm usually making something different each time.  One thing that never changes is that there is always dessert of some kind!  Here's my latest experiment:

I found this recipe for a Texas Sheet Cake from Brown Eyed Baker and just had to try it.

Oh. My. Yum.

My hubby and I lurved (loved very much) it.
I took mine and stuck it in the microwave for a few seconds to make it gooey and then stuck some raspberries on top (my husband's idea!).

Think guests would mind having this around? :)

Hospitality Week 2 post

Hospitality Week 1 post

Morsbags Kits- Be Green!

I got my morsbags kit this week from Steph Jacobson, so I've got to get to work making it!  Thanks, Steph!
I'll update once it's done!

Go check out the links above to make yours!

Happiness...

Thank You, Again, Burt

I've used Burt's Bees (original) lip balm for a few years now.  I love how it heals and gently stings.  I've thought it to be the superior lip balm for awhile now.  Well, Burt, you might have beat yourself.  I got Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm in my Christmas stocking, and now it is my best desk mate.  It refreshes me throughout the day and is so smooth.

You are the smooth to my sting, Honey.

Shrinky Dink Fun

Shrinky Dinks are back, baby!

These are some pins I made for myself...

...and these are some for my husband's office.

FUN!

Go check out these sites for instructions and inspiration!  These are super easy and fun to make!
Tutorial
Custom Push Pins
Custom Straight Pins

Hospitality Week 2

This week's Hospitality challenge is making guests feel at home.

My husband and I don't have any kids yet, so our entire upstairs is what we call the guest quarters.  Any time family or friends come to stay, they have the entire upstairs to themselves.  They have a bedroom, bathroom, and living area.  We have found that them having a living room keeps them more relaxed and from feeling like they're imposing.  They can watch TV, access internet, make coffee, be right at home.  I know that this is a luxury that most families don't have.  So instead of posting pictures of that (unless anybody is interested, then I will), I'll talk about small things that can make a big difference in any guest space.
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Smell is a big deal!  Especially if you don't use the space every day, you should freshen it up before they arrive.  I like to Febreeze the rugs and curtains and put a candle on a warmer.  I usually pick a scent that isn't too strong and that most people would like.  Pumpkin spice or apple pie or anything that smells like yummy dessert!  With it being on a warmer, you don't have to worry about a flame, and the guests can turn it off if they want to.  The most popular scent for guests has been Tyler candle's pineapple crush.  Everyone loves it!

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Another hit with guests is that they have their own TV and ipod player.  Some people watch the morning news when they get ready or watch a late night show before bed.  They can do this without feeling like they need to ask permission to do it in your living room.  It just makes people that much more comfortable.  If they have kids, they can put on some cartoons.  

The ipod player is great because most people travel with an ipod or iphone but not with a player.  This charges their electronics and let's them play their own music.  This also doubles as an alarm.

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I think it's important when you plan for guests to plan with yourself in mind.  What conveniences do you use every day?  What do you miss when you're traveling?

The idea isn't to shove them in their own corner where you never see them.  The idea is to make them feel like they aren't in the way and that they have their own space.

Hospitality Week 1 post here

Hospitality Week 1

Check out the Hospitality Party here.

Here's my part of Hospitality Week 1:

I love having seating right at the front door.  When guests are over, people can go between the living room and the front porch.  The best way to be hospitable with the front of your house is to feel like it's part of your living space!

Today Is the Day

I gave this as a gift and loved the collection of pieces from this artist.  I can't remember the artist's name, but I wanted to share this thought with you today.  Today is the day to begin your life!

Go outside and enjoy creation and the new life that spring brings.

Mini Wallet

I purchased a wallet pattern from Polly Danger a few months back.  I sat down on Memorial Day and finally tried it out.

Here it is:

The fabric (minus the khaki) is from Walmart for $1/yard.  You'll notice the green fabric is left over from my last skirt project, and the floral pattern is from another skirt you'll see soon ;).

I love that there are three pockets for cards and cash.
I'll be adding some velcro after I run to the store to restock and then it will be on its way to a new mommy to throw in her diaper bag.

This was easy to make, especially since the instructions had step-by-step pictures.  I think I could have churned more out if I wasn't distracted by all the war movies that were on TV for Memorial Day!

Bruschetta and Chicken & Cucumbers

Bruschetta

This was my first attempt to make bruschetta.  I love it at restaurants and have seen it made several different ways.  I took my favorite things about each version and combined them!

*Cut a loaf of italian bread, butter, and cook in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes (until toasty)

*Slice mozzarella cheese (get the real stuff! in the deli section) and set aside

*Dice 2 roma tomatoes and mix with olive oil, garlic salt, italian seasoning, basil, oregano

*Take the bread out of the oven and top it with the cheese and the the tomato mix

*Eat up!

Chicken & Cucumbers

This was a yummy dinner I made last week.  We love healthy food that tastes delish!
*The garlic parmesan bread was from a local pizzeria, so you'll just have to substitute with your favorite bread
*The chicken was marinated in a white wine & herb seasoning packet and then grilled
*For the cucumbers-- I sliced them and tossed them with some salt and set them on a paper towel to dry. I mixed some vinegar, hint of sugar, cilantro, salt, and pepper together and then drizzled it over the cucumbers.

Yum-o!
What are some of your favorite summer dishes?

Easy Peasy Skirt

I made this skirt for cheap cheap!  The fabric was $1/yard from Walmart.  I don't normally buy fabric there, but they had some really cute fabric on sale.  Getting someone to cut the fabric for me took a mountain of patience and repeating "don't get upset, don't get upset" over and over in my head.  I don't know why it's always such a task to get an associate to the fabric department.  Okay, I'm stepping off my soap box now.  My stance and facial expression below are similar to what I looked like buying this fabric.  Moving on...

(Click on picture to enlarge)

I measured the fabric around me twice and then added some-- making about 3 yards.  Yep, I did all that in the store :).

When I got home, I realized I only need the fabric to go around me about 1.5 times instead of twice.  Needless to say, I have lots of fabric leftover and have been making other projects from the scraps (those to come in another post).

I first cut the fabric I needed into two pieces and sewed up both sides, making two side seams.  Then I hemmed the top of the skirt and left enough space for elastic.  I pulled the elastic through and tried it on before I cut the elastic-- you want to make sure you have enough but that it's also pulled tightly enough.

Then I hemmed the bottom of the skirt to the length I wanted (at the knee).

Lastly, I made a belt to hide the elastic waistline.  This isn't necessary, but I thought it cleaned it up a bit.  I sewed a tube and turned it inside out and tied it around my waist.

Ta-da!

FYI: The purple shirt was $4 from Walmart.  I almost attached the shirt to the skirt to make a dress, but I thought I'd like to be able to mix and match these pieces to other pieces.

The shoes are Reefs--which are the most comfortable flip flops and they now come in fun designs!

The necklace is from China, so I'm not sure I can help you get one like it :).

I have a feeling you'll be seeing more posts with skirts like this!  I've already bought more fabric to make more!  They easy and quick to make and really comfortable to wear.

Let me know if you make one!  Or if you have any tips on easy to make skirts!

Homemade Business Cards

Last week I sat down to make my own business cards, and it turned out to be pretty quick and easy!

Materials:

Card stock

White paint

Foam brush

Rubber stamp (purchased from Hobby Lobby or Michael's)

Bird hole punch

Shimmery pens

I cut the card stock sheets into four pieces.  Then I used the brush to dab some paint onto the M initial stamp.  On the front of the card, I stamped the M and wrote in my shop name.

On some cards (the white ones below), I didn't stamp the M initial and just wrote the shop name.

Then I punched the bird into the card to be able to add string and attach to items.

I used shimmery gel pens to write on the cards.  On the back of each card I wrote my blog address (see purple card below).  I have professional cards with my etsy address printed, so this is an alternative to that.

These didn't take long at all to make-- about an hour watching tv!
This is a really inexpensive way to get some tags for your products!

One Year Anniversary

happy one year anniversary to my main man :)

Goodies & BOGO!

Don't forget that TODAY is the last day to get Buy One Get One Free at my etsy shop!  Go check it out!

I'm on the way to the post office to mail Andrea's scraps and Mary's prizes!  Hope you ladies have lots of fun with what's on the way!

Good Music Swap

Today I'm in a good music mood, so let's share! Let me know what you like to listen to, and link to the song if it's available on youtube or somewhere else.

Here's my contribution for the day:

P.S. This is my friend Jim Ranger, and I shot the video...so I might be a bit partial :)

Okay, now it's your turn!

Scrap Swap!

Have a bunch of scrap material and want to swap it for someone else's scrap material?

Scrap Swap Link