Hands On

Recipe: Red Quinoa and Cranberry Salad

2013-11-27T17:56:00.001-05:00

I'm new to quinoa. I know all about its awesomeness, its super grain powers, and ability to leap tall platters. But I haven't really cooked with it. And I now know that I was seriously missing out! Not long ago, I had a fantastic red quinoa salad at a local restaurant, chilled and served with cranberries and limes. I couldn't get enough. So with Thanksgiving right around the corner, I knew that I wanted to try to recreate the salad for a spectacular side. Try it! You won't be disappointed.

Red Quinoa and Cranberry Salad

this generous amount will easily serve 8-10 as a side

2 cups organic red quinoa
4 cups water
1 1/3 cups dried, sweetened cranberries
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup almond slices
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
1/2 cup olive oil
4 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 limes, squeezed for their juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Combine quinoa and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Put in the refrigerator to cool for 10 minutes as you prepare the remainder of the salad.

Combine cranberries, onion, garlic, almonds, and mint in a medium bowl. Once the quinoa has cooled, stir this mixture into the quinoa.

To make the dressing, combine the olive oil, the juice from two limes, and the remaining ingredients; stir well. Pour oil mixture over quinoa mixture; stir well. Chill or serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Redesign

2013-04-27T16:52:00.001-04:00

I figure since this blog has gone through a name change, a theme change...well, a complete redesign that perhaps I should take a look at other aspects of my life that could also use a redesign. And, as I'm currently in the middle of reading Charles Duhigg's The Power of Habit, my habits seem a good place to start.

A 2006 study done at Duke University found that more than 40 percent of our actions are not made with any sort of intentional decision but rather made out of habit (xvi). Intuitively, this is something that most of us already know. We have all had those mornings where we safely arrive in the parking lot of our workplace but don't really recall exactly how we got there. Or, like I did just last week, without thinking drove to my child's preschool to pick him up on a day that he wasn't at school! Duhigg pulls together research from a variety of psychology, advertising, and business studies to show just how easy it is to form habits based on cues we encounter in our daily lives. Our reactions to these cues create a habit loop, leading to a craving. And, as Duhigg writes, "When a habit emerges, the brain stops fully participating in decision making," which is what makes getting rid of habits incredibly difficult (20). But not impossible.

Habits, by definition, are those actions we do with out intention, without thinking. And so this seems a perfect moment to pause, to reflect on what my cues are, and how I might change some of the bad routines I have in place to deal with those cues. This is my moment to redesign my life.

So, I'll use this blog to reflect on my journey of replacing a couple of bad habits with a couple of good ones. Oh, I'll still post my adventures in crafting and reflections on raising two crafty little boys, but each Saturday I'll also pause to share my progress in acting with intention and the pitfalls I am sure to encounter along the way. Now, to begin. What are my cues?

I'm going to start my life redesign by acting more intentionally when it comes to two of my bad habits. First, let's start with my exercise routine, which can be better described as a complete lack of a routine. The alarm goes off each morning at 5:20 a.m. On the mornings that my boys need to be dropped off at preschool/daycare, this makes for a very rushed morning. However, the alarm goes off at this exact time on the days that my boys do not go to school as well, which generally leads to me hitting snooze three times and half-sleeping another 20-some minutes. A waste of time. And since I know myself well enough to know that I will not get into an exercise routine in the evening after teaching a full day and then taking care of my boys while my hubby works evenings, mornings really are the best place for me to start a new routine, a new habit. And since I have a very literal cue, my alarm going off each morning even when I don't need to wake early, I'm going to start getting up to run on the mornings that my boys don't need to be dropped off at school. Can I confess at this point that even having just typed that above I'm feeling a bit anxious? I don't think I've laced up my running shoes since just after my youngest was born (he'll turn 3 in August). But in another way this will be a welcomed change as there are very few points in my day to day life where I am alone. I'm either in front of students teaching during the day, playing with my boys in the late afternoon, rushing through that whole dinner, bath, bed routine before my hubby gets home for the evening, and then off to bed myself. A new routine in the morning might not only a good way for me to get back in shape but also a way to start mornings with a bit of time for just me.

My second cue comes when I step through my front door following my teaching day. I greet my husband as he heads out the door for work, grab up my boys in a hug, and head for the cookie jar. I get home about 3:30 each day and carbo-load, which if I was training to be a triathlete would be just fine. However, I am not. Not even close. Unless of course you count picking up Legos from every crevice in my house as an Olympic sport (which honestly, some days it should be), I do not need to be taking in the amount of processed, carb-heavy foods that I am each day. So, my second new habit will be to eat no-processed, local foods as snacks. Okay, so no-processed food would likely be good enough here, but I'm actually interested in replacing two bad habits. Not only do I need to cut overly-processed carbs from my current eating habits, but my family is also trying to include more organic, locally grown produce in our diet.So my snacks are a great place to start, not to mention that I'll also be setting a better example for my two sweet-toothed boys.

So, there you have it. I've proclaimed these redesigns publicly in the hopes that it will keep me honest. Either way, I hope this journey makes for an interesting read in the weeks and months ahead.

Big News from Babee Crafts!

2012-11-19T21:25:00.001-05:00

What an eventful (and event full) year 2012 has been. I had the good fortune of growing Babee Crafts over this past year, adding new designs and expanding my design availability by participating in nearly a dozen fairs in 2012. Because of your continued support, I have been able to donate a portion of my profits this past year to the Sparrow Fund, Kiva, the American Red Cross, and soon to Anabelle's Wish. And my designs were picked up by four wonderful boutiques in the Philadelphia area, all committed to sharing the craft of handmade goods. I am truly thankful for all the well wishes and support that so many of you have offered by connecting with me in person at local shows, through Facebook and Twitter, and through feedback left via my online shop. How lucky am I!

So you can imagine how difficult it has been to come to the decision to close Babee Crafts. Although I truly love screening and stitching up new designs for little ones from all over, I need to take some time to craft with two of my biggest fans - my two little boys. This past year I have shipped my designs to four continents and to nearly every state here in the US, but in 2013 I need to spend some time focused on those closer to home.

I will be closing my online shop following the 2012 holiday season. And although you will not be able to purchase Babee Crafts designs in 2013, as my loyal subscribers and supporters, I am offering you a very special coupon code to celebrate the 2012 holidays in eco-friendly fashion! Please use coupon code "THANKYOU" for 20% off your total purchase. And stay tuned, as the year draws to a close, I'll be sending out further coupon codes and specials just to you!

So stock up and celebrate while supplies last!

THANK YOU FOR A FANTASTIC 2012!

Thank you again for your support and well wishes.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Jen Ward
owner, Babee Crafts

EMAIL SHOP TWITTER FACEBOOK BLOG

Fun Fork Finds For Friday

2012-08-17T09:05:00.000-04:00

Just a little fork humor for this Friday morning. What can I say? I'm an English teacher. I love alliteration! So here it is: Fun Fork Finds For Friday!

Click on the image to be taken to this Pinterest board

Here's a closer look at some of my favorites:

A Special Challenge

2012-05-15T20:42:00.001-04:00

I am so excited to be partnering with the nonprofit The Sparrow Fund this month, supporting their work in helping adoptive families around the world. I'm donating 10% of all my sales this month to The Sparrow Fund along with 58 other businesses (click HERE to see them all).

Until May 19th, we have a very special challenge in front of us that I want to share with you. An adoptive mom wanted to do something creative to support this nonprofit and their efforts this month to Build the Nest. And, she posted a blog entry today with that challenge -- for everyone who comments there with their first name, the store name where they shopped, and the total amount spent -- blogger Leah will MATCH dollar for dollar in a donation directly to The Sparrow Fund up to $1,000! So, if you make a purchase now through May 19th , not only will 10% of your purchase go to The Sparrow Fund, you can make that 110% simply by commenting on her blog!

Consider being a part of this challenge! Come on over to Babee Crafts online shop and make a purchase. Then, simply go make sure Leah knows you did by commenting on her blog post (CLICK HERE) with your first name, my store name, and the total amount of your purchase with us. We want to make sure that at least $1,000 worth of sales named in those comments so we can get The Sparrow Fund this donation. And, we only have a few more days to do it!

Thank you so much!

Here's the direct link again to her blog post - http://thesweetfamilylife.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/adoption-grants-business-support-a-matching-pledge-promise-online-shopping-oh-my/
And, here's the direct link again to all the partners - http://www.wearegraftedin.com/the-sparrow-fund-may-fundraising-drive/
And, here's the direct link again to my blog post explaining the challenge - http://www.myoverthinking.com/2012/05/challenge-im-doing-cartwheels-over.html

Building the Nest

2012-05-08T12:16:00.000-04:00

I can't say that remember exactly how I learned about Kelly Raudenbush. I'm guessing that it was through the Philadelphia Social Media Moms network or some other bloggy, crafty, social media type connection, but I do remember that her organization - The Sparrow Fund - struck me as being an incredibly important resource for families in the Philadelphia area and across our country.

The Sparrow Fund is an organization that not only provides financial support to families seeking international adoptions, but more importantly training and support for families going through the sometimes complicated and confusing process of navigating international adoptions. As described on the fund's website:

"There are so many unknowns when it comes to adoption, and we believe that preparation plays a significant part in making the unpredictable road of adoption a little more smooth. Worthwhile training and national programs staffed by professionals offer invaluable services to help prepare the adoptive family as well as their child.

The Sparrow Fund was started because we do not want anything to be an obstacle in the adoption process. We are committed to see ONE MORE child with a forever family and ONE LESS orphan in the world."

So not long ago when Kelly approched me about helping the Sparrow Fund "build their nest," I just had to say yes! During the month of May, a number of businesses have joined together to help The Sparrow Fund by donating 10% of their total sales during the entire month of May! And Babee Crafts is one of those businesses! I was thrilled to have a number of people ask about The Sparrow Fund this past Sunday at Clover Market when I had my little donation sign front and center in my booth. And I even got to meet the owner of another donating business, Kate of Between the Buttons!

So please spread the love and help The Sparrow Fund build their nest this May. Grab the button below if you are a fellow blogger to share on your site (cut and paste the script below the button). And please visit the sites below to shop and shop and shop some more–make that 10% really add up to help adoptive families in need! And, while you are shopping, personally thank them for supporting adoption, helping adoptive families, and being a part of the work of The Sparrow Fund.

If you would like your store to be a part of this May fundraising event, please contact The Sparrow Fund to be added as part of this effort.

A Clover Market Anniversary

2012-05-07T22:56:00.000-04:00

As a little girl, my mom would drag my sister and me to local craft shows. Okay, drag is the wrong word. Both my sister and I loved walking aisle after aisle, taking mental notes of all the crafts that we could duplicate. And it turns out we come from a long line of crafters. I remember as a girl saving the handles of milk jugs for my mom's mom who would use them to make kitchen scrubbies out of tulle. Weekends during the summer my grandma and aunts would have tables at community craft fairs selling kitchen and bathroom scrubbies long before Bath and Body Works sold puffs.

My mom grew up a crafter, and she passed that DIY spirit on to my sister and me. My mom sat my younger sister and I down in front of her sewing machine when we were both in elementary school. I still remember how odd it was for me as a middle school student taking home economics class during our introduction to sewing unit. By the time I hit middle school, I had already been following patterns and stitching up dresses for five years. And as much as my sister I would protest as young girls our weekly 4-H sewing meetings, both of us turned out to be pretty crafty women. Although we live states a part, we still call one another and email each other when we run across a particularly crafty find that we might duplicate.

So this past Sunday while at Clover Market, it dawned on me that it was my first anniversary. My very first craft fair was time last May. Although I had been stitching and crafting up gifts for family and friends for years, it really wasn't until last year that I decided to take a leap and try my hand at fairs and festivals. And quite a bit has changed since my first booth (as you can see at left). Not only have I added and subtracted from my booth set-up, but I'm starting to hone in on my brand and my look. I'm not there yet, but I think I'm getting there.

This past weekend at Clover Market, I caught myself doing the same thing that I've been doing since I was clutching the hand of my mom as a little girl - scoping for ideas and inspiration. I love seeing how others put displays together, taking mental notes of color combinations, display layouts, and fresh ideas. And Clover Market is such a fantastic venue to do such booth-shopping (like window-shopping, only much, much more fun). The level of pride and attention that so many of the vendors at Clover Market pay to their displays is clear. I was joking with so many that stopped by my booth that Clover Market is a dangerous place for me - I make a little money, and my first thoughts are about when I might be able to walk around to spend it! But more than shopping, I love seeing all the fresh ideas. As a crafter and DIY-addict, Clover Market has been a great place for me to start my craft adventures and grow as a business woman. I look forward to June's market!

A Special Gift for Giada

2012-04-30T21:38:00.000-04:00

I'm excited to announce Babee Crafts, in association with The Artisan Group, was recently selected to gift my Dino Coat in an exclusive collaborative gift bag prepared especially for celebrity chef and best-selling author Giada De Laurentiis, host of the current Food Network program "Giada at Home". This cute little organic cotton coat is on its way to Giada's little girl.

Because every day should be a dino day!
The Babee Crafts' dino coats are the newest addition to my shop. Originally designed for my own dino-lovin' pre-schooler, this organic cotton sweatshirt coat is embellished with eco-felt. Eco-felt is made of recycled plastic bottles. So not only is this coat adorable, but eco-friendly as well!

ABOUT BABEE CRAFTS

Babee Crafts is committed to offering high quality, sustainably-produced, environmentally-responsible baby and toddler gifts. Babee Crafts' gifts are made using 100% organic cotton and shipped using eco-friendly packaging materials. Why? Because it is important that our children are brought up in a world that will be there for their children. And in order for that to be possible, we must all do our part to lessen our environmental footprint. It is equally important that my products are affordable. Buying organic and sustainably produced products shouldn't be a luxury. Protecting our children and protecting our earth is something we should all be able to afford to do.

To learn more about Babee Crafts and my products, or my participation in The Artisan Group's celebrity gifting initiatives, visit me online, call 267.536.9273, or email babeecrafts@gmail.com.

She's Baaaack!

2012-02-24T21:14:00.005-05:00

It's been a while, I know. Going back to teaching full-time this past fall has meant a bit less time to blog. And although balancing teaching, crafting, and family has had its challenges in recent months (more on that soon), I have been crafting up a storm. My Babee Crafts shop on Etsy has been doing well, and I'm happy to announce that I'll be returning to Clover Market for all three spring dates in April, May, and June. So I guess that means I better whip out my glue gun and plug in the sewing machine! Family, prepare yourselves. You won't be seeing our dining room table until sometime in July!

I hope that you can carve out some time to do some crafting soon, especially since I've found a fantastic collection of {free} baby crafting tutorials. Have fun exploring my growing collection on Pinterest. Click on the image below to connect to each of the tutorials seen below. Wait, Jen, what's Pinterest?

If you haven't stumbled across Pinterest, good. Pretend you've never heard of it and go about your way. It is highly (HIGHLY) addictive. Instead of storing your website bookmarks as a boring old text link, Pinterest is a visual way to save links to all your favorite web finds. It is social, it is fun, and so, so, so addictive. But you need an invitation to join. If you want one, leave a comment below with your email address and I'll be happy to pass one along. But be warned, you will get sucked in, losing hours exploring all the very cool connections and links.

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It's My Etsy-versary!

2011-10-13T19:47:00.002-04:00

Hard to believe that a year has already past since we started this eco-friendly adventure by opening our Etsy Babee Crafts shop! My youngest was barely two months old as I started to string together my first nursing reminder bracelets. And now, not only is he walking, he's climbing the stairs and into my craft cupboards and quickly getting into everything he can get those quick little hands on. And my toddler has turned into a dino-lovin', song writing, creative pre-schooler. He's my biggest helper, with his own little art table set up next my craft supplies. Together we craft away.

In the past year, I've been so thankful for all the encouragment and support I've received from family, friends, and return customers. I look forward to another year of crafting creative, eco-friendly baby gifts.

To celebrate our first anniversary, Babee Crafts offering a fantastic discount on all our hand-screened bibs, onesies, and t-shirts. Use code "ANNIVERSARY" for 25% off your next purchase. This code will also be good toward custom screening purchases. But hurry, this offer ends October 20th!

Join Me in November!

2011-10-11T17:18:00.004-04:00

I'll be joining a number of fantastic mom crafters on November 11th between 5-9pm at Ashbridge Manor in Downingtown for a holiday Mom Bazaar! So if you are local, stop by this free event to see all the new items I've been screening and stitching up through Babee Crafts.

Preview all of the great products that will be at the Holiday Bazaar by visiting the following websites by clicking on the link!

Lovely Little One – Handmade Baby and Nursing Apparel
Tastefully Simple – By Melissa Auvil
Elephants on Parade – Handmade Hair Bows and Clips
Meredith Joy Designs – Jewelry and Greeting Cards
Scentsy – Flameless Candle Warmers
Stampin’ Up
Creative Memories
Tiffinee A-Z – Antiques and Used Items
The Smiling Door - Creative Door Decor
Studio 791 - paper inspired stationery, magnets, collage items, desk accessories
Babee Crafts – Organic and Eco-friendly baby gifts
Thirty-One – Purses and Bags

A Day to Sew

2011-09-29T11:40:00.006-04:00

I have a terrible habit. I buy fabric without having a clear plan in mind for how to use it. And so I have a growing stack of adorable, organic cotton prints that have been begging to be crafted into something cute. So with a day off work today, I was struck by inspiration. Time to stitch up an organic cotton teething bib!

This bib is a must-have for parents. Never lose track of your little one's teething ring or pacifier again. Simply snap it onto the this bib, and it is always at hand for your little one.

And not only is it practical, it is eco-friendly as well! This bib is made from 100% certified organic cotton knits by Harmony Arts and fastens with snaps instead of scratchy velcro that can irritate baby's delicate skin. The bib is pre-washed to ensure that it does not shrink and top-stitched so that it can endure wash after wash after wash. The crossword design on the front coordinates with the tangerine colored backing.

This bib also comes with a 3" wooden teether, sanded smooth and finished with an all-natural beeswax and olive oil polish, which is food-grade safe for baby and will preserve the life of the wood. The wooden teether is handmade by fellow Etsy artist Urbanhomesteaders and is the perfect teether and early infant toy.

This set would make a wonderful, eco-friendly baby shower gift. I am happy to offer free gift wrapping and a handmade card upon request. Please see my other organic and eco-friendly baby gifts at Babee Crafts on Etsy.

Such Kind Words!

2011-09-26T17:14:00.003-04:00

Friend and fellow blogger Andria of Andria Drawing Near posted a wonderful piece on the recent Clover Market which included a little bit about Babee Crafts. So, I'm stealing her post and sharing it below. But don't just read it here. Click on over to her fabulous blog. You'll be amazed by all the clever crafting this stay-at-home mom of two does. Truly beautiful!

Discovering the Clover Market

Last Sunday, in addition to finding a Paper Source within an easy drive from my home, I discovered a lovely place called the Clover Market.

The organizers describe the market as "an upscale vintage outdoor market...featuring original art, antiques, vintage jewelry & clothing, artisan crafts, and handmade items." In other words, my ideal browsing destination!

The vendors all take real care when setting up their booths, in order to make their vignettes interesting and their merchandise accessible to their customers.

Half the fun was checking out how items, as well as prices and other information, were displayed.

One of my first stops was to visit my friend Jen, who in addition to being a full-time high school English teacher, mother of two boys under three, writer of two blogs, and owner of an Etsy store called Babee Crafts, finds time to represent her hand-crafted baby items at markets, shows, and bazaars!

(If I ever find out her secret for juggling all these roles--and doing them all so WELL--while maintaining an admirable level of good humor and a relaxed vibe, I will definitely share it with you!)

Some of the vendors included:

--antiques and vintage items for the home--

--architectural salvage--

--purses and other fabric items--

--jewelry--

--paper crafts--

More by Andria at Andria Drawing Near

What a Fabulous Day!

2011-09-19T16:44:00.002-04:00

It was wonderful to be outside all day yesterday for Clover Market's Fall Kick-Off - fabulous weather, fantastic shops, and so many fun finds! I'll share some pictures very soon, but for those of you who were not able to attend, I wanted to share just a few of the fantastic shops that you missed. You certainly will not want to miss October's market!

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Upcoming Events: Clover Market in Ardmore

2011-08-05T08:45:00.003-04:00

I'll be there in September. Will you?

Fabulous Finds Friday: Happy Birthday, Little Monster!

2011-07-29T08:00:00.002-04:00

I haven't been on vacation. No, that's in a few weeks. But it has been quite a while since I've posted. I've definitely gotten a bit behind on my blogging. But I went back to school.

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to teach a graduate course to fellow teachers on integrating technology into the reading and writing classroom. Funny that I was online so much for the course that I was disconnected from my usual online haunts. Like this blog. So you will see a return of my Tell Me More Tuesday and Fab Finds Friday as well as other weekly posts returning this upcoming week. Starting with this fabulous collection of monster-inspired birthday party ideas.

My little one turns one in a few short weeks (seriously, where did the time go!), and we've decided on a monster themed party. Why? 'Cause that kid is a little monster! He's not quite walking but darn close. And since he figured out how to pull himself up on furniture around six months, he's been climbing everything. He climbs into our cabinets, has figured out the child safety locks, climbs stairs, pulls the dining room chairs over - he's our little monster!

So the invitations have been sent, some supplies ordered, and of course, I shopped Etsy for the perfect birthday boy onesie. But I still need some decoration ideas. Here's what I've found so far, but would love your ideas and suggestions, too!

Click on the image above to go directly to my annotated list of links on Pinterest. In addition to sharing my finds, I want to encourage readers to share their finds, posts, and tutorials. Use the comments section below to share blog posts on our weekly theme.

And if I've featured you in a Fabulous Finds Friday, please grab the button below for your website or blog.

So what were your fab finds this week?

Tell Me More Tuesday: Candy Curls Bowtique

2011-07-12T08:00:00.013-04:00

Jessica's creations for Candy Curls Bowtique have me secretly wishing for a little girl, or at the very least, a few more little girls to buy for! Her clips and headbands are just too cute. And each of her designs is inspired by her own too cute little girl.

Learn more about Jessica's creative process in today's weekly series - Tell Me More Tuesdays - in which I introduce readers to some of my favorite Etsy artists and crafters. Those of you new to Etsy (and even those who have racked up days surfing through handcrafted goodies and vintage finds) can find the site overwhelming. With so many wonderful shops and unique, handcrafted goods, it is easy to lose track of time clicking away. So Tell Me More Tuesday is a way to get to know the artist behind the shop, the story behind the craft.

Tell Us More About You: What are three words those closest to you would use to describe you?

I've been described as worldly. I'm not really sure that's true, but I did grow up overseas, and I love to travel. I also tend to move around a lot because my husband is in the military. I would hope compassionate. I tend to always feel an immediate attachment to anyone who's kind of an underdog, and I would never want to make someone feel bad about themselves in any way. And definitely the last word would be obsessive, I get obsessive about everything from new projects to my daughter and to all kinds of random things.

Tell Us More About Your Shop: What are three words you would use to describe your shop?

Fun - Charming - Endearing

I personally think these words describe my shop's personality and appearance perfectly.

Tell Us More About What Inspires You

My daughter definitely the most. She just turned two a few months ago and she's so excited about the world around her. I try to mimic her energy in everything that I do.

Tell Us More About Your Favorite Item

I love this headband because I love working with fabrics and prints. Each one of these are one of a kind pieces, they're pretty and unique.

Tell Us More About Your Interests: Other than creating and crafting, what are your other interests, hobbies, or passions?

Again, my favorite thing is to travel. I would love to be able to travel the entire world. There's so much to see and experience. I enjoy cooking, it's very relaxing for me. And of course, it's always fun to eat everything afterwords :) I enjoy learning new things. I've always been slightly envious of anyone who had a knack for knitting and sewing. I know how to hand sew, but have been really wanting to learn how to use a sewing machine, so I signed up for a six hour class which I'm taking in a couple of days, and really excited about it!

Learn more about Jessica and Candy Curls Bowtique at...

And Jessica is generously offering Babee Crafts readers a 20% off discount code good on anything in his Etsy shop. Simply enter "summer20" in the coupon code box during your checkout for 20% off! Happy shopping!

_{Would you like to be featured in an upcoming Tell Me More Tuesday post? Submit your information HERE.}

Fabulous Finds Friday: Baby Crafts and Tutorials

2011-07-08T15:00:00.000-04:00

There are just too many DIY mommy blogs out there. And I get sucked into all of them! Each week my Google Reader maxes out at 1000+ unread posts, mainly tutorials and ideas from sites like Craft Gossip, Tip Junkie (there's even an app), and Modern Parents Messy Kids. And I wish I had time to read each post, or better yet, make each adorable craft.

And this past week is no exception. I found a number of adorable ideas and tutorials for baby. Check out this cool collection of baby shower gift ideas and welcome baby crafts:

Click on the image above to go directly to my annotated list of links on Pinterest. In addition to sharing my finds, I want to encourage readers to share their finds, posts, and tutorials. Use the comments section below to share blog posts on our weekly theme.

And if I've featured you in a Fabulous Finds Friday, please grab the button below for your website or blog.

So what were your fab finds this week?

Tell Me More Tuesday: The Fyber Stud

2011-07-05T20:00:00.002-04:00

Rohn's work as The Fyber Stud (love that name!) is not only fashionably fun, it is also transformative. How? With every item purchased from The Fyber Stud, Rohn donates a Snuggle to The Suggles Project. The Snuggles Project is known for their transformative work with animals. After being given a Snuggle, a frightened or difficult to handle animal can potentially be reassured, be calmed, transformed. This calming effect gives the animal and the caregiver time to learn how to handle the situation. It is a cause near and dear to Rohn's heart.

Learn more about Rohn's creative process in today's weekly series - Tell Me More Tuesdays - in which I introduce readers to some of my favorite Etsy artists and crafters. Those of you new to Etsy (and even those who have racked up days surfing through handcrafted goodies and vintage finds) can find the site overwhelming. With so many wonderful shops and unique, handcrafted goods, it is easy to lose track of time clicking away. So Tell Me More Tuesday is a way to get to know the artist behind the shop, the story behind the craft.

Tell Us More About You: What are three words those closest to you would use to describe you?

Colorful - Creative - Passionate

Tell Us More About Your Shop: What are three words you would use to describe your shop?

Totes - Bags - Purses

The Fyber Stud specializes in fashionable and trendy bags, totes, and purses for men, women, and kids! We design and manufacture every bag, start to finish, in our Raleigh studio. We are the mindful labor behind every bag and are firm believers in concise, durable, well crafted, colorful designs.

Tell Us More About What Inspires You

Color is my biggest decided. I usually choose colors for the next season(s) a few months in advance. Like right now I am choosing colors for this fall and winter!

Tell Us More About Your Favorite Item

Currently my favorite creation is the Trapper Creek Tote. A large and in charge tote bag named after Trapper Creek, Alaska! It is linen and magenta in color with a bright red 100% organic and biodegradable burlap lining. I probably love the lime colored handles and the metal grommets! Such a gorgeous bag!

Tell Us More About Your Interests: Other than creating and crafting, what are your other interests, hobbies, or passions?

Other than crafting my interests include photography and Alaska. I love to travel and am going on an Alaskan cruise and Trek through the mountains next July! I am passionate about my dog Chase and my family. Although my job leaves little time to do anything but design and crochet, I still try to make time to relax and watch and episode or two of Ice Road Truckers!

Learn more about Rohn and Fyber Stud Designs at...

And Rohn is generously offering Babee Crafts readers a 15% off discount code good on anything in his Etsy shop. Simply enter "FRIENDS" in the coupon code box during your checkout for 15% off! Happy shopping!

Fabulous Finds Friday: Screen Printing, Stamping, and Fabric Design

2011-07-01T08:00:00.002-04:00

I'm addicted to screen printing. Since finding Lynn Krawczyk's Fibra Artysta shop on Etsy, I have not seen the top of my dining room table. It is covered with a black trash bag and has been turned into my screen printing studio. It is just so easy and fun! And when I'm not screening, I'm on the computer dreaming up new screens to send her (or reading her blog and watching her video tutorials).

Lynn uses a thermofax machine to create her screens. This is a bit different from more industrial screen printing methods because it doesn't use harsh emulsion chemicals. Which is perfect for those of us concerned about the environment. In fact, thermofax printing doesn't use any chemicals. So I can feel good about printing on organic cotton onesies because I know everything -from the creation of the garment, the creation of the screen, and even the screen printing process where I use water-based inks- is a better choice for both the environment and the baby who will be wearing my creations.

And having learned more about screen printing recently...okay, having become obsessed with screen printing recently, I've also been curious about other ways to paint and print on fabric. So here is a round-up of some of my finds. There are some great tutorials and craft projects here, so be sure to click on the image below to learn more.

Click on the image above to go directly to my annotated list of links on Pinterest. In addition to sharing my finds, I want to encourage readers to share their finds, posts, and tutorials. Use the comments section below to share blog posts on our weekly theme.

And if I've featured you in a Fabulous Finds Friday, please grab the button below for your website or blog.

So what were your fab finds this week?

Giveaway 101: Hosting Your Own Facebook Giveaway

2011-06-29T20:58:00.033-04:00

Having hosted my first Facebook giveaway in late May, I've recently been contacted by a number of others interested in hosting their own giveaway but unsure of where to begin. So I thought I would take some time to share what I learned both as a recent giveaway host and as a giveaway sponsor. That said, I am not an expert nor a lawyer. Instead, I'm sharing what I learned from my personal experiences. And here's what I learned...

First, read and follow Facebook guidelines. Here's a good breakdown of the guidelines and what you can and cannot do:

bloggingbasics101 on livestream.com.

Basics to Keep in Mind:

You cannot require participants to "like" a sponsor's page if you are giving away other's items. However, you can "Like-Gate." Like fan-gating, like-gating makes it so that the participant has to "like" the host's Facebook page in order to access the giveaway application or form.

Use a third party app to host your giveaway on Facebook. There are a number of them available through developers like Wildfire or ShortStack. But the easiest way I found to do it (and free!) was to create an entry form for each prize using Google Forms. It made it easy to keep track of who entered to win each item and easy to use Random.org to select a winner.

You also cannot post winners via Facebook. You need to notify winners through your blog or through email. It is important to think about how you will notify winners prior to posting your giveaway. You likely will need to ask participants to share their email addresses. Using a Google Form, like I suggested above, insures that participants don't have to publicly share their email.

Use Bitly to share a link to your giveaway. Bitly not only allows you to shorten your giveaway link, but signing up for a free account also allows you to track who clicked on your link with its built in analytics.

PROMOTE! Promote to your current Facebook fans before your giveaway begins. Research giveaway sites and blogs. Use other social media sites - blogs, sweepstakes sites, Twitter, Pinterest (my new favorite) - to share your giveaway information. Some great places to share your giveaway are the Blog Giveaway Directory, Etsy Giveaways (great for Etsy shop owners), and this Squidoo list.

I jumped almost 150 fans in 1 week during my giveaway and had a few more sales than usual in my Etsy shop. Not sure if the sales were a result of the giveaway, but I'm sure it didn't hurt.

Good Luck!

Tell Me More Tuesday: Hana Sakura Designs

2011-06-28T08:00:00.006-04:00

I'm not sure if she knows this, but Shelly Williams of Hana Sakura Designs and I have something in common. Not only are we both passionate about sharing our creations through our Etsy shops, but we also both hail from Grand Rapids, Michigan. And something else we share is just how much place - landscape, setting, culture - can impact the creative process. For Shelly, Hawaii is a place of special significance.

Learn more about Shelly's creative process in today's weekly series - Tell Me More Tuesdays - in which I introduce readers to some of my favorite Etsy artists and crafters. Those of you new to Etsy (and even those who have racked up days surfing through handcrafted goodies and vintage finds) can find the site overwhelming. With so many wonderful shops and unique, handcrafted goods, it is easy to lose track of time clicking away. So Tell Me More Tuesday is a way to get to know the artist behind the shop, the story behind the craft.

And Shelly's story is too sweet to miss. Inspired by the beauty of the islands where she was married, Hana Sakura Designs is Shelly's way of sharing the unique and vibrant culture of Hawaii. In fact, many of her jewelry pieces are named after places on the islands. "My jewelry is all one-of-a-Kind and unique to that one piece. I want each piece of my jewelry to speak for itself. Each piece is as unique and individual as each woman who wears them."

Tell Us More About You: What are three words those closest to you would use to describe you?

Creative - Happy - Passionate

I am very artsy, and I love using my hands to create beautiful things. I'm always trying new things to challenge myself. And I just enjoy life and the wonderful things that it offers. And I love to make people laugh. And I'm passionate. I'm passionate about everything that I do.

Tell Us More About Your Shop: What are three words you would use to describe your shop?

Colorful - Fun - Unique

I love to combine and try new colors. Sometimes I try colors together that I wouldn't think of putting together. I'm always surprised at what the results are! And jewelry needs to be fun! If it's not fun to look at or to wear, what's the point! My jewelry is meant to make the woman who wears it, feel special. Everyone is special and unique and their jewelry should be, too!

Tell Us More About What Inspires You

Anything I see in our every day life inspires me. There will be a beautiful bluebird out on our fence in the backyard. Maybe a butterfly flying in the breeze. I see colors in nature everyday and try to incorporate that into my designs. Ideas just seem to "pop" into my creative mind, even when I'm not even thinking about it. When I go to the flower greenhouse down the road to buy my Spring flowers, I'll be inspired by the beauty of the flowers.

Tell Us More About Your Favorite Item

Currently, this Iris pendant is my favorite. Irises are my absolute favorite flower! They are unique and colorful and always make me smile. I thought creating one in dichroic glass would make it very special. And it is!
Tell Us More About Your Interests: Other than creating and crafting, what are your other interests, hobbies, or passions?

Well, my biggest passion is my jewelry. I'm always creating. But when I have free time, I really enjoy gardening in my rose garden and my various flower gardens around my yard. It's very relaxing and soothing after a stressful day.

I also love spending time with my hubby and we love taking a drive out in the country on a sunny afternoon. Sometimes we will stop for an ice cream cone. It's moments like that, that I treasure the most. Little sweet moments in time.

Learn more about Shelly and Hana Sakura Designs at...

And Shelly is generously offering Babee Crafts readers a 15% off discount code good on anything in her Etsy shop. Simply enter "FACEBOOKFAN" in the coupon code box during your checkout for 15% off! Happy shopping!

Fabulous Finds Friday: Upcycling Ideas

2011-06-24T08:00:00.010-04:00

I know I posted not long ago on upcycling my baby food jars. But I only need so many spice jars! So this week, I went looking for more ideas and tutorials for the growing collection of baby food jars cluttering up my garage. But I'm also interested in finding creative ideas for repurposing all sorts of household items - jars, materials, and fabric scraps.

I'll be sharing my finds from this week in a bit of a different form. I created my first Pinterest this week. Whew! It is addictive! It takes the idea of social bookmarking and makes it visual. Suddenly your bookmarks are a work of art! So enjoy!

Click on the image above to go directly to my annotated list of links on Pinterest. And make sure that you check out my favorite ideas -

Here's a great post on Pies in Jars from Our Best Bites,
The Kitchn has a great tutorial for creating a magnetic spice rack,
And Nest Full of Eggs has an adorable post on using repurposed jars as party favors,
And finally, be sure to check out this fabulous post on creating a votive chandelier using recycled baby food jars from Natural Home and Garden

In addition to sharing my finds, I want to encourage readers to share their finds, posts, and tutorials. Use the comments section below to share blog posts on our weekly theme.

And if I've featured you in a Fabulous Finds Friday, please grab the button below for your website or blog.

So what were your fab finds this week?

Vote For Me!

2011-06-23T18:47:00.005-04:00

I would love your support. The newest addition to my shop, my "Baby Mine" hand screened, organic cotton elephants onesie is currently up for votes on the Handmade Top 10 website. I was excited to see it in first place a few moments ago, and would love your help staying there!

Vote for me - HERE!

My newsletter subscribers got a sneak peak of this design a few weeks ago. This original design is hand screened on an organic cotton, sweatshop-free, American-made onesie. As adorable as it is responsible! Even the screening process is environmentally friendly. Each screen is created without the use of chemicals. Then each onesie is screen printed by hand using environmentally-friendly water based inks. I then heat press the image so that it will last through repeated washings.

More colors and designs will be hitting my shop in the coming weeks, so I hope you check back!

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Warm Weather Watercolors

2011-06-22T10:05:00.009-04:00

My refrigerator has become a gallery. For the last few days, my toddler has done nothing but paint. He wakes in the morning - "Mommy, can we paint?" After breakfast - "Painting time?" Following nap time, he bounds from his bed - "Paint time!" But rather than grabbing for his finger paints, he runs to the freezer when he wants to paint.

Using inexpensive popsicle molds I found at Ikea, my son and I had fun filling the molds with water and squeezing different colored drops of food coloring into each. After a quick stir to mix the color into the water, we let the paint-pops freeze for a few hours. Cheaper than store bought finger paints, our paint-pops were so much fun on a hot day!

My son used the paint-pops to swirl and mix colors, and then used a wet paint brush to mix the colors. Such a fun and creative way to spend a hot afternoon.

A word of warning, remind your child that these paint-pops are not to eat. Unfortunately, my son loved our very dark blue paint-pop and before I knew it, it was at his lips. He looked like he had spent some time kissing a smurf. And since we used food coloring, it took a bit longer to wash off than your standard washable watercolor paints.