Budget Crafting

Hair Bow Giveaway....

2011-05-05T12:10:00.001-07:00

Hop on over to a new blog, "The Latest in Hair Bow" and sign up for their free Hairbow Giveaway. The winner gets to choose a pinwheel bow from the picture above. To enter become a follower on the blog and leave a comment on the Giveaway Post.

See More Great Items Currently on Sale at etsy.

Wholesale Pinwheel Hair Bows

2011-04-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

I have recently added these 3" pinwheel hairbows to my etsy store. I love the simple design and perfect size for any occasion bows. My daughter can put these on with any outfit and it won't weigh down her head. They won't pull out of her hair throughout the day. I have started offering these as a wholesale lot. You get to pick 5 bows for $6. That is a great price and perfect to order extras and keep as rewards, birthday gifts for friends, or just get one for every outfit you have. If you would like another color or pattern that you do not see let me know and maybe I can find what you are looking for and creat a special order for you. I am hoping to add solid colors soon.

My First Boutique Bow

2011-04-11T16:15:00.000-07:00

I am starting on a new craft...Bowmaking! So far this has been a lot of fun. I never thought I could actually make bows myself. I had bought some from stores and another crafter and decided to stop spending the money on them and make them myself. They were not as easy as I had hoped they would be.

I thought I could make these bows easily. I thought it was be so quick to pick out the ribbon and make gorgeous bows for my daughter. I was wrong on all levels.

I sat in front of the ribbon at Hobby Lobby for several minutes and couldn't decide. It just seemed like nothing was the perfect pattern or size. Then I would have to find a center ribbon. I ended up leaving with one or two rolls each time, but then it just sat at my house. I bought a few more at Wal-Mart and some more at Dollar Tree. Those were my practice rolls.

Making them was another thing. I tried twisted bows and even though I can make them I am not very impressed with them. I love making pinwheel bows and think they are the perfect size and not too heavy. But todays post is about Perky Loops. These are not easy but I love how they look. Above is a picture of my first one that I turned into a boutique bow by adding spikes.

My First Bow

2011-03-31T07:29:00.000-07:00

This is the first pinwheel bow I made. I did not use a template to measure it. I just kept playing with the ribbon until it turned out how I wanted it to. I am overall happy with the way it looks, but I know I did it the hard way! Live and learn! Check out my shop at etsy!

Green Pinwheel Hair Bow

2011-03-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

Cricut Cat Homemade Valentines

2010-02-22T11:20:00.000-08:00

I started to make Valentines with my daughter and then my son wanted to make his. This is what we came up with. He wanted a cat and he outlines all the features with a pen and used a stamp pad and Qu-tip to fill in the nose and mouth. He did a really good job. I usually don't get to make things like this with my boys, but sometimes I forget how much they like arts and crafts too.

Lovely Lion Valentine Box

2010-02-22T11:14:00.000-08:00

We made this for my son's Valentine Party at school. We used an oatmeal container, toilet paper tubes, and craft paper. The Lion's Mane is made using hearts. Great way to incorporate hearts into a design. I found this on the Cricut Message board. What a fun idea and kids can make this and it didn't cost us a lot of money.

2010-01-19T09:23:00.000-08:00

These purses hold a Hershey Nugget. They are tiny and so simple to make. I made them for my daughter's birthday party. How sweet!

Here is a link to directions on how to make these Nugget Purses. This blog is for a Stampin Up Demonstrator. I love all of her tutorials and videos.

School Inchie Swap

2010-01-10T14:43:00.000-08:00

I joined a swap for 'School Theme Inchies' and came up with these. The edges are all brushed with a brown stamp pad to make them look a little rustic. I used my George Cricut Cartridge to cut out the star and the letter A. It was harder to come up with school inspiration because I do not have stamps or a school cartridge. I actually thought about this until the last minute and finally came up with this layout. I was happy with how they turned out and can't wait to see how the rest of the swap members did.

In all I made 200 inchies for two seperate swaps. I am glad I took the time to learn how to do inchies. I have joined swaps to learn different techniques and to be inspired by other crafters. So far I have learned a lot and really appreciate all the helpful people out there.

Kids Inchies

2010-01-08T16:50:00.001-08:00

This was the first time I made inchies. I had read about them and saw a chance to join a swap. I had no idea what to make at first, but decided that since I had a little girl I should make little girl inchies. These would go on so many of my pages. I used the cricut to make the butterfly and flower. Then I used a tiny punch of my daughter's to make flower cut outs on the green paper and added pink to the background. It was a lot of work. I made 50 of each, plus a few extras. My thumb was killing me from the dollar store hole punch, but I love how they turned out.

Valentine Paper Doll Swap

2010-01-08T16:43:00.000-08:00

I just got the Paper Doll Dress-up Cartridge for my Cricut. I love it. These dolls were made for a Valentine Paper Doll 3x3 Swap I was in. My five year old daughter helped me design them. She chose the dress, the paper for the dress, and the hairstyle and color. I love how they turned out. I had been making 4 inch dolls and decided that 3 inches is perfect for these dolls. I will start making all of mine in 3 inch from now on.

Snowman Candy Bar Cover

2009-12-02T09:14:00.000-08:00

I found this wonderful website. She is an amazing crafter and Stampin Up Demonstrator. I have recently tried to make a few of her creations. My favorite is the Snowman Covered Candy Bar. It is adorable and so easy to make. These are going to be a little gift my kids give to their teachers. I will let them make them. My oldest might not want to take them to school, but he can make them for the house.

Fishbowl Diecut

2009-11-10T06:55:00.000-08:00

I just love this little fishbowl. I have this for sale on my etsy shop, but am going to use one in a layout for my daughter. At the beginning of the year when she learned to tie her shoes I bought her a beta fish. He fist is going to have to be blue and red, but it will be so cute. I don't think I took a picture of her tying her shoe, so maybe we can recreate that.

Cutter Blade too Dull

2009-11-10T06:49:00.000-08:00

I have a Provocraft Trimmer for my scrapbooking. I liked it at first but now the blades do not seem to stay sharp for very long. I want to continue using it, but it is way to expensive to keep replacing the blades. I have decided to buy a trimmer with a self sharpening blade. I had never heard of that before. The cost is $50, but I have a 40% off coupon and should get it closer to $30. That I can afford. Actually I can't afford not to buy that.

What to do with my old trimmer? I should go on e-bay and sell it. I have other crafting items I do not need and did not like, so maybe I should set up an account and get rid of them. Don't get me wrong, the Provocraft Trimmer is not a bad trimmer, but I spend at least $12.00 a year to replace blades, if not much more. It just has been ridiculous.

I will post a picture of my new Trimmer when I get it and let everyone know how it works. If it was worth the money.

First Ever Blog Carnival

2009-11-10T06:22:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the October 15, 2009 edition of budget crafting.

Diane Laine presents Top 10 Most Followed Celebrity Pregnancies of All Time posted at Online Ultrasound School.

Wise_Bread presents Cheap and Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids posted at Wisebread.

John Eggie presents Personalized Kids Books posted at Christmas Children's Books.

Craft

Rachel Miller presents DIY Flower Hair Clips posted at quirkymomma.com, saying, "Great gift for girls!"

mom & dad presents Kids’ Halloween Costume Ideas posted at raising4boys.com, saying, "Tons of Halloween costume ideas (all of which have been worn by our kids). Most of these can be done as a do-it-yourself project."

Stacie Young presents 100 Excellent Twitter Feeds for Art Scholars posted at Online Courses.org.

Stacie Young presents 100 Best Blogs for Your Liberal Arts Education posted at Online Schools.

Thursday Bram presents Four Free Horror Fonts posted at Desktop Publishing, saying, "These free fonts can add a touch of Halloween to any project."

Scott Mills presents Build Your Own Easel posted at Wisdom Lion, saying, "If you like crafting and like painting, you may want an easel. Here is how to build one that is easy and cheap. Plus, in my opinion, it looks pretty awesome."

decoration

Case Ernsting presents From Coffee Tables to Coffee Tins : A Brief History of Collecting Coffee Memorabilia posted at Home and Decor, saying, "This post takes a quick look at the timeless hobby of collecting coffee memorabilia. Coffee has been a cheap staple of our day to day lives throughout the centuries and it has evolved in its presentation and availability. You can learn much from the history of coffee memorabilia so take a look and let us know your thoughts."

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Handprint Turkey Craft

2009-11-03T06:29:00.001-08:00

DSCN0007.JPG
Originally uploaded by mmgoodsoup

I can honestly say I have not seen turkeys decorated quite like this before. I am not sure if these are just one piece of paper or two, but this is a very creative use of your handprinte. I love the colors used to decorate each finger and the turkey faces are adorable.

Leaf Turkey Arts and Craft

2009-11-03T06:20:00.001-08:00

Leaf turkey
Originally uploaded by Jennifer13

This is a great craft for your kids to do on a nice fall day. One thing I recommend doing with your leaves is pressing them in a book at least over night. The best way to do that is to put them between newspaper and then place them in a book. The newspaper helps to absorb some of the moisture and this process keeps them from curling up as they dry.

See what your budding artist can create.

Supersized Thanksgiving People Table Craft

2009-11-03T06:17:00.001-08:00

Supersized Thanksgiving People
Originally uploaded by Celestial Charms

These are so cute and can be made from paper towel rolls and craft paper. The little people would be a little harder to make, but you could make them a little bigger and use toilet paper rolls. What a fun craft to make with the kids on Thanksgiving or to get ready for the party.

My First Sales on my Etsy

2009-10-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

I am so proud that I have made 4 sales in my Etsy Shop. I started my shop to hopefully help pay for my hobby with my cricut and scrapbooking. I just sold a few items and think I better get busy listing more items. Drop by my shop just to take a look around. It is still relatively new, but I am so excited.

Stocking Spider Egg Sack Decoration

2009-10-19T07:06:00.001-07:00

1817413028_1f8cc85f3c_b
Originally uploaded by choppercabra666

If you have some left over white stockings, batting, and plastic spiders, you can make these. They look so gross, but they are so cute. How easy is that and most moms have these spiders all over the house because our kids bring them home from every party this time of year. This is definitely an original craft.

Smores Cupcake

2009-10-19T07:00:00.001-07:00

Smores Cupcake
Originally uploaded by gensler97

These may not seem like a craft, but they are the most amazing cupcakes to make and eat. The cupcake is made from a box, which is all I know how to do. The icing is made from a 16 oz. tub of marshmallow fluff, 2 sticks of butter softened, and 4 cups of powdered sugar. You may need to add more powdered sugar if the frosting is still melting. They do not hold up very well in humidity, so don't leave them out on a hot day.

I hope you try these some day for a party or just because they sound good.

Cricut Animal Kingdom DieCuts

2009-10-13T11:39:00.000-07:00

Here are a few cuts from my new Cricut Cartridge 'Animal Kingdom'. This is in no way a cheap craft, but it is my reward for working so hard at saving money. I have invested $200 in it so far and it makes me feel like a kid again. It is not exactly easy enough for my kids to use, but it is definitely something they will enjoy in the future.

Witch Parking Sign

2009-10-12T13:49:00.001-07:00

Witch Parking
Originally uploaded by Starry_Delight

I love this. I think I am going to make one for my house. Maybe put it on my garage door, or on my house.

Halloween Cookie Variety

2009-10-06T10:31:00.001-07:00

Halloween Cookie Variety
Originally uploaded by gensler97

I have always had a hard time buying cookies. My Grandmother and Mother were great bakers, so there was little reason to buy it when you could make it yourself. When I was a little girl once in a while my mom would buy me and my brother these smiley face cookies at the local bakery in our mall. They were so delicious. I have always wanted to make good sugar cookies, but did not know how to.

After getting this great recipe for sugar cookies I started to make them, but did not know how to decorate them. For years I made them and they were o.k., but they were not stackable at all. After research I learned to decorate these kinds of cookies. I am not a great artist, but they are definitely neat. I have discovered the layered cookies that look 3-D, and have the most fun with them now.

It is just a hobby, but I sell a few hundred every year at Christmas time. I make a few Cookie Bouquets for gifts or to sell. It's a lot of fun to make these for teachers and friends. My family no longer loves to eat them, but they love to give them to others. I hope some day they will learn to make them and pass them on to their kids.

Toothpick Art

2009-10-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

My kids don't understand the concept of money. but sometimes they make do with what is in the house. My son was quietly working in his room on this art project. It is a picture of his mom and dad out of toothpicks. I love my hair. He is my creative thinker. He is not inspired often, but when he is inspired it can be very creative.

I don't know where he got these toothpicks, probably at school. After I took this picture he took it apart and has been creating more things. Forget Lincoln Logs, he's got toothpicks.