Scatter Girls

Link Parties

2012-01-17T22:43:00.000-05:00

As some or most of you may know every Wednesday we host a link up party and we attempt to come up with a different theme each week. The idea behind coming up with a different theme is to help get rid of writer's block, find something fun to write about and to help get those creative writer juices flowing. This week we want to know what are some suggestions for link parties that you would like to see here. Leave us a comment and let us know some of your ideas for some future link up parties. Have a great week Scatter Girls!

Baking Link Up

2012-01-12T13:59:00.000-05:00

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Calling all bakers- and bakers at heart... we want to see what you have been whipping up in your kitchen lately or in the past. This is a baking recipes of all sorts. Please feel free to link up recipes from the past as well as the present. Please also feel free to link up as many recipes as you'd like! Happy baking friends : )

Blog Link Up

2012-01-04T15:33:00.001-05:00

Happy 2012 Scatter Girls! I am so excited for all things 2012. I love looking at a new year and thinking about the endless possibilites ahead. I've got a great feeling about this year- I can tell you that! What are some of your plans for 2012?

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This week we are hosting a blog link up. Why not start off 2012 by finding some new blogs to read and maybe some new blog friends? So link up your main blog URL and make sure to stop by a few other blogs.

My New Business Partner "Square"

2011-12-17T16:18:00.000-05:00

Hi handmade friends,

I hope everyone is wrapped up in the Holiday spirit and ready for Christmas. I have been working every day on completing custom orders for friends and for customers at craft shows. Hands down word of mouth is the best advertising. I have had so many referrals this season that I just can't believe it. It's been busy, but great!

This little cutie patootie is my new "business partner" this little guy Square allowed me to take credit cards this season at the holiday shows I participated in. No more, I don't have any cash or I'll come back.

He comes packaged like this

He's all ready to go go go when you get him!!

He even comes with stickers with all the credit cards you can take.

Here he is connected to my phone

You just enter the dollar amount and swipe the card - Wala "Approved"

Your customer actually signs the screen on your phone and you can email or text a receipt and they will receive it on their phone while they are standing there checking out. You can even take a photo of the items(s) they are purchasing and that gets sent with the reciept! LOVE this feature!! You also get an email confirming the transaction. It's only 2.75% for each swipe and for the convenience it's perfect, really no more than a paypal transaction via Etsy

Here is the link to get your very own little "Business Partner."

Oh and the best part he's free!!

Square

Holiday Cookie Link Up

2011-12-13T21:02:00.000-05:00

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Who has been busy holiday baking? I know I have! I love trying new recipes and perfecting old ones. Let's create a bit of a holiday cookie exchange here and link up your holiday cookie recipes! There are so many options- sugar, ginger bread, snicker doodle, chocolate and the list goes on and on. What's your favorite? The link up will be open until next Tuesday the 20th so spread the word and let's get lots of cookies linked up!

Handmade Gift Link Up

2011-11-30T10:19:00.001-05:00

If you are reading this I assume you survived Black Friday or avoided it all together! Today's link up is dedicated to helping one another get ideas for handmade gift ideas. Handmade gift ideas are thoughtful and are a great way to cross off co-workers, neighbors, and teachers from your Holiday list. So let's help one another out and link up some ideas. I know I have a few from even last year that I plan to link up. The more the merrier so link up as many as you'd like!

Braided Scarf Tutorial

Salt Dough Favors

Ric Rac Rose Ring

Scatter Girl Of The Month (November): Melissa of So Chick!

2011-11-27T14:07:00.001-05:00

This month Gina, Chrissy and myself are proud to announce that Melissa of So Chick handbags is our Scatter Girl of the Month!

Melissa is an extremely talented seamstress that can be found sharing her talent in her shop, blogging, tweeting and Facebooking. Melissa's handbags are stunning and anytime she offers a giveaway you can be sure to see numerous entries and tons of ladies jumping at the bit to get their hands on a So Chick handbag. Melissa now also has adorable ruffle scarves in her shop that every lady needs for the colder weather.

If you haven't already you need to take a look at Melissa's adorable shop and maybe pick up some Christmas gifts for yourself while you're there! Melissa is this month's Scatter Girl because of her incredible talent, her dedication to the handmade community, her willingness to help others and her fun loving attitude. We are pleased to have Melissa be a part of the Scatter Girl community. Courtesy of Andrea from Bubblewrapp'd Melissa will receive one of these adorable blocks for her craft room (make sure you check out Bubblewrapp'd for cute Holiday blocks!)...

Congrats to Melissa!

Do you know someone who would make a great Scatter Girl of the month? E-mail us at scattergirls@gmail.com to nominate someone.

If you haven't already make sure you check out the link up for all the deals being offered for the Holidays, Black Friday and Cyber Monday from handmade shops RIGHT HERE at Scatter Girls and link up yours too!

Handmade Black Friday Link Up

2011-11-25T10:04:00.001-05:00

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Do you have a handmade shop? Are you offering Black Friday deals or Cyber Monday deals? The Scatter Girls want to encourage shopping handmade this holiday season so we are offering a link up for handmade shops to post their coupon deals and provide shoppers with a catalog for shopping handmade this holiday. Feel free to post you handmade shop's Black Friday, Cyber Monday or any Holiday Sale deals. Most importantly think about shopping handmade this holiday season.

Thanksgiving Traditions

2011-11-22T21:31:00.001-05:00

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Happy Thanksgiving to all the Scatter Girls! This week we want to know what sort of traditions do you have for Thanksgiving? We used to have Thanksgiving every year with two different families that we met through soccer. Both my Mom and Dad's family was located in Iowa and my sister and I went to year round school. Since we were on the track system we had just a few days off for Thanksgiving and it was much easier to stay in Colorado than to travel for Thanksgiving given the amount of time we had. The two soccer families we shared Thanksgiving with had similar situations so it made since that we would all spend Thanksgiving together. Each year we would rotate which family would host Thanksgiving. It was fun to have Thanksgiving with my friends and we continued this tradition until my sophomore year in college when all of the kids were located all around the country and it got to be too tough to get everyone together. This year will be my first year hosting Thanksgiving myself! My boyfriend and I will be hosting my family in Texas for Thanksgiving.

What are you doing for Thanksgiving? What dishes do you HAVE to have on your table? What traditions do you carry out year after year? Link up with us and visit a few other blogs while you have the chance : )

Happy Thanksgiving!

What Are You Thankful For? Link Up Party

2011-11-16T10:16:00.001-05:00

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For this week's linkup we would love to know what you are thankful for. Thanksgiving is just around the corner so it is a perfect time to reflect on what we are all thankful for. There is so much to be thankful for and sometimes we just need to stop and think about what it really is that we are thankful for. I know that I am thankful for meeting Chrissy and Gina. These two creative ladies continue to inspire and encourage me on a daily basis and I am so glad that we have collaborated on this Scatter Girls project. What are you thankful for?

Guest Post: Amy of Buffalo Roam

2011-11-11T06:33:00.000-05:00

Today we would like to welcome Amy of Buffalo Roam to Scatter Girls. Amy's blog is fantastic and full of home renovation projects. Amy is sharing with all of us a fantastic church pew project today...

While at a flea market recently, I found this little church pew sitting at the end of a row of vendors, buried under some other random goods. I wasn't even sure it was for sale, but when I tracked down the seller and he said he was asking $65, I said SOLD! I loved the simple lines and pretty details, but the color didn't quite suit me, so I decided I would give it a little face lift.

(Please excuse my dog's butt.)

Much of the varnish was already worn off, so we started off with sanding as much of it as we could with both an electric sander, and just by hand in the harder-to-reach spots.

However, we weren't able to get all of it off in the more detailed areas.

So for that, we had to use some stripper and scrape.

Choosing the color of the new stain was no doubt the most difficult part of this process! I do tend to gravitate toward darker colors, and my pew was no exception. We went with RustOleum brand color of "Kona". It looked very, very dark going on, and I was a tad nervous we'd over done it.

But looks are deceiving, and it wiped off much lighter than I would have guessed. So much lighter, that we actually put on a second coat and are very pleased with the final results!

We wanted a bit of a worn and rustic feel, so we "wiped" a little harder in some areas, and left a thicker coat on others.

I am so pleased with how it turned out! But I can rarely leave well enough alone, and am considering adding some sort of stencil on the back in either turquoise or gold flake...

What do you think?? "Yay", or "Nay"?

Thank you Amy for sharing your beautiful Pew with us!

Costume Linkup

2011-11-02T11:18:00.000-04:00

Did you dress up for Halloween? Did you kids dress up for Halloween? Did your pets dress up for Halloween? We want to see some Halloween costumes linked up here and then we can bookmark this post for next year and share it with all of you.

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Customer Service

2011-10-31T07:00:00.001-04:00

I want to share a great customer service story with you. Many times when I shop there is a huge lack of customer service even down right rude associates and every now and again there is a shining light that surprises me.

I ordered two shirts from Lands End Canvas about 4 weeks ago on line. I even went out on the internet and googled for a coupon code, which I found for $10 off a $50 purchase and FREE shipping. My order totaled just over $45 with my discount. It arrived and the shirts were just want I wanted, I washed them right away and wore both the first week.

THEN..............

This came in the mail

REALLY a thank you note - and not just a thank you note but HANDWRITTEN for an internet order that I bought sale merchandise and used a coupon code for to further reduce what I spent. I could not believe it, I was so impressed, I'm still impressed, so impressed that I saved the note for this post. Not to mention the card was made of kraft paper and just fun!

Here's what Ms. Judy wrote!!!

Have you had a GREAT customer service experience?

Please share your story so we can shop at those stores too!!

PS: Since the note I've ordered two more shirts, one for me and one for my daughter!!

Home Renovation Link Up

2011-10-25T22:17:00.001-04:00

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Home renovation can be so rewarding and a bit frustrating at times. This week's link up is dedicated to all those projects you're currently in the process of, just finished up or even some great home renovations from the past. Our very own Chrissy has been getting her home renovation on lately. Chrissy is one motivated lady and tackling quite the project with some wallpaper removing...

I'm 100% positive that we are all going to be in awe over the "after" shots once Chrissy is finished. So let's link up those renovation projects and let Chrissy know she isn't alone!

Insta-Friday

2011-10-21T12:03:00.001-04:00

Since cell phones started having cameras in them, it has revolutionized what we take pictures of. Today we will snap pictures of our lunch, our pets, our kids making silly faces, what we are wearing or sneaky pictures of people to send to our friends when we think those people aren't looking. Cell phones have given a whole new meaning to the word, "snapshot". If you have an iPhone and aren't aware of the free Instagram app I suggest you stop reading go download it and then come back to finish reading. Instagram is a super fun app that allows you to share your photos with friends, family, followers, through social media and allows you to add fun filters to your photos to make them appear much cooler than they really are. I didn't download Instagram until a few months ago but since I downloaded I am hooked and look for things to take pictures of just so I can post them on Instagram. Through Instagram I can share my photos with my Instagram followers or chose to send my Instagram photos to Twitter, Facebook and even e-mail them. Since Instagram has grown the blog Life Rearranged started a weekly link up on Fridays for bloggers to share posts of all their Instagram photos. It is a fun post to write up and even more fun to hop around to the other blogs and check out their Instagram photos. So what are you waiting for? Download that Instagram app! Here are a few of my Instagram photos...

Twitter Link Up Party

2011-10-19T09:16:00.001-04:00

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Twitter is a fantastic social networking tool and the ways in which you can use Twitter are endless. Twitter is a great way to market yourself, market your blog, market your shop, or market whatever else you might need marketed. You can also use Twitter for research purposes or just to find out what's going on in the world. My personal favorite use for Twitter is using it to make connections with people. The amount of people that I've gotten to know through Twitter is hard to even begin to explain and that is why I've fallen in love with Twitter. Today let's all link up our Twitter accounts and make some new friends. Happy Tweeting Friends :)

Growing Your Passion

2011-10-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Thursday friends!

I like a lot of things but I am passionate about a handful. I find that as I keep challenging myself with my passion areas, my love for it grows even more. Take sewing for example. I adore sewing. When I challenge myself to learn a new skill or try a tutorial that may look particularly difficult, I may be scared at first, but the results are so worth it. Even if I mess up, I still learned something along the way and my excitement for sewing grows tenfold.

What are you passionate about it? How do you make your passion grow?

Pumpkins Link Up

2011-10-12T11:25:00.000-04:00

Who doesn't love Fall? That's what we want to know. One of the most recognizable images with Fall is the pumpkin and that's why today were dedicating a whole link up party to pumpkins! Show us how you get crafty with pumpkins, how you cook with pumpkins, how you make pumpkins, how you decorate with pumpkins, we just want to see how you get creative with pumpkins! Link up and make sure you stop by a few other link ups to share the pumpkin love.

Decorating with Globes

2011-10-10T05:00:00.001-04:00

I have reacently found a new love - Globes.

The good old fashioned, schoolhouse globe.

I have seen globes used in decorating in a couple places in the blog world and Lindsey with The Pleated Poppy is my favorite. Look how fun with all the globes on the cabinet!!

Here is the direct link to Lindsey's post

I also transformed a Globe in this post

Here is what I made

I also created an Etsy Treasury with some globes I found.

Here is the treasury link

Do you have anything in your house as a running theme - or maybe a color?

Guest Post: Angie @ Gathered & Sown

2011-10-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

Were so excited to have Angie of Gathered and Sown here today to talk to us all about how she manages working her business from home. It is quite the balancing act but Angie has it down and she is going to share some great tips with us. Enjoy...

Now that we've gotten back into the swing of another school year, I am looking forward to FINALLY getting back into a regular work schedule . Work schedule?? Many ask why I have one when I work from home. Don't I sit around all day eating bon-bons and watching soap operas??? (ok, I do, but don't tell anyone!)

I think my "friends" in Salem would agree with my bon-Bon choice. He-he!
[ source]

Finding the motivation to work for yourself can be difficult at times, but here are a few things that work for me:

Work hard, but also remember your REAL job, your family.

Most people think that since I work from home, I have a lot of "free" time. I have had to learn to tell people that I am working. I have set myself regular work hours, and I try to schedule appointments, and even fun things around my work schedule. In that schedule, I allow myself one hour in the morning, after my daughters are off to school to get my house in order. (I hate coming up after working all day to a crazy, messy house!) I usually work until my kids get home. I also try really hard to adhere to "off" hours. When my whole family is home, I limit my computer time, my sewing time, even my phone time. I try to be as available to my family as I can. This allows me a balance of being Gathered and Sown by day, Mom and wife by night.

This doesn't become...

...this, without a little discipline.

Acknowledge that your business is your JOB

When you work from home, it is very easy to get sidetracked. I get those tempting "wanna go shopping" or "come on, you can work later calls" from well meaning friends. I also tend to get recognized as "that girl who is always home" who gets frequent calls babysit/drive carpool/volunteer at EVERYTHING. You have to learn to tell people that you are working. Then they naturally begin to realize that you are not sitting around eating bon bons and watching soaps all day long :)

I have learned that while I want to be everywhere for everyone, if I don't work, the work doesn't get done. Which brings me to point two...

Set your schedule

[source: http://jengrantmorris.blogspot.com]

I love what I do but I don't want to have my business be my entire life! I know when my standing commitments are, so I made myself a work schedule that is consistent from week to week. I know that I work best when I am home alone, so weekday mornings, when Ryan is at work, and the girls are at school, I WORK, WORK, WORK! I am terribly unproductive on weekends, so I count those as my days off. If I so happen to feel like getting some work done while the family is busy, it turns out to be bonus time, which is always low pressure and relaxing.

Divide your time wisely

Over the last 4 months or so, I have realized the huge potential of marketing my business online. What I didn't expect was the insane amount of HOURS I would have to spend in front of my computer. That could be a problem, since my whole business is based on the bags that I create! I have learned to schedule a period of time to do my computer work. When that time is up, I have to turn it off until another scheduled time. That means I have to exercise an insane amount of self control. It is so tempting to just "check" my email or my blog stats... what I intend to be a minute will ALWAYS turn into 15 or 20. I've also started a list things I want to look up. That way, I can factor the web surfing in my computer time, and not allow it to take over my production time.

Here is the computer where I am sitting right now,
typing this post.
I wish I were in the picture, so it could be like one of those
super cool infinity mirrors :D

Remember to LOVE what you do

When you are your own boss, if you don't feel passionate about what you are doing, it will be evident in your work. So let yourself have some fun! Take a few hours off to make a cool craft for your work space. Have a good friend over to chat while you while you work. Take an afternoon to check out the competition and get inspired. Whatever it takes to keep you sharp, focused and in love with your job. After all, isn't that what makes us "self employed geniuses " go to work each and every day?

[source: work is not a job via ashappyaskings]

Thank you Angie! If you would like to guest post on Scatter Girls please e-mail us at scattergirls@gmail.com.

Blog Designer Recommendations

2011-10-06T02:04:00.000-04:00

Your blog design is the first thing that readers see when they come to visit. Even before they begin reading your awesome posts, their eyes are feasting on the graphic design of your online home. We thought it would be fun to showcase some of the blog designers that we have worked with and/or love their work. We know you will just love these ladies!

Wattlebird-Annie is just starting out with blog design but my does she do a fun and creative job on her blog designs. Here are a couple of my favorite's by Annie.

Melanie's Mark

Giggles Glitz & Glam

B's Blog Boutique-Of course we love Bailey. She created our Scatter Girl's blog and Connect. Engage. #SetUpShop's blog. Bailey is so easy to work with, prompt, and really knows her stuff. Here are a couple of my favorite's by Bailey.

Mine for the Making

Growing Sweet Pea

Life Made Lovely-fresh, fun designs are Heather's specialty. I am a huge fan of her sweet landing pages, blog design, logo design, and all the personality behind her work. Here are a couple of my favorite's by Heather.

Apearantly Sew

Pink Lemonade

Yellow Heart Art-Leonora is super talented. She designs great logo's that are a cut above the rest. She will work with you to create a shop design, business card design and layout, buttons, big cartel or etsy banners and buttons, or a custom art print. Here are a couple of my favorite's by Leonora.

Elephant's Trunk

And I just love this custom print by Leonora.

These lovelies are amazingly talented. Consider checking them out for your next blog makeover!

Craft Booths

2011-10-04T21:01:00.001-04:00

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It's that time of year where much of the handmade community is preparing for craft fairs. This week's link up is dedicated to vendor booths. We want to see how you decorate your booths for craft fairs. Let's provide inspiration to others and gain a little inspiration for ourselves.

Blog Tip - Scrolling buttons in your sidebar

2011-10-03T12:43:00.000-04:00

I have a nifty tip and HTML code for you to have scrolling buttons in your sidebar. I know I love so many shops and I want to promote them, but space is limited on my blog. So, I found a nifty way to keep the buttons, but in a smaller space.

Scrolling buttons

If you go to my blog Hoot Designs under "Fun Finds" and "Creative Connections" my buttons scroll.

Here's what you do:

Add this scroll code to your HTML box there you want the buttons to scroll

<center><div class="textwidget"><marquee direction="up" width="200" onmouseover="this.stop()" scrollamount="4" onmouseout="this.start()" height="400" align="center"> <center>

*the highlighted number 4 is the speed and you can change this number as you wish*
*the 200 and 400 number in the code are the height and width of the column and how much space it will fill in the sidebar*

Then under the code add the button codes you want to scroll under the code above, like this:

<center><div class="textwidget"><marquee direction="up" width="200" onmouseover="this.stop()" scrollamount="4" onmouseout="this.start()" height="400" align="center"> <center>

Add the center code like this <center> before and after your button codes so everything lines up all pretty. Some buttons have this already before and after, if not, add it.

Now your all set for scrolling buttons on your blog.

Guest Post: Kassi @ Truly Lovely

2011-09-30T06:01:00.001-04:00

Today we are honored to have Kassi of Truly Lovely here to share a fun tutorial with us. Kassi, take it away...

Well hello LOVELY Scatter Girls!!! :)

My name is Kassi and I blog over at a little place called Truly Lovely!

I am THRILLED to be guest posting here today!

Just in time for the chilly fall season,
(well chilly where you are maybe... It's been in the 90s still here in AZ!)
I have a fuzzy, warm, EASY, fleece blanket tutorial to share with you all!!!

The materials needed are:

2 yards of fleece fabric

1 package of coordinating satin blanket binding

Coordinating yarn

Coordinating sewing thread
Pins

Yarn Needle

Scissors

Sewing Machine

In this case I went with zebra fabric and all red coordinating materials.

First trim your fleece fabric of any uneven edges or those funky white labeled edges... You know what I'm talking about... :)

Then, using the Yarn Needle, stitch your thread down the two length sides of your fabric like so... I spaced each stitch about a half an inch apart...

Next you'll pin and trim your satin binding to the two width sides (the two shorter sides)... The binding will have a fold down the middle, simply line that fold up with the edge of your fabric, making sure it's centered so there's an even amount of binding on both sides...

Fold over the edges of the binding to make your four corners and pin those as well. You can either trim or fold the extra binding inside to make your corner.

Once you have the binding pinned onto both sides, get out the sewing machine. I used red thread to match the binding...

If you sew really well, you can use a varying color of thread for added pop!!!
I don't so much... SO matching thread hides my inexperienced sewing skills. :)
(I'm a little addicted to zebra print... can you tell?!?)

Simply sew the binding to the fleece pulling pins as you go.

And TaDA!!!! A SUPER EASY fleece blanket made by you!

They make great baby gifts, or gifts for friends or family!! :)

And most especially, GREAT Bridesmaid gifts!!!

See... I made six of these blankets, then each blanket was rolled up and tucked inside a personalized tote for each of my lovely bridesmaids for my wedding in July!

If you wanna see the tote tutorial, you can pop over here. :)

THANKS so much to the Scatter Girls for having me over to share with you lovelies today! Hope you'll stop by Truly Lovely to say hello sometime!

Happy crafting dolls!

Thanks Kassi! If you would like to guest post on the Scatter Girls please e-mail us at scattergirls@gmail.com

Fall Porch Linky Party

2011-09-27T19:02:00.000-04:00

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Who doesn't love the season of Fall? Colder weather, Halloween, scarves, hot chocolate, pumpkins, Thanksgiving, the colors, oh how the list could go on and on. I adore everything about Fall, it's my favorite holiday. Growing up I can always remember my Mom, my Sister and working on our front porch to get it perfect for Fall. This week we want to see how you get your front porch, front door, terrace, back porch, or stoop ready for Fall.

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Link up your porches and make sure you stop at a few other links to see how everyone else prepares for Fall!