645 workshop by the crafty cpa

i love polka dots

2013-03-19T20:50:00.003-05:00

I went to a fabric store this weekend and all I bought were stripes and polka dots (without even realizing it until I got home!) I love stripes and polka dots.

Here is a little polka dot inspiration (in case you love polka dots too!)

source

around the shop

2013-03-15T07:50:00.003-05:00

my new obsession...

shop update: distressed wood wall hangings

2013-03-11T20:32:00.000-05:00

I've been playing with wood and paint and power tools (and I still have all my fingers).

I made some smaller versions of this project for sale in my shop.

link

I've loving playing with wood right now. I have so many more ideas and a pile of wood in my garage!

smash book: new stuff

2013-03-10T22:03:00.000-05:00

Part of the goal of my smash book project is to use scrapbooking supplies I already own. However, I caved and bought a few new things that I "needed".

1. I bought these Smash book bands to hold the book together when it starts getting too full. I have to admit I only bought this for the striped band. I have a hard time resisting anything striped lately. Actually I am having a hard time resisting all the cute Smash Book branded accessories in the scrapbooking aisle at the craft store.

2. These are library card envelopes that I bought to use as pockets for little bits of paper I might want to save during the year. I bought plain envelopes that I can decorate however I like. Only $5 for 50 envelopes is a deal when it comes to scrapbooking supplies!

3. Believe it or not I did not own any washi tape. I'm not sure how I missed that trend. Making up for lost time I bought some cute polka dot, zig zag, and numbered tape.

around the workshop

2013-02-28T21:54:00.000-06:00

starting new projects, using new materials, pushing creativity...

Here's a sneak peek, more details to come.

smash book: big shop month pages

2013-02-26T06:31:00.000-06:00

I completed a new smash book page commemorating a great January I had in the shop. I was blessed with some great Etsy front page promotion that kept me hopping with an order almost everyday.

I'm still struggling with scrapbooking on the printed pages provided. On these pages I covered the printed elements in the book with black and white polka dot washi tape.

I printed some screen shots I captured of a couple Etsy front page appearances.

I snapped some photos of some of my current packaging. My packaging has already evolved over the year my shop has been open. I'm sure as it continues to evolve it will be interesting to see my process right now.

I'm getting a little bit of a backlog of things to "smash" into my book. I need to dedicate a day soon to getting caught up!

the art of pyrography

2013-02-24T17:00:00.001-06:00

Pyrography is the art of decorating with burn marks, kinda like the frames I made in this doodle frame tutorial. I didn't know at the time that I doing something with such a fancy name.

Search for pyrography on the internet and you will find some amazing art. Type carefully though or you could be exposed to a whole other side of the internet. ;)

Here are some amazing things that are being sold on Etsy right now...

pyrography on gourd

pyrography wooden box

burned wooden spoons. LOVE THESE!!!

burned wood frame. My own very humble contribution.

doodle frames

2013-02-17T21:40:00.001-06:00

Several months ago I purchased a Dremel wood burning tool, but besides playing around with burning some scrap pieces of wood I still hadn't found a satisfying project on which to use it.

Even more months before buying the wood burning tool I bought some wood frames from Michael's with intentions of using them to frame some embroideries that still haven't been created.

So the other day I thought...unused wood burning tool + unused wooden frames...dare I combine the two into a project? I did dare. And doodle frames were born!

This is really a quite easy project although you do need a bit of a steady hand. This is definately not a project for kids. In fact I would make sure all kids, dogs, cats, and husbands are far away. The wood burner gets shockingly hot, combine that with a cord and you can end up with a flaming, swinging, hot dagger if you aren't super careful.

Here are the tips that came with my Dremel wood burning tool.

They twist on to the top. Plug in and let your tool get hot and you are ready to draw. It takes a little practice to get the right technique and figure out which tip you want to use for which type of line. I drew my designs on the frames in pencil as a guide. In order to get a doodley scribbly effect I traced my lines several times. This also helped disguise and screw ups. :)

Here is how they turned out...

Try this technique for an easy way to add some interest or a personal touch to a cheap wooden frame.

Thanks for visiting!

shop update: new mixed media hearts

2013-02-05T20:01:00.001-06:00

link

see all hearts here

my craft book library

2013-01-30T22:19:00.000-06:00

Last post I showed a peak inside a vintage craft book I found at a resale shop last summer. Even though the internet is a great source for tutorials and inspiration, I still love a good craft book. Here are some of my favorites from my library.

1. Alabama Stitch Book -- lots of great embroidery inspiration, although some are a bit intimidating.

2. Doodle Stitching -- lots of cute little simple embroidery patterns and projects. This book inspired me to start drawing my own embroidery designs. This is a great book for beginners.

3. Drawing Lab -- If you are looking to improve your drawing skills and gain more confidence I highly recommend the exercises in this book. You will feel like an artist in no time!

4. French General: Home Sewn -- Beautiful photos of French Country inspired projects. The fabrics used in this book are so beautiful you want to reach through the pages and grab them!

5. Printing by Hand -- Lots of great, simple techniques for creating your own fabric prints. Get ready to get dirty!

What are some of your favorite craft books?

inspired by: vintage craft book find

2013-01-24T22:12:00.000-06:00

Last summer I was in a resale shop with some friends when I found this vintage craft book from the seventies. The colors and crafts remind of things I saw in my home and my friends homes when I was a little girl (yes, I was actually alive for a few years in the seventies!).

I can't wait to dig into these pages for inspiration!!! Can you say macrame?

Here is a little peak at what's inside...

for the love of clutches

2013-01-21T20:02:00.000-06:00

My husband Tony and I love a date night. My husband is a bit of a foodie so our dates usually involve driving into the city and eating at a new restaurant he wants to try. We have had lots of great dates, with great conversation, and great food.

When we go out I love to dress up a bit and carry a great clutch.

Here are some of my faves:

I own a clutch very similar to this one from Feral Empire. The leather feels so soft and I really like the extra long tail on the zipper. I wasn't sure how I would like the fold over design, but it works well. By the way, this clutch was packaged super cute!

I was really debating over buying this clutch when I bought the fold over clutch above. (An email to my sister was the deciding factor). I still love this clutch from moxie and oliver. I like the asymmetrical flap and the cute little heart.

Here are some other clutches I am craving right now:

from its so clutch

from found by marie

from Independent Reign

shop update: embroidery hoops

2013-01-20T20:28:00.000-06:00

I've been making some new embroidery hoop art for the shop. Here are some peeks...

a sweet, fuzzy flannel and felt heart

machine free stitched rose on blue herringbone

painted and stamped ampersand on stripes!

applique stars and machine free stitching

Check out all my embroidery hoop art here.

smash book: new year's eve date night

2013-01-19T20:15:00.001-06:00

I finished my first smash book post for the new year documenting dinner with my husband on new year's eve.

I didn't really do much planning when I put together this page. I just started plopping stuff on the page (and it kind of looks like it). I don't feel like this is my best scrapbooking, but I've been away from it for awhile and may be a little rusty. It always takes me awhile to get used to a new scrapbook page size and get in a groove...

On this side of the page I printed a picture of the new shoes I wore that night. I love to get dressed up for date night with my husband but I don't like to wear heels. I think these flats are so cute and dressy.

The circle stamp behind "new years is from this set . The date night letter stickers are from an American Crafts set called roosevelt. I wrote and drew on the page with red and black fine point Sharpie markers.

We went to one of our favorite restaurants and I had one of my favorite dishes, shrimp and grits. Shrimp and grits seems like an odd meal at a fancy restaurant, but it is sooooooooo good. I took a picture with my iphone, but without a flash it didn't turn out so good in the dim restaurant.

My husband is obsessed with "checking in" where ever we go on Facebook, so I printed his post and added that to the page.

My first page is done or smashed or whatever. So far the process I set up for this project seems to be working well. I'm still getting used to dealing with the pre-printed pages. I'm thinking at this point that this book may not be in chronological order because I cannot move around the pages. Also, you have to be mindful of using any embellishments (brads, eyelets, etc.) that pierce the paper because the back of the paper is the front of the next page.

I'm very enthusiastic about the project and I can't wait to fill this book up this year, especially since we already have so many fun trips planned!

smash book: the process

2013-01-09T22:00:00.001-06:00

Last post I talked about my new scrapbooking project for 2013. I am trying to make this project as easy and non stressful as possible. In fact, if it becomes difficult or stressful I will probably just drop it as I have a lot more important things in my life to stress about. ;)

In order to simplify the process I created a "smash book" basket and filled it with some scrapbooking supplies. I don't intend to buy any supplies for this project, I want to use what I have.

I also don't want to search through bins of brads, stickers, cardstock, or chipboard for the perfect embellishment. If it is in the basket I can use it. If not, I can't. Perhaps every month or so I will rotate the supplies to give myself some variety.

The basket should also help to contain any mess generated by this project. Just throw everything in the basket and move it out of the way.

Here is a sampling of some of the supplies I put into my basket...

1. letter stickers: I've always liked American Crafts letter stickers, especially the roosevelt and runway fonts. I also included some white Thickers from American Crafts and some letter stickers by Jenni Bowlin (so cute!)

2. decorative stickers: I included some Flair Stickers from American Crafts. Also some journalling tabs from Heidi Swapp (I think she has a new line now?) and Road Map cards from October Afternoon (also a lot of cute stuff!)

3. stamps: I threw in a couple stamp sets. This one seemed perfect. I think the other set may be a Michael's store brand?

4. stamping ink: Can't stamp without ink. I threw in a few of my distress ink stamp pads.

5. instant camera: I hope to use my instant camera a lot for this project...no printing or editing photos...so easy.

6. chipboard: Some letter and shape chipboard from Heidi Swapp's old line. Also some black chipboard from Cosmo Cricket. I love this stuff!

7. embellishments: I'm not sure how many embellishments I will be able to add and still be able to close the book, but I threw in these spinners from Tim Holtz.

8. rub ons: I added a couple run ons sets from American Crafts.

Just looking at these supplies makes me so excited. I think I might have a scrapbooking supplies specific hoarding obsession (well, maybe it applies to fabric too!)

I'm all prepared now, can't wait to get started!

my etsy shop: new listings for valentines day

2013-01-06T20:41:00.000-06:00

I had some days off of work over the holidays and I went into major "heart" mode. I finally got most of my Valentine's Day goodies listed in my shop and I've even sold a few.

"love you" cement heart

red letter initial cement heart

see more cement hearts

quilted pillow with pink heart

zig zag pillow with red heart

more pillows here

red circle "love" embroidery hoop art

heart fabric "love" embroidery hoop art

more embroidery hoop art here

introducing a smashing project for 2013

2013-01-05T15:32:00.001-06:00

When got into crafting about ten years ago I started with scrapbooking. Scrapbooking led to sewing and drawing and working with clay and embroidery and...

...who knows what else the future might hold? I've realized that I'm sort of a "jack of all trades, master of none" kind of crafter.

But back to scrapbooking. I don't know if it is because my life isn't as interesting as it used to be (surely not!), but I don't scrapbook much anymore. I do however have an overabundance of scrapbooking supplies.

One thing in my stash is a Smash Book that my sister gave me as a birthday gift a couple years ago. I decided this year to put it to good use (or use anyway).

The idea of a Smash Book is that you can do scrapbooking really quickly and informally. Just glue in some pictures, write some journaling, and get on with life. No pressure, no rules.

Obviously you don't have to have a book with the brand name Smash Book to do this type of journalling, any empty notebook would work.

This Smash Book is filled with patterned paper.

Some of the paper is pretty neutral...

Some has a much stronger pattern...

Some pages are more like prompts...

I feel like normally I would be a "start with a blank notebook" kind of girl. I like to have a lot of control over my choices creatively. However, I'm kind of intrigued by the idea of scrapbooking when key choices have already been made for me. Will it be harder? Will it be easier? We'll see.

In a future post I'll talk a bit about the process I am planning to use for this smash book. If you have done any smash booking send me your links for inspiration!

etsy loves: calendars

2013-01-03T05:49:00.000-06:00

If you haven't bought your calendar yet for 2013 check out these Etsy finds:

I bought this calendar for some of my coworkers at work. I love the messages on each month.

This calendar I gave to a friend.

And this one is on my desk at work.

balance for a new year

2013-01-01T12:13:00.001-06:00

*blows dust off blog*

*tap tap tap on microphone* "Is this thing still on?"

Wow. It's been a long time since I posted. What happened? I'll talk about that in a second, but first...

Today is a day when a lot of people plan and set goals for the new year. I guess I'm no different. This year my biggest goal is BALANCE.

About the time I stopped posting to this blog I started working a lot, like 60-80+ hours a week a lot. I was working on interesting projects and getting recognition for my efforts, but I didn't have balance. I wasn't doing any crafting beyond filling orders in my shop. I wasn't blogging. I didn't set foot in a craft store for months. Not doing these things isn't necessarily a tragedy, but these are all things I REALLY enjoy doing.

If I created a pie chart for how I was spending my time, work was a PacMan eating my life...

Not only was I not crafting; I wasn't working out or eating well. I wasn't spending as much time with my husband or friends as I would like. I wasn't taking care of my house the way I like to. I started to fear that if I got hit by a bus my eulogist would only be able to say, "She was always very responsive to emails."

So this year I am looking for balance. I am looking to balance a job I love with all the other things in my life that I love. Too much of any one thing is never a good thing.

I am working on new tutorials for this blog. I love the sense of community that comes from sharing crafting ideas together through the Internet. I will also probably start blogging a bit more about my life, my inspirations, things I love, and some of my struggles and stumbles along the way as I work to balance my life.

Happy 2013 to All!!!

etsy shopping spree part 1: my different strokes

2012-03-11T22:18:00.000-05:00

I have to admit that I've been on a bit of an Etsy shopping spree lately. Usually my first reaction when I see something I love is, "I think I could make that," but there are so many things that are beyond my capabilities....so so many things...

One shop I love is My Different Strokes. I just adore the illustrated pendants in this shop. I'm trying to build a more interesting collection of accessories to wear to work.

I think this pendant is pretty cool. Maybe it's just because I find art deco design very inspirational.

So quirky and cute.

So far I bought a golden retriever pendant (for me) and a bulldog pendant (for a friend). I think I may buy this blonde lady for my sister next.

Any other great unique accessory suggestions for me?

return on creativity: free motion embroidery herb pillow

2012-03-05T21:33:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago I made a daffodil pillow using a free motion embroidery technique. I decided to make an herb pillow using the same font and technique as the daffodil pillow. I'm still perfecting my technique, but I think it looks very rustic and springy. Give it a try and thanks for reading!

inspired by: upcycling

2012-03-03T09:13:00.000-06:00

Thrift stores, antique malls, and even Etsy shops are great places to find interesting vintage fabrics for sewing projects.

I bought some vintage pillow cases from this Etsy shop and made one into the daisy pillow cover shown above. Shhhhhh... I have a pretty cool vintage pillow case project in process, but not ready to show yet!

I'm always on the lookout for great wool cardigans to make into pretty cardigan pillow covers. Here's my cardigan pillow cover tutorial.

When a bought a blanket on sale it came with two pillow shams that I didn't need. So I made one sham into a gold pillow cover.

I always snatch up vintage leather belts to turn into bag straps like in this grain sack messenger bag.

What are your favorite things to upcycle in projects?

return on creativity: new pillow cover ideas

2012-02-28T20:10:00.001-06:00

I made some new pillows for my shop using black fabric paint. The all is well pillow was inspired by three word sayings like "Life is good" or "Live Laugh Love". I hand painted the words and then sewed red felt applique accents in the loops of the letters.

I used an eclectic grouping of my collection of foam stamps to create this alphabet pillow. I bought most of my stamps years ago. They are mostly from Making Memories and no longer sold, but I found a set on Amazon here. I love my foam stamps. I use them on paper and fabric. If you find some snatch them up!

This is my favorite tutorial for sewing pillow covers. It doesn't win the prize for the prettiest pillow in my opinion, but the measurements seem to work really well for me.

Happy sewing and thanks for reading!

return on creativity: fabric napkin rings

2012-02-26T20:32:00.000-06:00

Fabric napkin rings are a great idea for using up scraps of fabric that you love.

Here's how to make your own fabric napkin rings.

1. Cut two rectangles of fabric measuring nine inches by three inches for each ring.

2. Stitch two rectangles together. I used my serger to stitch two wrong sides together. If you don't have a serger you could turn down the edges of each rectangle a quarter inch and steam with an iron. Then put wrong sides together and top stitch around all sides of the rectangle.

3. Sew a button hole one inch in from the edge of the napkin ring.

4. Sew a button six inches from the button hole. (I learned how to sew buttons with my sewing machine for this project. Holy cow! So easy! I followed my sewing machine manual, but here is a great tutorial. Seriously...why did I ever sew a button by hand?)

That's it! You are done. Below are some of the napkin rings I made that are for sale in my shop.

Happy sewing and thanks for reading!

me: documentary + design = heaven

2012-02-19T11:44:00.000-06:00

My husband and I both love to watch documentaries. Last night I watched a documentary about Charles and Ray Eames for the second time. I loved it again!

source

If you love documentaries and you love design I highly recommend this documentary (which you can watch online! cool!):

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/charles-ray-eames-the-architect-and-the-painter/watch-the-full-documentary-film/1950/

If you get inspired to own a piece of Eames yourself there are lots of great selections on Etsy.

Some of my other favorite documentaries:

King of Kong -- a surprisingly entertaining documentary about the world of competitive classic video games.

Man on Wire -- I just watched this again a couple weeks ago. Inspirational documentary about drive and destiny.