Another video on how to make Geo Mesh Wreaths.  This video uses a few additonal products and gives you more ideas of what you can do with your wreath.  I haven't tried it yet, but I will soon.

Make a Geo Mesh Wreath

I am so excited to try and make on of these Mesh Geo Wreaths.  I bought a few supplies, but did not have time to look for the wire to tie them with.  I am going to try pipe cleaners I think.  I have some laying around.  If this works I plan on updating my Christmas Wreaths soon!

Pallet Shelves...I Am So Interested in These Pallet Projects

Source: goo.gl via M on Pinterest

I don't know why, but I am so interested in these crafts using recycled pallets.  I think it is partially because I use to work with pallets at my job and my husband is a carpenter.  I wish this was my decorating style because these would be so cool to put on my walls.  Maybe I can come up with a place for these to go.  I am going to start thinking about it.  I definitely know where I can get a few pallets for free.

I"ve Been Gone Too Long...

I have been away from my blogs for way too long.  Over the last year I have started a Hair Accessory  business that has really kept me busy.  I also work part time a few days a week.  Those along with my family obligations have kept me very busy.  So busy, that I have let my blogs go for the most part.  But I am going to make an effort to get back to work on them.

I have loved creating my accessories, but it leaves a little part of me wanting to create something else.  I think it is time to get back to creating crafts for my home and sharing inspirations from others.  Look for me to return in a big way this month and hopefully every month after. 

I have to admit sometimes my inspiration well runs dry, but there are so many other crafters out that to highlight in my blog.  If you want to share with my readers, I will be looking forward to working with you.

Hair Bow Giveaway....

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

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

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

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

Cricut Cat Homemade Valentines

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.