Behind on the Birthday Festivites

I can hardly believe that a year ago I was very pregnant and counting down the days to my due date!  Jaxson will be one in less than three weeks!! I know you've heard it before, but time really does fly. I think the time flies even faster from birth to 12 months because they change so much on a daily basis.  So, I have A LOT to do in three weeks, but of course I had to start with the invitation. I was able to get some ideas from the wonderful web. I think it turned out really cute! It was my first time designing an invitation using paint. I have a new found admiration for all you graphic designers out there!

Here is how it turned out...

Of course, once we have survived the birthday bash... I will fill you in on all the fun!

~Happy Almost Birthday Jax~

the Leather Line...

Here is another sneak peak at my leather line... 

What do you like? What would you buy? and What should I make more of?

This one is my favorite.

Sneak Peak...

I am following through on delivering some sneak peaks that will be available to purchase at Chatty Crafty.  Let me know what you think!  Feedback is always welcome.

 Gingham rosette head band.

 Cozy coffee cup coozy.Wow! That's a mouthful.

 Pleated head band. 

 Reversible headbands for moms and daughters or large heads and small heads.

happy fall.

This has to be my favorite post yet...so be excited!  It all started with a simple inspiration from my new favorite website... fuzzimo.  If you didn't see my previous post, Scrabble Babble, then I'll mention quickly that a co-worker found the printable scrabble tiles on Pinterest.

So, after printing my scrabble tiles, I decided to see what else fuzzimo had to offer. I found an old typewriter print that I could download right onto my computer.  I have always been a big fan of the typewriter and the classic timeless font it provides. If you haven't seen my tattoo, it says love. in a simply stated typewriter font.  Anyway,  I also found some scrap linen while rummaging in a remnant bin.

And here is the lovely marriage of scrap linen and typewriter font. I must say that I am very proud of this little beauty and I can't wait to use this technique again!

 Before you get started, click on the link above to download the font. Once you have installed, you can find it in your fonts as: fzm Old Typerwriter.

 

You will also need a piece of card stock, fabric and adhesive spray.

Spray the adhesive to cover the entire surface of the card stock. Lay your fabric down and smooth it out.

Follow the edge of the card stock and cut your fabric so that it is the same size.

For most printers, you'll insert the card stock into the paper tray fabric side down.

Peel as soon as it comes out of the printer.

Oh... I just love it!

Something else that inspires me and makes me happy is fall. Just in time for the cold front that is headed our way tomorrow... I will be changing out the porch decor to match this season! Until then, this little delight will stay inside.

Something else that makes me happy...

We got out to the park and soaked up the last day of 80 degree weather.

~Happy Fall~

Linking up to: http://todayscreativeblog.net/ 
and http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/
and http://gigglesglitzandglam.blogspot.com/
and http://www.tipjunkie.com/homemade-projects-1018/
and http://www.iheartnaptime.net/2011/10/link-party/

Scrabble Babble...

So, I thought I would share something a little bit different today. As much as I love crafting, I would have to say that I also love creating fun things for my classroom just as much. Most of my time and days are spent as a teacher to nineteen little personalities. And so... even if you are not a teacher, you may have children of your own or maybe you have searched and searched for that random scrabble tile that nobody can ever find. If you fit into one or more of those categories... keep reading!

A co-worker found this on Pinterest. If you haven't become a pin head yet please leave a comment with your email below and I will send you an invite. It is currently one of the greatest resources on the web.

All you need is white card stock and a printer. You may want to laminate them, but that is optional. Check out Fuzzimo here.  They also have some amazing high-resolution photographs. I already have it linked up to the scrabble tiles, but it is a fun website to browse.  I also downloaded an old time type-writer font that I will be using in a tutorial later this week.

Of course the possibilities are endless here, but I made a set of six to use during my guided reading instruction. Each child will receive a bag of letters and we will spell our names, sight words, etc. For older grades, it is a great way to encompass addition. Find out who's name is worth the most.  My name is worth, a measly 13 points. I can already guess my student, "QUINTARIUS" is going to be worth some mega points.

I also took some thick textured scrap book paper to make a letter stand. I measured 2.25 inches. I used my craft knife and the ruler to cut out the rectangle. I scored a line at 1 inch and folded on that line. I scored it again at 2 inches so that I could have a small lip to hold my letters.  

TaDaa!

~Happy Scrabble Babble~

If you have some fun or ideas to share on how to use these in your home or classroom, please leave comments below!!

Linking up to...

Some really cute ideas for fall!! 

I found some awesome things to create for Halloween here:

Tried to link up here, but it was closed... also, some cute ideas!

Burn Baby Burn...

       I know I begin each post with the same sad story of apology.  I have to be very honest. I haven't been very inspired lately. I can't quite put my finger on exactly why and I am struggling with posting things that I have seen in various places. I would love to be completely original all the time, but who am I kidding? The great big world wide web, well... there is bound to be something similar out there. So, here is my deal to you readers.  I will cite my creations and give credit where credit is due, which means I will be posting more! Although, you may have seen it somewhere already. Is that okay?  If you are good with that, then I promise to post a lot more often!  Also, next week is my fall break so expect some posts.  And if you are on facebook, give a girl a "like."  Thank you for believing in me and for your patience!

 This is one of the easiest flowers that anyone can create!  I typically dig around in the remnant bins at all the local fabric stores. I can usually score at least one great deal on the type of fabric that will work for this burning technique. A thin chiffon or silk works best.  I have even experimented with linen, which looks pretty, but is a different look.

 

You can waste time tracing out perfect little circles or you can just free hand varying size circles with your fabric scissors.  I recommend starting with your smallest circle. Layer it onto the fabric, cut a little bit further out so you have a slightly larger circle and continue until you have as many as you want. 

Very carefully burn the edges of each circle.  The longer you hold it there, without it catching on fire, the more the edges will curl in... of course it also depends on the material you are using.

Lay the circles inside of one another. Sew a button of your choice in the center to hold it all together.  Add it to a necklace, headband or pin it on a cardigan.  The possibilities are endless!

Same technique, but a few other creations...

Here is how the linen turned out. I think it looks like a dogwood flower and I love it!

And here is a larger version with nine layers... originally created to be added to a belt for a bridesmaids dress

~Happy Creating~