The Featured Etsy Blogger for March is...

DizzyDragonflies! DD makes hand dyed yarn and knitted items. Such luscious colors in that lovely yarn basket! Visit her shop to see all her goodies! She also has a blog too.

February's Featured Etsy Blogger

Congrats to this month's Etsy Blogger, TiLT Creations!! She has a shop full of really neat things like backpacks, totes, purses, clutches and this really cool messenger bag--

Zombie Worker Denim Messenger Bag, hand embroidered by TiLT Creations

I love what she wrote in this description: "Do you feel like a zombie heading out to work? Then this bag is for you." I was just telling my hubby the other night sometimes I feel like the guy in that old Dunkin Donuts commercial, staggering out of bed and mindlessly heading to the kitchen..."Time to make the donuts"...only in my case I'm stumbling to the studio to work on custom books.

New Curtains - A Tutorial

I made some new curtains for my studio. I had some nice curtains already, but got into a big sale in the fabric store. The fabric was $6/yard and the trim was 90% off! How could I resist?? So now I have some curtains to alternate when the mood strikes me.

I am not the best at sewing so when I say this was pretty easy to do, trust me--it was! First you'll want to determine how long to make the curtains. I hung mine about 1 foot over the top window trim and down to the floor, which required almost 6 yards. I used the full width of the fabric (which I think is 54") for each panel. So, I needed 3 yards x 2 (for 2 panels). I always get a little more than I think I'll need, just in case I make a bad cut or miscalculated somewhere. I can always make pillows with the scraps (which will be another tutorial!).

Supplies:
Sewing machine
Decorator fabric (6 yards, in my case)
Trim (6 yards, in my case)
Coordinating thread
Pins
Ruler
Fabric scissors
Tape measure
Clip rings
Curtain rod to fit your window

The first thing I did was try to straighten up the raw ends of my fabric as best I could. I laid the fabric out on the floor and used the grooves in my hardwood floor to guide my cuts. Then I measured my window once again to determine how long to cut each panel. I used 2 1/2-inches for the hem on both the top and bottom, so I added 5 inches to my total. I used my tape measure to mark where to cut.

Then I turned under the selvage on the sides of my curtains and hemmed them on my sewing machine. I used about a 1 inch hem on the sides. You may notice my curtain magically changes color throughout this tutorial. The photos above were taken with a flash and the ones below using natural light. The taffeta fabric I used has a sheen to it, changing from gold to olive depending on how the light hits it.

I use a glass vase as a trash receptacle and also to weight the fabric down so it doesn't slide off the table while I'm trying to sew. I'm challenged enough as it is, I don't need to be fighting the fabric also!

Next I measured 2 1/2-inches for the top hem and marked it with a pin along the entire length of the curtain.

Then I folded the raw edge up to the pin.

Next I gingerly pulled the pin out and folded again on the line where the pin was. Doubling the hem over like this makes a nice clean hem. I've found if you don't tuck the raw edge under (and I'm sure there's a technical term for that...I just can't think what it is...) it may start to unravel in the laundry and then you'll have strings hanging out of your nice curtains. I did that once with a pair of pants. :(

I pinned where to make my final stitches on the hem, measuring to be sure I had it even. My final hem is about 1 1/4-inches.

So here's my finished top hem. Repeat the steps above to make the bottom hem.

I laid my curtain panels out in the floor, making sure they were oriented correctly and pinned the trim on the leading edge (the inside edge where your curtains will meet in the middle when closed). One panel will have the trim on the left edge, the other panel on the right edge. Then I sewed the trim on with a zig zag stitch. (This panel really did change color! It's actually my old curtain, the alternate.)

And now, you have some lovely curtains which will astound and amaze everyone! Just attach them with your clip rings and voila!

I had some guests for a party this past holiday season and one lady asked me who designed my curtains! Ha!!

Merry Christmas!

Usually I'm on top of the game with my Christmas cards, getting them out the first week in December. I'm not sure what happened this year. Lack of motivation combined with global warming and the phases of the moon?

I've been making my own Christmas cards for about ten years now. I'm starting to get a little burnt out on it and envy those people who do boxed cards or photo cards. I know I'll have some disappointed people on my mailing list when I discontinue the handmade cards, but one must consider one's own sanity!

Here it is Christmas Eve and I finally got the last of my cards out.

They'll never arrive in time for Christmas, but so be it!

At least they're done!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

Etsy Blogger of the Month

Is CalKat! I just love this piece of jewelry from Kathy and Carrie's shop, it's so unusual!

Friday Favorites

1 Burlap Romance... by AlicesLookingGlass
2 Vintage French Book Paper Wreath by SimpleJoysPaperie
3 Elegant True Love Memory Box by FunWallArt
4 Rosa ornament gift set by cardinalhouse

Etsy Blogger for November

This month's featured Etsy Blogger is Becky of beckykazana and her other shop, thefabmissb. Becky has been an Etsy seller and an Bloggers team member for several years now. She has a lot of diverse things in her two shops, so stop by and take a look!

Etsy Blogger Of the Month

Is MadeByMelissa!

Melissa says, "I make jewelry and crocheted items. All of my items are one of a kind! Although things I make may look similar - no two items are identical. Therefore - you will become the proud owner of a 100% unique item!"

Check out her store for a variety of items. There are some great things in there for the little ones in your life. My favorite is this one -- a little crocheted turtle! So cute!

A Day In The Studio

I thought it would be fun to walk you step by step through one of my more unusual custom orders. A customer was browsing through my work and was inspired to request a guest book with a decorative polymer clay tile ornament on the cover.

1. I start my tile with a lump of polymer clay, conditioned and ready to run through the pasta machine to get it to a uniform thickness.

2. Here I've gotten the clay rolled out to the thickness I desired and impressed a design into it with a rubber stamp. I have my mica powders out and I have been filling color into the patterns on the tile.

**Very important to note when working with mica powder--less is more! I've learned that lesson the hard way, overloading my brush with powder and making the most garish mess.

3. Cooking in my dedicated polymer clay toaster over. This is an older Black & Decker that has a short in it and randomly cuts itself on when no one's looking. Scary, eh? That's why it's been relegated to polymer clay and isn't used routinely in the kitchen without supervision!

4. Cooling the tile under weight to keep it flat. My Pyrex baking dishes were the nearest thing I could find in a pinch. I put them slightly off center because they're stamped with some wording on the bottom and I was concerned the words might impress upon the tile.

5. The finished tile attached to the front cover of the book.

Variations on a Tangerine Theme

Have you ever had one of those days when you weren't satisfied with anything you accomplished? Well, this was one of those days!

The first variation

I was finishing up this book and selecting a ribbon to coordinate with the cover. The problem was the ribbon kept changing color depending upon the lighting! In daylight it was more green and at night it was more blue. This presented a huge issue when I was trying to photograph the book to list it on Etsy. I adjusted the color until my background started getting too red, finally gave up and decided to just change the ribbon.


Second attempt

I really changed it up here, using a band instead of a bow. However, I still had issues with the green-blue ribbon changing colors on me. As you can see from the above photograph, I tried to tweak the color to get the ribbon to appear more natural and ended up with a greenish cast to the entire photo.

Additionally, I was attempting to multi-task, talking on the phone, when I discovered I attached the band to the BACK cover instead of the front. Aaaarrrgh!

As if that wasn't enough, the white ribbon didn't want to stay attached to the blue ribbon. I tried every type of adhesive I could find. Nothing seems to glue one grosgrain ribbon to another grosgrain ribbon. Anyone know of any tricks? I really like this look, maybe not on this book, but I might want to try it on another book.

The final product

I completely ditched the blue-green ribbon and went with a simple creamy white grosgrain ribbon, tied in a square knot. Sometimes less is more--I think this combination shows off the book to the best advantage. Do you agree?

Featured Etsy Blogger

Memories for Life Scrapbooks!

She says:
"My name is Edi and I have been paper crafting for over 12 years. I started out making hand made cards with stamps. I then moved into scrapbooking. I love anything to do with paper and can make just about anything with it. I work as a machine operator at a semi transmission factory for a living while I get my MBA, but I paper craft for life. It truly is my passion!"

Memories for Life says she loves to do custom work, so contact her if you have something special in mind.

Also, to see her works in progress and where she finds inspiration visit her Blog.

Etsy Twitter Team Shop Of The Week

Is me!!

Much thanks to everyone for their blog posts about my shop and tweets! I tried to respond to everyone who blogged and tweeted, but if I missed you please know I truly appreciate your support!

Ok, I'm done being sappy now. :D
Here are my latest creations.


Pink and Black Trio Pocket Booklets

These were so much fun to design. I was inspired by the buttons and actually designed the books around them! I got some new scallop-edged punches and HAD to use them also.


The Marianna Mini Journal A small, pocket sized journal size 6x4"


This one isn't listed yet. I'll be listing it in a couple weeks. It's another small one, 6x4". The great thing about this project is it consists of all scrap materials. All little pieces of paper leftover from other books that were too small to use for my larger guest books. Of course, if you love the design but need a larger book I can design one for you.

So what do you all think? Are the new designs winners? Let me know what you think!

Your Assignment...

...should you accept it...

1) Go vote for my French Lace Journal in the Etsy Back To School Poll! You must either sign into Etsy or register to vote if you don't have an Etsy account.

French Lace Journal

2) Vote for your favorite Red, White, and Blue themed summer project on the ACE team blog. Of course, it would be nice if you voted for my journal, but at least vote for your favorite item! And you don't have to sign in to do this one!
Steamer Trunk Travel Journal

Thanks!

**this message will self destruct in 5 days**

The Beauty of Dragonflies

My preschooler loves to walk in the garden with me to discover the latest blooms and insects. We recently planted a redbud tree and checking on it has become part of our repetoire. This evening there was a green dragonfly sitting on the topmost branch munching on his dinner. We watched him for a while and my son waved at him. To our surprise, the dragonfly lifted his front leg and appeared to wave back! My son was thrilled!

Enjoy these handmade dragonfly items I found on Etsy, as well as the dragonfly poems!

Water lily and dragonfly original oil painting by LeslieMacon

Dragonfly Treasure - Wide Band Dragonfly Ring with Lapis by LavenderCottage

La Libellule limited edition 8x10 print by Peggitha

A Dragonfly
Your delicate wings rapidly beat the air
The sleekness of your weightless body hovers
Curiously observing as though you care
Steadily searching for lifelong endeavors

Do you bring a message of a tranquil destiny?
Does your evolving maturity convey wisdom?
If I follow, will I find harmony or perplexity?
As you disappear… I am serenely lonesome
by Theresa Moore, 2007

Deco Dragonfly Mug in Seafoam by OneClayBead

DRAGONFLY FLY Blue Green Glass bead mix with Antique brass by kelleylovedesigns

The Dragon Fly
A dragon fly upon my knee
Is sitting looking up at me.

He has a scarlet tail and six
Little legs like jointed sticks.

With two of them he rubs his head.
His eyes are brown, his mouth is red,

His wings are colored like the rain:
He lifts them, and flies off again.

by Dorothy Keeley Aldis
1896-1966, written in 1925

Peacock Perfection

The Peacock Bustle Moleskin Cahier by mulberrymuse

Holly Peacock Feather Hair Clip by TheSleepyAlbatross

Peacock 8 Original Oil Painting by RozArt

Peacock Necklace (vintage lucite) by MataHariJewelry

I love peacocks, they're such regal looking birds! Here are some lovely peacock themed items I found on Etsy. Whenever I see a peacock now, I think of the time we took my (then) two year old to the zoo. We were in one of the gift shops and a peacock came up to the window and looked in at him. They examined each other for a long time, it was so cute!

Birds Strike Again

Paris Nest Card by bellaseradesigns

View from a Nest by SpoolDesign

Altered Frame with Bird Nest by shabbycottagestudio

Sweet Little Nests by lizix26

Birds Eye View by hopeimages

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you realize by now I have a thing for birds, eggs, and bird nests! The birds also seem to know this and flock to my house to nest in my front door wreath, potting shed, hanging ferns, and now my grill! Actually it's the can to catch the drips hanging under the grill. Bush's Baked Beans.



All five of the eggs hatched, which in my experience is unusual, and all five of the babies survived to leave the nest! How they all fit in the can with Mom I'll never understand!