Cricut Storybook Cartridge: LOVE it!

a crown for my niece

It's a very exciting day when I get to use my Cricut Expression die cutting machine for a few hours. This Storybook cartridge is really cool. I like the letters and there are also crowns, butterflies , and birds. I made a few things using the letters. I 'm typically not a paper person..I really am more a fabric lover but now that I have the Cricut that is changing rapidly!

FUN TIMES!

Centerpiece Idea Using a Themed Fabric

I'm sorry my picture quality isn't the best...I took these photos at night. I usually take my pictures during the day but it's been such a busy weekend I haven't had time. Right now my kids are finally in bed and everyone is relaxing. We had a carnival fundraiser yesterday for our school district and today two soccer games and baseball practice. It was a lot of fun and it's nice to stay busy for the kids (and husband :))


To make these, cut out a cardboard circle and a piece of fabric about 1" larger in diameter than the circle. I added a felt circle in between the fabric and cardboard to give it a little more dimension. Use your hot glue gun and pull the fabric tightly around the cardboard and felt circle and glue the excess to the back.

Next cut a 12" x 12" piece of scrapbook paper in half and fold back and forth like a fan. I cut the fan in half again while it was folded. Tape or glue the ends of the accordion folded paper together on both ends and flatten into a circle. Put some hot glue in the middle and hold while it dries.

I glued the monkey circle in the middle and then added ric rac trim around the edge using white craft glue. I don't like using hot glue on the front part of finished projects....it's so messy.

I also glued a circle on the back in card stock covered felt. If you put hot glue on the end of your stick and it will fit nicely in between the layers of paper/felt and paper fan.

I like the proportion of the smaller one better. It's about 4.5" in diameter. I think I will try a few of these with an embroidery design on the fabric next.

(........Tomorrow we'll be having a giveaway so stay tuned!)

How to Make Recycled Denim Crayon Bags

Hello! It has been a snowy week here in Michigan. I shoveled the driveway and woke up the next day so sore I thought I was dying for sure! In between shoveling the snow, laundry loads and soccer games I've been working on a few projects. For this project you will need:

7" x 9" piece of denim (can be new or recycled)

thread and sewing machine (although you could hand stitch)

fabric scraps or embellishments

small elastic hair tie

button

iron

fabric glue or tacky glue

First you want to create your top seam by folding one of the long sides in about 1/3 inch, ironing it, and then folding it over one more time and ironing it. I stuck a few pins in and ran it through my sewing machine quickly. Next, you fold the fabric in half (the top seam stays on the left)and sew a seam starting at the top where the seamed sides meet and going straight down the side leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. Turn leaving the needle in the down position and do the bottom the same.

I pressed the seams and cut off the corner seam allowances as far as I could so the corners will look crisp when I flip it.


I flipped it and decided where to place the elastic and button. I hand sewed these in place using black thread. When I sewed the hair tie on, I only sewed through the two top layers of the top seam so you can't see the stitching on the outside.





I cut out a few pieces of fabric and used fabric glue to glue them on. The sock monkey is cut from a piece of Moda "Sock Monkey Yearbook" by Erin Michael laminated fabric so it won't fray. The black gingham fabric I was hoping will fray a little more over time.

I like these because I can throw them in my enormous mom purse and my boys will have them for when we're out and about at restaurants and sport events. The denim is sturdy which is great!

Have a great day! You can still link up projects to Lucky Linky until noon today.



I linked this at Blue Cricket Design

Sock Monkey Party Theme Ideas for a Baby Shower or Birthday Party

Today we have a post for you on staging a Sock Monkey themed party. There are so many cute kids' party themes out there and some of our favorite themes are ones that feature vintage or classic ideas or toys. Who wouldn't love a Sock Monkey theme? Though we enjoy making our own crafty decorations, favors, etc. sometimes you just run out of time. When you buy things handmade, you can still get that customized personal feeling .

We've contacted these artists and are happy to feature their creations! We have one of our sock monkey corsages to share at the end of the post.

This is a classic handmade sock monkey doll by Furry Thangs. It retails for $20 and be found on Etsy.

I love these handmade polymer clay cupcake tower toppers from SpiritMama. There are so many options. More sock monkey polymer clay art is available on Etsy at the SpiritMama shop. She also makes sock monkey wedding cake tops. My favorite is her "Zen" monkey.

I am in love with these tags and graphics created by Chickabug. There are also coordinating invitations, cupcake toppers, and thank you cards available.

If you are feeling crafty and want to attempt to make your own sock monkey doll, visit http://www.sockmonkey.com/ to purchase your own Rockford Red Heel socks. It's only $9.95 for two pair. They also send instructions for making the monkey with your purchase.

This is a sock monkey corsage created by Erin of Lucky Star Lane (me:) Don't you just love shameless self promotions?

I hope you enjoyed our sock monkey finds. The corsage will be available in our Lucky Star Lane Etsy shop.