Etsy Inspiration

When I am feeling a little low on creative juices, I am sure to always find inspiration from the awesomely talents artists on Etsy.

A few inspiring shops that I came across, who I am sure love fabric as much as I do.
I didn't asked them, but surely they have to love it by the looks of their lovely handmade items.



Wristlet - Bags by Colette

shown in Michael Miller, Eden in Amber

lovely detail, pleated front so cute

Meera Bag - Hypernoodle

shown in Michael Miller, Emmaline in Toffee

captivating, love it paired with the aqua polka dot

Little Cars Roll Up - Fuzzy Wuzzy Boutique

shown in Riley Blake, Large Cars in Blue

how fun to tuck your favorite hot wheels into a little pocket and take them with you

Deer Valley Pleated Bag - A Touch of Stardust

shown in Architectural in Sky

just stunning, I have actually ordered a bag for my Mom from A Touch of Stardust, they are beautifully made

Clutch - Toon Design

shown in Laura Gunn, Climbing Vines in Spice

looks like a piece of art

Birthday Boy T-Shirt - three sweets

shown in Riley Blake, Wheels in Brown

so cute for a Special Birthday Boy...check out all her designs for girls too

Pretty Petals Peasant Top - Bele's Bloom

shown in Michael Miller, Large Pretty Petals in Aqua & Large Ditto Dots

sure to cause a fuss, a good fuss that is...can't you see a cute little girl prancing around in this

Magnets

These little guys are so easy and fun to make.

They would be perfect for a tween/teen craft project.

Supplies:

Mod Podge (matte finish)

Small Paint Brush

Fabric Scraps

Clear Glass Rocks *clear is best, not pearl or colored

Pen

Scissors

Round Magnets

Step 1: Turn the right side of fabric down and trace around your glass rock with your pen.

Step 2: Cut out each circle on the inside of the pen line so it doesn't show.

*Just a note, if you are using a fabric with a fun pattern you may consider placing the graphic in the center of your circle, as shown above.

Step 3: Apply a generous amount of Mod Podge to the front of your cut-out. Next press the cut-out onto the back side of your glass rock.

Step 4: Once your fabric is placed on the back, apply a generous amount of Modge Podge to the back.

Step 5: Apply the magnet while the Mod Podge is still wet. Allow to dry 24 hours face down (magnet side up)

Your image may appear blurry, but no worries, once the mod podge is dry it will be clear. You can also use a damp cloth to remove any excess modge podge that may be on the front or side of the rock.

Step 6: Complete. Find a spot to put your really cute magnets or give them away as a gift.

* You don't have to use fabric, you can use scrapbook paper, sheet music, old books, or print words/initials on paper...have fun.

Tutorial - Cookie Envelope

Supplies:
1. Paper cut to 8" x 8" square
2. Pencil
3. Cookies
4. Double stick tape
5. Optional: Embellishments (stickers, ribbons)

*Feel free to get creative in the type of paper you use: scrapbook paper, vellum, textured paper, pages of old books, sheet music, magazine pages.

Position your 8" x 8" paper like a diamond, as shown above. Measure and mark with a pencil, 3 inches from the top point on each side; do the same to the bottom point. Indicated as here.

Next, using the marks you made above, fold the two side corner in along those marks. You can now erase those pencil marks.

Once your two side corners are folded in, fold down the top corner, placing the point approx. where the two sides form a triangle, in this case a white triangle.

Do the same to the bottom corner, but first raise the top fold up so you will know where to place your point and make your fold.

Four folds later, you will have something that will look like this. Place a cookie or two inside, if you haven't already eaten them. Fold side corners, bottom corner, than top and fasten with double stick tape or a sticker.

Add ribbon and a sweet message.

These cookie envelopes could be used as handouts for birthdays, showers, or any other special occasion.

SpRiNg Giveaway

We are so excited for SPRING!

Let's celebrate with a GIVEAWAY!

Jewelry Organizer handmade by Erica

Wood frame covered in the awesome Michael Miller's Large Pretty Petals in Aqua. Frame opening is lined with cotton needlepoint canvas and is used for earring storage. The bottom of the frame has six large hooks for storing necklaces and bracelets.

HOW TO ENTER

1. Visit The Fabric Market and leave a comment.

2. Already a Follower or become a new Follower

3. Grab our button

Leave a comment for each entry and an email so we can contact you if you are selected.

Giveaway closes on March 26.

*U.S. and Canada residents

Valentine Giveaway

***

Cozy, Pink, Tattered, Lovely, Roses, Ruffles, handmade

***

We just couldn't help but have another Giveaway during the L-O-V-E month.

Sweet little tattered pillow in the darling Kayla in Blush, Leann in Red, Libby in Turquoise all by Jennifer Paganelli and can be found at

The Fabric Market.


HOW TO ENTER

1. Leave a comment about Valentine's Day!
2. Previous Follower or become a new Follower.
3. Grab our button and put it on your blog.

{Please leave a comment for each entry and contact information if you are selected as a winner}

Giveaway closes on February 10th winner will be announced on February 11th
* available U.S. and Canada residents only

XOXO, Erica & Leah

*pillow not intended for small children, contains small button and pearls

Be Mine...handmade

Personalized Valentine Card via sara + abraham

Ipod Valentine via Family Fun Magazine

Flower Lollipop Valentine via Family Fun Magazine

Valentine's Day Stationary Kit via Jelly Beans

Ribbon Punched Valentine via Martha Stewart

Easy Doily Valentine via Martha Stewart

Christmas Cheer in Ruby Chandelier!

It's almost Christmas! Scissors, Ruby Red Chandelier fabric by Valorie Wells, a sewing machine, red thread, and the determination to make a skirt that spreads Holiday Cheer with each spinning twirl of my little girl.

In the Sewing Room + Girly Fabric

Hello, Erica here. Anytime my sweet little guy is in need of a present for a little girl, I pick the girliest fabric I can find, and start sewing something. The little apron above was for a little blond three year old Birthday. This the first apron I have made with a big chunky ruffle along the bottom, I normally add a smaller ruffle along the edges and a little pocket, both are cute. I used the ever darling Leann in Red and Kayla in Blush by Jennifer Paganelli...I think they are like two peas in a pod together. I used a fat quarter for the front and approx. a 1/2 yard for the back, ruffle and tie. I wouldn't mind having one in my size, perhaps my dinners might even taste a little better ;)

P.S. apparently girliest is not recognized as a word, but that's OK, I am pretty good at using words that don't really exist.

Tutorial Time + GIVEAWAY...CLOSED

Message Board & Calendar Holder Tutorial

Brought to you by The Fabric Market

+

GIVEAWAY

My message board design evolved from the shape and size of salvaged wood I retrieved from a local cabinet maker. I often get long narrow pieces and wanted to come up with something that would hold a calendar and this was it. The elastic band was added for the purpose of holding messages, invitations, and appointment cards.

And now you can make your own with this nifty tutorial.

SUPPLIES
~ wood
(you can use any size that will work with your calendar, mine is 15"w x 4"h)
~ fabric
~ staple gun
~ felt
~ nail
~ glue gun(not pictured)
~ cup hook 1/4"
~ elastic (I use cotton elastic)
~ sawtooth hangers
~ rotary cutter
~ mat
~ quilt ruler
~ pencil
~ decorative embellishment (optional)

This is my decorative embellishment to be added to the front of the elastic band. I made my own flower pattern and cut it from felt and added little pearls for the center, cuteness.

{1}

On one side of your wood piece find the center and mark with a pencil--this will be the bottom of your message board. * You can also mark the back of your wood so you remember which end is the bottom it can come in handy when you add your embellishment to the front.

{2}

Place your nail on your pencil mark and hammer the nail in about 1/4", this hole will be used to screw your cup hook in. *If you are using a really hard wood you may need to drill a pilot hole instead.

{3}

Cut your fabric piece to be approximately 2" larger then your board on all FOUR sides. *This will make your fabric four inches wider and taller. Place your wood centered on your fabric piece. If you are using a repeat patterned fabric like mine, you will want to line your wood evenly with your pattern.

{4}

Pull your fabric over your wood firmly on the center of one side and staple, repeat this to each side.

The center of all four sides stapled should look like the above picture.

{5}

Continue to staple around each side--making sure to pull the fabric tightly while stapling so the fabric is nice and snug to the wood. *You can alternate your sides to keep your pattern even. Your staples should be relatively close together, once you have stapled along each side you will have little flaps of fabric on each corner.

{6}

Taking care of the corners. Pinch the corner fabric together.

{7}

With you corner piece pinched, pull the piece tightly over the top and to the back and staple 2-3 times. It will create a little triangle as shown in the picture above.

{8}

Once all four corners are stapled, cut the excess fabric to reduce bulk on the back.

All cut.

{9}

Add your elastic band by placing it on the back centered and staple multiple times. Pull your elastic band around the front tightly and staple to the opposite side.

Band added.

{9 1/2}

I did not add pen holders to the tutorial message board but they can easily be added after your band is added. Simply cut two elastic piece about 2" long and create a little loop and staple the ends multiple times to the back of your wood. I generally place them about 3-4" from the side. *See the above picture for an example, you can even sew little buttons to the loops if you want.

{10}

With a rotary cutter, ruler and mat cut a felt piece approximately 1/4" smaller than the size of your wood on all FOUR sides. *Your piece will be a 1/2" smaller than the width of your board and 1/2" smaller than the height of your board.

{11}

Using your glue gun run a small bead along the top of your felt and glue to your on all four sides.

{12}

Add your sawtooth hangers to the back.

{13}

Add your embellishment with needle and thread.

{14}

Remember that hole you made with your nail, using the same nail find the hole and puncture the fabric. By using a nail you reduce the chances of the fabric running.

{15}

Screw your cup hook into the hole previously made.

{16}

Find a really great place to hang your new message board and this one is up for grabs!

Here is how to enter to WIN this message board:

1st entry: Leave a comment letting us know how you found our blog.

2nd entry: previous followers or become a new follower, leave a second comment letting us know you are a follower.

The giveaway will CLOSE on 12/13/09 and the winner will be announced on 12/14/09

Winner must confirm within three days or another winner will be announced.
*If an email is left with your comment, we will contact you to let you know you have been selected as a winner.

*Offer available to U.S. and Canada Residents Only