(bomobob)

Don’t you just love a good old fashioned carnival?  Oh my gosh the memories I have of anticipating the day we got loaded up in the car and headed to a dream land of rides, games, and FOOD!  Oh my goodness the food.  There is no where else on earth I [...]]]>

(bomobob)

Don’t you just love a good old fashioned carnival?  Oh my gosh the memories I have of anticipating the day we got loaded up in the car and headed to a dream land of rides, games, and FOOD!  Oh my goodness the food.  There is no where else on earth I was allowed to eat so much sugar and fried goodness in a single day.

Cotton Candy…

(applenoggins)

Ice Cream…

(kilsook)

(Hee Hee)

Candy Apples…

(SugarMohawk)

(YUM)

I have to admit I was never much of a roller coaster rider back then mind you.  I preferred the round we go type rides for a bit, but then wanted to be sure we spent plenty of time at the games.  Oh how I wanted that cheap little stuffed whats-it from China.  And I didn’t care if we spent way more than it was worth trying to get it.

(Keepthesugar)

In fact I still don’t…. it’s the pride of winning the dang thing that makes it worth gold.  Gold I tell you.

Yes Ok because what I really wanted more than anything was one of those goldfish!  You know the game I’m talking about… where you toss the little ball into the little cup and then get to take home a forever friend.  Thank goodness Mom always talked me out of that one.  I’m sure he would have been belly side up by the time we got home and I’d have been crushed.  Still, I’d have been ok with one of these too (maybe):

(Amy Gaines)

Growing up in Michigan meant fairs were serious business of course.  I didn’t participate much… but many of my middle school friends were highly involved in 4H , raising their cattle and pigs and goats to be prize winners.

(bouldnart)

(snarkledark)

(bossyfeltworks)

I walked a goat once… on a leash down a gravel road.

There’s a whole chapter in my memoir right there.

One of my favorite rides was what we called the “Swings”… you could leave me on that all day long.

(serpentine)

But the highlight of it all was always the carousel.  Getting to pick just the right horse… being old enough to ride alone….the hypnotic music… hoping upon hope that just this time the man operating the ride would let it go a few more turns to extend the joy…

(tweettheartwallart)

(Lovelyology)

(theblackapple)

Wonderful memories and good times.

Hope you have had a lovely weekend.  Thanks for stopping by today dear friend.

My two greatest loves (oops besides Alan) are merging into this big blob of creative, crafty, sugary, cuteness…. and I’m just way too obsessed by it all.

I’m talking Crafts and Pastry.

It all started with this thing….

It’s  Cricut.

What kind of weird Universe turning in on itself kind of thing is happening lately.

My two greatest loves (oops besides Alan) are merging into this big blob of creative, crafty, sugary, cuteness…. and I’m just way too obsessed by it all.

I’m talking Crafts and Pastry.

It all started with this thing….

It’s  Cricut.

It’s a Cricut Cake.

It cuts fondant for cakes.  Yep.

(that eloquence there would be my brain in overdrive trying to grasp the coolness of it all)

My teeth hurt just thinking about what I’d do with all those ’scraps’ of frosting when I was done.

And then I ran across these adorable little Punkins,

( Coraline Cookies from Bakerella)

Peanut Butter BUTTON cookies.  SHUT UP!  And then she drenches them in chocolate… and I turn into a pile of goo on the keyboard.

These have been a favorite for awhile… the craftsmanship is stellar,

(Knit Night Cupcakes from VeganYumYum)

I mean adorable or what?  I don’t think I could eat them adorable…. ok probably just one (or two).

Of course it goes the other way too… lest you wish to save on calories,

(onenonly88)

The chocolate straws are perfect.

(KnitCrochetBBQ)

Mercy.

(TimeToPlay)

Oh mercy mercy me.

After all that you probably need a little of this though…

(pukashell)

Or actually I should probably go for one of these…

(Shoosha)

Now I want carrot cake….

S’cuse me please… if I don’t tear myself away from this post now there will be issues.

Have a good day friends.

Back with less tempting crafts soon… because we stopped eating actual paste in kindergarden.

But if Mod Podge comes out with cream cheese flavored sealer I am telling you it is OVER.

So thought I’d share some today.

I’m so drawn [...]]]> Hello there friends.  How is your weekend going?  I’ve been glued to computer all day…. I’m just getting so inspired lately by all the wonderful people I’m meeting on Twitter.  From their blogs to their Etsy shops, my goodness I am just in awe of all of them!

So thought I’d share some today.

I’m so drawn to birds lately.   I’m sure half of it is that I’m loooonging for Spring.  Every morning  when I head out the door from work there’s been one little lone birdy singing his heart out in a tree high above our house.  I’ve searched and searched but can never find the little guy… I can only hear his sweet song beckoning to the sunshine to melt away all this snow so he can come down and play.

I’ll imagine he looks like this one:

(MaiAutum)

A little lonely but determined to feel the green grass between his toes (and finally yank a worm or two out of the ground).

This one below is a little annoyed that “Happy Go Lucky” up there won’t shut up…. but he’s probably also suffering from a case of the Winter blues.

(AmberAlexander)

These would all be lovely additions to my craft stash and I’m very tempted!

(whitefluffdesigns)

(Scraps Of Time)

(Buttons By Robin)

These all make me want to take them home and love them forever:

(BubbleTime)

(Buttercupbloom)

(Fliepsebieps)

And I’m just so in love with these:

(Ninjagrl)

(PS Its In the Details)

(Fix Design)

So what’s inspiring you this weekend?  Any big crafty plans?  Let me know so I can stop by your blog and spread some love.   I’m working on my next review for Craft Critique and hope to get a little creative time in on some other projects too.

Thanks for stopping by today, and see you soon.

Because it was Valentine’s Day and I’m still feeling a little lovey dovey.

It’s very likely that’s from the leftover chocolate hanging around this house which Alan normally keeps well stocked but we have a plethora of thanks to the holiday.

Yep, I’m a very lucky girl.

I’m not just talking [...]]]> I’m going to get mushy for a bit.

Because it was Valentine’s Day and I’m still feeling a little lovey dovey.

It’s very likely that’s from the leftover chocolate hanging around this house which Alan normally keeps well stocked but we have a plethora of thanks to the holiday.

Yep, I’m a very lucky girl.

I’m not just talking about he treats me well, he gives me space when I need it, blad-de blah-de blah.

When Alan and I fell in love it was during a show in college called Cyrano De Bergerac.  He played Cyrano and I played something like “Girl #2″.  But he noticed me.  And boy did I ever notice him.   Seriously, though, how can a gal not fall for a romantic swashbuckler yielding a sword every night.

Don’t go to the wrong place with that one….see, swords:

It wasn’t that was it and we were together ever since of course.  I personally don’t think any couple can be together without one major fight and break up during the course of knowing each other.  You have to really understand what it would be like without the other, accept them for their faults, and then come together again stronger and for the better.

But through it all and a long distance relationship for almost 2 years,  I always stayed in love with my Cyrano.

See… mush.

Good grief  how on Earth did I  find someone who:

Is a fellow creative soul that understands what it means to need that time to create.

That laughs and gets exactly what I mean when I pull out a random Star Trek quote.

That not only gets along with but loves my Mom – seriously they have one of the best in-law relationships ever.  They read the same books that I have absolutely no interest in at all.

That can be a guy’s guy but also has a vast knowledge of musical theatre thanks to his acting background.  I mean c’mon… that’s a crazy find.  And he can SING by the way.

Gosh I could go on and on.

But as much as I can question it, I guess really,  I’m just plain lucky in love.

Digital Layout made with Leah’s Victorian Valentine Mini Kit.

And I’m going to take that over hitting the lottery any day.

Gush gush mush.

Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.  I’m in the mood to create – hope to share some fun things this week.

XOX

Jess

It’s a good mix most Sundays… he plays, and I play.  We go together well like that.

I’m getting in the Valentine’s mood and pulled out some felt to see what came of it.  [...]]]> Hello there!  How was your weekend? I mostly goofed around while Alan immersed himself in Assassins Creed 2 on Playstation 3.

It’s a good mix most Sundays… he plays, and I play.  We go together well like that.

I’m getting in the Valentine’s mood and pulled out some felt to see what came of it.  I ended up making several of these cute little puffy hearts.  They are so super easy, you can whip some out well in time for the big love fest day too.

All you need:

• Felt in your favorite colors – be it traditional Valentine’s or otherwise.
• Embroidery thread and needle.
• Stuff to make them puff… filler, scrap felt, dryer lint… you get the idea.
• Scissors

Step 1:  Start by cutting out several in whatever shapes and sizes you see fit.

The only requirement is that you need the fronts and backs to be pretty much the same size for sewing together.  But they really don’t need to be perfect.  A quick trick for doing so, is to fold your piece of felt into 4’s, and then making sure you cut along the folds, cut out half a heart shape.  Then when you unfold what you have cut out you have two pretty much the same size hearts to sew together.

Step 2:  Sew the majority of the front and back of each piece together using embroidery thread.  Do so by simply sewing around the edges.  Start your first stitch on the inside of the front piece so you can hide the knot inside the heart.

Step 3:  Before you completely sew the whole piece together… leave a little room to stuff each heart.

Franken-heart.  heh heh heh.

Once your heart is stuffed, finish up your stitching, and your done!  Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Now, what to do with all these little cuties?

I made a magnet with mine:

To do so, hot glue to a piece of cardboard in whatever configuration you like, and then attach a magnet (hot glue works fine for that too) to the back of that piece of cardboard.  Voila… your fridge is feelin’ the love.

Other ideas:

• Use as a scrapbook page embellishment (you may want to fill a little less so they aren’t as bulky).
• Fill with potpourri and use as a sachet.
• Attach a ribbon to the top and use as an ornament for a Valentine tree.
• Hot glue to a circle of corrugated cardboard and make a wreath.
• Hand out a few to each family member and place an empty clear jar in a central location in your house for all to see.  Each time someone tells another a reason they love them they get to drop a heart into the jar.  Make it a goal that the jar is full of ‘love’ by Valentine’s Day in which case everyone gets a special treat.
• Keep a few to pass out to those that need a little love, just because.  I can guarantee they’ll keep it in their pocket all day and smile.
• Fill with Cat Nip and become your feline friend’s favorite person EVER. (I may have to do that next).

You can of course use this basic crafty ‘recipe’ for so many other little puffy felt items too.  Think flowers, butterflies, stars, you name it!  Just cut out two basic shapes and get to stitchin’ and stuffin’.

Thanks for stopping by today…hoping for more lovey projects to come soon!

Or at least chocolate… by God there will be chocolate.

]]> http://www.the-craftycafe.com/inspiration/puffy-felt-hearts-1-2-3-and-what-to-do-with-them/feed 5 http://www.the-craftycafe.com/craft-critique/announcing-craftycon http://www.the-craftycafe.com/craft-critique/announcing-craftycon#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:45:10 +0000 Jess http://www.the-craftycafe.com/?p=1384

Here on this blog… because if you’re a crafter who Tweets or Facebooks you’ve probably already heard about it.

I’m so excited to share though (in case you haven’t) about this fantastic conference for Crafters BY Crafters which will be held in Chicago (my home base) October 21-23.    This unique get [...]]]>

Here on this blog… because if you’re a crafter who Tweets or Facebooks you’ve probably already heard about it.

I’m so excited to share though (in case you haven’t) about this fantastic conference for Crafters BY Crafters which will be held in Chicago (my home base) October 21-23.    This unique get together for professional crafters (or those that dream of being one) is put together in part by the editorial team at Craft Critique, so I’m a little partial to saying I know it will be a blast.  And you can bet I’ll be there!

So, how can you get involved?  Click the logo above to be taken to the website where you should sign up for notifications that registration is open and more.  Currently there’s a call for speakers too, and I know there have already be some A-mazing submissions.

Next, follow along on Twitter here:  @crafty_con

And become a fan on Facebook here:  CraftyCon Fan Page

I’m so excited just thinking about all the amazing crafty minds that will be there to network and share ideas.  Seriously, from what a little bird has told me…. this is going to be AWESOME.  I’ll of course share more as I learn more (and can), but in the mean time go on and sign up for those updates. Yay!

Now back to your regularly scheduled craftiness… what’cha doing this weekend?  Something creative I hope.  Nothing helps cut through these winter blues like splashing some color around a scrapbook page or canvas.  I’ll be here this weekend posting some fun projects – I’ve got the itch to get some crafty on!

Thanks for stopping by today, and see you soon!

(And Happy Friday – you made it!!  Woot!)

Mwah.

When you’re making art that speaks to YOU.

When you sit down to create and just pull things together that you love, be it color combos, patterns, whether it’s “in” or “out”.

When you decide a ball cap and sweats is as ‘chic’ as you’re going to dress today.

Or tomorrow.

When you order an appetizer [...]]]> When you’re being yourself.

When you’re making art that speaks to YOU.

When you sit down to create and just pull things together that you love, be it color combos, patterns, whether it’s “in” or “out”.

When you decide a ball cap and sweats is as ‘chic’ as you’re going to dress today.

Or tomorrow.

When you order an appetizer and a dessert (and a glass of wine… or two).

When you get a little off schedule.

When you disagree, strongly or just a little bit.

When you agree with the unpopular choice.

Don’t ever start a sentence with an “I’m sorry but….”

Because life is really too short for “I’m sorry’s” when it comes to just being who you are.

And the people that matter would never expect you to apologize for what they love about you.

And anyone else can simply get over it.

And if they can’t they should apologize to you.

To which you can answer with a “That’s Ok”…

And walk away with your head held high.

Knowing you grew just a little bit more as a person for doing so,

And left them wishing they could make no apologies too.

Created with Leah’s No Apologie Kit available at Funky Playground Designs.

Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend…. full of stuff you do for you.

XOX – see you soon.

Jess

Created with Leah’s portion of  the Bling in the New Year colab kit at Funky Playground Designs.

Well hello there.

How have you been my friend?

It’s been quite awhile from me I know, and I cannot thank those of you who keep clicking over to see if I’m here.  You push and [...]]]>

Created with Leah’s portion of  the Bling in the New Year colab kit at Funky Playground Designs.

Well hello there.

How have you been my friend?

It’s been quite awhile from me I know, and I cannot thank those of you who keep clicking over to see if I’m here.  You push and inspire me to get back to it more than you know!

I’ve been out of my crafty zone and mind-set while I went through some changes at ye olde day job that sapped a lot of my creative mojo… good changes that led to a promotion, but it took lots of time and effort to get there.  But now it is set, I am UBER blessed, and ready to get back to it!

So rather than ramble at you let’s do a super quick catch-up shall we?  Cause good friends like us can do that.

In October Alan and I celebrated our 8th anniversary with an amazing trip to Stratford, Ontario to immerse ourselves in amazing theatre.  We saw an 6 shows in 5 days.  It was perfect for us.

In November, Thanksgiving flew by.  (Turkeys can fly right?)  But I kept up on a few crafty things here and there.  Here’s my favorite layout from that month designed for Leah’s team:

Created with the super cute Vintage Thankful Kit.

And I completed a glass etching review for Craft Critique that was full of more messes than successes… (Armour Glass Etching Kit Review), but the comments from the other great crafters that have tried this product and love it have inspired me to try it again.  Someday-ish.

And then December – where in the heck did December go?!  Confession time – our tree is still up.  It has been un-decorated (cept one Superman ornament left hanging to remind us we need to replace a bulb in that spot before bagging it up…), but it’s there.  Was Santa good to you?  He was amazing to me.  In fact he read this article on Craft Critique and my stocking was full of Stickles… go figure.

I continued having a wonderful time with Leah’s digital kits.  Honestly if it wasn’t for her Creative Team I might not have done anything these past months.  Geez!  Here’s one that makes me hungry,

Created with the rightly named Christmas Cookies Kit.

And finally, here we are in January.  January 2010.

A new year.

A new decade.

Wow.

Let’s make this one the absolute best shall we?

I mean, I know we always say that.  This this will be the year “I”…. blank.

Shake off all the promises to yourself, and the promises to others.  If you’ve already not done every day what you swore you would, I’ve got news for you….

No one cares but you.

So get over it, and make 2010 the best by just living every day the best way you can.

And try to create a little something every day too.

I WILL be around, I promise.  I’ve decided that to get back into the groove I’m going to take a class from the girl that never fails to inspire me to live creatively.  And as the icing on the cake my ‘buddy’ for the class will be one that never fails to get me motivated too.  (Love you both!!)  So you’ll be seeing lots of projects from me.  It’s time I re-prioritize my creativity.

Thank you again to you my friends, and I hope the first bit of 2010 has found you well, motivated, and ready for a year of YOU.

Thanks for stopping by today, and see you very, very soon.

XOXO

Jess

XOX