Monday, February 28, 2011

Bathroom Organizer into Business Supply Holder

I love finding things to make my life a little more organized.  I feel like I'm in heaven at Container Store because I have all these visions of organization!  I was at Wal Mart the other day picking up some new switchplate covers for our bathroom when I saw this little Bathroom Organizer and thought how perfect it would be to organize all my Business Supplies on my Packaging Table.  I love finding little treasures like this, don't you!?  I saw some colorful ones the other day at Target and I was thinking of picking a couple up and using them to organize some jewelry on my dresser. 


Sunday, February 27, 2011

Dollar Store Craft

You will want to run to the nearest Dollar store after you see this craft!  It was the easiest project but the payoff was Huge!  You will need Candle Stick Holders, E6000 Glue, and Clear Cylinders--the cylinders and candle sticks came from the Dollar store but the glue had to be purchased at Michael's.  This whole project cost about $10.00. 
Candle Sticks and Glass Cylinders

I wanted to fill my jars with beans and peas but you could just
put some candles  in them or fill with coffee beans, flowers, etc.  Many uses!

I couldn't photograph and glue at the same time but you take your E4000 glue
 and spread it around the rim of the candle stick (the small end).
  Turn your glass upside down and stick the candle stick in the center of the glass. 
The glue will allow you to slide it around a little so you can get it right in the center. Take a paper towel and wipe the excess glue off.

I stacked books and the bags of beans on top of them
and let them dry overnight.

Here are the ones I did that are graduating sizes.

Here are the four I did that are all the same size.

Get ready to pour in the beans.

Just a few spilled beans--it was inevitable I guess.

Here are the three different sizes filled up with the beans. 
Notice my blue Gurgling Fish Pitcher?  Love!  It is a great conversation piece.

It's ok, you don't have to tell me how great these look

Three of the same size across the dining room table.


Now, grab your keys and run to the nearest Dollar Store.

Linking Up Here:
http://www.pollywantacrafter.com/
http://www.dittledattle.blogspot.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
http://www.thegirlcreative.com/2011/02/just-something-i-whipped-upand.html
http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/
http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/
http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/
http://madincrafts.blogspot.com/
http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
http://www.beckieandbrad.blogspot.com/
http://www.tipjunkie.com/handmade-projects-crafts/
http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://www.thegypsyscorner.com/
http://craftedition.blogspot.com/
http://www.abcand123learning.com/
http://www.happyhappyhousewife.blogspot.com/
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://wearethatfamily.com/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://www.mybackyardeden.com/
http://womenwhodoitall.blogspot.com/
http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/
http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/
http://www.yesterdayontuesday.com/
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/
http://www.504main.com/
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
http://www.remodelaholic.com/
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/
http://tidymom.net/2011/decorated-cookies-and-online-cooking-class/
http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/
http://www.smartandtrendymoms.com/2011/03/social-parade-follow-on-friday-34-blog.html
http://kojodesigns.blogspot.com/
http://www.chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/
http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/
http://www.yesterdayontuesday.com/
http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2011/03/weekend-wrap-party-and-little-birdie.html
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
http://simplydesigning.blogspot.com/2011/03/simply-link-party.html
http://www.soyouthinkyourecrafty.com/
http://www.wmcraftgoodies.blogspot.com/
http://www.whipperberry.com/
http://youngancrafty.blogspot.com/
http://serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/

DIY Club

Twine...Twine...Twine

Everywhere you look you see Baker's Twine nowadays and I love it!  Twine and Washi Tape make everything look better, don't you think?  I know I do!  I ordered two rolls of twine from Bella Creationz and they arrived yesterday.  The stamp she puts on the outside of the package is too cute not to share!


My Twine from Bella Creationz

Saturday, February 26, 2011

New Card Design and Photo Setup

I got a new camera a few weeks ago and have been playing with it all the time.  I just love it!  I was supposed to take a class last week but due to the lovely Flu bug that didn't happen.  Taking photos for my Etsy shop really is the bane of my existence because I never feel pleased with the end product . I used to have to take all my photos outside because my previous camera just didn't do a great job in the house.  Now I am able to do indoor pictures, so that is a big help--no more chasing cards all over my yard when the wind blows.  Of course my neighbors won't have any entertainment now...oh well.  I know many of you have Etsy shops and have to do photos so I thought I'd share my little "Photo Setup" that is working out really well. 

I stole one of my husband's white t-shirts and clipped it to the slat of the blinds with a couple clips.  I then open the blinds to the right angle to allow light in and instantly I have a little photo "booth".  The white cloth helps filter the light to soften the pictures. 

Here is the new card design I photographed using this technique:
The color inspiration for this card came from the new Vera Bradley 
print-Boysenberry, as shown below.

It is still important to get the right lighting--late afternoon is best in this spot of my house. 
My friend Jennifer at Delightfully Noted has a great idea to use a white box to photograph your items in.  Love that idea too!

  Good luck with your pictures!

How do you photograph your items for Etsy?

Coming Soon...

Do you love Cookies?  I mean, who doesn't right?  Well, I love baking cookies and sharing the yummy recipes so I am starting a new Weekly Post called COOKIE TIME TUESDAY!  I hope you will join in on all the fun and share your recipes too!


Come back every Tuesday for some scrumptious recipes--I will let you know if the end result was good, bad or ugly.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Blogging Cards

I was scrolling through The Blog Guidebook and found their Blogging Cards.  What a genius idea this is!  I hand out my business cards frequently and my blog is mentioned on them but these cards really draw your attention to visiting your blog.  I think their designs are great but I wanted to create my own using my business colors and fonts, so this is what I created:
If you are a blogger you really must visit The Blog Guidebook.  They are an amazing site and you can register your blog in the category it fits under.  I just love all their tips and ideas to help bloggers.
What are your tips for increasing your blog traffic?

Fun Friday Finds-Honeysuckle

Pantone says that Honeysuckle is the Color of 2011!  Today's Fun Friday Finds is dedicated to Honeysuckle and Etsy.  Every item on this list is from an Etsy seller--read this post and then run over to Etsy and support a small business today by making a purchase.  There are so many amazing products sold on Etsy and these were just a handful of items that matched the Honeysuckle theme for today's post.
1.  Honeysuckle Lip and Cheek Color @ Erzulie Cosmetics
2. Rustic Birdhouse @ Bacon Square Farm 
3. Supersoft Scarf @ Solarwood7222
4.  Mini Chalkboard @ The Door Stop
5.  Honeysuckle Soap @ Joans Gardens
6.  Vintage Hat @ Bonnies Knitting
7.  Key Fob @ Sew Gracious
8.  Honeysuckle Mineral Eyeshadow @ Orglamix
9.  Blown Glass Vase @ Wolf Art Glass
10. Pink Jade Earrings @ MofunkDesigns
11.  Digital Scrapbook Paper @ Photodesignz
BONUS!!
PhotoDesignz has been nice enough to offer Itsy Bitsy Paper's readers a Digital Freebie
This is the Freebie
You can download one Digital Paper from the above Featured Paper Pack.  Click HERE!  Thank you so much, Lori at PhotoDesignz.

What is your favorite Honeysuckle item this season? 

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

To Do List Download

I am a paper freak...that explains my business right?  I wanted to create a basket of notes for all my little lists that I keep.  Awhile back a customer asked me to create a notepad using a specific card design.  I haven't added notepads to my collection yet but when I came up with this {to do list} I used one of my notecard designs for my inspiration.  I wanted to share it with you.  You can download it HERE.  Feel free to share the link so others can enjoy it too.
Notecard I used for inspiration--available HERE

I also created a little "basket" out of an old perfume package--I think it was Lancome Tresor and it was what the lotion and perfume came in.  I cut off the top and then used my zebra printed duck tape and covered the box with it.  Is there anything duck tape doesn't fix?  I then tied a piece of baker's twine around the box and instantly had a cute spot to keep the paper.

I put together a few sheets and tied them together with twine.  I just punched a hole in the upper left corner and threaded the twine through it and instant notepad.

What a great gift you could create with this download!
Print the design.
I used this download because I precut my paper to 4.25x5.5 before I printed them.  


Covered my box with patterned duck tape

Added a strand of twine and stuck my paper in

Here is the option with just the hole punch and a piece of twine tying them together.



How are you using yours?  Please share!

Linking Up Here:

Monday, February 21, 2011

No Fail Chocolate Chip Cookies

Doesn't everyone love chocolate chip cookies?  Doesn't everyone want them to turn out perfect when they are homemade?  Well, for years I've been making this recipe and love it--they are always perfect.  When I use the recipe from the chocolate chip package they never turn out great but with this recipe they are no fail in my opinion.

YOU WILL NEED:
2 1/4 Cup Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 Cup Margarine (Use Blue Bonnet for best results)
1/4 Cup Sugar
3/4 Brown Sugar
1 Small Package Vanilla Instant Pudding (the key to this recipe)
1 tsp Vanilla
2 Eggs
1 Bag of Milk Chocolate or Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
Preheat over to 350 degrees

Mix flour and baking soda in a small bowl and set aside.
Combine softened margarine, sugars, pudding mix and vanilla.  Mix well with electric mixer.  Add eggs one at a time.  Slowly mix in the flour mixture.  Add chocolate chips and combine.

Drop by spoonfuls on a Silpat mat or Parchment Paper lined baking sheet.  Bake for 7 to 10 minutes.
Gather up your ingredients

Mix sugars, margarine, pudding mix and vanilla

Add one egg at a time and mix

Slowly add your flour mixture to the bowl

Mix in your chocolate chips

Drop by spoonfuls on your Silpat or Parchment Paper lined baking sheet

Yummo--fresh from the oven!

Do you have an amazing cookie recipe?  Please share!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

St. Patrick's Day Art Download

I wanted to share my St. Patty's Day artwork with you.  I love how you can take a simple frame and dress it up and instantly have a cute piece of art to put on display.  You can download yours HERE.  Make sure you share the link with others so they can enjoy it too.

Gather up a 5x7 Frame and some ebellishments
Download your art HERE

Put the artwork in the frame
Place your embellishments around the frame before you glue them down
Add glue dots or hot glue to the pieces you are adding to fancy up your frame
Add the bow to the corner of the frame
There you go...easy as pie!

Please share your finished project! 
I would love to see.
Linking up here: