Friday 5 - Bloody Halloween

TGIF!
This weekend is Halloween and in honor of one of my favorite holidays, this Friday 5 is all about All Hallow's Eve. So get your costumes ready and grab yourself some candy, cus it's time for the Friday 5!

First, we have an awesome zipper pouch from kukubee. This pouch is perfectly cute and creepy and sure to get comments whenever you use it!








Next, we have a super cute stuffed skull bat from MyViciousBoutique. I'm in love with this handmade stuffie! Check out her shop for other adorable stuffies!







I ADORE bats, so when I saw this hip, modern print, I just loved it. Check out ialbert's shop for more cool modern art prints!













Next, we have this totally gore-rific tie from au16670. This tie is the perfect addition to any costume, or to add the perfect touch to your Halloween work waredrobe!













And last, but certainly not least, we have this amazing, one of a kind leather journal from immortallongings. This journal is truly a work of art, with it's beautifully deatailed illustration and macbre spatterings of blood. Gorgeous!



Thanks to all the Etsy-ians out there whose hard work and craftiness make my Friday 5 possible. Keep crafting and have a spooky, safe Halloween!

Cute Japanese Printable Stationary!

I stumbled across some super kawaii Japanese stationary today, and thought I'd share it with all of you!

Just go to KF Studios, and you'll find a wonderful array of cute paper goods you can downlaod in PDF form and print out for free!

If the Japanese scares you, you can just follow these links here.

Calenders
Kids Study Aids (also great for studying your Japanese!)
Kids Moji (little letter charts for learning Japanese letters)
Schedule (to do lists and schedule things)
Memo
Letters
Envelopes
Fax

Happy Crafting!

Weekend Project Time!

I always look forward to the weekends, because that's usually when I'm free to craft my little heart out. Sometimes though, my crafty plans are foiled due to CRAFT BLOCK!

Any seasoned crafter is well familiar with this horrid affliction with symptoms ranging from staring at your crafting tools blankly to craft fail, in which you attempt to craft something onl to end in often laughable results.

But FEAR NOT! I am here to help. ^_^

I have been searching the net diligently to bring you some wonderful new projects to keep you busy and inspired. And if you can't get to them this weekend, I find that keeping a book of projects I've seen and wanted to try around really helps combat the craft block.

For this week, I'm featuring projects using everyday items you have laying around the house. Hope they inspire you!

Pop Flower Magnets for Recycled Cans from 10th Muse Studio
Recycled Matchbox 'Chest of Drawers' from PlaidOnline.com
CD Case Wall Art and Paper Vases from Country Living
Christmas Ornament from Puzzle Pieces from Family Crafts

Happy Crafting!
~TPE

Christmas Ornaments from Scrap Cloth Tutorial

Today I thought I'd share a great tutorial for making Christmas ornaments. This is a simple, fun project, and a great way to use up scrap fabric.

You'll need:

• A Styrofoam ball (I like the smaller ones, but you can use any size really. )
• Scrap fabric, or Quick Cut squares (I buy the Quick Cuts at Walmart for $1)
• A toothpick (or two, if you keep losing them like I do)
• Pearl headed pins (pins with the little round balls at the top)
• Ribbon for hanging
• scissors

First, take your scrap fabric and cut into long, strips. Don't worry if it's not straight. Next, cut those strips into about 1"x1' squares.


Now, take your Styrofoam ball. If you want to make a design on your ornament, draw it on your ball with a marker. Keep in mind that you'll need a simple design, like stripes, to make it come out. If you'd like just a solid ball, go ahead and skip this step.

Take a square of fabric and lay it on your ball. Push your toothpick down through the center of the fabric square and deep into the foam ball. I find a blunt-ended toothpick works best. You can achieve this by snipping off the pointed end of your toothpick with your scissors. Make sure to push the fabric in fairly deep, as this will assure it stays in place.

Keep repeating this, adding more fabric squares to your ball, until the whole balls is covered.

Once your ball is completely covered, it's time to add the hanger! Take your ribbon and measure off a loop big enough for your ornament to hang by. Taking your pin, push it through the ends of the loop and then push the pin into the top of your Styrofoam ball. I find pushing it in an a slight angle helps to keep the pin in place.

That's it, you're done! Now go and hang your new ornament on your tree, or give it to someone special to enjoy. ^_^


Happy Crafting!
~TPE

How To Make An Inexpensive Light-Box

Every good Etsy-ian knows that good photos can mean the difference between making sales or not. Even the best items can flop with a bad photo. But how do you get good photos?

One technique is to put your items in a light box. This will give your items plenty of light and produce a crisp white background, letting your items stand out and really be shown clearly to your potential buyers.

A good friend of mine showed me a great way to make your own inexpensive light box, and I knew I had to share it with everyone! You can find the tutorial here.

Weekend Project Time!

Okay, so it's a little late, but I spent yesterday meeting a friend from my boyfriend's work. We out out to see Zombieland. If you haven't seen this movie yet, GO. NOW.

This movie is hilarious! It combines a wry wit and sarcasm with the perfect blend of suspense and gore to keep die hard zombie fans happy. Even if you're not a huge fan of zombies, the great acting and comedic stylings of the awesome cast will keep you well entertained. This is definitely a must see and, in my opinion, a must own when it hits selves. ^_^

But, on with what you're really here for, the weekend craft round-up!

This week, it's paper beads. This is a great way to use up all that scrap paper, or to recycle old newspapers and magazines. I have lots of new ways of making paper beads, and the possibilities are endless!

First, I have a great tutorial on how to make your basic, rolled paper bead. It even has some great ideas on embellishing them to add a little more pizazz. Also, check out the author's website at Hodous.com for some amazing beaded art.






Next, I have a really cool take on paper beads from Folding Trees. Called paper pod beads, this is a really unique way to make paper beads, and can be done with almost any symetrical shape. I made mine with rings, creating a 'gyroscope' shape, and I have a TON of ideas on other shapes to try. You can find the tutorial here.




How about a way to use up those old newspapers? This project will have you stealing your neighbors paper, or maybe just buying Sunday papers in bulk, lol. I'm totally addicted to this project! Gorgeous, eco-friendly beads, you'd never guess they were so easy! Find the tutorial here at A Storybook Life.







Happy crafting!

~TPE

Friday Favorites: Autumn

Yay! It's Friday, and that means the start of the weekend and Friday Favorites! This week, I have some wonderful fall inspired items to get you in the mood. So cuddle up with a nice blanket, a mug of hot cocoa and settle in for some great Etsy fall finds. ^_^

First up, we have a wonderfully whimsical print by cathynichols. I love the simple design and great use of color. Check out her shop for even more beautiful artwork.

Next, we have a truly unique pendant by extratoppings. I love this seller's shop! Her jewelry is made from fabric and other textiles, and wire. What a creative way to sew! Check her out and snag some awesome additions for your jewelry collection.

Why not be cozy and cute in this adorable shrug by starpompon? Wonderfully vintage inspired and the perfect colors for fall. Love it!

Why not add a soft, vintage inspired hat to your fall waredrobe? This hand-crocheted hat by crochetbylorileigh is sure to be just right. This seller's shop is full of amazing hats and other crocheted items, so head on over and check her out!

And for all you sellers out there, how about these tags by DingbatPress to add a splash of fall to your outgoing orders? Their shop is FULL of great paper items.

Well, this has been my Friday 5. A big thanks to all of the Etsysians out there whose hard work and craftiness make this possible. Please drop on by and if you can't cart 'em, heart 'em! ^_^

As always, Happy crafting!
~TPE

I haven't died....I swear!

Alas, I have been horribly neglectful to my poor little corner of the Blogosphere, but not without reason.

(Warning, personal crap to follow.)

I have been struggling with my health and dealing with a lot of stress from my very demanding course load for this semester. Unfortunately, my health had to take priority, and I had to make the difficult decision to take the semester off from school. On the bright side, that means I get to work on my blog and my Etsy a lot more! :D

I will be adding new things to my Etsy either later today or tomorrow, and have some exciting new products about to hit my shop's virtual shelves. I will be adding bangles, earrings, and other accesories, all done with paper. I'm decoupaging, folding up origami, and have even started paper stitching and quilling. I'm also now offering up customized buisness card sets.

Of course, I will still be crafting my usual; tags and origami a plenty. ^_^

In other news, I will soon be debuting my new Etsy shop, 1ThousandWordsorMore! I will be selling my photography and prints there, so please keep an eye out for more updates as to that.

Happy crafting!
~TPE