Collecting: Mini Art Buttons

I just love some of the work by the artists on Etsy -- But I really don't have the wall space to fit all of their work! I do collect some ACEOs, but these mini art buttons are also a great way to collect art by these artists. I want them all!First - some bird buttons. I love this vibrant, detailed art by BirdNerd.

Mod - Button Set by BirdNerd

More birds! Clean and modern with wonderful contrasting colors. A surprise selection of 4!
Birdy Badges - Set of four 1 inch buttons by TheIntuitiveGarden

I just had to have these birds! I love her collage work using fabrics, papers, maps, and colored pencil.
(I also bought her coloring pages!)
Mini Art Buttons - Set of 3 by annarubyking

Whimsical drawings by one of my favorites.
Ashley G Button Pack by ashley g

I just adore Ali J's work -- She isn't on Etsy anymore, but I tracked her down!
Into The Night - 1" badge by Ali J.

Eight pins in their own pouch, by the best-seller The Black Apple.
Simple Things Pin Pack by theblackapple

A surprise selection of buttons featuring her sweet dark-haired girls.
Pack of 6 Gorguss Buttons by gorguss

I just discovered this artist, and I love her work! And these sweet pins aren't prints -- they are the real thing!
The Three Sisters - One of a kind handpainted illustration badge set of 3 by peachpatrol

Nut and Bee's illustrations are just so cute, I can hardly stand it!!! I need them all, not just four!
Four 1-inch Buttons of your choice by nutandbee

On My Craft Table: Scarves, Bunting, and a Mystery!

Saturdays are when I usually get a lot of crafting done -- both for my shop, for friends, and for myself. Here's whats on my craft table today:

These are bunting flags that will be made into bunting banners for my shop. They just need to be sewn into the seam binding -- I hope to have them done by next weekend. There are a whole lot of fun new fabrics in this basket of flags! Cherries, cars, moons, some Amy Butler...

I have also been working on some scarves. Some are skinnier, but some are wider like this one. It is made from Heather Bailey fabrics -- they are really bright and bold! I love the ruffle on the end, which was a spur-of-the-moment idea. It is backed with super-soft minky fabric. Look for these in my shop soon too!

Here is a close-up of the scarf -- It isn't quite done yet, it needs to be top stitched around the edge.

And last, a mystery! This is a new idea I had, and it is quite different than anything in my shop right now. I won't give it away yet, but it will be available for custom order in my shop. I am working on samples right now for the photos.

And the winner is...

The sixth person to post, which is Leigh! Congratulations! I will be contacting you via email for your address so I can ship it out to you!

I have more pencil cups available in my shop, if you didn't win and would like to buy one. I'll be uploading more styles throughout the week (once I find my camera battery charger!!)

Check back Monday for another giveaway!

Creative Organizing: Magazines

After crafting and reading, organizing is my third favorite hobby. Yes, hobby -- I will reorganize things that are already organized, and I am constantly searching for the "best" way to organize certain things. Sometimes, I will use an ordinary organizer (today, magazine holders) and add some type of decorative or creative flair to it. Other times I will use something in a new way, and there are even times when I make my own organizer!

Today, we'll start with something ordinary: Magazine holders. They come in all sorts of styles (metal, wood, plastic), but I never could find ones that matched my decor and were affordable. So, I used inexpensive cardboard magazine holders from Ikea and wrapping paper to make my own!


In order to make these, you need:
- cardboard magazine holders from Ikea (they come flat fold, which makes this very simple)
- spray adhesive
- scissors
- wrapping paper (obviously pick a roll or two that matches your decor)


First, lay one of the flat magazine holders on the wrapping paper. The paper should be wide enough to go around the holder, so you need to cut a piece slightly taller than the holder.

Next, (do this outside or on scrap paper) spray the entire outside of the flat magazine holder with spray adhesive (both flattened sides).

Wrap the wrapping paper around the magazine holder. There will be an area that overlaps, you can cut this off or fold it and tuck it under (that is what I did).

Once the spray adhesive is dry, use your scissors to trim the wrapping paper around the edges of the magazine holder. This is easier to do if you "unflatten" the holder (you won't be able to fully assemble the bottom until you trim off the extra wrapping paper). Once it is trimmed, assemble the bottom of the holder by tucking in the flaps. Tada!

I would love to post step-by-step photos, but I am still dealing with limited battery power on my camera and a lost charger. If you have questions, please do ask and I will try to help!

Inspiration Wednesday: Snow

The continually snowy weather here is making me miss living up north (we have another snow day today!)

Our trees look like this, and just a few days ago they were covered in snow.
Boughs and branches silk-lined clutch bag by redrubyrose

I wish I could look this cute when I go out in the snow!
Snowflake Series - Twin Snow note card set of 4 by ouou

Snowy felt and doilies wrapped around a porcelain vase.
White on White Lace Felt and Porcelain VASE by nestingemily

The colors of winter captured in a captivating set of beads.
This winter in New England by Loupiac

Wouldn't this make the coziest scarf? If only I knew how to knit...
Popcorn handspun yarn -65 yards by larimeloom

I would love take a walk in this snow park.
Snow Storm 1 - 8x12 Fine Art Print by janeheller

Sweet little winter bear made from a recycled wool cable knit sweater.
Fenway by chetanddot

I can't resist this bunny photo. I need it!
Bob by aptrick

Tool Tuesday: Thread Nippers

I have dozens of beloved tools and such in my crafting arsenal, and every Tuesday I am going to share my favorites with you. Why? Because you need them, that is why. (Just don't tell your husband/significant other that I am the one who told you that you need them.)

When I started to think of my favorite tool of the moment, there was no hesitation. It was something that I didn't think I needed, but when I did splurge and buy it, I don't know how I ever lived without it. My tool-of-the-moment that I can't live without is my pair of thread nippers. (Just like scissors, these nippers are called "pairs" I believe -- never did quite understand that.)
Now, I know, someone out there is saying, "Jamieson, I can nip my threads with scissors, why do I need thread nippers?" You are going to have to trust me on this -- If you do any amount of sewing, especially with a sewing machine or serger, you need these. I really thought they were a luxury purchase, but once I bought them (erm, they weren't cheap, but I did use a fantastic 40% off coupon to soften the blow to the wallet), I couldn't imagine sewing without them. They are much, much easier to pick up and nip (or snip, if you prefer) a thread with. You can get close to the fabric with much more ease than I was able to do with scissors -- I had already tried using all three sizes of my sewing scissors before getting these handy nippers.
There are several varieties at stores like Jo-Ann's. I went this pair from Gingher -- all of my sewing scissors are from this company, and I like them to be all matchy-matchy. Plus, they all come in these nifty storage tins (see picture)! I tied a striped ribbon around the finger hole on my nippers so that I can find them when they are hiding under fabric while I am sewing.

If anyone else has thread nipper suggestions (other brands?) or, if you have any questions, let me know!

Also, don't forget to check Monday's post to enter the giveaway to win a Robot Pencil Cup!

(Goodness, I almost forgot to mention -- the cute pins in the photo are similar to the ones I saw on Heather Bailey's blog in this post (in the pear pincushion). I have been searching for them for months, and I finally found them at Jo-Ann's! I am working on a matching pincushion to put them in, so for now they are just scattered on my sewing/craft table.)

First Giveaway!!!

The first ever giveaway is for this fun robot pencil cup!!


All you need to do to enter is post a comment and tell me what you will use your pencil cup/storage container for if you win. I will use a random number generator to choose the winner on Friday, February 6th at approximately 9pm EST. Good Luck!!!