September Blog Hop

This month's challenge is to find a new way to use the things that we normally throw away when we get our brilliant PTI packages. I decided to utilize a few different things: the tissue paper, the box everything comes in, and the bags from the Vintage Buttons. I always keep the tissue paper but I used them differently for my project. I actually did two different projects and am now hoarding boxes, paper, and things that used to be considered "trash".

For my first project, I made some napkin holders by using my Nestabilities to cut the ring and then twisted up my tissue paper to tie it together like ribbon. I had picked up the Christmas bulbs at Michael's in the $1 section for this year's Christmas stuff. I wanted to make the napkin rings so that it could be at anyone's seat so I didn't stamp names but rather phrases from Signature Christmas (LOVE Dawn's handwritting!!!). Also, used the great stocking and flocked the top of each one. These were hard to photograph, that's for sure!

A little closer:

Even closer:


My second project is my favorite and will be such an easy gift to put together for those last-minute gifts that we all know we have to put together two days before Christmas. I used the Nestabilities Labels 1 and the great stamps to make a cover for the button bag. I also made a little card for each set and then an ornament to go inside the bag. I used my Nestabilities to cut the background square and hand-cut around the tree that I stamped from the new PTI set. I decided to get out my embroidery floss and stitch the lines on the tree and added some sweet buttons.

Here are the ones I was able to make. From this order, I now have three little Christmas gifts and I'll know what to do with those bags. I think you could fill them with candy for Halloween or Easter. You could even do a little felted heart for Valentine's Day.


One complete set:

Close up of the embroidery (So fun!):


If I left out any details or you have any questions let me know!

Have a great time at the Blog Hop...I can't wait to go check out what everyone did with their "trash". Check out Papertrey Ink and their message board for the other blogs!

New Blog Look

I decided to change the look of my blog and with a little help with Photoshop, I'm pretty happy with the results. I got the header and page layout free from Shabby Blogs and then changed the header in Photoshop to make it look a bit more shabby.

I'm wondering what I can do to get more feedback and/or comments on the blog. Does anyone have any ideas?

I'd like to start including posts for my other hobbies, as I'm spending a lot more time knitting and finding other crafts that I enjoy. I went to a teddy bear workshop this past weekend and as soon as I make one more addition to my bear, I'll post her. I need help on naming her too so maybe we'll do a little blog candy. Just look for a post in the next few days.

At the teddy bear workshop, I was able to meet some of the most amazing women and had such an inspiring day out in the middle of nowhere. We laughed, stitched, and stuffed bears all day Saturday. It was a brilliant day. I was even able to sell some of my cards and it made me feel good about my cards because all of the ladies were really impressed with them. Sometimes in the blog world, I get caught up with the fact that there aren't any comments but yet I see that people visit. I've decided a long time ago that I know in my heart that I enjoy my hobbies and I appreciate comments but I don't have to have them to make me feel like my work is good.

Well, off to enjoy the last couple of hours of a three day weekend and it's back to teaching Spanish to 125 high schoolers. I can't believe we've already been in school for a full month and that it's my sixth year of teaching.