Handmade Valentine Cards

Love is definitely alive and well in Bloggerville!

Handmade cards have become very popular and so much more personal and special than a store bought card. There are many resources for graphics and tutorials on the internet.  Besides, a little imagination goes a long way with stuff you have in your craft stash.  Your card doesn't have to be made with expensive die cuts, card stock and stuff you have to go out and buy . . . that is up to you!

Here are some examples of what some crafty crafters are coming up with in Bloggerville for some inspiration . . .

http://theautocrathaley.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentines-day-cards.html

http://dancingintherainjb.blogspot.com/2011/12/bouquet-of-love.html

http://polkacabana.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/cheery-lynn-designs-tuesday/

http://scrappinonashoestring.blogspot.com/2012/01/it-dont-mean-thing.html

Happy Valentine crafting!

Valentine Soap Idea

What an awesome idea for Valentine's Day!

Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom is one of my favorite crafty blogs.  She created these cute one-time use soaps in the shape of conversation hearts for Valentine's Day.  Cute and clever!

Use this technique for any occasion or holiday.  I'd love to make some in a retro flower design for every day use.  They can be color coordinated to match your decor . . . or how about matching a repeated pattern?  The possibilities are as endless as your imagination!

Click here for the tutorial :)

Heart Pillow ~ Faux Chenille Technique

Faux chenille is one of my favorite applique techniques!  

Back when I designed shirts and jackets for my boutique, I used denim with great results.  I've thought of experimenting with the combination of rag quilting and applique for a bedspread using this method with denim.

By the way, did you know you can strip the color out of denim and dye it?  It is a very versatile and sturdy material . . . my favorite for these type of sewing projects . . . great for purses and tote bags.

This heart pillow is a cute gift or decorating idea for Valentine's Day :)  

Click here for the tutorial from the blog Ameroonie Designs.

Heart Shaped Pot Holders

Another project for Valentine's Day!

 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia shared the pattern for Heart Shaped Potholders from the book Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing & Fabric Crafts with readers of The Purl Bee.  

Click here for the tutorial.

Heart Applique Dishtowels

Time to get ready for Valentine's Day!

Aren't these cute dishtowels?

Don't stop with dishtowels!  I can see a tablescape with placemats and napkins to match, using red plates.  How about towels for the bathroom?

I'm needing to get my sewing area organized and in working order so I can make all the stuff I get inspired to make from the creative bloggers out there.

Click here for the tutorial from the awesome blog Skip To My Lou. 

Check out the rest of the blog while you are there!

Vintage Jewelry Mirror

Although I have been taking a break from buying and selling vintage jewelry, collecting it remains one of my passions.  Since I have boxes and boxes of inventory and more boxes of mismatched or broken jewelry, I'm always searching for awesome projects and ideas to recycle them or redesigning into another piece of jewelry.  This project is the most awesome I have seen in a very long time!

Georgia Peachez is a blog about an artful life . . . and the passion for rummaging thrift sales, flea markets and garage sales and repurposing those items into something awesome to feather her nest or resell.  If this is your "thing", you will LOVE this blog!  I kinda got lost there for quite some time and didn't even scratch the surface.  It is definitely one of my new favorite blogs . . . what an inspiration!

Click here for her blog post that includes the vintage jewelry mirror with lots of photos of the transition from plain to fabulous.


UPDATE:

Since I published this post the Georgia Peachez link no longer exists for the jeweled mirror.  I hate when awesome blogs disappear!

I did find a general link for a jeweled mirror tutorial on wikiHow, click here.

Pink and Grey Eye Makeup

Love this color combination!  

I've used this color combination, but not in this order . . . must try!

Click here for the tutorial from Nerdy Girl Makeup . . . awesome blog :)