I'm Back at Blogging

It's been a rough few months, I'm going to school full time now, raising two growing boys and running a business. I've wanted to blog but I can't ever seem to find the time. I'm back now, going to try to work in at least 1 post a week, whether it's how to, just showing off some recent projects or sharing my Etsy favorites, there will be a new post. I thought I would start off today by showing off my most recent project.

I bought this white mirror/ cork board combo at a garage sale a few weeks ago for 50 cents. This weekend I sanded it down, painted it red, added some red glitter paint and decoupaged loteria cards onto it. I finished it off by adding glitter details to the cards and glueing on some bling. I absolutely love the way it came out. I can't wait until my husband hangs it up in my office.

Happy Memorial Day

In honor of Memorial Day I'm offering free shipping until Monday http://www.XYFactory.etsy.com

It's Party Time!

Scrapbooking for Boys?

A few months ago I thought that maybe the big scrapbook supply companies had opened their eyes and realized moms of boys want to scrapbook too. I found some cute pirate kits, and a whole line of boys papers All About Boys by DCWV. Even some rockstar papers were boyish, score! I was so excited to finally have stuff to work with on my sons books. WRONG. Though now I have "older" boy supplies, I still find myself stuck with baby supplies that just aren't right for my boys. I've decided to sit down and sketch out my own "baby boy" paper designs. I'll be heading to the hardware store later to pick up paint swatches to use as color inspiration. I picked up a new sketch book to devote entirely to Baby BOYS :) I'm thinking cute-ish dinos, argyles , stripes, bugs (not creepy, not cartoony, and not girly) , & zoo animals. I'd love to have some suggestions for baby boys scrapbook kits. If this is successful I hope to figure out how to upload the images for download use by you guys.

Back to Blogging

2009 was a long hard year. I've gone back to school, which has caused me to slack on things like this blog. I'm hoping to get back in the swing of things while I'm on break right now, and hopefully keep up with my blog on the weekends.

This weekend I've been taped to my work table (literally at times) working on duct tape projects for the teen trend class I'll be teaching the next few months. Some of the projects I came up with are a duct tape wallet, an iPod touch case, rose hair clip and a cuff bracelet. Working on these projects really took me back. In high school m cousin and I were obsessed with making things out of duct tape. Lucky for us her mom kept us stocked up with all the colors we could imagine. We made wallets, and belts, even tote bags. They were so much fun. Now I'm back making cute things out of something most people consider ugly. Here are some pictures of this weekends projects. The next duct tape project I plan on making is a guitar strap for my little cousin, she's excited and so am I.

iPod case
cuff bracelet
rose hair clip
wallet

It's almost here!!!

Etsy Dallas 2nd annual Jingle Bash is a few weeks away. I plan on going into crafty overdrive to get ready for this show. I've asked some of the awesome Etsy Dallas members to give us a sneak peak at what we will be seeing from them at Jingle Bash.

Alicia of LaAlica was kind enough to share a little about the goodies she will be selling at this years Jingle Bash:

LaAlicia's Eco-Chic Itsy-Bitsy Pouch - Orange

Let last month’s magazines, catalogs and uninvited mail hold your necessities. Words, colors, images selected with care team up to weave hand-cut, hand-woven, recycled paper into this colorful, ecochic itsy-bitsy pouch. Each one is a unique globe friendly request to save mother earth’s resources. Measurements 6" x 3.5" x 1" with dark green zipper.

My studies have included classical music, design, advertising and the human condition. Coming up with fresh ideas is a process that has always intrigued me. I love to exercise my imagination regularly.

My absolutely fave thing about the Jingle Bash is customers who truly appreciate the quality of handmade goods!

-Make sure to stop by and check out all LaAlicia's lovely eco chic products at the Bash.

New Portfolio

I ran across these plain black reusable portfolios at the art supply store for $1.70. They did the job they were meant to to, but everyone in the art department at school was carrying them around. I needed mine to be different. So I headed to the fabric store , bought 1 1/2 yd of fabric and started sewing. This is what I ended up with. Bet no one on campus has one like it :)