Everybody join in for a sew-along skirt!

Noodlehead is having a fun 'Linky Party' which I entered at. But to have some sewing fun together, visit this link first (here)! It starts at Day 1 sewing and {see her sidebar to right} has 5 days total of how to sew the skirt pattern she picked.

image from Simplicity

The skirt in question is - Simplicity pattern 2226, the above in the image. Looks like it would fit just about any shape you are! Hem line is nice and can easily be lengthend or shortened as desired. Boy do I miss skirts and dresses about now in this chilly winter weather. I think I might pick that pattern up next time I go out. Something in spring colors would be nice, I'm feeling like something in a peachy-rose shade. Hmmm, decisions decisions...

35% Off Sale & Gifting

It's the holiday rush, people will knock out teeth for some deal at a big name store (after waiting for hours in line in the cold)! But honestly, who wants to deal with that? Not me and likely not many of you out there.
So the alternative, you ask? Shop online, shop local and make handmade gifts! I have a 35% Off SALE going on right now to help you in buying affordable handmade gifts this season. So please stop by my CraftinessbyB shop to find something for that special someone this season.
Now if you feel the urge to make handmade I have a list for you! Daunting you say, I thought so too. But just 2 weeks ago I decided to make a few things for gifts this year.

Handmade gift idea #1: soaps

Gift wrapped homemade soaps

Soaps can be a fun & easy gift to make for others. I went to Michaels craft store and found a soap base (they have olive oil, shea and others). They come in a big block, just pick some coloring and scents *sold right next to them* and go home to your kitchen! I added dry tea leaves, flowers and even oatmeal to some. I melted the soap in the microwave in a microwave safe container, then poured it into molds. Here is a great DIY on soap making by Bridal Buds.

Handmade gift idea #2: lip balm and lotion

Lip balms with shimmer

Lotions, lip balms and soap ~ oh my!

I started small, I bought a sample size balm base plus balm tubes on Etsy by CandleLynnSupplies. Her base is just right, natural ingredients and easily melts. Now I got it in my head I wanted more so back to Michaels store I went and found a 'spa' kit with lip balm and lotion supplies. Let me say this: the kit was fun, it had supplies to make all this (includes scent, colors, labels, containers) but their lip balm base was a pain! If you want to play with just making lip balms I highly suggest going to Lynn for good supplies.

Handmade gift idea #3: handmade by you!

Yep, good ole fashioned handmade gifts. They can be just about anything you enjoy making and giving. And for those with kids you just know people adore the kiddie gifts. Their hand prints, their paper ornaments, photos, artwork. To help you get those crafty juices flowing here is a great list of 101 Handmade Gifts from Everything Etsy. Cute ideas such as this one, or this one, oh and this one!

I hope I have given you some great ideas this year and you can now be on your holiday gifting way!



A thankful holiday

To one and all, may you have a holiday full of thanks and warm eats. Don't forget the conversations, hugs and laughter too!
After the holiday craze of this week I will hopefully post a tutorial about gift wrapping! I'm not shopping this season {if I can help it}, no long hours in line and headaches from traffic. I'm making homemade gifts to give from my kitchen.

my gift wrapping & new logo!

I have made soap so far and plan to also make some easy lip balm too. Above is my easy gift wrap with very few supplies. You will need: parchment paper, decoravtive (think scrapbooking) paper, ribbon, thread, gift tag and tape. The tag you see was a free print-from-home one found at Creature Comforts site. There are so many whimsical and cute lables to pick from!

And that is a small version of my new logo for 2012. I designed it myself except for the flowers in the full version. But until then you just have to live with my current design found in my Etsy shop. Which - by the way - is having a 30% off SALE on select goods!

New state, new to-do's

Hello everyone, sorry I have been absent for a while. You see, a funny thing happened {and here is the tale}. A month ago, out of the blue, my hubby got a call for a job interview. It was for a well known food brand in Kentucky, they found his info online and wanted him in ASAP. Well we knew this could be a great oppertunity, so he accepted the interview and out he went to KY. He goes, has interview, comes home and... we wait. We nearly gave up thinking they had no interest in him. But lo and behold ~ they called him back and made a job offer! So in about 6 weeks time we gave notice, arranged for the move, had stuff packed and hauled and traveled through 3 states to reach Kentucky!

As you can see I had a pocket sized traveling buddy for the trip. When we would stop for a break {since we did travel with furry pets} I'd take a picture of the area with pocket Buddha here. We went through mountains, had frosty mornings and a little bit of flurries. But it's sunny autumn weathere here in Kentucky for the most part.
So now I have to unpack my craft supplies and shop goods. I plan to re-open my Etsy shop soon enough with a continued holiday sale. Select items will be on sale starting at 30% off and probably going up from there. So this year I hope you buy or make handmade gifts to give! It's all the more special and personal to give a unique gift to someone you care about.

Bee, resident seamstress

I am pretty sure in the past 2 months I have had some seamstress work to do every week. This isn't a bad thing, I'm not complaining. But ever get so caught up in some work you have no time for your projects? Well that's what happened to me. I do comissioned seamstress work for a local karate dojo in our town. It's a wonderful places, family owned and run, students from ages 3 and up. I always feel welcome their and truly enjoy the sewing I do for them (which ranges from sewing on patches to hemming pants).
So I finally got around to my own projects recently ~ hooray! I finished one that had been begging to be completed and worn. It is an apron from a fabric dish towel *a new one* and scrap fabric. The apron (below) I plan to share in a how-to-make tutorial soon.

Now the other project I finally got to was a top from a new pattern book. I am gaga for this book I found on Amazon.com ~ it has stolen my little sewing heart! I can admit it, sometimes I stink at making clothes from traditional patterns. The lovely book is (find it here) called "One-piece wearables" 25 chic garments & accessories. It is single-pattern pieces, comes with the full size cut out patterns. It is very easy to follow even for a novice at sewing clothes. Many of the patterns only require 2 yards or less of fabric and often has you hem or use bias tape on raw edges. I may have been learning to sew from a young age but clothes always were the most dificult to sew. At least with these patterns I can easily adjust them to fit my size, like add length or tuck in at the bust some. Below is my first top from the book, pattern "one pocket top" which I think I finished in about 3 days and took my time with.

With the nice autumn weather moving in I forsee much blogging and sewing in the near future. I hope people stop by my Etsy shop as I continue the sale and try to get some orders by the holiday rush!