Paper Pennant Banner

This simple Birthday banner was made in under 30 minutes! What I did:

Cut out pennants from desired paper with ziz zag scissors. Attach two stickers to each top of the pennant and punch a hole through the sticker and pennant to add security to the paper (you could also use eyelets). I then used my Cricut to cut out the letters and glued them to the pennant. I then strung the pennants together with ribbon. It was as easy as that.

You can also to this with fabric but it is a little more work and a bit more money. You would need fabric, double sided interfacing, pinking shears, a sewing machine, etc.

This is a fun project that you can do with the whole family for just about any occasion!

Last Chance or Baby and Kid Items...

The government (CPSIA) is enacting a law February 10 which enforces very strict rules on items for children 12 and under. Each items component must be tested for lead. This a a nice law because it is helping children however the law is so broad that it is causing some major pain for crafters and other small business who make safe and wonderful children's items. Playskool can afford to test one of their toys and then mass produce a few hundred thousand of them.

As it is now (as I understand it) each component of one of my tag blankets would need to be tested for lead so each different piece of fabric and each piece of ribbon. At $4,000 per test, I simply cannot afford to have my items tested, especially since each item I make is one of a kind. So very soon, if the law does not change or specify, all children's items, including decorations, toys, hair bows blankets, clothes, etc. that are not tested are considered dangerous and illegal, even if there is no way there could be lead on an item it is considered dangerous until tested. If you are wanting to get safe, quality handmade items for your kids, now is the time to do it as thousands of small businesses will be going out of business at the end of the month. I was just talking with a woman the other day who cross stitches adorable bibs and knitted hats (clearly not dangerous) and will soon have to close her shop down, it's really sad. I have a few items in my etsy store but there are thousands of other great items on sale there too so check it out.

I'll let you know when I find out more information about this law but for now, I'm stocking up on dollar store toys, McDonalds toys and handmade goodies!

Latest Projects For Mags' Room

New favorite thing... double sided interfacing! Julie and I were at Pottery Barn Kids and were inspired to create these adorable flower wall hangings. Using double sided interfacing you adhere fabric to felt and then attach it to a ribbon. Ta da!

The plaque was created by taking a piece of wood, painting it brown and attaching a brown ribbon to the back. The "Stand for Truth and Righteousness" was printed on pink and white toile paper and attached and sealed with Mod Podge. We made these at YW at the end of last year. The pink inspired me to go with a pink, green and brown theme in her room.

Another patchwork puppy dog. This one has fleece ears instead of corduroy and flannel.

The room is messy and the lighting wasn't good, but I didn't want to wake up the little one sleeping just feet away. I'm slowly getting her room just the way I want it. I'll be done just in time for her to tell me that she wants something totally different. :)

Call Answered

This was a craft we did for an enrichment back in July. It is a cute idea. They got really cheap clocks from walmart, and painted the edges black incase the paper peeled up a bit along the edges. You could do a lot with it. My clock doesn't actully work though, so it is just for show!

Can you believe this???

Okay so I couldn't help myself but to post here again. My call for my crafty girls to post is still open.
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So, I have a special order from my shop that I am trying to fill and I am trying to find decorator fabric in a specific pattern in a Champagne and Ivory color. It is turning out to be impossible. This morning I decided to check out this specialty store that carries only decorator fabric. There were several beautiful fabrics to choose from. I found the pattern that I wanted but it was in the wrong colors. After trying to get some help for what seemed like forever, a sales person finally helped me. I told her what type of pattern I was looking for and asked her if there was anything in the colors I needed?

She immediately ran (literally, I had to chase after her) over to a section and handed me a sample. It was a similar pattern of what I was looking for but it was brown and ivory.

I politely said, "Oh, okay, thank you. Is this color considered Champagne?" Clearly it was NOT Champagne it was brown, I just didn't want to be a total jerk about it.

She then replied, "You can call it whatever color you want to." W-O-W. Seriously? Aren't you a decorator store and shouldn't you know the difference between Champagne and Brown!?

So I called it "No Sale" and got the heck out of there. Surprisingly, the folks at Walmart were much more helpful.

Call for Posts!

This is a call for someone besides me to post something to this blog! :) Come on you talented women!

Etsy Promotion - Win Free Item

I'm doing a promotion right now where you can win a free item from my store. How to win -

1. Go to www.cuttscreations.etsy.com

2. "Heart" an item that you like. You have to be signed in to do so. Registration is free.

3. On Monday 1/5/09 at noon central time I will draw one person out of a hat and they will recieve that item for FREE! No strings attached.

Good luck! I hope you win!!