Interview with Crystal @ Crystal’s Craft Spot

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1.Tell us a little about you and your blog.

I’m a busy stay at home mom and have been married almost 8 years.  We are currently building our first home and I’ve discovered how indecisive I am.  I love to sew, crochet, spray paint, decorate. and bake and I’m determined to become good at all of these things one day.  My blog, Crystal’s Craft Spot, is a fun way for me to document and share the projects I’ve done and you will find I have a hard time sticking to one type of project.

2.How and when did you start crafting?

I actually started scrapbooking when I was about 9.  It was something my cousin like to do and so I learned so we would have something to do together.  I have enjoyed scrapbooking ever since.  After my second child was born my husband worked LONG hours (he’s an accountant) and I began to craft more often and started trying everything from sewing, to crocheting, jewelry making to painting furniture.  I pretty much love it all.

3.How often do you craft?

I crochet daily for my shop while I sit in my recliner and catch up on my favorite shows.  Other crafts I try to get to at least once a week.

4.Where do you get your inspiration?

Other bloggers, pinterest, pottery barn catalogs, pretty much every where.

5.What is your favorite medium to work in?

I would have to say yarn and crocheting.  I just learned how to crochet a little over a year ago and I love it.  It so crazy to thing a ball of  yarn can be turned it to so many beautiful things.

6.What is your guilty pleasure?

Umm I have a few, right now its Grey’s Anatomy, Reece’s and Dr. Pepper.

7.What makes you smile?

My family of course.  4 and 6 year olds are hilarious.

8.What is your favorite thing to do (other than crafting)?

Spending time with my family (watching movies, playing games, going to the park, etc.) and I love to read.

Ruffled Rug Tutorial

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*Tutorial made by Wendy @ Craft Goodies for her win of the Finale Round of Season 11.  To see the 2nd part of this tutorial, the upholstered bench, you can find it here.*
I’m still shocked!
 Super thrilled and excited, but really shocked–I WON! I’m usally really great at second place, seems to be a trend for me, but not this time. I’m not quite sure how to handle it…
I guess I’ll start with telling you how I made this little combo, starting with the rug.
This really was easy, just took a little bit of time.
I had a bunch of canvas drop cloth left over from my camp chairs so decided to use that as the base for the rug.
I knew the size of rug I wanted (4×5 finished) so I cut the canvas to just over double that
(4 ft 1 inch x 10 ft 1 in). Folded it in half, sewed the two side seams, flipped it right side out, tucked under 1/2 an inch and sewed it shut.
Using a sharpie and a yard stick I marked out the lines for my ruffles. I cut my ruffle fabric (jersey knit so I didn’t have to hem it!) into 4 inch wide strips so my lines are 2.5 inches apart, allowing for lots of overlap. [Read more...]

Upholstered Bench Tutorial

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*Tutorial made by Wendy @ Craft Goodies for her win of the Finale Round of Season 11.  To see the 1st part of this tutorial, the ruffled rug, you can find it here.*

I have to tell you of all the projects I made over these past few months, I really am in LOVE with this one! It could be the slight love affair I’m having with anything gray at the moment, but really, there is just something super fantastic about this bench that makes me smile.
So let’s spread the happy and make a few more!
I started with the frame-basic 2×4′s for the sides and center support and MDF cut to size for the top.

 

As far as measurements go, I can tell you my bench is 12 inches wide by 4 ft long. But the great thing about this is it can be how ever big or small you need. And even better, if you need to have wood cut, the boys at Home Depot or Lowe’s can cut it all to size for you!
Also, I used a nail gun to put it all together, but screws work too if you’re more of a drill kinda girl! [Read more...]

Interview with Angela @ Better After

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1.Tell us a little about you and your blog.

Hi, I’m Angela! I’m a retired middle school teacher. Now I have the even cooler job of being a mother to an adorable 2 year old boy and a teeny tiny girl who will make her debut this June.

I blog over at Better Together with my two sisters. Since my sisters and I don’t live near each other, we started our blog in an effort to stay more connected. We have three very different hobbies and interests… crafting, cooking, and exercising. In an effort to learn from each other we created Better Together: A place where together we can inspire each other to try new things in hopes that we can be a little better everyday!

2.How and when did you start crafting?

I think I was a born crafter. I grew up sewing and doing cross stitch with my mother. Then I became a school teacher and my creativity shown through in decorating my classroom, and through fun class projects. Then once I become a mother it started to manifest in projects for the baby, the home, and in decorating for almost every holiday.

3.How often do you craft?

I try to complete at least one project a week.

4.Where do you get your inspiration?

I get inspiration from everywhere… Walking down the street seeing someone with a cute purse or cute outfit. Or while perusing Anthropologie or their catalog. And of course now I find it all over pinterest.

5.What is your favorite medium to work in?

I love to sew!

6.What is your guilty pleasure?

Gummy bears :) If it were possible to live just on gummy bears alone, I would be one happy woman.

7.What makes you smile?

My husband, my son, my daughter(coming this June), my sisters, a warm spring day, a good chick flick, chocolate, cheesecake, chocolate cheesecake ;) And finishing a project that turns out even better than I imagined.

8.What is your favorite thing to do (other than crafting)?

Writing and traveling. I dream of one day writing a book while traveling through Europe.

Congratulations Angela on your 2nd place win!!

*You can learn more about Angela and see her season 11 projects on her bio page*

Our generous sponsors have donated a few great gifts for all your hard work.  Here is all that great stuff…

A Home Business Kit from Photo Jewelry Making , 3 PDF patterns from Yarn Blossoms Boutique, & an Art Gift Basket filled with art supplies from Twisty Noodle.

Photo Jewelry Making has a wide selection of jewelry making supplies, complete photo jewelry kits and start up home business packages that you can use to make money selling your own photo jewelry at craft shows,your own website and more. They are a family run business and strive to offer personal and friendly service to all of their customers.  You can also find them on Facebook.
Hello my name is Melissa and I am the creator behind Yarn Blossom Boutique!  My love of crochet began as a teenager when I taught myself how to make afghans and other simple projects.  My knowledge and experience grew over the years.  However, I would go months without picking up a crochet hook because of my love to create anything crafty with my hands.  In college I studied interior design and floral design and enjoyed working in these fields, but my biggest dream came true when I became a mommy and was able to stay home with my kids (now ages 4 and 3).
I loved being a new mom, but really missed having a creative outlet.  Then I remembered how much I enjoyed crocheting and discovered it was the perfect medium for me!  I was constantly making items for my kids or friends and after being asked repeatedly if I sold my creations I began to think about starting an Etsy shop.
In March of this year I took the plunge and Yarn Blossom Boutique came into exsistance.  I LOVE creating crochet patterns.  It is the perfect design outlet for me and gives me the opportunity to share my creations with others and see them have joy in working with their hands as I do!
TwistyNoodle.com is a website where teachers, parents, and kids can create and print free coloring pages and worksheets.  Kids love to personalize their pages! TwistyNoodle was created in 2010 by Nicola Kramer.  She is a stay at home mom with two little boys who have a passion for coloring.

Interview with Wendy @ Craft Goodies

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1.Tell us a little about you and your blog.

My name is Wendy. The short list is I’m a wife to a wonderful man that I love having around, a mom to 5 beautiful daughters, and am happily enjoying a busy life of dance lessons, soccer practices, church callings, volunteering, shop keeping, and teaching.
My blog is my outlet, a space to share the other things I love, you know, the stuff that my kids and husband don’t really want to hear about at the dinner table. It keeps me motivated to keep trying new things and helps me to feel connected to friends that are far away.

2.How and when did you start crafting?

I can’t remember a time when I haven’t been making something. My mom was a big factor in my creative growth. She was always putting us in sewing and cooking classes, kid craft clubs, giving us art kits, letting us draw on any and everything, you name it she encouraged it. And my dad is super great at woodworking. My brother didn’t come along until #5 of 6 so dad spent his time teaching us how to mow the lawn and run a power drill and scroll saw. All of my sisters are fantastically creative, you should see our holiday parties. They are B.Y.O.G.G…bring your own glue gun!

3.How often do you craft?

According to my kids, that’s all I do. I am at my saw almost daily but most of that is due to opening an etsy shop in fall of 2010 and a wonderful customer base. It has been so much fun, an incredible blessing, and it definitely keeps me busy. But as for crafting just to craft, that’s not as often. I feel like I’m always doing something. I’m one of those moms that can’t buy a treat to send to school because I had this great idea when I was strolling through the candy aisle, and store bought cupcakes? That’s just criminal!

4.Where do you get your inspiration?

Sometimes I’m just lucky and get an idea and make it work. Other times I borrow and re-create. I love browsing magazines and catalogs, walking through design and craft stores, there are a few blogs that I admit to stalking and yes, I LOVE pinterest! Seriously, how did we do this before pinterest?
I’m also really open to trying new things. If I don’t know how to do something, I’m willing and excited to learn, that opens up a lot of inspirational avenues.

5.What is your favorite medium to work in?

This is hard because I go in spurts. I love working with wood, but after a solid week of doing nothing but cutting I can’t wait to get my hands on a piece of fabric. Sometimes cake batter is the winner, and anything outside involving my yard and flowers….yeah, I can’t choose.

6.What is your guilty pleasure?

A large Sonic Cherry Dr. Pepper and Swedish fish, the little ones. Yep, that makes me happy.

7.What makes you smile?

This one is easy, being with my family–both my siblings and my own little unit. My sisters and brother are so much fun to be with, we laugh, we cry, we bash on our dad—and we leave happier because of each other. My little family is pretty similar. My girls are crazy! They are so fun to be around (most of the time) and my husband is such a great dad. Our family time is never quiet but is always memorable.

8.What is your favorite thing to do (other than crafting)?

Dance. I started at 3 and “officially” stopped just a few years ago to be home with my kiddos on a full time basis. But it’s okay, because sometimes when my girls are all at school the moves come back out…

And the Season 11 winner is…

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Wouldn’t her Upholstered Bench and Ruffle Rug look great in pretty much any foyer?  I think so.

 

She had so many great projects this season, especially this last few weeks.  Here are a few:

You can see the rest of her great projects on her bio page.

Congratulations Wendy!!

Folding Camp Chair Tutorial

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*Tutorial by Wendy @ Craft Goodies for her win of the Hardware Store challenge of season 11*

I super excited to get to share another project tutorial with you. My last few projects have been so much fun to put together, it’s nice to know that others think they’re pretty okay too. My husband was even impressed with these chairs! Not because they turned out super cute or anything, but because they are “actually useful“– silly boy! He has so much to learn about crafting…
  Let’s get going, summer is here and there are camp outs to attend. First, hit the hardware store and gather your supplies.
Here’s what you’ll need:
**this is enough to make 2 chairs**
LUMBER DEPT:

 

(2) 1″ x 2″ x 8′ furring strips
(4) 3/4″ diameter x 48″ poplar dowels
 
PAINT DEPT:
4′ x 5′ canvas drop cloth
White primer/paint for legs
Colors of your choice for designs on seats
(when it came time to paint I ended up using spray paint on my seats, just a thought…)
 
HARDWARE DEPT:
(4) 1/4″ x 2″ carriage bolts

(4) 1/4″ hex lock nuts

 

 

  • (8) 1/4″ flat washers

 

(16) 8 x 3/4″ flathead wood screws
You’ll also need a drill with a 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch drill bits, a 3/4 inch spade bit, a Phillips head screw driver, and a little bit of sandpaper.
If you have a milter saw or miter box and hand saw you can cut the wood pieces yourself, otherwise take the measurements and have the boys in the lumber dept. cut them down for you.
Cut the furring strips into 8 pieces that are each 22.5 inches long. Use the milter saw/box to cut a 45 degree angle on one end of each piece.
Cut the dowels into 4 pieces that measure 14 inches long each, and 4 pieces that measure 12 3/8 inches long each.
Sand the edges to remove any rough spots and then grab the drill… [Read more...]

Interview with Amanda @ Simply Homemade {and what she wins!}

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1.Tell us a little about you and your blog.

Well, I’m a mother of 5. I love most anything vintage, and I have an unhealthy relationship involving fine chocolates. I adore my family but almost daily need my alone time. While my blog isn’t politically inclined I definitely have an interest and hold strong opinions….so don’t get me started!

2.How and when did you start crafting?

I’ve been crafting for forever. When I was a little girl I would make furniture for my Barbies out of cardboard. I once made a tube of “lip stick” out of a rounded fat red crayon, complete with a push up feature and a handy lid to top it all off. When I was 12, I started experimenting with a sewing machine. Everything about sewing intrigued me and still does. High school is when I started going crazy with the sewing. I sewed most of my formals and one of those was from old drapes from a thrift shop. Talk about re-purposing!

3.How often do you craft?

It depends. I go back and forth between being a super amazing house keeper and crafting every day. It’s one or the other I’m afraid.

4.Where do you get your inspiration?

I’m inspired by all sorts of things: pictures, my kids, nature, necessity…. To be honest, I’m most creative when there’s a problem to be solved. I work well under pressure (husband wouldn’t agree…I can get cranky). Maybe this is weird, but a lot of my ideas pop into my brain while I’m in the shower.

5.What is your favorite medium to work in?

Sewing is my favorite. It’s so completely satisfying to shape a flat lifeless bit of fabric into something useful/wearable.

6.What is your guilty pleasure?

Häagan-Daz makes a Dulce Dulece ice cream that is to die for. I have many guilty pleasures but that one is my favorite.

7.What makes you smile?

Listening to my babies play make believe…those are the best sounds in the world!

8.What is your favorite thing to do (other than crafting)?

I {heart} singing. In high school, my friend and I thought it would be pretty rad to start a girl band. She played guitar and I was lead vocals. We even recorded a cd…..it’s pretty embarrassing. Now, I participate in a community choir. I also plan to go back to school and master in music.
Amanda finished as the second runner up this season.  Congratulations Amanda!  Our kind sponsors have put together a few gifts for her in appreciation for all her hard work.  Thank you Amanda for all your insperation and thank you sponsors for helping us show our appreciation!

Amanda will receive a $25 gift card to Edeenut.

Edeenut offers handmade goodness for gifting or for your every day needs! You’ll be sure to find high quality zipper pouches, handbags, sunglasses cases and Kids toy window bags in the shop. Other items of specialty include colorful garlands and mini buntings that are so popular for photo shoots, Parties and bedroom decorations. Holiday specials tend to pop up as well as the seasons change.
With over 25 years of sewing experience the Owner, Edith, is sure you’ll find something pretty to use daily!

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