My Favorite Crafting Tools

I have a few tools that I absolutely use all the time. They make crafting and creating so much easier! None of the links in the post are affiliate links, and I have not been compensated for this post in any way. I just really love these products. (Although, Sizzix and Silhouette, hit me up - seriously!)

Sizzix Big Kick:

Source

This is exactly the same thing as the Big Shot machine. The only difference is the color. I LOVE this machine. I got mine at Joann's using a coupon, so I paid about $60 for it. Joann's also has a pretty reasonable selection of dies to use in it, and the dies (as well as the machines) go on sale for 40% off about every other week. Hobby Lobby and Michael's also carry the dies and machines and also offer frequent sales. The Sizzix plastic backed dies will cut through tons of material, including fabric, felt, leather, paper, cardstock, chipboard, and even aluminum. And the Big Kick is super compatible with almost any brand of die out there. In fact, I've yet to find one that won't work, although the thin, metal only dies do not cut through fabric or eco-felt very well. 

I've made tons of hair clips using the shapes cut with this machine, as well as even some jewelry. The leather rose pin I sent to my Package Pal is one example. I would love, love, LOVE to have the Big Shot Pro one of these days, but at over $300, it's not in my budget.

My glue gun:

Source

This is the glue gun I use on a regular basis. I've got several of the little low temp $3 models, but this is my workhorse. I got it at Walmart for about $11, Even though it will work cordlessly for 5 minutes, I generally keep the 6 foot cord plugged in, and I almost always use it on the high temp setting. I have found that working with the high temp setting will allow you to get a very strong bond on most materials, although of course, as with all glue guns, you should be very careful not to burn yourself or anyone else. Keep out of reach of your kids if it's hot!

Sewing Machine:

My first sewing machine was a Brother LS-30.

source

My mom got it for me for Christmas one year, and it sat in the box for almost 2 years before I had the nerve to try it. It is a very basic machine, but it worked great and never gave me any problems. I don't know where she bought it, but you can get them all day long for well under $100.

A couple of years ago, right before Sawyer was born, I upgraded to an embroidery machine, the Brother SE400. 

Source

This is an excellent sewing machine. It might even be an excellent embroidery machine, but I don't know. To try to make a long, infuriating story bite size, when I bought this, Sawyer was about to be born, then was in the NICU, then was a very tiny baby brought home with us. The SE400 sat in its box in the closet for many months. When I finally had time to open it, I had an unpleasant surprise. Someone had previously purchased this machine, used it for a while, then boxed it back up with only part of the pieces, and taken it back to Walmart. I mean major things, like the foot pedal, and the front of the accessory box that goes on the front when the embroidery arm isn't there. Plus it was working funny. 

I took it to our local Sew N Vac, and they fooled around with it a bit, got it to working, and sold me a couple of parts, like a foot pedal and a bobbin case. Walmart refused to help at all (even though they had sold me a machine with missing pieces) because it was over 90 days since my purchase date, and Brother (who was not actually at fault here) could only offer to waive the shipping on the parts that were missing.

Sew N Vac got the embroidery portion up and running, but after a few days I was having no luck with it. So for me, it's just a sewing machine. I rarely have any problems out of it in that function (and if I do, it's user error). Someday I may try to get the embroidery part of it serviced again, but for now it's not worth the cost to me. If I were to buy another machine, it would probably be the XR9500PRW Project Runway™ Limited Edition Computerized Sewing Machine. It has all the things I love about my SE400, like the drop in bobbin, and the start and stop button, and plus many more built in stitches.

Source

Silhouette SD:

Source

You cannot buy the SD anymore, but you can buy a Silhouette Cameo or a Silhouette Portrait. I want a Cameo with my whole heart, but I just can't afford it right now.

But I use my SD all the time. I use it to cut the stencils for my pillow covers, to make cards, and to cut vinyl. It's definitely a must have for me.

Woodburning Tool:

Source

I've not used this for woodburning (although it's on my list), but it's the perfect tool for working with ribbon. I use it to cut and seal my ribbon at the same time when making hair bows, and it works great for things like cutting a curve (just use a large coin or other round metal object as your edge). I've also used it with Hotstamps to brand leather. This is definitely an after the-kids-are-in-bed sort of tool though. It gets crazy hot, and you don't want to risk burns on curious hands!

Those are some of my must have crafting tools. I may do a second round of this featuring my favorite hand tools for crafting. Happy Saturday!

Last Mother's Day

So Mother's Day is in a little over two weeks. Gah! How does it always sneak up on me? I've got a couple of ideas, but we'll see how they pan out Meanwhile, I thought I'd show you some of the things I made last year for Mother's Day.

First of all, I tend to show the love to sisters and girlfriends on Mother's Day when I can. We all know that when your babies are small, you don't always end up with a thoughtful gift, so if I have the time and resources, I try to make it a special day for ALL the mommies in my life. My father-in-law made me a wind chime for my second Mother's Day. It was the only thing I got that year, and it meant so much to me that he thought to do something special for me, so I try to pay it forward.

So these are the sister gifts. And please understand that this was pre-blog and another one of those last minute, taken at night in my dark living room, not for anyone to see, just for me to have a personal record or what I made, super lame photo shoots. Ahem.

My SIL Rachael had a still pretty new baby boy, and she also had some blue and yellow in her home, so I thought I would try my hand at some pop art painting. I used my Silhouette to cut a stencil of the words, and I just blocked off the sun's rays with straight pieces of vinyl. Looking back I see all kinds of things wrong with it, but I guess it wasn't too awful for my first attempt, especially considering I am so not an artist.

My SIL Leah was pregnant with baby Lawrence, and her best friend (also a good friend of mine) Melissa was pregnant with baby Jackson, so they got matching gifts that fit right in with their sense of humor: We Made a Baby on This Bed pillow covers.

In fact, Melissa wanted it featured in Jackson's 3 month shoot. :) These can be requested as a custom item in my shop. :)

I sent my SIL Kristin in Texas this leather scalloped banner. I cut scalloped circles out of black and gold leather with my Sizzix Big Kick and cut each circle in half. Then I attached the circle halves to black satin ribbon with strips of Heat N Bond.

For my mom and MIL, I had three things. First, I made them each an infinity scarf (sorry, no picture). I also made them each a burlap wreath. The pink and blue was for my MIL, and the red and cream was for my mom. My mom had just redone her kitchen, and I made hers using the same Waverly fabric her curtains are made from. The flowers for both were made using a main fabric, felt, and drop cloth. I just cut the burlap in 2 inch strips and wrapped it around the wreath forms, securing with hot glue.

The last thing I did was to embellish a couple of Mason jars. For these I just wrapped them in burlap, then wrapped lace on top of that. I cut out several layers of patent leather medallions, again with my Big Kick, and attached them to each other and then the jar with hot glue.

I also made a few things for Nick's grandmother also, but I didn't get pictures of them. Anyway, I'm off to try to figure out what to do for this year!

Happy Birthday Nick and Taylor!

Today is a big day in my family. Today is my husband's and my oldest daughter's birthday! Taylor turns 13 today, and Nick turns 35. I can't even tell you how blessed I am to have these two amazing people in my life.

Nick is more than I ever dreamed of as a husband. He's a awesome father, and he works so hard to provide for our family so that I can stay at home with our kids. I love him more literally every day.

Taylor is so smart and funny, not to mention gorgeous (look at those eyes)! She made me a mom, and it's the best job ever! She's such a great kid, and I love her so very much!

Happy Birthday to you both! Love you guys!

Felt Dinosaur World

This is a gift I made for my nephew Max last summer for his 4th birthday. As with most little boys his age, dinosaurs are where it's at. Plus he lives in Texas, and this was light to ship. What it was NOT, however, was a quick project. I will warn you that, while it was relatively easy to put together and very affordable to make, there is a lot of cutting and gluing involved, and it can be very time consuming. I found the idea for this over at Fun At Home With Kids, although I made just a few small changes on mine.

For the grass I just cut strips of felt and fringed them, then glued them in place.

I did my trees just a little differently than FAHWK. I still used rolled up felt stuffed with batting, but I grouped them together for support and I also used a pipe cleaner inside each tree trunk. Then I wound a couple of green pipe cleaners through and around them for vines.

I added a little foot bridge to my stream. I also made my pond quite a bit smaller and added little fish to both it and the stream.

The cave was just shaped and glued as I went. For the little leafy bushes I used my Sizzix Big Kick and my Sizzix Originals Flower Layers #2 die. I just sort of folded and bunched up the smallest two die cuts and glued them down.

I think the volcano was my favorite. It was just a couple of sheets of tan felt for the base, and yellow, orange, and red felt cut freehand to make the lava. I glued the lava mostly down, and I think it helped the volcano hold it’s shape a little better. The mouth is big enough for dinos to tumble inside, and big enough for little boy fists to reach in and rescue him.

This could absolutely be a no sew project (the inspiration piece was), but I ended up sewing down the edges of the tar pit. I didn’t have any black craft felt on hand, so I ended up using felted wool instead. It didn’t want to stay glued together, so I sewed the two layers together and flipped them right side out through one if the zigzag cuts I made so the dinosaurs could “sink”. Then I sewed the whole thing down around the edges. (Ignore the lint. I spent forever with a lint roller before I mailed it off).

For the beach area I used drop cloth instead of felt and sandpaper because I felt like the sandpaper might get crinkled during shipping, and I also didn’t want any rough surfaces. I added a few tiny seashells I had on hand.

I didn’t have any brown pom poms on hand for coconuts, so I just skipped that detail.

The cave as well as the volcano both fluff back up pretty easily if they get flattened during storage.

Of course I couldn’t send a dino playscape without including a T-Rex. There were also a number of smaller dinos sent, but they didn’t make the photo shoot.

I think he looks pretty fierce surveying his kingdom.

I tried to leave plenty of free space for the dinosaurs to roam.

It was a fun project, and I’d love to try more with different themes.

Package Pals Craft Exchange

As I mentioned earlier, I participated in a craft exchange last month. It was the Package Pals exchange hosted by Jamie over at C.R.A.F.T.
My partner had a baby girl right before the deadline, and I was kind of covered up with Taylor's birthday party, so we gave each other some extra time. I sent her a message a week or so ago to let her know that I had her stuff just about ready to mail. Unfortunately the reply I got came from her husband and let me know that she had had a medical emergency and was in the hospital! :(
I was quick to let him know that I would be praying and to please not worry at all about the exchange. I finally got her stuff sent out to her last weekend, and I was so pleased to hear from her that she got it and was pleased with it all. I honestly don't need or expect her to send anything - she has a brand new baby to focus on, on top of recovery from a serious medical event! But I'm so glad that I got to meet her, and I'm sure she would appreciate your prayers!
Anyway, here are the things I sent:
First of all, a boxy makeup bag like the ones for Taylor’s party.

These are just so much fun, and they really are deceptively roomy!

Next was this great big headband for her new baby girl made with pleated gold trim and a vintage button center.

I also sent this soft singed satin flower headband that she can use as a pony holder for herself if she wants!

And another singed flower, this one on a bobby pin.

I included a couple of leather bows like those for Taylor’s party, and also a little leather rose pin.

When we were getting to know each other she mentioned that owls are meaningful to her, so when I spotted this cutie at the Dollar Tree, it just begged me to take it home for this mom of a new baby girl.

She’s doing baby’s room in woodland creatures and little gnomes, so I thought this guy might be a fun addition somewhere.

She told me that she’s begun making some hair bows and headbands herself, so I wanted to send her some supplies for that, starting with this sheet of non-slip grip fused to felt. I back all my hair clips with this, and it works GREAT for keeping even big bows in silky little girls’ hair.

In keeping with her love of owls and woodsy things, I included this ribbon.

I also added a handful of double pronged clips and a big metal clip to assist in making boutique bows as explained in this pin.

And some gems of various shapes and sizes for center embellishments.

And of course the pillow cover and name banner I mentioned in my first post about this.

By the way, that’s my handsome little brother Toby and his gorgeous wife Leah (recipient of the Bag of Sunshine).