FYI (ideas & info)

Crafting with Jo-ann Fabric and Craft Stores

This is a sponsored post for Jo-Ann’s Fabric & Craft Stores. All opinions are 100% mine.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is on a mission to share and inspire crafting fun for families this summer!

They would like to encourage others to discover kid friendly crafting activities that can be done anywhere – inside when it’s raining, outside when it’s sunny. To get you started, Jo-ann Stores has a fantastic catalog full of craft ideas.

I was invited to choose one of their projects to recreate. The Tiki Bird House caught my attention!

I bought the materials needed to make the bird house. Following the instructions from their website, I made my own version of a Tiki Bird House.

This is the bird house “Before”.
I bought an extra bird house so my daughter could make one this summer!

After sanding the rough edges, I gave it a couple of coats of paint.

While the “house” part was drying, I added the raffia to the roof. I picked up a darker color raffia than shown in the example. I layered the raffia, gluing the bottom layer first, then adding another layer on top. Last, I trimmed the edges with scissors.

I wasn’t about to try to duplicate the flowers on the example bird house. I’m not that talented in the drawing department! So I painted a coconut tree instead.

I used craft sticks to make the “tiki” sign and added small shells behind the white-painted fence. Looks very beachy!

Jo-ann’s and Mine

If you sign up to be a Jo-ann’s preferred customer, you will receive a 20%-off coupon, and receive notice of great sales, additional money-saving
coupons and more ideas to spark creativity!

Thank you Jo-ann Fabric and Craft Store for this crafting opportunity!

This is a sponsored post for Jo-Ann’s Fabric & Craft Stores. All opinions are 100% mine.

By Laurie|June 3rd, 2013|FYI (ideas & info)|4 Comments

Unique Handmade Gifts

Handmade gifts make the best presents (in my opinion). When you receive one, you can see all the time, thought and love that was poured in to it. They are gifts from the heart.

Today I’m showing you some of the handmade gifts I have received. All these gifts came from my talented, best friend, Kerry. (Aren’t I a lucky girl?!) Perhaps these wonderful, beautiful ideas will inspire you to think “handmade” when you want to do something special for someone.

Kerry found this mirror that matches the colors in my sewing/craft room. She bought letters and numbers for “house of 34″ and added it to the bottom.

What a clever, customized idea! (Yes I cried when I saw it.)

I have had this picture collage for years now. I think it was the first handmade gift she gave me. It tells the story of our friendship.

And yes, I cried with this one too!

Kerry gave me this picture, with the cut up jeans, after we finished the doll house we made together. Getting to spend time with her several times a week for months was oodles fun! We went through withdrawal when it was finished though.

She cut up her paint splattered, glue covered jeans as a representation of the labor of love that went into making our girls a doll house. She framed a lovely letter she wrote and added a picture of our first of many Lowes and HomeDepot shopping trips. And yes, I cried again.

All these pictures will be added to my sewing/craft room when I get it finished and pretty. I hope these pictures will move you to make and give a handmade gift.

Do you have a favorite handmade gift?

By Laurie|May 27th, 2013|FYI (ideas & info)|2 Comments

Bloggy Boot Camp Charlotte

Saturday I went to my very first conference EVER. The SITSgirls came to Charlotte for a one day blog and social media conference filled with SO MUCH information that my head is still spinning. Spinning in a good way!

The speakers were fabulous! Very down to earth, very funny and incredibly smart. The topics they covered were subjects that bloggers really need to know, such as what social media platforms you should be on, how to improve SEO, the importance of a professional looking blog and awesome photography, and so much more!

The very best part for me, though, was meeting Dana, my BBB (best blogging buddy) for the first time! We have chatted for two years but never officially met. She’s my biggest supporter, my first follower. Dana drove 5 hours to attend this conference with me. She is awesome! And even though I found out she’s younger than me, I still love her.

Dana is the curator of CereusArt. CereusArt is a coastal lifestyle blog. She also has an Etsy shop where she creates and sells fabulous beach and coastal decor featuring Sea Shell Garlands, Beach Themed Wine Charms, Nautical Nursery Art, and Beach Christmas Decor. Check her out! But remember, she is MY BBB. I don’t share.

If you ever get a chance to go to Bloggy Boot Camp, I highly recommend going! Whether you a new to blogging, or have been blogging for years, you will walk away with a wealth of information you can use and implement right away.