When bad things happen to good crafters... and their houses!

If you've been reading for awhile now you'll know that I'm lucky to have my own craft room here in our home.  A dedicated space where I can craft to my hearts content, leave projects half finished on the table, and generally make a mess.

Unfortunately, sometimes crafting seems to explode onto all surfaces in my home.  Take a peak at yesterday's scenes of horror...

The living room coffee table - complete with paper cutter and stamping "stuff"

The dining room table (yes, I brought the computer AND printer downstairs from the office!) - note the box of crayons, cut up magazines, and stacks of cards)

The kitchen counter!  Sharpies, sequins, and kids projects strewn all over the place!

How do I let this happen?  I'm not even that messy of a person!  Argh!  How about you, reader, do you have trouble keeping your craftiness contained?  Please say yes!!!

Back on the BUG band wagon!

Knowing that I have five weeks to recover and recuperate from a very grueling semester of school is a weird and wonderful thing.  I don't have much of a schedule right now - I don't have anything pressing work or volunteer wise so everything is in my own time.  One thing that's motivating me is all the special events that are coming up in the next couple months... Spring always brings gatherings of family and friends for us and this year is no exception.  We're actually heading on mini-vacations in each April, May, and June as well... so we have a lot to look forward to!

With my new found free time, one of the hot items on my agenda is Lily's Bug Party!  You remember me talking about it in this post, right?  (thanks for all the ideas by the way, you guys are the BEST!)  Well it's coming up quickly (May!) so I'm ready to get crafting!  Here are the inspiration pages I've been keeping over the past couple months as I've come across things in stores and on the web...

Oriental Trading has all kinds of fun bug-themed things that will be perfect goody bag stuffers.  Lily really loves bubbles (bottom right) and her older siblings love to color their own sun catchers (above the bubbles).  I also decided that "Bug Juice" is a MUST for the party!  How fun is that?  I'm not sure where I'll find it, but I'm sure I can make up my own juice with fun labels on it if I need to!

On the bottom here you can see some fabric scraps.  I found these fabrics at Hobby Lobby and plan to sew runners for the tables and make the goody bags from them.  So fun!  The cardstock colors on the right will be used for the invitations and throughout the decor - they are from Stampin' Up's current "Bold Brights" collection, and several of these colors will be retiring this summer, so it's a great chance for me to use them up and enjoy them!

I also plan on taking the kids on a bug hunt during the party, so I'm on the lookout for bug magnifiers and nets, and am thinking perhaps we'll make our own bug catchers AT the party?  What do you think?

I've begun collecting treasures as I've been out and about.  I've got a cardboard box full of trinkets for the goody bags (thank you, Target dollar spot!) but was really excited to find these lovelies from Pier One.  It's hard to tell from the glare, but on the right there are green straws with butterflies attached (perfect to go in the Bug Juice!), there's butterfly table confetti in the middle, and on the left is a package of beautiful butterfly picks.  I'll be honest in saying I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do with the picks yet, but they were so perfect I couldn't pass them up!

This weekend Heather and I will be settling into the craft studio to stamp and put together the invitations.  I've been working on some samples, so Stampin' Up's "Bugs & Kisses" stamp set has been out on my worktable for the past couple of days.  Don't you love the cute little bugs?!

This is the first weekend in awhile where we haven't had to drive across the state, attend a work or family function, or keep to any real schedule.  We're looking forward to taking it easy and enjoying some time with friends!  I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend as well, whatever you get up to!  Happy Friday!

Work(s) in Progress...

My crafty mojo is back... phew!  I think my problem was that I was never present when I tried to get crafting the past few weeks... I've been so busy and had so much on my mind that I always was thinking about the next thing on the agenda, and mentally adding to my to do's.  I simply couldn't get anything done!

It's a really good thing I'm back... just look at all the projects I have in the works...

I'm working on a super secret stealthy card-making project for Lolly over at Lollychops.  I'll tell you more about it next week...

There's some necklace making in my future... I just love the aqua color of these beads... reminds me of the ocean!

Some hair clips are being made to stuff into a special someone's Easter basket...

Two pairs of cotton PJ's (which have since been cut out) are waiting to be sewn...

Two projects are on the go from this fabulous book... (I have a neat story about this book that I'll share soon!)

I'm working on perfecting a little girl's kerchief pattern / tutorial...

And I'm finally getting the guts to tackle some scrapbooking.  Since I'm *still* too overwhelmed to tackle my wedding scrapbook (I've been married almost two years!) I decided to start out slow and work on a travel scrapbook.  The photos on the left are from our trip to DC a couple of summers ago, and the photos on the right are from a trip with Trav's family to Traverse City back in (gulp!) 2007...

What are YOU working on, dear reader?  Are you a one-at-a-time project type of person, or do you always have multiple things on the go - like me?

Dollar Store Crafts!

I'm a busy, busy bee today but just wanted to pop in and let you know that my bulletin boards were featured on Dollar Store Crafts this morning!  Pretty neat!  You can see the feature HERE.

And in case you've missed anything the past few days...

• Guest post by Caroline of Salsa Pie - Creepy Crawly Fun

• Last minute St. Pat's treats (file them away for next year!)

• Easter Stamp A Stack Wrap Up and card ideas

The sun is shining here and it's a beautiful day!  Have a good one, and I'll see you tomorrow!

Sneaks!

I kind of feel like I'm cheating on you!

You see, I've been incredibly crafty all week - I mean seriously, I've been crafting my little heart out over here!  BUT - I can't share with you the fruits of my labor... just these little sneaks...

I've been contracted to write an "Easter Crafts for Kids" article, and I've designed and crafted 12 original projects for it.  Lots of work and lots of fun!  BUT it's not been published online yet... so I can't yet share with you the Easter goodness.  Once it goes live you'll be the first to know about it I swear!

What I can show you though... is this... ('scuse the poor photo quality... all that late night basement crafting you know!)

I'm working on adorning the walls of the craft studio, and this is part of one wall.  Yes - the craft studio re-do is STILL finishing up!  Are you desperate to see it?  I can't wait to show you!

I saw these little bulletin boards over HERE and was excited to run to my local Dollar Tree and pick them up.  Since they're so tiny, I attached them together in groups of three with some ribbon...

Cute, no?  I'm digging them.  Perfect for notes, reminders, project ideas, supply lists, etc.  Lovely!

I've been so busy this week that I've hardly had time to read blogs.  I'm so out of the loop!  So if I usually visit you and haven't this week... or if you've stopped by here for the first time and I haven't responded to your comment... please forgive me!  I'm setting aside a little time this morning to get caught up, that's for sure!

And lastly... several of you have dropped me notes and e-mails lately with projects inspired by tutorials here at "Ready, Set, Craft!"  If you've tried anything I've done, or used one of my projects for a basis of one of your own, would you do me a little favor and send me some pictures?  I would love to share with everyone what you've come up with!

I'll be back tomorrow and back on form with some REAL projects to share.  Until then - Happy Hump Day!  Hope it's as sunny and lovely where you are as it is here!  Could Spring possibly be on its way?

Oh Martha (and your team of super crafty staffers), you're SO clever!

I've got to admit, I'm a bit of a magazine junkie.  Anything glossy with good photography and I'm hooked.  Considering my recent lull in crafty productivity due in equal parts to the craft studio re-do and a cold/flu/sinus something or other I'm fighting, I was EXTRA excited to get Martha in the mail yesterday.

Now, no matter your personal opinions of Martha, you've got to love the stuff that her team comes up with.  I can't, for example, tolerate Martha's TV show for more than five minutes at a time, but I sure do love me some LIVING Magazine.

I always get sucked in by the covers... and February's issue was no exception...

Actually, my favorite part of this cover was the fact that, with my limited cake decorating experience (remember the cake class debacle?) I could so do this!  You just use a shell tip to create the hearts.  Nice!

You can imagine my excitement then, when I opened up to find these adorable chocolate filigree hearts.  Love!  You just may see them here again in the future!

This idea is so simple but so clever.  Using large mailing labels to create bookplates.  Wouldn't it be fun to do this with a fun kid-friendly stamp set with kids to label all of their books?  Great idea!

And this new take on a "box of chocolates" is clever.  Arranging candy filled heart-shaped cookie cutters in a box to wrap and give?  So fun!  I wonder how well everything would stay put if you even picked up the box to hand it to someone?  Seems like you might have candy all over the place, no?

And as if all those warm and fuzzy Valentines-ish ideas weren't enough eye candy (ha ha, candy, Valentines, I'm hilarious!) the magazine also had a beautiful photo spread of glass cake stands... which I ALWAYS oogle in antiques stores.  Sooo pretty!

 

Congratulations Martha, (and your hard working staff members who don't get half the credit or half the $$$ you do!) you've done it again!  I now have even MORE new projects to add to my crafty to-do list!

Ready, Set, Craft!'s New Year Resolutions

I'm baaaaaack!  Back from the land of Christmas-ing, travel-ing, eating (a lot of that!), snoozing on the couch, puzzle-putting-together, and blog auto-posting.  I'm back live and in person, although it's going to take me a couple of days to catch up and get back into the swing of things!

Thanks so much to all of you who stopped by this busy holiday while I've been on auto-post to check out my holiday gifts, project round-ups from across the web, and for leaving me some comment love!  I'll be responding to them all (in the comments sections) over the next day or two.  Please be patient with me, and know that your comments are so very much appreciated!

I have all kinds of fun things planned for the new year, and as 2010 and my one-year blogaversary later in January are quickly upon me, I thought I'd jot down some crafty new year resolutions...

1)  Sewing:  I will read ALL pattern directions, including cutting diagrams, all the way through at least once before starting my project.  Thus resulting in having all supplies on hand and not making last minute runs to the fabric store, correct cutting of all pieces and not adding more unnecessary scraps to my stash, and less stress in general...   : )

2)  I will not procrastinate on projects that have deadlines, leaving things to the last minute and causing waaaaay too much stress for myself (and usually hubby too, by default!)...

3)  Knitting:  I will make a commitment to fully graduate from scarf-making.  I will embrace stitches that are not of the knit, purl variety, and will take the time to learn them properly, and have the patience to know that they will not be as easy as aforementioned knit and purl.  But they sure will be pretty!  I will graduate from straight needles and experiment with circulars, dpn's...and whatever else is out there!

4)  Stamping:  I will continue to grow my Stampin' Up! business by teaching a minimum of one workshop and one class/event/club each month... (and of course I will share all of my stamping ideas and projects with you, reader!)

5)  I will not procrastinate on projects that have deadlines, leaving things to the last minute and causing waaaaay too much stress for myself (and usually hubby too, by default!)...

6)  Crochet:  I will learn to do it.  It will be fun.

7)  Cupcaking:  I will continue to bake and eat lots of them, and share my tutorials and decorating ideas with all of you through the CUPKINS collaboration...  YUM!

8)  Scrapbooking:  I will finish my wedding scrapbook.  I'm halfway into my second year of marriage and only one page of the damn thing is 100% completed.  This project must, must, must get finished this year - no excuses!

9)  I will not procrastinate on projects that have deadlines, leaving things to the last minute and causing waaaaay too much stress for myself (and usually hubby too, by default!)...

10)  I will not procrastinate on projects that have deadlines, leaving things to the last minute and causing waaaaay too much stress for myself (and usually hubby too, by default!)...

Do you have any new year resolutions of the crafty kind?  Is there any new craft you are dying to try this year?  Anything you want to improve upon?  Perhaps you have specific projects that you want to start, or complete?  Share with us by leaving a comment!  

I'll continue to share my progress as I go along, and perhaps you all can hold me accountable!  I'll also be picking your brains as I go through some transitions with this blog...but in the meantime... Happy New Year to you all!  May your 2010 be filled with much happiness, and crafty fun! 

Ready, Set, Craft's Best of 2009!

Before 2010 arrives, here's a look back on just a few of my favorite projects of 2009 here at Ready, Set, Craft!  Enjoy!

Tied Fleece Blankets

Mexican Tissue Paper Flowers

Playing Card Gift Tags

Metallic Transfer Magnets

Flower Pinata (as featured at Dabbled.org)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cupcakes

Flower Pens

Appliqued Onesies

Do you have some of your own favorite projects from the past year?  Do share!  Leave us a link to you and your project in the comments section!

A Crafter's Christmas List...

We celebrated the first of several Christmas gift exchanges yesterday.  You know you're a bit of a crazy crafter when you receive (and are RIDICULOUSLY excited about) these...

You see... a girl always needs a good set of working sharpies in her craft studio.  She just HAS to!  And mine were in dire need of replacement.  Sharpies come in handy ALL THE TIME!

And the cupcake punch?  Well... I've been lusting after this Martha Stewart punch ever since I first saw this post over at Meg's place.  I was just THRILLED about getting it!  Do you see how adorable it is?  How you can mix and match different colors of paper for the wrapper and the frosting?  Eek!

So with that mind, I figured I'd share with you a few of the other crafty things (both big and small!) on my Christmas list this year.  Now don't get me wrong -- I'm all about using things in my stash whenever possible -- but Christmas is a good excuse to stock up the stash, wouldn't you say?!

Since we were just talking about Martha, let's start with this...

Isn't it so beautiful and sparkly?!  I was giggling uncontrollably when Natasha over at Samster Mommy launched her 30 for $30 series featuring this very set earlier this month - thus giving us all even MORE justification to purchase $30 worth of glitter!  So funny!  I love it!

Of course I have a HUGE list of Stampin' Up! products that I long for.  Being a demonstrator, I'm able to see and hear about the newest products before they're even available to all of you.  Sooo exciting!  This set isn't new, but it's right up there on my wish list.  Soooo pretty! 

Am I a HUGE dork because I asked for these?...

Not these ones specifically - but pretty much any all all see-through totes and containers in any sizes.  They're the best for storing all my crafting supplies - I can see what's tucked away at all times!  PLUS, since my craft studio is in the basement and it can get a little moist down there, I know that everything is safely stored away.

I also asked for this...

                                    

I know, I know, dream on right?  But it would be SO sweet in my craft studio.  I love the little side table that swings out and the fact that the whole thing is on wheels!  Yeah yeah, dream on...

This would be SUPER handy.  It's three tiers for goodness' sake!  Would be such a space saver in my kitchen!

I could go on forever!  There are all kinds of goodies for crafting, sewing, and baking that would be WONDERFUL stocking stuffers!  Don't you agree?  So come on, spill.  What's on YOUR crafty Christmas list this year?!

Does anyone elses dining room table look like THIS?!

YIKES! It's like my craft room overflowed and exploded in the dining room! I have so many projects going on at once I don't know where to start!

Luckily we're (finally!) decorating the tree this evening so all of these ornaments will be out of the way...

And see these?

Oh, those are just the 55 Christmas cards I cut and prepped last night. I still have to cut ribbon, stamp and emboss them, and adhere everything together! Not to mention the actual writing of the cards... aaaaaaah!

I feel like I've got a touch of the Christmas crazy in me right now... anyone feel the same way?!

Getting in the GROOVE...

Can you feel those holidays just creeping up on us? I have waaaay too many projects going at once and I'm starting to worry a little bit that I won't be able to get it all done! What I keep telling myself, though, is that once classes are over in two weeks - I'll have free days and nights to work at my leisure. It'll all get done, right?

I had an hour to spare this afternoon so I headed down to the craft studio for some pre-holiday project organization...

I hung a dry erase board and listed all of my projects with their due dates. Phew! A little overwhelming - but it feels good to have them all visually in front of me every time I walk into the studio.


I got out all of the holiday wrapping paper, gift bags, and tissue I had to see how much I had and what else I needed to get. I put it all in a box for easy access so I can grab as needed.


I've been purchasing gifts here and there since the summertime, and it's easy to forget what I bought and for who! So I labeled some paper bags with index cards and the person's name on it. I placed the appropriate gifts in bags - and will continue to add to them. I left them in plain view for easy access - and covered hubby's bag contents elaborately with tissue paper so he can't peek...


Now it's off to class - and then home to do some late night crafting... if you're paying attention you can see that two items are due TOMORROW - November 17th! Yikes! Nothing like waiting until the last minute!

How do you keep organized during the Holidays??

Last Minute Halloween Crafting... **UPDATED**

... as you know, I've been sick all week. Today I'm feeling MUCH better - just in time for Halloween!

Last night we carved pumpkins... can you guess which is mine and which is hubby's?


Today I worked feverishy in the craft studio to finish Halloween costumes for my nieces...


You can't get the full effect of the cupcake costumes when they're not on bodies... I'll post pics tomorrow of the girls wearing them! **UPDATE... photos added 11/1/2009**




And finally, a few last minute goody bags for my nieces and nephew, who we're spending Halloween with. Plain brown paper bags got jazzed up with some Halloween stamps (Stampin' Up! set "Batty for You") embossed in black and silver and finished off with some Halloween ribbon tied to the handles (50% off at Michaels - yeah!)



I stuffed the bags with novelties, candy, glow sticks, and more. My littlest niece got a Halloween board book in hers.

Happy Halloween to you and yours!