Monster Mania Ebook Review

I've been reading Marie's blog, Make and Takes, for years.  In fact, I remember reading it back when she was still The Stitching Barn.  We finally met in real life earlier this year.  Isn't it great to meet blog friends in real life?  Gotta love it.

This is Marie's latest venture.  It's an eBook called Monster Mania.  For only $7 you get a download of all of these great kid projects (15 in all).  Not only do you get all the projects, but she's included a great master list of craft supplies that will get you through all the projects in the book and that are great to have on hand for all sorts of craft projects. 

Each project also includes a learning objective.  You can see Marie's background in education come through as she helps us with ideas to make these crafts great learning experiences as well--not just as we're making the crafts, but beyond. 

A few of the projects are food based.  I think even I could get my kids to try some Monster Stew. 

The book is available now!  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

September Craft Challenge Winner!

We have a winner!  It is KraftyKash with her organizer box! 

I saw her working it on Twitter and her blog to drive some votes her way!  Congratulations!

Thank you to Craft Critique for sponsoring our challenge this month.  Don't forget to send in your butterflies!

The winner of the butterfly prize is Steph!  Congratulations!  You both receive a free month of the craft challenge and a prize from Craft Critique.

REMEMBER:  You have until tomorrow 9/29 to register for next month's challenge!

September Craft Challenge Voting

It is time to vote for your favorite entry! The polls will stay open through the weekend. I'll announce the winner on Monday morning.

Here is a reminder of what the crafters had to work with.

Submissions to the butterfly project will be allowed until the end of this month! Remember to submit your butterflies. You did not have to participate in the challenge to participate in that special project.

October craft challenge packets are available in my etsy shop. That deadline is Sept. 29th.

Announcing the October Craft Challenge!

I know we haven't finished up the September challenge but I thought I better make an announcement soon about next month so you'll all have time to sign up! 

Our sponsor is Neatnix and they will be providing this great bucket (products not included).  I met the people behind Neatnix at CHA Summer and loved seeing their products up close and personal.  This bucket is pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and you can bet that the challenge will have something to do with that.

I'm coveting their stuff cubbies.  They look like regular magazine holders but they are sturdy and they fold up! 

If you'd like a chance to win this bucket next month, SIGN UP HERE!   The deadline is September 30th.

The craft challenge costs $5 (or buy a longer subscription at a discount) and includes some fun supplies for you to make something amazing!  I provide the product, you provide the creativity. 

Stop by tomorrow to see what last month's participants have come up with! 

Make. Story Dice or Story Blocks

Yesterday I broke out some paint and little wooden blocks to make a set of story dice.  As you may notice, I'm not so great at drawing pictures.  However, these are just the thing my daughter loves and she recognized every single picture.  Okay, she thought my pig was a cow.  Either way. 

I had plans on painting more blocks but my daughter had too much fun painting them herself.  So, only a handful of them have pictures now.  I don't think she minds. 

Want to see them in action?  Here is a great video of her using the story dice to tell a fabulous story!

Make. Greeting Card Organizer

  How great is this project?  This card organizer has pockets for each month and has a perpetual calendar so you can use it year after year.  I used this tutorial with some modifications.  I relied on designer paper for decorating the organizer and in this particular one I kept the pages white to save on cost (I eventually sold this at a craft show). 

This is the inside of one that I made using all double sided paper.  I really love how it turned out. 

Instead of using a bind it all, I punched holes through all the pages.  I added eyelets on the front and back pages.  I used some hemp twine to tie it all together. 

Teaching Kids to Knit

I have a bag full of 30 skeins of yarn.  I have 13 pairs of new knitting needles.  Today I had some eager grade schoolers ready to learn to knit!  The PTO at one of the local elementary schools contacted me to see if I'd be interested in teaching their after school knitting class.  Apparently she asked a few people if they knew anyone that knit and they all said my name!  I wonder if it is the bumper sticker on the back of my van?  So, I have a bit of a reputation around town. 

I chose a simple project for the kids.  They mentioned that they wanted to make scarves.  I'm a fan of the scarf in theory.  I just don't like to knit them.  I get a bit bored with that kind of project.  But, I am obliging and have a scarf pattern for them to work on.

Teaching kids how to knit isn't easy.  Teaching adults how to knit isn't a walk in the park, either.  It takes practice and so many people get frustrated when their knitting doesn't look the way they would like.   This is a skill.  It needs to be mastered.  But, like I told the kids today, it's a skill that can serve them well. 

I mean, not everyone can make their own scarves--whether they like to or not!

Stuff I Like. Sewing Patterns

Today I'm featuring some great sewing patterns found on Etsy. Go and check them out!

I think a couple of those might end up in my shopping cart in the next few days. Which one is your favorite?

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade christynelson.etsy.com

CHA Summer Report: DinoTalk Talking Envelopes

I was sent a few of these recordable gift card holders to check out after I saw them at CHA and I must say, I love them!  A few months ago I was looking for a recordable card to give to my daughter's teacher.  She loves to hear my daughter's laugh so I though it would be fun to record that for her.  The recordable cards I found in the stores (if they had any!) were expensive ($6-$8) and weren't appropriate for our occasion.  I wish I had known about these back then!  They have a whole line of recordable products so you can even make your own recordable cards with their paper! 

Check out this video I made (with my daughter's help) featuring this product and what I did with it. 

This is a brand new product and I'm still waiting to hear back on where it will be available.  I'll keep you all posted!  In the meantime, I've got an extra one that I'll send to a facebook fan.  Become a fan before Sept. 23rd to enter!

Attend. The Original Sewing & Quilt Expo

Next month I'll be traveling down to Kansas City to attend The Original Sewing & Quilt Expo.  I have a press pass to cover the expo and I also signed up for a few classes. 

I'm looking forward to this event for a couple of reasons. 

1. I'm going with Kelly from Refibered. 

2. It will be a few days of pure crafting goodness.

3. I could really use some sewing instruction.

I'm taking three classes while I'm there.  The first one is Photoshop Elements for Creative Printmakers.  I'm really excited with this one as it combines computers and crafting!  I've had Photoshop Elements for six months and still don't really know how to use it to its potential.  I'd love to be able to design my own fabric for Spoonflower or my own craft paper at Craft Sassy. 

I'm also taking Core Sewing Skills.  I could really use some instruction on the basics so I can avoid some of the crazy mistakes I make.  Plus, I'm a self-taught sewer so it would be nice to know how I'm "supposed" to be doing things. 

The third class I'll be registering for when we arrive so I won't know what is still available.  We took advantage of the bring a friend deal being offered so we each get an extra class.  I'm hoping to get in on a slipcover class. 

Do you like to attend expos or events like these? 

If you could take a class from any of your crafty "heroes", who would it be?

Stuff I Like. Aprons

It was almost unanimous when I asked the facebook fans what they wanted to see this month. APRONS! Because of my back, I haven't been able to craft as much as I might like. So, while I'd love to be making some aprons and giving you some great tutorials, I've got to heal. Instead I'll show you these great aprons that other crafters have made! These are all gorgeous and available for purchase on etsy.

This etsy mini has been replaced with a screen shot.

Portable Crafting

For the past several days I've been nursing a sore back.  I haven't been very mobile and just the thought of sitting at a sewing machine has me wishing for pain medication.  It got me thinking about all the crafts I could do while resting my back in bed.  These crafts are not only great for those on bed rest, but for any crafter on the go. 

1. Knitting/Crocheting

This is a great craft for portability.  All you really need is a set of needles (or a hook) and some yarn and you've got hours of crafting pleasure. 

I always have a portable knitting project on hand in my purse or car for those spare moments.  They can really add up and before you know it, you have a completed project!

2. Needlework

Embroidery and cross stitch are fun and (mostly) portable projects.  I wouldn't want to bring an 18" X 20" cross stitch pattern into my bed or try and carry it around in my purse, but for some smaller projects, this is totally feasible. 

The project to the right was a good example.  I did this pattern on a tote bag.  It was perfect to carry around because I could put all of my supplies in the bag while I was working on it! 

  3.  Friendship Bracelets

I can't forget to mention these beauties!  This is the ultimate portable craft!  I started making these when I would ride the bus to school. 

For this craft you need a safety pin and some embroidery floss.  So portable you can fit all of that in your pocket!

4. Drawing/Doodling

I don't really do much drawing but I love to doodle.  With a sketchbook and your favorite pens/pencils, this is an activity that can go anywhere.  I like to sketch out ideas for crafts on paper and while my drawings aren't great, I enjoy doing it. 

What are your favorite portable crafts? 

September Craft Challenge Packets

The packets should have arrived to their destinations over the weekend so here's a look at what is inside. 

There is a home dec weight butterfly/flower fabric, some seed beads, eyelash yarn, wood ovals, and some pink foam.  I was really excited to see all these items together.  I think you all will be able to make something amazing! 

Next month we'll have a special challenge with a Breast Cancer Awareness theme.  I can assure you that the prize is something any type of crafter can use and it is PINK!  If you'd like to purchase your packet for October, they are available now.

Website Redesign

I started this site just less than a year ago and I really had no idea exactly how I was going to use it.  I had plans.  I still do.  After a time of living in this space, I need to do some rearranging. 

I'm in the process of moving over to Wordpress and changing up the layout but could use some color advice.  I love my logo and that will stay the same.  However, we're going to update the color of that and the site. 

Do you have a preference?  Do you think my color choices are crazy?  Let your voice be heard!

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Singer Dress Forms On Sale

I don't usually post items of this nature but it is National Sewing Month and this product could be something you would really, really want.  These Singer dress forms are regular price $229.  You can get them online at Joann's today for $99.  If you don't want to take the time to make your own duct tape dress form, this might be a good option for you. 

Stuff I Like. Cross Stitch Patterns on Etsy

I've been thinking a lot about cross stitch lately. I have a lot of embroidery floss and I've always enjoyed doing cross stitch. The problem? It is difficult to find cool, up to date patterns. I've been on the lookout for a while for some modern cross stitch patterns and have several in my etsy favorites now so I thought I'd share!

This etsy mini has been replaced with a screen shot.