Have you all seen my weekly Pinteresting Party? The idea of it is to link up to 2 of your blog posts {DIY, Crafts, Decorating, Recipes and the such} and pin some other posts. Pinterest is the #2 source of referalls to my blog this month so I figured this was a link party to also work as free advertising for your blog!
I have been doing it for seventeen weeks now {whoop, whoop} and would like this party to grow soooo...I am looking for a blog {one that is of the DIY nature} to co-host the party with me. Here's what I'm thinking:
I usually write up the post Friday nights after the link party has ended. I would email you the post HTML {unless you want to write your own thing} & the link party HTML code Friday night and you can post it anytime on Friday or Saturday {preferably by Saturday afternoon}.
You can email me at totshop728@yahoo.com with the subject COHOSTING YOUR PARTY {all in caps just like that - I get a lot of email and I want it to stand out}.
On to this weeks winner! {and a new one}
The winner of the ABC Print from One Little Dicky Bird is Francesca! Congrats! I have sent you an email. Please reply to the email to claim your prize.
The winner of the Crochet Turtle from Beyond Crochet has not claimed their prize. That means there is another winner! The -NEW- winner is Sarah Congrats! I have sent you an email. Please reply to the email to claim your prize.
If you need an invitation to Pinterest.com or have any questions about it please comment here or convo me. I'd be happy to help if I can.
My faves from last week:
Oh my word...how easy is this skirt?! Go and see...it's the 8 second skirt and the gOOd life shows you how to make it. I am totally doing this!
Celebrate Every Day with Me has a great idea to keep kids playing in the snow after you are ready to come inside. Check it out!
It's Overflowing has a front door framed ornament wreath that even I can do! Hooray for simple and beautiful!
Stop on over to these links and show them some love and if you pinned them, you can let them know. :)
Here are the rules:
Add a direct link to a blog post along with it's title {not the title of your blog}.
You can link up to two posts per blog. {no shops or giveaways please}
Visit at least 2 other links and pin their post.
I'd love for you to spread the word and post my Pinteresting Party Button on your blog. {& be sure to follow my blog to see when the next party is & if you were featured the following week} :)
By linking up you give me full permission to use one photo from your post if you are featured the following link.
Please, no Etsy shops or Giveaways.
Want to know how to check if you were pinned? Copy this link into your browser and add your blog URL {does not work for Etsy shops}: http://pinterest.com/source/YOURURLHERE for example, mine would be http://pinterest.com/source/tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com
Need a reminder about this party? Look to the right...you see that spot that says "Subscribe to our mailing list"? Type in your email and you will receive an email each week reminding you to link up! Hooray!
How to link up:
Click the button below that says "add your link" and type in the following info-
Happy Freebie Friday! This month is flying by. Maybe it's because of all the work, shopping, decorating and holiday prepping I've been up to.
Lets welcome Holly, shop owner of MimisDollhouse and learn more about her and her shop. Then enter below to win a $25 store credit! Yay! Perfect for an upcoming party.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Holly. My shop is called Mimi's Dollhouse. I am a work at home mom to two beautiful little girls ages 2 and 7 months. I live in Northern Kentucky and love football, shopping and creating!!!
What made you want to become an artist?
I think its a need more than a want. I NEED to create things. I NEED to feel like I'm making things beautiful and unique. I find myself bringing out the art in everything and turning that passion into a business just seemed like the next step.
What is your favorite item to create?
Anything out of paper. I love to find something random and take paper and scissors and glue and just start recreating it.
What advice would you give to new artists on Etsy?
Find a niche. Don't try to sell everything, choose your best.
How do you promote your work?
Mostly it has been word of mouth, although I am branching out into trying some different promotions (like this one:))
I find a great deal of my inspiration in watching my little girls play. Seeing things that excite them and the things they gravitate toward.
What are your goals for your shop?
I want to use my shop to help bring do-it-yourself to as many people as possible. I want to help people of all levels of comfort achieve unique and special events they can be proud to have created for themselves.
I know, I know...I said I would show you how to make this a while ago but better late than never, right? I make these as a pin to attach to the necklace onesies I have in my shop. If you missed it, I wrote up a tutorial on how I make them! See it here. Has anyone made one yet? I would love to see how it came out if you did. You can post it on my Facebook wall, email me, or post it in my Flickr Group!
Now onto the tutorial. Here is how to make a Satin Flower Pin:
You will need:
Satin {the smallest my craft store would cut is 1/8 yard and it was enough to make lots & lots of these}BONUS- it was only $0.62!
Freezer Paper {not necessary but makes cutting easier}
Felt in a matching color.
Card stock/cardboard ircles cut in the following sizes {I used my Cricut machine} 1", 1.5", 2", 2.5" & 3"
A Pin {if you are making this into a pin}
A Bead, Pearl, Button...something small for the center.
Needle & Thread
Fabric Scissors
A lighter {I am not responsible for hurting yourself or burning anything down - ya never know}
An iron
A glue gun & glue
Here's what you do:
You are going to want to iron on the freezer paper {shiny side of freezer paper to dull side of satin} to the satin to make it easier to trace the circles and cut them out.
You don't need to hold the iron over it, just run it back and forth a few times. You will be able to tell when it is on. It will stick together.
See? It's stuck on there nice and good.
Trace your circles and cut them out.
Don't they look nice and sharp? I have tried to cut satin in circles without the freezer paper technique and it is way more difficult...for me at least!
Peel off the freezer paper. Do it slowly so the fabric stays nice and neat.
Take a lighter and burn around the edges. They will curl like this. You only need to hit the edge of the fabric for a second. I tried to get a video for you but I was alone and trying to record & use a lighter was getting a little dangerous for me {I'm a spaz} but I'm sure there is one on YouTube or something.
Stack them together, largest to smallest.
Thread your needle and sew them together in the center.
Grab your felt and cut out a 2" circle.
Using your needle and thread, sew on the pin back. {or you could hot glue it}
Hot glue the felt to the back of the satin flower and there you have it!
Pin it onto a necklace onesie to make it oh so cute!
This was a custom order. I love the grey with light pink, don't you?
If you have any questions just comment or email me and I'd be happy to help if I can. :)
I'll be linking up this tutorial to some of these parties.
Have you heard of Laurie Berkner? She sings songs for kids that we just love here in our home.She makes kids music enjoyable instead of annoying. I must say I can listen to her music non stop while playing with Bug and not get sick of it. She has 5 CDs {i believe} plus a The Best Of CD and I can't tell you which is my fave. I love them all!
On her CD "Whaddaya Think of That?" there is a song called I Know A Chicken. It's also on The Best Of CD.
The song is so much fun and she tells you different ways to shake an egg. If you don't have a shaky egg you can just shake your body, but we made some shaky eggs from old plastic eggs we had in our play food cart since Easter.
What you will need:
Plastic Eggs {one per kid, or as many as you'd like}
Small items to put inside the egg to make noise. We used yeast, rice & small noodles. We wanted to make ours soft and loud shakers. Other ideas are oatmel, cornmeal, sprinkles, beads...
Crazy glue
Tape
First you are going to want to tape the inside where the holes are {if any} so there are no leaks.
Then fill half an egg about 3/4 of the way. Place glue around the edges and let it dry. {don't glue your fingers to the egg} If you are lazy and impatient like I am you can just wrap some packing tape around the egg so it doesn't open easily. You might not want to do that meathod with younger ones who will try to open it. Bug was a good listener and didn't even attempt it.
Stop on over to these links and show them some love and if you pinned them, you can let them know. :)
Here are the rules:
Add a direct link to a blog post along with it's title {not the title of your blog}.
You can link up to two posts per blog. {no shops or giveaways please}
Visit at least 2 other links and pin their post.
I'd love for you to spread the word and post my Pinteresting Party Button on your blog. {& be sure to follow my blog to see when the next party is & if you were featured the following week} :)
By linking up you give me full permission to use one photo from your post if you are featured the following link.
Please, no Etsy shops or Giveaways.
Want to know how to check if you were pinned? Copy this link into your browser and add your blog URL {does not work for Etsy shops}: http://pinterest.com/source/YOURURLHERE for example, mine would be http://pinterest.com/source/tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com
Need a reminder about this party? Look to the right...you see that spot that says "Subscribe to our mailing list"? Type in your email and you will receive an email each week reminding you to link up! Hooray!
How to link up:
Click the button below that says "add your link" and type in the following info-
Happy Freebie Friday. I have been slacking in the blogging area the past couple weeks. First there was Thanksgiving and then after Thanksgiving dinner I started getting lots of orders! Hooray! I will be back to my normal blogging after the holidays for sure...but until then I will do my best. :)
Worry not about the giveaways however...they will be every Friday on schedule! :) Today we have Hing from hingmade. This shop has the cutest felt figures ever! Ornaments, mobiles, & soft toy books. Check out my faves at the bottom, super cute stuff. You are going to want to win this cute little felt penguin so learn a little about Hing, hingmade & enter below using the Rafflecopter widget.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I design and create as my hobby. When I am not creating, I take care of my family and my garden. I like making mobiles, soft toys, learning books, felt decorations, and anything that comes to mind.
What made you want to become an artist?
I studied art in school and have always had a love for arts and crafts. Seeing something go from concept to design to a product going to someone who appreciates my work makes me very happy.
What is your favorite item to create?
I like making anything cute that keeps children engaged and teach them basic skills. One of my favorites is the car set (www.etsy.com/listing/56483156). Instead of a simple one-piece track, I made it into a 24-piece configurable track. It took much more work to make but it's well worth it because the child gets to design different roads and learn in the process.
What advice would you give to new artists on Etsy?
Spend time creating but remember to spend time spreading the word about your work as well. Knowing that people see and appreciate your work keeps you motivated to create even more things.
How do you promote your work?
I spend most of my time creating and wish I could promote my work better. I use Facebook and Twitter and approach blogs to write about my work.
I love animals and the nature. When I see animals on the Discovery channel, I like to incorporate them into my creation.
Where do you create?
I converted our second bedroom into my workroom where I have my sewing machine and all my supplies.
What are your goals for your shop?
My goal is to make one sale a week. That way, there are enough sales to keep me motivated but also enough time to take care of my family and be thoughtful about my creations. One sale a week gives me time to hand make each piece with details.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
We grow many kinds of herbs and vegetables in our garden and like to share them with our neighbors. Every year, we grow personalized pumpkins and squashes and give them to our friends as gifts.
