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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Ribbet Collage Maker

Did you know that there's a new FREE collage maker online?  It's called Ribbet and I'm just guessing but I'm fairly certain it's from the same people who brought us Picnik and PicMonkey.

Ribbet
Right now it's free to register and take advantage of all of the premium features.  You know that's not going to last for long~


You get all the same fun features that you've seen on PicMonkey but now there's even more!


I tried it and really like it.  Give it a go and see what you think!

*This is not a sponsored post and I have not received any reimbursement whatsoever.  I just stumbled onto this site and I know how many Etcetorizer's out there will enjoy it. 

Have fun!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Come and Get it!

OK all you snow bunnies!  Have I got a deal for you!  See all that snow piled up behind me???


It can all be yours for the low, low price of absolutely FREE!

Canadian Winter, Snow, Winter

All you have to do is come pick it up.

Canadian Winter, Snow, Winter

Only one catch....

Canadian Winter, Snow, Winter

Absolutely, positively...NO RETURNS!


Not impressed....neither am I~

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Has your style changed?

Pinterest is great for a lot of things.  It's great for finding inspiration. It's great for organizing ideas and recipes.  And it's really great for watching your own interests and style evolve.

I've noticed lately that the pins on my Style board have gone from this very hippie '70s vibe:


to this much more tailored, sleek, chic vibe:


I find myself drooling over form fitting pencil skirts and vintage inspired wiggle dresses lately.  What to do???  I have a closet full of peasant dresses and flowy skirts.  Do I make the switch?  Do I embrace both seemingly opposite styles somehow?

What about you?  Has your style changed recently?  I think I'm being heavily influenced by period dramas on TV and in the movies.  What's your style influenced by?

Leave a comment below~

Monday, January 28, 2013

Mandala Refashion

Most of you already know I like to make my own underwear.  The store bought stuff is just so over priced and is rarely comfortable.

So, this weekend I made another pair.  I used this cute girls top that I picked up at the Thrift Store ages ago for $1:


I love the colours, and the sparkles, and the rhinestones, and the funky mandala pattern!



I used this 1980's pattern from Kwik Sew:

Kwik Sew makes the best lingerie patterns.
I used View A.
I added this gorgeous lime green lingerie elastic from my stock on hand.


And I came up with this!


I think they're super cute.  They fit perfectly and are very comfy.  Anyone else out there making their own sweet nothings?  What's your favourite pattern company for underthings?  Leave a comment below~

Friday, January 25, 2013

I'm Bored Jar

Just before Christmas I was the lucky lucky winner of this prize pack from the amazing Lowri over at Papervine.


Lowri is a fabulous paper artist and I'm constantly inspired by her creations.  When I opened my mega prize pack   I instantly had an idea for what I wanted to use it for.



I don't hear my niece and nephew say "I'm bored" very often but I do hear them say "What can I do???". So I thought this would be a fun gift for them....and for their mom~

Here's what you need to make your own "I'm Bored" Jar.



Materials
-container or jar
-popsicle sticks
-pretty papers and embellishments
-Mod Podge or other adhesive and sponge brush
-ruler, knife, and cutting mat
-very fine tip markers (not shown)

Steps:
1) Start with a clean container or jar.  I'm using a relish jar, it's the perfect size for my sticks.  Measure the flat surface of the jar.  Mine is approximately 2 inches.


2) Now cut some cute paper the same width to go around your jar.  I was lucky I had so many to choose from, this border print is exactly the right size!


3) Paint some Mod Podge onto your jar and adhere your paper.


4) Once you've finished embellishing your jar, set it aside.  Ah! But before you do, toss one of your popsicle sticks inside to see how much sticks out the top.  Mark your stick lightly.  You'll use this as your template.


5) If you really want to ensure maximum confusion, cut all your papers from the same sheet so that the kids won't be able to identify them and memorize what's on each stick.  I had so many pretty papers to use I went with different ones but every single stick is completely different.  I cut out two pieces of the same paper from every sheet and then mixed them all up.  My niece and nephew are pretty smart but I think it'll take a few times of pulling the sticks before they'll be able to memorize them.


6) Once again, get out the Mod Podge and adhere your papers to each side of the sticks.


7) When all of your sticks are dry, take a very fine tipped felt marker and write out a fun activity on the end of the stick.  Don't use chores or the kids will never want to play this game.  Make it fun for them, and you~


If you don't want to write them all out you could print them on paper and mod podge them on too.

Here's the list of activities I came up with:
-Dress up in a costume and put on a play                           -Put together a puzzle
-Listen to music                                                                 -Have a picnik
-Have a fashion show                                                        -Make a bracelet
-Read a book to Barclay                                                   -Build a fort and camp out
-Make something new with Lego's                                     -Build a racetrack and race cars
-Play a board game                                                           -Finger paint
-Paint a picture                                                                  -Practice Jenga
-Build something with playdoh                                           -Play with your Barbies/Trains
-Clean out your closet and donate some clothes you don't fit
-Talk to an adult about when they were a kid                     -Look for stars in the sky
-Bake cookies with an adult                                               -Count clouds and find shapes
-Make someone a card

Throw your finished sticks into the jar and voila!  Hours of fun!


By the way... I didn't eat all of those popsicles, (I could've but I didn't).  I got these from that discarded First Aid kit I told you about a couple of weeks ago.  I think these sticks were for making splints.  See???  I can find a crafty use for almost anything!

Can you think of some more activities to add?  Leave a comment below.  The more ideas the better!

Make sure to go visit Lowri over at Papervine.  Not only does she have wonderful projects but she has loads of giveaways all the time too!

This project was featured here:

    five days five ways | because every day is different

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Cool Sewing Patterns

Are you looking for another pinboard to add to your collection?  I bet your are!  It's addicting isn't it?


AllFreeSewing.com has asked me to help contribute to a brand new board they've created that will be filled with "Cool Sewing Patterns"!  Fun right?


I'll be on the lookout to add pins from homesewers who come up with their own designs and patterns for clothing, home dec, accessories, etc.


If you have a special project you think I should add, or you know of someone else who does, make sure to let me know.  You can leave a comment below or email me anytime!

See the rest of the AllFreeSewing boards HERE.  If you're a sewer you're going to love them!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Project Playback

Sometimes I remake projects, and remake them, and remake them.  I just love them that much, and they end up being awesome gifts.

So, even though you've seen these projects before, I'm going to show you them again, in their latest version.

Tea tags made with the same paper as the journal~
I have a co-worker who is retiring this week.  Actually, it seems like I have a co-worker retiring almost every week.  I'm a little nervous about what's going to happen in a couple of years when no one is left and none of us know where to find anything or how to do anything.  But, time marches on.

I don't know this co-worker all that well, but in the short time I've worked alongside her I've really valued her insight and leadership.

Her journal is for her bucket list or goals for her exciting new and fully relaxed life of retirement.  (She's one of those people who probably won't actually retire and will be even busier than she is now.)


And I still love my Personalized Tea project so I made another set for her.  Funnily enough, the affirmations that I came up with for my stressed out family members seem to fit quite well for retirement too!

I forgot to take a pic of the inside
but rest assured it's full of pretty pockets and tabs~
And, believe it or not, I'm making a journal for myself too!  I have a book called "How to Be Happier Day by Day" which I read daily.  Every day it gives you an idea for making your life more meaningful and purposeful.  It's really just a tool for getting my out of my routines.

A work in progress but coming along nicely.

Inside Pockets
So, I plan on tracking my progress with this lovely journal.  I've added 12 gorgeous tabs!  One for every month of the year~


Do you have any projects of your own that you like to remake and give away (or keep for yourself)?  Leave a comment below and share~

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

New McCalls and Butterick

While I was madly shopping the super duper pattern sale my local fabric store a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that there are some new pattern catalogues out!

There wasn't much in my taste in the new McCalls but they did bring out lots of cute pieces for little girls:



LOVE this cute wrap dress!
Butterick has one new pattern that caught my eye:



As you can see by the catalogue cover, they're celebrating their 150 year anniversary so there are loads of retro throwback patterns in side.

And if you're expecting (which I'm totally not!), they have a nice selection of new and stylish maternity pieces.


This is not a sponsored post, I just love it when the new patterns are released.  You can find McCalls and Butterick online or in most fabric stores.

Did you see any new releases that you're a fan of?  Leave a comment below~