July Giveaway Over the Shoulder Scrunch Sack

JULYS GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER,BE SURE TO ENTER FOR AUGUST!!!


This months giveaway is one of my originally designed over the shoulder scrunch sacks. It's huge and roomy and would make a great beach bag!!

To Enter post a comment under this post. For an extra entry retweet this post, & let me know in another comment you tweeted, or you can put a link to this giveaway on your blog, again post the link with another comment, or you can become a follower of my blog, again let me know you did so with your comment. You can do all three for 3 extra chances to win!!!

The winner will be chosen by random.org on July 20th and posted on my blog, I am going to Italy for 2 weeks on the 27th and want to be able to get this out in time. Make sure you comeback and check July 2oth!!!

And the Winner Of My June Giveaway Is...

Thank you to all of you who entered you are all great!! But there can only be one winner and that is.... Suzanne!!!



Please send me your mailing address, and your choice of fabric, and I will get these adorable appliques out to you!! Congrats. If you didn't win please enter to win for the month of July.

My Adorable Niece

This is my sweet niece Vanessa she's 20 months old. She is wearing one of my originally designed skirts. Actually she is the only one with this skirt, I have not made it again. I made it with 2 coordiniating patterns and did kind of a half & half A line. I wasn't planning this one it just kind of happened. I think it's just perfect for her. Isn't she cute?



Here are a couple of my other origianlly designed skirts
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=23811287
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=21735400
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22666755

LAST DAY!!! to enter This Months Giveaway!!!

If you still want to enter you have until June 3oth. The Winner will be annouced July 1st. I will use http://www.random.org/ to choose the winner. If you don't win this months giveaway enter for July which will also be posted July 1st. Good Luck!!!

To enter go here http://thatgirlscrafty.blogspot.com/2009/06/give-away-month-of-june.html

Contest for June Is Over.

This Weeks Featured Shop EdUB Graphic Art and Design 6/29

My name is Erin and I'm currently moving from place to place with my husband's construction job. It was hard for me to find work in this new place because not only was the economy horrible, but I was five months pregnant (and despite what the law says, people don't want to hire a pregnant woman!) Enter, Etsy! I started designing logos for people in alchemy and then opened shop in March. I've had such a blast with it! I do custom logos, blogs, etsy shop make-overs, photo editing, print design, invitations, etc. You can look at my work at my blog, etsy store, and also look me up in facebook: http://www.edubgraphicdesign.blogspot.com/, http://www.edub.etsy.com/

Tutorial: Make a Kids Halter dress/top From an Old Tshirt

It seems as though I have a lot of new uses for old shirts latley. :) Here's another good one which can be adapted for adults as well. These are the instructions to make a shirt or dress with or without a belt for girls. I made mine with a belt because the white tshirt was really boring, I also added a painted on star for fun. You can get really creative if you use a white shirt, or have an equally fun and hip dress with a tshirt that is not plain white.

Lay your shirt out flat, cut across under the neck as straight as possible. Then cut off the side seams including sleeves. Now you should have 2 rectangles left. Start with the back, measure about 5"-6" down depending how low you want the back. I like mine a little higher. Now cut off that piece, Fold down another inch to make a casing for your elastic. Stitch closed, leaving it open on either end. Measure the torso of the girl who will get this awesome dress, and devide it in half. That is how much elastic you will need. Feed it through the casing, & stitch both ends shut. If you want to add a belt to the dress like I did in the picture. Take a small piece of fabric, and fold each end under and stitch in the middle of the back piece.

Now for the front. Take your front piece and measure each side 2" in and 5"-6" down on the diagonal. Fold, iron, and stitch on the diagonal. Make a casing at the top same way you did in the back. Take a piece of fabric or a ribbon for the tie at the neck. With RIGHT sides together pin up each side, and sew.

If you are taking the belt option, You can take the matching fabric and make a belt by cutting a 4"w x 35" L (you can make it as long or as short as you need) fold the fabric in half RIGHT sides together and iron. Stitch all the way closed except for the ends, and turn it right side out by taking a safety pin and attaching it to one side and feeding it through to the other side, then stitch the ends shut. Now you can feed it through the belt loop.

Voila, you are all done, now she will have a light airy and eco friendly dress to wear all summer long!!

Summer Craft Ideas For Kids

Here is list of great links to fun summer crafts ideas for kids. I am always looking for things to keep my girls busy during the summer.

http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/seasons/summer/

http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/summer-crafts-outdoors/

http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/summer/

http://mailjust4me.com/play/summer1.htm

http://www.freekidscrafts.com/summer_crafts-t100.html

http://www.creativekidsathome.com/summerkidsactivities2.html

http://www.makingfriends.com/summer_more.htm

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/summer_crafts_for_kids.htm


Happy Summer, and Happy Crafting!!

Get Crafty With Your Kids, Make an Eco Friendly Bag

This is a fun and easy way to recycle your old tanks, and it's a great craft to do with your kids. All you need to do is get an old tank top, and some stuff to decorate it. Fabric paint, iron on appliques, Permanent markers, etc. When all the decorating is done turn it inside out and sew up the bottom go over it a few times, turn it right side out and voila!! Now your kids can have their very own bag they helped create. I did this with my girls 3 & 6 and they loved it, and your kids will too!!

Handmade On Sale

I love to buy handmade items, but I really love to buy handmade items on sale. So I have compiled a list of a few shops who have sales going on right now. There are some great buys out there check them out!!

Dongedyframe has a set of 4 6x6 photographs on sale http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26785270

Persuede has is offering free shipping on any orders of $25 or more, and a few items offered 60% off!! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5032834 (Jewlery)

Enyjehl is offering half of any SET purchased http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6660821 (Jewlery)

Smooshpoo has 15% off everything in her store until June 28th http://en.dawanda.com/shop/Smooshpoo

LaPetitPapillon is also participating in the same sale of 15% off everything in my shop http://en.dawanda.com/shop/LePetitPapillon

Bululu Studio is offering free shipping on selected items http://bululustudio.etsy.com/

Barefoot Bride designs is having a closing sale 50% off everything!!! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7298905

Country Windows is offering free shipping on prints and a free 5x7 with purchase of 8x10 http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5846735

Lovely Lotus Designs is offering $15.00 off all her Patchwork skirts !! Sale ends Jun. 29th http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5846735

Just You Botique is having a 2 for $12.00 http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7324358

Dirty Girl Soaps is offering 10% off everthing JUST FOR READERS OF THIS BLOG Coupon Code Thatgirlscrafty http://dirtygirlsoaps.etsy.com/

Blueberry Cream is offering free shipping on selected items http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7041594§ion_id=6159908

Tortoise Loves the Hare is having 70%off EVERYTHING Free Shipping plus a free gift!! http://en.dawanda.com/user/tortoiselovesthehare

Kalicat is offering FREE postage on all orders above 35 Euros from 27th June to 07Th July http://kalicat.dawanda.com/

More coming soon...

This Weeks Featured Shop 2kute Kreations

My name is Rose and I started 2kutekreations in 2008. I did not use to be creative, but in 2003 I had a minor stroke which left me unable to do many things amongst them, hold a job. Well, I guess after the stroke my wiring got crossed because I started to have this need to create.
After a few months of relearning the crochet I had known since my teen yrs, I kept practicing and learning new techniques and more advanced stitches. Slowly I started to crochet for family, friends and charity.
Then I started to branch out and make cards and gift tags. The spare bedroom became my studio which I filled with my yarn and toys. One day I heard of etsy and I signed up in Jan of 2008. Oh so scary to put pics of your creations up. What if no one likes them? But I took the plunge around May of the same yr and I started to list.
Well, as yall can see, I am still here. I love crafting and etsy.
So stop by my shop and see what you think? Should I continue crafting and listing?

If you would like to visit her shop click here http://www.2kute.etsy.com/

Tutorial: How to Make a Tote bag from a T-shirt EASY

I took an idea from a tutorial I saw for a no sew recycled tshirt bag and added a few of my own ideas. I really like this idea because not only are you recycling something you would likely throw out, but you are also not using plastic bags which we all know are horrible for the environment.

1) Lay your tshirt flat, cut a straight line from armpit to armpit. Save the top for later. stitch about 5" from bottom. I stitch this over a few times to make it sturdy. If you want to do the strips (next step) stitch on the outside the knots will cover the stitching. If not stitch on inside of shirt.

2) Turn your bag right side out and this is totally optional but you can cut strips about 4" up, and 1/2" to 1" apart. Please make sure you don't cut into your stitching. Then with the strips you cut, tie them into double knots this will also help the sturdiness of your bag, and it looks kind of fun 80's retro too. If you don't do the strips you can stitch closer to the bottom.

Your bag is right side out now cut about an 1" down each side and make a casing. Stitch casing shut leaving the sides open for your straps. Take the top of shirt and cut your straps. Cut them as long or as short as you want. Feed them through the casing and tie or stitch straps at the top. I tied mine I because I like it better.

Voila there's your new bag. Makes a great overnight bag for the kids, or a small grocery bag. Make several and take them shopping next time.

SALE SALE SALE Special Code JUST for Readers of My Blog

Right Now in ANY of my shops ALL headbands,scrunchies,scrunchie sets, and gift sets are buy one get one 50% off (equal or lesser value). Pay shipping once up to 4 items. But just for the readers of my blog recieve an extra 15% off any purchase even sale items including shipping price. Coupon code MB.

Check Out my New Gift Set

I have paired reversible headbands and 2 matching scrunchies together. They make great gifts. I have this one listed in my shop but they can be made with almost any fabric featured in my shop, or you can start with the headband and add the matching scrunchies, all for the same price!! Did I mention they make excellent gifts. :)

A short but informative article on taking pictures of your items

I have never had problems coming up with new items to make, mostly thanks to my kids. :) I have always been pretty creative, but when it comes to photographing my items I have the hardest time figuring out how to take them and where. This article helped me out, I have taken a few new pics today following what I read, and I am pretty happy with how they turned out.

Tips for Taking Better Pictures for Your Etsy Shop
When you sell your handmade creations online, pictures mean everything. It's the only way your customers can get a good look at your products. Here are some tips to take the best pictures possible.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/433458/tips_for_taking_better_pictures_for.html

Attention All Upcyclers An Awesome Tutorial

Featured Shop of the Week Design Lab 443

I live in Webster Groves, MO with my husband and two young daughters, Amelia and Anna. I am always creating something artistic with my hands. From painting, drawing, scrap-booking, photography, quilting and sewing, I always have a project on hand and one waiting in the wings.


For the past eight years, I have worked as a freelance graphic designer under the company name Design Lab 443. I design creative brand identity, marketing materials and websites for a range of clients, from small start-up businesses to large corporations.


My "work" is graphic design and etsy is my play world, I enjoy making my fun plushy friends. I call them my stress therapy, because while I am making them they take my mind off everything else and they are all I focus on. Escape the world by crafting.


website: www.designlab443.com
craft website: www.designlab443.etsy.com
blog: www.designlab443.blogspot.com

ITEM OF THE WEEK

I would like to start an item of the week feature on that girls crafty. I love all things handmade, and I am sure you feel the same. If you have a favorite item you would like to see promoted, or are you a seller who would like some free advertising for a certain item? Feel free to post here or send me an email at bellesmademoiselles@yahoo.com. All I need is a piture, item name, and shop name. I may even be able to put a link to the shop. If I can figure out how I totally will. :) these will be changing weekly so post as many and as often as you would like. I love handmade!!!

Give away month of JUNE

This months giveaway is 2 BIRDIE iron on Appliques as shown in the picture, with the fabric of your choice. You will recieve one big bird, and one small. They make such cute shirts, and onesies!! All you need to do to enter is post a comment under this post, and your entered. I will choose the winner June 30th, and POST THE WINNER HERE. Then start all over for July with a new item.

I think I get It Now

Ok ok, so it wasn't as hard as I thought. I figured some stuff out, and now I'm on my way. :) Now all I need is a bit more content and oh yeah some readers would be good. If you are interested in becoming a featured seller, please email me at BellesMademoiselles@yahoo.com or convo me at etsy or dawanda .

A few New Things

Here Are a few of the new items I made. Just testing out adding photos with text. :)
This is how I would like to feature your handmade shop, but with more text of course.

GRRRRR

So here I am trying to figure this whole set up a blog thing out. It seemed so easy just follow the steps and voila. There are so many things I have yet to figure out. I want to add pictures, where should they go, oh and where's the browse button? I want to add my etsy shop how do I do that? I clicked on the help link and it was not so helpful. I feel like I have been on here forvever. Meanwhile my 3 year old is tearing apart the house. Luckily my 6 year old is at school, or I would really have a problem.
Please keep checking back, or become a follower if thats what it's called. I promise to get all this stuff figured out. When I do it will be a lot of fun. I plan on doing monthly give aways on my handmade items, as well as do a weekly featured handmade shop. BTW if you're interested in beacoming a featured shop feel free to contact me. Feel free to leave comments, suggestions, perhaps words of encouragement :), I think I chose the option for posts. For now take care, come back soon, and happy crafting.