Father's Day Ideas?

Father's Day is coming up in about a month, any creative ideas that I could use for Mr. Designs by Vanessa? He's waited a long time for his first Father's Day and I want him to feel as special as he made me feel on Mother's Day!

DAD Little House Village from The Little Red Door

Tutorial Roundup: Baby Crafts

Any crafty weekend plans? I'm hoping to finish up a few nursery projects. Here are some tutorials that I found to inspire you:

Baby Boy Onesie from Omi Creates
Crib & Toddler Bed Sheet Tutorial from luvinthemommyhood
Name Book Tutorial from forty-two roads

Plans Change...

This is what I’m calling my scarf and it is actually a very fitting way to describe my life and define my personality right now. I was completely out of my element with this scarf making business. I have never made a scarf and while I possess basic sewing skills, I am in no way a master seamstress. I picked fabric and came up with a design plan that fit my personality – feminine and creative with a splash of fun.

I eagerly started working on my plan and halfway through, my sewing machine decided to stop sewing. After 15 minutes of pleading with my machine and another 15 minutes of thinking happy thoughts in an attempt to use positive thinking to get it to work, I picked up a needle and started sewing by hand (please note that I’m even worse at hand stitching than I am with my sewing machine).

My scarf took on a life of its own and when my hand got tired I decided to call it a scarflette! My scarf plans may have changed but I rolled with the punches and went with the flow. In the end I didn’t get a perfect scarf but instead I got something that was a little outside of the box but very much me!

Without further adieu, this is what I submitted to the Me, My Scarf, and I Contest. Keep your fingers crossed that I win because I could really use a new sewing machine that actually sews!

Sneak Peek: Scarf Project

Just a little sneak peek of my scarf for the Me, My Scarf, and I Contest. Notice the mustard yellow, I told you I'm addicted! The due date for entries is November 23rd...I better get sewing! What are you working on?

Happiness

Happiness = Craft Supply Shopping

What makes you happy?

Tutorial Tuesday: Teacup Pincushion

Check out this absolutely adorable Teacup Pincushion Tutorial featured on Craftzine. Super easy to make and so cute! Now I just have to find the perfect teacup for this project...

Happy National Craft Month!

The Craft & Hobby Association has declared March as the National Craft Month. They are challenging us crafters and non-crafters to take the Craft Night Pledge of crafting one night a week with your friends and family. By participating in just one craft per week, there are many therapeutic benefits to be gained including reducing stress and promoting self-care through relaxation.

The "Craft Night Pledge" is easy, beneficial and affordable:

• Saving Cash: A family of four can save more than $150 a month by having a Craft Night at home instead of going to the movies or out for dinner.
• Interaction with Children: Parents can help their school-going kids keep up with the latest fashions with a DIY craft night at home. Personalizing lunch boxes, t-shirts, jeans, headbands and more.
• Couples Crafting: Spend more time together painting photo boxes, personalizing throw pillows, or making affordable gifts for family and friends.
• Memory and Relaxation: Young professionals can unwind and bond with friends while creating customized jewelry or scrapbooks with pooled materials - saving cash and improving focus and memory.

I'm taking the Craft Night Pledge, are you? Don't forget to upload your creations to Flickr and tag your items with "Craft Night" so others can marvel at your crafts.

Go Horns!

In honor of UT kicking some Oklahoma booty over the weekend, here is a burnt orange post for you today! I was on a plane on my way back to Austin, TX during the game and the pilot was giving updates of the game throughout the flight. Umm I hope he was also paying attention to flying the plane lol.

Burnt Orange Loose Crochet Hat by handsoncreations

Longhorn Glycerine Soap by sudznbubbles

Crochet Flower Pin by embellishedlife

The Little Black Box- For Sale Now!

Designs by Vanessa is in The Little Black Box this month! Wondering what I'm talking about? The Little Black Boxes go on sale once a month and are full of promotional items/samples, all from handmade indie shops like mine. The boxes usually fly off the shelves and you can find everything from soap samples to knitted wash cloths in the boxes. I sent in my scalloped little birdie tags to be included in this month's box. Still wondering what I'm talking about? Check out this video:

Happy (very early) Holidays!

Everyone seems to be preparing for the holidays on Etsy and I didn't want to miss out on the fun. I feel a little like those stores who start playing Christmas carols before Halloween is even over lol. Oh well, who doesn't love Christmas carols?! I found this awesome red and green acid-free cardstock and punched out the most retro adorable tags out of it. Check out my newest listing and have an early retro-filled Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa!

Etsy Feature: bstudio

Fellow Etsian, Brenda of bstudio, was awesome enough to share her designs with us. Brenda is an interior decorator who enjoys silk ribbon embroidery, gardening, photography and sewing. A multi-talented crafter!

When asked how she got her start at etsy, Brenda responds, "I started at etsy at the end of November 2007 after reading a second article in the local paper about it. I had been making my silk ribbon embroidered pillows but didn't have an outlet for them and etsy is ideal for me".

Brenda is inspired by the flowers in her garden and this reflects in her beautiful designs. You can see pictures of Brenda's garden and more of her designs in her flickr album. Her favorite designs in her shop are her dragonfly and butterfly pillows and I would have to agree! I'm in love with the colors she uses and her designs are simply beautiful.

Undiscovered Etsian - Sascalia

I was pouncing on undiscovered etsy artists and I stumbled across Sascalia. Her original artwork is so whimsical and absolutely darling. She won't be undiscovered for long!

Check out just a couple of her beautiful mixed media collage paintings. Click on the pics for more info.

Lonely Tree



Purple Tree

Only one more day to enter!

Click on the picture to find out how to enter this giveaway.



Emma of Femmedetails was nice enough to blog about my designs. Check out my latest blog interview on the Femmedetails blog and browse her fabulous jewelry while your there.

Contest: Knitted Bangle

For more information on how to win one of Leah's beautiful bangle bracelet visit Simply Sentimental's Blog. How cute are these bracelets!! They are perfect for fall/winter outfits!

This giveaway ends on September 22nd.

I was blogged about...

I was blogged about in the fabulous QUiD essential blog yesterday! Check out my interview and while your at it check out QUID's Etsy shop. You'll spot some awesome vintage and handmade goodies like this fun ring:

Fabulous Friday Finds - Owls, Owls, Owls

My obsession with all things that have wings continues...

"White Rose Pink Owl Earrings" by BlueMabel



"Owl Get You Tank Top" by Deadworry



"Pink Mr. Hoots Ring" by laralewis

Contest: Smelly Good Soap

A fellow Texan, soapsense, is giving away your choice of any two bars of soap! I would love to try the bluebonnet soap...yummy! All you have to do is leave a comment on her blog by September 20th.

Check out her adorable packaging...

Pink and Paisley Little Birdies

My Pink and Paisley Little Birdie Cards were featured on the Indie Parade Blog. Yay I'm excited and honored!



These cards are also in the Etsy Challenge this week. Please visit the Etsy Challenge Blog and vote for my little birdies. Votes are much appreciated :)

Purple, Purple & More Purple!

The blog carnival topic for this month is to "pick your favorite color and show it in your work"...that's easy for me!

My favorite color is purple, some may call it an obsession. Growing up I had a purple room, literally my walls were painted lavender. In college, my microwave and television were purple and now that I'm married I've managed to slide in a few purple vases and throw pillows into our living room. :-) So, naturally I use a lot of purple in my designs. Here are just a few of my purple designs that can be found in my shop:

Click on the pics for more info.