Button Tree

I recently ordered 300 buttons from this Etsy shop. They just came in today and I'm very pleased! Because I'm up to my ears in buttons at the moment, I wanted to put them to use right away. I had a big canvas on hand, and decided to make a button tree. I drew out the tree with a pencil, then went over it in brown paint.

The finished product!

Finished.

Finally finished my Hunger Games cross stitch.

Softies

Spent a few hours going over my fabric stash, wondering what I wanted to do with it. For starters, I wanted to make some stuffed dolls, otherwise known as Softies. So I went to work.

I decided to start with this pink floral print. Next I created my pattern with paper.

Then I cut out all my pieces. I sewed button eyes and a nose on the cat. Then I sewed the arms and legs together.

Then I sewed the body, and stuffed everything with filling.

This is the first one I made. I added a heart, and a little flower hairpiece.

I definitely love the second one better. Happy Wednesday!

THESE.

Top Left: Bento Box by Goodbyn (not handmade, but I still love the product)
Top Right: Personalized mommy necklace on Etsy (I did business with her before. She's awesome!)
Bottom Left: Knitted boot socks here (Perfect for the boots I just bought)
Bottom Right: Oilcloth lunch bag by SewThereNH

The Hunger Games crafts

I'm very fond of The Hunger Games. I love the action, plot, characters, and pretty much everything. I'm taking a break from crocheting to start making some Hunger Games inspired crafts. I love cross stitching, but haven't done much of it since my middle school years. I like doing more free hand stitching. A little secret: I'm a bit of a fangirl. I love me some Marvel! And don't get me started on The Avengers. The first craft I've made is the flaming Mockingjay symbol out of perler beads. It was really simple to do. I just found a picture of the original symbol and replicated it with beads.

Here's a little bit about perler beads if you are new to it.

. The second craft I'm currently making is a cross stitch Mockingjay symbol. Underneath it will be the famous Hunger Games quote "May the odds be ever in your favor". All of this is free hand. I'm excited to say that it is going very well. I have outlined the symbol and I am working on filling it in with gold embroidery thread (always knew keeping it around would come in handy!)

Happy Hunger Games!

THESE.

Here are four more pretty things that I love!

Top Left: I love this Chevron camera strap
Top Right: Adorable mustache mugs on Etsy here
Bottom Left: Baby boy/girl shoe sewing pattern PDF
Bottom Right: This wristlet

Have a great week!

Thank you Pinterest!

I'm a humungous fan of Pinterest. I love just looking at all the possible things I could make. Some look a bit fishy, but others seem possible. I was browsing the local thrift shop with a gal pal when I came across a box of 64 unused crayola crayons for 2.99. Instantly this Pinterest picture came to my mind.

I knew I wasnted to create one of my own. Maybe not as big. I had an 8 by 10 canvas at home that was in a set of two I  had purchased for a project. That project will have to come in a later post. In a 64 pack of crayons, you aren't going to get that many pretty colors. Because the canvas wasn't that big I stuck with just using the pinks, reds, and purples.

All I did was hot glue the crayons to the canvas, then heated the ends up with a hairdryer. Now to find a space on my wall for it :)

THESE.

I love buying handmade. If you can afford it, do it. Nothing feels better than knowing you are supporting people who worked so hard. I love running my hands over stitches, knowing someone's sewing machine made it and not some sweatshop worker. You aren't just buying the beautiful handmade thing. You are funding their growing business, and showing them that you love and appreciate what they made. So in honor of those who homemake, each week I'm going to showcase four pretty things I love.

Top Left: Beautiful moon earrings from Etsy (which I'm waiting to arrive!)
Top Right: Freshly Picked Moccasins (Wish i owned)
Bottom Left: Bags of a Feather clutches from Etsy (I.Love.Mine)
Bottom Right: Glow in the dark hand-blown Memory bead by a lovely lady(She's making me one)

I Heart You

I love Valentine's Day. The rich reds and pinks get me every time. I've never had a real valentine, but I still can appreciate the romance of the special day. Who wouldn't love getting cute little chocolates and flowers? Crazy people that's who. So in honor of the day, which is only 3 days away mind you, I've been crocheting little hearts!

While browsing the web, I came across a cute tutorial from maybematilda. She shows a step-by-step picture tutorial that even beginners can follow. In 10 minutes I was whipping them up like mad.

I'm hoping to stop by the craft store soon to grab some materials to make some sweet girls I know Valentine's Day hair clips.

The one that starts it all.

So hello. Starting to blog is intimidating. I'm finally ready to start something I've been putting off for a while (two years, I know I know, I'm sorry). I've stalked read a lot of blogs, looking to see what I want mine to be about. They are all so good. And that's where the intimidation part comes in. I'm excited to start my little blogging journey. It will not be perfect, I will not be popular right away, and I've accepted that. I'm not looking for "fame". The Internet is a big place and I just want a little cranny to share my thoughts, projects, pictures, and love for tasty food.  So, I'm Amanda. And welcome to my beginning.