Wanna SWAP!?

Tip Junkie is hosting a "Secret Trade Swap", where you send some of your favorite things- either things you have made, or things you have bought- it don't matta:) But it's going to be a ton of fun! Head on over there to check out what it's all about. I participated in a "stocking swap" last Christmas and it was so much fun! The cute girl I swapped with, sent me a mini recipe book, some measuring spoons, an oven mit, some thread, and fabric, and a hand-knitted stocking! I sent her some equally exciting swag. It was so much fun! And the more people who sign up to do this, the funner it will be!! I am so excited!!
Here are a few links that have some examples of what women have traded in the past:

• Pink Christmas Swap
• Sue’s Witch Switch
• Kelly’s Favorite Things Swap

I'm a Junkie

Tip Junkie is having tons of giveaways this week, in celebration of going from a blogspot, to Dot Com! Go check it out!:)


Tip Junkie Interview!

I talk a lot about "Tip Junkie". I love her blog and I love all the ideas she highlights! She has even featured my own, a few times!:) But, I wanted to highlight HER for a change! Sooo, I interviewed her! Here is what Laurie Turk aka Tip Junkie had to say:

How did Tip Junkie come to be? I started blogging and found that I only wanted to talk about the cool ideas I found blog-jogging. I have such a passion for promoting creative women and wanted an outlet to tell the world about them. Tip Junkie combines my passion for fun ideas, blogging, and inspiring women.

How long have you been running Tip Junkie? Since June of 2007. Her 2 year birthday will be here before I know it. I feel a party is in order. ;)

What is your favorite creative outlet? My favorite creative outlet used to be making cards. However, now it is throwing birthday & holiday parties for my boys. I’m finally going to learn how to digital scrapbook this year. {{fingers crossed}}

What is your favorite creative website to visit (besides yours, and mine, of course:)
Hostess with the Mostess, Jenn’s absolutely fabulous.
Today’s Creative Blog, Kim cracks me up! The women she features are amazing and I’m usually in awe of their talents.
How About Orange, Jessica is a graphics designer and has a more indie style than I do but she’s uber cool and I get great inspiration from her.
Kari & Kijsa are a favorite of mine. I really like their style and they have great unique gift ideas.
I’ve just recently discovered Craft Gossip. Their RSS Feed is on steroids as they post many times a day with cool projects all over the net in many different areas of DIY.
When you started Tip Junkie, was the goal to make it as big as it is today, or was it just a whim? It was just a whim. I started a website years ago Executive Homemaker, and I needed a way to promote it. Having a blog is easier to promote than a website and it’s easier to maintain. Over the years Tip Junkie has become my focus. I’m pleased with its success but I had no idea so many woman share my passion. It’s so fun to see and be apart of.
What is your favorite craft on She's Crafty? There are many. I’m very impressed with your dresser makeover. It turned out amazing! I also like your Valentine/Anniversary Gift. I had intended on doing something fun like that for my sweetie, but it wasn’t in the cards this year. {{snicker}}
Thank you Rachelle for interviewing me! You’re such a talented woman and it’s an honor to be featured on such a creative blog with so many fun ideas.

And there ya have it! Thanks, Laurie for letting me interview you! Go check out Tip Junkie today!

And a friendly reminder to anyone who reads my blog, don't forget to copy and paste my "She's Crafty" button into your blog! Click on the red logo in the top of my left side bar to get the code!:)

Mom-preneurs Rock!

Over at Tip Junkie, they are promoting women who make and sell handmade products! Please go check out their products! I, myself am a Mom-preneur, who makes and sells handmade out of my home! Check back soon, because I am going to have a HUGE CLEARANCE on a whole bunch of stuff, including:

Mini Magnet Boards (great for holding recipes while cooking!) for $2!!

Decoupaged Picture Frames for $2!

Kitchen Chair Cushions for $2!

Aprons from $5-$8!

Jewelry Boxes for $3!!

Little Girls/Babies hair bands with flower accents for $2

Creative Coping

I have had some interest in what I like to call my "Creative Coping Mechanism". So I wanted to give you the story.:) When my baby was 10 weeks old, I started to feel really horrible. I felt like I couldn't do anything about it. I felt lost. I cried constantly, and I worried that I couldn't control my emotions anymore. I tried to find someone who had been through the same thing, but I couldn't. It seemed I was the only one! (Which is another reason I want to share my story- so that you know you are not the only one!!) So that is when I called my doctor. He told me a little about postpartum depression. He prescribed me some anti-depressants. They helped. But they didn't make the problem go away completely. So I decided to really pray hard! Then all of a sudden I started wanting to do different projects all the time. I wanted to learn new things constantly. I either taught myself how to do things, or I got help learning new things. I learned to sew, digital scrapbook, hand embroider, make vinyl lettering, refinish almost any type of furniture... and I am still learning! I found a place inside me that makes me feel happy. The Lord really blessed me with this ability. I came to KNOW my Heavenly Father through this trial. I have found so much happiness through my little family, my faith, and now-my hobbies!:)

Eventually, when we have a little more money...or a lot, I want to focus on my DREAM to someday open a place of business where women of any age, race, or health status can come and "cope" together, and share their creativity, inspiration, and stories! Help this "CRAFT THERAPY" become a reality! Donate to the cause!

Best Post of 2008

Well, over at Tip Junkie, she poses this question:
"What was your favorite post on YOUR BLOG in 2008?"
I looked through my craft blog, and decided that the posts that I loved, and also that got the most attention from readers were the posts that included things I had refurbished! So, check out my favorite posts here!
I have done a few refurbishing projects since then, but since my camera is on the fritz, I will not be posting pictures of them til this weekend, when my NEW camera arrives!:) STAY TUNED!!

Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon!

I'm a Mom-preneur in Tip Junkie's Shop-a-thon! Check it out at: http://www.tipjunkie.com/shopathon/ and see the amazing women who have handmade products for you to buy this Christmas season! And don't forget to check out my etsy store with lots of fun products that make great gifts!!
Also, on Tip Junkie (www.tipjunkie.blogspot.com), there is going to be "12 Days of Junkie"! There will be 2 winners announced every day for 12 days, and they will win prizes from the Mom-preneur sponsors in the shop-a-thon! You don't want to miss this!:)

Handmade Christmas Gifts!

Tip Junkie www.tipjunkie.blogspot.com has a "Talk To Me Tuesday" about Handmade/Homemade Christmas Gifts, so I thought I'd share a few of mine! Granted, they are not from LAST year...they are actually for this year. But hey, I figured that still counts;)I made this purse from scraps of fabric that I baught at the DI! Booya, Grandma! (Can you sense my excitment?)I made this little girl's apron for my niece out of some DI scraps, and some new stuff. You can't tell the diff, can ya??

And, this is a handmade goody for myself...yep, it's goin in my stocking! An accordian mini-tin scrapbook is the perfect stocking stuffer!