Quickutz Silhouette SD Digital Cutter

I did it! I finally bought myself a digital craft cutter. I have started looking at the possibilities of this particular machine, the Quickutz Silhouette SD, and I am blown away with the unlimited potential.

With this machine, I don't have to buy cartridges. I don't have to be limited by premade shapes. I don't have to cut paper out by hand anymore!

I can cut any TrueType font. I can choose from over 50 shapes that came with the machine, and many more that I can download free from other users. I can cut any vector-based image!

Since I already know how to use Adobe Illustrator, this is a dream come true! I can see why some crafters would be put off from this machine, especially if you are looking for something simple that you don't have to draw your own designs. But, for me, it is what I have always dreamed about.

I cannot wait to see what I can do with this. It cuts paper, cardstock, textured paper, and vinyl. I am still working out some of the finer points, but so far I am very pleased.

Microwave Caramel Popcorn

Microwave Caramel Corn
(adapted from Cooks.com)

16 c. popped popcorn (we did two batches in our air popper and didn't measure)
1/2 c. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. light corn syrup
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Microwave butter, salt, brown sugar and syrup in uncovered bowl for 3 minutes. Stir. Microwave another 3 minutes. Stir in baking soda.
Use one large brown paper grocery bag. Spray with Pam. Add popcorn and caramel mix. Microwave for approximately 2 1/2 minutes, stopping to shake bag every 30 seconds. After removing from microwave, spread on two cookie sheets to cool.
Enjoy!

Paper-Covered Kraft Letters

Today's Make-and-Do Monday is quick and easy; just grab premade kraft paper letters at your local craft store and you are off!

Making great-looking graphic statements is a cinch! Whether you are using one letter, initials, or spelling out an entire name, letters are fun to hang on walls or stand up on shelves or bookcases. Spelling out a child's name in the nursery is always popular, and this is a quick and easy way to add some spice to your walls.

Items you will need:
-Kraft paper letters (These can be found at Jo-Ann craft; I got the 12" letters)
-12"x12" Scrapbooking paper (One sheet for each letter)
-Glue stick
-Acrylic Paint (Color of your choice, for painting sides and back of letters)
-Scissors

Optional items if you are hanging the letters on the wall:
-Paperclips
-Hot glue gun

Directions:
1. Paint all sides and the back of your letters with the paint color of your choice.
2. Lay the letters front-side down on the back side of your scrapbooking paper.
3. Trace the letters onto the back of the paper and cut the letters out.
4. Glue the paper of the front of the letters with the glue stick.
5. You are done! Wasn't that easy?

If you want to hang the letters on the wall, hot glue two paperclips to the back of the letters on either side and hang them on the letters with nails.

Another crafting topic you'd like to learn more about? Leave a comment below and I will cover it in the future!

Feature: FallenPeach on Etsy

Today's feature is FallenPeach on Etsy. I fell in love with this shop the second I saw the red phone booths from London, and it didn't stop there.

I love that this shop makes it easy(and affordable!) to enjoy great photography.These would make great "I'm-thinking-of-you" gifts that won't break the bank!

I just love these photos! Why not grab a few photo bookmarks to go with books you are giving as gifts?

Get a few blank cards for any occasion, because these photos are perfect for saying anything.

Visit the FallenPeach shop today!

Feature: Sky and Snow Icicle Tiara from WhichGoose on Etsy

I absolutely love this tiara from WhichGoose! I wish I had fancier functions to attend, so I would have an excuse to wear it.

Maybe one day I will get it anyway. Just for fun.

Share one of the treasures from your Etsy favorites in the comments!

Feature: Valentine's Cinnamon Hot Lips

One thing I love about Valentine's Day is the Cinnamon Hot Lips! They are probably one of my favorite candies of all time.

This year I got them early, and they are already almost gone. Yum! If you are at the store looking for a great treat, grab yourself some lips!

I used some of these ones to dip in chocolate fondue. It was heavenly.

What is your favorite Valentine's Day candy?

Feature: Field Bag from Cargo Pants

My friend Cami emailed me this tutorial for a messenger bag from cargo pants on Noodlehead. It looks more like a field bag to me.

But I still want it!

I am not the best pattern seamstress, but as soon as I find a pair of pants I can cut up, I am going to give it a try. It looks like she's got a few other tutorials that may warrant a bit of my time, like the zippy wallet and the 30-minute modern bed skirt.

Well, what do you think? Do you want to try them, too?

Feature: MyLovies on Etsy

Today's feature is a shop on Etsy called MyLovies. Mandi creates the kind of jewelry that speaks to me- simple, elegant, and feminine without going over the top. Skeleton key necklaces are one of my favorite new trends. I love that the key on this piece speaks for itself instead of being covered up by a ton of other dangling beads and charms:
I have acquired a recent fascination with lockets as well, and I always love to see filigree This would be a great gift for Valentine's Day with a little love note inside:
I love the way these pearls are clustered. So simple! So elegant!
I love that all these necklaces are long. I am always looking for a good long necklace. Check out MyLovies! As a special promotion, Mandi is offering a deal to my readers:

10% off to anyone who mentions the Audzipan Anthology at checkout!

Don't pass this deal up! Here is the shop: MyLovies.

Cherry Branch Stitched Messenger Bag

Yippee! New messenger bags! I have had this idea for a messenger bag for a really long time, and I finally made it! Some of the pillow covers I originally made ended up slightly flawed in the corners, making them unusable for pillows. I didn't know what to do with them right at first, but I held onto them and came up with this.

It's hard to see in the photo, but I stitched the fabric onto the bag with fuchsia embroidery floss. With the red-orange fabric, the fuchsia is actually a bit toned down.

So glad to see this project turn out! See the listing here. I also have olive and brown fabric. Email me (audzipan{at}gmail{dot}com) or send me a convo on Etsy to set up a custom listing.It was a lot of hand-stitching, but I was really pleased with the result. I think that, over time, the fabric will acquire a lovely frayed look as well.

What do you think of the new design?

Feature: Willow Creek Signs on KidSteals

Happy Wednesday!

Did you remember about bohoLUXE's sale (today only)? Plaid bobbies are 40% off!

Also, today only, you can get vinyl growth charts for less than half price from my friend at Willow Creek Signs on KidSteals.com.

These durable charts are only $26 today(normally $55), while supplies last! Get yours while you can! I know that there were only 200 available as of 9AM this morning.

Kids Robot Tees

The robot tee is finally here in KID sizes! I have listed 24M-5T, but I will eventually have all youth sizes available as well.

And don't forget, you can always get it as a women's fitted or relaxed-fit adult tee.

Origami Hearts

Here's a fun activity for Valentine's Day- Origami Hearts.

I found a great tutorial on how to make them here.

I made all these hearts a couple of years ago and turned it into a garland for fun holiday decor. This would be a fun activity for the whole family. It is cheap, easy, and pretty quick once you get the hang of it. I got a whole stack of pastel paper so mine would look like conversation hearts, but you could do brighter colors for a bolder look.

Feature: bohoLUXEAccessories on Etsy

Today's feature is bohoLUXE Accessories, a great new shop on Etsy. Poppy flowers are super hot right now, and it seems like every day you see more and more. The thing that I love about bohoLUXE is that these poppies have a lot of flair and make use of some new materials, like tulle, feathers, and plaids!

And, of course, they have a little touch of bling!

(Click on the photos to go to each individual item's listing.)
Loving plaid right now!
I love the idea of the poppies on a headband, and that olive color is definitely one of the staples of my wardrobe.
I just love the feather and tulle together. That centerpiece really adds the final touch and makes it look so elegant.
The colors of this poppy really make me happy. Brighten up your day just by looking at it!
Here's how they describe their own products:
"Boho Luxe signature look – bohemian, sexy and wrapped up in laidback glamour. The twist is a line of modern démodé design intended to make you feel like a million dollars at a portion of the price."

Now you're talking! That sums it up better than I ever could have described it.
Here is the current promo info for bohoLUXE:

***** HUMP DAY SALES *****
Every Wednesday (hump day) select
surprise items will be on SALE!!!!

30-50% percent off!

That is sweet! Be sure to bookmark this shop.

Visit this shop: bohoLUXE Accessories

Stacked Bird Pincushion

I recently saw some decorative pincushions at a local craft fair. They were adorned with fake flowers, ribbons, vintage accessories, buttons, and all sorts of other things. I thought they were really neat, but I couldn't think of someone to give it to for Christmas, so I didn't get one. Then, I realized that I hadn't gotten anything for my mom(the queen of quilting, sewing, and making pincushions) yet!

I had no idea where to get one. I looked on Etsy to see if perhaps the lady at the show had a shop. Nope. There weren't even any other shops that sold candlestick pincushions like these.

So, as my last resort, I made one! It went over quite well. I did double-stacked balls, with a bird on top and eggs around the base. Here are some shots I got:

Feature: Anthro Latte Bowls!

For today's post, I thought I'd share a wonderfully delicious find!

Do you love Anthropologie's Latte Bowls?


Do you love a great deal?

Then you are in major luck today, my friend.

By a chance occurrence (read: my baby pulling one off the table this morning and shattering it to bits), I was looking for some more bowls today and discovered this great deal:

Anthro's seasonal colors are on sale for $11.95/set of SIX. That's right SIX BOWLS FOR 12 BUCKS! You cannot beat that. Even with $5.95 shipping and tax, it is still a screaming deal.

You're welcome. Now go spread the good news.