Crafters Swap for Handmade Holidays..

As many of you probably do, I try to make things that my family wants as special gifts for Christmas.   I have an embroidery machine so I monogram.  I can crochet so I made a few scarves/hats.  I can sew so I give things I have made that they want,etc.

Every year I feel a little limited by my supplies/time/experience.   I know many of you have craft specialties of your own.  I would love to do a large Crafters Swap to swap things we have made between each other so I will have more variety to choose from to gift.  Even if some of the items are small, they can be stocking stuffers.  

Here is how it would work:

1. Read the guidelines below to see if you qualify
2. Reply to this blog post with what you can send/make *links are VERY helpful* and what you would love to receive *just to give others ideas of demand, etc.*
3. Email me at sthomp {at} verizon.net  so you will receive updates, lists of what is being made, what has been requested, etc. in about a week!  Put SUBJECT: Crafters SWAP
4. Start working on items you see requested that you can make and start making your list of what you see linked that you would like to have
5. Send your items to me with THIS FORM and $10 for your return shipping package.  I will refund any extra shipping to you. (You can send cash at your own risk, Money orders or send Paypal to stacy {at} appletreeboutique.com with your full name/crafters swap deposit in the subject by 11-25.)
6. YOUR ITEMS MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THEN NOVEMBER 25th, 2009.  If they are not RECEIVED by DECEMBER 1st, 2009, the sorting will start without you and if it is all sorted, your items may be returned to you.  SO THE EARLIER YOU CAN MAIL THE BETTER!!!!
7. You will receive items you requested at a value equal to what you sent in.  So if you only send $20 value of items in, you will only receive $20 value back!!!!  Then just Stalk your mail man for your return package full of items. 

Here is a form to send IN YOUR PACKAGE again just in case you missed the link above:  http://www.appletreeboutique.com/crafterswapform.pdf

Guidelines:

• Must be in the US to participate, sorry mamas packaging /shipping delays/etc outside of US is just too much for me to handle at this time
• Must be an experienced crafter at what you are sending in.  Please dont decide you will make your first ever SEWN item ever and participate in this swap.  Sorry to the newbies
• Please be respectful of those allergic to pets/smoke by making sure your items are free of hairs, smells, etc.  Send your items very clean and packaged neatly please.
• Please send items that you would be happy to receive. 
• If your item was made with a particular participants request in mind, please make sure to note that somehow. 
• If you item is a SIZED item, please bag/tie it and attach a description with the size so I will know what size it is.
• We will do our best to sort out and send you only items you really really wanted, but just by filling in extra items you help us sort things to people that can use them.  So if you have a few babies being born next year in your family, you could always add that you could use newborn items for showers or something.   Please be detailed in your requests and list MANY of them.  We might email you to try to fulfill some value if we have questions and want your approval.

Feel free to invite your friends!  And please rest assured that I will not steal your money or your packages.  I have been in business online for over 5 years.  I run large fabric coops, I do craft shows, I co-own a large diaper making business, etc.  I will make nothing off this swap except receive your lovely items in return for what I send out to you!!!

I am here to help anyone that needs it!  Post questions if you have them or email the questions to me

UPDATED List of Items people can send in & items they want to receive:

Requested to receive *if you can make these items, they are WANTED*

• hair clips/bows
• Felt food (wool food)
• Fun bath soaps/melts for kids
• jewelry *silver, beaded, etc*
• Wood Toys
• Stationary
• Knit Items *boys-4 months/2 years, NOT scarves*
• chalk mats
• Pet Items
• Stocking Stuffers
• Flannel PJ pants *2T, 5T girly and 5T boyish have been requested*
• Crocheted/Knitted hats for 9 month, 2year, 5 year girls*

Items that others have said they could send in so far:

• Doodle bags/cases and crayon rolls
• Womens D-Ring Belts
• Drooler Bibs/Burp cloths
• Find it (I spy) Bags
• Child aprons
• Denim overall Tutus
• Minky Blankets/Loveys
• GIrls and Adult PUrses, coin purses
• Sewn Baskets
• Stationary holders
• Lace Christmas Ornaments
• Soaps
• Earrings
• Kitchen Hanging Towels
• Therapy Bags *hot/cold flax filled, etc*
• Cloth Napkins/Placemats
• Boxer Briefs for kids?
• Tote/Library Bags

OK so if you want to post any other details, please do!!

Handmade Holidays, Craft shows and Things for kids…

Hey All!  Things have been crazy around here!  I wont go into the details as I know I would just BORE you to tears   I finally got around to finishing Doodle bags and Cases for my upcoming shows that have been cut for WEEKS!!  Here are some pics!

 

A few things missing but most of it is there so far!  I ran out of legal pads for cases, DOH!

Also, I am making a list of things to start on for the kids for Christmas!  Hoping I can make this list, check it twice and have plenty of goodies under the tree for the kids that I didnt have to buy!! Woohoo!!

Start of the list:

• New snow/ski masks for all!
• Boys love their boxers I made them last year in their stockings, so definately a few of those for each!
• Few pairs of Flannel PJ pants, last years are getting short
• Custom DS holder for each of the boys
• Custom Sketch/Artist Case for my dear daughter

OK I am sure I will add things to the list later as I think of more

And for my next challenge and solicitation of ideas, I want the kids to be able to handmake gifts this year as well.  I am searching for things they can do that will be special but USABLE!  I know I love handmade picture, but it soon gets put away or wrinkled, lost, forgotten in a chest, etc… so Please share some ideas of things could make this year for family!  They are 5, 9, and 10.

Peace and cant wait to hear from you all!

Yes, I also Crochet

I really do have a crafting disease.  I have done just about all kinds of crafts.  Jumped on board full force then quit several crafts that just didnt suite my personality/time/household/etc.

Crocheting was different for me.  Something Iwas taught on a small scale when I was 8 years old from my “Kinda Grandma” (lived with my Gpa for many many years).   I taught myself in early adulthood how to read patterns and do more with crocheting and since have picked it up consistently over the last 10-15 years.  But as a “paying craft” it isnt fast and most people wont pay the money a crocheted item is worth once you add in your time.

But I just couldnt resist picking up the hooks when I saw some cute beanies of a friend purchased the other day.   So viola,  isnt this just the cutest little beanie for a newborn??   The flower is tied on and comes off!! 

  

 

Anyhow… there are many many more beanie hats I have made but I need to get a few modeling shots.. these just dont do them justice.   In my “spare” time though I am working on Doodle Bags and Cases for the show, Woohoo!!!

Craft Show season is around the corner!!!

Hey all!!  Hope you have enjoyed your summer so far.  Leaves are already falling here because of the heat I imagine, lol.

With Craft Show season around the corner for me, I will be gearing up to start making loads of loads of things to sell! I only have 2 shows this year, but they are both very big shows and they are ONE week apart.  So I will be sewing like mad since I could possibly sell almost EVERYTHING the very First weekend and be out of luck the second, hehe!!!

Love to see some of your craft show vendors booths, items, websites, etc.  I always find it inspiring to see them all!!   Here is my setup from one of the very small local shows I did last year:

It really was a sad display of what I had at the large shows, lol.  Hope you will join me in sharing your items!

TDK Quilted Wallet

This pattern was super easy. I know I went a little off the pattern on accident but improvised and made the bottom cc slots work anyway.

This was a last minute “sew something for my daughters friends b-day part tomorrow” item.

Squeezed in an hour and a half for ME sewing!

I had to try my hand at one of the SMS Summery Tops by Made by Rae.

I skipped ONE of the pleats on both sides of the center and I shortened it. It is only about 17″ on the botton instead of cut 20″.

Excuse my pink pants and no head shot, it is Saturday, lol.

Get cashback on your regular Online Purchases

So last post I told you about Swagbucks, which is a search engine that gives you bucks for some searches and then allows you to purchase items with your bucks!!!

This post I thought I would let you in on another small secret to saving money.  While it isnt much, I have received over $30 this year by shopping at home.    The service is called Shop at Home.   You must login, then search the store you are wanting to purchase from *or a store that carries something you want to purchase*.  Then click through the link and make your regular purchase.  You will receive whatever % Shop at Home is offering at the moment on that purchase!! 

So for example I received the following Cash back on purchases I would have made anyway:

• $2.02 from Inkgrabber.com *bought recycled ink cartridges*
• $1.37 from Diapers.com
• $1.78 from Highlights Magazine *renewed subscription online*
• $.84 from Snapfish
• $2.99 from Checks in the Mail *purchased new checks*
• $1 from Ebay several times for purchases made

Those are only the most recent.   You also get a $5 registration bonus when you sign up and $5 for every friend that signs up and makes a qualifying cashback purchase!    You dont get a check in the  mail until your cashback has reached $20, but it rolls over month to month.  So there isnt any rush.  Just buy what you would always buy!!   I received my first check in February, so it is a real deal!!!

Sometimes when I do is search for what I need.  This is what I did on the ink cartidges.  I searched for Ink, then sorted the searches and found the one offering the best few % of cashback, compared the prices and shopped at the best deal.   Also some stores offer coupons AND the Cashback, so you might also find a free shipping or 10% off you order coupon on the Shop at Home site when you search!

If you make lots of online purchase, I hope you register and save some money!  Dont forget when purchasing online to make sure you login to Shop at Home and go through the link to the store so your cashback is logged!!! 

YAY for Swagbucks and free Gift Cards!

Normally this blog is all about Sewing and sometimes my kids, lol.   But today I was just elated at my accumulation of “free money” that I wanted to post about it.

If you have never heard of Swagbucks, you really should check it out.   You download a toolbar to use for searching.  You search the web just like you ALWAYS do and you have the chance to earn “swagbucks” everytime you search.   I usually earn an average of ONE buck a day.   Once accumulated you can shop the Swagbucks store to buy items or GIFT CARDS!  I am saving my Bucks to buy either Target or Amazon Gift cards.  Figured it would help with Christmas shopping this year. 

I have enough Swagbucks now to purchase 4 Amazon gift cards and my husband has enough to buy 2.   That is $30 worth of Amazon dollars that we earned for doing nothing but using Swagbucks as our search engine.  The results are pretty good as they are pulled from Google too!  Hoping to have $80 worth of giftcards to use for Christmas shopping by the Fall!!!

A TIP for faster accumulation:  Sign up your friends, kids or spouse underneath you on another computer or laptop so you earn double bucks.  You get a buck every time they do!  Of course all the links to Swagbucks posted on this thread sign you up under me, but feel free to just go to their main page and sign up if you dont want to credit me for the referral.  I just want others to know that even if you only earn 45 bucks and a $5 Amazon card this year, it is $5 you wouldnt have had, RIGHT????

Restocked Rings & Update

Hey all!  Thanks so much for your emails and comments over the last few weeks while I have been absent!!   Few things have grabbed my attention lately making me absent from my blog.  One, we are expanding my Bottombumpers business and there is many orders, meetings, and things to do!  Two, my baby girl turned ONE!! Can you believe it!

I hope to be back on a more consistent basis by early summer.  Until then, I restocked some wood rings in my Apple Tree Boutique store so you can make the free tutorial for the Teether Ring!

So what have I been doing?

I have been sewing “a few” Bottombumpers diapers!   I have sewn and finished over 250 diapers in the last 2 months with the help of my friend Ashley!   Dont have much else sewing going on here because of it, lol.  SO I havent posted anything interesting in a while.  Here is a pic of a FEW diapers waiting to have their soakers attached and sent to Texas!