Crafty distractions

Hello readers,


Boy is it chilly here this afternoon. I apologize for being a bit absent again from the blog. If you're like me you're busy too trying to get Christmas shopping/prep done. I have to sit down later this afternoon to get a handle on what I've done and what I have left to do. 


In typical fashion, although I tried not to do it...I've veered a bit off course and got myself involved in a Christmas "project". I'm really diggin' making "scrabble tile" necklaces. The ones I've been prepping to make are actually round and rectangular. I got the itch to make them after buying the one pictured below. I get so many compliments on it when I wear it.

There are various shops on Etsy selling them but I was fairly confident I could make them. So, I spent hours upon hours looking at the graphics, jewelry supplies and paper cutting tools both online and in the local craft stores. So this is my current obsession/creative outlet/time consumer in my life!  I'll post some of my work when I finish a few pieces. I'm even thinking of making one for my son for Christmas with a soccer ball and his team number on it.


If you'd like to join the madness, here are a few of the places I've found my supplies:

Michael's and JoAnn's both carry the Fiskars "round and round" paper punches in 1 and 1.5 inch diameter. Use a weekly 40% coupon and you'll spend much less than you can get them for online. Both craft stores (and Hobby Lobby) carry the 1and 1.5 inch wooden circle/disks that will be the base of the pendants. I picked up the bails and ball and chain necklaces at Hobby Lobby in silver but they're probably not the best quality and the price wasn't great.  I already have Mod Podge but there are other glue/glaze products made specifically for this kind of crafting. I'll be trying out a product called Diamond Glaze very soon and also have Paper Glaze.


I've looked at several Etsy shops*{see list below} for graphics that I may buy from in the future. For now I've been raiding my scrapbooking stash for pretty designs.


I bought the bulk of my supplies from Candy Tiles Craft and Jewelry Supply on Etsy. My goodies should arrive this week and I hope to be crafting shortly thereafter! I can't wait!

Have a warm and toasty night with your loved ones,
Deanna


*A few Etsy shops that sell pretty digital graphics in 1 and 1.5 inch circles:
Charmed Memory Collage

Sabine Sydney

Kitsch & Kaboodle

P.S. If you have any questions about crafting these pretty little baubles, please feel free to contact me!

December giveaway sponsored by Nature's Edge Farm

My Handmade Addiction's

BIG

December giveaway 2010:

From Nature's Edge Farm


Regular readers know how much I love the handmade soaps, lotions and scrubs from Nature's Edge Farm. I've been shopping with Nature's Edge Farm since August 2009. I have never been disappointed with any of my purchases from John EVER!  ALL of his products are truly handmade. He doesn't use bases but rather blends all of his lovely bath creations with his own hands {not bare handed mind you, lol}.  He scrutinizes each ingredient as thoroughly as a scientist. I adore everything about his products from the ingredients to the packaging. Nature's Edge Farm also offers  very generously sized soaps (usually 5 ounces each) at very reasonable prices.  John makes using his handmade soaps an affordable luxury. Packages from Nature's Edge farm are shipped so fast I'd swear that we live in the same state.


Nature's Edge Farm first began in Canterbury, CT.  John recently moved to the gulf side of Florida. Boy those folks in Florida sure are lucky!  Local readers can buy Nature's Edge Farm soaps now at Kitty Deluxe in St. Clair Shores. Perfect for those of us who need "instant gratification".


If you've never tried handmade soap, do yourself a favor and buy a bar. I think you'll like the results. Please keep in mind that handmade soap is softer than commercial bars. Use a well draining soap dish and DON'T keep the soap in the shower. Soap lasts much longer when it can dry out between uses!


To view the details of the products in this month's HUGE giveaway, please click the following links:
holiday five pack
evergreen body lotion

snowflake soap

 +

  

bayberry soap

 +



citrus peel and pine

    +



Mistletoe soap

+

 

frankincense and myrrh soap

   +

evergreen body lotion

 

=
One thankful blogger,

One magnificent giveaway for December,

many people hoping to win,

One darn lucky winner,

&

{after using their prize}

One winner with soft, lovely smelling skin!!! 

HOW TO ENTER:

1) If you are not a follower of My Handmade Addiction please do so = 1 entry

2) "Like" My Handmade Addiction's Facebook site = 1 entry3) Comment below with your current email address = 1 entry

4) Check back here and on Facebook throughout the month of December for a few extra chances to win :)  

My sincere thanks to

John at Nature's Edge Farm 

for sponsoring this month's giveaway!

 You've made me a handmade soap snob!

December's giveaway will be announced tomorrow

Be on the look out for

My Handmade Addiction's

December giveaway 2010...

it's a great one!

November's giveaway winner announced...

The winner of the Sweet Potato Soap , a 5 ounce jar of Sweet Potato Sugar Scrub and a cream colored Soap Sack from Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium is.....Indira G!

Congratulations to you, Indira!!!!

More pre-Black Friday deals to share... savings from LouBird Handmade Jewerly

Hello Readers,
I have an exclusive offer for you! Karley over at loubirdhandmade.com just emailed me this special offer:

"I have a special code just for readers of My Handmade Addiction....enter code HANDMADEADDICT and save 15% on all orders now through 11/30 at loubirdhandmade.com! I even have a $5 sale rack to make room for all the new stuff going in this weekend, so there are some GREAT deals :) Karley"


Just a small sampling of the loveliness and great deals....


Gabrielle -- Dainty Yellow Rose Hair Pin Duo in Antique Brass, $5

Only  $4.25 with your 15% discount



Nathalie -- Jet Set Cluster Necklace in Black, $25

only $21.25 with your discount code

 

Gigi -- Green Vintage Olivene Dangle Earrings, $15

Just $12.75 with your discount code!!!


Head on over to www.loubirdhandmade and check off a few items from your shopping list or pick up something for yourself to wear over the holiday season!

♥Many thanks to dear Karley

for sharing this sweet deal with us♥

Let the deals begin.....

Everyone knows that Friday is in official start to holiday shopping. I have a few deals to share with you to get a head start on the Black Friday Madness. On Saturday posted about a fantastic product called Boot Buffers.


Boot Buffers shared a great 2fer deal with me.
Two pairs of Boot Buffers for $30.

 If you're extra, super nice to me, I'll let you in on another deal.........{is that you, being super nice.......thought so}.......Joan shared a super special coupon code with moi.  

use the coupon code "LOVEMYBOOTS" to get 10% off, starting immediately!

Be on the look out for more deals from some of my other favorite HANDMADE shops!

If you know of some great shopping deals, share the love either here in the comments section or on
 My Handmade Addiction's Facebook Page

Boot Weather

As the temperatures begin to flirt with the freezing mark, winter coats, scarfs, boots, knitted gloves and mittens all start making their way to the front of the coat closet. I like to be warm in the winter but not bundled up and sweaty hot {think of little Randy from A Christmas Story, bundled so tightly that he couldn't put his arms down }.  I prefer to wear thinner jackets or vests instead of big, heavy coats for all but the most frigid of winter's weather. 

Around mid-October I started getting the itch to buy a new pair of boots. If you too have been browsing boot styles recently, you've no doubt noticed this season's trend of above the knee boots. While I really like that look, I don't have the guts to purchase a pair. After much deliberation, I chose a pair of tall riding boots in an grayish taupe color.  The color coordinates well with browns, neutrals, charcoal, black and the pretty plums and peacock shades of the season. This versatile boot can be dressed up or down and therefore very practical and very "me". 



Under the knee tall riding boot



While watching a Piston's basketball game a few weeks ago I spied a casually clad, yet fashionable twenty~something wearing tall boots with woolly, warm socks peeking out of the top.  This look was simply adorable. Given my aversion to hot, sweaty feet, I suspected that translating it into a practical, everyday look for myself would be nearly impossible. Nearly! The next morning I scooted up to my keyboard and started browsing...where else but Etsy!  I didn't take long for me to hit pay dirt!

Boot Buffers are offered in a variety of colors, $16

 Boot Buffers knits up faux socks in an array of winter colors.

Marketed for ladies with small calves {not me} who need to "fill the gap" between their too big boots and their lovely little calves! These little knitted wonders are also just plain cute and give the illusion of wearing thick socks without the bulk! OK, I'm convinced...I "need" some!  My only "problem" is which colors of boot buffers will coordinate with most of my wardrobe... :)