December 11, 2009

My Attempt at an I-Spy Bag

This week while chatting with the girls from the Trade-A-Holics team on Etsy I was shown what an I-Spy bag is. They are a cute bag stuffed with little nick-nacks and plastic bead fill. Children are supposed to move the beads around in the bag till they find the items inside. Most people include a list or picture of the items inside the bag for the kids to look for. As you can see from the pictures I filled my bag with various small toys and items from around my house and a few that I picked out at Hobby Lobby.

Inside the bag I made I put all the items except for the camera, bat, and dragonfly. They were a little to big for the size bag I made. Its about 5x5 inches in length which is the perfect size for little hands and to put in a diaper bag.
The bag itself was fairly simple to make. I used scrap fabric left over from a fleece robe that I made my oldest son Tyler (pictured). I cut 2 6x6 inch squares from the fleece and a 3x3 inch piece of 20 gauge heavy duty vinyl.
First I stitched the vinyl onto one of the fleece squares. Next I cut out the fleece covering the vinyl "window." I sewed the 2 squares of fabric together inside out and left a small opening about 2 inches long for stuffing. I turned the bag right side out then stuffed with the toys/fill. I then sewed the opening shut. And ta da! The end result was this adorable fleece I-Spy bag that my nephew will be receiving as a Christmas gift :)






November 29, 2009

Cyber Monday Sale!

I will be having a sale in my shop for Monday November 29 all day. I'm offering FREE shipping on all items in my shop. For all my blog followers you can get an extra 10% off your total order by putting blog10 in the notes to seller. Discount will be refunded to you through paypal. Happy shopping everyone.

www.creationsbycori.etsy.com

November 19, 2009

Trade-A-Holics Pre-Black Friday $10 and under SALE WEEKEND

I'm part of the Etsy Trade-A-Holics team and this weekend we are having a Pre-Black Friday $10 and under sale. You can check this forum thread to see which shops are participating.

Click on the post title to be taken to the forum thread.

Happy shopping everyone ;)

November 17, 2009

VivaLaModa Issue

VivaLaModa Issue

Imagine my surprise when I was contacted by VivaLaModa online magazine for permission to use one of my photos in a gift guide for their magazine! The issue has come out today and I'd love to share my excitement will all my blog followers and friends. VivaLaModa features Etsy Sellers and is an amazing collaboration of fashion advice and Etsy finds. You will fall in love with the magazine just as I did! Check out this months issue and see what you missed in back issues too.

New Rings

These are my newest ring creations. I've listed two so far and
will be listing the others soon. I started wrapping the wire a
different way and love the woven effect it makes.








November 11, 2009

Custom Order

These are bracelets that I made as a custom order for my friend Mel. She wanted a variety of bracelets. Each different some with charms, some stretchy, some with metal beads, and some with clasps.They turned out great and I had so much fun making them! I'm going to be delivering them to her tomorrow night and just had to show them off before they are gone.

Please share your thoughts on what you like or don't like about my designs. I'd like some feedback. Thanks so much!

















November 10, 2009

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Truffles

This recipe was shared with me by a fellow stay at home mom, Erin. I've had many people ask for the recipe so here it is. Now I used semi-sweet chocolate instead of white so the filling doesn't have the pumpkin color to it and it has a totally different flavor. Each type I tried was delicious it just depends on your taste buds. White chocolate is very sweet for me so I tend to like milk or semi-sweet chocolate better.



Pumpkin Cream Cheese Truffles


2 1/2 cup White Chocolate
1/3 cup Gingersnap cookie crumbs, plus extra for garnish
1/4 cup Canned Pumpkin puree
1/4 cup Graham cracker crumbs
1 tbsp Powder Sugar
1/2 tsp Orange zest (I didn't use)
1/8 tsp Ground cinnamon
pinch of salt
2 ounces Cream Cheese, softened


Melt 1/2 cup of chocolate in a double broiler over med-high heat or in the microwave for about 1 minute. Stir often to keep the chocolate from burning. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add gingersnap crumbs, pumpkin, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, zest, cinnamon, salt and cream cheese and beat with an electric mixture until smooth. Transfer to a shallow bowl, cover and chill until just solid enough to roll into balls, about 2 hours.
Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Melt remaining 2 cups of chocolate and transfer to a small, deep bowl. Roll one heaping tsp of the pumpkin mixture into a ball in your hands, then drop into the chocolate. Working quickly, gently spoon chocolate over to coat. Using a small spoon or fork, lift the truffle out of the chocolate, shake off excess and transfer to prepared sheet tray. Dollop a bit of extra chocolate on any parts that are exposed, then sprinkle with gingersnap crumbs over the top, if you like. Repeat process with remaining pumpkin mixture and chocolate, then chill truffles until chocolate is completely set, about 1 hour.

November 4, 2009

New Look!

I recently changed the look of my shop by purchasing a new banner and avatar from Bannersrus. I love my new design and went back to have her design a business card template for me! I hope having this new look with make my shop more uniform and make my business more professional. I love selling on Etsy. There are so many awesome people on there. They are so helpful and are willing to answer any questions you have.

I have joined two of the Etsy teams: Etsy Mom and Trade-A-Holics

October 30, 2009

Pumpkin Carving

So I decided to carve our pumpkins tonight! It was such a mess and soooo much fun for the boys and myself. We have a pirate theme going on here. Tyler's pumpkin is a pirate with an eye patch, Andrew's pumpkin is a treasure chest, and I carved a pirate ship!

I'm getting better at carving the more intricate designs into our pumpkins. Last year I did Tigger from Winnie the Pooh and a Witch on a broomstick. These carving kits are great and have easy instructions. The pirate and treasure chest are my own creations but the pirate ship is from a pumpkin carving kit.

October 29, 2009

My current Treasury

Here are some awesome ornaments that I have featured in a treasury on Etsy. Check them out!

Just click the title to view the treasury!

October 28, 2009

Hermitage Moms Halloween Party







Here are some cute pics from our Halloween party!



October 27, 2009

Walden Farm

I took my boys to Walden Farm on Monday to pick out thier pumpkins for Halloween. Its such a great fall activity for this area. They have so many activities, animals, hay rides, corn mazes, and pumpkin confections! We came here last year also and had a BLAST. Given it was colder last year and we froze while Tyler had fun playing. The corn maze was closed due to the rainy weather we've had recently left the ground all muddy. I was hoping to go to one this year but we may have to wait till the boys are a little older. I think they wouldn't have as much fun as my husband and I would. Tyler did get to go through the hay maze they had set up for the little kids.

Walden Farm has a nice "kids" area for the children to play in. The have a corn crib which is pretty much the same concept as a sandbox but filled with dried corn. We had to pry Tyler out of there when it was time to go. Tyler, Andrew, and Daddy climbed the hay mountain (even though it was a little mushy from the rain) and I got a few pics of them before they came down. It was so funny to watch Andrew. He was walking around checking everything out with this very "SERIOUS" look on his face. He's always so quiet and subdued when we're i?n public. Everyone is always commenting on how quiet he is. But believe me the boy sure can talk! Not necesarily coherant words but he's always gabbering about something. Scott (my hubby) calls him our little Ewok. To bad they don't
make an Ewok costume or I would have gotten that for Andrew instead of yoda.

The farm has a variety of animals that the children can feed and pet. Like the goats in this picture. They have a conveyor belt where the kids turn the handle and it takes the feed up to the goats at the top. Its so funny to see I call it the redneck way to feed you're animals. The kids really love it.
Andrew did crack a smile once we were picking out the pumpkins. He wanted all of them. It was so cute to see Andrew and Tyler running around checking out all the pumpkins. Andrew tried his darnedest to try and pick up one of the bigger pumpkins. He finally choose one of the smaller two dollar ones that he could pick up.
Now the pumpkins are just sitting on the counter waiting to be carved.

October 25, 2009

Trade-A-holics Trade FRENZY!

Right now the Trade-A-holics Etsy team is having a trade frenzy where sellers can trade their goods with other sellers for their products. It an awesome idea and I've been having lots of fun the past two weeks trading in the chat rooms. Its great to be able to trade for Christmas gifts and neat things for my boys. I also get to see shops on Etsy that I've yet to find. There are such a variety of products you can get on Etsy and with so many sellers it can be hard to find those unique shops.
If you are a seller on Etsy check out the trade frenzy going on now in the forums!

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6327840&page=51

October 23, 2009

And The WINNER is......

The very first winner of my blog give away is................... Fresh!!!! Congrats to winning my First Free Giveaway!

Thank you to all of my followers for being loyal and keep checking back cause there will be more giveaways to come!

Please choose which of these rings you would like and what size you need!

October 21, 2009

Votings Closed

Ok so all the votes are in and it looks like ring got the most votes! I will be posting some rings for the winner to choose from. Come back and check to see what you might win ;)

October 19, 2009

Photo Tips:Make Your Own Lightbox

I was having trouble trying to get really nice photos of my products for my etsy shop. So I was looking around and found some help in the Etsy forums where people were talking about lightboxes and how they eliminate the dark shadows that tend to be in pictures taken with a flash. So I decided to save money and make my own. It was easy to make and fairly cheap.

Here are the items you will need to make your own lightbox:

1.) Cardboard box any size that will fit your products (i used a 14inchx14inch box)

2.) Box cutter or knife

3.) White posterboard 1-2 sheets depending on the size of your box

4.) White Tissue paper or thin white fabric

5.) Tape (duct or package tape works best)

6.) 2 Desk Lamps or metal utility lights






Cut out a window on 3 sides of the box


Cut a section of tissue or fabric large enough to fit over each of the openings you cut. Then tape it to the outside of the box. Start with one layer of tissue paper. After completing the box and making some test shots, you may find that you need additional layers of tissue paper to achieve the right lighting.


Cut a piece of matte white poster board to fit the inside of your box. The piece should be in the shape of a rectangle, with the width being the same as a side of the box, but the length being twice as long. Insert the poster board into the box, curving it up towards the top of the box. Curve it gently; don't crease it. Trim it if necessary. This will create an infinite, edgeless look for the background of your shots.


Add your lighting. Photo lights, flashes, and even standard desk lamps can be placed on either side or above the box to produce the desired lighting effect.



The following photos were taken with my homemade lightbox

Time for the FREE Giveaway!

I've reached 30 followers so make sure you get your vote in for what you would like most as the giveaway. The item with the most votes wins. The winner will get to choose from 3 items from that category. The Winner will be announced on Friday so get your vote's in before Wednesday!

October 18, 2009

Hmmm....Really a Hoax? What gave you that idea Sheriff?

Balloon boy case a hoax, says sheriff

DENVER (Reuters) – The flight of a home-made helium balloon that touched off a frantic rescue attempt for the young boy thought to be aboard was a publicity-seeking hoax, a Colorado sheriff said on Sunday.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said the parents of 6-year-old Falcon Heene would likely face four charges in the bizarre incident, which riveted television viewers across the United States for more than two hours on Thursday.

The airship took to the skies on Thursday morning and Richard and Mayumi Heene claimed that their son had climbed aboard, triggering a massive search and rescue operation as the odd silver craft drifted for 50 miles (80 km), trailed by U.S. National Guard helicopters.

The boy was later found not in the flying saucer-shaped craft but safe at home.

"It has been determined that this is a hoax, that it was a publicity stunt," Alderden told a press conference.

"We believe we have evidence at this point to indicate that it was a publicity stunt done with the hopes of better marketing themselves for a reality television show at some point in the future," he said.

Alderden said the parents could be charged with conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false police report and attempting to influence a public servant.

Investigators think Falcon and his brothers, who are 8 and 10, were "100 percent involved" in the caper, he said, but were not expected to face criminal charges because of their age.

"On the bizarre metre, this rates a 10," Alderden said.

A lawyer hired by Richard and Mayumi Heene, David Lane, told local KUSA-TV that the incident had been a "nightmare" for the family.

Lane said the parents would be willing to turn themselves in to law enforcement to avoid "the public spectacle and humiliation" of being arrested in front of their children.

'THEY PUT ON A GOOD SHOW'

Authorities had considered desperate measures to somehow bring the balloon down safely before it slowly began to deflate on its own and landed softly in a wheat field near Denver.

Rescuers who raced to the balloon and found it empty then began to scour the countryside for Falcon, fearing that he had fallen out -- until the family announced that he was safe and had been hiding in a garage attic.

Questions were raised after a CNN interviewer told Richard Heene to ask his son why he had stayed in hiding so long when searchers were desperately calling his name.

The boy responded: "You guys (his parents) said that, um, we did this for the show."

The Heene family has appeared on the ABC television reality show "Wife Swap" in which families swap mothers to deal with family issues.

They gave interviews on a series of U.S. morning shows on Friday to emphatically deny the incident was staged. Falcon vomited repeatedly on camera.

Alderden, who told reporters on Friday that he was inclined to believe the Heenes, said his investigators determined that the incident was staged after interviewing all five members of the family and searching their home.

"This has been a planned event for some two weeks," he said. "The plan was to launch the spacecraft for a reality TV show. The plan was to create a situation where it appeared that Falcon was in the craft to gain publicity. To obtain notoriety,

to obtain publicity for a television show."

The sheriff said he initially let reporters, and the Heenes, think that he bought their story as a way to gain the family's trust but privately harboured scepticism.

Richard Heene has been described as a storm chaser and amateur scientist who had involved his wife and sons in his activities. He told reporters that his contraption was intended as an experimental vehicle that "people can pull out of their garage and hover above traffic 50 to 100 feet."

But Alderden portrayed the Heenes essentially as hucksters desperate to get on television.

"They are actors. Not only have they appeared on TV, they met at acting school in Hollywood," Alderden said. "They put on a very good show for us, and we bought it."

(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

Almost time for the Giveaway!

Ok people we only need 4 more people before I have the 1st of many free giveaways here on my blog. So tell your friends to follow me so we can get this show on the road! Have a great night everyone!

October 16, 2009

Support Breast Cancer Awareness

New Frames for my photos








I added digital picture frames to my photos. Let me know what you think.

October 13, 2009

Rings

Here are some of the rings I made to sell in my shop. They will soon be listed for sale at www.creationsbycori.etsy.com














October 11, 2009

Makin' Rings

I just finished making 2 really cute rings. I'll be posting pics soon. They're made from very pretty buttons with beads in the middle. Now that I learned how to make them I'll start listing them on Etsy. It really wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be ;)

October 10, 2009

Halloween 2009

Here are some cute pics of my boys in this years Halloween costumes!