Summer

It's been along time since I posted. With 3 kids and poor time management I have lost track of time. I have also lost the time to craft. I have so many new ideas I just don't have the time...ok and the discipline. Maybe I should start a journal so I can keep my mind in order.

Busy Busy Busy

Found this old post that i never post from early May. Kinda funny how things still have not changed in 2 months.

It looks like I dropped off the face of the earth. I have been so consumed in my own life that I abandoned my Internet life. I have had a few challenging events happen since the last time I blogged. I have discovered I am stronger then ever. With the loss of my grandfather and problems with my marriage I lost touch.

I started removing the items out of my life that have consumed me, Facebook, tv, and the Internet. If you sit back and think how much time you spend on the computer searching for news, new ideas, information and If your like me you watch tv to fill the time gap because you don't know what to with yourself . You are wasting your presses time on earth. I keep saying to my friends and family I almost want to live the Amish way of life. Not as strict as them but live simple. No tv, Internet one hour a day to pay bills or read the news, and no video games. Just quality time with my family doing house hold chores and spend time playing games, reading books, climbing trees.

Why do we need all these modern conveniences. I think about that movie Wall-E. The people have become so transformed by all the modern conveniences they can't really function. That is exactly what I have become. I want to believe simple is better. Call me crazy but I have set returning to a much simpler way of life as my 2012 goal. What has consumed your life?

Some of last years sewing projects modeled by some of my cutest fans

Let it Snow!!!

Here is a cute story for you. I was woken this morning by my twin 5 year olds talking about a spoon under the pillow.

My son Parker told my other son " I put the spoon under the pillow.... Let's see if it is snowing". Both boys ran around the house looking out the windows looking for snow. I later asked Parker what he was doing with the spoon. He told me his teacher "Ms. Solomon said, put ice cubes outside and a spoon under your pillow and it will snow". By golly 3 to 4 hours later it started snowing.

When the boys discovered that it was snowing they screamed "we did it we got it to snow". Cooper then asked "does that mean it's Christmas again".

How cute is that....sure made their day.
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My List of Craft and Sewing Suppliers

So I have been thinking it would be a great to share where I get my sewing and crafting supplies.  It took me forever to find some of these.  It would be nice to have them in one place so you don't have to spend many days and nights searching on the web for supplies.  I have not used all the sites on the list so I don't know how some of the companies rate on customer service.  The few that I have used I had NO problems.  I hope this helps in anyway.

I started Molly and Maddie's about two years ago.  I have gone through a few name changes along the way.  I promised my husband this was the last time.  So Molly and Maddie's Bowtique it is.  Named after my daughter Molly and her best friend Maddie.  I first started making hair bows for my daughter and then friends would ask if I could make them some.  Then I started making Molly dresses and the same thing happened.  As I grew I thought about opening an actual store, so some of my supply sources gear towards that.  But you may be able to use some of them if you have a need.

If you have a favorite go ahead and post a link......Happy Crafting!!!

Jen

Photo Credit: noodle-head.com

Craft Supplies
ww.michaels.com
www.joanns.com
www.hobbylobby.com
www.acmoore.com
www.createforless.com
www.save-on-crafts.com
www.kyledesigns.com
www.allcraftsupplies.com

Earth Friendly Craft Supplies
www.stores.earthsafefinishes.com

Fabric Supplies
www.fabric.com
www.joanns.com
www.hobbylobby.com
www.hawthornethreads.com
www.allegrofabrics.com
www.warmbiscuit.com
www.spoonflower.com
www.fatquartershop.com
www.moodfabrics.com
www.spandexhouse.com
www.maryjos.com
www.zandsfabrics.com
www.oldcountrystorefabrics.com

Design Your Own Fabric
www.spoonflower.com

Notions and Key Chain Supplies
www.pacifictrimming.com
www.mjtrim.com
www.ghees.com
www.botanitrim.com
www.ejoyce.com
www.sewbizfabrics.com
www.cheeptrims.com


Handbag Making Supplies
www.tallpoppycraft.com
www.pursesupplydepot.com
www.u-hangbags.com
www.shop.americanpursesupplies.com


Belt and Key Chain Making Supplies
www.storejontay.com
www.nationalwebbing.com
www.wbcindustries.com
www.strapworks.com
www.jcarolinecreative.com


Jewelry, Watches and Bead Making Supplies
www.firemountaingems.com
www.riogrande.com
www.brightlingsbeads.com
www.beadazzled.com
www.beadwholesaler.com
www.sarahwolesale.com

Ribbon and Hair Bow Supplies
www.venusribbon.com
www.trimweaver.com
www.jcarolinecreative.com
www.theribbonretreat.com
www.wholesaleboutiquesupplies.com

Pet Collar and Leash Making Supplies
www.cdwplus.com

Garmet Label Suppliers
www.sew-it-yourself.com
www.namemaker.com
www.heirloomlabels.com
www.itsmineusa.com

Packaging Suppliers
www.nashvillewraps.com
www.bagsandbowsonline.com
www.nu-era.com
www.storesupply.com
www.papermart.com

Displays and  Dress Form Suppliers
www.robertham.com
www.manne-king.com
www.ctsusa.com
www.storesupply.com
www.displays2go.com

Places To Sell Homemade Items
www.artfire.com
www.etsy.com
www.ebay.com

Web Hosting and E-commerce sites
www.volusion.com
www.merchantmoms.com

Organize Your Fabric

I have a huge problem with hoarding fabric. Sometimes I buy fabric and when I get home I find the same exact print stuffed on a shelf. While doing research for my craft room I discovered a craft room with uniform bolts of fabric on a shelf.....I fell in love. So here is my tutorial on making your own fabric bolts out of foam board.  You could use cardboard instead I just wanted the bolt board to be white.

Start with a foam board.  I picked up this tri project foam board from Walmart for $10.  I got 24 pieces out of this whole board.

Cut foam board to fit on your shelf....I cut mine 6"x11" using my husbands razor knife.

Here I lay the fabric down on my measuring mat  so I can  fold it uniform on the board.

Fold your fabric width wise but leave the length alone.....I folded mine to 8".

Here is my fabric folded to 8".  I am ready to start wrapping.

Center your foam board on your fabric I leave about 2" at the top.

Sart rapping it around your foam board. 

Keep wrapping till you get to the bottom

Once you are at the bottom pin it.  If you look hard you can see my blue head pin.

 Waaaalaaaa.................the finish product.

One of my favorite websites

So I have been working on a few projects. One is my new craft room that I have shared in previous blog posts. I have been wanting to sassy up my walls so to do that I was going to have one of my favorite websites work their magic. I loveeeee Trading Phrases. A few years a go I had them make a giant Monogram for my daughters room. It turned out great and I sent them photos of the completed room and won a contest they where running. I won a $25.00 gift certificate......woohoooo!!!

The great people at Trading Phrases sent my photos to Debbie Travis of HGTV, who was writing a article about monograms. Molly's room was featured in the article. The best part about the whole thing I made her bedding, curtains and pillows myself. I even painted and did the molding all while 28 weeks pregnant. Super cool to be just a stay at home mom and have someone who is a somebody in the business world show off your work. So Thank you Trading Phrases! If your looking for a great vinyl for you wall please check them out. Let them know I sent ya!!!