Scented Soaps with a Story

I happen to have a passion for scented, enriching soaps. I love the handmade versions found on Etsy that "tell a story" just by looking at them. Here's a few I found made by fellow members of UWIB.



Shea Butter Cupcake Soap scented Sweet Angel Kisses
by: CozyMoments

White Chocolate Mocha - Delicious Soap with Almond oil, Jojoba oil and Vitamin E
by: SoapyPleasure

put da lime in da coconut soap
by: Intentions

Vanilla Candy Canes Goat's Milk Soap - A Decadent Holiday Treat
by: CozyMoments

WEDNESDAY'S WEEKLY DEAL OF THE DAY 10/28/09

Today is the last Wednesday in October! Where did the month go???? This will be my final Wednesday's Weekly Deal of the Day for 2009, but be watching for other promotions during November and December.
Today's DOTD: BUY 2 COLLARS AND GET A THIRD ONE FREE!!!!



CRAZYFORCOLLARS.ETSY.COM
Here's how this will work: Purchase all three, using Paypal. Once I get notification from Paypal of your payment, I will issue you a refund of the amount of the lowest priced collar you chose, plus the extra shipping for a third item. This offer is good only on the collars that are currently listed in my Etsy shop.
Now don't delay and if you should have any questions about the DOTD, just send me a note via my Etsy shop.

ALSO: My current blog "Giveaway" ends this weekend, so jump over and register to win your choice of Fandangles!

Please consider signing up for my CFC newsletter to be the first to know about upcoming specials and other fun events. Just use the link in the left side column to register.

Have a great Halloween weekend everyone!!!

Crafting TIps: Avoiding Glue Gun Hazards

I have a couple of tips for all of my readers and the gang over at We Are THAT Family:WFMW. Be sure to visit this week's edition of WFMW to learn other great ideas and tips from other members of the blogging world.

Most crafters make use of a glue gun in their creations. I, for some reason, always am looking for the newer, better glue gun, BUT return to my old tried and true cheap low temp gun. Since I don't use it frequently, and I am getting those SENIOR MOMENTS, I am always looking for ways to avoid hazards in its use.
One of my major concerns is forgetting to turn the crazy thing OFF after I am through using it for that crafting session. I don't know what the likelihood is of it causing a fire, but I really don't want to take the chance. Here's what I started doing a few months back and it seems to Work For Me. I keep one of these stretchy coil wrist bands (used mainly for keys) close to my glue gun. As I plug in the glue gun, the coil goes on my wrist as a reminder to make sure I unplug the glue gun when I am finished with my project. I use the same aide, just a different color coil, for my iron used in crafting room.



One other glue gun tip I have found handy (I believe I first heard this on the Martha Stewart Show): keep a bowl of ice water close by in case you get HOT glue on your fingers. Just dowse the finger(s) in the ice water to stop the burning!

Attention: Be sure and enter my current Blog Giveaway for your choice of A FANDANGLE. The contest ends Oct. 31. So skip over to my Fandangle tutorial to enter and learn how to make one, just in case you don't win.

MY VERSION OF COVERED BUTTON MAGNETS--SUPER EASY!

I just found the greatest blog, Today's Creative Blog, that features crafty ideas on Tuesdays so I am "bringing forward" this tutorial first published a few months back. I think this would be a great little project for simple quick tiny gifts to have on hand for the upcoming holidays.


So I absolutely love making these “covered button magnets”. They are quick to make, super easy, and not too expensive!





Supplies needed:

Button to cover kit—available in most fabric stores or online HERE
I like using size 45 (1 1/8” diameter) and size 60 (1.5” in diameter)
I’m using size 60 in this demonstration.
Small magnets—available in most craft stores or online HERE
Strong glue—I use E6000
Needle nosed pliers
Scissors
Fabric scraps
Optional:
Various trims/ribbons
Dryer sheets





Step 1:

Using the pliers, remove the shank from the back of the button.













Step 2:
Place the trims across the mold and position the fabric over the trim so that your design is centered over the mold.
Optional: add a layer of dryer sheet on top of the fabric. This helps to reduce the likelihood of the button “showing through” the fabric.












Step 3:
Center the button “top” on the mold, over the layers of trim and fabric/dryer sheet, and push it down into the mold using your fingers.














Step 4:
Trim away the excess fabric/trim and tuck the ends down into the button top.












Step 5:
Place the button “back” over the tucked in fabric and push down using your fingers, pliers, or the plunger provided with your button kit—you should hear it click in place. Pop out your button and you are nearly finished!













Step 6:
Add a small drop of glue to the center of the back of the button and top with a small strong magnet. Allow to dry overnight. Now find the perfect place for your new magnet!





















HINT: I tend to make several of these at a time. It is BEST to arrange them so that there is ample room between each while they are drying. If you are using super strong magnets and arrange them too close, you may experience what happened to me. I accidently shoved one a bit and the next thing I knew I had a bunch of magnets with wet glue all stuck together. It was a huge mess and it wasn’t easy getting them apart, plus glue was EVERYWHERE! So please learn from my mistake.
Have fun with these! I do…

OBSESSION FOR HANDMADE HOLIDAY NOTE CARDS!

I'm becoming obsessed with note cards! I really love all the handmade designs that you can find by various artisans on Etsy. They are unique and so creative, so much better that those mass produced for the BIG BOX stores. Here's a look at some holiday versions created by other UWIB members:

Chickadee and Cranberries by WabiBrookStudio


Seasons Greetings Holiday Card by Robin Maria Pedrero


Frost and Red Damask Holiday Cards by DawnCorrespondence


Happy Holiday Trees Card Set by Papersquid


Penguin Notecards by Rita's Creations



And check out these very necessary gift tags:
Christmas Bulb Gift Tags by Paperquick

WEDNESDAY'S WEEKLY DEAL OF THE DAY 10/21/09

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, DEAL OF THE DAY: THE STEP-IN HARNESS!!!

It's been almost 5 months since I first introduced my version of the Step-in Harness, here on my blog. I have made dozens of them and they are still one of my favorite designs, following close behind Button Bow Collars.
Today's DEAL OF THE DAY: FREE SHIPPING on any of the step-in harnesses (custom or premade) in my CrazyForCollars.Etsy shop. This is a savings of $4! "Step" on over and select one today!

Booda's Windy West Texas Photo Shoot

We are keeping Booda, our son's pug, for a couple of days. I finished 22 Christmas collars today and decided to take advantage of having my favorite model so handy.
Here's just a few of the over 60 shoots I took this afternoon.











Of course, I had ChaCha and Bugs taking part in the event. It was so windy that the hair from their ears kept blocking shots of the collars they were wearing. I did managed to get a few of them to use when I list these collars in my Etsy shop.







Thanks for looking and I would love to know which design you like the best from these that I photographed today.

MATCHBOOK NOTEPAD: My super simple, quick version

One of my favorite customers requested a tutorial on how to make these little notepads that I often include in my Etsy packages. I know there are lots of versions found online, but I would love to share mine with all of you.

Supplies needed:
A: 1 12" X 12" sheet of scrapbook paper
B: several sheets of copy paper--any color you like
C: something to cut the paper: straight edge and rotary cutter; scissors;or guillotine cutter
D: stapler
E: corner rounder punch (optional)



Step 1:
Cut the 12X12 sheet of scrapbook paper into strips that are 6" X 2.25"
Cut the copy paper into strips that measure 2.5" X 2"


Step2: OPTIONAL
Round all the corners, using the punch, of the 6"X 2.25" strips of scrapbook paper.


Step 3:
Turn in and crease 3/4" of the cover (scrapbook strip), forming a flap.


Step 4:
Insert 12-15 sheets of the 2.5" X 2" copy paper under the flap and staple securely.


Step 5:
Fold up the opposite end of the cover strip and tuck it under the flap, enclosing the copy paper sheets, then crease.



Step 6: VERY OPTIONAL
Using a small design punch (in my case~~a paw print punch), embellish the larger flap.



I have also seen, and made a few, where buttons or other little trinkets are glued over the staple to hide it.
I need to find some Christmas scrapbook paper that I like to make more to ship with my Christmas collars!
Hope you have fun trying this latest project!