New ITEMS!!!

New Headbands - BUY ONE GET ONE FREE
(please read the listings for details)

And you can check out the listings in the shop.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaurenSamone

:)

Snowy Day in Kansas

Must it snow again?!? I love being inside watching the snow, drinking something warm like tea or hot chocolate. But days like this just make me LAZY! With that being said, I need to start working on more items to list on etsy. I'm thinking knitted arm warmers, wrist warmers, and crocheted cup cozies (Cause I just love 'em so much!).

I have been kind of abandoning my etsy shop, I haven't promoted in forever, and I haven't gotten any items listed in a while either. I have been completely addicted to Listia, and Swagbucks! Which are GREAT sites to get free stuff with points, so you should check them both out if you are interested. So far on Swagbucks I have gotten two Amazon giftcards. (takes me about two or three days to get enough credits) and on Listia it's just like Ebay, but instead of money you use points to buy your items from other members and you earn points when you sell your unwanted items. It's great!

Instantcashsweetpstakes.com is also a great site, you simply answer 3 question survey (they are actually really fun) You earn real cash, tickets and coins. The tickets are entered in to the daily $50.00 drawing and the coins can be entered into the $2.00 drawing that happens every 4hrs.
Here are a sample of the surveys. (if you like it go ahead and sign up)
Totally free, SUPER FUN, and they only have a $2.00 minimum payout! Unlike most where you need to have at least $30.00 to cash out!

Check Out This Give-Away!

I just found this and there is only one day left! So hurry over to http://twoboysonegirlandacrazymom.com/?p=7628 and enter! :) This is a great offer, and I love finding great people like this that offer a "thank you" prize to their repeat visitors!
Great website also, so even if you don't want to enter the give away, check out the site anyway! :D

Thanks!

Been Busy!

I have had so much going on lately! I have recently started a Firefighter I class, that will last until the end of march, and I've been busy with (trying) to promote my etsy shop and creating new designs. Which has taken away from blogging. I have so much stuff to get organized. Things are just so crazy right now. I am hoping to totally makeover my shop, with better graphics and better product pictures! I despperatly need to buy a new camera, but I am hesitant because I do not know what will be the best for what I need it for. But hopefully I can get things in order and relieve some of this stress!
Well I should probably get off here and try and get busy.

Take Care!

-LaurenSamone

Knit! Knit! Knit!

So far I have completed three headbands and a set of wrist warmers. Yay!!!!!
Heres some pics. (bad quality because I had to use my phone.)

Not all of the pics, just a few.

=]

Well sorry it's a short post.
Take care and happy crafting!
<3

Learning To Knit

Work in Progress

 Thats right, I am now learning to knit. I am so excited! I used to see patterns in the craft stores and online and think to myself "I totally wish I could make that" as I walked away or clicked the back button as I had never knitted before. Well finally I am trying to teach myself. As some of you know from my etsy store I crochet, which has always been easy for me as my grandmother taught me when I was very young. I cannot do the purl stitch yet, I am simply working on trying to get all of my stitches even. But I just wanted to share this with everyone as I never thought I could do it. I am working on making a headband, something simple. When I am finished I think I may add a few buttons as decoration. Who knows, maybe I can eventually start making knitted items for my shop.

Take care everyone, and happy crafting!

-LaurenSamone

Recycled Magazine Flowers

Here is the youtube link if you would rather watch the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YenulBEubk

Materials needed:

Magazines
Glue
Hot Glue Gun w/ Glue sticks
Siscors
Floral wire

Step 1:  Tear out about three of your favorite pages from your magazine


Step 2:  Take all of the pages and fold then as shown below. We are doing this to create a square.


Step 3: Cut off the exess paper.
 

Step 4:  Recycle or save the extra paper for other projects


Step 5:  Unfold the paper and make sure it is square. (it doesnt have to be perfect)


Step 6:  Start folding the paper like an accordian.

Should look something like this when finnished folding.

step 7: Cut a piece of wire about 3 inches long (set aside)


Step 8:  Cut both ends of the folded paper into a point. (Yes it will get messy)


Step 9:  Now attach the wire around the middle section of the paper with the ends of the wire pointing down.


Step 10: Now here is the fun part! start shaping your flower by pressing a molding the paper into the shap of a flower. Seperate the papers to give it a fuller appearance.


Step 11: Repeat to other side


Now for the stem. You can use a magazine page for this or you can just attach the flowers to a pipecleaner also. But I will demonstrate how to make a stem from a magazine page

Stem: Take a page from the magazine and start at one corner and start rolling it up, once you get to the other side dab a bit of glue on the end and continue rolling.

Finished stem:


Now all you have to do is apply a bit of hot glue to the wires on the flower and push it into the hole in the stem, if you would like you can use tape to do this as well.


Heres the finished project!



Make a bouqet and have fun while recycling!