Top 10 Posts of 2011..

Since the year is quickly coming to an end, I thought I'd check Google Analytics to see what my top 10 viewed posts of 2011 were.  Let's see what made the list...

#10. Mother's Day Corsages

#9. My First Sewing Project of 2011

#8. Juice Carton Wallets

#7. Recycled Soda Can Earrings

#6. Candy Wrapper Bracelets

#5. Flower Soda Can Earrings

#4. Blessings Boards

#3. Soda Can Tab Earrings

#2. Father's Day Gift Idea

and the most viewed post of 2011 was...

#1. Candy Wrapper Button Earrings! 

Happy New Year to you all, and may all your wishes come true in 2012!!



Linking at these parties:

Top Ten Linky @Someday Crafts
2011 Year in Review Link Party @Craft Buds

Birthday Cards {my dad & mom's christmas gift}

Now that my Dad and Mom FINALLY got their Christmas package, I can share these cards with you.  I sent it off on December 14th, thinking it would get there in time for Christmas...WRONG!!  They didn't get it until the 27th.  Atleast I tried!!

Okay...back to the cards.  For the last few years, part of my Christmas gift to my parents has been homemade birthday cards  (HERE is a look at their 2010 cards, and the 2011 cards looked like THIS). 

This year I decided to go with pennant banners, and here's what I came up with:

Triangle pennant banners for the BOYS...

And scalloped circle banners for the GIRLS...

I used my sewing machine to stitch along the banners and around the edge of the cards, and LOVE how they turned out!  The box that I used came from the Beautiful Wings Tutorial from Paper Crafter's Library (you can receive the tutorial for FREE if you 'like' Paper Crafter's Library's Facebook Page), and the 'Happy Birthday' stamp is from the Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler set.

Now I need to figure out what I'm going to make for MY birthday cards for 2012!!  Hopefully inspiration will strike soon...

Sew Cute Tuesday {12.27.11}

Happy Tuesday!  Now that Christmas is over, I've got my mind on New Year's Resolutions....and whether I'm going to make any.  What about you?  Do you make New Year's Resolutions?  One thing I'm going to TRY to do is to use my sewing machine more.  We'll see how I do... 
Let's see some projects that caught my eye from last week's linky party:

The Crafter's Apprentice shared these ADORABLE Spa Kits!!  These would make great Christmas OR birthday gifts!!  (and they're now on my list of 'things to try!)

How cute is this Mini Purse Pin Cushion from Love, Laugh, Sew?!

               
And I loved this Simple Puppet Tutorial from Serving Pink Lemonade!

Feel free to grab a 'Featured' button....you can find a *new* one in my menu bar!!

Now let's get this linky party started!!




<center><a href="http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p461/stanmist/SewCuteTuesdayButton61111.png" alt="Creative Itch" border="0" alt="Photobucket"/></a></center>

Rules for linking:

**Link sewing projects only! (can be hand or machine sewn)

**I will delete any non-sewing links....don't make me be a meanie!

**Link to a specific blog post, not blog home page.

**Visit a few of the links and leave some comment love!

**Please link back to me in some form (post my button, or link to text in your blog post)

**Linky Tools will remain open until midnight on

Wednesday, December 28th.

**If you come back and don't see your link, read through the rules again and give it another try!

Hot Cocoa Cups in a Cute Little Carrier

There's nothing better than a hot cup of cocoa during the winter...especially when it's freezing cold outside!!  I needed a quick gift idea for my kids' teachers, and when I saw THIS TUTORIAL from The Little Blue Room, my search was over!!

I filled each cup with 2 packets of hot cocoa, and some Candy Cane Hershey's Kisses {my favorite!}

I had to make up my own pattern for part of the carrier since I don't own a scallop envelope die cut.  Here's what I did:

1. Cut two pieces of cardstock to 4.5" x 6".
2. Score at 1/2" & 4"
3. Turn cardstock and score at 1 1/4" & 4 1/2"
4. Fold along score lines, trim corners off, and adhere to carrier as the tutorial directs.

I loved these so much, that I ended up making enough to give to some of my friends, and some ladies that I visit each month as well.  Hopefully I'll be able to get them delivered tonight!

What gifts are you making for your kids' teachers, and for friends and neighbors this year?  Leave me a link to your posts in the comments section...I'd LOVE to take a look! 

Sew Cute Tuesday {12.20.11}

Happy Tuesday!  How many of you are on the ball and have all of your Christmas shopping/projects done?  NOT ME!!  I keep telling myself that I do better under pressure, and that's why I wait until the last minute.  It makes me feel better, I guess!!

Let's see some projects that caught my eye:

The Crafty CPA shared some adorable Holiday Pillows...I just love this snowflake one!

How cute are these 'Sugar-free' Sugar Cookies from Fly Away Home?! 

And I loved these Felt Heart Bookmarks from Simple Serendipities!

Feel free to grab a 'Featured' button....you can find a *new* one in my menu bar!!

Now let's get this linky party started!!




<center><a href="http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p461/stanmist/SewCuteTuesdayButton61111.png" alt="Creative Itch" border="0" alt="Photobucket"/></a></center>

Rules for linking:

**Link sewing projects only! (can be hand or machine sewn)

**I will delete any non-sewing links....don't make me be a meanie!

**Link to a specific blog post, not blog home page.

**Visit a few of the links and leave some comment love!

**Please link back to me in some form (post my button, or link to text in your blog post)

**Linky Tools will remain open until midnight on

Wednesday, December 21st.

**If you come back and don't see your link, read through the rules again and give it another try!