Fabulous Finds Friday: Happy Birthday, Little Monster!

I haven't been on vacation. No, that's in a few weeks. But it has been quite a while since I've posted. I've definitely gotten a bit behind on my blogging. But I went back to school.

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to teach a graduate course to fellow teachers on integrating technology into the reading and writing classroom. Funny that I was online so much for the course that I was disconnected from my usual online haunts. Like this blog. So you will see a return of my Tell Me More Tuesday and Fab Finds Friday as well as other weekly posts returning this upcoming week. Starting with this fabulous collection of monster-inspired birthday party ideas.

My little one turns one in a few short weeks (seriously, where did the time go!), and we've decided on a monster themed party. Why? 'Cause that kid is a little monster! He's not quite walking but darn close. And since he figured out how to pull himself up on furniture around six months, he's been climbing everything. He climbs into our cabinets, has figured out the child safety locks, climbs stairs, pulls the dining room chairs over - he's our little monster!

So the invitations have been sent, some supplies ordered, and of course, I shopped Etsy for the perfect birthday boy onesie. But I still need some decoration ideas. Here's what I've found so far, but would love your ideas and suggestions, too!


Click on the image above to go directly to my annotated list of links on Pinterest. In addition to sharing my finds, I want to encourage readers to share their finds, posts, and tutorials. Use the comments section below to share blog posts on our weekly theme.

And if I've featured you in a Fabulous Finds Friday, please grab the button below for your website or blog.

<a href="http://babeecrafts.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Babee Crafts Blog" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5507196976_50be07650b_m.jpg" /></a>

So what were your fab finds this week?

Tell Me More Tuesday: Candy Curls Bowtique

Jessica's creations for Candy Curls Bowtique have me secretly wishing for a little girl, or at the very least, a few more little girls to buy for! Her clips and headbands are just too cute. And each of her designs is inspired by her own too cute little girl.

Learn more about Jessica's creative process in today's weekly series - Tell Me More Tuesdays - in which I introduce readers to some of my favorite Etsy artists and crafters. Those of you new to Etsy (and even those who have racked up days surfing through handcrafted goodies and vintage finds) can find the site overwhelming. With so many wonderful shops and unique, handcrafted goods, it is easy to lose track of time clicking away. So Tell Me More Tuesday is a way to get to know the artist behind the shop, the story behind the craft.

Tell Us More About You: What are three words those closest to you would use to describe you?

I've been described as worldly. I'm not really sure that's true, but I did grow up overseas, and I love to travel. I also tend to move around a lot because my husband is in the military. I would hope compassionate. I tend to always feel an immediate attachment to anyone who's kind of an underdog, and I would never want to make someone feel bad about themselves in any way. And definitely the last word would be obsessive, I get obsessive about everything from new projects to my daughter and to all kinds of random things.

Tell Us More About Your Shop: What are three words you would use to describe your shop?

Fun - Charming - Endearing

I personally think these words describe my shop's personality and appearance perfectly.

Tell Us More About What Inspires You

My daughter definitely the most. She just turned two a few months ago and she's so excited about the world around her. I try to mimic her energy in everything that I do.

Tell Us More About Your Favorite Item

I love this headband because I love working with fabrics and prints. Each one of these are one of a kind pieces, they're pretty and unique.

Tell Us More About Your Interests: Other than creating and crafting, what are your other interests, hobbies, or passions?

Again, my favorite thing is to travel. I would love to be able to travel the entire world. There's so much to see and experience. I enjoy cooking, it's very relaxing for me. And of course, it's always fun to eat everything afterwords :) I enjoy learning new things. I've always been slightly envious of anyone who had a knack for knitting and sewing. I know how to hand sew, but have been really wanting to learn how to use a sewing machine, so I signed up for a six hour class which I'm taking in a couple of days, and really excited about it!

Learn more about Jessica and Candy Curls Bowtique at...

And Jessica is generously offering Babee Crafts readers a 20% off discount code good on anything in his Etsy shop. Simply enter "summer20" in the coupon code box during your checkout for 20% off! Happy shopping!

_{Would you like to be featured in an upcoming Tell Me More Tuesday post? Submit your information HERE.}

Fabulous Finds Friday: Baby Crafts and Tutorials

There are just too many DIY mommy blogs out there. And I get sucked into all of them! Each week my Google Reader maxes out at 1000+ unread posts, mainly tutorials and ideas from sites like Craft Gossip, Tip Junkie (there's even an app), and Modern Parents Messy Kids. And I wish I had time to read each post, or better yet, make each adorable craft.

And this past week is no exception. I found a number of adorable ideas and tutorials for baby. Check out this cool collection of baby shower gift ideas and welcome baby crafts:

Click on the image above to go directly to my annotated list of links on Pinterest. In addition to sharing my finds, I want to encourage readers to share their finds, posts, and tutorials. Use the comments section below to share blog posts on our weekly theme.

And if I've featured you in a Fabulous Finds Friday, please grab the button below for your website or blog.

<a href="http://babeecrafts.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Babee Crafts Blog" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5507196976_50be07650b_m.jpg" /></a>

So what were your fab finds this week?

Tell Me More Tuesday: The Fyber Stud

Rohn's work as The Fyber Stud (love that name!) is not only fashionably fun, it is also transformative. How? With every item purchased from The Fyber Stud, Rohn donates a Snuggle to The Suggles Project. The Snuggles Project is known for their transformative work with animals. After being given a Snuggle, a frightened or difficult to handle animal can potentially be reassured, be calmed, transformed. This calming effect gives the animal and the caregiver time to learn how to handle the situation. It is a cause near and dear to Rohn's heart.

Learn more about Rohn's creative process in today's weekly series - Tell Me More Tuesdays - in which I introduce readers to some of my favorite Etsy artists and crafters. Those of you new to Etsy (and even those who have racked up days surfing through handcrafted goodies and vintage finds) can find the site overwhelming. With so many wonderful shops and unique, handcrafted goods, it is easy to lose track of time clicking away. So Tell Me More Tuesday is a way to get to know the artist behind the shop, the story behind the craft.

Tell Us More About You: What are three words those closest to you would use to describe you?

Colorful - Creative - Passionate

Tell Us More About Your Shop: What are three words you would use to describe your shop?

Totes - Bags - Purses

The Fyber Stud specializes in fashionable and trendy bags, totes, and purses for men, women, and kids! We design and manufacture every bag, start to finish, in our Raleigh studio. We are the mindful labor behind every bag and are firm believers in concise, durable, well crafted, colorful designs.

Tell Us More About What Inspires You

Color is my biggest decided. I usually choose colors for the next season(s) a few months in advance. Like right now I am choosing colors for this fall and winter!

Tell Us More About Your Favorite Item

Currently my favorite creation is the Trapper Creek Tote. A large and in charge tote bag named after Trapper Creek, Alaska! It is linen and magenta in color with a bright red 100% organic and biodegradable burlap lining. I probably love the lime colored handles and the metal grommets! Such a gorgeous bag!

Tell Us More About Your Interests: Other than creating and crafting, what are your other interests, hobbies, or passions?

Other than crafting my interests include photography and Alaska. I love to travel and am going on an Alaskan cruise and Trek through the mountains next July! I am passionate about my dog Chase and my family. Although my job leaves little time to do anything but design and crochet, I still try to make time to relax and watch and episode or two of Ice Road Truckers!

Learn more about Rohn and Fyber Stud Designs at...

And Rohn is generously offering Babee Crafts readers a 15% off discount code good on anything in his Etsy shop. Simply enter "FRIENDS" in the coupon code box during your checkout for 15% off! Happy shopping!

Fabulous Finds Friday: Screen Printing, Stamping, and Fabric Design

I'm addicted to screen printing. Since finding Lynn Krawczyk's Fibra Artysta shop on Etsy, I have not seen the top of my dining room table. It is covered with a black trash bag and has been turned into my screen printing studio. It is just so easy and fun! And when I'm not screening, I'm on the computer dreaming up new screens to send her (or reading her blog and watching her video tutorials).

Lynn uses a thermofax machine to create her screens. This is a bit different from more industrial screen printing methods because it doesn't use harsh emulsion chemicals. Which is perfect for those of us concerned about the environment. In fact, thermofax printing doesn't use any chemicals. So I can feel good about printing on organic cotton onesies because I know everything -from the creation of the garment, the creation of the screen, and even the screen printing process where I use water-based inks- is a better choice for both the environment and the baby who will be wearing my creations.

And having learned more about screen printing recently...okay, having become obsessed with screen printing recently, I've also been curious about other ways to paint and print on fabric. So here is a round-up of some of my finds. There are some great tutorials and craft projects here, so be sure to click on the image below to learn more.

Click on the image above to go directly to my annotated list of links on Pinterest. In addition to sharing my finds, I want to encourage readers to share their finds, posts, and tutorials. Use the comments section below to share blog posts on our weekly theme.

And if I've featured you in a Fabulous Finds Friday, please grab the button below for your website or blog.

<a href="http://babeecrafts.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Babee Crafts Blog" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5507196976_50be07650b_m.jpg" /></a>

So what were your fab finds this week?