Make Free Custom Labels with Labeley

I recently received an email about Labeley from one of the creators, Ana Brady. Once I checked it out, I knew I had to share. Labeley is a site that allows you to make your own beer labels! Not into brewing your own beer? No problem. You can make your labels for anything you want, water bottles, wine bottles, homemade jam, etc. You can also upload your own images and photos. I think this could really come in handy for homemade gifts and birthday parties. It's also completely free to use. Check it out and tell me what you think.

Craft: Mini Wreath Place Card Holder

Who's ready for Thanksgiving? Raise your hand. It seems each year the holiday sneaks up on me quicker than the last. I'm not sure if it's because the holidays are so rushed or if I just have more to do each year. Well, to help you get started for holiday planning, I made these cute place card holders. Now all you have to do is plan the rest, table setting, guest list, dinner. . . etc, etc.

Supplies:
Mini Grapevine wreaths - I purchased the wreaths at Michaels for $.49 each. If you're feeling extra crafty you could make them yourself.

Cream Card stock

Moss - you could also use green yarn in replace of the moss.

Fake leaves - you could also use real leaves and seal them with Modge Podge.

Fabric glue - I used Elmer's Fabric and Paper Glue

Brown watercolor

Brown marker

Okay, lets get started . . .

First step, glue a little moss to the bottom of your wreath. I wrapped it from front to back (refer to picture).

Print name out on card stock. I used a font size of 37 points but it will vary depending on the font. I also did a little kerning (completely optional).

Cut out name in the shape of first picture. Fold on dotted lines. Cut ends on solid lines. Your name tag should now look something like the second picture.

Unfold name tag and paint the outer edges with watercolor. Next, run a dark brown maker around the edge. Refold. This will give it a little more depth and age. You can distress the paper more if you want.

Glue name down on wreath (refer to top picture).

Cut out some mini leaves out of a fake fabric leaf. With a fine tip marker, draw some veins on the leaves for a more realistic effect. Don't worry about making them perfect. Leaves don't come in one shape or size.

Now using a pair of tweezers, glue the leaves on the wreath with the fabric glue. Refer to picture for placement. Done.

*Other idea - thread a ribbon on the top back of the wreath to turn it into an ornament. This way, you could send them home with guests as a functional keepsake.

Japanese Craft Book for Making Tassels

ISBN978-4-07-269890-7

A while back I mentioned I purchased this craft book in Japantown but realized I never showed you the inside of it. Sorry about that. So, today I thought I would share a few favorite projects from the book. I hope you will find them as inspiring as I do.

Tassels made from embroidery thread and wooden beads.

These little acorns would be great for decorating a table. I could also see them attached to some twine to make a cute set of Thanksgiving napkin rings.

I can envision an entire tree covered in these fur tassels. By the way, have you noticed how popular fur is this year? I was in Restoration Hardware the other day and the store was covered in fur everything. They even had faux fur bean bag chairs!

Want to make a bow look extra special? Why not add a tassel to it. This would be just stunning on a gift wrapped in silver.

The book includes ideas for using the tassels on socks, as garland, and even jewelry. If time wasn't an issue, I would make a bunch of tassels and hang them everywhere. Just for fun.

Printable Kokeshi Calendar

You know I love just about anything kokeshi doll right? Well, Joy Charde from Creative Mamma created a new kokeshi doll 2012 mini calendar. The calendar is available on her site to download for free! If you have time and ink to spare, stop by and print it out.

Halloween Costume Reveal

Can you guess what I am now? No? It's okay, you're not the only one. My goal was to dress up in the Japanese Sweet Lolita fashion. Unfortunately, I think it fell a little flat. So, when someone asked what I was, I just said I was dressed like a doll (much easier to explain). Below is a picture of what I was going for.

Photo credit: New People

I think if I had more time and was able to get that hair volume, that would of helped. Also, my accessories were lacking. I had planned on getting some shoes from the thrift store and painting them pink but I couldn't find any round toed shoes in my size.

I should point out, I found a fabulous tutorial for how to style my hair on Violet Lebeaux.

Here's a better close up of the dress. I found the dress at the thrift store for three dollars. I had to alter it a little, after all it was a child size 8! I opened up the side seams and added pink satin panels. I also had to open up the seam on the sleeves. To make it look more finished I hand sewed lace to the sleeves and the bottom of the dress. As for the pink skirt, I found that at The Children's Place.

Now, I'm deciding whether to give this another go next year. I've got a whole year to think about it.

Last time I ask this, anyone dress up? If you posted about it, share a link in the comments and I'll stop by.