D.I.Y.s

Print from the Back Tray on Your Printer

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Over the past month I had been prepping for my first ever craft fair. In order to prepare there were a lot of things to create via printing, cutting and stamping. I  decided to create all of my hang tags and packaging cards by hand to save money using card stock. My go to type of card stock to use is heavy weight 110 lb for hang tags and bow packaging: it is thick and will often jam up the printer. Printers rotate paper to print on paper but card stock this thick is more difficult to bend. Another reason to use the back tray is when you are printing on sticker paper. Sticker paper often gunks up my printer if I am printing multiple sheets. Instead of getting frustrated and wasting resources reprinting, I have been putting the rear tray of my printer to use. 

Continue reading ➞ Print from the Back Tray on Your Printer

Mary Maxim Yarn Unboxing Haul |Parfait Premier First Impressions

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With the news of Joann possibly going out of business it is time to reach beyond mass craft stores and seek other options. Although the idea of Joann being gone forever is absolutely heartbreaking, it may actually happen. To be honest Michaels is not the best substitute, especially when it comes to yarn. I love touching yarn prior to purchasing to see what textures will best work for each project but it is becoming a thing of the past. 

Continue reading ➞ Mary Maxim Yarn Unboxing Haul |Parfait Premier First Impressions

Printable Wristbands DIY

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Kids are known for forgetting to give parents school flyers/ reminders so here is a diy for teachers who want the information to actually get to parents. These bracelets are not only fun colors but also customizable with a printer. Similar to a festival, concert or fair wristband, they are easy to put on and require being cut off. For this specific project, I customized the bracelets for my husband’s school for a back to school night reminder. The kids were ecstatic to get their bracelet put on because it was something new and different thus creating more of a hype to share when they got home. This project could be used for field trip groups, various events and even birthday parties. You can put anything on them! Printing is the only tricky part but if you pay close attention to the tutorial it is a piece of cake. I ruined about four sheets from simply not changing the paper size which was annoying. Remember to be patient with yourself!

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Update | How to- Backpack Repair

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Over the past couple of weeks a few people have asked for an update on my backpack repair solutions video/post. While I still believe the methods used are good options they only solved about 75% of its issues for me. In other words, depending on the bags, materials, and placement of the hole or fray, they may not be completely effective. For instance, the Tender Touch has started lifting in some areas and since the bag is mostly plastic, that is flaking apart. Also, the part of the bag that still possesses a hole is mainly due to the fact that it was a tricky area to adhere to at the start of the repair.

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Repair Holes & Stop Fraying | Purses and Backpacks

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Throughout the years your backpack and or purse goes through a lot. Perhaps a hole or fraying is an excuse to purchase a new one. If you are having trouble letting go of your beloved bag, because it has been with you through thick and thin, here are some ways to mend it. Let me state that the bag which I use in this tutorial is well over twenty years old, and is one of my all time favorites. The wear and tear on it is pretty brutal. 

Continue reading ➞ Repair Holes & Stop Fraying | Purses and Backpacks

Custom Wedding Invitations DIY

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While it may seem daunting to create your own wedding invitations from scratch, the process was actually pretty fun. The ordering process as mentioned in a previous post was the most stressful thing because not many places allow you to upload invitations to be printed. My recommendation would be to use a local shop and save yourself the headache or use Shutterfly. Prior to ordering anything create a template mock up of all the elements of the invitation. For ours, the elements included the base invite, a recipe card, rsvp card, a belly band, glitter ribbon and a sticker. When using multiple pieces it is sometimes hard to envision the full look so make sure not to skip this step. I ended up changing dimensions after creating a mock up since the ones online ended up looking funky when put together. 

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How to : Create a Custom Tool Roll

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With Father’s day approaching I thought it would be fun to create a sewing tutorial for a custom tool roll. Yes, there are several options to purchase but just because a gift is handmade does not mean it is “cheap”. If anything it is often more expensive in this mass merchant society. Why not practice your sewing skills while creating the perfect one of a kind gift for the tool lover in your life. Most tool rolls off the shelf are not as practical as they could be, slots are either too big or too small and rarely roll up without excessive bulk.

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Hold On Review | Plant Based Sustainable Compost Bags 

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Currently we are in the era where more and more people are becoming sustainable conscious. From paper straws to plant based alternatives it can be hard to trust in alternatives to the traditional plastic products. Trash bags and sandwich bags are perhaps the most used plastic products in the average household. 

Continue reading ➞ Hold On Review | Plant Based Sustainable Compost Bags 

How to: Tag Crochet Items for Small Businesses

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Selling handmade items can be extremely daunting especially when it comes to presenting your items to potential buyers. Making the items is the fun part which is why tagging if usually an afterthought. However, it is part of the item that is initially judged before a customer decides whether or not to purchase.  For you, it can make or break a sale. The appearance of a nice tag can create the feeling of a more established brand thus elevating your company to outsiders. A proper tag makes people grasp a better understanding of your brand and can create a sense of trust. 

Continue reading ➞ How to: Tag Crochet Items for Small Businesses

Bob’s Rain Coat | Procreate Time-lapse

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In this blistery drizzly season, I thought it would be fun to show the process of creating the latest Bob sticker. For those that do not know already, Bob is my support hippo and the logo for my small business Custom Little Beasties. The plan is to add these stickers to orders for purchase as well as include random ones with purchases. Currently Bob has three outfits: a King, anAstronaut and the Duckie Rain Coat. He really brings me joy so I hope that this little doodle brings a smile to your face as well. In the video below is the speed up process I used in Procreate to create his rainy day look. If you enjoyed this time-lapse drawing, please let me know. Also, what other outfits should I create for Bob ?

Continue reading ➞ Bob’s Rain Coat | Procreate Time-lapse