Char @ Crap I've Made

Giveaway: The Little Gentleman’s Closet

April 11, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 242 Comments

As a mom of mostly boys, I love to see other moms of boys come up with stuff to sew for them. Let me introduce you to Michelle, who is one of those moms. She’s the force behind The Little Gentleman’s Closet.

The Little Gentleman’s Closet is full of darling ties and bowties for little boys.

(Those 2 pics make me WAY happier than they should.)

Michelle also sells patterns for both neckties and bowties. If you’re a super dorky matchy matchy mom like myself (see here), you will freaking love this!

I’ll be reviewing the necktie pattern later this week, so watch for that.

What’s in it for you?

Michelle is giving 2 lucky Crap I’ve Made readers a copy of one of her patterns.

To enter:

Click on over to The Little Gentleman’s Closet. Have a look around. Come back and leave a comment on this post saying what you’re favorite item in the shop is.

Like The Little Gentleman’s Closet on Facebook. Come back and leave a comment saying you did.

YOU MUST LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY & ALL COMMENTS MUST BE ON THE BLOG, NOT ON FACEBOOK OR IN REPLY TO YOUR EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION!

Michelle’s headed out of town at the end of the week, so we’re closing this on Friday the 15th at noon MST. That’ll give you time to get the pattern (PDF) and make your ties for Easter, if you’re so inclined.

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Shabby Apple Winner!

April 11, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 7 Comments

I’m back from an insanely fabulous weekend in Arizona. So, so, SO fun to have that many crafty and creative women all in one place. Like my roommate Michelle from A Little Tipsy said, “Craft blogging is kind of like curling. You don’t really ‘get’ it unless you do it.” And these ladies all get it. More on Creative Estates in a day or two, after I get out from under the pile of laundry that amassed whilst I was away.

Here’s a little something to tide you over:

Things you can learn from this picture:

Sometimes something is really funny in your head and then you see it on the internet and think maybe it wasn’t the best idea you’ve ever had.

Jen from Tatertots and Jello really is so nice that she’ll smile at you even when you shove your finger up your nose.

So, let’s get to that Shabby Apple winner, shall we?

#477, aka Annie, who said:

I like shabby apple on fb!

Annie, shoot me an email ASAP to [email protected] to claim your prize!

You’ve got until Wednesday to enter to win $50 from The Ribbon Retreat (go here) and the camera bag from Kelly Moore (go here).

I’ll have a little somethin’ somethin’ for those of you with boys later this afternoon. Stay tuned.

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Giveaway: Kelly Moore Bag

April 9, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made

I’m in AZ living it up and you’re not. Instead of rubbing it in (even though I totally just rubbed it in), I’m giving you stuff! Be sure to scroll down for the other giveaway, too!

Do you ever feel like a dork hauling around your big old DSLR camera? Do you sometimes shove it in your purse so your hands are free to ~~beat~~ wrangle your kids? And then do you worry that it’s not safe in there? No more, folks…NO MORE!

Meet my new friend, who is accompanying me to Creative Estates:

THAT is a Kelly Moore Bag. It’s the B-Hobo in canary if you want to get technical.

Kelly herself says…

My name is Kelly Moore Clark, and I live in the REAL LA….Louisiana I’ve been married almost 8 years to the fabulous Kelly Clark…yes, me and my husband have the same name. It makes life interesting We have a beautiful, fiery daughter named Posey. I’ve been a photographer for over 12 years.

About three years ago, I started sketching and dreaming about having a handbag/lens bag line of my own. As a photographer and a woman, I was always left wanting more when it came to my options for a stylish, functional bag that I could use to carry my equipment while I photographed. I sat down and made a wish list of everything that I wanted in a great bag, and now 3 years later, I’m so excited that my wish list has come to life!!

Awesome, right?

Why do I love this bag? Let me count the ways…

1) It doesn’t look like a camera bag. It just looks like a kick-y purse. Plus, it comes in LOTS of awesome colors, see?

The other styles are equally delightful. Take the Posey in orange, for example:

Or the Classic in rich fuchsia:

2) It holds my camera with my ginormous 18-250mm lens attached as well as my 50 mm lens, a flash gadget (that you’ll hear about shortly), my wallet, business cards, my phone, keys, gum, and lip gloss. I don’t need to carry a purse AND something for my camera.

The dividers are moveable. I like that. You know…for after I take all those receipts out of my wallet.

3) It’s sturdy and padded. It stands up and I feel like my camera is actually protected, as opposed to when I just shoved it in my purse.

4) THAT PURPLE LINING!

What didn’t I like?

It smelled very chemical-y when I opened the box. The smell was gone within 2 or 3 days, though. Small price to pay for such fabulousness, right?

So, what’s in it for you?

Kelly has graciously offered one SUPER lucky Crap I’ve Made reader a Kelly Moore Bag of their choice!

To enter:

Click on over to Kelly Moore Bags. Have a look around. Come back and leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite bag is.

Follow Kelly on Twitter. She gives away bags on Twitter, too (3 of them just the other day), so you REALLY should do this!

Like Kelly Moore Bags on Facebook.

YOU MUST LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY! ALL COMMENTS MUST BE ON THE BLOG, NOT ON FACEBOOK OR IN REPLY TO YOUR EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION!

Kelly is also offering all of you $15 off a bag. Use code “CRAP” to take advantage of the savings!

Giveaway ends next Wednesday, April 13th at noon MST.

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Giveaway: The Ribbon Retreat

April 8, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 555 Comments

I’m in AZ living it up and you’re not. Instead of rubbing it in (even though I totally just rubbed it in), I’m giving you stuff! Don’t forget to check in tomorrow, too!

So, the thing I’m looking most forward to today is the fabulous GNO put on by some delightful AZ bloggers.

One of the sponsors of that event (and also of Crap I’ve Made) is The Ribbon Retreat.

I may end up with some Ribbon Retreat swag, but it’ll be NOTHING like what they’re offering one of you!

The Ribbon Retreat is THE place to go for ribbon and hair bow making supplies, (including tons of great free projects). You can buy lengths of individual ribbons, or they sell convenience packs, like this delightful moonstitched one:

They also carry fabric.

Do you stand in the quilt shop for the better part of an hour with a handful of fat quarters trying to make up your mind? No? That’s just me? Well, if you *did* have that problem, The Ribbon Retreat would have a great solution for you…

Little Fatties. That’s 6 fat quarters preselected and packaged for you at a very reasonable price!

Are you that kind that can’t pass up a deal? The Ribbon Retreat has a Sweet Deal every Wednesday morning that you’ll DEFINITELY want to check out.

So, what’s in it for you?

A chance to win a $50 gift certificate to The Ribbon Retreat, good for ANYTHING they carry!

How do you enter?

1) Click on over to The Ribbon Retreat and have a look around.. Come back and leave a comment on this post saying what you’d spend your $50 on.

2) Click on over to The Ribbon Retreat on Facebook and “Like” them (formerly known as becoming a fan of). Come back here and leave a comment telling me that you did.

3) Click on over to The Ribbon Retreat blog. Click on the little button on the right that says “Subscribe via Email”. Subscribe via email. Come back and leave a comment on this post saying that you did.

So, you can enter up to 3 times.

YOU MUST LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY! ALL COMMENTS MUST BE ON THE BLOG, NOT ON FACEBOOK OR IN REPLY TO YOUR EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION!

Giveaway ends next Wednesday, April 13th at noon MST.

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Guest Post: Neighbor Jami & Her Nursery Details

April 6, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 24 Comments

Jami’s back today to show us the rest of her nursery details!

This chandelier is another DI score…$2 whole dollars! I added some cream spray paint and these amazing magnetic pink crystals I found on clearance at Hobby Lobby and, voila! A dainty little chandelier!

It is screaming for some little lamp shades. I have been visiting Hobby Lobby weekly and buying them out of lampshades similar to these self adhesive, cover–it-yourself lampshades. Apparently they only stock 2 at a time?

This lamp is another DI find:

The lamp post was cute, so I spray painted it cream but the shade that came with it was pretty beat up, so I bought a “cover-it-yourself” lamp shade from Hobby Lobby and came up with this.

And of course, the name art.

Char actually did most of the work on this. (Char interruption: That is not true. Jami was the mastermind, I was just the man power.) I LOVE the way it turned out. Here is a better picture, minus the frilly iron decor above it.

The room is small and there wasn’t really room for a traditional changing table. My fabulous neighbor Decorator Wendy came up with this solution:

Handy to have a laundry basket underneath for all those newborn blowouts, right?

And then I hung the diapers and wipes bins on the wall above it.

Who wants to tell the cat her days of hanging out in here are numbered?

-Jami

Most of the curtains are done, I just need to finish the valance portion. Look forward to that project next week!

-Char

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Filed Under: DIY, fabric, guest post, home decor, Lucy's Nursery, makeovers, paint

Since I haven’t rambled for a while…

April 5, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 24 Comments

I’m packing up and heading out to Creative Estates in two days. TWO DAYS!!!

I’ve spent entirely too much time running around trying to find stuff to wear. I may have accidentally bought 2 pairs of identical capri pants, on different days, at different stores. And I think I’m going to keep/wear them both on account of not actually having time to care about it anymore. AZ hit 100 last week (though I hear it’s going to be much more bearable this weekend). We woke up to this on Sunday:

Hard to think HOT when that’s what’s outside, right?

At least my feet are in the spirit:

And I made something to hold my business cards:

So, you know, who needs clothes?

In addition to the delightful Shabby Apple giveaway I posted yesterday (go here to enter), I’ve got some more fabulous giveaways lined up to keep you company this weekend whilst I’m away.

You won’t even miss me.

In fact, you might be glad I’m gone.

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Giveaway: Shabby Apple!

April 4, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 546 Comments

You all remember Shabby Apple, right? We had a giveaway for them last year? Still not ringing a bell? Let me refresh your memory!

Shabby Apple makes insanely cute women’s dresses. I love that they’re stylish, feminine and that they cover everything that needs covering.

On the look out for the perfect LBD? How’s this for a selection? 2 pages! A couple of my faves:

And a few more of my non-black favorites:

What’s in it for you?

Shabby Apple is offering one lucky Crap I’ve Made reader their very own Amethyst dress!

TO ENTER:

(Only comments on THIS POST on the blog will be counted!)

Click on over to Shabby Apple. Have a look around. Come back and tell me which one of their women’s dresses is your favorite. Leave me a comment saying that you did.

Like Shabby Apple on Facebook. Leave me a comment saying that you did.

This giveaway is open to US residents only and will close Saturday when I remember to take a break from Creative Estates and shut down the comments. Maybe we should just say Sunday? Winking smile

Can’t wait to see if you’re a winner? Want to buy something else?

Shabby Apple is offering all Crap I’ve Made readers 10% off using code “crapivemade10off”.

Get shopping!

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$50 to Target courtesy of GroopDealz Winner!

April 4, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 4 Comments

The winner of the $50 gift certificate to Target provided by GroopDealz is…

#237, aka Connie!

Connie, shoot me an email to [email protected] to claim your prize!

I’ll be back with another fun giveaway this afternoon. In the mean time, enjoy this picture of me and Tam from Sew Dang Cute at the Our Best Bites cookbook signing this weekend:

[Book-signing[3].jpg]

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Crib Bumpers

March 31, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 55 Comments

***I realize that some people have strong feelings about crib bumpers. The comments on this post are not the place to share those feelings, K?***

Jami picked up a damaged Pottery Barn Kids bumper at our local Down East Home store for $10 (cheaper than buying new batting, right?) and I recovered it. It was all one really, really long piece and stuffing it inside the new cover would have been a nightmare, so I cut it into 4 pieces (one for each side). I measured each piece and added 1′’ for seam allowances. I’m not giving you specific measurements for this because your bumper may be a different height and/or thickness. The top and bottom ruffles are 3” strips pressed in half and then ruffled with my ruffler foot.

I put large ties (5” strips, sewed RST into a tube and angled on the end) on the corners and a small tie on the top and bottom centers of each long side.

The bumper fabrics and the yellow for the ties are all Amy Butler fabrics.

The green ruffles are Heather Bailey.

The houndstooth on the sheet is Free Spirit. I used Dana’s tutorial for the crib sheet.

And someone remind me to head over to Jami’s to photograph her nursery in the afternoon next time because no pregnant woman should ever have to do this to help you get a good picture: