Crafting on a Budget

 2020 was something else.  As the pandemic raged on, I decided to make most of the gifts I was going to give for Christmas.  It was a well recieved idea.  I did some sewing, and some 3D printing, and I was able to give some thougtful, handmade gifts.  I started printing the 3D projects in September, because I knew they would take a long time to make.  I printed lithophane lightboxes for all the younger grandkids, and a couple for some adults.  I also sewed the younger grandkids a set of pajamas, or a gown. 

I've been very busy with little people this last year and a half.  But now that they are getting older and can entertain themselves for little bits of time, I find more crafting time.  I completed bunnies for Easter that I cut out last year but didn't have time to put together.  I was even able to cut a couple more for new babies.

Someone may be wondering where I disappeared to, so I thought I would take a minute and update by blog.  In September,  a new grandson was born.  Then in October, and new granddaughter was born.  I watch the grandson and his sister (who turns three in a few days) Monday through Friday and I watch the new granddaughter about 2 Saturdays each month.  That doesn't leave much time or energy for crafting these days.  I do manage to sneak in an item or two here and there.  I did make a free file from Dreaming Tree for preschool teachers.

For my first day of the 30 day personal challenge I have completed the beer mug from the Feeling Lucky kit by SVG Cuts.

Well,  I made it.  Got to my first craft show and actually sold a few things!  Unfortunately for the vendors and crafters,  Wichita had a February temp of high 68 so the traffic was a little light.  Most people chose to spend the day in the great outdoors on such a glorious day.  We've had some really cold temps, so I don't blame them!  I met some really nice people and bought some wonderful jams from Steve's Jams and Jellies.  I opened the Cherry Cheesecake right away to try it.  It really taste like Cherry Cheesecake!

Ok, back to my experience.

We could choose to set up either Friday evening, or Saturday morning.  I chose Saturday morning, so I could do a mock set up at home first.  (I also had to finish up pricing and packing my items)  I got up just before 6am, took my shower, loaded my car and drove over to pick up my niece, who was helping me.  We arrived right at 8 am and got busy setting up.  We were done by 9 and I am very pleased with how our booth turned out.

 One of the things my family highly suggested was for me to take the Easter bunnies from last year and see if anyone wanted to order them.  That was the best idea of all!  I ended up with orders for 10 bunnies!

All in all, I am very pleased with my first attempt at craft showing.  I'll be keeping a look out for another small craft show for the future.  In the mean time, I have some bunnies to make!

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If you have an electronic cutting machine, (i.e. a cricut, cameo, eclips, brother) then you need to click on the link below and get your absolutely free Santa's Sweets SVG kit from SVG Cuts.  It's their way of wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Christmas is getting closer!  Radio stations are playing Christmas music and the stores have been full of Christmas decorations for weeks!  My mind has been filled with Christmas projects as well!  But not every project is planned entirely of paper.  I know!  That's not what my name would suggest!  I do like to stray off the paper path every once in a while, just for something different to do.  This Christmas I have plans to add vinyl to the very popular plastic tumblers that everyone seems to carry around.

Hello Everyone.

I went to my local Dollar Tree today to stock up on essentials (face tissue, paper towels, baggies, bread).  I always cruise the other isles, because you just never know.  Today I made some fabulous finds, both for crafting and for gift giving!  Here they are!

Today is the official first full day of Fall.  It arrived at 9:29 p.m. last night, according to the Old Farmers Almanac.

In an effort to stay ahead of special days and holidays that I like to give gifts for, I made these baskets about 2 weeks ago.  Last night I made the easiest pumpkin muffin recipe.  I baked them in the really big muffin tin so each basket just got one.  I put some paper shred in the bottom of each basket, stacked the muffin on top and added a book of stickers (that I keep on hand from the Dollar Tree). The boys took them to school today to give to their teachers.  I realize that it's not a traditional gift giving day, but I enjoy making my paper crafts, and it's even more enjoyable to have an occasion for creating and giving!

The basket is from SVG Cuts Fall Harvest kit from two years ago.  Most of the papers I used were single color AC card stock.  This was a quick and easy project to complete.  The baskets are roomy allowing for one big item or several small ones.  I hope the teachers like them as much as I did making them.  Now on to more Halloween crafts!

Be sure to visit my Facebook page for a chance for TWO giveaways!

Thanks for stopping by!  Craft Happy!

This was a fun project to make.  It takes a lot of  paper, but it's super cute and fun to have out for Halloween.   But a project like this can really exhaust your crafting resources. and put a crimp in your craft budget.  I'm going to share a couple of tricks I used to help keep this beauty below budget.

1.  Use tissue paper instead of Velum.  Velum can cost over a dollar per sheet.  I can get an entire package of tissue paper at the Dollar Tree, for just a dollar!  I can't cut it on my machine, but it's not hard to hand cut the pieces.

2.  If your decorative panels are of a heavy, sturdy card stock, use lighter cheaper paper for the base.  It won't have the sturdiness you would get from a project made of all AC card stock, but no ones going to be living in it.  However,  if the decorative panels are of a cute paper, and not card stock, don't scrimp.  (On the roof I used a sturdy purple card stock and some cute Halloween paper I bought a couple of years ago at Michaels.)

3.  Skip additional embellishments.  This house has so much fabulous detail, it doesn't need any embellishment.  On the trim pieces I just inked and embossed.

4.  Mary at SVG Cuts, put a lot of thought into this project and included lining for the interior to finish if off nicely.  That's a wonderful touch, but I saved myself four pieces of paper by leaving them off.

5.  Don't go cheap on glue.  It is what holds your project together.  I like the quick drying glue from 3M.  Even though they changed the bottle and perhaps the formula, I still haven't found any I like better.  It doesn't make the paper wet like some glue does. It doesn't require much to get the job done. And once it's set, it is set!  (I buy it at Micheal's with a 40% off coupon)

6.  I buy most of my "holiday" papers after the holiday, when it's being cleared out.  So, yes, a lot of the projects I make are with last season's paper, or even several years ago.  But who really knows or cares.  I can get more bang for my buck by shopping clearance sales!

I realize that my tips will not change the course of crafting, but perhaps it will help a few of my fellow crafters enjoy more affordable crafting.  If you have a money saving tip, why not share?

Thanks for reading and craft happy!

One of my grandsons was receiving tutoring over the summer, and the teacher sent a deck of vocab game cards home with us for further practice.  She asked us to return them when school started, so I thought it would be nice to dress them up a little and add a few tokens of appreciation.  I have been wanting to make the backpack from SVG Cuts Back to the Books kit, so I thought this would be a great way to tackle two issues.  1.  Returning the cards in better condition than we received them, and  2.  Making the backpack.

Paper projects are fun to make, but paper can be expensive.  I have found some ways to make my paper pads go a little farther so I make sure to get my money's worth.  It helps me afford the svg kits I love to buy from SVG Cuts.  I would like to share some of my tips with you, so that you too can enjoy more crafting on a budget.

Today I'm sharing my love for The Dollar Tree!

I have found so many things at the Dollar Tree that I can use in my crafting.  And for $1 it is usually a savings over the craft stores or even Wal-Mart.  I did some shopping there this week for the first day of school teacher gifts I'm sending with the boys.  I bought some little note pads, pens and sticky notes.  With these few items, I'll fill up a desk set and it will be adorable, useful and cheap!  And each purchase will make more than one gift.