Holiday Coupon Code

Receive 20% off your entire purchase at Fobulous when you use coupon code "TURKEYTWENTY".

Book Page Wreath Tutorial

Who says Christmas decorations have to be expensive? I was inspired by some book page wreaths I found online while browsing my favorite blogs. Here is my take on these pretty decorations.

Materials Needed:
Glue Gun and glue sticks
Craft glue stick
Old paperback book
Rick-Rack trim
Watercolors and brush
Black thin line marker
Sturdy cardboard



1. Cut 2 circles out of cardboard-2" diameter and 3 1/2" diameter
2. Using glue stick cover each circle with a single page of text folding edges to back of cardboard
3. Tear pages carefully away from book binding and roll into a cone shape. Secure the corner with glue stick.
4. Using hot glue gun start glueing the cones to the back (unfinished) side of the larger cardboard circle with the points meeting in the center.
5. Continue glueing cones to cardboard until you have your first layer of cones.
6. Trim 1" off of the point side of your cones for the next layer.
7. Start glueing a second layer of cones to the top of the first layer placing them approximately 1" from the outside edge of the first layer.
8. Cover the smaller circle of cardboard with a page of text folding edges to the back and glueing them in place.
9. Draw a holiday motif on top of the text and color it in with your watercolors.
10. Glue a strand of rick-rack around the edge of the smaller cardboard circle.
11. Glue the small circle in the center of the wreath to cover up the points of the cones.
12. Using a 12" length of rick-rack, glue a loop to the back of the wreath for hanging.

New in the Shop Today

Just posted this one in Bags and Buds shop.

New in the Shop Today

New in the Shop Today

Collage...Falling Leaves

We've started moving the leaves in our yard today. Yes, it's autumn in Indiana. And, while it's not my favorite activity, it is my favorite time of year. Enjoy some Etsy finds with leaves in mind.



1. She Waited Until Fall photograph by TCaponePhoto
2. Fall 5 x 7 print by CedarPhoto
3. Fall Leaves by LuzDesigns
4. Many Maples by noraellen
5. Autumn Leaves Under Glass by cuteworkz
6. Cottonwood necklace by ArtisanHandcrafted
7. Autumn Spiral Wreath by welcomesbypj
8. Nature's Bounty necklace by uniquebuttons
9. Hosta Leaves by LauraTrevey
10. Embroidered Leaf Headband by KamiMono
11. Fall in the Park by lisaburch
12. Crimson Jewels by mistflowerphoto

Some Great New Fabrics

I just received some awesome new fabrics. Now...what to make? Stay tuned.

Anthology Fabrics, Folk Life Collection


Anthology Fabrics, Sweet Tooth Collection

Treasury Sightings for BagsandBuds and Fobulous!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

We've all been touched in one way or another by this terrible disease. My maternal grandmother was taken from us many years ago when I was in middle school. One of my dearest friends from college and a friend from work are both survivors. We can all make a difference by joining the fight.

I have added some Pink Ribbon key fobs to my shop. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.



Here are some wonderful items from other Etsy shops who will be donating proceeds from the sales to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation.



1. Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Art by MADART
2. Breast Cancer Hope Flag by KimHerring
3. Pink Vintage Zipper Lapel Pin by toniandtree
4. Pink For the Cure Scarf by mgbdesigns
5. Camera Strap by HowardAvenue
6. Candle with Bracelet by nikkicandles
7. Think Pink bag by jennjohn
8. Freshwater Pearl bracelet by revelling
9. Breast Cancer Bracelet by LaOdViE

Collage...Pumpkins

We've had our first taste of fall weather this weekend in Indiana. It was a pleasant 70 degrees in the afternoon on Sunday, so we went out and bought our pumpkins. Enjoy these Etsy pumpkin finds.

1. Mini Pumpkins by 39stitches
2. Little Pumpkin Beanie by Textilesone
3. Pick a Peck of Pumpkins by Sunfleur1
4. Homespun Mini Checked Pumpkins by simpledream2
5. Glittered Pumpkin by whitemarketblog
6. Crocheted Pumpkins by littlemargie
7. Pumpkin Pendants by gardengoddessmosaics
8. Pumpkin Polymer Clay Beads by tooaquarius
9. PDF Sewing Pattern Patchwork Pumpkins from retromama

Treasury Sightings...Fobulous!

New in the Shop Today

Collage...Chartreuse

Chartreuse Meets Metal Bangle by KnotChaCha
Super Snuggly Chunky Knit Cowl in Chartreuse by Happiknits
Verdant Valley Time's Echo Bamboo Tee by dyedianadye
Green Hornet by mendibarr
Mercantile Nostalgia Teal and Green Pin Cushion by minusOne

Trick or Treat Treasury

Halloween Glow Treasury

Autumn Inspiration

New Bag in the Shop

Halloween Badges and New Photos

Some New Brooches

Collage...Bicycles

There is a new bike path that runs pretty close to my house. Today I saw a bunch of kids riding and wished I had a bike to join them. It may have to be a spring purchase.

1. New-La Pomme Dark Yellow French with Bicycle Flap by ikabags
2. Colorblocked in Bicycles by CamilleStar
3. Bicycle Tire Belt by julienjaborska
4. Reversible Bicycle Chain Bracelet by hourglassproductions
5. Parked in Venice Photograph by RetrospectPhoto
6. Messenger Bag in Teal with Vintage White Bicycle by TrackandFieldDesigns
7. Anna Sling Bag in Japanese Etsuko Furuya Echino Bicycles by gutentag

Pantone Reveals Spring 2011 Colors

New York Fashion Week is September 9-16, 2010.

"For 17 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the seasons most important color trends." Are you following the trends with your creations?

In Pantone's Fashion Color Report for Spring 2011, you will find colors inspired by exotic destinations like Africa, India, Peru and Turkey. "Designers continue to satisfy consumers' need to escape everyday challenges with intriguing color combinations that transport them to foreign lands."

New Fobs in the Shop Today

Went to a fabric shop in Rossville, Indiana this weekend and got quite a few cool fabrics. Had to make some fobs right away. Check them out in my shop.

Collage...Mums

1. Spider MuM eco T by Ahpeele
2. Mum No. 1 by AlexWijnen
3. Garden III by julietsetsy
4. Fall Mums Mini Greeting Cards by FreshLemonBlossoms
5. Hand Painted Clutch Wristlet by ivoryAndOrange

Some Weekend Pictures

One of my favorite summer places...



It's time for mums...



All Tucker'd Out!

Collage...Puzzle Pieces

Did I ever tell you that I work for a Toy company in the Puzzle and Game division? Here are a few of my favorite puzzle pieces...



1. Rockin' Autism Awareness Bangle Bracelet by tamanthajewellery
2. Leaf Textured Fine Silver Puzzle Piece Necklace by SilverGarden
3. Puzzle Necklace by miettefr
4. Puzzle Piece Autism Awareness Square Bezel Necklace by cheekycrafts

Working on Something New

I've been creating some new badges with my fabric scraps and buttons that are too small for my buds. I'm really thrilled to be using up some of my supplies. Not sure yet what I'm going to do with them. I'm thinking of calling them bag badges and putting pin backs on them...or, maybe magnets. Any ideas?

Collage...Hoops

1. Little City Hoop by LittlePinkHouse
2. Wall Art by PilliPillihandmade
3. White Cascading Flowers by DashingEtc
4. Puffed Heart by neawear
5. Green Angel with Buttons by DesignsByNancyT
6. Blue Crazy Patchwork by merriweathercouncil
7. Wall Art Crazy Patchwork by merriweathercouncil

Some Quick Updates and New Shop Items

I've been silent for a while. Life just seems to be flying by and I'm lucky if I can grab ahold. I'll run it down for you...

We have a new kitten named Tucker. He started out a little sickly, but is healthy now and full of fire. I just couldn't resist adopting him. Sorry that the picture is a little blurry. It's hard to catch him still. We haven't introduced him to the older cats yet. That should be fun...NOT! I think I'm now in danger of becoming known as the crazy cat lady. Ha! Three cats isn't too many...is it?





We moved my son's furniture from his last year's school apartment to a storage unit Friday. In another week we have to move it from the storage unit to a new apartment. We didn't plan that one very well. If the lease had just gone for another week. And, of course, It just happened to be the hottest day of the summer-96 degrees. Ugh! I'm praying for 80 degrees or lower for the next move.

My daughter starts graduate school tomorrow. So, we've been getting ready for that. School clothes shopping...that's fun!

Haven't had much time to sew lately, but I have a few new fobs in the shop today. I love this new MIchael Miller fabric called Pretty Bird Spice.

Public Art

Recently my husband was given the opportunity to do a public art project in West Lafayette, Indiana. He was asked to submit a proposal for a mural that would cover an 18 ft. high x 38 1/2 ft. wide concrete wall. He spent the last 3 weeks painting the mural. Not an easy task to begin with, but made all the more difficult because of the beastly hot weather we've been experiencing.

The mural depicts a character called "The Celery Bog Man" and is titled "Mythic Wabash". "The Celery Bog is a wetland located in West Lafayette, Indiana. For much of the 20th century the wetland was drained and farmed. Celery, as well as other crops, were grown in the rich peat of the drained wetland. However, the agricultural drainage system constantly failed, which resulted in the termination of farming in the wetland. Thus, part of the former wetland has gradually reverted to wet conditions. The wetland and important nearby sites are now preserved as the Celery Bog Nature Area. This area is listed as a “significant ecological site” by the Indiana Natural Heritage Program and it has become and important park in the area."

The original painting of "The Celery Bog Man" was conceived for another community art exhibition call "Tippecanus Rex" which my husband curated. The object of that project was for area artists and writers to create works about imagined myths and legends of Tippecanoe county. Some of my favorites were the Wabash River Dolphins, Tippecanus Rex, the Wea Plains Pigmy Bison and the Celery Bog Man.

The public unveiling of the mural was this afternoon. Craig says "It's meant to be fun, obviously, but primarily provocative. I'm hoping people respond to the creativity and the imagination behind it." So many people stopped to watch him paint and commented on how cool it was. The mayor was in attendance during the unveiling and he mentioned that not only is public art beautiful to look at and enjoy, but that murals like this actually detour vandals from creating graffiti. Who knew?

If you are ever in West Lafayette, the mural is on a wall near Purdue University behind Spurlock's restaurant. It was sponsored by the City of West Lafayette and the Tippecanoe Arts Federation.

Here are some pictures of the mural in different stages.