Life As An Amateur Homemaker

Free Butterfly Polka Dot Digital 12 x 12 Scrapbooking Paper

2012-02-15T06:30:00.000-08:00

I put together this 12 x 12 digital scrapbook paper for you to download. I'm going to use it for a page for my girls, and I thought you might like to have it for a background. It could be re-sized as an 8 x 8 to fit into a smaller scrapbook, or even used as a background for your favorite inspirational quote. Click on the graphic above to save the full version or click here to get it off of my Flickr. This is for personal use only by the way.

Be blessed in all you do today.

Happy Valentine's Day! Free Vintage Printable Cards

2012-02-14T21:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here is a freebie printable of my Vintage Valentine Card Collection. I just can't stop! I just love the 30's to the 70's. They were so cute and vibrant with adorable characters.

Thank you to all my customers who have ordered from Sweet B. Revival Etsy Shop. I am honored that you have chosen to spend your hard earned money with me. My Grand Opening Sale was a big hit with lots of wonderful shops added to the circle, repeat customer, and meeting all of my new friends on Etsy! Thank you so much, and I look forward to many more wonderful finds and sales on Etsy.

Etsy Shop Grand Opening SALE! .99 Cents Items!

2012-02-12T08:50:00.000-08:00

In honor of my Grandad's Birthday, and Valentine's Day I am having the shop's Grand Opening Sale this Sunday through Tuesday. Come on by and see what I have on sale for just $.99 Cents!

Love ya Papa! Happy Birthday Lincoln Leo Paul! Thank you for being who you are. I am blessed to know you.

http://www.sweetbrevival.etsy.com

Sassy Doily Covered Soaps Tutorial

2012-01-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

These adorable doily covered soaps are so lovely to have in your bathroom, making guests feel warm and welcome with that little extra stylish touch. What's great about the tutorial from Kirsty at Kootoyoo.com, is that you don't have be able to crochet a stitch!

Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend!

Cute Hot Air Balloon Craft Printable

2012-01-25T23:14:00.000-08:00

So I am just delighted with these very cool hot air balloons I found as a printable over at Candace Todd's blog. I am going to print them and make a mobile for the wee-ones room. What will you do with them?

Retro Valentine and Sweet Hearts Images

2012-01-25T19:57:00.000-08:00

Sew Cute Sunday: Bean Bag Chair Pattern from DanaMadeIt.com

2012-01-22T22:36:00.000-08:00

Sew Cute Sundays are all about patterns and ideas that I put on my list of to-do projects with my handy dandy sewing machine. I love reading MADE over at danamadeit.com. Her Rollie Pollie Pattern is such a cute interpretation of the bean bag chairs we had as kids. She does a wonderful job putting together instructions and tutorials, while sharing a humorous side of herself. I just love this blog, and I hope you stop on over to see what she's got going on next.

Now OPEN! New Etsy Shop! So excited! What do you think?

2012-01-22T22:12:00.000-08:00

Today I opened my new Etsy shop! Sweet B. Revival is open for business, and I am just so thrilled. I have already had my first sale! It is my goal to have an online boutique that has both new handmade items, and fabulous vintage resale. I will be having quality handmade and unique vintage goods available in my little online boutique at great prices. I have some handmade paper goods and jewelry that I am looking forward to featuring in the next week.

I will start a Thrifty Thursday post. This is to feature my adventures when I am out and about with friends gathering new pieces for the shop. Please be sure to check in with me often for an ever changing inventory. Please come clicking by the shop while you're showing Etsy love and add me to your Etsy Circle!

I would love some feedback. What do you think of the name, the banner, and what's currently listed?

Thank you for leaving a comment, and happy blogging to you!

Taking Better Product Pictures

2012-01-18T09:21:00.000-08:00

This post is a combo of sorts. 1) It is a confession of my obsession with Lush Handmade Cosmetics products. They just opened a new location locally and I haven't had it this good since living closer to Seattle where it would be my little indulgence for myself. 2) I also want to share a small victory in my struggle with photographing items in the right light with wonderful detail for listing in my Etsy shop or Ebay.

I want to revamp my Etsy shop and have handmade and vintage goods that I produce or have fun scouring for. However, I have had horrible luck with my little digital camera, and photography was never one of my strengths. I went a little overboard in my purchase of fabulous LUSH products and am growing a bit of a collection. I decided that I would use these awesome products as my muse for better photos.

This is my staging box that I created using a packing box, white trash liners, and extra tissue paper I had in from my wrapping paper stash. I used the LUSH bag as the bottom of the product photos. When I take the photos in natural light I have the left side facing an open window and a small 60 watt bulb lamp on the right. However, professionals have different ideas on this. I am just using what I have at the house.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-take-better-photos-for-127606

http://www.handmadeology.com/seven-tips-on-better-picture-taking-for-your-blog-and-etsy-shop/

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/make-it-work-an-etsy-success-photography-workshop/

These are two photos I have taken in the past WITHOUT THE HELP of these wonderful tutorials.

Oh Dear! The lighting is just awful!

Here are a couple of after photos with the help and knowledge of the wonderful tutorials:

I wouldn't say they are perfect, but definitely a step in the right direction! I was very excited, especially since I have an older model Sony digital camera, and a serious lack of the "eye" for photography. I just admire people that have that like my husband, his brother, and even my oldest daughter. I leave the family snapshots to this talented crew!

Happy blogging to you, and thanks for your sweet comments.

Free Pretty Things For You

SEW CUTE Sunday: Cozy Flannel Blanket, Baby Hat Pattern

2012-01-15T20:47:00.000-08:00

I was looking for patterns and tutorials for little ones. Here are two that are just precious and would be ideal for a little teeny one in your life. Happy blogging!

By TieDyeDiva: Animal Baby Hat Patterns

By Lil Mop Top: Cozy Flannel Blanket

Kind of funny...My reborn project mishap and our newest addition

2012-01-11T14:37:00.000-08:00

I probably shouldn't share this only because, she isn't that pretty. Although, I thought I did pretty good at painting this little misfit naked baby doll I found at the thrift store. She was an orphan Berenguer doll that was in need of a makeover. I had seen the reborn dolls on different sites and magazines like at this link here, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.

Oh dear! Oh dear friends! It wasn't that she turned out bad. She looks fairly normal. However, it was when my two year old saw this little baby sitting out that she took a turn for the worst. She was all dressed in a vintage outfit that had been worn by me as an infant, sitting so cute in an antique chair, with eyelashes that just screamed to be plucked from their perfectly placed little eye sockets! Awww! Bummer.

It isn't a total loss. My mom sewed a child safe body to her, and she can be toted around by two more little girls, just without eyelashes. I'd say that's a pretty happy ending for any little orphan toy.

In other news...

Our newest addition is our very sweet baby bunny who we call Lillow (for Little 'O Bunny). I had been researching house rabbits and read a few books and wouldn't you know, this cutie patootie needed a home. Well, she is here with her friend Thumper who we will have pics of soon. She is a flemish giant mix, and he is a broken mini rex, who by the way is as soft as velvet. They are totally sweet and fun to watch. I spend a couple of hours in the morning, and a few hours at night interacting with them. They like to be mellow during the day and just hang out in the school room and go up and down the stairs. They are fabulous at going in the litter box, which really surprised me. The cat and dog think they are quite the novelty, and haven't been at all concerned about them. Ruby our little dog just licks her like she is another little pup to be groomed. The girls love them, but I admit they are really mommy's bunnies.

DIY Furniture Tutorial: Pouf Ottoman by BHG

2012-01-11T09:32:00.000-08:00

I love getting my magazines in the mail, almost as much as I love blog surfing. This Pouf Ottoman from Better Homes and Gardens is my inspiration for my little ones room. Miss Muffet needs a tuffet to sit on. She won't sit in the rocking chair but loves to sit on the arms of the rocking chair. Perhaps I can put together a little something from my magic tub of scrap fabrics! I had to tell you all about it. Click Here to download the directions.

SEW CUTE!!! Free Cupcake Plush Tutorial from Fantastic Toys

2012-01-09T11:15:00.000-08:00

I was browsing some of my former favorite posts for projects that I have put on my list, but haven't yet completed. I came across the cutest plushie pattern and tutorial from Fantastic Toys. They make fabulous little things you just want to cuddle! This cupcake is so sweet, I can't wait to make one for my girls. Thanks Fantastic Toys! See the etsy shop, blog, and the forum link below for more information.
A PDF version with instructions and pattern is also available for download.
http://www.myfantastictoys.com/cupcakeparty/cupcakeparty.zip

Etsy shop http://www.FantasticToys.etsy.com

New Photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantastictoys/

Blog http://myfantastictoys.blogspot.com/

Starting Fresh In 2012! A new year, with new goals, and a new focus.

2012-01-09T00:02:00.000-08:00

It has once again come around to the time when we have stuffed ourselves to the gills, exchanged gifts, spent time with loved ones, put the holiday decor away, and rang in a brand new year. While I am so grateful and blessed to have this new year upon us like a grand sunrise brings in a new day, I have realized my to-do list for 2011 is packed with left overs like Grammy's fridge! 2011 was full of wonderful life moments. We welcomed a new baby girl home and into our family, made a pilgrimage to see my husband's family that was several years overdue, and we have made some wonderful new friends. We also realized that texting is an absolute essential part of everyday life. Becoming a mother of four, living as a military spouse, having an obsessive need to hunt for bargains, thrift, craft, revive old furniture, homeschooling, and now suffering from an overwhelming desire to grow stuff in the dirt, has lead me to a conclusion. Take last years to-do list, add to it, make it this year's to-do list, and share the victories and pitfalls with seemingly the whole world.

I love reading blogs, and have written a little here and there on my own. This blog will be my attempt to share and compile information that I find inspiring. It's true that in the past I have had trouble utilizing social media. Frankly, I'm scared to death that having your business on the internet in front of God and everyone has not been the healthiest situation for many people, and do not want my own family to fall prey. However, I realize that it is such an important tool for staying in touch with friends and family, while networking with new connections. I totally see what all the hype is about. The creative part of myself just loves to seek and find other people with the same drive to keep on creating one project at a time. For the first time in a long time, I feel as though I may have something to contribute. Could what I blog about inspire someone else on their journey to creative bliss? Could my experience give someone else a chuckle and understanding that they are not alone; motherhood, womanhood, and being human are full of humbling moments?

I have also decided that by blogging, I'm actually creating a journal. A digital journal, that I hope I can share with my friends, family, and especially my children. I don't know where this technology will advance to next. It totally boggles my mind at how far it has advanced in just my 32 years. Who knew that twenty years ago the little card game called UNO that helped me to learn to add and recognize numbers, would be available for my ten-year-old to play as a video game on my slimmer-than-my-pocketbook mobile phone!?! Huh?...(It's the little things that amuse me the most.)

What I do know, is that if Blogger has space for one more kooky character, who is a creative nut job, with a passion for loving and encouraging people; well here we go!

Thanks to socializeyourbusiness.com for the above graphic.

Vintage Rocking Chair Made-Over

2011-12-28T00:26:00.000-08:00

This little rocker is one of a few great finds I got my hands on from my favorite local thrift store. It was a vintage side chair that had been stripped and wooden rocker legs attached. A real hand made piece with a hideous cushion and caning in disrepair. It was exactly the size I needed to have in the living room, or put in the bedroom to rock our newest little princess to sleep. It's character and charm was just a great bonus. I didn't want the same glider that is sold at all the major retailers. I wanted a piece that when the girls are older they'll say, "Remember that rocker mom used to read to us in." Yay! Mission accomplished.

I painted two base coats of almond colored paint. Then applied a brown acrylic glaze by brushing it on and wiping it off with a terry cloth rag. This piece was stripped in its original condition, so I did not prime the wood. I was so excited about finding the piece, I forgot to start taking pictures before I began to paint.

The caning on the back was really damaged, and I could not get it to look right. I decided to cover the back caning with fabric, and used cotton batting cut and stapled to fit the window over the caning. I did this mainly so that in the future when I want to revamp the chair again, with new paint or fabric, it is easily removable. I did not use any glues or adhesives with this project.

Hello CLEARANCE isle! I found this trim at Hobby Lobby on clearance and paid $2.67 for the whole spool! It was originally $4+ by the yard. Amazing! I danced all the way out the door to the car.

I cut a piece of fabric (also a clearance bin find by-the-way...wink...wink.) for the back with the same pattern I made to cut the batting. Then I sewed the trim with an inch seam allowance around the edge of the fabric. This enabled me to tack the fabric piece down, and have an edge underneath the trim to fold back and staple. The trim covers the staples once pressed down. Again, I did this so that it is easily removable as my color pallet changes, or I decide to redo the chair all over again. I like being able to make changes easily.

Our kitty "Lady Wha-Wha," is ready for me to get the cushion done. She fell in love with this chair from the moment I brought it into the house, and has made it her perch when I'm not in it.

I had very little of this fabric left, which was not a good thing, because I knew I wanted piping for the seat cushion. I don't know if I have mentioned, I'm not the greatest with a sewing machine. My mother and grandmother tried to teach me to sew at a young age, however, it wasn't until I had little girls of my own and began my thirties that I realized the skill is very useful! Anyhow, after reading directions on sewing the piping from the Curbly.com blog post, I simply cut strips and sewed them together per the directions. I also cheated a little bit. Instead of using the cotton upholstery chord that was at the fabric store for $14.99; I used some nylon chord I found at the Dollar Tree, which was originally intended for use as clothes line on the back patio. I mean, I don't have much knowledge about the rules of sewing, but common sense, I have a decent portion.

The little ones began to cry, and mommy was needed for immediate nap time comfort, so my gracious thirteen-year-old helped me finish sewing the piping, chalking the cushion outline, and then pinning the piping on the cushion fabric. My older girls are life savers, and they've paid much more attention to their grandmothers wonderful teachings and instructions than their mother ever did.

My two-year-old had to pose for the camera after lunch before nappy time. It's amazing how we can go from fussy tears to posing in an instant.

Once I finished constructing the cushion cover on the sewing machine, I placed it over the original, and stapled it underneath on the original cushions wooden base. I then placed the cushion into the framework of the chair.

TaaDaa! And there we have her. Ready years of reading our collection of Little Golden Books.

Furniture ReVamp: Turquoise With Antique Glaze Desk

2011-12-21T14:07:00.000-08:00

This desk was at a consignment sale I recently attended. I snagged it for $15! Although a little bruised up, it was a hefty sturdy piece that has great feet. I thought it would make a great piece to use for our laptop. I get tired of that thing being on the dining table. I had my husband drill a hole underneath the little shelves so I could run the charging cable up through it for the computer. This desk makes a fabulous piece of furniture, as well as an awesome charging station for our gadgets!

Once again, our "Lady Wha-Wha," enjoying one of my projects. I'm beginning to think she knows what the camera is for. Is she really cheezing!?!

I left the top original, and just glazed the top with a varnish to protect from any further discoloration. I switched out the hardware for pretty little vintage style glass knobs. I just think they finished her off so nicely. It's like finding the perfect pair of earrings.

I used a glazing medium with brown acrylic paint. I brushed it on in small sections, then wiped it up, rubbing it into the nooks and crannies of the piece. I'm really pleased with how this little gem turned out. She has quite a bit of character.