And the Winner Is...

Annette!

"Daisies with the butterfly is my favorite. I'd prefer the notecards to send some encouragement to some friends."

Thank you all for playing. Just remember, Christmas will be here before we know it, so let your friends and families know what you like!

Annette, go ahead and click the contact link over in the side bar and send us an e-mail letting us know your address. You should receive your Daisy with Butterfly Notecards within a few weeks!

Spot Light Sunday

Pam from Bibbidi Bobbidi Beautiful made this adorable silhouette wall art.

I can't wait to try this with a picture of my son!

Freaky Friday!- Oops! I Craft My Pants (off)

Today we are hosting our first blog swap! and I am so excited to be hosting it with Erika from Oops! I Craft my Pants. . She has an adorable blog that you should all check out! She is a very crafty lady and I am always inspired when I drop by her blog!

Now - heeeeerrrrreeeee's Erika!
_______________________________

Hey Fireflies and Jelly Beans Fans!
It's Erika from Oops! I Craft my Pants. I am so excited about Freaky Friday today, because I absolutely love everything on Fireflies and Jelly Bean's blog. Aren't they so talented?

Anyway, a little about myself.

I absolutely love crafting. It's what I look forward to daily, and it's my main hobby (probably my only hobby...But, I wanted to sound well rounded).
When I'm not crafting, I can probably be found at school...Studying my pants off. Right now, I'm an education major...But, I am seriously thinking of switching and going more the interior design route. We'll see!
Here are a few of my favorite crafts that I've done so far.
Cookie Sheet Calendar

Chair Re-Do (check out the before and after!)

Snazzy School Supplies (on the cheap)

Feel free to come visit me over on Oops! I Craft My Pants. I would love to "meet" you!
Fawnda, thank you so much for featuring me on your lovely blog. I've had a blast getting to know you!

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See! So cute- right?!? Jump over and check out her blog now- AND see my post here!

How to make fabric covered barrettes

Here is a great project for your fabric scraps. You can make custom barrettes! These cute barrettes make a great gift for little girls or fashionable ladies! It is a great beginning sewing project.

Materials:
scrap paper (to make the pattern)
scrap fabric
barrettes ( I found mine at Micheal's)
Buttons
Frey Check (optional)
needle and thread
Sewing machine

1.) trace your barrette on to a piece of scrap paper
2.)Now draw a seam allowance around your barrette. I try to do about 1/4 inch seam allowance.

3. Cut out your pattern and pin to TWO layers of fabric and cut out the fabric pieces. You need two layers because we are going to make a jacket for the barrette to fit into. I fold mine over with right sides together so that I am all set to sew.

4.) Sew around the barrette Jacket (right sides together) leaving the top part open (so that we can flip it right side out) using the seam allowance that you added to your pattern. You may want to trim some fabric off around the tip to make it easier to flip right side out.

Here are the three that I am making!

5.) Flip right sides out. This is a bit trick since they are so small. I use the barrette points to help me get the tips out.

6.) Put Frey check (or a similar product) on the ends of the fabric. This is optional, I have made these without it, but it does help the ends not to fray (which is the whole point of the product).

7.) On the back side make a small cut that goes about half way across. DO NOT cut it all the way off, you just need a slit to put the barrette into.

8.) Slide your barrette into the jacket and flip the flap over the backside of the barrette.

9.) Hand sew the slit closed and around the top of the barrette. It does not need to be anything too fancy since the button will be covering up most of it.

10. Sew your button on. I went through the hole in the top of the barrette. (I had to kind of fish around to find the hole through the fabric.)

Go ahead and make a bunch! They are so cute and chic!

I also made a felt barrette tutorial here

Check out some more creative projects at Poppies At Play!




See other DIY projects at A Solf Place To Land!

Photo Giveaway and Etsy Grand Opening

Hi Everyone,
This is Jeannine. If you've been following our blog for a while, you may have figured out that, while I do enjoy crafting, my favorite artistic endeavor is photography.

I have recently re-opened my Etsy shop, and it's full of new photos. I am selling 8x10 photos for $12, 5x7 photos for $8, and sets of 12 blank note cards for $22.

To kick off my re-opening, I am going to be doing a photo giveaway. Click on the link to my shop on the sidebar and check out my photos. Then, to enter the drawing, leave a comment on this post letting me know your favorite photo and whether you'd like a photo (and what size) or a set of note cards. I'd also love to know what you will do with your prize if you are the winner. I will close the contest on Friday, August 28th (in honor of my daughter's 3rd birthday), and post the winner on Monday, the 31st.

FYI: I also have a blog where I have posted MANY other of my photos. I've only put my favorites in my shop, but I would be happy to make your prize from any of those photos if you prefer.

Here's a quick sample of some of my faves:

Welcome Back to School Teacher Gift!

I originally made this as a "Back to School" teacher gift, but I think it would be a great as a Teacher appreciation gift as well. (Just change the message on the front!)

So if you are looking for a last minute teacher gift, this is it! It is quick and easy!


Here is a cute simple gift you can make for your child's teacher. I was a middle school teacher for 10 years and I would have loved to get one of these!

Materials:

• 4.25 X11 inch piece of card stock for box
• 2 X 3.75 inch coordinating card stock for mat
• 1/75 X 3.5 inch white paper or card stock for welcome back message.
• ruler
• Scoring tool (I use a rule and a skewer)
• scissors
• paper cutter
• adhesive (I use double sided tape)
• .5 inch hole punch
• Embellishments
• Water bottle

1.) On your 4.25 X 11 piece of card stock make score lines parallel to the LONG side at .5, 1, 3.25, 3.75 inches (I outlined mine in pencil so you could see them)
2.) Now make score lines parallel to the SHORT side at 4, 4.5 and 8.75 inches.

3.) Cut off the part that I have shaded below (click on the picture to make it bigger)

4.) Make a cut on the score line to make a little tab on the little square that is formed. ( do to both sides)

5.) Fold on all your score lines. make sure you make your creases really good.

6. Fold over the long sides to start to form the box and place adhesive on the the flaps that are made.

7.) Carefully adhere the flaps to the back of the box.

8.)Punch a hole using your 1.5 inch hole punch on the top flap of the box.

9.) Write your message and attach your embellishments and adhere to your mat. Then, adhere your mat to the box.

10.) Place on a new water bottle with a juice mix inside and you are all set!

Sunday Spotlight- Moses basket bedding

We are starting a new article today on Fireflies and Jelly beans: Spotlight Suday. It will be where we spotlight a cute tutorial that we think you might want to try!

Today we are featuring this cute Moses Basket Bedding Redo Tutorial:

It cames from Cheryl at Sew Can Do. Find out how to make it here. I love the idea of reusing a basket, but making it special for the next baby!

Do you have a tutorial that you would like to see featured on Fireflies and Jellybeans? E-mail us your submissions at [email protected]

Featured Friday!- A Wednesday Afternoon

Bethany is the crafty gal behind A Wednesday Afternoon. She has some wonderful gift ideas on her blog, along with some yummy recipes!

Here are some of her cute tutorials:

This owl purse is A-dorable! I want to make it for my mom or mother-in-law for Christmas!

This race track and car holder is going to be a great gift for my son or my nephews!

This Hungry Caterpillar Puppet is such a cute idea, pair it with the book and you have an AWESOME gift!

Some yummy recipes:
Fried Ice Cream Bars one word- Yummo!
Chocolate caramel cookies Chocolate and caramel are the perfect pairing... my mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Be sure to check out A Wednesday Afternoon. And say "hi" from F&J!!

Bethany, be sure to take our Featured Button for your blog!


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Do you have blog that you would like to see featured? E-mail us your submissions at [email protected]