Using YouTube for Advertising...

Being a HUGE fan of YouTube I just knew that some day I would have to try creating a video for my online business.

And guess what? It was so easy, I couldn't believe it took me three years to get around to it.

Now you ask, how did I do it? See that's where we have a problem, it's "top secret" info, so if I told you, I would have to kill you. NOT! :)

I first visited Microsoft and downloaded their "FREE" program Photo Story 3 for Windows. The rest was easy. The program has a wizard and walks you through step by step. I had my video done and ready for YouTube in less than 30 minutes. The program even has music you can select from to enhance your video.

It was Easy, Peazy... and you don't have to be a computer nerd to create your own video.

And with a drum roll, I present my video: Stitch*n*Tyme

Have fun creating your own video, if you do, please be sure to post a link to it in my comments. I would love to view it. :)

Have an awesome day!
Carly

Spring is a Coming...

Living in Arizona has it's challenges, one being the HOT weather. Cool days are few and far between. Spring, Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons, even though we don't experience change of seasons. We simply go from brown to brown, but oh those cool days are glorious.

I fill my life with color through fabric and creations made from them. Recently I
have taken on the challenge of creating fabric flower button hair clips. I am having so much fun making them. The combinations are endless!

I ooh and ahh after each new hair clip, thinking to myself, this one is prettier than the last one. Of course it isn't, because they are all PRETTY! :)

If you asked me to pick just one, I couldn't do it. Nope, I sure couldn't.

I hope you have enjoyed a sneak peek of what I have been up to this week.




Now I am off to create more lovelies.

Have an awesome day!
Carly

Surprise, Surprise!

Much to my surprise I received a conversation today from Etsy seller NoFrigatelikeaBook with the following message: "Just letting you know that the beautiful “spring”Treasury you were included in was featured today on our (me and my sister's) blog in the Treasury Tuesday Elite Eight post".

So of course I had to go take a look. Wow, Wow, Wow, these ladies know how to put gorgeous Treasuries together. If you have a few minutes, do take a look at their blog. You won't be disappointed. Below is a picture of the Treasury I was featured in, see the peach hair slide? That be me. :)

To visit their blog:

http://tinyurl.com/yd9pfly
[Open in new window]

Thank you so much for the feature!

Carly

Red and Pink, Oh those Colors...

So I have spent the last month gearing up for Valentine's day which is fast approaching.

I love the day, why? Because "red" and "pink" are two of my favorite colors. Red is so strong and vibrant and Pink is so delicate and soft. As they say, "opposites attract". I have had too much fun creating items for this special day.


When I created the lace bag, I visioned a gorgeous ring, bracelet or necklace inside of it and the recipient giggling in excitement.

I couldn't resist creating a pair of earrings for me after making a pair for my shop. They are so delicate, I love them!

But now, we can't forget about baby. What would Valentine's Day be without dressing her up all cutesy?



Two love birds resting on a heart and since babies are delicate and soft, I knew I had to do them in Pink.

Enjoy your Valentine's Day, may it be filled with LOVE!

Carly

Arizona Skies...

Last night just before dusk we had a small storm move into the Valley, lucky for us. That's when we get to see some of the most beautiful skylines.

With the sun setting, the clouds catch the last rays of sun and become the most gorgeous colors of purple and blues.

Arizona has it's faults, but this isn't one of them. Views like this make up for 120 degree days we endure during the summer months.

The sky colors here are often breathtaking.

Carly

For the Love of Wood...

So 2009 was an interesting year, but I wanted to make it even more interesting by attempting to embroider on wood. It was definitely a challenge, but one I truly enjoyed.

The first major challenge was finding Balsa wood. Who would have thought finding 4" wide balsa wood could be a challenge?! I spent days on the phone calling cabinet shops, the few craft shops we have here in Arizona, hobby stores and everything in between. I finally reverted back to my computer and the internet. Alas, I found an awesome shop in Colorado. They were great to work with, they are now my wonderful source for balsa.

Then the next challenge came to figure out what type of designs worked best. Too many stitches and it breaks the balsa, so it was definitely trial and error. But thank goodness after a few of those, it became easy to recognize which ones would stitch nicely.

After receiving my balsa wood and figuring out the designs, it was time to have some fun!

This was my first set of embroidered coasters on Balsa wood. Before stitching them out, I stained the wood, after stitching I coated the coasters with four coats of a high gloss polyurethane. They were finished off with a cork backing. I was quite happy with the finished product.

Now it was time to do it again. I know, I am a glutton for fun. :)

I live in the Southwest, so my only choice for this set of coasters was a Southwest design. I added a hemp rope for the edging to tie in with the design. I am not sure I will do that again, it was a long, and hard tedious task.

Oh my aching hands when I was finished. But again, I loved the finished product.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my adventures with embroidery on wood.

Hmmmm.... any ideas what you would like to see stitched out on wood? Drop me a comment, would love to hear them.

Have a wonderful day!
Carly

Oh that Light Box...

In my adventures to getting better pictures of the items I make and list on Etsy, the best thing I have done is make a light box. Some people are addicted to chocolate or Coke, but not me, don't even think about taking my light box away from me, you would only be asking for trouble. HA!

I recently looked at one of my first sold items and quickly decided the buyer bought the item out of sympathy. Oh the GLARE! That's when I began searching the net for ideas to better photograph my items, and repeatedly I read that having a light box was an essential tool for product photography.

I could have bought one, but being the crafty person I am, I decided to take on the challenge of making it myself. Which turned out to be extremely easy and cheap! Total cost was $1.50, yes, you read that correctly. Box was "Free", a trip to the dollar store netted the tissue paper and poster board. Then it was home to make the box.

Below is the finished light box. If you have any questions, leave me a comment and I will be happy to reply.

And here is the actual photo taken using the light box...

If you are serious about taking better product photography, you can't go wrong with the following four items:

1) Light Box (homemade or bought)

2) Tripod

3) Clamp lights/Natural Light/Overhead light (Flash is a No-No)

4) Camera with a Macro Setting (for close ups)

Have fun and don't come looking for me when you find yourself addicted to product photography. :)

Carly

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Being Creative with Sand...

The first time I watched this video I was in total awe! And still in awe each time I view it. It is truly amazing what she does with sand. With grace and elegance. She uses a giant light box, dramatic music, imagination and "sand painting" skills to interpret Germany's invasion and occupation of Ukraine during WWII.

Kseniya Simonova's Amazing Sand Drawing

I hope you enjoy the video!
Carly