New Listing Feature: Affordable Ebook Cover Design June 5, 2009

I noticed that folks have started to sell ebooks on etsy now.  And while I have been working with e-Ton Publishing ebooks for over a year, I noticed that others are in need of help making ebook covers.

Here are some of my favorite designs I have done:

Here are some tips I have learned about creating designs that work:

1.   Use colors to express mood and tone of book.

2.  Choose your font carefully, and as another type of graphic way to express content.

3.  Just because its digital doesn’t mean you shouldn’t design as if it was on stands!  The more eye-catching and professional, the better!

My New Favorite Hand Embroidery Website June 4, 2009

Check out these great links to my new favorite hobby hand embroidery
Here is a link to a site that has how tos on just about every fabric: http://www.emblibrary.com/el/elprojects/holder.aspx?page=techniques

Here is also another site with some useful techniques for tracing or iron on.  http://www.needlenthread.com/2008/09/tips-and-tricks-for-hand-embroidery.html

I have been creating my own designs, too, and offering them at my customgraphics.etsy.com shop to share with folks also enthusiastic about hand embroidery.  A lot of designs out there are too old school, and for making patches they are the pits.

December 20, 2008

Everybody Going for the Grocery Tote but… December 20, 2008

It seems everyone has forgotten about plastic bag enemy no. 1…the produce bag!

The aisles of my favorite grocery store hold a variety of totes for shopping in a diversity of patterns and colors.  But somehow, I haven’t yet seen commercially available produce bags.

Solution?

Make one yourself!

I recommend looking for canvas or mesh.  Something you can wash, see through, and reuse is ideal and I favor mesh because its less likely to get ooky or smelly like canvas.

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If you have no compunction to sew the, check out swim gear supply stores.

Holiday Homemade (and Cheap) Stocking Stuffers November 22, 2008

I just made a batch of fabric coasters for around the house and became inspired. What other delicious homemade gift ideas could I come up with? A few years ago, I made wineglass charms for squaring away whose is whose during holiday parties. Only really cost effective if you have the supplies around the house, because bead shops tend to kill on the wallet (at least in my experience). This gal on etsy creates beautiful reusable coffee holders.  I think this is an awesome idea, especially for office mates or others who carry in their cardboard coffee daily.  One way to reduce, reuse and recycle, and can be made out of old clothes or scraps of fabric. Another great one for crafty kids is to make grocery totes.  Check out this link for ideas: http://tipnut.com/35-reusable-grocery-bags-totes-free-patterns/ One thing folks don’t often think about, but an idea I love is fruit and veggie reusable bags!  Make out of mesh, cheesecloth, or other breathable, washable fabrics and stuff in a personalized grocery tote. For men, I love this etsy-er’s quilted scarf idea: Etsy also has brilliant cuff links, soaps, and assorted men’s products that an industrious home-mader could figure out. When all else fails, you can always make a manly wallet or bag.

DIY green cleaning: Unclog your drain November 18, 2008

So, hopefully you have checked out the linked post below that talks all about how to make your own eco-friendly cleaners using products you probably already have around the house.  Today’s instructional is how to declog your sink or tub.

Most people purchase name brand drain cleaners that have so many toxins, it eventually corrodes your pipes (do you really want that lingering around your tub or sink?!)

First remove stopper from drain hole.  In some cases its a simple pop out, in others you may have to unscrew the top and remove with needlenose pliers.  Instantly, you will probably already see lots of slimy hair. (That goes in the trash, of course!)

Flush drain out with warm water.

Take one cup of baking soda and pour down drain.  Let sit for 5-10 min.

Then, take a half a cup of white vinegar and slowly pour down drain.  It will foam and fizzle, so be prepared.  Let it do its action until there is no more foam/fizzle/sizzle.  Then flush drain out with two cups of warm water.

Repeat as necessary.

Presto, clean drain (without the toxins!)

Green Cleaning Supplies: Homemade Cleaning Solutions November 17, 2008

Cleaning products are the industry to go through “greenwashing”.  But still, the best products are those that you can make at home.  Not only is it more affordable, but it also doesn’t come in the bite sized packaging most grocery store cleaners are served up in.

The first cleaner you need:

(Click on the picture for an article all about various uses of baking soda!)

As an alternative, I also like to use:

(Click on picture to read about natural house cleaning basics!)

I also recommend investing in a large gallon of:

Click on pix to read 101 uses of White Vinegar!

And rather than investing in expensive mops, cloths and sponges, you can make your own using aluminum foil remnants (crumpled up makes a great steel wool alternative), old sheets, towels or tees, and repurpose toothbrushes!

Soap and water also works really well in a pinch!

Tis’ the Season: Holiday Homemade Gifts November 17, 2008

Hankering to make something special for someone special?

Click on the picture for a great article all about homemade gift items!