My Newly Found Hunger Games Obsession {Better Late Than Never?}

So I know I am a little behind on this, but I read the Hunger Games trilogy this week.

I absolutely loved it.

I just could not stop reading, no matter how late it was, no matter how badly my eyes wanted to close.  Towards the end of the third book I was up VERY late still reading when my husband came home, looked at me and asked if I was reading half asleep.  I might have been...

My point being, I love it.

Even now that I am done reading the books I find Katniss and Peeta popping into my brain periodically.  Reminding me that even though the books are done, my obsession cannot just simply end.

I found myself immediately drawn to Etsy this morning, throwing myself into Hunger Games handmade goodness.

What did I find, you ask?

How awesome is this mockingjay bracelet/ring?  My favorite part is the pearl... aw, sweet Peeta.  You can find this at Sevinoma on Etsy for only $6.99.  I think it would be too much for me to wear though, a little too in your face Hunger Games.  I would want something more subtle so people don't think I am a crazy Hunger Games fanatic.

This is simply, beautiful.  Who didn't cry when Katniss sang this to Rue?  You can find this beautiful card at Hendersweet on Etsy for $2.50.  I would love to put this song on a pallet in my daughter's room.  {I think my heart just melted...}

Love the color of the arrow and the string.  I think I'd rather the braided bracelet be grey.  Beautiful.  You can find this at Infinitywish on etsy for $4.99.  I could picture myself wearing this.

There are hundreds of pages of Hunger Games craftiness on Etsy.  These are just the first ones to catch my eye.

You know where to find even more creative Hunger Games stuff?

Rae Gun Ramblings had a Hunger Games link party HERE.  I haven't had a chance to skim through them all yet.  Rae has several Hunger Games related tutorials too.

I have to get back to my real life now {sigh}.  My husband and I are going to go see the movie this weekend.  Until then Katniss... until then...

And the Award for Best Party Invitations of the Year goes to...

... Maia's Harry Potter Party!

**Cheer.  Applause.**

The details are my favorite part...

My favorite part of the wording?  The RSVP.  Expecto Textum!  Oh man, I hope everyone gets it.

The Words.

For the inside of the invites I came up with my own creative wording.  I used the landscape layout with two columns in Word.  For the font I chose Charlemagne Std Bold in size 13 {size 8 and 10 for the smaller wording}.  I printed them in black ink on 8 1/2 x 11 kraft paper.

The Envelope.

I folded them in 3 parts to create an envelope look.  To crease the seams I used a cheese knife {I don't have the fancy tools actually designed for such a thing}.  The cheese knife was perfect.

I cut the shorter fold to create the triangle envelope closure.  I just eyeballed it, so none of them are perfect.

The Stamp.

I bought this on Etsy {HERE}.  It also included a little owl face stamp that I didn't use.  The ink is black and was included.

I stamped the postage stamp first and then topped that with the Hogwarts post office squiggly line guy.  Not sure what the post office refers to this as... but you get it.

The Feather.

I purchased a bundle of 3 feather designs from Silhouette's online store for $0.99.  I ungrouped the bundle to just use the feather you see here.  I sized it to about 2.5 inches long and less than 0.75 inches wide, filled the sheet and cut on white cardstock.

If you don't have a Silhouette, get one.  It is a lifesaver.

The Names.

I printed the names as neatly as possible and in an "official" looking style.

The Seal.

I purchased the faux owl wax seals on Etsy {HERE} in bronze.  They come with adhesive on the back so I just had to stick them on like a sticker.

For the invitations that won't be hand delivered I will probably add a glue dot to the back just to make sure they stick well enough to withstand all the handling between here and their destination.  I want them arriving perfectly {of course}.

Done.

I hope all the lucky invitees enjoy them!

Want your own set of these fun invites?  They are now available in my Etsy shop!

Be sure to check out the rest of my Harry Potter party posts.  

Potter Inspired Canvas Art

Pages O' Potter Book Page Wreath

Potter Party Invites

Felt Hogwarts' Ties

Chocolate Frogs

Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans

Harry Potter Party Reveal

Oh, and did you notice the gorgeous bamboo flooring in several of the pictures?  My husband got the living room and dining room done {with help from some awesome fellas}.   I mentioned the other day {HERE} how worried I was, but all is well!

 I am going to hold off on the reveal because I have a few other things to do before it is complete.

Linking up to these fabulous parties:

Monday: Crafts Keep Me Sane, Craftomaniac, Making the World Cuter, Skip to my Lou, Mad in Crafts, DIY Home Sweet Home, C.R.A.F.T., Cherished Bliss, Lines Across My Face

Tuesday: Not Just a Housewife, Tip Junkie, Today's Creative Blog, My World Made By Hand, Cowgirl Up!, Chef in Training

Wednesday: 733blog, Someday Crafts, Southern Lovely, Gingersnap Crafts, I Gotta Create

Thursday: The ArtsyGirl Connection, Embracing Change, Delightful Order, 52mantels, Somewhat Simple, Live Laugh Rowe, Hating Martha, Crafty Scrappy Happy

Friday: Tatertots and Jello, A Little Inspiration, Addicted 2 Decorating, Whipperberry, Naptime Crafters, Thirty Handmade Days

Saturday: Six Sister's Stuff, Family Ever After, Be Different Act Normal, Too Much Time on my Hands

Sunday: Homemaker on a Dime, DIY Show Off

Holiday Gifts: To DIY or not to DIY? Isn't that Always the Question?

Now that the holiday season is upon us it is time to start thinking about pie gifts!

Everyone in my house has finally recovered from the brutal stomach virus that moved in last Monday.  Bleh!  While I was unable to put my hands on any of my projects for the last week, my brain was still whizzing away!

I took some time to put some serious thought into Christmas gifts.  I used some of my "sick leave" to wander deep into the world of Etsy (one of my most favorite places to visit in computer land) looking for gift ideas.  I've got big plans for a handmade Christmas this year.  In my DIY dreams I will have all the time in the world to make every one's gifts myself, however, in my DIY reality I will have some time to make some gifts myself, but not quite all.  So here are some awesome creations and patterns I found in my Etsy wanderings last week {because if I can't make it myself, I take comfort in knowing that someone else out there went to the trouble - SUPPORT ETSY}.

No one likes to be cold, but at some point most of us have to venture outdoors for one reason or another during the winter months.  Of those that make the trek into the arctic air some may even have to sit outside for hours and shuffle papers, send e-mails to the office via mobile phone and write lengthy receipts (Amanda - you know what I am talking about!).  My point simply being: Everyone we know needs hats, scarves and gloves and some of us need gloves that we can still easily access our little fingers with.

Fingerless Gloves by jspirlk - $4 for the pattern.

Convertible Mittens by chicksale - $47

The Yorkshire Cowl by MegansMenagerie - $38.  Her shop is filled with warm goodness.

Leg Warmers by BlueBirdsFlyBoutique - $38

Like all of us DIYers, I like the people I love to ooh and ahh over a variety of items, so I spread my search out.  I know some ladies who would love some pretties to last all year.

Clutch by waterpath - $25

Silk Wrap Bracelet by HappyGoLicky - $49.50.  I love her designs with the definition of love or romance.  I think it would also be great to have her do a personalized design with a dandelion with the little wishes blowing off.  Ahhh, dreamy.

I also know some folks who have bare walls, screaming to be loved.

Typography Print by silvermoonprints - Adorable! Could be done yourself if you are feeling up to it, or just $8 from silvermoonprints.

Canvas Art by MedBeachStones - $24

While friends and family of the female variety always appreciate the value of a beautifully handcrafted gift, our counterparts are not always so appreciative.  Many just cannot comprehend the thought, the time and patience required to make a truly special gift and I believe it is because of this that coming up with DIY gift ideas for the men in our lives is much more difficult.

Personalized Nameplate by AntoArts - $9

Magnetic BBQ Spice Kit by dellcovespices - $26

Photo Cufflinks by MagicMarkingsArt - $30

And of course some things would work for just about anybody and could be used just about any time of year.

Coffee Cozy by TheSunshineStitch - $14

I love taking the time to think about each person in my life and using what I know about them to come up with what I believe to be the perfect gift for them.  It is a time to show the people around you that you are paying attention.  You aren't just pulling stuff out of your gift stash {I have one - you probably do to}, you are sitting down and replaying conversations, reviewing outfits you remember them wearing, noting colors that they wear and things they have mentioned wishing they had.  

If you haven't already done it, you better sit down with some paper and a pen and start jotting down everything that comes to mind, and then - GET TO WORK!  If you don't have the time to make each gift by hand that is ok!  Just make sure it is something that as soon as you see it, you hear their name.  And when you start to feel overwhelmed, STOP!  There are always great places like Etsy to turn to when your fingers just cannot sew another stitch, your glue gun is crying out for mercy and your hands seem claw like from the constant crocheting.

For those of us with the time, patience and courage to take on such a task, any of the items that I've listed today could be DIY.  For those of us with loved ones aplenty, this might not be possible.  When I can't make it myself, I take pride in spending my money in shops like those we find on Etsy whenever possible.  Don't get me wrong, I spend my share of time at the mall and Target, but I'm never quite as excited as when I am opening a box from an Etsy shop.  There are countless gift options in Etsyland.  Use my suggestions to get the ball rolling, that helps in a land of limitless possibilities.