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...

Embroidery Hoop Name Art {In Less Than 60 Minutes}

I have been wanting to take a stab at needlepoint for the longest time and what better day than today?

During Ella's afternoon nap I sat down with some bright, happy about life, bring on the sunshine, raspberry fabric, a natural wood embroidery hoop, yellow cheer and baby's breath white embroidery floss and just did it {it always helps when you just happen to have everything you need lying around - lucky me!}.

It took me less than an hour to create this melt my heart piece of art for my tiniest Ella Irene.

Each detail is hand embroidered with my own freehand design.  No stencils.  No tracing.  Just creating as my crafty fingers saw fit.  

I love the contrast between the two writing styles.  I feel like the combination places the perfect emphasis on each part of my girl's precious tiny little name.

This would make an amazing gift for pretty much any occasion.  So thrilled to add this to my bag of tricks for the next baby shower or birthday!

My Maia Rachelle has already put in a request for one of her own.

I think I like this needlepoint business!

This simple elegant piece of awesome made the top 10 in the CSI Project challenge this week!

Look at all the places she's been featured!  Be still my heart!

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This project has been entered at:

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, A Little Tipsy

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, Crafty Scrappy Happy

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

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

Entering this tantalizing challenge:

Pinspired Project with a Potter Twist

Do you follow The CSI Project yet?  They have a fun crafty challenge each week.  Last week was birthdays and this week is dedicated to Pinterest inspired projects.

Like most of you, Pinterest is one of those places that sucks me in and spits me out hours later wondering what day it is {Is it 5 a.m. or 5 p.m.?!}.  And yet again, like most of you, I pin tons of projects with the hopes of one day getting around to doing it myself {one day seems to get further and further away all the time}.

This challenge was the perfect excuse to get something done, but what to choose?  With so many amazing projects in the Pinterest galaxy it was difficult to choose only one.

I wanted to select something that wouldn't have me running around town gathering supplies, and sooo... AHA!

THIS ONE!

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I don't need to tell you how beautiful this DIY canvas art is {do I?}.  I found this masterpiece on cupcakeMAG Editor's Pinterest DIY Love board.  She used a blank canvas, paint, fabric, glue and a dahlia stencil.  I absolutely love dahlias, but I wanted to go a completely different direction with this pinspiration project.

My beautiful Maia's sixth birthday is next month so I thought I could create a big girl bedroom piece of art.  To mimic Miss Maia's style, I wanted a girly girl meets Harry Potter piece of cuteness and by Harry I think I did it.

This canvas, meets paint, meets fabric perfectly Potter piece of art is just what I imagined it to be.  The best part?  I had EVERYTHING on hand!  I used a thin canvas, bright purple paint mixed with a little ivory to soften it up, yellow girly girl patterned fabric, bright 'n cheery yellow twine from The Twinery, Mod Podge and some hot glue.

Got this pretty project all squared away on The CSI Project.

Go check it out and think happy thoughts {win, win, win, win}!



Have your own Pinterest inspired project?  Get it posted before it's too late!

Love Pinterest challenges?  The first Monday of each month you can enter on The Pinterest Challenge.  I did!






Check out my other 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

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.

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

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

Thursday: The ArtsyGirl Connection, Embracing Change, Somewhat Simple, Delightful Order, 52mantels

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

$10 Vintage Inspired Baby Shower Gift {and a Giveaway!}

In January and February we attended 4 baby showers for family and friends!  Yeesh - baby central around here {well not around HERE, but around here... definitely not around HERE}!  When I found out about all these upcoming bundles of joy I went looking for some cutie pie hat patterns.  I, of course, turned to the handmade headquarters - Etsy.

If you are like me, Etsy is a sink hole of crafty goodness; the more you click the deeper and deeper {and deeper} you get, until you have no idea how to get back.

More often than not, my Etsy adventures conclude with nothing more than a long mental wish list and endless DIY ideas.  Every so often I find something I simply cannot pass up and I found that at Sunset Crochet.

At the end of my baby hat search my cart was happily filled with Sunset Crochet's vintage sock monkey hat and diaper cover pattern, as well as the football hat pattern.

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Go ahead and take a moment to swoon.

There are two little boys I am soon to know who will be rockin' that melt your heart, little man, football hat and today we handed off a perfect little vintage inspired sock monkey hat to an upcoming teeny princess {I ran out of time and wasn't able to make the matching diaper cover. Boo.}.

Unfortunately I did not take pictures of the gifts I made for the first 3 showers {of course...}, but lucky you, I did take pictures this time!

It probably took me about 3 hours to crochet this precious little gem {I hope that is accurate.  Time gets away from me when I am crafting...}.

What I used:

1.  Vintage Look Sock Monkey Crochet Hat & Diaper Cover Pattern {$5.95 - Sunset Crochet}.

2.  Lion Brand Wool-Ease Yarn in Mushroom, Blush Heather and Natural Heather {$3.59 each from Joann's.  I used about 1/4 of the Mushroom and only a small amount of the Blush and Natural Heathers.  I just guestimated a cost of about $3 for this project}.

3.  Two vintage, brown buttons {I pulled these from a jar full of buttons that used to belong to my husband's grandmother}.

4.  Shabby chic, pale yellow pail {$1.99 - Goodwill}.

5.  Kraft paper, just a bit {$1.99 for the pack from Joann's.  Since all I used was an itty bitty piece of a single sheet I didn't count this towards my total for this project.}.

6.  Purple baker's twine from The Twinery that I found on Pick Your Plum awhile back.  I am sure they did not refer to it as simply "purple" but I don't recall what it was.  I don't think it was their lilac or orchid so it might be an older color.  {$4 STEAL.  I of course only used a smidge for this so I didn't count it towards my total for this project.}

I used my Cameo to cut out "Chloe" for the front of the pail and a small hole punch for the holes to run the twine through.

Before the package headed out the door I wrapped a pack of diapers in pretty tissue paper from my stash and tied it all together with more of that fabulous twine.

{I love it when I impress myself!}

Now here comes the good news:

Bonnie at Sunset Crochet is giving away this sweet sock monkey pattern to one of you!

Here is how YOU can win:

1.  Follow The Brilliant Crafty Type via Google Friend Connect OR Linky Followers {See far right column}.  Leave me a comment on this post telling me you did.

2.  Like Sunset Crochet on Facebook.  Leave me a comment on this post telling me you did.

3.  Visit Sunset Crochet on Etsy and leave a comment here with your favorite Sunset pattern.

4.  Share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter and/or your Blog.  Leave a comment on this post telling me you did.

5.  Like The Brilliant Crafty Type on Facebook.  {And you guessed it}  Leave a comment on this post telling me you did.

Up to 5 entries! Go for it!

You can enter up until 11:59 p.m. {PST} on Friday, March 2, 2012.

I will announce the winner on Saturday the 3rd at noon {PST}.

Good luck!!

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.

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

Friday: Tatertots and Jello, A Little Inspiration, Addicted 2 Decorating

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

Valentine's Day Pretties for my Pretty Valentines

My little girls love to get dolled up just as much as they like to play soccer and dig in the dirt.

It occurred to me this morning that I did not have anything to give them on Valentine's Day and that this would be my last chance to make them something special {we leave for Disneyland tomorrow - lots of time for fun, no time for crafts}.

After digging through my reserves I found some pretty pink, ivory and red bits of goodness, sure to bring a sparkle to those big brown and blue eyes.

My Maia is a flashy little thing and likes to have a lot going on when hair accessories are concerned.  She will love this.

Love cabochons and have a ton because I thought for sure I would use them ALL THE TIME {this is the first time I used them...}.  I do still love them though.  Look how cute it is.

My tiny Ella loves all the attention her sparkly Toms get {if your little girl doesn't have a pair... get one!} and she loves the oohs and ahhs she hears everywhere we go when she gets gussied up in a dress.  I already tried this sweet headband on her for sizing purposes and she didn't want to take it off {but seriously Ella... take it off...}.

Again with the cabochons.  Look at that itty bitty one!  I had forgotten that I bought a bunch in a variety of colors and sizes from Pick Your Plum {If you don't know about that site... CLICK IT NOW.  They have daily crafty deals.  Love it.} in addition to the million that I already had in pink and white.

I have recently upped my button supply because I thought I had to have more.  Turns out I don't use them that much.  Bummer, because I love buttons.  So I thought of a super cute use for them... make a little rosette to fit in the middle.  Cuuuuuuute.  I am probably not the first person to think of it... or maybe I am...

So, that's it for now!

Happy Valentine's Day to my pretties and to yours!

I have to go hang out with Mickey for a few days at the happiest place on earth.  Sunshine here we come!

See you next week with my pantry reveal.  Can't wait... but I'll have to.

Linking up to these fabulous parties:

Monday: Crafts Keep Me Sane, Craftomaniac, Making the World Cuter, Skip to my Lou, Dittle Dattle, Mad in Crafts, DIY Home Sweet Home

Tuesday: Not Just a Housewife, Tip Junkie, Today's Creative Blog, My World Made By Hand

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

Thursday: The ArtsyGirl Connection

Friday: Tatertots and Jello, A Little Inspiration

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

Oh The Places I'll Go {If I Have This Stuff} - My Christmas Wish List

As a mom it is so hard to sit down and come up with a Christmas list for YOURSELF.  I've been asked a few times what I would like for Christmas and I get stumped.  This is lame for both me and those who want to find me a gift that I truly want.  So tonight I am sitting down and searching high and low for some items that make my heart sing "GIMME!"

LoveandKnit - Hand Knit Hooded Poncho.  HERE.

Little Beige Riding Hood.  I want to be her!  I feel like putting this on and taking a stroll with little Miss Ella {to Grandmother's house we go!}.

LoveandKnit - Neutral Lacey Slouchy Hat.  HERE.

My hatless head just shed a tear.  I crochet hats for my littles, but have yet to make one for myself.  I have no hats... sickening.

Happy Go Licky - Silk Wrap Bracelet.  HERE.

I have mentioned Happy Go Licky before {HERE} and one of these amazing silk wrap bracelets is still on my list.  I want one with a dandelion with the little wishes being blown off and I want it to say "be brilliant" or something like that... that might be too many letters to also have the dandelion.  I think I would choose a grey or other neutral wrap color.

DKNY Be Delicious - Sephora.  HERE.

I am almost out of my D&G perfume and I need a new scent.  I used to wear DKNY Be Delicious at one point and I miss it.  I want it's tasty goodness back!

Silhouette Cameo.  HERE.

Ahhh... the Silhouette Cameo.  I have been hoping and praying for this for months.  I told my darling, handsome, strong husband that I wanted one for Christmas... we shall see.  I would also love some fancy supplies to use with it.

Kitchenaid.  HERE.

I love my Kitchenaid mixer, but I need some fancy attachments to really see what this baby can do!

YingsStudio - Hand Knitted Leg Warmers/Boot Cuffs.  HERE.

YingsStudio - Hand Knitted Leg Warmers/Boot Cuffs.  HERE.

I am loving the look of boot socks/cuffs/leg warmers {whichever title you fancy}.  I would love to have a few pairs.

I also need some new boots.  I could use a grey pair and a pair of flats {a grey pair of boot flats would work...}.  I didn't see any online and haven't been forced into the mall to shop around this holiday {yet} so I haven't spotted any "must haves" recently.  I know they are out there!

MegansMenagerie - The Yorkshire Cowl in Tampa Spice.  HERE.

I work every 3rd Friday, outside in the freezing cold {well it is freezing for us Seattle folks}.  I need some super cute stuff to bundle myself in.

runningjackknits - Cabled Convertible Mittens Pattern.  HERE.

I also need to keep my little fingers warm when I'm out braving the elements.  I like this pattern {for a fellow crafty person who wants to make me a little sumpin' sumpin'}.

Image from Whimsy Daisy.

I would love, love, love any and all craft supplies or gift cards to craft/fabric stores.  I love having oodles and oodles of ribbons, fabric, buttons, paint, stencils, stamps, etc.  I have been slowly adding to my craft arsenal and I get the warm fuzzies when I can create something on a whim using things that I already have.  I would love to keep adding to the stock!

Oh gosh, I bet I could keep going and going and going... but I feel like this is a pretty well rounded gathering of wishes for someone who started out having no idea what to look for.

I hope my gimme list helped you get your own selfish wheels turning.  What do YOU want for Christmas!?