#67 i {heart} u

it's february and valentine's day is just around the corner, 

thanks to snow days, 

i was able to put together decorations for valentine's day

just loving the neutral colors at home ---

so for the season of {hearts} 

it's all but color red

and opted for the 

calming colors of white, gray & beige
{heart} shapes are all over

i {heart} u wood wall art
 i made with pine wood scraps,
you can create your own wall art 
using your own love words and passages 
visit my tutorial here.

this wreath has been transformed with every change of the season 
by just changing the ribbon,
and for valentine's day, i stamped a burlap ribbon 
using a {heart}-shaped rubber eraser dipped on white acrylic paint
(my kids usually get these erasers from classmates' party favors - 
they come in different shapes, 
i'm sure you have one somewhere ☺)

i cut musical scrapbook paper in {heart} shape and 

put together with a baker's twine 

to make the garland for the mantle

using 2 coordinating fabrics ( i love polka dots)
i made these 20x20 pillows with {heart} applique

i just have to try these little crochet {hearts}

(click here for free pattern)

they are very easy to make-

try them in different colors 

♡♥♡

#66 christmas 2013 home tour

merry christmas and welcome to our home!

i finally put them all together in time for this post

given so short time between the holidays

it's all about silver, white, beige & gray this year

calm, clean & handcrafted

hope you enjoy our home

❛it's the most wonderful time of the year❜

merry christmas
and to all a good night.

see christmas 2012 home tour here


♥♡♥

#65 grand opening

my etsy shop is now open

today i open my etsy shop, 

please, join us!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/littlecottagecrafter

i am so excited 

(almost teary-eyed) 

to finally see that 'grand opening' 

banner on etsy

there is no better way to open the shop 

but to showcase the holiday seasons
because
--it's the most wonderful time of the year--

please feel free to browse around

i promise to bring you more 

handmade and one-of-a-kind items 

only from

aLittleCottageCrafter: the shop

and as always

thank you for shopping 

aLittleCottageCrafter

♥

in the light the disaster in the Philippines,

i will be donating 50% of the sales from 

now through December 15, 2013

to the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines

[make & give - handmade to help]©

go to etsy.com/shop/littlecottagecrafter

thank you for your generosity

click here to shop and to help 

♡♥♡

#64 breast cancer awareness 2013

celebrating october

the breast cancer awareness month

at the new york city

susan g komen race for the cure 2013

it's pink and white tie dye shirt and rubber band bracelet

for 

team cottage crafter

this year

let's do it, let's do it, let's do it all again!

♡♥♡

#63 flea market finds

very excited to find vintage stuff for my craft room

at a flea market

on a very lovely autumn weekend

this brings back memories of the

same sewing machine my family had growing up

 the sewing machine that sent 6 children to college

so happy to have one for only $20

it is from 1955 and still works!
it also comes with a hideaway cabinet
yes ... for $20

the metal embroidery hoops 
(hard-to-find nowadays) 

and good quality wooden hoops

in different sizes and shapes

all of these for just $3 ... can you beat that!

would love to display these metal and bakelite knitting needles 

-not quite sure if i will be using them in my projects-

i rather use bamboo needles

the old mason jars and buttons

add to my collections

♡♥♡

#62 fall wreath

{autumn is back!}

oranges ♥ dark yellows ♥ olive greens ♥ browns

are here again

fabric-wrapped wreath

a piece of fabric cut into strips and 
wrapped around the wreath, 
add some embellishments 
to complete the project

simple wreath

a simple burlap orange ribbon
makes a big difference on 
this willow wreath

happy fall !

♡♥♡

# 61 back to school idea

with the use of some scrap fabric

run the sewing machine across to form the lines and margin

just like a sheet of notebook paper

embroider the cursive letter using stem stitch

easy as abc ...

enjoy the last few days of summer cause

back to school is just around the corner.

♥♡♥

#60 doctor who party idea

[doctor who party idea]

one thing that my kids get excited about

on the morning of their birthdays- 
>> aside from the presents, of course <<

-is the surprise themed decoration 

i prepare for them every year
>> party or no party <<

from thomas the tank engine, to spongebob, to nascar

to mario, yankee baseball, angry bird, to club penguin

and this year, for my teenager's favorite

DOCTOR WHO

a backdrop for the photo shoot

DOCTOR WHO is widely available on BBC in UK

it's been a challenge finding them in 

party supply stores in the US

so i made them myself

so simple...

happy crafting and enjoy the party ☺

♥♡♥

#59 ottoman makeover

[ottoman makeover]

this ottoman needs some makeover

i would usually paint over a furniture

to give it a different look

but it just will not work on this one this time

>> if you can't paint it, cover it <<

i made this slipcover for the ottoman
using 2 yards of gray gingham fabric
from IKEA

♥♡♥