Rooty "TUTE" Tuesday - Blog Help!

If you can't tell, I'm totally obsessed right now with blog makeovers. I think blogging is soo fun and I want a fun blog to reflect that! I really considered paying someone to give my blog a face lift, but I'm pretty cheap and honestly, I want to know how to do it myself...in case I want to change anything later, you know? I started off knowing pretty much nothing, and now I know just a little more than nothing! There are TONS of free tutorials out there on how to fancy up your blog. Here are just a few of the ones that I've actually tried and that work great! If I can do it...than so can you! Give 'em a try...give your blog a makeover!


PICNIK: This is a photo editing site and it is AWESOME! It is super easy to figure out and you can do a ton of stuff with it! This is where I made the header for my blog. You can make a collage or a single picture, jazz it up with a border, and add some text...super easy.

Oikology 101: This is the site I used to learn how to make a button. I used PICNIK to make the button look cute, then used Photobucket to upload it to use it as a button. Check out this site for step by step instructions on how to put the button on your blog. One tip though, you can put the actual button picture and the HTML code in the SAME "add a gadget" on your layout, they don't have to be separate like she says to.

The Cutest Blog On The Block: This site has TONS of free backgrounds and other freebies. It also has some free blogger secrets. I've used these to do little touch ups on the blog.

I Love the Way She Blogs: This is just one of many blogs that has tons of blogger tips. This one has everything layed out so it's easy to find and easy to understand. Check 'em out!


There you have it! That's just a few of the sites I've actually used, but I've looked at WAY MORE! Watch out, fixing up your blog gets a bit addicting (if you're me at least). Have fun and let me know if you give your blog a makeover, I'd love to see it!!!

I wish I knew what I was doing...

Have you noticed that my blog keeps changing?? That's because I'm trying to give my blog a new look but I have NO idea what I'm doing!! My friend suggested her blog (I didn't even know she had this blog) may help with some of my problems...she was right!!! Check out her awesome blog here! She has tons of great ideas and has organized her blog with even more fun ideas and helpful hints to transform any blog! Now, I just need to get crack-a-lackin' and get my blog all beautified! What do you think of my new header? I think I like it...but who knows, maybe that will change again. I made it in this cool program...super easy and free (unless you want to upgrade)...I'm going to be using this program ALL THE TIME!! Okay, now I need to go work on making a button...wish me luck!



ps. I haven't forgotten about the bubble skirt tutorial...I'm having problems fitting it in with all the holiday sewing! I'll get it done soon...promise!

WINNERS....a bit late!

Sorry, I'm a day late on announcing the winners of the "A Vision To Remember" giveaway! Thanks to everyone who entered! Here are the three winners of the $10 gift certificates:

Chacoy said "I love the Stripe Rag Quilt:) All of her stuff is great, she is very good at what she does; I want to learn:)"

Linda @ Craftaholics Anonymous said "Love all her baby tents!"

Kristi said " I love the car seat canopy Rockstar Tent one. Very cute!"

CONGRATULATIONS ladies! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!

Please Excuse the Mess!

I'm trying to figure out how to give my little blog here a makeover! Sorry about the mess! If you have any great tips on making over a blog, they would be greatly appreciated :) I think I may be in over my head!
Wish me luck!

***Giveaway winners to be announced tonight!***

I love these FLOWERS!

My friend Lauren can't believe she is calling herself crafty! After taking a look at her new Etsy shop full of adorable flower pins, I would say that she is definitely a natural! Here are a few of my favorites:

Go check out Budding Designs and
show her some love!!!

DON'T FORGET!!!

Don't forget about our giveaway!!!

Winners will be announced
this Friday, November 20th!

You don't want to miss out on this one!!!

More Ruffle Skirts

While my sister was in town we got a few fun things made for her girls, like these ruffle skirts.

And matching hair accessories, of course!We also got lots of cute burp cloths made...and I sent my sister home with stuff to make even more! Thanks for coming and visiting Katherine!!!

Rooty "TUTE" Tuesday - Tote Bag Tank

I saw these adorable little tote bags in the Dollar Spot at one of my favorite stores (yeah, you know the one) and although I don't need any more bags, I just couldn't pass them up! There has got to be something I could make with these, right? Oh, and did I mention that they were 75% off...that's right, only TWENTY FIVE CENTS!! So, I bought these two cute little bags.
And this is what I decided to make with the first one.
The other is still a cute little tote bag...for now.

Here's what I did:

1.) Unpick handles and take them off. This will mess up some of the stitching, but we'll fix that later.
2.) Cut off bottom of bag, just barely above stitching. My bag had rounded corners, so I also had to trim up the curves a bit too.
3.) Serge or hem bottom edge.
4.) Make a ruffle for top front. I cut out a strip of fabric double the length of the width of the bag and about 3" wide. Iron strip in half length-wise. Serge raw edges together. Sew at bottom edge to gather (set stitch length to longest possible, then set tension to really low or really high...I've done both ways).
5.) Stitch ruffle on top front of bag/tank. I turned the ruffle down at the beginning and end to curve it down and end. Does that make any sense? Just so the edge is finished, i just turned it downward. My bag had a hem at the top where the handles were sewn on. There was stitching at the very top and also about 1" from the top. I sewed over both of these stitched lines to reinforce sewing on the ruffle and also to fix the stitching that I messed up when I unpicked the handles.
6.) Find the middle of the back. Sew on 4" of elastic to the middle of the top of the back. Stretch the elastic as it is sewn on so it gathers afterwards.
7.) Make straps. My straps are (2) 12" x 2 1/2" strips of fabric. Sew each strip right sides together, flip right side out, iron, top stitch along both sides. You can also use some cute 1" ribbon for the straps.
8.) Sew straps on. Turn raw edge of strap under and sew one end to back of tank, just next to the elastic. Sew other end to front of tank. Do this to both straps. The front straps will be approximately 4-5" apart, they should line up with the straps in the back.

Embellish the tank more if you want...a cute fabric flower is always fun!!! And now you're done! That was a cheap and easy way to liven up my little girls' wardrobe!

giveaway, giveaway, EVERYONE LOVES A GIVEAWAY!!!

I love a good giveaway and this is a good one!!!

Bobbie, from I Am Only One But Still I am One, has an awesome Etsy shop with tons of fun stuff!! She has adorable rag quilts and car seat tents and she also sells patterns and appliques too!! Check out her Etsy shop, A Vision To Remember. You don't want to miss out on all the cool stuff she has to offer!

Here, let me show you what I mean...

Look at these awesome Rag Quilts and Car Seat Tents...can I tell you how much I love hot pink and zebra together!

And check out some of the patterns she has:

And the appliques are so cute:

So, now that I have your attention...want to know what you can win?? Bobbie has been so generous to offer not one, not two, but THREE $10 gift certificates to her shop! That's THREE chances to win!

Here's how to enter to win a $10 gift certificate! One comment per entry please!

1.) Go visit A Vision To Rememeber and leave a comment telling me what you love!
2.) Follow Bobbie's blog.
3.) Follow Get Your Craft On.

Good Luck to everyone and thanks again to Bobbie for this generous giveaway!!

The winners will be announced on Friday, November 20th.

Bubble Skirt

I've had a lot of requests for a tutorial on the bubble skirt. I'll get working on one and post it as soon as possible! Thanks for all the positive responses...I love to read all of your comments!!


***Check back next week for a giveaway on Get Your Craft On***

Blog Swap - Ruffles and Stuff

Today we're swapping blogs with Disney from Ruffles and Stuff! She has such AWESOME style with an equally awesome blog to go along with it. Here's a bit more about her!

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Hi there everyone!

I'm Disney, from Ruffles and Stuff, and I am just so flattered and excited to be visiting over here at Lynette's fantastic blog. (if you miss her, she's over at my place!) She's asked me to introduce myself and share a few of my favorite projects that I've done, so here we go!

I am a youngish stay at home wife, and mommy to a sweet and abnormally energetic 2 year old girl. I love all kinds of crafts, but my two greatest loves are refashioning used clothing, and anything that you can make with hot glue ('cause who has time for anything else??). I love all things fancy, girly, and vintage!

Here are a few of my favorite things:

"Blair" Capelet

(I wear this thing to the grocery store.)

No Sew Fleece Cape!

Magazine Fridge Magnets

Super Easy Skirt-to-Dress!

Burberry Coasters

These are all tutorials, so feel free to try them out yourself!

Take care everybody!

God bless!

RTT - Oreo Cookie Turkeys

Amy from The Idea Room has instructions for these super cute Oreo Cookie Turkeys! I knew when I saw them that we had to try them out...and what perfect timing with family in town to join in the fun with us! We made them and they were super cute...well, not quite as cute as Amy's. Ours kinda looked more like ugly cousins to the cute turkeys Amy made. But, the kids loved them and so did I! Try 'em out...these are the perfect activity and treat for family night!! Thanks for the idea Amy!!

The shop is BACK!

While waiting on our website to be complete, Tami and I have decided to re-open our Etsy shop. All The Trend is back in business and we would love it if you checked us out! We don't have everything in there right now (okay, we hardly have anything right now), but we do have several Car Seat Blankets, which are my personal favorite. These blankets are perfect for any little baby to stay warm and cozy. Just look at my little Brynlee all wrapped up in hers when she was just a wee baby. So cute!

We'll be listing more items soon in our shop, so check back often. We've got great nursing covers, Just like Mommy Aprons, and many more baby and children gifts! Thanks for letting me shamelessly promote our Etsy shop!

ps. I also added the little mini Etsy slide show to my side bar....see it...over there...

pps. my sister is coming to town today...I can't wait! I haven't seen her in a while and she's never seen my new house...I'm sooo excited!

Blog Swap - Sumo's Sweet Stuff!

It's time for another Blog Swap with another super awesome blog...Sumo's Sweet Stuff! Summer, or Sumo, has a super creative blog with tons of great ideas! She also has an Etsy shop with the most adorable girly-girl things....Go check her out!!!
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Hello Get Your Craft On Readers!

I'm Summer, or Sumo as my husband lovingly calls me. (And now consequently has all of my family calling me. Doesn't Aunt Sumo have a nice ring to it?)

I'm the blogger from Sumo's Sweet Stuff!

I use my blog to share my projects, tutorials, recipes, host giveaways, and shamelessly promote my etsy shop!

I AM:
- married to my best friend

- mother to the most beautiful baby girl (and a babe on the way!)
- daughter and sister to the best family ever
- friend to some of the greatest people out there

I LOVE TO:
- play piano
- sing - read
- craft
- go on walks - spend time with my family
- drink Diet Coke
- bake/cook
- exercise (well, sometimes)
- crochet

SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS:
- Diet Coke
- popcorn
- chips and salsa
- anything that involves peanut butter and chocolate
- public library
- fall
- craft stores
- black and green
- Christmas
- historical fiction
- cats

I love crafting and creating. Here are some of the tutorials you can find on my blog.

Photo Blocks

Seasonal Wood Board



Trick or Treat Bag (idea courtesy of Sisters Stuff)
I also really love to bake! Here are a few of my favorite goodies to make.

White Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
S'mores Cupcakes

I have an etsy shop where I sell all things baby girl!

You can purchase hair bows....



flower clips....


piggies....


crocheted flower leggings....


bracelets....


a set with a little bit of everything....


or even a tutu!

I have a blog schedule, so you can find something different being posted every day of the week!

Right now I am hosting a giveaway over at Pink Nothings! Be sure to go check it out to win a few things from my etsy shop! The giveaway ends on November 8th, so hurry on over!

I'll be featuring some fun Christmas tutorials coming up, so come take a peek to get some great Christmas ideas!

Come on over to Sumo's Sweet Stuff and let's be blogging friends!

Thanks for swapping with me today Lynette! You have the best ideas!