A Handmade Halloween With Etsy

A Handmade Halloween With Etsy
As originally posted on the H&G Buzz Blog on Cafemom

A Handmade Halloween With Etsy

October 17, 2008 at 1:00 PM by Cafe Sheri - Comments (2)

You've heard of Etsy, right? Well, if not, then you should know that Etsy's the coolest, most action-packed online craft fair in America! There are thousands of crafters and artists on the Etsy site, and the merchandise is changing all the time.

In fact, right here on CafeMom, there's a group for CafeMom Etsy Moms, open to any CafeMom who sells anything on Etsy. And now through October 31st, several of the CafeMom Etsy Moms are having a Pre-Holiday Sale. Don't miss it!

Here are a few of my favorite handmade Halloween items for Home from the CafeMom Etsy Moms shops (available while supplies last):

"Boo" Vinyl Board from caligirlcrafts (aka CafeMom caligirlcrafts), $9.95

Harvest Pumpkins, set of 5, from ae baby (aka CafeMom aebaby), $16.50

Spiced Pumpkin Scented Soap from Cosmic Clean Body (aka CafeMom Celyn4), $4

Fall Pumpkins Table Runner from Cozy Cabin Creations (aka CafeMom cozycabinmom), $10

Baby Gear: Fab Stuff Made by Real Moms (featured on CAFEMOM)

Baby Gear: Fab Stuff Made by Real Moms

Photo by aebaby

I have to say, it's been wonderful to explore all of the cool stuff happening on CafeMom! There are so many great groups and stories and moms to meet. My friend Cafe Sheri, who is also the Home & Garden blogger, told me about CafeMom Etsy Moms -- and I'm so impressed with them! Some of these fabulous mamas are creating beautiful things that you need for your baby -- you've gotta check it out.

Etsy connects people (like me!) willing to lay down cash for cool handmade stuff with the artists that create it -- and there's a gang of these mamas here on CafeMom. aebaby makes beautiful baby things -- diaper and wipes holders, blankets, toys, super-cool car seat covers -- that I covet. Also, I'm just amazed with her incredible DIY talent! I asked her a few questions about what she does and why:

How did you get started making baby things?

"It was a natural to begin making baby things when it became near and dear to my heart almost six years ago with the birth of my son. I love the whimsy and freedom that comes with being a child; polka dots, fairy princesses, and silly elephants. I'm a stay-at-home mom with two energetic preschoolers and the aunt of a crowd ranging from 8 months to 4 years -- and I love sewing for children!"

How long have you been doing it?

"I've always been sewing. As a child working on a simple pillow, through college making extra spending money tailoring, then making baby blankets, Cinderella ball gowns, and toys for my family. I love the challenge of creating and learning and making new things. I also draw on my degree in recreation, knowing how children play and interact with their world and others during the different stages of development helps."

What's your absolute favorite thing that you've made so far?

"Every new thing I make is my favorite; they are always being replaced with the next creation. My kids have their favorites -- my daughter loves the Sugar Cookie Bake Set and my son loved a Frog Chair I made."

What about you? Are you a DIY-queen (or wannabe)? Are you making something for your baby-on-the-way? Tell us about your creative side in the comments below.

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Making Double Fold Bias Tape

Bias tape is a strip of fabric cut on the bias and then folded to finish the edge of a sewing project. It has some stretch so it will easily go around corners and curves, most often used on the bindings of quilts and blankets. It is easy to make and will not only save you a little change but a matching binding will look so much nicer than a solid color from the store. Here is how:

1. The easiest fabric to use is a cotton or cotton blend because it will make a sharp crease when ironed. wash and dry your fabric.
2. Begin by laying your fabric flat. Take the cut edge of the fabric and fold it up to meet the selvage edge. So the fold will be on the diagonal, the fold is the bias- there will be a lot of stretch to it. Press this fold with the iron and then unfold.
3. Cut a strip of fabric along the pressed edge- if you want a 1/2" double fold bias tape make the cut 2" (the math is: width of finished tape x 4 = width of cut) Cut as many strips as you need for your project
4. Join the strips by overlapping the ends of two strips at a 90 degree angle. Pin and mark from corner to corner and sew along the marked line. See photo below.
   

5. trim your edges to 1/4 inch and unfold, it should be one continuous strip, if it makes a corner instead of a long strip, the stitch line was from the wrong corners just trim it out and start over

6. Folding -begin laying your strip out on the ironing board and folding one long edge almost to the middle, press and do this for the entire length of the connected bias strips

7. Repeat for the other long edge

8. Fold the bias strip in half so the two folded edges meet. Finished!

Airplane!

I was sitting in my dr's very full waiting room with my 3 yr old daughter surrounded by senior citizens. I gave my daughter her crayon roll I made and she started to draw a mommy. When she was done she started to explain her drawing.

"Look mommy I drew you. I drew eyes, and a nose, and hair. You're sitting on the potty." Then very loudly so not even one hard of hearing senior could miss it, she said "Ohh! I forgot to draw the poop hole!"

And Then:

Once while picking up my 4 yo son at the end of the day from preschool I got busy talking to the teacher and wasn't watching my son who had volunteered to carry mommy's purse. Then I heard "Look I made an airplane". I turned around to see his airplane was made of a tampon with a pad across the top for wings.

visit www.aebaby.etsy.com a boutique for mom & baby

Being a Mother, by aebaby

Being a Mother

I didn’t understand real joy until I cuddled my sleeping newborn.

I didn’t understand hurt until I saw my child excluded.

I didn’t understand tired until I held my 2 month old and chased my 18 month old.

I didn’t understand true laughter until I tickled my children and heard their giggles.

I didn’t understand helpless until I couldn’t do anything to make my sick child better.

I didn’t understand patience until tantrums and rain and melting ice cream all met.

I didn’t understand fear until my son drove his big wheel in front of a car.

I didn’t understand true love until I had a child.

I love my mother but never really understood until I had my own. How do you explain to a child that the love you have is more than anything? When they worry if I will leave or if I still love them after a tantrum how do you convey the depth of love with words? I never understood what it meant to be a mom until I had my own, no one can. You cannot possibly imagine loving someone, even a spouse, the same way. As a mom you are their whole world. You help them make sense of it, guide them, care for them, nurture them and love them.

My mother never wrote a book or was given an award. She never went to Washington or starred in a movie. Never piloted a plane or made history. She is a woman who gave up a career to become a stay at home mom and be her children’s world, give her life to her family. She made sacrifices everyday, some small some big; to make sure her children had the best. My mother still puts her children and now her grandchildren first. And we share a bond of understanding that wasn’t there before because until you live it, you can’t understand a mother’s love.

This weeks featured artist: AeBaby!!

This weeks featured artist is: Aebaby!

Her entry was the adorable Blossom Purse for Little Girls!
Congratulations!!!! Here are just a few of her listings. Stop by her cute Etsy shop and say hello!!

Ae Baby

A Boutique for Mom and Baby

aeBaby, where do you find your inspiration???

Where do you find inspiration?


Inspiration comes from everywhere but mostly my children, ages 3 and 5. So many times I hear "Hey mama, can we...?" "Hey let's do..." and off we go. We start with a simple idea and expand it to be more than just a game or toy. The process becomes an experience where fun and adventure is the goal.

My First Bake Shoppe - Felt Play Set for Preschool


I have a degree in Therapeutic Recreation and use it everyday with my kids. ( Yeah explain to your parents your majoring in recreation- ha) This background taught me that every toy and game should do more. It should teach, it should allow for exploration and creativity it should be fun and it should not need batteries!

Taggie Blanket with Satin and Minkee ages 6 months+


I look around and see what my kids want and they help me make something good into something wonderful. They love to pick out fabrics and match colors. They want fun but also beauty, and fabrics to delight the sense of touch; super soft cottons, plush minkees, smooth satin.

(What toddler doesn't love to have something a little special just for them? What mommy either?)

Britax Marathon Car Seat Cover


Other than my children the inspiration for my shop is simple. Moms and kids want beautiful things that will inspire, be cherised and last.

visit www.aebaby.etsy.com a boutique for mom & baby