Goodbye to Little Window Shoppe
May 18, 2009 by Emily · 62 Comments
My Dearest Window Shoppe Readers and Friends,
This post has taken me over a month to write - partly because this is my last post on this blog. I am so sad to announce that as of today, Little Window Shoppe is closing for good.
The decision was not taken lightly and was really hard to make, but a combination of factors came together that brought me to this post…very much wanting to spend more time with my family (I have a very busy two year old who needs more mommy-time), 
getting ready for baby #2 in November (I’ve been out sick for two months! But it’s totally worth it as we’re so excited to have a new baby come to our family), and finally getting ready for a move to a new state with my family this Summer (my hubby is starting a new job).
{Photo source: Wilson Library Reserve}
I have learned so much from blogging at Little Window Shoppe and will be forever grateful for the kind friends I have made and the amazing experiences that I have had here!! Thank you so much for taking time to make Little Window shoppe a part of your lives and for being such a fantastic community. And also, thank you for all of the nice emails and inquiries about how we are doing.
Before I say goodbye for good, I want to thank a few people who helped me along the way:
First and foremost, my husband Scott. He is an incredibly supportive husband and friend and was the first person to listen to my every idea and concern throughout my blogging adventures. He has also been Superman at my house and has cooked, cleaned, taken care of our two year old and helped me out while I was sick over the last seven weeks! I couldn’t ask for a better man in my life and I love him so much!!
I also wanted to thank Holly of Tutus and Turtles. She is so cool and listened and talked to me for hours on the phone as I worked out how I would end my Window Shoppe blogging days. Her blog has been an inspiration to me from the beginning and I think that her blog ideas rock!!
Finally, I wanted to thank each of the writers and contributors for Little Window Shoppe. Each of them had creative and beautiful ideas to share and I’m so grateful and honored that they wanted to be part of this blog with me. They have become some of my dearest friends and were the best group of writers a blog ever had! They even sent me tulips when I was sick (just about made me cry, I felt so loved).
Please visit each of their blogs to keep up with their cool ideas!
- Vanessa - her blog: I Never Grew Up
- Lauren - her blog: Supermom Central
- Michelle - her shoppe: Sweet Mady’s Paper
- Michaelle - her blog: Monkeys Momma
- Cassie - her shoppe: Madison Envy
- Kelly - her blog: Albany Mommy
Also, I wanted to leave you with a few additional recommendations of blogs I love - in case you are looking for new places to subscribe:
- www.simplemom.net - this is my absolute favorite blog to follow…it has the best family tips and ideas that make sense, the ideas are easy to follow and I just can’t get enough of its coolness.
- www.howaboutorange.blogspot.com - artsy, tons of crafts, diy ideas, printouts, and the best time-wasters ever.
- www.thepioneerwoman.com - recipes, photoshop tutorials, photography 101, down-to-earth life.
- www.makeandtakes.com - the coolest (and most creative) kids crafts ever!
- www.metropolitanmama.net - and for all you contest lovers, this Metro Mama has excellent giveaways all of the time - and she writes helpful articles with tips for parents. Love it.
There are so many more…but I think this is a great start.
If you want to stay in touch with me, you can follow me at a few sites:
- www.emilyjune.com (I’ll still be designing blogs and websites - starting again this fall).
- I’m also going to be checking in and updating my facebook page and my family blog regularly. They will have weekly updates of my family life and the cool fun things we are doing.
**If you want to stay in touch with me at my family blog or on facebook, just email me or leave a comment letting me know and I’ll send you the links.**
Thank you again for making this the best blogging experience I have ever had!!
Always,
Emily
Make Your Own Matchbox Announcements
March 19, 2009 by Emily · 32 Comments
I love the originality of this matchbox announcement and how easily you can match the theme and colors to your preference. Good things really do come in small packages.
The tutorial and picture are from one of my very favorite books “B is for Baby” written by Suzonne Stirling. This Matchbox Announcement is one of 26 baby-themed projects from the book that help you to create memorable, classic keepsakes for your little loved ones.
Supplies
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Patterned paper
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Solid colored paper
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Cardstock (for the Announcement)
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Ruler
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Scissors or rotary blade
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Decorative edged scissors (optional)
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Craft glue (optional)
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Plain matchbox
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Double-sided tape
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Diaper pin
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Padded envelope (for mailing)
Steps
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Cover the matchbox: Cut a piece of patterned paper to 2 1/4 in. wide by 4 1/2 in. long. Adhere one of the short edges of the paper to the bottom of the matchbox cover with double-sided tape. Be sure to align the edges of the paper with the top and bottom edges of the matchbox cover. Wrap the paper around the matchbox cover, overlap the ends, and secure them with more double-sided tape.
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Embellish: To embellish your box a little bit, cut a piece of solid colored paper into a strip 1/2 in. wide by 4 1/2 in. long. Trim one long edge of the paper strip with decorative scissors, and layer it over the base paper on the bottom of the matchbox cover. Use craft glue, to adhere small buttons or other embellishments.
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Create announcement cards: To create the announcement card for the interior of the matchbox, use a small font size (approximately 10 points) to print the baby’s birth information onto the cardstock. Repeat the information approximately 12 times on each 8-1/2 by 11 inch sheet of paper. Cut the sheet into cards, each measuring 2-1/8 inches long by 1-1/8 inch wide, with the text centered in each card. Secure the card to the bottom of the matchbox with a small strip of double-sided tape. Enclose a diaper pin in the matchbox as a finishing touch.
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Mail: Finally, enclose the announcement in a padded envelope to mail it to your friends and family.
How to Make Fairy Crowns
March 17, 2009 by Vanessa · 10 Comments
This past weekend we celebrated my daughter’s 3rd birthday by throwing her a fairy party. We made fairy crowns for all of the little girls attending, they are very simple and inexpensive to put together.
Supplies
- Green Floral Tape
- Wire (floral wire, jewelry wire or you can even use pipe-cleaners or an old wire hanger)
- Fake Flowers
- Wire Cutters
- Three different colors of ribbon
Instructions
- Cut the wire to the desired head circumference and twist together the ends to make a circle. If you have to thin of wire just double up on it.
- Next, wrap the wire in green floral tape.
- When you wrap the tape around the second time add in the flowers and leaves. These flowers I just picked up in the dollar bin at Wal-mart.
- Weave Flowers around the entire circle.
- Add your favorite ribbon. I took purple, pink and silver ribbon and used a yard of it for each headpiece.
- Finally, tie your ribbon in a loop knot to attach it to the crown.
Written by Vanessa of I Never Grew Up
Shrinky Sheets
February 27, 2009 by Lauren · 19 Comments
Any self-respecting child of the 80’s should get a little giddy when they read these next two words:
Shrinky Dinks!
Oh, was there a cooler invention on the planet when you were a kid? You color them, you cut them out, you BAKE them! Artwork was never more fun! Except now it IS and here’s why:
I’ve discovered do-it-yourself BLANK shrinky-dink sheets that will go through your printer! Is anybody else getting slightly light-headed with the creative possibilities that lie in store?
- Print your or your children’s artwork off and turn it into home décor!
- Have hours of fun with your kids making and baking their favorite characters.
- Print your photos off on them and make “mini-me”s out of your relatives and friends.
- Design, print and then create your own embellishments for scrapbooks, note cards, present tops, etc.
- Add a little hole punch before you throw ‘em in the oven and string them up into unique necklaces, earrings, bracelets, backpack tags, gift tags, etc.
- Once made, glue them to rings, headbands, notebooks, magnets, keychains, etc.
Enough said! They’re now called Shrinky Sheets (I’m still partial to “dinks” myself but what are ya gonna do?) and you can hook yourself up for a mere twelve bucks over at The Curiosity Shoppe. And just so you know, it’s required that you rock out to Madonna and/or Bruce Springsteen while working on this GNARLY project.
Written by Lauren of Supermom Central
You Can Make These
February 12, 2009 by Emily · 10 Comments
Easy Felt Magnets
Hello magnets! I’ve been looking for clever ways to brighten up my fridge, so when I found this little DIY Tutorial for felt magnets I was really happy. They seem easy to make, and the results look quite cute. I think I’m going to try this today. Check out the instructions here.
Recycled Magazine Holder
This girl wins the “coolest recycled craft” award in my book! I was so impressed with her tutorial. You can learn how to turn an ordinary priority mailbox into a sweet and stylish (fabric covered) magazine holder here. (Sewing not required.)
Play Dough
The perfect indoor activity! This play dough ‘recipe’ is not too salty, not too dry and the directions help you to make just the right mix so that you can enjoy it for hours. You can read all about it here.
Valentine’s Day Fun for Kids
February 9, 2009 by Emily · 7 Comments
We sure love Valentine’s Day around here! This small collection displays some of my favorite finds for you today with even more fun ideas you can make at home. It’s not to late to try these out!
In the Heart Issue of Kids Craft Weekly, you can learn how to eat your watermelon in style! Check out the easy tutorial here.
My favorite creative crafter, Marie, wrote a sweet article for Alpha Mom with instructions for how to make this Heart Tic Tac Toe Game. Doesn’t this look fun?
FREE PRINTABLES:
And what would this holiday be like with out FREE Printable Valentines?! I found this charming Dino Card at Cottage Industrialist. Click Here to Download! (PDF)
Finally, these cute Zebra Valentine Cards by Bunny Cakes won over my heart this morning. Download the Set Here. (PDF)
Martha Stewart Craft Kits
February 9, 2009 by Lauren · 9 Comments
Confession: I waste an embarrassing amount of time wandering around the local Super Walmart. (blush!) In my defense, it’s a very big, somewhat disorganized place that tends to require some serious browsing in order to find what you need. And lately, as I’ve meandered through the aisles, I’ve stumbled onto great little finds! By far my favorite discovery has been the Martha Stewart Crafts section.
There you will find a gorgeous array of crafting treasures! And while they do offer great “Martha” style supplies and tools, I gravitated straight towards the fun little kits. Have you ever watched her show and thought “Well, sure, she can do it, but she’s Martha. There’s no way I could create beautiful floating flowers out of some tissue paper and couple pieces of string.” Oh but you can!
I made these a couple weeks ago, in preparation for my little girl’s upcoming birthday party (flower themed!). They were quick, easy and turned out looking just like the picture!
In fact, I was feeling so good about Martha’s Walmart crafts that a few days later I tried my hand at this fun birthday garland. Again, I was amazed at the lovely simplicity of the project. These kits are well thought out and user-friendly. My little ones even helped here and there!
Last on my “Birthday Party” prep list are the favors, and I have a feeling I will be turning to the Martha Stewart Craft Kits again. This time I think we’re going to have these darling little boxes hold a sweet treat and a flower necklace or two. I know all these lovely accents might not mean much to our 3 yr. old guests, but their mommies will be in attendance too!
Written by Lauren of Supermom Central
DIY Gift Ideas For Your Valentine
January 29, 2009 by Cassie · 21 Comments
Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to celebrate the ones we love and I just dig the pink colors too! Here are a few gift ideas that are so easy you could whip them up in an hour or so.
Jeanne Winters made this Valentine Sparkle for her daughter while keeping the theme “You Are Loved” in mind. Each ribbon represents someone in her life that loves her. Isn’t this a great way to cherish Valentine’s Day?! You can see the directions on her blog here.
Just-A-Girl has a great tutorial for these outstanding decorated soap dispensers. An exceptional gift for teachers and perfect for combatting those Winter germs.
Tanya - another creative blogger - came up with this Valentine’s Day craft called Kiss Jars. She and her children took old jars, decorated them and filled them with Hershey’s hugs and kisses to give to family and friends. This gift idea makes a great Valentine’s Day activity to do with your kids too.
If you end up making one of these gift ideas, let us know so we can check it out. Happy Gifting!
Written by Cassie of Madison Envy
Make Keepsakes From Your Old Baby Board Books
January 28, 2009 by Emily · 12 Comments
Hey guys! Wouldn’t you know, we woke up with a little sick bug this morning…. So, I’m going to take a tiny posting break and instead present Katie of Katie’s Nesting Spot as our fabulous guest today. Her crafty ideas are fun and original, just take a look at her DIY awesomeness:
As your kids grow up, it’s inevitable that they’ll outgrow their collection of books and toys, but before donating your old board books, save a few for some crafty fun. Turn them into little mini-scrapbooks.
You will need: children’s board book, mod podge, foam craft brush, scrapbook papers, photos and embellishments.
A note on embellishments: Chose flat ones such as stickers and die-cuts if you want your finished book to close and be somewhat flat. 3-D embellishments will add to the bulk of your book and prohibit it from closing.
The Pages
Begin by choosing a board book that has its binding intact, sand all the surfaces, and wipe clean. Now that’s you’ve prepped your book, cover each page, one at a time, with a thin layer of mod podge. Cut your scrapbook paper just slightly larger than the board page. Attach the paper to the book and smooth out any wrinkles with your fingers. Continue until pages are all covered.
Let the glue (mod podge) dry, then cut around the edge of each page with an x-acto knife. Sand away any excess paper so the page edges are smooth. Add pictures and embellish the pages.
The Cover
Decorate the cover of the book last; cover the front and back using the same method as the inside pages (scrapbook paper, mod podge and sand the edges). Then, measure the spine of the book’s height and width. Add an inch to the width measurement, so that the binding will overlap onto the front and back. Cut the binding cover (out of scrapbook paper) and hold it up to your book to check that you like how it “fits” and make adjustments as necessary.
Attach your binding cover to the spine of the book. Start with the front first and then fold it around the spine to the back (glue it along the way with mod podge). To cover the seams, use ribbon on the front and back. Finally, add a title and decorate it; when you’re finished, apply a thin layer of mod podge to the covers to protect it from fingerprints and smudges
Extras
Once you have the basic technique down, it’s fun to add a few extras to your book (plan for these when you first design your book before adding paper to the pages). You will also need strong double-sided adhesive to attach pages to each other.
- Shortened pages: A fun twist is to cut off part of a page so that the following page can be seen, kind of like giving a peek at what’s coming up next.
- Window Page: Cut a basic shape out of one page and add a picture or paper and embellishments to the page behind it where the opening is. (It will look like a picture frame) Then cover the back of the framed page with pretty paper.
- Flap Page: This is like making a little door on your page; make it the same way as a window page, but leave one side of the shape attached. Score that side so that it will bend.
Crafty Ideas for Valentine’s Day Cards
January 21, 2009 by Cassie · 13 Comments
With Valentine’s Day just a few weeks away, cute cards are everywhere! I want to try and make my own Valentine’s Day cards this year, so I have started a file for a collection of my favorites ideas. Many of them are quick, easy and great for an afternoon project.
Kristina Werner has such darling ideas, and I am in love with this adorable button card. You can view her video on how to make it on her blog.
And we couldn’t forget Martha’s cute ideas…this hand stitched card and this quilled card are so pretty and easy to make. Simply follow their step-by-step instructions to make your very own.
Scrapscene displays a card a day, and these cupcake ones would go perfectly with Valentine’s Day cupcakes! Check out the instructions here.
Finally, I can’t get enough of Target’s Dollar Section - they have mini mailboxes right now that would be great for kids’ Valentine’s Day parties. Kasey, on her blog Beautiful Mess, put letters on her mailboxes for each family member and she lists cool ideas for filling the mail boxes too! Do you have Valentine’s Day cards that you like to make with your family?
Written by Cassie of Madison Envy
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