What A Job!

Hi everyone, sorry it's been a while (again!), but as most know I've been cleaning, moving, rearranging, and de-hoarding all my stuff, LOL! Some time back, I had got another outside storage bldg from my nephew. (Bless his heart!) So I decided to set up and separate my crafting areas. Little did I know just what a job this would be! And while going through some of the "stuff" I'm beginning to believe son & hubs were right about me being a "hoarder!" (Shameless to say.) It got to the point where it's just too hard to sort things and have them in their proper place. Instead I have them scattered and boxed everywhere. (Come on girls, I know some of you can identify with me on this one!) Things being this out of hand cuts down on crafting time, as we all know, so I'm cleaning and rearranging things. With all this I'm sorting through things and thinning them out, so I'm having a "Yard Sale" and you can look for various things to be listed at Rusty Shed Crafts shortly.

And since I've been slack on my blog and crafting fun, I'm gearing up for another giveaway. I'll be listing more information about that later but as always, entries will be simple. I got very close to having my new tutorial site finished but that was delayed too. Hopefully I can get to that soon as there's lots of quick n easy, last minute ideals for simple crafts. And you never know when one thing might inspire you for a whole new creation.

I've been looking around as I can, at all the wonderful new creations and patterns some of you have made, and I love all that I'm seeing!  There's such awesome talent out there and I love seeing other's work/creations. Seems like everyone's been extra busy this year and hope you all enjoy a wonderful season with your goodies! Till next time, have fun crafting!
Hugs to all, Libs

The Busy Season!

Hi all, just wanted to share a few thoughts this morning. So many of you are and will be into the crafting shows during this season and wanted to say I hope you all have a wonderful season of shows! You've been working very hard throughout the year and most will continue up to your last show. I always love looking at your booths and can't wait to see all the pics that will be posted on your blogs!

I have a little something to share with you and hope you'll have fun making it. I've added my Strawberry Shortcake Candle tutorial in my share box, it's the "ssc.pdf" file. I've used 2 molds in that tutorial which I got from Ginger at FlexibleMolds. And Ginger was so very nice to give me permission to use her molds in my tutorial, so THANK YOU GINGER! (And please note I'm not affiliated with Ginger or FlexibleMolds in any way, I just love her adorable molds! And she has a very large collection to choose from so be sure to check out her site!) These candles are easy and simple to make and I'm encouraging you to take your imagination even further by creating other wonderful candles, so check out that tutorial! And of course all my tutorials are always free. I hope to encourage other crafters to play with wax, giggles, but for those of you who haven't ventured in that area yet, I have posted other tutorials in my share box.

I'm currently working on getting my web store site back up and running plus crafting as I go. I'll be posting new tuts as possible, some wax tuts and some sewing, really just a mix of what ever I'm into at the time. And like most of you, I'm also dealing with everyday family life as I go so please bare with me. I know you all understand that one. I'm very close to posting my new Tutorial site too where I'll list all my tuts, links to some very good ones by other crafters, recipes, and tips & tricks. I'll be posting it here and give the link once it's finished. I'm also working on those wonderful patterns I got from Maureen M at Sweet Meadows Farm! Can't wait to get those finished and show pics, just love all her creations!

As said previously I know most of you are very busy and will be for the rest of the year. I do wish you all the very best crafting show season yet, and hope you get to see some old friends and new ones as well. Don't stress and get plenty of rest! Take lots of pics of your booths this year as we all wanna see! And till next time, have fun crafting!
Hugs to all, Libs

What Do You Create For.......

Good morning to all, woke up to a chilly 46 degree this morning....brrrrr! Hope you're enjoying this "Fall Weather" we seem to be getting a little early!

It's nothing much but wanted to share something I've created to go with my dolls, etc. I originally thought of these for my "mousies" as you all know I'm crazy for them (except the real ones, lol)! But then was thinking about them and know they would go well with snowmen, pumpkin dolls, or just about any creation like that! I suppose some could even use them in their miniature displays? Anyway, they're so easy to make and I'm sure you'll have lots of fun making them for your creations. And please share things you make as accessories to go with your dolls, etc. I'd love to see other's ideas/creations as well!

These are mini tapers that I'll put in my doll hands as candles. I use white string for the new looking candles and black string to make them look used or like they have been burned. Simply melt some wax (please use caution and follow basic instructs) then dip your string allowing it to cool a little in-between dips. When the wax is built up to the desired thickness trim the bottom edge with a sharp knife (like an X-acto knife). You can use the string to hang them till ready to use, then cut the string and trim it to desired length. If you're not into wax don't worry, just melt an old left over candle, t-lite, or what ever. You can even dip them in wax from a jar candle on a warmer plate! And of course if you want them to look grungy then roll in spices quickly after dipping, then dip again. You can repeat that several times if desired, just watch the size of the candle so you won't get it too large in diameter. Another accessory I like to use with smaller things (again such as my mice) are the cute little putka pods that we use in our potpourri. You can either glue or wire one of them in the hands of your creations. Or try making a mini garland with them, just too cute! Nancy has some nice ones she sells at: Jersey Hill Prim Potpourri.

For my Christmas mice, I love using the little light strands and displaying with a tree. (Sample in pic below. And please note that mouse pattern is by Wendy of StagLanePrimitives. Just love her mousies too!) You can get the mini light strands here or on ebay: American Wood Crafters Supply. Just scroll down page and you'll see them. 

Wendy also has patterns for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas mice, their little costumes are too cute! You can find her patterns here on ebay and she also has an Etsy store: Stag Lane Primitives. Here's some I created for my little Salesman Sample cast iron stoves:

There's lots of accessories we can use to make our creations look much better. Please share with us some of the things you use. Till next time, have fun crafting!
Hugs to all, Libby