Taking Your Craft and Hobby Blog to a Profitable Adventure

Taking Your Craft and Hobby Blog to a Profitable Adventure by Loretta Oliver

Writing about what you love tends to come pretty easily for most of us, especially in the craft world. Whether you've been blogging for awhile now or you're completely new to blogging you might be wondering if it's worth the effort to make a go of it in this fickle hobby niche. The great news is that it is completely worth every minute of your time.

Obviously, the first advantage to blogging about your favorite crafts is that you already have the passion needed to create great content on a regular basis. This is easily the biggest stumbling block that most professional bloggers have. They get started blogging about a niche and then run out of steam on the topic.

You're about ten steps ahead of the game, because you already love your hobby. That's not to say that you won't run out of steam talking about your craft topic, because we all do at some point. But, when you're passionate about something it's not so hard to find that motivation again and get going with blog posts again.

A common misconception is that crafting and hobby blogs and websites don't make money, they're just all about the love of the craft. Well, that's just not true. Sure, your blog is about the love of your craft, but it can also be a money maker. After all, we've got to pay for that craft stash somehow! Getting supplies for your hobby can be expensive and blogging is a great way to bring in a little extra money to pay for all those special fabrics, tools, scissors, threads, and other must haves.

Think of it this way, you're buying new and interesting supplies and tools for your hobby all the time, it only makes sense that other enthusiasts are doing the exact same thing. Product reviews can be a huge income booster on a craft blog. When you find that must have product that you absolutely love, tell people about it on your blog and include an affiliate link so they can purchase their very own and you'll get a nice referral income for it.

Craft information and project ideas are always in high demand on the internet. The internet is the go to resource for free patterns, new craft inspiration, and tutorials. Even if you're just sharing what you're currently working on it could inspire another crafter to start a similar project. This cycle gives craft blogs a unique sense of community that other blog and website owners envy.

Pick up a handy guide and planner telling you step by step How to Start a Craft Blog for Fun and Profit and get started today. It's easier than you might think!

Loretta Oliver owns the cross stitch site Stitching the Night Away and authors a popular craft blog on a subdomain of the site featuring product reviews, project ideas, and various crafty features on a daily basis.

Silhouette SD Review & Giveaway on Sugar Pop Ribbons Blog!

I thought I would give all of my craft blog readers a big heads up on a review and giveaway going on right now over on the Sugar Pop Ribbons Blog!

If you are like me and you enjoy scrapbooking, cardmaking and making a variety of craft projects, this Silhouette SD machine is a must have item! I have been wanting one for a year now to use with my scrapbooking and cardmaking projects but it can do so much more! It can even cut through vinyl so you can make your own trendy vinyl wall decor items! Way cool!!!

The giveaway ends on March 23, 2011 and you can earn multiple entries into the giveaway. I know I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be the winner of this fabulous machine!

Treat Yourself To A Homemade Natural Facial Beauty Mask

When it comes to beauty, I think natural is best. I have tried many of the chemical facial masks out in the marketplace, but find them too harsh for my delicate skin.

To solve that problem, I started making my own freshly made masks with natural ingredients. They are just as good, if not better, than store bought facial masks.

Here are a few tips before you get started.

You will want to wash your face with a gentle face cleanser before applying your mask. If you have really sensitive skin, let mask on for 5 minutes to see how your skin reacts to it. These recipes are meant for one-time-use, please discard anything that is left.

Cucumber Facial Mask1/2 cucumber
1 egg white
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon mint extract

Remove cucumber skin and cut into slices. Using an egg separator, collect your egg white and discard the yolk. Place cucumber slices, egg white, lemon juice and mint extract in a blender container. Purée the ingredients until well blended and then place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. Apply the cucumber mixture to your face. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm, then cool water. Blot face dry with a soft cotton towel.

Tip: This mask is great for tired looking skin.

Lemon Facial Mask

2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

In a small bowl, combine all 3 ingredients with a wire whisk until blended. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Apply the mixture to your face. Leave on your face for 10-15 minutes, then wash it off. Blot face dry with a soft cotton towel.

Tip: This mask is great for tired looking and dry skin.

Banana Facial Mask

1 sliced banana, peel removed
1 cup olive oil
2 egg whites

Combine all 3 ingredients in a blender container and blend until smooth. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Apply mixture to your face. Leave on your face for 10 minutes, then wash it off. Blot face dry with a soft cotton towel.

Tip: This mask is great for dry skin or acne prone skin.

Shelly Hill has been making her own beauty treatments at home since 1993. She believes that natural beauty is best for delicate and sensitive skin.

Craft Business Owners ~ Great Custom Business Promo Items!

I know a lot of my Passionate About Crafting Blog readers are also independent craft business owners and market & sell their craft products online and at local craft shows and vendor events. With that said, I thought I would share with you today a great online custom printing shop called Amsterdam Printing.

When you shop at Amsterdam Printing you can purchase imprinted pens with your craft business information printed on them and they are very reasonably priced! I really like their custom envelopes since I am always mailing out things related to my craft business and it's nice to have my business information printed onto envelopes...makes for a nice business presentation.

You can also check out GoPromos Promotional Items to see their nice selection too! It is always nice to get your craft business information printed up on some nice quality promo items and hand them out at your craft shows, business networking & vendor events.

3 Homemade Relaxing Herbal Bath Salt Recipes

As stay at home mothers, we spend almost all of our waking hours taking care of the children, cleaning the home, preparing meals and doing the family errands. When was the last time that you did something relaxing just for yourself? If you had to pause for a moment to think about your answer, then it has been too long.

When I take time out just for myself, I enjoy taking a long hot bath. I like to fill up my bathtub with some homemade bath salts and while I am soaking, read a good book. These baths help to relax me after a long busy day.

The following recipes are really easy to make.

Relaxing Lavender

2 cups Epsom Salts
1/2 cup sea salts
1/4 cup baking soda
4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil

Mix Epsom salts, baking soda and sea salt together in a large bowl. Stir in the Lavender Essential Oil until salt mixture is coated. Let air dry and then pour into a container with lid. Use a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of bath salts under warm running water.

Romantic Rose2 cups Epsom Salts
1/2 cup sea salts
4 drops of red or pink soap coloring
4 drops of Rose Essential Oil

Mix together the first 2 ingredients in a large glass bowl. Stir in the soap coloring and essential oil until well blended. Use a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of mixture under warm running water.

Hydro-Therapy Salts
2 cups Epsom Salts
1 cup sea salts
6-8 drops of blue soap coloring

Mix together the first 2 ingredients in a large glass bowl. Stir in the soap coloring until well blended. Use a 1/2 cup of mixture under warm running water.

Finding Inspiration to Craft in Books, Magazines, And the World Around You

Finding Inspiration to Craft in Books, Magazines, And the World Around You
by Loretta Oliver

Crafters are always considered among the creative and imaginative, but the truth is even the best crafters need a little inspiration now and then. Some days you can turn toilet paper tubes and tissue paper into a beautiful work of art, and other days you just don't know what to do with your hands. Inspiration is hiding in lots of corners of the world these days, it's just the matter of finding it and using it to your advantage.

I think one of the most common things that crafters turn to for inspiration is music. Turn on the radio, grab your iPod, or put in your favorite CD, turn up the volume and the inspiration just tends to flow right in. Unfortunately, it's not always that easy to find the creative forces inside yourself. Sometimes you need an extra push. Where do you go then?

Another great source of inspiration for crafters would be magazines. It's great when you can find a magazine that focuses on your craft of preference, whether it's knitting, quilting, cross stitch or something else. Pick up an issue or two and start flipping through the pages. Personally, I like to visually go through the magazine first to see what catches my eye before I read the titles and headlines. Do what works for you, devour the creativity from the pages and find that creative driving force and run with it.

If you're still feeling the craft block, it's time to call in the big dogs. Hop over to your favorite bookstore virtually or online and start looking for books on your favorite craft topics. Maybe you're looking to try your hand at a new craft instead, picking up a few books and magazines on the topic is a great place to get started with a new hobby too.

Keep a handful of great books on the bookshelf that you can refer to when you need project inspiration or just aren't feeling your craftiest. They'll become an invaluable resource in the weeks, months, and even years to come. If you're part of a crafting group you can do book and magazine swaps to keep the inspiration flowing within the group.

These kind of group swaps are also a great way to look at new hobby ideas and projects you might not have considered before without investing a lot of money. Perhaps you have a nice selection of quilting related books and someone else in the group has a nice selection of crochet books, you can trade off to see what inspires you and find new projects that you might like to try out.

When you feel like there's a shortage of inspiration, remember that sometimes all you need is a fresh perspective. Talk a walk, enjoy the day, and it will all start to fall into place eventually. Whatever you do, don't give up on your creative efforts.

Whether you're looking for inspiration or just want to chat with other crafters, Stitching the Night Away's Craft Blog has something for you. From new project ideas to fun Etsy features, you'll find all things crafty and creative at the Craft Blog.

One of my personal favorite books to keep on the shelf to go to for inspiration is Mark Montano's Big Ass Book of Crafts. It's full of off the wall ideas that are somehow creative and practical, but different and full of life.

Crafting Mommies With Babies ~ Bright Beginnings Baby Formula

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.
As a mother and grandmother who is helping my daughter take care of her little one (my little grand daughter) I thought today I would talk about formula. Why? Because as a caregiver to a precious little 22 month old grand daughter I got sick and tired of expensive formula that gave her tummy aches. A few days ago I was crocheting while little one was taking her nap and when she awoke, she had another tummy ache! ugh!

I was determined to find affordable formula that was good for my grand daughter and I finally found one called Bright Beginnings and they are affordable and she likes it! You find and buy on diapers.com this wonderful baby formula! Furthermore, you will find some awesome specials and deals on them when you visit diapers.com.

If you would like to learn more about this fantastic formula, I invite you to follow Bright Beginnings on Facebook where you can learn more about them and be kept up to date on product news and specials!
Now that we have a fantastic new baby formula that we have been using, little one is back to taking longer naps which allows me to get all of my crafting done!



Disclaimer: I was compensated on behalf of the advertiser to write this post and talk about their products/services. The post was written in my own words and conveys my own personal experience with the product. Please read my Terms of Service and Disclaimer Policy for additional information

Trash To Treasure Project ~ Cute Potato Refrigerator Magnet From Old Pantyhose!

As women...we all know how quickly we wear out and snag up our old pantyhoses and then we trash them into the garbage. However...did you know that you can use those old pantyhoses to make really cool new crafts?

I made this country-style potato refrigerator magnet out of old pantyhose that I was going to toss because they had a snag. I made this potato magnet in less than 15 minutes and this is how I did it.

Supplies Needed:

6" by 4" piece of beige or nude pantyhose (cut into a block shape)
dark brown 6 strand embroidery floss & embroidery needle
small amount of fiberfill stuffing
1 1/2" diameter round magnet
quick drying craft glue (tacky glue)
scissors

Use 3 strands of dark brown embroidery floss for all hand sewing. I placed a small amount of fiberfill stuffing in the center of my block, I tightly gathered one end using hand stitches so that the end actually falls behind the potato shape. I then did criss cross stitches and sewed a seam along the backside of my potato shape, inserted more stuffing to firm it up and then gathered up the other end. When you are gathering up your ends, make sure to tack them behind the potato so they don't show. Tighten it all up and knot it off in the back. Re-thread up your needle with your floss and starting at the back of the potato, bring you needle to the front going through the potato...then slightly off from where you came up, go back down so that you are forming the eyes of the potato. You will make random eyes all over your potato and pull your threads TIGHT so that it makes nice realistic indents all over your potato. Fasten off in the back. Use your tacky glue and glue on your magnet disc and let dry for 24 hours before placing it onto your refrigerator.

Quick and Easy project to save all of those old pantyhose from the local landfill!

Scrapbooking Baby Girl's Christening Easy 12x12 Page Layout

A couple of weeks ago I posted the matching page to this 2-page layout featuring my little grand daughter's Christening Service. Today I am posting the other half. These 2 photo's were taking at the party we had for her after the ceremony and that is me in the top photo holding her.

For this page, I used a piece of 12x12 scrapbook paper that had a pastel pink pattern in large circles...love this paper because of it's muted colors. I had scalloped edge white lace that had pearls running down the center and attached that to my page with my liquid glue pen. I then used my Cricut to cut out my FAITH letters in pink on the #2 size setting and then used the shadow function to cut out those same letters in mint green. I glued them together and placed them to the left of my lace for the title of my page.

I had 2 photo's that I used for the layout and rounded their corners. I then double matted them, first onto pink cardstock and then onto mint green cardstock, leaving an 1/8" border and rounding their corners. I had a 3-D embellishment that featured a heart and some rhinestones that I attached to the left of the bottom photo. I didn't journal on this page since the matching page to the 2-page layout has the journaling on it. I like the pale pastel colors and the clean layout of this page. I am just not into cluttery looking pages!

You can find the photo & instructions for the matching page under my scrapbooking tab.

Happy Scrapbooking!

Why We Love Boudreaux's Butt Paste At Our House!

This is a partnered post written by me on behalf of Boudreaux's Butt Paste. All opinions are 100% mine.

Just about 2 years ago I became a first time grandmother and it was one of my best moment's in life to see my little grand daughter being born. Approximately 6 weeks before her birth we held a rather large baby shower for my daughter. During the baby shower she received 9 containers of Boudreaux's Butt Paste from 5 different baby shower guests. I had never heard of this Butt Paste and it had been many years since I had to purchase baby products. With that said, I was curious as to why my daughter Jen was getting so many of these Butt Pastes as shower gifts.

After the baby shower was over and we got back home, I decided to get online and find out why this Boudreaux's Butt Paste was so popular with today's moms. Here is what I learned:

It was formulated by a Pharmacist under the direction of a Pediatrician and it happens to be recommended by most Pediatricians as a great treatment for diaper rash and it helps to prevent diaper rash from even happening by acting as a skin protectant. It contains 16% Zinc Oxide which has proven to be effective to prevent and to treat diaper rash in diaper wearing children or even senior adults. It comes in many different convenient sizes from small diaper bag sized tubes to larger nursery sized tubs.

We started using Boudreaux's Butt Paste immediately on my newborn grand daughter as we didn't want any type of diaper rash problems which can lead to skin irritation and infections. I noticed right away that the Butt Paste had a very pleasant scent and it was easy to apply and easy to remove during diaper changings and baths. Here we are now 21 months later and we are still using Boudreaux's Butt Paste because it works!

I invited you to head on over to the Boudreaux's Butt Paste web site to learn more about this fantastic product and you can request to receive a free butt paste sample!

Now I can see why she received so many of them during her baby shower! Did you know that Boudreaux's Butt Paste was featured on Oprah, The Today Show and People Magazine? Wow, that is impressive!

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post by the advertiser. I was given this guest post and was paid a small fee to publish this post on my web site. All information contained on this web site is copy right 2011, Passionate About Crafting. Please read my Terms of Service Policy for additional information.

Cardmaking ~ Quick and Easy Handmade Easter Greeting Cards

Are you looking for some quick, easy and affordable handmade Easter greeting card ideas? If so, I have two greeting card designs that I would like to share with you today. This project would be great to make with older children, scouting troops, church youth groups, paper craft groups and with school groups.

We made these cards with 10-14 year old girls for them to give to their parents for Easter. Once they were done making them they were very proud of their creations. If you don't own a Cricut Die Cutting Machine (used to cut the ovals and lettering) you can hand draw and cut out various sized oval shapes and you can purchase letter stickers at your local arts and crafts store.

We used the Cricut George and Basic Shapes Cartridge for these projects.

Supplies Needed:

4" by 5" blank cardstock note cards with envelopes
various scrapbooking papers (prints and solids)
decorative edge scissors and regular edge scissors
adhesives - glue dots, glue sticks and glue pens
various colored scrapbooking fine tip markers and pens
*optional ink pads and Easter sentiments rubber stamps

For these 2 designs we also used self-stick plastic scrapbooking mesh in mint green and self-stick round purple rhinestones.

For Card Number One: (shown above)

Cover the front of your card with pink scrapbooking paper that was cut to fit. Using the Cricut set on the number one size setting and using the Cricut Georges Basic Shapes Cartridge we cut out eight ovals from different colored papers. Using the same cartridge turn your dial to the shadow option and cut out four more ovals (we used dark blue paper) as these will serve as the base for your eggs. Using your glue stick, glue a smaller oval on top of each larger oval to serve as your Easter egg. Using decorative scissors, cut a part the remaining four smaller ovals into various widths. Using a glue pen, glue the cut up pieces onto the eggs and let dry. (about 5-10 minutes). If desired...use various colored markers to add polka dots and squiggles to your eggs to decorate them even further. Using glue dots, attach each egg to the greeting card near the top and going horizontally across the front. Using the Cricut Georges Basic Shapes Cartridge set your dial to the number two size setting. Cut out the letters E A S T E R from medium blue scrapbooking paper. Cut out a strip from white scrapbooking paper that measures 2" by 5" in size and glue it to a piece of dark blue scrapbooking paper that is cut slightly larger than your white strip. We used decorative edge scissors to add interest to the design. Glue this strip onto the lower half of your card. Using a glue pen glue each letter to the white base strip to spell out the word EASTER. If desired...use a ink pad and rubber stamp to stamp a sentiment inside or write your own message.
For Card Number Two: (Shown Above)

Cover the front of your card with pink scrapbooking paper. Using a piece of self-adhesive plastic mesh in a mint green color, attach that to the center front. Use blue self-stick letters (in this case we spelled out the word EASTER) and place those right above the mesh strip. Using the Cricut Die Cutting Machine and the Georges Basic Shapes cartridge, cut out two purple ovals on the 2 1/2 size setting and on the shadow effect, cut out one medium blue oval on the same setting. These three ovals will serve as your base for the eggs. Using the same 2 1/2 size setting cut out six to seven more ovals from various colored scrapbooking papers. Glue one of these ovals onto each of the larger ovals that you first cut out. Using wavy edge decorative scissors, cut a part the remaining smaller ovals. Use a glue pen or a glue stick and use those pieces to decorate your egg bases. Once done, use glue dots to attach your eggs on top of the plastic mesh strip. We decided to decorate the egg in the center with little purple self-stick rhinestones to add decorative interest to it. Using an ink pad and rubber stamp, stamp your sentiment inside or handwrite your own message.

There you have it...two quick and easy handmade Easter theme'd greeting cards that you can make with older children or even make them yourself. Happy Crafting!

Four Homemade Valentine's Day Cards to Make

Four Homemade Valentine's Day Cards to Make by Rachel Paxton

There is nothing as special or personal as a homemade Valentine's Day card. Surprise your friends and family with your handmade creations. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Materials:

Four blank greeting cards (available at craft stores), dark red piece of scrapbooking paper, white piece of cardstock, cream colored piece of cardstock, red and white gingham piece of scrapbooking paper, paper cutter, scissors, glue stick, computer, printer, sewing machine.

Card #1:

For this card you will need a dark red piece of scrapbooking paper, a red and white gingham piece of scrapbooking paper (or other coordinating piece of paper), and a piece of white cardstock. Cut a piece of the dark red paper to fit the front of the greeting card and glue it in place. The dark red is the background of the card. Cut two strips of the gingham paper, approximately an inch and a half wide. Cut them to the width of the card (this card will open horizontally). Tear a freehand heart from the gingham paper, large enough to fill up approximately three quarters of the entire card. Next glue the strips of gingham paper to the front of the card with space in between them. The idea is that there is a "strip" of gingham, a strip of red, a strip of gingham, and then a strip of red. Use your sewing machine to stitch* along the edges of the strips of gingham paper, and then stitch around the edge of the card. Glue the heart in the middle of the card. Type "Happy Valentine's Day" on your computer and print out on white cardstock. Cut out the phrase (narrow strip) and glue to the center of the heart.

* Stitching tips: If you have never used your sewing machine to make cards, it is easy! Just sew on the paper like you would on fabric. You might want to reserve a needle just for paper so you don't dull the needle for your fabric projects. There are two ways you can include stitching in your card making projects. You can either stitch directly on the card, or you can stitch on a separate piece of paper and then glue that piece to the card (then the stitching won't show through the card).

Card #2:

This Valentine's Day card is quick and easy. Cut a piece of dark red paper to fit the front of your blank card and glue it in place. Type "Happy Valentine's Day" on your computer and print it on the cream colored paper. Mat the cut-out phrase first on a dark red piece of paper, and then mat that piece on another piece of cream colored cardstock to create a layered look. This card will open horizontally, so turn it in that direction and glue the Valentine's sentiment to the top third of the card. For the bottom portion of the card cut three small freehand hearts from the dark red paper. Glue these hearts to three torn scraps (in the shapes of squares) of cream colored paper. Space these pieces across the bottom of the card and glue in place. Stitch around the outside of the card and around the "Happy Valentine's Day" if you wish, but it isn't necessary.

Card #3:

This card is made from a dark red piece of paper and a cream colored piece of paper. Cut a piece of the dark red paper to fit the front of your blank card and glue it in place. Cut a large square from the cream colored paper and glue it just above the center of the card. Glue the piece of paper in place. Tear a large heart from the dark red paper and glue it in the center of the cream colored square. Type "Happy Valentine's Day" on your computer. Print on cream colored paper and glue in the center of the heart. Stitch around the cream colored square and the edge of the card, if you wish.

Card #4:

This card is made from a dark red piece of paper, the gingham paper, and white card stock. This card will open horizontally. Cut a piece of the dark red paper to fit the front of your blank card and glue it in place. Cut two strips of gingham paper and glue them to the top and bottom of the card so that there is a red strip in between. Cut three freehand hearts from the gingham paper and space them out in the red portion of the card. Glue them in place. Type "Happy Valentine's Day" on your computer and print on white paper. Cut out into a narrow strip (narrower than hearts) and glue in the center of the card on top of the hearts.

Notes: - The terms "card stock" and "paper" are used interchangably here, but it is up to you which kind of paper you use, depending on the look you are trying to achieve - A sewing machine isn't necessary for this project, it is just a nice added touch - You don't have to use your computer for this project, you can handwrite the words if you wish.

Photos of finished Valentine's Day cards: http://www.crafty-moms.com/valentines-day-cards.shtml

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For scrapbooking, card making, gift-giving ideas, and more family memory-making activities, visit http://www.crafty-moms.com/.