Happy Christmas in July!!

Twas the 25th of July.

It is a Happy Christmas in July.

Today's the last day of our challenge.

SO craft away, craft away, craft away all.

Today is the last day of our challenge. I hope you have had fun joining us on this journey. Today, you have the opportunity to catch up on any of the crafts along the way, do one of your own crafts or enjoy one of the coloring pages from 1+1+1=1.

Here is a necklace that I created recently. What have you made recently? Feel free to share your crafts in the comments below or on our DIY Facebook page.

Don't forget today to fill out the rafflecopter below. You have until July 29 to enter for a chance to win a custom made piece of jewelry from Mt Nittany Creations.

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Christmas in July craft challenge Day 24 and Meet the Maker Christina from Celebrate and Smile.

Twas the night before Christmas in July

When all through the house

Christmas crafting is happening.

Oh, what a surprise.

Tomorrow is our last day of the Christmas in July Craft Challenge. Thank you to all who have joined in. It has been fun to put this all together for you.

Today's challenge is to make this beautiful fabric covered bead necklace you see pictured above. Here on is a link to the instructions! You can complete this craft or any other craft you choose. Share it below in the comments or in our Facebook DIY group.

Don't forget to fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win a custom made piece of jewelry.

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How was your weekend friends? I hope well. Ours was pretty busy with our girls coming home from camp, a wedding and me being sick. So excited for you to meet our next maker. Today, we are interviewing Christina from Celebrate and Smile.

Hi, Christina. Where are you from and where do you live now?I'm from South Florida. I was born, raised, & I am still living in South Florida!

How long have you been crafting?I've been crafting as long as I can remember. I always toted around a little bag or box full of the projects I was working on as a little girl. That is so sweet how you toted around your projects as a kid.

What drew you to crafting decorations and selling them online?
I was drawn to party decorations because I opened my shop after my DIY bridal shower. With the help of family and close friends, I made all of the decorations for my shower. It seemed natural to me to open up a shop including the items I made for my special event. I've expanding tremendously since then! I opened my shop in March 2015. What a fun way to start your shop. Your bridal shower sounds lovely.

What drew you to selling on line?I loved the idea that I could make something special for someone on the other side of the country and even for someone living worlds away from me! That is a really neat idea.

What are your hopes for the future?
I hope to continue expanding my product line and honing in on what my customers love the best. I hope to partner with a local bakery or cake maker and provide them with decorations for their delicious concoctions! I also love to work with an event planner and make all of the special touches for their events! These are very exciting future plans.

What is your favorite item you have made so far?

It's so hard for me to pick one specific item because I really enjoy every piece I work on, but I'd probably say my personalized name confetti. I give people with unique names the opportunity to be celebrated, too! Plus, it's fun to guess what name I'll be working on next! That neat on how much you pour yourself into each piece.

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

I would let them know that it won't be easy at first, but don't give up! If you really enjoy what you're doing, it'll be that much sweeter when you meet your goals!This is great advice. 
Thank you, Christina.

Instagram: @celebrateandsmile

Etsy:celebrateandsmile.etsy.com

Facebook:https://m.facebook.com/celebrateandsmile/?ref=bookmarks

Pinterest: CelebrateAndSmile

Day 19 of Christmas in July Craft Challenge!

'Twas the nineteenth day of the crafting challenge.

Only six more left to go.

Today is another day to catch up

or do a coloring page.

So get out those crafting supplies.

And craft away, craft away all!

Hi, friends. How is your week going? I hope well. We only have six days left of the challenge. So if you want to join in now is the time. Today you get to choose your own craft, finish up a craft or do a coloring page from 1+1+1=1. Have a great time and invite a friend. You can join in at any time and still have a chance to win a custom made piece of jewelry. Just share your crafts in the comments below or on or DIY Facebook page. If you share on social media please use #chrsitmasinjulycraftchallenge2017 Thanks to all who have joined in. CHeck out this fun coloring page from Laura the other day.

Have a great day!

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Day 18 of Christmas in July Craft Challenge.

Welcome guest blogger Eileen Wenckus. Thanks for joining us.

Christmas Notepads

Hi everyone, I am so happy to be participating again in this fun crafting challenge. As you already know I love to craft, create, paint, collage and enjoy trying new crafts, tools, and methods.

My criteria for the crafts for this challenge are: it should be easy, fun, inexpensive, pretty quick to complete, require few materials and tools, something the family can help with and look pretty good when completed.

There are so many fun and interesting crafts to try, especially Christmas ones it’s hard to choose but I think I’ve come up with some fun things for us to do that meet most of the criteria. I have been joining you for five guest posts, I have not tried them all before …in other words we’re learning new things together. Of course, you may have done them all or some of them comment below with your ideas and tips.

Let’s get started with our first craft a holiday notepad. This reuses Christmas cards and was inspired by one I saw on Pinterest and a tutorial I found here: Hope Studios.

Keeping track of things with a list is so helpful especially around the holidays. These little notepads are so easy to make you’ll want to have a few around and best of all they reuse your old Christmas Cards.

Supplies needed: Paper cutter or ruler and scissors, stapler, paper for filler that is unused on one side (I used misprinted computer paper), and old Christmas cards, ones that are landscape orientation (horizontal) work best.


First, you’ll need to select a card with an image that you like. Then using either your paper cutter or scissors and ruler trim the card to the size that you want your notepad to be.

I really like the animals on this card and trimmed it just enough to highlight them. Fold up the bottom of the cover about ½ inch to the inside.

Next measure the size of your notepad cover and cut your paper about ¼ - ½ inch smaller than the inside of the notepad cover. It should fit under the folded edge.
Once you have all your paper cut place it inside the cover and staple it all together through the folded edge.

And that’s it,  you’re done! I made two of them in a very short time. Have Fun!!



Please share your crafts either below in the comments or on our DIY Facebook page.
Don't forget to enter in our rafflecopter in order to win a custom made piece of jewelry from Mt Nittany Creations.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Day 15 of Christmas in July Craft Challenge. Come join us.

'Tis the 15th day of creating.

What fun we are having.

With only 10 more to go!

Come one, come all.

Come join in on the crafting.

Hi, friends! How are you? What plans do you have for the weekend?
What have you been working on this week?

Today's craft comes from School Time Snippets. A Ribbon Weave Christmas Tree. Great to do with friends or the kids.

You can enter any craft into our challenge or do one of the ones that we have shared. Please share below in the comments or in our DIY Facebook group. Please use #christmasinjulycraftchallenge2017. Don't forget to enter the rafflecopter below.


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Day 11 of Christmas in July Craft Challenge.

'Tis the eleventh day of creating.

And what shall we do now?

Christmas crafts have been appearing.

Let's prepare for their wrapping.

So grab your scissors and glue.

And craft away, craft away all.

Today, we are going to have some fun looking at a video about making paper tassels. Since tassels are all the rage at this time, I thought this video would be neat. So let's check out Nina Ribena's Quick and Easy Tassel Tutorial.

Also, check out this awesome entry from Laura.

I have started offering Handcrafted Artisan product reviews. If you would like more information please visit this page of our blog.

http://scottaenator.blogspot.com/p/product-reviews.html

Day 10 of the craft challenge and Meet the Maker: Tamara Manning of Manning's Handmade Crafty Creations

'Tis the tenth day of crafting

What fun we are having!

With 15 more to go.

Today we will take a small break,

click on the link,

to pick a page to color,

or finish something you have already started!

Hi, friends! I hope you are enjoying this as much as I am. What do you like most about this challenge? For day ten you can work on your own craft, finish one of the ones we have posted or do a coloring page from this site.

Check out this great entry from Laura. #dreamydutchydesigns

Can't wait to see your entries. Please post them in the comments below, in our Facebook DIY group or on social media using #christmasinjulycraftchallenge2017 and let us know in the comments below.

Now on to our Meet the Maker Series! I am super excited to introduce you to my friend Tamara Manning from Manning's Handmade Crafty Creations.

Where are you from?

I am from Memphis, TN

Where do you live now?

I am currently living in Memphis, TN with the hopes of relocating in the very near future.

How long have you been crafting? I have been crafting a little over 7 ½ years now.

What drew you to your particular craft or what inspired you? My hair drew me to this particular craft. What I mean by that is back in 2009, I started to experience a lot of breakage and shedding of my hair. I didn’t really understand what was going on with my hair, I had never had this problem. My hair would grow long on the top and long in the back, but the middle of my head was really short. Then, I decided to do some research on what could cause your hair to grow long in some areas and not in other parts. I found out that stress and relaxers helped contribute to my hair condition. The more I researched the more I learned about a more natural way to help grow, strengthen and stop breakage for good. I came across a YouTube Video on how to make your own natural hair products for healthier hair. I tried many recipes and just couldn’t get anything to help grow and strengthen the middle section of my hair. I decided to come up with my own recipes. After I got my recipe the way I wanted, I started giving it out to people who had some of the same issues I was having. Once I started getting feedback on my product, someone suggested to me I should sell my product. I asked them "Do really think my product is that good that people would buy it?" The answer was "You would be crazy if you didn't." Wow…. I didn’t know my products would help or even bless as many people as it has over this past year. Wow, what a great impact you have been able to have, that is such a blessing. I am glad you started.

Men's Facial Hair Moisturizer Balm

When did you start selling on-line? I started selling my products online May 29, 2016

And what drew you to sell on-line? I think what drew me to sell to online customers. I know some customers don’t like to shop in stores. I wanted to make sure I was able to reach customers in every way possible. That's great.

What hopes do you have for your business in the future? My hope would be for God to continue to breathe life into this business he has helped me create. I see Manning’s Handmade Crafty Creations Products going Global in the very near future. This is great. Anything is possible with God.

What is your most favorite piece that you have made? My hair and body butter is the most favorite piece and top seller that I have made. The reason is, it can be used three different ways; on your hair, on your body, and on your face. Our hair body butter is super moisturizing and penetrates all layers of the skin. It will leave you hair, body, and face with a healthy glow.Sounds wonderful. I will have to try it out sometime.

What is one thing you would love to share with others who are considering going into the handmade business?I would tell them to pray and always put God first and let him direct your path. Always…Always be honest with your customers, never just give them wrong information to make a sell. Make sure you always educate your customers on your products. Lastly, never forget why you started your business in the first place. Thank you, Tamara, for such great advice. I have some of Tamara's soaps and they are wonderful. The statement below about her products is true. You should give them a try!

ALL PRODUCTS ARE MADE WITH ORGANIC AND NATURAL INGREDIENTS. YOU WILL BE LEFT FEELING LUXURIOUS AND SERENE EVERY TIME

Social Media & Website Links

Website: www.manningshandmadecraftycreations.xyz

www.instagram.com/manningshandmadecraftycreation

www.twitter.com/tamaramann20

www.pinterest.com/tamaramann2395

www.fb.me/manningshandmadecraftycreations

info@manningshandmadecraftycreations.xyz

All opinions shared in this interview are my opinions. There was no compensation for my review.

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Meet the Maker: Misty Dubois and Day 7 of craft challenge.

Hi, friends. How was your week been? Ours has been busy. Having a holiday in the middle of the week can throw anyone off. Our oldest has returned from Texas and it has been such a blessing to have her back.

Have you had a chance to check out our Craft Challenge yet? Be sure to do so. There are some really fun crafts. You can earn an entry by sharing any craft you are working on and you can earn an entry just by filling out the rafflecopter below. We are on Day 7 of our challenge.

Today, you can finish up a previous craft, choose your own or print out a coloring page from Nerdy Mama and share that with us.

Check out this fun entry from Eileen yesterday.

If you would like to join in you can find the rules here. You can also follow along in our DIY Facebook group. Please share your creations in the comments or in our Facebook group.

Great job everyone and thanks for sharing Eileen.

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Now onto Meeting our Maker for today. Let me introduce to you to Misty Dubois!


Hi, Misty. So glad that you can join us. Where are you from and where do you live now? I'm from Texas originally. I've lived in several parts of Texas. I currently live in Colorado. I'm been here for twelve years.

Do you have another type of job and jewelry is a hobby or vice versa? I've always done different creative jobs. I've painted for years. I've sold fine jewelry. I recently invested full-time efforts into costume jewelry making.

How long have you been crafting? I've always been creative. I started sewing at the age of five. I'm designed, painted, printmaking, and now costume jewelry.

What got you started in jewelry making? My mother made creative, costume jewelry when I was a teenager. I would design the pieces that I wanted. She would assemble them when she wasn't working on other items. I finally started making jewelry on my own.


What is your favorite jewelry making technique? I would love to do it all! Right now, I'm really into mixing different seed bead combinations on chandelier earrings.

When did you start selling on-line and what drew you to sell on-line? I first started selling paintings and prints online. All my friends paint or sculpt. I went out on a limb. I started doing jewelry to add variety. I reopened an old Etsy shop online.

What hopes do you have for your business in the future? I really admire the silversmiths! I hope one day to venture into it.

What is your most favorite piece that you have made? Every piece that I make is my favorite! It is hard to part with them. I know they are going to good homes.

What is one thing you wish someone had told you when you went into the jewelry making business or selling online? I'm really into the creative side. I love variety and experimentation into new ideas. Branding is a solid uniform concept. I wish I developed more ideas for branding.

You can find Misty at the following locations
Instagram: instagram.com/Misty_DuBois
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MistyDuBoisArt
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/MistyDuBoisArt

Day 6 of Christmas in July Craft Challenge guest post from Eileen Wenckus.

Hi friends! How has your week been? I hope you have been enjoying the challenge as much as I have been. Check out this fun first entry photo from Laura of The Dreamy Dutchy.

Today's Craft is Pop - Up Star Ornament from guest blogger Eileen Wenckus. Enjoy!

I have fun ornament for you to try. This one is not difficult it involves cutting, folding and gluing. I reused some old Christmas card, this created a mainly white star because of how I folded it. It you want something more colorful paint some paper, use paper that is printed on two sides or decorate paper with stamps. Here is a how to video where the person used stamps: Pop up ornament 

Supplies:
Five pieces of 3 x 3 inch paper and two pieces of 1.5 inch paper.
Glue (I used a glue stick)
Ribbon and a bead
A bone folder or a ruler (the bone folder is to make creases sharp but the ruler will do that to and is also for measuring your paper.



Photo #1 Measure and cut out your paper you will need five 3x3 inch squares and two 1.5 x1.5 inch.  I cut mine out of old Christmas cards, I had a blank side on one side which you’ll see below I folded to a white star facing out. I could have decorated the blank side and I think I’ll try that for the next one. This one I’ll write on and use for a gift tag. Photo #2 fold each of the 3x3 papers; first fold each in half one way, then in half the other way and finally on the diagonal. Use your ruler or bone folder to give you sharp creases. You can see the creases in the paper. Next fold the diagonal crease in so your paper folds up into a triangle open at one end closed at the other. Photo #3 glue one side of each folded paper to another don’t complete the circle.


Photo #1 glue a piece of ribbon to each side of the folded ornament. Then glue one of the 1.5 inch pieces to each side over the ribbon. Photo #2 put both ends of the ribbon through the bead and tie a knot at the top. This is how the ornament looks closed. I glued the decorative side of the reused Christmas card out since I wanted it in when the ornament is open. Photo #3 Pull up the bead to pop out the ornament and this is  my finished ornament - open. Enjoy making yours. I’m looking forward to seeing them.

Thanks for sharing Eileen. This looks like a fun craft.

We would love to see your entries. Please share them below in the comments or in our Facebook group.  Don't forget to fill out the rafflecopter. Each entry brings you closer to winning a custom made piece of jewelry from Mt Nittany Creations.

#christmasinjulycraftchallenge2017





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Christmas in July Craft Challenge 2017

Hi, Friends! I am so excited for this year's Christmas Craft Challenge! We will be doing it a little different this year. Instead of doing a new craft each day, you will have some extra days to get the crafts done. We will have crafts or activities posted on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. On the other days, I will post links to coloring pages or you can choose to do your own craft or finish up one of the others.

Here are rules for the Challenge. They can also be found on our Craft Challenges page.

• In order to be entered into the drawing, you have to fill out the rafflecopter (link in blog post).
• On the Rafflecopter, you will need to answer a couple questions when you first sign in.
• Every day, you make a craft and post a picture to our Facebook group make sure you also make an entry in the rafflecopter.
• You have a choice of completing the craft challenge given on each day or make a craft of your own choosing in order to receive an entry.
• You don't have to do a craft a day but work at your own pace.
• The contest will remain open until July 30. I know that life happens, so there is extra breathing room :-)
• You may not enter in more than 25 crafts. Any craft submitted after your 25th craft will be voided.
• After July 30, Rafflecopter will choose a winner. The winner will be announced July 31. I will contact them. If they do not respond by August 1st, a new winner will be chosen.
• The winner will be able to choose from either a necklace, earrings or a bracelet to be custom made. The prize will be mailed no later than September 1st.
• We will be keeping this group kid friendly, please make sure that all crafts will be suitable for children's viewing. No adult theme crafts.
• If you have any questions, please let me know through our Facebook group, email me posting a comment on the blog. I will try to respond within 24 hours.

Hope you will be able to join us.

Meet the Maker: Shayna Gabor from Coconut Cuties Tie Dye.

Hi, Friends. Happy Friday. How are you this week? Have you found any fun makers, crafts or DIYs? Please email me or share in the comments below. I would love to hear from you and what you have found. If you would like to be interviewed for our Meet The Maker or you would like to contribute to our new Top Five series each week, please contact me. Also coming July 1 we will be starting our annual Christmas in July Craft Challenge.

This week, I have the special privilege of introducing you to Shayna Gabor from Coconut Cuties Tie Dye. Her tie-dye shirts are adorable.

Shayna where are you from and where do you live now? I Grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, but have lived in Fort Lauderdale, FL since 1993.

How long have you been crafting?
I have been crafting as long as I can remember. When I was a kid people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say an artist. I used to have a pottery wheel for kids, I did all kinds of painting, crafting, I even made and sold earrings in junior high school. Arts and crafts have always been an important part of my life. That is great that you have known for so long what you are passionate about.

Shayna, what drew you to tie dying? I first started doing tie-dye when my 20-year-old daughter was just a baby. My best friend and I noticed another baby wearing a cute tie-dye onesie and we asked the mom where she got it. She told us that her cousin sent it to her from California. We looked all over and couldn't find any locally. So that's when the lightbulb went off for both of us and we started coconut cuties tie-dye.What a fun way to get started.

What is your favorite thing about this type of craft? I love that every item is a surprise. I rubber band it and then I put the dye on it and wrap it up overnight and the next morning when I unwrap it to rinse it and wash it you just never know how the dye is going to travel in the clothing. So even though I may try to make two of the same thing at the same time, they will never ever come out exactly identically.That is really cool.

Do you have a job other than making? I have had a bunch of jobs over the years, but since having my son almost 5 years ago I have mainly been a stay at home mom, just doing the odd jobs here and there to bring in some extra cash. But currently, I am a contract card writer for chewy.com. That job I get to do from home, writing thank you cards to each and every one of their customers.That is an interesting job. That is such a blessing you get to stay home with your kids.

When did you start selling on-line and what drew you to sell on-line? I believe that I started selling tie-dye on Etsy about two years ago but I have had my shop since 2010 when I had started it selling wine cork keychains. Selling online is a great way to have a larger reach than just selling to your local market.That is fun you started out in selling wine cork keychains. It is so true that you are able to reach a larger market.

What hopes do you have for your business in the future? I would love to be able to help support my family with my tie-dye business, I just find it difficult because there is so much competition. But if I could eek out a little niche then that would be great. I hope that will become a reality for you in the near future.

What is your most favorite piece that you have made? I have made a lot of fun pieces over the course of time, but my most favorite is one that I just made this weekend and it is a tank top that was a custom order for a woman and she chose a red heart with a blue and red background, and it just came out so beautifully I love how the colors fanned out from the heart in the center it just came out really nicely. This sounds very nice.

What is one thing you would love to share with others who are considering going into the handmade business? It's really complicated topic because you may have a passion for something that you may be very good at, but it may not be a big seller. So I guess you would just have to be prepared for that. You can either try to do something where you know you will make money if that's your objective, or you can just do something that comes from your heart but you may not be able to make a living from it. So I guess just think about those things before you actually get started.Thank you for sharing your thoughts. This is great advice.

You can find Shayna online at the following web addresses:

FaceBook: Www.facebook.com/coconutcutiestiedye
Instagram: instagram.com/coconutcutiestiedye