In Love with these Mini Purses

mini purses/pouches

I started out making these as rosary holders for my mother-in-law and other family members, and now I use them as a wallet, gift card holder, even stuff them with stamps and store inside my desk. I love all the new fabrics I have just waiting to be made into these nifty little bags.

What do you think?

FINALLY! The Shop is Officially O-P-E-N!

Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so insanely excited! My shop is officially open! There's only one listing up, but it's a start. I'll be putting more listings up throughout the week as I finish photographing the items. Hope you'll stop by the shop to see what's available :-))))

Almost There!

Little by little, my shop is taking form. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a January 2011 opening.

What do you think about my brand-spanking-new display cards?

p.s. - {please excuse the low lighting but I took them at twilight ;-)}

WIWW - 12-22-10

I've been so busy the past two weeks with school-related events AND getting my shop ready that I've forgotten to take pics for WIWW! It's a pity, too, because I was looking pretty darn good! Oh well, at least I took a couple of photos over the weekend to share with everyone :-) Oh, please ignore that yellow piece of construction paper at the bottom of the french doors outside our storage room. I'm covering up the gaping hole left after the glass was kicked out. That's what happens when men get looked inside a room and can't figure out how to get out without destroying something in the process ;-)

1st outfit
lace tank and ruffled cardigan, I.N.C. (I think)
jeans, Tommy Hilfiger
boots, Civico (boy are these comfy boots)
necklace and earrings, Handmade Contessa designs
2nd outfit
white sheer top and tank, Old Navy
jean jacket, Old Navy
sage green pants, Old Navy (there is a definite pattern here)
black/white checkerboard scarf, Big Lots! (love that place)
black gladiator sandals, Target

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Glitter Painting!

'Glitter Painting' sample from MarthaStewart.com

Ever heard of glitter painting? No? Yeah, me neither. But it looks like loads of fun and the end results are gorgeous. Thanks to good old Martha Stewart, you can learn the technique of glitter painting. Click here for a tutorial and tips on how to make fabulous glitter paintings. It's actually easier than you might think!

As soon as I finish my glitter painting project next week, I'll post pics of the finished product ;-)

Have a great Tuesday everyone.

P.S. - I'm linking up for Follow Me Back Tuesday. If you happen to stop by from the hop, please leave a comment so I can be sure to return the courtesy.

Handmade Contessa Etsy Shop Preview: More Pins, Hair Clips, Bobby Pins & Earrings!

I am seriously suffering from carpel tunnel syndrome now. I've been working non-stop for over a week building up the shop's inventory. Here are just a few of the goodies I've been working on over the past few days:



'Ring Around the Rosie' pin



Slim Cross pin



Chunky Cross pin



Funky Daisy pin

Bella bobby pins and earrings



Bella hair clips



I apologize for the lack of imaginative names for my creations, but my creativity is best represented in my handmade works. And now I'm off! My work continues...

Handmade Contessa's Etsy Shop Preview: Fabric Flower Brooches

Funky Daisy

As if the holidays aren't a busy enough time for me, I'm still hard at work churning out more inventory for my new Etsy store (fingers crossed it'll be ready come January!). I'll be carrying fabric flower pins in several different styles like peonies, roses and a funky daisy ;-)

Peonies

These are just a few of my samples. I'll have PLENTY more come January. I've had such positive responses to these that I'm confident I can do many more, especially with a Valentine's Day theme.

So what do you think?

Handmade Contessa's Etsy Shop Preview: Pony Tail Holders

As I continue to work on building up my inventory for the new Etsy shop, I thought it would be nice to offer a few previews of the items I'm currently working on.

First up are the fabric-covered button pony tail holders. These are just so adorable for little girls to wear, don't you think?

Recycled Ornament Wreath

Re-posted from my family blog, Life as a Cuban-American Mama.
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Look who's been busy decorating for the holidays?!?! I made a lovely Christmas wreath using the very first ornaments I bought when we first got married. We've added new ones this year, and I couldn't bear getting rid of the old ones. So, voila, recycled ornaments and a new family Christmas heirloom.

You can find a tutorial to make a wreath like this one here. It really is easy to make, even if you're not the craftiest person ;-)

Are you a big decorator during the holidays? What are your decorating traditions? Do tell!

Oh, Christmas Tree!

Ye Ole Tree

Not only is this a special post because it shows off our family Christmas tree, it's also the very first post on Handmade Contessa. I've been working so hard to get my crafts shop up and running, that I've been a little lax in my holiday decorating. First to make an appearance in our house this year was 'Ye Ole Tree' as I fondly refer to it. This baby has been through some pretty rough times, but managed to serve us well. As I always say, "It ain't Christmas until the fake tree goes up!".


So our tree is a mutt or sorts. Except for the new balls we purchased this year in brown, gold, and bronze tones, all the ornaments have been collected over the years and hold sentimental value.


There's the very first ornament {a gingerbread man} my son made in pre-school. Several Disney-themed ornaments my kids love to hang and always get a kick out of since they think Santa will be happy to visit a house that's "down with Disney". Each boy has his own Santa envelope that holds his letter to Santa {so cute!}.

Of course, there's our nativity that has managed to survive two moves and countless near disasters courtesy of my rambunctious boys.

It's not the fanciest tree by any stretch of the imagination, but it always makes me feel happy once it's up. I recall all the memories that are attached to it and that makes it feel like Christmas to me.


Merry Christmas, everyone!