What Is This Thingy?

One of my hubby's coworkers

gave me a stash of old buttons.

What a sweetie!

In one jar I found lots of old

Virtual Washi Tape Free Digital Download

I have a confession:

I haven't used Washi Tape yet.

I have so many craft supplies,

so I'm trying to behave and use what I have.

But that Washi Tape looks irresistible.

And Spring has me thinking of

gingham and polka dots.

So I made

Virtual Washi Tape

as a free digital download

to use on your blog, your digital photo

and scrapbooking albums,

and so much more...

10 Techniques for Handcrafted Cards

Handcrafted Holiday Cards become keepsakes for the special people on your list.

They can enjoy them this year and frame them as future holiday decor. Here are 10 techniques that take your handcrafted cards over the top... 

Burlap Movie Poster Halloween Garland

If you're crazy about burlap and old scary movies like me, check this out. Combine those loves to make spooky Halloween ornaments from movie posters or book covers. As you will see, they're perfect for garlands, wreaths or your Halloween tree. What's more, they're reversible...

Upcycled Jean Lunch Tote with Belt Handle

Picnic Tote or Lunch Tote made from jeans:  front

This darling little jean tote is roomy enough for packing a small picnic and practical for carrying lunch to work or to school.

Pocket Detail

Don't you just love how that front pocket is perfect for your napkin and utensils?! 

With the weather cooling down and Back-to-School on our minds, it's the perfect time to share this Upcycled Jean Lunch Tote with you.

Vintage Images

The vintage images are so sweet. I used inkjet printable fabric, which I've referred to when making aprons, pillows, ornaments, and napkins.

Belt Handle Detail

I shared the basics for making this jean lunch tote more than a year ago when I had less than 25 followers. I was just a baby blogger!

  

Insulated liner & gathered top for roominess

Since making this lunch tote, I use it almost daily to carry my lunch to work.

Adorable. Portable. Yummy.

But we've also carried picnics-for-two in it!  Guess what we took with us most recently?

If you haven't seen the adorable and oh-so-portable Peach Crisp in a Mason Jar yet, you must *click here*!

No telling where our picnic road trip adventures will take us! There are so many places I want to show you while the weather is cool and the sky is so blue...

Keep riding along with me. We'll picnic this season at Fun Fall Field Trip sites and come up with some fantastic Fall projects in future posts.

You can pull over a moment and poke around this old farm house with me right now.

When you get back home, if you want the basics for making this Upcycled Jean Lunch Tote with a Belt Handle, you can find it parked right here: Part 1 and Part 2. Having written many tutorials since then, I realize those first few were not thorough. :)

Do you have any upcycled jean projects?  I'd love for you to share them at the Wildly Original linky party!

How to Make Stylish, Sassy Aprons

Aprons are an iconic housekeeping accessory. They make great gifts for bridal showers, hostess and house warmings, Mothers Day and more. 

When I put a saucy twist on these cheeky aprons, comments and emails came forth asking me how to DIY. So... I give you the tutorial!

Creative Vision Eye Masks

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Sweet dreams are assured while wearing these lovely eye masks! 

These Valentine gifts for some friends {and myself} were inspired by discussions about visualizing the our life goals and dreams. So, they're great for waking 'dreaming' as well as for...

...getting some good shut-eye!

Primitive Vintage Christmas Gift Bags

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I love the primitive collage look of these holiday gift bags: frayed edges, unfinished seams, rustic elements. Their charm rests in the vintage holiday photos and layers upon layers of fabrics, ribbon, yarn, and thread. 

Star of Wonder Burlap Bags

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Rustic, simple, sweet, and festive in burlap, glitter, buttons and bows, these little gift bags could also double as ornaments for the holiday.

Snarky Thanksgiving Apron

I don't know what comes over me. But sometimes these vintage ad women have things they gotta say. Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday...and can be a little nutty with all the cookin' and cleanin.' So, if you find yourself getting a bit snarky, laugh about it!

I love this fabric! And of course, I always print my designs on washable computer printer paper. {resource here} That way I never have to worry about washing and ironing my creations...

Abundantly Thankful Monthly Craft Craze #2

Current Linky Party Info *HERE*

Find more napkin photos on Facebook.

A quick tutorial before the party:
Plain napkins play dress up for Thanksgiving. They call to us to notice the blessings and abundance around us. This can be a very quick, no-sew project {but I couldn't help myself and had to add stitching}. 

1. Print images on colorfast computer fabric (sponsor resource here); pull a few leaves off a fake bush. 
2. Apply fusible webbing to these elements, and iron them on your napkin. 
3. Finish up with a little button to embellish.  

My stated intent on Day One of I Gotta Create!:  put a little more joy, humor, beauty and good will out there. So I give you the "Abundant Thanks" Linky Party. Share your creations symbolizing abundance, fall, harvest, gratitude, or thanksgiving. Grab the button on my sidebar and spread the word so that others can join in and see your contribution to the cornucopia. 

1. Link up to three projects*... afterall, the party lasts three weeks. 
2. Grab the button and link back to I Gotta Create! on your post or somewhere on your blog.
3. Consider following or subscribing to I Gotta Create!
4. Share your love! Comment on a few of the creations you see at the party.

Grab this button on the sidebar to spread the word and then link up!

To spread the gratitude, I'll feature one gorgeous project per week, so join in any time! {*Remember: Link directly to your post, not just your blog. Link all 3 now or come back and link one per week.}  Want to see the Halloween party highlights? A link will be activated here as of October 30th. All projects can be seen here.


You're Up! 

Next Linky Party:  It's a Winter Wonderland of amazing creations... when YOU link up!  I will likely start this party early because, really, we're all thinkin' about and gearing up for the holidays! Follow me to keep up-to-date on the start time.

It's Super Nifty & My Highlight Reel !!

Today is the day! I'm excited and honored to be guest blogging for Vanessa over at {Nifty Thrifty Things}!  If you've hopped on over here from Vanessa's blog: Welcome! If you're one of "my own" then I must introduce you to Nifty Thrifty Things: a beautiful and elegant blog filled with do-it-yourself ideas. Here's an example:

See what I mean? Elegant! 

Vanessa asked her guest stars to share three tutorials. I've posted many goodies since then, so I thought I'd run a highlight reel of my 10 favorite project posts this season.

This crow keeps an ominous nest on a Scarecrow Hat.

A gutsy new move with silverware creates a unique Thanksgiving Gobbler!

Not-Your-Usual Halloween Tree

Classy Halloween Bag {Lady}

Spooky Llama Card

Candy Corn Ornament

Burlap Halloween Ornaments

My Crazy Cat

Vintage Images Make Mesmerizing Pillows

Glow-in-the-Dark Raven Lantern

A great big hug and thank you to YOU for visiting me, following me, and/or subscribing by email. I love having this creative outlet, and I so appreciate your kind and encouraging comments!  

My stated intent on Day One of the blog was to put a little more joy, humor, beauty and good will out there. We're well on our way. 

PS: If you want to see one of my halloween projects "gone wrong," check out my Facebook page. All in fun!  

Each week this season I discovered and linked up the above projects to the growing list of lovely parties on my sidebar. You'll enjoy visiting them! Monday: Craftomaniac, Making The World Cuter, Marvelously Messy, Polly Want A Crafter, Project Queen, The Girl Creative. Tuesday: Tip Junkie Today's Creative Blog. Wednesday: Blue Cricket Design, Nest of Posies, Savvy Southern Style, The Trendy Treehouse, Very Merry Vintage Style. Thursday: Katie's Nesting Spot, Shabby Nest, The Artsy Girl Connection. Friday: Finding Fabulous, My Simple Home Life, Romantic Home, Tatertots and Jello, Thirty Handmade Days, Whipperberry. Saturday: Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, French Country Cottage. Sunday: Nifty Thrifty Things, Under The Table and Dreaming. Fall Specials 2011: A Fish Who Likes Flowers, Somewhat Simple, The Lettered Cottage, Craftaholics Anonymous, Itsy Bitsy Paper Blog.