New Chalkboards in the Shop

I'm offering some fun new items in my bumblebina ETSY shop. Chalkboards in all different sizes.

Uses for My Little Chalkboards:
Perpetual calendar
Instant holiday decoration (just write some festive words and you're set!)
Place cards
Pot Luck labels
Kids love these too! Great for church or car rides.

This one is 4" x 6" (great teacher gift)

This one is 3" x 4" (just right for little hands)

This one is 2.5" x 4"

This set is so cute in shades of pink, green and red. Block sizes vary, but are each around 3.5" x 2.5".

These ornament stars are 5" across and are sold as a set of 3.

Handmade Advent Boxes Tutorial

I SOOO wanted these little advent bags from nuvonova. But alas, they were not in the budget for this year. Maybe next year.

So I decided I had to make my own of sorts--using items I had on hand. The kids and I always do a scripture advent. We read a scripture a day slowly over the 24 days telling the whole story of Jesus' birth. (Can't find the link now, if you'd like the scriptures, e-mail me or leave a comment and I'll send them to you.)

We've done this for years. At first I'd make a little chain or something with a candy for each day. But I wanted something different this year.

I found this printable template for little pyramid boxes--it's brilliant. Print it on the back of your printed scrapbook paper, cut it out and you're ready to go!

Supplies:

Printed templates on the back of pretty paper (8 pages)

Scripture strips to put in the boxes or any other little note or goodie

Hershey's Kisses or other small candies to put in the boxes

Tags with numbers 1-24

Bakers Twine

Jute or ribbon

Scissors

Tape

Make tags of your choice. I used price tags. I put stickers on them with the numbers 1-24 and then distressed the edges with an ink pad. Voila.

Cut out the template, fold on the lines. I taped the bakers twine inside the box before closing it up. I also found that tape held them closed better than stickers. I was able to fit the little rolled scripture strip and 2 Hershey's Kisses in each one all snug and cute. :)

Tie the tag to the top of the box or to the baker's twine.

I tied the boxes up on jute strung across my shelves. I scattered them around so as we take them down, it won't all be on one side.

IF - Entangled

This is Santa Claus. Maybe you've heard of him. Got entangled in a bit of a scuffle between some ne'er do well reindeer and a red nosed do-gooder several years back. It's all blown over now. But it was a bit tense in the Pole there for a while.

*SOLD

Inspire Me Thursday - Label

I love pears. I love to eat them. I love to paint them. I've painted several. This is the latest. I even love the word pear--so much so that I put a PEaR* label on this fun little painting.

Pear (AVAILABLE)

new in the shop - bumblebina ETSY

*SOLD*

*SOLD*

These three (update: ONE-- the other two have SOLD) chalkboard countdown/advent signs are now available in my bumblebina ETSY shop. These are so fun for kids! They love changing the number each day. I've even added a little loop of ribbon at the bottom to hold the chalk.

New in the shop - bumblebinaKnits ETSY

The first Watermelon Bag was such a hit, I decided I had to make another one. Only this time I was able to find beads the exact shape of watermelon seeds! This sweet little bag is in my bumblebinaKnits ETSY shop now!

*SOLD

New in the shop - tmatthews ETSY

I just put these three in my tmatthews ETSY shop. They are a few of my very favorites. I think the pear would be so fun in a chic country kitchen. And Claire just makes me smile. I love her big lips. The Santa painting would make a great gift--original art is always a great gift! :)

Cortez Craft Fair

I had such a good time this weekend in Cortez and I met so many wonderful people! It was also so fun chatting with some of the other artists and crafters. I couldn't resist a bracelet from Rustic Mama. And I had so much fun chatting with Jacy from zbabiez. Her stuff is darling and so well made! I'm trying to talk her into putting some of her amazing diaper cakes on ETSY. If you're looking for baby gifts, check out her blog!

I always like to see my paintings in a grouping. They seen to compliment each other. Most folks were looking for crafts, not art, so many of these are back in my tmatthews ETSY shop.

The knitted and felted bags were a big hit. I couldn't believe how much the little girls like my mini purses. One little sweetie kept putting all my mint table decorations into them. So cute!

The chalkboard countdown Santa signs were popular too. I've listed some other ones in my bumblebina ETSY shop. Most people bought them for their homes, but I did have one order for a large one for a dentist's office. That will be a fun way to brighten up the joint! :)

These little cuties (my daughter and my cousin's daughter) sold hair flowers to earn Christmas money. Aren't they sweet?

Thank you Cortez for a lovely weekend!!

NFAC - Holiday

This painting may look slightly familiar. It used to be just the trees. Well, I gave it a makeover, distressed it some more and now it's ready for the world!

This is my entry for Nibblefest this month. The theme is holidays.

*SOLD*

Craft Fair This Weekend In Cortez, CO

If you are anywhere near by Cortez, Colorado this Saturday, come on in and say hi!

Newest Teacher Name Sign

This one went out in the mail yesterday. It's getting to be that time--time to order Christmas gifts for the special teachers in your life.

Teacher Name Signs are always available in my bumblebina ETSY shop.

New Name Signs - Something's Fishy :)

My sister ordered these for my niece's pre-school teachers who are both, coincidentally, named Kathy. Their room has an ocean/fish theme so we decided each sign needed it's own little fishy!

Teacher Name Signs are always available in my bumblebina ETSY shop!

(I will soon be making a listing for signs like this with a little image painted at the end of the name.)

IF - Skinny

An oldie, but one of my very favorites. This is Danika and she may be skinny, but she is scrappy!

Inspire Me Thursday - Dark

Georgia and her Kitty, 12" x 9", acrylic on canvas

It may be dark outside sooner now with Daylight Savings, but Georgia is not about to give up her tank top and sun hat! It's her signature ensemble!

*SOLD