Love birds on Etsy

These darlings are now up on Etsy! There are two more single owls that will be listed soon, so stay tuned for updates!

Needle felted cake toppers listed in Etsy

These cute needle felted love birds is my first, ever, attempt to make my own wedding cake toppers! I made changes after this set, but I may continue to make one's like the small cute blue guy if the results are good and it actually sells. I've been so nervous about putting my items on Etsy and have put it off long enough.

My biggest fear, probably like everyone else selling for the first time, is that the hard work I put into each bird (hours and hours!) isn't taken into account with the price. However, I don't want to decrease the value of my blood sweat and tears (literally) invested in each bird! So, fingers crossed!

I'm slowly posting each bird and couple up, so check back often!

Without further adieu, the love birds are up! Shop Etsy.

Current obsession: Baker's twine

via Whisker Graphics

I just can't seem to get enough of bakers twine now that I'm in the wedding circuit! (oh, by the way...newly engaged!) The endless use of baker's twine is just another reason to "invest" in lots and lots of twine. Invest would mean there is a ROI, but in the case, I'm fully aware there will be very little return...except oodles of happiness!

Baker's twine is sold at your local crafts store in small amounts. I've found that JoAnn's sells the Martha Stewart twine for about $5 at 36 yds. That's kind of expensive when you consider buying spools. You also have limited color selection. So I researched and researched till I found some better deals for you twine lovers out there!

Two very popular twine sellers with the yummiest colors you can imagine is:

Devine Twine by Whisker Graphics $15 for 240 yds

The Twinery $14 for 240 yds

*To see the difference between both of these companies, check out this post by Britta Swiderski that clearly shows difference in quality and style*

The "cheapest"/most inexpensive/bargain: We Sell Coffee $9.95 for/3400 yds (2lbs)

Where can you buy Baker's Twine locally? Paper Source. Howver, they only have the red/white version. But for 1/2 lb at $7.95, it's not bad since you don't have to pay for shipping.

How to make your own Baker's twine on the cheap? Check out ukmaryanne who has a post. Her tutorial on how to make your own twine:

Or, you can twist your own baker's twine! Check out this nifty idea using embroidery floss and cotton twine by Persia Lou. She solved my question on how to keep the twists from unraveling!

I really want to go nuts and buy 5 colors, but whichever route I go is nearly $100! On twine! But I am obsessed. As in I wake up and go to sleep looking or talking about this. My fiance said that if I'm still as obsessed about this in a whole month, I could get it. I'm pretty sure I'll win.

The art of paper cutting

My very first attempt at paper cutting with no stencil! It took me a good 4 hours to complete the cutting. To start, I drew the rough shape of the bird looking at a tapestry hanging on the wall nearby and went to town with a x-acto knife. After I cut out the shape of the bird, I started to draw designs inside and cut as I went. Later, I learned that you're not suppose to cut out the shape until the end. If you look closely, there is a crease on the top left of the second wing that was folded when I was cutting the details. That could've been avoided had I cut out the shape last!