Creative Mom Cafe

One of the links I shared in the Saturday speedlinking post was on making soap. It is something that I’ve dabbled in myself, but have never really tried to make a full batch of. I admit I’ve felt a bit intimidated about the process. Not at all like my friend Sara, the soap making wizz! She makes and sells bars of soaps in so many beautiful and delicious scents that it makes me want to take several baths a day.

I thought that if there are any creative moms out there thinking about making soap themselves it might be useful to hear from a pro. So I shot a few questions over to Sara and she was sweet enough to answer then and let me share her tips with you. Read on and soak up her knowledge, then visit her shop and see what I mean about her amazing soaps. You won’t be sorry!

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It’s Saturday, which means another collection of links that I’ve been loving this week. There are always so many great posts I find myself having trouble narrowing it down to just a few. I could probably list 10 or more links easily, but I’ll spare you all from that. Instead here are just five of the creative posts that struck a cord with me. I hope you’ll find something inspiring here also. And don’t forget to go back and check out my last post to see who is inspiring me this week.

• It’s soap season! - What to do when it’s too cold to garden and there’s nothing available for canning? Make soap of course! Come on, you know you would love to try this.
• Super Suggestions for Old Sweaters! - Have any old sweaters laying around? Ones that no longer fit, or some ugly ones youmight have gotten for Christmas? Here is a great list of ideas that will have you looking at them in new ways.
• Map Collages - A super fun idea for parnts and teachers alike! All you need are old maps and kids eager to cut and glue. I know mines are always eager to cut and glue something.
• Kid Crafts: Spicy Winter Sachet - I love this idea for a sachet that kids can make. A great way to make drawers smell nice and keep little hands busy.
• Fabulous links & books for your Craft Business - A great collection of links and book ideas for any creative mom thinking about selling her crafts. This is definitely one to bookmark!

Have fun checking out the links I’ve shared, and add your own in the comments!

crafts, parenting, children

If my post on sewing wasn’t enough to get you inspired to run to the machine I know where to send you for inspiration.

Bluebirdbaby is the blog of a super creative mom that I love reading. She not only knows how to sew, she rocks it. Check out this absolutely gorgeous shirt she made for date night. And the cutest flannel PJ pants for her and her daughter. And the bags! Oh the bags! She certainly knows how to feed the purse addict in me. Not to mention the photos of that adorable little girl that she shares. Perfect to make any mom’s heart skip a beat.

If you really want to be in awe check out her workroom. Not many crafters are lucky enough to have their own space to work in. She’s not only lucky enough to have a new one but also creative enough to make it her own. That color pops. Andnow everytime I see green paint I think of her. It’s almost like a signature calling card.

You should head over and check out her Etsy shop and lust over her creations with me. Like this adorable shirt and pants set. It makes me wish my little was was small enough to wear that. And look at these pink pocka dot pocket jeans. Some little girl would be thrilled to wear them, I’m sure. But my favorite? The sleepy sack.

These “Sleepy Sacks” hang on your little one’s doorknob and hold their pajamas and favorite bedtime book! The drawstring holds everything in tight and is easy for little hands to loosen.

It sounds like just the thing a mom could use!

(If you know a creative, crafty mom who needs some spotlight on them let me know! I’d love to share them here.)

creative mom, crafts, etsy, inspiration

I’ve decided that every Friday I want to show off a shop or blog that I’m loving right now. This decision is partially inspired by my need to be more organized and scheduled, and also by finding this amazing blog last night that is full of inspiration. InspireMe Crafts is a cute and fun little blog full of ideas that you can do. Like her so cute thank you cards. Who knew embossing was so easy?

She doesn’t just inspire, she also provides clear directions with photos so you can follow in her crafty footsteps. Like the photographic and simple directions for making this cute paper wreath. Follow her directiosn and you’ll look like a pro. Of course you don’t have to just make a Christmas wreath. You can create one for each season, or make one to match your home decor and hang it inside. You could also make a great recycled paper wreath this way from sheets of wrapping paper, magazine pages, or any other fun paper you could get your hands onto. It looks like a fun paper art that anyone could do themselves.

If you are making any crafty resolutions this year InspireMe Crafts should definitely be in your feed reader. Next to Creative Mom Cafe, of course.

Does anyone else have know of any must read crafty blogs? Any that are perfect for inspiration? If so drop me a comment and let me know about them, you can plug your own blog even. Hopefully this will become a weekly tradition around here.