EtsyMom Monday ~ For Dad with Love

Yeah!!! EtsyMom Mondays are back in full effect!

I dedicate each Monday to all the fabulous EtsyMom creations I've found during the week so I can show off their often one-of-a-kind, beautiful and eco-friendly work!

If you're still looking that Perfect Gift for that special father in your life,

the talented etsians who are also dedicated mommies have just what you need (Be sure to check ordering deadlines to ensure timely delivery):

With Father's Day right around the corner, this
Patchouli Natural Perfume by AquarianBath is perfect for your scent-wearing man! Don't the ingredients like high-quality, aged Patchouli essential oil and golden joboba oil, lightly tinted with cocoa powder sound divine?

Give a gift with a personalized touch; I love the manly look of this
Custom handstamped keychain by sugarsalt!

This Black Amber Musk Handmade Soap from peapodcrafts is a warm blend of black amber, clove and nutmeg, it's perfect for men and women alike, so if hubby doesn't like it then you can use it!

meandmatilda will have your man styling at the next formal affair with her Black Freestyle Bowtie in black Dupioni Silk.

DIY Teacher Gift - Altered Mini Clipboard

I love to give teachers a little something at the end of the year to show them

how much I appreciate the way in which they educate and nurture my Wee Ones.

This year I opted to alter mini clipboards that I found at the dollar store, so they fit in well with our family goal of operating on a leaner budget this year *smiles*.

To make covering the board easier,

try to find ones where the "clip" screws on and off.

I did not, so I had to be creative

by cutting pieces of paper to fit around the clip.

This is an excellent way to use up those paper scraps and left-over embellies

I know you have laying around.

Or switch it up and use fabric instead.

The bad news is that my camera is kaput so I don't have many pics to share but

I did snap some of the finished clipboards with my beloved phone.

Have fun customizing the clipboard to the teacher's tastes or personalize it with an initial.

Soften up all that metal with dimensional chipboard accents

or handmade flower posies and tied ribbon.

Pull out your craft punches and add some dimensional paper accents like the smaller butterflies.

Your store might even have the covered clipboards, like the one on the left (below).

I just cut a rectangular-sized piece of coordinating paper,

adhered it to the board and finished up with layered flowers, a little bling, paper punched butterflies and a ribbon tied cardstock initial.

Or, try themes, like the recipe clipboard on the right.

And don't forget ribbon always makes a pretty accent.

Here are the quick and easy directions to cover your own board:

Supplies:

Full size or mini clipboard

Pencil

Scissors

Mod Podge, glue stick or other adhesive

Sponge brush for mod podge

Scrapbook Paper

Embellishments

1. Unscrew clip from the board. (If you can't find ones that unscrew then paint that part of the clipboard or cut coordinating paper to fit).

2. Trace outline of board onto paper twice (for front and back)

3. Cut paper.

4. Use your favorite adhesive, gluestick, mod podge (I used my Xyron) and adhere papers.

5. Trim any excess paper and then sand the edges. Ink the edges is so desired(Remember to replace the clip!)

6. If you'd like your clipboard to have a little sheen, add a sealant such as mod podge and let dry.

7. Grab your embellishments and make your clipboard pop!

Tell your teacher the boards can be used for displaying pictures, notes, holding coupons, or recipe cards or as a decorative piece!

Blog Hop and Win a Sweet Prize!

Do you love discovering NeW, cRaFtY, InSpIrInG blogs?

What about a chance to win a Free Crafty Prize?

Well, then run, I mean HOP on over to Scrapbook Royalty here for all of the details on entering the Blog Hop and the chance to win some fantastic blog candy.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the prizes:

What a Sweet Stitched Bag!

This stash of scrapbooking goodies includes Cosmo Cricket, one of my faves!

Happy blog hopping!

Back to Work

So the Gifts Galore and So Much More Shopping Event

which benefitted the Cumberland County's Special Olympics is over,

as well as my last-minute move.

That means more time to

pHoToGrApH and add oodles of NeW ItEmS to the shop!

And, to get back to my EtsyMom and NCTriangle Team Features on Mondays and Thursdays...

know y'all have been missing them.

As with every fair/event I do, I've got to share what I took away. I met some awesome vendors at this event, like Jeanna Goodpasture,

owner of Tiffany Brooks Design,

the cutest little pet boutique!





Mostly, I worked on improving my display in preparation for some bigger shows later in the year. To see how far I've come, you gotta see how it all began...

Oh those earlier days! Guess ya' Gotta start somewhere.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day, May 2008.

And the transformation...still learning what works and what doesn't, but I am tickled pink with my latest display!

First, I had a heck of a lot more product to offer. Next, I lightened up the colors to make the table more inviting. I also got innovative with some of Vistaprint's free offerings (with paid shipping),

like the price list is actually a lawn sign...lol! Price lists will shave mounds of time off your prep work, no tagging every item.

That cute litle birdy header is from an invitation I designed some time ago.

Working on achieving a uniform look, but until then,

this sweet little banner from VP will do just fine!

In keeping with creating a consistent look, I stopped using whatever random hodge podge of containers I found around the house

and got the mini trunks at Hobby Lobby for 50% off, to display my items.

So sweet!

For giveaways, I designed my own business card magnets and coordinating promotional postcards.

Have you visited Moo yet? Keep your eyes open for their special promotions; last month was 25 free cards with your initial purchase.

I used examples of my work for the cards. You can pay an additional fee to have the watermark on the cards removed. The card quality is excellent!

Do you have any tips on improving booth display?

We'd love to read them.

Until next time, xoxo!