Two of my friends (Nikki Ballard and Cory Waldrop) and I are going to have a booth at this year’s Prairie Arts Festival on September 4th.  I am so excited.  Never in a million years would I have ever thought I would be selling homemade items, much less at the PAF.  The PAF is kind of a big deal.  I have gone to the PAF about ten times over the years and I look forward to it every year.  One of the reasons I love living in Mississippi is that most little towns have some type of annual festival and West Point’s PAF is one of the best I have seen.

Mark your calendar or planner or blackberry or iphone or however you keep up with important dates and come see our booth.  You will not be disappointed.  See my items and Cory’s items on Etsy.

I love freebies, so I decided to share a few of my favorite free downloads from the blogosphere.

1. Free Turquoise Meets Gold Labels here from Little Sightings via iDIY
2. Free Mailing Labels here from Creature Comforts
3. Get the Free Birdy Notepad here and the Dream Catcher To Do here both from A Print A Day
4. Get this lovely calendar here from Something Hiding in Here via Wren Handmade
5. Super Cute Recycling Labels here from Jinjerup

These are my favorite items currently for sale  in my shop:

Let me know what you think!

My DIY Notebook Tutorial was also included in One Pretty Thing‘s Daily DIY feature on 5/4/10.

On May 6th Craft Gossip featured my tutorial too.

I am so excited that people liked my tutorial.  Thanks Cynthia!

Hang Tag Card Tutorial

Hi I’m Cynthia from  Make Paper Crafts and I’m here to share this Hang Tag Style Card with you today!

I decided on this DIY because Faye hasn’t been married too long, awww and I have been married for what feels like forever! (I love you baby!) It’s always nice to show your love .  Ok, let’s get started.

Tools/Supplies:

• Long Cardboard box (like snack cakes come in)
• Hole Punch
• Scissors
• Paper Cutter
• Corner Punch (optional)
• Mod Podge (optional)
• Glue
• Paint
• Yarn/Ribbon/Decorative tape
• Sweet Nothings!
• Stamps/markers/computer fonts/embellishments
• Paint brush
• Paper/card stock

*Hubby's lunch snacks!

Step 1. Cut the top and bottom of the box as close to the sides as possible, removing them completely from all sides.  Trim them down with your paper cutter for even edges.

Step 2. Place the cardboard you will use as the hang tag in the center of the cardboard for the sleeve.  Fold the cardboard up on either side of the tag making the folds for the sleeve.

Step 3. Trim your hang tag down so that a few inches will remain outside the sleeve once it is tucked into the sleeve. Paint your tag and sleeve and set aside to dry.

Step 4. Make decorations for your sleeve and card.  I rubber stamped on card stock and used my computer to type up my messages.  Cut out all your pretties. *Note: if you are printing out fonts or pictures you may need to use some kind of spray fixative so your ink won’t run if you plan to color in your designs.

Step 5. Mod Podge all of your embellishments onto the sleeve.  I recommend gluing them onto your card or it will be harder to get in and out of the sleeve.

Step 6. Fold your sleeve flaps one over the other and glue.  You can hold in place with clothespin if needed.  While the glue is drying punch a hole at the top of your card and add yarn tie. *Note you can also use ribbon or forget the hole punch and add a tab with decorative tape.

That’s it your finished!  Now surprise someone special!

About the Author–Cynthia Devening is owner of Make Paper Crafts, the site where paper and creativity go hand in hand.  She is also the creator of Bead Head Art and has a new line in the works!

In need of inspiration? Check out her delightful blog Make Paper Crafts.  I promise you will not be disappointed.

Thanks guys.

I really loved Indie Biz and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in crafting for profit.   Our teachers were very talented and helpful people and it was fun networking with the other Indie Biz students.

A little paint really helps sometimes.