Call for Help!

Hello everyone! Well I'm back from our quick trip to Chicago and thanks to the airplane ride I have another project to share with everyone! But before I do that I'd like a few people to test it first! (It has some new features with the PDF!) So... if you'd like to get the project (It's a Mother's Day Card) before everyone else and help me test out the new feature email me at:
erinschlosser (at) schlosserdesigns (dot) com
and put Mother's Day Test in the subject line please! I'll need about 5 people so email me quick! But don't worry, I'll release it in the next few days for everyone to download!!
And since I don't like doing posts without pictures, check out this wonderfully colorful display I took while in Chicago!

Edited: Thanks for the emails! I've gotten enough people to help test for now! Look for the new project soon!

One of my favorite projects

This is one of my favorite projects that I've used a few times this week already!

Ribbon Bordered Picture Frame.

See here for the complete instructions.

Why have I used this tutorial several times this week already? Well, you see, last week my husband got into the MBA program he was hoping to, and it's not in the area, which means that we're moving---to Chicago! And very soon too as his semester starts in June! So, I've been madly staging the house to sell and this tutorial works great for adding a little something extra to your pictures.

I'm excited about the move, but also sad that we'll be leaving warm Texas for the cold that is the northern U.S. Have you been to Chicago? What are your favorite places to visit? What are some great craft stores in the area? Because that's the most important thing, right? :)

Don't worry though, new projects arriving shortly! I'll be needing some help too with some testing! So stay tuned for opportunities to test out some projects before they are released here!

Also- Don't forget to enter into the Design Challenge at Fresh Nest Design! There's a $125+ Kelli Kit up for grabs to the winner!!!

Crafty Mishaps

I was just introduced to this site yesterday and thought I'd share. It's called CraftFail and it's where crafters submit projects that didn't necessarily turn out as planned. (Go visit and have a look around!) Because we ALL know that happens! I've got so many projects that I've done for the blog that didn't turn out like I planned and decided not to include here. Maybe I should feature some of them here? So, don't worry if you're new to crafting or trying a new technique! Many times I do 3-4 ideas before one I like enough to feature here. Have any projects that didn't turn out like you wanted? Please share in the comments!

Tutorial Tuesday: Baby Book

Here's a slide show of the book I made for a co-worker that was expecting. (Katelyn has been born now!)

It's super easy to make! And here's the download for you! Click to download the Baby Book. There's 4 pages in PDF format. (Each page has 3 prompts.) All of the scrapbook prompts above are included and I added some that include meeting their sister/brother/siblings and the cat. I also added a stat page for a boy too. So you're ready to go!

When I made it I put one prompt on each page (each prompt is the size of an index card) and left space on the other side for a picture. That way the book is already made, the new parents just fill in their thoughts and add a picture!

Let me know in the comments if there are other pages you'd like to see and I can make those a separate download!

Happy Crafting!

This weeks download is up!

Adobe likes me again so be sure to go to this post and get your Just Because candy wrappers download!

Tutorial Tuesday-Just Because

For some reason Adobe doesn't want to make PDF's for me right now...so while I figure it out tonight and have the download ready to go for you tomorrow (scroll down, Adobe likes me again and the links are up!), here's a sneak peek of the project:

Tomorrow I'll have the bag topper and candy wrapper labels for your downloading pleasure!

Edited:
Ok, download the two PDF's and you're good to go! I wrapped the labels around Hershey's Nuggets so all you'll need is a bag of those and you're ready! The instructions for the bag toppers are in the download and I just added a simple silver rhinestone for something extra.

Here's the links! Click to download the PDF's.
Candy Cover Labels
Candy Bag Toppers

**Be sure that when you print them they are not scaled or fitting to page. This will cause them to not print correctly! For the labels I used the Avery 8860 white address labels. (They are 1" x 2 5/8")

Let me know if you've got any questions or comments!

Happy Crafting!

What I've been up to...

Many of you know I'm an interior designer on top of all the crafty fun I have here. So on top of finalizing the new stamp set releases (yea!) I've co-founded an interior design specific blog with Deb from Mumbo Jumbo!
I've always believed that no matter what your budget you can have well designed spaces! So head on over to Fresh Nest Design for inspiration! And don't forget to follow the instructions in this post to win a spot for our Monday feature: Redesign a Space where we choose reader submitted spaces and give them a makeover! You can also submit questions or tips. Who knows? We might answer your questions too!

(Don't worry, this blog is not going to go by the wayside! In fact, due to my new employment situation I hope to post more craft projects every week here!)

Thanks for your continued support and wonderful comments and emails I receive! I can't wait to start going through my 3 sketchbooks and creating new projects to share!

Have an awesome weekend!

Tutorial Tuesday - Stamped Spring Napkins!

These were super simple to do! I used the stamps from the Have A Tweet Day stamp set. These are cotton napkins I found for $1 a piece at Garden Ridge. Just pull out your ink and stamp directly onto the napkins! It's easy using the clear stamps because you can see exactly where the image is going, and you can make sure that you have ink covering the entire image before you stamp. Use a permanent ink like Stewart Superior's Hybrid ink. Heat set it with your iron without using steam and you're ready to go for a wonderful Easter brunch!

I love the little bird feet border on this one!

And a little nest garland with occasional eggs!

Happy Crafting!

Would you like to win some clear stamps?

How about 4 sets of my clear stamps, and the clear blocks to mount them on? (Including the yet to be released new sets!) I am so excited to announce that I'll be sponsoring the prize next month for Christy's Craft Challenge! She has the most amazing crafts, written tutorials, and videos! Check out one of my favorite projects:

An oh so cute felted turtle

Every month she puts together crafty kits filled with all kinds of supplies. You can purchase them in her Etsy shop for just $5! You have almost the entire month to come up with a project using the supplies. (You can add more too, you just have to use what she gives you as well.) At the end of the month all her readers (and all your friends and family) vote and the favorite project wins the prize! Even if you don't win it's so much fun participating and a whole pack of supplies for just $5 is a deal!

If you want to sign up for the April Craft Challenge the deadline is March 27th!

Tutorial Tuesday-Happy Spring!

Here's a quick Happy Spring Card I did this weekend in honor of the 1st day of Spring. This would also make a great Easter themed card! I used my Have A Tweet Day clear stamp set for this one. I LOVE the little nest stamp. If you look at the stamp set you'll see a little "bundle" of sticks. With this, you can make your nest as big or as small as you'd like. Just stamp it multiple times in an oval shape to get your nest! Or if you want a border, just stamp it around in the shape of a circle or square. (It's super easy to do because your stamp and the mounting block are clear so you can see right through everything to line it all up!)

I stamped the eggs on white cardstock, cut out, and layered with different thicknesses of foam tape. (Don't forget that you can stack two layers of foam tape to get even more dimension than just one layer. Here I adhered one egg directly to the nest, put 1 layer of foam tape on one, and 2 layers of foam tape on the one in the middle for added dimension.)

After you've stamped the main image, just put a border of velvet rickrack around it and secure the corners with brads.

Happy Crafting!

Free Sewing Pattern Winner!

I've consulted the Random Integer Generator which told me

"Here are your random numbers:

6

Timestamp: 2009-03-22 00:52:40 UTC"

Which means that CaraJean

is the winner of the sewing bundle from You Can Make This! Congratulations! I'll be in touch!

We're Up and it's time to Party!

And just in time because:

Kicks off in mere hours! I'm so excited to be able to sponsor a prize package for the event ($25 gift certificate to Schlosser Designs!) Especially since there's so many other talented ladies and awesome companies that will also be giving away prizes!

Welcome to those visiting my crafty site for the first time! And thanks for all those that keep returning and leaving your comments for me! I appreciate all the kind words SO much!

I decided to do a little bio on me since I've gotten a lot of new readers lately.

My name is Erin Schlosser and by day I use my creativity as an interior designer and during all the other spare times I run Schlosser Designs where I create clear stamps, sewing patterns, and other fun projects!

I absolutely LOVE to make things! Even when I was 9 years old I would decorate my room for each and every holiday and I haven't stopped creating since! Crafting and creating doesn't have to be expensive and I try to keep that in mind when creating my projects. The supplies I carry in my store are all reasonably priced and will fit into just about any budget. Have a look around my little bit of crafty heaven!

Be sure to follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or follow my feed for the latest giveaways, new product releases, and free downloads! (And I've got a huge secret project to reveal soon!) Go check it out and let the partying begin!

Happy Crafting!

Website Down

Sorry for the inconvenience! My store is down and being repaired/updated at the moment. The blog is still up and running though! It should be fixed soon and I'll let you know! Thanks for your patience!

Free Sewing Patterns Anyone?

While I'm finishing up my new stamp sets debuting at the end of the month (I can't wait to share them with you!) I thought that today would be a great time to post this wonderful giveaway!

The talented ladies behind You Can Make This have a bundle to giveaway to one of my lucky readers. So get out your lucky four leaf clover and enter to win! (It is St. Patrick's Day, right?)

I finally had the chance to meet Kim, the owner, at the Mom 2.0 Summit in Houston a few weeks ago. Her sister Kris assists with things at You Can Make This too! (Did I mention that my mom lives next door to Kris? How lucky is she?)

Their website is awesome! If you were ever wondering how to do anything crafty related than this is the site for you. They feature downloadable instructions and patterns for many different kinds of projects! Things like children's clothing, handbags, jewelry, and home decor. If you sign up for their newsletter you will get instructions for all the projects shown below for free. (This is also a great way to see how well written and easy the instructions are!)


Just click to sign up for the newsletter here. Click the confirmation link in your email and you'll have access to all these projects and more!

Ok so ready for the giveaway? All you have to do to win this bundle worth $50 is go to www.youcanmakethis.com and look around at their projects. Come back and post a comment letting us know what your favorite pattern is. That's all you have to do!

The bundle includes and child/adult apron set, woman's reversible wrap skirt, "She Loves Me, She Loves Me Knot handbag, a reversible patchwork bucket hat, easy fit pants, and boys ties.

These are some of my favorites from their website include:

Sweet Pea Pleated Handbag

Aivilo Fat Quarter Wristlet

and if I had a little girl these Ruffled Capri's and Pants



So go check out You Can Make This then come back and comment to win!

I'll close the comments Friday, March 20 at midnight and will announce the winner of the entire $50 bundle Saturday! Good Luck!

Comments are closed for this giveaway. Stay tuned for the winner!

Just Because...

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions, both comments and emails! There were lots of great ideas! I did a few this time, and next time I'll do the rest because I just couldn't narrow it down! For this download you get 4 cards! There are 2 blank square ones, and two rectangular ones that fit inside a standard sized envelope. Those two are Thinking of You and Just Because cards. I honestly can't tell you which one is my favorite because I like them all so much!

Here's what the sheet looks like printed out:

All you will need is white cardstock, paper trimmer, and a either an x-acto knife or sharp pointed scissors. The sheet will print out with some very fine, light grey lines on it. Just cut along those lines, trim the scalloped shaped area out and fold both pieces in half. You've got two cards and the only scrap is a little rectangle of cardstock!

This is probably my favorite! I had it designed to say Just Because but my husband was watching and suggested that I put underneath that: friendship doesn't need a reason. How clever is he? So there you have it, a collaborative project!

Click on the pictures below and they will take you straight to the PDF to print out. Be sure when you print them out you Don't scale to fit the page. Just print it exactly like it is. This will make sure that the sizes and placement come out correctly!

Happy Crafting!