Crafty Texas Girls

4/18/12

Passion to Profit...

As you might know, for the past 6 years I have been crafting hair accessories of some kind. When Afton was born in New Orleans, I started making her bows and clips. My sweet friends and 'friends-of-friends' have always been supportive customers. And over the years, my hobby turned into a bit of a business. A few local boutiques, my blog and now my Etsy shop sell my creations.

Crafty Texas Girls at a craft show- you can read about it here.

But over the past year, an idea kept popping into my head. The idea of trying to turn my 'hobby that pays for itself' into an actual business. After lots of nudges, encouragement (you know who you are!!) and just plain hard work-- I recently launched my accessory line, "Samantha Conner Designs" in a showroom at the Dallas Market.

I have had a great response to my new line and now "Samantha Conner Designs" hair accessories are appearing in boutiques around the country.

I have a wonderful sales rep and some fabulous sewers who are helping me keep up with demand. It has been scary and exciting all at the same time.

I have to admit, I felt somewhat apprehensive about shouting the news from the rooftops. I mean what if I... gulp... failed???? But then I have decided that part of the charm of this blog is honesty. So here I am, "shouting from the top of my blog" :) I have launched my accessory line "Samantha Conner Designs"!

Afton took this photo of me in my craft room :)

I know there will be ups and downs. But the risk is worth the reward. Orders have been coming in and shipping out. So far, so good! When I hot-glued my first clip on my first bow, I never imagined that my hobby would ever turn into a real business. So no matter what happens, I can say that have seen a dream turn into reality. And I can't even imagine where this journey will lead me in the future. Thank you to everyone who has helped me find my way. Big hugs to you all!

Source: thetomkatstudio.com via Samantha on Pinterest

In other exciting news...

Please hop over to the newest edition of "Bird's Party" magazine. Bird's Party is an amazing, free online party magazine. The publication features the cutest, most creative ideas for celebrating life in style. I was so honored to be involved with this project! "Samantha Conner Designs" created 2 exclusive designs for the Fourth of July party. The entire magazine is fabulous- but be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the "SCD accessories" in the Patriotic party on pages 22-31:) A big thank you to Bird's Party, Creative Juice, and all the talented women who contributed!

Fourth of July Styles are now available for pre-order. Click here to get yours and find out about FREE shipping!

Do you have a hobby that you want to turn into a business? Have you seen a dream become a reality? Do tell--I would love to hear your story!

4/16/12

Cowgirl Up #11

Welcome to Week 11 of
Cowgirl Up! Link Party . . .

the party with a cowgirl can-do spirit!

1 Party, 4 Blogs

It's Samantha from Crafty Texas Girls! Wow what a party! I love the creative spirit shared here. And it seems every one of our blog friends has found her 'inner cowgirl' this week. I love the variety of posts shared at Cowgirl Up. From cooking to fashion, fitness to fun, crafts to decor-this party has it all. You are such a talented group, so unique and creative. Even as the 'blog world' continues to grow, you can bet you will never find two blogs that are exactly the same.
And the best part is, there is room for us all!

So now, on to the features.
Here are a few of my favorite posts from the week.
Let's take a moment to celebrate their creativity!

Fancy Frugal Life shows that you can find space to craft anywhere- even in a closet!

Domestic Imperfection's post about the "Cutest Table I Ever Hated" is sure to inspire and make you laugh out loud.

'Etsy' shop owners will love the tips Rae Gun Ramblings shares how re-listing items can actually increase sales.

Little House in the Big D gets a little help from her mom to transform this beautiful settee.

Cars and Ribbons got to walk the red carpet in Dallas to interview 'famed foodie' Sandra Lee from Semi-Homemade.

Linen and Thread shows how framing personal items can create beautiful and meaningful decor.

Marty's Musings post was written by her husband this week- and he found his "inner cowboy" when he built this table!

Red Head Can Decorate asks the question, 'do you use your dining room?'. If not consider, making a change!

I Love That created an "Anthropologie inspired" look by adding jute rope to her chandelier.

Crumbs and Chaos has drooling me over these Peanut Butter Brownies... who knew brownies could get any better?!

And finally, A Rose Sweet Home will impress you with her great tutorial for creating a reversible baby jacket.

If you were featured here, grab a Featured button. Be sure to like our Facebook pages, since we also post many other favorites there too. If you got featured on Facebook, then feel free to grab a featured button also.

Now about the party...

You link up on my blog and your link shows up on four blogs.

More exposure, less time.

We are looking for the latest and greatest projects, tutorials, ideas, crafts, recipes, decor, and inspiring stories. Anything that you are proud to show off.

Cowgirl Up! is the link party that saves you time and brings you inspiration. Doesn't get any easier than that!

What blogs will your link appear on? Check us out below!

Linsey with The Farmhouse Porch

Anita with Cedar Hill Ranch

Amanda with The Ivy Cottage Blog

Samantha with Crafty Texas Girls

The four of us are all Texas bloggers, but you don't have to be Texas, country, western, or own horses to participate in Cowgirl Up! You just need that "can-do", cowgirl spirit!

Cowgirl Up! Link Party Guidelines:

(Please read the guidelines before participating)

* When you link with Cowgirl Up!, your link will automatically show on four different blogs. Awesome!

* Please follow your host blog before linking up on GFC (and if you have a linkyfollow account, then please follow that way too.)

* You may link up decor, DIY, crafts, guest post, recipes, giveaways, sewing, inspiring stories, and anything that you feel related to the listed categories.

* You may link as many links as you want.

* Be sure to include the Cowgirl Up! Button or text link to Cowgirl Up in your linked post.

* Be courteous and visit the two links before yours. Please LIKE your favorite links! Several projects will be featured each week!

* (New!!) By linking up you are agreeing that we may use your photos to feature your project in a blog post, on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter with a link back to your blog of course.

Crafty How To: Earth Day Newspaper Hat

My girl came home last week from school with flyer that read "Make An Earth Day Hat, And You Could Win A Prize!". To a Kindergartner, the idea of getting "a prize" is the equivalent of winning the Mega Millions lottery. So on Sunday morning, after Jeff was done reading the paper, and the weather turned too rainy to play outside, we decided to work on the Earth Day Hat.

Please excuse our jammies and the photo quality- I just snapped these pics with my iphone :)

Before my girls were born, I taught elementary school. One year, we made newspaper hats for an in-class project. I think it was "Hats Off to Texas History" or something. Which just goes to show, you never know where you will find inspiration for a craft.

Here is what you need to make your own "Newspaper Hat" for Earth Day or anyday!
-3-4 Full newspaper sheets
-Tape
-Stapler

To start, lay 3-4 sheets of newspaper out and arrange them at different angles.

Next, you need to size the hat for the 'wearer'. So center them on the head. Then wrap tape around the newspaper, just above the eyes.

Now you can take the hat off and shape the brim. This is where you can get creative. We decided to make a 'Kentucky Derby' style hat. But you could make cowboy hat, a sun hat, a bowler hat, a safari hat etc. We rolled up the edges of the newspaper and stapled them into place. Then we worked all the way around the hat until it was just right.

Next, Afton went digging in the recycling bin. She wanted her Earth Day hat to be made completely of recycled products. She chose some paper from the Sunday newspaper ads, a flattened water bottle, the lid to a butter tub, a plastic bag from Micheal's, a Keurig cup, and a photo of a puppy from the classified ads. Then we started taping it all on.

Of course Maisy wanted one too.

Afton hopes she wins a prize for her hat!
But, if she doesn't, we decided making it together was the best part.

This would be a great project for a birthday party. You could spray paint the hats pink, white, yellow, or purple for a fabulous garden tea party. I think it would be cute to add silk flowers, feathers, and glitter. Or for your little guys, shape the newspaper into a cowboy hat and paint it brown. I bet you could even play with the shape and some black paint to create a pirate hat too.

What projects have you worked on with your kiddos lately? Got any plans for Earth Day?

**Join me later for "Cowgirl Up"-- I have lots of YOUR projects I cannot wait to show-off!

Linking up here: Too Much Time on My Hands, Home Stories A to Z , Tatertots and Jello, The 36th Avenue, Serenity Now, Be Different, Act Normal

4/13/12

Little Man Baby Shower

My sweet sister Amanda is having her first child next month. So to celebrate, we planned a "Little Man" baby shower.


My mom, sister, and Amanda's close friend Janie and I all worked together on this party. Lots of crafty and foodie helpers!

Guests were greeted at the door with a choice of bow-ties to wear.

Handmade 'tie' garland with the words "Hello Little Man" was strung across the table. It was a fun twist on traditional bunting.

The party was held at 2pm, so the menu was light and festive. Bow-tie pasta salad, bow tie 'tuxedo' strawberries, cupcakes, fruit salad, pita chips and humus. I made bow-tie short bread cookies too.

Tucked among the mustache 'adorned' food were a series of "Bro-Tips". Things that every little man needs to know in life. One of my favorites was "Your jeans should never be tighter than your girlfriend's." Ha!

Guests snacked, talked and took turns in our homemade photo booth. A variety of mustaches cut from black felt and attached to sticks. We used an old frame for the 'booth'. It was quite a hit!

A ribbon clothesline, complete with "Little Man" outfits hung across the room. A cute decor idea that doubles as a gift.

Guests were asked to fill out "Wishes for Baby"- these are such sweet keepsakes for the baby book. You can find the printable form here.

It was such a great, happy shower.

And Amanda received so many lovely gifts and was so touched by everyone who came to support her. Since the birth of my girls, she has been my own personal "Mary Poppins"- practically perfect in every way. I have appreciated the love and care she has always shown my girls. I can't wait to meet her little Wyatt. I know she and Preston will be amazing parents.

-Special thanks to Pinterest and Pizzazzerie- your creativity never ceases to inspire!!!

-I made a few "Little Man" party printables, you are welcome to use them for personal use.

-Adorable Invites are from Delight Paperie on Etsy, click here to order yours.

-Bro-tips can be found by clicking here.

-Mini-bow ties, party garland, mustaches were all made by the hostesses- such a crafty bunch:)

Linking up at : Too Much Time on My Hands, Home Stories A to Z , Tatertots and Jello, The 36th Avenue, -Whipperberry, Serenity Now, Under the Table and Dreaming,
Be Different, Act Normal

4/11/12

The Blue Chair

I think it was meant to be. Remember when I told you about 'the blue chair'? The one from Goodwill that was sooo amazing...

Photo via Apartment Therapy

Well I went back to Goodwill a few days later, looking for some 'vintage' tablecloths and guess who was still there?! The blue chair. I felt like he was waiting for me.

So for $30 I left Goodwill with yet another "furniture rescue" and drove home with a smile on my face. I told my husband not to look until I had a chance to freshen him (this chair is a definitely a "him" don't you think?!) up a bit. He needed to be dusted off and vacuumed. I decided to paint his wooden legs brown too. And then there was the issue of the wax. I wish had taken a photo of this part, but I was trying to work fast :)

There were wax drippings across the arm of the chair. So after a quick google search, I found you can easily remove wax from velvet. I set my iron on warm, and put a folded piece of paper towel between the iron and the chair. The heat from the iron melted the wax and the paper towel absorbed the melted wax. I was amazed, it actually worked! (See the full instructions for removing wax from velvet here.)
Once I had him fixed up, I knew right where he needed to go.

I love the color in our bedroom. The 'blue' looks different shades throughout the day, depending on the amount of light in the room. Then I stumbled upon this rug at TJ Maxx. The green, ivory, black and blue hues are perfect for the room.

I rearranged the accessories on our night tables and found a blue pillow from Target for the striped chair.

This room is a good example that decorating takes a long time! I have been trying to get this project done since January of 2011. In fact it made my resolution list for 2011.

Now it is April of 2012 and I am still working! Getting a room just right takes time. It started with the ruffled lamp shades, then I added the drapes from Ikea, we had plantation shutters installed, the 'side of the road' wingback and window cushion were reupholstered, and finally the blue chair and the rug are here. I think our room is 'done'.