Feature Shop: Altered by Jenn

The items in this week's featured shop, Altered by Jenn, are so festive, I want to plan a party! Meet Jenn, the mom behind the shop. Plus, she's offering 20% off all gift boxes until Dec. 7! -Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks

What is your name?
Jenn

Where are you located?
Nebraska

Tell us a little about yourself.
I have been married to my wonderful husband since January 2005 and we have 2 children, our son is 5-1/2, and our daughter is 3. I am on the steering team for the local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). I grew up in the Air Force, so I really have no home, LOL.

Santa Treat Boxes

What type of merchandise will shoppers find in your shop? 
Banners, cupcake and cake toppers, bookmarks, note pads, Tooth Fairy Tins, and more.

How/why did you get started? 
Everyone kept telling me that I needed to start selling my stuff since it was cute.

How long have you been crafting? 
I've been working with paper since 2006.

Dalmatian Mini Banner - I AM 1

What is your favorite thing to make?
Custom orders. Some of the ideas my customers have asked me to create are things that I would have never thought about making.

What are your favorite materials to work with?
Paper and ribbon

What is one thing you need to have with you while you craft?
Snacks

Reindeer Treat Boxes

How do you balance mothering and running a small business?
I try to only work on my business during nap time and after the kids go to bed at night. But sometimes you'll find me making designs on my Cricut Gypsy to later cut out.

What is your favorite thing to browse Etsy for? 
Inspiration and gifts

Tooth Fairy Tin - Dark Brown Haired Boy

When you're not crafting, what are you doing? 
Spending time with my family, reading, having coffee with friends.

Where can we find you?
Facebook: www.facebook.com/alteredbyjenn
Etsy: www.alteredbyjenn.com
Blog: alteredbyjenn.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/alteredbyjenn

What is your favorite shop (not yours) on Etsy currently? 
Pedestrian Designs (www.etsy.com/shop/pedestrian)

Happy Birthday Banner - Lil Birdie Theme

Tuesday Tutorial - Peppermint Candy Topiary Trees

Looking for some ideas on DIY projects for this Christmas?  Check out this great tutorial from the Show, Tell, Share blog.  I plan to make a couple of these Topiary trees.   I think they will definitely brighten up our gloomy fireplace.    This is also a great project to do with your children especially if they like peppermint candies, and my certainly do! :) 

Peppermint Topiary Trees

Some of my special childhood memories of Christmas center around holiday candy.  Peppermint sticks and marshmallow Santas and those creamy bits of heaven called Lindt balls were stocking standards in our home.  I would savor my stocking candy for weeks, trying to prolong the magical taste of Christmas.  Santa always left Starlight mints for us among the cookie crumbs on his plate, and although I enjoyed them year round, those enchanted drops touched by The Man Himself always tasted special and different on Christmas morning.

Last holiday season my friend brought a peppermint-covered decoration to our girls' craft night.  The sight of her ball brought back vivid memories of Christmas-morning delight and crispy-coolness melting in my mouth.  I knew I had to make some peppermint topiaries for my home as well!  With her permission, I'm sharing my interpretation of her idea.  Thanks Tiffany!

Materials needed:

10"  STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam sphere

6" STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam cube

Pot or container for the base

Peppermint candies, about 4 1/2 11-oz bags

Red duct tape

1" dowel

Decorative accents and ribbon as desired

I painted my dowel white, since I wanted a cute, whimsical look to match the red and white candy.

Cut the dowel to 24".  Finding the exact center of the STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam cube, gently twist the dowel into the STYROFOAM™ at the center point until it is firmly embedded in the cube, approximately 4-5 inches deep.  Secure the cube into the bottom of the container with hot glue.

To hide the white STYROFOAM™, I cut a piece of square cardstock to size and let it rest on top of the cube, cutting a hole in the center for the dowel.  Before gluing the dowel into the cube, twist the other end of the dowel into the STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam sphere, about 5-6 inches deep. Pull the sphere back off the dowel.

Using small strips of colored duct tape, cover the surface of the sphere.  Be careful to leave the hole for the dowel uncovered.  Smooth down any rough edges or wrinkles in the tape, and then glue the sphere onto the dowel.

With a glue gun, begin at the top of the sphere and attach unwrapped peppermint candies to the tape.  Of course, you'll have to suck on a few of the chipped mints as you work.  Just remember that they won't taste as good now as they will on Christmas morning.  After the entire sphere is covered, spray generously with a polyurethane spray to keep the candies from becoming sticky or melting.  Down in these parts we've been known to have 80 degree temperatures at Christmas time.  That just feels wrong somehow.

I added green tinted glass gems to the top of my card stock to give some extra sparkle, and a big bow for accent.

Depending on the length of your dowel and the size of your sphere and container, these Peppermint Trees would make a cute centerpiece on a table, a festive arrangement at the base of the staircase, or a welcoming display near the entry.  As for me, my trees will be right next to the fireplace, waiting to welcome The Man in Red on his Christmas Eve visit.


Well, best of luck with your project! Happy Holidays and see you next time! 
Lang from MegOri Girls Boutique

Black Friday/Cyber Monday SALES!!!

Support the SAHM of Etsy Team and shop handmade this holiday season! Many of the team members are having great sales this weekend. See below for special offers and discount codes.

MyLovebugBaby: Several items will be marked down from Friday to Monday, you can also use code THANKS15 to receive an additional 15% discount off your purchase!  

Peace, Baby! Batiks: Free domestic shipping plus 15% off with coupon code ELF15

NatesMommyMadeit: 15% off Friday - Sunday with coupon code NMMIBLKFRI15

ButternutBoutique : 20% off coupon code FRIDAY20 for Black Friday only and coupon code CYBER20 for Cyber Monday only.

sillygeesedesigns: Code: Thanksgiving40 good Thanksgiving Day thru Cyber Monday

kayalucreations: Customers can choose either a 15% discount with code CYBER15 OR free shipping with code FREESHIP both good on Monday only.

jewelrybyaimee: Friday only 15% off : FRIDAYSHOP and Monday only Free Domestic shipping : CYBERSHIP

DirtyDeedsSoaps : Good from now until the day after Cyber Monday - code DIRTYFRIDAY for 15% off any purchase.

andralynn:  Code: HOLIDAYSALE11 for 10% off Black Friday through Cyber Monday
 
CherryBlossomHatsEtc: Thursday through Monday, a different percentage off each day, anywhere from 20% to 50%, come check it out! The coupon code will be posted on my shop each day.
 
SweeterThanSweets: Black Friday OR Cyber Monday 20% off entire purchase (not including shipping) with promo code: blackfridayetsy OR cybermondayetsy

MySweetPotato3: Black Friday through Cyber Monday 15% off with code: Holiday2011
 
PamsBabyBakery: Thanksgiving through the end of Nov use code - START15 for 15% off all orders

CoconutPalmDesigns : From now to November 30th enjoy 10% off all items in my store with coupon code THANKSGIVING10
 
littlebuttercupbaby : 11/21-11/28 I am offering 15% off your entire purchase! Coupon Code: THANKS15

handmaidencanada: Black Friday receive 10% off everything in my shop with the coupon code GRATITUDE2011

tutoocutetutus: Good now until the end of day Cyber Monday. "BLKFRI20" for 20% off your purchase.


LittlePrincessPea: Use coupon code FREESHIP3 for free domestic shipping in my Etsy shop for Black Friday.

growingupwild: 15% off Sale in my Ready To Ship section through Tuesday. No coupon code necessary- items have already been marked down!

ScissorGoddess : Holiday sale 40% off everything in shop with code: HOLIDAY now through 11/30

exhaustedcreativity: 15% off just about everything through Monday night. No coupon needed!

CLICK HERE to shop from the fantastic items the SAHM of Etsy Team have handmade for you! 

Happy Shopping! 

Monika, My Lovebug Baby 

Tuesday Tutorial - How to Tie a Symmetrical Bow

With Christmas is around the corner with lots present wrapping and bow tying, I found this tutorial from WiKiHow and think this is a great tutorial to share.  To most people, tying a bow, with things like shoes laces, can be done without thinking.  However, tying a bow that looks like the ones showing on a TV commercial is another story.  Well, this tutorial will show you how to tie a symmetrical bow--and just in time for Christmas present wrapping!  WikiHow also provided a video clip on their site.  If you have problem following the tutorial, I suggest to check out the video. 

How to Tie a Bow

The "one loop" method that most people use with shoelaces doesn't produce the most symmetrical bow when used with ribbon. But, with a little tweaking of your technique, you will learn how to perfect making a bow using ribbon. This is great for making bows that sit atop gifts or for adding to hair accessories that you might be creating yourself.

Steps

1. 1
   

   Cross the two ends of the ribbon and loop one end under.
   Cross the two ends of the ribbon and loop one end under. Do this the same way as when you start when you tie your shoes.
2. 2
   

   Make one side of the ribbon into a loop.
   Make one side of the ribbon into a loop. If you are tying a ribbon, make sure that it doesn't twist.
3. 3
   

   Make the other side of the ribbon into an identical loop.
   Make the other side of the ribbon into an identical loop.
4. 4
   

   Cross the two loops and pull the loop on top through the hole that exists between the two loops.
   Cross the two loops and pull the loop on top through the hole that exists between the two loops.This is the same motion you made in step one.
5. 5
   

   Pull tightly.
   Pull tightly. The bow will look messy at this point.
6. 6
   

   Adjust the loops.
   Adjust the loops. Loosen the ends of the bow and keep adjusting until the loops sit evenly.  
7.  
8. Well, have fun with your bows!  Until next time!   MegOri Girls Boutique

Treasury Thursday!

Here are 3 beautiful treasuries for this rounds treasury challenge all featuring Bows By Emily Grace!

'The Stockings Were Hung By The Chimney With Care' by KayaLuCreations

With a little help from Etsy, Santa soon will be there!

Christmas Hair Clip Set... BowsbyEmilyGra... $7.00	Hair Pins Red Flower Cr... embellishingyo... $9.50	White snow winter chris... Lori411 $4.00	Crochet iPhone Case, iP... valentinearts $12.00
PEACE ON EARTH (dove ne... PASSIONandPAIS... $19.00	Christmas Wish Type Fre... starletandjuli... $5.95	Coffee Cozy and Tea Wal... handmadetherap... $15.00	Girls Warmers Leg or Ar... mysillybluehip... $5.00
Red Beaded Bracelet - G... exhaustedcreat... $22.00	Keep Calm Walk On Compa... soradesigns $22.50	Loblolly Pine on Light ... subtleacts $10.00	Tree of Life Peppermint... mandalarain $12.00
Mint Green Tuxedo Bow H... ButternutBouti... $2.00	Crocheted baby shoes in... katikatvintage $15.00	Princess Garnet pendant... JewelryByAimee $16.00	Embroidered Felt Matryo... sarahndipities $20.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

'Chilly' by LittlePrincessPea

Stay warm this holiday season! Treasury for the SAHM of Etsy Team Treasury challenge :)

Stocking Stuffer Winter... VeryEnchanting $12.99	Crochet Beanie With a B... sarahndipities $18.00	Christmas Snowman Pengu... BowsbyEmilyGra... $4.00	FOREST organic cotton w... organicquiltco... $45.00
Denim Collection - Croc... annerstreet $34.00	Burlap Christmas/winter... LaRaeBoutique $25.00	American Girl & 18"... MegOriGirls $11.50	White Fox Fur Earmuff PlushFurs $29.00
Penguin Treat Boxes Fou... alteredbyjenn $8.00	Hand Knitted Wool Socks... UnlimitedCraft... $17.00	6 Handmade Tags-Brown S... EmbellishbyJac... $3.00	SILVER & MOSS PINAFORE ... AWeeSprig $34.00
Snowflake Ornament - OO... PosketsTreasur... $6.00	Flat Notecards - Chilly... lettercdesign $11.00	Natural Grey and Red Ki... HappyLaika $10.00	Little Purse for a Litt... PamsBabyBakery $8.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

'Rudolph the red nosed reindeer' by alteredbyjenn

SAHM of Etsy Treasury Challenge

Rudolph Hair Bow Hair C... BowsbyEmilyGra... $4.00	Christmas Reindeer - Ba... maddywear $22.00	American Girl 18 Inch D... MegOriGirls $28.50	Sleepy Reindeer Hat - C... MySweetPotato3 $28.00
The Perfect Christmas G... BlueberryGal $10.00	RUDOLPH REINDEER Red No... CoutureBabyHea... $34.99	Personalized Christmas ... EAndEEmb $28.00	Needle Felted Rudolph R... FeltTree $24.00
Lovely christmas rudolp... fridascloset1 $28.00	Rudolph amigurumi, Chri... Hippywitch $7.00	10 Christmas Rudolph Th... JennifersCooki... $14.00	Rudolph the red nosed R... Nancyscreation... $12.99
Cute Blank Christmas Gl... pango78 $4.00	Rudolph Wood Kokeshi Do... Pegged $12.00	Hand Painted Custom Woo... PrincessNicole... $30.00	Christmas Reindeer Pinw... TuTooCuteTutus $3.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Enjoy!! ~Steph~The Cuddle Corner~