FEST: 2013

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Wise words for a Happy Saturday and Holiday Season!

Some wise words shared on our team page and I just felt that it is something that could be shared with everyone today - Thank you Rose for all that you do for our team.

You just never know.

Dealing with so many members here on this team alone I get an inside glimpse to so many peoples lives and I gotta tell you: you just never know.

worries, pains, issues, problems, distresses,
we all have them - some more, some less. and day by day things can get better and they can get worse.

remember when you are dealing with people out there: you just never know.

I remember one day when I was having a relatively difficult day and emotional turmoil had taken over and I had a rant of road rage . I am more than sure that the lady I cut off cursed me all the way home and, although I felt really bad afterwards, I could not take back the fact that I did it but in that moment I couldn't control myself. and that's when I realized, I understood, that sometimes these things happen and, well, you just never know.

a lot of us are aware that holiday shopping is crazy and it's understandable to think that some people out there ARE having several levels of difficulty getting through this season, whether it be emotional or financial or other, and many times a smile and a kind word is what could be just the thing that helps someone get through the next moment.
please be kind out there.
please keep in mind that the holiday season is just another part of the year and we are all humans making our trip through life and helping each other is part of our lives and part of our existence.
medical issues, financial problems, family turmoil are a sad but true part of our lives and whether you realize it or not, most people you know are going through these at some level.
"no excuses, no regrets". be kind, because you just never know

Sunday, December 1, 2013

2013 Yuletide Basket Giveaway!

16 Team members have gotten together this Holiday Season and all donated some wonderful items to create a Yuletide Basket Giveaway!

'The Florida Etsy Street Team (FEST) 2013 Yuletide Basket Giveaway' by FEST

Win ALL 16 items listed here!! comment and favorite for chances to win! Drawing Dec. 14th Prizes mailed to the winner Dec. 15th counted entries will be 1 comment per person per day , & favoriting this treasury will give you another chance to win!

Team Fest Yule Bask... PennyBoperoo $13	Team Fest Yule Bask... asitcomesitgo... $0.2	Team Fest Yule Bask... PatricianCrea... $0.2	Florida Etsy Street... TeamFEST $1.2
Team Fest Yule Bask... LuckiiArts $0.2	Team Fest Yule Bask... LangsonsJewel... $0.2	Team Fest Yule Bask... beadloverskor... $0.2	Team Fest Yule Bask... EstiloMargot $0.2
Team FEST Yule Bask... YorelNaturals $0.2	Team Fest Yule Bask... WayfarerPrint... $0.2	Reversible Fabric B... alemahboutiqu... $0.2	Team Fest Yule Bask... HuffShuffLane $0.2
Team Fest Yule Bask... FromBeths $0.2	Team FEST Yule Bask... alyssacritter... $0.2	Reserved - Christma... NoRhymeOrReas... $4.5	Team Fest Yule Bask... RecreationalA... $6

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

All you need to do to enter is go to the Treasury Listing and comment to be entered! You can comment once per day, as well as favorite the listing for an additional entry!

The Drawing will be on Dec. 14th, items will be mailed out to winner on Dec. 15th (so they can make the best of all those holiday prizes!)

Here is an updated list of participants in this event:
1. FEST.etsy.com
2. pennyboperoo.Etsy.com
3. langsonsjewelrybox.etsy.com
4. huffshufflane.etsy.com
5. luckiiarts.etsy.com
6. beadloverskorner.etsy.com
7. EstiloMargot.etsy.com
8. alemahboutique.etsy.com
9. asitcomesitgoes.etsy.com
10. WayfarerPrints.Etsy.com
11. PatricianCreations.Etsy.com
12. norhymeorreasonat40.etsy.com
13. recreationalart.etsy.com
14. alyssacritters.etsy.com
15. YorelNaturals.etsy.com
16. FromBeths.Etsy.com

And an additional shout out to a team member who is helping to cover shipping for this great basket, LuckiiArts

So what are you waiting for! Go check it out and enter - share with your family/friends so they can enter too!

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Sunshine Kids Craft Corner - Super Fun American Girl DIY Party Idea

Our crew has had the blessing of celebrating more then 8 family birthdays over the past two months! This was a super fun DIY party idea that the girls and I worked on together and they are so cute! These little guys can be used to so many ways from centerpieces, party favors and more! Save those cans and set down with the little one's for this one. This is a great and easy way to add a little extra fun as a Thanksgiving Table Idea too !

Supplies: Empty Cans All Shapes and Sizes

Your Favorite Paper Modge Podge

A paint Sponge

Ribbons Embellishments of Choice

Tips: Make sure and use an Edge Can Opener so there are not sharp edges left on the can. Also a great trick to getting those labels off the cans is to run them though the dishwasher first~ Once they come out any label left will peel right of.

Step 1: Measure your Can Size Height and Diameter and Cut Your Paper of Choice to the appropriate size

Step 2: Using your Paint Sponge Cover the Entire Can with Modge Podge

Step 3: Wrap the can with your cut paper

Step 4: Repaint the entire can with paper with the Modge Podge.

Make sure to cover it good.

Step 5: Set aside to dry

Step 6: Embellish your fun can with Ribbons, Rhinestones or other Die Cut Shapes. This sample was made as a party favor for an American Girl Themed party.

We added a little hanging ribbon on the top and it's just the perfect size to hold all those fun Doll Brush and Hair Accessories

This one is a Great Idea for a 75th Birthday Party! These were crafted as Floral Vases to hold flowers for a Daisy themed party. Add a little Personalized Table Confetti FromBeths and its a super cute, inexpensive and fun craft to add just a little something handmade to your event. Don't be shy! Save those can and give them a try.

You will have so much fun!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

How to make a personalized invitation from a digital template

How to make a personalized invitation from a digital template

So, as an ol’ photoshop pro, I sometimes am guilty of not considering how the other half operates (seriously how do you survive?) I recently ran into this problem head on when a client ordered one of my instant download invite’s – only to discover she had no idea what to do with it! Unfortunately I was out of town and was not able to respond or help her, thus losing a client and having to issue a refund, not to imagine the frustration on her end… I have decided to turn this bad experience into a learning opportunity for others.

Now, as anyone can tell you there are 100’s of ways to add text to an image and customize a file. For the purpose of this tutorial I am going to pick an easy (and free) method’s to edit one of my invitations (this one here). At the end of the tutorial, I will mention a few other sites/programs (also all free) that are great to utilize.

http://www.fotor.com/

I actually discovered Fotor today for the purpose of this tutorial. I like it because it is very easy to use, completely free, and I didn’t have to sign up or download anything to use it!

Step 1: Go to http://www.fotor.com/ and click on “Open a Photo”

Step 2: On the right of your screen go to “Add Photo” then “Computer”, then select your previously downloaded invite template.

Step 3: Add text! First click on the “T” in the green circle to get to your text area, then scroll through the font’s in either “Local” or “Online”. Once you find one you like, click on it and hit “Insert Text”

Step 4: You can use the tools to edit its color, size, ect. The color eyedrop tool is my favorite because I can use colors straight from the invite! Don’t be afraid to play around so you understand what these do before you move on. At any point you can edit your text by clicking on it.

Step 5: Repeat step’s 3 and 4! Just keep adding text until you are happy and have everything you need.

Step 6: If you are feeling extra adventurous check out their other tools, add clip art, ect Oh! And it will ask you to apply your changes before switching tools, always do so.

Step 7: Save! Go to the share icon and save as a jpg, highest quality on the slider bar.

Step….. YOUR DONE! At least with the design work. Now you can upload to facebook, print at home, or at a store.

Now, some other online programs that will allow you to add text (and do other awesome things as well):

http://pixlr.com/editor/

http://www.sumopaint.com/

http://www.splashup.com/

Some companies, online and storefront, that you can order prints from (and also edit):

http://photo.walgreens.com/walgreens/welcome

http://www.snapfish.com/photo-gift/welcome

http://www.cvsphoto.com/home

http://www.shutterfly.com/

http://photos.walmart.com/walmart/welcome

http://www.target.com/c/target-photo/-/N-5a1wg

I hope you will find this tutorial helpful, please comment below about your experience with any of these programs (or others). And if you are on the hunt for some invite templates feel free to check out my etsy shop (insert shameless self promotion)

-Chelsey

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Holiday Gift-Basket Giveaway 2013

Hi there all!
Erica here from Team Fest!
As many of you are aware and have tried to forget- Christmas is fast approaching! (I hear the groans!) I have come up with a fun idea to make our vendors sparkle this Christmas just in time for Holiday shopping!
We're hosting our very first Christmas/Yule Giveaway!
That's right! OUR VERY FIRST! Sounds exciting doesn't it?
So what does this entail?
Quite simply we need our vendors featured right here in Florida that are members from Team Fest to sign up!
I have created a thread on our Team discussion board- the link is here- www.etsy.com/teams/5263/florida-etsy-street-team/discuss/13076783/page/1 for you to follow and sign up.
Please add your Etsy shop link to the list. We need at least 16 shops to participate for this to work.
All you need to do is donate an item from your Etsy with a value of at least $5. After your item has been made, you'll make a listing in your shop with a title of: Team Fest Christmas or Yule Basket Giveaway RESERVED and in your description please make sure other customer's of your shop are aware that this is not for public purchase or sale.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the nature of the basket, I'm asking only for TANGIBLE ITEMS; no readings, please.
Please make sure the item you donate is of course Christmas related.
(I have more detailed information on the thread mentioned above)
We ask for a listing because this item will be featured in a Treasury that will be created and shown off to the public. Entries are VALID when the entrant comes to Etsy, and LIKES, SHARES, AND COMMENTS on the giveaway Treasury. (Must do all three.) In the comments of the Treasury Giveaway page, entrants must provide a link to their social media showing where they liked, shared, pinned or tweeted.
When we get all of the participants, I'll make a posting that it has been closed and items must be made immediately if you have not made them before then. In order to ensure the basket arrives in time for Christmas/Yule, all items need to get to Rose our Team Captain ON or BEFORE NOVEMBER 15th so she can prepare the basket for giving.
In addition if you'd like to donate towards the shipping cost of mailing the Giveaway Basket, Rose has generously stated that those who do (if you are a Vendor) will automatically be entered into the Coupon Book for Team Fest for FREE! It's a great way to give you additional advertising!
All vendors who participate in this Giveaway will receive public acknowledgement of participating, free advertising for the Holidays, a happy & proud feeling of a job well done and of course the thanks of everyone at Team Fest!
So what are you waiting for? Join in the Holiday fun over at Team Fest and let the Holiday rush BEGIN!
Wishing everyone a successful shopping & buying season Team Fest!
~Erica at Creatively Charmed Jewelry & Gifts

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Members Giveaway

Giveaway share!!! there's a giveaway coming up REAL soon!

MoonlightMicroFarm will be giving away this awesome beginner's sprouting kit !

just go to

Aquarianbath.blogspot.com to read up all about it and enter for YOUR chance to win! Good luck!!

Friday, October 18, 2013

Featured Friday - Old Red Barn Production

This Friday's interview is with JL Jordan, owner of Old Red Barn Production and Beyond The Lens Cap

Tell me a bit about yourself and what you sell:

I grew up on a farm in Illinois, but have been in Florida for many years and I have survived raising 4 kids. My mom always had a crochet hook in one hand and a camera in the other with a craft she’s creating on the table, so I guess I am following in her footsteps. I have two shops: Old Red Barn Productions sells craft and yarn items, while Beyond The Lens Cap sells photos.

Favorite piece you have made- and why?

Maybe it’s because I have the attention span of a gnat, but my most favorite piece is the one I’m working on. I always get so excited about starting a new project.
CHECK OUT PIECE TO LEFT

What inspires you?

Nature and animals and colors and shiny things.
CHECK OUT PIECE TO LEFT

Favorite part about living in Florida?

No snow. This winter when you all up north are shoveling snow, I’ll be sitting on my back porch sipping lemonade and saying, “I sure love living in Florida”.

See yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully alive and well with a crochet hook in one hand and a camera in the other with a craft I’m creating on the table.
CHECK OUT PIECE TO LEFT

Zombie Apocalypse! Quick, what skills do you use to help those around you?

You do realize that zombies are so misunderstood. Why, who wouldn’t be cranky looking like that? Instead of running around half naked in all kinds of weather, they could use a good hat and scarf with a nice necklace to make them feel pretty. Then I could take their picture and when the flash went off and blinded them, we could all run like heck (sorry, I was taught not to cuss in public – well, actually I was taught not to cuss, but we won’t tell mom, ok?).
CHECK OUT PIECE TO LEFT

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Five gallons of milk. I only shop for groceries once a week and we love milk. The check-out lady at the store always asks when I’m getting my cow. I would, but I don’t think my HOA would approve.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, what would it be?

They’ve already made “Gone With The Wind”.
CHECK OUT PIECE TO LEFT

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be and your name?

“SuperMom” I’d be able to juggle four things at once. Fly around town in my mini-van. And have eyes in the back of my head. Oh wait, I do. Hmmm. Never mind.

Thank you for letting me interview you (and answering so many of the fun questions!) Remember to go show Old Red Barn Production and Beyond The Lens Cap some love <3
-Chelsey
As it comes, it goes

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Member Tip of the day: Space saving!

"I'm sure we can all use a space saving tip, so here's mine. I purchased a shoe organizer from Walmart to store my bead boxes and other small items. It measures 32" X 13" X 24" so it fits in a small space. It is lightweight yet very durable. The top is hard so it makes the perfect additional desk space!"

Thank you Marlene! Check out her shop DimmittDesignsto see the product of her organization in action!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Halloween Craft Corks

October is here! Fall gardening is starting up and Halloween crafts are under way in our house.

Make a statement with your used wine corks! There are a number of sayings and words to choose from. I used scrapbook sticker letters and some synthetic corks I had on hand. I chose synthetic corks since they offer a super smooth surface and always stand up straight. Corks with or without a design work well for this easy project.