.:Showcase Saturday:.

I'm going to attempt to start sharing some of my favorite projects/ideas from Market Yourself Monday every Saturday. Notice the attempt - no promises!

I'm loving having the linky parties every Monday, and just want to reiterate that even though I may not always be commenting, I am reading!

I love this jelly roll skirt from treasures for tots, although I'm not sure my sewing skills are ready to tackle it yet! What a fun idea!

These twine covered bottles from Fun to Craft are so cute! What a simple way to add some decor to your home. I'm definitely going to give these a try...I already have two bottles waiting to be used!

How cute are these picture holders from Minutes to Spare? You could easily make sets for each holiday or season, and what a fun gift idea!

Jen at Tatertots and Jello never ceases to amaze! I love this subway art! You could have fun doing this for seasons, holidays, or even just for a child's room!

Okay, this window shutter wall display from Tortoise and the Hare is so much fun! I love it!

I love this monogrammed art from My Frugal Family. What a neat idea!

Thanks to everyone for linking up! Come back on Monday to join in on the next linky party!

.:Feature Friday - Little Miss Crafty Pants:.

I'm so excited to introduce Erika to you all today! I'm sure some of you already 'know' her from the blogging land. She is super creative and a really fun gal, so enjoy this great tutorial from her!

Hello all you fabulous fans of Sumo!

I'm so excited to be the guest blogger for today!!
My name is Erika from Miss Crafty Pants (formerly know as Little Miss Crafty Pants.)

I've recently up and moved my blog, so come on by to take a peek around. I'd love to have you!
*I will be having a few drawings coming up soon for all my followers, so be sure to add your name to the list.

If you'd like to learn a little more about me you can visit my blog HERE.

Now on to my Tutorial!!!!

*My project I did using a digital scrapbooking kit
{Credits: "A Year Of Memories.February" By: Dani Mogstad & Shawna Clingerman}


Tile Projects Included in your download

Items Needed:
6" x 8" Tile (found at Home Depot or Lowes for a few bucks)
Pre-Printed digital scrapbooked picture
(Or you can use a picture and regular scrapbooking paper)
Mod Podge
Sponge Brush
Sandpaper

Optional:
Acrylic Texturing Gel
Plastic Grocery Bag

Step 1: Hopefully you're familiar with a photo editing program to use the download. Just simply drag and drop your picture behind the pre-made template included in the download. It was made to fit a 8 x 6 tile. Then you can drag and drop your photo to a 8 x 10 template for printing.

Step 2: Print your photo
(I print mine at Sams club. The colors have less of a chance of bleeding when adding the mod podge when using professional photo paper.)

{ If using photo and scrapbooking paper, gather supplies.}

Step 3: Trim excess photo paper to fit 8 x 6 tile.

Step 4: Quickly brush mod podge onto the tile. Firmly press your picture onto the tile. Let it dry.
{If it bubbles, wait a few minutes then press the picture down}

Step 5: Once the photo tile is dry sand the excess paper off the edges. I LOVE the look it gives. It looks as though the picture is flush with the tile.

{Idea: add distressing ink around the edges for an antiqued look}
Optional:
Dip a small corner of a crumpled plastic bag into the Acrylic Texturing Gel. Dab the gel onto the tile until you get the desired look. Let dry overnight.

DOWNLOAD LINKS

Thanks for having me Miss Sumo!

Super cute, huh? I can't wait to give this a try! Thanks Erika!

.:Things to Try Thursday - Pillow Top Towel:.

So I think this is just too darling! And it is a sewing project that even I could handle! The idea is from I Love This and That. She shares her tutorial here. What a fun and personalized gift idea!

.:Mouth-Watering Wednesday - Bon Bons:.

These are a delicious treat to make, and require very few ingredients! Plus, it looks like you made something pretty nice when you bring it to a party or a dinner!

What you need:

- cake mix (this time I used a cherry one)

- can of frosting (I used vanilla for the cherry mix)

- extras: sprinkles, cinnamon and sugar, powdered sugar, cocoa, sugar, almond bark, etc.

Bake your cake as directed. Let it cool completely.

Take your cake out of the pan and put it in a large bowl.

Put your can of frosting into the bowl and mash them together. I find it is just easier to get messy and use my *clean* hands!

Line your cookie sheet with wax paper.

Use your cookie scoop to scoop balls on to the cookie sheet. Put them in the freezer until they are tacky.

Roll them in whatever you think would be tasty with them, and/or dip them in almond bark!

Serve and enjoy!

In the past I've done chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Here are a couple of pictures of those.

My friend has also done a spice cake with cream cheese frosting; they were delicious! There are lots of fun options you could do with this!

.:Tutorial Tuesday - Zipper Flowers:.

I've been seeing zipper flowers pop up all over, and figured it was high time I gave it a try! I love how funky and different these are!

What you need:

- zipper (you can find them at most craft/sewing stores, but even Wal-Mart has a decent selection. This zipper was from Wal-Mart for $1.50)

- needle and thread

- felt

- hot glue/gun

- clip

- ribbon

- bling! (optional)

You'll want to double up your thread on your needle for added security.

Start by making a straight stitch along the bottom of your zipper with the teeth up. You can vary the length between stitches to however ruffled you want it to look. I'd say mine was about 1/4-1/2".

I had also cut off the zipper as close as I could to the pull; I didn't choose to include mine for this flower, although I have seen some cute ones with the pull left on!

When you get to the end, start pulling on your thread to get it to curl around and ruffle. You can pull with your hands to adjust it how you want.

The zipper I used was only 9 inches long, so I stitched on the other side of the zipper to use the entire thing.

Stitch along the bottom of the second side and pull it around as well.

I then put in a few stitches in some hidden spots to secure it and tied it off.

Next I cut a circle of felt to glue the flower to before attaching it to the clip. I also dabbed a few drops of glue underneath parts of the rosette to secure it.

Add your bling and attach it to your clip!

Finished! Can you imagine how cute on a baby's headband? It's even great for YOU to wear!

My friend and I also gave this petaled kind a try. First you want to cut your zipper into smaller pieces - about three inches or so each. I did six petals.

Then you are going to stitch along the bottom of each petal. I used white thread on this black piece so that it would show up, but for my real petals I used black thread. Your first few stitches you want to be further apart, and then a few smaller stitches in the middle, and a few more longer stitches again at the end. (My stitches aren't perfect as you can see, but it doesn't matter!)

Pull your thread to pull the petal around. Attach the two ends with a few stitches.

Do this for all of your petals. I then used a smaller, colored zipper to make a rosette.

Next I hot glued my petals around the rosette. You could also stitch them on if you wanted.

Then I cut out a felt circle and hot glued the flower to it, and of course, added some bling!

Put it on a clip or a pin and you are ready to go!

Here are a few other flowers I've made so far.

What are you waiting for? Go buy some zippers and get started!

.:Market Yourself Monday - Burlap Wreath:.

Thank you to everyone who linked up their latest projects last Monday! I'm sorry I wasn't able to comment on everyone's, but I am reading and looking! Maybe this week I'll get with the program!

I featured this great tutorial from Jen over at Tatertots and Jello to make a burlap wreath, and here is my finished product.

Can I just say LOVE?

I was sooo happy when I saw that burlap came in colors (I know, naive to not know that!) Thanks again Jen for sharing your great idea!!!

Now it's YOUR turn to share what you've been working on! Link up your latest creations, projects, recipes - anything! Please link to the specific post; not just to your blog. And go ahead and check everyone else's out, too! Spread a little comment love!