Ric Rac Towels and Mindy Mae's Market

I'm such an impulse buyer sometimes.  It's horrible.  I end up really loving the stuff I get or returning it within 24 hours, and I usually return more than I spend.  No guilt over here.  When I go to Target and see a cute shirt I buy it.  I take it home and see what I think...trying clothes on with the Things in tow isn't advised.  

My favorite buys lately have been coming from Mindy Mae's Market.  I found this site through a giveaway on another blog that I follow.  {I really can't remember which one it was to save my life. Oops}  This store's concept is brilliant: buy craft supplies at cheap prices and only buy what you need.  Seems like a no brainer, right?  Everyday poeple like you and me would have to buy in bulk to get a great price, but Mindy Mae's is happy to buy a lot and give you the benefits!  I personally would have no idea what to do with 100 yards of burlap  {I'm sure some of you do, but I don't}.

Today I'm showing you some of my awesome scores from Mindy Mae's.

Goodie Box of random stuff - $15

Icludes:

50 lollipop sticks

4 thin watch bands

a bunch of jump rings and fish hook for earrings

7 adjustable ring bases

a bunch of red and pink striped twine

a bunch of cabochons

various ric rac and ribbon

Store buy

100 various plastic buttons - $1.60

Store Buy

4 easels - $6.50

Frame pictured is 6" x 8"

"I'll Take It!" buy

I Love You Printable

Baking Time Necklace - $18

This baby is still in the mail.  I can't wait!!!

"Make Me an Offer" buy

These ladies have something for everyone.  Fabric, necklaces, test tubes, candlesticks, pillow covers, ric rac, burlap, the list goes on and on.

Everyday Mindy Mae's has a new featured item along with lots of other deals up for grabs at their store.  Even better than all their great deals is their blog.  Mindy Mae's not only gives you the goods to take down the project you've been thinking about for weeks, but they also show you ideas for fun projects to make with all their products.

I think my favorite things Mindy Mae's does are "I'll Take It" and "Make Me an Offer."  On their Facebook page you can grab your favorite item at a discounted price by being the first to comment "I'll Take It" on their wall post.  "Make Me an Offer" lets you get the best price possible for anything in Mindy Mae's store.  Let Mindy Mae's know what and how much you want to pay.  You'll get a thumbs up or they will counter offer.  They allow counter offers too!  You can get an even better deal by bundling your items together.  It's so fun and addicting!

Inquiring Mind: "Julie, you bought all this great stuff, but what are you going to do with it?" 

Me: I'll show you!

Ric Rac Kitchen Towels
Inspired by and with directions from Asthetic Nest

Supplies:

• A white kitchen towel  {I'm using a Bar Towel. I bought a pack of 6 from Ross for $5}
• Different lengths of Ric Rac and ribbon, 1 to 1 1/2 yards each depending on the width of your towels

Method:

1. Select the ric rac and/or ribbon you want to use.  {I chose colors from my goodie bag that reminded me of Halloween.}  A lot of different combinations would be fun here, there are no rules.  I think what ever looks good to your eye works.
2. You'll need 1 yard to 1 1/2 yards of each of the colors of ric rac and/or ribbon you choose to complete your towel. {My towels are large when unfolded.  I used 18" of ric rac and ribbon per row.}  You could measure twice and then cut and sew, but I prefered to skip the meausring part and instead sew, and then cut to fit.  Worked just fine since I started with enough length.
3. To finish the end of the ric rac, and stop fraying, make a little zig zag stitch a bit back from the end and then trim the ric rac close to the stiching.  I find if I try to sew right on the edge it's a big mess.
4. Now fold the ric rac back onto itself.  It's nice if the ridges line up.  Pin on the wrong side of the towel where you will start sewing your first line of ric rac.  I suggest working from the bottom up to make it easier to keep everything straight.  You caould measure and mark on the towel if you wanted to.  Place the first row of ric rac about one inch from the bottom of the towel and stitch down the middle in a white thread.
5. At the end reverse stitch, cut the thread, and trim the ric rac leaving about 1 inch out from the towel.  Then zig zag stitch this end and tucked it under towards the back side of the towel.  Stitch the end in place on the back of the towel.
6. Continue in the same manner with your other lines of ric rac and/or ribbon.  I spaced my stitching lines about one inch apart.  Now you have a lovely kitchen towel. 

You could make these towels for any holiday or to coordinate with your kitchen.  They would make great gifts as well.  I love my Happy Halloween towel.  :D

Cabochon Rings

I've seen this style of ring all over Etsy and I wanted one for myself.  Rings like this, this, and this.  Now I have two.  Yes!

The rings bases would also work great for a kid's Super Hero Birthday Party, since they are adjustable.  What little boy doesn't want his own Green Lantern ring?

Button Earrings

This brilliant and lovely idea comes from Ruffles And Stuff.

Cake Pops & Lollipops

{photo source}

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Yeah, I didn't make any cake pops yet.  I'm saving my sticks for St. Patrick's Day goodies.  Don't worry, I'll be showing you soon enough.

That's what I'm making with my goodies from Mindy Mae's.  I'd love to hear what you get from them and what you are going to make.  Please feel free to share your projects in the comments below.