Jenny found this awesome quilted tote bag at Neolasdaughter blog. Super cute and easy.
Button Crafts, Part Two
The Craft Gods keep sending me button goodness to share….must be some kinds of harmonic convergence in the crafty universe! I got online today and found this FAB-U-LOUS button coaster craft at CraftStylish for a button coaster. Wow! I LOVE the way it looks, and you could create all kinds of designs if you used different colors of embroidery threads and/or different colors of buttons. Just make sure they are of a uniforms size and you can get really creative […]
Button Crafts
I love buttons- both the functional, keep-your-sweater-closed variety, as well as purely decorative/design elements. Yup. Love buttons! So, since it’s National Craft Month in March I thought I’d share a few resources with you! Make a cute button-covered tote…I reposted it from Martha Stewart a while back. Great way to use up those funky buttons in the button jar and spruce up that boring market tote! CraftStylish offers step-by-step instructions on making a button bracelet– you need shank buttons for […]
Yo Yo Heart Hair Clips for Valentine’s day!
I made these last year, but I thought I’d give you a quick tutorials on making them yourself. They are SO cute for a little- or big- girl’s hair! You’ll need: white craft glue, like tacky glue or Sobo (“super” glue optional) about 6 inches of velvet ribbon, 1/2 inch wide (grosgrain will work in a pinch. The velvet actually helps to grip the hair, and keep the clip from sliding out. Do NOT use satin ribbon for this reason.) […]
Scrap Fabric Postcard Swap
Even though it’s the holiday season, and I’m well over my head with projects, I couldn’t resist jumping into one more swap at ClothPaperStudio Yahoo group. The idea was to make an “artful” fabric postcard, using scraps. When the sign-ups were happening, I was cleaning out my studio and had scraps out the wazoo. Then I packed up 5 bags of fabric and trims to the attic to be sorted later. Fast forward 6 weeks: time to make the postcards. […]
Last Minute Hostess Gifts- Leaf Wine Glass Coasters
If your life is anything like mine, you constantly need little gifties to hand out. (Thankfully, it’s a small price to pay for someone else cooking dinner!) Anyhoo, I ran across this cute idea at CraftStylish and I’m going to get a-sewing so that I have a set of these for my Thanksgiving Hostess. (By the way, these are called coasters, but what they really are are little cozies for the foot of a wine glass. They are a great […]
Wild Women Pins for CPS Swap
I’ve gotten back to the sewing machine- a little- and have made some pins for the ClothPaperStudio Yahoo Group swap. Our theme was “wild women pins,” but mine are more like sassy ladies. I started with my standard fiber fusion technique- layering batting, then fabric, and then sprinkling thread snippets, fabric scraps, yarns, and Angelina Fibers on top. I put down a layer of Solvy, then free-motion embroider on top to keep it all together. After dissolving the Solvy, I […]
Yo-Yo Handbag
You know I love my yo-yo’s…. so when I ran across this goodie at CraftStylish, I had to share it. I want one. The instructions include step-by-steps for making the bag, as well as how to make yo-yo’s. If you missed my review on the Clover Yo-Yo makers, you might want to check that out, as well. I’m gonna go start digging out my fabric scraps….
Pink Ribbon Quilting for Breast Cancer Awarenss
So I’m on a kick here- I thought I’d share a link for a quilt block that features the “Pink Ribbon” which symbolizes breast cancer awareness. (Although you could substitute any color for pink that supports the cause of your choice.) Our friends over at Quilters’ Cache have provided a FREE quilt block pattern that includes- hallelujah- rotary cutting instructions. It looks like a complex block, but most of the pieces are pretty easy- just rectangles, squares, and a few […]
Recycled Necktie Scarf from CraftStylish
Ok, I love me some recycled neckties! So I’ve taken a moment from sewing up little necktie purses to share this nifty scarf from CraftStylish. I won’t give it all away here, but the gist is that you’ll need 8 gutted neckties. (Gutting them is when you slice open the back seam with a seam ripper and remove the stiff stuff that give the tie it’s body.)Â You cut them into odd rectangles, piece them together, and then cut out […]
Great Tips on Folding Fabric
Ok, I got this one from Tipnut, but the woman in the video is Marilyn Bohn. She is an organizing maniac, and has several videos on YouTube on how to organize….well, everything. However, today I’m sharing the fabric folding video. It’s simple and easy, and there may be hope for my fabric stash yet…. [youtube rkTlaMqRlwo] I’ll be sharing more from Marilyn…. gotta get that craft room in order!
Fun with Fabric Paper (Quick How-To)
I had my friend and artist Wendy Fedan over last Wednesday for some down-and-dirty art, making fabric paper. For those who don’t know, fabric paper is basically a collage based on fabric, and then layered with white glue and other paper, fabric, yarns, etc. Wendy and I sat in the sun and spent an hour making pieces. Here are a few that I made: So here’s the basic tutorial: (I got it from Cloth Paper Scissors awhile back.) Start with […]
Hooray for Headbands and Heather Bailey
The weather here in NE Ohio has been sticky-hot this week, and my curly hair is getting on my nerves. I’m always up for a new hair gizzie (as they are affectionately called in my family) and Heather Bailey of www.HelloMyNameisHeather.com has a quick and FREE tutorial on making fabric headbands. Yay! She has a great blog, and designs the most scrummy fabrics. Totally cool. And the free tute also has multiple sizes so you and your tot can rock […]
Fabric Cones for Swap – Scrap Mania!
I impulsively signed up for a swap on my CPS Yahoo Group, making fabric cones. They are inspired by old-fashioned May-day cones. Back in the day, you’d make a little decorative cone from paper, fill it with small candies or flowers, and leave it on the doorknob of someone you admired or loved. So now they’ve grown up, and it’s an excuse for mixed-media craftistas everywhere to spend an exorbitant amount of time on a bit of frippery. Ours were […]
Recycling Sweaters into Cardigans
Ahh, spring is here and it’s time to put those sweaters away. Or is it? Maybe it’s seen it’s better days. Or your weight has changed, and it doesn’t fit like it used to. Or you’re just itching to go thrifting and engage in some Earth Day craftiness. Well, I’ve found an idea for you! Over at Erica Makes Stuff, she’s posted a step-by-step tutorial on refashioning your old sweater into a spiffy new cardigan. According to her, you only […]
Sew Your Own Lunch Bag
I was checking out Martha Stewart’s Craft of the Day, and today she was showing off oil cloth lunch bags. Since I’m all for reusable lunch bags, I thought I’d share it here with you. The only problem? Martha doesn’t give a pattern. But Jumilla Bugs did! This is her version: i made a cardboard template that is a little ragged but still works. the bag is a very simple 6 pieces: back / flap – about 61/2 by 14 […]
Jo-Jo ClownYo-Yo Doll
When I first got on my “yo-yo” kick, my mom commented to me that when she was a young teenager, she made a clown doll out of yo-yo’s for her first nephew. (She says all she can remember is cutting out zillions of circles!) Anyway, I did a little research and found the pattern at Sunshine’s Creations. There are great step-by-step instructions. It’s a great “retro” craft, and a fabulous way to use up some fabric scraps. Since I’m also […]
Gorgeous Paper Bead Necklace
I was doing my regular surfing, and ran across this GORGEOUS paper bead necklace from Mazel Tov Jewelry. Really transcends paper beads into high art. Tell me it’s not fabulous and I’ll call you a liar!
Sew Your Own Easter Basket
You can file this one under “sewing Easter baskets for Dummies”- it’s that easy. These are made from placemats, a little webbing, and a whole lotta crafty! Click on over to J Caroline Creative! and get the tutorial. These would be so cute customized for each child with their favorite color, initial, or character. (My Sweet Boy would love a Spider-man Easter basket.) Thinking of it that way, these could then be reused as tote bags. What fun!
Another Quilted Patchfolio or Two
Ok, this little suckers are addictive. I whipped up 2 more the other day. And now my son wants one, too. Just had to show-and-tell! (See my original post about the Craft Apple pattern here.)
