DIY Ornaments

We just gave our first free tutorial, what the heck, let's do another :) I recently created a whole bunch of templates to make felt ornaments, my new favorite stuff to work with, just look at my chickens! So I am going to call this a mini tutorial, because I don't have pictures to go along with it. For starters I have uploaded the templates for you to use here and here.

I decided to make an open stocking for each of my boys so I can stuff a little candy in them :) All of the other ornaments are stuffed with regular cheap batting!

HOW TO: Print off templates and cut around one template, let's say the stocking. Pin the paper to your felt and cut around (remember to double up for front and back!) Cut scraps of felt for the top, toe and heel if you want. Use a running stitch to attach each of these to the top layer of felt. You can also use fabric glue to help you on your way :) Finally, I did a blanket stitch around the entire stocking. I found this site helpful to learn the stitches, and I'm sure if you typed in any of the stitches someone would show you on video on youtube.

(I used a running stitch, back stitch, whip stitch and blanket stitch)

They make me so happy. I want to make 804 more.

Let me know ANY questions you have!

(PS the owl is not an original idea of mine, it comes from a crafty magazine a few years back...I just wanted you to know I'm not that amazing. Oh, and I'd add some googlie eyes to him.)

PS We added this to AmyLouWho's Sew and Tell Friday's.

A Holiday Runner

Heather and I are many things, but when it comes to our crafts, one of those things is not humble. How cute is that runner? And even better, you can make it, and we'll show you how! Our very first tutorial to show you how to make a holiday or winter table runner!

And what else is great? Choose fabrics accordingly and this can last you all winter, or it can be a spring runner. Endless possibilities I tell you.

To start, materials needed:

*1/3 yard green fabric for center

*1/4 yard aqua fabric for sashing

*1/2 yard pink fabric for border
*3-5 Fat Quarters for circles

*1/4 yard brown fabric for tree

*1/2 yard hot pink fabric for binding

*2/3 yard for backing

I totally dropped the ball here, there is no photos of me putting the background together. BUT you can do it! If you can read, sew straight and iron, you can make this, promise.

STEP 1: Start with 1/3 yard green fabric for center, using a rotary cutter, board and ruler, cut the piece to measure 10.5" x 36.5". Then cut 1/4 yard aqua fabric for the sashing into 1.5" strips.

Finally take 1/2 yard pink fabric for border and cut it into 3.5" strips.

STEP 2: Using the aqua 1.5" strip, match up to one side of the green center fabric. (You will have a good amount of sashing hanging off one end). Sew together, trim to match and press. Repeat on opposite side and then top and bottom.

Step 3: Repeat step 2 using the pink 3.5" strips.

Step 4: Make 75" of 1" bias tape using the 1/4 yard of brown fabric for tree.

Now, I used a bias tape maker that you can get at most fabric stores, I got mine at JoAnn's. It is cheap and easy, you feed fabric through one side and it come out the other where you starch and iron it, and then the ends are turned in! Ta-da! You could also make your bias tape using a fusible web (we'll use that on the circles in a minute) or you can purchase it.

Step 5: Using the main picture at the top as your guide, cut and place the tree and branches to your liking. The length of the main part of my tree is 33". Using a temporary hold glue, I used Aileen's from WalMart, paste it in place. Sew all the way around your tree and branches with invisible thread (my preference) using a tight zig-zag stitch.
Time to make circles! I've uploaded the template I used here, there is a 5" circle (cut 3), 4" circle (cut 4) and a 3" circle (cut 2).

Step 6: It is a good idea to make temporary circles from printer paper as a trial to make sure you like the size and placement, like below in photo 1.

Step 7: Using my template or your own, trace three 5" circles, four 4" circles and four 3" circles onto the paper side of the fusible web. (I used Heat n Bond lite found hanging next to the sewing notions at WalMart.) See below photo 2.

Step 8: No photo for this step. Roughly cut around the traced circle (not the actual circle, maybe 1/2" or so outside of it). Place the non-paper side of the fusible web on the wrong side of your fabric and iron. Once cooled, cut around your actual circle.
Refer to the directions on whichever type of fusible web you purchase, they may differ from my directions.

Step 9: Peel the paper away from the back of the circle and place exactly where you'd like it on your runner. Iron. Ta-da! See below photo 4.
You're almost there!

Step 10: Sew around the edges of your circle. I chose to do mine a little more decorative for fun, I sewed in about 1/4" with a hot pink thread. You can use the invisible thread again here if you'd like, it's up to you.
And....you did it!

Step 11: Stand back and admire. Show anyone within the walls of your home. Jump up and down. Giggle. Now compose yourself, you look like a fool.

It's just a runner.

:)

Don't hate me, you're thinking, man this is awfully thin?? Well there are a couple more steps to completion. It needs to be quilted. And I quilted mine on my own, bless my heart, there will be no tutorial for that. I recommend hiring a professional, my aunt always does ours but she's hundreds of miles away and I just wanted mine done immediately. You can find affordable women with long arm quilting machines who would do an excellent job. I'd ask at a local quilt store for a recommendation.

Shortly after handing it over, you'll receive the blessed call that it is ready. You'll pick it up and can't believe it's even more gorgeous than it left. All that is left to do is bind it, which is actually one of my favorite parts, because you can watch TV while you do it. I'll be posting a tutorial on how to bind a quilt (or table runner) in about a week! Stay tuned!

Please, if there are any mistakes or clarifications, let us know! Leave a comment or drop us an email! Happy quilting :)

PS We've linked with a few parties, we love them! A Soft Place to Land, DIYblogspot, the shabby chic cottage, 320 sycamore,and Today's Creative Blog so check out all those other amazing things. Also, See Mommy Sew is having a tutorial contest all of November, so go enter yours, and amylouwho for sew and tell fridays!

A Sweet Gift...

I am a slacker mother who should probably be on a large prescription dose of medicine treating ADD. I still don't have my little baby's quilt done. It is in a box cut up and somewhat pieced waiting for me to put in a few hours and focus. I was a big old lazy fat butt when I was pregnant, and knitting was exhausting to me. So I never finished his quilt, and now that he is 3 months old, I just don't seem to find the time. Thankfully a nice dear person made my baby this quilt.

This is my baby's first and only quilt. Made by a super nice person who knows who she is. Thanks and we love it! Weston is super snug!

I love all the polka dot prints. Who doesn't love some polka dots? The more the better right? And I think the super cute print in the middle with the little dear and frogs is a Michael Miller. I am not sure though.


And it is backed with the yummiest swirly green minky. I want to get naked and snuggle with it. TMI?


I love the color combination here too. Makes me happy...

And here is my little orange boy. (he had a jaundice issue for 6 weeks!, you have not seen a poor little heel get pricked so many times...he is better and pink and perfect now)

Ummmm now I just want to get my baby and snuggle on him for a few hours with the tellie...then I will lie to my husband when he comes home from work and tell him the baby has been horrible that is why the house is a mess and you don't get dinner...(TMI again? Am I the only one who would do such a horrible thing?) Hope you like this quilt. And the ADD must be genetic, because Megan and my Mother have still not delivered any quilts for this yummy baby!

PS We will be listing this at amylouwho, the shabby chic cottage , the pretty organized palace, the inspired room and my romantic home! We love parties!

Monogrammed frame project...

Another project completed and even hanging on the wall!!! Can you believe that?

I have 4 of these white beautiful frames. They were for my kids individual pics. But now I have 5 kids, and only 4 frames, so I need to rearrange, and buy 5 new frames for my kids. So here is a project with one of the 4 frames I get to play with. I found this pretty letter "A" at hobby lobby for around $4...actually $2 since everything on the store is always 50% off. (why they can't just mark all the prices down 50% all the time, I will never know, but that is another post....)

I got some white spray paint, actually it is called heritage white (I think) and sprayed. You have no idea how much spray paint this little bugger took...it probably increased the price of my letter back up $3. I probably sprayed 8 coats. Next time primer right?

Then I got me some gorilla glue because girls at this site shanty2chic are having a little gorilla glue party. I used gorilla glue "wood glue." And you know how I love me a party...and a new product. So I joined in.

I just did the mod podge strait onto the 5x7 glass. I did a cute damask brown paper. Mod podged the top of the paper and let it dry. The did the gorilla glue to the letter and smacked that baby down....and here you have the final product!!!

See...hanging on the wall! Do you love it? Don't tell me if you hate it, it may hurt my feelings for a day. I love the 3D letter.
And I am super proud, because this project I invented from my head and didn't even steal anyone else's idea (like I have been known to do.)

Hope you enjoyed, now go get your craft on. We would love more followers, and we read each and every comment you guys leave us. Thanks for all the support and love! We love you too!


PS we will be linking this to the shabby chic cottage too! Cute site! Also, decormamma's frugal friday and between naps on the porch Metamorphosis monday and Serenity Now.

Project finished!!!!!!!!!!

Alright, Megan and I should probably have a blog dedicated to Mod Podge. We true love us some Mod Podge. So fun and fast and cute!

Okay, I will show a tutorial with photos when I work on my Christmas one. I am having a hard time remembering to pull the camera out during the process. So you just get the finished product this time.

All this is is some 2x4's in various sizes. Fab scrapbook papers cut to size. Then vinyl letters . (we heart those too!). Mod Podge papers on, add vinyl letters, Mod Podge on top of papers and lettering. Then when it dries, shade the edges to really make it pop. I don't mean "ink" or "sponge" (although that would work too). You need to shade with one of those angled brushes and some acrylic paint. It really makes a HUGE difference.

So now I have my cute complete hand crafted by me project finished in time for thanksgiving. (Jealous meg?) Meg and I are long lost sisters, so we pretty much craft together on our bluetooths and then send photos, or mostly we reveal our craft to each other on the blog. (which is why we are so complimentary on our comments to each other.) most of the time it is the first time we have seen each others projects. I can't wait till we are next door neighbors...(our husbands know we will make it happen!)

We will be posting at A Soft Place to Land, Serenity Now, Bloggeritaville and Reinvented.

Winner Winner

Thank you everyone for your comments, blogging about us, following us...we love it! You guys are all the best! Our winner chosen by random for our giveaway is Anna Fogg who said:

...How do you win?...Ok, so I did all of the above! I've been following you for a few days now. Such a pretty little pouch. Since I have 5 girls, I'll have to pick one of them if I win. And then I have to make more. Love your fresh look!

Congrats Anna! Please send us an email so we can send out your prize!

Boo!

I want to make lots of monster creatures.

I made this little guy for our mom, and I guess I kinda invented him. He's crocheted, and I used this free ball pattern for his body alternating colors every four rows. His arms started with a chain four and increased to eight I believe for probably 5 inches. His eyes, mouth and ears are all made of felt and stitched onto his face. I was happy with this quirky little guy!

Our mom loves to host a Halloween party with loads of grandchildren. So I wanted to add to her cute decorations, and I love me a banner.
Using a cardboard template and rotary cutter I got my perfect triangles and sewed them to a ribbon. Using fusible web I traced the letters and ironed them accordingly. A good tip: If you aren't the best with your applique skills (me) it's awesome to use invisible thread. I think colored thread can make more of a statement, but until I can sew straight better, I'm sticking with invisible thread.


And there you go! Happy Halloween everybody, can't wait to check out all the goodies and eat a few too.

Let me know if you need any more specifics!

It's time to GivEawAY

Recently my friend showed me a easy tutorial to make zipper pouches. I've been loving it. They make a really great and simple gifts. So I made one for my niece, embellished it with her initial using fusible web and added a flower hair clip. Ta-da! And then I thought, what a

FaBULouS GivEAwAY!

So here it is. A handmade crocheted flower clip for your hair, hat, purse, etc. and a cute zipper pouch to go with!

How do you win?
a. comment here, 1 entry
b. blog about the giveaway, 5 entries
c. add our giveaway button to your blog for the duration, 5 entries
d. become a follower, 5 entries
e. let us know which ones you do!

The giveaway HAS CLOSED, the winner will be chosen at random Saturday at midnight.
From now through Christmas we will have a giveaway every other week, so stay tuned!!!


We are also having FREE SHIPPING and 20% OFF on all our Fresh Poppy Design patterns through Etsy for a limited time!! Check out our Christmas quilt patterns just in time to get started!

Friends and family, please sign up too!

PS A Soft Place to Land links to do it yourself projects every Tuesday, so go check it out!

PSS amylouwho has a fun sew and tell friday, it is alot of fun!

PSSS inspired room inspires EVERYTHING, go check it out!

Fall Mantle...

Hobby Lobby threw up all over my mantle!

I once heard a friend refer to her friends house as "It looks like tai pan barfed up in there! Gross!" (Tai Pan is a fabulous monster affordable decor warehouse). I started out with a few clusters on each side, but kept adding and adding. I think I like the final result. Do you?

The candlesticks were ugly damask black and white (they matched my window treatments so I thought I should have them. I never liked them) I nearly threw them out, but remembered about spray paint. I may spray paint them seasonally. I really liked how they turned out.

Oh, and the cute sparkly pumpkin on the glass candle holder, it was part of a garland. I got 5 sparkly pumpkins for $10, so $2.50 each. I LOVE them alot, I could snuggle them daily.

Yes, that is a reciept in the bottom of my apocathery jar. I wanted to see if I could get a better deal. Or maybe I will return it after fall and I switch out my mantle (JK!)

Let me know if you Love, Like, indifferent, or hate. We love comments!

Easy craft project...

Binky Attacher thing-a-ma-bob....

This is pretty self explanatory. You can buy the beads, ribbon and fastener at any craft store. At the other end of the ribbon, use Velcro to attach binkies.


Next all you need to do is make a baby. And as you most know, that is a fun craft to make. Wait nine months, attach the binky fastener, and you are finished with your craft. Have fun!

PS I am one of those mothers that lets their children have binkies way longer than socially acceptable. I even asked my dentist once " when do I have to take it away? I know am far past being socially acceptable, I just want to know when it will mess with their teeth?" The answer is 3 1/2 years before it forms hard above the teeth. Any one with me on this?

I can't throw parties

Of all the craftiness I do, it stops in the entertainment department. Besides the fact that I'm downright socially awkward, I can't think of anything creative when it comes to a party. So naturally, I told my friend I'd throw her a baby shower. I immediately enlisted my crafty friend Sara to help. We found this idea and I think it turned out great!

The banner I made in photoshop with cute scrappy things and printed it from my computer. We hole punched it and tied them together with ribbons, fabric pieces and tulle. It's my favorite part :) (It says She's About to POP!)

It all stopped at this picture though. Popcorn, pop tarts, soda pop, lolly pops, tootsie pops, bubble gum (pop). No creative games or music...I just had a pretty table to show! Ha!

PS If you have any questions about how-to, let me know!!

Meet Charlie...

As you can imagine, we (my hubby and I) went back and forth on what to name the craft I am most proud of. After we got through the Hanna Jo's and Bessie's, we settled on Charlie. Yes, I know you're asking yourself, I made this! I am bursting with pride! Heather found these fabulous patterns when we first started knitting this last spring. We were quite intimidated and made a few hats first...but we couldn't deny our obsession with chickens any longer and we spent countless hours making them this summer.


I love her.

What is your proudest craft?