Crafting: Place Mat Pillows

Hi Friends!

My mom picked up two gorgeous place mats for $2.50 from a clearance rack at Walmart. Because they are double thickness with interfacing she asked me to make them into pillows. What a great trick! I never doubted where my craftiness came from. :)

Using a cuticle trimmer, I ripped the seams to make an opening, and stuffed the innards of an old pillow. This is not only the CHEAPEST option, it is also GREEN. I try my best not to throw away clothes, Poly-fill or other fabrics. Most are man made and do not break down in landfills like other garbage does. 

Once I stuffed the place mat I closed the opening with the sewing machine.

Cute AND easy, huh? I'm going to take them to my mom's tomorrow.

What are your fun plans for tomorrow?

xoxo.

45 Days of Crafting: Day No. 7-a

Hi Friends!

I have been working on a super-cute Scrapper Pillow today, but I'm thinking its more of a two-day project. The appliques aren't sticking to the white fabric as neatly as I had imagined. Instead of dealing with it tonight and rushing through editing, and because my bobbin stopped I walked away.

But of course I will give you a sneak peek!

Its gonna be awesome. :)

xoxo.

Fall Fabric Brooch

Hi Friends!

I finished up today's craft earlier than I am posting. However, The Landlord had to come over to inspect the ceiling. Last week's rain caused a bubble to form in the kitchen. Apparently that's where the old fireplace used to be and it causes leaks every where. Would have been good to know...

On to our craft: Fabric Brooch

What I used:

• 2 complementing cotton fabric scraps (had on hand)
• 1 piece of felt ($0.34 @ Joann's)
• Sewing needle and thread
• Scissors
• Safety pin

I cut a 10x2 inch strip from one fabric and a 5-inch circle out of the second. Then, using a 1-inch button I traced and cut out 8 circles from felt. 

Working with the felt circles first, fold one circle in half, 

and then in half again.

Whip a couple of stitches where the two ends of felt meet. Once you have created 7 "petals" start stitching them to the 8th felt circle. 

Set the flower aside and fold the 10 inch piece of fabric in half with wrong sides together. Baste a stitch along   the raw edges, gather and set aside. 

With the circle of fabric I ran a basting stitch around the perimeter and gathered. For what ever reason I neglected to take pictures of these steps. But you can take a look at my Fabric Pumpkins post for my visual learners. :) Flatten out the fabric with the gathering in the middle and stitch the gathers together. 

I cut a small square of felt and whip stitched the safety pin to it. You can use simple stitches or fabric glue to attach the different pieces of the brooch together. I sewed the pin onto the brooch, but it flops around a lot so I would recommend fabric glue or a glue gun. 

And there you have it! A super-fun, pretty easy brooch. :) Let me know if you have any questions!

xoxo.

45 Days of Crafts: Day No. 1

Hi Friends!

Something funny happened to me while creating today's craft. I settled into my chair to sketch out a pattern, and I wasn't happy with what I created. Trevor, seeing my frustration, offered help. I gladly accepted. While Trev sketched leaves I lazily flipped through the channels on the boob tube and finished my pad thai from earlier.

Trev checked with me to see if I liked the leaf he created. Yes. Love it.

Trev asked, full of concern, "do we have another piece of this? Because I don't think this will be enough." Yes dear, we have more felt.

This is when I realize that Trev is doing the craft project for me and I can just sit and enjoy TV. I debated whether or not to encourage this behavior or alert him to his... nah I stayed silent. :) I'm surprised he didn't get out his level and ruler.

Mid-sinp through the fourth and final leaf, Trevor slowly looked at me smiling. He couldn't believe what he was doing with that felt and scissors! I was caught.

I happily finished the project. Without further adieu:

Felt Maple Leaf Coasters

Crafty Level:    Beginner

Have a great night!!!

Wordless Wednesday: To Do List

Lookie What I Made

Hi Friends!

So I finally, FINALLY, sat down and did some CRAFTING! My hands are def feeling the effects of yarn-balling and wreath wrapping but its all so worth it. :)

The entire project cost about $7. With fall wreaths upwards of $19.99 this is definitely a great deal. Trev wants me to start selling them at holiday bazaars. We'll see... What do you think?

xoxo.

I'm Just Mad About... Saturday!

Hi Friends!

I am just mad about tomato pincushions! I'm hoping Trev will take me to the pumpkin patch today. I am also typing with just one hand because a precious kitten is sleeping on top of my left hand. I'm pretty impressed with myself. Have a wonderful day!!

IKEA Report

Hey Friends!

Boy oh boy we had a very successful trip to IKEA on Thursday. Typically Trevor and I do not spend money on IKEA-type things. We love finding furniture and other decor at thrift stores, like Value Village, Goodwill, and flea markets, and just shine it up a bit or turn in into something new. I recently sold my old smart phone and had some cash to burn. If you have smart phone that you no longer use check out my contact page, please!

Photog Credit:  http://www.ikea.com/us/en/

We drove home with me in the back seat of our '97 Nissan and two of these bookcases rode shotgun!

Photog Credit:  http://www.ikea.com/us/en/

Three of these little beauties came home with me. I will have Trev hang them vertically in my craftspace. 

Photog Credit:  http://www.ikea.com/us/en/

These lovelies hang on the aforementioned rod. I scored three packs of 10! Fabric boxes will hang from them (also from IKEA). As soon as I get enough tin cans I will cover and use those as well.

We successfully stuck to our shopping list and came in $50 UNDER budget. :) I will get pictures up asap.

My picture list is sure growing. I owe you pictures of the "after" house, the curtains, and IKEA. I'm going to be a busy lady!

Take care

Super fun fall wreath

Trev and I get to move in on Monday!! Until my hoard is pulled from storage, here is a great fall wreath that I am dying to make. I will of course post pictures and step-by-step once I have completed mine.

This How To and photos reblogged from Lauren's Creative she has some great ideas!

Supplies

Hot Glue Gun/Scissors

14" Straw Wreath $2.99

(3) Acorn Picks $1.19/each

Pepper berry Pick $1.19

Green Yarn $2.99

Brown (Multi-colored) Yarn $3.99

Brown Ribbon $6.99

(5) Sheets of 9 x 12 Felt $.34/each

Total: $22.23

Tutorial Links

Wreath How-To 

Felt Flower How-To 

Tips:

• Do NOT take the plastic off of the straw wreath - it would make a huge mess, and I think you would end up with little bits of straw peeking through.

• Felt Mums - to make the larger mums I used two strips of 1 x 12 felt.  To ensure I had even strips - I used my rotary cutter and a ruler.  I tried to use my Martha Stewart fringe scissors, but they didn't cut through the felt that well.  It may work if you've never cut paper with them, since paper dulls your scissors.

• I attached the acorn picks and the pepper berry pieces FIRST and then added the flowers.

If you have any questions, let me know!  Hope you have a great weekend!

Free Terrarium

Trev and I made a terrarium today. For free!

Ok, ok, so the moss did sit on my counter over night. But it was creatively stored on a Smart Pop bag, covered by a plastic mini-cake dome. Thinking about it now I wish I would have taken pictures… Next time!

Trev removed some dead flowers from their soil while I got a large vase that tapers towards the top. I put half an inch of water in the vase so it could mix with the dry soil. Dirt got everywhere, of course, but I was on the patio so it didn’t really matter. I mixed the soil with my hand and lightly tapped it down spreading it evenly.

Trying to keep the cats out of the way was an entirely different ordeal. They want nothing to do with you until it looks like you’re having fun.

I added the moss, some rocks from California (I pick up a couple of rocks while on vacation – they’re free souvenirs!), and spritzed it with water. The terrarium is sitting on the coffee table now, but the cats are so dammed interested in it that we’ll have to put it out of harms way.

I have to figure out this picture thing. I can see the spray bottle, coffee, and I’m pretty sure I can see myself taking the picture… Next time!

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