13 Friday Jul 2012
Posted in Apparel, Creative Idea
Tags
craft, craft project, creative, creative idea, decorating, Design, diy, DIY DESIGN, home decorating, household, housewares, how to, idea, ideas, nail, nail art, smart, tutorial, unique design
12 Thursday Jul 2012
Posted in Creative Idea
Tags
christmas, christmas DIY, craft project, creative, creative idea, decorating, Design, diy, diy crafts, DIY DESIGN, diy for kitchen, DIY Paper, home, home decor, home decorating, household, housewares, how to, idea, ideas, kitchen, neon, paper, ribbon, smart, string, Tagscraft, tutorial, unique design
I came across a bunch of assorted sizes of embroidery hoops at a yard sale. They were super cheap, so I added a bunch of them to my craft stash. I’ve seen ideas where pretty fabrics are used with the hoops to make wall art. I thought it would be really fun to use Photo Fabric to make a personalized wall art display.
Here are the materials you’ll need…
Here is how you make it:
1. Lay down a piece of kraft paper that is large enough to accommodate all of your hoops. Arrange the hoops so you have a pleasing design. Use a pencil to trace the outside of each hoop onto the kraft paper. Mark a dot on the inside of each cirlce, at the top, where the nail will be. This step will help with hanging the hoops once they are completed.
2. Take the hoops apart. Set up in a well ventilated area to spray paint (I worked outside). You only need to spray paint the outside rings since the inside rings will not be seen. Apply several light coats of spray paint, allowing dry time between each coat, until your rings are completely covered.
3. Select photos and edit the sizes in your photo editing program so they will fit inside their respective hoops. Print the photos onto the PhotoFabric and let dry. Peel the paper backing off the fabric. (Manufacturer directions say to rinse the fabric and then lay flat to dry, but I skipped this step.)
4. Pinch your fabric between the rings of the hoop and tighten the screw to hold the fabric taut.
5. Turn the hoop over and trim the excess fabric. Leave enough fabric to tuck under and adhere to the inside of the ring.
6. Apply a double-sided tape to the inside of the ring. Press the fabric down onto tape to hold in place.
7. Repeat process for all of the hoops.
8. Tape the kraft paper guide from step 1 to the wall where you would like your embroidery hoops to be displayed. Use a hammer and a nail to make a hole in the wall where each hoop will hang. Make the hole at each dot you marked on the paper. Remove the paper once all the holes are made.
9. Hang all your completed hoops and enjoy!
12 Thursday Jul 2012
Posted in Creative Idea
Tags
christmas, christmas DIY, craft project, creative, creative idea, decorating, Design, diy, diy crafts, DIY DESIGN, diy for kitchen, DIY Paper, home, home decor, home decorating, household, housewares, how to, idea, ideas, kitchen, neon, paper, ribbon, smart, string, Tagscraft, tutorial, unique design
12 Thursday Jul 2012
Posted in Creative Idea
Tags
christmas, christmas DIY, craft project, creative, creative idea, decorating, Design, diy, diy crafts, DIY DESIGN, diy for kitchen, DIY Paper, home, home decor, home decorating, household, housewares, how to, idea, ideas, kitchen, neon, paper, ribbon, smart, string, Tagscraft, tutorial, unique design, WREATH
I have a few handkerchiefs that I’ve collected over the years, but I never know what to do with them because I feel like they are kind of hard to display. So for Christmas this year, I’ve decided to show off a couple of my favorite hankies in a holiday diy wreath project that is just too easy not to replicate in your own home. The best part is, none of your family heirlooms or your prized fabrics will be damaged in the process – because once the season is over your can simply remove the materials and they are basically as good as new. Interested? Good…
1. Grab your materials and take a cozy seat by the fireplace. You can do this project pretty much anywhere because there is no messy glue or tedious sewing.
2. Layout your pieces around your wreath to figure what patterns and colors would be best next to each other, etc.
3. Start with the hankie (or ribbon – I decided to use a little vintage ribbon to bring in another texture) that will be the undermost layer. Fold your first handkerchief in half to form a triangle (seems to work best that way).
4. Using a small straight pin, secure the tip of your hankie to the back of your styrofoam wreath and then begin wrapping it around and around.
5. Secure the other loose end to the wreath with another straight pin.
6. Move on to your next hankie and repeat steps 4 and 5 until the entire wreath has been covered.
7. Create a small bow using some extra ribbon or an additional hankie and attach with another straight pin and you are all set.
**Once the holidays have come to an end, you can easily remove the pins, unwrap your hankies, and put them back in your drawers for safe keeping. No damage and you can use them again next year.
Here’s a step by step in pictures…
And here’s the finished wreath….
12 Thursday Jul 2012
Posted in Creative Idea
Tags
craft, craft project, creative, creative idea, decorating, Design, diy, diy crafts, DIY DESIGN, diy for kitchen, DIY Paper, home, home decor, home decorating, household, housewares, how to, idea, ideas, kitchen, neon, paper, ribbon, smart, string, Tagscraft, tutorial, unique design
My favorite part about the holidays is giving gifts, but my second favorite part is wrapping them! I thought it would be fun to share with you today an easy and quick DIY for a felt gift card envelope. Gift cards can be a great simple gift, but making a unique little envelope to put them in can make them extra special.
Here are the materials you’ll need:
Here’s how you make it:
1. Cut out your envelope using the template. Also cut out any details you would like to add, like a stamp or an address tag. Make it unique!
2. Stitch details onto the front of the envelope. It is much easier to stitch when the envelope isn’t sewn together yet. Use bright thread and have fun creating special details!
3. Stitch together the back of the envelope. Using your fingers, fold along the edges, pressing hard to create a good crease. Then pin together the bottom and side flaps, and stitch them together. I used a straight stitch, but a different decorative stitch could be fun too!
4. Insert your gift card and give it away!
Now look at how simple that was! This project can easily be made in fifteen minutes, just one more quick trick in your gift giving arsenal. Good luck with your crafting, and Happy Holidays friends!
12 Thursday Jul 2012
Posted in Creative Idea
Tags
craft project, creative, creative idea, decorating, Design, diy, diy crafts, DIY DESIGN, diy for kitchen, DIY Paper, home, home decor, home decorating, household, housewares, how to, idea, ideas, kitchen, neon, paper, ribbon, smart, string, Tagscraft, tutorial, unique design
I could just eat him up! He is so sweet and fun to make. Meet Mr. Gingerbread Man – he looks like the real cookie, but he’s made from recycled cardboard. The ‘sugar’ coating is actually coarse crystal glitter.
I make similar gingerbread people decorations for my Etsy store using kraft paper. We’ll be using cardboard here (some creative recycling!) for a sturdier body. I’ll be showing you how to make the boy, but you could also make a girl (add a fun bow to her head!). Or, you could go traditional red and green or even all white! The decorating possiblities are endless!
Here are the materials you’ll need….
Here is how you make it:
1. Trace the gingerbread man template onto cardboard.
2. Cut him out.
3. Ink around his edges with the brown ink. It adds depth and makes him look like a perfectly baked cookie.
4. Use a white pen to add the ‘icing’. Draw a line around his body and add eyes and a big smile. (I used a broad tip uni-ball Signo pen.)
5. Add his buttons with mini glue dots.
6. Add mini glue dots to his wrists and ankles and add the sequin trim. (You could also use a ric-rac trim or a ribbon.)
7. Use the paint brush to add glitter glue to his feet, hands and body, up to his neck. Stay inside the white lines.
8. Sprinkle with the glitter, and then shake off the excess.
9. Let him dry. The glue will turn clear once it dries completely.
Isn’t he cute? Just remember – you can’t eat him, no matter how good he looks! But you can use him to decorate your home for Christmas. Or, make a bunch and give them as gifts, use on tags or add to a present as a great little detail. Make him into an ornament or a refrigerator magnet – be creative!
12 Thursday Jul 2012
Posted in Creative Idea
Tags
craft project, creative, creative idea, cute note, decorating, Design, diy, diy crafts, diy cute note, DIY DESIGN, diy for kitchen, DIY Paper, home, home decor, home decorating, household, housewares, how to, idea, ideas, kitchen, neon, note, paper, ribbon, smart, string, Tagscraft, tutorial, unique design
So unlike the other book I made Nicholas, this one was only one page. I included a couple little notes, a bible verse, a music playlist (that I made him online) and some other misc things.What about you? Is there someone that may need some encouragement in your life? Make them a book of notes! It’s really simple, and lots of fun. You just need paper, and maybe a printer if you want to print anything out. Just let me know if you need any pointers/tips
12 Thursday Jul 2012
Posted in Creative Idea
Tags
craft project, creative, creative idea, decorating, Design, diy, diy crafts, DIY DESIGN, diy for kitchen, DIY Paper, home, home decor, home decorating, household, housewares, how to, idea, ideas, kitchen, neon, paper, ribbon, ring, rings, smart, string, Tagscraft, thin rings, tutorial, unique design
I have been into really thin rings in a big way lately – I keep spotting them on blogs and tumblr, and I love how delicate they look. Rumi rocks two little gold bands in the left photo, and on the right are a set of three that my dad gave me for Christmas (it’s crazy – he has the best taste in jewelry). So when Geneva (DIY master of A Pair and a Spare) and I were discussing ideas for guest posts on each others blogs, I jumped at the chance to post her awesome gold chain ring DIY. They have a similar delicate style to the bands above, and you can deck out your fingers with as many as you want!
You Need:
- Beading or long nosed pliers
- Around half a meter of delicate gold chain
- Small gold jump rings (relative to the size of your chain)
How to:
1. Take the chain and wrap it around your finger to measure how much chain you will need for the ring.
2. Cut the chain to the size required for the ring.
3. Open your jump ring.
4. Put one end of the chain onto the open jump ring.
5. Put the other end of the chain onto the jump ring.
6. Close the jump ring.
Now repeat this process for a few of your other fingers, including making smaller rings to sit above the top half of your finger. Enjoy!
Another fun thing you could try – use another piece of chain to connect the rings above and below your knuckle!
12 Thursday Jul 2012
Posted in Creative Idea
Tags
craft project, creative, creative idea, decorating, Design, diy, diy crafts, DIY DESIGN, diy for kitchen, DIY Paper, home, home decor, home decorating, household, housewares, how to, idea, ideas, kitchen, neon, paper, ribbon, smart, string, Tagscraft, tutorial, unique design
I’ve always loved felt. It’s easy to work with, relatively inexpensive and comes in a rainbow of colors. One of my favorite things to make out of felt are dimensional flowers. You can glue them to a hair clip or headband for a quick and easy hair accessory, use as a gift topper or just give them as is. I know my daughters can get pretty excited over a few hand-made blossoms. Today, I’ll show you how to make the three kinds of flowers (with 2 additional variations for a total of 5) that adorn my yarn-wrapped wreaths. Once you know the basics, you’ll be creating your own bouquets in no time.
1. 9 x 12 sheets of felt in colors you love 2. Scissors 3. Embroidery thread and needle 4. Pinking shears (optional) 5. Faux pearl or vintage button (optional) 6. Pins (optional)
Step 1: Fold over over a sheet of felt lengthwise about 2.75 inches. With scissors, trim off excess so that you have a strip about 5.5 inches wide. (This will give you a flower about 3.5 inches in diameter. For smaller flowers, make narrower strips.) Note: Usually when I am making felt flowers, I do not whip out the ruler, but I wanted to give you measurements for this tutorial. Once you get the hang of it, you probably won’t need a ruler either.
Step 2: With the strip still folded in half lengthwise, cut your felt on the non-folded side in even intervals about 1/2 away to 3/4 down. (You may want to pin the folded strip before cutting, but I just use my hand to keep the felt folded, sliding it down as I cut.) Be careful not to cut all the way through your felt. The farther you cut will determine how “open” your flower will be. For example, if you cut 3/4 down, you’ll get a more open, floppier flower. If you cut 1/2 way down, your flower will stay tighter in the bud, so to speak. Another tip: You can also change up how wide or narrow you cut your felt strips for a different look.
Step 3: Starting at one end, snugly roll your fringed strip until you get to the other end. From there you can peel back the layers of fringe to poof up your flower. Feel free to give your flower a haircut, trimming fringe that are uneven or too long for your taste.
Step 4: Now it’s time to sew. Thread your embroidery needle with embroidery thread. Starting at the point where you finished rolling your strip in Step 3, push your needle through all the layers of felt. Turn your flower 90 degrees and repeat, again pushing your needle through all the layers. (In other words, the second stitch should be perpendicular to your first stitch.) This should be enough to secure the flower. If not, make a few more stitches. When you’re ready, tie a knot, snip the excess thread.
Step 5 (optional): Add faux pearl or vintage button to the center for a little glam.
To get the loopy flowers, the same steps apply as above. The only difference is that you will cut on the folded side in Step 2. (see photo for side-by-side comparison).
These little guys are one of my favorites to make because they are so easy!
Step 1: Cut out a free-form circle of felt about 4 inches in diameter. No need to be a perfect circle, but if you need a little help you can always use a template (i.e. trace around a jar lid onto paper and cut out). As before, the measurements do not matter all that much, there are just here to give you a starting point.
Step 2: Starting at any point on the circle, begin cutting a spiral. I find that it is easier to rotate your felt as you cut (instead of moving your scissors around the felt). Cut all the way around until you reach the middle of the circle and are left with a little center tab.
Step 3: Pick up the end of the spiral on the outside of the circle and roll snugly until you reach the end of the spiral on the inside of the circle. The tab I mentioned in step two will rest nicely on the bottom, serving as a little base for your rosette. Your rosette will end up being about 1 1/2 inches in diameter (compared to the 4 inch circle you started out with).
Step 4: Time to sew! Turn over your flower. Find that little tab again. That’s where you will begin sewing, pushing your needle through the tab and picking up a few layers of felt. Repeat, again using the tab as your starting point. Keep sewing, until all your layers are secure. It usually takes 3 or 4 stitches depending on how big your flower is. If it’s a really big flower, I like to make sure it’s secure by gently pulling on the layers. If any give way, I just tuck them back in and add another stitch or two.
Now that you know the basics, here are a couple variations.
For this version, you get a fuller flower, with curved, wavy leaves.
Step 1: To start, cut a wavy circular shape instead of circle.
Step 2: Starting at any point, begin cutting a spiral, following the outline of the wavy circle. Again, I find that it is easier to rotate your felt as you cut (instead of moving your scissors around the felt). Cut all the way around until you reach the middle of the circle and are left with that little center tab.
Steps 3 and 4 are the same as the standard rosette.
For this rosette, simply use pinking shears instead of a standard pair of scissors to cut your circle and spiral. When you’re done with that, try a wavy circle with your pinking shears. Or a loopy flower. You get the picture.
So I hope this will get you started on making your own pretty felt flowers!
12 Thursday Jul 2012
Posted in Creative Idea
Tags
craft project, creative, creative idea, decorating, Design, diy, diy crafts, DIY DESIGN, diy for kitchen, DIY Paper, home, home decor, home decorating, household, housewares, how to, idea, ideas, kitchen, neon, paper, ribbon, smart, string, Tagscraft, tutorial, unique design
Anyway, here’s what I came up with and a simple + easy diy project for you!
Also: I did wash the mug to test the paint and the design was fine. Go sharpie!
