Holiday in Burlap

 

I seem to always have time to do the projects for others, work, friends, family...but never for me! So this one is alllll for me. I bought the red burlap over a year ago after I made a similar wreath for work. Last night a switch was flipped inside me...I picked up the fabric (still inside the bag I purchased it in, burlap does tend to like to shed on EVERYTHING) cleared my cutting mat and cut a stack of 6 - inch squares and went to bed. This morning I got the kids off to school and sat down at my table and didn't get up till it was ready to display...I might have been hungry and still in my PJ's but I just didn't want to stop until I was done...lucky for me this is a pretty fast build. Now I feel festive and accomplished. And do you think anyone will say a thing if I leave this lovely wreath up for Valentines day? I think If I take the tree down I can enjoy my new wreath for several more months.

I am in love with the wreath hanging on the dresser. Now what color to paint the dresser! opinions?

 

I wrapped my wreath in burlap webbing to start so my wreath form is not naked. Create puffs from my 6-inch squares and fill to desired fullness. So simple so beautiful.

Spoonful of Christmas

 

The season is here! The one we plan and craft for all year long. I found these fab cocktail spoons at Marshalls in a clearance bin piled about a 1/4 inch high with red stickers. Like the sad mutt at the pound they needed a home. And of course I don't just give them a home I find a new purpose. I pulled the simple supplies from my stash.

Aleene's Jewelry and Metal Glue

bails

jump rings

beading wire

Seam Binding Ribbon

1. Glue bail to spoon. Let dry.

2. Add jump ring to bail loop.

3. Thread beading wire through jump ring fold in half and tie loose ends together.

4. Tie seam binding ribbon into bow on jump ring.

Falalala we have a new ornament. It just happens that my hubby is a chef so hanging spoons from my tree totally works. Don't rule out simple items that fit your flare and life style...simple bail and wire and off you go.

I'm Hooked!

 

Every project starts with a story...a goal in mind... well I had the grand plan of putting a hooks up on a wall in my home near the entrance so I could hang my purse and keys on the way in...I am forever misplacing my keys. very sad I know but I think I might be loosing my mind and being in my 30's that is very sad prospect!

So out shopping I went. Did you know that hooks don't come cheap especially the cute ones.

So I had all but given up when I came across these hooks in a Michael's clearance bin, my favorite place to shop. Cute hooks first thought was I can take the hooks off and hang them on my wall...then came the genius idea..hook make over. Although these hooks with the letter blocks where very cute they didn't match my decor. So enters a little creativity and a few products from my ilovetocreate stash.

• Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue
• Tulip Softs Paint, black
• Tulip Mufti-Serface Stencils, block numbers
• burlap, scraps
• foam brush
• cheapo clearance hooks (.50/each)

1. Get great deal on great hooks. (if you aren't impatient like my you might want to add a quick layer of paint to cover old design). Cut Burlap piece a little larger then base.
2. Apply Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue evenly to surface.
3. Press piece of burlap into Tacky glue. Let Dry. Trim most of excess burlap and then pull a string or two to have the fun fray of burlap on your edges.
4. Cut Tulip Mufti-Serface Stencils to separate numbers. I peel out the black numbers and center them up where I like the placement then add the stencil around it and smooth flat. Remove the black # from center.
5. Using foam brush lightly add paint to desired coverage is reached. I kinda like the lighter distressed look but you can go till you have solid thick black coverage.
6. Peal away stencil and let dry.

Now I have had my husband mark my wall but have yet to run to the hardware store to get the proper hardware to put them on the wall bu I am super excited to see them up and in use!

On News Stands NOW...Sew News

It always seems like forever ago since publications plan so far ahead ...so once the project is in the magazine I am so over the project! Well not completely but I usually have had several brain storms on what I would do different if I did it again. This project I love love the design...the way I figured to make it with standard fabric store notions clever and light weight.
I will have to do this again with different fabrics and hang them in my yard for a fun party.

check it out online at Sew News!

You can go out and buy a copy to see this "lovely" picture of me! I will even sign it for you if you want! hahahahaha...not that you need me defacing your great magazine....there are lots of great projects inside.

Stay tuned for my next Sew News Appearance in February 2013 with a fabulous project that is ALL me...and my first solo editorial! woot go me.

Back to School: Fabulous Dividers

Back to school doesn't have to be drab. I got the kids back to school supply list and to my dismay dividers are stupid expensive for flimsy plastic with tabs, besides the fact that they are sooooo drab and boring. OUT with the drab and in with the FAB!!! So if you want to save a little money and add personality and utility to your binder it will only take a few moments and a few items.

This is what you need....

3 hole punch
Paper Trimmer
Corner Rounder
Your favorite strong paper adhesive
File Folders

optional
pencil
bone folder

1. Hole punch folded side of all folders.
2. Cut 1/2 - inch off of top edge of file folder.
3. Use the corner rounder to soften the edges of the folders...makes it look "normal" again.
4. With folder open fold top left corner in at a 45 degree angle and crease (this is where the pencil and bone folder can come into play, bone folder can help give a super crisp edge...and you can use the first folder as a template for the remaining folders by tracing the angle onto the others...this will also act as scoring tool. :) win win win!) Affix the fold in place by adding adhesive. Apply a line of adhesive along the bottom front edge of folder and close folder pressing to seal bottom of folder.

Tah dah... You are all ready to get organized in style! I made a set for each kid...they were a little jealous when I pulled out these cute bright and bold folders though...ooooops. :) Enjoy your pocket dividers!

Ruffle Bottom Girl

I was excited to get a baby shower invite...it seems most of my girlfriends are out of the having kids stage so I haven't had an excuse to play in baby town for quite some time. One of my favorite girly baby items are ruffle bums so I couldn't resist!

To create this Ruffle Bottom Girl love note you will need...

Diaper
Heavy weight cotton fabric
Ribbon

• 1/8" wide for bow

• 1/2" for ruffle (Melon Mambo 1/2 Inch Scallop Dots Ribbon(122985) I used a non scalloped because I had it on hand)

Lace
Button
Ruler
Fabric marking pen
Scissors
Sewing machine
Aleene's® Fabric Fusion® Fabric Adhesive Pen & Peel and Stick Tape™

Card
Stamp Sets
      Strength and Hope (123660)
      Short and Sweet
Card Stock
      Lucky Limeade  - 6" x 3"
      Mellon Mambo - 2 1/4" square
      Whisper White
Decorative Label Punch (120907)
Silver Mini Brads (122941)
Ink
      Lucky Limeade (126984)
      Melon Mambo (126948)
      Silver 
Aleene's® Paper Glaze
Aleene's® Tacky Dot Runner™

  

Diaper
1. Cut fabric using pattern (I found this one and scaled it to a smaller size). Using ruler and fabric marking pen draw guides to sew you ruffle bottom. I spaced mine .625" apart.
2. Baste edge of ribbon and lace, pull thread to gather. Line top edge of ruffled trim with bottom line and sew in place, repeat working from bottom ruffle up.
3. Using Aleene's Fabric Fusion Tape close diaper front.
4. Tie a bow with Lucky Limeade ribbon and adhere to diaper front with Aleene's Fabric Fusion I like the small pin point of the glue pen for putting these small items in place. Add button to center of bow with glue pen. Set aside to let dry.

Card
1. Stamp whisper white card stock  with flourish from Strength and Hope stamp set using Melon Mambo ink turn stamp upside down and repeat leaving space in between for sentiment. Stamp sentiment in center of flourish with lucky limeaide ink.
2. Center stamped image into decorative label punch, punch. Using silver stamp pad add a silver rim around your label by pushing the label into the pad.
3. Add dimension to flourish by tracing image with Aleene's paper glaze. Let Dry.
4. Wrap ribbon around melon mambo card stock and tie into bow. Add mini brads to center sides of label. Assemble card with Tacky Dot Runner.

I used a large needle and threaded it with the ribbon to add the tie.

Craftin' at the Amador County Fair

The Amador County Fair has to be hands down my favorite Fair ever!! Family friendly and hands on. We came across this lovely crafting area with native american crafts. Staves, rock painting and corn husk dolls. My baby girl jumped right in to make a corn husk doll and to our delight we found they had one of our favorite adhesives. Step by step these lovely ladies taught us the how to's of making this lovely girl.

Supplies:
Corn Husks
Bowl of  Water
Twine
Fabric scraps
Yarn
Beads
Scissors
Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

I would go into perfect detail on how to make these adorable dolls but is seems there are some spectacular directions already online check it out here with full illustrations.

We added our yarn hair with Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue. We created a long braid and added that over the base of yarn hair.

Amador County Fair in now on my official have to do Summer List...

Crafty Camping

We camp in epic proportions. Go BIG or go home! Our trip this year was no exception. With 67 people in our group we have to do a little planing.  Most days we on the lake playing in the water and enjoying the beauty of the mountains. But Sunday being a day of rest we stay in camp...keeping 43 kids busy on Sunday can be a task... So in walks some of my favorite Scribbles and Tulip products...
Setting kids loose with a clean white T and a massive arsenal of amazing products can turn the creative on in all the those involved. Creativity has no age limits.

Supplies:
T-shirt (prewashed, using no fabric softener)
Wax paper
Clothes pins
Tulip Disappearing Ink Pen
Tulip Fabric Markers
Scribbles Fabric Paint Stencils
Scribbles Fabric Stamps
Scribbles Fabric Stamp Pads


For the crafter on the go you have to be a little innovative. Our car was already overloaded by food and camping gear that there was not room for enough T-shirt boards for everyone. So to avoid bleed through we brought a roll of wax paper and clothes pins. Rip a piece wax paper slide it inside the shirt and hold it in place by clipping at the shoulders with clothes pins.
For those crafters a little intimidated by their empty white t-shirt I brought along Tulip Disappearing Ink Pen...Drawing with this pen allowed our crafty ones the confidence to create. Once the design was drawn with the disappearing ink pen it was used as a guide for the colors desired. Any slightly out from the design phase disappear when washed. :) win win win!

Clair and Allyson work with Tulip Fabric Markers and Scribbles Fabric Paint Stencils.

Elise rocks her t-shirt with Scribbles Fabric Stamps and Scribbles Fabric Stamp Pads.

 

 

Tiffany Box Blue: Ruffle Blouse

I made these fabulous brides maid blouses in January. They were pretty time consuming and the job came in with VERY short notice. But I was able to pull it off and keep the bride smiling. What a lovely group of girls to work with.

The job came with a inspiration shirt...so it took a little pattern fusing to get the cut and fit where we wanted it to be. This is a pre-button, pre-fitting version...components together kinda pic. Sewing is definitely a process isn't it but oh so rewarding when it is all said and done. Even with hours and hours of rush sewing I think they turned out quite all right in the end. :) Thanks Brina for the pics!

On Newstands NOW!!

On Newstands NOW!! Go and grab your copy! The above project is in Belle Armoire a lovely publication with wonderful projects. Pattie Wilkinson is the designer on this project, she handed me 2 pairs of jeans and asked me to make a skirt. This is what I came up with...she did all the distressing and the painting. What a great project thanks for the challenge Pattie!

and...also on Newsstands NOW!!! My first official in full color print MY Name MY design!! I actually designed and created 4 aprons and this fun little Parisian inspired apron made it past all the cuts. Go and check out yet another amazing publication by Stampington & Company publishing.

Coming in the fall (along with my picture and bio) Sew News!! You have time to subscribe before it comes out plus I am in for the Feb/March 2013 issue as well project in the works.

It's official!

I have been working with i Love to Create for a little over a year now in many different capacities from bringing the vision of another designer to life to designing my own projects to prepping the teams trade show booth with table skirts and make n' take supplies.  This is a great team of people the work environment is amazing and the team support is phenomenal! This was my first solo me design that was published with my name on it!! So much fun to see. This particular project is published online on Crafts N' Things website as an online extra linked here. I have a couple more projects that have been in print and several more to come and even more in the works. Man I have the best job EVER!!! Stay tuned for projects in Sew News, Apronology and Belle Armoire! And as always your can see my work on iLTC website.