Bow tie paper clips from fabric scraps I had a couple little scraps left over from stiffened fabric projects, and after fiddling with them, I noticed they'd easily make tiny bows. Which I attached to paper clips because... I don't know why. These could work as bookmarks, on wedding invitations, Valentines, etc. I used fabric scraps, stiffener, large paper clips, a scissors, an iron, twist ties (or wire), and a hot glue gun. Apply stiffener to your scraps (learn more here) and iron them flat. Form the longest strip into a loop, overlapping the ends generously. Pinch the "tail" strip in the center the same way. Then attach the bow to the tails using a piece of wire. Use the tiny remaining strip of fabric to attach the bow to the paper clip. Trim the tails to the length you like.
The Art of Homemaking: Photo to Wood Transfer Art A few weeks ago I was hunting for a project. Just a little something to do to scratch that crafty itch I get. I used to not have this problem. I had loads of time for crafting, sewing, knitting and such but lately my creative energies have turned towards writing and my poor sewing machine sits unused for weeks on end. If you'll remember, I shared a picture from a recent anniversary getaway Mike and I took. The supplies are fairly cheap. Here's the directions in their simplest form: a cheap photocopy of a picture, adhered to a wooden board using gel medium, rub off all the paper so you’re left with just the image and apply a quick coat of varnish. **Click below for full instructions plus step by step photos Photo-to-wood transfers wood ( I used a 5 by 7 scrap piece of really thin plywood with a smooth top)gel mediumpaintbrush ( I used a wide foam brush)laser photo, printed on cheap copy paper ( I did this at Kinkos. $.10)varnish (I used Mod Podge) 1. 3. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10.
aged cloth message for mom Mother’s Day can be a difficult to plan when there is distance between you and mom. Here is an easy idea that you can whip up this weekend to send her way. A sweet message that will last. Instead of a card, print your words of adoration on a pretty linen tablecloth. If words are not your strength the project would be just as nice with a simple printed heart. Tie up with a pretty bow and instructions to lay out on Mother’s Day. These instructions are a variation of the fabric printed projects you might have seen before. To make the printed tablecloth purchase 2 yards of your choice of light colored linen (Do not launder before the project). Using a hard surface, line up and iron on your transfers according to the package directions.
How About Orange Here's a look at our upstairs guest bathroom. Last night I covered an accent wall with removable wallpaper. I love it! This bathroom has a peculiar layout. The kind folks at Walls Need Love sent the product to review. Like the Sunburst wallpaper I designed last year, this paper is essentially a giant self-adhesive wall decal, and it's easily to peel off and reposition. I measured the wall and cut a length of paper that would leave a little extra overhang at the bottom. After a couple tries I had it, and then it was just a matter of peeling off the backing paper gradually while smoothing down the paper with the tool provided. I cut another piece to place next to the first panel, overlapping the seam by a quarter inch to match the pattern. Then with a craft knife and straight edge, I trimmed off any overhang that wrapped onto the adjacent walls and baseboard. This stuff is really forgiving if you accidentally get it stuck to itself.
Tool Time Tuesday...Fabric Heart Bookmark Hi everyone and happy Tuesday. It's Tool Time!! Today's tool is your sewing machine. This is a quick and easy heart shaped bookmark perfect for anyone or anytime, but with Valentine's Day coming next month...it's extra perfect! This tutorial really is easy, but it's picture "heavy"...you know me with my pictures! Lol...I just think it's so much easier to explain each step in a picture. Here is the finished heart bookmark...I made up this pattern, so with lots of trial an errors...I hope you like it! The fabric heart hugs the page and keeps your place... with this little pocket on the back. and it's thin enough for the book too. Here's what you'll need...the heart pattern I found fits in a 4 inch square. The most important thing about your heart pattern is the point. I found a free heart pattern online somewhere and then placed it on the corner of a piece of card stock to get the 90 degree corner. My heart fits a 4 inch square. Here's where the 3 inch block comes in. Cut on the line. Press.
5 Fringe Statement Necklaces You Can Make in Under 5 Minutes What might make your favorite statement necklace even more awesome? Fringe! Grab yourself a handful of cute and affordable statement necklaces from places like Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, and H&M and take them to a way more chic level by way of… fringe! Materials: - statement necklaces - fringe - E-6000 craft glue We’ve found that the best adhesive for adhering fabric or beads to metal is E-6000 craft glue. For this first necklace, we simply glued one layer of fringe onto the back of the necklace. Next up, we chose a weathered looking metal necklace. Again, use a toothpick to apply glue little by little as you attach the top of the fringe to the back of your necklace. We did the same with a simple gold necklace and light blue fringe. This definitely makes us think of summer cocktails under the stars. How cool is this silver triangular piece? For this one, we used small pieces of fringe on each triangle. And last, chevron! We’re digging all of them! Which one is your favorite?
DIY stiffened felt boxes I love the thick wool felt that's increasingly popular, but man. Wool felt in the 3mm to 5mm range is really expensive ($130/yard or so). The boxes, bowls, and vessels made with it are very cool, though. To make felt boxes, I cut a 9" square for the bottom piece, then added four slits and four diagonal cuts to trim away some of the excess felt on the tabs. I used a rotary cutter and ruler to cut out the main shape, then made the slits and diagonal cuts with an X-acto knife. The box top is similar, except the center area is larger to fit over the box bottom, and the sides are half the height. After the pieces are cut, crease the tabs against the edge of a ruler to make assembly easier. Fold the triangular tabs inward and bring the sides of the box up.
{D.I.Y.O.D. Wedding Wednesday} Lace! There are few things in life that are more romantic than lace. That's a fact. So dainty, and sweet, it's impossible to be a hater of lace. Try it Like This: Buy it Like This: Try as I might to find sellers of these lacy items, I was not able to. Lace Trim for Heart Garland and Seating Chart: We have a running joke at work that if you're ever looking for something you should just google it and add ".com" to the end of it. Round Paper Doily for Luminaries: There a thousand shops that offer round paper doilies, but Amazon.com has a nice selection. Square Doilies for Envelopes: I found square doilies on a number of sites, but I liked the variety offered by the set sold by Sur La Table. Crocheted Doilies for Candle Holders: My suggestion with the crocheted doilies (if you're not going to make them yourselves) is to go on ebay and look for a lot of vintage doilies.
DIY | A Spring String Garden I've been wanting to try my hand at making a string garden for a while now and this past weekend was so nice, I decided to try the idea out on our back patio using spring bulbs and blooms. I thought they would also make a cute hostess gift or something you could give to a neighbor for Easter. They are fairly easy to make, in fact I want to try my hand at making some "upside-down" mode. Here's how I made them. What you will need: A plant or plants of your choice (for spring—pansies, tulips, hyacinths work well) String (cord or wool —colour of your choice) or you could go with fishing line to make it invisible too. How to: Start off by emptying the plant out of it's original pot (being careful not to damage the roots too much). Happy Easter and happy making!
lor Me Katie: Marshmallows Is there anything more fun than marshmallows? Why yes, marshmallows with food colored faces! And is there anything more fun than marshmallows with faces? marshmallows with stylish icing hairdos! They're super easy and fun to make.