little guiding stars Since the new year has started I’ve been trying to think of ways to be more kind to my self. Especially when that nasty gremlins try to creep in and stump me. I remembered this origami star video on You Tube and had to get them involved in my plan. I thought it would be fun to make a whole bunch with kind words and “you are….” phrases inside. I made 60 of them, enough to last me the whole year if I open one a week, plus a few extra just in case. I used 12 x 12 inch scrapbook paper and cut 1/2 x 12″ strips, then followed the video HERE*. *UPDATE! Be Sociable, Share! DIY: Michigan string canvas Depending on your canvas size (I used 8x10), print out an outline of your desired state. I love my Mitten and placed the heart over Holland... were I currently live. Sorry upper peninsula... you didn't make the cut. Tape the printout securely over the canvas. God bless West Michigan. Start pushing/hammering your nails around the outline in consistent intervals. Carefully remove the printout without pulling out the nails. I was originally planning on just wrapping the string around the nails. For the nails that were already permanently in there, I carefully wrapped the string around it tightly several times. So you don't lose your mind, do not anticipate using one long piece of string.
Then she made...: Word Pendant Tutorial This post is dedicated to my dearest, life-long friend, Judy, and my mother-in-law, Shirley. These incredible women found out within a few weeks of each other that they have breast cancer - their courage amazes me every day and I love them both dearly! Clay Word Pendant Tutorial *** If you are thinking about making these as a craft for Girl's Camp, I've addressed several questions and tips in a new post. Wow! What You'll Need: The Basics In general, the following items are good basics to have on hand when you are making clay jewelry or really, any clay project. Clay: Before you can make clay jewelry you will need clay. Stamps: I like to use stamps to make the designs in my pendants. Cutters: Shape cutters will help you get a perfect shape. *** - just an FYI - Sculpey is non-toxic, however, if you use a kitchen item on it, don't put it back in you kitchen to use on food. What You'll Need: Project Specifics Step 1: Lay out a piece of wax paper. Tip: I always stamp my design before I cut.
Crochet-Covered Easter Eggs –a DIY tutorial After finally tackling how to crochet rocks from a pattern, I got it in my brain that I wanted to create my own crochet motif for a rock. That way, I figured I could easily do an original tutorial for you all. Then, it occurred to me, like a lightbulb, that crocheting rocks is an awful lot like crocheting on top of an egg–how fun! Crocheting the egg was quite similar to crocheting on a stone and all of it quite easier than I ever thought it would be. I think they provide a beautiful, natural look for Easter, though you could certainly do them in other colors as well. I have not quite figured out how to read or create a crochet chart at this point, so I apologize to those for whom chart patterns is the way they work. UPDATE! I had a ball making these. Materials: Size 10 crochet thread Size 7 (1.5mm) needle Hard boiled eggs Abbreviations: ch: chain sc: single crochet sts: stitches sl st: slip stitch tc: triple crochet Round 1: Make a chain 10 sts long. Round 4: Ch 1, *Sc in next 5 chs.
Split Chain - step by step instructions Tat the first part of the chain in the normal way, to the point where you want the two shuttle threads to meet. Join the core thread to the base of the first ring with a lock join and leave enough thread to work the 5 stitches needed to complete the chain, back towards the last chain stitch worked. Always leave a little less thread, as this will stretch as you work the backward stitches. Using the core thread shuttle, pull a loop of thread, from the back, to the front, taking great care not to twist the loop. Gently pull the shuttle thread until the loop is much smaller and then push the loop under the chain towards the back. Pull the loop at the back, gently reducing the thread and you will see the first half of the stitch taking shape. Draw all the way until the first half of the stitch is tightly into position, taking great care not to twist the new loop that is forming. Thread the shuttle, from the front to the back, through this new loop. First double stitch completed.
How to Sew a Fabric Bowl January 14th, 2009 Email 566 users recommend Use your fabric bowl to store notions, buttons, jewelry, or other small trinkets. Linda Permann To start, cut one short edge of any fabric strip at a 45-degree angle. Once you have the first bit wrapped securely, place the end under the foot of your sewing machine. Photo: Linda Permann Sew up a sweet and soft coiled bowl to stow all your notions, threads, and more. Here's what you'll need to get started: 50 feet of 1/4-inch- to 3/8-inch-diameter cotton clothesline. The basic idea is that you are going to build the bowl by coiling the clothesline around itself by sewing each successive coil to the previous coil. When you are close to the end of the fold, put the needle down, raise the foot, and pivot your work, turning the folded end to the left. When you are about 4 inches from the end of your wrapped clothesline, stop sewing with your needle down (to hold the work in place). Continue to sew, wrap, and add new strips of fabric as necessary.
vintage postcard calendar journal Growing up, I kept a daily journal. I always enjoyed looking back at previous entries to see what had changed over the course of a year. These days, I can’t seem to find the time to journal, but I do try to jot down a little note from each day on my perpetual calendar/journal. The idea is very simple — flip to the current date and at the end of the day, write down something that happened. Some days it is big things like “Annie took her first steps.” Other days it is small, like “needed more than one cup of coffee this morning.” The first year is the least rewarding, but I imagine that in 10 years, it will be a daily treat to be reminded of what happened on that date over the last decade. CLICK HERE for the full how-to after the jump! I’m always trying to give new life to things I can’t pass up at flea markets. Materials Instructions 1. 2. 3. 4.
The Prettiest Family Trees (And How to Make Them Happen) Here’s a post I worked on with Yahoo Mail! about putting together a family tree. I love learning my family history and think a genealogy display is a fabulous addition to any house. Sometimes I daydream about commissioning one in the same style as Norman Rockwell’s above. Wouldn’t that be rad? If you’d like to create a family history display, I’ve got 3 tips to get you started, plus links to some of my favorite designs. 1) Start with what you know. 2) Email your Great Aunt Helen who knows all about this stuff. 3) Join in the search yourself. Once you’ve got your information gathered, you can turn your attention to the prettier parts of the task: Choosing your display design. How about you? This is part 2 of a 3-part-series sponsored by Yahoo!
Golden Horses: Photo Prop mini tutorial I am so excited to show these off to you all… A golden (and a little spotting of silver) band of horses! Some of you may remember the Dino Pendant tutorial from the week before last, where I mentioned that horses were a great option for the project as well. But at the time, I didn’t have any done to show, so I just made a quick mention of it and moved on. But now they are done, and I finally found the time to take photos, so I thought I’d share. And if you are interested in making these yourself, here’s how… Materials: 1. How To Step by Step: 1. And as a final note, these little guys, along with the dino pendants, are now available for purchase if you are interested. You can check for available pieces, by visiting laur. For more ideas for quick and easy projects, click here to visit the tutorials page filled with more than 40 diy’s.