craft sew creat

DIY Home Decorating Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:33:00 +0000

Do it yourself home decorating ideas...where your style meets your budget! Welcome to our cozy corner of DIY decorating ideas, tutorials and projects for making your house a home! Whether you live in a small apartment or a spacious house, there are tons of how-to instructions to inspire you. Discover clever and easy projects that are low on cost but high on creativity and style.

We're not going to tell you how to decorate your home, only you know what you like best. Instead, we'll give you step by step instructions on how to do things like tile a bathroom floor, recover dining chairs, paint kitchen cabinets or refinish an old dresser. How would you like to know the very best paints to use for any surface or the cheapest way to transform an ugly laminate countertop? Want to know how to recover a lampshade for pennies or get ideas for turning thrift store trash into treasure?
The best part? It doesn't matter what your decorating style is! Everybody is welcome! The great thing about "doing it yourself" is that so many of these projects can be adapted to your own personal style. Like modern? Great! Like vintage? Great! From cottage to modern and everything in between, there is something for everyone here.

What corner of your home have you been working on? We'd love to see! Share your decor and tell us about your projects. See what others have shared, comment and get inspired here!

After years of having people come to our house asking "Wow, where did you get that frame?" (we made it) or "Where did you find that amazing table?" (garage sale - we refinished it) we realized that we have accumulated a whole lot of do it yourself decorating skills we could share. Once people started asking us advice on how to paint wood furniture we realized it was time to start sharing our tips! This site came came to life not long after we bought our first "fixer upper" and decided to tackle a lot of the fixing up ourselves to save money. (You can read our About DIY Home Decorating Ideas page for the full history.) We share all of what we learned (and are still learning!) with you right here on these pages. We also share our mistakes, which will hopefully help you avoid some of the bumps in the road that we experienced.

So settle back with a cup of tea (or a glass of wine) and start browsing the many ideas we have for you here, for free! There is so much to discover, before you know it you'll be pulling up your sleeves and transorming your own space into the one you really want.

Use what you have and then make it better! for more decorating ideas visit:- http://www.diyhomedecoratingideas.com/index.html

Make Goody Bags

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:08:00 +0000

My sewing machine used to be my grandmother’s. She probably bought it in the fifties, and it’s so heavy I have to ask my husband to carry it to the table, but it still does the job wonderfully well!
These goody bags would be perfect as a classroom treat or for party favours at a birthday party (as seen on Vlijtig). I used pages from an old Milk magazine, cut out squares about 15×15 cm (6″x6″) and glued the outer ends together to make a tube. Then I sewed together one end, filled it with a mix of raisins and almonds, turned it 90 degrees and sewed together the other end. Presto! I left some thread at the ends, but you could also use zig zag scissors for an interesting twist.
for more ideas visit :-
http://babyccinokids.com/blog/

Make business card holder

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:05:00 +0000

Here's a quick and easy origami project: a business card case or gift card holder. Use patterned gift wrap (I like heavier-weight wrapping paper for a sturdier case), graph paper, a paper bag, magazine pages, or origami paper. Decorate the case with washi tape or stamps for a cute way to present gift cards. It will look like you put a lot of thought and effort into a gift that was probably the easiest thing you could buy. Slacker.

Just kidding. Sometimes gift cards are the very best present.

To make a holder for a standard 3.5 x 2" business card, start with an 8.5" square of paper. For a standard gift card, use a 9" square.

Place the paper pretty side down. Fold the sheet in half vertically and open it back up.

Fold the left and right edges inward to meet the center fold.

Open the paper again. Fold each corner inward so that the corner points meet the nearest crease.

Close the left and right flaps.

Turn the paper over and fold the top down so that the exposed diagonal edges meet precisely at the fold.

to continue go here :-

http://www.howaboutorange.blogspot.com/

amazing crochet skirt

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:53:00 +0000

» photos: Brandy Fortune » model: BG

Thinty

By Inna Aleksandrova

I have had a long-term dream of making matching outfits for my daughters and their dolls. Finally, the inspiration came along with the idea of this colorful flowery skirt. Fresh spring color combinations, flowers, buttons and the design name have been chosen by my girls. I used a high quality cotton blend that looks awesome in the Cable Rib pattern, and it creates a durable and slightly stretchy fabric while perfectly holding its shape - exactly what is needed for an active and curious girl. The doll gets a share of the fame too - her skirt matches perfectly and can be adjusted for any standard 16-18 inch doll.

Size

3 [4, 5, 6, 7] years
Shown in size 3 years and on 15" Bamboletta Doll.

Finished Measurements

Waist: 21 [21½, 22, 22½, 23] inches
Length: 9½ [10½, 11½, 12½, 13½] inches

Materials

1 ball of contrasting color yarn of similar gauge for cord, trim and flower.
Schulana Supercotton, [70% Cotton, 30% Elastic; 98 yards/89 meters per 1.75 ounce/50 gram ball];

#055 Green; 5 balls

Recommended needle sizes

US #9/5.5mm 16 inch circular needle
Additional circular needle US #9/5.5mm) or smaller to hold the ruffle
Crochet hook size G/6 (4 mm)

Notions

Stitch marker
Darning needle
Elastic ribbon
1 fancy button (optional)
6 beads (optional)

Gauge

18 sts and 28 rows = 4 inches in St st

Pattern Notes

This ruffled skirt is worked from bottom up in one piece on circular needles. Two layers of ruffles are created by simple cables. The main body of the skirt is worked in Stockinette stitch and decorated with eyelet row, a cord and white crochet flower.
Since all girls are created differently, choose the actual waist measurement rather than age.
Optional elastic ribbon could be inserted for better fit. A smaller version with just one ruffle fits American Girl®, Bitty Twin®, Götz® dolls and Bamboletta® dolls, as well as other 16-18 inch tall dolls.
RT: K2tog leaving sts on LH needle, insert RH needle from front between 2 sts just knitted together and k first st again, then slip both sts from needle together.
Cable Rib pattern (worked in the round)
Rnds 1 and 2: *K2, p2; repeat from * around.
Rnd 3: *RT, p2; repeat from * around.
Rnds 4-6: *K2, p2; repeat from * around.
Rnds 7-14: Repeat Rnds 3-6 twice.

Skills Required

Knitting in the round, cables, eyelet, i-cord or crochet chain, crochet flower (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Skirt .. to continue go here:-

http://www.o-wool.com/

Tip for working long color changes in crochet

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:48:00 +0000

Happy Tip Tuesday! Last week, I talked about how to crochet with 2 colors of yarn, using a technique called stranding. This technique works wonderfully when there are only a few stitches between color changes.

I get a lot of questions about how to handle the color changes for the body of Nelson the Owl. To crochet Nelson’s body and head, you crochet 20 stitches in one color, then 40 stitches in another color, meaning stranding doesn’t work too well. Today, I’ll show you what I do!
One option is to cut the yarn every time you change colors, and tie a knot. However, this is time consuming, and makes the process of crocheting this cutie owl a drag… so I skip it!
What I do is strand the yarn across the back while crocheting! Crochet just like you would with a short color change, leaving the yarn stranded across the 20 stitch color change, as pictured:

Now, you can’t just leave them like this, because of two reasons. One, the stranding won’t allow you to stuff the owl well. Two, all of that extra yarn with no tension on it will make the edge stitches uneven. So, what you need to do is cut down the center of the strand:

It will look like this when you’re finished:

Now, you need to tie these ends into knots to secure them. I start at the bottom of each side, and tie a square knot (you know, that boring kind of knot) with one strand of white and one strand of brown. (If you’re wondering why there looks like there are too many strands here, it’s because I crocheted this particular owl using two strands of yarn at once… try to ignore that if you can!)

Here’s how it will look:

Yay! With this technique, the knot tying happens all at once, which means it takes less time overall. I’ve gotten pretty speedy with my owls!
Hope you enjoyed this crochet tip! Feel free to contact me (via Facebook, twitter or email) with questions. Who knows! You might inspire the next Tip Tuesday blog post!
for more amazing ideas visit:-
http://www.freshstitches.com/

Fabric covered headband tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:38:00 +0000

I have three lovely little girls and they (bless their hearts) have a tenancy of looking a little mangy. I say that with all the love in my heart but I promise but it's true. They really hate me to fix their hair because they'd rather do it themselves. So when I saw these metal headbands at Hobby Lobby, I couldn't leave without them. Headbands are perfect for little girls who want to fix themselves up right?! Oh those little ladies were so excited.....well I was excited anyway.

Want to make some for your little princess too? Well follow the tutorial and rock on.

Do you remember these? Make some to add to your head bands!

Sad but true story: 2 days after making these adorable little things the wild women of this house (excepting me of course) lost all but 2 of them. I know, you're so jealous.

for more amazing ideas visit
http://amanda-darlingdesigns.blogspot.com/

Lunch bag part 1 "Drawstring tote"

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:34:00 +0000

Today my kids forgot their lunches. So lucky me I got to

take them some food.

lucky for them I was in a super sewing mood!

Behold, "the drawstring lunch tote!"

I've been inspired lately by the cute Japanese lunch bags.

it's fun right?!

I'd like to say that I was able to take them

amazing lunches in these fun bags but alas, sigh....I didn't.

I did manage to finish them before they got home

though. Yessss, Score!

To make this tote you'll need:

* 1/4 yd fabric for the outside (I used corduroy)

* 1/4 yd coordinating fabric for the lining

* 1/8 yd fabric for straps

* natural twill tape or ribbon for drawstring

* 1 large safety pin

Follow the instructions on the pictures.

If my nonsensical wording doesn't make sense just email

me and I'll try to clarify.

Now I'm gonna warn you now, there are a lot of pictures.

So. many. pictures.

Okay, with right sides together, slip the lining over

the main body of the tote.

to continue go here :-
http://amanda-darlingdesigns.blogspot.com/

Convertible Sling Bag – Free Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:26:00 +0000

by Don Morin of Bag'n-telle

A beautiful everyday convertible sling bag! This triangle-shaped sling bag offers a dual zippered pocket front and the versatile zippered shoulder strap that converts the bag to a two-shoulder carrying strap that acts as a backpack providing you with a hands-free bag. This awesome bag comes with two zippered storage compartments and of course a cell phone pouch pocket. I purchased one of these bags years ago and wore it out!

Dimensions: approximately 15″ high / 14″ wide / 6″ deep with a 40″ [1 m] separating shoulder strap; an 8” [20 cm] zip front pocket and an 11″ [28 cm] deep front pouch. [38 cm x 35.5
for more wonderful bag sewing ideas and patterns visit :-
http://patternpile.com/sewing-patterns/

Carboard Auarium Craft

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:04:00 +0000

Two craft posts in one week! this housework avoidance must stop :)
This one came about from wanting the kids in my weekend arts and crafts class to have somewhere for the fish they would be making to call home, somewhere for the kids to admire and play with their gorgeous colourful creations.
please [read on] for all the beginning to end photos and tips on how to make your very own cardboard aquarium-

How to make an aquarium

It all started with a box, a wide slim box from my parent’s new telly!. I drew lines on the box where I wanted the opening and sawed away with the kitchen knife. I then cut slits on the top of the box to act as sliding tracks, openings from which to hang the fish from buttons and catgut. I used rounded buttons so that the smallies could grip and move their little fish over and back on the tracks. I then decided to cut circles out of each side to act as viewing portholes and give some detail to the outside of the aquarium.

Next, for some added strength I added a papier-mache layer and when dry I painted with everyday matt household emulsion paint.
to continue go here :-
http://mollymoo.ie/

Tull and lights

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Do you love the look of tulle and lights when you attend weddings? Have you ever thought “why are tulle and lights only used at weddings?” If so, then you may be surprised to learn that today people are using tulle and lights to decorate their homes or as a decoration for a party.

131

Do you hold New Year’s Eve parties? Hey, why not decorate for the party with this awesome use of tulle and lights? This idea is a great way to make the party appear to be fancy as well as makes it feel more party-like.

You don’t have to stop there. This awesome use of tulle and lights would look amazing over a bed in the master bedroom of your home or over your daughter’s bed. What a great way to make a woman or girl feel like the queen or princess she is!
If you have stairs in your home or apartment, you can use this tulle and lights idea there as well. You don’t need anything special to create this look.
You can purchase tulle at your local fabric store and most people have white lights from Christmas kicking around their home.
for more ideas visit:-
http://doitdarling.com/

make it more piratey mom

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:51:00 +0000

This ‘make a pirate ship’ project started out as a simple enough idea – a boat for Molly to play out her Pirate Captain & Crew adventures on – and of course, as always, I got carried away with the detail. Two evenings later, covered in glue and paint, the ship was pushed down the slipway and launched with no great fanfair! no champagne and cheering crowds, just a glass of orange juice and a cocktail sausage!
The pirate ship could of course have been a hollowed out milk carton with a lollipop stick but I wanted to create something Molly would engage with for even longer.
She loves it, played with it for hours yesterday, and because it’s not the archetypal black with skull and crossbone pirate ship she thought it ok to welcome a group of giddy Polly Pockets onboard for a spin around the bay too. Result.
I found her under the kitchen chair at one stage…. the pirates secret lair.
A happy little person, fuelled by her own imagination
…and all it cost me was my time :)
Read on to see all the step by step photos & the free hull template

I used a flexicurve to draw the sides, base and stern on mounting board

to continue go here:-

http://mollymoo.ie/

10 Fun Birthday Party Snack Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:47:00 +0000

Kids love yummy snacks, and these creatively cute birthday party snack ideas will really make your party a hit. Yes, you will immediately become the COOLEST mom and dad, ever – only one step down from a super hero. So break out the apron and let the party begin.
1. Coney Snack Mix
Looking for easy kid’s birthday food? A no-bake snack mix in one of their favorite dessert containers (colorful ice cream cones) couldn’t get any easier! Just throw together some Teddy Grahams, pretzels, animal crackers, M&M’s, yogurt covered raisins, and anything else your kiddos love to munch on.

Source: Betty Crocker

1. Teddy Bear Race Cars

These are adorable! This candy snack is especially fitting for a boy’s birthday party or any car themed party – made with Teddy Grahams, Milky Way bars, chocolate melts, and M&M’s or Skittles.

Source: Speckled Freckle

3. Worms In Dirt

Worms in dirt..er…. gummy worms in mashed Oreos – even better! This party snack idea might be best for an outdoor garden party, as it might get a little messy, but the kid’s will love it! Place small bowls or paper cups by the “dirt” plate so they can scoop up their own little share of awesomeness.

Source: Hostess With The Mostess

4. Shark Attack

With some clever carving, watermelons can make for fun and practical serving dishes. I especially like the shark idea filled with gummy fish. You can also opt to use the hollowed out watermelon to fill it back up. The blue Jell-O as the ocean water really tops it off. This would be quite the conversation starter at the dessert table!

Source: Sun Scholars

5. Apple Smiles

This is a simple but fun party food idea that you could literally bite your teeth into. All you will need are mini marshmallows, apples, lemon juice and peanut butter! : )

Source: Disney Family

6. Fish Bowl Jello

Gummy fish swimming in Gelatin, who would have thought?! I like the fish bowl idea used as a table centerpiece and individual clear plastic cups for actual serving. This would be great for any summer party.

Source: Martha Stewart

7. Rice Krispie’s Paint Brushes

Rice Krispie’s treats have always been one of my favorite gooey desserts, but putting them on a stick and dipping them in chocolate melts is just plain genius! They would be a hit at any type of party, but would suit a paint theme especially well. If you love Rice Krispie Treats as much as I do, click here for more fun crispy treat ideas.

Source: Snack Picks

Source: Rice Krispies

8. Marshmallow Fun Pops

Dip them, dunk them, coat them, eat them! How fun would these be to make? You can get creative with all sorts of fun candy coatings and toppings, and even make them to match your theme.

Source: Coupon Clipping Cook

9. Catapillar Grape Kabobs

A healthy birthday snack idea for kids that they will actually eat! They are made with bamboo sticks, mini chocolate chips, and frosting to hold the chips in place. Easy!

Source: My Pinteresting Life

10. Banana Split Bites

You can’t see the ice-cream, but it’s tucked away inside of the banana. You can also dip the chocolate in peanuts, coconut, or anything else that your heart desires. Keep some napkins handy! They’re messy but so worth it.

Source: Bakers Royale

to see more ideas visithttp://www.kidskubby.com/

Toddler Chairs Made out of PVC Pipe

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:43:00 +0000

DIY Toddler Chairs Made out of PVC Pipe Tutorial – 8 elbow pieces, 6 T-shaped pieces, 1 length of 3/4″ PVC Pipe. Do you enjoying making furniture for your home or your children? Perhaps, somebody in your family is a carpenter or a plumber, and you have PVC pipe laying around that you have no use for; if this is the case, why not turn that extra PVC pipe into this adorable DIY toddler chair?

Spring and summer are right around the corner, and a lot of people enjoy spending time outdoors after being dumped in their home all winter long. You may be shopping for outdoor furniture which if you are you know that it is not cheap. You don’t need any special skills or tools to create this DIY toddler chair.
In fact, all you need are eight elbow pieces of PVC pipe, six T-shaped pieces and one length of 3/4″ PVC Pipe, along with outdoor fabric. You simply attach the pieces of PVC pipe together to create the frame of the chair. You may also use PVC glue ensuring that they do not come apart.
Making this adorable toddler chair out of PVC pipe and outdoor fabric ensures that your toddler will have this chair for the entire time that he or she will fit in. The reason this chair is so sturdy is because PVC pipe does not rust.

to see more ideas visit:-
http://doitdarling.com/

diy crochet rug with yarn & old t-shirt

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:40:00 +0000

This Crochet rugs are made by Olga at olinohobby.com

All you need is yarn, old T-shirts & crochet hook.

Now the images will guide you trough the process.

And that is it simple but really nice!
Thank you Olga for this tutorial!
to see more posts visit :-
http://goodideasforyou.com/

Beautiful Marbled Eggs

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:34:00 +0000

From: I love the look of marbled Easter eggs and decided to try our marbled paper technique to create them.
Material:

Wooden eggs. [UPDATE: Julie reported that this works with hard boiled eggs as long as you dip them in vinegar first, although others have had mixed results.] (We got our wooden ones from Hobby Lobby, but I couldn’t find a link. Oriental Trading Company sells something similar.)
Shaving cream.
3 or 4 Different colors of liquid water colors (or food coloring).
Jelly roll pan or disposable backing tray.
A paintbrush, un-sharpened pencil or something similar to swirl the colors.
Tongs.
Cookie cooling rack.
Cookie sheet or something to go under the cooling rack and catch paint drips.
Paper towels.
A towel to clean up messes.
A smock or bib for your tot.
Sealing Spray (Optional)

Procedure:

Set your cooling rack on top of your cookie sheet.
Fill the bottom of the baking tray with shaving cream.
Sprinkle several drops of each color of liquid water colors on the shaving cream.

Let your tot use the end of the paintbrush to gently swirl the colors together. Don’t swirl too much or the colors will not be as bright.

When the colors are swirled, have your tot place an egg in the pan.

to continue go here:-
http://totschool.shannons.org/beautiful-marbled-eggs/

DIY Nail Polish Marbled Eggs

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:30:00 +0000

My new favorite thing is nail polish marbling. Have you tried it? The other day I decided to dip a few eggs like I did these glasses – and then proceeded to work my way through two dozen eggs. It makes me seriously wish I had more colors of nail polish!

And then I had to take roughly a million pictures. Because aren’t they just the coolest?

To marble some eggs with nail polish here’s what you need:

Eggs. A lot of them. Because once you start you’ll want keep dipping.
Nail polish in all kinds of fun shades. My Essie polishes worked fine this time, I think because I wasn’t trying to make a specific design. And silver polish was amazing!
A plastic cup filled with room temperature water. This is very important! If the water is too cold or too hot, the polish won’t work.
Toothpicks.
Nail polish remover. You’ll need this to get the polish off your fingers when you’re done.

to continue go here:-
http://www.henryhappened.com/nail-polish-marbled-eggs.html

flowers bag

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:29:00 +0000

Hi all! I am participating Purse week over at Lemon Squeezy Home today, I hope you will enjoy my tutorial. :)
I talked to you about my love of basket style handbags before, well, here’s where it all started. I was at Joann's one day and saw some woolen tweed fabric. There is something about the fabric, as I was touching it, I started thinking of what I could make with this... When I held one corner of the fabric sideways, the herringbone pattern on the fabric reminded me of a basket. Then an idea popped in my head to make a "flower basket" inspired bag for the upcoming seasons.

Yap, it might sound funny to you but that's how my brain works. :) I will share the tutorial with you today.

{You will need}

Wool, or wool like tweed fabric 1/2"yd
100 cotton fabric for lining 1yd
Fusible fleece enough to put them on the back of the lining
Fusible interfacing (thick) 2 pieces of 2 1/2" x 19 1/2"
Matching thread
Magnet closure

For flowers on the bag...you will need various fabrics, wools and buttons

{How to}

{Assembling for the bag}

1. Before cutting the fabrics, fuse the fusible fleece on the fabric for lining. That way you don't have to measure and cut twice. It saves time and is so much easier.

From the tweed fabric cut....2 - 14" x 20", 2 - 3"x 20", from fused lining, cut 2- 14"x 20", 1 - 6" x 8 1/2".

2. Make pocket. First treat the edge with zigzag stitch and fold the corner. Second, fold the sides and the bottom to make a mitered corner. Then, fold the top twice and sew.

3. Mark the middle on one of the linings and 2 1/2 " from the top. Pin the pocket onto the fabric and sew.

4. Mark onto the fabric from the right; 2 1/2", 4", 1 1/4" to divide the pocket. I like it this way so have separate pockets for pens, phone, and such.

5. Mark " from the top in the middle, and use the parts of the magnetic closure to mark. Cut the marked line open, and install the magnet parts according to the instruction on the package
to continue go here:-
http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/2011/09/tutorial-she-carries-flowers.html

gathered clutch tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:23:00 +0000

A huge thanks to Dana and Disney for doing such a great job of rounding up all sorts of wonderful mother's day projects!

Materials needed:

1/4 yard each of three coordinating fabrics (you'll definitely have scraps leftover)
8" zipper (you can always purchase a longer zipper and shorten it, just follow the directions on the package
scraps of medium weight fusible interfacing

Cutting the pieces:
For the main exterior, cut two pieces, one 5.5" tall by 9" wide, and one 5.5" tall by 13" wide (this will be the gathered front)
Pieces of medium weight fusible interfacing for exterior pieces of clutch: (2) 5.5" tall by 9" wide
For the front band, cut one piece 4" tall by 9" wide.
For the lining, cut two pieces 5.5" tall by 9" wide
For the zipper end covers: two pieces 1.5" tall by 2.5" wide.
Optional Parts:
For the divider pocket, cut one piece 8" tall by 9" wide (apply interfacing to half, you'll need at 4" x 9" piece)
For the card holders, cut one piece 7" tall by 9" wide (apply interfacing to half, you'll need at 3.5" x 9" piece)

Seriously, the most time consuming part for me is always picking out my fabrics and cutting them, the rest goes together pretty easy, so let's go!

Take the front band piece and fold it in half the long way (right sides together) and sew together using a 1/2" seam allowance.

Turn tube right side out and press with seam in the middle. Set aside.

Grab the 13" wide main exterior piece. Sew two lines of gathering stitches down the middle, about 1" apart.

Pull the top threads to gather, pull until the length is 9" long. Press the gathers in place.

Take the front band and pin it in the middle of the exterior piece you just finished.

Top stitch along each side of the band. Take the 5.5" tall by 9" interfacing piece and iron it to the WRONG side of the gathered piece. This makes all the gathering and stitching stay in place nicely. Set aside.

Make the divider pocket:

Fuse interfacing to half of the piece.

Fold fabric in half with WRONG sides together, press. Topstitch along folded edge and then add another line of topstiching about 1/4" below the first line of topstitching. Set aside.

Make the card holders:

Fuse interfacing to half of the piece. Fold fabric in half with WRONG sides together, press.

Topstitch along folded edge and then add another line of topstiching about 1/8" below the first line of topstitching.

Take one piece of the lining fabric and line up the card holder with raw edges together, one on top of the other baste along side and bottom edged of card holder (the plaid fabric).

Grab your credit card or driver's license and mark with a pin how far you want your card to stick up from the slot. Sew a line across the lining/card holder piece where you marked with the pin. Sew one line of stitching down the center of the card holder.

Take your card again and mark with a pin where the edge of your card is (you can leave a little wiggle room, but it's nice to keep it pretty snug to hold your cards in place). Sew a line for the side of the card, repeat for other side. Now you should have two card holders! Set aside.

Making the end tabs for the zipper:

Fold the piece of fabric in half width wise, turn down each raw edge to the center crease and press (the pic above doesn't show it pressed in far enough). Repeat for other end tab.

Take your zipper and sandwich the fabric around the zipper, just poking over the little metal bits.

Topstitch a line straight across the zipper with a very small seam allowance being careful not to hit those metal parts! Repeat for other end. Trim the fabric tabs to the width of the zipper. IMPORTANT! The length of the zipper with the tabs on should measure about 8.5" end to end.

Baste the card holders to one piece of lining and the divider pocket to the other piece of lining, aligning the raw edges at the bottom.

Almost done!
to continue go here:-
http://www.noodle-head.com/2010/04/gathered-clutch-tutorial.html

beautiful recycled t-shirt bracelets

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:15:00 +0000

After seeing Kristin's friendship bracelet giveaway on Idle Wife, I've hauled out my old bracelet books and thread from when I was a kid. Naturally I've been furiously making all sorts of bracelets. After making six friendship bracelets in two days I decided I needed a new pattern. Following an extensive google session I found these beautiful recycled t-shirt bracelets and vowed to make them my own.
And now you can too! Because you should. Really.
All you need is...
2 pieces of fabric about 18 x 6 inches
Scissors
Pliers
2 ribbon clamps (found at Michaels)
2 jump rings
1 clasp

Cut 2 pieces of fabric from your t-shirt about 18 x 6 inches. Fold up the fabric lengthwise to hide the unfinished edges and lay them next to each other.

Make a loop with the first scrap and lay it over top of the second. Take the second piece and lay it over the end of the loop you just made.

to continue go here:-
http://hotpolkadot.com/2011/06/28/how-to-tuesday-my-sweet-josephine/

DIY Faux Curled Rosewood Wreath {Made From Rolled Recycled Book Pages}

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:03:00 +0000

I have seen various versions of Faux Rosewood Wreaths in just about every store and catalog for the upcoming season; most with a price tag running upwards of $40 or more. Some are crafted of paper and other of real wood shavings.

Last year I made a few rolled flower gift toppers from recycled book pages and they remind me so much of the curled wood roses I thought they would make a good substitute. {with a much lower price tag}

Materials Needed:Foam Wreath Form
Recycled Book Pages
Lots of Hot Glue
Ribbon to Hang
to continue go here :-
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/11/diy-faux-curled-rosewood-wreath-made.html