handmade by stacy vaughn

FREE SHIPPING

2012-11-23T08:24:00.000-06:00

Happy Black Friday!

Free shipping in the shop Friday thru Monday only! Use coupon code FREESHIPBLACKFRI

Happy shopping!

free shipping in the shop!

2012-11-19T11:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving week!

I hope everyone is planning a great holiday! Safe travels to those who will be visiting relatives and friends.

And of course, those who are going to face the biggest holiday day of the year, Black Friday, good luck!

I would rather spend my Black Friday at home, on my computer and take advantage of online deals that take place that weekend and on Cyber Monday. So, if you are like me and will be doing some online shopping that weekend instead of fighting with the crowds here is a little treat for you! Free shipping in my Etsy shop! Just enter the code FREESHIPBLACKFRI and you will get free shipping on your entire order!

Coupon code will be active Friday, November 23 - Monday, November 26th only.
Thank you!

ShopLocket

2012-11-13T11:00:00.000-06:00

Have you heard of ShopLocket yet? It's this nifty little website that lets you sell your products straight from your blog. It is simple and easy to set up and can be linked to your Paypal or Stripe account. All you do is list a product and it creates a widget for you to place on your blog! Try it out!

Here are some products that I am listing in my tutorial posts:

chap stick holder key chain:

and DVD coloring case:

They have a few different styles of widgets for you to display your products. You can choose one to fit your style or blog. I will be posting more products in my posts along with some on the sidebars of the blog.

Thanks for stopping by!

sponsor handmade by stacy vaughn

2012-11-12T11:00:00.000-06:00

I'm now offering ad space! I just set up with Passionfruit. Wow, do they make it easy! If you would like to sponsor just head over to the sponsor page and it will get you all set up!

Why sponsor a blog? As many of you probably already know, blogging takes time. As much as I LOVE it, it does take some thought and a good chunk of time out of the day. And we all like to see some benefits from the hard work we put into maintain a blog. :) So, along with your generous comments that keep me motivated (!!!!) I will now offer a chance to sponsor! And to get things started.....

I am offering 50% a one month ad to the first 5 sponsors. Any size! Just use promo code AD50
Email me if you are interested in an ad swap. Get an ad on my page for an ad on your page. {Small ads only please.}

Ad space available in small {200x100}, medium {200x150} and large {200x200}.

Ads will appear under the Friends & Sponsors section on the right side of the blog.

Who can sponsor? Anyone who has a blog or a shop they would like to promote. As you know, I like all things handmade and will be looking for blogs and shops that also have handmade things. :)

Thanks for all your support!!

Handmade Christmas 2012

2012-11-11T12:54:00.000-06:00

Handmade gifts are the best! Great to give and to receive! Follow my Pinterest Board of Handmade Christmas 2012 to get ideas on making your own Christmas gifts this year.

Don't want to DIY it this year? Support thoes who make handmade products! Follow my Pinterest board Handmade Christmas Gifts to Buy 2012.

Couldn't have said it better myself! Thank you for all the support!

Hop on over to Pinterest and start making your Christmas lists! :)

Creativly Inspited: What I've Been Pinning

2012-11-08T11:00:00.000-06:00

This week I thought I would share what I have been pinning lately. It is all about Thanksgiving!

For my kids at school I am deciding between these two fun treats to give them:

The Party Animal Turkey Favors:

The Party Animal's Turkey Favors

or

The Craft Patch Cornucopia Treats:

The Craft Patch Cornucopia Treats

Check out the blogs for directions on how to make.

I will also be making this Thanksgiving Bracelet with the kids.

Thanksgiving Bracelet

Click on the link and it will lead you to a Thanksgiving poem that goes along with the bracelet and tells you what the colors mean. It is pretty neat.
And don't forget to decorate this Thanksgiving!

Check out these from Show Tell Share

Thanksgiving Pomander Ball

On the blog they made these for a party and prepped all the materials and organized them in plastic containers for their guests. Great idea if you are hosting Thanksgiving and want to do a craft for your guests to take home!

And here is another simple yet festive decoration from Better Homes and Gardens you or your guests could make:

Better Homes and Gardens

Go to the website for leaf template.

Happy Thanksgiving preparations!

chapstick holder keychain

2012-11-06T11:00:00.000-06:00

Always loosing your chapstick? Time to make a chapstick holder keychain!! Keep your chapstick on your key ring and you will always have some handy... unless you loose your keys ;).

The dimentions used are for a regular size chapstick tube.
What you need:
- two 7x2 pieces of fabric {look through your scrap pile!}
- one 7x2 piece of lightweight iron on interfacing
- one grommet
- basic sewing supplies

Iron on the interfacing to one of the 7x2 pieces of fabric.

With right sides together, sew around all four edges leaving a gap for turning. Use the edge of your sewing foot as a guide for the seam allowance. {it is about 7/16th of an inch}

Clip corners.

Turn, press, and top stitch one of the short ends.

Fold the top stitched end up 2.5 inches and pin like so...

Starting at the bottom, top stitch up one side, across the top and down the other side. Stay close to the edge but make sure that you are sewing through all the layers...

See stiched sides here....

Check to make sure your chapstick fits and make adjustments if nessesary.

At the top, mark where to put the grommet, cut the hole and attach the grommet.

I put a little super glue {or you can use fray check} around the cut edges of the hole to prevent fraying and wear and tear. I use super glue because it is cheaper and you can get two small bottles of it for a dollar at the dollar store!

Attach a key ring.

All finished!

Easy, little project! These would be great gifts and stocking stuffers for friends and family!

Have fun!

Shared at:

Creativly Inspired: new blogs to follow

2012-11-01T11:00:00.000-05:00

I love browsing Pinterest! {Who doesn't?!} Especially when I come across a new blog to follow. There is some seriously good talent out there! These are a few of my favorite new blogs to follow...

Merrick's Art...

Mother/daughter team, Lisa and Sarah from A Spoonful of Sugar...

And Samantha from Simply Organized...

Stop by their blogs and get inspired! :)

tiered plate stand

2012-10-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a project that I completed this past summer. Rummaging at Goodwill I came across some plates and candle holders to make a tiered plate stand.

The supplies for this project were very inexpensive. The plates and the candle holders were less than a dollar a piece.

I used a two part epoxy to bond the pieces together.

I chose three different dish sizes. The largest one is a shallow bowl. They all have a scalloped edge. One silver details and one gold.It was fun to go through the plates at Goodwill. I saw a lot of fun designs but I chose simple, white designs to make it more versaltile.

The candle holders were brass. A tall one for the bottom and a shorter one for the top.

{excuse my unfinished project in the background :)}

I used the epoxy to bond the candle holders to the large and medium dishes first. I allowed them to dry.

Glued the the rest together...

Use for treats...

jewelry organizer...

tea? :-D

It is currently in my sewing room to hold and organize thread, buttons, etc.

Keep an eye out for fun plates at thrift stores, rummage sales, or even your own old plates to make your own!

shop update

2012-10-28T13:15:00.001-05:00

I have new clutches in the shop! Here is a little preview. Check them out on my Etsy Shop!

bias tape maker

2012-10-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

Every time I am at the craft store I linger by this bias tape maker thinking that it would make my life easier since I struggle when it comes to making bias tape. I really don't enjoy it.

If I need a lot I usually just buy it and it never comes in fun colors and patterns. Then I was at Walmart {our Walmart has a pretty awesome craft section!} and found it on clearance for $30!!!!

{blurry picture of machine in motion}

It took me half a second to snatch it up. Usually I have seen them go for $60+! So it must have been fate.

Now it is so fun to make bias tape. So easy and fast with this little gadget!

{yards and yards of bias tape in minutes!}

Anyone else have a bias tape maker? Any tips on making bias tape?

simple skirts for girls

2012-10-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

Dana from Made has a wonderful, easy to follow tutorial for these simple skirts for girls. {For full tutorial go to Made.} I made a few for my friend's daughter's birthday. Once you start you cannot stop making them! And they are quick and don't take that much fabric!

Perfect gift for a little girl!

Pair them with some biker shorts or leggings and they can be worn all year.

Super fun to cordinate fabrics and trims!

I also made this "Playday Frock" dress from One Yard Wonders. The pattern was designed by Rachel Knoblich. Again, easy to make and takes less than one yard of fabric!

Etsy Shop Open!

2012-10-21T18:03:00.001-05:00

I have finally opened an Etsy shop! I have been working on some products lately and I have listed my clutches today!

Check them out at {handmade by stacy vaughn} Etsy Shop

There is also a tab for my shop here...

Thanks for stopping by! :)

hello again!

2012-10-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hello blog friends!
I know. It has been a while. Life got a little busy around here. My new teaching position is going so great! I have been really focusing on my job these past two months. I have still been crafting! But writing posts have been put on the back burner. I have even had some projects go out the door to family and friends without taking pictures of them! Oops! I do have a couple of posts lined up to show you my projects these past few months!

One project I have been dying to share is a wedding gift for my cousin that got married in August. Between finishing the project, mailing the package, complications with the post office, and then mailing the package again, it has finally arrived at their house and I get to post about it!

I wanted to do something personal for their gift. I have had this tree idea in my head and I just needed to execute it somehow. I decided to make an embroidered picture to hang in their home. A tree with their initials and their wedding date inside a heart....

I first traced the tree on some paper to get an idea of what it would look like. Then I transfered it onto some fabric with a pencil. Then I got to embroidering!

I haven't embroidered anything in a long time and it was fun to get back to it!

I wrapped the fabric around the glass of the frame and popped it in a wooden frame.

Enjoy newlyweds!

Shared at..

o-FISH-ally the first day of school

2012-08-29T16:21:00.001-05:00

It is the first day of school tomorrow! Doing some last minute preparations...

Inspired by Pinterest I made these for my students. A fun treat to take home after the first day of school!

Here is a PDF of the printout. Included is preschooler through sixth grader and a separate link for middle schooler. Just print on cardstock the grade you need, cut around the border and fold in half. Fill a snack size bag with Goldfish crackers and insert the top of the bag inside the fold and staple.

Go to Google Docs for the PDF...

o-FISH-ally the first day of school printout

You're o-FISH-ally a middle schooler!

You're o-FISH-ally in middle school!

If you have an issues getting the document let me know!

Happy First Day of School everyone!!

back 2 school

2012-08-12T18:37:00.000-05:00

Hello friends!

It has been a while since I posted anything! :-/ It has gotten a little busy in my life and posting got pushed to the side for a while.

What have I been doing?? Well, weekend trips, wedding projects, summer fun, camping, and preparing for my new job starting in a few weeks! I will be teaching four-year-old kindergarten this fall and I am very excited! :-D

So, I have been on Pinterest to get some classroom ideas and I knew I wanted to make this...

I started out with a cardboard ring (hot glued two together to make it more sturdy), then wrapped it in red scrap fabric that I had.

Started gluing crayons on with hot glue.

And added ribbon and a bow!

Creativly Inspired: diy outdoor party ideas

2012-07-12T11:00:00.000-05:00

Since it is the middle of summer I thought I would share some outdoor party ideas you can make for your next grill out!

First, bug proof your drinks with this awesome idea of turning mason jars into spill proof/bug proof glass...

source

And where to put your drinks? Why a DIY drink holder made from tin cans of course!!

source

Light the way with DIY wine bottle tiki torches..

source

And don't forget about games!!

spray painted yard games...

source

try hopscotch or tic-tac-toe and use Frisbees for your game pieces.

I also love these jumbo board games!!

Checkers...

source

Jenga...

source

and Scrabble...

source

You can use the Jumbo Scrabble tutorial to make your tiles!

I hope your next back yard get together is a great one!!

Happy summer!

handmade braclets

2012-07-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

Friendship bracelets have been all the rage lately! I have made so many in the past I should go dig them up! There are so many fun ways to personalize them and style them up by adding charms or beads. Wear one or 20 at a time!

Like these ones found on Honestly WTF .... go to the blog for full tutorial!

Honestly WTF

Check out friendship-bracelets.net .... they have free fun patterns like this mustache one!

friendship-bracelets.net

A simple braided bracelet with bright colored beads...

image found on etsy from this seller.

When I was younger I made so many of these! My favorite to make was a fish design. I've been inspired to make and wear some myself and share with you! Here are some that I have made...

How have you been inspired?

DIY symbol pillow

2012-07-03T11:10:00.000-05:00

Pillows are an easy way to change the decor of your room. I like to have pillow inserts and then make covers for them and make new ones and change them out for a whole new look. They are easy and inexpensive to make.

A trend I have seen lately is to use letters, munbers and symbols in decorating. For this project I choose to make a pillow with a "&" symbol on it.

Using the freezer paper "screen printing" technique I created my own print on fabric and created a pillow cover.

You will need...

- fabric {pre washed}

- pillow {mine was 18x18}

- fabric paint

- sponge brush

- freezer paper

- exacto knife, iron, sewing supplies

Trace a large letter, number, and symbol on freezer paper.

Use an exacto knife and cut around the symbol and iron onto the fabric {shiny side down}.

Paint and let dry.

Peel off freezer paper and iron to heat set the paint.

For a 18x18 pillow, cut a 20x20 square with your printed fabric. I off centered my symbol.

Then cut two other pieces of fabric for the back of the pillow. One 20x13 inches and one 20x16 inches.

Double fold and sew a hem one 20 inch side on each piece.

Place your front of the pillow fabric right side up.

Place your smaller back pannel right side down on top of the front. Line up the edges and corners.

Place the larger piece on top. Line up the edges and corners on the other side.

Pin and sew all the way around with a 1/4 to 1/2 seam.

Turn inside out and insert pillow!

After I sewed around I serged each edge to prevent fraying. You could zig zag if you don't have a serger.

Easy cover to update some pillows!

Try monogram letters, a lucky number, @, #, heart, or peace sign!

What symbol would you use? I would love to see your projects! Join the flickr group and share!!

Guest Post at Lines Across... fabric scrap coasters

2012-06-29T11:00:00.000-05:00

Recently I was over at Lines Across to share a little project in the Craft Stash Bash. Here is the tutorial for the fabric scrap coasters I made.

Hello! I'm Stacy from handmade by stacy vaughn. I am so excited to be posting in the Craft Stash Bash here at Lines Across! Thank you Rachel for the opportunity!

One thing you should know about me is that I am kind of a fabric hoarder. I love buying fabric and I have a huge stash that needs to be used up. I also save my scraps. Even the little tiny scraps that probably couldn't be used. But I can't just throw them away! So I have boxes of fabric scraps. What should be done with them????

How about some fabric scrap coasters?

Ready to use up some scraps?
Lets get started!

Gather your supplies...

Cut your scraps in strips so they are easier to work with. You will be wrapping the fabric around the rope and then coiling the rope into a circle to make the coaster.

Start at one end of the rope. Using glue wrap a piece of fabric around the end...

Add more fabric by gluing and wrapping.

Start to form the coaster by gluing the end and coiling...

Add more fabric and coil until you reach your desired size.

You can even use your tiniest scraps...

Once you have it to the size you want, finish the end by wrapping fabric around the end just like you did in the beginning...

Finish covering any remaining rope.

Glue the end down.

You now have a scrappy coaster!

Repeat to make a set!

Fabric scrap strips also make a fun ribbon for packaging!

Customize to fit your color scheme and style.

Makes and easy, inexpensive gift!

Make them as small or as big as you like.

Try using ribbon scraps too!

Protect your coffee table with style. :)

Thanks Rachel for having me!

Happy crafting everyone!

Creativly Inspired

2012-06-28T11:00:00.001-05:00

What inspires you to be creative? A color pallet, great texture, a fun new crafting tool..... Pinterest....???

I find inspiration everywhere! Browsing the craft stores, trendy fashion, fun color pallets and prints, trash and recyclables, and yes, Pinterest. There is so much stuff out there to get inspired from!

So, let me introduce to you....

In each post I will have some photos of what has ispired me and hopefuly inspire you to be creative. From the inspitations I will hopefully create something to show you :) and sometimes it will just be for fun and ideas for future projects.

Some photos will come from Pinterest, blogs that I follow, or my own photographs.

I hope you will join me on this little creative adventure....

This week is all about chalkboards! I am loving all of these chalkboard ideas!

Backyard chalkboard. An alternative to driveways.

outdoor chalkboard

Chalkboard table top. Perfect for notes and working out your math homework!

Also, a side table for keeping track of scores in a game room!

homework station

Chalkboard dipped wineglasses to write names on your glass so you know whos is whos!

chalkboard dipped wine glasses

DIY chalkboard labels from Lil Blue Boo.

diy chalkboard labels

Chalkboard door for home decor.

chalkboard door

Make your own chalkboard paint with any color paint! Here is a recepie using acrylic paint. You can also use latex paint.

homemade chalkboard paint

Now my own ideas for chalkboard paint are spinning in my head. :)

Thanks for stopping by and come back next week for another Creativly Inspired!

fabric roses

2012-06-26T11:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a simple fabric rose that you can use to embelish items in your wardrobe. Attatch them to a purse or bag, hair tie or hair pin, or make it into a pin and pin it to jazz up a shirt.

They are quick to make and can be made in any fabric. I used a red poly satin fabric for these roses. They are going to be attached to some clutch purses that I made.

You will need...

- long strip of fabric

- glue gun and glue

- sewing supplies

- safety pin

What you do...

Cut your fabric into a long {one yard or so, the longer the strip the bigger the flower} narrow strip, about 1.5 - 2 inches. {My in the picture is A LOT shorter than the fabric I used for the final flower.}

Fold strip in half with right sides together and sew along one side.

Pin a safety pin to one end to help turn the fabric right side out to form a tube.

Shown right side out...

Take one end of the tube and start forming the flower by rolling up the fabric using hot glue.

Twist the fabric, glue, roll. Repeat. Twisting the fabric gives the flower more texture. It doesn't matter wich way you twist it, I do both ways to give it more texture. Keep doing this with the entire length of the fabric.

When you get to the end of the fabric tuck it under and glue the end to the back side of the flower.

If you are adding a pin or hair piece to the back you can add a piece of felt cut to the size of the flower to the back to cover up the ends.

Super simple way to add to your accessories or wardrobe!

They can make them any size, just shorten your fabric to make a smaller one or use an extra long strip to make a large flower. Strips of fabric can also be sewn together to make a longer one.

Happy project time!

linked up here: I Gotta Create . I Heart Nap Time

DIY travel sewing kit

2012-06-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

A sewing kit is always good to have on hand. Especially when you travel or are part of a wedding party! I have been saved by a travel sewing kit while traveling and even at my own wedding! When buttons have popped off and seams have ripped! Thank goodness I had one on hand or somebody near by did!

Being a personal attendant at a wedding this summer I knew I had to have one on hand. By making your own you can customize it to include thread that matches the wedding party's attire. I also have all the other sewing supplies on hand. All I had to do was assemble ....

Some things you will need...

- coordinating thread
- pins
- small scrap of felt
- safety pins
- needles
- buttons
- small plastic bags {optional: to hold buttons and safety pins if desired}
- small container {I found mine at the dollar store. It came in a pack of 10.}
- scallop scissors and small piece of cardboard {these are to make a thread holder}
- small scissors {pictured in later photos}

First, lets make a thread holder so you don't have to have the big spools of thread...
Take the small piece of cardboard and cut the sides with a scalloped scissors, making sure it is even on both sides...

With a rgular scissors, cut three small slits on the side like shown:

Wrap your thread around the cardboard {as much as you think is nessessary} Start by placing the end of the thread in the slit and wrapping around the cardboard in the grooves the scalloped scissors made then slip the end of the thread in the notch:

Add more colors of thread.

I decided to pre thread the needles and just tucked the needles under the thread:

Take a small piece of felt and place some pins and extra needles in it. I Cut a long piece so it could be folded up.

Now just place all the supplies in the container.

Buttons and safety pins

Needles and pins

Thread

Small scissors

Travel sewing kit is ready to go!

Other items you could add:
- thimble
- small sewing measuring tape
- needle threader

The container I used was a perfect size. You could also use an Altoid box, tic tac box or a travel Q-tip case or anything you have on hand that is small.

Gather your supplies and make a travel sewing kit. You just never know when you'll need it!!

guest posting at Lines Across

2012-06-20T13:21:00.000-05:00

Guest posting over at Lines Across today to share some coasters made out of fabric scraps! Head on over and check out the tutorial!

play dough letters

2012-06-12T16:46:00.004-05:00

I've been meaning to make these for a while now and finally got around to them!

Play dough letters!

Just a little print out with outlined letters for kids to roll out play dough and "trace" the letters with the dough.

And here is the print out for you! Just download from Google Docs.....

Download PDF here: play dough letters

for personal use only please :)

Cut out and laminate the letters. Punch a hole in the corner and store on a binder ring!

Ready for play dough!