vintage umbrella

ruffled crepe paper streamers

2012-03-07T04:30:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the ruffled crepe paper streamers that have been floating around pinterest and blogland? I sat myself down and figured out how to make it! Start with streamers from the party store... around $1 per roll.

Set your tension and stitch length as big as you can make them and start sewing...

as you go, it magically ruffles!

You end up with piles of adorable ruffled cuteness...

I'm planning on using them at an event... I will show you how they looked.

My niece Sophia was over to "help" me with this project. Do you recognize the sock monkey hat?

painted tray

2012-03-06T04:30:00.000-08:00

I've been upcycling (a fancy word for use what you've got) all sorts of stuff lately. Today's project is a favorite tray from our condo in Phoenix. It was plain old white and needed a little freshening up! Isabelle and her friend painted it orange for me using Martha Stewart geranium craft paint. Love the color!

Let the mod podge begin... I used lots and lots of beautiful paper scraps. It looks random, but I did cut and measure before I started attaching the paper scraps.

Finished. I want to wallpaper my walls with these papers!

Linking up here...http://todayscreativeblog.net/, http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/, and here http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2012/03/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no104.html

baby owl pillow

2012-03-04T23:17:00.000-08:00

I had lots of 2 1/2 inch squares left over from my latest project, so I decided to make a little owl pillow with them. I started by sewing them together.

Check out online universities for arts and crafts classes that can teach you how to create a fancy custom-designed pillow case based on leftover fabric.

Next I folded the fabric in half and cut out a simple owl shape. At the same time, I cut out the back.

After sewing them together I added 2 wings. The eyes and beak are the same shape that I used for the little hoot hat.

I stuffed it with polypellets and fiberfill. A fun project, all made with scraps!

I can't stop sewing...

2012-03-02T04:30:00.000-08:00

Remember, I told you about my sewing lessons a couple weeks ago? Before I went to my first lesson, I had to dust off my machine. It didn't take long for me to develop an addiction. It is the fabric... so many gorgeous patterns and colors.

For more information, find online sewing courses at an online school that can teach you how to develop your sewing skills and create some interesting projects.

Our class project is a table runner. Mine turned into a lap quilt. I really couldn't stop myself. I'm sure the instructor will roll her eyes at me.

Here it is, all sewn together... no border or bindings yet. I sure do love it. Notice, Piper is perched atop the tea towel pillow I JUST FINISHED.

I want to recover everything in patchwork. Have a wonderful day!

HOOOOOOOT hat

2012-03-01T04:30:00.000-08:00

I'm invited to an owl baby shower this week. Of course, I had to make the baby to be an owl hat...

I started with a stripey hat that I added earflaps and pompoms to. I used the kitchener stitch to create the square top.

I cut eyes and a beak out of felt.

Stitched the eyes and beak on with pink floss...

It turned out pretty cute if you ask me!

Leap Day

2012-02-29T04:30:00.000-08:00

Today is Leap Day. A bonus day! How are you going to use your extra 24 hours? Here are some suggestions.....

1. Cupcakes are always a good option!

Pastry schools can teach you

how to create and design delicious

cupcakes for different occasions.

2. Make some cards for your friends!

3. Knit some mittens!

4. Create something wonderful with your kids...

5. Surprise someone with a cake... delish!

6. Makeover a piece of furniture...

7. Make a clothespin wreath...

8. Or maybe find a comfortable chair and take a nap? Have a wonderful day, whatever you do!

scrappy picture frames

2012-02-28T04:30:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone... today I'm going to make a birthday present for my sister-in-law, Jen. She moved to Texas in the fall and we all miss her lots!

I got these frames at a craft store... they were plain old chipboard to start. I painted them turquoise.

I decided to add a little white to the top to dull it down a bit. When the frames dried, I started modpodging paper scraps on the frames.

There are amazing scrapbook papers in the stores, aren't there? I want to decorate my whole house with them!

I added some ribbon through the holes at the top of each frame. The frames are filled with paper until Jen fills them with pictures of my cute nephews and niece.

Last of all, I used a few remaining scraps and made her a card to go with the frames. Fun... now if I can just get them into the mail...

knit nests and eggs

2012-02-27T04:31:00.000-08:00

Good morning! It is a freezing cold, windy day in Minnesota. Did you watch the Oscars last night? I thought it was a really good show this year.

Did you know I am a sale's rep for Marie Mayhew? http://www.woollysomething.com/ She designs all sorts of amazing patterns. They are so much fun to knit. I know Easter is more than a month away, but I've been knitting these little eggs like crazy.

The flat little egg doesn't look very exciting until you stuff it and felt it... they come out adorably cute!

This photo shows felted and unfelted eggs. I looooove these colors... cascade 220!

They look cute nestled in a little bird's nest... you can buy one at the craft store, or knit your own, using Marie's pattern.

The nest below isn't felted yet, but I just love the colors! I will share it soon. Guess what I have on the needles now? Knitted bunnies!!

xoxo Jenni

Mason's Birthday

2012-02-25T04:30:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned my sister lately? We live about a mile apart and we are together a lot! Recently, we started a little party business. Our first big gig was her son Mason's 5th birthday!

I made the cupcakes... she did everything else!

She did a Twin's theme... Mason is a big fan!

We did a candy bar which the boys loved! My parents were there to help, and 2 of my daughters too!

Isn't he about the cutest little birthday boy ever?

small things box

2012-02-24T04:30:00.000-08:00

I just love old boxes and tins. They are wonderful for hiding lots of treasures. Today's project is something new... bought to store all my vintage alphabet letters. I bought the box at Crafts Direct http://www.craftsdirect.com/ My husband spray painted it for me.

Look what I put inside...

all sorts of amazing little bits and pieces!

tea towel pillow

2012-02-23T04:30:00.000-08:00

I have been collecting old (we call it VINTAGE, right?) fabric for years. You can find it at garage sales, antique stores and even Goodwill sometimes. I'm not sure why anyone ever printed calendars on a dishtowel. I see them at junk shops all the time... which leads me to believe they never get used. Today I'm going to use one to make a pillow.

I found a fabric that I wanted to use on the front with the towel. I had a little bit of this cute orange ribbon to use too. I sewed the 2 fabrics together and then added the ribbon and ricrac.

Once the front is finished, cut your back. I used a vintage sheet for mine.

Sew them all together and voila, you have a super cute pillow!

lovie blankie

2012-02-22T04:30:00.000-08:00

We have lots of babies being born around here... and what is better than that? I've been making lots of little lovie blankies for them. Lovies are little small blankies to take in the car, and just drag around in general. They are quick and easy and don't take much fabric to make.
First you gather up a bunch of ribbon scraps. I pin them on each end of the blankie.

Don't skip the pins... the ribbons will slide all over if you do. Sew the ribbons on. I know people are going to ask about the cupcake and dachsund ribbon... I got it here http://www.jcarolinecreative.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc

Next sew the wrong sides of the fabric together. I like to use flannel on one side and minkee on the other... JoAnn's has lots of different colors. Leave a hole and turn the blankie inside out.

Press it and topstitch it...

and you have an adorable little baby gift.

little pink sweater

2012-02-21T04:30:00.000-08:00

I just finished yet another baby surprise jacket for a friend's baby. I may have to retire this pattern.

I like the hat better than the sweater... it turned out a little off kilter. You win some, you lose some!

I do love the kitty buttons though.

When I finished I started a sweater for myself in pink and white... the pattern is free here...http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/february-lady-sweater I made one of these when I first learned to knit. Let's just say, it didn't fit right. Hopefully this one will be better! Have a crafty day!

scrappy cards

2012-02-20T04:30:00.000-08:00

Have you ever tried to sew on paper? Because of my sewing lessons, I've been sewing like crazy lately. I decided to make some cards using cardstock and my sewing machine.

I laid out scraps of paper and sewed them in place... couldn't be easier!

Such a fun way to use up those little scraps... so addictive! Have a great day!

a valentine present (i bought for myself)

2012-02-18T04:30:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just need to buy yourself a little present. I just got this box in the mail and it made me so happy...

and look what was inside...

Tessa clogs has all sorts of amazing different designs. I think they should do a giveaway for vintage umbrella, don't you?

sewing lessons

2012-02-17T04:30:00.000-08:00

Recently, my wonderful friend Mary treated me to sewing lessons. It couldn't have been more fun. I used to sew when my kids were little. Lots of dresses and baby blankies. I've hardly had my sewing machine out in the last few years so it was good to have a refresher.

Accredited online colleges offer online sewing lessons that can teach you how to use your sewing machine and create several different wonderful projects from it.

We both agreed that you could get addicted to fabric just about as fast as you get addicted to yarn.

The Eiffel tower fabric is my fave... I got it at an amazing fabric store called Crafty Planet http://www.craftyplanet.com/ The brand is Timeless Treasures.

We cute 2 1/2 inch strips and made amazing quilt blocks. My project isn't quite done, but I will show you the finished product soon. We are making a table runner.

Happy Crafting!

PaiNT ChiP BooKMaRKs

2012-02-16T04:30:00.001-08:00

Have you seen all the cute paint chip crafts floating around the internet? I've seen them made into all sorts of cute stuff... and they are FREE! This craft is perfect for Thrifty Thursday!

I picked up some cards at the hardware store. I decided to use the ones with holes for the bookmarks. I punched out some heart embellishments...

and added a heart with a little mounting tape. I tied ribbon through the top and they are done. Ready to be passed out to my book club friend.

chicken wire frame

2012-02-15T04:30:00.000-08:00

I love those chicken wire frames that everyone has been making... I talked my husband into making one for me.

I started with an old silver frame that was empty...

spray painted it yellow...

My husband stapled chicken wire to the back.

I covered some clothespins with cute patterned paper...

Done!

Best of Valentine's...

2012-02-14T04:30:00.000-08:00

I hope you have a wonderful valentine's day... here are a few of my favorite images from the past month.

VaLEnTiNe PiNCuSHioNS

2012-02-13T04:30:00.001-08:00

You may have heart me mention that I have some pretty crafty friends. This year I decided to sew up some valentine pincushions for them.

First I cut out hearts out of scrap fabric. I cut out red plushy fabric for the back. After I pinned the hearts together, I sewed them together, leaving a small hole for the stuffing.

When you have finished sewing... turn them inside out and stuff firmly with polyfill..

Now you have a fun, inexpensive present for your crafting friends!

I MuSTaCHe YoU...

2012-02-11T04:30:00.000-08:00

I got this adorable mustache card kit from Paper Source. What an amazing store!

It came with everything you need to make a whole bunch of these adorable mustached hearts...

I made a bunch and strung them on black and white polka dot ribbon!

DoiLy VaLEnTiNe ToP

2012-02-10T04:30:00.000-08:00

I bought a peasant top at Target and just couldn't leave it white...

I started by adding a pink doily and 2 felt hearts.

It took a lot of little stitches to hold the doily down. I definitely wouldn't just throw this in the wash!

I poured out a bag of vintage buttons and started sewing!

It needed a couple pompoms to finish it off...

Finished!

valentine princess

2012-02-09T04:30:00.001-08:00

Welcome to day 7 of my valentine countdown. Today we are going to make a valentine princess crown for the little girl in your life. My "little girls" are all teenagers now, but my niece Sophia is 2 and fancies herself to be quite the princess.

To make the crown, all you need is a circle of wired valentine garland...

start tying ribbon to one side... these will stream down her back and look very fancy indeed!

While I was making the crown, I decided to make her a princess garland for her room.

She is literally obsessed with Belle after seeing Beauty and the Beast.

I cut out princess from left over wrapping paper from Christmas. I punched holes on each side and strung ribbon through. It cost me nothing! Sophia will love it!

Have a happy day!

tissue paper valentine

2012-02-08T04:30:00.001-08:00

Today's valentine is another fun project to do with your children. This is my little nephew Mason, who I think is about the cutest kid in the whole world. (I know, I'm biased). He just happened to be over when I was making these so he got to help.

Start with wax paper and tissue paper. I threw a couple punched hearts in the mix too. Add tissue paper in layers, adding a little glue as you go.

When your project is covered, cover it with wax paper. Next, cut out a heart to go on top of the wax paper sandwich. I've told you I taught 3rd grade, right? I used to do these with my class and we would cover the windows of the classroom. So cute.

Let all the glue dry for a little bit...

Trim around the edge of the heart so no extra wax paper is showing.

I love how they look hung in the window...

little tin mailbox

2012-02-07T04:30:00.001-08:00

I like to wander through the dollar spot at Target... anyone else have that problem? I found these little tin mailboxes there and decided to make them for 2 special little people.

I started by gluing patterned paper on the lid of the box. I added little robot stickers to the lids. I bought them at Hobby Lobby... so cute! I have a thing for robots... check out my pinterest page here...http://pinterest.com/jenni_swenson1/robots/

Next I made some little cards to put in the mailbox...

add some candy and give to someone you love. (i expect a great big hug!)