Creative ideas for you

diy Anthropologie Inspired Faux Metal Letters

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 23:57:00 +0000

Inspired by the metal letters from Anthropologie, Ivory Owls made her own, and you can too!

Click here to Visit Ivory Owls for a free tutorial.

How to make a Valentine Card Mailbox

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 01:15:00 +0000

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! Time to start thinking about cards and mailboxes so I'll be ready for the big day at school! Here are my favorite valentine mailboxes. Click on the links below each box for instructions.

Alien Chews a Card - Instructions Here

Cat Chews a Card - Instructions Here

Valentine Mailbox - Instructions Here

Make your own Patchwork Scottie Dog

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:37:00 +0000

Click here to visit Denise Schmidt Quilts for the free Scottie Dog Pattern and Tutorial.

Free Lumberjack Hat Pattern and Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 21:59:00 +0000

About the cutest hat I've ever seen! I love it.

Click here to visit Delia Creates for the free pattern and tutorial.

Preserving A Child's Artwork

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:05:00 +0000

Finding it difficult to throw away the hundreds of my children's and grandchildren's art paper's I've collected over the years I came up with a way to enjoy their drawings throughout my day.
First I took a photo of the art I wanted to preserve. Then using my computer reduced them to the size I wanted and printed them in black and white on regular copy paper.

Then I transfered the drawing onto prewashed and dried, white cotton muslin simply by placing the fabric on top of the drawing and tracing it lightly with a pencil. Holding the fabric and paper up to a window so the light shines through may be necessary if you can't see the print through the fabric.

Then I used embroidery stitches to fill in the artwork. If you haven't done embroidery and would like to try this wonderful craft click here for a link with easy to follow embroidery instructions by video.

I used strips of colored cotton material to boarder each piece of white artwork and then sewed them all together to make a quilt top. After machine quilting and binding - they were finished.

Here are some photo's of the finished quilts.

I love the children's artwork and the quilt will become even more valuable as they grow older.

Easy to make- Rainbow Necklace

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:46:00 +0000

I love this great dress-up/ teething toy, easy to crochet

Click here to visit - Easy Makes Me Happy for the free pattern!

How To Crochet Little Picot Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:07:00 +0000

Click here to visit Attic 24 for the tutorial

How to Crochet a Hexagon

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:04:00 +0000

Click here to visit Attic 24 for the tutorial

Jar Jacket - Crochet How To

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:02:00 +0000

Click here to visit Attic 24 for the tutorial

Hanging Birdie Decoration - Crochet How To

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:55:00 +0000

An easy pattern to make, great for using up the odds and ends of yarn.

Click here to visit Attic 24 for the tutorial and Pattern

Crocheted Bag with Mini Flowers How To

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:47:00 +0000

Click here and visit Attic 24 for the Tutorial

DIY - Studded Ballet Slippers

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:09:00 +0000

Visit Orange Juice for the Tutorial

Spring Bed Garden DIY Project

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:05:00 +0000

Add a little bit of color with this handmade night light.

Super sweet.

Click here for the free tutorial

Toddler Slippers - Crochet Pattern

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 23:31:00 +0000

Thanks Lisa at Good Knits

Click here for her free pattern

Where To Go To Learn To Make A Papier Mache Folk Art Doll

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:41:00 +0000

Folk Art, papier mache dolls from the 1700's and 1800's are fascinating to me. I love the forgiveness of the process. The paperclay as well as the painting of the doll head can be reworked, changed, redone over and over again. If you are interested in the process of this wonderful art here is a list of resources.

CLICK HERE for the Resource Link to Papier Mache Doll Making.

Big Sister Gift Idea for New Baby

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 04:25:00 +0000

Nothing's sweeter than preparing for a new little one's arrival. Including older children in the preparation and celebration makes it extra fun! Mama's Doodles has this simple idea that's super easy for kids. All you need is fine grit sandpaper, crayons and a baby T-shirt.

Visit Mama's Doodles for the simple 6 step instructions. Oh so sweet!

How to Make Shrinky Dinks from Recycled Plastic

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 04:05:00 +0000

Using:

Permanent Markers, #6 clear plastic, and an oven you can make your own Shrinky Dinks. A super fun activity to do with kids of all ages.

Look for this #6 symbol on clear plastic, such as containers for take out food.

Skip to my Lou has complete and thorough information and directions. A Family Fun Project!

Turtle Pincushion - Pattern and Sewing Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 03:35:00 +0000

This is the cutest pincushion I have found!

Flip him over, needles, thread and scissors stow-away inside.

He has a magnetic flipper for those stray pins!

Here's the Link - Craft Passion has the Free Pattern and Sewing Tutorial!

DIY Woven Rag Rug

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 03:26:00 +0000

Turn your old bed sheets into a new Woven Rag Rug.

I love the look, texture and colors! Love this and can't wait to give it a try. This technique would make lovely table placemats as well!

Here's the link at Craft Passion for the Woven Rag Rug Tutorial.

Owl Key Chain - Pattern and Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 03:18:00 +0000

Clever idea - If you're really good at loosing your keys, like ME, this may be a clever and cute way to keep track of those pesky keys! I love owls and I love this.

Craft Passion has the free pattern and tutorial.

Little Girls Apron Dress

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 03:07:00 +0000

Super cute girls apron dress. The complete pattern and photo tutorial can be found at Every Day Chaos.

Click here for The Apron Dress Pattern and Tutorial

Apron Patterns and Tutorials

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:50:00 +0000

Retro Fun - Vintage Apron, pattern and tutorial

When I cook, clean and create I am super messy! I love to wear an apron. After visiting my local fabric store and seeing the price of an apron pattern I decided - I'd have a look online.
Well, here's a few from Sew 4 Home, completely free and just for you!
Just click on the link below each pattern.

French Country Apron Pattern and Tutorial

Hostess Apron Pattern and Tutorial

Child's Apron - Pattern and Tutorial

Thread Rack Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:25:00 +0000

Sugar Bee has a sweet tutorial to help you keep your sewing room neat and orderly. I love this quick and easy way to keep all the colors accessible and easy to find. Thanks Sugar Bee!

Here's the Sugar Bee Link to the thread rack tutorial.

Free Patterns and Instructions for Felt Dolls and Clothing

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:23:00 +0000

Nuno Dolls provides these delightful miniature felt doll patterns ready to download and make your own.

The Clothing Patterns are also free on her website.

Free Japanese Kimono Doll Pattern and Instructions

noreply@blogger.com (alyce armstrong) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:11:00 +0000

Nuno doll provides the amazing pattern and instructions to make this beautiful Kimono Doll.

Click here for the Pattern and Instructions