Tuesday To-Do

10 Tutorials

2009-05-26T14:32:09+02:00

With a newborn in the house there's not much crafting being done. I have a million and one ideas and plans, but little execution time. So in an attempt to keep this blog alive, I thought I'd post links to some of the crafting tutorials I've recently bookmarked with the intention to try at some time in the future.

Fabric organiser by Kandra
Owl Sunglass Case by Amy Cluck
Diaper Case by Jan Andrea
Fabric Bowl by Imagine Fabric
Quick and Easy Sketchbook by Susie
Shoe bags from vintage sheets by Betz White
Baby Snuggler pattern by Lotta Jansdotter at Craft Magazine
Roll-up kitchen playmat from Balancing Everything
Pleated purse pattern by Sarah
Dishtowel organiser from Crafty Beats

I hope you find something that inspires you! If you have any tutorials to share please leave alink in the comments!

Paper Piecing with stamps

2009-03-31T20:12:54+02:00

I used this quick technique to make the house element for the title block.

1. Stamp image on cardstock and cut out. Note: this stamp is actually a large arrow, which I realised would be perfect as a house! It's from the It's All About...Arrows set by Banana Frog

2. Stamp another image on scrap paper and cut out the pieces you want to be in patterned paper to use as a template

3. Use to cut out patterned paper pieces. Note: another way to do this would be to stamp the image on the back of the patterned paper you want to use. then cut out directly.

4. Stick to base and embellish as desired

Then use on your project as desired.

The title letters are the Pharmacy stamps from Banana Frog. All other items used are from the March kit from Scrapbook Takeout

Removable Cushion Cover

2009-03-17T16:22:43+01:00

This tutorial is part of my new Flea Market Crafting series, where I describe crafts I have made using items picked up at flea markets, second hand stores or just found around the house.

Supplies & Tools

Old/vintage cotton sheet and thread to match
Embroidered handkerchief or doily and coloured thread to match design
Sewing machine with decorative stitches
Sewing scissors
Measuring tape
Pins
Iron
Pillow form - I used a 15"x15" one which is fairly standard

Instructions

Measure and cut a 16&1/2" square, and two 16&1/2" x 10" rectangles from the sheet

Center handkerchief on right side of square and pin together

Using coloured thread and a decorative stitch, stitch kerchief to fabric. Tip: practice the decorative stitch first on a scrap piece of fabric to ensure that stitch lengths and tension are correct. I learned this one the hard way!

Fold over 1/4" along long side of rectangle piece and press

Fold over again and press

Change thread colour and using a straight stitch hem the edge, and overstitch on the right side.

Repeat with other rectangular piece. These two pieces will form the back of the cover with an opening to make it removable.

With right sides together pin one rectangular piece to the top part of front as shown, with hemmed edge towards middle.

Then pin other rectangular piece to bottom part, overlapping the top piece, with hemmed edge towards middle.

Stitch all four sides together with a 1/4" seam. Remove pins, tie off and cut threads and turn to right side

Front

Back

Leave cover on right side and overstitch 1/4" from edge

Close-up

Insert pillow form and toss on couch!

This project should take you less than an hour. Please let me know if you have any questions! I am by no means a professional seamstress and I made this up as I went along so my instructions might only make sense to me!

Last minute card idea

2009-02-13T11:40:00+01:00

if you’re like me and scrambling to get a card made for Valentine’s Day here’s a quick and simple idea!

Stamped Valentine Card

Supplies:

White cardstock
Black dotted cardstock
Red dotted patterned paper
Border punch
String/twine
Various heart stamps
Sentiment stamp
Red stamping ink
3D Glue dots or adhesive foam
Sharp scissors

Instructions

Step 1

Cut a piece of white cardstock 8&1/2” x 5&1/2”

Cut a piece of red dotted paper 4&1/2” x 2”. Use the border punch along the long sides

Cut a piece of black dotted paper 4&1/2” x 1”

Step 2

Use red ink to stamp hearts in white cardstock and cut out with sharp scissors

Step 3

Cut two pieces of string or twine and stick to back of black strip of cardstock as shown

Step 4

Fold white cardstock into a card, and layer red and black paper as shown. Tie the two pieces of string together at the right side

Step 5

Use 3D pop dots or foam to layer stamped hearts over string

Step 6

Finally stamp sentiment towards lower right of card

Other ideas:

(1) You can change the colours, stamps and sentiment and adapt this card to any occasion

(2) Try using ribbon or trim instead of string

Technorati Tags: stamping,valentine's day,card

Hearts in Flight Valentine Canvas

2009-02-03T22:36:52+01:00

This tutorial was originally posted on the Ranger Ink Link Yahoo Group

Supplies (feel free to substitute similar supplies from your stash!)

Stickles in Cotton Candy and Burgundy

Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Worn Lipstick and Fired Brick

Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint in Worn Lipstick

Adirondack Metallics Dabber in Gold

Perfect Pearls in Raspberry Sparkle

InkEssentials Minimister

Inkessentials Blending tool and blending foam

Non-stick craft mat

4” square canvas

Heart stamp

Chipboard hearts, sentiment and wings

Sandpaper or sanding tool

Instructions

Paint canvas with crackle paint and randomly stamp heart shape into paint while still wet (with uninked
stamp). Set aside to dry

Ink wings with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink, and hearts with Fired Brick Distress Ink

Mix Perfect Pearls with water in mini mister and spray mixture onto wings. Set aside to dry

Use

Burgundy

stickles to cover small chipboard hearts – the previously applied ink is to avoid having bare chipboard show through

Use cotton candy stickles to add dimension to medium chipboard heart

When canvas is dry use dabber applicator to paint a “frame” around edge of canvas

Use a fine paintbrush to paint gold paint around edges of wings

Assemble canvas as shown

Some details

If you make your version of this please share a link or upload it to the flickr group! From time to time I will feature on the blog what people are sharing in the pool.

My new garland

2008-12-18T21:24:22+01:00

I spent a few hours yesterday and this morning making a simple garland for the tree. I used this idea from Kayte Terry (via Creature Comforts) as a starting point, then added my own twist along the way.

Supplies:

Twine
Felt
Fabric
Felt stars or other embellishments

Using the templates (which I downloaded from Creature Comforts) I cut out around 70 flower shapes from different colours of felt and punched holes in the middle

Then I strung them on the string, about 6" apart, tying knots to keep them from moving

I ripped fabric into 1" strips about 5"-6" long and tied these onto the string between the flowers.

I also added some felt stars in between. I only had 7, so I spaced them out along the length.

In total my garland is about 10 or 11 yards long, which is about right for my approximately 5' tall tree.

This is a great project to do in front of the TV!

Vintage-y Wreath

2008-12-05T12:04:29+01:00

I made this on a whim a couple days, so I don't have step by step photos, but it's really very easy to make!

Supplies
Wreath form - the one I used is styrofoam
Fabric and lace scraps
Trim
Felt
Embroidery thread
Buttons
Needle
Batting
Old music sheets
Leaf stamp, punch or die
Ink

Instructions

Cut or tear a long strip of fabric about 3" wide and wrap around wreath. Secure ends at the back with hand stitching

Wrap a length of trim over fabric, securing at back

Use a smaller piece of lace to wrap a small portion of wreath

Make a stuffed star from felt. Instructions are here

Punch/cut out eight leaf shapes from music sheet paper. I used a leaf stamp, stamped the leaves on the back and the cut them out with scissors.
Ink edges of leaves, and fold in center of each to give dimension
Punch a circle piece of scrap cardstock.
Using a strong glue arrange leaves to form flower shape on cardstock circle
Add button to center of flower

Cut two leaf shapes from fabric, fray edges and hand stitch to lace covered portion of wreath
Stick music sheet flower over leaves

Loop star embellishment on a length of trim and use to hang wreath.

Holiday Workshop PDF

2008-12-04T12:58:44+01:00

For your convenience I have created a pdf file of the holiday workshop and it is available for purchase for a mere $3.99.

Click here to purchase

The pdf contains all 10 tutorials from the workshop as well as a new bonus never before posted tutorial! Here is a sneak peek

All the tutorials will remain posted on the blog and available free of charge, but I thought some people might like the convenience of a pdf file for saving to their computers and printing out.

Click here to purchase

In addition, leave me a comment letting me know what you think about the tutorials, if you plan to make any, or just say hi, and I will select one person to receive the pdf free of charge!

Thanks to everyone for stopping by Tuesday To-Do. I will post this week's (late) tutorial tomorrow.

Hanging Doo-dad

2008-11-28T14:32:01+01:00

I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do with this, I might make a few for the tree, or just hang them from doorknobs around the apartment.

The idea was inspired by some store displays I saw at Ikea. They used much larger ones to display the holiday ornaments throughout the store. So another idea would be to hang small ornaments from them and suspend them over open doorways.

Supplies

Thin chipboard - e.g. from a cereal box or other packaging (great way to reuse recyclables!)
Ribbon in two widths
Buttons
Embroidery floss and needle

Instructions

Cut a strip of chipboard about 1" wide. I used a length about 14" long. You can vary the length depending on the size circle you want. Form into circle by stapling ends together

Stick end of wider ribbon to inside of circle over the staples

Wrap ribbon diagonally around circle until covered

Cut three pieces of ribbon about 6"-7" and staple to circle at regular intervals

Wrap second ribbon around ring

Bring ends of three ribbon strips together and stitch on a button to hold them together. I folded the ends together into a point.

To cover up the stitching at the back, stick on another button using a strong adhesive such as KI Gloo, Glossy Accents or a hot glue gun

Add floss and glitter (if desired) to three medium to large buttons

Stick on buttons to cover up where ribbon is stapled to circle

Voila!

I'd love to see your version of this, and how you use it! Once I get my decorating done I'll post a pic of what I used mine for.

I'd like to thank everyone who had joined me for the last two weeks of Holiday Crafts. I've had a blast putting these tutorials together. Plus it really helped me get my own crafting done. :)

I've started a group on here on flickr where everyone can share the creations made using the tutorials. Please do spread the word and let everyone know about the tutorials. Starting Tuesday December 2nd I will go back to my regular bi-monthly posting schedule.

Happy Crafting!

More Gift Tags

2008-11-27T15:25:26+01:00

Here are two more gift tags you can make for those special gifts. I have attached a template of tag shapes that you can use if you don't have pre-made tags, or the right sized punch or die cut. Download Tag template

1. Star Tag

Supplies

Plain green tag - premade or cut from cardstock
Smaller patterned tag
Star sticker or die cut
Paper doily
Three red buttons
Red eyelet
Ribbon or twill with sentiment
Ribbon for hanging

Instructions

Fold paper doily in half and stick to tag

Add smaller tag on top

Then add star

Cut phrase from ribbon or twill and stick to bottom of tag (you can also use a phrase sticker, print out a phrase or use a Dymo label machine)

Add three buttons

Set eyelet and tie ribbon

2. Triangle Tag

Supplies

2 triangle tags and 1 small tag
Snowflake or star chipboard shape
Large green button
Patterned papers
red ink pad
Red paint
Red glitter
red embroidery floss
ribbon
small black letter stickers

Instructions

Step 1: Snowflake

Stick the chipboard shape to the back of a piece of red patterned paper

and use your craft knife to cut out the shape

back

front

Don't worry if it looks a bit rough, we'll be fixing that

Paint the front of the snowflake with red paint. At this point you can use the paint to cover up the bits of paper sticking out at the front and back. Sprinkle glitter on wet paint and set aside to dry.

Step 2: Tag base

Cut out two triangle tags from patterned paper.

Stick tags together patterned sides out. Ink edges with red ink

Cut out a smaller tag and use the letter stickers to write "For you" Stick to front of large tag

Thread embroidery floss through button and stick on

Use patterned paper to cover up the blank piece of the tag sticking out at the back

Punch a piece of patterned paper and ink the edges. Use letter stickers to write "To" and "From" and stick to back of tag

Step 3 : Finish tag

Punch a hole in the center of the snowflake and stick to top of tag. Add ribbon for tying