Monthly Archives: January 2011

Tutorial: Valentine’s Day Bunting

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Good Morning! I’m back from my weekend in Arizona but I am seriously missin’ that squishy little niece of mine …

For any new readers, my family’s very first grandchild (i.e. my first niece) was born two weeks ago and oh, gracious. She is delectable. Her name is Laela Carolina (isn’t that the cutest?!) and We. Love. Her. A. Lot. You can see pictures of her here. Do it. Follow the link. Seriously. You know you want to. (I never thought I’d be “that” kind of an auntie … but I am. Unabashedly. I am.)

But OK, enough about Little Laela Lou (maybe). You’re here for the tutorials right? Some say garlands have been way over-done. And it’s true. They have. But I still love them. They’re such a fun, bold, whimsical way to decorate for any holiday, party, dinner, or special event. They take your decorations to a whole new level, lifting the eye and completing a look. (And they’re usually so easy!)

So. For instructions on the felt polka-dot/heart garland, click here. Oh! And before I forget, I mentioned on air today that on Feb.1 (one week from today) I’ll be emailing a free e-book to my mailing list subscribers, chock-full of Valentine’s Day crafts and ideas. So if you want to get that free e-book, fill out the form below.

Now. Onto the Valentine’s Day Flag Bunting … Supplies: fabric (mix it up–go with a modge podge of designs and colors!) . scissors . double fold bias tape . sewing machine & thread Steps:

  1. Cut fabric. For the bunting pictured, I cut mine into 5″ x 7″ rectangles, but you could easily make yours bigger or smaller. Just make sure you have enough to fill your bias tape.
  2. Take one rectangle and fold/iron the 3 edges that will be exposed 1/4″. Sew in place close to edge. Repeat with remaining rectangles. *Note: If you don’t want to finish your edges, you could also cut the fabric with pinking shears to keep them from fraying, or if you don’t mind the slight fraying, leave them raw.
  3. Insert the raw edge of the rectangles into the bias tape opening and pin in place. Make sure the rectangles are centered along the bias tape and that you have enough tape on each end to use when hanging the bunting. Laying your rectangles out on the floor first helps. *Note: I left about 1″ space between each of my rectangles, but if I made one of these again, I would only leave about 1/4″ space.
  4. Once pinned, begin at one end of the bias tape and sew a straight line to the other end, being sure to catch your rectangles inside the seam.
  5. Trim loose threads and hang!

Variations:

  • Applique hearts or X’s and O’s on each “flag.” Or maybe even the word “LOVE.”
  • OR … Paint a message/saying on them rather than applique.
  • Instead of rectangles do triangles or squares.

So there you have it. Two really simple, totally cute Valentine’s Day garlands. And don’t forget … for more crafts and ideas, sign up for the free e-book. xo!
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Tutorial: Easy Fleecey Mittens

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Hey all. Good Morning and Happy New Year! I know I’m like a whole week late on that, but it’s been busy ’round these parts. I’ve been cleaning and clearing and decluttering and goal setting and trying my darndest to help make this year a heaping lot better than last. So far, so good.

So. If you’re finding me through Good Things Utah … thanks for coming! I’m so glad you stopped by. Feel free to take your time and look around, sign up for the post feed, or check out some of my other DIY tutorials and crafty ideas. Or you could browse through my photos or favorite posts. If you’re interested in getting the patterns for the other projects featured in today’s segment, just sign up on the mailing list (over there on the right) and an email will be sent out next week with all the instructions.

OH! And if you would like to purchase any of the fleece flower pin embellishments featured on today’s projects, they’re on sale in the shop for a squealin’ deal. Seriously. Squealin’. And they look so stinkin’ cute on hats, sweaters, handbags, headbands, etc. You can totally change it up!

Click Here for the :: Orange Flower Set . Blue Flower Set . Large Single Purple Flower

p.s. a little bird told me there are some really great illustrations (1 & 2) for sale in that shop too. And a custom pendant that was featured in Nie Nie’s Handmade Christmas Gift Guide. You should check those out too.

Now. On to the Easy Fleecey Mittens!

Supplies
A piece of fleece (needs to be big enough to cut 4 pieces that are slightly larger than the wearers hand), sewing machine, thread, embellishments (optional)

Steps
1. Trace your hand (with fingers closed and thumb extended) onto a piece of paper.
2. Use the traced hand as a guide to draw your pattern. Be sure to leave 1/4″ around all sides for the seam and about 1″ at the bottom so that it extends past the wrist when worn. *Also be sure that the opening is large enough to slide a hand in.
3. Cut out 4 pieces of fleece, using the pattern you just made.
4. With wrong sides together, pin 2 fleece pieces together and sew around the edge, leaving the hand opening open.
5. Fold the opening down (towards inside of mitten) 1/4″ and sew close to edge.
6. Turn right side out.
7. Embellish and enjoy!

*Optional step: If the wrist opening is too large and drafty, you can easily add a piece of elastic. Simply increase the fold over in Step 5 to a 1/2″. Sew close to edge, but leave a 1″ opening to insert elastic (cut to wrist size). Sew ends of elastic together and then sew the 1″ opening in seam closed).

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#reverb10: core story

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Day 31 of #Reverb10 // Molly O’Neill asks // What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world? (Bonus: Consider your reflections from this month. Look through them to discover a thread you may not have noticed until today.)

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It is 11:33 p.m. on the last day of the year. And I know exactly what I was doing exactly one year ago tonight. And I think–how is it even possible that that was 12 months ago? Where? Did all the days go.

I’ve read through my Reverberations multiple times this last week. And this is what I know: a) that I love being “in like.” It lights something up in me and all the dead parts come alive and all the live parts grow like morning glory come Spring. I need more of that in my life. b) that I’ve been given glimmers of what will be. Soon. The distance between me and the end of the tunnel is visible. (I think. I feel.) This is sweet relief and the cup of hope I was thirsty for. c) that I’ve swum in the dregs of grief these last six month, and though it snuffed out much of my much-ness, deep down, I’m still there–and I’m still afloat. Knowing this means I can now work through it. Process it. And move forward. I’m no longer stuck.

But the things is. Those things–though they make up much of my story, and though they are important for me to identify and acknowledge, they are not my core. It is the core that I’ve had the hardest time seeing and holding onto through all this. But deep down. I know. And at my core is this:

I am a daughter, of a loving God. And He knows me. Personally and individually. He has wept when I have wept and listened when I screamed. He didn’t lecture when I blamed him or walk away when I didn’t want to talk to Him. He held my hand when it was dark and stood beside me when I dug my heels in. He knows how to help me get through this. Afterall, He too, knows loss. And now that I’m ready and breathing, with my eyes open and looking, He’ll point the way. That’s what He does. Because He loves us. His children. And He wants nothing more than our happiness, eternally.

On the very first day of Reverb10, we were prompted to: Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

My word for 2010 was “difficult.” And that is true. I can confidently seal that word as the long hand ticks closer to twelve.

But the word(s) I chose for 2011? “HOPE // GROW // BECOME.” I’m changing that.

And it’s Resurrect.

To leave your thoughts, simply scroll down. To read more #reverb10 posts, click here.

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