Creature Comforts - daily inspiration, style, d.i.y. projects + freebies

Marichelle - DIY: Silver Glass Glittered Frame

Hi everyone! Marichelle here from Heart Handmade and Wunderlust filling in for Ez with another DIY project. This one is for a simple to make photo/print frame made out of recycled chipboard. Don't know about you, but I have a number of prints that aren't your standard 8.5x11 or 5x7 and it's quiet difficult to find frames for them. So I've decided to make my own and even use them for photographs, the best part is that you can easily customize the size!

What you'll need:

1. Ruler
2. Chipboard (I've saved up a couple from recent photo purchases on Etsy). You can also use thick stockpaper, oaktag etc- just use something a little thicker than regular paper
3. xacto knife
4. your favorite glue, I recommend using a thicker glue (elmers glue should work fine)
5. your choice of glitter (I used the Martha Stewart brand but you can use other brands as well)
6. scissors
7. twine or ribbon
8. self-healing mat or something you can safely use the xacto knife on

* you'll also need a hole puncher (smaller than standard is what I would recommend), pencil, wax paper, foil or parchment paper (whatever you have around), a craft sponge or brush for glue (if you don't have one, you can just snip a bit off of a new dish sponge)

Let's get started...

1. You first want to determine how wide you want the frame to be all around the print. I decided that I wanted it to be a little less than 1 inch wide all around the print.

2. So I measured 1 inch around the entire print and marked a line with a pencil.

3. If you have a T Square then great, but to make sure I had a straight edge I measured one inch in 1 inch intervals going vertically down the right-hand side of my print. Penciled in little marks, then connected the dots and drew my straight line/edge.

4. Cut off excess.

5. Now center the print on top of the piece you just cut.

6. Trace around the print.

7. To make sure that the frame actually frames the photo/print, the "hole" needs to be a little smaller than the photo/print itself.

8. So take your ruler and draw a smaller rectangle inside your current one. I suggest drawing it 1/8 of an inch smaller than your original trace (#5 and #6).

9. Carefully cut out the center (the inside, smaller rectangle). Make sure you don't cut passed your guidelines.

10. You should now have a frame!

11. Go ahead and lay it on top of your print to double check that you measured correctly. Next, you want to find the center of the very top, so you can make the holes for the hanging. Once you find the center, measure about 1.5 inches to the right and to the left. Mark with a pencil.

12. Using your ruler as a guide, make your holes and make sure they line up. It's important that your hole isn't bigger than the width of your twine or ribbon. I have the Martha Stewart punch tool so I was able to choose the 2nd largest puncher. If all you have is a standard hole puncher - you should still be ok but you'll have to finish the hanging differently than what I've outlined here. I'll provide instructions on how to finish it below.

Now for the fun part...

13. Give one side of your frame a very good coating of glue using either a brush, sponge or even your fingers. Spend a good amount of time making sure that you have an even coat, you'll thank yourself later once you begin applying the glitter. You'll have less touching up to do, promise.

14. If you have a tray big enough it might be easier to work in it, but if not, you can lay down a large sheet of wax paper, parchment paper, foil even newspaper on top of your work area so you can get glittering! The MS glitter comes with a handy salt & pepper like dispenser so I was able to shake down the glitter. I also like to use a spoon (actually think that this method is a lot easier) and spoon the glitter all over the frame. Once the glue dries (I waited for about 5 minutes) you want to life the frame and tap in on its edges, tap all sides making sure that you get all of the excess glitter off.

15. At this point you want to examine your frame. Does the glitter look even? Are there spots that could use a little more. If so, make sure you wait until the glue has fully dried. Once dry, you can apply a tiny amount of glue with your finger on the uneven patches - pat it down with your finger so you don't get bumpy patches. Spoon or shake some glitter over the newly glued patches. Once dry, tap off excess. Wait to dry.

16. It's alright if you've glittered over your hanging holes. Simply turn it over and slip a fairly big needle through the hole or use a pencil. Measure out your twine/ribbon - mine was 10.5" long. Carefully thread one end through one of the wholes (from the back of the frame to the front of the frame).

* if you're using a standard hole puncher and the hole is too big for the twine (the knot will slip right through the holes) you can thread the twine from back to front then take the twine and thread it into the other hole (from front to back) and once both ends are in the back side of your frame, line the ends up evenly and knot the ends to close the loop.

17. Repeat with the other end of the twine.

18. Knot the ends (I double knotted mine) in the front of the frame.

19. Now attach your print to the back. I simply used tape on all four sides. Your done!

Note: If you notice that the edges of the frame are curling up at the edges, simply lay it glitter side down on a lined flat surface and lay a couple of heavy books on top overnight.

I hope some of you give this a try. Thank you again Ez for inviting me to guest post while you're on your way over here, can't wait to see you!

x Marichelle

Janice - DIY: Canvas Frame Inspiration Boards

Hello Everyone!

This is Janice from Papier Valise + the scissor variations blog.

This is a quick + easy project that can be customized simply by choosing a piece of your favorite fabric.

Make 1 or several + create a display board mosaic.

Gather Together:

**Canvas Frames (any size-I used 8" square )

Cork Liner (available here, or check your local hardware store)

Marking Pen

Scissors

Staple Gun

Fabric Remnants (a bit larger than your canvas size)-I used a lightweight upholstery floral + a solid linen

Using your canvas frame as a template, trace onto the cork sheeting and cut out.

Flip your canvas over so the front side is facing you + place your cut out cork piece on top + using your staple gun secure at the four corners and in the center of each side.

This creates a thin cushion for your push pins.

Cut a piece of fabric approximately 1" square larger around the perimeter than your canvas size.  You can eyeball this, but keep in mind you need to pull the fabric up around the sides. My canvas size was 8" square, so I cut a 9" square piece of fabric.

Lay your fabric down onto a flat surface with the wrong side facing you.

Place your canvas, cork side down onto the fabric, centering it.

Choose an edge to start securing. Pull the fabric up along the edge and onto the back of the canvas frame + staple in the center. Place a staple in the left and right corners. Working on the opposite side, pull the fabric tightly + staple to secure.  You will then need to tuck the fabric in at the corners, pull it up and staple.

Like wrapping a gift. Repeat with the remaining sides.

Create some push pins with some decorative items.

** The quality of your canvas frames is not so important for this project. I had these cheap ones in my stash--they were $1. each

Text + Photos Copyright 2009 Janice Rusnak

Janice - DIY: Lovely Locket Links Necklace

Hello Creature Comfort-ites!

This is Janice from Papier Valise + the scissor variations blog.

As you are aware Ez is in the midst of her cross country move and I was delighted to be asked to contribute during her absence.

This is a quick + easy jewelry making project for all skill levels that involves basic jump rings, linking + lots of room for design personalization:

Gather Together

assorted lockets

jump rings (9mm shown)

basic jewelry tools (for opening + closing jump rings + *snipping off metal loops)

tool for punching through metal (I used a **cropadile tool)

additional decorative charms + buttons, if desired

ribbon or decorative clasp

Open up your lockets so interiors are exposed.

Using a crodadile (or metal hole punching tool) punch 2 holes in each side of your locket--I used the 1/8" setting.

Once you have all of your holes punched, open up your jump rings + begin linking your lockets together in a chain formation.

Before closing your jump rings you may wish to add an additional decorative element such as a button, or     charm.

Once you have determined how long you want your piece to be--will it be a necklace or a bracelet--you can add a clasp or ribbon for a closure.

Clip off the top metal locket loops with your jewelry cutting tool + your piece is ready to wear!

  * Snoop in the household tool box for tools that will snip off the metal loops

** There are many jewelry tools available for punching holes through metal. I used the crop-a-dile for this project as it is quite versatile--and I can use it for lots of different craft projects. I  use it to punch through stacks of paper when book binding, other metals as well as plastics.

Lockets used in this project:

two sided embossed oval

round smooth

open oval

Creature Comforts readers will receive a 15% discount on the lockets used in these projects when entering the coupon code:

creature comforts

at www.papiervalise.com

Offer Valid: August 13th--August 20th, 2009

Text + Photos Copyright  2009 Janice Rusnak

Susy - Printable Photo Borders

Hello darling Creature Comfort readers! Susy here from SusyJack* and Hey Susy...and thrilled to be here, I might add!

Anyway, something I absolutely adore about Creature Comforts are the gorgeous, breezy color palettes that Ez often brings into my day! And CC has been a constant refresher this spring since it's done nothing but pour with rain here in NYC  lately! So...my little diy contribution of photo mats with some of my patterns was inspired by the yummy hues that are one of this blog's signatures.

You can download 8 x10 pdf versions of these photo mats by clicking on the link below, and then, just cut along the crop marks to create the window for your image- or, you can mount your image directly on top. Personally, I recommend printing them on a thicker cover-stock so they have a more polished look. Then, just fit them into an 8x10 frame, and you're good to go! I hope you enjoy them.  xx susy

Grey Photo Frame Set > Download Gray Frames

Aqua Photo Frame Set > Download Aqua Frames

Images above, and more gorgeous nature photos can be found at Rocky Top Studio 

Marichelle - DIY: Refurbished Wallpaper & Cans

Hello everyone! Marichelle here from Heart Handmade with an easy to do project using coffee cans and leftover wallpaper scraps. I've been saving my empty coffee cans and cashew nut cans for a rainy day and since it's been raining for the past month, I finally had some time to make something useful out of them. You could also use gift wrap paper, but it's a good opportunity to use up any leftover wallpaper. Plus it's also a little thicker and easier to work with, especially if your coffee cans have the ridges on the sides. I decided to use my left over Orla Kiely scraps (perfect since I wasn't lucky enough to get a hold of her Target jars!) By the way, you could also cover these IKEA Celeber containers if you want something with lids! So here's what you're going to need:

1. wallpaper scraps (a piece long and wide enough to cover the can)
2. clean coffee cans or nut cans (you don't have to remove the labels, but check to see that the paper that you'll be using to cover the cans is opaque enough to hide the original label/design on the cans)
3. xacto knife
4. glue (I used Mod Podge)
5. sponge applicator (if you don't have one, just cut a small piece of a new dish sponge)
6. sewing tape measure and/or ruler
7. scissors or a rotary cutter (I have a rotary cutter that I use for paper, these are generally used for cutting fabric)
8. self-healing cutting mat if you're going to use a rotary cutter

This project should take you about 30 minutes per can or less.
Let's get started!

Step 1. Measure can(s): This is going to be a lot easier to do if you have a sewing tape measure. You want to measure the height and around the can (circumference). If you just have a regular ruler, no problem - just goes to prove that geometry is useful after all! Measure the width of the circle and multiply this by 3.14 (yep π).

Step 2. This will give you the circumference, the actual width you'll need to cut the paper. Take the measurements and add 1/4" to both width and height. Measure and draw the rectangular piece on the reverse (no design) side of your wallpaper. You'll use the pencil marks as guides when cutting. If your wallpaper has a distinct pattern, you might want to adjust exactly where you're going to cut the piece, making sure that the design element you want will be included in the piece you cut.

Step 3. Cut: Carefully cut out the measured piece. Check to see if you measured correctly by taking the cut piece and wrapping it around your can. Line the paper to the bottom ridge of the can (you should leave the 1/8" raised lip at the very bottom of your can uncovered. You should also have a bit of extra paper on top and a bit of an overlap around the can.

Step 4. Glue: Sponge a thin layer of glue all over the wrong side of the wallpaper, making sure that you get the edges.

Step 5. Attach: Carefully place the sticky wallpaper onto the can, make sure you line up the bottom of the wallpaper to the bottom ridge/lip of the can. (see pic #5, see how there's 1/8" at the bottom that's not covered). Add a tiny tiny bit more glue to the very edge to make sure it's secure.

Step 6. Press down the wallpaper, careful so you don't get air bubbles. If you do get bubbles, just let them be for now. You can take a needle and carefully prick the center of the bubbles - just like you would when applying wallpaper. This will prevent you from getting unsightly folds/creases.

Step 7.  You'll notice that you have a bit of extra paper hanging over the top. With your finger nail, feel the bottom of the top lip. You want to press this down and create a nice crease all around.

Step 8 & 9. Once you've created an indentation, take your xacto knife and carefully (very very carefully) cut around the can using the top lip as a guide.  Make sure you cut towards the lip  so you don't end up accidentally cutting more of the paper than you need to (I speak from experience).

Step 10. Ta da!

Web Help: Color Palette Generator

I use photoshop's eyedropper tool to pull color profiles from images, but I know that not everyone has photoshop...and even if you do, you might just fall in love with this Color Palette Generator (found via Nicole Tattersall) because it will do all the work for you.  Simply insert the direct image link and presto-change-o before your eyes will appear a lovely little color palette for you to use it whatever inspiring way you'd like.  Have fun!

Here's how it works:

• Open image page (images must be hosted online (such as flickr, blogs, etc.) for this program to work)
• Right-click the image
• Select "View Image"
• Select and copy the URL at the top of the screen (this should look like a link that ends with .jpg)
• Copy and paste this link into the proper section on the Color Palette Generator site and click the "Color-palette-ify" button.
• Ta-daa!

Note: If you are using images on flickr or another site they may be copyright protected and therefore will not show up when you follow the steps above. 

xox Ez

D.I.Y. Cupcake Toppers & Garlands with Repurposed Paper

While packing up my house I keep coming across project ideas that I've filed away to share with you all at sometime or other.  I'll have to save the other ones until after my move, but today I wanted to show you how to make some sweet and super easy cupcake toppers and little paper garlands, using scraps of paper that you have laying around your home or office.

For my toppers and garland I used a mix of magazine tears and security envelopes (of which I have a massive drawer full).  My daughter and I are always on the lookout for discarded security envelopes, and luckily the recycling bin at our post office is always chock-full of pretty little wonders for our collection.  I'm also in the midst of ripping apart my magazine collection and consolidating my favorite clippings into organized binders...so this project fit in just perfect.  I shy away from calling this a truly eco-friendly craft, but by giving new life to old paper that would otherwise be headed for the rubbish heap...it is at the very least a project I (and hopefully you) can feel relatively good about creating.

CUPCAKE TOPPER SUPPLIES:

• Scrap paper at least 1/2"x 3.5"
• Ruler
• Scissors
• (optional) rotary cutting tool or craft knife and self-healing mat
• Toothpicks (plain, not the mint kind) with only one pointed end.  If you only have two-sided variety you can carefully snip off the sharp point beforehand with some wire cutters or sharp scissors.
• Glue stick

DIRECTIONS:

1. Collect up scrap paper of standard to medium weight from around your home or office.  Suggestions: security envelopes, magazines, old calendars, old letters, kids artwork, discarded gift wrap, old maps, etc.
2. Cut strips from your scrap paper that measure 1/2" x  3.5" using scissors or your chosen cutting tool.  Keep in mind the colors, patterns and motifs that will show in the section you cut out.  For a cohesive look, try matching colors or using complimentary shades or patterns.
3. Fold your strips of paper in half, then open and apply glue to the inside of your rectangle.
4. Roll the non-pointed end of your toothpick along the top of your glue stick until it has a coat of glue attached to it (this will help is stay put during the next step).
5. Insert your toothpick (dull-side up) along the fold line inside your rectangle.
6. Seal the two sides together, pinching lightly where the toothpick is hidden inside the paper to secure.  Smooth out any air bubbles.  The toothpick may be slightly loose at this point, but this should improve once the glue has dried.
7. Using your scissors, cut out a V shape at the end to create the look of a pennant.
8. Top your cupcakes, treats, or favors and enjoy!

Note: please take special care when using toothpick toppers around little children.

GARLAND SUPPLIES:

• Scrap paper at least 1"x 4"
• Ruler
• Scissors
• (optional) rotary cutting tool or craft knife and self-healing mat
• Twine, ribbon, or string of some fashion.  The silver variety I used was found in the beading section of my local craft store.
• Glue stick

DIRECTIONS:

Follow cupcake directions above with two variations:

• Cut paper strips into 1"x 4" strips.
• After folding papers in half and applying glue, attach them to a thin length of twine.  You can space the papers out how you'd like.  Hang and enjoy!

I hope you liked my little projects and that they will inspire you to start looking at the scraps of paper around your home a bit differently.  xox Ez

Collecting Inspirations from Flickr and More

1. Vintage Fabric Covered Note Cards - kitsch cafe handmade (flickr)
2. Pops of Color (magazine scan) - Anastasia C
3. Painting the Living Room - Knitting School Dropout
4. Bouquet Sash Belt - J.Crew
5. Show Poster - Small Stump
6. Floral Arrangement - Small Stump

1. Woodgrain Letterpress Card Set and Distinguished Panel Cards - Greer Chicago
2. Sangria Butterfly and Peacock Swallowtail Butterfly - Bug Under Glass
3. Vintage Paint by Numbers Horse Painting -
4. Tutorial: Flower Collar - Katie Did blog (via CC reader Annie)
5. Assorted Vessels - Mothology
6. Birch Bark Tubes - Small Stump + Studio Choo

Hello lovelies!  Sometimes when I start a post it begins one place and ends in such a different place that I am almost startled to see the finished result.  If you're a blogger, do you ever find that happening to you too?

In any case, when I first started this post it was going to be a single image (inspiration daily), but then I quickly decided that I wanted to put together a collection of images that have been inspiring me (board 1).  From there I felt inspired to find some pretty products to go along with my photo pics (board 2)... and here you have it.  xox Ez

D.I.Y. Shoe Bag Tutorial by Betz White

I would consider myself to be a moderate sewer at best.  I've always wished I was better, but it just isn't gonna happen.  So when I came across this fabulous D.I.Y Shoe Bag Tutorial by Betz White yesterday I immediately filed it away as a "project I must do within the somewhat near future." Not only is it simple enough that I can manage to follow along, but it incorporates another one of my great loves...vintage bedding!

I also think that these bags would make the best gifts!  They'd be perfect for brides and bridesmaids and could be used for more than just shoes!  The possibilities are endless! 

{SHOES - from top to bottom}  Christa  |  Regina  |  Pompadour  |  Steffi  |  Amaya

If you love this project, then you'll also love Betz's etsy shop and book, Sewing Green.  xox Ez

Cute as a... Candy Button Freebie

This wonderful tutorial and freebie from Bake it Pretty blog couldn't have come at a better time as I am currently in the midst of a major button obsession.  Wouldn't these make the sweetest little favors at a baby shower, wedding, birthday party... etc.  So cute and so simple.

Button candy molds are available in the Bake it Pretty shop.  For full tutorial and to download the sweet candy tags... visit Bake it Pretty blog.

Oh, and check out the ones made by The Small Object... love them!

Valentine Freebie: Iron-on Pillowcase Transfers

Hello lovelies and happy Friday!
I thought it would be fun to leave you all with another Valentine's Day freebie / project so that if you feel inspired, you will have time to make it for your special someone over the weekend.

What is sweeter than loving words to rest your weary heads upon... especially when they spell out something as endearing as "U COMPLETE ME" when placed side by side.  All you  have to do is print the PDF file onto iron-on transfer paper and adhere them to your pillowcases.  Two additional hearts (one large and one small) included with the text file can be ironed onto the reverse or onto anything else that you wish.

You will need:

• Two pillowcases (light colors will work best)
• Iron-on Transfer Paper for light colored fabrics. (tee-shirt transfer paper).  Be sure that it is the correct type for your color printer.  You will need two sheets.
• Color printer
• Scissors
• Iron (no steam)

How to:

Download Free valentine iron-on transfer

1. Print the PDF onto transfer paper.  Cut out carefully around the text, leaving the letters attached with a small amount of the transfer paper (see image one for how I did it).  Be careful not to scratch the surface of your transfer paper while working.  Note: the text will print backwards.  It will read correctly when applied to your pillowcases.
2. Lay your pillowcases out on a flat surface and line the words and letters up on your pillowcases with the paper-backing facing up (be sure that both sides of your text will line up to read correctly once the pillows are in use).  To give yourself an easy guide for lining up the two sections of text simply fold pillowcases in half lengthwise and insert a pin to mark where the center is.
3. A trick for ensuring that your text is straight before ironing, is to fold the lower half of your pillowcase up to the center (where you inserted the pin).  The bottom edge is now a nice straight guideline for you to arrange your words along.  I arranged my letters approximately 2 inches away from the outside edge so that when the pillowcase was stuffed the text would still be visible.  Once everything is straight iron your text following directions for use found inside your iron-on transfer paper packaging.
4. Allow design to cool for 2 minutes before carefully removing the paper backing.  For optimum usability and softness, wash before use.

I had a lot of fun making this for you all and hope you will love it as much as I do.  Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  xox Ez

Free Printable Valentine Teabag Wrappers + Tags

Hello lovelies!  Hurray, it's Friday!  Do you have any special plans for the weekend?  I'm hoping to finish my daughter's bedroom and restore my house to some semblance of order (everything from her room is currently in our living room), and hopefully there will still be enough time left over to work on another project or two I've been cooking up.  We shall see.

Before I take off for the weekend I wanted to leave you with a fun freebie that I created for you all...Printable Valentine Teabag Wrappers and Tea Tags.  These would be perfect to give to friends and coworkers.  Perhaps you might package up a few in a sweet little teacup and present it as a gift.

There are 4 ways to assemble the teabag wrappers.  The one shown in the tutorial below is the most time involved (stitching by hand) but the results are my favorite.  Other methods would include using tape, glue or a sewing machine.  Pick the method that will work best for you and have fun!

Download Free-valentine-printables

You will need:

• color printer
• standard weight paper
• scissors
• tea bags in the flavors of your choosing (the ones that come with strings and tags attached are best)
• needle
• embroidery or standard thread (I used white, but you can use any color you'd like)
• Pen (for addressing your Valentine and noting the tea flavor)
• For other methods of assembly (noted above) you may need (optional) tape, gluestick, or a sewing machine and thread.

Step-by-step tutorial:

1. Print the wrappers and tags and cut each one out.  Gather your supplies.
2. Carefully remove the paper tag that came on your tea (leaving the string attached).  Thread the string (that is attached to your teabag) through your needle.  Stitch the heart tea tag onto the end of the string using one or two stitches and secure with a knot.  Trim the end of the string if needed.
3. Fold your tea bag wrapper in half and write the tea flavor in the box on the back.  Include your Valentine's name if you'd like.
4. Cut a length of embroidery floss about 38" in length and knot at the end.  Thread onto your needle.  Begin stitching your paper wrapper by inserting the needle into the bottom (folded edge) of your wrapper (with the knot on the inside).  You can use any stitch that is comfortable to you.  I stitched around the edge because I like the effect it gives.
5. Sew up the first side (do not cut the thread).  Wrap the string (attached to your teabag) around your teabag so that the heart sits as shown.
6. Insert your teabag inside your wrapper and then carefully continue stitching until you've sewn all three sides.  Knot at the end.
7. Give as is OR...
8. Present it with a teacup or mug that can be used over and over again.

I hope you enjoyed this little project.  Have a wonderful weekend everyone! xox Ez

D.I.Y. Repurposd Paperback Apple Sculpture

 

{images from Cheeky Magpie and Fresh Tea}

Before taking off for the weekend, I want to leave you all with this fabulous Repurposed Paperback Apple Sculpture tutorial from Cheeky Magpie (originally found via Fresh Tea on flickr).  Maybe you will give it a try over the weekend?!  You don't have to make an apple, you could create a pear, peach, or try something freehand and originally you.  Have fun!  For full instructions click here.

Have a beautiful and inspired weekend everyone!

D.I.Y. Paper Covered Matchboxes = the perfect hostess gift

This is a super easy project... hardly worthy of a full tutorial, but I just thought I'd share one with you all anyhow.  I picked up two standard boxes of matches at the grocery store the other day for only 79 cents each.  In their original packaging they are dull and decidedly unattractive, so I decided to cover mine in decorative paper... and voila!  I think these would be great to make in bulk and keep on hand for hostess gifts or when unexpected guests come to call.  You could make as many variations as there are decorative papers  (masculine, girly, mod, Victorian, etc.).  Just tie your finished matchbox together with a pair of tapers or tea light candles and they are set to give!

I also made up some "matchbox" labels for you to use on the side of your box if you'd like.  There are two font styles, some to/from tags, and a few blank tags as well.  All the tags print in grey lettering and borders (you can print onto white or colored papers).  They are not holiday specific, so I hope you will enjoy them all year round.

For the tutorial and free download...

Just a Little Snippet

Hello lovelies!  I just wanted to share a little snippet of my birthday craft project (remember the fabulous fabric garland tutorial that Kayte shared with us).

And here's a little image of holiday decor going up around my home.  This year I am busier than ever, so I really treasure every bit of festive sparkle I manage to pull together.

Have you decorated your home for the holidays?  If so, I'd love to see pictures.  Share links to your images in the comment section below.  : )

And here are a few more holiday downloads that you might enjoy:

• Adorable Santa Card Download by Rosemary Travale
• Sweetly Patterned Printable Gift Tags by Sugarloop
• How to Make Paper Gift Bows (video tutorial)

D.I.Y. Fabric Flower Garland

Kayte Terry (Stylist/crafter/blogger/author extraordinaire) wrote to me a little bit ago and asked if I thought you all might appreciate a crafty tutorial.  Of course you would... right?!!!  So because Kayte is such a sweetie, she created this fabulous Fabric Flower Garland project (plus tutorial) for us to try out this weekend (even though it is close to the Holidays, you can use this project for a decorative or party accent all year round).  Make it your own by using fabric scraps you have laying around in your favorite colors and patterns.  You could even add beads, pom poms, or any matter of goodness to make this project perfectly you.  For more amazing D.I.Y. projects be sure to check out Kayte's book: Complete Embellishing and look for her new book coming out in 2009 (published by Chronicle Books)!

 I'll can't wait to make this garland myself today.  As is tradition on my birthday, my family gets together and creates a reusable holiday craft.  It's been so fun to pull these projects out each year and remember the wonderful times we've spent creating and laughing together.  Here's a little peak at one we did for a past b-day. 

For the Fabric Flower Garland tutorial and PDF flower template...

Free Printable Doily Napkin Bands & More

Hello lovelies!  Since Thanksgiving's coming up (tomorrow here in the States), I thought it would be a nice time to create a little freebie for you all to enjoy.

With the dinner table in mind I fashioned these simple little Printable Napkin Bands as well as some little doily inspired extras that can be printed and then hung like a mobile, strung in a row to create a garland, or even used as gift tags.

The napkin bands print 6 to a sheet in two different variations (one with a blank oval for writing a name and another with only the doily pattern).  They can be trimmed to fit your napkins and sealed in the back with double-sided tape.  The doily mobile/garland prints one large and one small doily per sheet.

I like to use premium quality heavy-weight paper for projects like these, but standard card stock would would also work.

Download Free-doily-napkin-bands

Download Free-doily-mobile-garland

Please feel free to pass these along to friends and family.  All my freebies are intended for non-commercial use.  Enjoy!

{cloth napkin image from flag and banner}

D.I.Y. - Fabric Party Garland

Here's another gorgeous D.I.Y. tutorial from none other than the Purl Bee (I first spotted it on the wonderful ritzy bee blog).  The color palette chosen for this fabric party garland would work perfectly with my inspiration daily post from earlier today too!  The best part about about a project like this is how easily it can be adapted to suit your own tastes and decorating needs!  I'm thinking of putting one of these together for my holiday decor this year, and maybe another one to pull out for birthdays and impromptu tea parties!  Enjoy!

{project and photos from the Purl Bee}

D.I.Y. - Embroidery Tutorial

Check out this gorgeous project and tutorial over on the Purl Bee blog.  I love the beautiful simplicity of the embroidery work... I think that even I could manage this project!  The instructions feature large color photographs that are easy to follow... and the finished look is so inspirational.  I love it!.

Tutorial right here.

It's Freebie Time

Hello everyone!  I'm always trying to think of new and interesting things to share with you all.  Did you know that?  Actually I spend a huge amount of my daily existence thinking about you and musing upon how lucky I am to have each one of you as readers.  The support and inspiration you give me every day truly touches my heart... it really does!  So thank you.
Anyhowwwww... I thought it was about time for a new freebie, so I've created these fun printables for you all to enjoy.  I love vintage books, library cards, card catalog files (oh what I wouldn't give for one of those babies), so here you have:

• Library Card Pocket Template
• Printable Standard Library Cards
• Printable Mini Note Cards (they fit inside the library card pockets) and are perfect for stashing in lunch boxes or using to top a gift)

I especially love the idea of using these as seating cards at a wedding or event.  Stamping each of the library card pockets with a number (or the guest's name) and then tucking a mini menu or program inside!  Perfect!

To read directions for use and to download...