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

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...

Tutorial Tuesday: DIY Paper Flowers

I spotted this too-simple-to-be-true tutorial by Dozi Design yesterday and though you all might enjoy it.

{DETAILS}
1. Draw a spiral on a 4x4" square sheet of paper
2. Cut out spiral along the lines you have drawn
3. Begin rolling up the spiral from the outside
4. Keep on rolling until there is no more left to roll
5. You're done.

After you've busted out a few of these to pretty up your home or cubicle, check out the rest of Dozi Design's flickr page, and then mosey on over to her blog... and finally her etsy shop (where you will find the lovelies paper goods imaginable).

{All images - Dozi Design}

D.I.Y. Paper Wrapped Soaps

Packaging says so much about a product... and while we might all love the look of beautifully paper-wrapped soap (generally found in chic boutiques and swanky salons), not many of us want to spend a load of cash for one bar (pretty as it may be).  So I've come up with a quick fix (others before me have probably done the same)... Easy D.I.Y. Paper Wrapped Soaps with free printable labels!

I put together this simple little tutorial with Mother's Day in mind, but you could utilize it any time.  Be creative!  I'm thinking favors for bridesmaids, housewarmings, baby showers, etc.  Give just one beautifully wrapped bar alone, or a set of your favorites.  Try tucking one inside a basket with other soothing items for a friend who needs a kind little pick-me-up.  However you choose to make and use 'em... have fun!

For the free download, as well as written and photo directions...

I know... I laughed too when I read the name of this project.  Something about "Bean Frames" automatically conjures up images of preschool art projects involving dried pasta noodles, paint, and an obscene amount of glue.
In any case... once I got past the name and clicked on the link I discovered that these Bean Frames by Martha Stewart are actually quite chic... surprisingly so.  What do you think?

PS.  I found out that I actually have the flu, so I'll be taking the rest of the day off to recuperate.  Hope to see you all here tomorrow!
xox
Ez

These free downloadable pencil covers from Marie Claire Idees Blog are so sweet!  Just in time for Spring (and perfect for tucking into Easter baskets)!
Simply click the images found on their blog and they will automatically download.  Coat a pencil in craft glue, and wrap the paper around it (let it dry completely before use).  Voilà!  (link found via CRAFT Magazine)

As soon as I saw this adorable photo over on flickr I just knew I had to find out more.
It turns out that these note cards were hand-pierced (sounds a lot harder than it is) by Evie... and because she's so sweet, she even created a free template for this project on her blog: Evie S. - Things of Beauty, so that we can all join in on the fun!
Thanks Evie!

Tip: Don't have time to try out the tutorial right now... just download the template and save it for when you can!  You'll be glad you planned ahead!