GPS Felt Case

Because of our impending move across the country (and my driving anxiety) my husband and I invested in a GPS. Our move out date is drawing closer and closer (NEXT MONTH!!) so I figured I'd better hurry and make our GPS a handy-dandy case for when it isn't being used.

I had the hardest time deciding what style of case to make and finally settled on a long felt sleeve. I couldn't just make a plain case (or else I wouldn't be me) so I embroidered a little car on the front.

I sewed some elastic to the back in a circle (a hair elastic would also work) to wrap around the front to hold the flap down. I sewed a piece of felt on top of where I attached the elastic to hid the excessive stitching (I wanted to make sure it wouldn't be coming off anytime soon).

I like it a lot and am glad to have something to protect what will soon be my best friend.

Linking up to:
Metamorphosis Monday
DIY Showoff
Making the World Cuter

Old Favorites

So basically I've dropped off the face of the crafting world. Sorry. In my effort to inspire myself (for when I finally have the time to craft) I decided to re-post some of my favorite craft projects (ya know, from the good ol' days when I had more than enough time to craft).

Can I just say how cute I think appliqued baby onesies are? And this one? I loved it. You can't tell but the blue has tiny white polka-dots all over it. So cute.

A birthday crown and garland. I made this for a giveaway a while ago and I still love it (I even had to go back and make some of that garland for myself). So many bright and happy colors.

 Every time I pull out this scissors case it makes me happy inside. I heart embroidery. And felt.

See? Embroidery = love.

Queen of Hearts Garland Tutorial

Last year around Valentines Day I cut out and embellished a few felt hearts, not exactly knowing what I wanted to do with them. And then they sat. In a bag. Forgotten. Until now.

I finally took the time to make something out of these cuties. And I'll show you how to make it, too.

Supplies:

• felt
• embroidery floss
• ribbon (both to embellish with and to hang garland from)
  
• buttons
• safety pin

First, cut out a heart template from card-stock or thin cardboard.

Now cut out double the # of hearts you want on your garland. For the first half (the tops), embellish. Use whatever you have. I used felt, ribbon, buttons, and embroidery floss.

For the second half (the bottoms), cut 2 parallel lines on the upper portion of the heart. Only cut long enough for your width of ribbon to fit through. Like so:

Now attach the hearts together with embroidery floss (meaning a top and a bottom). 

Put your safety pin on the end of your length of ribbon and weave through the back slits, tying knots around the openings (so the hearts don't slide around).

Now hang up your garland (preferably not on a brick wall with packing tape... I do what I have to for lighting) and enjoy!

Here are some close-ups of my favorite hearts:

 

Zipper Rose Tutorial

I love making hair accessories. Not sure why. I don't really love wearing them but I sure love making them and giving them to my sisters or friends. I have seen zipper flowers popping up here and there and for Christmas I decided to make one for my sister. It was easier than I thought it would be so I wanted to share how to make them.

What you need:

metal zipper (or thick toothed zipper) at least 7 inches long

glue gun

felt scraps

headband

First, take your zipper and separate the sides/tapes by removing the bottom stopper. I tried using pliers but ended up just pulling it apart. Just make sure to not rip anything.

Next, dab some glue onto the extended part of the tape and fold over. Dab and fold one more time. This will be the center of the rose.

Now work in small sections. Dab a thin line of glue along the bottom edge and then wrap around the center keeping the shape round.

Keep on going until you get to the other end of the zipper tape. Add a thicker line of glue and attach it to the underpart of the flower. You are now done with one zipper rose.

(For some reason this picture won't rotate... but you still get the idea of what the back looks like)

Repeat all steps for the other half of the zipper.

Now, if you want to make a headband out of your roses, here is what I did. I cut 2 small rectangles of felt. On the first glue both roses. Keep them close together so a lot of felt doesn't show through.

Next, figure out where you want the roses positioned and glue directly onto the headband.

Use the other piece of felt and glue on the underside. Make sure to fill in any gaps between the pieces of felt.

And if you're cheap like me and got headbands from the dollar store, you might want to include this last step. I cut 2 smaller rectangles, added a thick line of glue on one side (down the center is fine - the glue will squeeze out towards the sides), and sandwiched each end of the headband (to add some cushion so it is more comfortable to wear). And you are done!

Linking up with Skip To My Lou Made By You Mondays, The Girl Creative: Just Something I Whipped Up Monday, Cottage Instincts Make It For Monday, and at Making the World Cuter. 

Floral Showers

Thanks for the sweet comments on my Christmas wreath (and everything else). I love getting comments! This will (probably) be my last post of the week so I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Here are some favorite posts of mine from Floral Showers (confused on what I am talking about? check here and here). Make sure to keep on checking Floral Showers - Anne is one super crafty lady (plus, she has adorable kids)!

Ruffle Pillow. Little did I know that this cute little tutorial would be such a big hit.

Circle Pouf Tutorial. I sure looooove felt.

I still think these fabric flower headbands (tutorial) are super cute.

I LOVE refashioning and these cardigans are some of my favorite that I've done.

I still think these Star Wars finger puppets are adorable. Especially R2D2.

And lastly (I could probably keep going but I won't) are my tips on simplifying gift giving. It may not be a craft but I'm still proud of it. 

Linked up with Blue Cricket Design Show and Tell. 

Christmas Fabric Wreath

I made a fabric wreath last year for Christmas when I was desperate for decorations but I didn't want to spend any money. I used an embroidery hoop and scraps of Christmas fabric. It turned out ok but not something that I've ever loved. I hung it up this year and after staring at it for weeks I finally decided to make it cuter. I pulled out my felt and embroidery thread and came up with this fun holly and berries embellishment. I think it turned out pretty dang cute and now I like the wreath a whole lot more (still not sure if I love it, though).

For the berries I cut small circles and hand-stitched 2 together at a time with a little batting in between. For the holly I cut out leaves and stitched 2 together down the center. Once done I simply hot glued them to my wreath. Simple but cute.

I'm participating in Make it For Monday at Cottage Instincts and Just Something I Whipped Up Monday at The Girl Creative and Get Your Craft On with Today's Creative Blog.