Embroidered Monogram

Every now and then I like doing an embroidery project. I've done a monogram before and I love the way it turned out. I thought I'd give it another go for my sister-in-law's birthday present. I believe this stitch is called the satin stitch. I know it isn't perfect but I still liked the way it turned out.

I'm also pretty proud of this frame. It was one I already had on hand and just spray-painted black. I've never really done much with spray-paint before but I think I could very easily become addicted... I'm already thinking of the different things that could use a shiny coat of black paint.

Linking up with Blue Cricket Design's Show and Tell 

Sweaters to Cardigans

Now that Christmas is over I can share a gift I did for my cute sister. Fortunately she isn't picky and luckily she doesn't have expensive tastes and all she wanted from me was to refashion a few of her sweaters. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me. She provided the most expensive part so this was a gift of love and hardly any money was involved.

Both were sweaters she wanted turned into cardigans (just cut up the center and add some bias tape). This one I added some vintage lace along the front and buttons on the sleeves.

I love the addition of the buttons. It really ties in the lace. So cute.

For the other sweater my sister wanted something along the lines of this sweater she found at Anthro (no longer available on their site):

Here is what I came up with. Navy bias tape with some navy roses sewn onto the collar. I promise, in real life the blues are more similar in color than they appear here.

I'm happy with the results and (hopefully) my sister is, too!

Linking up with Just Something I Whipped Up with The Girl Creative, Christmas Show & Tell with Tip Junkie, and .:Sumo's Sweet Stuff:. Market Yourself Monday.

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.

Christmas Stockings

I love Christmas but this year I haven't done much decorating (*gasp*) because our basement apartment is small and doesn't really have enough room for a lot of Christmas cheer. I did put up our Christmas stockings from last year, a wreath, and a nativity and that is about it (don't worry, next year will be better - we'll be moving at some point and any apartment will be bigger than this one).

I do love our stockings, though. So. Much. Pretty much anything with covered buttons makes me swoon. And these stockings are made from super soft fleece. Yummy.

Inexpensive Gift Wrap

My husband and I try to get the most for our dollar (or penny...) and that's a part of the reason we choose to give (mostly) homemade gifts... plus, I LOVE making things. Win, win.

With our desire to be cheap frugal I didn't want to buy any gift wrap stuff this year. We used what we had... and what we had: brown wrapping paper.

For this first gift I made the gift bow from a magazine page. Pretty cute huh? You can find the tutorial here (except I used wayyyyy less glue dots/tape and more staples).

And for this one (which is for a girl) I used some tulle and one of my crocheted hair bows as the topper. Cute and reusable (the bow part). Find my tutorial for the crocheted hair bow here.

Crocheted Bow Hair Clip: Tutorial

I love the look of crocheted hair accessories. They are so cute! Lately I've made quite a few hair clips from crocheted bows. Want some of your own?

First off, crochet the bow (tutorial for that found on Creative Yarn). Then grab your clip, some felt, and your hot glue gun.

Determine how big to cut your piece of felt by measuring the back of your bow and the size of the hair clip. Here is how mine looked (make sure your piece of felt isn't wider than the center of the bow): 

Then, cut a little snip in the upper middle of the felt. Cut it just wide enough for the clip to slip through.

Slip the the upper prong of the clip through the piece of felt. It should look like this:

(the top side -- will attach to the bow)

(the bottom side -- goes next to your head)

Now get your glue gun and go to town (but work semi-quickly). Make sure you glue the top side, where the top prong of the clip is visible.

 

Once you've got enough glue attach to the back center of the bow. Press into place and let cool.

And you are done!

Wondering how to wear these? Try these ideas or wear underneath a messy bun (not pictured).

FloralShowers Creative Craft Contest

Earflap Hat

Does anyone else find it hard to make gifts for guys? I rack my brain and hardly anything creative comes out. This earflap hat is about the only thing I've been able to think of this year. I do like the way it turned out, though. Plus, it is such a tight crochet it'll definitely keep the soon-to-be-owner's head warm.

Crafty Ideas

Here is a list of projects I am absolutely drooling over. I wish I had the time and money to make all of them. 

This amazingly beautiful ribbon necklace by Samster Mommy. I'm basically in love with it.

 These glitter clutches by Happy Together. I want need one. Now.

 This pleated pillow by Presser Foot is to die for!

Paper mache ornaments by Blue Cricket Design. So fun and I love how they are being displayed.

Knock Knocking's yarn wreaths are amazing. I know if I make one it won't turn out nearly as gorgeous as hers but I still have to try.

 These super cute paper covered pencils by Design*Sponge.

Neighbor Gift Ideas: Tissue Holder

On FloralShowers I had started sharing ideas for neighbor gifts and here is my last (for the season) idea: travel tissue holders. This is actually the gift I'm giving this year (sorry, no surprises). I used this tutorial and fabric I already had on hand. The tissues come in packs of 8 for about $3 so this gift is very inexpensive (roughly .35/each, depending on where you bought your Kleenex... expect to spend more if you have to buy fabric).

We are adding cute little tags to ours that say "We tissue a Merry Christmas" (clever huh? my cute husband thought of it).



My other ideas: altered soap bottles, embellished kitchen towels, and tile coasters. 

Refashioning

I am a big fan of refashioning. Huge in fact. I love taking clothes that I no longer wear (or clothes my sisters no longer wear) and make them new again. This pink cardigan my sister gave me but I didn't like it as is... it was a little boring. So I cut out about 8 flower shapes and sewed them on in a cluster to create a rosette embellishment. Easy peasy and it adds a little more excitement to an otherwise plain cardigan.




For this next refashion I'm still on the fence on its outcome. It was cuter in my head. I took 2 shirts I didn't wear much anymore and made them into one (which I love) and then added a ruffle bib (the part I'm not sure of) with 3 gold buttons (which looked even weirder going down the middle - I promise). So, yeah, I'm not sure how I feel about it but the more I try it on the more I like it. Sounds promising.




If you need/want anymore refashioning ideas, look here, here, here, and here.

let's give this a try...

So, I've been blogging with FloralShowers since it started earlier this year but I thought I'd try having my own craft blog on for size. For now I'm just experimenting, but if I get attached this might be a permanent move. We'll see.

Christmas is on it's way and with it I have been getting presents ready left and right. A month or so ago I ordered some cute temple block kits from Scribble It (love that shop!!). Here is one of my finished blocks. I simply love the way it turned out.


If you are wondering whether or not you should purchase from Scribble It (I'm not sure if they are taking any more orders for Christmas... you may need to wait until after the holidays), I highly suggest you do. I had a wonderful experience plus she included a free vinyl decal with my order! Mine was a sweet "Joy" decal that I attached to a mirror I got at the dollar store (yay for cute and cheap Christmas decor!).

Let me tell you, taking pictures of mirrors isn't the easiest of tasks. This was seriously the best I could do. Most of the pictures had more than just a random branch being reflected. Oh well. :)

I've Been Featured!!

I'm so excited for all the link love! Thanks to everyone who has featured me!