Twine Trivet

I love to crochet. It's true. The other day I randomly thought of crocheting twine. And it worked out better than I thought it would.

I just grabbed my biggest hook and got to work, crocheting in the round. I admit, it might be a small trivet (I think - I don't actually know the normal size of a trivet... because I didn't own one [before now]... but I think they are basically the sizes of hot pads, right? if so, this isn't that small) but it is still a cute one! I tried making it bigger but it wouldn't lay flat so I kept it as is.

Oh the things you can do with twine! :) And yes, this last picture is with a piggy bank. We were in the middle of moving and lots of things were packed but I needed a picture for perspective... plus, the little piggy is cute!

Minnie Mouse Skirt

I've had this adorable red and white polka dot fabric in my stash for a couple of years now. I've always hesitated cutting into it because I had to save it for the perfect project. It finally clicked one night when I was dreaming about this jersey skirt tutorial from Ruffles & Stuff. Yes, I know it looks like something Minnie Mouse would wear but I think that makes me love it even more. I think it turned out super cute. My only regret is that the weather is too cold for me to wear this whenever I want. Dang snow.

I did a few things different from Disney's tutorial, the main one being I shirred the top of the pockets so they wouldn't stick out so far. I love the extra touch of ruffles. Perfect.

Baby Moccasins

Lately I've been stuck on what to give as shower gifts. I know lots (and lots and lots) of people who either just had a baby or will be having a baby soon. I used to give adorable appliqued onesies but those have since caught on in my circle of baby-making friends and family. I think I finally solved my problem. Let me introduce to you my solution:

Yes, baby booties. I scoured the internet looking for the perfect (free) pattern and I wasn't able to find anything I was in love with. I finally broke down and *gasp* spent money on crochet patterns when I ran across this little shop. I may have gone overboard and bought 3 patterns. So far I've made the moccasins (aren't they so cute?!) and the two-strap mary janes and I can't wait to try the ankle boots (LOVE them!).

To go along with the mary janes I also made a cute little flower hair clip. Love the button center.

I'm linking up with:
FloralShowers: Creative Craft Thursday
Treasures for Tots: Thursday's Treasures
Today's Creative Blog: Get Your Craft On 

Twine Vase

I know these jute twine vases are old news but I finally made one and I think it turned out pretty cute. I used an old bottle (of the olive oil variety - don't worry, I cleaned it really well) and just hot glued my twine all around the bottle.

Easy and cheap! I gave it as part of a gift so I might just have to make another one to keep... and yes, those are dowels in the vase. It had to hold something (for photographing purposes) and all I had were dowels.

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:

 

Ruffled Neckline Refashion

I think it is safe to say that I LOVE refashioning clothes. Love it. And in my mind, the queen of refashioning is Alexis from My Mama Made It. Seriously, she is amazing at refashioning. Whenever I am stuck on how to refashion something I go through her archives to find inspiration. It never fails.

Recently, my sister gave me an old shirt of hers that she didn't wear anymore (because of a very obvious stain). I was more than happy to take the shirt because I knew I could do something to it to make it wearable again. I went to My Mama Made It and found this awesome tutorial and here is my finished result:

Cute huh? And no stain in sight. Success! Thank you Alexis for sharing all of your brilliant refashioning ideas!

Linking up with:
Blue Cricket Design: Show and Tell
The Shabby Chic Cottage

Love Burlap + Blue

I don't often win blog giveaways (although I enter quite a few) but about a week ago I won one of the cutest giveaways I've seen in a long time. Burlap + Blue is an excellent blog I've been following for about a month now (go check them out!) and I won some adorable number coasters. I got them in the mail Friday and I've been admiring them all. weekend. long.

Aren't they so so cute?! I pretty much love them.


Linda was also super generous and added a few extras:

Thanks Burlap + Blue!

Ribbon Necklace

Remember this post of awesome crafty ideas? Well, the other day I sat myself down and made this super cute bead and ribbon necklace from Samster Mommy. I used supplies I had on hand so my total cost came out to a big fat zero! Pretty sweet huh?

I think it turned out pretty cute.

After I finished I had to take a picture of myself wearing my brand spankin' new creation. And yes, I am wearing a shirt I altered a while back. And yes, I still love it.

Benny's Hat

My nephew just had his 3rd birthday (ok, it was a few weeks ago... but still) and his mom (my super cute sister) asked me to make him a hat after she saw this one. Here is the toddler-sized version I made from this pattern. I think it is super cute and super soft (does anyone else love Vanna's Choice Lion Brand yarn as much as I do?).

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. 

2009 Projects

I already posted this picture on my personal blog but thought it would be fitting on this blog as well. Here is a collage of most (but definitely not all) the craft projects I made last year. I'm proud of myself. I've come a long way in the past year (pretty much because of this goal) and can't wait to see what I come up with this year!

(click photo to enlarge)

Jackpot!

The other day I ran to the local thrift store looking for a metal zipper (for a tutorial I'm planning) and found the lace and trim jackpot! Seriously, look at the loot I picked up for only $5 (and there is more there than meets the eye)!

Plus, I got 3 large embroidery hoops for $1 (not a $1/each but a $1 total!). Yay for the thrift store!

When I showed my husband he asked what I was planning on making with all that lace and trim. My response: pretty things. I'm so excited for all the pretty things in my crafting future! Happy New Year everyone!