Chicken Pincushion

After a busy 2013, I've been cleaning my sewing room.

Going through cabinets, drawers, etc and purging.

I can actually see the floor now :)

I came across these blocks I made several years ago in a drawer. I used to save just about every scrap I had thinking . . . I can use that for something. I did use the scraps to make these blocks then got bored and stashed them away.

When I found them a few days ago, I immediately thought of the old chicken pincushions.

I have a couple that I use almost daily. They were made long ago and have seen better days.

I threaded up my sewing machine and whipped this one out in no time.
Cluck, cluck

. . . wonder what other treasures I will find as I continue cleaning 

Santa brought me a . . .

Heat Press!!

Christmas came a bit early when my husband bought me a heat press.

I've wanted one for a while.

This is my first project - a personalized Santa bag for our grandson, Ethan.

I love how it turned out.

I made the bag from duck (canvas) to last many, many, years.

I'm hoping it brings fun memories for Ethan as he grows up and hopefully lasts for him to use it for his kids :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Another 'Snow' Cute Gift Idea

You can never have too many snowman ideas :)

Here's a cute, quick, inexpensive gift .

I got the small red tub and white bath scrubbie from Dollar Tree.

The body wash (with label removed) is from Target.

I cut the snowman face and the snowflakes from vinyl using my Cricut.

I'm going to wrap it in cellophane, add a bow and cute gift tag for my neighbor.

Snowman Yard Stake Holiday Idea

While standing in line at a Dollar Tree store this summer, I looked over and saw some small solar powered yard lights.

Immediately I thought it looked like a snowman :)

After hanging on to the light all summer and fall, I got it out last week and made this.

I cut a small snowflake and the face from vinyl using my Cricut and applied them to the light.

A scrap of burlap was used for the scarf.

The vase is filled with florist foam soaked in water.

I stuck the light in the center and added fresh holiday greenery all around it.

Set him by a window to absorb sunshine and at night he will light up!

Burlap Flowers Photo Project

As promised, here is my finished photo project using the In the Hoop Burlap Flowers I made.

The wreath was purchased at JoAnns already pre-made. 

I used a 50% off coupon :)

The little black frames were purchased at Dollar Tree.

The frames have holes in the easels on the back side.

I attached the frames, with large safety pins. It was a bit tricky, but they are all secure.

I wanted to be able to remove the frames so I can change out the photos.

 I sized and printed all the photos of our grandson in black & white.

I used 3 of my burlap flowers to embellish my photo wreath.

The flowers are in this set of mine:

Frayed & Layered Flowers

In the Hoop Burlap Flowers

I love experimenting with my designs.

I stitched one of my Frayed & Layered Flowers using burlap instead of cotton fabrics.

I love how it turned out.

I'm working on a family photo project and a few flowers like this will be the perfect addition to it.

My In the Hoop Frayed & Layered Flowers Set 2 can be found on my site here:

http://www.embroiderygarden.com/shop/in-the-hoop/flowers/frayed-layered-flowers-set-2-frag102.html

I will post my finished project in a few days :)

Fall Vinyl

I bought this distressed frame at Michaels.

After cutting the svg file from black matte vinyl, I adhered it to a piece of heavy cardstock.

I popped it in under the glass and wa - la instant fall.

I plan on changing out the vinyl with the holidays and seasons.

In the Hoop Halloween Flameless Tealight Covers

Just in time for Halloween stitching, I've created a new set of flameless tealight cover designs.

These covers stitch up quick in your hoop.

You can use these as table decorations, party favors, gifts or even treats for some special trick-or-treaters.

When turned on, a soft glow emits.

You can read more and purchase the machine embroidery design files from my site, Embroidery Garden.

http://www.embroiderygarden.com/shop/in-the-hoop/tea-light-battery-operated-covers/halloween-flameless-tealight-covers-set-2.html

While you're there, check out all of my original flameless tealight covers and pin designs.

http://www.embroiderygarden.com/shop/in-the-hoop/tea-light-battery-operated-covers/

Quick, Easy, Cheap Pumpkin Fun

I found these large jar candles at my local grocery store for $1.99.

They had orange and pumpkin scent candles.

I cut the pumpkin face from black gloss vinyl on my Cricut machine.

The pumpkin face svg file was downloaded free from

 http://imagesbyheatherm.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/pumpkin-bag-svg/

It took me about 5 minutes to complete this fun project

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In the Hoop Leaves & Dollar Store Crafts

My new 'In the Hoop Fall Leaves' designs were created to be used with 

Texture Magic. 

Texture Magic is a polyester fabric that when steam is applied, it shrinks causing dimension and texture in the fabric project it is being used in.

The leaf below is before steam is applied.

 Look at the dimension created after applying steam to the leaf stitched with Texture Magic.

There are 6 fall leaves in the set. They all stitch up quick!

 Use the finished leaves for a variety of projects.

Make brooches, wreaths, seasonal displays, etc.

I created these 2 projects with my Fall Leaves and things from Dollar Tree.

Each one was under or around $5.00 to make.

Here is what I started with from Dollar Tree. I didn't use everything I bought. I saved some things for other projects :)

Spooning

I took a little time out and made something for me.

The frame is from Michaels. I didn't use the glass.

It's embroidered on linen using Scriptina and Caroline fonts.

The old spoons are glued on with E6000.

It will sit in an easel in my kitchen.



Bird Feeder - Glass Yard Art

I'm in love with my new bird feeder.

It's made from various glass items.

An egg plate, saucer, small pot, light fixture, etc.

The ceramic bird sits atop and adds color.

The bird is glued to the saucer which is glued to the pot. This lifts off to add the bird seed.

It's glued together with a waterproof epoxy.

Fairy Gardens

I recently went to a class with my daughter~in~law to learn how to make a Fairy Garden.

The class was at Washington Nursery.

They had a lot of small plants and accessories to use in our gardens.

We purchased large glass jars with lids to build our terrariums in.

They're really easy to make.
Start with a clean jar, add a layer of pea gravel, horticultural charcoal and soiless dirt.
Add plants and little decorations to build a scene.
Add a very small amount of water and pop on the lid.

 

My first fairy garden is simple but sweet.

This one has one small plant, the small gnome reading a book and a few mushrooms.

The other one I made is larger with more plants, rocks, larger gnome and a few more decorations.

If these fairy gardens do well, I've got plans for a large one :)

 





The Baby Shower

Our oldest son, David, and his wife are expecting!

We will be first time grandparents in August.

 

'Rub-A-Dub-Dub A New Baby to Love' was the theme.

 

These were our centerpieces.

I got the small tubs and blue bath scrubbers at Dollar General.

I added vinyl dots to the tubs and made custom labels to attach to dowel rods that were secured in a small block of styrofoam in the bottom of the tub.

A little rubber duckie and a small bottle of bubble bath from Bath & Body Works were placed inside.

 

I filled little baby bottles with duck-shaped Runts candies and added tags cut on my Cricut.

I used Cricut Pens to write "Thank You"

 

The centerpiece tubs turns out so cute I made the Mom-to-be a larger version.

The big tub and duckie came from Target. I made a bigger custom tag to attach to a dowel rod.

The bottom of the tub has 2 packs of diapers. A blue blanket covers them.

The bow around the duck secures it to the dowel.

There's baby shampoo, wash, etc in the folds of the blanket.

 

I also made a Stork Diaper Bundle. About 1/2 pack of small diapers were rolled and rubber banded together in a pyramid shape. I cut a piece of cardboard for the bottom.

Flannel fabric was folded around the cardboard and tied with a double bow. A pacifier hangs from it.

The stork & 'Special Delivery' tag was cut from cardstock on my Cricut and attached to a painted dowel rod. The rod is stuck down in between the rolled diapers.

 

I made our son a "Daddy Doo-ty Apron".  A few brown splats are randomly embroidered on it.

Daddy Doo-ty Apron is embroidered at the top. Baby bottle nipples are glued on in the appropriate spots. Safety googles for and a face mask are attached.

A "Panic Button" is stitched on near the belly button with 'Call 1-800 GRANDMA' embroidered underneath.

'Wet' & 'Dry' pockets with rubber gloves, air freshener & clean diapers inside.

A pair of tongs to pick up those dirty diapers completes the apron.

Cute & fun :)

 

 We had duckie shaped iced cookies

 

As a rememberance of the day, I cut onesies from cardstock, again with my Cricut, and had everyone write a bit of baby advice on them.

They were hung on a ribbon clothesline with tiny baby clothespins.

 

As the gifts started to arrive, they were placed on a table decorated with a clothesline of baby clothes.

 

 Rub-A-Dub-Dub, I can't wait to get my hands on that baby to love :)

 

Winter Scarf

My future daughter-in-law has started a small business and is making hand crocheted infinity scarves like this.

She offers them with a crocheted flower or bow in lots of color choices

She has other items available too at her Etsy shop

Click the link below

 

Good Luck KC!

Snowman Cups

I saw this idea on Pinterest earlier this year and knew I'd use it at some point.

These 2 are some of the ones I made for my family.

I added the names cut from vinyl on my Cricut so I could tell them apart.

I'm putting the small gifts in them.

I'm also making these for the residents at my Mom's assisted living facility and filling them with candy for the holidays. I'm not adding names to those.

They're quick to make with a little paint and a triangle of felt glued on for a nose.



 



Gift for Mom

At Christmas I try to make something special for my Mom.

Mom was always crafty - guess that's where I get it from :) - but now with her memory failing, she's not able to do things she used to.

I know she will ♥ these plates.

I've done her room in black and white with touches of pink.
When I saw these plates at the thrift store with the tiny pink flowers, I knew exactly what I wanted to make for her.
These will hang on either side of her bed.
There's a large floating frame monogram with scrolls I made her a few years ago that is directly above her bed.
It's going to look great!

 

The butterfiles were cut using my Cricut machine and the files are from myvinyldesigner.com

I'll try to post a photo of these hanging up in her room after the holidays.

Snowman Tealight Pin

♥My snowman obsession continues♥    

Our snowman pin is 'snow' adorable! 

It stitches up quick & makes a great winter accessory or gift.

The files can be purchased on our site HERE

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

The Tree is Up!

It's barely the first week of December and my tree is up and decorated.

I did something completely different this year. After about 20 years of doing the same tree, I thought it was time to change it up.

I've always wanted to do a tree like this.

I ♥ snowmen!!

The head came from Big Lots.

The bow at the neck was one I had that I used as a tree topper in past years.

I bought 2 rolls of silver wide deco mesh ribbon and used it as a garland.

The round 'icy' garland on the tree is something I've had for several years. I purchased it on clearance at JoAnns.

The 'snowballs' are stryrofoam balls painted with white glue and rolled in faux snow.

There are around 100 snowflakes & icicles from Dollar Tree on it..

When the lights are on, the tree SPARKLES

 

I might just leave this tree up all winter :)

 

Holiday Table Favors

I created personalized snowmen table favors for my family this year.

My Snowman Flameless Tealight Cover is from my Holiday set.

 

The hat is made 'in the hoop'. It's not included in the set, but is available for download from my Yahoo group. I added all our names using Embird.

They're going to look so cute, all lit up, sitting on our Thanksgiving table.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!