This is one of my favorite projects that I've used a few times this week already! Ribbon Bordered Picture Frame. See here for the complete instructions. Why have I used this tutorial several times this week already? Well, you see, last week my husband got into the MBA program he was hoping to, and it's not in the area, which means that we're moving---to Chicago! And very soon too as his semester starts in June! So, I've been madly staging the house to sell and this tutorial works great for adding a little something extra to your pictures. I'm excited about the move, but also sad that we'll be … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Business Card Holder
So I just got back from the most amazing weekend I've had in a long while! I attended the Mom 2.0 Summit in Houston. I met some great new friends, and met a few people whose blogs I've been reading for a while. I had the pleasure of rooming with some amazing craft ladies: Christy and Deb. I also got to room with Surabhi who owns a math tutoring business. You guys rock! I can't even begin to explain the amount of energy there and the amazing women that I got to meet! I finally got to meet my mom's next door neighbor. Can you guess who it is? Here's a hint, her sister owns this site that's super awesome and she assists with it also! I met … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday-Floral Arranging
I realize I haven't done a home decor tutorial in a while, so how about learning a little about floral arranging? We'll learn a little about arranging silk florals today. Here is a preview of the two projects we'll make. Before we get started there's a quick lesson. (Which can actually be applied to ANY design, whether you're designing a room, floral arrangement, quilt, card, scrapbook page, or fabric.) There are some simple principles and elements of design that any beginning design student learns to recognize. Then, using these principles and elements, can put together a cohesive, pleasing design. These are as … [Read more...]
Tuesday Tutorial: Valentines Day Wreath
Ready to get those Valentine's Day decorations up yet? I'm ready! So here's the first idea for you! It's a wrapped yarn heart-shaped wreath. Supplies you'll need include: That's: Tacky Glue 1 package 2" diameter styrofoam balls 1 package 1 1/2" diameter styrofoam balls Bendable wire Wire cutters Flat-head straight pins 2 skeins of coordinating yarn. I LOVED how the variegated red/pink yarn looked when wrapped around the balls! So I would definitely do one of these, and a different solid color to coordinate. Coordinating ribbon for hanging (not pictured) Ready to get started? Wrap the yarn around the balls. I was worried … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Patchwork Pillow
Yep, lucky you! More tutorials today! (I still have a few more also!) I made this for my dad for Christmas. He loves family history, and he's furnishing his home in Germany right now so I thought he might like this: My maiden name is Williamson so I found a Williamson family crest online, made it a little larger in Photoshop then printed it out onto printable fabric. You can buy these fabric sheets at most any craft store. They are 8 1/2" x 11" sheets of white or cream fabric with a paper backing on it. You just run them through your printer at home and heat set with an iron. The color turned out great! If you want to make one … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Fat Quarter Accent Pillows
Oh the weather outside is frightful..... It's been a icy, cold day here in Texas. It was too icy to go into work so I used today to finish up all the Christmas gifts I've been working on. I even took a quick break from making gifts and whipped up some quick new pillows for my sofa: I LOVE this fabric and it has the colors of my home decor in it! Want to make some? It took me about an hour to make both! Here's how: You'll need 4 fat quarters total. 2 of the front fabric and 2 of the back fabric Polyfill stuffing for the inside I just took my fat quarters and made 18" squares with them. Pin a back and a front piece together … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday – Tile Transfer Art
I wanted to post this earlier, but it took me a little longer than usual to write up this tutorial. Don't let the long list of instructions keep you from doing it, it's actually pretty easy and definitely worth it! Here's some examples of what you can make with this tutorial: Set of 4" tile coasters. (A little boutique store nearby sells a set similar to this for $40. Each tile only costs about .50 so you can make them MUCH cheaper yourself!) I made this tile for me to take to work. I have it sitting on my desk so anytime I want I can peek over and see my husband! It's a little more durable, and I think better looking than putting … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday X2! Cookie Cutters
We had a church activity for some of the 11 year old boys this past weekend and I wanted to make a special treat to bring....so I decided to make little tie-shaped sugar cookies. (Let me go ahead and warn you, I am not and have never claimed to be a good icing decorator! Please don't laugh too hard at my icing technique! :) As my husband said "It's ok, everyone has a brown and green polka dot tie in the back of their closet somewhere!") Ok, back to the tutorial. Here's the finished product! Here's the main item you'll need. This is in the plumbing section at your local hardware store. It bends fairly easily and is ideal for more … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday – Handmade Memory Game
This is a really simple project also and GREAT for a handmade Christmas gift! You can very easily adapt it for different age levels as well. This one is a fairly simple match the pattern game. For a little more difficult version, try printing out upper and lowercase letters, or pictures and the matching words. Or even match the english word with the spanish or french word. (Told you it's easily adaptable!) Here's what you'll need: A few packages of these: -Wooden squares. I used two packages for the one I made. Originally I had wanted the squares to be larger than 1 1/4" square and was going to order some from here. At the last … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday-Easy Home Decor Blocks
Happy Tuesday! Here's the quick tutorial for today: What you need: Wood scraps, spray paint, cardstock, and cardstock stickers. (I used this one which I bought from my local scrapbook store: It's called Fall Cardstock Stickers from the Timeless Collection for Deja Views.) Here's what I did: 1. Spray painted some wood scraps that I found in the garage a nice chocolate brown. 2. Peel off the cardstock stickers and place onto a piece of coordinating colored cardstock. 3. Trim around cardstock to make a border and adhere to your wood block. Easy as that! If you can't get a hold of the exact page, any fall themed sticker will … [Read more...]
