I haven't mentioned it here much, yet, but I've been working for Janome for almost 1 year now as an educator. Among being able to travel to quilting and sewing events around the country I've been able to design some projects for their website! Here's the latest spring wall-hanging I made. Isn't it fun? I love how bright and cheerful it is! I'm still learning our Artistic digitizing software but it's been pretty easy thus far! Raw edge applique is pretty easy too! You can download the project instructions and .JEF embroidery files from Janome! Happy Sewing! … [Read more...]
Spring Pinwheel Potholders and Giveaway
When Anna from the Etsy store Ciao Bella Solids asked me to participate in her blog hop and blogger bundle giveaway I jumped right on it! I absolutely love working with solid colors and she let me put together a super fun and springy palette! (Pst... check out her great solids! They are all Moda Bella Solids and they are $5.49 per yard! (That's a steal!!!) If you need more than 5 yards, check with Anna because she'll make you a custom listing for just $5 per yard!) After looking at the color card I chose the following colors: From top to bottom: Horizon Blue, Sunshine, Aubergine, Raspberry, and Chartreuse (To enter to win a Fat … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Spring Jacket Upcycle
I knew this jacket had to be mine the minute I saw it at my local Goodwill store! It was my size, in perfect condition, and only $5! Thinking it was too good to be true I made a closer inspection and noticed that a few buttons were missing, and a few others were loose. That seemed to be the only thing wrong. (Kind of sad that someone got rid of a perfectly good lime green jacket because of a few missing buttons!) I bought it, washed it, then got to work fixing it. I decided that I wasn't too fond of the buttons currently on the jacket (kind of boring if you ask me), and it would be pretty difficult to try to find a replacement button that … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Welcome Spring Wall Decor
I have a bunch of frames I picked up a while back from the Dollar Store. I've been trying to decide what to do with them but I knew I couldn't pass up a bunch of cheap frames! This weekend I made a fun, easy, Welcome Spring sign to hang up. It's just now showing signs of spring here in Chicago and I couldn't be more ready! Supplies: Frame with back removed Stamps (I used my Boughs set) Various StazOn Ink (These work best on glass and other shiny surfaces!) Coordinating Ribbon for hanging your sign Rhinestone sticker embellishments Stamp the various images on the back of your glass. Add embellishments on the … [Read more...]
Bird Nest Cookies
Remember those wonderful no bake chocolate cookies you made all the time growing up? Mix a little cocoa powder, oats, and a few other ingredients and you had delicious cookies? A few years ago I found a no chocolate version for my husband. (He's allergic to chocolate!) It uses peanut butter instead. You can find the recipe here. I needed something to take to an Easter brunch but wanted something a little different than my usual cupcakes with green coconut and jelly beans on top so this is what I came up with. It was SO easy! Just make the cookies following the instructions. Immediately after scooping them onto your parchment … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday – Stamped Spring Napkins!
These were super simple to do! I used the stamps from the Have A Tweet Day stamp set. These are cotton napkins I found for $1 a piece at Garden Ridge. Just pull out your ink and stamp directly onto the napkins! It's easy using the clear stamps because you can see exactly where the image is going, and you can make sure that you have ink covering the entire image before you stamp. Use a permanent ink like Stewart Superior's Hybrid ink. Heat set it with your iron without using steam and you're ready to go for a wonderful Easter brunch! I love the little bird feet border on this one! And a little nest garland with occasional eggs! Happy … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday-Happy Spring!
Here's a quick Happy Spring Card I did this weekend in honor of the 1st day of Spring. This would also make a great Easter themed card! I used my Have A Tweet Day clear stamp set for this one. I LOVE the little nest stamp. If you look at the stamp set you'll see a little "bundle" of sticks. With this, you can make your nest as big or as small as you'd like. Just stamp it multiple times in an oval shape to get your nest! Or if you want a border, just stamp it around in the shape of a circle or square. (It's super easy to do because your stamp and the mounting block are clear so you can see right through everything to line it all … [Read more...]
My first published project!!!
If you've been reading my blog long enough you'll remember that back at the end of August I was excited that I was getting one of my projects published. (You can read the post here) When I signed the publication contract it stated that I wasn't allowed to show the project to anyone until two weeks before the on-sale date of the magazine. Well, the on-sale date is February 5, which means I can now share my project with you!!!! I'm so excited!!! It will be published in the March 2008 PaperCrafts Magazine. Their website is here. They are always looking for projects! Go ahead, submit! Here is where you find out which ones they need at the moment. … [Read more...]
