Tea Towels

If you have been checking our blog from the very beginning you may remember when I talked about giving your flour sack towels an update. (If not check out the January Archives!) Today I have a project for you that was done for the store to give you an idea of what you can do to spice up a traditional craft. We used the everyday white flour sack towel but we cut it down in size to create 4 fancy tea towels. We cut the flour sack towel in 4 even sections and then hemmed our ragged edges. The embroidery was done using one of our Savvy Stitches embroidery kits which we had mentioned before. These kits are great because the patterns are very modern, they can be used several times, and if you aren't an embroidery pro no worries, they come with directions and everything you need to get started. The edges are what gives this tea towel a unique look. We used rick rack, ribbon, and a ruffled trim. Each was sewn on one at a time. Rick rack can get a little tricky so make sure you get it wide enough to fit your stitches down the middle. Hopefully this will just get the ball rolling for you and you can make it your own. The best part that I have found of embroidery is that it is probably the most inexpensive craft out there so you can splurge on the accessories!
Tiff

Custom Plates

Well hello, Happy Monday! I am back for more project ideas. Lately I have been really interested in collecting and decorating with plates. The problem is the ones with the really intricate patterns are usually the most expensive, so I thought why not make our own version. It is a pretty simple project but I think you don't know how good it looks until you try it. We used My Mind's Eye, Bohemia collection scrapbooking paper for ours but you can use fabric as well. We traced the bottom of the plate onto the paper and cut out our stencil. Then to adhere to the back of the plate we found that using vellum adhesive spray works really well, then you won't see any of your adhesive showing through. That's it, that's all. That might be the world's shortest project! Obviously they are not meant to be eaten on but they work as nice chargers or just decoration for your table, walls or shelves. We used some of our seasonal chargers to really dress them up for decorating your table. Hopefully we have given you a project for your own home or at least sparked some ideas. Back for more tomorrow. Tiff

Wooden Jewelry set

My project today is a good project for just about anyone you don't have to be an expert in any particular crafts to be able to do it. We made a necklace and earring using some small wood shapes with funky scrapbooking paper mod podged on. To dress it up a bit more we added a matching jewelry box, this would be perfect for giving your projects as gifts. To attach your wood shapes you will need 1 package of chain, matching jump rings, and your choice of clasp and earring. We used 3 different types of 12x12 scrapbooking paper to have variety but you can use just one if you want to keep the design simple. I will be back Monday with more projects. Also we will have the projects from the Crafting Contest on display starting Monday so come in and get your vote in! At the end of the two weeks of voting, we will place all of the ballots in a drawing for 10 $10.00 gift cards. You can vote once a day for the next two weeks so make sure you get your name in the drawing as much as possible! Have a great weekend! Tiff

Retro Headbands

Hi there, it is late Thursday night and I am blogging straight from Craft Night!, hopefully it will become a regular event at the store. If we missed you tonight hopefully we will see you at the next event. My project today is again from Adorn Magazine (broken record I know, but they just have so many cute ideas!). Retro and vintage fashions are on the rise, and how appropriate a chunky headband. We are getting in a ton of retro and vintage fabrics that are perfect for these headbands. Okay so here's what you need: •Plastic Headband to cover •1/8 yd. fabric •Tape measure •Scissors •Sewing machine or needle and thread •Transparent tape
1. Using your tape measure, measure the length and width of your headband at its widest point. Add 1/2" to the length. Double the width and add 1/2". Cut your fabric.
2. With right sides together, fold your fabric strip in half lengthwise. With sewing machine or needle and thread, stitch down the length of the fabric to form a tube, using 1/4" seam allowance. Trim your excess fabric to 1/8". Using 1/4" seam allowance, sew one end of the tube closed.
3. Turn your fabric tube right side out. Slide the fabric over the headband until the closed end is taut against the headband end. Adjust the fabric so the long seam runs along one edge of the headband. (There will be excess fabric near the ends where headband is thinner)
4. Starting with the stitched end, pull the fabric to one side so that the non-seamed edge of the fabric tube is taut against the headband edge. Working on the seamed side, fold excess fabric to the underside of the headband, double folding if necessary. Tape in place. Continue folding fabric and securing with tape, until all excess fabric is folded under and fabric lies smooth.
5. Whipstitch fold closed, removing tape as you go until you seam is complete.
6. Fold raw edges of the open end inside the tube and whipstitch closed. Repeat folding, taping and stitching for second side of headband.
7. Wear it in your "do", your done!
See you tomorrow! I am off to craft some more with the ladies! Tiff

Spring Photo Clip

Today's project is extra special because you can come in to our store and make it for FREE! this Saturday 1-3pm. I just finished the sample today and I thought I should share the idea because it turned out really cute! We have these giant wood clothespins that are really inexpensive from Sbars, they measure about 1.5" X 6".
1. I started by cutting two strips from a small sheet of scrapbooking paper (You might even be able to put to use some of those old scraps you have been holding on to!) Cut them 1 3/8 x 5 7/8. I used paper from the 8x8 Pocket Full of Posies paper pack by DCWV. We decided to use this paper because we just got in cardstock flower embellishments that match!! (You might fall in love)
2. Before putting my strips of paper on I distressed the sides of my clothespin with Versamark inks to match my paper.
3.After your ink has dried you can attach your strips with a strong adhesive. Remember you are attaching it to wood so it will need to be strong. We used super-strength glue lines.
4. Now you get to dress it up with fun embellishments. We decorated the front with a cardstock flower from the new packs we got that match the Pocket full of Posies paper. Then we added a rhinestone to accent the glitter from the paper.
5. Just add your favorite pic and you are set! The clips stand up nicely by themselves or you can add a magnet to the back and use it for your fridge.
Don't forget to stop in Saturday from 1-3pm so you can make it for FREE!
Back tomorrow for more!
Tiff

Silhouettes

As promised I am going to attempt to bring you a new project every day through March. Today's project is making silhouettes for wall art. You can use either decorative paper or your favorite fabric. Don't be afraid to mix patterns it makes it more unique and interesting. Okay here's how, (this project is also found in Adorn Magazine), you can start with already existing photos or you can also take new ones.
1.Make sure that your subject is in a profile position. To make your image the size you desire for your frame you can use either a photo editing program such as Photoshop or you can also use a copy machine to enlarge the photo.
2.Next tape transfer paper colored-side down, to the back of your fabric or scrapbook paper. Use a pencil to trace around the outside edge of your subject. Then remove your photo and transfer paper and make adjustments to the drawing if you desire.
3.Cut out your silhouette along the transferred lines and also cut your contrasting paper or fabric to fit the frame you choose for your piece. Make sure that you have enough room between the frame and your silhouette so that it doesn't appear to be scrunched.
4. Glue your silhouette in the center of your contrasting paper and frame as desired.
If you are displaying more than one silhouette together it is nice to have variety in your choice of patterns and shapes of your frames. A way to unite them is to paint all of your frames the same color so that they tie into one another. Have fun with this project and get creative, maybe even try a silhouette of one of your pets! See ya tomorrow!
Tiff

National Craft Month Projects!

We are celebrating National Craft Month here at Crafts Direct the entire month of March. I just wanted to remind you that the deadline for entries for the first ever Crafting Contest is this Friday and also that our Free Craft Night is this Thursday from 6:30 to close. In honor of National Craft Month we are going to give you a new project idea every day for the rest of this month! Give us feed back and let us know if you like the projects and if you try them at home show us your pictures! Lately I have been a little obsessed with Adorn magazine. It is full of trendy new ideas for craft projects and my personal favorite, home decor projects. They had an entire section on "amping up your lamp". I had never realized how many different things that you could use to dress up a plain lampshade. In the samples that we did for the store we used fabric, trims, buttons, and ribbon. If you want to start fresh with a new lampshade instead on one you already have try out the self-adhesive lampshades that we have, it made putting fabric on my lampshade the easiest part of the process. The label on the shade is even a pattern for you to trace on your fabric. Otherwise you might want to use a hot glue gun, also works great just not as quick. We just got in another shipment of new fabric today from Michael Miller that would be perfect for home decor projects. You definitely don't have to be a seasoned crafter, it is as easy as gluing and tying knots. Have fun, hope to see some sassy shades soon!
Tiff