Zipper crafts are everywhere right now and my jaw dropped when I saw these zipper rings at That's So Cuegly! Super cool and also fun for the teens!
Thanks Lindsay!
8.31.2010
8.30.2010
UCREATE TURNS TWO...and a special THANK YOU!
I can't believe it!!
These past two years have really been a journey for me. I've learned so much about this ever-growing blogland {which can honestly be overwhelming at times!}, the social media explosion, and I can't even tell you how many amazing crafters and readers I've met!
Two years ago I never imagined that people would actually want to read my blog...heck, three years ago I didn't even know what a blog was!!
I want to share random ways to celebrate throughout the week and first off, I thought it would be fun to...
answer YOUR questions!
Is there something you'd like to know about me? Maybe you have a blogging question? a personal question? Ask me anything you'd like!
...and of course we have to have a giveaway!!
One of the many creative ladies I've met these past 2 years is Natalia. You probably already know her from PieceNQuilt!
I'm dead serious when I say Natalia has some of the most amazing quilt designs I've ever seen in my life. I'm more of a modern quilter, and I think her style is fabulous! Check out her blog!
Natalia is giving away this "Adoring" Moda fabric...
one Adoring Layer Cake...
...and one Adoring Jellyroll
How to enter: all you have to do his ask me a question on this post.
{random winners will be announced when I post the answers this week}
I especially want to tell ALL of my readers today how much I've appreciated every single one of your comments these past two years! Thank you for your uplifting emails, your tutorial submissions, your compliments, your suggestions, stopping by to say "hi", etc.! You make everything worth it!
I also want to thank all of my creative guests and those MANY bloggers who let me feature them and share them with my readers. Tutorials are not easy to create! Lots of time and effort go into each one and I'm honored that you share them with us.
THANK YOU!!
8.28.2010
Printable Thread Bobbins!
Check out this fun way to store your thread! Mollie Johansen has this free printable on her creative blog, Wild Olive.
...on may way to print some out right now!!
{found via I Am Momma Hear Me Roar}
8.27.2010
Creative Guest: Zig Zag Pillow by Make It Do
I am so excited to be here at U Create! Kari's site is so full of wonderful ideas and talented people, it is an honor to join the fun.
Make it Do is all about being resourceful. "Do what you can with what you have" is my motto. I'm always on the lookout for projects that are easy and beautiful... and don't cost a lot.
Not long ago, I was strolling through Anthropologie online and noticed a wonderful zig zag pillow that really got my wheels turning. The zig zags were so fresh: geometric and yet meandering. I knew I could make something similar that would be a great fit to my home... and much cheaper than the $68 Anthropologie price tag. My version of their pillow is softer and less modern... and I love how it turned out. I especially love the technique I figured out for making the zig zags. It would be easy to adapt this tutorial to embellish a skirt, dish towel, or table runner.
Here's what you're going to need to make this Zig Zag Pillow:
A pillow form (mine measured 16" x 26")- Fabric the same size as pillow form for the front (in my case 16" x 26") You might worry this is too small–that I'm not leaving room for seam allowances. I like my pillows to be firm, so I cut my fabric exactly the same size as the form. Once I've sewn my fabric with a 1/2 seam allowance, it makes the casing 1" smaller than the form. When the form is placed inside the casing there is no sagginess... and who likes sagginess? Not me! I used a linen fabric for the texture.
- Fabric for the back. Since I want to make my casing to be removable and washable, I used two 16" x 17" pieces. This allows for 2" seams and a 4" overlap. My fabric choice was Amy Bulter's Love Memento.
- You will need fabric for the zig zags 3" wide by about 5 inches longer than your pillow for each zig zag. This gives you some wiggle room to place the zig zags together nicely.
- I pieced a decorative end cap on my pillow (16" x 6-1/2")
Let's get started:
To make your zig zags, cut your decorative fabrics 3" wide by how ever long you want your zig zag. I made my zig zags about 5" longer than the pillow so I could have some wiggle room when laying them out.
Turn your strip of fabric to the wrong side and using a ruler and a Mark-B-Gone Pen mark a small dot directly in the center (1-1/2" in from either side) every 1-1/2" the entire length of the strip.
Square the ruler and draw a line from the left to center, then the right to center, alternating every other marked dot the length of the strip.
Next cut each marked line. Be sure to stop exactly at the dot. (A good pair of scissors is much appreciated here!)
Using a very hot iron with the steam turned off (ask me how I know to turn off the steam... ouch!), fold the first triangle back to the outside edge and press.
Press triangles as shown in the photo.
Continue pressing all the way down the strip as shown.
Be sure to make each point as neat as possible. And once you're happy with the points, I recommend a little spray starch to keep things in order.
On the right side, they will look like this. Space them evenly on your pillow top, and pin them into place.
And stitch into place. I used a straight stitch down each side. I also did a little bit of fussy thread matching on my burgundy fabric. It was just too dark to use a chameleon thread like I usually try to get away with. Once stitched, trim any overhang of zigzag fabric even with the top.
If you are piecing your top, like I did, just be sure the finished dimensions are the same as the pillow form. In my case, my cream linen fabric measured 16" x 21-1/2" and my burgundy fabric (Amy Butler's Love Memento) measured 16" x 5-1/2". Once they were pieced together with 1/2" seam, it measures 16"x 26" exactly.
For the two back pieces of the pillow, turn a 1/2" and then a 2" hem and stitch. Lay them out right sides together with the top, so the back pieces overlap. Pin front and back pieces together.
Stitch all the way around. I like to back stitch where the back pieces overlap.
Clip the corners and turn right side out. I love to use a chopstick to make sure the edges are neat. Give it a good once over with the iron and stuff in your pillow form.
Here's a peak at the back. I love the Amy Butler line.
And here's the finished pillow. I loved making the zig zags and my new pillow is a lovely addition to my living room.
Thanks Kari, for letting me visit today!
8.26.2010
Alphabet Bean Bag Tutorial
I think this tutorial by Mama Michie's Musings caught my eye because my little 4 yr old loves learning her letters right now!
Super fun way to teach those little ones!
8.25.2010
Striped Onesie Tutorial
Heidi at Honeybear Lane shows you how to add stripes to a regular onesie...
...and I'm diggin' the applique monogram!!
"Check Your Pockets" Laundry Room Sign
Can I tell you how much I LOVE your tutorial submissions?!
Check out this one by Brittany from Love Stitched...
If your family is anything like mine...the kids and hubby constantly leave change, rocks, receipts, and who knows what in their jacket and pants pockets!
LOVE. THIS!
8.24.2010
Library Tote Tutorial
Create a scrappy look or a simple look...looks great either way! The pocket makes a great place to put that library card, keys, etc...gotta love pockets!
8.23.2010
Burlap Vase Wrap Tutorial
This burlap wrapped vase makes a gorgeous accessory to brighten up a room!
I'm loving how Elizabeth {at To Be Charmed} adds a pop of lace at the top and I've said before that "I love white against burlap"...it looks fabulous!
If you haven't checked out Elizabeth's blog before...stop by. You'll love her easy-to-follow tutorials!
8.21.2010
Red Wagon into Home Decor!!
See this super cool tray?! Ya, it's made from an old wagon!
Just Something I Made shares this amazing transformation and even saves the wheels to make a plant pedestal {so hopin' I can find one at a garage sale!}!
I'm constantly amazed with the talent you crafty ladies share!!
8.20.2010
Cut It Out Canvas Art Tutorial!
I'm loving Megan's latest canvas art tutorial at Brassy Apple!
"Love is Spoken Here" has been a favorite song of mine since I was little and I love inspirational home decor!
Creative Guest: Kid's Height Board by Craft Envy
Hey there, Ucreate fans! I'm Nicholette and I'm stoked to be here today. My sister-in-law Vanessa and I are two stay at home mom's who needed to add some more excitement to our lives! So this past January we started Craft Envy (we got the idea from our names "N & V"). So today, we have a tutorial on how to make a height board for your kids. They get to help mark it and you get to preserve their thumbprint everytime you measure them! I'll show you how...
What you will need:
-1 1x6x8 pre-painted hardboard
-6 themed foot markers
-self adhesive velcro
-1 ink pad
- scrapbook paper (lamination optional)
-square
-permanent marker
-paint and small brush (feet numbers)
-hot glue gun
1. Get your foot markers out: I used six ship helms from Michael's. Peel the stickers off the back.
2. Paint the inside where your number is going to be. Once it's dried, paint the numbers in a contrasting color.
3. Have your board cut down to about seven feet or cut it down yourself.
4. Using a square or ruler, measure and mark each inch with a pen or pencil. I made the inches, half foot, and foot marks progressively larger lines.
5. With your square, go over each inch mark with a permanent marker.
6. I used a peice of tape on the edge of my board to make cleaner marks with the permanent marker. I marked my board to about six feet five inches. No one in my family is that tall so I figure that's safe. But consider your family history when deciding how tall to make your board.
7. Hot glue your foot markers at the appropriate height. I placed one of the helm handles over the foot mark.
8. With your scrapbook paper and a printout of your childs name, create a cover for the inkpad to camoflage it. Laminate the cover since it's going to get touched with inky hands.
9. Hot glue the laminated cover to the ink pad lid.
10. In order to get my velcro at the same level as the bottom of my ink pad, I cut a peice of wood to glue to the bottom so my velcro would work.
11. Peel the backing from the self adhesive velcro and attach at the top of the height board. This makes finding the ink when it's time to measure up very simple!
12. Have your child use the ink to mark their height (with your help) by creating a thumbprint! My little boy just turned one and so this is his first mark! I plan on measuring him each year so I will know each age by counting the thumbprints from the bottom up.
Back to School Lotion {gift for teacher!}
Check out these fabulous teacher gifts for back to school!! Oops, I Craft My Pants {k, I can't even type that without laughing} shares this fun idea and free printables.
I'm so doing this for my kids' teachers!
Simple. Inexpensive. Awesome.
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