City/Country Cowl Tutorials

 

 

I’m always amazed at what Anneliese comes up with at Aesthetic Nest. She shows you how to make these two fabulous cowls…perfect for this time of year!

I also stopped by luvinthemommyhood and checked out her fun article about sewing vs. knitting!

City Cowl Tutorial

Country Cowl Tutorial

 

I would seriously wear both of these! You could create so many different looks depending on what fabrics and yarn you decided to go with!

Which cowl fits your style?

Alice in Wonderland Costumes!!

 

 

 All I’m going to say is that you want to head over to MADE and check out Dana’s Costumes…

Alice In Wonderland Costume Tutorials

Adorable!!

Darling Sweater Dress!

 

 

Do not get rid of that old sweater! Turn it into an adorable toddler dress with Amy at Naptime Crafters!

Sweater Dress Refashion

The dress is almost as cute as this beautiful little girl! Super creative!

Trendy Handbag into a Camera Bag!

 

 

Transform a fabulous handbag into a camera bag by using this super cool tutorial by Ashely at Lil Blue Boo…

Camera Bag Insert Tutorial

How cool is this?!

LOVE how you place and remove the insert at anytime! So fun & versatile!!

Paint Textured Wallpaper!

 

  Suzy at Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy stopped by and showed me this post where she uses paintable textured wallpaper with her wainscoting…

Faux Carved Wainscoting

Adds lots of fabulous dimension. It’s. Just. Beautiful!

Baby Buggy/Pram Tutorial

I can’t get over how cute this baby toy pram is!!

Kojo Designs shows you how they upcycled a regular baby stroller into this buggy by using a basket and fabric!

 

Baby Pram

 

Wow…such a genius idea!

The Grandview Bag Tutorial

This gorgeous creation was in my inbox today! I’m sure many of you have already seen this {where have I been?} but just in case you haven’t, check out this amazing tutorial by The Boy Trifecta…

 

Grandview Bag Tutorial Part 1

Grandview Bag Tutorial Part 2

I’m drooling over this bag! Lovin’ everything about it!

 

Charlotte Russe-Inspired Skirt

Tam over at Sew Dang Cute shows you how to make this fabulous skirt!

 

Charlotte Russe Inspired Skirt Tutorial

 

I.LOVE.THIS…and I really want one in black!

Creative Guest: Monogram Candles by The Pink Peony

 

Hello Kari and Ucreator fans!  I'm Robyn from the pink peony of le jardin (French for the garden).

I have a simple, inexpensive project to share with you today~ just in time for the holidays.  I love to create, but like many of you, I don't have a lot of time.  Therefore, most of my projects are simple, nearly free, and have big impact.  Such as my feature project of the day....

Monogrammed Candles

(Perfect to display in your home, your friends' homes, and to give to your children's teachers!)

More photos to follow the tutorial!

 

Materials:

mod podge paintbrush

candle* (my small one is from dollar tree!)

2 different size black sharpies*

2 different size lids*

1 piece of cardstock pencil

This project takes very little time to do, but I have included every single step!

 

1. In Microsoft Word, type the letter that you want to use as your monogram.  I use basic Times New Roman font with a font size of 72.  (make sure it has sufficient space around it~at least a couple of inches all around).  In other words, don't put it too close to the edge of the paper. 

2. Print it on regular computer paper

3. Find two small lids or circles to trace around (one just a little smaller than the other)  *I used a McCormick brand cream of tartar lid and the bottom of a prescription pill bottle.

4.Trace around one of the lids onto cardstock or a heavy paper.

 

5. Cut out a square about 1/2 " around the circle (doesn't need to be perfect)

6. Using sharp scissors, carefully cut out the circle.

7. Do the exact same thing with the next lid/circle.

8. Place and center the smaller "pattern" that you just made around the letter.  * For this next part I used a black marker that has two ends.  One end has a thinner point, the other end has a thicker point.  First, use your black marker with the thinner point to trace around the inside of your pattern.

9. Next, center the bigger pattern evenly around the first circle that you made.  Trace around it with a thicker black sharpie.

10. Cut it out.

11. With a paintbrush "paint" a thin layer of mod podge in the center of the candle.

12. Center your monogram over the mod podge, and smooth it out from the center of the letter, pressing out any air bubbles.

.

13.  Let dry and wrap as a gift or display in your home!

 

Gift idea: Put in a small brown gift bag and tie a holiday ribbon and tag to the handles, or sew a little burlap bag to put your gift in, and then tie it with holiday ribbon and a tag. You can print more than one on a page for multiple gifts.  Just leave enough space around them to cut your square.

Ideas to display in your home: Leave your candle up all year and decorate around it for the holidays!  I will use chestnuts, pinecones and greenery for Thanksgiving.  Shiny dark red ball ornaments for Christmas would look beautiful also.  Another idea is to spell out the word "noel" or "joy" with three or four small white dollar tree candles!  *My small candle came from dollar tree~it was lavendar and lilac~but you can't tell.  The large one was only a couple dollars from the Christmas Tree Store.  There are so many possiblities!

 

 

For more ideas go to the pink peony of le jardin!

Thanks Kari!

Paper Holder Tutorial {ballard-inspired!}

 

 

 So Becky at Infarrantly Creative stopped by today to share this awesome paper holder inspired by Ballard Designs…

Paper Holder Tutorial

I knew I had to share it with you immediately!! My kids would go crazy over something like this….I’m thinkin’ Santa might bring one!

 

 

 

Sponsor Love:

Halloween Book Cover {free printable!}

Grab a book, print out this book cover by Heather at Chickabug…

Spell Book Printable

…and you have a simple, fun addition to your Halloween decor!

So. cool!

Thankful Garland

 

 

I LOVE this Thanksgiving garland by Jen at Tatertots & Jello!

 

 Thankful Garland Tutorial

 

Not only is this beautiful, but the concept of writing what you are thankful for on the leaves is fabulous!

DIY Fairy Wings {iridescent!}

 

 

Need some fun fairy wings for a Halloween costume?!

 

Kalleen from At Second Street shares how to make this gorgeous version…

 

Iridescent Fairy Wings Tutorial

INTRODUCING: Ucreate Foods…Ucreate Parties…Ucreate w/Kids!

  

I’m beyond thrilled to share Ucreate’s newest editions with you today!!

Our goal is to provide you with a blog that inspires you to create!

Some of us have the desire to create delicious meals, others have a passion to create with children, many of us love to entertain and throw parties/showers, and some of us might love to do all of the above!

With the help of Elizabeth, Jeana, and Tyra {introduced, HERE}

we hope to provide you with the most creative ideas, tutorials, and recipes out there!

You will see we’re still a little under construction, but we hope to have the kinks worked out this week!

{click on the images above to visit our new sites!}

Camera Lens Pouch Tutorial

Keep your camera lens protected in style with this fabulous tutorial by Smashed Peas and Carrots...

Camera Lens Pouch Tutorial

I'm asking for a nice camera for Christmas this year, so this will be a perfect accessory!!

Warm Winter Hat Patterns!

Christine at From An Igloo shares this adorable pattern and tutorial to keep your kids warm and snuggly during these chilly months...

Winter Hat Tutorial

The creative possibilities are endless with this amazing pattern!!

Paper Pumpkins Tutorial {so cool!}

I had to do a double-take when I saw these pumpkins by WhipperBerry!

 I thought they were made out of grapevine...um, no...they're made out of paper!

Paper Pumpkins Tutorial

How cool are these?! I think I'm on a paper craft kick lately!

Paper Wall Flowers

I'm lovin' the 3d wall art that's everywhere lately!

Billie Monster gives you this free printable and tutorial to make these gorgeous flowers...

Paper Flowers Printable

These also make a fabulous addition to posters for school and church activities!!

Creative Guest: Gathered Flower Purse by Sew Dang Cute

 

Hi! I'm Tam from Sew Dang Cute. I guess as way of introduction, I am a SAHM mom to three beautiful children - 2 girls and 1 boy, ages 4, 3, and 1. I'm lucky enough to be married to my best friend. We love spending time outdoors and take every opportunity we can to do fun, family outings. Some of my hobbies include sports and athletics. I am a group fitness and cycle instructor and an addicted triathlete. I just completed my first IRONMAN (Boise 70.3) this past June. I love to sew, so most of what you'll find on my blog relates to sewing. However, I am venturing out into the craft world and am surprised at how much fun I'm having with it, so you'll also get "crafty" projects on my blog as well.

 

When Kari first asked if I would be a creative guest, I immediately said "Yes!", then came the hard part. What to do? I know she really likes leather (well black leather pants and fluorescent yellow tank-tops), but that's a story for another day. I had a couple of ideas, but eventually decided on this gathered flower leather purse.

 

Just to show you a better idea of the size, here's me holding it.

  I love the bold, turquoise color. My camera is not the best and my sewing room is in the basement (which means bad lighting), so the color doesn't quite come through in these pictures.

It's a big, spacious bag with a side pocket to hold those items you don't want to dig around for (i.e. cell phone, keys, etc.).

 

Let's get started.

Materials needed:
- Bag pattern piece (click to download)
- Leather ** (1 1/2 yds cotton or vinyl)
- 1 yd lining fabric
- 1 yd fusible interfacing
- Sew-on or magnetic snap
- 2 D-rings (1 1/4")
- Coordinating thread
- Upholstery thread
- Leather sewing machine needle (Not necessary but I recommend it for leather/vinyl)
* All seams 1/4" unless otherwise noted.
** If you don't want to use leather, you may use cotton, since I explain how to use either in this tutorial. Leather doesn't fray. You can also use vinyl instead, which is sold by the yard. I wanted a brighter color than what was offered in vinyl, so I went to Beck Leather and Crafts and bought a remnant piece (with a 40% off coupon). Leather is sold in hides, so take your pattern piece with you to make sure the piece you like will work. You could also check your local thrift store for a leather jacket and cut that up.

1. Print the bag pattern piece. Place the edge on the fold and cut out two pieces of your exterior fabric.

 

So when you unfold the fabric, you'll get your piece.

  Cut out two pieces from your interior fabric and fusible interfacing as well. To make my fabric go further, I folded it like so before cutting.

 

You'll also want to cut:

 

- (2) 1" x 20" pieces from leather or vinyl for the strap. OR if using cotton, cut (1) 2 1/2" x 20" piece.
- (2) 6" x 12" pocket piece: 1 from exterior, 1 from lining
- (2) 2" x 1 1/4" pieces leather/vinyl for loops or (2) 2" x 3" pieces cotton

2. Iron fusible interfacing to the two lining bag pieces and pocket piece. If using cotton, also iron to strap piece.
3. We are going to start with the rosette (Layer 1). I used cotton for mine because I didn't have enough leather, and it's easier to gather into a tight flower. Cut a 3 1/4" strip. If you want your whole flower in leather/vinyl, cut a 1 1/4" strip and proceed to below, "Cut a piece of upholstery thread...".
Fold RST (right sides together) lengthwise and sew along the short raw ends and long raw edge, but leave about a 10" opening in the middle of the long raw edge.

Clip the corners and turn right-side out. Press.

Cut a piece of upholstery thread about 10" longer than the strip. Zig-zag stitch over it on the same edge as your seam, like so.

 

Now hold both ends of the upholstery thread and slide the fabric along it to gather.

  Use a needle and thread and handstitch the layers together as you roll the rosette to hold it together. You should end up with this.

 

4. For the rest of the flower I alternated fabric***, so we will need to cut:

- 2" x 19" piece leather/vinyl OR 4 1/2" x 19" cotton (Layer 2)

- 3" x 40" piece leather/vinyl OR 6 1/4" strip cotton (Layer 3)

- 3" x 38" piece leather/vinyl OR 6 1/2" strip cotton (Layer 4)

***If you are using the same fabric for the entire flower, cut (3) 3" x 40" pieces leather/vinyl OR (3) 6 1/4" strips cotton, and sew short ends together to create one really long strip.

 

Repeat the process in step 3 to gather. I recommend pinning all 4 layers to get an idea of where you want them on the bag, then pin one layer at a time, starting with layer 4, to one of your exterior bag pieces and stitch down. Layers 4 and 3 are shown below.

  Handstitch the rosette (layer 1) to the bag piece.

 

5. Sew both exterior bag pieces RST along the side and bottom edges. Turn inside out and set aside.

6. Grab your two pocket pieces and sew RST, leaving about a 4-5" opening. Clip corners and turn inside out. Press. Position on top of one of your lining pieces and stitch down along sides and bottom.

 

7. Position one piece of your snap on one side of the lining and sew on. Then position the other piece of the snap in the same spot on the other lining piece.

 

8. Sew lining pieces RST along sides and bottom, but leave about a 12" opening in the bottom and set aside.

 

9. Edgestitch the (2) loop pieces.

 

Loop a D-ring over one piece and pin to the top, side of the exterior bag, lining up raw edges and centering. Repeat on the other side.

 

10. Place the exterior bag inside the interior so they are RST. Line up all the seams and raw edges. Pin in place.

 

Sew along the top of the bag. Turn inside out through the opening of the lining. Topstitch along the top of the bag.

11.Sew the opening in the lining shut. You can use a blindstitch, but I just used my machine because it's faster and no one is going to see the inside of the bottom of my purse.

12. Last we need to make our strap. Take the two strap pieces and edgestitch WST (wrong sides together) along long edges if using leather/vinyl.

 

If using cotton, fold RST lengthwise and sew along short raw edges and the long edge, but leave an opening to turn out. Clip corners and turn inside out. Blindstitch the opening shut, then press with seam in the center of the strap. Topstitch along the long sides.

13. Fold one end of the strap through the D-ring and stitch down to the underside of the strap.

 

Repeat on the other end and you are done!!!

 

I hope you'll stop by my blog to see what else I've got for you! Thanks so much Kari for letting me be here today!!!