Paper Cutting

I tried my hand at a new craft yesterday. I was again inspired by a library book, so I brought it home. I tried to get my husband to try this craft with me, but he was totally UN-inspired! :) The book recommended you start with scraps of low-quality paper so you won't be upset when throwing them away because you won't like the first things you make. So, during quiet time yesterday - one hour - I took a paper bag that I'd gotten while shopping the day before, my little scissors from the kitchen, and cut these shapes.

I did not trace a pattern, but looked at the pictures in the book as I cut and didn't throw one of them away! I was so proud when our daughter came out of quiet time and named them. She could tell what they all were....except the birthday candle, she thought it was an arrow.

Hairbow

My daughter finally wants to wear hairbows, so I made this one for her today! Loving the site:

http://www.girlythingsbows.com/

which shows you how to make almost any hairbow you would want to make! This is mine, with a scrap of ribbon from who knows where that was in the disaster I call my craft closet.

Hairbow

If you've been folowing for a long time, you will know that I used to carry a purse from this fabric. I really like it, and I really liked this flower. I wanted to be able to show it off a little, so I decided to try to put it in my hair. I sewed and glued it onto a bobby pin and had my little girl take some photos:

Also, I put this one one an apholstery tac and stuck it into a candle.

Just when I think that I've finished with these flowers, I

think of something else.

More Kanzashi

A few more flowers from today and yesterday:

Information on how to make Kanzashi

All these flowers after just a quick look in the "New Books" section of the library. When I saw this book, I knew I wanted to take a closer look! I am so glad I did!

http://www.amazon.com/Kanzashi-Bloom-Fold-Sew-Projects/dp/0823084817

After a look, this was the best tutorial I found on the internet for how to make the two types of flower petals I have been making.

http://gabriellepollacco.blogspot.com/2009/11/kanzashi-bloom-tutorial-fun-handmade.html

My Favorite Kanzashi

My absolute favorite, so far, was taking this boring hat of my husbands that he doesn't want anymore.....and adding this!

Kanzashi

What am I doing with all those little flowers, you ask? Here are a few:

I put a few flowers on a pillow, which was my Mom's great idea! I've not sewn them on yet, because I want to be sure I like these spicific colors/flowers first, but I think they look great on there!

I made one in colors to match my room and glued a button to both sides so both sides are finished and sewed it onto a piece of chain for my new fan pull in my bedroom. So fun!

And then I made two almost alike:

And put one on a nail that I hang this souvenier from our honeymoon on, the other I put on a ribbon necklace, though I think it might be a little too big....what do you think?

Pillows

I made these two pillows for the new living room to bring the colors together a little more. The one with the fabric that matches the curtains has a frilly fringe that I put around the outside. The creamy colored one has a cording (I don't know what this is actually called) that I made by sewing the same fabric over a cord made for that purpose . It was my first time doing either of those techniques and I am quite pleased with pillows that don't look so homemade!

Almost feeling finished in the living room! Do you think I need another pillow on this loveseat, and if so, what color?

Addicted?

I am really enjoying this quick craft that uses up scraps of fabric. Not to mention I get to hunt through my button stash, and I used to love that even as a child, right Mom?!

Don't you love those sweet little girl hands too?! Won't be long and they'll be as big as mine!

I made this one to match the new living room with fabric scraps from the curtains.

I almost stayed up late last night making some more, but my husband talked sense into me....I am looking forward to naptime though!

New craft

I tried my hand at a new craft today: Kanzashi.
I made these little flowers out of fabric. Each petal is a 2 inch square, folded Origami style, then sewn together. Then the button is hot-glued in the center.

I like it! Cute, fun and a quick little craft. I am thinking of adding one to my winter hat to girly it up.

Updated Living Room II

Here are the before and after pictures after the other wall was painted today.






You can see better in this picture what a difference the paint makes to change our room from bare and white.

Updated Living Room

I feel quite accomplished. It's only 4pm and I made curtains, got paint, painted this wall, and got it all put back together today. Here is the before picture:


I found this fabric at the store near my house and I had to have it for this space. I love the blue leaves and the monkeys. The tan background and monkeys inspired me to pick this color tan for the wall. It is a couple shades darker than the sunroom we just painted, and we will probably paint the kitchen the same at the sunroom too....





I know it might not look very different to some of you, but when you see the whole area, all white and bland, this one wall made a huge difference. I intend to paint the wall to the right too, this same color, but the right wrist had quite enough and was not willing to paint another wall today. It will have to wait. I would also like to make a topper for the curtain panels, because they are a little bland - and I want to recover the glider cushions (with the blue blanket in foreground) but they will have to wait as well.

Carpal Tunnel

Just so you know why you won't be seeing much from me for a while. I'm having carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists tomorrow morning. Hoping that in a few months I can be a crafting fool!

Stamped for the Kitchen

I stamped these a while back and just hadn't posted them. I have been keeping salt, baking powder, baking soda, etc on the top of the stove and thought it looked a little messy. I had the idea to dress up an old baking powder container, instead of throwing it away to put the salt in. When I finished and liked the way it looked, I decorated one for the baking powder as well!



I stamped white paper with two colors blue (one for flowers, a darker for the letters) then attached it. To keep it nice and keep it from falling apart, I covered it with a couple strips of clear packaging tape. That's why it's so shiny!

I like the containers because they have the metal across the top for leveling, which makes it easier for my little girl to help me measure in the kitchen, and I think they're the perfect size. I'll be saving these container every time now and making more!

Another Wedding Invitation

Here is the invitation I quilled for my friend's wedding this past weekend in Quebec. I tried to work in her color for the wedding (and a favorite color of hers and her husbands)- red.