DIY: Stitched Holiday Cards

 

 

This afternoon I stitched up a few holiday cards to send to our families. We aren't exchanging gifts so I thought a little handmade touch on a blank card would be a sweet idea.

I purchased a pack of blank card stock cards with envelopes and used my sewing machine to stitch different colored stripes on them. I used teal, cream and red. For the stitches I used zigzag and straight stitches too! I'm really pleased with how these turned out and I can't wait to send them.

 



DIY: $10 Project - Chalkboard Planter

I love all things crafty but I don't always have a very large budget to fund my obsession. I thought it would be fun to challenge myself to create projects on a strict $10 or less budget, the $10 has to more or less include every single thing needed to make the project, assuming you have very basic craft supplies like glue and a paintbrush but other than that you can buy everything for just ten bucks! This is the first of what I hope will be many $10 projects.

Chalkboard Herb Planter

Supplies and cost:

- Herb plant (I choose thyme)  $1.98

- 4" pot                                     $1.19

- 3" saucer                                $0.89

- Chalkboard paint                   $1.99

- Chalk                                     $0.50

- Dirt                                        $2.97

TOTAL                                    $9.52

You will also need a small paintbrush.

Clean your pot with a damp towel and paint with the chalkboard paint following the directions on the bottle. Usually that means 2 coats, one horizontal and one vertical. Let it dry overnight or if your impatient like me at least let it dry a few hours.

Replant your herb following the directions on the tag/soil.

Decorate with chalk!! I went with stripes.

And an added bonus, you will have plenty of dirt and paint leftover for other projects too!

*If you bought your herb plant from somewhere like a grocery store, where the plant wasn't getting any natural sunlight, don't just take it home and put it in the sunlight... apparently that can kill it.... I lost one thyme plant to that already. Allow it to slowly get used to the natural light before you give it a perminate home in the sunlight... Also if your plant's leaves and stems are limp this probably means you are watering too much. Just a few lessons I've learned....

I hope you enjoy this quick project! If you make one leave me a link in the comments, I'd love to see it!

I will be back soon with more projects and a giveaway! So if you interested remember to follow us so you can get in on that ;)    xo!  Jen

DIY: Chevron Tin

Hello! Today I'm here with a quick and easy DIY for a chevron storage tin. I use my tin to keep all my little sewing and crocheting notions in. It keeps my small stuff neat and accessible!

To make this tin you will need:

- 1 small, cleaned tin with a lid
- scissors
- 1 blank sheet of shipping label paper (or any paper with a sticker back)
- clear self adhesive laminating sheets or clear packing tape
- sharpies/markers/paint
- pencil

1. Trace the top and bottom of your tin onto the front of your label paper. If you want to put a design on the inside too, trace another top. Label them so you don't forget which sticker goes where.

2. Draw and color your design. I went with the ever so trendy black and white chevron pattern for the inside and top of my tin. I just left the bottom sticker white. Polka dots or stripes would look nice too!

3. Cut pieces of your laminating sheet large enough to fully cover your design with a small overlap on all four sides. Peel off the back and stick it on top of your design, press down firmly. (you can use clear packing tape for this part if you don't have or don't want to buy the laminating sheets)

4. Cut out your stickers. Double check the size, if they are a little big just trim them down until you have it just right.

5. Peel off the back and stick 'em to your tin! Press down firmly, especially around the edges.

6. Step back and admire your snazzy new storage tin!

If you make one, I'd love to see it! Leave a comment with a link I will most defiantly check it out!

Hope everyone is having a great friday! xo

Bear Brooch - Free Crochet Pattern

Hello! I'm here today to share a free crochet pattern with you! This is a super simple pattern for a cute little bear brooch. To make this you will need to know how to crochet into a ring and how to make a single crochet stitch. That's it! Super simple. To get started you will need a few supplies....

Supplies:

-Brown fingering weight yarn - I used a locally made 100% alpaca yarn

-3.75 mm crochet hook

-Small amount of black yarn or embroidery thread - I used wool yarn

-1 small bow - I buy the ready made kind, you can find these in the ribbon section at most craft stores or could can make your own

-1 1inch brooch back

-2 eyes - I used small black beads but you can use safety eyes, beads or black felt

-Tapestry needle

-Needle and thread

-Stitch markers

-A small amount of fluff - poly fill, yarn scraps, cotton balls...

-A piece of cardboard at least 2"x2" - I cut mine from a cereal box

Instructions

Head (make 2 - a front and a back)

CH 6 into a ring (magic  ring technique)

Rnd 1 - 2SC in each SC around (12sts)

Rnd 2 - *2SC in first SC, SC in next st. Repeat from * around (18sts)

Rnd 3 - *2SC in first SC, SC in next 2 sts. Repeat from * around (24sts)

Rnd 4 - *2SC in first SC, SC in next 3 sts. Repeat from * around (30sts)

Rnd 5 - *2SC in first SC, SC in next 4 sts. Repeat from * around (36sts)

Rnd 6 - *2SC in first SC, SC in next 5 sts. Repeat from * around (42sts)

Slip Stitch to finish off, leave a 12 inch tail and cut yarn.

You only need to leave a 12 inch tail on one of your 2 circles, for the second one just leave a short tail.

Ears (make 2)

CH 6 into a ring (magic ring technique)

Rnd 1 - 2SC in each SC around (12sts)

Rnd 2 - *2SC in first SC, SC in next st. Repeat from * around (18sts)

Slip Stitch to finish off, leave a 12 inch tail and cut yarn.

Fold the circle in half and whip stitch it together. Do not cut left over yarn tail.

Muzzle

CH 6 into a ring (magic ring technique)

Rnd 1 - SC in each SC around (6sts)

Rnd 2 - SC in each SC around (6sts)

Slip Stitch to finish off, leave a 12 inch tail and cut yarn.

Use the black yarn/embroidery thread to stitch on a small black nose, tie a knot to secure it and trim excess.

Assembly

(you can click the photo above to make it larger if you need to)

1. Hold the 2 head circles together, right sides out. Using the 12" tail, whip stitch them together until you have about half stitched up and half open. Then stop whip stitching but do not cut yarn.

2. Now that the head is stitched half way together you can attach the ears. Using the long tail you left on the ear, sew in the seam you created when you stitched the 2 head pieces together. You can position them anywhere you like just leave a 1" space between the ears. Secure them with a knot and trim excess yarn.

3.Next sew on the muzzle, make sure while sewing this part that you only stitch through the front circle.  I didn't stuff mine but you can if you want to. Stitch the muzzle on where ever you think looks best but be sure to keep it centered between the ears. I positioned mine directly in the center of the face. Secure the muzzle with a knot and trim excess yarn.

4. Attach the eyes and sew on the bow.

5. Sew on the brooch back being careful to stitch through the back circle only. Tie a few knots to make sure the brooch back is nice and secure!

6. Now cut a circle from the cardboard just a little smaller than your bear head. The purpose of the cardboard is to help the brooch lie flat on your cardigan (or where ever) when you wear it. Put the cardboard in the bear head, make sure that it is small enough that you can still stitch the head closed if not cut it a little smaller until you get it just right. Now add just a bit of fluff. Make sure to put the fluff in front of the cardboard. Don't over stuff, just add a very small amount to help give the bear a little shape.

Finish whip stitching the head closed until there is no opening. Tie a knot, trim and work away the yarn end.

Yay! Now you're done!

I hoped you enjoyed making this little bear brooch! If you have any questions about it or notice any confusing bits or typos just leave them in the comments section below and I will respond with any help I can offer!

(This is a free pattern and is for personal use only, this pattern is NOT for commercial use. Meaning you are free to make as many as you like, display or share the pattern or finished item as long as you credit me or link back to this post. You may not sell this pattern or finished product made from it)