Yikes!! Part II

Ugh. Still not quite done with the final "vision" but it's a good start. I hope?  I have some talent and a lot of passion but these projects still depend on stellar planning. 

Yikes!!!

In the throws of sensory overload attempting to make sense of my "idea file" for our next reno-remodel project. 

Blue Print for Disaster? VIII

So far, so good. . .I am using a simple small tight-ish running stitch. I am considering a satin stitch on some of the buds or leaves - random.

I like embroidery because it's very similar to drawing/painting. You can pick color, direction, light, shadow, character, focus. . .

Blue Print for Disaster? VII

Now all you have left to screw up is the actual embroidery! hahaha!

Blue Print for Disaster? VI

If you iron carefully, you get what you see in the pic above.

Save the transfer paper. You should get another transfer or two out of it!

Blue Print for Disaster? V

Carefully, pin or baste the transfer ink-side down to the center of the fabric.

The actual iron-transfer made me a little nervous. That paper needs to stay pretty stable and the iron must be HOT. (Dry hot tho - I used the wool setting).

Blue Print for Disaster? IV

Once you have your "crease compass" you can place the transfer. In this pic, the scissors are pointing to "center." I tried to center the transfer from this point.

Blue Print for Disaster? III

Once the towels are dry, you need to iron. And iron. And iron.

Once the towel is uniformly wrinkle-free, you need to put more wrinkles in it!

You can press folds into the towel. They can help to get the iron-transfer centered.

For these simple tea towels, I folded the towel in half making sure the little "hang loop" was at the top of the fold. I pressed firmly with a hot but dry iron.

I then folded in half horizontally again. I did this because I wanted the pattern to be fully visible if the towel was folded in half over a towel bar, etc. I pressed this crease.

And then I folded the towel again. This time creating a vertical fold. Ironed the crease.

I took pics of each step. If you need help deciphering my instructions, please comment and I'll post the pics.

Blue Print for Disaster? II

I committed to doing this correctly. I want to make a gift for someone. I want to show my 93 year-old Grandmother I actually WAS paying attention when she showed me how to embroider a few years ago. (Although I'm going home this weekend and will need a re-fresher on the french knot).

So I prepped the vintage-looking tea towels I purchased by hand washing them in watered-down laundry soap. I rinsed thoroughly and put in the dryer without any fabric softener/sheets (They will make your towels less absorbent).

Meanwhile, I very carefully cut out my desired designs. . .

Blue Print for Disaster?

When I went to JoAnnes the other evening for a few supplies for the flower pins, I "somehow" ended up in the embroidery aisle. That's when my Husband C, spotted these!!!! Iron-on transfers and vintage dish towels!!

My heart skipped a beat!

I was grabbing envelopes full of transfers left and right.

C: "Let's try to exercise a little restraint."
d: "Ok. I just need to find some Krazy Glue. Get me out of here!" (moving cart away)
C: "But you didn't let go of any of those envelopes you're holding. . ."
d: "Ah hahahahahahaha!!! (AS IF!) I didn't pick up any more envelopes did I?"
C: Defeated sigh

So what I came away with are all these awesome iron on transfers (that are re-use able several times). You can iron them onto anything and embroider over.

This is RIGHT up my alley!

Last Night's Craftiness - Flower Pins 3

These pins are so affordable and easy to craft, my mind is now going wild considering all the possibilities!

Consider gluing a few of the leaves to the back of the flower as well (as I did with the red one below). Remember odd numbers are more visually interesting so 1,3,5 leave or clusters per flower. Whatever you do, don't discard the leaves, stash them for another project.

Consider making pins to dress up gift bags. Just in time for Easter, Mother's Day and summer weddings!

Consider wearing 3 flowers clustered together for a bigger statement.

Consider gluing smaller flowers on barrettes or shoe clips (also sold in the jewelry-making section of the craft store). Your ballet flats will be instantly transformed.

Consider pinning multiple flowers all over decorative throw pillows. You could neatly cover the entire pillow. You could sew, pin, or tie a contrasting fabric around the center of the pillow and add flowers centered on the fabric.

Consider pinning to the tops of tab top curtains for a cheery update to your kitchen or bathroom curtains.

Consider pinning randomly to your shower curtain.

Consider pinning them to ribbon for updated curtain tie-backs.

Consider the possibilities for a little girl's room!

Consider pinning a few on your canvas shopping tote.

Consider gluing ribbons to the back of the flower before adding the pin back for added oomph.

Consider carefully covering the edges of the petals in a thin line of white craft glue and dusting glitter over the edges.

Consider beautiful black or brown flowers tipped in silver or gold glitter for an evening look. Pin them onto your little evening clutch.

Consider pinning one to the bows/ties on the back of your dining chair covers.

Like a cleaner, more modern aesthetic? Use simple flowers in bold colors sparingly.

Shabby chic? Go crazy with creamy whites, and all shades of pink and peach in large full blooms.

Consider sunflowers for autumn and poinsettias for winter holidays.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

Last Night's Craftiness - Flower Pins 2

I popped a flower and all the leaves off the plastic-coated wire stem. I applied some Krazy Glue to the back of the flower and attempted to attach a flat-backed "safety pin." These pins can be found in the jewelry-making section of a craft store. The flat edge on the one side of the pin is necessary for stability. I don't believe a standard safety pin would work. The jewelry pins are not expensive. You should pick pins that are on scale with the flower. (i.e., larger pin for larger flowers).

I quickly realized the Krazy Glue alone would not offer a proper bond. So I applied some Aileens Sticky Tack craft glue first. On top of the white glue, I added a generous dollop of Krazy Glue gel. Then I smushed the flat back of the pin into the glue. You'll need to hold it in place for a few moments until a bond forms.

My manicure is a wicked mess this morning but Krazy Glue is easily removed with acetone based nail polish remover.

You'll notice from this pic, the back of the pin will also look a bit of a mess. I'm of the opinion, who's going to see the back of your pin? I'm also a bit sloppy with my glue. If you're concerned about the look of the back of the pin, I'd suggest being more careful with your glue application.

This is really all there is to this project. Once I got the hang of it, I banged out all 5 flowers in about 20 minutes. They need to be placed pin side up to dry overnight. You'll defnitely want to make sure the glue is 100% dry before you pin it on a pretty cardigan or blazer!

Last Night's Craftiness - Flower Pins

I had been noticing a bit of a trend towards classic, clean feminine style in a few of my favorite stores: Ann Taylor, Loft, and Talbots. I adore the idea of crisp shirts, fitted blazers, polka dots, bold broaches, and FLOWERS!

I noticed silk flowers of all size, shape, variety, and color pinned on belt loops, handbags, scarves, lapels, and clustered together on cardigans and even t shirts.

I have to admit I didn't actually look at the prices on these flower accessories. I would imagine they could cost upwards of $20 or $30 depending on the size and store. Also, I would imagine a classic cashmere cardi costs more when some silk flower pins are sold with it.

My Mother enjoys creating beautiful silk floral arrangements. Sometimes she sells them in the small town where I grew up. One evening I mentioned to her, maybe she could make some flower pins? These pins would be more marketable to a younger crowd who typically do not purchase faux arrangements.

We discussed the ease of crafting such a project. She said the flowers and even the leaves "pop" right off their stems so you don't even need a wire cutter to trim the stems.

Last night I figured I'd try it out. I went to Joann's and purchased 5 silk flowers (they range in cost from about $3-$6 per flower), some crazy glue gel, and a package of pins from the jewelry section. . .

April 1 is April Food Day!

Please consider giving to a national or local food bank in support of April Food Day, Bloggers Fighting Hunger.

More info coming soon! Thank you!!

Fresh Flowers #40

Fresh Flowers #16

Fresh Flowers

These hydrangeas have a lovely pale yellow color. This might be the first time I've seen such a lovely yellow variety.

Twinkle, Twinkle. . .

My haul of assorted glasswares from The Christmas Shoppe last weekend...slowly being assimilated into the house this week.

I love glass and mirrors. They keep the light bouncing around our small home.

Consider inexpensive wine glasses and use them daily for wine and water.

Consider inexpensive glass pitchers and carafes. Use them daily for iced tea, lemonade, wine and juices.

Consider a carafe for your mouthwash.

Consider a gigantic glass salad bowl to display soaps in your bathroom.

Consider glass vessels and apothecary jars in the bathroom for bath salts, cotton balls, and other grooming accoutrements.

Consider filling glass vessels with shells, sand, stones, or other organic specimens. I especially love collecting shells, sea glass, and stones from each beach/lake/river we visit. I put the items in a mason jar. I take a small square of craft paper and glue it to the jar labeling where the items were collected and the date. I cover the lid of the jar with a small piece of fabric and complimentary rubber band, string or ribbon.

Consider empty DIY glass holiday ornaments. Fill them with interesting items: sand, shells, straw and hang them from the window's half sash.

Consider glass canisters for staples like flour, sugar, rice.

Simple items are elevated to elegant and interesting when displayed in beautiful glass vessels.

Sunday Spruce Up

Last weekend I visited this insane store with my Sister and Mother called The Christmas Shoppe. I'm not even sure how to describe it. Glorious Randomness? It was like a Michael's with discounts but also with linens, small furniture, and cosmetics.

The discount prices are enticing and I ended up purchasing a whole host of discount glass vessels and other assorted odds and ends. Random: shells, stationary, and some chocolate covered pretzels??

In our teeny row home, I must employ ruthless editing and I try to only bring in useful items I love. Sometimes the love part comes first and is followed by rationalization of usefulness.

I found these little silver toned stands and knew they would work well with a few glass domes I already had. I'm dreaming about a wine and cheese party just so I can put beautiful blocks of cheese on display.

Finding and Offering Love and Happiness in Simple Things

"A good home must be made, not bought." - Joyce Maynard

In the chaos of media overload we seem to find ourselves embroiled in, isn't this a lovely idea? I hope you'll agree, home is not just your house - no matter the cost. It's also your community. . .your family and friends. . The human factor is precious real estate.

In the "not bought" spirit:

What does it cost to hug your husband, wife, children or friends a little more? Laughing is free. Does it cost anything to initiate a water fight, snow-ball battle, or a game of charades?

You can't put a price on smiles or love or a genuine heart.

Consider making heart shaped pancakes or PBJs for breakfast and lunch.

Consider a love note on a post it or napkin tucked in a briefcase or lunch bag.

Consider a wild and crazy display of love and affection in sidewalk chalk. Put it on the driveway, sidewalk, etc. Celebrate! Make sure the neighborhood knows too!

Consider a "throw down." Who can do ____________ XYZ chore the best and fastest. Winner gets to pick something fun - dinner, mini golf, game night. (Could do variations of this in conjunction with a "chore chart.")

Consider Just bringing the love. . .Cut some tiger lilies on the side of the road and leave them at your assistant's desk. Volunteer to read at a local library. Take your older neighbor some dinner/dessert, some magazines you've browsed, carry a few extra dog biscuits in your pocket when you're walking.

Not necessarily free. . .still good stuff. . .

Consider capturing fam and friends in everyday moments with a digital camera. Upload the pics to a photo service like Shutterfly They will practically design a memory book for you!

Consider purchasing one. . .Who has time to properly scrapbook? Who doesn't want their digital media uploaded somewhere "safe" (always back that up of course)? Who couldn't use a daily reminder that life is beautiful and amazing and precious?

Consider thinking like a photo journalist. Get creative with your editing software. Print in black and white. Move your subjects off-center.

Consider having a ginormous black and white fav photo printed (even bigger than standard poster size). Carefully cut the print into big and small "puzzle" pieces. Frame each piece in identical simple frames and hang the pieces in your stairway.

Take pics early and often. Love early and often. Make your home and heart open, inviting, gracious. It costs little and the smiles are indeed priceless.

Follow your heart, and home suddenly becomes effortless. . .priceless. . .