Pinterest DIY Fringe Scarf

So I've not been feeling well lately, which has been a blast, and so was looking for something fun to do while chilling in bed today. And recently, as I mentioned in my last post, I discovered Pinterest, where I've been carefully pinning different things I want to try! And today I knocked one off the list - booyah! So here we go! You need an old t-shirt (could be really fun with a multicoloured fun pattern... this orange one I had, and love, has an expanding hole) and a good pair of scissors (I used fabric scissors).

Then, start cutting!

First, start by cutting off the top of the shirt - lose the sleeves & neck.

First cut!

Ta da!

Then, from the bottom, start cutting strips to make the fringe.

I felt very 80s doing this part hahaha

This used to be a t-shirt!

Neat, eh?

Okay, then pull a few of the fringes - I thought this was a weird step until I did it and it actually makes the fringes...I dunno...just better. hahaha So do it!

Pulling! 

Then I tied a few knots, some at the very ends, some in the middles, some part way between.... I didn't tie them all, but a few throughout.

Knotting!

And then, voila!  This is a horrid picture - I'm lounging in my bed taking my own torso shot hahaha - but you get the idea.

Ta da!

If you DON'T get the idea, see the original, with her instructions here:

http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2011/08/diy-fringe-scarf/

So, if you're like me and hanging on to your favourites full of holes, turn them into fabulous scarves and make it even MORE favourites!

Happy crafting, folks! :-) 

DIY Batman T-Shirt

I'm SO EXCITED to share today's craft with you! I saw the idea on Pinterest originally the other day aaand have been flipping out GIDDY waiting to do it myself. hahaha 'Cause I'm an uber nerd like that. And I used cardstock, so it totally falls under my paper-crafting expertise area! ;-)

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BATMAN T-SHIRT! BOOyah!!

What you need:

• a solid-colour t-shirt (white won't work, silly!) - I got ours at Wal-Mart for $4-$9 (I think Mr. Man's was the pricey one - oy!)
• a spray bottle of bleach (STRAIGHT bleach; don't dilute it)
• the Batman sign (which you have to cut out, so scissors, of course)
• and if you're cooler than me maybe some spray-adhesive to help hold the paper to the shirt while you work...especially if it's as windy for you as it was for me!

So I was GOING to draw the symbol and cut it out, 'cause I totally mastered that skill at Hallowe'en when I carved a Batman pumpkin (it was awesome, if I do say so myself...and I totally do!) but wanted to just verify something aaaaand realized in the Googling that I could just print the thing off and save myself the angst of the drawing.... duh!

I got the Batman image from Google search: "how to draw batman symbol" which brought up the image from http://www.dragoart.com/tuts/3751/1/1/how-to-draw-batman-logo.htm  You can get this logo pasted into a PDF for printing here)

Then, obviously I think, I cut it out. I should have used my craft scissors, but being lazy and the weather ridICulously hot today (aiding my laziness take over) so I just used the kitchen scissors. O:-)

Did you know when you cut shapes, especially round ones, that it works best to move the paper and NOT the scissors?  Try it next time you're cutting out a circle; just hold the scissors steady and move the paper along the line you're cutting. It's the secret to a lump-free round cut!

Batman's all cut out and ready to go!

Then I went outside and laid my shirt out flat, and put the paper pieces down on the shirt.

Placed on the t-shirt.

ALMOST READY!

....then I pulled the greatest face EVER...

Dang it! There was quite the gust of wind... I think this is why the original suggested using spray adhesive to help hold her letters on... silly short-cutting!

Then the spraying began!  The idea is to spritz above the shirt and let the bleach sort of float down onto the shirt.

Waiting for it to dry a little before moving it...see how much lighter the shirt is already?

Next shirt!

Spray up above the shirt and let it fall down

like this!

Then remove the paper and voila!!

Ta da!  ...except you can see on the bottom right where I slightly didn't spray UP and got a wee bit under the paper... O:-)

 Because I sprayed our shirts SO much (to make the symbol stand out oodles) I sprayed the backs, too.  A bit lighter, though, 'cause I wasn't screening anything on that side. Just so it wasn't funny looking. 

The coolest family of Batman shirts EVAH! SO excited to wear these!

Once they're dry you're supposed to be able to wear them and go...but I don't like my clothes reeking of bleach, so I ran them quickly through a short wash first.

Isn't that GREAT?! I'm SO IN LOVE! And, obviously, you can do ANYTHING! The pin that I got this from was of the kids' names on the shirt and the blogger had tried a cross that she then added jewels to - it was very pretty!  The sky is the limit, folks! Make yourself something fabulous!

I'm going to go watch Batman.

iPad, Nook, or Kindle Handmade Cover

Finished Product with "Real Book" as an Example.

Although I do not own an iPad, a Nook or a Kindle (I'm a little old-school when it comes to my method of reading), many of my friends do. When one such friend went out of her way to do something special for my family, I wanted to return kindness with kindness by making something specifically for her. This post will teach you how to create a handmade cover for any electronic device.

Craft Ingredients:

old hardcover book
craft knife
1/2 " wide elastic 
scissors
fabric
ribbon
hot glue gun
cardboard
scissors
fabric

Craft Directions:


1. Cut the pages out of the book with a craft knife.
2. Iron the fabric.

Step 3. Elastic Inserted into Back Cover.

3. Cut two (2) openings in back cover. Insert elastic and hot glue to book cover. Turn elastic to inside of book cover. This elastic will be used to keep your iPad, Nook or Kindle in place and keep the electronic screen protected.
3. Measure the book's height and width, add 1" to each, then cut the main lining piece (should be shaped like a rectangle).
4. Using the same book measurements, cut two (2) cardboard pieces the size of both book covers.

Step 5. Glue Fabric to Cardboard.

5. Glue 1/2" edge of wrong side of the main lining to one (1) cardboard side piece. Turn fabric over, right side out.
6. Glue the main lining and cardboard into the back of the book.The ends of the elastic should be hidden by the fabric covered cardboard. Glue lining in place along spine of book.
7. Glue lining in place along spine of book. Repeat directions in STEP 5 and STEP 6

Steps 8 and 9. Glue Lining to Cardboard and Book.

8. Repeat directions in STEP 5 and STEP 6 for the second piece of cardboard/ front cover of book.
9. Now that the book lining is place, glue any gaps or puckered fabric to the hardcover of the book.

Step 10. Glue Ribbon to Book Lining.

10. Cut ribbon to the size of the book lining perimeter. Glue ribbon to cover gap between lining and book cover. This ribbon will be used to create a seamless edge and give your lining a polished look. Just because something is handmade does not mean it needs to look cheap.

Drawstring Backpacks

Do you have the problem that I have with road trips and kids?
They want to bring too many of their toys to occupy them while on the road
(when, in actuality, they just watch movies....)
So, I decided to create something fun and colorful to restrict the toy-bringing on road trips.

My husband brought home from work one of those nylon drawstring backpacks.
Clever.
Functional.
But nothing that says: "These are my toys! Stay out!"
I stewed and I mulled.
And finally, I determined that I could make one of those drawstring backpacks.
And I did.
It was so simple (and even more so, if you don't do the monograming on the front)
It is the prefect gift (in fact the ones shown are for my nephew and niece for Christmas) -- just stuff with a few goodies from the dollar store and you've got yourself a cute, and inexpensive Christmas gift for a lucky boy or girl!

You will need:
~ 1 yard of material (this will actually make 2 backpacks)
                              -- I use heavier material so that it is sturdier then the cheap cotton.
~ sewing machine
~ thread
~ scissors
~ nylon rope
~ grommets
~ grommet punch (just ask around if you don't have one --- lots of men have them for camping gear -- not as cute as a craft store one, but will do the job nicely)
~ felt (if choosing to do a monogram) -- or contrasting material
~ iron
~ ruler

First things first.
You will need to cut your yard of material in half, length-wise. This is how you get your two backpacks.

Fold over the ends of the fabric one inch and iron with your hot iron
(make sure you turn the steam off --- don't want to blister your fingers)
ALSO fold in a little part of the end and iron, so that it doesn't fray when you have the rope through the holes.

Pin it down and sew so that you now have a loop for your rope.
Do this to both ends of the fabric.

~*~ this part is totally optional, but really, what kid doesn't like something that they know is theirs? ~*~
You'll need to print a letter out on your computer that is the size that you want. I went for fairly large.
Cut it out and trace around with a pen on the felt then cut that letter out.

Pin it where you want it on the side of the bag.
Then sew with your machine around it
(or, if you're like me; and can really only sew well on a straight line, ask someone else to do it for you.)

When your letter is sewn on; bring the right-sides (the patterned sides) together, pin the edges and sew up the sides.
MAKE SURE you DO NOT sew  through the loops that you've made for your rope.
That would be no fun, you kind of need it open.
Turn it right-side out.

You're almost done!!!! (go and take a chocolate break if you need one!)
Now for the pounding part--
With the grommet punch a hole in the fabric through both sides
(you might have to use your scissors a little to complete the circle.)
Get the grommet set up and pound, pound pound it on there.

Now you're ready to string the rope through the top of the bag.
Cut off two strands of rope, about 43 inches long.
(when strung through, it needs to be shorter by about 1 1/2 to 2 inches so that when the strings are drawn they won't be too long)
You might want to wrap your ends with tape (just keeps 'em from fraying), and then attached a safety pin to help you thread it through.

OK, I have thought and though about how to explain this one (so I hope that I'm clear, if not; feel free to contact me)
Go in through one side and come out. (1 & 2)
Continue through the back side of the bag, so you're now going to go through the other loop (still 2)
Then exit where you began, just in the back (3)
For the second rope, do the same thing, but start on the other side.
The two "drawstrings" will share the same loop hole, one on top of the other.

You will then have string that look like this.
When you pull on the them the bag's top will close (that is when you know you've done it right)

Now thread the ends through the front of the gromment and tie a knot
(the knot should be on the back of the bag)

And you are DONE!

Yippie! Go have some cocoa and cookies and pat yourself on the back.

You've got a rockin' awesome gift.

And it only took you about an hour to do it!

Fabric Pumpkins

Fall is my absolute FAVORITE season.

You wanna know why?

~Because I can leave my decorations up for three whole months!~

These pumpkins are just the thing to create the warmth and glow of the fall season in your home.

My mom gave me a set of pumpkins just like these about five years ago -- I love them.

So I'm now sharing with you

(this is where you clap your hands in exaltation and joy --- and go and get your glue gun ready!)

--And the best part about this craft is that most everything with a "fall-theme" is on sale--

Cast of Characters:

~3 different prints of fall material: 1 yard, 1/2 yard, 1/4 yard (on sale at Jo Ann's)
~10 oz bag of batting (make sure you don't get quilter's batting or you'll be out of luck)
~ jute twine (I got mine at Hobby Lobby)
~Rafia
~1 lb bag of rice (or beans, if that is what you have)
~2 stems of leaves/berries (I got mine at Hobby Lobby -- they were 40% off)
~sewing machine, thread, scissors
~hot glue gun

1. cut your material for each of your pumpkins.
           large: 17" tall x 27" wide
           medium: 12" tall x 21" wide
           small: 10" tall x 17" wide
     (this is already measured for seam allowance)





2. turn your material inside-out and sew your edges together to make a cylinder
~ double-check your seams to make sure that you got all the material.
(you don't want to start stuffing and realize you've got a gap --- yeah, I did that already, just passing on my hard-earned wisdom)

3. Leave your material inside-out. Gather one end of your cylinder together and bind together with thread, twine, a rubber-band -- whatever your have. (The messier end)
I used thread and just wound and wound and then threaded a needle and made a couple of knots when I felt that I had enough around the bottom.



4. Turn it right-side out and now you have a little bag. Kind of adjust it so that you won't have a lop-sided pumpkin.

5. Get your rice out. You can measure it if you like (this is for the small pumpkin, and I measured out 1/3 cup --- the others, I just poured until I felt I had enough)
* the rice/beans are in the bottom just so that there is a little bit of weight. There is absolutely NO science to this.





6. Now you're ready to STUFF!
~I bought a 10 oz. bag of batting and used most all of it for the three pumpkins so don't be shy about using it.
But DO make sure that you have enough room at the top to gather the fabric a tie it off to look like a stem.

7. Tie off the tops of your pumpkins. I used rubber-bands. (It just seemed easiest.) You could use thread or even some of the jute twine. Your choice.
~Now make "ribs" on the pumpkin by winding the jute around the pumpkin and criss-crossing on the bottom.
I made 6 ribs of each of my pumpkins.
~Think like you're cutting a pie - the jute goes down one side and up the opposite, wrap it around the stem and create a "pie-piece" and do the same thing. Tie it off at the top when you've got the look you're going for.


8. Now it's time to decorate. Get those leaves and berries and pull them off the stems.

9. After you've pulled them off the stems, you'll probably want to cut them into individual leaves.
Leave stems on if you want.
~Get your glue gun out and plugged in.




10. I began by "dry placing" the leaves and berries onto the top of my pumpkins around the stem to see what I liked.

Get your glue gun and glue your decorations onto the pumpkin. I just put glue on the stem and a little bit of the ribs.

~When you're satisfied with what you've got; get some of the raffia and tie a bow around the stem to finish it off. (You could do this BEFORE you put the leaves on -- I just forgot and did it after.)

...and now, you have some beautiful autumnal decorations to sit on your table or mantel.

Something that you can leave out for three whole months!