goody-goody

tgif quickie :: bow tie clips

It's Friday! It's a three-day weekend! If you're one of those homebodies this weekend, like myself, I have a speedy little craft that's perfect for last minute birthday gift toppers or for a special little something for your little something. Or for yourself--I have been accused, tried and convicted of borrowing my girls' clips without permission. I just shout "Whatever!!", stomp my feet and march down the hall. It really confuses them.

Get it:

• two rectangles of felt (preferrably wool, 'cause we'll be using hot glue later) measuring 1" x 2", pinked on the ends
• one slightly smaller rectangle pinked all around (this is for the back)
• fabric covered button kit, small swatch of fabric
• small snap clips
• needle and thread
• glue gun for the grand finale

Do it:

• Make your fabric button according to package directions.
• Pinch your little rectangles in the middle, making them look like cute bow-tie pasta. Sew through the middles to secure. Sew on button to upper noodle and then sew the two noodles together, rotating the bottom one 90 degrees. Double-thread your needle to make it nice and strong.
• Sew your noodle/button stack to the clip with the clip open. It doesn't have to look pretty (just look at mine!). Just secure it in place.
• Using a 1/8" hole punch, make a little hole in the remaining pinked patch, about 1/4" inch away from one edge. Slide the patch onto the clip, poking the clip prong into the hole. Adjust it to make sure it will cover the clip when glued. Glue the patch along the edges. If you can figure out a way to do this without burning the heck out of your fingertips, let me know. It's very embarrassing to be found by your kids flailing about with glue strings flying and using some not-choice words.

I hope you have a great weekend, wherever you are! I leave you with a pic of my not-so-cooperative model. She's beautiful...in a grouchy, "I'm going to bite you" kind of way.

tgif quickie :: seed packet cards

Taking a break from fabric projects this week. Too much time at the machine has given me a sewing hump. Nice image, huh? I've always loved the old-fashioned seed packet graphics. I wanted to use one as an envelope, sleeve-style, and thought--heck, Iet's use the seeds in some paper for the card. I'm crazy like that. Making paper is really really easy. Break it down, mush it up, smoosh it back together. That's about it. Yup.

Get it:

• 3-4 sheets (8.5 x 11") white "rag" type paper. This just means white paper that's dense but nice and toothy. Like watercolor paper or heavy-weight art paper.
• Construction paper in desired colors. Just a sheet or two will do. This will be the accent that colors your paper.
• Small piece of screen + dowels or wood for "handles"
• kitchen dishpan filled about 1/3 full with water
• Seeds! You might need to buy a few more than is in each packet to have a nice scattering. Wilflower mixes are great.
• Paper towels and kitchen towels for blotting

Do it:

• Tear up your white paper into small strips and then tear those strips into tiny pieces. Tear, tear, tear. Think of the guy that cut you off in traffic. Think of your annoying neighbor. Think of that tax rebate check that still hasn't shown up. And how you've already spent it.

• Put your tidbits in the blender. Add 2 cups of water and let sit for 15 minutes. This gives the paper time to get all fat and bloated. Blend on medium for a minute. Check it. Still super-chunky? Blend a little more. Once it's just kinda chunky, add small bits of colored paper (also torn into tiny pieces) until you reach a color you like. It will dry lighter, just so you know.

• Pour your pulp mixture into the dishpan. We won't talk about how gross it looks. But you know what I'm talking about, right? Sprinkle your seeds on top. I'd say two tablespoons will work nicely.
• Stick your hand in the vomit--uh, I mean pulp and stir it up.

• Make little handles for your screen using the wood, roll it up a bit and clamp it with a clothespin. Holding these, put the screen in the pan and shake it back and forth like 'yer panning for gold. This will agitate the pulp, make it float up and settle down on the screen. Gently lift up the screen. Lots of holes? Put it back down and agitate again.

• Once you get a nice thick layer of pulp, gently pull it out, let it drip and put the screen on a towel. If you still need more seeds, sprinkle some on top.  Place another fine weave towel on top and blot. Change the towel underneath once it gets saturated. Keep blotting until the pulp is dry enough to gently peel off and put on another towel. Let dry. The paper will curl slightly so if you want it to dry really flat, then weigh it with a book or something heavy on top. It will take a lot longer to dry this way, and I'm not that patient.

• Once your paper is dry, tear or cut into smaller pieces and glue onto cardstock for a super cute, sproutable garden notecard! Enjoy. Happy Friday!