goody-goody

DIY Scarf Round Up

                                      Image from How About Orange

If you're like me, then you love pulling out the giant rubbermaid filled to the brim with scarves for Fall. We have so many, I've lost count. It's like seeing old friends again! Now, truth be told, I"m not much of one for knitting or crochet. I've tried many many times, but I struggle to finish projects that can't be done in a few hours.

So I've put together pack of fun scarf tutorials that are yarn + needle-free. They are great for gift making, but I say treat yourself first. Let everyone ooh and ahh..and then decide who's worthy. Click on the pics to link to each project.

One of my all-time faves from the sew mama sew blog. I've made these longer to fit an adult. The hidden button feature is so cool!

From Dana Made It. She calls it a summer scarf, but I plan on making them in lightweight wovens for cooler weather, too. Sometimes you don't want a giant wool pashmina strangling you.

This one has the whole modern, cool hipster vibe going for it. And her tutorial is hilarious. Chevrons are IN, baby. Remember all that Missoni bruhaha chaos at Target? Egad.

Reversible! Yes, please! Not because I'm finicky about which pattern goes with my outfit. It's more likely I will spill salsa on one side and need to flip it over.

Have a plain scarf that just needs to be gussied up? Check out this little lovely using a freezer paper stencil and fabric paint.

No-sew scarf using t-shirts? That settles it. I'm going to the thrift store tomorrow. A little (gross) tip? Always sniff the pits before buying any used knits. Hey, that rhymes!

From Just Another Day in Paradise, this one literally sent me digging some sweaters out of the donation bag. It's all about the size of your pom-poms, people.

And, finally, Martha, Martha, Martha. Oops, I promised no yarn but this one uses super-bulky weight yarn. But we're only tying knots here, so I'm lettin' it slide.

That's a scarf for every day of the week + one. Woo-hoo! And if you need some new ways to tie your old scarves, watch this video. Pure awesomeness.

Get Organized Roundup

 

We had our first bit of rain today. In our neck of the woods, that's pretty early. We're usually still sporting flip-flops and pit-stained t-shirts well into October. I panicked. I'm not ready! I'm not organized! For goodness sake, we still have swim goggles hanging on the kitchen doorknob. So I poked around on the internet (which is my solution to many things--don't do anything, just research what you should do) and found some pretty darn cute and clever ideas to get things in order. Just click on the pics, they should guide you to their source and project directions.

These are the first thing I lose around here. With such a cute key rack, I would happily hang 'em up!

photo courtesy of How About Orange

Yes, yes, yes! I practically did a happy dance when I saw this one. You never see peoples "stuff" on the designer blogs. Well, I have kids--and the school paper trail is painful. Such a cute sorter. Great directions, to boot.

photo courtesy of bright and blithe

I love the color combos on these cans. Although this is a Father's Day tute, I like the idea of having initials to divvy up everyone's loot.

from parents.com

Road trips do a number on our car. How perfectly subtle is this organizer? And to put it in or take it out, all you have to do is remove the head rest. Saweet.

from the mayfly.com website

Buckets are my friends. Lots and lots of buckets, please.

from vintagericrac

Has anybody seen my phone? Anybody? I like the idea of having a pen and pad at the ready, too. Brilliance strikes when you're least prepared, you know.

from the always wonderful design sponge

Thanks for stopping by!

Tissue Cozy Round-Up

                                         photo courtesy of the adventures of blue girl xo

Hi! If you're like me, the beginning of Fall is full with crafty possibilities. Kids are back in school, yummy coffee drinks are out in force and you can actually stomach the idea of snuggling up with the sewing machine without your thighs sticking to the chair. I'm going to feature some great crafts for Fall here under the theme "Fall Friendly". Let's not refer to them as "gift-giving" ideas, because that adds all kinds of pressure and may incite a panic-attack. I like to circle the Holidays non-chalantly and then pounce when I'm good and ready. I don't need anyone telling me I'm already behind when I haven't even started yet. You, too? Happy we're on the same page.

School is synonomous with snotty noses and communicable disease. Learning seems to take a back seat when all I want to do is decontaminate them when they walk through the door. I love me some tissue cozies--they're portable, cute and make me feel like I'm doing something (without really knowing if they use them or not). With one in each backpack, desk and purse..I feel armed and ready. Here's some cutie ptootie tutorials out there (just click on the pictures and you'll be on your way!):

From The Adventures of Blue Girl xo, with a zipper!

A sweet felt-one, perfect for the hand-sewer or kid:

I love this sopisticated one:

These little red cuties would be perfect all year:

And you can never have enough sweet florals. Yum.

Happy Weekend, wherever you may be!

Winner + Valentine's Love..

Hi there,

I just drew a number and Angelika from Germany is going to have a mushroom in her mailbox soon! Please e-mail me your address and I will get it on its way. Thank you to all who entered!

I shamelessly adore Valentine's Day. I am ready to say goodbye to January and get my love on in pinks, reds and white. Even a little yellow. And I love to start any holiday with a new, cute wreath. Here are some lovely crafty bits from around the web. Hopefully you'll start to feel the love, too. Are you counting how many times I used the word love? I annoy myself sometimes.

tutorial from {beautiful nest}

 

tutorial at {Take Heart}

Clothespin wreath tutorial at {Family Chic}..finally, a place to pin up all those little valentines!

How many licks would it take for my kids to get to the center of this wreath from {Tid Bits from the Tremaynes}? One..two...three...crunch!

Happy Friday!

Stick it shrooms! (finally + a giveaway)

Remember these guys from a while back? I meant to have this tutorial for your holiday sewing, but life got in the way. Spring is almost here and that's a good time for mushrooms to pop up, no? Making these pincushions is easier than making actual stuffed mushrooms, if you ask me. Plus they don't get all soggy by the second day.

Here's the template: Download Mushroompincushion

I think it's easier to print one out (and save it for later, if needed) than for me to tell you to cut 3" circles and send you on a hunt for something circular around 3" in diameter to trace in your house. Abbreviated instructions are on the template, too. But I'll tell you the details here.

Get it:

• Fabric, solid and patterned. Scraps will do--you won't need much
• Small bit of stuffing
• thread/needle or sewing machine
• small pebble or rock for base
• pins for decorating

Cut 3, 3" circles. One from patterned fabric for the top and two solid. Linen is lovely. I put three circles on the template just to show you that you need one of each. They are all the same size. Place the patterned one on top, solid on bottom, right sides out. Sew around edge, either zig-zag on a machine or blanket stitch by hand. Leave a 1/2" opening. Gently stuff and slipstitch opening closed. Mushroom head!

Sew a running stitch by hand around the edge of the last solid colored circle. Knot at end, but leave thread tails for gathering. Place rock in middle and gently pull ends to tighten fabric around rock. Secure thread by sewing through the gathers a few times, like cinching up a sack. Trim off any excess. Starting slightly lower than your gather, whipstitch your stem to your cap. Make sure it's sewn securely. You may have to stitch around a few times to get it nice and tight.

Depending on your rock size and shape in the stem, your mushrooms may be a bit leaning or floppy. I like them like that, but if you really want your shroom to stand perfectly upright, pick a rock with a wide base and slightly flat edge for it to rest on.

It's the perfect gift for yourself if your resolutions involve more sewing..and make a few for your sewing friends, too.

I'd like to give this little shroom away (pins, too!) to a reader. If you'd like to enter, just leave a comment about what new sewing projects you have planned for this new year below. I'll generate a random winner on Friday!

 xo.

Yeah, I know.

Hey there. (awkward pause) It's been a while. (shuffles feet) I've missed you. (looks away)  Forgive me? Yes?

Thanks to those of you who keep coming here to look up some fun, quick projects. I have some great ones cooking in my noggin' for holiday gifts and cute decor. So, bear with me, I will be back. First up, mushroom pincushions and easy holiday bunting (or garland, whatever you will, let's not fight about it). But, if you need something NOW, check out these cute Thanksgiving printables from Beverly at Flamingo Toes:

      

How cute would they be in frames? All they need is arrows and I would follow them..anywhere. Because with our family, Thanksgiving eating is taken very very seriously. If you don't pop your button at the end, there must be something wrong with you.

xo

Giveaway! 2011 Sewing Calendar

A super surprise showed up the the mail the other day. I had completely spaced on some of my projects being in the new 2011 Sewing Calendar. Imagine my joy to see my bitty bug on the front flap! Okay, it's hidden in the corner of picture, but it's there. I know you were looking. A quick flip through and I spotted my fabric-covered beads, catnip toy and jingle mouse ornament. Fun! The other projects filling up the days are truly amazing--enough to keep you sewing all year long. This time they sent two, so I am giving one away. Just leave a comment below before the end of day Friday August 20th and I will use a random number generator to pick a commenter.

In other bits, I had the best time at Renegade. Sales were pretty good for us four gals and we had a blast just hanging out together. Everyone was so friendly and the booth designs were stunningly creative. Walking around and chatting with the 250+ vendors made me wish we could form our own crafty city and all be neighbors! 

The tablecloth is all a-wrinkle because I forgot mine at home. A big save--thanks to Jaymi's hubby and a pair of Amy's scissors. Not too shabby after all! Pics courtesy of Amy, too. Here's us in the photo booth at the end of the last day.

 

That's all for now! xo.

Winding down..

We spent the past week in secluded bliss in the Sierras. This is the view from where I sat on the beach at the lake most days. No phone, no computer. Just books, puzzles, beads, swimming and floating. Lots of floating. It was wonderful.

I was so happy to come home to my own copy of Megan Smith's Sewing 2010 Calendar in the mailbox! You can find my projects in February (Matyroska tooth pillow), March (bow-tie hair clips & robot pocket pillow), May (easy business card case), November (fat quarter purses), and December (patchwork eye pillow). You can find these projects on my sidebar, too, but this calendar is chock full of wonderful ideas from all over the web. Megan did such a great job compiling them. I'm already starting a mental list for gift giving this year. The most exciting part is that a pic of my bow tie clips made it on the cover of the box! Woo-hoo! (Bottom right..I know, you might have to squint a little...)

Bitty Bug Pincushion

Looking for a quick fix? This pincushion is the perfect answer for Mother's Day or when you need to make a little somethingsomething to give to a crafty friend. It's so super easy you'll squeal! (And not in a "Eek, it's a bug and it's flying at my face" kind of way).

Get it:

• 2 circles of linen or plain fabric for tummy and back. I used a jar lid about 3" in diameter as a template

• 2 circles of print fabric for wings, same size

• 1 darker circle of linen or plain fabric, slightly smaller

• 2 antennae--I used jute twine cut into two 3" pieces, knotted on one end

• Optional ribbon loop (ribbon about 5" long) for hanging or attaching to scissors

Do it!:

• Get your pieces cut and laid out. Fold calico pieces in half and place, fold side towards middle on one of the plain pieces. Fold dark circle in half and place perpendicular to wings, fold side middle, as well. I know, it sounds kooky in writing--just look at the picture!

• Iron pieces flat. Pin to keep in place, if needed. Place antenna on top of darker folded circle, knotted ends towards the middle. I left a lot of the length hanging off--easier to cut it off later than to have them too short and pop out.

 

• Fold ribbon in half. Place loop inwards and cut ends on the side. I put mine off to the side a bit, so it doesn't look like he's pooping. I know, I think about these things way too much.

• Place other linen circle on top and pin all around, making sure you've got all your pieces where they will be sewn in nice and snug. Nothing's worse than having to go back, turn it again and sew a seam that didn't catch the first time. I back-tacked over the antennae and ribbon loop to make them extra secure.

• Sew all around edge, like a fabric Moon Pie leaving a thumb-sized hole for turning. Trim off excess twine or fabric, turn and stuff. If you'd like a little heft to your bug, add a few of those glass gardening pebbles to weigh it down. Stitch closed. Add french knots for eyes. Voila!

These would also make a fun gift for a child--sew a "hatch" of three or four without the ribbon loops and put them in a small floral drawstring bag. Or fill them with lavender for a sweet-smelling sachet.  If you decide to make some, be sure to post some pics to the goody-goody Flickr group. I'd love to see what you come up with.

thanks for stopping by!

*btw, pincushion design and pattern is for personal, non-commercial use only. Please do not sell items made from this tute. Thanks!

Pint-Sized Pocket Pillows

Whew! Finished just in time for the weekend! These little guys (and girls) are about 5" tall--the perfect size for little hands..and possibly Easter baskets? The pockets can accomodate all kinds of small and wonderful treasures--a lost tooth, a little love note or a tiny treat. I like customizing the patterns with bits of color on the clothes or changing the hair a bit. I'm not too fussy an embroiderer--if one foot ends up bigger than the other, eh, no biggie.

Get it:

Download Boygirlpillows

• small scraps of linen or other plain fabric
• embroidery thread, needle
• patterned fabric for back, pocket
• polyfil or wool stuffing

Do it:

• Print out pdf, transfer to plain fabric by taping to a window or tracing, using a light box, or an iron-on tranfer pen. I use a disappearing ink pen and a light box.

• Stitch your design. I use simple backstitching with two threads for the body and three for the colored accents. Tie off your ends well, cause you'll be yanking, turning and stuffing those kiddos.

 

 

• Once you've finished embroidering, dissolve ink pen with water and iron flat. Place stitching face down on fabric (right side up), pin, and cut out an eggplant-ish shape. As an added bonus, you get to see the seedy backside of my embroidery. Oooh. Naughty. Fold over the other patterned fabric and tuck (fold edge up) in between the other two layers. This is your pocket. Cut around the pocket to match the other shape.

 

• Pin all layers together and stitch all around, leaving .25 or .5 inch seam allowance. I tend to use a .5 just to be sure I get all those layers sewn in there and prevent the linen from fraying and popping out. I leave my opening on the side, to avoid involving the pocket. Turn, iron, stuff and stitch closed. Give 'em a squeeze. Just because.

Thanks for your patience on this one. And for the nice comments. You guys are wonderful cheerleaders! Happy weekend,

xo

Lauren