OK. I'm going to try again. I started posting and my computer crashed ARGH!!! I lost it all now I have to do it again.
The quilt is finally completed. I'm just now getting around to posting. It's just been crazy here. If you missed the beginnings of this quilt you may want to check out
I think "in this economy" is one of the most overused phrases of 2009, yet I keep using it myself. For example... In this economy, I can't really afford to pick up little "just because" gifts for friends when I see something I think they'd like. So I've been trying to come up with things like hostess gifts that I can make myself. Sitting and looking at my own old, stained coasters at dinner the other night, I came up with this idea for a quilted drink coaster.
You've probably seen the fabric before. I bought too much of it and have used it for several projects already. It says "spring time" to me, so I thought it would be a nice change on our dining room table. Maybe it will encourage spring to show her lovely face.
Start by cutting front and back pieces into 5" squares. I also lined these with some white fleece that I had leftover from another project. You could use batting or any other scrap fabric you have. The lining should be cut into 4.5" squares.
Take the lining you've chosen and tack it to the wrong side of the back piece. Tacking it at the corners will make it easier to turn right side out later. You can skip this step if you don't mind fidgeting with it later.
Place the back piece and front piece right sides together, pin, sew around the edges, leaving a gap for turning. Clip corners and turn. Iron.
Fold the opening in, pin, and sew all around the outside of the coaster. There's not much seam allowance, so if you don't feel comfortable living on the edge (or at least sewing on the edge) then you can increase the size of the original squares to 5 1/4" square.
Now it's time to quilt! I simply made a spiraling square. You could sew along the line of what's on your fabric, like around the flowers that are on mine. If you've used a striped fabric, you could sew along the various lines. Use your creative genius here!
I ran out of time (which is why I'm posting this so late) and have only made 4 so far, but will get to the rest of them today. I think they would be a perfect hostess gift tied up in a set of 8.
Look at these cute crafts you can make with your kids. Just couldn't pass up sharing them with you all.
Angela from Heart of the Matter has posted a wonderful easy Easter Bingo. This could be made in any theme: Christmas, Spring, winter, Valentine, ...etc.
Look at these beautiful beaded eggs. Head over to Make it From Scratch and check out how you can make some.
You can decorate your eggs however you like. I used a variety of items here to demonstrate some variations. I personally find just the cloth covered non-decorated egg very pretty. I used raffia for a makeshift ‘nest’. Raffia works well because it does not have to be perfect to be pretty.
You can place them in a basket, in a crate, in a crock…or perhaps use them in egg cups with place cards.
I chose to place mine in the middle of an arrangement on my husband’s great-grandmother’s organ and am actually thinking of ‘grubbying’ up another batch to replace these.
I will also mention that these are very easy for small hands to make–so let your little ones get dirty helping you make a few dozen for whatever project you have in mind. (Little girls love having ‘fancy eggs’ for their play kitchen.)
Do you have a ton of plastic Easter eggs left over every year? Why not make them permanent spring decorations in your home?
Best way to do this? Cover them!
What You Will Need:
Plastic Easter Egg Castaways…go turn over those toy boxes and retrieve them from the bottom OR head to your nearest dollar store where they are likely to have a big package for $1.
Mod Podge (decoupage medium)
Foam or Paint Brush
Paper plate or newspaper to protect your work surface.
Fabric Scraps–this is also a great way to upcycle those old t-shirts, dresses, blouses, curtains, etc.
Ribbon
Tacky Glue
Any other embellishments you can think of. I usually ransack my craft closet and end up with a pile like this one:
and it just keeps growing and growing and growing…
1. Cut diagonal strips of fabric. Each will take around 12-14 strips. They do not have to be even or pretty–just make a pile.
2. Coat an egg (around the seam of the opening in the middle first) with a thick coat of Mod Podge. Wrap the fabric strips until the entire egg is covered. You will want those strips going in all directions which means your hands will get dirty and sticky and you will have to continue adding Mod Podge to the edges of the fabric to make sure everything sticks down well. I would have taken a picture of this part but Mod Podge will not come off of a camera easily. Sorry!
And my husband says I will never use 200 rolls of ribbon…ha!
3. Continue covering as many eggs as you would like with each of the fabrics. Let dry overnight.
Don’t worry! They will dry clear and slightly shiny!
Tomorrow I will show you how to display and decorate your fabric eggs!
Stephanie from Make it from Scratch posted this craft. It was so neat I thought I'd just pass it along on my blog. Check out Stephanie's site it is cool. I will be hosting the MIFS carnival here at my site on May 5th so stay tuned.
I have made several of these little "hobo-style" bags in different colors so I have one to go with everything. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much you can actually fit into this purse. They are fabulous for spring and summer to carry all of those essentials- cell phone, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm and your wallet or checkbook. I kid you not, you will fall in love with them!
I found these handkerchiefs at my local Pat Catan's for $1 each!!! They had every color under the sun and I may have to go back for more. I thought they would make cute gifts for my nieces. I think they would also make nice Easter baskets or Mother's Day gifts. A teller at our bank liked my red one so much that she borrowed it to make some for her Red Hat Society group!
Begin by pressing your handkerchief. Mine measures 22 X 22 and I measured in 8 inches from the corner. Tie a knot in each corner at about the 8 inch mark. Then, tie two of the ends together with a double knot. Repeat the double knot with the other two handles and you're done!!!
I suggest really working to tighten the knots so they don't work their way loose with all of your things inside. You can also make a bag like this out of a larger handkerchief (think of the cool vintage ones at thrift stores and garage sales) to carry your beach essentials this summer!
Well, guess I'd better post some pictures again of my quilt progress. I'm making this quilt for dd's graduation. Back in August I posted pictures of the quilt material. Quilt-to-be I've been working on it but just haven't been able to post pictures. So here are pictures. The top is completed. The back I sewed together today. Now I need the batting so I can sew it all together. Then the quilting part begins.
sorry about the quality of the pictures. For some reason when dd downloaded them this afternoon they were distorted with yellow blotches. I don't know why, but you'll get the just of the quilt.
Finished quilt squares:
Finished quilt top:
Quilt top with final boarder all the way around:
Pillowcase...
The main pillowcase is the same material as the back of the quilt
This is not my original. It came in my e-mail. But I like it none the less so I thought I'd post it here.
In honor of the "spring teasing", this craft is a fun one for the little ones- a cute melting snowman to warm your home.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
White felt
Large White pom pom
White glue
Black dimensional fabric paint
Small twigs
Fabric or felt scrap for scarf
Scissors
Small sliver of orange foam, felt or fabric (fabric paint will also do)
Step 1: Cut a large, wavy puddle shape out of the white felt.
Step 2: Cut a wavy v-shape out of the scarf fabric and cut fringe into the ends of it. Glue onto the puddle shape.
Step 3: Glue the twigs in place on top of the scarf and glue the pom pom on top of the twigs. Hold for at least 30 seconds to allow glue to set up and keep pom pom from rolling off.
Step 4: Glue or paint orange onto the pom pom for the nose.
Step 5: Using black dimensional paint, make dots for the eyes and mouth on the pom pom; make dots for buttons on the white felt.
Looking for a way to update your plastic refrigerator magnets? Why not gather your clothespins–or spend $1 on a package of 20 at the dollar store and revamp them! Tis’ the season for pink…and here’s how I did it:
Angela who blogs at Heart of the Matter has given step-by-step picture instructions on how to make these cute simple clothespin magnets.
What You’ll Need:
Clothespins
Cardstock
Tacky Glue
Ribbon
Roll of Magnetic Stripping
1. Trace the clothespin on the wrong side of the cardstock and cut strip.
2. Glue strip to clothespin and add bow or any other embellishment you can think of. Stick magnet to the back of the clothespin.
This one is not my original but came to me in an e-mail. However, it is so nice and feathery that I just had to share it now with Valentine's Day this week. It came from Angela @ Heart of the Matter
What You Will Need:
1 Wire Coat Hanger
1 Roll of Feather Boa
1 Piece of Ribbon (Your Choice)
1 Embellishments (Optional)
Step-by- Step with pictures:
1. Bend hanger into the shape of a heart. Try not to stress about this…it does NOT have to be perfect, you are covering your mistakes!
2. The goodies I used on the heart–wire beads because they wrap nicely. I got these at an after Christmas clearance.
3. Wrap the hanger with the boa. Add your ribbon to hold the two ends of the boa in place. Add your embellishments.
Other ways to use this wreath– use clothespins to hang their Valentine cards or hang your daughter’s bows on it. I may add my daughter’s name to this one before hanging it on her wall. Any crafty ideas on how to add it?
I have been meaning to post this for some time. This is Christmas presents my daughter made...
They turned out so cute.
I posted the directions to tea cup pincushions long time back so just thought I'd post the link here for anyone who wanted the directions. You may find themhere.
Now how cute is this ornament. Angela over at Heart of Matter gives step-by-step instructions with pictures. It is just way too cute to not pass along.
If this isn't the cutest apron I've seen. Just Call Me Jaminhas made these for Christmas gifts. They look nice and easy. What little girl wouldn't want one for her doll. Well, head to her site for the directions.
These little guys are just way to cute not to post about. Valerie over at Heart of the Matter has posted step-by-step directions on making your own snowfellow or gal whichever you like. click here to go to the directions.
Today I thought I'd share with you a craft that I saw at a craft sale and then came home and made one. Shhhh don't tell anyone. They are so easy to make and would make wonderful party gifts, door prizes or hostess' thank you gift, teacher's gifts , you name it. I made this one in less than 30 minutes.
Here's a picture of the finished product hanging on my oven door.
Items you'll need:
kitchen towel and matching hot pad set
button to match
sewing machine
thread to match towel and hot pad
Step # 1
Gather the towel down the center so that it is same width as hot pad
This is the back side of the towel. so you can see the gathers
Step # 2
Make sure both printed sides are facing up. Center the hot pad on top of the towel. Sew across the center of hot pad attaching to the towel.
Step # 3
Fold the hot pad and sew the button on opposite side as the loop of the hot pad
Your towel is now completed and ready for hanging on oven handle.
This is so easy and quick. You probably could even make it without a sewing machine.
Look at this beautiful centerpiece I found on-line. It even has edible pieces (candy is what I call it; chocolate to be exact.) However, I just wanted to share the link with you and let you all know that there are step-by-step directions with pictures so you can make one for your own Thanksgiving table. Head over to Incredible Edible Crafts and you'll see how fun and easy it is to make.
Just thought I'd share pictures here of material I got to make my oldest daughter a quilt for her graduation come May. So I have to quit dreamin' and get hummmping. I trust it turns out well. This is first one for me. I'm trying to picture it and hope it turns out. This is the pattern that spurred me; however, I won't be using snowman and mitten material. I'm using musical material I found at Wal-Mart and Jo-Ann's
So use your imagination here is the final pic of snowman but it with my material to follow. The mitt / snowman appliqué in center of squares will be a musical 8th note appliqué using this material
Here is picture of all my material that I've chosen for the quilt..
my favorite is this one.....
It has the words to Amazing Grace on it I made the picture bigger so you could see it real good. I'm going to use for the backing and make the main body of pillow case with....
We all must have a lighter side to us and I'm hoping that in my blogs to share crafts, game ideas, recipes, funny happenings etc. I have another blog with my quiet spiritaul thoughts as well.
Angela DeRossett is military wife, homeschooling mother, and an advocate for autism research. Angela can be found blogging at 
