Immaculate Heart

So, I had this idea back in January that I would post something heart-related every day in February, and would have a whole month of hearts here on my blog. Since today is the 10th and this is my first heart post, you can see my plan didn't quite work out! ha! Good intentions.....

But I am here today, and wanted to share with you a little project I finished not too long ago. I have long loved hearts and the symbolism behind them, and I am especially fond of Immaculate Hearts. Here are a few of the Immaculate Hearts I have that inspired this project.

Free Boo Pattern

Introduction

This is a PixieKitten free pattern and an amusing Halloween decoration.

It has a little bat and three pumpkins along with the letters.  Make more than one as a decoration for home or office.

Boo can be setup in a number of different configurations just use your imagination.  It stands five and a half inches tall and ten inches wide.

Origami Crane Earrings (with Crane Tutorial!)

Pom-Pom Tutorial

This is a tutorial for making pom-poms using your
fingers. This one is a small, two-finger pom-pom
(about 1" in diameter) but you can make bigger ones
by using more fingers. As far as yarn choice, thinner
and softer yarn will make a more pleasing pom-pom.

mother day gifts and father day gifts

In honor of Father's Day, try a little napkin origami. Fold dinner napkins into shirts to create fun place settings. Note, however, that a recent study showed 7 out of 10 dads won't even notice. (Not really; I just made that up. But I think it might be true. Another study showed 100% of dads did notice money origami, though.)

Felt Egg Design Book

Come have a look at what is inside this little book...

Recycling packaging: gift bags from newspaper

When I bought something at a store recently, the clerk handed me my purchase in a bag made from a newspaper. I liked it very much and had to make some more—thus today's DIY recycled newspaper project: gift bags made from the Wall Street Journal. You can vary the dimensions, of course, but here's what I used to create a bag that's 5" tall, 4.5" wide, and 3" deep.

Gift presents: Make bags from envelopes and pretty tape

I got a little tape-happy the other day. This project is like the envelope gift bag tutorial from awhile back, but approximately 200% cuter due to fancy tape. These little gift sacks could be used as party favors filled with candy or as packaging for wee presents.

envelope purse: a tutorial

Envelope Purse

What an enthusiastic response you gave to my natural first aid kit! I know many of you are excited to make one of your own, especially since they are quick and easy. These little purses are far too handy to carry just band-aids and remedies. I'm sure you'll come up with tons of different uses and innovative customizations. I'd love to see them, so please consider adding photos to the flickr group... there are some great things happening over there!

Need:

Add caption

-two rectangles of fabric measuring 7x15 inches
-button -elastic cord or hair band
-thread

anniversary paper: DIY modern paper ornament

I love spiky starburst shapes, so I attempted a version of the traditional Polish porcupine ball. Here's how to make this cool 3D ornament—great for Christmas or decorating any time. I can imagine jumbo sized versions hanging at parties or weddings. They take awhile, though, so you'd better start making them five years before you plan to get married.

flower peeps!

Thanks for all of your healing thoughts yesterday. I'm truly fine and so is my finger. Having a day to just play and not even go near sharp tools was all I needed to get grounded. In fact, the play yesterday was extraordinary. A good reminder for the rest of the summer... let go of expectations and enjoy spontaneity with my children. I think my summer mantra should be "let go... and play". I used to be all about that, but having a shop has definitely put a little more pressure on me to work. So, as I'm a firm believer in "a reason for everything"... my little accident, and the dynamic day that followed, was a clear message to keep PLAY the priority for my favorite season. Yesterday began with a perfect weather and an unscheduled morning. It was a yes kind of morning...

Make a gift bow from a magazine page

In gift wrap emergencies when you've got the present but need some wrapping, here's an idea for turning a magazine page into a bow. There may be better ways to stick this thing together, but I used what I had on hand: staples and adhesive glue dots. Double stick tape should work, too.

Girls Spring Mini Tote - tutorial

 

As a kid, one of my favorite things about going to church on Easter Sunday was carrying a special little purse. Mine was round, white wicker with a hinged lid. I wore white gloves with itty-bitty flowers on them just to have something to put in the purse when I got to church. I was always such a tomboy, I can hardly believe it was me. I guess everyone likes to dress up and be girlie once in a while.

flowers for birthday: Paper flower tutorial

I thought some of you would enjoy a quick tutorial on how to make those little paper flowers I used as part of my table setting a couple weeks ago. The credit for these go to Martha Stewart (I saw this idea nearly 10 years ago in her magazine, but haven't been able to find it on her website). So here I go..

Step 1: Draw a spiral on a 4x4" square sheet of paper


Step 2: Cut out spiral along lines you have drawn

ornament craft: Felt Ogee Ornament Tutorial

I woke up this morning with an image in my head of a felt snowflake. So I asked my kids to make a few traditional fold and cut paper snowflakes for me before they left for school. I wanted to use them as templates for my idea. Instead, my 10 yr old showed me a 3D paper snowflake they had made in his art class. I loved the beauty and simplicity of it, so I changed my course! After some quick google research, I've found that apparently this particular 3D Paper Snowflake is quite prevalent on the internet. (there is even a 3D Paper Snowflake Flickr Group!) I made a few prototype attempts, applying the 3D Paper Snowflake Tutorial to felt and came to the following conclusion...


...it worked! I am in love with the curves and the "Ogee" shape of this design. It amazes me that it is created from a square and a few straight cuts. The original paper snowflake is made up of 6 of these shapes, each becoming one "arm" of the snowflake. I decided to stop at just one shape. The following design uses a thick 3mm 100% wool felt. I had been saving this piece for just the right project, and this was it!


Step 1: Cut one 6"x 6" square of felt. (For a piece this large, the felt needs to be pretty stiff, such as this 3mm wool felt. A 2mm thick felt would also work well, but I suggest decreasing the overall scale of the design for better stability.) Mark lines 3/4" apart, parallel to the perimeter, using a chalk liner pen. Mark a line diagonally across the square from corner to corner.


Step 2: Using a straight edge and an Xacto knife, cut along the first line from the corner to about 1/4" from the diagonal line. Make 2-3 passes with the blade, cutting a little at a time and keeping even pressure on the straight edge so that the felt does not creep while being cut.


Repeat until all cuts have been made, keeping the felt intact at each corner on the diagonal line. Chalk lines can be brushed away.


Step 3: Lift the corners of the center square and hand stitch the ends together with matching thread. Secure and cut the thread, hiding the knot between layers.


Step 4: Turn the piece over and lift the corners of the second square. Overlap the points and stitch together at each point.


Step 5: Continue turning the piece over, overlapping points and stitching until all 4 squares are stitched.


Step 6: Create a hanging loop at one end with a clear monofilament thread. I added a few felt balls (natch) to mine.


This makes a large ornament, about 10" in total length. I hung it in our big kitchen window, but was unable to take any good shots of it today as it was too gloomy for nice photography.


I also experimented with 3" squares of wool blend felt (thinner) and marking the cut lines 1/4" apart. I was able to use Fabric-Tac glue instead of hand stitching the corners. This felt was not rigid enough to hold the shape of the 6 piece snowflake when I tried to put several of them together. So, I opted to string them together vertically.


Felt projects inspired by paper projects is a natural. They don't always translate, but the result can be surprising, evolving into something new altogether. Like, have you seen these felt bows? Even my ol' pomander rosettes *grew* out of a paper project!
Source: blog.betzwhite.com

ornament craft: Ice Cream Ornament: Tutorial

Are you ready for two scoops of cuteness? Last month I did a demo of these sweet and felty treats at Quilt Market and I am (finally!) making good on my promise to show you the how-to's here and now.

Ornament craft: Felt peas

Anyone remember my Christmas Peas from last year? I decided to make them for quick teacher gifts this year, so I pulled out the felt balls and felted sweater scraps. (Mind you, pulling out those kinds of supplies for me means nothing, who am I kidding? I'm lucky if I can lay my eyes anywhere in this studio and NOT see felt balls and felted sweater scraps.)

Ornament craft: Holiday Hints

With just two weeks until Christmas (eep!) I thought it was time to share a few ornament ideas. I love handmade ornaments and they double so easily as a thoughtful gift topper on your holiday wrapping.


Drum roll please....the Gingerbread Ornament Set is finally available as a PDF pattern in my etsy shop! These little cuties are part of my Make New or Make Do™ sewing pattern line. This pattern includes directions to make a dapper Gingerbread Boy and his friendly dog Gingersnap, plus a wee Gingerbread House with charming little details. Suh-weet!