Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Burlap Heart Garland Tutorial

Today my tutorial for this cute Burlap Heart Garland is being featured over on the Therm O Web blog. It's a fun, quick, easy project - great for Valentine's Day!

Of course I can't sew any project without the help of Marbles!  He had a splendid time playing in all the lace!
 

After the hearts were sewn, I sprayed them with Glitter Dust.  I love Glitter Dust!  The glitter won't flake off your project, the adhesive won't alter your project, and it just adds a hint of glitter!  
Here you can see the little sparkle when the sun hits it.


I think this garland would be cute in traditional Valentine's Day colors also.  I wanted it a little more subdue since I was making it for my dining room.

Check out the tutorial and whip one up today!!


Amanda

Friday, January 24, 2014

Family Love Pillow

Today I am a contributor over at Ginger Snap Crafts!  I love Ginger & her fun blog - she has so many great projects and ideas!  I came up with this fun idea for a Valentine Pillow.  The heart on the front of the pillow has a zipper in it and inside the heart are 5 smaller hearts.


There is one heart for each member of our family.  Everyone has their name on the back of the heart.  Every day from February 1st to the 14th we will choose a heart and write a positive quality or character trait on that person's heart.  On Valentine's Day, everyone will receive their own heart.   I am  hoping it will help us have extra love in our family!

The pillow is actually made from a drop cloth, this is the pillow back:


Check out Ginger's blog for the full pillow tutorial!


Amanda

Monday, January 20, 2014

Vintage Paper Hearts

 I got together with my friend for a little paper crafting!  She has super amazing taste and ideas!!  She came up with this fun project.  I love that the hearts are soft colors and not super bright red and white - definitely a vintage feel.  Here's how you can make them:

First cut out "nesting" hearts on the Silhouette.  We cut about 12 different papers so we could mix and match.


Use "Distressing Ink" to age the egdges.


Next, paint white glue on the edges and dip them in "Vintage Sparkle" glitter - its the best color of glitter ever!!

Once they were dry, layer them and sew the center on the machine (of course I had to get some sewing in the project!!)


Aren't they looking cute?

Gather peach, cream, and pink crepe paper on the sewing machine until you have a pile.

Hot glue the gathered crepe paper around the back like this:

When they are finished, I sprayed them with Glitter Dust - it's magic in a can!  It gives them a soft dusting of glitter - just like the name says!  And the glitter doesn't flake off!


I just can't get enough of them!  They are all over my house!

I wanted to make a garland with some of them, so I glued three to a piece of lace.  I added additional ruffled crepe paper.


I love how my tea cabinet looks!  I love this picture from the Graphics Fairy.  I printed it out in an 8x10 and framed it.

I also made a paper rosette and glued a heart in the center - I hung it in the guest bathroom.
I'm ready for Valentine's Day now!!!

Amanda

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

CHA 2014

I got invited to go to the Cha Conference and Trade Show in Anaheim and hang with with my Therm O Web friends!  It was so much fun!  (Cha=Craft & Hobby Association)  The entire convention center was filled with beautiful paper crafting products, samples, displays, and inspiration!
I was most excited about meeting my friend, Julia from Therm O Web, in person.  We have known each other online for quite some time - so this was a real treat!  She is such a sweetie!  I love Therm O Web!  I couldn't live with out their products!!


This is the Therm O Web display.  I came away with some fun goodies - can't wait to use the Glitter Dust spray on some Valentine projects!!

I was also thrilled to meet Lori Whitlock who designs for Echo Park Paper Company and whose designs are part of Riley Blake Fabrics!  

I was hoping to meet up with Carina Gardner who I met at Sewing Summit, but she had already flown home.  Here papers are beautiful - also from Echo Park and also a Riley Blake Fabric Designer.

I was totally thrilled to meet the Duck Tape people and make my own Duck Tape bracelet!  I think my kids helped pay for their display :)


I loved the Pebbles display (Pebbles in my Pocket).  They had such cute, inspiring projects on display.  I love this Valentine banner with photos - I gotta make one of these!
More cute Valentine crafts!
I love this cluster of paper daisies with doily accents.
Love this banner with the sheet music layered with doilies and patterned paper!


I can't remember whose display this is, but it's an entire wall shelf unit made with wood crates - genius!

I thought this was s cute take on a display board only its a door!
I loved the Basic Grey display - they have super cute papers!
I was so excited to meet Rachel Brenchley who is the creative gal behind their designs!  Of course I love Basic Grey because there designes can be found in fabric too!!

I ran into these gals who are part of The Documented Life Project.  It is such a great idea - check out there link to learn what it's all about!
Amanda

Monday, January 13, 2014

Lost and Found 2 Placemat Tutorial

Today my placemat tutorial is being featured over at Riley Blake Designs.  It is featuring the Lost and Found 2 line of fabric that is absolutely delicious!  It is the perfect mix of vintage and trendy!  I am so thrilled to finally have placemats for my new table!  They are super easy to make and finish!





I wanted to show off the fabrics so I kept the design pretty simple.  I love the feeling the crochet lace adds!







Amanda