Finishing What I Started...

In trying to finish projects that I have left either half completed or partially constructed, I have given myself yet more to do. Which is nice, because as things have slowed down significantly at school, I have been able to finish some embroidery projects. (I should have ironed this panel after I washed it, but I didn't. Please forgive the wrinkles!).

This was a fun embroidery sampler to work with. I like to use bright colors... I think it keeps me in a better mood when I am surrounded by bright colors.

I had the most fun stitching the roof. There were some stitches I had never tried out before, that I was surprised came somewhat naturally once I gave them a whirl.

As I was organizing my craft/fabric bin two weekends ago, I decided that a patchwork border around this panel would be great.... then I'll turn it into a pillow. I'll keep ya'll posted on that as it develops.

Speaking of pillows... I also finished embroidering a pillowcase. I stitched up a Buenos Dias (Good Morning) pillowcase quite a bit ago. I finally got around to finishing this one. The scroll-skull-flower accent along the top, had been alone on this pillowcase since last summer.


AND... in maintaining the pillow theme here... I am going to finish another set of pillowcases. On one of my many visits to Joann's, I stumbled upon this pack of pre-stamped pillowcases while stocking up on embroidery thread.


I don't know why I love this, but I do. The ruffles at the edge of the pillowcase make it extra velveeta cheesy, but I just adore it. I opted for red and pink colors as opposed to the purples the instructions suggest. Red is my favorite color, so I wanted to stick with something I enjoy.


Hopefully I can keep up this kick of finishing what I started. I still have two quilts to finish...

Until next time...

xo,
K

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know it's a little late, but Happy Valentine's Day! I send lots of love to each of you, today and always.


I put together this jar of Hot Tamale candies for my friend, Nick. I thought it was so funny.

Hearts and love your way!

Until next time.

xo,
K

Tying up loose ends...

I mean that literally and figuratively. I have been trying to organize different areas of my house and clean out my closet, cupboards, and shelves in order to eliminate any clutter and such. What with my move to Tucson in the near future, I am trying to make sure I don't pack things that don't need to make the trip. My craft box was a disaster and after organizing it all, I found all these unfinished projects. So, I decided to begin finishing up the things that I started and I am only allowed to finish up the things I started before I can start a new project altogether.

I like to keep my embroidery items in cigar boxes, and then I leave them on the coffee table or around the living room. They look like decor to people who come over, but any free time I get to sit, I can pop the cigar box open and stitch whatever is around.

I bought this adorable embroidery sampler from Charlotte Lyons, because I wanted to practice my stitching and knotting techniques. I had left it half finished in my sewing/crafting bin. Now is the perfect time to finish it. (BTW, there are some other adorable items in her shop).

Aside from the stitchery work, I finished up my Valentine's treats for friends and family.


I even received some Valentine's in the mail from some very lovely friends.

My cousin, Marcela, whom I lovingly call Martz because she is like a mini-Martha Stewart, sent me this adorable sewing book with vintage buttons and heart pins on the pages.

Nick, my very good and wonderful friend sent me this handmade card. His penmanship is phenomenal!

Ok, back to stitching!

Until next time.

xo,
K

Mourir Auprès de Toi

I have the great fortune of working with a wonderful professor/scholar/librarian, Suzanne, who shared this video with me while working in the library today.

Olympia Le-Tan is know for her embroidered books-turned-clutches and Spike Jonze has made some great films. Their collaboration yielded this risqué short film. Considering how much I love working with felt, I can appreciate the work that went into the felt arrangement for the film.

****Notice: This is a film for adults, so if you have a child near or on you, this might be the time to send them to the next room.***

Spike Jonze: Mourir Auprès de Toi on Nowness.com.

A Bow Tutorial

I have been falling in love with the recent trend in bow ties for men and women. I wanted to get my own... but, I don't wear button-down shirts enough to wear a bow tie all the time. So, I thought and I thought, and decided that a bow tie necklace would be just as good. I played around with some felt this morning and wanted to share this easy tutorial with you... AND, it is super cute for Valentine's Day!

To make this lovely little bow, you need:
-felt in any color you like
-glue (I used Beacon Felt Glue)
-scissors

To get started, cut one piece of felt that is 4 inches long and 1 inch wide. Cut another strip that is 5.75 inches long and one inch wide. Cut the last piece 2 inches long and 0.5 inches wide.

Take the 4-inch piece of felt and cut a triangle out of each end.

You should end up with something like this:

Set that piece aside and take the 5.75-inch piece of felt and fold the sides toward the center. You are going to be gluing these two edges to the center.

I just eyeballed where the glue would go... put some glue under the first edge you fold over... and then glue on the second edge...


Turn this piece over and lay it on top of the 4-inch piece of felt. You'll want the seam side down.

This is where things got a little sticky for me, but you are going to wrap the small strip of felt over the center to create the bow and you'll want the edges to overlap in the back... that's where the glue will go.

To begin, scrunch the bow up a bit to create that look of a bow.

Rest the strap over the front and wrap it around.

Add some glue to the under side of the first edge...

Then add glue to the edge you place on top of that.

I used a clothes pin to hold the bow in place while the glue dried.


Once the bow was dry, I used a plain chain necklace I had in my jewelry box, and threaded it through the loop of the bow. Voila! A bow tie necklace.

This bow is cute on a bobbypin for the hair, as well... or on a hairband... or on a bracelet... I think you could do multiple things with this little bow.

Hope you enjoy!

xo,
K

It's the little things...

If there is one thing I enjoy most in this world... it's sewing. It's so satisfying to take fabric and some notions like this:

And turn them into this...

My brother had asked me to make him an ipad case and when I stumbled upon a tutorial over at Fresh Lemons, I knew it would be perfect. He plays the drums, so I embroidered a little set on the front. The tutorial for this case is one of the best I have ever followed and is easy, as well.

On a different note: I have to send a huge THANK YOU to Jenn over at Broomsticks and Lace for giving me a blog award!

Liebster is German for "dearest" and this award is for blogs with less than 200 followers. Now, as a recipient I am supposed to give the award to 5 other blogs with less than 200 followers... but, it appears that all the bloggers I enjoy visiting have more than 200 followers... So, I am going to have to get back to you all on this.

Until next time!

xo,
K

A Valentine's Day Wreath

I started making wreaths like this about 6 or 7 years ago (maybe longer, not sure) and even though I would make them in different colors for any time of year, they became my go-to Valentine's Day item to make.

They are very easy really, they take more time than anything. I finished mine in an afternoon.

All you need to make this wreath is:
- a styrofoam wreath
- some cardboard to re-enforce the back
- glue (I used Aleene's Original Tacky Glue)
- 2 yards of felt in the color of your choice (I always buy extra felt just in case)
- a pencil, chopstick, or something to puncture the styrofoam with (I used the end of a small paintbrush).
- a little cup
- ribbon to hang the wreath

I start by tracing along the outside and inside of the wreath on the cardboard, and then cut it out. You can trim as necessary. The cardboard will be covered, so it really isn't a big deal if it's a little crooked.

Add some glue all around the cardboad.

And stick it to what will be the back of the styrofoam wreath.

While that dries, cut the felt into 4x4 inch squares.

Now you can begin to add the felt to the styrofoam. Pour some glue into a cup. Take your pencil or stick instrument of choice. I used a small paintbrush end, and place it in the middle of a square of felt.

Dip the felt into the glue.

Then stab (sorry, couldn't think of a better word) that end into the styrofoam wreath.

Repeat the process all around the wreath, making sure to place the felt close enough to one another that they create a sort of ruffled look.



Once you finish, let it dry. I let mine dry for 24 hours, just to make sure it rests enough. Then I used some red ribbon and just wrapped it around the entire wreath and hung it up.


Hope you get to try this out. It's a lot of fun to have as decor... if I do say so myself.

Until next time.

XO
-K

Tell Martha I'm Mad at Her

I was having a tranquil Friday afternoon, wandering around the grocery store when I spotted something out of the corner of my eye...

I dropped my basket of groceries and proceeded to flip through the new Martha Stewart Magazine... Martha's Halloween and Valentine's editions are the only things my life comes to a screeching halt for. I was flipping through the glossy pages of wonderment when I spotted it... the one thing Martha knew would drive me into a wild fit of obsession...

I woke up early this morning and hit up ebay and etsy in search of vintage heart lockets in order to try to re-create this charm bracelet... and as I was clicking and refreshing on a bid like a mad woman, that little voice in my head said... "Kristen, step off... you're out of control." I calmly signed out of my ebay account, stepped away from the computer, and shrieked, because Valentine's Day is in a month!

I gotta get to crafting! I have garlands in mind and handmade cards... I need to get a move on!

I kept thinking about what I would make to send to my family and friends for Valentine's Day, and heart felt items sound good to me... because they will be heart-felt... and hearts made of felt... hee hee!... I am a dork, I know...

I have felt ready for a wreath project which I will share in a few days, but I wanted to share a little round-up of freebies and tutorials that I have been saving for a year.

There is a great felt heart ornament tutorial over at Fave Crafts.

The Purl Bee has instructions for some super adorable heart felt pins.


The following links I stumbled upon solely because of the lovely person behind How About Orange. These are free printable templates for cards and a coffee sleeve!

Get these here.

And these here.

These are so stinking cute, I can't even handle it. They can be found here.

Off to get covered in felt, craft glue, and glitter!

Until next time...

XO -K