Give Thanks

I made this amazing chart last night.  It is for the month of November.  Every day you pull out the card for the day and everyone writes what they are thankful for on the card.  I just loved this idea and how you can look back on previous years and see how life has changed and also remind us of what we are truly thankful for. I am going to put the year on the cards for future reference.   I loved this idea!!!  I originally got the idea from this blog:  http://jellybeanjunkyard.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/tuesday-tutorial-give-thanks-gratitude-board/  I of course changed things to make it fit my needs.  I actually couldn't find the larger coin envelopes, so I ended up using the smaller and I think it is perfect.  I used vinyl lettering/numbers to make life a little easier too.  My board is 16 X 20.  I think it turned out great and it will meet the needs of my family. 

Patriotic Banner

For one of my ladies craft nights, we decided to make a patriotic banner.  My first attempt wasn't so brilliant because I didn't measure my mantle before I went to sew.  So I just guessed.  The top picture shows my original.  Then I unpicked all the triangles and put them closer together.  I am not sure if I like it any better, but I am not unpicking it again. 

Supplies:  Fabric, you can get about 16 (front and back) flags out of 1 yard of fabric.
                Bias Tape
                Thread
                Scissors
                Rotary Cutter and Mat
                Ruler

Instructions:  These are general instructions.
1.  We cut out triangles that were 8 inches across and 10 inches in length.  We used a rotary mat and cutter to make this process quick and easy.  You can also make a paper template to help with this as well.  Cut out as many as you would like.  Odd numbers look best to the eye.

2.  Sew the triangles in a "V" shape by leaving the top open and sewing the long sides of the triangles.  Sew about a 1/4".  Wrong sides should be together.

3.  Place the non-sewn edge of the triangles in the bias tape and evenly spaced and pin.  Decide how closely together you would like your triangles.  Sew along the edge of the bias tape catching both sides of the bias tape and the triangle.

Enjoy!

Sock Monkeys

I found a great website, http://www.craftpassion.com/2012/04/how-to-sew-sock-monkey.html/2 , that had instructions on making these adorable sock monkeys.  My kids loved them and each had to have one of their own.  They are very fun and easy to make.

A few suggestions that I would make are:

1.  Use a stretch stitch when using your sewing machine.  You will have a lot less chance of a young child breaking the stitch if it is a stretch stitch.

2.  Use an upholstery (curved) needle when sewing on the mouth.  I believe it will be easier.  I am going to try it out next week and see.

3.  It takes about 4 oz of fiberfill for one adult monkey.

4.  I used adult knee length socks and I thought they turned out way cute.

5.  Read the instructions.  I started without reading thoroughly and it cost me some time.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

Petal Flowers

Supplies:

Fabric: Satin, Tulle, etc.

Embellishments for center

Felt

Headband or Clips

Circle Template or Rotary Circle Cutter

Scissors

Needle

Thread

Pencil

Glue Gun

Step 1:  Cut circles out in varying sizes.  The more layers you have the puffier your flower will look.  Have a minimum of 8 layers.  Here is a circle template.

Step 2:  Cut 5 slits evenly around circle cutting about 1/3 of the way in.  This will form the petals.  You can do more or less if you prefer.

 

Step 3:  Begin cutting the corners of the slits to give the petals a rounded edge.  Do all the corners.

Step 4:  Using a heat source, such as a tealight or gas range, begin melting the edges.  I prefer to turn in the other petals to help keep them out of the way and it also helps create a roundness to the petal.  Do not put the petal too close to the fire or it will burn (blacken) and melt too much.  Always use safety measures when working with fire.  Keep a cup of cold water nearby.

 

Step 5:  It should look something like this after burning one petal.

Step 6:  Continue to melt the rest of the petals one at a time.  Be sure to melt all raw edges. 

Step 7:  This is what it should look like when done.  Notice the blackened edge.  That is from getting it too close to the fire.  Finish all flowers EXCEPT the tulle ones as they will melt entirely. 

Step 8:  Begin layering the petals in order by size.  Place the tulle in as well.

Step 9:  Using a needle and thread.  Tack the center of the flower by making an “X” stitch.  This stitch will hold the flower together.  It will also be hidden and not seen when embellishment is placed on to the flower.

Step 10:  Put a dab of glue on the embellishment.

Step 11:  Place embellishment in center of the flower covering the stitches.

Notice the difference with the top one which has 7 layers and the bottom that has 12-14 layers.  It makes and entirely different look.

Circle Flowers for Headband/Clips

Supplies:

*Fabric: Satin, Tulle, etc.

*Embellishments for center

*Felt

*Headband or Clips

*Circle Template or Rotary Circle Cutter

*Scissors

*Needle

*Thread

*Pencil

*Glue Gun

Step 1:  Cut circles out in varying sizes.  The more layers you have the puffier your flower will look.  Have a minimum of 8 layers.  Here is a circle template.

Step 2:  Using a heat source, such as a tealight or gas range, begin melting the edges. I like to hold it above and let it melt.  I do not hold it too close to the flame.  Do not put the edge too close to the fire or it will burn (blacken) and melt too much.  Always use safety measures when working with fire.  Keep a cup of cold water nearby. 

 

Step 3:  It should look something like this.  Continue with all remaining circles excluding the tulle. 

Step 4:  Begin layering the petals in order by size.  Place the tulle in as well.

Step 5:  Using a needle and thread.  Tack the center of the flower by making an “X” stitch.  This stitch will hold the flower together.  It will also be hidden and not seen when embellishment is placed on to the flower. 

Step 6:  Put a dab of glue on the embellishment.

 Step 7:  Place embellishment in center of the flower covering the stitches. 

Flower Headbands

Supplies:

Flowers

Felt

Headband

Needle

Thread

Scissors

Step 1:  Determine the amount of flowers you want to use and cut a piece of felt smaller than that. 

Step 2:  Stitch the flowers to the felt.  You may have to do it in more than one place depending on how your flower lays. 

Step 3:  After sewing all flowers onto felt, trim excess felt. 

Step 4:  Cut a felt strip that is no wider than 1 inch and about the same length as your felt on the flowers. 

Step 5:  Place felt on top of headband and felted flowers. 

Step 6:  Stitch felt to felt.  

Step 7:  This is how it should look when stitching is complete. 

Step 8:   Final product. 

Flower Clips

Supplies:

Flower

Clip

Felt

Needle

Thread

Scissors

Glue Gun

Step 1:  Fold a small piece of felt in half (Hot Dog Style) and put two small slits about 1/3 and 2/3’s of the way down.  The slits should be large enough for the clip to slide in when you have unfolded it.

Step 2:  Slide the clip onto the felt.  This is a view from the top. 

Step 3:  Using glue gun, glue the top part of the clip that is showing to the felt. 

Step 4:  Using about 18 inches of thread, thread your needle and knot it at the end.

Step 5:  With your needle and thread, sew the felt to the flower making sure that you do not go through all layers of the flower because you do not want your thread to show.

Step 6:  This is how the back of the flower will look when it is complete.

 Final Product: 

Duck Tape Ring

Supplies:

Duck Tape

Scissors

Step 1:  Cut the band.  It needs to be long enough to wrap around your finger and have some excess.  About 4 inches should be plenty.  

Step 2:  Trim off about 1/3 of the duct tape (hot dog style)  

Step 3:  Fold in half (hot dog style).  It maybe a little tricky because the tape does not want to fold in half.

Step 4:  Make sure that when you wrap it around your finger you have about 3/4 inch excess on both sides of duck tape. 

Step 5:  Using a small scrap of duck tape, tape the edges together.  Make sure that the ring band is not too tight.  It needs to be comfortable.  

 

 Step 6:  Fold the top in half.  This is the base of the flower where the petals will attach.  Double check that it is not going to be too tight on your finger.  Using the leftover tape, wrap it around the folded portion.

Step 7:  Cut out 20-30 squares the same size.  They can be small or large, but they must all be roughly the same size.

Step 8:  Fold the bottom corner of the square up almost the entire way. 

 Step 9:  Take the top right corner and fold it down leaving the sticky tape showing on the left side.

Step 10:  Begin by wrapping the first petal on to stem. 

 

Step 11:  Continue adding the petals to the flower.  Be cautious that you are not making the ring size too small.

Step 12:  Once you feel you have enough petals, determine if you would like one color or multiple colors to wrap around the bottom outside to help hold the petals together.

Finished Product

Note:  If your scissors get sticky, use rubbing alcohol and cotton ball to clean.