a little contribution

I finished the journal for Service Boot Camp today.  On one hand, I feel like a total slacker for only doing one.  On the other hand, finishing this one was quite a feat due to a sewing machine malfunction which I will rant about in Tuesday's post.  Either way I'm happy to contribute a little something to a good cause. 

If you would like to know more about The Write It Out project or Service Boot Camp, click on the link to the left of this post.  It's not too late to join in by either making a journal or donating a few dollars for a good cause.  

Craft on! 

i'm looking at your buttons

You may have noticed something different on the side of my blog . . . or you didn't.  Either way, let me start at the beginning.

When I first started this blogging thing five months ago, it was on a whim.  I knew nothing about blogging.  In fact, at one point two years ago when all my friends were starting blogs to share their deep thoughts with the world (or their ten closest friends), I actually made an oath that I would never start a blog.  So naturally, two years later I started a blog.

Then when I started my own blog in January, I made an oath that this blog was just for me.  I wouldn't care if other people read it, and I certainly wasn't going to get sucked into any other blogs.   So naturally, now five months later every time I get a new follower who does read my little blog I do a happy dance, and I have a mile-long list of blogs I read devotedly. 

Then a month ago when I started noticing that many of the blogs I read talked about "grabbing a button" . . . well, first I thought, "How am I supposed to sew a little round button onto my computer screen?" . . . then after I figured out that buttons were a way of promoting and linking blogs together and most of them aren't even round, I made an oath that I certainly would never have a button.  So (you can tell where this is going by now) naturally, this past Friday I made and posted a button.  It's not pretty or polished or professional looking . . . but it's my button nonetheless.  A button only a mother could love I guess.    

Don't worry.  I'm not delusional.  I don't actually believe that a random little button from a random little blog will actually find its way onto any other blogs, but it was a super fun challenge to figure out how to make one . . . a techie craft. 

So that brings me to a feature post that I'm going to start tomorrow . . . Monday's Buttons.  I've found so many cute and creative buttons on other people's blogs.  Some of these buttons are on blogs that have five followers and some on blogs with 500 followers.  On Mondays, I'm going to do a short post featuring some of my favorite buttons.  I've found some great one's so far, and I'm going to be looking at yours too. 

Craft on!

make it: fabric postcards

First things first.  I'm continually reminded how totally out of my league I am in this hobby of crafting and sewing when I check up on all the blogs I follow.  (And I actually read every blog I follow - yikes!  Talk about a time commitment!)  There are some AMAZINGLY creative people in this world, and every once in awhile I get to find myself featured alongside of these talented crafters.  This week I'm pinching myself for tutorials that were featured on: 
One Pretty Thing created by Rachel

Sew Cute Tuesday on Creative Itch authored by Misty

Under the Table and Dreaming by Stephanie Lynn

Second things second.  Yesterday, I posted a tutorial for a no-sew fabric postcard that takes less than 10 to 15 minutes to complete.  Today, I'm showing off a fabric postcard tutorial that takes a few more minutes and a sewing machine.  

Find yourself the following supplies:
1 - 4 x 5 inch rectangle of fast2fuse Double-Sided Fusible Stiff Interfacing
1 - 4 x 5 inch rectangle of plain or solid fabric
1 - 5 x 6 inch rectangle of contrasting fabric
embroidery thread and Peel n Stick Fabric Fuse Permanent Adhesive (optional)

1)  If you want to embroider a line down the center of the side you will write on, do that first in the middle of the 4 x 5 fabric rectangle.  I did this on some postcards, but not the one you see in this particular tutorial.

2)  Fuse 4 x 5 inch fabric rectangle to one side of stiff interfacing according to package directions.  Now center this piece in the middle of the 5 x 6 piece with and fuse to the other side of the interfacing.

3)  Double-fold all the edges of the 5 x 6 piece up around the 4 x 5 rectangle and iron.

4)   Sew around the folded edge.  This will sew fabric and interfacing together.

5)  If you used solid fabric and would like to add shapes, use Peel n Stick Fabric Fuse Permanent Adhesive according to package directions. 

Behold a beautifully unique postcard.  Stick a stamp on it and . . .

craft on!

make it: no sew fabric postcards

I have a disease. I went to Hobby Lobby today to pick up one item that I needed to finish my eighth craft till Christmas. ONE ITEM! I left with said item . . . I also left with three rolls of fabric remnants. Okay, okay . . . all three cost me less than $3.00 total, but that's not the point. I DON'T NEED ANYMORE FABRIC! In fact, I have enlisted in Service Bootcamp in hopes of reducing my fabric supply. So tell me this: Why can't I resist the call of a great fabric pattern or a simple fabric staple for a super cheap price? I need an intervention. I need help.

In the mean time, here's a fabric postcard tutorial (showing my newest staple additions to my fabric supply - a simple neutral linen) . . . actually, there are two fabric postcard tutorials. Below is the first. It is basically a no-sew tutorial (with just a few optional needle and thread stitches).  Tomorrow's post will include a tutorial for a postcard that does involve using a sewing machine. 


But first, for those who don't own a sewing machine or just want a quick easy project to complete here's the no-sew option.  Remember this is part of my eighth craft till Christmas and goes with fabric stationery, fabric envelopes and a fabric mailbox.  Look at past posts if you are interested in those tutorials.

Get the following supplies:
1 - 4 x 5 inch rectangle of fast2fuse Double-Sided Fusible Stiff Interfacing (picture below)
1 - 4 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch rectangle of plain or solid fabric
1 - 4 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch rectangle of contrasting fabric
1 package of 1/4 inch double bias tape in color of your choice
embroidery thread or Peel n Stick Adhesive (optional)

1) Again, embroider line down center of fabric rectangle that will be the write-on side. I actually used Peel n Stick Adhesive to make this line on the postcard shown here.

2) Sandwich stiff interfacing in between fabric and iron according to package directions. There will be an edge made up of about a quarter of an inch of fabric all around the interfacing.

3) Trim edges of fabric so that they are even all around.

4) Cut four strips of bias tape - 2 that fit the long sides of the rectangle and 2 that fit the short sides of the rectangle.

5) Sandwich fabric edges into bias tape and use no sew fabric glue to attach all four pieces of bias tape. Put two short sides on first and then long sides.

6)  If you want extra security at the corners where the bias tape overlaps, you can put a few stitches in at each corner.  This is optional.

7)  Also optional . . . use Peel n Stick Adhesive to make a dividing line down the center of the write-on side of the postcard.

Enjoy making these for your children, friends, family or others.  Remember you can send these in the mail as long as you check with your local post office about the current postage needed.  And this is a great way to work at trimming down the pile of fabric you have in your craft area . . . you know you have a pile . . . maybe it's even bigger than mine!

Craft on!

what was lost has been found!

Before you do anything, go back to my post from a couple of days ago, "Button, Button, Who's Got the Button?"

Okay, now look at this picture, and count how many fabric postcards you see.

Three?  Uhm . . . no . . . my two year old would be able to count four postcards, so why couldn't I?  Yes, that's right I spent the last four days turning the house upside down looking for a 4 x 5 rectangle of extra stiff fusible pellon that I had already made into a postcard a week earlier.  Ugh!

Tonight I pulled out all the fabric stationery, envelopes and postcards that I have already completed for this month's craft till Christmas.  I sat there, trying to decide if I was going to make another stationery-envelop set or another postcard.  And all of the sudden, I realized that I had four postcards . . . yes . . . FOUR.  Apparently, I had completely blocked out all memories of making one of the postcards - which I can understand after looking at it because it's by far my worst one. 

So what was lost has been found . . . already made into a postcard.  

Back side pic . . . fabric postcard tutorial coming soon.

All I can do is laugh about it and . . . 

craft on! 

make it: fabric envelopes

Things that go together:
peanut butter and jelly
fun and sun
Thanksgiving and turkey (Or tofurky - if you are a vegetarian like me.)
rest and relaxation . . .

and, of course, stationery and envelopes.  Okay, this may not have been the next obvious pair that came to mind for you, but stationery needs an envelope like carrots need ranch (according to my kids who won't eat raw carrots without ranch).  So here's the next tutorial in the pretend and play mail carrier kit for my eighth craft till Christmas . . . envelopes.

Grab this stuff:
1 - 8 1/2 x 10 inch rectangle of fabric 
1 - 8 1/2 x 10 inch rectangle in contrasting fabric
1 - 8 x 9 1/2 inch rectangle of Heat n Bond Ultrahold Iron-on Adhesive (or any double sided adhesive)
1 - 1 inch rectangle of fusible Velcro (My spell check says that this should be capitalized, so I'm going with that.)

Do these steps:
1)  Take both fabric rectangles and cut off a triangle measuring 2 inches at the base from the top corner.  Notice corners in picture.

2)  Place fabric right sides together and sew around outside edge leaving a two to three inch opening at the top (the flat edge between the cut off corners).

3)  Place Heat n Bond on top of this newly sewn piece.  Trim corners of Heat n Bond to match fabric.  Fuse with iron according to package directions.

4)  Take paper backing off Heat n Bond.  Trim corners of fabric and carefully turn right sides out.  Turning with Heat n Bond fused to one side is a little tricky but possible if you left a big enough opening for turning.     

5)  Fuse other side of fabric to Heat n Bond (which is now sandwiched in between two fabrics).   

6)  Sew straight line across bottom of this piece (not the top side with the cut off corners). 

7)  Fold bottom third up over middle third to form the envelope pocket. 

8)  Sew around the envelop starting at one corner of the fold. going up and sewing around the cut corners (this also closes up the opening used for turning) and ending at the other corner of the fold.  Do not sew across what is now the bottom of the envelop.

9)  Attach fusible Velcro according to package directions.

10)  Write a note to your child, friend, co-worker or random person on the street on fabric stationery.  Insert into envelop and the pair is finally complete!

I know I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but if you try to make fabric stationery or envelopes, I would love to see a pic.  Feel free to e-mail me or link it up on your blog and let me know. 

Craft on!

button, button, who's got the button

Heads Up, Seven Up

Red Rover, Red Rover

Freeze Tag

I Spy

Simon Says

Button, Button, Who's Got the Button

These were some of my favorite childhood games.  When we had to stay inside for recess on rainy days, I looked forward to playing "Heads Up, Sevens Up", "Simon Says" and others, but my favorite game was, "Button, Button, Who's Got the Button".  I'm playing that game today except the button in question is a 4 x 5 inch rectangle of extra thick pellon and the players are me, my husband and two children, ages five and two. 

And I'm posting today to say that my favorite childhood game is no longer "Button, Button, Who's Got the Button" because 4 x 5 piece of stiff pellon has driven me to madness!  Last week I cut out four 4 x 5 inch rectangles to make fabric postcards.  I made one and then got distracted with fabric stationery with every intention of coming back to the postcards.  And I did.  I made two more postcards with the fabric for the fourth one cut out and ready to go, but my last of these little buggers is missing.  This stuff was one of my crafty splurges (that's code for it was bloomin' expensive), and I am DETERMINED to find it!  I've asked the three other players - husband, Peanut and Monkey.  I've turned my house upside down.  I've looked through fabric piles.  I've even rummaged through the garbage, and I don't have a clue where it could be.

Aaaarrrrgggg!  Where could it be?

What have you lost lately?  Please someone tell me I'm not alone in this madness!

Craft on . . . I will if I can find this little rectangle!