August 25th, 2011
So I finally got a hold of all my new My Mind’s Eye releases. I actually laid everything out and took a bunch of photos, but that’s a whole other post! Just looking and touching it made me really really want to play with it. So I rearranged some stuff and made some time to just get my hands dirty. First I had to unpack all my craft supplies. As I was doing that I found these three 5×6 pieces of foam core board and it got me thinking of what I could do with them.
I knew I wanted to play with all my pink goodies… if you could see how gorgeous they are, you would want to play with them too!
To make my Home Sweet Home wall hanging, I used pretty much all of the Lost & Found 2 Blush set not including the titles, and definitely including the 6×6 paper pack. I did cut some of the 6×6 papers on my cricut. For the Home Sweet Home lettering I used the Freak Show font (with SCAL) to cut it on my cricut. For the Bracket shape, I made a quick .SVG File that you can download for free.
The first thing I did was cut and mount this glittered dance paper on my foam core:
Then I used this Creamy Brown chalk ink to make the edges look a little edged.
So then I just played around with all the supplies and made these cute rectangles:
To get the striped ribbon to have those pleats, I just cut a strip of card stock a little more narrow than the ribbon, and ran the glue runner over it. Then I adhered the ribbon, and toward the end, I just made 3 loops. Then I ran the whole thing through my sewing machine – looped side first with a contrasting ribbon.
Then to put the brad on, I just took my crop-a-dile and punched a hole through the whole thing and dropped in the brad.
The other fun thing I did with this rectangle was use the coordinating stamps to stamp that cute but still subtle banner.
With this crocheted ribbon, I gathered it with my sewing machine with my very technical method of shoving it through the sewing machine quicker than it can feed itself.
One of the fun things I did with this rectangle was take the pearl swirls and cut them up to fit the bottom of the rectangle instead of using them as a full set. It worked so well and was a super easy way of customizing the pearls.
When all that was done, I glued the rectangles to a wide ribbon and looped it at the top, and hung it in my guest room (which so does not look like a guest room at all!). Yay for baby steps to decorate the house.
August 17th, 2011
Well we’re back from vacation, and I have a few end of summer resolutions, one of them is to post more on my blog! Oh and to just have fun doing it. In my line of work I have to be up on items that are trending as well as know what trends are waning. Here are some of my favorite trends in pattern right now.
* Doily – these are super huge right now and I think the trend is just starting, keep your eye out for a lot more doily prints, doily dresses, doily cakes, it goes on and on. I just need to have a daughter stat and paint a giant doily on her wall!
* Chevron/zigzag - chevrons have been trending for awhile now, and right now they are EVERYWHERE. I still see a lot of life in this trend though because they are so classic and clean. However I am trying to refrain from buying anything too expensive with chevrons because I’m sure in a year or two I’ll be sick of them. But if I could find a giant chevron fabric to reupholster my victorian sofa, I totally would, I’m sure it would be in style forever!
Bold Stripe – Cabana stripe, awning stripe whatever you want to call it, bold stripes are IN. Its like a chevron without the kitch. Loving it painted on furniture, floors, walls etc.
Hexagon – I have been obsessed with hexagons for quite some time now. When I attended Quilt Market a few months ago I saw lots of hexagon quilts and other hexagon inspired fabric projects. I especially love this appliqued pillow (shown below) This is fabulous and I’m going to have to make my own for the family room. It’s totally on my list.
Geometrics – Geometrics in general are trending. I love so many fabrics that are geometric, but it seams like they are all “designer” fabrics that cost $150/yard. Boo. But if you’re savvy you can find some affordable geometric fabrics from Dwell Studios and a few others. Just make sure they don’t look 70′s and you’re good to go.
Fois Bois / Wood Grain – It seems like wood grain is super popular but not in the same volume as chevrons. Probably because it’s harder to re-create. I still adore everything I see that has the wood grain pattern, and I hope it stays on trend for quite awhile longer.
Diamonds – I have seen a lot of diamond tile backsplashes latey, I think this is an upcoming trend, so keep your eye out for a lot of diamonds, and diamonds that kind of look like chevrons but aren’t chevrons.
Cane/Rattan/Weave/Bamboo – Although these types of patterns have always been big in professional interior design, they are now just starting to trend among normal folk (those of us who don’t pay $150/yard for fabric). I have seen ceilings and walls painted with the rattan pattern as well as lots of curtains. I think we will see a lot of pattern off-shoots inspired by this style
As far as trends that are waning, I’m sad to say that after a very long run, Paisley is declining in popularity. I have been a huge fan of paisley for the last 10 years and It just doesn’t interest me anymore. With the onset of a lot of these more clean, modern, and traditional prints, paisley will soon be retired until we decide we like it again.
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February 10th, 2011
It is true, I have baby on the brain these days! My Etsy favorites have changed from cute jewelry, headbands, and purses to baby booties and stuffed animals. I thought I would share some of the adorable handmade items for baby. Keep up the great work Etsy friends! Links are at the bottom.
Knit Hat • Personalized Necklace • Letterpress Thank You Cards • Wool Whale • Air Balloon Mobile • Yellow Teddy Bear • Teal Elephant • Cloud Pillow • Grey Booties • Owl Pillow • Onesie with Argyle Tie • Yellow-striped Baby Legs •
February 9th, 2011
Okay I know its been more than a year that I’ve done one of these. But I now subscribe to so many awesome craft blogs, that It should be easy for me (ha!). With the new blog design (what do you think??) I’ve decided to be a little bit more pro-active about my blog. Its been like 15th priority in my life, but I really love updating it, I just never make time for it. So I’m going to steal 30 minutes here and there to keep it updated. An easy way to do this is to celebrate other craft bloggers!
So without further ado… I LOVE cards. I think they are the perfect simple and quick craft. I subscribe to this cute little blog called Note To Self (isn’t that the cutest name??). Lindsay’s cards are adorable but not over-done. She has a great knack for balancing designs and elements but still keeping it simple and sweet. I’m super inspired by her work, so I’ll share a few quick images with you. Check Note To Self out when you have a chance!
How can you do wrong with a big red bow???
And this one is made with MY Fine & Dandy line from MME. Love the flower!
I love anything made with Kraft paper. Add some black and butterflies and you’ve got awesomeness.
I love these Christmas trees. I wonder if she cut them by hand? I definitely see an SVG cut file in my future… good thing Christmas is still a long way off!
Thanks Lindsay for all your beautiful inspiration! I hope the rest of you feel inspired to make some cards, or at least do something crafty today!
If you have a craft blog and are interested in being featured on The Project Girl, please send me a link to your blog by clicking on the “contact” button at the top of the page.
January 31st, 2011
There is nothing that I like more than throwing a fabulous party. So when my turn to host Bunco was coming around, I had to find a fabulous theme! I visited the awesome Hostess with the Mostess Blog (what did we do before blogs??), and scoured the pages for some much needed inspiration. I came across this amazing Parisian-themed Baby Shower. I was super inspired and created this adorable invitation (seen below with glassine envelopes from ClearBags.com) using some clipart that I found.
Here are some photos from that night. I don’t have a wide photo of the whole “party table” but you get the idea!
Food and fun and prizes were had by all! It was such a great party, I can’t wait for next year! The straws, cupcake papers and striped bags are all from Fort & Field.
