Don’t mind me, but you will be seeing some Christmas in this post. 

One of my Christmas presents was a little organizer, typically intended for use in a shop or garage.

But my mom had a grand idea.  She thought it would be great for me to store some of my crafting ‘stuff’ in it.

And she’s right!

Check it out.

Space galore!

I liked it and all.  Great storage for buttons/brads/clips/etc.

But….. it still seened too shop/garagish for me.

So I jazzed it up using some of Jen’s fabulous fabrics.

I believe the fabric I selected is from the Lost & Found line.

Really, making over this organizer was easy!

I cut a strip of material so it would would fit around 3 sides of the organizer.

I then applied Mod Podge to the organizer. {1 side at a time until it was dry}

After I got the material attached to the 3 sides, I tried to trim any loose threads.

In the end, I decided to add more Mod Podge to the edges to make sure it won’t fray.

Had I thought ahead, I would have used some stitch-witch and folded the rough ends under.

Mental note for next time!

Just wait!

I have one more craft involving this material. 

How about a custom mouse pad?

Yup.  I made one of these for myself for the office, as well as one for my mom.

You can find the original idea for this HERE, via Pinterest….of course! 

What fun crafts or projects have you done where you use material in a way that isn’t typical?

]]> http://www.theprojectgirl.com/2012/01/25/material-girl/feed/ 1 http://www.theprojectgirl.com/2012/01/23/a-vanity-fair-valentine/ http://www.theprojectgirl.com/2012/01/23/a-vanity-fair-valentine/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:00:16 +0000 Karen http://www.theprojectgirl.com/?p=3513

I totally missed the whole sharing of holiday cards this past year so I was determined to make up for it in the form of a sweet Valentine. Most of the cards I received were from family and close friends so I decided that a photo card of my boys would be just the trick. Jen has some lovely digital collections available from Design House Digital and I grabbed the Vanity Fair: Persimmon and Aubergine and Nostalgia collections and decided upon a few images that would work with my photo. I like to go with the standard 4×6 photograph size so each Valentine will only cost pennies to produce.

In my digital editing program, (I use Photoshop) I cropped my image but still making sure I kept the dimension to the original size of the photo from my camera, 3000×4000 pixels. This way I know when I upload the flattened image to a digital photo processing site there won’t be any unusual cropping surprises. (At the ages my boys are now, it was difficult to get a great picture so I had to count my blessing that I got an almost decent image of both of them!) I then layered the two tape accessories from Vanity Fair Aubergine in the bottom right corner and then the Love button from Nostalgia on top of that for a quick message. I felt that I needed to bring the brown from the background down as well, so I recolored the border stamp from the Persimmon Vanity Fair and brought that in as a layer behind the button. Just be sure to leave enough “border” around your main images and design to allow for any cropping during the photo process. I flattened the file and after a bunch have been printed I will have my boys write their names and we’ll send them out before Valentine’s Day!

With just a few beautiful digital elements available at Design House Digital and simple skills in photo editing, you can create put a smile on someone’s face when you send them a special hand designed photo card! The most difficult part is getting a good photo!

This tutorial is the easiest I have found yet. I made two stockings in less than an hour. They are totally addicting and I plan on making many more before Christmas is over. Since they are such a hit with the guys, I will be making more for my husband to give out to his friends full of baked goods.  This is also an easy way to wrap gifts instead of using all the wasteful paper.

I realize this is not the best picture but you get the idea of my house decor. Holly Jolly looks fabulous with the wildlife theme we have.

Karen from The Bald Dragonfly here, hoping that you are having fun checking things off your holiday to-do lists! I had a bit of fun making this Children’s Activity Book using Riley Blake’s Holly Jolly fabric by Jen Allyson for my little nephew. This will be his first Christmas and he’s at the inquisitive age, I think this little book will keep him busy. There’s many bright and bold patterns in the Holly Jolly collection, so grab your favorite and cut to size (you’ll need two blocks of each pattern.)

The next step is to plan and execute your pages as they will need to be completed first. After the pages are done, the actual assembly is quite simple! I’m by no means an expert sewer so you know that the execution level on this really is easy.

Leave a portion of each “page” unsewn, as the next step in the process is to turn things the right way and stitch closed again. I took another easy route and did a stitch about an 1/8 of an inch from the outside of the book as a border. Lay the book flat and do a straight stitch right down the middle of all pages and your binding is complete.

Let’s take a look at a few of the pages…

So there you have it, a nice, soft activity book full of things to do, see, touch–all related to the holidays and set off with bright, fun fabric!

Hello dear readers it’s Angie Hinksman here and a very Happy Holiday Season to you!  Today I’m going to share with you a little hybrid project, inspired by what is probably the most is talked about product this Christmas; the iPad2.  I love the simplicity of the design of the iPad and I think that the included stand is pure GENIUS!  Now, while my little Recipe Stand won’t help you surf the net, it’s certain to brighten up any kitchen table!  You’ll need very few supplies (no need for specialist binding materials  here, just paper, card and some basic crafting supplies.

To create the Recipe Stand and 6 recipe cards, you will need the following supplies:

• Recipe journaling templates – you can download the pdf file here
• Some plain co-ordinating paper or cardstock for printing the journaling cards.  I’ve used some simple ’letterhead’ stationery for mine.
• Selection of 12 x 12 inch patterned scrapbook papers – I’ve used papers from Jen’s beautiful Stella & Rosecollection.  You’ll need 2 for the stand and 1 sheet will 6 recipe cards.  Cut your paper to the following measurements:
  • 1 piece:  8.5 x 12 inches (just keep the off-cut handy, we’ll use this later)
  • 1 piece: 6 x 12 inches (again we’ll use the off-cut later)
  • 1 piece:  cut out 6 at 4 x  6 inches
  • Chipboard or very thick card.  If you can’t get hold of plain chipboard, the back of an old note book will work perfectly! I’ve used the back of one of my scrap-pads.  Cut your card to the following measurements;
    • 2 pieces: 4.5 x 6.5 inches
    • 1 piece: 2.5 x  6.5 inches
    • 2 pieces: ¾  x  6.5 inches
    • A ruler
    • Cutting tools (such as a Stanley knife or rotary cutter and scissors)
    • Adhesive (I’m using a glue stick and some double-sided tape)
    • Cutting matt
    • Rolling pin (this helps the glue stick well)

    

Instructions for the recipe cards:

Print your recipe journal pieces onto your paper and cut out.  Glue these to the front and back of your 4 x 6 inch pieces of scrap paper.  I’ve rounded the edges of mine, to keep with the iPad feel of the project!    

Instructions for the Recipe Stand:

Place your 4.5 x 6.5 and 2.5 x 6.5 inch pieces of chipboard on your 8.5 x 12 inch scrap paper as illustrated.  Align the top and bottom pieces with the edges of the paper.  Place the middle pieces approx. ½ inch below the top piece.  You want to have a bigger gap at the bottom (this will help your recipe stand close well).  Use a pencil to mark where your placed this pieces, then glue them down.  Use your rolling pin over the top then turn the whole thing over and use your rolling pin again. This will make sure your glue has good contact.  Leave to dry for a few minutes then glue the sides down as shown.

Once dry, glue the 6 x 12 inch piece of scrap paper on top, as shown and leave to dry.

Glue the 2 ¾ x 6.5 inch pieces of card together as illustrated.  Once dry, glue and cover with a piece of your left over scrap paper.  Leave to dry.  Once this is dry, glue to the bottom of the main piece(the bottom has the small piece of cardboard).  Leave this whole piece to dry thoroughly (I left mine for about an hour).

On the inside of the stand, cut a piece of your left-over scrap papers in a strip: 2.5 inches x 12.  Place this at the bottom of the stand so that it meets the edge of the ¾ inch piece.  You’ll need to trim this down so it fits your stand.  Using either a thin layer of glue or double-sided tape, glue this down.  This will create pockets to keep your recipe cards in.

Once your stand is completely dry you will be able to fold it as shown.   As you can see, the ¾ inch piece helps  the Stand stay in place!  Cut another little scrap of paper in a triangle shape to act as a photo corner to display your cards(mine is about an inch and half wide). Glue into place. 

Finally place your finished cards in your pockets and enjoy!   I think this would make a great gift andit  is light and small enough to post to far-away family and friends.  Why not invite some ‘recipe-loving’ friends over, give them each a recipe stand, filled with cards and have a recipe swap party.  Now wouldn’t that be fun? 

Have a great day

I thought I’d wrap up this week with some gift wrapping ideas.
When I came up with my topic idea,
maybe it was wishful thinking that I’d have all my gifts purchased.

Oops!  I have 1 gift, with a few more to get yet.  Which means nothing wrapped!
Oh well, you’ll get the idea.

A few years ago, I believe I got the idea from Martha Stewart
to wrap my gifts in brown or white paper,
and then finish it off with ribbon {which can be reused}
or other accessories/tags/doilies/etc.

Since I have made the change from regular wrapping paper to brown and white paper,
I have seen lots of fun ideas.

Your options are endless!

Ribbon, bakers twine, scrapbook paper, lace, doilies, decorative tape, balloons,
material scraps, rubber stamps, paint chips, buttons, paper bags, newspaper,
pages of old books, and whatever else you find that you like.

Of course you will need some tags.  So go back to Karen’s post and make some of your own!

Once you have your presents purchased, have some more fun wrapping up the gifts.

And there’s no need to stop at wrapping gifts like this for Christmas!
Think:  birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, new neighbors, baby showers, etc.

Be the one at the party where your gift makes a statement before they ever see your gift. 

{All the images above were found via Pinterest.}

If would like some more inspiration, head over to my Make It Look Pretty board,
or just search Pinterest or the internet in general.

And a side note….if you are looking for a delicious coffee cake for Thanksgiving morning
or sometime over the weekend, head over to the Tasty Kitchen
and check out the Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze.

It is DELICIOUS!!!

I jazzed mine up a bit by adding butterscotch chips and toffee pieces to the topping,
instead of walnuts, before I baked it.  {Not a fan of walnuts.}

And it is OH. SO. GOOD!

I am sewing with Jen Allyson’s fabulous Christmas fabric line: Holly Jolly from Riley Blake.

Materials:

• Fabric for decorating towels
• Towels to be embellished
  (helpful hint: when possible pre-wash and dry your fabric, especially when using dark colors to prevent them from bleeding color onto your towels)
• Additional trim such as ribbon, lace or rick rac
• Scissors, sewing machine, measuring tape, thread and straight pins
  

Steps:

• Measure the width of the towel. Cut the fabric strips the width of the towel, plus one inch.  I like to layout my towel with the fabric and trim so I can see what the over-all effect will be.
• Measure trim the width of the towel plus 1/2 inch and cut.

• Turn under 1/2” on each long edge and press with your iron. Turn under 1/2” on each short edge and press.
• Load your bobbin with thread that is the same color as your towel and the top thread the closest color to your trim and fabrics.  You may need to switch colors for the same towel, but keep the bobbin thread consistent.

• Pin your fabric and additional trims with straight pins onto your towel.  Now you are ready to sew!
• Start with the fabric and edge-stitch along front pressed edges of strip, through all thicknesses.
• Decorate with more fabric strips and embellish with coordinating ribbons, lace, or ric-rac.

Pair your finished towel with your favorite bottle of hand soap and you have a wonderful gift that you’ll be proud of giving and the receiver will be pleased to get!

For my project this week, I made a fun and simple Ribbon Wreath in fall colors. I used the Stella & Rose Mabel “Little Lady” trims.

Here’s the other supplies I gathered: a foam wreath, a spool of brown satin ribbon and the MME trims.

I used Scor-Tape to secure the satin ribbon to the wreath and started wrapping!

I covered the wreath with the brown satin, the orange grosgrain, and the aqua twill. I think the aqua gives a modern edge to the standard fall colors.

I stamped a Happy Thanksgiving greeting and attached it with ribbon, then tied a bow with the aqua twill. The stamp is from Hero Arts.

Here is my wreath hanging on my front door!

Pumpkin….I can’t get enough of it!

In case you haven’t figured it out, I LOVE pumpkin! 

Thanks to my good friend Pinterest, I came across a delicious
pumpkin pie dip that will NOT disappoint!

But first, let’s think about presentation.

{I need to give props to Mindy of Best Energies Best Affections for the idea.  Thanks Mindy!}

Maybe it’s just me, but I do enjoy food presentation.

I’d much rather eat/serve chips out of a bowl, instead of a bag.
I’d much rather eat/serve caramel, dips,  salsas, etc out of bowls,
instead of the containers they came in.

So, when I wanted to put together a little treat platter to share at work,
I wanted it to look nice.

1. To start off, you need fun bowls!

While in San Francisco for a work training, I got to shop at Anthropologie!
{There isn’t a store located in Iowa.  Sad, I know!}

Because I can’t afford the clothing, I went and looked at the House & Home items,
because that stuff rocks!

In the end, here’s what I came home with.

Aren’t they awesome?!  {I now wish I would have gotten more!}

2.  Next, get some sort of big platter, tray, etc.  Thanks to Mindy and her grand idea,
I used a vintage round cake pan.

This isn’t just any cake pan.  I found it my Grandma’s attic.
So it does have some meaning behind it.

3.  Decide what you want to put in the bowls for dips and dippers.

I decided to go with honey wheat pretzels, honey graham crackers, and grapes.
I would have used apples as well….if I had some on hand.

I served honey crisp apples with this during a craft day, and the ladies loved it!

4.  Now for the dip!

Pumpkin Pie Dip

{Original recipe found here.}

My version of the recipe….

Ingredients:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2.5 cups powdered sugar
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin pie filling
1+ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1+ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1+ teaspoon vanilla

Preparation:
Beat cream cheese and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.
Add pie filling, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla, beating well.
Cover and chill.
Serve with favorite dippers!

5.  Enjoy!

It not only tastes delicious, it looks great as well!

Another fun idea would be to use clear/white/solid colored bowls,
and add the fun to the pan itself.
Just line it with some scraps of material, scrapbook papers,
or one of your favorite cloth napkins.

Obviously, I didn’t think about that ahead of time.  But I will next time!
I just wanted to use my new bowls! 

This idea originated from Mindy as a veggie tray.
She had assorted veggies in different bowls, with a Ball jar of dip in the middle.

With the holiday season upon us, have fun with your treat/snack/dessert/drink presentation.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box!  You very well could be the hit of the party!