St. Patrick's Day Porch Decorations

I really haven't done much in way of crafting since my last post in December.  I've done a few things around the house in the decorating department and eventually I would love to do a house tour.  For now, I'll just post some monthly or seasonal porch decoration pictures.  I don't know if anyone else has a love/hate relationship with St. Patrick's Day, but I sure do.  First of all, I'm not of Irish descent.  So the fact I 'celebrate' the holiday at all is kind of silly.  Secondly, I actually work with a lady from Ireland (it takes some getting used to her talking to get past her thick accent) and she find the American St. Patrick's Day customs very strange.  That said, I remember the excitement I had as a child hoping to find that elusive pot of gold.  As I've gotten older, I've decided to embrace the sentiments of 'Irish Blessings' as well as, for me, it is a symbol of the change from winter to spring.

 Anywhooooo......how about some pictures? I live in a townhouse and have a long entrance to my front door.  I like to keep some cheap pillows that I switch out the fabric and don't care if they get wet or dirty. I don't sew them at all, just tie a knot on the square one and tuck under the ends on the round one.  It really is quite simple.

The ladder I have was quite the investment but over the years I've purchased one or two of the kits and now I am definitely getting my money's worth.

The biggest change in this year's porch is the new wreath I put on the door and cute door mat (from Wal-Mart!!! I was quite surprised, lol).  It is so hard to find cute decorations that aren't bright green, tinsely looking things so finally I decided to make my own.  The floral options I used were mostly from Wal-Mart, so definitely not the best quality, but for something that is on my front door in March where it rains (like today) or snows, I don't want to spend a fortune on something.  Enjoy!

P.S.  I have no idea if they saying on the 'chalkboard' sign is actually an Irish Blessing.  However, if it is, I used an example off the internet and only AFTER I had finished making it did I see other examples that had different wording.  I don't know which is correct.  Unfortunately, I liked the other alternative better which read:  Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live (mine says, .....and love as much as you live).  I might have to remake that little sign.

But maybe later.  I'm all crafted out for now.  ha ha

I'm Soda-Lighted...

Hello Internet Land!  Melissa here.  Isn't it crazy how life is so insanely busy?  I'm still a single momma and crafting has taken a back burner.  I had no idea that as children grew from toddlers to teenagers that life became even more crazy!  But, every once in a while I still am able to get some stuff done and will try to post a little more frequently.  Anyway, this year I gave these as gifts to my neighbors and coworkers.  At first I was using flashlights, but then I couldn't find anymore (of the *ahem* less expensive option I was going for) so I was lucky to stumble upon 2 packs of these light bulbs!  Problem solved.  My kids thought I was weird for giving out light bulbs but if that's the only thing that makes me bizarre in their eyes I'll take it!

Merry Christmas!

A Fall Wreath Version 2012

Howdy, Howdy!

You know how sometimes you are blog hopping/stalking/spending-all-your-free-time-at-night-looking-at-crafts-on-the-internet-and-you-wonder-why-your-house-didn't-magically-clean-itself and you stumble across something that you want to make right away?  Well, that happened with me the other day while on Pinterest.  It is such a simple idea and it was super easy, although a little time consuming.  But still, this is easily a make-while-you're-watching-a-movie kind of project.  Now, because I wasn't in blog mode while working on this I didn't take step by step pictures.  So, I'll give credit where I saw it and link back to Becoming Martha's website so you can see her tutorial.  I would like to add a little more information though.

1.  She doesn't ever say how much burlap she actually used.  I think I added more 'bubble's to my wreath than she did and ended up using exactly 2 yards.

2.  Don't take the time to perfectly measure your burlap.  It will NOT be worth it in the end since the burlap frays, and the bubbles are not supposed to be perfect or the wreath would get boring.  I really just eyeballed my cuts and some of them were more like 4 x 6 and it doesn't matter at all.

3.  I used an 18 inch straw wreath from Hobby Lobby.  I liked the $4.99 price tag much better than the $11.99 price for the styrofoam she used.  I didn't even bother taking the plastic wrapping off so the straw would not get all over.

4.  I obviously used a different letter and paper than she did.  This is why I love crafting.....one idea leads to so many different versions!

I took this pictures at night so they're not the best but you can get the idea of what it looks like on my door.  I am thinking about maybe doing this for a craft club in the next week or two.  If you live in the Utah County area and would be interested in attending leave me a comment.  The cost will be $25.00.  If I can get a few people signed up at this late notice I will get a date planned!

P.S. Let's just ignore the 9 month gap since my last post, shall we?  Let's just say, it's not for a lack of projects.  But mostly, I have been working on some personal issues and since I don't blog to make money, it kind of took a back seat.

December Cards

I haven't been posting my cards for card group while my computer was out of commission so I'll get started again.  My card group makes Christmas tags instead of card in December and here are the two I did this year.

Super Cute Quilt-As-You-Go Quilt!

I have a love/hate relationship with sewing.  I LOVE handmade, sewn goods.  I think they can range from cutsie to stunning.  In my opinion, sewing is one of those things that you can't really fake your way through.  Either you know what you're doing or you don't.  I have enough skill to get myself in trouble.  I think I can do something and about halfway through when my back is killing me, my eyes are burning and I really want to give up but I'm bound and determined to no longer start a project and not finish it so I keep on plugging on.  That happened to me last Saturday when I suddenly decided to make a quilt for my parents for Christmas.  You see, I had been wasting my time on the lovely Pinterest when I saw a pin for a quilt that could be made in one night and it was big and super cute.  Hmmmm.....I was pretty disappointed when I watched the video and realized that the tutorial was only for a 36 by 36 inch quilt.  But, I really loved the look of it and it did seem pretty easy.  I thought, "Yep!  I can do that tonight and get caught up on some of my favorite shows."   So, down to the fabric store I went (in pj's and no make-up, of course!).  I found cute fabrics that will work with my parents home and started sewing around  8:30 p.m.  Now, I want to state that I don't know who made the claim that you could make a quilt in one night.  I don't remember hearing that on the video.  If  the 36 by 36 inches is the size you want, you absolutely could make this in one night.  I wanted more of a lap quilt/throw type thing.  I only made it to about 2:30 a.m. before I finally gave up and realized this was going to be a two night project.  lol.  Anyway, I think it turned out super, super cute.  I followed everything the girls said in this video except I had to figure out the measurements for a larger quilt.  Also, my store didn't have the greatest selection of flannel so I used it for the top and bottom but just regular cotton prints for the squares.  That said, now that I mastered the first attempt, I actually think I will make this again.  I really to love the look and feel of it!  Even better, I feel a teeeeensy bit more confident, maybe next time it will only take me one and a half nights...ha ha!  Anyway, check out these gals in their super cute video and then take a look at my pictures and hopefully you can make your own!

Step One...

Gather your supplies:

Step Two...

Wash and press your fabrics...boring, I didn't take any pics of that.

Step Three...

Cut your squares into 3.5 by 3.5 inches

(I think I ended up with almost 170 squares)

Step Four:

Lay out your top piece.  Draw your grid of 4.5 by 4.5 squares.

(bad pic...sorry)

Step Five:

Take your fabric squares and center them in the squares you drew on your top piece.  Use the fabric glue stick to help hold them in place (I just did a small X in each square).  I wanted the quilt to be truly random so I did not follow a pattern.  My only rule was that I didn't want two of the same side-by-side, although corners were fine.

Keep on going 'til they're all done!

Step Six:

Another no picture step.  Lay out your bottom piece, batting and then your top piece .

Step Seven:

Sew, sew sew!

A few things to note:  Sew off your grid lines and not the edge of your squares.  As you can tell there's not a whole lot of measuring but a whole lot of eyeballing it with the squares.  I think it adds to the charm to have some of them a little crooked.  But, if you're sewing according to your squares, your lines that show on the back are going to be pretty squiggly and I'm guessing you won't want that.  I didn't pin the quilt.  the flannel really grabs the batting pretty well.  I also had enough extra on each side that I knew I could square it up if it shifted at all.  I sewed the shorter sides first to help keep everything in place when I started on the longer rows.  I also turned the quilt half-way through to help with the bulk that ended up shoved against the side of the machine.

Step Eight:

Another step not worthy of a picture...trim down the sides as best as you can.  I'm sure there are great ways to do this...I was too tired to care so I eyeballed it off the grid line.

Step Nine:

I had tons of my 3.5 squares left over when I most brilliantly, thought it would be cute to use the squares sewn together for my binding instead of a solid piece.  I sewed them all together and then pressed the seams open.  I then pressed it in half length-wise.

Step Ten:

Bind the quilt.  Here is where I really got into trouble.  I'm not quilter.  I searched a bunch of you tube videos for binding.  I didn't want to spend the time hand binding so I chose to go with the machine binding...GASP...I know I just killed some of the die-hard quilters out there but hey, this was supposed to be a one night quilt remember!  P.S.  this was my favorite tutorial.  I also got sucked into watching about ten more of them...she seems like such a fun lady...

Step Eleven:

Wash the quilt.  And then be prepared with some scissors to trim down all the threads.  Now, I know it's meant to look a little rustic and I won't trim them down in the future.  The first washing you're going to have more than any other time.

Step Twelve:

Wipe the blood, sweat and tears away and be happy you're FINALLY finished!  ha ha.  I'm just kidding.  I sure hope my parents like it.  Here are a couple more pictures.  I love how the back ended up with lots of cute squares.

A couple shots closer up...

After taking the finally picture I started working on this post.  When I was finished I turned around to find my cat, Smudge, curled up on it.  So cute!  She's a feisty little thing.  This is about as close as we can get to her.  Makes my little "rag" quilt look like it should be in a country magazine don't you think?

Eggstra Special Pillow and my Wish-I-Had-Enough-Time-To-Do-All-This List

I've seen this idea out there in blog-land a few times so when I ran across this cute, egg-shaped placemat I didn't think of my table, I thought of a pillow!  It was only $3.50 at Kohl's and I already had batting at home.  I just unpicked the bottom seam (this had a fabric backing to it, very important as this project won't work on one layer placemats), shoved it full of the batting and did a quick running stitch to close it back up!  I'd say the whole thing only took about 10 minutes.

This little project and post leads me into my next subject because this was on my list of things to do.  As a single mom who works full-time I have a lot to do.  Maybe that's a silly thing to say because I don't know many people who don't have enough to do.  The reason I mention it is because I have always loved crafting and making things.  That said, sometimes I can't believe I make things even more hectic by adding so much more to my ever-changing list of things that need to get done.  I think it's healthy to have hobbies.  Unfortunately I don't know that I do anything as a hobby.  It seems as though it's more of an obsession and once I get and idea in my head I can't get rid of it until it's done (dang it that I have responsibilities and need to sleep so it takes me forever to get things done at times).  I've decided to post my list here on my little blog.  I'm on here enough that it might be easier to manage rather than on the little scraps of paper I have shoved in my notebook of ideas.  I don't want to have to search for this particular post each time so I'm going to add it to my sidebar.  It is in no particular order, just as they happened to be arranged as I typed them. 

April Cards

Here are how my two cards for April turned out.  The 'Happy Birthday' card turned out okay.  I hate when I have an idea in my head and it doesn't turn out like I want it to.  However, I do like my 'thanks' card.  I had never done one with a cutout before so I was happy it did end up how I had hoped!

Earrings on Display!

Hello!  I finally found my camera's battery charger and I do have a few projects I've been working on.  For now, I'll start with this fun idea.  I have been wanting to make this little project for almost a year and kept putting it off.  My jumbled mess of earrings finally dictated that I take a few minutes (this was an under 10 minute project) and get it done.  It's going to be so nice to be able to quickly find that perfect pair to wear instead of digging through my jewelry box.  I've seen similar ideas made with chicken coop wire or screens but I didn't want to have to mess with measuring and cutting sheets of wire mesh (although I do think they are just as cute!)

Step 1:  Find a frame, any frame....as long as it is made out of wood!  I happened to find this lovely picture at a garage sale last summer for $1.00 and knew it would work for the space I had.  Mine was already painted but if you want it a different color then paint your frame now!

Step 2:  Gather your supplies.  You will need your frame, picture hanging wire, staple gun w/ staples and wire cutters.

Step 3:  Remove the glass and cardboard (and lovely 90's style picture if yours came with one like mine) and turn over.

Step 4:  Figure out how far apart you want your wires to be.  Start on one end and firmly staple in place.  I did two staples just to be extra sure the wire would stay in place.

Step 5:  String across the frame and staple on the other side.  Cut the wire.

Step 6:  Continue until all wires are in place.

Step 7:  Hang on the wall.

Step 8:  Hang your lovely earrings on the wires and enjoy!

Here are a few things to note if you want to take on this little project (nothing major, just a couple thoughts).  I used a heavy gauge wire and I don't think it's necessary.  In fact, I think it would be better to use a lighter gauge.  I would not stretch the wires quite as tight across so you have a little more give when grabbing your earrings.  Other then that I am in love with this under $5.00 masterpiece!