house wren studio

pieces of heart :: 19

So this is the last day of February, the extra super bonus last day. Sadie Hawkins Day. And I suppose it's time to wrap up the heart series- even though I have all these other ones I wanted to post. Maybe I'll sneak them in later.....it has been so much fun.

I made and sent this mug cozy away to a friend who will find it in her mail in a few days, a thank you for so much kindness. But you can make your own- just felt a second-hand wool sweater and cut off the sleeve cuff plus some extra room if you need it at the top. Open the factory side seam with careful snipping to make way for the cup handle. Check for fit and trim the top to the right height. Use a sturdy thread like pearl cotton to fortify the handle opening at top and bottom, then blanket stitch all around the sides of the opening. Do the same around the top of the cozy- loosely there to allow for stretching. A felt heart can be blanket stitched to the front of the cozy. That's it really.

So Dede and I are off to the city- in search of inspiration, exercise, good food- and lots to report back here. Watch this if you have a minute....such a fantastic event. Picture us there. It's our first stop of the day.  xoC   

not too late

Beginning last night with Persuasion, Masterpiece is airing the Complete Jane Austen, adaptations of all six novels. Fantastic winter entertainment! And do check out this link for Monday morning amusement too. (My girls alerted me to this little extra. Makes a mama proud!)

Also, the site link for class sign-ups at Tinsel Trading has not worked for a week or more, so there are still a few spots left for this Saturday's felted tote class. Email Terri to sign up or call the store. I must say, it's way more fun than a drawing room tea party at Mansfield Park. The tote is adorable, and we don't have to dress up!  xoC

decoupaged holiday saucer

Our holiday decorations are still all tucked away. I can't imagine when we will have the time and space to get them out- maybe after Mo arrives home tomorrow, weather willing. We have enough decorations for our whole block I think, but it's always the ones we make each year that I love best.

This little saucer was in the drawer I keep for tiny trinkets that I am reluctant to really pack away. Looking at it now, I see that it is one of those easy crafts we all appreciate this time of year. I started with an old glass saucer and did the same thing I did here once before. The saucer is a beautiful demi-tasse size antique with ripples in the glass and tiny chips around the edges. No cups or finger bowls, but a stack of them at the thrift shop gave me lots of options. For this one, I trimmed out a copy of an old postcard. With Mod Podge I centered the image in the round of the saucer recess- on the back face-up. Then I just added a second round of gold tissue the same way- face-up on the back. When it was all pressed into place- wrinkles and all, I trimmed around the edges of the plate. I like the wrinkles, they add to the quirkiness and age of the whole thing. To make this into an ornament, twist a wire loop and tape it to the back with another paper layer or two decoupaged over the tape. A final layer of Mod Podge is a good idea as a final sealer. This kind of craft is perfect for children. Take those holiday artworks or their letters to Santa or a copy of their holiday photo and try this on a larger glass plate. Each year you can add to the collection and soon have a plate-rack full of memories. xoC

I just updated the shop to include noteflats with envelopes of 2 of my collages. The kits are nearly sold out-thank you!- trying to decide if I should make more. More on that later.

recycled napkin rings

Last year I admitted that I don't cook much for Thanksgiving. I made the pies and then kept busy with table-setting. Over the year though I noticed that the image for the place cards- crafted last minute from scraps in the drawer- was very popular with readers. Here I am again, up against the holiday event and wanting to inspire you with something crafty after all those family posts. And it looks like more quick and simple papercrafts to keep me out of the way of those who seriously cook here.

As I often do, I looked first in the recycle bin for materials to start with. Aha! These napkin rings are from paper towel rolls. We only have one today because I try not to use them- I'm a fan of washable dish towels. But if you have one, flatten it and cut 2 inch sections with a pinker. Keeping the pieces flat-ish (they'll look less like what they are and won't roll on the table), then just decorate them with paper scraps....pretty ones like sheet music and handwriting.

Add a phrase or guest's initial letter snipped from a cut-up book. A piece of ribbon makes a colorful place to add a word or two. But kitchen string or baker's twine would be lovely too, especially if it is wrapped around many times.

No end to the ideas once you start.

Wallpaper bits, yarn, fabric, buttons, letter tiles, faces from old photos, laces, charms, things found in nature.

A sailing pin for him or a just-found-in-Omaha favorite brooch for her.

Wishing you all a happy, happy holiday with your loved ones. Hoping you get to enjoy the little things like the crowded kitchen, table or couch. I do think that's the best part, especially when they help me with the dishes. xoC 

ipod cozy

Seems like it has been a while since I wrote about a craft- although I have a few ideas in the works. How about this one? In a rush one day, we decided Maggie needed a case for her iPod so I made one from an old sweater. This is so easy and makes good use of those sweater sleeve leftovers just as they are. I already had this one felted and ready to cut into, but you can felt a second-hand wool sweater in the hot wash and dryer. Then cut across the sleeve for a 4" section of sleeve to roughly fit the width of the iPod, cell phone or camera. The inner arm sweater seam stays as is and will be inside the top of the flap. It's okay if it tapers a little on one side- when you fold it down over the top, that looks okay. Stitch along the sides for a snug fit and trim outside the stitching with pinkers.

 

Measure and cut an opening in one side where you can slip the iPod into the case leaving a top flap to fold down. No need to finish the edges on felt. Sew on velcro tabs or a sturdy snap for a closure. The decoration is an old junk jewelry post earring with a hinged back that was a no-sew finish, but could also be a button or pin- anything really. Thinking that the top flap can be used to store the earphones and wrapped cord, it's pretty functional. So simple. Even with the time spent designing it, the whole project took about 30 minutes....and that included looking for a Maggie-style sparkly earring.

   

Don't forget to leave a comment on the Open Door post so you can get in on the Sweet Mountain Holiday giveaway. And a big thank you to Typepad for all the love as a featured blog this week. I must say I'm a big fan of the way they work: the templates, the help desk, the easy to use set-up, the nice people there. I'm totally hooked!  xoC

what's left

Looking at the disarray on my worktable, one would think I have been creating all kinds of things. Not really...nice weather, the holiday, Mo here to hang around with. Rather than put all the art scraps and stuff  away, I am challenging myself to make art with what's left...on the table and in the baskets and bowls that have become temporary receptacles for all the scraps. There are about 5 of those. More to show later and then hoping to put some on etsy. Try it- it's fun and easier than cleaning up. Although one of these days....... xoC

funny little coasters...

My friend Robin gave me these crazy coasters some time ago. Love these! So funky, someone worked my kind of crafty magic on them maybe in the 70's. They are each different, decoupaged with cutouts from cards and magazines and then all roughed up from years of use. The charm of each little composition makes me smile each time I get them out and look at the quirky collages. Whenever I go thrifting, objects always turn up that seem to say...make me over! please do something- I need a pick-me-up. I, of course, take that call literally and bring the thing home. A wood box, tray, old chair, mirror frame. You can't go wrong with paper and glue. A little gold paint helps too.

Keep your eyes open for a surface to work on and settle in on the couch with the bazillion magazines you probably have. Just cut and paste...and seal with a final coat of poly for wear and tear. Someone is going to consider it folk art down the road...uh, that would definitely be me!

Typepad is being so strange lately...today it changed the name of my post and dropped most of the content. Other days it won't allow comments - which drives me crazy. But I did discover an interview with me today over here at creative blogger....I actually still agree with what I said. Amazing. xoC

the grateful chick

 

For the early birds out there....the chicky pillow goes to Linda Sonia for her comment March 19 at 6:03 a.m. Maggie selected her name last night while we watched Dancing with the Stars. Thank you all, my lucky stars.

I am delighted to know that it has a new home! It was a pleasure to make and happily, I used up some of my odds and ends. The embroidered lavender flowers are actually grapes that were the stitched decoration on a fringed cocktail napkin. I turned them and the napkin upside down and ta-da...perfect. Seriously though, I could have made another pillow in the time it took to print and cut all those comment slivers for the bowl- not to mention the time spent hovering at the computer waiting for comments to come in. Not complaining though. I loved reading each and every one. Can you tell that I am a first-born child with an insatiable need for praise and encouragement that I am doing things correctly? Thanks for all the pats on the back.

The sun is out- slowly working on the 6 inches of snow and ice still here, but the birds are singing. I think it will be some time before we see any daffodils. Putting some new Easter-y things in etsy later today....like this. Come see.    xoC

 

this...

 

Drawing later tonight, but there is still time to sign in and comment. Have a sunny, cheerful day! xoC

a dozen to go

Here are my sweetheart pins...below and all 12 also in the photo album to the left (not on flickr). If you would like one, please email me using the email link there on the left too. Putting the name of the pin(s) in the subject line is a good idea. (You can leave a comment here if AOL isn't being nice to your email.)

I'll let you know if it's available and we'll figure out the rest. Paypal is my preference -- for me, it's the quickest, easiest and I can ship by Friday. They are all $14.00 domestic shipping included. Sweetly wrapped for your valentine basket.

Have fun looking -- they are very sweet!  xoC

edit...wow, they are all gone! I hope to bring you more sweethearts another time. Thanks again for all the enthusiasm and support. Off to the packing table.