Using up old supplies for a new project

The new year always makes me reflect over my life since high school.  I didn't go to college right out of high school, so I guess that's my last idea of myself as a child or non-adult.  This year I was thinking about how this month my husband and I have been together for 9 years.  I do realize this isn't really that long in the whole scope of things, but it seems like I haven't done anything else (of my own choosing, not like school, etc.) for that long.  However, I have had some fabrics for nearly that long.  In fact, when I met my husband (we worked together) I had a coworker who quilted.  She was an older woman, but she was tough as nails.  It kind of changed my idea of the "typical" quilter.  She brought in a pattern book once and there was a Sunburst quilt that was made from used ties.  I loved the idea, so I started collecting ties.  I even got to the point of taking them apart (which now I wish I wouldn't have).

Anyway, at the risk of showing my ADD even more than I already have...I was reflecting about life and love, and then my fabric stash (a natural progression from love, of course) and I thought I should do SOMETHING with those ties!  Scoutie Girl did a blog post on Lillyella that featured tie brooches by Tweek.  She makes these great accessories with vintage ties.  I thought I'd try to make one from my collection of ties.  I LOVE it!  Holden's bear was my model since he was already in bed.  I'm not sure yet if it's a brooch for me or a pin to dress up T-shirts for Holden, but I love it!  What do you think?  Any other ideas for using up ties that no longer have their insides? 

Happy New Year!  I hope your reflections lead you to happy memories and fruitful projects, just like mine did!

-Heather

PS-I still have to finish off the back of the "tie."  I just got excited and wanted to show you tonight!

PPS-Even though it's late, I'm still posting this to Somewhat Simple's Strut Your Stuff Thursday!

Inspiration! What will I create in 2010?

What will you create in 2010? When I have crafter's block, I look back at past projects to get rejuvenated. I went through a purse making phase, and these are pictures of some of the purses and bags I made in the past two years. I don't know if 2010 will necessarily be a purse year for me, but we'll see. I am going to sign up for a sewing class focusing on home decor projects.

I like smaller purses now that I don't need diaper bags anymore!

Heather's Handmade Holiday in Review

So, my all-handmade holiday didn't really happen.  I think I committed to it too closely to Christmas to make it a real possibility.  If I had been on vacation for another 3 or 4 weeks before Christmas, maybe it would've been realistic.  However, since I also work full time, have a husband with a long commute, and an adorable, but sometimes needy toddler, this didn't really work out very well.  Oh well.  I'm not too disappointed.  I'm one of those people who won't get a lot accomplished if I don't have REALLY BIG GOALS!  I figure I'll try again next year and plan ahead a little more.  It can only get better and easier, right? 

I did get a lot done though.  I've posted most of it, but here's a few more things I managed to finish before the recipients' Christmas celebration!  Here are some two shirts I made for my cousin's children, Katie and Ethan.  They are both 4.  Both finished shirts cost less than $10.  (The teal and celery polka dot fabric was actually a flannel receiving blanket that I had used with Holden, but it got a stain on it I couldn't get out...so I upcycled it into my fabric bin - YEAH!)

I cut the letters out of the iron-on type adhesive and cut the fabric a bit larger.  Then I ironed them on and used 4 strands of a coordinating thread to sew around the edge of the letter.  When they are washed, they will fray a bit more around the edge.  I used the Pea Mee-Mee font from Kevin and Amanda's Pea Fonts.  I LOVE their handwriting fonts.  I did tweak the e a bit, since I didn't think it would look as nice with some of the "hooks" on it.  This is the same font I used on the Santa Plates I made this year.  Super Fun!  I've considered having my own handwriting made into a font, since I do like my handwriting if I take my time (but rarely do).  I've just never actually taken the plunge.  Maybe I'll put that on my New Year's list.  It would be really cool for journaling and scrapbooking!

Anyway, I added some fun red and green juice boxes to the kids' shirts for Christmas.  This was kind of an after thought to the actual gifts.  Like, you see juice boxes (LOTS of them) and think, why did I buy so many juice boxes?  My son only drinks 1/2 a juice box a day at the most.  Hey those are red and those are green...Christmas present?  Yeah, I'm kind of ADD sometimes!  Anyway, I had Holden color with red and green markers onto some packing paper that came between my junk plates (that I bought for next year's Santa plates) and wrapped them up.  I thought they turned out pretty cute.

And, last but not least, I made these bear mugs for my Dad.  His house is very lodge-y so they'll fell right at home.  I got the mugs for $2.50 each at Wal-Mart.  I think I will fill them all with something different when I give them to him...maybe hot cocoa mix in one, toffee cracker cookies in another, oreo truffles in another and chocolate covered pretzels in the last one...all in cello bags, of course!  I might even make some for my brother down the road as he loves Bear Bows.  As in a bow-and-arrow type bow.  We grew up in the country, k? 

Sorry about the picture quality...on top of not being a good photographer in general, I am REALLY not good at taking pictures of etched glass.  I promise to all of you that taking better pictures is on my list too :)  I might even take a class?!?  Any recommendations?  Online vs. Community College?  Lansing, Michigan area?  Doesn't take up too much family time?

Anyway, now that the holidays are nearly over, I'm hoping to get everything at my house organized, cleaned up and cleared out.  Well, I don't actually want to clear everything out...but I definitely want to get rid of some stuff we haven't used in a while.  I'm hoping that 2010 is going to be the best year yet!  Hope it will be for all of us :)

-Heather

PS - I'm linking up to the Penny Pinching Party over at the Thrifty Home!  Go check it out and stretch your dollars :) 

A few handmade gifts

My grandma loves birds, so I appliqued this store-bought (had to make some short cuts in this handmade holiday) tote with a wintry cardinal scene.  I just printed a children's coloring page to use as a stencil for the bird.  Then I just cut out the branch and slapped some "snow" on it.  I'm going to put the kleenex cover I made inside with a cross I got for her at a craft show.  I didn't get it for Christmas but I forgot about it until now.

Then, I made this plate for Holden with a few others I can't show you yet...Here's how they'll look on Thursday night.

 

I (very roughly) followed the tutorial at Just Something I Made.  Though I didn't follow the steps exactly, I dd get the idea and the supply list there.   I used a few plates I got at St. Vincent de Paul in Spring Arbor and a few I got at Wal-Mart.  The Wal-Mart plates didn't have a good lip on them, so they'll turn out a bit different.  I'll show them to you later this week (after I've gifted them)!

Though my progress is a bit slow with a toddler running around, I'm getting there.  I'll show you more as I get things finished!

Hope to "see" you soon!

-Heather

PS - I'm linking this to DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land. (technically Tuesday, but I posted late last night and am modifiying on Tuesday.  That counts right?)

Collage Ornaments using vintage postcards and buttons

This was a new store (Target) bought glitter leaf. I added a vintage image I cut from an old postcard, ribbon, sequins, and a chipboard letter (I am getting good use out of these)

This one I started out with a small art canvas (it's been sitting there forever in my craft room). You could use a piece of wood. I wrapped it in this Moda dictionary fabric, glued on the vintage image, added some glitter, trim and a bow.

I love this old button.

Here are a few more using old buttons.

And my box from earlier!

Erin

Glittery and Monogrammed Gifts

These I made using a few simple supplies: sticky back glitter scrapbook paper, plain tags, chipboard glittery letters, and ribbon. I bought everything at Michael's except the ribbon at WalMart.





I also used craft glue and glued a letter to a store bought snowflake ornament. (Target 2 for $1)



This star I bought is a paper mache plain ornament at Michael's. I glittered it myself using Martha Stewart glitter glue and glitter. (I bought a Christmas pack at Michael's...great deal with a 40% off coupon!)

I also bought a paper mache box and decorated it using acrylic paint, a vintage postcard that I cut to fit the top, and glitter.

I have a few more I may or may not add later!

Have a great day! Erin

A "REAL" elf and vintage Christmas stuff

I love looking around at antique stores. I don't know much about antiques but I know what looks cute to me.

I found this vintage elf that a talented artist made into a one of a kind Christmas art piece. She took an old shabby drawer, added some scrabble words, and glued the old jolly elf and a glittery white tree inside. I think it is so clever! I asked the shop owner who made it, and I found out her name is Tracy Kraft from Vintage Allegiance. She has a booth at The Little Red Schoolhouse Craft and Antique Mall in Lansing, MI. My 5 year old son is enthralled with the elf and thinks he is real...(so do I ;)
The rest of my finds came from Lamb's Gate Antiques and The Salvage Yard in Grand Ledge, MI. Here is a 1950 Better Homes and Gardens December issue. I can't wait to sit down and read it. For anyone who knows me, I am a serious magazine addict so this was a great find! ($3.00)

I also found these antique postcards.




This bottle brush wreath was $6. I think it is so darn cute.



These vintage Christmas cards are really pretty. I love the non-glossy paper and glitter.



Looking at old, uncommon stuff just makes me so darn happy! Have a great day!
Erin

I linked this post at:

Heather's Family - Not Allowed! A Gift Round-Up & To-Do List

So, I might have been a little too ambitious this year. I have a REALLY, REALLY LONG list of things still yet to be completed and not a ton of time to complete them. I have so many things to blog about, but haven't had enough time to actually sit down and blog about them. So, I'm going to give you a recap of my list with pictures that other people (who are much better at photography than me) have taken! Are you excited? I am! I'm hoping this will inspire me to read less (I am so not allowed to go to the library again before Christmas!) and get more done over the next few weeks! Okay, so if you are my mom, or my mother-in-law (or someone else in my family who reads our blog) you must stop reading now. Sorry! Don't want to ruin the surprise!

Source: Martha Stewart

Here's the pillows I'm going to make for my Mom. She LOVES leaves. I'm going to do them in fall colors to match her living room...think burnt oranges, mustard yellows, and rusty reds. You can find the how-to here at MarthaStewart.com.

Source: J Casa Handmade

I'm making a fabric wreath like this one from J Casa Handmade for my mother-in-law. Her house is decorated in primitives and you'd think you stepped into a time warp if you were there. Anyway, I'm using red, white and blue scraps all sewn together for the wreath cover. Then, I'm thinking I'll make a Shanty Chic wreath holder like I saw here at Shanty 2 Chic.

I think she's going to love it! I'm also planning a manly wreath for my father-in-law's manly garage, but it's kind of my own idea (or at least one I haven't seen anywhere) so I can't show you yet. It's kind of hard to picture (unless you're me - LOL!) so I'm going to post it later in the week...Wish me luck!

I'm nearly finished with the felt Mr. Potato Head I'm making for my niece and nephew who will turn one in two days - YEAH! I think they'll like it. I also may make another for my Ohio niece and nephew, Ava and Mason, who are 3 1/2 and 6 months. I think they might enjoy him too! I found the tutorial and idea for this here at Make It and Love It. Ava is also getting a crayon roll, a chef's hat, an apron and some felt food for her play kitchen.

Mason is also getting a color book like this one from Adventures of Rorie, Jess & Sadie.

Both of my grandma's are getting a kleenex holder with a few other items. I haven't nailed down for sure what the other items are. I have some ideas, but nothing I can back up with pictures yet.

I got the pens necessary to make some of these, so I'll be cranking these out soon (I hope!). This is from Just Something I Made.

And BTW, I love Cathe Holden, so check out everything else she does here.

I hope you like this round-up of holiday gift ideas...and I hope my family likes them too! The good news is I don't have to work next week. Please pray with me that I get everything done without too many sleepless nights! Good luck to everyone else for their Christmas and other holiday projects!

-Heather

PS-Just in case you're wondering what I'm going to make for my husband, we don't exchange gifts. When I got a car battery for our first wedding anniversary, we made a mutual decision not to exchange gifts anymore. LOL! (In his defense, he thinks a car battery is romantic because it means he is thinking of my safety and doesn't want me to be stranded. Only an engineer can come up with logic like that...you just have to love him!)

PPS-My son's play kitchen will hopefully experience a miraculous finish in time for Christmas, but I'm in denial about the project as a whole right now. Let's pretend I didn't even bring it up, k? Thanks!

Fontanini Nativity Sets

This Christmas I have had such a great time remembering and cherishing family traditions. My kids are getting older, and I actually sleep through the night now so maybe my mind is getting a little less tired and foggy ;). I took this photo of the angel from my Fontanini Nativity Set. She looks a lot like my mom who is also an angel on earth.

Here is the Holy Family in the manger. I have this vivid memory of setting up a Nativity Scene on top of an old piano in my church basement. My minister had just given a sermon (which somehow I remember vividly) about imagining what it would be like being Mary or Joseph, and putting yourself in their shoes. He described what it would have been like in the manger. He must have done a really great job if I remember it because that was about 25 years ago!

Here is my current collection at night. I just got the fires and the palm trees this year from my mom.

Daytime version. I bought one of the wisemen when I visited Victoria Island, B.C. on my honeymoon in 2001.

I have been collecting my Fontanini Nativity Set since I became an official adult (not really sure when that occurred!) My mom started my collection and she and I have been adding to it since. The 2009 piece is called, "Aquila the Tent Maker".
I was fortunate to be able to view the entire (or a huge portion of it) Fontanini Nativity collection at Bronner's in Frankenmuth in November. It was awesome to see, and kind of resurrected my interest in collecting the set. If you want to learn more about Fontanini, visit their website here.