Showing posts with label projects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label projects. Show all posts

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Mini me aprons!


Why is it that everything that comes in a tinier version of something is so cute?

Here I'm sharing some child aprons that I made for my nieces.  I do holiday crafts with them and we don't want to get their clothes all dirty.  These aprons are just simple plain cotton aprons, no sewn on flowers or ribbons or anything fancy. They will be and have been stained with paints, glues, glitters, inks, flour, frosting.....everything.  I didn't want to make them where I would be worried or upset that they had gotten them dirty.  I made these aprons last year, I just hadn't had the time to make any post about it.  Since I don't have anything else ready with pictures and such, I thought I would post it now.  Sorry for the awful pics., these were the only ones I had for this project.  Plus I like to sew in the dark with just my lamp on, lol!!


 Mini me Aprons

I had an apron from the dollar store, which was used by my nephews but they have since outgrown them.  So I just used that one as pattern.

I selected the fabrics I wanted to use from my fabric stash and got to work.  

1. I folded the fabric in half and the pattern in half.
2. I then aligned the folded edges together and pinned the pattern to the fabric.
3. With chalk/marking pen I made dashes all the way around the pattern, I used a 1/2 inch allowance.
4.  Then cut out the piece that I would use.


Now to make the bias tape.  I really wish I had one of those handy bias makers.....I think I need to give some hints to hubby. 

1.  I used the left over fabric and cut about 3 x 170 inches of strips.  
2. I just cut the strips ironed and sewed them all together to get the 170 inches.
3. Then fold the edges into the center, ironed and then folded that in half then ironed again.



Now to sandwich and pin the bias tape onto the edges. So basically 4 pieces of bias tape will be sewn onto the apron. Top, bottom and the two arm sides.
1.  Pin along the bottom, you can see I got a little pin happy!  Cut at the edge.
2. Pin along the top neck area and cut at the edge. 
3. Now sew these two part onto the apron.  I used the regular foot and sewed as close to the edge.
4. Now using the left over bias tape, you want to make two even pieces.  So fold it in half and cut.  These will be used as the neck tie and waist tie.
5.  Arrange these two along the arm area of the apron. 
6.  Starting at the very end sew along the edge and continue around the arm area to the other end.


Here is the finished product. 


These are very simple to make, and one could make them more festive or fancier.  Add pockets or ribbons.  You could do anything.

Everyone have a fabulous week.

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Sunday, September 23, 2012

DIY Bracelet - Using Shrinky Plastic

Hi everyone!!  I lay here in my bed writing this post all late because I took forever trying to get pics ready and doing laundry and watching some good ole football with theHubs, Go TEXANS 3-0!!! I'm super sleepy and tired but I will finish this post, lol!! Yes, I am the biggest procrastinator.... for one I've been on vacation with my honey this past week so this post should have been done and ready to go.  
I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend, it was the 1st day of Fall.  Here in Houston you couldn't tell we were still in the 90's, just a tad bit warm.  We were still able to enjoy the day though.

Okay, now that I have confessed here is what's going on in Casa Fifi and theHubs...
I am still working on some more of the thread-sketching but I wasn't finished with it, I can't decide what exactly I want to make it into yet.  It will probably end up being another pillow, who knows.  I really like this technique a lot.  It's so different and the more imperfect you sew the better it looks (totally my opinion).  
Well here is another project I finished.  It's something simple and sweet and very easy to do.  If you have an imagination you can pretty much create anything you want.  What am I talking about - Shrinky Dink Plastic!!  I totally love this stuff.  It is the coolest to use - with adult supervision if children are crafting with this.

I hope you like what I made!






 Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great week.  
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Sunday, September 16, 2012

Thread Sketching - Owl Pillow project

Okay, if you haven't noticed yet, my go to projects are always going to be a pillow or a bag.  This weeks project is a pillow as you can see.  I thought I'd try my hand at thread sketching...basically drawing with the sewing machine.  

Some people use a darning foot, but I don't have one so a regular presser foot is just fine.  I freehand drew the owl.  If drawing is not your best skill don't worry you can trace any pic you want.  The lines being sewn don't have to be perfect anyway. 


See...not very perfect.  I used different stitches that were available on my machine for the eyes.  The rest was just sewing lines, back stitching, and turning my piece around.


More non-perfectness.  I used interfacing and batting when I sewed the owl.  Gives it that squishy, wrinkly, quilt like look.  


My favorite part was the eyes.


For the rest of the pillow I just did freehand quilting lines.


I finished it off by adding a blue just like the eye's for the back.  I really enjoy the technique of thread sketching.  It's really fun to do.

Thanks for stopping by to view the new project.  Everyone have a fabulous week.

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Sunday, July 8, 2012

Embroidery Art - Day of the Dead Pillow

 Where has the year gone?  Can you believe by the end of this week we're already half way through July.  I'm already counting down till we get to October.....I can start decorating for the Holiday's. Woo-Hoo!!!

This project that I'm going to share with you was for one of our great friends Birthday.  Her lovely parents were the lucky ones to receive the Patriotic Pillow.  I want to thank all of the lovely blogger's who featured it.  I tried to grab all of the feature buttons, if I'm missed one I'm sorry - please let me know if you don't see yours.

The theme of this pillow is a little early in the year to celebrate....that is if you do! It is usually celebrated November 1st.  I don't celebrate the day, but I do love the art work of everything.  Some of the art work is simply stunning. If you like that sort of thing. I went on-line to get some inspiration for this project.  If you look up Day of the Dead art, you'll see skulls with flowers, hearts, webs, crosses and swirls, in many different colors.  Well my friend LOOOOOVES this kind of stuff and I knew she would be extremely happy when she saw what I made for her.

Here is some information on Day of the Dead History

(Picture quality is not the best, but I'll try to explain as best as I can.)
1.) I folded a sheet of paper and drew a couple of half skull shapes.
2.) Then I cut them out and decided on the one I liked the best.
3.) I traced (2) skulls on a sheet of blank paper and made copies of that.
4.) Then with the inspiration from the net, I drew out the skulls.  You know it's not very easy to draw teeth.  I had such a hard time, I kept drawing and erasing. 
1.) I ended up drawing (8) different skulls, I chose the 4 I liked the best.
2.) I pinned the skulls onto foam board with tissue paper over it to trace.
3.) I then traced the skulls with black permanent marker.
4.)  I cut out the tissue traced skulls and set them aside.
5.)  Now I was ready to start.  I pinned it onto the fabric, then put it onto the hoop. 
       Embroidering on the tissue paper was easy, I was able to tear away and pick out the pieces.  I didn't really have a plan, I just picked different colors.  As I finished each skull I took it off the hoop to pin the next skull where I wanted it to be.  I really loved the way it all came out.
Drawing out the skulls, embroidery and sewing took me about 27 hours combined....it probably would have been less if I wasn't watching re-runs of Ugly Betty or The Office, lol.
For the back I chose a black with white polka dots.  I have to say my favorite skull has to be the last  one with the blue flower.

  I'm happy to say that she was really excited to receive this gift.  I'm glad!!

Thanks for stopping by to view this weeks project.

Everyone have a fabulous week.

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Monday, June 25, 2012

Patriotic Pillow

This past Saturday we drove out to the country to visit some wonderful friends.  They have their property in Sommerville, TX and a short gulf cart drive to the lakes edge.  I love it!!  Well, we never go or leave there empty handed. Not that we expect or they expect anything, it's just a nice gesture since we only get to see them about once a year.  I wanted to make something that I knew they would enjoy and appreciate.  So I decided on a Patriotic Pillow.  Of course it can be put out all year round, not just the 4th of July. 


The Patriotic Pillow
(I apologize for the not so great pics. I was in a hurry)
I decided on the more muted colors of Red, White and Blue. 
1.) Washed and pressed the 3 fat quarters.
2.) Made my cuts, I didn't measure - I usually eyeball everything.
3.) I printed out a star, traced it onto cardboard and cut it out.
4.) I traced stars on the light fabric.
5.) Cut out my stars and they're ready to be sewn on.
6.) I sewed using a zig-zag stitch.  I sewed on the stripes to the light fabric, I sewed the stars to the blue fabric, then sewed the blue fabric onto the light fabric.   Then I used embroidery floss to sew the buttons onto the stars.

For the back I used burlap lined with the light fabric, I didn't want the stuffing to poke out thru the burlap.

Here is the finished pillow.  I have to say they really loved it.  I loved making it for them. 
I made another pillow for my friend's birthday but I will show hers later.  If you follow me on Instagram (@fifiybr) then you got to see a sneak peek of it and I also introduced her pet potbelly pig Bacon.  Her parents are the ones who received the Patriotic Pillow.


Thanks for stopping by, everyone have a fabulous day!! 

Until the next project.....


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Monday, June 18, 2012

Spray Paint project!


I spray paint!!!  Why, because this stuff can pretty much change anything into something pretty to look at.  Frames, furniture, glass, even shoes!!!!  I'm still trying to convince theHubs why I have so many spray paint cans or why I keep buying more....lol!!

I spent one of these past Saturdays spray painting outdoor plant pots.  They were due for a upgrade.  When we first moved into our new home we had no plants what so ever, the front door looked sad and lonely.  My mother-in-law gave me this potted plant, it is a type of Ivy.  The pot was painted white, probably with house paint not sure and after 7 years the paint has chipped away.  I sanded down as much as I could as you can see from the picture below.


It's no secret, I love easy projects.  This was super easy too!  I didn't remove the plant, because I was lazy and I said I loved easy projects.  So I just covered the plant with a plastic bag, tucked in all the long Ivy arms and pushed wooden skewers in around the bag so I wouldn't get spray paint all up in there. 

Ta-da!!  Fresh and white! 



I picked up this salmon colored pot at a garage sale for $1.00, yay!!  I washed and dried this baby and it was ready to be painted.  I loved the shiny color it had, it just didn't go with the outdoor color of the house.  So I just chose another shiny color to make a statement in the entry way.   



LOVE IT! Who doesn't love a nice turquoise?



Now, they are ready to show off!



I just put them here to take the picture.  They have since been moved, the blue one is on the walkway now.  

Everyone have a fabulous day, stay cool if it's hot out or stay dry if you're getting the rain! 

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Monday, June 4, 2012

Floss much? Okay that was corny...lol! I made Embroidery Holders

I am soooo late with this post.  I guess I should have probably checked that I actually hit the publish button!  Oh well  it's up now.

Well this post is a half Friday find and a half DIY project.  It's a very easy peasy mac n cheesy kind of project.  The best thing about this project is how simple and practically free it was.

Here is the part that's a Friday find.  Ooooooo colors!!!  I found this colorful box of embroidery thread for less that 5 bucks!!  Yes, you read correctly less than 5 bucks.   There are 105 skeins of thread, 5 for each color, can you say score!  I will be going back to check if there are more in different colors.  This box was labeled "Bright Colors"  and it was to make bracelets.   I said nuh uh -  I'm making something else.  I could not pass it up. 

Don't they look lovely, all neat and in order?

Ok, now for the little DIY project....that was free and easy to make.  I used my pinking shears, some cardboard scraps and cut 2" x 3" little rectangles.


Then I made a little snip near the top.  Be sure to not cut too close to the top.


Then I took this hot mess and wrapped my little heart out.  I started at the center of the cardboard piece, then wrapped and wrapped, when I was close to the end I made my way to the top, near the little snip I made.  Then I tucked the tail in.  It took just as long as making a yarn wreath, which takes about a billion years to begin with.  LOL!  


I'm glad that's done!!  Look how nice and neat it looks now.  I also used a marker to label the top of the cardboard with the # for the embroidery floss.  I have like 6 different blues and they all look the same to me.  The # will help when I need to buy more.


I know that stores sell the holders for this, but I like it better this way.  If you look closely, I cut tall and short cardboard pieces and used some clothes pins.
1.  I was able to use cardboard that was destined to fill the garbage can.
2.  Free, free, free
3.  Hellooooooo it's cute! 


Aaaaaaannnnnnd, the little basket was a Goodwill find for
Dunnn, dunnn, dunnnn  .67 cents.


Okay, enough of my babbling I hope you have a fabulous day.

Thanks for stopping by.


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Monday, May 28, 2012

New Summer Tote Bag!

It feels like Summer is already here in Texas.   We've had some days in the 90s, thank goodness there has been a breeze on the days we've had to be outdoors.  I probably would have melted, lol!  One of those breezy days was on Saturday.  It was for my niece's daughters 1st birthday.....so I guess that would make her my great niece....wow that made me feel old.   I can't be a great anything at 32..... (*_*).

I love making things for people....especially my family and especially for sweet baby girls that turn one!!  Once they're one I feel like they need a new bag instead of a big ole bulky diaper bag.  Plus this bag is big and deep enough to carry diapers and wipes and whatever mom needs to carry.

This bag was one of my favorites to make.  I love the green and pink colors.  


I'm not going into too much detail about how it was made.....check out my tote bag tutorial if you'd like.


Pockets sewn on, straps ready to be put on.


I always add a extra little some to the bag.  So I made this cute little stuffed "K" for her name.


See...cute huh!


Love, Love, Love it!!  


Here's the inside!


Now, since it was for her birthday the gift of the tote bag doubled as a gift bag.....everyone loved it!  Here it is filled with her gifts - clothes, a stuffed animal and a lady bug.   Ladybug is her nickname and that was the theme of the party.  I am a rebel when it comes to themes or registries....I hate them and I will give what I want.  So if they don't like it...oh well take it back...that's just me! (",)  But since I was in a good mood, I added the little lady bug, plus it was cute.


Here it is ready to be given away to the birthday girl!


Thanks for stopping by and checking out my weekly project!

Have a great week everyone.


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Monday, May 21, 2012

In full bloom - Framed Flower Art

Who doesn't like LOVE flowers???  Well you're the weird one if you don't!  My favorite flower to receive is Tulips...in any color, but my all time favorite are Yellow Tulips!  Getting flowers, any kind for that matter for no reason is always a pleasant surprise.  My second all time favorite flower is the white Peony.  Really, these are soooooo beautiful.  I love them when they are fully bloomed or just barely opening.  

Okay, enough of my flower rambling!  I decided to make a piece of art to resemble a fully bloomed peony.  Can you guess what I used to make the flower?  I was also able to use a piece of fabric from my scrap busting bin and I also reused a garage sale find frame.

Sorry for all of the pictures....I couldn't decide which ones to show, so I just kept most of them.

Have you guessed yet?  It's really simple.


To make the flower petals was fun and easy...but the burning of my finger tips, not so much .
The flower looks like porcelain here doesn't it.


I really enjoyed making the center of the flower....after it was cooled I then spray painted it. 
You figured out what was used yet.  C'mon they're repinned all over Pinterest.


I wiped down the frame....my bestie found it for me at a garage sale for - dun...dun...dunnnnn 25¢
I cut out a piece of cardboard to fit the frame, then wrapped it in the piece fabric.  For the backing I just glued a piece of newspaper so you couldn't see all the glue and tape.  Sorry I forgot to take a picture of it.
Then I hot glued the flower onto the fabric.  After the glue dried I stood the frame up and put glue into the crevices.  I don't want it to fall off after it's put up.


It looks really great if I say so myself.  Well of course I'm gonna think that, lol!!


The three different textures used were wood, fabric and plastic!! 


Fine....
I used spoons for the petals and forks for the center! See, now you're thinking...really or whaaat!
Cool huh!!

Now it's ready for hanging.  I just have to decide how I should hang it.  The hook is at the top, the way the pic above is.  But I could easily add hooks to hang in the other way. 

Leave comments letting me know which way to hang it.
↨ upright
↔ sideways
   I'll tally up the comments next week and hang it up.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous week!

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