tissue paper tassel garland {tutorial}

I've seen a few fancy shmansy tissue paper garlands out and about lately. Boy do they leave your pockets fleeced.   I do love a bit a decoration that can add a bit of pizzazz no matter what type of year or even when the party and festivities are over.  But surely there had to be a way to create some of that loveliness with only a fraction of the price.  Well, I proved sometimes sense is better than dollars....All you need is a couple of packets of tissue paper and twine (or you can thread this onto whatever string you like). 

I chose four packets of tissue paper at $1.50 a packet

1 ball jute twine for $2

= $8 total and I've got enough to make probably another 3-4 garlands! 

Here is what you do...

::Take your goodies, pick a lovely spot with some beautiful music on, a cuppa next to you and even the kids will enjoy this one. 

  :: cut lengths of tissue paper about 1-2cm wide.  My tissue paper came in three sheets. I cut three lengths and used that as one bunch (so in effect nine lengths of paper).

:: bunch your nine lengths (or you could go more or less) and twist a little in the middle. 

:: make the centre of the paper the top by folding it in half and gather the tails together. Give them a little fluff up if they need it.

:: Get your twine, and leaving some at the start for hanging later, start wrapping around the twisted sections of your tissue paper. 

:: wrap about 8-10 times

:: secure each side of the twine by looping the twine and slipping it over the top

 :: move along the twine and add each of your created tissue tassels in the same way

:: leave as much or as little gap as you like.  I think I could have left less of a gap, but you can always add more tassels to these if you like. 

:: choose a colour pattern or go for a random selection 

 ::  Hang your tissue paper tassel garland and sit back and marvel at your work for less than the price of a cappuccino. 

iPad fabric envelope tutorial

I've wanted a groovy little case for my iPad for like ever and the other day I finally set out to make one. Taken from oodles of inspiration from Pinterest I decided on an envelope style so that, when it's not in use for my iPad, it could be a great document or notes carrier! 

Below I show you what you'll need to whip up one of your own. 

Take some fabric of your choice.  For this project you'll need two types, one for the outer and the other for the lining.  Cut a square of each 36cm x 36 cm.

So then you'll have something that looks like this.  (mind you could iron your fabric before photographing it if you choose!) 

Lay them right sides facing and sew around the edge leaving a 6mm seam allowance and a small gap in one side to turn the right way out. 

Once you've done that, clip the corners and turn the right way out and give a little press with your iron. 

Position your iPad in the centre on a 45 degree angle so as to then work out your envelope seams. 

 An easy way to do this I found was to turn your piece with your outer fabric ontop.  Place the iPad in the centre and join the three triangle peices together with pins.  This will ensure the right fit.  Remember do allow a little give as you don't want to be queezing your iPad into a pair of skin tight jeans!

take the iPad out and carefully stitch these two seams together

Turn the right way out and this is what it should look like. Now for securing the top flap to the rest. Initially I was going to use a press stud, but thought that might not be ideal having something you have to push down hard on when a iPad could be inside.   

So I opted for some hat elastic at the tip of the flap and a decorative button at the bottom of the envelope.  Given the elastic was not sewn in, I covered up the exposed tails with a bit of felt attached with visoflex.  The little metal plate hides the stitching on the top and the button was hand sewn on. 

Now your iPad will be fancy dressed whenever out and about!  Or make some up as Christmas gifts..would be ideal for that difficult uncle or brother that seems to lurk on the bottom of the shopping list! 

I've added a tutorial button to the top of my blog.  I'm hoping that will give me the inspiration to fill that page full of wonderful how-to's! 

happy days

xx

The Pillowcase {a tutorial}

Pillowcases are something we all have.  Some have heaps, some have a few, and somepeople scour op-shops to turn pillowcases into glorious little dresses for equally glorious little girls. 

Until the day I revamped my bed linen, I'd never made a pillowcase.  And never knew how easy it was.  Well actually I'm pretty sure I knew it would be easy, but I just can't quite comprehend why it took me so long to get making them. 

And now I'll show you.  It's super easy and if you have a sewing machine, and can sew straight lines then this tutorial is a winner for you.  If you are an advanced sewer then just be reminded that the simpliest of things can also make your day happy....sometimes we all need a quick ten minute project!

Here is what you need:

Fabric of your choice preferably 160cm wide or in length as then you can just cut one piece.
Thread
a few pins
Scissors
Iron and board all set up ready to go

• Cut your fabric 160cm by 48cm (this will allow for about 2 cm seam allowances on the short end and 6mm seam allowance on the length).  

• Iron each short end 5mm and then again to create neat seam.  Stitch using a straight stitch across these two ironed edges.

• Now, fold your fabric right sides facing to 70 cm which will make 15 cm of fabric over hanging from the length underneath.  Fold this flap back down over so that the fold line meets the short end and secure with a few pins.  It will seem like you are closing up your pillow,but you are making the envelope casing.

• All you have to do is serge, zig zag or single stitch (if you don't mind a raw edge!) down both sides, sewing through all layers.

The envelope opening that you created folding down the excess fabric will allow you to turn your pillowcase the right side out.

Fill with a pillowcase, stand back and admire your work!   Now, go make more in all the colours and patterns your hearts desire! Makes a great gift too!

Simple hey!

Joining in with these creative folk

spud-licious stamping...

The little people in my life woke before the sun this morning, which makes for a very slow start to the day as you glance to the clock thinking it's surely time for morning tea - nope - it's only 7.30am!!

So, on a whim I thought a spot of potato stamping could be a fun projects to keep us all amused and also be the start of our Christmas Crafting! I decided this stamping could have a dual purpose, and we could use this artwork as wrapping paper for our Christmas gifts....

This is how it was done...

What you'll need!

At least 2 spuds
Some knives
paint
large roll of craft paper (I got mine from officeworks last year)
damp cloth
art smocks

1. First work out what shapes you will like.  We settled on a tree, star, rectangle and bell.  Cut each potato in half length wise and with your smaller knife start to indent your design and then cut it out.

2.  Prepare your paper out on a bench or table and some pots of paint (lucky for me all I could find was red, white and green!)

3.  Get the children decked out in their art smocks (mums - you should put one on too - this can get messy) - and have a damp cloth to wipe stray paint or wipe the spuds before dipping into the next colour.

4.  Give them their spud stamps and let them dip and stamp all over the paper in a random fashion.

I think the tip is to use a paint brush to apply the paint on, so you avoid that splodgy affect - however, with my two, dipping was half the fun.  I did convince them at the end to have a go at this method and we made some cards - which will be great for family, friends and teachers!

Have fun and happy friday xx

A dream tutorial!

Ok, so for a while now I have been wanting to post a tutorial - share the process of how to make something from go to woe.  Although I also feared this with a bit of trepidation as my confidence in feeling that I earned any kind of status enabling me to write a tutorial was somewhat lacking.  I love crafting, sewing and decorating my home but I feel as though I am a jack of all trades (crafting ones, that is) and a master at none!

But having said that, I am taking a huge hop, skip and a jump in the deep end and decided to share a small little project I worked on the other day!

Have you ever noticed how in every single home decorating magazine there is always a wooden letter or word adorning a fireplace or mantle, bookshelf or kitchen bench??? Recently I bought the wooden word "laugh" and spray painted in bright yellow for a feature wall and was delighted with the results but it got me thinking!

My next attempt was the word "dream" but this time covered in decorative paper....

Here is how I did it!

You'll need...

wooden word - you can get these at spotlight
spray adhesive
old newspaper
decorative paper large enough to cover the entire word
pencil
cutting mat
cutting knife
emery board

Step 1.

Trace your wooden letter in mirror image on the wrong side of your decorative paper.
Using the cutting knife, cut around this outline and any middle parts (it might be slightly bigger at this stage by don't worry).

Step 2.

lay your wooden word (right side up) and paper (wrong side up) on the newspaper and give a light spray with adhesive being careful that the paper does not stick to the newspaper.  Carefully place the paper on the word lining up the edges and gaps.

Step 3.

Lay the word upside down on the cutting mat and using your cutting knife tidy up the edges of paper that are overhanging.

Step 4.

Using the emery board file the edges of the timber and paper so that they are smooth - you can file as much or as little.  Filing more away will give it that worn out vintage look!

Now enjoy your own personally crafted artwork!