Meet and Make Archives

Meet and Make: Beverly McCullough

March 30, 2012 by AllFreeSewing 6 Comments

Today we’re meeting Beverly McCullough from the blog Flamingo Toes. Beverly started sewing and crafting over 25 years ago. She started by making samplers and sewing her own clothes in high school.

She started Flamingo Toes as a way to keep track of all of her adventures and found a love for blogging that she never expected. While her blog includes all kinds of crafty projects, the main focus lies with sewing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Now her adventure continues with an Etsy Shop and as her blog grows.

10 Fun Facts about Beverly:

1. I received my first sewing machine as a birthday gift for my 16th birthday. I’ve been sewing like mad ever since.

2. I almost burned down a century old B&B in London because I used the wrong electricity converter. My first day there. Welcome to London.

3. My favorite pie is Sour Cream Lemon.

4. I think crickets are much scarier than spiders. They are very unpredictable.

5. I’m happily married to my high school sweetheart.

6. We had a pet snake escape a few years ago. We couldn’t find him for about 2 weeks, until he came out of hiding while a friend was visiting. She found him in the bathroom with her and thought he was a toy. She wasn’t thrilled when we told her he was alive – and actually hasn’t come back to visit since, now that I think about it. huh.

7. I named my first car Emily.

8. I have a cup of tea every night before bed. English Breakfast or Earl Gray – with milk and sugar.

9. I am very afraid of heights.

10. This year I would like to refinish a piece of furniture, make a softie pattern, and possibly take a ceramics class.

Beverly was nice enough to share a new clutch project with us for National Craft Month! Here’s an adorable clutch with applique on the front. Just follow Beverly’s steps and you’ll end up with a new girly project, perfect for spring or summer parties.

Applique Simple Clutch

I’ve been thinking about making a new clutch for a while. I just couldn’t decide what to do. What can I say? I’m wishy-washy. So to solve the problem, I came up with a simple pattern that is easy to change up for different versions! Today I’m sharing the Applique Clutch – a sweet clutch with a fun applique on the front. At the end of the post I’ll show you the other versions – with links to how to change up the pattern.

Ready for Version 1 – the Applique Simple Clutch?

This clutch is fairly easy to sew – no zippers, just a simple snap closure. This version has a fun raw-edge applique on the front flap and is decorated with a vintage beaded closure.

Ready to get started? Here’s what you’ll need.

1/3 yard for outside fabric

1/3 yard for inside lining

(I used Joel Dewberry, Heirloom by Free Spirit, Ornate Floral in Amber & Tile Flourish in Amber)

1/4 yard of fusible heavyweight Pellon interfacing (Peltex 71F – Ultra Firm Stabilizer)

1/2 yard of fusible interfacing (950F – fusible nonwoven interfacing)

1 magnetic snap closure

1 vintage beaded item (mine was a clip earring with the closure cut off)

Begin by cutting out your outside pieces. You’ll need 2 pieces 11″ x 7″, 1 piece 11″ x 8″ and one piece 3″ x 25″.

When you cut out the pieces, pay attention to the placement of the 11″ x 8″ piece that will be the front flap. Center the piece on a section of fabric that has a feature you want to highlight, like a large flower, bird, whatever.

Make sure that there is another section of the fabric with this same design that will be left after you cut out the other pieces.

Cut out the section of the fabric that you want to use for the fabric applique on the front flap. It should match the design on the front rectangle piece.

Lay the applique piece over the fabric rectangle so that it covers the piece below it.

Sew the applique on, about 1/4″ inside the edge, following the lines of your design.

This will give you a subtle applique look with frayed edges.

Cut out your Ultra Firm Stabilizer – 2 pieces 10″ x 6″ and 1 piece 10″ x 7″. Cut out fusible interfacing for the two long, thin rectangles and all lining pieces.

Iron your interfacings onto the outside fabric pieces.

Sew the long rectangle piece to one of the 11″ x 7″ rectangle pieces along the two short sides and the bottom. Use a 1/2″ seam allowance.

Clip the corners up to the seam but not through it so they will lay nicely.

Sew the other 11″ x 7″ rectangle to the other side of the 3″ piece.

Turn the rectangle right side out and press.

Mark the placement of the large side of the magnetic snap. You should have a snap piece and a metal piece with three holes. Use the metal piece as your guide.

Place the piece in the center of the front rectangle, 1 1/2″ up from the bottom seam. Draw marking lines inside the holes.

Cut small slits in the fabric and interfacing where you have marked it. (A sharp exacto knife works great for this.)

Place the two prongs of the snap through the slits. On the back side (the interfacing side) slip the metal piece over the prongs and fold them to the outside.

Here’s what it looks like on the inside.

Now cut out your lining pieces. You’ll need 2 pieces 11″ x 7″, 1 piece 11″ x 8″ and one piece 3″ x 25″.

You will also need a piece of your outside fabric 9″ xÂ 8″ for the pocket.

Iron your fusible interfacing pieces to all the lining pieces.

Fold your pocket piece in half, right sides together, to make a 4 1/2″ x 8″ rectangle. Sew the three open sides together, leaving a small opening at the bottom for turning.

Clip the corners.

Turn right side out and press.

Center the pocket on one of the 11″ x 7″ lining pieces, 1 1/2″ from the top edge.

Sew the pocket to the lining piece on the two short sides and the bottom, right next to the edge. Sew a seam down the pocket to divide it.

Mine is 2 1/2″ from the left side.

Sew your lining pieces to the 3″ x 25″ piece like you did with the outside pieces – but leave a section on the bottom open for turning.

Place the outside section inside the lining pieces, matching up the top edges and seams. Make sure that the pocket lining piece is matched up with the back piece of the bag, not the piece with the snap.

Sew around the top edge with a 1/2″ seam.

Turn the bag right side out. Press all those wrinkles out.

Sew up the opening in the lining by hand and tuck the lining into the outside of the bag.

Top stitch around the top edge of the bag, 1/4″ from the edge. This might be tricky since the interfacing is so stiff. But you’re tough. You can handle it.

Now we’re going to add the other side of the snap to the front flap lining piece. Mark the placement for the snap piece, in the center of the lining piece, 1 1/2″ up from the bottom of the piece.

On the back of the lining piece, iron a small square of the heavy-duty stabilizer. This will reinforce the snap so it doesn’t pull out over time.

Add the snap to the lining piece by marking, then cutting slits like you did for the other piece.

Place the two front flap pieces, right sides together. Sew the two side seams and the bottom seam with a 1/2″ seam allowance.

Clip the bottom corners.

Turn the piece right side out and press. Clip a little out of the seams at the top open section. Tuck the open ends in and press them down.

Pin the flap to the back side of the clutch, so that the wrong side of the front flap is facing the right side of the back of the clutch. The front flap should overlap the back piece by 1″.

Sew the front flap piece to the back of the clutch, 1/4″ from the folded edge of the front flap.

(Again, this will be a little unwieldy. A heavy duty needle will help.)

Pinch together the top of the clutch, with middle section folded to the inside, like the picture below.

Tack this tucked section in place by hand with a few stitches through the fold.

Now if all is right with the world, your front flap should fold over and snap closed!

If you want, add a little fun decorative piece at the bottom of the front flap. You could use a button, pin, anything really that matches your style and fabric. This will look like the outside of the snap, but it’s just for decoration.

I used one of my Grandma’s clip on earrings. I cut off the clip portion with wire cutters and glued it to the front of the flap, over the snap.

And that finishes it up!!

Such a cute clutch – with plenty of room for your wallet, phone, and keys – and we even have a pocket for lip gloss!

I just love the fabric of the clutch!! So perfect for brightening up an outfit.

So that’s our Applique version – here are the other versions:

You can check out the other tutorials by clicking on the links: Ruffled Clutch, Vintage Lace Clutch, Retro Chevron Clutch

I’d love to hear what you think!
Don’t forget, it’s one of the last days of National Craft Month! So head on over to the Project of the Day and enter to win by leaving a comment on the post. Only 2 more chances to win so make sure you don’t miss out! You can see if you won by returning to the blog the next day, where we’ll be announcing the winner.

Meet and Make: Angie Holden

March 23, 2012 by FaveCrafts 6 Comments

This week’s Meet and Make designer is Angie Holden. Angie blogs about everything from home decor projects to vintage finds over at The Country Chic Cottage. All of her DIY projects have a bit of farmhouse flair, hence the name of her blog. Angie loves all different types of craft mediums, but one of her top picks is paper. Something that may surprise you about Angie is that she has a degree in engineering! Curious to find out more? Read her 10 fun facts below and get to know Angie a bit better!

10 Fun Facts About Angie:

1. I live on a farm in rural Tennessee.

2. I have a degree in engineering.

3. My husband and I were high school sweethearts that met on a blind date.

4. I have an addiction to Reese’s peanut butter eggs (spring is not a good time for me to diet).

5. I drive a VW Beetle.

6. I love reality television.

7. Our family loves spending time on our boat in the summer.

8. I don’t own any high heels.

9. We live in our dream home and hope to never leave.

10. I clean like a mad woman when I know people are coming to my house.

Here’s the project that Angie’s sharing with us for National Craft Month. This week is all about yarn crafts, but that doesn’t mean it has to be all about knitting and crochet. Angie’s Fuzzy Hello Spring Wreath is covered in pretty pastel yarn. Isn’t it cute?! Find the wreath making instructions below:

Fuzzy Hello Spring Wreath

Materials:

Wreath form
One skein of yarn in spring colors (Angie used the Cha Cha yarn from Patons)
Scrapbook paper
Foam Letters
Buttons
Hot glue
Ribbon
Scalloped Edge Scissors
Plaid paint (Folk Art paints in acrylic and glitter)

Instructions:

1. Take your yarn and wrap around your wreath form. The variegated yarn will make stripes as you wrap. Once your form is covered, glue the end of the yarn down in the back.

2. Create the “Hello” banner. For the “Hello” banner, I used a variety of pre-cut tag shapes. You can cut these yourself into any shape you wish or use pre-cut ones like I did. These do not have to all be the same color. You are going to paint right on the paper. One coat of acrylic paint and one coat of glitter paint on each tag. Make sure the paint colors you use match.

3. Add on foam letters to spell “Hello” after the paint dries. Run a strand of ribbon through the holes at the top and tie on your wreath. If the tags do not stay positioned like you want, add a drop of hot glue to hold each in place.

4. Now let’s make some paper flowers for our wreath. Take a full size sheet of scrapbook paper (mine was 12 inch by 12 inch paper) and paint it any color you choose. Again use acrylic for the first coat and glitter for the second coat. Allow to dry. Cut into approximately 1 1/2 inch wide strips with your scalloped edge scissors. Fold each strip “accordion” style.

5. Place two accordion folded strips together to make a circle. Hot glue both ends together.

6. Turn over to the back and make your accordion circle into a flat flower like shape. Add hot glue to the center. Hold until set.

7. Turn over to the front and add hot glue in the center, holding until set. You can really add a ton of glue to the back as it will not be seen. Be a little more careful in the front.

8. Add these to your wreath with some more hot glue. But wait, they need a little something to cover up that ugly middle.

9. Cover the middles. I found these plain wood buttons at the Dollar Tree and glammed them up with some paint. Again, one coat of acrylic paint and one coat of glitter paint will go on each one.

10. Place the buttons in the center of your flower shapes with hot glue. Don’t have plain wood buttons? You could paint regular buttons or just use them as-is.

11. Add a ribbon to the back of the wreath and hang this on your door.

Don’t forget that March is National Craft Month, and we’re still giving away a prize every single day! Just head on over to our Project of the Day post and leave a comment to enter. It’s that easy! Plus be sure to check back every day to see if you’re the lucky winner!

Meet and Make: Rebecca Grafton

March 16, 2012 by FaveCrafts 5 Comments

Rebecca started making jewelry as a bored kid during the summer who needed a hobby to keep her busy. After many years of self-teaching and experimenting, Rebecca has become an experienced jewelry maker who loves to bead for herself and others. While jewelry making is her favorite hobby, Rebecca dabbles in all different kinds of arts and crafts and shares her projects on her blog My Girlish Whims, which is all about beading, crafting, and general life as a girl! She also offers many of her beaded creations for purchase in her etsy shop, Your Girlish Whims, where she lists handmade accessories to match all of your girlish whims! Keep scrolling to find out more about Rebecca and learn how to make a simple necklace!

10 Fun Facts about Rebecca:

1. When I was a little kid I had this one little container full of plastic beads I loved to look at and play with. I would dump all the beads and put them all back to where the were just for fun to play with them!

2. My newest favorite craft besides jewelry making is embroidery – this needle craft is so fun and definitely not just for grand-moms!

3. I’m currently planning for my own wedding! Hubby-to-be and I will tie the knot on February 25th, 2012

4. I spent a semester of college studying abroad in France. While abroad I had a chance to travel to Italy, Ireland, Spain, and England. Best decision of my college career ever!

5. My favorite food is anything that has cheese in it. You don’t need to impress me by cooking a fancy meal, a simple bowl of Mac and Cheese is fine by me!

6. Hubby-to-be and I are currently house hunting for our very first home together. The biggest requirement I have? That there is space for me to get a craft room!

7. I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I love where I live, and plan to stay here as long as God let’s me!

8. I’m currently taking classes to become a licensed real estate agent.

9. While I plan on working for awhile, I secretly hope down the line I’ll be able to be a stay-at-home mommy with lots of spare time to craft!

10. My favorite things to bead are earrings and long chunky necklaces.

Rebecca’s tutorial:

Learning how to use crimp beads is by far the easiest and most important thing to learn when starting to make jewelry. After you learn how to crimp you can make endless different kinds of necklaces, bracelets, and ankle bracelets. Once you learn how to crimp you can experiment with different patterns and types of beads and make all kinds of jewelry just in your style!

To demonstrate how to crimp I whipped up this simple but elegant strung necklace:

Here’s how to make it!

Supplies Needed
Beading wire
Needle nose pliers
Wire cutters
Crimp beads
Clasp
Beads of your choosing. I choose to use rose quartz beads and metal spacers.

I’m using tiger tail as my beading wire, which you can get at Michael’s or Joann’s. It’s strong and cheap, but kinks easy so beware of that. Beadalon or Softflex are higher quality beading wire, but also a little more expensive.

Steps
Step 1: Cut a piece of beading wire using wire cutters a few inches longer than your finished product will be. My finished necklace is about 19 inches, so I cut my wire to 22 inches. It’s ALWAYS better to have to more to work with!!

Step 2: String on a crimp bead and one end of the clasp of your choosing.

I choose to use a pretty heart toggle clasp.

Step 3: Loop the beading wire back over the clasp and through the crimp bead.

Step 4: Squeeze the crimp bead shut using needle nose pliers. There are also tools out there called crimpers that allow you to crimp the bead twice, but in my experience when I use a crimper my crimps tend to break. Once and done with pliers will just just as good, if not better.

Step 5: Trim the excess wire off using wire cutters.

Step 6: String on beads.

Step 7: Crimp the other end of the necklace the same way shown above, just use the other end of the clasp. Be sure to leave a little extra wire before the crimp bead so the beads have a little room to move around and don’t grind on each other so much.

Trim off the excess wire, and you are done!

A beautiful necklace in only 15 minutes.

Now that you can crimp, the possibilities of different kinds of necklaces and bracelets are endless! I love sitting down with a specific color pallet of beads and playing around until I find a pattern I like and then I string them.

GIVEAWAY
We are giving away a prize a day every day here on our FaveCrafts blog for National Craft Month. It is so easy to enter. Just go to our Project of the Day post and comment to enter! You have 31 chances to win and a new special prize each day. Tune in every day to see if you are the winner!

Meet and Make: Anshu Jain

March 9, 2012 by FaveCrafts 3 Comments

Today’s Meet and Make designer is Anshu Jain. Anshu is an engineer by day and a crafter/seamstress during the wee hours of the morning. She has restless fingers, which means that it’s very difficult for her to not sew/make things. She
loves to sew for little girls and is looking forward to sharing this process once her daughter grows up. In the meantime she talks about sewing on her blog, Blooms And Bugs.

Ready to meet Anshu?

10 Fun Facts About Anshu Jain

I have been sewing for over three years now (if you don’t count childhood sewing), part of it professionally…but I learned to make buttonholes with my machine last month (Feb 2012). Yay! better late than never. If you haven’t done it yet, seriously try it. Your (sewing) life will never be the same.
I’m really afraid of the pins. Its my worst nightmare to leave a pin in a finished garment and have them poke the child wearing it.
I went to the best engineering school in India. Ironically, that’s where I realized I am not made for engineering.
I started sewing on a non-electric sewing machine. It was a really clunky, super basic machine but it sewed.
I lost all my bags the first time we traveled to US. I still remember sitting at the airport after a 28 hour journey. Hungry, tired and almost incredulous that all 4 of our bags disappeared during the journey. Fortunately the airline located them one by one.
I wore a lot of clothes I made when I was a child…some of them made my mom cringe, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I don’t eat after 6:00 pm. I started doing it for religious reasons but now I feel that its essential for my overall health.
I was really addicted to sewing even as a child. I would cut and sew anything that I could lay my hands on. It meant sewing with Burlap, plastic bags, paper and fabric of course (which came from questionable sources). My mom would often find perfectly fine clothes cut up and sewn into something unrecognizable. I think we can safely say that I’m a mixed media seamstress.
My best fabric shopping place is Old Navy. Seriously, where else can you find nice/soft cotton knits for less than a dollar?
I like rain. Ok, Scratch that. I love rain. The part where I was born and raised is really hot so rain is considered refreshing and very welcome.

Here’s Anshu’s Project:

Spring Rain Mobile

Materials:

Felt squares in the following colors:
White, Pink (raspberry), Blue, Green, Yellow
Batting or fiberfill
Upholstery thread, or plastic thread
Template

Instructions:

1. Cut out the template out on paper.

2. Place two layers of felt, one over the other, and use the template to draw the cloud pattern on the felt.

3. Cut both layers.

4. Sew both layers together, leaving a small gap at the bottom.

5. Lightly fill the cloud structure with fiberfill. Sew the opening shut.

6. Cut out the drops using the pattern. I cut out 4 in each color, but had some left over.

7. Thread a needle with upholstery thread. Thread through the tip of the drop and tie a knot. Now thread through the tip of another drop and tie another knot about 2-3 inch apart. Repeat for the third drop.

8. Sew this drop garland to the bottom left corner (or side) of the cloud. Thread the needle a couple of times here to reinforce the stitch at this point. Now bring out the needle about 1 inch to the right of the point where you attached the garland.

9. Thread two drops this time from top to bottom. Tie a knot after the second drop. Repeat steps 7, 8, and 9 to attach two more rows of drops

10. Thread a loop on the top of the cloud twice to hang the mobile. Its ready to be admired. Rain rain come my way!

Meet and Make: Allison Harris

March 2, 2012 by FaveQuilts 2 Comments

This week’s Meet and Make designer is Allison Harris. Allison is a quilt designer who blogs at Cluck, Cluck, Sew. She likes designing quilts with influences from both modern and traditional quilting, as long as they are simple and easy enough for beginners to make! Allison is also a dental hygienist and the mother of two boys.

Let’s meet Allison!

10 fun facts about Allison

1. I raised and bred angora rabbits all through my childhood until I left home. I potty trained a couple of them…it only sort of worked.

2. I really wish I was a runner and enjoyed running…but really I can’t even run a mile without feeling like I’m going to die for a week afterwards.

3. My dream is to own a pumpkin patch.

4. My other dream is to have a miniature donkey…someday someday.

5. I loved boxed Mac and Cheese…I could eat it and nothing else and be a happy camper.

6. I went to school to be a Dental Hygienist. My Dad told me I should and I couldn’t think of anything else…I’m so glad that I did.

7. I really love having babies because I really love the 2 day vacation in the hospital away from home without anything to do but lay in a bed when they are born. I could do without the whole labor part and all the IVs…but even with that…totally worth it. Oh and if it were free that would be good…that is one expensive 2 day vacation.

8. I met my husband in Sevilla, Spain walking down the sidewalk. I was doing study abroad…he was a missionary. Who would’ve known.

9. I speak Spanish…I understand everything but my speaking is getting really rusty (OK its horrible).

10. In high school I played basketball, volleyball, and tennis. I was pretty bad at all 3 but it sure was fun. I’m really tall but my coordination didn’t kick in until I was at least 18.

Here’s Allison’s project!

Quilted Camera Strap Cover

Finished Size: to fit any DSLR camera strap

MATERIALS:

Leftover fabric, at least 27″ long on one side
Pellon fusible light fleece interfacing, at least 5.5″ x 27″ (optional)
Sewing supplies

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut two strips 2.75″ by 27″ long.

2. Sew the strips right sides together, then press seam open.

3. I made mine padded with Pellon fusible light fleece interfacing. This is optional of course, I like the feel of the padding, but you can skip this step if you don’t mind the hard strap. Iron on the fusible interfacing according to directions, and trim excess.

4. Fold one end in about one inch, and then again over one inch to hide the seam and make a clean finish.

5. Sew edge down for a clean finish. I sewed three lines, 1/4″ apart so the ends will be more sturdy and it looks more polished.

6. Do the same thing on the other end. The finished strap after the ends are finished will be about 23″ long.

7. Sew right sides together with a 1/4″ seam allowance. If you think the finished cover will be too big for your strap, you can make a wider seam allowance to make the cover thinner. Keep in mind you want the cover about half an inch or so bigger than the strap, so it’s easy to slide on and off.

8. Trim the inside edge seam allowance; it makes more room to slide the strap in and out.

9. Turn inside out (the hardest part), iron, and you’re done! Slide in your camera strap and voila!

Meet and Make: Tiffany Windsor

February 24, 2012 by FaveCrafts 2 Comments

This week’s Meet and Make designer is Tiffany Windsor. Born into an artistic, entrepreneurial family, it is no surprise that Tiffany has found success expressing her talents in many different arenas. As the daughter of Aleene Jackson, America’s beloved “Mother of Crafting” and inventor of Aleene’s Tacky Glue, Tiffany’s first love is expressing herself creatively. As a child, Tiffany expressed her crafty talents utilizing all of the supplies available at her mother’s store. Whether it was simply gluing Popsicle sticks together, bejeweling cigar boxes or designing elaborate chenille stem treasures, crafting has been an everyday part of her life.

A self-professed hard-core crafter, Tiffany’s passion is expressing her creative talents with all types of crafting materials. She is best known in the creative community as the founder of the Cool2Craft Community featuring the popular on-line Cool2Craft TV show. Tiffany has made regular appearances on QVC and HSN and has authored numerous hard-cover and soft-cover books. As producer/host of Aleene’s Creative Living Television show, Tiffany and her creative team also produced over 2,000 daily episodes of top-rated, award winning craft programming which aired on TNN. Her extensive consulting experience covers all facets of the craft industry including design, product development, manufacturing, retail, publishing, packaging, consumer education and more.

Want to know more? Keep reading and learn about Tiffany!

I’m a raw foodie. My sister EcoHeidi says I’m boring to eat out with.
My first word was “horsie”. I started showing horses when I was nine.
I owned a retail store that sold everything angels.
I am a Reiki Master.
I haven’t taken a vacation in 10+ years but I’m working on it 🙂
I never planned on being a computer geek.
I thought my lifetime career would be as a professional organizer.
I love to study quantum physics.
If I were a color, I would be aqua.
There was a time in my life when I thought I never wanted to see or make another craft again. I’m over that!

Here’s Tiffany’s project:

Decorative Pasta Art Box

Materials:

Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue
Wood box with lid
Spray paint – gold
Swarovski Crystals
Glass mosaic tiles and tile cutter
Silver stamping ink
Rubber stamps

Instructions:

It’s so cool to glue pasta shapes onto all sorts of surfaces. Just decide what pasta shapes you want to glue onto what surface! I like to use the Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue because it is thick and it grabs really fast. Lay out your design pattern and glue in place. I just dip the pasta shape into the glue, dab off any excess globs of glue and set in place. Let glue dry completely.
In a well ventilated area, spray the entire surface of your project with the desired color of spray paint. (On this frame I used white, on the art box, I used gold. Let spray paint dry completely.
That’s it! Just glue and spray and you have an intriguing frame design!
Here are some close up views of my art box top. As you can see, I glued 4 layers of pasta wheels to create a pyramid design.
Here’s a view from the top.
After I glued my pasta shapes in place on the box top, I spray painted the entire box inside and out and the lid inside and out with the gold spray paint. Let dry completely. Next I stamped the outside of the box and lid with silver ink. I glued mirrored mosaic tiles along the outside edge of the lid (over the stamped area).
On the sides of the box, I cut the mosaic tiles into 8 tiny pieces and glued them over the stamped image.
For the box feet, I painted wood beads with the silver ink and glued them to the bottom of the box. Let glue dry completely and then enjoy your work of art!

Meet and Make: Meggan Maravich

February 17, 2012 by AllFreeChristmasCrafts Leave a Comment

This week’s Meet and Make designer is Meggan Maravich. Meggan is the creator of Megpie Designs and a full-time wife and mother of four. Her first original painted design was published in the January 2000 issue of Crafts ‘n’ Things Magazine and since then, her work has been featured in publications such as Pack o’ Fun, Painting Magazine, and Creative Home Arts.

Her projects tend to be quick and easy crafts for the beginner. She designs projects for the more advanced painter, as well.

Want to know more? Keep reading and learn about Meggan!

I LOVE to paint!!!
I “can” cook. A few things. If they’re simple.
I listened to nothing but children’s music for twelve years.
The clothes in my closets are grouped by color.
I have a “touch” of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. (Okay … a slap or a punch, then).
My studio is an atomic mess.
I’d rather paint it than cook it, tie it, or change it. (think Dinner, a Bow, or a Light Bulb).
Sometimes an M&M is waaay too much chocolate for me. I’m not a fan, is all I’m saying.\
Most days I need an energy drink just to stay vertical. Some days, I need three.
I could be considered a hoarder. If you count glue guns, pencils, paintbrushes, and wood. All wood. Like lumber, and plywood sheets, and even wood cut-outs. I LOVE wood!!

Here’s Meggan’s project:

Ruler Snowmen

Materials:

Ruler (look for a ruler without pre-drilled holes)
Acrylic paint in white, black, red, and gold
Extreme Glitter in Black
Plaid Dimensional Paint in orange
Mini craft sticks for hat brims
Wooden birds for the school mascot
Red ribbons for hanging
Permanent black marker for outlining

Instructions:

Use the Midwest Products Easy Cutter Ultimate to trim each ruler into four 3″ lengths, and trim the mini craft sticks to just a hair wider than the ruler, so the hat brim hangs over just a bit on either side of the snowman’s head.
Use Aleene’s Tacky Glue to adhere hat brims to each ruler segment. I attached my hat brims towards the top of the segments, rather than directly in the center. However, I’ve made many of these types of ornaments, and attaching the brim a little lower makes for a totally different look:a really tall hat and a small face,versus the small top hat and the larger face. I wanted to date these ornaments, so I made the hats smaller.
Paint the craft stick and the top half of the ruler segments with black acrylic paint.
Brush Plaid’s Extreme Glitter Black over the hats for extra shine.
Paint the bottoms of the ruler segments with white acrylic paint.
Leave the backs unpainted; to keep the “School Room” feel of these ruler ornaments.
I use a cotton swab and pink powder blush to blush the cheeks of each snowman’s face.
Use a stylus dipped in black paint to dot the eyes and the mouths.
Dip the stylus before each dot for same-sized dots … dotting two or three times before re-dipping into the paint gives you descending-sized dots.
I used my Crop-o-Dile to make a hole in the top center of each snowman’s hat, so I could thread some ribbon through for hanging.
NOTE: For step-by-step photos of how to paint dots and carrot noses, please click here.
Because I am making these ornaments for the classmates of my children, I want to add our school mascot, the cardinal.
Here is a quick tip I found for painting small wooden pieces, such as these bird cut-outs: Spread out a piece of GLAD Press’n Seal sealing wrap, sticky side up, and press the birds onto the paper.
This holds them in place while you use a paint roller dipped in red acrylic paint to base coat the birds quickly and easily.
A quick way to make the triangle shape on the cardinal’s head, is to use a small flat brush dipped in black paint; lightly press the brush diagonally across the bird’s head.
Allow to dry before dotting the eyes first with white paint, and then with black paint.
Brush on a coat of Plaid Extreme Glitter in Red for extra shine.
Use a detail brush dipped in gold or yellow paint to highlight the bird’s beaks. I threaded the ribbon through each hole in the hat before I attached the birds … I thought it was easier than waiting to thread the ribbons and possibly running into a hat whose hole was covered by a bird.
As a final touch, I used a black permanent marker to outline the snowman faces, define each bird’s wing, and add the year to the bottom.

Meet and Make: Nicole Snow

February 10, 2012 by AllFreeCrochet 4 Comments

This week’s Meet and Make designer is Nicole Snow of Darn Good Yarn.

In 2008, Nicole Snow created “Darn Good Yarn” by combining her two passions in life—art and helping others. The idea was simple: created high-quality, beautiful yarn without using child labor… all while helping the women of India and Nepal support their families.

Within a short period of time, Snow and Darn Good Yarn had a passionate following. “To our customers, it isn’t just about high quality fibers,” Snow explains. “It really is about helping people. That’s what separates Darn Good Yarn from the other companies.”

As it turns out, however, helping the women of India and Nepal and their families isn’t the only thing Darn Good Yarn has put its sights. Mother Nature is getting support as well.

About a year ago, Snow was being interviewed for a magazine article and an interesting question came up—“How much waste, if any, has Darn Good Yarn saved?” She pulled out a calculator, ran a few numbers, and came to the conclusion that in 2010, they had removed roughly 4,000 pounds of waste from landfills through their recycled yarns—the equivalent of 106,667 water bottles!

“Our recycled yarns have always been extremely popular,” laughs Snow. “But, in all sincerity, I had never realized exactly how big of an impact the sale of those yarns made! Seeing that impact gave me another goal—in 2012, I wanted to get rid of even more waste.”

A week ago, after running the final numbers, she knew she had reached her goal. In 2011, Darn Good Yarn removed a whopping 6,000 pounds of waste from landfills, or the equivalent of 160,000 water bottles.

Let’s meet Nicole!

10 Fun Facts about Nicole:

1- I’ve moved my house and Darn Good Yarn 10 times in 5 years (I’m finally in Maine)
2- I was an officer in the Air Force
3- I love red wine (until my knitting starts to suffer)
4- I can still do a pretty mean cartwheel
5- I’ve met Josh from the Fabulous Beekman Boys (Yes! He’s totally fab!)
6- I have an almost unhealthy love for the show Absolutely Fabulous…sweetie darling
7- I love to cook humungous meals (like Thanksgiving!)
8- I wanted to be an astronaut when I was little
9- I knew I was going to marry my husband after our first date–we’ve been married for 6 years!
10- I had a dream last week and everything in my dream was yarn bombed!

Here’s Nicole’s Project:

An Obi Belt

Abbreviations:

WYIF= with yarn in front
WYIB=with yarn in back
CO=Cast on
RS= Right Side
Sl=slip
K=knit
P=purl

Materials:

1 skein of Darn Good Yarn’s Recycled Silk Sari Ribbon in “At the Bahamas”
1 skein of Darn Good Yarn’s Banana Glama(If you ever have questions just email me nicole@darngoodyarn.com)
Size 15 needles
Optional: Crochet Hook (Q/15mm)

Instructions:

With your size 15 needles and At the Bahamas Reclaimed

Silk Ribbon, CO 11 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): k1, *sl1 wyif, k1; rep from *
Row 2: k1, p1, *sl1 wyib, p1; rep from *, end k1
Repeat row 1 and 2 until your piece measures 26 “.
Bind off. With your crochet hook (or you can use your fingers as well) use both Banana Glama and the remaining at the Bahamas and chain the two lengths of 32” each. Alternately, you can braid two lengths as well. Secure the ends and tie each length to each side of your obi belt as pictured. Weave in ends.

Meet and Make: Lisa DeNardi

February 3, 2012 by AllFreeHolidayCrafts Leave a Comment

Today’s Meet and Make is Lisa DeNardi, a craft designer for AllFreeHolidayCrafts.

Lisa’s passion lies with creating something awesome from something neglected. For her, it’s all about time-honoured, classic possessions that never really go out of style. Sometimes she restores them to their original loveliness, other times they are re-purposed and reused into something fresh and fabulous. What started as a hobby and has turned into a small part-time business for Lisa.

Lisa lives in a home that she lovingly refers to as ‘The Money Pit’ since there’s always something to fix, paint, sand down, build up or move around.

Lisa created her blog, Recaptured Charm, when she lost her only sister to breast cancer in 2006. She wanted to turn to something that would occupy her time and her mind. She started with small furniture makeovers and within a year moved to a fixer-upper home and started a blog to chronicle her renovations and furniture transformations. She has been busy ever since.

You can find more about Lisa on her designer profile page.

10 Fun Facts About Lisa:

1. I am most comfortable in my work clothes that smell like Downey but are splattered with paint.

2. My father owned a Queens Plate winner in 1983;The Most Coveted Horse Racing Trophy in Canada.

3. I must see the opening credits of a movie or else I can’t start watching it.

4. I truly believe that square pizza tastes totally different than round pizza.

5. I try to convince all my friends and Mr. Charming that ‘all you can eat sushi’ is good for you.

6. When I hear my daughters come in at the end of the night, I silently thank God for another safe day.

7. I am the sister of a breast cancer victim. She was my best friend and is never far from my mind at any given moment.

8. Can recite every line from When Harry Met Sally and any Bugs Bunny Cartoon.

9. I have severe arachnophobia.

10. I have a hard time convincing my friends that despite my age I don’t have a grey hair on my head.

Lisa’s Craft Tutorial: Make a Coffee Filter Wreath

Materials:

Styrofoam wreath form
Approximately 200 coffee filters
Hot glue and glue gun
Decorations of your choice (ornaments, pine cones, branches, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Fold the basket shaped filter in half.

2. Run the filter through your hand to make a flower. Flatten the bottom and apply hot glue.

3. Start gluing filters to the inside of the wreath and work your way out. No need to go all the way around. Leave the back as flat as you can.

4. Using sharp scissors trim any areas that are uneven.

5. Hot glue on any decorations you like.

Question: Have you ever crafted with coffee filters before? What did you make?

Meet and Make: Heather Tucker

January 27, 2012 by AllFreeKnitting 10 Comments

This week’s Meet and Make designer is Heather Tucker. Heather is as much of a knitter as she is a mathematician. Because she thinks mathematically, all of her designs have elements of shape, angle, texture and symmetry; everything, in other words, that should appeal to a logical mind. She has always l0ved experimenting and creating, but has only recently developed an interest in writing her patterns down. You can find more of her knitting patterns on her blog, Mama’s Stitchery Projects.

Let’s meet Heather!

10 Fun Facts about Heather:

1. I have an amateur radio license and emergency tags for my car.
2. I was an actuary for 17 years before retiring to be a stay-at-home mom.
3. As a child I liked to make my own toys.
4. I have been knitting and crocheting since I was four years old.
5. The only trophy I have ever won was for math.
6. I ran a computer bulletin board for several years.
7. I have 12 computers and devices in my house named after M*A*S*H characters.
8. In my high school I held the record for solving a Rubik’s cube in 30 seconds.
9. I’m known for my salad making skills.
10. I got married after being engaged for eight days.

Here’s Heather’s Project:

Faceted Lace and Cables Baby Hat

This is a very textured and ornate baby hat. The example is in toddler size.

Sizes:
Small preemie – 8″ circumference, 3.5″ high
Preemie – 10″ circumference, 5″ high
Newborn – 12″ circumference, 5.5″ high
6 month – 14″ circumference, 6.5″ high
12 month – 16″ circumference, 7″ high
Toddler – 18″ circumference, 7.5″ high

Abbreviations:

k = knit
p = purl
c4f = cable 4 forward – Slip the next 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in front of work. Knit the next 2 stitches from left-hand needle, knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle.
k2tog = knit two together
sk2p = slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over the knit 2 together; 2 stitches have been decreased
p3tog = purl three together

Gauge: 22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette

Materials:

0.5 to 1.5 oz (40 to 120 yards) of DK weight baby yarn
U.S. Size 6 (4 mm) 40″ circular needle (for magic loop) or set of size 6 (4 mm) double pointed needles
Yarn needle
Cable needle

Instructions:

Small preemie – Cast on 44
Preemie – Cast on 55
Newborn – Cast on 66
6 month – Cast on 77
12 month – Cast on 88
Toddler – Cast on 99

Join to knit in the round. Divide stitches between double pointed needles or needles for a magic loop. Divide with multiples of 11 on each needle.

Repeat each instruction across the round:

Rnd 1: k
Rnd 2: p
Rnd 3: k4, yo, k7, yo (this will increase your stitches for the remainder of the body of the hat to a multiple of 13)
Rnd 4: k4, p1, k7, p1
Rnd 5: c4f, p1, yo, k2, sk2p, k2, yo, p1
Rnd 6: k4, p2, k5, p2
Rnd 7: k4, p2, yo, k1, sk2p, k1, yo, p2
Rnd 8: k4, p3, k3, p3
Rnd 9: c4f, p3, yo, sk2p, yo, p3
Rnd 10: k4, p4, k1, p4
Rnd 11: k4, yo, k3, sk2p, k3, yo

Repeat rounds 4 to 11 (end with a round 4) until the hat measures the desired height for size:

Small preemie – 2.25″ high
Preemie – 3.5″ high
Newborn – 4″ high
6 month – 5″ high
12 month – 5.5″ high
Toddler – 6″ high

Crown:
Repeat across the round

Rnd 1: c4f, p1, k2, sk2p, k2, p1
Rnd 2: k4, p1, k5, p1
Rnd 3: k4, p1, k1, sk2p, k1, p1
Rnd 4: k4, p1, k3, p1
Rnd 5: c4f, p1, sk2p, p1
Rnd 6: k4, p1, k1, p1
Rnd 7: k4, p3tog
Rnd 8: k4, p1
Rnd 9: k1, sk2p, p1
Rnd 10: k2, p1
Rnd 11: k2tog, p1

Cut the yarn with several inches to work with. With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops, secure and weave in end.

Meet and Make: Beverly McCullough

Applique Simple Clutch

Meet and Make: Angie Holden

Meet and Make: Rebecca Grafton

Meet and Make: Anshu Jain

10 Fun Facts About Anshu Jain

Here’s Anshu’s Project: