Crafternoon Project #5: Confetti Gift Tags

"I craft so hard I sweat glitter."
-Dina Hafez-Suggs, deliciouslydarlingevents.com

This final Crafternoon project was these Confetti Gift Tags. Because the other projects took so long, some of the guests collected the supplies for this project to take home with them.

My original idea for this project was to use paper hole punches as the confetti, but when I found this shiny confetti with Christmas-themed shapes at Hobby Lobby, I knew it was meant to be.

Confetti Gift Tags
What you need:

• Cardstock or kraft paper
• 1.5" circle punch
• Transparent page projectors cut into 2" squares
• Double-sided tape
• Scissors
• Confetti
• Stamps/stamp pad
• Hole punch
• Twine

What you do:

1. Trace gift tag pattern onto kraft paper or white cardstock and cut out.  
2. Punch 1.5” circles in both ends of the tag, as shown in pattern. 
3. On one end, apply adhesive around the hole, and press transparency pocket on top.
4. Open the transparency pocket, and pile confetti on top of the hole. 
5. Use adhesive around the edges of the transparency, and fold shut, sealing the confetti inside. 
6. Apply adhesive to the other end of the tag, and fold in half, adhering the two sides together.  
7. Use stamps to decorate with holiday message. 
8. Punch hole in the top, and tie ribbon on. 

Crafternoon Project #4: Felt Giftcard Envelopes

"Is that a warm fuzzy, or just a piece of scrap felt?"
-Sara Lanan, CraftSnob.com

The only Crafternoon project that required sewing was the Felt Giftcard Envelopes. I figured that even the least crafty among us could probably handle hand-stitching two straight lines and sewing a button on.

Gift cards are such practical gifts (and usually well appreciated), but sometimes they feel a little bit lackluster. These cute envelopes spice things up a bit and could totally be used later as a little wallet.

Felt Giftcard Envelopes
What you need:

• Different colors of felt
• [Optional] Coordinating patterned fabric
• Embroidery thread
• Needle
• Straight pins
• Scissors
• Pinking shears
• Buttons or other embellishments
• Sticky-back Velcro

What you do:

1. Cut one piece of felt using the pattern for the envelope.
2. As shown, mark a dot where the strap will be sewn.
3. [Optional] Cut same size [maybe a tad smaller!] from patterned fabric to fit inside.
4. Cut contrasting felt 3” x 1” for the closure strap.
5. Line up strap with the dot on the felt rectangle, and stitch with a 1-inch “X”.
6. Stack patterned fabric on top of felt with wrong sides together.
7. Fold the long ends towards the middle so that they are equal with about an inch between them, and pin.
8. Fold in half, and pin.
9. With the envelope open like a book, stitch the sides. [It works best to use 1/2 a strand of embroidery thread.]
10. Use pinking shears to trim the sides.
11. Cut small embellishments from felt ... stack a circle on top of a flower shape, cut out a holly leaf & berries, cut out a triangle & a small rectangle for a Christmas tree.
12. Stitch embellishments to the end of the strap.
13. Place one half of sticky Velcro on the end of the strap, and then wrap around and stick the other half on the corresponding place on the envelope.

Crafternoon Project #3: No-sew T-shirt Scarf

"There's great satisfaction in seeing a thing take shape and form under one's hands, especially if they are made from oddments into something worthwhile."
-Nella Last, Nella Last's War

The Crafternoon project with the trickiest directions was the No-sew T-shirt Scarf. I positioned myself near this station throughout the afternoon, so that I could walk everybody through the steps and help them with the tedious cutting. If you find the written directions below confusing, check out this similar tutorial with photos from Max & Me Designs.

Even though the steps seem complicated at first, everybody was thrilled with how these scarves turned out. Many people mentioned that they were going to make more for teacher gifts and friend gifts. It's the perfect mindless activity to do with a football game or movie going on in the background.

No-sew T-shirt Scarf
What you need:

• Extra-large t-shirt with no words/graphics below the armpits
• Scissors
• Hot glue and glue sticks

What you do:

1. Cut T-shirt in a straight line, just below the sleeves.
2. Cut off the bottom hem.
3. Cut the remaining rectangle into 16 strips... I found it best to cut in half four times.
4. Set one of the loops aside.
5. Stretch the loops... they stretch better if you do them one-by-one, but make sure they stay about the same length.
6. Cut the loop you set aside into five equal pieces.
7. Tie one of the 5 pieces tightly around the15 loops.
8. Cut this bunch of15 loops close to the knot, leaving enough room so that the strands don’t come loose. [It should look like a long ponytail.]
9. Separate the 15 strands into three groups and braid down from the knot... Braid doesn’t have to be super tight. You probably want to braid almost halfway.
10. Tie another of the short pieces tightly at the end of the braid.
11. Untangle the strands and gather the ends... tie another of the short pieces around the loose ends.
12. Cover the ends with hot glue and then push them together.
13. Take a short wide strip and wrap it around one of the knots. Adhere with hot glue. Repeat for other knot.

Crafternoon Project #2: Dry Erase Frames

“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.”
-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Crafternoon project that surprisingly took the most time was the Dry Erase Frames. It was tough to find just the right color scheme and embellishments.

In the weeks before the party, I scoured thrift stores looking for cheap frames. One afternoon I hit the jackpot... and two coats of spray paint later, I had an assortment of different frames for my guests to choose from (and stayed within my budget!). I pulled out my scrapbooking paper stash, printed up some vellum templates [Menu, To-Do List, and Calendar], and let everybody have it.

Dry Erase Frames
What you need:

• Picture frames with glass and back
• Vellum templates
• Scrapbook paper and embellishments
• Scissors/paper cutter
• Double-sided tape
• Dry erase pen
• [Optional] Sticky back Velcro

What to do:

1. Pick a frame.
2. Pick a vellum template (or not!).
3. Trace the outline of glass onto the back of paper of your choice.
4. Cut out outline so that it will fit in your frame.
5. Use double-sided tape to attach other papers and embellishments, if you wish.
6. Fit in frame.
7. Draw on glass with the dry erase pen.
8. [Optional] Attach one side of sticky-back Velcro to the dry erase pen... and attach the other side of the Velcro to the side of the frame.

Crafternoon Project #1: Burlap Garlands

"Crafting your heart out makes room for your soul to grow."
-Sara Lanan, CraftSnob.com

For whatever reason, I've considered these burlap garlands to be the main event at my Crafternoon party. They didn't end up being the biggest or the most complex project of the afternoon, but I think these shabby chic garlands would look dandy in any home... as a festive Christmas banner or a year-round decoration.

To allow time for the paint and glue to dry, I suggested that my Crafternoon guests work on the burlap garland project early in the afternoon. We used long pieces of wax paper to keep the paint and glue from seeping through the fabric and to help transport the garland to the foyer or patio to dry.

Burlap Garlands
What you need:

• Burlap fabric cut into triangles... here's a trick for cutting burlap in straight lines
• Twine
• Scissors
• White fabric paint
• Foam brushes
• Letter stencils
• Wax paper
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• [Optional] scraps of fabric or ribbon

What you do:

1. Gather the correct number of burlap triangles, a sheet of wax paper long enough to stretch the length of the whole banner, and a length of twine long enough to extend past the ends of triangles.
2. Hot glue the twine to the top of the burlap triangles, folding over the edge to help keep it in place.
3. Place banner on a long sheet of wax paper before beginning to stencil. [The paper will catch the excess paint that goes through the holes in the burlap.]
4. Place letter stencil in the center of the triangle. You’ll want to be careful with the parts of the stencil that are hanging on, especially as they get wet.
5. Carefully dab (don’t rub) the paint around the stencil with a foam brush.
6. Carefully remove stencil, and use foam brush to tidy up any areas, make paint darker, etc.
7. [Optional] Tie scraps of fabric at each end.

**Suggested Words**
Family, Love, Joy, Be Merry, Last Name, Hope, Faith, Home, Mr & Mrs, J Loves R, Believe, Blessed, Rejoice, Welcome, Let’s Eat, Celebrate, Shine

Let's Eat, Y'all!

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious."
-Ruth Riehl

When my mom was here a couple of weeks ago, we were able to realize several projects that I had been dreaming of but hadn't yet found the inspiration for.

I have a tall blank wall in my kitchen across from the island. It was begging for something big and graphic. I was inspired by this, this, this, and this, as well as the giant utensil art I had in our last house (still available at Hobby Lobby, I think).

We picked up some white beadboard from Home Depot and set out to distress it a little before hand-painting the letters. You can see more specific steps and photos from the process over on my mom's blog.

I think I might be in love.

However, seeing it in photos makes me want to paint the wall behind it a fun accent color. I'm not sure I'm ready to commit to a full-fledged color scheme yet. Any thoughts?

Canvas Photo Tutorial

"Love is when you can be your true self with someone, and you only want to be your true self because of them."
-Terri Guillemets

Want to see what my husband's getting for Valentine's Day?? You have to promise to keep it quiet for a couple of more hours until he gets home from work.... pinky swear??

My tradition is to make my Valentine's Day gifts for Rob. And, sometimes that's tricky, given that we're not a super-duper, lovey-dovey, smooshy-mushy couple. Here are a couple of ideas that I've used previously: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.

This year, I spiced up a favorite photo (from our 2010 Washington trip) with a favorite sentiment and then took advantage of a project I had been wanting to try: canvas photo art. There are lots of tutorials out there, but I thought I would show you what worked for me. Despite my initial apprehension, it turned out great. Just need a house with walls to hang it on!

Supplies needed: photo printed to size (I used a 12x12 matte photo from Persnickety Prints), canvas, acrylic paint, Mod Podge, foam brushes.

Step One: Paint the edges of the canvas with dark acrylic paint. Make sure to blend the color over to the front and back edges of the canvas.

Step Two: Trim your photo to size... be careful because canvases are not always exactly the dimensions they say the are. I trimmed enough so that the image was just the slightest bit (I mean, less than a millimeter!) smaller than the canvas. Just enough so that it didn't overlap!

Step Three: Paint an even layer of ModPodge on the back of photo. You want to completely cover then page. Turn over and adhere to the canvas. Lightly rub a clean cloth (or your sleeve!) over the surface to remove any air bubbles.

Step Four: Even after my coat of ModPodge, I found that the edges didn't stick very well, so I peeled up the edges to reinforce the corners. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Step Five:  Carefully paint a thin, even layer of ModPodge over the top of the photo. Make sure to go in the same direction and to avoid globs of glue or little crumbs of dried glue. This is the part that had me scared... it goes on milky white, but I promise it dries almost clear.

Step Six:  I wasn't totally happy with my coverage the first time around, so a couple of days later, I added another coat of ModPodge on top. After this dried, all of my "problem areas" were fixed, so I'm really glad I took that chance with the second coat.


And, a Valentine's Day gift from me to you... the boot photo for your own use. Maybe you use it as your desktop background, print it for a frame, or maybe even make a canvas of your own.

To download the photo, right-click the image below, and click "Save Image As."

Fabric Valentine's Envelope...

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
-Helen Keller

It's always such a surprise (and a moment of serendipitous joy!) to find a personalized note in the mailbox. Do you need some pretty mail for your Love Mailbox??

I had been planning this fabric envelope project in my head for several months, but couldn't decide on a theme-- should it hold letters to Santa, notes of gratitude, or photos of special memories?? In tomorrow's project, we will make a special Valentine's-themed love note to fit inside!

Materials needed: khaki linen fabric, patterned fabric, white fabric, lightweight interfacing, Steam-A-Seam, thread, buttons, letter stamps, stamp pad, sticky-back velcro, bone folder, scissors.

Step 1: Cut out two pieces of khaki linen fabric, using the pattern below. Cut out a piece of interfacing just smaller than the pattern. Cut out some scraps of white and patterned fabric to use as the "stamp" and "label."

Step 2: Adhere the interfacing to one of the pieces of linen fabric, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 3: Use stamps, zig-zag stitches, and buttons to embellish the "stamp," "label," and even the closure button. This part is very similar to the Valentine's Fabric Tags tutorial from Monday.

Step 4: With right sides together, sew around the sides of the linen envelope, leaving one side open. Turn right-side out, and use a bone folder to push the seams out.

Step 5: Top-stitch around the whole flat linen envelope, closing the open end.

Step 6: Fold the bottom edge up to the line where the flap begins. Top-stitch the sides again. Or you can use a blind-stitch if you don't want the extra seam to show!

Step 7: Add a square of sticky back velcro to the flap to keep the envelope closed.

To download the envelope pattern, right-click the image below, and click "Save Image As."

Love mailbox...

"To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever."
-Henry Drummond

Alternative title for this post: "I love the Dollar Spot at Target!"

My favorite part about Valentine's Day in grade school was decorating a "mailbox" or "mailbag" to collect all of the cards and goodies from my classmates. So, when I walked into Target last week and spotted these adorable metal mailboxes on the shelves at the Dollar Spot, I knew one would jump into shopping cart. Well, to be honest, I really wanted to buy 3 or 4, but with no kiddos at our house yet, I couldn't justify it. (And, even at $1 apiece... we're on a pretty strict budget these days!) But, I had great plans for the one I did bring home.

Materials needed: metal mailbox, wrapping paper (my "LOVE" paper is also from the Dollar Spot), ric-rac, matching scrapbook paper, glue dots and/or adhesive squares, ruler, pencil, scissors

Step 1: Trim a sheet of wrapping paper to match the width of the mailbox. Measure and cut a slit/hole in the side of the paper to fit around the mailbox flag.

Step 2: Trace the edges of the mailbox and cut out two of those shapes. Cut out small squares that fit the top of the mailbox flag as well.

Step 3: Use glue dots and adhesive squares to adhere the paper to metal mailbox. Around the curves, it takes a little bit of guess-and-check to see where the adhesives are best placed.

Step 4: To kick the craftiness up a notch, add matching ric-rac around the edges of the body and cut out a heart from matching scrapbook paper to add to the front.


Here's another adorable tutorial for decorating mailboxes that I found on Pinterest. I love the candlestick stands. They're making me wish I had splurged on more than one mailbox!

Valentine's Mailboxes from the anderson crew

And, if you're wondering what goodies you should hide inside these cute mailboxes, stay tuned! Later this week, I'll be sharing some ideas!

Valentine's Fabric Tags Tutorial

"If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever."
-Alfred Lord Tennyson

Today is Day #1 of Valentine's Week here at Dancing Commas. Here is the first project of a whole series I have planned for the week. Three different fabric tags to express your love. Use them to top your sweetheart's gift or just send along to your best friend. Make one, or make them all!

Materials needed: khaki linen fabric, patterned fabric, white fabric, lightweight interfacing, thread, matching buttons, Steam-a-Seam, pinking shears, bone folder, letter stamps, stamp pad

Step 1: For each tag, cut two of each shape from the khaki fabric. Also, cut a piece of interfacing just smaller than each shape and attach (according to the manufacturer's instructions) to the back of one of the khaki pieces.

Step 2: Stamp a love message on a small scrap of white fabric.

Step 3: Use Seam-a-Seam to adhere the patterned scrap and the stamped scrap to the center of each khaki tag (the piece without the interfacing).

Step 4: Embellish the tag with zigzag stitches and mini buttons.

 

Step 5: Cut a 8" by 2" piece of patterned fabric. Press in half. Then, press each end toward the center crease to create a 1/2" fabric ribbon. Top stitch both edges of the ribbon.

Step 6: Pin the khaki pieces with right sides together (the fabric ribbon should be looped towards the middle and sandwiched in between). Stitch three sides with a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving an opening to turn right-side out.

Step 7: Turn right-side out, using a bone folder to push all of the seams out. Pin flat, and top-stitch around edge.

Don't mind our brass doorknobs in the photo below. There's not a single doorknob in our whole apartment that doesn't have paint splattered on it!

To download the tag patterns, right-click each image below, and click "Save Image As."

To infinity and beyond...

"The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination."

-Terri Guillemets

I've been dreaming of infinity scarves for a couple of months now, but wasn't quite sure I could pull off this fashion-forward trend.

 

1, 2, 3, 4

That is, until my sister-in-law gave me one for Christmas, and I wore it a couple of days in a row. [See self-portrait I took a couple of weeks ago.]

At that point, I took things into my own hands and bought supplies to make another one. Found this awesome Native American print (to be honest, completely different than what I had first imagined... but I knew it was perfect when I saw it!) at Joann's! And, Saturday afternoon after my Home Sweet Home project, I just kept sewing.

The project was quick and easy, and a great way to practice working with knit fabrics. I bought 1/2 yd of stretchy knit fabric, folded it in half, and sewed right sides together with a zig-zag stitch. Then took the two ends and sewed as much as I could by machine, and then blind-stitched the rest of the hole closed by hand. Twist once in the middle and then place over my head. Even Rob was impressed!

I wonder how many more of these I'll make in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully enough to wear one every day!!!

Reverse applique...

"I challenge you to be dreamers; I challenge you to be doers and let us make the greatest place in the world even better."

-Brian Schweitzer

When I first dreamed of this project, I imagined the starburst peeking through a hole in a solid color fabric. I had to do a little online research to discover the "reverse applique" method. Thankfully I was able to adapt this tutorial from Sweet Verbena (super cute t-shirt, by the way!!) for my project.

Here's how I achieved the look for myself:

1. Cut a rectangle out of khaki fabric. I wanted mine to ultimately fit in a 8x10" frame, so I cut my rectangle just larger... 9.5" by 11.5".
2. Cut out a pattern shape from a cardstock. I free-handed a house shape, but then folded it in half to make it as symmetrical as possible.
3. Trace around the pattern with a fabric marking pen.
4. Cut out a rectangle of fusible interfacing just smaller than your khaki fabric. Mine was probably 8" by 10".
5. Iron the fusible interfacing onto the back of your patterned fabric (or in this case, my starburst patchwork), as directed by the interfacing. Usually this requires steam and a damp pressing cloth.
6. Trim around the patterned fabric, no need to deal with all of that extra fabric.
7. Pin the patterned fabric to the back of the khaki fabric. Make sure that the tracing lines and the pattern are facing the same way and that your pins don't cross the tracing lines.
8. Use a small and tight zigzag stitch to sew around the tracing lines to attach the patterned fabric to the khaki fabric.
9. Trim the patterned fabric, leaving about 1/4" from the seam.
10. Pinch up the top layer of khaki fabric (making sure not to grab the bottom layer!!) and cut an "x" to allow your scissors better access.
11. Carefully use microtip scissors to trim close to the inside edge of the seam. In this project, I trimmed as close as possible. With knits or other fabrics, I might leave a bigger margin.
12. Use water to remove the ink from the fabric marking pen. 
13. Voila! All you have to do now is find a frame and a place on the wall to hang! Although it would make an adorable pillow front or totebag as well!