The Next Quilt

(A bit wrinkly)

I'm getting the quilting itch again. I found a stash of fabrics that I bought a few years ago just after graduating from college. To me they looked sweet and perfect for a girl's quilt. I'm using a log cabin pattern. One block left before I assemble the top. I'm already thinking about the next few...

The Earring Holder

I had decided it was finally time to retire my crappy window screen earring holder for something slightly more glam. Debating whether to do a cool tree like hanger (cats would play with it) or maybe another vanity top contraption (took up too much surface area) I decided to make a wall hanging version. This is super easy to make with the right tools:

8 x 10 or larger frame in decent shape
Stamped metal mesh (think vintage upright radiator screens. You can find this at any hardware or home center)
Tin snipers if you are lucky or have a brother in law who loves tools.
Little metal tabs for holding glass (in this case metal) in the frame. Available at a craft store such as Micheal's.
Small felt pads (under the chair leg floor protectors)

1. Start by finding a neat frame. I found this guy at the Goodwill! Can't beat 99 cents! Use the glass as a template to trace out the size directly onto the stamped metal.

1. Using a tin snipers, cut your metal.The trick with tin snipers is to hold it paralel with the metal. Found that out the hard way.
   

1. Insert into the back of the frame. If it's tight enough you may not need to secure it, otherwise use pointy metal tabs that can be inserted with a flat knife edge or an edge of a putty knife.

1. If the frame will sit too flat against the wall for the hooks of the earrings, then use small sticky-backed felt pads used for under chair legs. This will raise it off the wall and keep it from sliding around too much.

Free Spirit Fabrics Free Patterns

Free Spirit Fabrics, which carries several designers like Anna Marie Horner, Joel Dewberry, and Denyse Schmidt to name a few has several free quilt patterns! The quilt above is called Good Folks by Anna Marie Horner.

Darla

From David Walker's Robots

Cool Blog - Film in the Fridge

The cutest dang potholders you have ever seen!

I had to think about what this name means and then I remembered back to high school and my photography classes. Oh yeah, you keep film in the fridge to preserve it. Cool!

This woman is uber talented! Maker of quilts and other sewn goodies she also has a fabric collection to die for - including many rare out of print Flea Market Fancy pieces. Her quilts are lovely and she has many great tutorials and images of her quilt squares.

Be sure to check out her string quilt tutorial.

She also has an http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7001061 where she sells her cute quilts. I love her Baby Girl Stripes quilt here. Great color combination, not too girly, but just sweet enough.

All images from Film in the Fridge

Design Sponge

hannah berman of pie bird press

Every so often (very often ) I get the urge to re-decorate. My color palette's seem to change but due to my (lack) of great income and the color of my couch, I am limited to just planning for the house I will one day move into.

But, if you like to get ideas and check out some amazing interiors, then check out Design * Sponge. This amazing blog has a plethora of ideas and inspiration!

hannah berman of pie bird press

Oscar and Emma

Check out the framed piece over the bed. This is a piece of fabric stretched and attached to a wooden frame. This is a very inexpensive way to create a neat visual piece. You can also use different sized frames and prints to form a collage of work.

Kimberly Austin

Urban Outfitters Gets Crafty

Known for it's teen and 20 - some duds, Urban Outfitters has caught on to the DIY movement. Everything from iron transfers, to vintage buttons, books, and even a sewing machine.

A heavy duty beast of a machine!

You can even paint your walls with milk paint.

Book Review - Patchwork Style

This is an awesome book! Originally published in Japanese, this book of patchwork How To's from Suzuko Koseki has now been translated to English. The colors and fabrics used are simply delicious and so bold - it's like eye candy!

Both images taken from Make Good Books via Flickr

The book features several quilt, purse, pillow, and other household patterns including place mats and tissue holders. Projects include log cabin quilts and pillows, free-hand stitching, square patchwork, applique, and square applique. Etsy featured a great How To article that gives instructions on how to make one of the potholders from the book.

Featured Etsy Seller - Speckless

Heidi, a fellow Minnesotan, has a wonderful Etsy shop where she sells really neat crocheted bowls, dishcloths, containers, and scrubbies. Her dishcloths are made from %100 cotton yarn are long-lasting and very environmentally friendly!

Yummy yummy green...

or pretty cranberry red!

So Sweet!

I had to post a picture of the cutest little girl - Carolyn - wearing a custom order that I made for her. This was her Easter outfit. I love the little gnomes on her bottoms. I wish they still made that print!! Thank you Kate for allowing me to post this picture!!

Happy 4th of July!

From Martha Stewart

Happy Independence Day fellow Americans. To pay tribute to the Red White and Blue, here are some 4th of July inspired food, crafts, and more!



Food
Martha Stewart's Flag Cake
Martha Stewart's Summer Shortcake

Easy Layered red white and blue desert:
Alternate layers of blueberries, strawberries, and whipped cream in a trifle bowl or individual clear glasses.

From Purl Bee

Crafts
Martha Stewart's Party Pom Poms
Martha Stweart's Red White and Blue Garland
Quilted Firework Table Runner from Make It Do
Firework Pom Poms from Make and Takes
Purl Bee's 4th of July Baby Hat
Purl Bee's Stars and Stripes Felted Hotpads