LilBitSassy
female - 42 years, Meadville, United States
Blog 54
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Crafting Ideas
I was straightening up my computer room upstairs when I came across some old craft ideas I had cut out of some old Workbasket magazines. There were some neat ideas that could still be used today, so I thought I would type them up and just save them onto my computer. So that's what I did and I thought I would share w/the rest of the world, so here they are. I hope you enjoy them!
Thimble Pin Cushion
Materials:
Thimble
Polyfill
Velvet
Stuff thimble w/polyfill.
Cut a piece of velvet ½” larger than diameter of thimble.
Tuck securely around polyfill.
Sewing Boxes
Materials:
Cigar box
Batting
Fabric
Glue two thicknesses of batting on outside top of lid.
Glue fabric to entire box.
Potpourri Heart
Materials:
Lace
Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter
Ribbon
Glue lace around cookie cutter
Fill with potpourri
Glue ribbon around edges
Make a loop w/ribbon and glue to top for hanging
Note Holder
Materials:
Rat Trap
Paint
Sharpie
Remove bait holder, trigger, and staple from trap
Spray paint
Paint or glue picture of mouse
Write “Notes” across top &
“Not for mice
Not for cheese
Leave a note
If you please” on bottom
Glue magnet or hanging bracket on back
Water Bracelets
Materials:
Aquarium tubing
Lighter
Pencil
Food Coloring
Sequins
Measure tubing around wrist. Add 1”
Heat and seal one end of tube using lighter
Heat other end and insert pencil ½”
Fill tube w/colored water
Add sparkles
Insert sealed end into open end.
Heat and seal.
Doll House Sofa Set
Materials:
Sponge
Glue
Fabric scraps
Cut four pieces of sponge for sofa back, seat, and arms
Glue fabric onto pieces
Assemble and glue couch together
Cover small piece of sponge for ottoman
Greeting Card Bookmarks
Materials:
Card
Glue
Hole punch
Crochet thread
Cut picture from card
Punch hole ¼” from bottom
Using 15- 8” lengths of crochet thread, make a tassel
Attach tassel to punched hole.
Greeting Cards
Materials:
Heavy Interfacing
Iron on transfer
Paints or chalk
Cut interfacing to fit envelopes
Apply transfer to interfacing
Color background w/paints or chalks
Christmas Tags
Materials:
Cards
Colored paper
White paper
Glue
Cut pictures from cards w/decorative scissors
Cut piece of colored paper slightly larger than picture
Cut a slightly larger piece from white
Glue together.
Storage Cubes
Materials:
Cardboard Boxes
Glue
Fabric, Wallpaper, or contact paper
Select boxes for size and durability
Remove top flaps and trim edges straight
Cover outside with choice of covering
Arrange as needed -
New Projects
I have been working on some new projects for the past two days. For some odd reason, I
felt like working with paper. I have tons and tons of scrapbook paper (haven't scrapbooked in five yrs), so decided I should do something with it. So I started making mini envelopes. They're so cute!! They're just big enough to hold a gift card, money, or a business card.
Or you could punch a hole in them and use them as gift tags! I'm making them in an assortment of colors and styles.
I also tried my hand at making corner bookmarks. They came out pretty nicely with not too much muss or fuss lol. They just slip onto your book's page corner so your place is marked nicely.
I will be selling both of these items in my etsy store so be sure to check them out! I also posted pics of both in my Misc album here. I can make either of these items in colors or styles of your choosing (i.e. animal, colors, elegant, fun, etc.).
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Fat Quarters
For me, fat quarters are hard to resist--especially when they go on sale--because they come in the most wonderful and fun designs! Most of the time you can't buy that particular fabric off the bolt either. Plus, they're great for making smaller projects.
So, after much debating whether or not I should upload all my fat quarters onto my fabric albums site, I decided to go ahead and do it. I have a total of 92 lol. Wow. I guess I've been "collecting" them. Maybe someone out there will see a fat quarter they like and will HAVE to have something made with it
You can see all my fat quarters, along with all my other fabrics here: http://lilbitsassyfabrics.shutterfly.com/ -
A Little Early Spring Cleaning
Yesterday I decided to take a break from sewing and do a little spring cleaning. Since Mike wasn't coming home for lunch, I took advantage. I cleaned out and rearranged my kitchen cabinets.
I started with the two small cabinets that we keep glasses and cups in. Way too many!! We don't get many visitors, so I thought I would weed all the glasses and cups we didn't use out. I packed them in newspaper and put them in two (good sized) boxes and put them in the attic. That left me with two empty shelves once I got the glasses and cups I decided to keep back in the cabinet. So, I put my potatoes, onions , and chips (which were on the baker's rack in the dining room) on one shelf, and some smaller appliances (coffee grinder, coffee press, tea brewer) on the bottom shelf.
After that, I rearranged my baker's rack and put my Cuisinart processor attachments on it, my crockpot, and the toaster. So now I had some extra counterspace! Which I happened to be complaining about the other night while trying to fix dinner and no room to work! Now the trick will be to keep Mike from filling in that extra space! He's like his mother and thinks there should be something in every corner and nook and cranny--no empty spaces! It's annoying because I don't like clutter.
Then I went on to rearrange my cabinets a bit. I got all of my saucepans and pots in one cabinet! I also put all my baking pans on one shelf. So now everything is basically together and I don't have to open three different cabinets just to cook dinner. I still have two more cabinets to straighten out, but those won't take very long.
But I feel so much better now that my kitchen is a little more user friendly--not to mention a bit cleaner lol. Now if I could just get that bookcase out of the hallway...... -
Feeling Accomplished
I've been feeling very accomplished this week! On Sunday, I decided to start cutting out my interfacing for all those scrap projects so all I would have to do would be to grab a project and make it. It really cuts back on time if your prep work is done ahead of time. It didn't take as long as I thought it would either--so that was a bonus!
By cutting out all my interfacing, I've been able to get more projects made this week! So far, I've made two coaster sets (plus an extra for a free gift), eight Java Jackets, four tissue packs, three checkbook covers, two notepad holder, two glasses cases, two card wallets, and one pouch. Whew! Not too bad for a week's work!
Most of these are being listed in my Sassy store, but some are going to be free gifts and others I may keep to either list in another online store or hold onto in case I decided to do any craft fairs this year. -
Java Jackets
Here are my Java Jackets! I'm so excited by these. I did a little research to see the different varieties that people make and came up with my own unique idea: there is a tab on the back with velcro that attaches to the cup. I also added a pocket on the front of the jacket for money or gift cards! I will be making several more of these so look for them in my shop! -
Card Wallets
I have just listed some cute little card wallets in my store today. These are great for cash, credit cards, coins, or receipts. They are small enough to fit in a jacket pocket or even the back pocket of your jeans.
These are one of the items that I'm considering giving away as promotional items when a purchase is made from my pattern store. I'm hoping it will encourage folks to stop and take a look at what handmade items I have to offer. -
Using Up Scraps
Yesterday afternoon I decided that I would use up my smaller pieces of scrap fabrics. I had a drawer full of them. So, I brought out a few at a time and started cutting them into some smaller projects. I'll try to cut the rest today. I have quite a few things to work on now.
Needless to say, there will be some new items in my etsy store very soon! Glasses cases, checkbook covers, tissue packs, cup cozies, card wallets, and coasters just to name a few. They will all be unique because I had quite a few interesting fabrics lol. -
Sample Box
I am thinking of selling sample boxes in my etsy store. The box would have three to five samples of smaller items in it. These may or may not be items in my store . I came upon this idea because I had participated in The Spotted Box (www.TheSpottedBox.com). I didn't seem to get any orders from that, so I decided what if I made my own sample box with my own items instead? Customers could see a sampling of my handiwork before they actually purchased an item.
Also, I'm thinking of giving away a free sample of my work to those that purchase from my Lots O' Patterns shop. Maybe draw them to my Sassy store that way. I just need to find some way of promoting my Sassy store a bit more so I can draw some business there. -
Moved Fabric Albums
After having difficulties with Photobucket, I have decided to move my fabric albums to another site. So, I chose Shutterfly. I really love it! Very easy to use and it has a couple of features that I really needed. I can make folders and then have categories in each folder. For example, I have my main folder "Fabrics" and in that folder there are my subcategories: animal, floral, novelty, babies & children, and misc.
I also like the website feature. After you download your pictures, you can then get your own website on which to feature them. It's so easy to use too because you can either download a picture at a time, or your whole album! Then you can rearrange them however you want.
It's really great for my fabric albums. Hopefully this site will make it a lot easier for my customers to browse through. If you're wondering why I have albums of all my fabrics--it's for custom orders. Sometimes a customer will see a product they like but would like it in a certain fabric. With pictures of all the fabrics I have in stock, they can see what I have and choose what they'd like. It's just a bit more convenient for the customers as well as myself.
If you'd like to check out my new album site, here is the link: Fabric Site
