DIY Geometric Ornaments for U-Create

Geometric Ornaments

Hello all!  I am over at U-Create today sharing a simple tutorial.  I hope that you will stop by.  Pin it for later too.  It's so easy, and it is very easy to customize to your tastes.  Have a great day!

Find the tutorial here.

xx nancy

Felt Acorn Ornaments || DIY

Felt Acorn Ornaments || DIY

This is a tutorial that I did for Whipperberry back in 2011.   I am sharing a new ornament tutorial in the coming days, so I wanted to share this tutorial with you as well, especially since Christmas is fast approaching.

I still love my acorns!!   They are still going strong 3 years later.  Owen did destroy a few of them, but I blame that on his toddler behavior.  Now he actually respects the things in my home, for the most part.  :)   I should definitely make more of these though, and they make great gifts.  I even used them to tie around some caramel jars I had made.

Supplies

Felt balls, store bought or you can make your own.
Acorn caps
Hot glue
Needle and embroidery floss


1.   Thread your needle and triple knot the ends together.
2.  Using your needle and something hard (scissors), push the needle through the acorn cap to create a hole.

3.  Push the needle throughout the felt ball and in through the hole you made in the cap.

4.  If you do not want to use hot glue, pull all the way through.  If you want the cap to stay in place, apply hot glue, then push the cap down.

5.  Cut the string at the needle, and tie a knot.  That's it!  You have your acorn ornament!

 Enjoy!

xx nancy

One year ago: High Point Market
Two years ago: Visually Understanding Your Thread
Three years ago: A Tastespotting Thanksgiving || Recipes

A quick trip to UT || Cricut Explore

I say quick, but it was actually a week long trip!  Awhile back, Cricut contacted me to see if I wanted to come out to UT for the reveal of their newest product.   I said heck yeah!  I flew out with about a hundred other bloggers and businesses to see the new Cricut Explore in person.  I feel blessed and honored beyond measure that I was able to be part of it.  It was really exciting!

Now, it may seem like I have ulterior motives while I spit stuff out trying to get you pumped for this new product from Cricut.  Yeah, they flew me out and took really good care of me, but there's something you need to know.  Cricut worked their tails off to provide a new product for the DIY community.  They have extensively researched how they could make this a product that people really want to use.  Not just to sit on a shelf and one day use, but actually use it.  The company focused on three key words, which is the summation of the Cricut Explore.

EASY. PRECISE. VERSATILE.

Y'all.  It's easy to use.  Very little buttons.  There's a few steps to getting around on the computer portion, but it's really not that difficult.  They tried really hard to make things easier for the user because who wants to craft when it's hard?  Seriously.  Um, four buttons and one dial.  Simple.

It's precise.  You can get fine tips, delicate curves, and cut as small as a 1/4".

It's versatile.  It works with your old Cricut, meaning you can download all your cartridge images onto the new Cricut!  It's wireless, so you have the ability to work on it from you iPad.  It's quiet.  Like you can craft next to your sleeping baby quiet.  You can use the same cutting blade for all sorts of mediums.  What can be used on silk can then be used on cork board.  They also include a storage tote, which is never mentioned on the package!  It's a nice a little surprise.

So here's a little info:

-Individual images- starting at .99 cents.
-No commitment; cancel anytime; monthly or yearly subscriptions
-Access to 25,000 images and 200 fonts - $99.99
-There's free access to play around, so you are not committed to buying something you think you may like.
-If you create a project using their images but then cancel, you still keep your project!
-You can design your own images to cut!
-SVG files are supported
-The machine can score, cut, and ink at the same time!

This machine will be available mid-March and retails for $299.  You will find Cricut Explore at Amazon, Jo-Ann, Michael's, and Walmart.com.

Interested in seeing what people are doing with this machine?

Follow hashtags  #ExploreCricut and #OfficialCricut

It's going to BLOW your mind.

So what do you think?  Are you excited to get your hands on this machine?

xx nancy

Find me elsewhere:  Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Bloglovin', and Etsy.

*I was not compensated for this post, but I am receiving an Explore.  I just want to share with you a new product that I think you will enjoy as much as I do.  All opinions are mine.

Top 10 Posts in 2013

2013 was a slower year for readers, but definitely not for me.  As I reduced my posts, traffic stayed strong throughout the year.  You may be wondering why the reduction in posts this year, but back in January of 2013, I committed myself to my motto, "Quality over Quantity."  And I did just that throughout the year.  I'm thankful for my motto and my ability to stick with it, and I will definitely use it to carry me through 2014.

A few highlights this year for me.

• A 4 month summer long vacation in San Diego, California while my husband interned at Qualcomm.
• Checked seeing Garth Brooks live in concert off my bucket list.
• Got to see The Postal Service in concert.
• I competed in Creating with Stars hosted by East Coast Creative.
• Met and chatted with Candice Olson.
• Several opportunities to work with larger companies in the 2013 and the 2014 year.
• I was published in two magazines - Homespun + kleinformat
• Matt, his poor 34 year old soul with a family, finally graduated with his electrical engineering degree. (still working on that master's though)
• A few shout outs on larger blogs like Young House Love, Apartment Therapy, Craft Gossip, and U Create.
• Created and sold my very first sewing pattern, Wonky Triangles.
• This was my first year of real quilting.
• I opened up publicly about my past.

Let's take a look at the top 10 posts of this year, excluding giveaways, which has a nice mixture of home decor and sewing.

#10

The day I said screw it and went all black.

#9

The popular Let's Get Acquainted! Blog Hop.  A nice, quick read for anyone new to this blog and enjoys sewing.

#8

Get your hex on with this clock.

#7

The Triple Zip Pouch

#6

Flying Geese Mini Quilt.  Still one of my favorite finishes.

#5

25+ Sharpie Projects || Roundup

#4

A bedroom makeover for a family adopting.

#3
I may have tricked a few of you with  "A new addition to the family."

#2

DIY Illuminated Sign

#1

$5 wall treatment  With the use of a projector, the internet, and a Sharpie, this could be yours too.

I hope your year was awesome.  If not, you're human.  It's easy to focus on the could of, should of, would of's in your life, but now is the time to move forward and not look back.  There's probably a lot I would have changed or done differently, but that is what makes human life so interesting.  We change.

Cheers to a new year with 365 days of possibilities!

xx nancy



Find me elsewhere: Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Etsy, and Bloglovin'.

New Read || SCOUT by Lisa Tile || DIY and Crafting Digital Magazine

I have been following Lisa Tilse of the red thread blog for quite a while now.  She is a huge inspiration to me, and I just absolutely love her work.  I think you will too.  I am anxiously awaiting for my copy, and I just know that I will love every page and project.  At $10 for a copy and 146 pages of work (all ad free), I know this is a bargain!!  Click here to get your copy today.

Textured Gift Wrap || C.R.A.F.T.

Today I am over at C.R.A.F.T. sharing a tutorial on my textured gift wrap for her Wrap It Up series.  I like to keep things simple, especially during this hectic time of shopping and preparing.  I generally do not use the typical Christmas color combinations of green and red, but you can easily change this to fit your taste.   There are also other tutorials for this series, which you can find in this post.

So are you done shopping for the holidays?  Do you wait last minute?

xx nancy

25+ sharpie projects || roundup

 

1. Faux Malachite Knobs from Teal and Lime ||  2. Eggs from Dream Catcher
3. Wallpaper from Sharpie Blog ||  4. Mugs from A Beautiful Mess
5. Catchalls by Stephanie Lynn ||  6 .Lampshade from A Little Glass Box
7. TOMS from LDC Designs  ||  8. Chair Seat from Emily via Little Green Notebook
9. Rocks from Sweet Paul Magazine

1. Pumpkins from Paper and Stitch ||  2. Dress via Honey Kennedy
3. Ornament from Jazzy Chalks ||  4.  Garden Markers from Shine Your Light
5. Onesies from Delia Creates ||  6. Wall Frames from Better Homes and Gardens
7. iPhone Cover from Expect the Unexpected with Denise
8. Anthro Inspired Mugs from Home Heart Craft || 9.  Flooring from  Heike Weber

1. Santa Art from Bower Power ||  2. Lamp from Vintage Revivals
3. Pillow from dear Lillie  ||  4.  Clutch from P.S. I made this
5. Keychain from How About Orange ||  6.  Coasters from Sharpie Blog
7. Nails from the Beauty Department || 8.  Campaign Shelves from Our Fifth House


Here are two projects I did using Sharpie markers.

Sharpie Art

Sharpie Wall 


Are you going to jump on the Sharpie bandwagon?

$5 wall treatment || tutorial

I had many requests on how I made this "wallpaper" in Kk's bedroom.  I think I had Sharpies and projectors on the brain during Creating with the Stars at East Coast Creative due to these projects submitted, shown here and here.

Originally, I wanted to use fabric on the wall.  Namely, Ikea's black, white, and green bird print that is not longer sold in stores, but I was not aware of that until I went to the store.  I decided to use a projector and six Sharpie paint pens (please see note below).  I traced some of the pattern on the wall.  Instead of copying it exactly the way it was on yardage, I moved pieces around and traced what I liked and where I wanted them to go.  Fairly easy, but it did take a toll on my wrist and shoulder.  :)  It took me a day to do the work, but I would recommend breaking it up a little to let your arm and hand rest.  A steady hand will be your best friend to achieve good results.

*Photos were taken with my phone.  I was so focused on getting the room done during a short amount of time that tutorial photos were not at the forefront of my brain.  But I think you get the idea. *

TIP::  Do NOT use Sharpie's Flip Chart Permanent Marker.  It will bleach the wall but was easily remedied with paint. (See note below.)

I continued the process all around the window moving the projector when needed.

I really loved how it turned out.  It doesn't look like Sharpie either, and if I had some of you fooled, then your friends and neighbors will be fooled too.

Update: Vintage Revivals has been using paint pens with much success lately.  As I am not 100% sure what the markers will do later on, although I was able to cover it up with paint when I made a few mistakes,  I would recommend following Mandi's advice and using the paint pens instead of markers just to be safe.   I have replaced the word markers with paint pens for future readers.  



You can view the whole room makeover here, and the source list can be found here.

xx nancy


My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon.  Check it out!

DIY Illuminated Hello Sign || tutorial

This was my project for Round 2 in Creating with the Stars on East Coast Creative.  I had one week to knock off anything my heart desired.  Instead of copying something exactly, I chose a more creative route and used Restoration Hardware's Illuminated Arrow as my inspiration.

Supplies:

1" Diameter  wood dowels cut to 3"
2 large sheets of Foam Board,** cut to size (2) 3.25" x 12" AND (2) 3.25" x 31.5"
2 pieces of hardboard +,  cut to the size 12" x 31"
Scrap piece of wood larger than your hardboard
Drill with a drill bit size of 7/32
wood glue
Hot glue
220 sanding block
Christmas lights (I used outdoor lights from Home Depot)  TEST them first before beginning!
On/off light cord (Home Depot and Lowe's carry these as well.)
2 yellow end caps for electrical wires
Rustoleum Lagoon spray paint
Folk Art Metallic paint in Pearl
Picture wire for hanging



With a pencil, I wrote hello on the smooth side of the hardboard.  There were 100 lights on my strand, so I penciled in 100 dots trying my best to evenly place them apart.

Placing my scrap piece of wood under the hello sign, I drilled into the dots going into the smooth side first because the drill pushes the hardboard out of the way.   After all holes are drilled, use a 220 sanding block and sand over the top of the hello sign.  Sand the edges as well.

Using my cut dowels, I glued them into place using wood glue. ** I placed one in each corner and then I filled in the rest of the board making sure to not get too close to my letters.

Hot glue the foam board to the sides of the hardboard.**

Take your piece outside, and spray paint.  Let dry completely.  To give it it's iridescent finish, spread a little of the metallic paint over the blue using a paper towel.  A little goes a long way, so be careful.

Now it's time to make your Christmas lights available with ON/OFF capabilities.

HOW TO COMBINE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND ON/OFF LIGHT CORDS

1. Cut off the end of your swag light.  Peel back some of the rubber to expose the copper ends.

2. Cut off one end of your Christmas lights.  Peel back some of the rubber to expose the copper ends.

3.  Combine one white and one black cord and twist the copper pieces together.  Insert into an end cap and turn it tightly to secure the ends.  The cap should not fall off.   Repeat for other strands.

Now your Christmas lights have an a dial to turn off and on!


Push your Christmas lights through every hole.

To hang, I simply wrapped picture wire around one dowel in the middle and connected it to another dowel on the opposite side.  The box is fairly light.  Duct tape is great to use to keep the cord from falling out.

+ If you want your back covered, which is something I chose not to do, you will want to cut out a hole in the second piece of hardboard.  Your light cord will go through that hole.  I would place wood glue on top of the dowels and place the hardboard on top of that.  Christmas lights take forever to burn out, but if you are afraid of having to take the back piece off in the near future, I would choose to not use a back at all.

*If you are wanting to make a light that has a curve, you will need to use flexible, bendable material in place of the Foam Board.  Vinyl roof flashing or foam may be an option for you, but I have not tried these methods.

** Since I had never made one of these before, I didn't know the best way to approach the project.  I just figured things out as I went.  One of the things I discovered but did not have time to fix due to time constraints in the contest was that the foam board produces a less than great finished edge.  Using what I had on hand, I used Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty.   It may not have been the best thing to use to finish my edge for this project, but it got the job done in time for the contest.   You may want to take a different approach.  One option is you could place the foam board directly onto the hardboard instead of next to it like I did.  That way the hardboard covers the top of the foam board, but you will need to glue your wood dowels at least a 1/4" away from the edge to allow room for the foam board.  Or you could do as I did and find something to fill in the foam board edge to make it look nicer and more complete.

(My lights are not green and red in the dark, but give off a soft yellow color at night.  Very pretty!)

Did I miss something?  Very easy for me to do.  Just leave me a question if you need help!