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Simple Flower and Lace Headband Tutorial

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks! As promised yesterday, here is my headb...

Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts

Friday, September 26, 2025

Looking Back at Old Posts: My Crafting Space

While editing a recent post, I noticed the thumbnail of a much older post that really caught my eye.


This photo says so much.

Looking Back at Old Posts: My Crafting Space. Here's my craft and sewing space from over 13 years ago in a complete state of messy chaos.
It's a photo of my old craft and sewing space at it's absolute worse. Such chaos, but I absolutely love it.

Looking through it all, I can remember so much. For almost every item in this picture, I can remember exactly why it is there and what project it was for if any.

Examples:


Looking back at Old Posts: My Crafting Space. Here's a doll dress I made ages ago.
The scraps of black and white striped knit fabric were leftover from the t-shirt to dress I made for my nephew's Cabbage Patch Kid doll when he was little (see T-Shirt Redo for a Doll, a Tutorial).

Looking back at Old Posts: My Crafting Space. Here's a cute porcelain doll wearing a blue dress with a matching lace headband.
The porcelain doll in the up right corner wearing a blue dress was a doll I found at a thrift store. I gave it a makeover before this (see Prettied Up).

Looking back at Old Posts: My Crafting Space. Here's a Bratz I made over. It has a pretty pink dress with lace, and it's hair is done up in a curly updo. There's even lace earrings.
Next to the doll is a Bratz doll that also received a makeover (see Pretty in Pink).

On the desk is a purple pencil box I bought at a back to school sale from Office Max. I was using it for sewing supplies, I later switch to using if for actual pencils and erasers, and now I use it for small electronic items. That's right, I still have it over 13 years later. Those things are built to last.

The chair was given to me by a friend from church. She gave me a ride home and just happen to have it in the trunk of her car intending to drop it off at a thrift store, but offered it to me instead. The desk came from a neighbor, similar store.

Above the small white drawers, you can see a cat face. That's from cute paper book cover I got in high school for my textbooks. I kept it for years before using it to cover an aluminum can to make a pencil holder. 

Looking back at Old Posts: My Crafting Space. Here's a basket I decorated with ruffled lace around the edge a lace wrapped around the handle. It's full of spools of lace and ribbon.
Above the chair, you can see a basket covered with lace. It's a basket I save from being tossed. I decorated it with lace and used to store my lace and other trims (see Decorating and Launching).

And that's just a handful of memories.

Makes me want to go through all my old photos and posts, maybe there's a few more memories to share later.

Look forward to it.


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Saturday, August 30, 2025

Lucky Cat Beaded Charm Tutorial

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

After far too long of an absence, here's a fun and easy craft tutorial.  

Lucky Cat Beaded Charm Tutorial, an easy craft tutorial for cute neko charms.

Lucky Cat Beaded Charms

I got the idea for these charms sometime after finding these cute cat bead at JoAnn's, but that was before they closed up. Sigh...

Don't worry, I found similarly cute kitty beads here at Amazon. So, on to the tutorial.


Materials needed:

First slide one of your round beads and a cat bead head first on to a pin.

Use your pliers to bend the pin as shown. Just grip with the pliers, then turn your wrist to bend the wire pin, leaving enough space between the cat and curved part to slide a bell on.

Slide on the bell, then continue to bend the pin with your pliers to wrap the rest of the pin loosely around the top of the bell. It needs to be loose, or the bell won't be able to jingle.

Now just attach the charm strap to the "eye".  The straps I got use a lobster clasp, but some use a split ring. Either works. Now the next step...

A group of 7 completed Lucky cat charms.
...Is to make more!
Make plenty to give to friends and family. Maybe it will bring them luck.

Just don't forget get to save one for yourself. I love their cute little faces. 

That's it for now. I am planning to post another simple craft tutorial later. Hopefully, it won't be quite as late as this one.

Look forward to it!


Give it a try:

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Monday, November 26, 2018

Cute and Simple Matching Laptop Case

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

So a few months ago I bought a new much smaller laptop computer to use for blogging on the go.  It’s this one from Lenovo, my niece has the same one for school.

Cute and Simple Laptop Case

I just needed a cute case for it, and why buy one when I can sew my own?  This case is actually just a simple zippered pouch, the classic craft project.  Just a little larger and with a lining.

Since it can be tricky to make a pouch with a lining, I found this lined zipper pouch tutorial.  And if you need more help, I found a video tutorial for a lined zipper pouch too.

Cut the fabric about 1 1/2 - 2 inches around the laptop.  Need two pieces for the outside and two for the lining.  Cut pieces for padding too if desired.

Anyway, I started by cutting four rectangles of fabric approximately 1.5 inches (about 4 cm.) larger than my computer.  I used fabric leftover from my new tote bag (see Cute Navy and Pink Pocket Tote Bag with Tutorial).

I cut two pieces of the cute pink flannel for the lining of the case and two pieces of navy blue for the outside.  I could have cut some batting for padding too if I wanted, but this was fine.

Cut a piece of cute fabric for an outside pocket.

I also cut a smaller rectangle of the pink flannel for a cute outside pocket.

Add lace to the pocket before sewing it to the case.

I hemmed the top and added some lace before pinning it to one of the outside pieces.

The pocket sewn on to one of the case pieces.

After sewing, the pocket is finished.

Pinning the zipper to one side before sewing.  The zipper goes around the left and right corners.

I then started adding the zipper.  Instead of just pinning along the top, I let the zipper go partially down the sides and around the top corners.  This will makes it easier to get my computer in and out.

Close up of the pinned on zipper at one of the corners.  It curves slightly.

I had to carefully curve the zipper at the corners.

After sewing the zipper on both sides.  Also with the lining sewn to the zipper on the under side.

After pining and sewing the zipper to both sides, this is what it looks like.

Pin lace on the case before sewing the sides.

After sewing the outside and lining to the zipper, I added the lace along the edge.

Pinning lace to the case along the zipper.

You can see it is the same lace I used for my tote bag and my 2DS case (see First Aid Kit to Cute Nintendo 2DS Case).  Now all my bags match!

The sides of the case with lining are sewn.  Ready to turn right side out.

Anyway, then I just stitched around the sides…

Cute and Simple Laptop case 013 (640x480)

…Turn everything right side out…

The finished laptop case with laptop peeking from inside. It's a Lenovo.

…And the case is ready for my computer.


Here’s the updated list:

Three down, seven more to go.  The next couple projects should be up soon, and there will be lace involved.  Look forward to it!


Give it a try:

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Sunday, October 28, 2018

Halloween Crafts: From Plain to Pretty Lace Fantasy Costume Dress

It took way too long, but I finally finished the first project on my craft list. 

From Plain to Pretty Lace Fantasy Costume Dress

A Halloween costume.

Before it's a relatively simple pink skater style dress made for a Halloween costume 2 years ago.

Does anyone remember this dress?  I made it two years ago around Halloween along with a couple of other accessories.  The accessories turned it into a cute fairy costume.

Sometimes great costumes can come from simple things, and I will show you how again with this dress.

Using the dress, cut a 2 tank top shaped pieces from the lace to make a bodice.

I had this pink lace fabric leftover from an Easter dress (see Pink Lace for Easter).  Using the pink dress as a guide, I cut two tank top shapes out for a lacy bodice.

Then I stitched along the shoulders and “hemmed” arm area.  I just folded down the edge and zig-zag stitched it down.

A circle of lace fabric cut in half makes two ruffles for flutter sleeves.

I cut two half circles from the lace for cute flutter sleeves.

After sewing the shoulders of the bodice, sew the hemmed flutter sleeves on.

Just hem them and sew on along the arm area to finish.

Cut the lace fabric for a half circle skirt, here's a tutorial for that. Time for some math.

The skirt on the pink dress is a circle skirt, but for the lace I made a half circle instead.  Here’s a great tutorial for half circle skirts.

The sides of the bodice are sewn, the bodice has been cut down the center to open up as with the skirt, and the skirt is sewn to the bodice.  Plus, the lace over dress is layered over the old pink dress.

I decided to cut the lace bodice down the center to open it up before sewing on the skirt.

Then I hemmed all the raw edges and layered the lace “overdress” over the pink dress.  Looks pretty now.

The lace over layer is hand sewn to the dress along the front and neckline.  It can easily been removed if neccessary for next year.

I then grabbed a needle and thread and to attach the lace to the pink dress along the front and neckline.  Just enough to keep things in place.

I wanted the stitches to be easy to remove in case I want to wear these pieces separately in the future.

The pretty new costume dress complete with a couple of accessories.  A flower head band made previously and a pair of lace finger less gloves.

Just throw on a few accessories, and my costume dress is done.  I still haven’t really decided what to call it.  This dress could work for so many pretty outfits.  From princess or fairy to anime style magical girl.  It all works.

Close up of the flower head band made of faux pink and white flowers and pink ribbon.

Anyway, in addition to the left lace fabric I’m reusing the flower headband I also wore for Easter.  The color matches this dress perfectly.  Check out my flower headband tutorial to make your own.

One of the lace finger less gloves worn.  It just a tube of fabric, hemmed on the ends and fitted to a human arm.

Using more of the stretchy lace fabric, I whipping up some finger-less gloves that are easier than they look.  They are basically just tubes of fabric, hemmed and adjusted to fit my arms.

One of the lace finger less gloves worn.  It just a tube of fabric, hemmed on the ends and fitted to a human arm.

One end was pinned and stitch to go around my thumb.  An easier method it to cut the legs off a pair of lace tights and  cut off the toes for your fingers, but I didn’t have any.

So, now we have a pretty costume dress with matching accessories, and just in time for Halloween.  Yay!

Here’s the updated list:

  • Costume
  • Case
  • Doll and Kitty
  • Little Halloween
  • 3 Skirts
  • Accessories
  • Socks
  • Overalls
  • Ornaments
  • More Cases

One down, nine more to go.  The next one should be up soon.  Look forward to it!

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Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Up to Forty Five, Plus Christmas

Craft Project List #45Just finished my last craft project list a few days ago, so time for the next one. 

This one is special for two reasons.  First, it’s much longer than my last few lists.  Almost twice a long.

And second, it includes more than one holiday.  I have combined this project list with my Christmas craft list for this year.  It seemed best because I don’t have much to make this year for the holidays, plus it’s been taking me a while to complete any crafts lately.  Might as well shove them all together and give myself more time to complete them all.

Anyway, here’s my list.

Craft Project List #45:

  • Costume
  • Case
  • Doll and Kitty
  • Little Halloween
  • 3 Skirts
  • Accessories
  • Socks
  • Overalls
  • Ornaments
  • More Cases

And I planned to have it all done by the end of the year.  Better get to it!

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Sunday, September 30, 2018

Quick and Easy Dollar Store Tea Set Makeover

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

Finally, the last project on my list.  A pretty tea set.

Quick and Easy Dollar Store Tea Set Makeover

I wanted another cute little porcelain tea set for my dolls and stuff.  You used to be able to find them at most dollar stores.  Sadly that’s not the case anymore. 

So, I did the next best thing.

A pink and yellow plastic toy tea set bought from Dollar Tree, a dollar store chain.

I got a plastic set instead (see the doll blog for their reaction).  You can find this tea set at Dollar Tree as well as most dollar stores.

It’s the right size and is sort of cute, but the colors are kind of tacky.  The easiest way to fix the color issue was to paint it.

So let’s paint some plastic!

Getting ready to paint the tea set using acrylic paints, glossy Mod Podge, cheap brushes, a paper plate and one other tool.

I gathered up some supplies I had on hand and got to work.  I used acrylic paints, paint brushes, a paper plate for the paint, and glossy Mod Podge

The Mod Podge protects the work and makes the pieces shiny and pretty.

The strangest tool needed, emory boards for nails.  Can also use fine sandpaper.  Just lightly sand the surface of the plastic pieces before painting them.

I also used these, nail emery boards.  You could also use fine sand paper, but I used these because it’s what I had around.

So first, I lightly sanded the surface of all my pieces.  This helps the paint stick on better, or so I’ve been told.

Paint the pieces with 1-2 coats of white paint as a base.  Let dry  between coats.

Then I applied 2 coats of white paint to all the pieces, allowing them to dry between coats.  I painted one side of each piece at a time.

I was going to paint the pieces a different color after the white paint dried, but I decided they looked pretty that way and went with it.

Adding pink paint to bring out the details in the cute dishes and cups.  There are little hearts and flowers!

I then added some pale pink paint to bring out some of the details.

Finish with one 1-2 coats of glossy Mod Podge to protect and make it shine.

And finally, I applied two coats of the glossy Mod Podge (allowing to dry between coats) to seal and finish them.

The tea set looks so much nicer now.  The gloss makes the pieces look very porcelain-like, but since they are plastic I don’t have to worry about dropping them.

A close up of one of the tea cups, looks a little like porcelain now with the gloss.

I could have painted little designs on the cups like flowers and such if I wanted to, but maybe I will save that for another set.

A close up of the tea pot, it looks great too.

I really like how cute the tea pot came out.  There were little roses around the heart that I didn’t even notice until I started painting it.

A close up of one of the dishes, you can really see the cute heart pattern.

The plates look really pretty too, the hearts are so sweet.

A close up of one of the spoons.  It is painted white with pink on the inside.

I added a touch of pink to the spoons to tie them into the set, also because painting them white made them look too much like “disposable” plastic spoons.  Maybe next time I’ll try using a silver or gold paint.

The finished teaset in all its glory.

Over all, I think the tea set looks great and it would be fun to paint more of them in the future.

Here’s the updated list:

Six down and out.


Give it a try:

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