Christmas on Pinterest

I do believe Christmas is the most popular holiday on Pinterest.  So many pins, not to mention pin boards, for this wonderful time of the year.  So without further ado, here’s…

My 2012 Christmas Pin Board

Some of my favorite pins:

• Ornament Cupcakes
• Poinsettia Wreath
• Felt Ornaments
• Snowflake Ballerinas

Update: You can check the latest version of my Christmas Pinterest Board Here.

Read More »

Finally Finished on the Fleece

As the title says, I finally finished my November project list.  In December.  A week late. 
Well, a few things kind of popped up.  Very important life altering things, but I can’t talk about it. 

Anyway, the idea of making little fleece bows popped in my head while doing some cutting.  What better thing to do with small scraps of fleece?  All you really need are three rectangle pieces and something to stick the finished bow to like a clip or something.  I wanted to stick these bows to hair elastics, but for some reason I couldn’t find any.  I’m sure I had a ton somewhere.  I just used strips of elastic, they are actually more secure this way.

The next one is an idea I have been toying with for like a year.  Little cat-shaped purses.  I made them in two colors/patterns and two of each.  In the picture it shows the front and back view of each.  On the front of each one is a little bitty heart made from a scrap of the back pattern.  Think of it as the kitty’s nose.  I would have put eyes too, but I thought it might look to cluttered.  How is it, are they fine the way they are or do they look weird without eyes?

Next is sunglasses cases.  I found a piece of fleece with this interesting red pattern and thought it would be perfect for a case of some kind.  Just a simple pouch shape, slanted at the opening with a fabric cord loop attached, not too hard to make.  I decided to make a second matching one with white fleece.  It would have been black, but I seem to be lacking in that color.  Oh well, it still looks good.

And the last project is these cuffs.  They are pretty easy to make.  I just cut the fleece in the strips and braided them.  Then I sewed the ends together, of course that was the hard part.  Sewing the ends without making them look messy or ugly.  I think I did a good job on that part, but just in case I added little bows to hide any goofs.
Here’s the updated list:

• Hair accessories
• Tiny teddies
• Tiny birds
• Bags
• Tiny sweaters
• Tiny hats
• Yoyo’s
• Cases
• Key chains
• Cuffs

Ten down and out.  It’s funny.  Usually in December I start working on my big old Christmas list of gifts and decorations and stuff.  This year, thanks to all the stuff I made for this list and the Christmas stuff I made last summer, I have no need to make anything for December.  My crafting is done for the year.  Nothing left but to enjoy the month and maybe get a leg up for next year. 

Read More »

Fleecy Ornaments

Okay, I finish more fleece items.  Fleece ornaments to be exact.  What better thing to make with scraps this time of year then tiny cute doodads that can be hung from a tree?  That is probably one of the oddest sentences I have ever typed.

Anyway, first are these little sweater and hats.  There’s something just so perfect about little bitty sweaters to hang on the tree.  And even better, little “knit” hats to go with them.  The sweaters were made just by cutting two sweater-shaped pieces and using a blanket stitch to sew them together.  The hats are made more like regular hats.  Gathered at the top with a blanket stitched brim.  If they don’t work for the tree they would be great for dolls.

Next is these little birds.  Birds are another thing that look cute on a tree, and other places too.  The front two are actually pins, I thought they would make a cute gift or something.  They are made in a similar matter to the sweaters except for being stuffed.  The ornaments have appliqued wings which were an afterthought.  Glad I thought of it, they look much more interesting this way.

This last batch of ornaments is a little more interesting.  Each one is made from two fleece yoyos and two buttons.  I now believe fleece to be the best fabric for making yoyos.  It’s easy to cut the circles, you don’t have to hem them, and no matter how bad you are they come out perfectly cute.
Here’s the updated list:

• Hair accessories
• Tiny teddies
• Tiny birds
• Bags
• Tiny sweaters
• Tiny hats
• Yoyo’s
• Cases
• Key chains
• Cuffs

Six down, four more to go.  Just two more days too.

Read More »

A Little Fun for Black Friday

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, and I wish everyone a good Black Friday. 

Speaking of Black Friday, it’s amazing what you find when you Google those words. Like this video clip from Saturday Night Live.  Enjoy!

Read More »

A Little Late on the Fleece

Oh dear, the month is almost over and I only just now finished any of the projects on my list.  Let’s just say I’ve had a lot on my plate this month.  School, commitments, not to mention a certain personal problem.  Anyway, I manage to get these two done.

The first thing that comes to my mind when dealing with fleece is bears, like teddy bears.  That’s where these come in.  The top ones I did first, they have little hearts stitched on the front and magnets glued on the back.  I decided that all my fleece projects this month are going to be done completely by hand.  Absolutely no sewing machine.  No I am not crazy, there is a practical reason.  Hand sewing is more portable, perfect for when the only time you can squeeze some sewing in is the few minutes before class.  Plus, blanket stitches look so adorable on fleece.  Anyway, the bottom teddy is a pin.  I was going to make him a magnet too, but my disc magnets seem to have disappeared on me.  He is just a head on purpose because it was easy, plus it looks so cute.

Speaking of cute heads, I made a bunch more.  There are bunnies and cats in addition to the bears.  I added ribbon and split-rings to them to make key chains.  I will either give them away or stick them in my shoppe.  Hard to decide which or how many.
Here’s the updated list:

• Hair accessories
• Tiny teddies
• Tiny birds
• Bags
• Tiny sweaters
• Tiny hats
• Yoyo’s
• Cases
• Key chains
• Cuffs

Two down,  eight more to go.  And only a little over a week to do them.

Read More »

Found!

I may have mentioned this on twitter, but I finally found my camera.  No more trying to take blurry photos with my webcam.  Yay!  Since I’ve found it I’ve been taking pictures all over town.  Here is a small sampling of what I’ve taken.

First, remember some time ago I took a picture of a tree that had been hit by lightning (see A Little Sharing and a Reminder)?  At the time I wondered if it would live.  Here’s what it looks like now.  See those new green fronds?  It is alive and well.  Yay!

I saw this on the south-east corner of Main and Extension in Mesa.  It’s one of the those electric thingies at intersections, but art work was added to “improve the neighborhood”.  At least that’s what I think it is there for.  In case you can’t tell, the piece is called “Rivercrane” by Zarco Guerrero.  Lovely isn’t it?

This was outside a new BBQ place at the corner of Main and Center.  Does anyone remember the movie Ghost Busters?  Not really, but I remember this guy.  What I don’t know is why the restaurant has him standing outside their door.  Hmm, at least it’s cute.

Read More »