Tutorial~ Pom-Pom Flower Pillow & Other Projects

Hi everyone. Are you wondering why the end of the sentence is "." instead of "!" like I normally write? Well...I have been sick for the last couple days; I am feeling better today but not completely. So, I hope you are taking good care of yourselves and staying out of the flu's way. :)

I have been working on a bunch of small projects for a while, and this is one of my very favorites, but before I share the tutorial for this pillow, let me share other things as well.

I shared a tutorial for how to make flowers out of pom-pom trims previously;

Today I am going to share what I did with those pom-pom flowers. Just like any other crafted flowers, you can use them for many different projects. These are just a few examples if what I did. I will give you either a quick explanation or tutorial for each project.

* The first picture: Corsage

I happened to have all these pom-pom trims and I just went with it. Though, as you can imagine, it depends on what color combination you decide, the size of the pom-pom flowers you use or the arrangement of the flowers that will totally change the whole look of this corsage. Do you have anyone particular in mind who loves certain color combination and pom-poms? She might like this corsage.

Decide what size of corsage you are going to make, then cut out a piece of felt for slightly smaller than that size. Cut off the corners as well.

Sew the pin on the felt then glue the flowers onto the felt.

* The second picture: Bracelet

I found these amazing things while I was waiting in Joann's checkout line... boy they know how to sell their stuff. :) I stitched some pearls in the middle of the pom-pom flowers, and glued them on the wrist band. For the finishing touch, I simply cut out some felt to glue to the back to make it look prettier and give support to the flowers.

* The third picture: Hair clip

You might have already seen how to make hair clips, so I won't cover the details here. Basically, you glue the ribbon to the metal hair clip, when it's dry, glue the pom-pom flowers to the clip.

* The last picture: Pillow

I actually kept my most favorite pom-pom flower project for last...yes, a pillow. I found a cotton sweater at the thrift shop for very cheap (I think it was about $3), and used it to make the pillow. The rest is easy. Just decorate it with pom-pom flowers however you like!

1. Turn the sweater inside out. Flatten it and make sure the seam or the weave match up. I marked my sweater 11 1/2" x 18 1/2". Leaving a 4" opening on the bottom seam(for turning the pillow later) Sew on the marked line.

2. Zigzag stitch right next to the sewed line, then cut outside of the zigzag line. Doing it this way can prevent the fraying and messy-ness. If you have a Serger, you can sew and cut in no time.

3. Turn the sweater inside out. It looks a little weavy, but don't worry, when you stuff the pillow, it's not too noticeable.

4. Decorate the pillow with pom-pom flowers. I stitched my flowers (so if I ever change my mind, I can always unpick it to use the pom-poms for something else!), but if you want to make it quick and simple, you can glue them on too.

I LOVE this pillow. Don't you think it looks kind of cozy, whimsy and perfect for the season?

The small projects I shared here are very simple and quick to make, they might be perfect for a girls night out gift exchange or as Christmas presents. So, think twice before you throw the leftover pom-pom trims away. :)

Yankees Resign Kuroda

From Anthony DiComo:

Hiroki Kuroda will be back with the Yankees next season on a one-year contract. The Yankees did not release details, but ESPN's Buster Olney reported the deal to be worth $15 million, plus incentives of less than $1 million.

...

Though Kuroda recently rejected the Yankees' one-year, $13 million qualifying offer, it was widely assumed that he was still interested in a one-year deal. He was also reportedly considering a return to Los Angeles, where he played from 2008 to 2011 with the Dodgers, or Japan, where he broke into professional baseball with the Hiroshima Carp in 1997.

"I am very happy and excited to re-sign with the Yankees," said Kuroda. "I am very grateful for all of the interest and all of the offers that I received from the various teams that courted me. It was a tough decision for me to make, but at the end of the day, I wanted to try to win a championship with the teammates that I went to battle with last season."

Nice!

Stark: It's Yankees or Japan For Kuroda

From Jayson Stark:

If free-agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda pitches in the United States next season, it apparently will be for the New York Yankees.

The Yankees are now "very confident" they're going to sign the 37-year-old Kuroda, and believe he will either pitch for them or return to Japan, say agents and clubs that have spoken with them. Meanwhile, other teams that have been reported as having interest in Kuroda -- particularly the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels -- appear to have shifted their focus elsewhere.

...

It's still possible, however, that Kuroda could return to Japan. He has said several times he wants to finish his career there, but hasn't said when.

Hopefully this is not just an empty rumor because it's is great news. They need Kuroda if they're going to compete with the rapidly improving AL East.

Holiday Cards

So have you started shopping for holiday cards yet? I know, I can't believe it's almost that time of year either. Time is flying by. Well, I have been browsing around online checking out some different designs for our family. I'm thinking I will be using our favorite family picture from this year.......

I have found some really beautiful designs over at Minted.com and I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you.

Aren't these all so fun? I don't even think I got through all the pages of the Minted holiday cards (there was something like 34 pages). Anyway, I just wanted to send some inspiration your way in case you haven't ordered your cards yet. I always love getting photo cards from our family and friends.

Right now minted is offering 15% off a purchase of $150 or more with the code: FALL150 and 10% off a purchase of $100 or more with the code: FALL100. Plus, they will address the cards to your recipients for free with every card purchase ~ now that's a time saver!

Have a great pre-Thanksgiving week!

Creamy Whites

A casual Sunday for me is the prefect time to relax, its often my day that I spend the morning with my family and then allow some creative time for myself, to blog, pin away or just to read the latest magazines. Lately I have been drawn to simplicity, warmth, texture and whites, aged metals and woods, brick, sea grass matting, greys and earthy tones, I dont see dull or boring I see the complete opposite, it gives me total clarity! 

All images via my pinterest page with the direct source

Modern Designs for Classic Quilts ~Book Review & Giveaway

Today I am very excited to introduce a brand new quilting book that you are sure to want to add to your Christmas wishlist. Modern Designs for Classic Quilts is written by Kelly Biscopink and Andrea Johnson and is complete quilting eye candy. I met Kelly as an Editor through my publisher and was absolutely thrilled when I found out she had written a book of her own!

At quilt market in Houston, TX last month, my mom (aka Grandma Jane) and I went out dinner with Kelly and Andrea and we. had. a. ball. We laughed so hard we cried. I'm telling you, these are my kind of girls. So I'm going to try hard to write an un-biased review, but it always helps to know that the authors behind a book are truly wonderful people. And it helps when they've written a truly fabulous book!

I absolutely adore the concept of this book as I feel it is very similar to how I view sewing children's clothing. The book has some of the most traditional, classic quilt styles, yet they are taken to a whole new level through the use of modern patterned fabrics and bold solids.

This Spider Web Quilt, called Effie's Web, might be my favorite in the book. I love how much color and movement you can see throughout the quilt. Look at it one way and you see one thing, look at it another and you see something else. Also, it's a great way to use up scraps of fabric and with all the clothing I sew, you know I have a lot of scraps.

Although, I love Effie's Web, it's a pretty close call between that one and the cover quilt called the Urban Cabin. First of all, how cute is that name? It is a traditional log cabin style quilt, but the way in which the fabrics are placed is so totally modern. Brilliant!

Check out some of these quilt patterns included in the book that use beautiful solids incorporated into their designs. As much as I love patterned quilting cotton, sometimes I think solids can bring the beauty out in a quilt design like nothing else.

The overall tone of Modern Designs for Classic Quilts is very friendly and welcoming, just like Kelly and Andrea. The techniques section is beautiful with very clear photographed instructions. They include everything from cutting, sewing and pressing to how to match seams, sewing curved seams and paper piecing. There are also non-quilting techniques included such as installing a zipper, ruffling and raw edge applique that are used for some of the smaller projects included in the book.

Kelly and Andrea have done such a wonderful job bringing together two worlds of quilting together in one book; modern and traditional. Who says you have to be defined as a modern quilter or a traditional quilter? No one. And these ladies show that you can have it all......a little modern, a little classic and a whole lot of beautiful.

So guess what? Not only did Kelly and Andrea send me my very own copy of this book for this review, they sent a copy for one of you! 

Would you like to win a copy of Modern Designs for Classic Quilts?

Well, this one is easy, just leave a comment on this post telling us why you would like this book. 

One entry per person. Giveaway will be open until Monday, November 19, 2012 at midnight (CST).

To check out more reviews of Modern Designs for Classic Quilts, please visit some of these other wonderful blogs on the book tour:

Tuesday, Nov. 6             (Lindsay, CraftBuds)

Wed., Nov. 7                 (Jill, Darling Jill Quilts)

Thursday, Nov. 8           (Faith, Fresh Lemons)

Friday, Nov. 9               (Generation Q)

Saturday, Nov. 10         (Angela, Quilting is my Therapy)

Sunday, Nov. 11            (Shannon, Stitch Craft Create)

Monday, Nov. 12           (Laurie, Scarlet Fig)

Tuesday, Nov. 13          (Kaysie, KZJo’s Studio)  

Wed., Nov. 14               (Jessica, A Little Gray)

Thursday, Nov. 15         (Mary, The Tulip Patch)

Friday, Nov. 16             (Deborah, Whipstitch)

Saturday, Nov. 17         (Lindsay, The Cottage Mama)

Sunday, Nov. 18           (Jenny, Sew Kind of Wonderful)

Monday, Nov. 19          (Carla, LollyQuiltz)

Tuesday, Nov. 20         (Thomas, Thomas Knauer Sews)

Wed., Nov. 21              (Brenda, Pink Castle Fabrics)

Thursday, Nov. 22        (Lindsay & Liz Rea, CraftBuds, Inspire Me Grey)

Friday, Nov. 23             (Sarah, The Last Piece)
Saturday, Nov. 24         (Cara: Cara Quilts, Andie: AndieJohnsonSews, Kelly: Stitchy Quilt Stuff)

Also, you can keep up to date with these lovely ladies over on their blogs: 

Kelly at Stitchy Quilt Stuff and Andrea at Andie Johnson Sews.

Tutorial Pom-Pom Flowers

Do you have any pom-pom trim leftovers from other projects? Usually I buy them by the yard, and use them for a project, and have several inches of leftovers that are not long enough for other projects but save them for... you know just because.

If you are like me, this will be the project for you.

First, there are several different sizes and there are even bigger ones out there. Although, I think my personal favorites to make flowers with are the medium to x-small trims. The length of the thread between the trim and pom-pom makes a difference in the look of the flowers too.

It is very easy and fun to make. Let’s get started. :)

{You will need}

Pom-pom trims
DMC floss
Needles, scissors

{How to} * For the one in the picture, I used 8" of X-small trim.

1. Hold the trim pom-pom side down, and start rolling tightly (but not too tight) and make sure that the edge of the trim is nicely lined up. Put a pin through several layers to secure the roll.

2. Use 3 strands of DMC floss to sew for the x-small to medium trim. Put through the knot in the middle and start sewing radially. Make sure you put the needle through each layer so the flower won't come undone. Tie a knot when you are done, and you have a pom-pom flower.

I will give you some measurements to give you some ideas of what kind of trim and length will make what size of flower;

X-small trim: 8" will make 1" diameter flower / 16" will make 1 1/2" diameter flower

Small trim: 8" will make 1 1/4" D flower / 16" will make 1 1/2" D flower

Medium trim: 8" will make 2" D flower / 16" will make 2 1/2" D flower

Large trim: 8" will make 2" D flower / 16" will make 2 1/2" D flower

Just remember that the size of flowers will change depending on how tight you roll the trim.

I made a few in one morning...

{With medium size pom-pom trims}

{With x-small, small pom-pom trims}

Don't they look adorable? I love how they turned out!

I have started on some projects using those pom-pom flowers. I will share the pictures (possibly some tutorials with some of them) in the near future.

Umbrella

On a grey and rainy day here in the Pacific Northwest, our collection of antique umbrellas await their most anticipated season. But their wait will be a long one because one, we never remember to bring an umbrella, and two, even if we do remember, we choose to use the most common Pacific North West strategy for a rainy day - run for it. 

My Grandmother, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, was the kind of person who would never forget her umbrella. Of course rain was not as abundant so in the rare event that rain washed their sun warmed landscape, it was a festive celebration to don ones umbrella. 

Do you use an umbrella? 

Our household is in the throes of our first autumn sniffles. After several days of foggy heads and runny noses, raspy voices and restless nights, we are hopefully on the mend soon. 

On a side note, in my influenza lethargy I was only mildly excited when I saw that my new camera arrived yesterday - a sure sign that I was feeling under the weather. 

Look forward to taking some pictures soon...

DIY Cabochon Jewelry

As much as I love sewing, sometimes I get the urge to do something a little different. I've been planning some of my DIY Christmas gifts this year and I thought it would be really fun to make some pretty jewelry for friends and family.

Flower cabochons have always had sort of a vintage feel to me and I find them to be really beautiful. You can buy them from many different sources online (here are a ton sold on Etsy) and they are really reasonably priced. Basically they are just molded resin and are really lightweight and easy to work with when crafting. You can attach them to just about anything, but this year I decided to make rings, earrings and hair pins.

If you get these going in assembly line style, you will have plenty of jewelry in no time!

DIY Cabochon Jewelry

by Lindsay Wilkes from The Cottage Mama

Supplies:

Flower cabochons (found here)

Blank bobby pins, rings or earrings

E6000 or other industrial strength glue

Instructions:

Gather up all of your supplies for this project.

Like I said above, you can purchase some really gorgeous cabochons via Etsy.com. I ordered all different shapes and sizes so I would have a wide variety of different styles and colors.

As far as the blanks go for bobby pins, rings or earrings, I purchased the earrings and bobby pins online and found the rings at our local Joann super-store. You will have more of a selection if you order online, but you should be able to find all of these at your local craft store. Our lovely blog sponsor, Crafter's Vision carries some different blanks as well.

I bought adjustable rings because I'm not sure of everyone's ring size. Just make sure the blank portion of the ring is smaller than your cabochon (or at least the same size). The square rings (that came in this variety pack) didn't really work for this project since the blank was too big.

E6000 is a great glue to have in your stash of craft supplies. It's super strong and dries clear. You can find this at your local craft supply store. If for some reason you can't find this, then just look for another industrial strength glue. Jewelry gets a lot of wear and tear, so you don't want it falling apart.

So this project is really simple. Take a dab of glue and place it onto the blank jewelry, then press your cabochon on top. Leave them upside down to dry for at least 24 hours.

For the smaller pieces, like the earrings, I just put a dab of glue on some paper and dipped the top of the blank part of the earrings and pressed them to the cabochons.

These make great gifts for girlfriends, teenage girls and teachers.

Package these pretties up and you are good to go!