INDIANA DUNES

Just a reminder. We are going to the Indiana State Park {the Dunes} next Wednesday August 15th. Meet at the church at 9am to carpool or meet us at the dunes at 11am. It costs $10 per vehicle to park so it's best to carpool! PLEASE let us know if you are coming so we know to look for you. Bring lunch, beach chairs, umbrella, beach toys, and sunscreen! It is a very FUN day! Let me know if you have any other questions. Here is a map from the church to where we usually go! PS. Who wants to ride with me? I have an empty van!!

Here is the map to the location we go to:

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=7201+Woodridge+Drive,+Woodridge,+IL&daddr=Indiana+Dunes+State+Park,+1600+N+25+E,+Chesterton,+IN+46304&hl=en&sll=41.655295,-87.057381&sspn=0.008689,0.01929&geocode=FYEnfQIdBnPA-ikDUDI7iFAOiDHAubYkTw5sfA%3BFeadewIdk6XP-iFhW0hGamxMKCnD_OE2sKQRiDFhW0hGamxMKA&oq=7201+Woodridge&mra=ls&t=m&z=10

Jewelry Holder

Ta-da!  I am finally posting this.  I made this back in March and haven't posted it yet.  I kept meaning too but I have a conflict with the computer.  When I spend too much time on it, the kids spend too much time making HUGE messes all over the house.  It is hard.  I have been working hard on making all kinds of other things that may or may not get up here on the blog.  Anyway - you don't really need my excuses.  You are thinking - okay get on with it.  How did you make it?  Well, as the name of the blog says, I redesigned a pattern I found in Marie Osmond's Heartfelt Giving Sewing Book.  In there she has one that is for taking with you.  I knew I would never travel with all my jewelry but Liberty has said she saw something like it and it triggered something in my head that said "I NEED THIS" and "I CAN MAKE I."

I am not sure that I changed it all that much from the original idea.  I did make my pockets to fit my watches bands and other jewelry I had.  I also used a different kind of hanger and I would suggest that you find the wood ones because it gets very heavy with all the jewelry in it. 
If I didn't have 3 very "helpful" children, my OCD tendency would have led to making sure that all the jewelrly was color coordinated and that earings were near matching jewelry and the like.  But as you see it - they "helped" me put everything in and my 1 1/2 year old seems to think it is a play place for her.  I have moved it to the back of the closet so she won't take it all apart.

Here are some close ups of the pockets and the jewelry.

I think the best thing about it was that it only cost me the price of the hanger.  I had the clear vinyl, velvet material and everything else in my closet.  I love it and love that I can SEE all my jewelry in one place.  Maybe one day they will let me organize it in the way I want it too look.

Christmas in July Craft Group

We are pretty excited that Meagan Johnson has decide to do Christmas in July for our next Craft Group activity.  She has some ideas that she is putting together.  Here is the link to her pinterest ideas.
http://pinterest.com/meaganjohnson/christmas-in-july-ideas/ (see pictures below also)

Date:Friday July 20th from 6 pm until we are done.

She is looking at doing one craft in each of these areas:

• Home Decor (paper star wreath or stocking advent)
• For Kids (laminated nativity puzzle or file folder game)
• Christmas Cards (the reindeer one will be really easy...I also have an ornament punch and stamp set that would be really easy)
• Gifts (the glass ornaments and tags for brownies in a jar)

She is trying to keep each craft super simple! 

More details are coming as we figure what exactly we want to do.

http://pinterest.com/meaganjohnson/christmas-in-july-ideas/

A closer look at the ideas.

Ruffle Apron TUTORIAL.....finally!!!!!!

I am SOOOOOO sorry it has taken me so long to get this Tutorial to you. Thank you for being patient with me. Instead of giving you all the reasons why it's taken me so long, I will just get right to it......Here is the finished apron....below are all the details {and pictures}

MATERIALS NEEDED:
Pair of old overalls
18-20"x 19" of bottom weight fabric {width of your overalls x 19"}
1 yard of MAIN fabric (the one you want to use for the ties)
1/2 yard of 2 DIFFERENT fabrics
Follow instruction for flower HERE.  {I serged the edge on mine with a rolled hem stitch to make it more finished.}

First of all you will need a pair of overalls. You can use any kind, in any condition....you mostly just need the bib and the hardware....I have used pants, shorts, a dress, anything that will work. I find most of mine at a thrift store, but you might still have some in the back of your closet! Cut off the bib just below the waist band seam. You will be cutting off the pockets and the legs. You just need enough of an edge to serge the canvas material to the bib.

Serge overall bib to the piece of bottom weight fabric. Don't worry too much about how it looks right now because it will all be covered up when we are finished. Lay out on your table and mark up your piece in the following locations. Horizontally you need to mark 3" down from the surged edge and then 3" down from each marking. You should have 5 marks. Vertically, you need to mark the center (I used the middle stitching on the overall bibs. Then mark 1/2 way between that mark on the right and left. You should have 3 markings this direction.

Now. Cut your fabric into the following strips.
FABRIC #1 - Main COLOR - use for straps and waist tie.
CUT:
2 - 5 1/2" x WOF (Width of Fabric) {ruffles}
2 - 5" x WOF {waist tie}
2 - 4" x 22" {neck ties}


FABRIC #2 - 
CUT
2 - 5 1/2" x WOF (Width of Fabric) {ruffles}



FABRIC #3 - 
CUT
2 - 5 1/2" x WOF (Width of Fabric) {ruffles}

Serge, Zig-Zag or finish the edges of your ruffles. {make sure you use the 5 1/2" width pieces} I used my serger and just surged both edges of the ruffles. The top edge will be zig zagged onto the apron and will be completely covered. You can choose to finish the bottom edges if you desire. I liked the serged edge on these aprons to give it a more "pioneer" feel.

Now divide your fabric in the middle and then in the middle again. I pinned it {shown above} and then matched these pins to the markings on your bottom weight fabric. {shown below}. Use the horizontal lines to make sure your ruffles stay straight across the apron.

I used my ruffler on my serger to make the fabric ruffle on it's own. If you need more help or have questions about ruffles, see this TUTORIAL on MAKE IT AND LOVE IT.

REPEAT for all 6 ruffles. Pin the bottom ruffle first and then move towards the top ruffle. You can sew on each ruffle as you go or you can pin them all and sew them all at the same time...just be careful not to get poked with all those pins.

Zig Zag each ruffle to the bottomweight fabric. You are done with the ruffle part. If you just serged the edges of the ruffles, you will need to zig zag the excess threads onto the ruffles or use fray check on the ends where the serger thread stops.

NEXT: Take the hardware off the straps that go around the neck. You can throw away the fabric, you won't need it.

Take the 4"x22" pieces of fabric and sew them together into a long tube, turn and then topstitch around the entire piece of fabric.

Pull one strap into the hardware. Going around the middle piece and back through about 1".

Sew down and make a box that is about 1/2" on the strap. I tried to get this as close to the hardware as I could on my sewing machine.

Now thread through the clip and back through the hardware. Repeat with other strap, and connect to the overalls. These will just tie behind the neck.

Now take the 2 - 5"xWOF pieces of fabric. Sew them together on the SHORT edge to make it 2xWOF in length. Now sew them the LONG direction into a long tube. turn tube and topstitch entire length of waist tie.

Now you just need to connect your waistband to the apron. Find the center of your waistband {where you sewed it together}. Pin across the apron front making sure to overlap over the top ruffle edge to cover it up. Sew across the top, sides and bottom making a rectangle

......at the sides you will want to angle slightly to stay ON the fabric.

This is the back of the apron.

I hope it's not clear as mud. I realized I am assuming you have some sewing experience. If you have any other questions, please leave me a comment with your email and I would be happy to help. Enjoy!

Teacher Gift

Sorry about the not so great picture.  I was trying to take this before I sent the kids off to school.  I spent most of last night trying to get it done.  Kirsten's Student teacher is having her last day today and the last couple of weeks have been way to busy to get anything done.  So I scrambled to the store yesterday thinking I would just get her a gift card or give her some handmade cards I already have made, but when I was there I saw this tote bag that was a blank canvas.  I had seen this idea on UCreate and thought - I can do that. And it will be easy.  I cut the fabric into 4 inch strips and roll hemmed the edges both top and bottom.  Then got out my ruffler and ruffled the top edge on both.  Followed the instructions from Ucreate and then added the pink rickrack.  I was trying to figure out what type of bow to make when I remembered I had seen a rickrack rose and thought.  Perfect.  That is just what I wanted.

I found the tutorial at Crafting Chicks.  They are pretty easy to make.  I loved how it looks on the bag.

The tote bag was only $3 at Joann's (with my coupon) and all the rest of the stuff was scraps.  It was practically free.  LOVE IT!!
Kirsten was so impressed this morning.  She said.  That Ms. D loves pink and black.  (Guess I am just lucky.  All I knew was that she liked pink.)  This turned out pretty cute and I am thinking I might need to make one for Peter's teacher and teacher aide.  We will see, I have two weeks to get those done and the one I bought material for Mrs. Duffy.


Speaking of not getting anything done.  I had to wipe away the cobwebs from this blog.  It has been awhile since either of us have posted.  It has been a slight dry spell around here.  Not much crafting.  More pinning then crafting I might say.  But this has been the kick in the pants I needed.  It was so much fun to make things and see your handiwork loved by your daughter.  Now on to the house work.  That won't do itself.

April Craft Group Project

SO What is for dinner at your house?  Diana Bowler has a wonderful project that she wants to help us make, that will maybe change our lives!!  Okay maybe it will just make our house a little cuter and give us something to send the kids, spouse or others to, so everyone knows what's on the menu.  Are you excited?  I think it is awful cute and need to find a space to hang it in my house.  It is magnetic and the papers are able to be changed out each week.

Well, are you interested?

 Here is the scoop:

• Date: TUESDAY, April 24th
• Time: 9 am to noon
• Projected time to complete: about  1  to 1 1/2 hours - (You might be able to do more then one?!?! Mother's day idea anyone. Birthday, Christmas?)
• Location: Woodridge Church building
• Cost: $10
• Size is about 12 inches wide by 15 inches tall
• WE NEED TO KNOW if you are interested in making one of these by Tuesday, April 17th - We have to order a couple things online and need a little bit of a cushion to make sure they are here.

What do you need to bring?

Necessary:

• 3 or 4 coordinating papers (1 or 2 of each)
• Embellishments to match: Ribbons, bows, flowers, metal accessories, bling, buttons, etc

Optional: (If you have these then bring them, don't go out and buy these items.  We will have extras on hand.)

• Paper cutter, scissors
• Spray adhesive

We will also have additional papers you can go through if you want and possibly some embellishments on hand.

If you are not interested in making a menu planner, you can come and do something else with the items.  We are supplying the metal board, magnets, epoxy stickers, bottle caps, modge podge, etc.  You can come up with what ever you think of.  Maybe a FHE board, a chore chart, or what ever else your heart desires. 

Please respond to Amy at amy (dot) kirstensmom at gmail.com if you are interested.

One last thing.  The days of the week are going to be printed before hand.  We need to know if you would like them red like the example or what color.  We will probably print up a couple in black and brown.  If you have color preference then let me know that too.

Here is a sample of the days of the week. 

Here is the original idea and a link to the site where Diana found it.  http://heartlandpaper.typepad.com/heartland_paper/2010/08/menu-planner-on-studio-5.html

Another sample of how you can make it look.  This one is from Diana's sister.  So cute!

Edited to add:
Here is a picture of what we could use for a chore chart.  Let us know what type you want.

(Designed using a digital kit from the Ettes.  Here is a link to the shop if you want to buy it.)

New Spring Wreath

Welcome Spring!  We have some unseasonable warm weather this week.  I'm afraid our 80 degrees is going to go back to 50 or 60, but we are enjoying it while it is here.  This is a little project I have been working on.

A new spring wreath for my door.  I have seen a couple I like on pinterest and decided to mimic them.  Basically I took an old wreath that had the green flowers all over it, but was loosing the flowers and tore it apart.  It had a foam circle underneath.  I wrapped it in burlap that I had cut in strips and then bought some flowers to make it spring like.  Wa-la!  I love it.

Here is one I saw for Valentine's day, but if you changed the fabric holder it could be anytime of the year.  This one is made with packing twine rather then burlap.  I like the look too.  Here is the where I got the idea from Craftaholics Annonymous.

More Vinyl and wood

I know it seems like this is the only thing I am doing lately.  But I have another project that I have finished that I want to show you.  Just need to see if I can get a better picture of it.  Liberty wanted to make one of these "keep calm" signs and I like them but don't really love them.  One day I saw someone do one with Trust God and I was hooked.  So I made this one.  It isn't the best picture of it.  The background is a nice gray and the words are a light yellow color.  I really like it a whole lot.  It fits on my wall with my other signs that remind me of what is really important.

Rag Quilt Craft Group Meeting

Rag Quilting Craft group will be March 16th AT THE WOODRIDGE CHURCH BUILDING at 7 pm.  We hope that this will be a fun night.  All are welcome to come even if you don't want to make quilts.  Bring a project to work on and just chat with us.

I have a work sheet for what you will need fabric wise for this project.  If you are new to making rag quilts or sewing for that matter, this is a real easy project.  It is a forgiving project and you will hopefully find it doable.

To be practical we ask that you make either a baby or toddler size quilt.  They are quick and you will find much sucess.  I will give you information for other size quilts and you can make those another time.

Material:

Toddler size Quilt (40 inch by 60 inch) – Need about 4 to 5 yards of fabric.  Based on how many fabrics you want in your quilt will determine how much of each.  (Example – 2 fabrics buy 2 ½ yards of two colors, 4 fabrics = 1 to 1 ¼ yard of each)  Best to use flannel or other fabric that frays really well.

Baby size 30 inch by 36 inch– uses about 2 ½ yards total – 1 ¼ of 2 fabrics

Toddler size about 40 inch x 60 inch

Baby Size about 30 inch x 36 inch

Here is a link to instructions how to construct a rag quilt along with a guide to making larger quilts.  Click on EASY FLANNEL RAG QUILT INSTRUCTIONS to get this information.

We will be probably only be able to get the flannel cut out that night.  We will plan a second night to do the next steps. To cut the flannel we will need to have rotary cutters, self healing mats and long rulers.  Liberty and I both have these items.  Please bring them to this meeting if you have one.  You don't need to go out and buy these items.  Any questions please email me.

Winner!!!

So I have no excuse.  I am just a slacker.  I realized this morning that I was supposed to tell you who was the winner of our giveaway.  I know, it is almost 3 days later.  SO here is the random number generator.

And that means we have a winner!!  I will be contacting you to get your vinyl to you.

Thanks everyone for playing.  I am glad we had a good event.  I found something else that might be helpful if you are looking for a specific shape or design on the cricut cartridges.  I find that the craftroom features of search are pretty weak.  I know that some of the items are available on the cartridge but when I search for them on that specific cartridge it doesn't show up.  So I found this website that is a pretty good search engine for cartridges shapes.  http://mycutsearch.com/

click here to get to site.

Craft group Cricut Tutorial Day

Today was our craft group all Cricut Tutorial Meeting.  We had a great time learning the basics of cutting with our Cricut Machine, mat care, favorite cartridges and how to use Cricut Craftroom.  I am going to consolidate our meeting and give you some basics that might help you if you were not able to come.  Meagan was a wonderful hostess and she let us make a really fun card that we used our Cricut machine to cut out the words.  Isn't this card so cute?  (Sorry it looks a little blurry - must be my wonderful photography skills.)

 cartridge used doodletype

Amy created a table of cutting helps that she collected from different sources off the Internet.  Of course you have to figure out what works best on your machine.  But here is a general guide for most things you might use.  It is extremely helpful if you use Cricut Craftroom since there is no guide to where to put your settings on.

Click HERE to download a word file or

HERE to download it in a PDF file

Amy and Meagan both have used the Cricut Craftroom and love it.  Amy doesn't even know how to use all the bells and whistles on her new Expressions 2 since she almost always uses the craftroom to make things.  Just as an example of things you can use the craftroom to make I am posting a couple of my latest projects using my Cricut and Craftroom.

For Valentine's Day

Edited to add: Here is a link to the inspiration - she also has a printable if you want. CLICK HERE.

 

For the 4th of July (on the back of the Valentine's on above ) 
Edited to add: Here is the link to my inspiration -- some of it is exactly as she did it but some is my own ideas.  CLICK HERE

And for my Daughter (and also for my son - not finished yet) a board to put in their rooms to remind them about who they are and how important they are.

And because my girls have hundreds of bows that needed a home - I created this cute one.  The ribbons will hold the many bows and ribbons that they have.  It needs a staple gun and you would think we have one - BUT no, not one that won't send the staples all the way through the wood board.  (I have to borrow one and then I can show you this on the wall in the Girl's room, with the bow extravaganza.)

Any way just a couple of notes from the class that I thought might be helpful. 
Meagan's Favorite cartridges -

• Joys of the Season
• Doodletype
• Plantin Schoolbook
• Everyday Paper dolls

Amy's Favorites-

• Lyrical Letters
• Doodlecharms
• George and Basic (for basic shapes)
• Storybook (for fun decorative designs)
• Once Upon a Princess (similar to paper dolls) - Really good for homes with girls.

Cricut Craftroom Helps

First go to Cricut Craftroom and download the appropriate version for your computer, you will also have to open an account.  Just remember what ever computer you are going to use with the Cricut is the one of the computers you want to download it to.  You will also need to update the Firmware on your cricut and that will require you to hook your computer to the Cricut machine.  (You will need a USB cord with an end that will fit into your Cricut - some come with them, others you might be able to buy a printer cable cord.  Check the back of your machine to see what slot it goes in. You might find more information on the website, it has been a couple months since I did this.)  They are really helpful if you need help, look on the website to find a phone number.

Meagan and I find that you need to have patience while you are trying to get all this done.  Although the Craftroom is really cool it is still a bit temperamental - so don't expect to do all of this quickly.  Especially if you are trying to get that project done before tomorrow.  Find a time when you can work with it and it will probably all go smoothly - despite what we say.

Second go to the Main Page - It is really helpful to go through each of the tutorials and figure out how to use craftroom.  It is really worth your time. 

Lastly - play around with it.  I go in there and design things like the 4th of July subway art I made, I just played with different fonts and different things to make it look how I did.  I guess what I am saying is play with it so you can feel comfortable with it and when you are in a crunch and trying to make that project for tomorrow - you will be able to do it without as many problems.

**I noticed today while researching the information that Cricut is now selling the cartridges in a digital form that loads right into your Craftroom account.  I think they are $39.99 each.   Much better then the original price of $90 that they retail for.  I guess that is better.  We will have to see if they come down in price.

Which reminds me that we talked about places to get cartridges from.

To Buy- check out Amazon, Custom crops, or Cricut Machine.com or Meagan suggested just putting in the name at google and finding what comes up.

For Vinyl - I like Expressions Vinyl or if you are in a pinch sometimes JoAnn's will let you use a 40% off coupon if they are not on sale.

Okay if you got this far down then you should win a prize.   I am going to order vinyl in the next couple of days and I will be giving a 12x24 piece of vinyl in either black or white away.  Just leave your name and a way to contact you - an email or if I know you from craftgroup then I probably have your email.  This is open to anyone.  Let me know if you want black or white.  This will close on Saturday February 18th.

Thanks,
Amy