Gingerbread Tissue Cover and Coasters

 Hi Stitchers!

Ready for some Christmas designs? These designs from Herrschners have you covered! 

Here are a couple of cute gingerbread designs in pastels for a sweeter, softer look.

Herrschners Gingerbread Village Coasters with Holder Plastic Canvas Kit

Herrschners Gingerbread Village Tissue Box Plastic Canvas Kit

Happy Stitching!

Harvest Garland

 It's that warm and cozy time of year - the time for pumpkins, sweaters and a warm cup of spiced cider or chocolate around a crackling fire. 

I like to decorate at this time of year with the colors of fall and harvest.  Here's a simple garland I created for Gwen Studios this month. 

This garland is super simple to make. Start by cutting lengths of ribbon, felt and fabric to tie onto the garland.

I used a burlap ribbon from Gwen Studios, some orange and brown print fabric and wheat and orange felt. I cut my strips about 1" wide and 5-6" long

You can find Gwen Studios burlap ribbon at Walmart.com.

I used twine for the base of my garland, but you could use ribbon.  Tie a loop in the end of the string and tie on each strip in a simple knot.

Here's the start of the garland. Make it as long as you like and hang with your favorite harvest motifs like pumpkins, corn or scarecrows.

Beside hanging it, you can drape it around your table.

Enjoy the season!

For more designs for fall and Thanksgiving, check out the Designer Crafts Connection blog.

Designer Crafts Connection

(Gwen Studios provided ribbon for this project as part of its compensation for the design team.)

PS Want to know how to make those plaid pumpkins?  See my post: Shirt Sleeve Pumpkins

Creating with Aitoh Origami Papers

 Hi Everyone!

Last April at the NAMTA trade show, I discovered papers from the Aitoh origami paper company.  I ended up talking with the owner, Beth Wild, and she sent me some of their lovely papers to create jewelry.

Here's what I have created so far:

A pair of origami paper earrings...

A couple of kimonos, which I made into necklaces...

Stay tuned for more paper designs using this lovely paper.  Aitoh imports origami paper and also a wonderful Lokta paper from Nepal. They also carry related items like inks, pens, tools and kits.

Mask with Ribbons and Buttons

 Hi Everyone!

Dressing up for Halloween is such fun! Some of my favorite memories of Halloween are creating costumes for myself or for my daughters.  

Today we'll have some fun creating a mask decorated with ribbons and buttons from Gwen Studios.

First, find a simple mask pattern or use a purchased mask.  You can find patterns on Pinterest or draw your own. To create a symmetrical mask, draw half the mask on the fold of a piece of paper.

Trace and cut out your mask from paper, stiff felt or craft foam.  I used some lime green craft foam.

Now you are ready to decorate your mask with ribbons and buttons from Gwen Studios.

Cut 3 lengths of coordinating or contrasting ribbon and glue them in the corners of the mask.  I used hot glue, but you can use a tacky glue.

Glue one larger button over the ends of the ribbon.

Glue more buttons on each corner.   Glue some in the center.  Glue some longer ribbons on the back for ties.

Have fun creating your own unique mask.  This is a great project for a birthday party, Halloween party or scouting group.

You can search and find these ribbons and buttons from Gwen Studios at WalMart.com.  You can also find the ribbons on Amazon or at Michaels.com.  

Look for more designs for fall and Halloween on the Designer Crafts Connection blog.

Aurora Nights and other stitchery

 Hi Friends!

Here's some of my newest designs from Herrschners!

Aurora Nights Wall Hanging

Aurora Nights Tissue Box

Aurora Nights Coasters and Holder

Lighting the Way Wall Hanging

Harvest Recipe Box

Harvest Recipe Box

Lots to stitch and something for everyone is this batch!  See them all at Herrschners under plastic canvas.

Back to School Bulletin Board

 Hi All!

It's that time of year again!  Back to School!  I know most of you are back already, but here's an accessory that will be a fun addition to your student's desk or locker.  

We're going to decorate a bulletin board with Gwen Studios ribbon and buttons. 

 First, make or buy a small bulletin board.  This one is a felt-covered hexagon from the Dollar Store. I chose purple but they come in several colors. 

The board also came with several push pins. With hot glue, I stacked and glued pastel buttons to the top of the push pins.

Then, I tacked lines of ribbon across the board.  You can arrange them in any way you like.  

I made a couple of bows from ribbon and glued them on also.

Here's how it turned out:

Cute and quick and easy!  Slide in photos or other memorabilia from the school year.  

Get your kids together and have them make their own.  It's a good group craft for birthday parties or scout groups, too.  

Find the Gwen Studios ribbon and buttons here: Gwen Studios Buttons at WalMart

You'll be able to see all the varieties available in all their colors at the link.

Gwen Studios 3/8" Grosgrain Ribbon

Decorate all your Back-to-School accessories like organizers and pencil boxes with more Gwen Studios ribbon and buttons!  See more ideas on the Designer Crafts Connection blog.

Christmas Mushrooms

 Hi Everyone!

Mushrooms and gnomes are still trending in needlepoint, so I was asked to design some Christmas Mushrooms this last spring.  

And, here they are!

Here's the wall hanging:

And, the tissue cover:

And, coasters:

Find them on the Herrschners website under plastic canvas.

Happy Stitching Christmas in July!