Gnome for the Holidays

 Hi Everyone,

I'm happy to be celebrating with Fairfield on their 80th anniversary.  Congratulations, Fairfield!  Eighty years is quite an accomplishment.  If you have been creating anything quilted or stuffed, no doubt you have used their wonderful products.

For the occasion, I created a Gnome for the Holidays with Fairfield™ Poly-fil®. 

This little gnome is easy and fun to make.  You can get the whole family involved in making it.

It's no-sew except for the nose, and you can use glue there, too, if you like.  He's built on a recycled coffee can.  Felt, flannel and fleece are the easiest fabrics to use, but any remnants you have will work.

You will need:

Coffee can

Fabric to cover can

Fabric to make hat

White felt, scrap green felt

Large white pom pom, small red pom pom

Hot glue and glue gun or tacky glue

Sewing thread and needle

And, of course:  Fairfield™ Poly-fil®

Here's how I did it:

Cut fabric to cover the can and glue.  I used red and black flannel.  Cut it so it fits the can under the lid.  You'll be covering up any edges, so don't worry if it's not totally even.   I used hot glue, but you can use tacky glue also.

Cut a beard from white felt and glue to the center of the can.  The shape won't matter much, because you'll be gluing fiberfill over it.

Use the lid on the can and trace a circle on felt for the nose.  Using a running stitch about 1/4" from the edge, gather the felt into a ball.  Tie the threads and trim.  Stuff with fiberfill and shape the nose.

Glue fiberfill to the white beard.  Glue the nose in the center.

Cut a hat from a rectangle of red fleece using the circumference of the can plus one inch by the length you will want for the hat.  I used about 20" for the length.  Starting about 1" from the bottom, shape the rectangle into a long triangle.  Lap over the edges and glue.  The hat should be a little bigger than the can so you can pull it down over the edge of the lid.

Glue some fiberfill to the top of the lid.  This will add shape to the hat.  You can add as much as you like.

Add glue to the edges of the lid and glue inside the hat.

Cut out holly from felt and add to the hat if you like, or use any other decorations.  Bring the pointy end of the hat together and glue to a large pom pom (or more fiberfill!)

Now, fill the can with cookies, candy or small gifts and give it to your neighbor!

Fairfield™ generously sent me the Poly-fil® used in this project.  Thank you!

Joy-ful ideas

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for stopping by!

Over on the Creating with Joy blog, there are always great ideas on how to embellish your projects with Joy letters and embroideries.

Here's a few that I have created recently as a member of the design team.  (I receive compensation for these projects and a lot of letters!)

I like to create games for the grandkids.  Here's a Bowling Game that I designed using chocolate milk bottles.  I love when you can reuse things.  This uses some multi-surface paint from Plaid.

And, for the graduate, I made a Mortarboard Gift Box, which can hold a gift card, or your graduate's favorite gift - cash!

Here I've use some Kunin stiff felt and a recycled box.  Add your favorite saying and personalize it with the school colors of your grad.

And, back in April, I created a sign for the yard to point the way to the Easter egg hunt!  Joy letters make it so easy to create a sign!

There are so many ways to use JOY letters - games, signs, gifts.  Stop by the Creating with Joy blog and see more ideas from the design team!

Shirt Sleeve Pumpkins

Hi crafty friends!

Nothing makes me happier than re-using something old and worn out.  Lately, I have been using some of my hubby's old shirts in my designs.  I have a lot of plaids and pumpkins have been on my mind, so I thought I'd make some plaid shirt sleeve pumpkins.  

The shirt sleeves are perfect for a quick and easy stuffed pumpkin, since they are already a tube.  I cut two from this plaid shirt - one a little shorter than the other.  Then, I turn the sleeve piece inside out.  On one end, sew a running stitch around one edge with a heavy thread.  Draw it up and tie it.  Turn it inside out and stuff with polyester stuffing.  Then, sew another running stitch around the top edge.  Draw it up and tie the ends.  Push the center down along with the ends of the thread.  Find a short piece of stick for the stem, add glue to the end and push into the center.

Shirt Sleeve Pumpkins

Set them among the rest of your fall décor or place them in a grapevine wreath.  These are so easy even the kids and grandkids can make them.  

So save your old plaid shirts or check out your local re-use stores and make some shirt sleeve pumpkins!  

Fast and Fabulous Tassels

Hi all!

Beadwork for August/September is out and I'm happy to announce that I have a necklace published in the Fast and Fabulous section.

In this issue, the Fast and Fabulous section is devoted to tassels - all kinds.  So whether you like thread, ribbon, chain, leather or mixed tassels, there is one for you. Elegant or casual, they've got them!  And, you'll recognize the designers - Tamara Honaman, Fernando Dasilva, Nealay Patel, Debbie Blair and more - I've admired their work for a long time.

Here's the one I made with strips of my husband's old shirts, yarn, sari silk ribbon, chain and a little leather.  I found my bead cap in the plumbing aisle of my local hardware.  So, with the copper cap and the recycled bits in the tassel, the editor named it Plumb Scrappy!  So punny!  

Plumb Scrappy

I love to create with recycled materials and use up some of the bits in the cupboards and bins.  What do you have that you can create with?  I hope this idea inspires you.  And, do check out Beadwork and see all the beautiful designs.

Here are the tassels in an article from Interweave.

And, here is their photo of my tassel:

Jack O'Lantern Decoration

Hi Crafty Friends!

It's getting spooky out there - and the candy is flowing!  Here's a great craft to greet those trick-or-treaters when they arrive at your door. 

Jack O' Lantern Greeter

For all the instructions on how I made this, go to the Smoothfoam blog

You might notice that I used one of my favorite craft materials in this project - brown paper bags!  I made leaves from it and wrapped the stem and nose in it, too. 

Enjoy the day - and the candy!  (That's my favorite part!)

Happy Boo Day!

Terry

(I received materials and compensation for this project as part of their design team.)

Designer Crafts Connection: Let's Party

Hi Crafters!

Summer is coming and, with it, a lot of outdoor parties!  Generally, we have sunshine and warm weather that make the patio an inviting place.  We'll see about this year as May was one of our coldest.  Here's hoping June gives us a good start to summer. 

This month, I'm featuring projects that were on my blog in the last few years that suit outdoor decorating for a summer party.  The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays and these designs are perfect for decorations for the barbecue.  To start off, here's a Denim Wreath.  You can find the tutorial for the process of making the wreath at the link.

Denim Wreath

I love to recycle worn denim jeans to make fun, country-style designs.  Here's another one: a Denim Wall Pocket.  Fill this pocket with some Queen Anne's Lace or some dried flowers and hang it on the fence or gate.

Denim Wall Pocket

And, here's a Denim Flower to wear as a pin or add to a jar, napkin ring, a wreath, banner - anywhere and everywhere!

I hope you'll try these designs for decorating your next barbecue.  Add a few hay bales, more bandanas and some mason jars for quick and easy country decorating!

Now, hop around the Designer Crafts Connection blogs with the big, blue button over in my sidebar.  You'll find lots of cute ideas for your next party!  You can also go to the Designer Crafts Connection blog where you can find the links to all the blogs.

Whatever your party plans, have a great time creating your own decorations and celebrating with family and friends!

Update:  Since I love to create with denim and have more designs with it coming up in the future, I created a Pinterest board exclusively for these designs here. 

Recycled Crafts

Hi Crafters!

I've long been an advocate or re-using and recycling materials in crafts.  I especially like doing that for kids' crafts, but recycled materials are also great for re-use in art collages, paper projects, decoupage, general crafts and even jewelry.

Here's a craft that I did recently for the Smoothfoam blog.  This Primitive Bunny Jar uses paper bags, old buttons and a jelly jar. You can find the instructions at the link.

Primitive Bunny Jar for Smoothfoam

Here's another of my favorite projects that I made using paper bags - Scrunched Paper Bangles.
All the instructions are on my blog at the link.  It's a fun gift for the kids to make for Mother's Day.

Scrunched Paper Bangles

Here's another craft that I made using recycled materials:  a Decoupaged Flower Pot. It's a great craft for everyone from kids to seniors!

Decoupaged Flower Pot

To make a pot like this, sponge on some acrylic paint, then glue on a selection of pieces from seed catalogs, gardening magazines and seed packets.  I also added some fabric leaves and flowers.  Stamp a message and decoupage that on top.  Add coats of decoupage medium.  This also makes a nice gift.  You can add a plant or fill it up with seed packets, a trowel and a pair of gardening gloves! 

Have fun with these and don't forget to look at your recyclables for crafting material!

Crafts in my Kitchen: Yarn-Wrapped Snowman

Hi Crafters!

There's a decided lack of snow (and rain) here in California, so I created a little snowman that doesn't need snow. Its the craft that the kids (and moms!) and I crafted in my kitchen this month - a yarn-wrapped snowman.  If you're stuck inside waiting for a snowstorm to stop or don't have any snow to work with, why not craft along! It's easy and the materials are readily available.

Yarn-wrapped Snowman

To start, make balls with scrap paper.  I used old computer printer paper.  Make a ball for a head and one or two for the body.  Shape them by rolling or pushing against your work surface.

Next, wrap the balls with yarn until the paper is covered. Add a little glue to hold the ends down.

Glue the balls together.  You can use a toothpick to connect the balls together more securely if you like.

Now, it's time to decorate.  You can use felt, buttons, chenille stems, pom poms, wiggle eyes or whatever you like and have around the house.

Here's a cute snowman that one of the kids created:

Happy Crafting!
Terry

Tag Ornament

Hi Everyone!
It's pretty close to the last minute for gifts for Christmas!  I'm still shopping, card-making and prepping myself, so I thought I'd send out a quick and easy Tag Ornament.  This ornament is made using a small, arched Tag Lace-Up from Eye Connect Crafts.  This little tag has so many possibilities!

I recycled some Christmas card images for this tag, which is also made from recycled tagboard.

Lace-Up Tag and image

I painted the tag with acrylic paint from DecoArt in Antique Gold and added Worn Penny around the holes. 

I decoupaged the image to the tag.  I did the same thing on the other side.  If you wanted to use it as a gift tag, write a message on the back instead.

Then, lace up the ornament with trim or ribbon leaving an end at the top.  Tie the ends and you're done!

 

It's ready to hang on your tree or give as a gift!

Best Wishes for a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year!

Terry

 

Designer Crafts Connection: Crafting with School Supplies

Hi Crafty Friends!

This month on the Designer Crafts Connection we're crafting in a Back to School mode.  You'll find crafts either using that theme or creating a craft with the actual supplies.  

I'm crafting with school supplies. I had some old felt pens that didn't work anymore.  I just couldn't throw them away!  Not only do I hate to create more garbage, these pens were bright and colorful  There must be something I can do with them!  After some thought, I found I could remove the felt wick leaving a colorful tube.  And when you have a tube, you have possibilities!

I decided to string the tubes on twine and make a wind chime.  I recycled a couple of plastic lids, too.  This craft is great for kids, especially if you have an adult remove the wick from the pen.  With the use of recyclable materials, it's inexpensive to make.

Felt Pen Wind Chime

You'll need: 

8 dried-up felt pens
2 plastic lids
Assorted acrylic beads
Twine
Scissors, tweezers, bead reamer or other tool to punch small holes in the lid


1.  Remove the felt wick in the center of the felt pen with tweezers or a pair of pliers.

2.  Punch eight evenly-spaced holes around the edge of a plastic lid and one in the center.  Cut a triangular piece from the other lid and punch a hole in one corner.

3.  Cut five pieces of twine about a yard long. 

4.  Tie a knot in a piece of twine, string a bead, a felt pen tube and one or two beads.  Tie a knot and go through a hole from the bottom of the lid and down from the top in an adjacent hole.  Knot the twine and repeat for the second set of beads and felt pen tube.  Repeat three more times.

5.  For the center, tie on the triangle and knot, add a bead and knot again.  Knot the twine and add a few larger beads; knot above the beads.  Four inches or so up, make a knot, add a bead and go through the center hole of the plastic lid.  Add a couple of beads on the other side to hold the lid in place, knot again and tie a loop for hanging.

Hang your wind chime outside in the garden or in a window for a colorful decoration!  

Don't forget to click on the big blue Designer Craft Connection button and see what the other designers have created this month!

Happy Crafting!

Designer Craft Connection - Handmade Flowers

Hi Crafters!

Welcome to another round in the Designer Craft Connection hop.  This month we are featuring Handmade Flowers.  And, to further challenge ourselves, we are making them with recyclable materials.  That is no problem for me; I just had to decide which of my fabulous collectibles I wanted to use.  I have been saving used dryer sheets for a long time and have built up quite a stash, so I decided they would be perfect for flower making.  They're sheer like petals and have a nice sparkle to them.  After looking around the internet where I found great ideas for layered flowers and rolled roses, I decided on carnations.

First I pressed my dryer sheets to get out the wrinkles, then I cut out circles with pinking shears.  If you have a cutting machine, you can cut them out with that.

You can cut them out in a variety of sizes if you like.  The biggest you'll get is about 5" in diameter.

Then, I dyed the circles in a bowl of water with a few drops of food coloring.  Leftover Easter egg dyes would probably work great, too.  After they dried, I made cuts into the circles to fringe the edges.  (Don't cut all the way into the center or your flower will fall apart.)

Layer the circles one on top of the other and fold them in half.  Pinch the center and twist it.

Wrap a floral wire or craft wire around the twist. 

Wrap the stem with floral tape.

Here's the finished flower.

Here's a flower without cuts or dye.

Here's a bouquet of them.

Have fun making lots of different variations of this flower.  You could use more layers, put different colors together or add a button or jewel in the center.  Make a corsage.  Or, add it to a card.  The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!

Happy crafting!

And, don't forget to click on the big blue DCC button to see all the other handmade flowers!

Thanks a Bunch!

Hi Crafters!
This month the designers in our Designer Craft Connection blog hop want to say "Thank you"!  So, we've designed some ways that you'll be able to do that while having some crafting fun! 

Thanks a Bunch! Card
Design by Terry Ricioli

Cards are always a great way to say "thank you"!  Here's my take on a thank you card using some recycled materials, paper, a little paint and some tacky glue.

I love the corrugated sleeves that you wrap around your hot drink.  They are a great source of crafting material.  I cut the grapes from one of those.  You can see that they are cut in all directions and of no particular size, so don't worry about it!

The leaf and stem are made from pieces of a brown paper grocery bag - also a great source of craft material.

Cut two small pieces of bag.

Add tacky glue.

Press the paper squares together.

Trace a leaf on the paper bag squares.  Use a natural leaf as a guide or make your own pattern.

Cut out the leaf.

Wrinkle the leaf by folding and scrunching it.  Let it dry.

Roll up a small rectangle of paper bag.  Twist and bend it into a stem.

Paint and arrange the leaf, stem and grapes on a torn rectangle of colored paper.  I painted these with some metallic powder but you can brush it with any color or kind of paint you like.  I like to leave some of the brown showing through the paint.

Glue the pieces onto the colored paper and glue that piece to a card in a contrasting color.

Print out "Thanks a bunch!" using your computer and printer and tear around the lettering.  Glue it at the bottom right or inside the card. 

Thanks a bunch for stopping by!  Stop in again on November 10th for some Christmas crafts using Smoothfoam(TM).

Happy Crafting!
Terry