Beachy Quote Plaque

Here is another handmade paper crafty project I made using a scrap piece of wood as a base and silver wire for hanging. I thought these would make cute summer gifts that could be hung by a little shelf in a beachy themed bathroom, or tacked on a “to do” board for a little pick me up during the work day. To start, I found a quote about the sea – how it makes us feel walking along the edge with our toes in the sand and the relaxing sounds of the rolling waves. I printed the quote on light…

Pressed Leaves Art Frames

I can’t resist the beautiful shapes and colors of mother nature’s foliage, especially early summer. In the Midwest, periodic rains keep everything growing and fresh. While working in the garden or on a walk, I love picking a few of the prettiest ones and pressing them to use in my crafty projects. My “high-tech” way to press leaves is in old phone books I’ve kept for this purpose. If you happen to still have one, they are great to use because the paper is light and absorbent, and of course phone books are big and heavy…

I love rick rack!

Rick rack with modern fabrics? Rick rack on handcrafted cards? Yes and yes! Rick rack is sturdy, doesn’t fray, and can be easily added to any design or pattern. And it has a certain whimsy like no other trim. Rick rack adds a special cuteness to fabric patterns, especially on children’s and kitchen items. It can create a vintage feel but can also become updated when added to modern fabrics. I keep a stash of different bright colors and like to stitch it inside seams so only one half is sticking out. This adds dainty little scallops to…

Craft Apron – Sewing to Sell Project #1

This is the first project in a series using the patterns in Virginia Lindsay’s book, “Sewing to Sell.” It has great crafty sewing projects and inspiration for taking your sewing creativity to the next level. Project #1 Craft Apron I have sewn many aprons over the years to sell and give as gifts, but this pattern is a great modern version with lots of pockets and is easy to put together with layered rectangles. I’m looking forward to wearing it while crafting and putting all my crafty tools inside! It could also be a great “uniform” for a…