Coasters, coasters, everywhere coasters!

I wanted to give some homemade presents along with the store bought gifts this year.  Last year I made aprons and gave them to a few girls.  This year I am giving coasters. They are so easy, and I think they turned out great!

To do this project you need:

• tiles from a hardware store (These cost 16¢ at Home Depot.)
• scrapbook paper (I love the black and white toile from Hobby Lobby)
• a printer
• Mod Podge (I used glossy)
• Acrylic spray sealer 
• Sponge brush
• Scissors or a paper cutter

Follow these easy steps:

1. Print initials on the scrapbook paper.  I was only able to get two per piece of paper.  I printed one initial in the top left corner and one in the bottom right corner. Do a test page first.
2. Make a pattern from the tile.  You want the pattern to be slightly smaller than the tile.
3. Cut out the scrapbook paper.
4. Paint a layer of Mod Podge on the tile.
5. Lay the paper on top of the wet Mode Podge.
6. Paint a layer of Mod Podge on the paper.
7. Let that dry 15-20 minutes.
8. Repeat with another layer of Mod Podge.
9. Wait 15-20 minutes.
10. Take the tiles outside and spray with the sealer.
11. Let dry 5 minutes.
12. Spray another coat of sealer.
13. The can says to wait 24 hours before handling.  The smell will be strong at first.  Give it some time to air out.
14. Add sticky felt dots to the back.
15. VOILA!

I did a simple packaging job.  I used clear cellophane and red shredded paper from the Dollar Tree, white toole tied it all together, and I added a handmade gift tag. I created it in Word. (The tag instructions came from Life in Grace.

Check other DIY projects at:

A Soft Place to Land

Today's Creative Blog

Aprons for the girly girls

My friend, Kelli, asked me to sew some aprons for her to give to a couple of little girls for Christmas.  She picked out the fabric.  I think they turned out sooooo cute!

The Letter "M"

I found some letters in the clearance section at Walmart a couple of weeks ago. There weren't a whole lot left to choose from, BUT they did have an "M"!  It was destiny, I had to buy it for Madison.  Then, I had to decide what to do with it....paint it, decorate it, Mod Podge it, YEAH! I had a piece of scrapbook paper that mimicked the black and white tile in Madison's bathroom. So, I followed these simple steps!
1. Trace the M on the back of the scrapbook paper.
2. Cut out the paper.
3. Lay the cut-out on top of the letter. Trim where it is necessary.
4. Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge (I have glossy) on the top of the letter using a sponge brush.
5. Lay the paper cut-out on top of the moist Mod Podge.
6. Smooth out any bubbles.
7. Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge with the sponge brush.
8. Allow to dry 15-20 minutes.
9. Paint another thin layer of Mod Podge.  Allow to dry.
10. Find a special spot for it!

I LOVE IT! I can't wait to make more!

I just thought I would throw in some additional pics of her bathroom. I love her curtain and her shower curtain!

Check out other DIY projects at A Soft Place to Land

Christmas Decor 2009

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Ev'rywhere you go; 

Take a look in the five and ten glistening once again

With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Toys in ev'ry store

But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be

On your own front door. 

Merry Christmas!  Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Check out other homes decked for Christmas at Southern Hospitality.

Banner: play

UPDATE:  I found out where I saw the clothespin idea....Shanty2Chic.  They reposted it in their favorites for 2009.

I am trying to complete the new playroom. I got an idea from a blog to use the giant clothespins from Hobby Lobby. With the advice from _______ (I don't remember which blog I saw them on), I painted the clothespins and distressed them. Then, I made a banner using scrap fabric and felt to make the word play. I hung the letters from rustic looking rope. The look still isn't finished, but here is what it looks like so far.

Check out other DIY projects at A Soft Place to Land.

My Latest Applique Design: Football

I am having sew much fun with the applique designs!  Here is my latest. It was a birthday present for a close friend!  Happy Birthday, Will!

T-Shirt Applique

I am so excited about learning how to sew appliques.  I have now done several t-shirts.  Here are a couple that I have created.  My latest is a Christmas t-shirt for my little girl.  I can't wait to try it on her when she wakes up from her nap!

This first one is a cross with two different fabrics.  The bottom one is obviously a tad bit larger.  I did not use the iron on paper for this because I really wanted the fabric to be able to fray.  I sewed an outline around the two pieces at the same time.  I think the more I wash/dry this shirt, the more it will have the rugged, frayed look that I want.

For the Christmas applique, I did use Heat N Bond. I also used a straight stitch on this applique. I printed my M from Pages (Mac software-equivalent to Word.)  Remember to print your letters/images in reverse. I free handed the Christmas tree. You might recognize the fabric from my Christmas apron.

So, what do you think? Check out other DIY projects at A Soft Place to Land and Today's Creative Blog.

Picture Frame

I bought this picture frame at Goodwill for less than $1. (Yes, I did go to Goodwill.  I heard about people finding great things to refurbish.  I found a couple of items that I have worked on.  I'll show more later.)

It had a blue bow at the top that I ripped off before I took a pic.  I had to scrape off the hot glue that held the bow onto the frame. Next, I sprayed it with an off-white paint.

I painted 2 of these decorative wooden pieces that I found at Hobby Lobby for less than $1.  I mixed gold and brown for this color.

Boo hoo!  When I went to bring the frame inside, I dropped the glass!  Oh, well.  I guess I didn't really need it anyway!  Next, I glued the wooden decorative pieces on with Gorilla Glue.  Voila! I am not sure if I will use this to hold a picture or an initial stenciled on some burlap.  We'll see!

Check out other trash to treasure reinventions at REINVENTED.

Christmas Apron

YAY! I have wanted a Christmas apron since I saw an adorable one at the Junior League of Mobile's Christmas Jubilee last year. This year, I made one for myself! I love it! I can't wait to bake cookies in it. I LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME!

No, I did not bake these cookies, BUT I would love for mine to look like this. :)

My Christmas wish list:

• I wish the radio stations would start playing Christmas music on November 1st.
• I wish it wasn't crazy for me to put up Christmas decorations already...cuz I am gonna do it really soon!
• I wish my husband had the whole month of December off to spend it with Madison and me. We could do all kinds of fun Christmas stuff together.
• I wish all of my family lived near. I want to get together every weekend to sit by the fire watching Christmas movies and drink hot chocolate while the kids play. :(

Check out other DIY projects at: A Soft Place to Land and at Today's Creative Blog

Cazra

Flower for My Hair

Do you remember the flower I made for the picture frame? Well, I decided to make one for my hair. We were invited to a Halloween party and I wanted something snazzy for my hair. So, I whipped up another flower in like 5 minutes with some leftover fabric. I just hand tacked a pony-tail holder in between the bottom two petals. Don't ya love it? (Ignore the straggly hair.)

Travel Tissue Case

Looking for a "happy" to give your coworkers or relatives? Need some stocking stuffers? The travel tissue case is so cute and easy to make. They are great to stick in your purse, a diaper bag, locker or desk.

All you need is coffee (well, it was first thing in the morning), fabric, scissors, and thread. I am working on an order for 20 cases. I used my rotary cutter and mat to speed up the cutting process.

I had three selections of fabric, which I ordered from Heather Bailey. Each piece was 1/2 yard (1/2 yard of 44" fabric will make 7 cases). First, I cut the fabric into 6 inch strips. This means my strips were 18" x 6". I took the strips and cut 3 pieces that were 3 3/4" x 6" and 1 piece that was 4 3/8" x 6 inch.

Actually, I took a short cut. One set of the 3 3/4" x 6" pieces were cut on the fold. That means when it was open, it was 7 1/2" x 6". I did this because it saved a cut, and those two pieces are staying together anyway as the bottom of the case.

Next, I ironed the pieces. Take one of your 3 3/4" x 6" pieces and fold it in half as shown below. We teachers like to call that the hotdog fold. Do the same thing with the 4 3/8" x 6" piece of fabric. I ironed the last piece to make sure the fabric was smooth.

Lay one of the 3 3/4" x 6" pieces wrong side up on your table. Lay another 3 3/4" x 6" piece on top of it-wrong sides together. (Or-if you took my shortcut, lay the 7 1/2" x 6" piece on your workspace folded with wrong sides together so that it looks like one 3 3/4" x 6" piece facing you.) Take the 3 3/4" x 6" piece that you ironed in half and lay it on top of those two pieces. Then, lay the larger piece that you ironed in half on top. Make sure that the folds are facing the center of the case and line up the corners. The two top pieces will overlap in the center. Pin these together.

Sew around the edges and clip the corners.

Turn the case right side out and pull out the corners. Iron. Insert the tissue pack. VOILA!

Let me know if you try this out! I enjoy getting your messages! Let me know if you have any further questions.

Check out other DIY projects at A Soft Place to Land.