A few FFOs

Due to some technical difficulties, and the subsequent learning curve that is inherent when you have new a hardware and software set up, I haven't uploaded a floss tube video in 2(!!) months.

Fingers crossed there will be one this week.
I'm also trying to get back to blogging regularly. I'm implementing a new schedule for myself, so hopefully it will turn my intend to dos into have dones.


Over the past couple of months, I have had some finishes and FFOs, if you follow me on Instagram, or are a FB groupie, you will likely have seen them.

And Spooky Halloween pillow tuck by PrimitiveStitchin

At home with Jane Austen by The Sampler Girl

My shortened version of Santa's list by Country Cottage Needleworks

Christmas Tree ornament from "Timeless Ornaments" by Jane Chandler

My last project had already been a finish, but I FFO'd it just this past Friday..
This is Triton's Treasure by The Stitching Parlor

That's it for this week, Thank you for stopping by for a visit!

Until next time,
Stay crafty!

Michelle

An oldie, but goodie, Junky snowman ornament tutorial

I posted this 2 years ago, but thought it was time to share it again, just in time to adorn your Christmas tree!


Haaaaaapy Birthday!!



No..It's not my birthday, nor is it my blog's birthday, but when I finished these cute ornaments I immediately thought of good Ole Frosty the Snowman, and the first words he utters when he comes to life.
I'm going to tell you how you can make your very own!

For those of you who don't know me, one of my favorite places, (besides Thrift Stores, Antique malls and craft stores lol) is the hardware store. Now normally, you'll find me shopping at Home Depot, BUT Here lately I've discovered that the Menards 20 minutes away actually has about 3 times the selection (*Gasp* I know, Right?) and is actually quite a bit cheaper (Sorry HD...I still love you though!!)  So while Hubby and I were out for a rare date night (Endless Shrimp anyone?!?!) we popped into the Lancaster menards to look for smaller packs of peg board hooks (which they had..Menards 1 - HD 0) and some lazy susan hardware at a reasonable price (Menards 2 - HD 0) and while standing there looking at their unbelievable selection of hex nuts (once again, menards scores..3-0, menards' game) I was inspired. I just happened to see them in my head, Hardware snowmen! and you really can't beat the prices! I got enough hex nuts to make 6 snowmen and it was a whopping $4.42..including tax. Except the wire, I had that already, and it was purchased at Home Depot.

So here's your Shopping list:

24 gauge wire
E600
snowman body:
5/8 hex nuts
1/2 hex nuts
3/8 hex nuts
Hat
1/4 flat washer
2 1/4 hex nut OR 1 1/4 hex and 1/4 hex cap

Extra 1/4 hex nuts or beads/bells

1:  set a 5/8 hex nut on your working surface.

2: spread some E600 on one side of the 1/2 hex, place it, glue side down, onto the 5/8 hex.

3. repeat for the 3/8 hex.

4. on wrong side of the flat washer put some E600, place it onto the 3/8 hex

                                     

5. repeat for 1/4 hex

6. repeat for second 1/4 hex or hex cap.

7. set aside to dry

8. While snomen are drying, cut your wire into 5-6" pieces. Bend in half

9. half way down from the loop you formed in step 8, tie the wire into a loose knot. this can be done, it just takes a minute to work it into the right shape.

10. Slide your hex/bead/bell on 1 strand of wire. twist both strands together locking the bead onto the wire.

11. wrap extra wire up and around the top of the bead, this will be hidden between the snowman's hat and the bead.

12: thread the flattened loop throught the hex nuts and out the top of the snowman's hat. spread wire loop for hanging. and Voila! A hex nut snowman!

If you make one, please let me know, I would love to see them!

a bit of stitching..

Last night while we watched some Dexter, I got out some osnaburg and started stitching. These will become either banners or ornaments in the near future, I haven't decided for sure as of yet.

Last minute gifts that have a personal touch!

Need a quick, easy and inexpensive Christmas gift?
Walmart has some great holiday towels on sale for $.98.

With about 20 mins.,a little applikay wonder (or wonder under) some coordinating fabric and your zig zag stitch on your machine turns these towels into a personalized gift!

FOr these ones I cut out a poinsettia from some fabric..

And these were just some free hand trees..

 Easy peasy, and cute as can be :)

Till Later!
Michelle

Sharing some crafting from over the holidays!

I've not been being very productive the past little while, but just before Christmas I had been doing much better. Since I didn't blog much during that time I thought I might share some of my projects now.

This one wasn't me actually, Hubby took care of it for me while I was doing other things :)

Our cheesy cheapo dining room chandelier went from ick to slick with the help of a can of ORB and by replacing the glass globes with inexpensive shades. The shades are in line for some burlap treatment when I get to it :)

My Memo center, dressed for the Holiday

My friend Mollie's version, this frame still had it's glass so it only got 1 wire of clips in order to utilize dry erase markers as well.

I just Love me some Embellished towels, don't you?

Too cute Elephants!

Owlberta, She can actually grasp some surfaces in order to perch on her own.

Ribbon rose ornament, this was so super simple to make!

So that's all I have pictures of, there was more creativity going on but it's been a few weeks and well, who can remember it all?!?
Time to go take down the rest of Christmas, Later!

Christmas Crafting from the couch

So I've been banned from the sewing machine this past week due to a muscle spasm in my back.

It's been kind of nice not being allowed to do anything.....OK, so that is as far from the truth as you can get!

It's truly amazing how not being able to do your normal daily thing makes you realize just how much you do without even paying attention!

Like Housework. I'm not talking about heavy cleaning, just the little things, Vacuuming, keeping up with the dishes, Taking out the trash, switching laundry....all these things you do just because they need done.

Or cooking..or sewing...or well...even normal movement in general for no reason than to shift positions!

My husband will tell you, this week we discovered that I am just TERRIBLE at the whole laying still and resting thing, unless I'm asleep from the muscle relaxers. Eventually I started listening and am not pushing myself to do more than I should though, and can feel improvement.

Anyhow, since I wasn't allowed to do much of anything I did some Christmas present crafting from my couch. 1 more nephew (I had to get more chalkboard paint, his is now painted and ready for some podge) to go and then I can work on their bags. There is still a bit of touching up to be done, and I'm thinking about adding a bit of ribbon..we'll see.

I've got a few extra clipboards I'm going to do up for the shop..so keep your eye open for those coming soon!

I also made up a pumpkin garland for my door that Hubby built me (oh that's right I hadn't told you all about that!)

Since most of the doorways in our house are arched, including the one to my studio, Hubby custom built this screen door to keep our cats out and away from my fabrics. I love that because it's screened and not solid I am not shut away from the rest of the household.

I had mod podged fabric scraps all the way around the door where the screen is attached. Then added the word create with a flower across the brace. The scraps still need some trimming done to them..I'll get to it eventually I'm sure LOL!

Time for a bit of breakfast,

Later!