Crafting Ideas

I was straightening up my computer room upstairs when I came across some old craft ideas I had cut out of some old Workbasket magazines. There were some neat ideas that could still be used today, so I thought I would type them up and just save them onto my computer. So that's what I did and I thought I would share w/the rest of the world, so here they are. I hope you enjoy them!

Thimble Pin Cushion
Materials:
Thimble
Polyfill
Velvet
Stuff thimble w/polyfill.
Cut a piece of velvet ½” larger than diameter of thimble.
Tuck securely around polyfill.

Sewing Boxes
Materials:
Cigar box
Batting
Fabric
Glue two thicknesses of batting on outside top of lid.
Glue fabric to entire box.

Potpourri Heart
Materials:
Lace
Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter
Ribbon
Glue lace around cookie cutter
Fill with potpourri
Glue ribbon around edges
Make a loop w/ribbon and glue to top for hanging

Note Holder
Materials:
Rat Trap
Paint
Sharpie
Remove bait holder, trigger, and staple from trap
Spray paint
Paint or glue picture of mouse
Write “Notes” across top &
“Not for mice
Not for cheese
Leave a note
If you please” on bottom
Glue magnet or hanging bracket on back

Water Bracelets
Materials:
Aquarium tubing
Lighter
Pencil
Food Coloring
Sequins
Measure tubing around wrist. Add 1”
Heat and seal one end of tube using lighter
Heat other end and insert pencil ½”
Fill tube w/colored water
Add sparkles
Insert sealed end into open end.
Heat and seal.

Doll House Sofa Set
Materials:
Sponge
Glue
Fabric scraps
Cut four pieces of sponge for sofa back, seat, and arms
Glue fabric onto pieces
Assemble and glue couch together
Cover small piece of sponge for ottoman

Greeting Card Bookmarks
Materials:
Card
Glue
Hole punch
Crochet thread
Cut picture from card
Punch hole ¼” from bottom
Using 15- 8” lengths of crochet thread, make a tassel
Attach tassel to punched hole.

Greeting Cards
Materials:
Heavy Interfacing
Iron on transfer
Paints or chalk
Cut interfacing to fit envelopes
Apply transfer to interfacing
Color background w/paints or chalks
Christmas Tags
Materials:
Cards
Colored paper
White paper
Glue
Cut pictures from cards w/decorative scissors
Cut piece of colored paper slightly larger than picture
Cut a slightly larger piece from white
Glue together.

Storage Cubes
Materials:
Cardboard Boxes
Glue
Fabric, Wallpaper, or contact paper
Select boxes for size and durability
Remove top flaps and trim edges straight
Cover outside with choice of covering
Arrange as needed

New Projects

I have been working on some new projects for the past two days. For some odd reason, I
felt like working with paper. I have tons and tons of scrapbook paper (haven't scrapbooked in five yrs), so decided I should do something with it. So I started making mini envelopes. They're so cute!! They're just big enough to hold a gift card, money, or a business card.
Or you could punch a hole in them and use them as gift tags! I'm making them in an assortment of colors and styles.

I also tried my hand at making corner bookmarks. They came out pretty nicely with not too much muss or fuss lol. They just slip onto your book's page corner so your place is marked nicely.

I will be selling both of these items in my etsy store so be sure to check them out! I also posted pics of both in my Misc album here. I can make either of these items in colors or styles of your choosing (i.e. animal, colors, elegant, fun, etc.).

Fat Quarters

For me, fat quarters are hard to resist--especially when they go on sale--because they come in the most wonderful and fun designs! Most of the time you can't buy that particular fabric off the bolt either. Plus, they're great for making smaller projects.

So, after much debating whether or not I should upload all my fat quarters onto my fabric albums site, I decided to go ahead and do it. I have a total of 92 lol. Wow. I guess I've been "collecting" them. Maybe someone out there will see a fat quarter they like and will HAVE to have something made with it :)

You can see all my fat quarters, along with all my other fabrics here: http://lilbitsassyfabrics.shutterfly.com/

A Little Early Spring Cleaning

Yesterday I decided to take a break from sewing and do a little spring cleaning. Since Mike wasn't coming home for lunch, I took advantage. I cleaned out and rearranged my kitchen cabinets.

I started with the two small cabinets that we keep glasses and cups in. Way too many!! We don't get many visitors, so I thought I would weed all the glasses and cups we didn't use out. I packed them in newspaper and put them in two (good sized) boxes and put them in the attic. That left me with two empty shelves once I got the glasses and cups I decided to keep back in the cabinet. So, I put my potatoes, onions , and chips (which were on the baker's rack in the dining room) on one shelf, and some smaller appliances (coffee grinder, coffee press, tea brewer) on the bottom shelf.

After that, I rearranged my baker's rack and put my Cuisinart processor attachments on it, my crockpot, and the toaster. So now I had some extra counterspace! Which I happened to be complaining about the other night while trying to fix dinner and no room to work! Now the trick will be to keep Mike from filling in that extra space! He's like his mother and thinks there should be something in every corner and nook and cranny--no empty spaces! It's annoying because I don't like clutter.

Then I went on to rearrange my cabinets a bit. I got all of my saucepans and pots in one cabinet! I also put all my baking pans on one shelf. So now everything is basically together and I don't have to open three different cabinets just to cook dinner. I still have two more cabinets to straighten out, but those won't take very long.

But I feel so much better now that my kitchen is a little more user friendly--not to mention a bit cleaner lol. Now if I could just get that bookcase out of the hallway......

Feeling Accomplished

I've been feeling very accomplished this week! On Sunday, I decided to start cutting out my interfacing for all those scrap projects so all I would have to do would be to grab a project and make it. It really cuts back on time if your prep work is done ahead of time. It didn't take as long as I thought it would either--so that was a bonus!

By cutting out all my interfacing, I've been able to get more projects made this week! So far, I've made two coaster sets (plus an extra for a free gift), eight Java Jackets, four tissue packs, three checkbook covers, two notepad holder, two glasses cases, two card wallets, and one pouch. Whew! Not too bad for a week's work!

Most of these are being listed in my Sassy store, but some are going to be free gifts and others I may keep to either list in another online store or hold onto in case I decided to do any craft fairs this year.

Java Jackets

Here are my Java Jackets! I'm so excited by these. I did a little research to see the different varieties that people make and came up with my own unique idea: there is a tab on the back with velcro that attaches to the cup. I also added a pocket on the front of the jacket for money or gift cards! I will be making several more of these so look for them in my shop!

Card Wallets

I have just listed some cute little card wallets in my store today. These are great for cash, credit cards, coins, or receipts. They are small enough to fit in a jacket pocket or even the back pocket of your jeans.

These are one of the items that I'm considering giving away as promotional items when a purchase is made from my pattern store. I'm hoping it will encourage folks to stop and take a look at what handmade items I have to offer.

Using Up Scraps

Yesterday afternoon I decided that I would use up my smaller pieces of scrap fabrics. I had a drawer full of them. So, I brought out a few at a time and started cutting them into some smaller projects. I'll try to cut the rest today. I have quite a few things to work on now.

Needless to say, there will be some new items in my etsy store very soon! Glasses cases, checkbook covers, tissue packs, cup cozies, card wallets, and coasters just to name a few. They will all be unique because I had quite a few interesting fabrics lol.

Sample Box

I am thinking of selling sample boxes in my etsy store. The box would have three to five samples of smaller items in it. These may or may not be items in my store . I came upon this idea because I had participated in The Spotted Box (www.TheSpottedBox.com). I didn't seem to get any orders from that, so I decided what if I made my own sample box with my own items instead? Customers could see a sampling of my handiwork before they actually purchased an item.

Also, I'm thinking of giving away a free sample of my work to those that purchase from my Lots O' Patterns shop. Maybe draw them to my Sassy store that way. I just need to find some way of promoting my Sassy store a bit more so I can draw some business there.

Moved Fabric Albums

After having difficulties with Photobucket, I have decided to move my fabric albums to another site. So, I chose Shutterfly. I really love it! Very easy to use and it has a couple of features that I really needed. I can make folders and then have categories in each folder. For example, I have my main folder "Fabrics" and in that folder there are my subcategories: animal, floral, novelty, babies & children, and misc.

I also like the website feature. After you download your pictures, you can then get your own website on which to feature them. It's so easy to use too because you can either download a picture at a time, or your whole album! Then you can rearrange them however you want.

It's really great for my fabric albums. Hopefully this site will make it a lot easier for my customers to browse through. If you're wondering why I have albums of all my fabrics--it's for custom orders. Sometimes a customer will see a product they like but would like it in a certain fabric. With pictures of all the fabrics I have in stock, they can see what I have and choose what they'd like. It's just a bit more convenient for the customers as well as myself.

If you'd like to check out my new album site, here is the link: Fabric Albums

What a Month!

It's been quite a month! I had gallbladder surgery on the 14th and it has just stopped me dead in my tracks! People were telling me that I would be feeling great either a couple of days after--or the next day. What lies!!! I was down for about a week. I'm just now feeling better. Well, ok that's a fib. I was feeling better on Thursday but I messed up and did way too much (vacuumed, laundry, changed the sheets on the bed, took out trash, cleaned the bathroom) and put myself down for another day.

To top it off, I feel really bad because I forgot about my parents' b-days (they were on the 18th & 20th) and two nieces whose b-days are the 29th and 30th. Ugh! Not like I knew what to get/make them, but that's not the point--I forgot them completely.

Plus the surgery has really put me behind in my sewing. I'm the type of person who HATES to get behind because I feel as if I can never catch up! Thank goodness I didn't have any custom orders waiting to be finished. Now I will drive myself crazy (and trust me, that's not really a far drive) trying to get things made. And of course at this point, I don't even know what I want to make so I don't know why I'm so wound up about it lol.

But hopefully in a week or two, there will be some new projects to post on my blog and in my etsy store.

Finally!

Well, I believe I have finally finished all my Valentine crafting. Still debating whether to make some sachets or not. It's getting pretty close to Valentine's Day so I may skip those. I meant to get more things made, but surgery held me up for a bit. I didn't really want to have a lot of leftover holiday items either, so there you have it!

Valentine Coasters

I managed to list the coasters I made for Valentine's in my etsy shop today. Two different sets of wine coasters--both made from organic felt--and three sets of "regular" coasters made from V-day fabrics. Very cute all.

Ideas Needed

My niece has asked me to send some Valentine's items to sell in her massage shop. I'm not sure what to make. So far, I've only gotten as far as coasters. If anyone has any ideas, I'd be happy to hear them! If you give me an idea I decide to use--I'll even send you something as a Thank You!

Appliques

I have decided to make iron-on appliques out of some fabrics that I have. Most of the fabrics I am using have bigger prints on them like dogs, Disney, kids' things, etc. It's a great way for me to downsize some of my fabric stash, while making something useful for crafters. You can use these for any number of crafting projects: totes, purses, clothing, jackets, etc. These will be for sale in my etsy store.

Tissue Pack Covers

This is the perfect solution for keeping your mini pack of tissues neat and orderly. Will fit handily in a coat pocket, your purse, in the car, on your desk, or wherever else you may need a tissue! I just made these this afternoon and I think they are the CUTEST!! I plan to make a ton more because they were so fun! I'm sending the four pictured here to my niece's massage shop and I have three others that are for sale in my etsy store.

Eye Pillows

My niece owns her own massage shop. She had asked me if I could make eye pillows and cases for them. She said that her shop is decorated in a Tuscany style and wanted the cases to match as closely as possible. So, I went online to see how big an eye pillow was, since I had no idea, and took down the measurements.

I finally got the inclination to make them today. They came out very nicely. I filled them with rice so she can scent them herself and heat them if necessary. The prints I used were the closest I could come to in a Tuscany style. I made her four extra cases also. I hope they will do.

The black bags are the eye pillows themselves and the printed fabrics are the cases. I made her a total of six pillows and 10 cases. The first picture shows what the cases look like with the pillows inside of them.

Vacation

I'm so excited---I have from today until after the 1st off work!!! My
boss closes the shop down for the holidays and inventory. Plus she's
getting the old carpet ripped out and putting in hardwood floors so
it'll be a "new" place when I go back!

I'm also excited because I have quite a few ideas of things I want to
make for my etsy shop and now I'll actually have some time to do it!!
I know you girls know how I feel about wanting to make this and that
and never having the time--gets frustrating!

I'm thinking of making purse sets--the purse with matching accessories
like checkbook cover, notepad holder, tissue pack---what do you think?
Do you think people would be more interested in those or if they were
just sold separately? I may try just a couple of purse sets to see.

Anyway, I just had to share my excitement over my vacation. Oh--and
I'm feeling a bit better too--I haven't been in near as much pain as I
was a week or so ago. Hopefully I'll stay that way during my vacation
so I can sew lol.

Finished Notepad Holders

I made five notepad holders so far. They are so fun to make! I am including a 3' x 5" notepad along with a mini pen with each holder. They are all listed in my etsy shop. I plan to make more after the holidays.

I'm thinking of selling the pattern for them also because they would be a great project for beginners. Also for people who are looking for something quick and easy to make for gifts

WIP Update

Just an update on my latest Works-in-Progress. I am currently making small notepad holders for my etsy shop. I have two made but want to make at least five altogether before I list them. This way it gives buyers a few selections to choose from. I hope to work on these today since I don't believe I'll be called in to work. It's a good day to sew since the weather is bad also (freezing rain on top of snow makes for slickery roads!).

After I finish these, I have a couple of personal projects to make, and then I plan to make some tissue packs for purses! Very cute and functional! They are all cut out and ready to go so they won't take me long to stitch up and list!

Drawstring Bag

I finally finished my winter purse! I decided to try a drawstring bag--and it turned out great! I'm very happy with this one. I think it turned out very cute. I ran out of the polka dot fabric that I used for the lining and binding on the pockets, so decided to go with a solid bright pink fabric for the straps and drawstrings. However, since they were made from a solid fabric with no pattern, I decided to add decorative stitching on them using a blue that matches the background color of the purse body.

I also made a "case" that I slipped a piece of plastic canvas in so the bottom of the bag would be stable and hold it's shape. It's removable so if I need to wash the purse, I can just take it out.

Winter Kitties Ditty Bag

I thought after a hard week at work, getting that big order finished and sent in plenty of time for Christmas, and putting up with gallbladder problems, I deserved a little treat. So, I made myself a new winter purse.

I had found the cutest kitty fabric that features little kittens wearing hats and scarves about three weeks ago! I couldn't resist it! I just haven't had time to make anything with it before now.

So, this is the Ditty Bag, as I named it. Well, unfortunately it won't suit my needs :( Not to worry--I still have plenty of leftover fabric so I can make myself another purse that better suits me! I just listed this one in my etsy store. I hope someone falls in love with it and buys it lol.

Catnip Mice

I had joined a "group" called The Spotted Box a few months ago. You make samples of your work, send it to the group leader, and she packs them in various boxes and then sells the boxes on etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6010437) or hyenacart (http://www.thespottedbox.com/). It's a great promotional tool as the people who buy the boxes see your work and maybe order from you. I've only sent once so far.

This time I decided that I wanted to send for December. So, instead of making just 20 samples, I made 60. If you send 60 or more you get a free box. My intention was to get a free box so I could see what other shops make, how they package their samples, etc. So, I made 20 each of mini felt dog bones, coasters, and catnip mice.

The catnip mice were by far my favorites. They turned out so cute--and my own creation to boot! I just had to post a blog about them and a picture. I'm considering making some more of these along with bigger bones to sell in my etsy shop. I may sell them three in a package since they're small--and since cats tend to lose their toys lol.

Big Order Finished

I have finally finished my big order!! She got eight coloring totes, four litter bags, two visor organizers, two double glasses cases, a large pouch case, and a purse w/matching checkbook cover and notepad holder. Here are some pictures of the order. It only took me two weeks!

Now I have to think of what to make next!! Any suggestions?

Big Order

I'm very excited!! I just had a regular customer order a TON of things from me for Christmas!! She wants four litter bags, two visor organizers, eight coloring totes, a double eyeglass case (got that one done tonight), notepad holder, purse, checkbook cover (all of those to match), and a wipes case!

So, today I was busy getting everything cut out and ready to go. There are two items I have to take to JoAnn's tomorrow so I can find lining fabric to match them (with all my fabric you'd think I'd have SOMETHING), but otherwise, everything else is ready to go.

So, if you don't see any posts about new projects or ideas I'm working on, that's why--too busy getting this order filled.