duct tape belt tutorial

I saw this and had to figure out how to make them.  If you want a fast fun project this is it.  5 minutes tops to make one.

Duct tape - I got mine at home depot, but I heard joanns and hobby lobby have a good selection of the "cute" tape
2 d rings - I used 1 inch but 1 1/2 would work also

Measure the waist of person and add ten inches.  Cut 2 strips at that length.

Cut or tear one of those strips in half length wise

place a skinny strip down the back of the fat strip in the middle.  sticky sides together

fold over the edges so all sticky is gone.

place the last skinny strip over the folded edges.

slide d rings onto one end, fold over and secure with a small piece of tape

you can easily cut any excess off when you put it on the person.

Spoon garden marker tutorial

This summer my pride and joy is my herb garden.  I normally hate gardening but this is a small and manageable garden so I am ok with it.  I couldn't keep which herbs were what straight in my head so I saw these and had to figure out how to make them.

Needed
spoons - I went to the second hand store and bought them for $.25
HEAVY hammer - I used a sledge hammer and anvil
sharpie
spray finish

Smash your spoon flat - this will take a while and keep flipping it over to get it perfectly flat.  The heavier the hammer the easier and quicker it will be.

write you desired word with the sharpie - let dry

spray very lightly with finish.  If finish is too heavy the words will smear.

Stick the handle in the ground and no more confusion!!!

Cinnamon popcorn

I have to first explain and apologize.  My house is under a major renovation and that has put a halt to all sewing and tutorials.  My sewing room is currently filled with bedroom furniture and tools.  So If I skip a week or borrow other tutorials for the next few months you now know the reason.  So with no sewing happening in my house I still have to cook.  We made this for firework watching on the 4th.  It says microwave the goo, but I did it on the stove top and it worked just fine as well.

http://www.recipegirl.com/2008/09/01/cinnamon-popcorn-balls/

pleated headband tutorial

I saw these on pinterest and had to make them.  The pattern if for a child's headband, but I followed the same directions just changed the measurements for an adult.

http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/2011/01/pleated-headband-tutorial.html

For the adult I used a fabric scrap measuring 3 inches by 22 inches.  My interfacing and felt backing were just a tad bit smaller than that.

Ruffle Skirt Tutorial

Last summer I heard about a blog encouraging females to wear skirts in the summer.  I was a little late on the up take so this year I did my own SOS (summer of skirts)  I have made most of my skirts through the winter and am now enjoying my girly summer.
This is one of my favorites I made.  Super duper comfy and quick to make.  I can not take any credit for it.  The tutorial is from V and Co (she is a material girl at heart even though she moved away)  We LOVE Vanessa.  If you haven't checked out her website you should.

http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2011/09/v-and-co-how-to-sewing-with-ruffle.html

laminate swim bag tutorial plus tips

I am all about laminate right now.  Here are some tips for sewing with laminate that I have learned.

**a walking foot makes ALL the difference.  A teflon foot or scotch tape on a regular foot work alright, but a walking foot makes it sew like normal fabric.
**  A sharp needle and sewing slowly works better than a stronger needle.  I broke 2 denim needles, but sewed slow with an 80 sharp and didn't break one...plus smaller holes in the laminate.
**If you use very thin pins you can pin through the laminate and not have visible holes.  I used the clover pins with blue and yellow glass heads.  They are super thin.
**No need to iron.  Just finger press or run the edge of the ruler down the fold and it will hold long enough to do the step you need.
**blow out your machine often.  As you sew the laminate flakes a little and gets in your machine.  Just make sure to clean it good when you are done.
*****If you have handles, straps, ties (anything small that you have to turn RSO) sprinkle a small amount of baby powder onto the laminate and sew, then when you turn it, the laminate won't stick to itself.  Wipe down when complete.****Best trick ever!!!!



Here is a fabulous idea  to use laminate----
Swim bag tutorial


Using the drawstring tutorial we posted earlier make a swim bag using laminate instead of cotton.
http://thematerialgirlsquilts.blogspot.com/2011/01/drawstring-backpack.html 
Quick, stylish and water proof!!!!


( I will post pictures when mine gets done)


Here are some more ideas to use laminate with

**Snappy bags or small coin purse pattern -  used laminate to make them into reuseable snack bags

**bag pattern  - use laminate to make any bag into a lunch tote or diaper bag.

**clothing patterns - use laminate to make any coat into a rain jacket.

This is a diaper bag using laminate.

umbrella wreath tutorial

A new month means  new wreath.  I am in the mood for summer so I saw this and thought how much more summery can you get.

What you need
Wreath
Umbrella sticks (I got mine at a party store in a box of 144)
Lei - or other hanging

Wrap the lei (hanger) around.  I did a quick slip knot to secure mine.

Poke holes in the foam with a small screw driver.  I found if you stick the umbrellas in with a pre poked hole they break

Break your umbrella sticks to random lengths and place in.

continue around until you are happy with it.
Done.

Simple and summery...just perfect.

Pacifier clip tutorial

I will admit I am a pacifier mom.  We call ours "bink".  I have used these clips since my son was born.  They are short enough that he can sleep with it clipped to him and no worries about chocking.  They are also short enough that they don't drag on the ground when he crawls. I throw mine in the wash every couple of days and they wash and dry just fine. You can easily embellish these to make them more girlie if you desire.

What you need
scrap material
clips (found at joanns near the snaps and elastic)
velcro (I use iron on)

Place pieces of fabric WRONG sides together

cut a strip that is 1 inch by 7 inches

finish all 4 raw edges ( I serge them but you can zig zag or overlock just as easy)

slide the clip on the fold over and sew.  I sew as close to the clip as possible.

Iron velcro to the other end.  One piece is on the edge the other is about an inch down.

Done!!

Feed the velcro end through the loop on the pacifier and secure.  If you have the type of pacifier with no loop wrap a clean hair elastic around the knob and then feed the fabric through the elastic.

Body scrub tutorial

I just made this and then used it.  Oh how wonderful my legs feel.  I can not take credit for this however here is the link to the website that I used.  This is a super simple project that will make a great gift.  And with Mother's Day right around the corner.  This is perfect!!  Thanks Chris!!

http://www.maybematilda.com/2011/04/baby-shower-gift-homemade-sugar-scrub.html

sewing machine parts tutorial

Today is more of a tip than a true tutorial.

You know all those spare parts that come with your sewing machine...and sometime the case the company gives you is just not that cool.  Here is the solution.  I am not sure of the technical name but I call them squishy tubes.
I have found them at Home depot in the tool box section, but I am sure all home improvement stores have them.  They come in various sizes and colors.
You squeeze the end with the hole cut in it to open up the tune.  When released it closes tightly.  I have carried many around with various needles, thread, feet, and so on in them and have never had a spill.

Love my squishy tubes!!!  I have one for each machine.

Spring time wreath

It's a new month so time for a new wreath.

What you need.
2 skeens of "furry" green yarn
1 roll of flower lace trim
1 box of pins. (mine matched the centers of the flowers)
1 foam wreath
ribbon for hanging

The amount of yarn you need depends on the size of wreath.  For a 9 inch wreath I used almost 2 full skeens.

Pin end of yarn to the wreath.

Wrap yarn around the wreath.  Make sure the yarn sits close together so no foam shows.

Cut your flower trim into individual flowers.

randomly pin flowers to the wreath.  pin through the center spot of each flower.

Tie ribbon around wreath and hang.

I have seen these also with signs or banners pinned into the center that say "Spring" or "Welcome"