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Archive of ‘Tutorial’ category

03
Mar
2014

Twigs+Frame=?

Written by: Rona

My attempt at St. Patrick’s Day decoration.

I’m not a huge fan of St. Patrick’s Day. I think it’s because I was scared for life by the movie Leprechaun. There were FIVE sequels made (2, 3, 4, 5, and Leprechaun in the Hood). Why? Anyway, for my husband’s namesake, I thought I ought to get into the spirit. I was inspired by this beautiful image. I love the organic feel and versatility of twigs, not to mention they are free! I didn’t want to shell out money for a holiday I don’t really love.

It was 50 degrees last week, which felt tropical compared to all the polar vortex we’ve had this winter. L and I took advantage of the springlike temps and went on a walk to find some twigs. It was definitely more like a quest. There were piles of snow at every corner, half shoveled sidewalks and puddles from the melting snow. Finding twigs was a difficult task. Imagine the excitement when I saw these guys with little buds on them.

I climbed on top of a huge mound of snow (easily over 5 feet) as L watched in the stroller. I wish I took a picture to help you understand the struggle. I’m pretty sure people were starring, but I didn’t care. Nothing screams “spring” like budding trees er twigs!

Returned from our quest with bundles of twigs, I remembered a frame I bought on clearance from Hobby Lobby for a dollar. I put the frame on top of each branch to find a pairing I liked.

I gave the winning branch a fitting by trimming some of the sprigs. I left a few hanging outside of the frame to keep it natural and playful. Then I secured the twig to the frame via tape.

What’s St. Patrick’s Day without something green? I dug out my stash of random paint chips (I’m a closet hoarder) and picked out a few pretty green colors. You might recognize this picture from our Instagram sneak peek.

I free handed a few little triangles.

Taped those babies to some twine.

Tied the mini flags to my framed twig.

The back of the flags are not so pretty. You may have noticed it from the reflection in the mirror. If I have time I will cut out a few more triangles to tape to the back.

I think I will leave it up for L’s birthday and Easter. I just need to change up the ribbon and the flags. I may even break this baby out for Christmas. Endless possibilities and I only spent a dollar! I’m pretty proud of myself.

Have you seen Leprechaun in the Hood starring Ice T? Thoughts?

28
Feb
2014

Ragin’ Rag Wreath

Written by: Grace

We have a winner! Congratulations Barbara C. Your rag wreath is on its way!

On our very first Craft Night years and years ago, I coerced all participants to make rag wreaths. Now, some didn’t share my enthusiasm, but let me tell you, I’ve made FOUR of these bad boys. Mainly because they are super easy to make… and… I went overboard with gathering fabric for this project.

This does prove to be a great project to complete with friends because you can share fabric and really diversify the colors in your wreath.

Materials

-Assorted fabric to be cut in strips- (Note: I would give you an estimate about the amount of fabric needed for this wreath, but the surplus of leftover fabric strips from this project does not attest to my estimation skills.. I can tell you that you could probably buy a yard of fabric total and be fine. You can buy fabric by any increment. You could also buy the quilting packs of fabric (My good friend Carrie just bought two packs of quilting squares, and her wreath is so dear).

-A Wire Hanger (The Mommy Dearest reference is too obvious, no?)

-Assorted Ribbon of coordinating colors of wreath (optional)

Directions:

-Cut/tear your fabric into strips of about 1 1/2″-2″ by 6″-8″ (Sorry for the range, but you don’t have to be precise) Also, as you can tell, I tore my fabric. It was easier, hence that was the road I chose to take.

Fabric is cut into strips/torn.

- Shape your hanger into a circle (leave the hook– it makes a lovely…well, hook).

- Take your strips and tie them in knots on your hanger.

-Keep tying those knots.

-Fluff and scrunch

Don’t get discouraged. It might seems like an endless project, and at times, you may think that it looks horrible, but just keep tying and scrunching your knots close together.

My good friend Gayle was quite efficient with this craft. She lined up her different stacks of fabric, and went to town. She scrunched and shifted at the end, instead of fluffing and scrunching every couple knots like I did. Gayle is smart like that.

This is also a fine craft for our younger friends (read: Kiddos). They can practice their fine motor skills and even the concept of patterns (that’s if you want your fabrics to be in a patterned order).

That’s it, folks.

After all those knots, you will have a pretty cute wreath, or in my case 4 wreaths…

The rag wreath has endless possibilities.

Check out Carrie’s cute pastel Easter cutie:

Or Rona’s Redskins fan wreath:

And then, my good friend Sarah wowed us all with an upscale monochromatic rag wreath. She used burlap, so naturally I’m in love.

Isn’t she gorgeous?

Sarah used a wire wreath form, so her wreath is fuller and more substantial. She’ll also tell you it took more time (But totally worth it).

She made these cute felt shamrocks and a miniature “Lu cky” banner to make it festive.

Isn’t Sarah’s wreath gorgeous?

In the spirit of St. Patrick’s day luck, teachlovecraft is holding its very first freebie. Who will be lucky enough to win the Springtime Rag wreath I just made?

Want it? Well there are 7 ways to enter to win this little Ragtime Beaut:

Entry -Form

Good Luck!!

26
Feb
2014

St. Patrick’s Day Easy Paper DIY Banner

Written by: Grace

What’s that? You like my banner? Oh, thanks. It only took me less than 10 minutes. It’s an Easy Paper DIY Banner. What’s that, you want to hit me? You won’t after this post. Because you, too, can create this ridiculously cute banner in less than ten minutes and act nonchalant when your pal compliments you on it.

I imagine the exchange to go like this:

-“Cute Banner”

-”Oh, this old thing? It took me ten minutes”

-<eyes roll>

So, here’s the latest quick and easy project for you all (See, I told you that most of my projects are quick and easy. Like my Burlap Bunting, and my Easy Burlap Bubble Wreath, and my ridiculously easy mantel).

I’m still not sure whether you call it bunting, or garland, or a banner. So, from here on out, I will be calling it a “bgr.” I hope that doesn’t stand for something unsavory, but I’m just gonna choose not to google it, and just hope for the best.

Anyway, this BGR (bunting/garland/banner) is a quick one.

Here’s what you’ll need for your Easy DIY Banner:

Assorted Paper and a heart hole punch:

I spent way too much time in the paper aisle at JoAnn’s.
I really thought the grass paper was cute, but I also picked up three plaids.

Some pages from a book (I had an old geography text book that I decided to use) or newspaper, or scrapbook paper, or whatever your little heart desires:

See that Geography class from freshman year is useful.

-Scissors

-Glue

-Ribbon

-A hole punch

Here’s what you’ll do for your Easy Paper DIY Banner:

Brace yourselves because this is ridiculously easy.

1. Punch some hearts out of your paper of choice (You’ll need three hearts per pennant)

2. Fold your hearts in half.

3. Cut a “V” or a triangle out of your page/soon to be pennant.

4. Arrange the hearts on the page in a shamrock style fashion, add a stem, then glue.

5. Punch two holes in each pennant and thread ribbon through each pennant.

6. Hang.

7. Revel in your brilliance with a TON of pictures.

Okay, Okay, I’ll stop with the pictures. But seriously, the level of ease of this project is not indicative of the level of cuteness of this BGR. Give it a try, and when your friends compliment you on it, let me know if your exchange with them goes as I predicted!

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