Wordless Wednesday Inspiration

Lace Hoop Sachet Craft Project

What You Need

Embroidery hoop (I used a 4 inch hoop)

Lace or tulle (about 12 inches square, may vary depending on embroidery hoop size)

Ribbon

Glue gun

Embellishments

Scissors

Fragrance beads or dry lavender

 

Before You Start : Heat up your glue gun. Take your embroidery hoop apart (remove the top pin by unscrewing)

Lets Make It! Place your inside loop onto a piece of lace or tulle and cut it about 1 inch larger in diameter than your embroidery hoop.

Lay your inside loop over the lace fabric and begin to proceed to glue the fabric to the loop using your hot glue gun all around the outside edge, gently pressing the lace fabric onto the glued edge. Work a little bit at a time ( hot glue dries quickly) moving slowly until the entire hoop is covered.

Using scissors trim any excess fabric from loop.  Repeat this same process with the outside loop.

 Place dried lavender or fragrance beads into the outside  loop and place the inside loop back into the outside loop. It will fit snugly.

Cut a piece of ribbon long enough to cover the outside loop edge. Using your glue gun, glue the ribbon to the outside edge of the embroidery hoop. Using, beads, ribbon, flowers and other embellishments glue trim around the face of the hoop. Finish with a ribbon bow through the holes at the top of the loop (where you removed the screw.) Hang your hoop sachet in your closet, or on your door knob, or give it as a gift. Do not place directly on your clothing (sometimes fragrance beads can stain).

@Bobskatie Enterprises-Katherine’s corner

Gardens Under Glass A Craft Project

The winter weather and post holiday blues may be creeping in on you, so here’s a fun way to bring some life to a blue day.

What You Need
A glass container with a large mouth and a base with a deep enough bottom to hold soil and rocks (apothecary and bell jars work great)

Plants

Potting soil (African violet mix works well)

Horticulture charcoal (available in the houseplant and garden section)

Pebbles (3/8 inch is a nice size)

Anything you’d like to add to give your terrarium some personality ( this is optional you can just use plants if you prefer)

Lets make It! Choose your plants. Any green plants will thrive. Other favorites include members of the Peperomia family, pileas, miniature fern, coleus, cuban oregano, penta, tradea scentia, miniature mums. Even collector plants like African violets, orchids or small begonias are great!

Place one to two inches of pebbles in the base of your container, add a small handful of charcoal ( wearing gloves helps to keep you and things clean)and mix them in with the pebbles. Level off the layer. Spread a layer of 2 to 3 inches of soil and gently pat it down. Dig a small hole in the soil, tuck in your plant and pat down the soil around it. Make sure no roots are exposed. Repeat this process for each plant. Don’t crowd to many plants in one terrarium, and make sure you have room for any additional decorations you may want to add.
Lightly water the plants and put a lid on your garden. DO NOT place it in direct sunlight. Rotate the terrarium occasionally to make sure all of the plants get light. Condensation means your garden under glass is doing well. Every couple of weeks take the lid off of your terrarium for a few hours.

* If you do not see any condensation add a spritz of water.

That’s it. Taa daa, winter blues just met a bit of early springtime.

Click Here for another post holiday pick me up

Snowflake Decorative Ornament Craft

What You Need

Rotary cutter ( scissors)
cutting mat
ruler
12x12-inch square of card stock ( white)
Quilling tool ( or small dowel with a slot cut in the end)
Craft glue
Adhesive spray
Fine glitter: ( I like silver)

Let’s make It! Using a rotary cutter, cut seven 1/4x12-inch strips from white card stock. From these strips, cut the following: one 6-inch-long strip (center round); eight 3-inch-long strips (arms); four 6-inch-long strips (scrolls); four 3-inch-long strips (teardrops); and four 2-inch-long strips (marquise shapes).
For round: Using a quilling tool, begin rolling a 6-inch strip from one end. Roll strip into a tight circle. Finished center round should be 5/8 inch wide. Use a dot of glue to secure end; let glue dry.
For arms: Roll one end of a 3-inch strip around quilling tool twice. At opposite end, roll strip around tool until finished arm is 1 inch long. Make eight. Glue arms together in pairs (see above photo). Glue the bottom of arms in place around the center circle.
For scrolls: Fold a 6-inch strip in half. Roll each end to the center. Make four.
Glue bottoms of scrolls to bottoms of arms near the center round, as shown. Let glue set. Glue sides of scrolls to arms, as shown.
For teardrops: Using a 3-inch strip, make a 1/2-inch round. Pinch one side into a point. Make four.Glue the teardrops between rolled ends of scrolls.
For marquise shapes: Using a 2-inch strip, make a 1/2-inch round. Pinch opposite sides into points. Make four.
Glue marquise shapes to ends of arms. Let it dry overnight.

Spray one side of ornament with adhesive and sprinkle with glitter; let dry. Turn over ornament and repeat on opposite side.

Takes time but the end result is worth the wait. Add it to your gifts, tie it on your tree, or tie it anywhere you want to decorate. It's not just for Christmas.

For something a little simpler Try this simple snowflake ornament ( I bet you used to make them as a child)

Pipe Cleaner Snowflake

What You Need
Wire cutter or pair of old scissors
Three 6-inch pieces of pipe cleaner, plus six 2 1/2-inch pieces, six 2-inch pieces, and six 1 1/2-inch pieces
Needle nose pliers

Cord or ribbon

Let’s Make It!
Using a wire cutter (or old scissors) cut three 6-inch pieces of pipe cleaner. Then cut six 2 1/2-inch pieces, six 2-inch pieces, and six 1 1/2-inch pieces.  Twist 6-inch pieces together at their midpoints to make a six-spoked asterisk. Tighten twist by clamping down with needle nose pliers.  Center one 2 1/2-inch piece at the midpoint of a spoke, and twist onto spoke. Tighten twist with needle nose pliers. Repeat on remaining 5 spokes. About 1/2 inch from an arm attached in step 3 (toward spoke's tip), center one 2-inch piece, and twist onto spoke. Tighten twist with needle nose pliers. Repeat on remaining 5 spokes.  About 1/2 inch from an arm attached in step 4 (toward spoke's tip), center one 1 1/2-inch piece, and twist onto spoke. Tighten twist with needle nose pliers. Repeat on remaining 5 spokes. Trim arms if needed. 

To hang, glue a loop of ribbon or cord to the back of a spoke.

Last Chance to ENTER THE GIVEAWAY ends at midnight tonight!

A Simple Craft Holiday Napkin Ring

Starting the week off with excitement at meeting my 1000 followers, Thank you all!. As promised a giveaway will be posted this week. Meanwhile. Here's a simple craft with elegant results.

What You Need ( for each napkin ring):
Scissors
Colored ribbon, 2" x 6"
Jeweled trim, 6" length
Hot-glue gun ( or needle and thread)
Let's Make It!
Cut 6" length ribbon and 6" length jeweled trim. Use glue gun to draw a thin line on ribbon; position trim along top edge of ribbon and press to secure.
Overlap ends slightly, trimming excess if needed. Glue ends (or sew) together to form ring.

Crafty Bottle Stoppers

The holidays are coming and many bottles will be opened. I thought this very simple craft would help to decorate your table or counter top. You could make a few to take as hostess gifts to your holiday parties too!










What You Need
Cork Stopper (available in various sizes at craft stores)

Your Choice of drawer pull ( screw should be attached)
Glue
Pencil

Let's Make Them! mark the center of the top of the cork with a pencil. Dab a little glue onto the bottom of the screw, and twist it into the cork at the mark. Depending on the pull type, you will either leave enough exposed screw to pass through the pull or thread the screw through the pull first.
Taa Daa! How simple and clever is this!
p.s. thyme and rosemary olive oil ( in photo) make great gifts.

If you make these I would love to see your photos!

Quilted Coasters A Sewing Project

I've been trying to come up with something fun for a hostess gift. I thought this was a nice idea. Everyone can use coasters!
What You Need
4 1/2-by-10-inch piece of fabric for each coaster
Cotton batting
Cotton thread to match or compliment your fabric
Sewing machine with a walking foot



Before You Start:  Wash, dry, and press the fabric.

Lets Make Them! Cut fabric: Cut one 4 1/2-by-10-inch piece of fabric for each coaster. (If you're making coasters from 1/4 yard of fabric, cut two 4 1/2-inch-deep strips from selvage to selvage, trim the selvages, and then cut each strip into four 10-inch lengths) Use 1/4-inch seam allowance throughout, unless otherwise noted.
Cut batting: Cut one 4-inch square of batting for each coaster.
Assemble coaster: Fold the fabric in half, right sides together, to form a 4 1/2-by-5-inch rectangle. Sew the two 5-inch sides closed so that only one side of the rectangle remains open. Trim the corners, and turn the fabric right side out. Tuck the batting smoothly inside the fabric. Fold the coaster's open edges to the inside, covering the batting with one fabric edge, and finger-press the folded edges in place. Make the corners as square as possible. Your piece should measure about 4 inches square.
Time To Quilt the coaster: Attach the walking foot to your sewing machine, and set your machine to the needle-down position in order to turn each corner cleanly as you quilt. (If your machine cannot be set this way, hand-turn your needle into the down position before lifting the presser foot to turn the coaster at the corners.) Start quilting at the outside edge, and sew in one continuous line to the center. Use the coaster's edge as a guide to make straight seams the first time around, and then continue using the outer seams as your guide as you work your way inward. Begin quilting about 1/8 inch from the edge on a side neighboring the open edge ( close the open edge when you quilt along that side). Sew a few stitches, then take a couple of backstitches to anchor the quilting. Stitch along the side of the coaster, consistently staying about 1/8 inch from the edge. At the first corner, stop sewing with your needle in the down position. Lift the presser foot, and rotate the coaster 90 degrees; lower the presser foot, and sew to the next corner. Repeat stitching along each side and turning the corner as instructed until you're on the fourth side, then stop sewing 1/4 inch before you reach the last corner. With your needle in the down position, lift the presser foot, and rotate the coaster 90 degrees; lower the presser foot, and sew 1/4 inch inside the previous stitching line to within 1/4 inch of the next corner. Repeat the process to form concentric rectangles of quilting until you reach the center of the piece. Finish the quilting with a few backstitches.

No Carve Pumpkins For Grown Ups

I thought you might enjoy some “no carve” pumpkin craft and decorating ideas. Some of us either don’t want to deal with the mess or simply are looking for a little something different. A grown up version is always fun!
The gold pumpkins are great because I use them for Thanksgiving decorating too. Place them on your fireplace mantel, on your table, or on your porch.
Decorate a pumpkin with sparkles, patterns, embellishments,designs. Use a dry erase marker to draw your pattern then just paint or hot glue your way to a grown up pumpkin. Use candies, beads,ribbon,buttons, etc. and adhere them to your pumpkins. I hope you find these ideas fun, they’re all very easy to do and only require a few supplies and patience. Remember if you are using paint to create, make sure you work in a well ventilated area.
What You Need
Paint
Spray Paint
Hot glue /glue gun
Dry erase marker
Candy, Sequins, beads, brick a brack, for decorating
Clean up supplies, newspaper, cloth, sponge.
Have Fun!You can always include the kids too ( wink)

Wordless Wednesday Buttoned Up

How To Make A Bib Necklace

What you Need

Necklace template

Assorted glass gems, beads etc.

Scissors

Ultra-suede or felt

Pencil or disappearing-ink marker

Fabric glue

Ribbon in desired color

Invisible thread (optional)

Parchment Paper

Dictionary, Heavy Book or a brick wrapped in cloth

Lets Make It! Download and print bib necklace template. Trace and cut necklace shape from two pieces of Ultra-suede or felt. Arrange gems on the fabric starting at the center and working outward. Carefully coat the back of each gem with glue and adhere each one to the fabric. Place parchment paper on top of the gem s then place the dictionary on top of it all and let dry (make sure no glue is leaking out of  the sides ( you do not want to glue the parchment paper to the necklace) Cut ribbon into two equal-length pieces, these pieces will determine the length of your necklace. Glue ribbons to each end of fabric for ties. Let dry. If desired, turn necklace over and use invisible thread to anchor the gems. Coat second cut piece of Ultra-suede or felt with thin layer of glue and cover back of necklace, hiding the thread. Using sharp scissors, carefully cut away extra fabric. There you have it, a bib for grown ups .

Purse Organizer Craft Project

No more digging to the bottom of your purse to find your keys and phone with this easy craft project.
Just wrap them in this easy to make organizer
 and drop it into your handbag,



Tools and Materials
12-by-13-inch rectangle of fabric
Coordinating thread
Pins
Bulldog clips (optional)
30-inch length of twine (optional)
Lets make It!
Fold and sew the long end of the fabric at 1/4 inch. Fold the opposite side down 3 inches, and pin. Sew the folded edge of the 3-inch folded side about 1/8 inch from the fold. Sew the bottom of this folded piece about 1/8 inch from the fold. Fold the end, with a small seam, up 3 inches. To achieve a clean side edge, use a double fold. If the material appears bulky, you can use bulldog clips. If you want to roll your organizer up and tie it, insert a 30-inch length of twine ( or ribbon) into the fold. Slowly sew the folded side about 1/4 inch from the edge, removing the clips before you get to them. To create individual pockets, measure the size (4 inches for compact, 2 3/4 inches for cell phone, 2 1/2 inches for credit card), and mark the length with a pin. (The remaining space can be used for pens and pencils). Sew a straight seam at the pin markings, and fill the pouch. Find More Craft Projects HERE

Make A Lovely Table Runner For Your Summer Table

Make this unique table runner it is a great way to accent your summer table.


What You Need

1 yard each of 3 colors of Linen Fabric

½ inch wide single fold bias tape

Thread

Use the leaf template located at my website; cut 27 leaves (to make an 86 inch runner( add or subtract leaves to fit your table) from some your choice of fabric, (linen is best). Use a 1/2-inch-wide strip of bias tape to create a border along one side of each leaf, from tip to tip. There is no need to finish the tape's ends. Bind the opposite side of each leaf with a separate length of bias tape, covering raw edges at the  tips with an overlap finish. Arrange leaves in desired pattern; pin, and hand-stitch together.

Lets Make This Vintage Inspired Purse

You can make this feminine vintage inspired purse in no time at all.

What You Need
1-1/2 yards of 3/4-inch-wide olive green double-face satin ribbon
17x10-inch piece of pink embroidered fabric
2 yards of narrow light green scroll gimp trim (or lace)
17x9-3/4-inch piece of pink satin for lining
Matching sewing threads
Pink heart-shape bead

Let’s Make It! Cut three 17-inch lengths of ribbon. Pin one ribbon length 3 inches from a long edge of the bag fabric; sew in place. Overlap the first ribbon length by 1/16 inch and sew a second ribbon in place. In the same manner sew a third ribbon length. Sew scroll gimp along the top edge of the third ribbon. With right sides together and aligning trims, fold the trimmed fabric in half widthwise so it measures 8-1/2x10 inches. Sew together the side and bottom with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Press the seam allowances open. Trim the corners and turn the bag right side out. Fold and sew the lining piece in the same manner, leaving a 3-inch opening in the center bottom for turning; do no turn the lining right side out. Cut a length of gimp for a shoulder strap. Pin each shoulder strap end to the wrong side of the lining at each seam; sew ends in place. Slip the bag and shoulder strap inside the lining with right sides together. Using a 1/2-inch seam allowance, sew the bag and lining together along the top edges. Pull out the bag and shoulder strap through the opening in the lining. Hand-sew the opening closed. Tuck the lining into the bag, press the top edge, and topstitch through all layers 1/8-inch from the top. Sew a heart-shape bead to the green ribbon and gimp trim.

If you make this please send me your photo, I’d love to see your purse, I think this is a great project!

Wallpaper Scraps

 I found some wonderful ways to use wallpaper scraps.I came across these creative and easy ideas for using leftover wallpaper.


Mount wallpaper remnants (especially antique or hand-painted ones) on fiberboard frames and then hang on the wall. A unique piece of art!

Cover the surface of a coffee table or small tabletop and then coat with polyurethane (or have a piece of glass cut to fit on top.)

Transform open shelving by adhereing to the inside of the shelves, so much nicer than just plain paint.

Cut flowers, birds, and shapes from  decorative wallpaper and paste them onto a wall. I think this is a great idea for a teens or child’s room.

Decorate the front of a chest of drawers by simply unscrewing the knobs, then lightly sand the surface. Cut strips to size―slightly smaller than the drawer front to create a framed effect, or large enough to completely cover the space―and adhere. Replace knobs. So easy!

Have fun, I'd love to know if you try any of these ideas.

Button, Button, Who Has The Button

You know that little jar you have filled with odd buttons, well here’s a way to use them. It only takes a few stray buttons and some embroidery floss to make these cute napkins.
What You Need
Buttons, embroidery floss, thread (in the color of the fruit you want to create)
Standard sewing needle
Embroidery needle
Fabric napkins
Embroidery hoop (optional)
Fabric pen

Lets Make Them! Lay out your design on the napkin, arranging the buttons in place (mark with a disappearing-ink fabric pen if necessary), then sew on the first button, using matching thread. (For easier stitching, you may want to use an embroidery hoop.) Sew on the remaining buttons. Using the disappearing-ink fabric pen, lightly mark out the leaf or stem of the fruit or vegetable. Stitch along the pen marks, using embroidery floss and a classic chain stitch or a stem stitch. To make a stem stitch (which works well for stems), working from left to right, make standard, slightly slanted stitches along the line, keeping the thread below the needle. For leaves, use a satin stitch, making straight (not slanted) stitches, each touching the next, across the width of the leaf. That’s it! Ta Daa

Friendship Society

Visit The Friendship Society

An invitation from me to you...
I realize there are several social netwoks on the internet. The most popular being myspace and facebook. But, I created one ( with the help of ning) with you in mind.It is only a compliment to the other networks ( facebook and myspace) you may be on, not competition for those sites.

The “Friendship Society”

Is a free social network for building friendships in a positive community. It’s a place to meet friends and stay connected a place to promote yourself, your cause, your talent or your business.

I welcome your friendship and ask you to invite everyone you know.

Let’s build The Friendship Society together.

A free social network for building friendships in a positive community

http://friendshipsociety.ning.com

**WARNING** I recently discovered there is an adult website with a similar name…UGH!!! So please enter the web address carefully!** Add the page to your favorites to make it easier to find. Sorry I had no idea.. It is best to use the links above.
Copyright © Bobskatie Enterprises-Go Ask Katie Blog- all rights reserved

Tooting My Own Horn

I’m dedicating this blog to: “Tooting My Own Horn” “Banging My Drum” and “Shouting Out Loud”. I declare today the day I announce my venture into the world of online sales. Not just any online sales…… but a shop called Polka Dots. Where I’m selling handmade items! That’s right handmade. Not mass produced, not manufactured in a factory, made with care, imagination and enthusiasm by my own hands!



I love the idea of buying and selling handmade things. Supporting artists and crafters, sharing in creativity and talent, it’s a wonderful idea. There is a great community of artists and crafters just waiting for you to discover them. I look forward to having our items discovered! I’m making lovely, useful, fun and practical items to give and to get. You’ll find lovely things just for you, to give to someone else, and for your home. All at our online shop.I have been making jewelry and crafts for many years. I also make soaps and home décor. I’ve been very busy creating.





I’m hoping this blog will help get the word out and maybe that some of you will take the time to visit our shop and to also tell your friends.



I’ve made soap, framed art, jewelry, greeting cards, posters, totes and bookmarks. I’m adding new things often. My fingers are sore and my eyes are blurry. But my enthusiasm is high!
My daughter has decided to add her talents to the store too. She makes adorable diaper cakes and charming wash cloth flower arrangements. They look good enough to eat!


So excuse this rather self indulgent blog. I do hope you’ll visit our shop and that perhaps you’ll even make a purchase. We’re counting on word of mouth advertising.
Where can you find all of the wonderful things we’ve created? Just go to…………………..

http://shoppolkadots.etsy.com

I look forward to hearing from you; I’d love to know what you think of the things we have for sale. Wish us luck and thanks for spreading the word!

Copyright ©Bobskatie Enterprises-GoAskKatieblog/Katie’s Corner-all rights reserved