It's Pillow Week over at the CSI Project!!!

If you didn't get a chance to visit the CSI Project last week for my guest post, no worries!
Here it is:


Hey there all you CSI friends!

It's been a while since I've been here and I could not be happier to be back. My name is Wendy and most days, I can be found over at my little place in cyberspace:

 Craft Goodies.

So why am I so happy to be here this week?

One, I LOVE this blog--so many fantastic ideas to be found and two, I LOVE pillows!!!

I love that they are so versatile, such an easy way to spice up a plain old chair or sofa, and can be anything from wild and crazy to completely personal. SO, let's get busy and make one!

I spied a pillow a few weeks ago at Hobby Lobby that I immediately wanted, I just didn't want to pay the $35 dollars for it so I set out to copy it.

I couldn't be happier with how it came out.

{And it was so much less expensive to make.}

The key to making this pillow a stand out is to not use prints. The ones in the store were all solid, bright colors like hot pink, turquoise, lime green, etc, and then were paired with either a bright white or black flower.

Start with the pillow form size of your choice, your cover fabric, and contrasting flower fabric.

The pillows in the store used a suede type fabric for the flowers, because mine are going outside I chose felt-backed vinyl. I probably would have used this if I were using these inside anyway. It "puckered" just like the suede, will be super easy to wipe clean, and I don't have to worry about the edges fraying.

My cover fabric is also outdoor fabric so it won't fade or mold if it gets wet. Home decor fabric would make a good choice too.

I used an envelope style pillow case to cover the form. These are fast and easy, and make it super quick to change out your pillows.

You can find a good video tutorial on how to make one HERE.

**I measured and pinned out my casing, but didn't sew it together until the flower was on. This made it easier to sew the flower on without having to try and avoid sewing my pillow case shut!**

To make the flower cut the vinyl into 2 inch wide strips.

 {I used a total of 3, so you don't need much fabric at all...}

Once you have your strips, go back and add a scalloped edge to each of them.

Pinning comes next. I used a soup bowl to give me a starting point. I pinned around the bowl really loosely, about every other petal. 

Continue to spiral the petals toward the center, pinning as you go. the go back and sew the petals into place, catching the "puckers" as you go. 

See the gaps between each layer? This made it super easy get in between each layer with my sewing machine. I used the machine to sew everything but the last two petals, they got fabric glue.

From there I finished up the envelope casing, stuffed in my form and sat back and smiled!

All in all, a yard of each fabric was enough to make two 14x14 casings and oodles and gobs of flowers--a 1/4 yd of vinyl would have been plenty.

I hope you like it as much as I do, and will give it a try. I can't wait to see all the submissions that come in this week, it's sure to be a mega-source of ideas and things to try!

And thanks too for letting me stop by today. It's always such a treat.

Happy Crafting.

Flowered Glass Ornament

I was having such a fantastically productive morning yesterday! I got the days ornament done plus two sets of exchange ornaments, a guest post project finished, my new shop kits done and photographed, a package of goodies packed to mail to my sister, and bought wrapped a birthday present--all before 10am.

I was so proud of me, I knew my post would go up late (I had to go to the birthday party) but I'd have it up by no later than 1. And then the afternoon hit and I didn't find myself at the computer until after my girls had gone to bed!

So the bad news, I missed a day, the good news...you're getting a two-fer today!

Yesterday's ornament was fun to figure out.

Pretty, huh?

And really easier than it might look. I saw this first in a boutique for a fantastic price and instantly my "I could make that for so much less" gene kicked in.

Here's the quick version of how I did it...

Start by stuffing a paper sized (8.5x11ish) piece of either fabric or tissue paper into the ornament.

Replace the cap and wrap the ornament tightly in a layer of tulle. Tie off the tulle at the top of the ornament and run a thick bead of hot glue around it to hold it tight.

Add the bows next. I did a wide ribbon, 3 loop bow, and a two-toned narrow ribbon 4 loop bow on each side. I added the little bell to cover up my glue spots.

Next, completely dissect a silk flower...

Starting with the big ones, snip the center hole so it will fit over the hanger on the ornament.

Add some glue to the ornament top and then slide the flower into place. Continue cutting and gluing until you've added all the petals.

After you've added the last petal, slip a thin ribbon through the wire loop and tie off to form a hanger.

Last, glue the flower's center back into place and you're done!

Not to bad, right? And seriously, so pretty.

I'll be back in a bit with today's ornament and also have my new December kits to share with you, a fun little announcement, and a quick reminder...

Happy Crafting.



Beach Bash Lantern Tutorial!!!

I'm adding this post ot the CSI Project Knock Off Challenge:



 I am currently, well actually have been for a while, 100% in love with lanterns. I love the soft glow they create, the romance they inspire, the feeling of being in another time-that and because they are enclosed, my children cannot keep blowing them out!
The Shorechic lantern featured here is the one that started it all. I pondered on how to make this baby for months! The top piece was kicking my booty, but I got it, and I LOVE it.
I'm sharing this post on my blog because one it took me two and a half days to complete it and two, because this is by far one of my favorite projects ever, and that's saying a lot...

How excited am I to be participating in Angie's super fab BEACH BASH!!!Hi-it's Wendy from Craft Goodies and season one of OMTWI here.My blog is my escape from my real life of running 5 little girls around town and trying to keep up with my husbands crazy busy work/school schedule. On it you'll find everything I love-good food, fun projects- some of my own, a few borrowed from others, snippets of my family life, and any and all other craziness I can write about. I started my blog as a way to keep in touch with my crafty friends after a big move from Washington state to Southern Texas. It has grown into a place I love to be, that and my kids think it's pretty cool that their mom has a "job". If you ever stop by and check me out, you'll find that I am by far a girl that loves her power tools and a good wood project. I've been drooling over these for a while now...

from shorechic.com

Angie's party was the perfect excuse to try and tackle one. It came out pretty good...I'm a happy girl! 

I'm thinking you need one too! Here's the must haves:

(These came from my local dollar store)4  8x10 picture frames with glasssquare dowel pack

 (Got the rest at Lowe's)1x2 firring strip *6 ft board is plenty long!1x3 firring strip1x12 pine board cut to square *wood is funky! actual size is 11.5x11.5(2)  3/8 inch square poplar dowels6 inch metal roof shinglemetal shelf support ring*this came in a setand 2 hinges*these come in a pack of 4

Then a few tools:wood glue finishing nails and a hammerpaintsandpaperMiter saw or miter box and hand sawdrill  Whew! Now that you've got all that, let's get busy... Make the base: 

Cut the 1x2 to make a frame around the 12x12 inch board.The ends are mitered at 45 degrees and each piece is 11 1/2 inches long on the short side.Glue the pieces into place with the wood glue and then secure with a few finishing nails. Connect the frames: 

Remove the glass from the frames and set aside. Cut the 3/8 inch dowels into four pieces that match the length of the picture frames-Glue a dowel onto each side of two frames, then glue the third frame in between them to for a "U" shape. 

 

Once they are dry, attach the fourth frame using the hinges-you'll add a handle later.Center the frames onto the base. Glue the three "U" frames into place leaving the door free to open and close. Make the lid: 

Make two more "frames", one from the 1x3 with each piece (short side) measuring 6 3/4 inches long. And one from the 1x2 with the pieces measuring 6 1/2 inches long.Set the two frames aside. PAINT ALL THE WOOD PIECES! 

I wanted that chippy, peeling, I've been at the beach for a long time look. So I started with a base coat of dark brown and topped that off with white. Then I sanded the crud out of it!You could add a layer of stain, I liked it so I just added a coat of varnish.Set aside to dry. Assemble the metal lid: 

Center the shelving support onto the shingle, mark the holes with a marker.If you want to add a hanging loop, drill two holes into the shelving support bracket. Otherwise drill out the holes marked on the shingle, line the bracket back up and add nuts and bolts to hold in place.Spray paint both sides dark brown. Pretend the pictures all match up-I went about it the hard way and painted after I assembled the entire lid piece... 

Center the shingle onto the inside of the smallest frame and nail into place. Repeat on the opposite side to form the metal dome.Glue the small frame onto the larger frame and add a few nails. Then glue that onto the picture frame square being sure to NOT glue the door. I added a few nails here for strength. Paned Windows:(sorry the pictures are a little wonky-I forgot to take some before I decorated the inside. I was a little excited!) 

Cut 4 of the dowels to fit the inside of the frame's length, should be 10.5 inches. Cut the remaining dowels into eight 3 7/8 inch pieces for the cross sections.

Paint the dowels to match the lantern. While they dry replace the glass into the frames.

Glue the dowels onto the glass to create the panes-one long and 2 small pieces per frame.

Finish it up: 

 Add a wire hanger if you drilled holes for it and glue a small seashell or wood bead to the door for a handle.Tuck in a few pillar candles, sand, and some great shells inside, set back and enjoy the view!AH! I can almost smell the ocean air now...***Do you just love those candles? Totally stole that idea from the Pottery Barn catalog. I simply mod podged a torn strip of map onto my pillar candles. The maps came from Angie's amazing etsy shop as part of my OMTWI prize package***   So much fun! Thank you for letting me share my little piece of beach heaven with you all. Stop by and say hi sometime, you'll find me here: Sharing stuff like this:

     
Summer Fun Board ** Blockhead Tutorials**Fabric Fun** Wood You Like to Craft?

I also host a weekly linky party
T.G.I.F.-Thank GOODIES it's Friday!
  and would love to have you join me.
The more the merrier!!!

Thanks again, catch you at the beach!!!

Watermelon Picnic Basket Tutorial

*This is the project I shared over at Running with Glitter last week. It's SUPER simple! Requires very few tools and it's just cute. Hope you enjoy it!  Summer means picnic season and every good picnic needs a great basket to pack your goodies in, so, let's make one.

You can grab (almost) everything you'll need at your local craft store, I found mine at Hobby Lobby.

You'll need:

2 rectangle shaped wood plaques

 3/8 inch dowel

and 9 5-gallon paint stir sticks

 (you can buy these at Walmart for .28 cents each or ask at your local hardware store)

You'll need to cut your dowel and paint sticks down to size. I cut mine at 10.5 inches long.

You'll also need to drill a hole into the top of each wood plaque for the handle. Use a 3/8 inch bit and drill all the way through the plaque about an inch down from the top center edge.

Next you'll assemble the basket...

Either nail or glue 3 paint sticks onto each of the bottom and two sides of the rectangle plaques.

 Almost done! Add a bit of wood glue to the inside of each of the holes that you drilled and then slide the dowel into place. 

Guess what? Basket's done! Now on to the fun part...decorating!

You can either paint the watermelon slices onto the plaques or decoupage paper onto the ends like I did. Just trace out the plaque onto your paper, round off the bottom edges, distress if you like, and adhere into place.

Add a few black buttons for seeds, some ribbon if you like and your super cute picnic basket is ready to go! Just pack her full of your favorite picnic goodies and you'll be the envy of the park.

 Enjoy your summer and happy crafting!

Blog Swapping with Kelly from Running with Glitter!!!

Can you believe it? My first blog swap!

I'm totally, crazy excited about not only swapping, but who I'm swapping with!

She is funny, talented, cute, writes a wonderful blog and just all around awesome. That, and she's sharing a fun summer project with you today. So here you go, meet Kelly...

Hi! I'm Kelly from Running With Glitter. Momma to two and wife to one.

 I'm just a simple girl from Oklahoma and a wee bit cheeky. I'd love to share a long list of the talents and accomplishments I have... But, my list is short and my life is very full of happiness. 

Running With Glitter is a blog I created as an outlet to share and document my 

crafting adventures. When I started the Glitter blog I never knew it would grow like it has and become so much to me. 

I'm really excited to be a guest here today. Thank you so very much for having me! 

If you get a chance I'd love for you to check out my blog.

Flip Flop Fun!

Today I'm going to share a super easy way to doll up your flip flops. These particular flip flops I made are to match my bathing suit. This is a great project that can be done with the kids. With a few scraps and and several knots your feet will be even cuter in no time!
Here is how you make them.....

1. Supplies: Fabric Scraps, Pinking Shears or Scissors and Flip Flops
2. Cup strips of fabric. I Cut mine 3/4 inch wide and about 3 inches long. You will need to adjust this to your taste. The wider strips will be fuller looking and the longer the strips you cut will make them fluffy. 
3. Tie a single knot
4. Then keep tying , keep adding until you almost fill the strap up.
5. Do the other side and tie some more.....
6. Finished! Now slip on your new cute flip flops and head to the pool! 

Happy Summer!

xoxo 

Kelly

Super fun, right?
Kelly authors a great blog, so many fun ideas all in one great place. You should really check it out if you're not already familiar with her.
I'm over at her place sharing a fun summer picnic basket tutorial-
come visit, say hi, check out Kelly's blog.

Happy Crafting...