Craft Blanket Tuitorial

This is my fun friend, Amy. She started this whole mess.

We were freezing at a crop, and she ran out to her car to get her "Wish Blanket"--an expensive gift from a friend. It was kind of like a Snuggie--but really cool because you could stay warm and be a functional person at the same time. (Not so easy to do with a Snuggie.) She showed me her blanket, I made fun of her (aren't I nice?), and then I tried it on.

I didn't want to give it back. I had to have one. But not at that price tag.

And so a project was born.

Found these inexpensive blankets at Walmart for $10. The key is the fabric--soft and really lofty. Bonus points for being printed on both sides (you'll see why later.) It also had finished blanket stitched sides (yippee!!)

Fold the blanket in half, like so...

On a large, flat surface, fold in the two sides like so...

Next, cut out a big "U" shape, making sure to only cut through a single layer of the blanket.

You'll be left with a piece like this. Save it for a pocket if you desire! In this sample, she used that remnant as a pocket, with the blanket stitched edge as the top of the pocket.

Turned out cute!! In my own, I merely folded up the ends and sewed pockets (which is why I wanted double-sided fabric.)

And there you have it. Special thanks to Molly and her daughter Anna for being my models for this blog post. :)

And for those of you who are visual learners and need a sketch, here is my very rough version (imagine it spread out on the floor.)
If you're a freeze-baby like me, give this project a try. We love ours!!

And the winner is...

Hi everyone! Emily here. :) Well, we survived the flea market!! There weren't a ton of people there. There seemed to be a general consensus among the vendors that it hadn't been advertised it as well as it could have. I didn't make a ton of money, but I was happy with the amount of things I got rid of. My husband told me after the fact that he was doubtful I'd make anything!! And, I honestly think I made more money than the majority of the businesses around me!! Here are some iPhone photos of my day...

The view from my "booth"...

What the buyers saw...
(pardon the baby nest below the table!)

My helper...all tired out after a long day!

And the total...there is a bit of discrepancy between what I wrote down (I kept track of each purchase) and the amount of cash I have. Luckily, the discrepancy is in my favor, and I have more than I thought I made. But to be fair, I'll go with the number that I had written down before I counted the money! That number was $129.50. Which means Tracy J is the winner! Congrats! Tracy, you can email me at justemsblog@gmail.com and I will get your prize out to you!

Another Fabric Flower Idea...

I started off with my scallop punch (you can also use a circle here) and ripped strips of fabric. Tie a knot in one end, and adhere the knot to the top center of the circle with fabric tac.

Add more fabric glue on the paper, and slowly twist your fabric and glue down as you make your way around the knot, spiraling outward...

The frayed edges add to the homemade look. Love it! Tuck your finished edge under, and place under a book to dry.

Trim off any edges that are showing...

Add pearls, rhinestones, beads or whatever to the center, and enjoy!!

Have a super weekend!!

Flower Braclets

When I saw this video, I was inspired. Before long, I couldn't stop myself...

I went to my fabric stash, grabbed a few rubber bands, and began wrapping.

I took out my flower jar and buttons, fabric tac and a needle and thread. Then I invited a few friends over to play...

The best part? It didn't cost a thing--we used what I had!! We brought out the Cuttlebug and a few die cuts, and it cut through the felt and fabric perfectly!! The girls loved the way they turned out (and so did their moms.) The pretty creations would also work well as pins or hair clips with the right backing.

Have a great day!

Happy Birthday

Work in Progress kits!

I've been a fan since Trish began this journey 3 years ago and still love every kit she reveals! I am thrilled to be a part of this design team and celebrate with this group!

Still using my February kit I came up with this lift of Trish's Precious layout!

We interrupt this regularily scheduled blog post...

This blog was supposed to feature my anniversary scraplift of the fabulous Trish! However, last week I got a crazy idea, which forced the layout to the wayside. My school is sponsoring a flea market and craft show this coming Saturday, and I thought it might be a good opportunity to clean out some of my scrapbooking stash. I started going through it...and...WOW. I know I have a lot of supplies, but I don't think I ever knew how MUCH I truly have!!

I'm having a great time going through everything. I'm finding things that I *had* to have, but never used. And papers that I used over and over and only have a tiny scrap left. It is very eye-opening to see the amount of things I haven't used. Here is a look at what I have gathered so far...

I thought in the spirit of some good Olympic competition...we could have our own little contest. To be entered, guess how much money I will make at the Flea Market! Whoever comes closest to the actual amount will win a prize pack from me. :) To help you out...here are some hints!

In the first photo:

• In the way back is a big stack of old Scrapbook Trends magazines which I am selling for 3 dollars each.
• In the blue bin in the back are LOTS of bags of buttons and flowers.
• The green wooden basket thingy probably has 25 packs of brand new embellishements, priced from $.50-$3.00.
• The green dotted box has Stickles, Pearl Ex, Glitter and other things like that.
• The plastic bin in front has LOTS Of chipboard.
• The light blue basket on the right has mini albums and alterables.

In the second photo:

• The left bin contains patterned paper, packs of cardstock, and stamps.
• The basket in front has ribbon...packages and loose.
  
• The right bin contains everything else! A big bag of alphabets, a big bag of stickers and rubons (most stickers are $1, most rubons are $2), and a bunch of "scrap packs" that I made up.

Leave a comment with your guess by Saturday evening, and I will post a winner on Sunday! (I apologize, but only US and Canadian scrappers, please...the shipping overseas is just too much!!) I will share my scraplift at the end of the month! Happy Guessing! :)

March Work in Progress Kits

I haven't loved a set of kits like these in a loooong time. I knew when I found these metal trays, I had to have them in the kits. My crop-a-dile made holes in this baby with no trouble at all. How do you like the magnets I created with vintage buttons? Oh, the possibilities...

So here goes...

March 2010 Main WIP Kit...
Contents of this kit include: 11 Patterned papers (8 Cosmo Cricket Material Girl and 3 Glitz Design), Material Girl Chipboard set, Extra Extra chipboard alphabets--Cosmo Cricket, Tiny Type Alphas in red, Jenni Bowlin Studio pennant/alphabet sticker set, 2 large and 2 medium manila tags, 6 ticket stubs in blue and 6 ticket stubs in orange, 1 yard of brown tulle, 2 4-inch paper doilies, owl paper clips and vintage pin hangers, 1 metal oval tray, and 5 exclusive die cuts. Cost: $28.
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March Project Kit...
Contents of this kit include: 8 Patterned papers (6 Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety and 2 Jenni Bowlin Homespun), Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety chipboard stickers, High Noon chipboard alphas--Cosmo Cricket, Cosmo Cricket cardstock stickers, Tiny Type alphabet in brown, Jenni Bowlin chipboard butterflies in orange, Jenni Bowlin brown die cut label, Jenni Bowlin mini Homespun paper set of 6, Jenni Bowlin Homespun cardstock label tags, Jenni Bowlin cardstock sticker pennant/alphas, 3 crocheted flowers (colors may vary), and 5 die cuts. Cost: $32.

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March Add-On Kit...

Contents of this kit include: 8 papers-(2 kraft cardstock, 2 Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety--tag and label sheets, 1 Creative Imaginations, 1 Die Cuts with a View, 2 Bo Bunny), 6 Making Memories journaling pages in blue, full package(24 pieces) of 7Gypsies petit hardware, 2 die cut tags in brown, Cosmo Cricket tiny type alphas in green, 4 Dresden butterflies, 1 brown Memory Maker marker, 1 set of alphas from Colorbok, 1 yard green and white striped ribbon, Jenni Bowlin Studios crepe paper ribbon in red--full pack, two vintage hearts cut from old quilts, and 12 American Crafts mini chipboard frames. Cost: $22.

The kits can be reserved by emailing Trish at Turay413@gmail.com. They will be available on the Work in Progress website at noon EST to the public.

Have a wonderful day!!

Happy Valentine's Day...

This would be our youngest son, posing for his Valentine card. He's a heart-breaker, ladies.

And since his birthday is this week, I let him select the winners...

Congrats to: #4 (his age this week) and #17 (his birthdate).

Michelle and Borcherding (Cindy)--please email me at Turay413@gmail.com and I'll ship your Valentine Kits out to you on Tuesday (as Monday is a holiday.)

And to all you WIP fans who stop in and have been along with me and this crazy ride...I love you. For reals. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

V-Day Popcorn Bags & Jenni Bowlin Mini Ideas (and a give away!)

TGIF!!
I made these for my son's bus driver, using the Valentine Project kit. She loves popcorn...

I have had posting this on my to-do list forever now. I did a year's worth of photos--a monthly review of my daughter from 2009...
I used the JBS packaging (clear acrylic from the mini book) as an additional page. I used a lot of oversized punches and small photos to create this book...

And my sweet friend Julie sent me photos of what she created with her JBS mini book...

It is an adorable mini on her house!!

Thanks for all the sweet wishes regarding the WIP 3rd b-day and all, too. I can't believe it has gone so quickly!!

Leave a comment and I'll draw a couple of winners here on the blog for a WIP kit tomorrow. Consider it an early V-Day present!! Good luck!!

Happy Birthday...

Work in Progress Kits!!  I am so honored to be amongst such wonderful ladies and such a kind, kind, and classy lady Trish!!  I had fun looking through her gallery and trying to choose which one to scraplift.  And I think Lania and I had the same reaction to this layout....beautiful!

And then I created this layout...

and some close ups!

I used coffee filters for this bloom:)

I am having so much fun looking at everyone's creations - love it!  Thanks for stopping in today!:)

Michelle