make something monday :: crocheted pom pom hair ties

These little guys are really fun and addicting to make! I love yarn crafts but I am seriously horrible at crochet. I love a little something easy to do with my hands though in the evening after everyone goes to bed so I figured out a way, with my limited knowledge and ability to work the crochet hook how to cover a simple rubber band with some brightly colored yarn. I am thinking these would be the perfect addition to many stockings this holiday season, they feel so festive! Josie and I have been wearing ours for the past few days and they just make me smile!

You don't need much just some rubber bands, yarn, scissors and a crochet hook - mine was a size 6. And seriously do not be intimidated if you have never worked a hook - if I can do this, anyone can do this trust me!

To make the hair tie portion:

1. Start by tying the yarn onto the hair tie just to hold it in place.

2. Bring the hook under the hair tie and pick up the yarn and bring it back through the band.

3. Now do a single crochet by yarning over and bringing it through the first stitch.

4. Repeat bringing the hook under the hair tie and picking up the yarn again - but this time you're going to do a double crochet by yarning over and then bringing the yarn through the two stitches that you have on your hook. Does that make sense?

5. Continue doing double crochets under and over the hair tie until the entire rubber band is covered then pull the yarn through the last loop.

6. Tie the two ends together and trim off the excess - that's it!

To make the pom poms I simply wrapped the yarn about 75 times around my four fingers and then slid the whole mess off and laid it onto a separate piece of yarn wrapping it around the center of the loops and pulling tight. Cut the loops and go to town giving it a nice little hair cut - you're going for round but mine are never quite even. Remember to keep the piece that you tied the pom pom with long so that after you're done with it you can tie it onto the finished hair tie. Tie it tight, snip the tails and boom you're done!

I've also made a few with some fabric covered buttons for a different and equally as easy twist. The skies the limit on possibilities here and like I said they are super addicting once you get started! Hope you have a wonderful Monday friends - lets make something good out of it! xoxo

arrowhead earrings

A few summers ago I shared these simple arrowhead earrings over on the Ruche blog and after finding them over the weekend stashed with my jewelry I realized that I had never shared the full tutorial here. I thought it would be a fun one for the sunny season - these take no time at all and make a big statement!

Materials
two different colors of suede

jump rings

chain

a pair of ear wires

Tools

sharp scissors

jewelry pliers

fabric glue

hammer

small nail

Instructions
1. Cut two triangles and two smaller diamond shapes from the pieces of suede.

2. Glue the diamond shapes onto the triangle by folding it in half on top making them as straight as possible.

3. Use a couple of clothes pins or heavy books and press the pieces together until the glue dries. 

4. Using a hammer and a small nail pierce a small hole into each corner of the triangles.

5. Use the jewelry pliers to add a jump ring and a small length of chain to each corner through the holes you just made. Make sure to count the chain links so that each side is equal.

6. Add a larger jump ring to connect the two lengths of chain and then hang them on the ear wires. 

I love fun and easy - a group of friends bought the supplies and made these at a girls night with different colored suede...lots of appetizers and wine too doesn't that sound like a perfect night? Craving a girls crafting night over here - maybe I need to get something in the works any locals want to join me? Hope you have a bright sunny day today the weather is just perfect here in Seattle!

jewelry box :: wire wrapped briolette earrings

Making jewelry is one of my most favorite guilty pleasures. In days which feel so long ago I use to sell my jewelry line to boutiques and taught advanced wire techniques at a little (OK not so little anymore) bead shop here in Seattle called FusionBeads. I made the jewelry for several high end designers as well and would dream about my own designs - it was one of the most fun times in my life I hope to get back to it too someday!

I love everything about the delicate process of wrapping wire and beautiful gemstones and although for the time being I have hung up my jewelry designer hat from time to time I like to get out my collection of stones and play. 

I put together these really simple wire capped briolette drops this past weekend after coming across an entire box of gorgeous chrysophrase beads and wondered if any of you guys might like to learn a few jewelry making skills too - I thought it would be fun to start sharing them here this summer a "jewelry box" feature if you will. And for my first installment these simple briolette drop earrings...nice and light and a perfect gift for yourself or a friend they take no time at all!

 

A few things before we get started though and first things first your tools. If you are someone looking to really invest and get started in the art of wire jewelry making and plan to use real gemstones and gold filled wire and such I totally suggest investing in a really good set of tools. I love Lindstrom round nose and chain nose pliers and can not live without my Tronex flush cutters. The lower end tools you find at craft stores are fine too but just know that you won't be able to get those tiny little loops you see on work like Dana Kellin's (one of my fav designers!).

Also when working with gold filled or sterling silver wire I suggest using dead soft for wire wrapping - it's a bit softer and has not been work hardened the same as the half hard wire which works best when you want to create a heavier hoop or teardrop. The wire I buy most often is 26 gauge dead soft for wire wrapping and 20 gauge half hard for creating wire frames...but really it's all up to you and what you might even have on hand.

To make the earrings you will need two matching briolette (a fancy term for top drilled) stones and two pieces of fine (26 or 28 gauge) wire about 9" each. I used 26/dead soft gold filled wire.

Slid one of the stones into the center of one of the pieces of wire and bring the "two legs" up and around the bead.

Using your fingers gently pinch down as close to the top of the stone and create a little triangle squeezing those legs of wire together.

Pinch the top of the wire just above the stone with the round nose pliers and bend the wire back the rotate your hand back by releasing your grip slightly and turning the pliers so that they are top to bottom on the wire instead of side to side.

Then push the wire up and around the pliers to create a question mark shape.

Next you will turn the stone over and pinch the question mark upside down continuing the circle through on the pliers.

Then wrap both legs of wire back down towards the top of the stone continuing over top of the stone creating an organic looking bead cap with the wire. Once you get to the desired spot simple trim the excess wire with your flush cutters and use the chain nose pliers to tuck the wire into the back of the bead.

Hang them on a pair of earring wires and repeat on the second bead. 

Let me know if you have any questions - and if there is a specific wire technique you have always wanted to learn let me know too I might be able to help!

Thanks for letting me share today I hope you have a wonderful week friends!!

make something monday (on tuesday) :: patchwork pots

I spent some time yesterday switching up my hutch for spring - oh how I am still loving having it in the kitchen! I added this patchwork pot, a craft I did for Beautifully Rooted last year (I miss that site!) and realized that I had never shared the full tutorial in this space. I thought I would this week as my make something monday project - a fun and simple idea for all the fresh plants we are potting as the weather changes. Hope you are having a great week so far!

Lately I have been spending a little bit of time working on brightening up our front porch for the summer. I dug out a bunch of mismatched furniture and things from our garage including an old plant stand and instantly thought I needed to make some quirky and cheerful pots to fill it up. This project is super easy and was virtually free - one of the best kind of projects in my opinion!

Supplies:

terracotta pots

fabric scraps

spray adhesive and/or mod podge

scissors

trim

I started by cutting out several different two inch strips of fabric about four inches long. It all really depends on the size of your pots but it is easier to cut up a bunch of pieces roughly the same size first. 

Next one by one I used spray adhesive to stick the strips on one at a time. If you don't have any spray adhesive on hand I am sure mod podge would work just fine on this step too.

Once you have completed the bottom of the pot measure the circumference of the top edge

and cut another two inch strip long enough to go all the way around.

Apply the piece of fabric the same way that you did on the bottom half.

Once you covered the entire pot with fabric you are ready to seal it all with the mod podge.

A sponge brush makes it really easy to get a nice even coat all over the entire pot.

Let the pot dry for a bit and then if you want to you can go ahead and add on any extra trims with fabric glue. Plant your favorite flowers and brighten up a spot somewhere around your home to make you smile!!

make something monday :: fabric poppy barrette

I have always adored poppies they are by far one of my most favorite flower. I love their feminine shape and the bright citrus colors they come in and the way their petals curl in slightly - I like to think they are shy and lady like. I love making poppies out of fabric and beads using a flame to lightly singe the petals edges, simple and sweet. These would make an equally pretty brooch for may day or mothers day or any day in between!

Supplies:

synthetic fabric that won't melt, not cotton, a satin or rayon is best - test your fabric before you begin.
circle template cut from card stock (I traced a large pill bottle onto a recycled cereal box)
candle
scissors
small beads
needle and thread
fabric glue
ribbon
alligator clip

1. To make one flower you will need three to five circles cut from your fabric using the template.

2. Fold each circle in half and then in half again and trim down the outside edge just slightly creating two little dips on the inside of the circle. (fourth photo)

3. Using a small candle, carefully singe the edge of each petal just enough the make it curl in slightly. Imperfections are perfect no need to worry to much if they are slightly off.

4. Stack the petals one on top of the other and then use a needle and thread to stitch on four or five tiny black beads to hold the poppy together.

5. Once you have made a few flowers cover an alligator clip with some ribbon using the fabric glue and then glue the poppies in place and let dry.

Simple as that!

 Happy Monday everybody - here's to a wonderful week full to the brim with beauty and life!

make something monday :: doily easter baskets

These have been on my crafting bucket list for quite awhile now. I have admired doily bowls seen around from time to time and bought some fabric stiffener to make some of my own but just hadn't found the right moment. And then one afternoon it occurred to me that if I added a branch or two I could transform a doily bowl into a sweet little Easter basket. These are by far one of my most favorite projects ever - so simple and delicate, I am pretty much in love!

Supplies:

• Doilies - I used a mixture of thrifted and new 
• Rit Dye (optional if you want colored baskets)
• Fabric Stiffener such as Alenne's 
• Saran Wrap
• Bowls in different sizes to drape doilies
• Twigs for the handles
• Wire (optional to secure the twigs)
• Glue (I used Fabritac)
• Fabric scraps, ribbon, flowers and any other embellishments you might want

1. First I chose to dye my doilies using Rit Dye - I simple added a few drops of the liquid dye to some hot water in bowls in my sink for only a few minutes. If you want soft colors be warned that a few drops go a long way! I then rinsed out the doilies until the water ran clear and let them dry on the counter for a few hours.
2. Next cover your bowls with saran wrap - make sure you choose bowls that fit the doilies well.
3. Using your fabric stiffener you want to coat each doily really well - it helps to have a separate bowl to use for this step. After the doily is covered with the stiffener, remove any excess and drape over a bowl. You want the doily to be even and centered onto the bowl - let the doilies sit overnight until dry and then remove and carefully peel of the saran wrap.
4. To add the branch handle I used a little bit of wire to first fasten the branch to the doily. I didn't use the wire on all of the baskets in the end the glue was enough but if you want to you can use a little bit of wire to help hold the handle in place.
5. Add some glue to secure the handle and use a clothespin to help hold it in place until it dries.
6. I added some fabric scraps around the ends of each twig by weaving it through the holes in the doily just to cover up any glue or wire that was showing.
7. Now glue on any extras you might want - fill the basket and enjoy!

I can hardly believe that Easter is less than two weeks away! Have you done any Easter decorating yet? I have a few other simple diy's up my sleeve for the Spring and have been so loving the added light in the evenings too...hoping for a bit more sunshine around these parts but the hope of what this next season holds is keeping me inspired!

Happy Monday! xoxo

yarn bow garland

Just a little christmasy garland I have been working on here and there the past few days. Inspired by this pin - some easy crochet bows, felted balls and bakers twine...as if I need another garland around here but you really can never have too many now can you...

to make a bow chain up 65 (I used a size 6 hook)
turn and add a single crochet into each chain
weave the tails back in and tie into a bow
string the bows onto some twine with felted balls and enjoy, simple as that!

Here's to a wonderful first week of December - I am still fussing with my decorations, how about you?

...ps at our house if you're christmas decorating you get to drink hot cocoa with homemade marshmallows, so I think I might be fussing for awhile! :)