with 2 hands {4 you}: September 2015

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Saying "Hello!" to Fall ~ Easy Autumn Pumpkin Decorations

Looking for some easy Halloween or fall decorating projects? Stacked pumpkin topiaries are easy to make and provide festive color and just the right amount of autumn cheer.

I made a few of these stacked pumpkin decorations last weekend to decorate my porch and my mantle, and to use as a table centerpiece.

They're a lot of fun and easy to make. Check out my full tutorial on my Hubpages!

Sunday, September 20, 2015

How to Fold a Fancy Napkin When You Don't Know How to Fold a Napkin

A few people have asked how I folded my linen napkin in the photos for my Scrap Fabric Leaves and Napkin Ring tutorial, so I decided to post some step-by-step photos here. I like this folding method because it's easy and gives a nice casual look, but still feels special. You could create a more formal look by pressing each fold in place.

Step 1: Start with freshly washed and pressed napkins. If your napkins are made of a light weight fabric, you may also want to give them a light starch. My napkins are mid-weight, so I did not starch them before folding. (They look creased in these photos, because I was unfolding my fancy fold).

Step 2: Place your pressed napkin face down on your folding surface with one of your four corners pointed toward the 12 o'clock position. Then take your bottom corner and fold it up toward your top corner but place it about an inch to an inch and a half below your top corner (see photo above). You may want to press the fold you just created. I didn't so that my folded napkin had a more casual look.

Step 3: Fold the bottom section up so that you create a 2 to 3 inch band at the bottom (see photo above). Again, you may choose to iron this fold.

Step 4: Now turn your napkin over so that the right side is facing up (see photo above).

Step 5: Take the right side of your long bottom band and fold it toward the left side. Place it so it is about 1 inch short of meeting the left edge (see photo above).

Step 6: Continue to fold your napkin toward the left side, creating a center section of your napkin that is about 3 inches wide and an even point at the top of your napkin (see photo).

Step 7: Continue to fold your napkin to the left.

Step 8: Fold the last remaining tab of your napkin over.

Step 9: Fold in half lengthwise to slip through a napkin ring if you choose and fan out the top of your napkin to show off your interesting folds.

Step 10: Then check out my tutorial on how to create your own fall-inspired napkin rings!

Sunday, September 13, 2015

{Craft Tutorial} Matryoshka-Inspired Polymer Clay Doll

I've always loved Matryoshka dolls (sometimes known as Russian nesting dolls). I also love using recycled items in my craft projects. So I couldn't resist using a pull tab from a recycled can to create a polymer clay Matryoshka-inspired doll to use as a jewelry charm.

These doll charms are easily to make and a lot of fun to decorate with colorful flowers and details. I've posted a full tutorial on my Hubpages.

Once you have a few dolls made, you can use them to make a necklace, charm bracelet, brooch or key chain. Check out more photos and directions here.

Monday, September 7, 2015

Showing Off My Handmade Clay Bird Necklace

So I'm super excited to share this clay bird necklace I just completed. I've been thinking about and planning for this necklace project for a while and I'm really happy with how this finished necklace came out.

I love the necklaces on ElvaFields.com and her use of unexpected accents in her jewelry to make each piece special and unique. I have a couple of her necklaces and really love them, but I think a lot of her pieces are a little too dressy for my definitely-not-dressy lifestyle. So I got to thinking about how I could make my own unique-but-maybe-more-casual version.

First I bought a bunch of beads and jewelry findings at my craft store. Then I found this bird-shaped bezel on etsy.

I needed a bezel that had connectors on the top and the bottom so I could use it for a necklace, and I needed two connection points on each side so I could make my necklace in a double-stranded design. This bird bezel was perfect.

Next step was to string my beads and connect them to my necklace clasp and my bird connector. I mixed in a few other beads among the ones I had bought to add a little more color and interest. I didn't want all my beads to match. Then I started thinking about how I wanted to fill the bezel on my bird connector.

My original plan was to fill the bezel with a grouping of vintage buttons. But when I laid out a few designs, it seemed a little too busy for my necklace. So I went to Plan B. I filled the bird bezel with Sculpey polymer clay. Then I took a couple of my favorite vintage buttons and used them as stamps to create a design on my bird shape. When I was happy with the way it looked, I *very carefully* lifted my clay design out of the bezel and baked it according the the clay directions. (Had I known I was going to use polymer clay to decorate my bezel from the get-go, I would have done this part first, before putting my necklace together, and baked the polymer piece in my actually bezel before stringing and connecting my beads).

After my clay bird had cooled, I carefully placed it back into my bezel and glued it in place. Again, this would have all been a little easier had I done the clay bit first, but it all worked out fine. And I really enjoy wearing my finished necklace.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

{Craft Tutorial} Ready for Fall ~ Scrap Fabric Table Decorations and Napkin Rings

DIY Craft Tutorial: Scrap Fabric Fall Autumn Leaves Table Decoration and Napkin Rings Updated on August 31, 2015 Scrap Fabric Fall Leaves Table Decoration and Napkin Rings Scrap Fabric Fall Leaves Table Decoration and Napkin Rings Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 There are many ways to display these scrap fabric fall leaves to create a cheerful autumn decoration. There are many ways to display these scrap fabric fall leaves to create a cheerful autumn decoration. Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 The Fall months and the Thanksgiving holiday are one of my favorite seasons to decorate my home. Every year I find myself inspired by the beautiful autumn colors. This year, I grabbed a handful of scrap fabric to create some easy to sew fall leaves for a bright and cheerful table decoration. Then I added to my display by making some matching acorn napkin rings to complete my fall-inspired tablescape. You can use almost any fabric for this project and finish your leaves with additions of beads, sequin, and buttons. I've included my pattern templates for my leaves and acorn with this tutorial, but you could use other shapes for this project, including pumpkins, apples or other leaves. Materials for Making Scrap Fabric Fall Leaves and Cute Little Acorn Materials for making scrap fabric fall leaves and cute little acorn Materials for making scrap fabric fall leaves and cute little acorn Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 I wanted to use materials I already had on hand for this project, so the supplies are very flexible and adaptable for you to use whatever you have. scrap fabric - felt and fleece are great for this project, but you can use whatever little pieces of fabric you have. I used a different fabric for the front and back of my leaves, but this is optional. I also like using plastic vegetable bags (like the ones potatoes and onions come in) to add some texture to my leaves and acorns. templates for leaf and acorn shapes, or whatever shapes you wish to use embroidery floss in a few colors beads, buttons, and sequin to decorate your finished pieces fiber fill or cotton balls to stuff in your decorations (optional) white craft glue or fabric glue wooden dowels (for table decoration only) basic sewing supplies including sewing needle and scissors Basic leaf template for creating fall leaves table decoration Basic leaf template for creating fall leaves table decoration Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 Directions for Making Scrap Fabric Fall Leaves I've included the directions for making and decorating three different styles of leaves. You can pick and choose which designs and decorations you want to use for your leaves. All these leaf designs follow the same basic directions below. 1. The first step in making your scrap fabric fall leaves is to print and cut out your leaf template. I have included all my pattern templates with this tutorial, but you can also use your own shapes. I sized each of my templates to be about 3 inches high, but you can adjust the size as you want. I also chose to expose my seams and have them show on the outside of my leaf shapes, but you can also sew your pieces so the seams are on the inside. You might need to adjust the seam allowance accordingly. Trace your leaf template on your scrap fabric Trace your leaf template on your scrap fabric Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 2. After you've cut out your leaf template, trace it on to your piece of scrap fabric. I traced my template on the front of my fabric since I was leaving my seams exposed. If you want to hide your seams, you should trace your template on the back side of your fabric. I also sketched in my leaf detail so I could follow it with my stitch decoration. Be sure to leave about 1/2 inch of seam allowance around your tracing. This extra seam allowance gives you some fabric to hold while doing your decorating. You can trim it closer when your leaves are sewn together and almost finished. 3. Now cut another piece of fabric about the same size to serve as your backing fabric for your leaf shape. Put this second piece of fabric to the side for now. Adding stitch details to your scrap fabric leaves Adding stitch details to your scrap fabric leaves Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 4. (Optional ) Next you can use some embroidery floss to stitch a vein design on your leaf. Before I started stitching, I pinned down a piece of purple vegetable netting over half my leaf for some additional color and interest. As I added my embroidery stitches, I made sure to stitch down the netting as I worked along my leaf. 5. Once you have added whatever stitch details you want, pin the front of your leaf to your backing piece of fabric. If you want your seams to show, pin your pieces together back to back. If you want to hide your seams, your fabric pieces should be pinned so that the front side of each is turned in. 6. Using your embroidery floss, stitch your pieces of fabric together following the outline of the template. Be sure to leave an opening about a 3/4 inch wide at the base of your leaf. This opening will be used to fill your leaf and inset your dowel stem. Fill and decorate your scrap fabric leaf with beads, buttons, or sequin. Fill and decorate your scrap fabric leaf with beads, buttons, or sequin. Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 7. Trim your excess fabric around your outline seam. I left about 3/16 of an inch of fabric around my sewn outline. I think this makes a nice finished edge. 8. (Optional) Add a little filling to your leaf using fiber fill or cotton. I just added a little bit of fill so my leaves were slightly puffy, but this is completely optional. 9. Add whatever additional details you want to your leaf including sequin, buttons, or beads. I used fabric glue to adhere my sequin to my leaf, but you can use any clear drying glue. Template for scrap fabric oak leaf decoration Template for scrap fabric oak leaf decoration Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 Creating Different Styles of Scrap Fabric Leaves I put together and decorated my green oak leaf using the same process. 1. Here, I chose a different color of fabric, but one that complimented my other leaves. I traced my oak leaf pattern on to the front of my green fabric with the intention of leaving my seams exposed. 2. Then I used the same template again to cut out a smaller version of my leaf from a yellow vegetable bag. Using embroidery floss to decorate your scrap fabric fall leaves Using embroidery floss to decorate your scrap fabric fall leaves Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 3. I used a bright color of embroidery floss and some tight stitches to sew the vein pattern on my leaf. These stitches also attached my vegetable netting to the front of my leaf. 4. I pinned my decorated leaf down to my backing fabric and stitched around my leaf outline with embroidery floss, leaving about a 3/4 inch opening at the base of my leaf. Decorating your scrap fabric fall leaves Decorating your scrap fabric fall leaves Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 5. Once I had sewn around my leaf shape, I trimmed my fabric leaving about 3/16 of an inch of fabric around my outline. 6. Then I stuffed my leaf with some fiber fill. To finish this leaf, I glued on a splash of small colorful beads. Template for scrap fabric maple leaf Template for scrap fabric maple leaf Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 Making a Scrap Fabric Maple Leaf I made my maple leaf in a slightly different way, but following the same directions. 1. I traced my maple leaf template on the front of my fabric and cut it out leaving about an inch seam allowance. I then added some details by stitching in the leaf veins using embroidery floss. 2. When I was done, I pinned my front piece of fabric to my backing fabric and stitched around my leaf outline, joining the two pieces of fabric together. I left about 3/4 of an inch opening at the base of my leaf for filling and for my stem. Scrap fabric maple leaf for fall decorating Scrap fabric maple leaf for fall decorating Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 3. Once I had stitched the outline of my leaf, I trimmed my front fabric leaving about a 3/16 of seam allowance around my stitches. 4. Then I trimmed my backing fabric with about 3/16 seam allowance beyond my front fabric. This allowed my backing fabric to show around the edges of my front fabric, adding more color to the design. 5. Finally, I stuffed my leaf with a little bit of fiber fill and glued on some small buttons to decorate my fabric leaf. Adding Standing Stems to Your Scrap Fabric Leaves Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 You can add dowels or sticks to the base of your leaves so you can display them. Adding stems to your scrap fabric fall leaf decorations Adding stems to your scrap fabric fall leaf decorations Source: (c) purl3agony I used a piece of 1/4 inch wooden dowel for my stems. I cut my dowel into 9 inch lengths, but you may want to adjust your length depending on how you plan to display your leaves. To adhere my stems to my leaves, I added a few drops of glue just inside the bottom opening of my leaf. I stuck my dowel through the opening and pushed it into my leaf all the way to the top seam. I then applied a little pressure so the glue would stick to the dowel and seal the opening. You can hold your fabric and glue to your dowel while it dries by using paper or binder clips. You can use your dowel in its natural state, paint it a different color (which I would do before your cut it into pieces), or wrap your dowel with washi tape to add some additional color. Displaying Your Scrap Fabric Fall Leaves Use an empty jar wrapped with twigs to display your scrap fabric fall leaves Use an empty jar wrapped with twigs to display your scrap fabric fall leaves Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 Once you've made a bunch of scrap fabric leaves, there are many ways to display them and use them around your home as decoration. 1. Take a clean, empty jar (I used a relish jar) and a handful of straight twigs or sticks. Trim your sticks so that are about the same length as the height of your jar. With a hot glue gun, glue the sticks on the side of your jar, working about an inch at a time. Use thinner twigs to fill in any spaces or gaps between your sticks. When the glue is dry, add a twine or ribbon bow to your container. To help your scrap fabric leaves stand up, fill your jar with cotton balls, glass pebbles, or small rocks, then arrange the stems of your leaves in your container. Plant the stems of your scrap fabric fall leaves in a small ceramic pot. Plant the stems of your scrap fabric fall leaves in a small ceramic pot. Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 2. Decorate a small ceramic pot with some wrapping paper and ribbon to create an arrangement for your scrap fabric leaves. To make my stems stand up in this pot, I wrapped one of my husband's brown socks into a roll and put it inside my container. I then stuck my stems in between the folds of the sock to make them stay in place. 3. You can also add your fabric leaves to any potted plant you already have. These leaves placed into a lovely potted mum, marigold, or rosemary plant would make a festive table centerpiece or decoration. Display your scrap fabric leaves using a real or artificial pumpkin as a stand. Display your scrap fabric leaves using a real or artificial pumpkin as a stand. Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 4. You can also use a small pumpkin (real or foam) as a display stand for your fabric leaves. These would make festive decorations for a Thanksgiving table or at a Halloween party. Take a screwdriver and make a small starter hole in your pumpkin for where you want to stick your leaf stem. Using just your hand, take a drill bit that is the same width as your stem and work it through your pumpkin to create a hole. I placed a few of my leaf stems on an angle in my pumpkin to make a more interesting display. 5. You can also use these scrap fabric leaves to add a fall look to a floral bouquet. Your fabric leaves can add a touch of autumn color to any vase of cut flowers. How to Make a Scrap Fabric Napkin Ring Finish your scrap fabric fall table decorations with some matching napkin rings. Finish your scrap fabric fall table decorations with some matching napkin rings. Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 These scrap fabric napkin rings are a great accessory for your scrap fabric fall leaf decoration and to continue the autumn theme at your table. I used an acorn for my napkin ring decoration, but your can use any of the leaf templates or other shapes to make your napkin rings. Acorn template for scrap fabric napkin ring Acorn template for scrap fabric napkin ring Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 I sized and printed out my acorn template so it was about 2 inches high, but you can adjust your template to the size you need. I also created and stitched my acorn so the seams were not showing, but you can leave your seams exposed as I did with my leaves above. You may want to make your template slightly smaller if you plan to expose your seams. 1. Trace your template on the back of your fabric. Cut out your shape leaving about 1 inch of seam allowance on all sides. 2. Working on the front of your fabric, add whatever decorative details you choose. I cut out a piece of plastic netting for the cap of my acorn and stitched it in place on my fabric. 3. Choose a backing fabric for your acorn and pin the front of your shape face to face with your backing fabric. The back side of your fabric should now be showing on both sides. Sew around your outline, leaving a one inch opening on the side or bottom of your shape. Trim your excess fabric so you only have about 1/4 inch of seam allowance around your outline. 4. Turn your acorn so that the right side is showing and stuff it with a little bit of fiber fill. Sew your opening closed with a few hand stitches. I omitted the stem from my original acorn template, so once my shape was complete, I glued a small piece of twig on to serve as a stem. Materials for making a scrap fabric napkin ring Materials for making a scrap fabric napkin ring Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 Adding Your Scrap Fabric Shape to Your Napkin Ring Now that your acorn or other shape is complete, you can adhere it to your napkin ring. There are a couple ways to do this: 1. Buy a pre-made napkin ring in a style you like and hot glue your scrap fabric shape to the front of it. This is quick, easy, and a great way to add a handmade touch to inexpensive napkin rings. 2. Or you can make your own rings using recycled toilet paper or paper towel rolls. I cut a toilet paper roll into 3/4 inch rings. Then I wrapped each cardboard ring with yarn, but you could also use twine. You can wrap a cardboard ring with yarn or twine to make a napkin ring. You can wrap a cardboard ring with yarn or twine to make a napkin ring. Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 To do this: Cut about a 4 foot length of yarn or twine and roll it into a ball so it will fit through the center of your cardboard ring. Add a drop of hot glue to the inside of your ring. While it is still hot, stick the end of your yarn or twine in your glue. Let the glue dry. Start to cover your ring with your yarn or twine in even wraps. When your ring is completely wrapped, cut the end of your yarn. Then use another drop of hot glue to stick the end to the inside of your ring. Attaching your scrap fabric acorn to your napkin ring. Attaching your scrap fabric acorn to your napkin ring. Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 Now you can either: 1. Glue your acorn or other decoration to the front of your wrapped ring using hot glue. 2. Glue or sew a jewelry pin back to the back side of your scrap fabric shape. Open the pin back and slide the pin through a few wraps of your yarn so your decoration is held firmly to your napkin ring. Then close your pin back safely. Using pin backs is a fun because it allows your guests to keep your scrap fabric decorations to wear as a pin or brooch. Fall decorating with scrap fabric leaves and acorns Fall decorating with scrap fabric leaves and acorns Source: (c) purl3agony 2015 All projects copyrighted © 2015 by Donna Herron. All rights reserved

As we turn the calendar to September, I can't help thinking about cooler temperatures and Fall colors. Autumn is definitely my favorite time of the year, and I particularly enjoy decorating my home for the Fall season.

My first decorating project is these easy-to-sew scrap fabric leaves. These leaves are fun to make and decorate using whatever fabric and notions you have on hand. I've posted the full tutorial on my Hubpages.

http://purl3agony.hubpages.com/hub/DIY-Craft-Tutorial-Scrap-Fabric-Fall-Autumn-Leaves-Table-Decoration-and-Napkin-Ring

Once you have a small bunch of leaves made, there's many ways to use these scrap fabric leaves to make a table centerpiece or a smaller decoration for your home. I've included a number of ideas in my tutorial on Hubpages.

And to complete your Autumn-inspired table, I've included directions on using this same tutorial to make scrap fabric napkin rings. Here, I've decorated my ring with a cute little acorn, but you can use a number of leaf or other shapes as decoration. Check it out :)