SQUIRREL PINS SEWING TUTORIAL

When I first started to sew, every piece of fabric seemed important.  After each project I would end up with a pile of scrap fabric that I just couldn’t bring myself to throw out.  I knew that I could use the fabric for something, but I just didn’t know what!  I eventually created these squirrel pins from my leftover felt to give to the little people in my life.  Each pin uses about a 3” x 6” piece of felt.  If you have larger pieces of felt, you could easily enlarge the pattern to create adorable squirrel pillows for your child’s bed.

Supplies:

My free pattern

Grey felt

White felt

Grey, white and red thread

Polyester fiberfill

Safety pin

Super glue or a glue gun

NOTE: this pattern is for domestic use only and cannot be used commercially or sold. 

Method:

1)  Print pattern and cut out templates.

     2)    Cut felt according to template.

     3)    Sew white cheek piece onto face.

      4)    With right sides facing, sew top of head and sides of head – do not sew ears and bottom of head yet.

      5)    Turn felt right side out and sew eyes, nose, mouth, a few running stiches across forehead and little hearts on ears.

     6)    Sew ears together and trim any excess.

      7)    Stuff head with fiberfill and sew the bottom closed.

     8)    Use super glue to adhere pin and pin cover to the back of the squirrel’s head.

And you’re done!  Give these to your little ones on Valentines Day, and, if you have the time, make extras for them to share with their BFF’s. 

COPPER AND MARBLE CANDLEHOLDER DIY

Happy 2014!  Having just returned from my beautiful hometown of Cape Town, South Africa, I am inspired and excited to begin planning my new ventures and adventures for this year.  To kick it all off, I want to share a project that will help ward off the winter blues. I have been in love with copper and marble elements for a while now and decided to combine the two to create a few accessories for my home.  Below are some images that have inspired me. 

Clockwise: 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5

These marble and copper candleholders were created using simple oven-bake clay and leftover copper piping we had lying about.

Supplies:

2 oz. white oven bake clay

2 oz. grey/granite oven bake clay

1” copper pipe

Method:

1: Cut and condition the clay.  I used about 1 part grey/granite to 4 parts white clay.

2: Roll the clay into long snake-like shapes.

3:  Press granite clay into white and fold clay in half.  Fold in half again.

Repeat steps (2) and (3) two more times.

4: Once clay is sufficiently mixed, roll into a ball.

5: Shape clay into a square by flattening the sides, top and base.

6: Insert copper pipe into the center of the clay.

7: Bake following packaging instructions.

I hope these candleholders bring a little light and warmth to your home this winter.  Nicole

MARBLED NECKLACE DIY

With Christmas around the corner, why not forgo the mad shopping dash by making family and friends personalized homemade gifts?  One of the presents I’ve decided to make this year is this pretty faux marbled necklace.  These necklaces require only a few supplies and you can make several simultaneously.  For the full tutorial (in English and Spanish) hop on over to Marta’s blog, 2ndfunniestthing. 

HIS AND HERS LAPTOP SLEEVES

These laptop sleeves would make the perfect gift for your techie friend or family member this Christmas. These sleeves can be sewn in under an hour and are easy enough for the beginner sewer.

PLEASE NOTE: these designs are solely for domestic use and cannot be used commercially or sold. 

WOMEN'S LAPTOP SLEEVE

Supplies:

2 pieces of felt in contrasting colours – 18” x 26”

1 piece of white felt 3” x 14”

18” x 26” fusible webbing  

¾” x 6” Velcro

White and grey thread

Method:

1) Measure the width of the laptop.  Cut 2 pieces of felt approximately 2 inches wider than the laptop and 26” long.

2) Cut 1 piece of fusible webbing to the same size.

3) Cut 3 strips of white felt 1” wide at varying lengths. 

4) Cut each strip in half at an angle.

5) Pin white strips to the front of the sleeve and sew in place.

6) Pin Velcro 4” from opposite edge and sew in place.

7) Pin and sew second strip of Velcro approximately 1” from edge of lining felt. (Note: distance will vary depending on laptop. Fold felt over laptop to mark placement of second strip correctly.)

8) Sandwich the fusible webbing between the 2 layers of felt and fuse according to packaging instructions.  The two strips of Velcro should be at opposite ends of rectangle.

9) Sew edges of felt.

10) With wrong sides together, fold felt approximately 1” shorter than the height of laptop.

11) Sew a 3/8” seam along folded edges. 

MEN'S LAPTOP SLEEVE

Supplies:

2 pieces of felt  - 18” x 26”

1 piece fusible webbing - 18” x 26”

¾” x 18” elastic

Grey thread

Method:

1) Measure the width of the laptop.  Cut 2 pieces of felt approximately 2 inches wider than the laptop and 26” long.

2) Cut 1 piece of fusible webbing to the same size.

3) Sandwich the fusible webbing between the 2 layers of felt and fuse according to package instructions.

4) Sew edges of felt.

5) Cut a piece of elastic to the same length as the width of the sleeve + 1” for seam allowance.

6) With wrong sides together, fold felt approximately 1” shorter than the height of laptop.

7) Sandwich edges of elastic between felt.

8) Sew 3/8” seam along folded edges.  

Have fun creating your own Christmas gifts this season. Nicole