For the Love of Flaming Hot Coffee Cozy- Inspired by the Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing

Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing:
Fabu-Low-Sew Projects for the Everyday Crafter

Is so yummy!
The Crafty Chica has done it again!
I loved her book, The Crafty Chica Collection and all her sparkly products!

And now there is a new book packed with more fabulous inspiration. I love the heart with the flame buckle but I don't wear belts much right now, so I looked around to see what I could pop one on? It didn't take me long to see a plane sweater cuff coffee cozy that was oh "sew" plain.
Perfect!

I cut the heart out of some pretty plaid fabric that matched the pink of the sweater cuff (felted) perfectly and I cut the flame out of a scrap of yellow-ish jersey fabric I had cut off a shirt I altered.Talk about mixed media.

I must add at this point I used some super sassy new Simplicity Scissors. If you have never scored yourself a nice new good pair of scissors-you should! Nothing makes a fabric project go smoother than having the first step of cutting out go easy. And always keep your fabric scissors only for fabric, this will keep them in tip top shape and sharpness.
After I cut out my shapes, I pinned them in place and did a large running stitch with 3 strands of embroidery floss.
Ta-da! Hmmm makes me want cofffeeeee, off to make some!

On the edge of April Crafty Blogger links

CraftyPod
Learn how to turn an old paperback book into a cool picture frame.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Would You Stitch With Scented Floss? Vote in the poll and be sure to read the comments and add your own.

Naughty Secretary Club
Get felt up with Jen and her customized felt baby booties how-to.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week there is an Andy Warhol inspired scrapbook page and ATC's, an interview with Lisa Kettell author of Altered Art Circus!, a super cute clay pot hedge hog how-to, and a link to two free bottle cap graphics.

The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares one final project from her new book Beyond the Bead! Plus she's giving away a free copy of the book and a crystal stash!

About Family Crafts
Discover how you can create an entire fairy village using items from nature.

Aileen's Musings
Check out which names won for Aileen's Color Mist Sorbet Collection and help BREAK THE TIE by voting once more! An additional winner will be chosen once the tie is broken.

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Swelldesigner gives new life to a plain paper lantern with tissue paper!

Blisstree
Mixing two of Cyndi's favorite things: fibers and books!

Cathie Filian
Blythe and Barbie can now have their cake and eat it too! Cathie whips up some mini cakes and pies perfectly sized for fashion dolls with sponges and seed beads.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Expose yourself....in a good way that is...Tammy tells her thoughts on the process of creative exposure.

Cathi Milligan's fabu new book- Mod Knots

A "knot" to be missed new book from my super fun friend, Cathi Milligan:

Mod Knots: Creating Jewelry and Accessories with Macrame

A fun and hip re-introduction to the nostalgic craft of macrame, Mod Knots features inspirational projects and a variety of fun, “knotty” techniques. Once you’ve mastered all of the basic knots, you will be able to create a number of wearable projects using those knots, including jewelry, personal accessories and even a halter-top. A variety of materials such as cotton fiber, recycled materials, silk cord and waxed linen go beyond the standard hemp cord to create a whole new look for macrame.

Cathi Milligan has been making jewellery full-time for several years. She teaches workshops around Southern California, demonstrating macrame, glass fusing and other jewellery processes. Television appearances include Slice of Life (the Learning Channel), Operation Style (Lifetime), Jewelry Making (DIY - six episodes) and Craft Lab (DIY).

Cathi Milligan is "knot" to be outdone! She has created a book of some of the coooooolest projects ever! Like this one:
Are those "knot" to coolest earrings? Well flipping though this yummy book, I got inspired and I just had to go and make something.

Being the crafting with a re-purpose person, I went to my recycle bin and found a soda bottle. I know your thinking cute little earrings....soda bottle? hu? Well this is where my wacky brain went to:


It is the same concept of the half hitch knot used in the earrings just done on a really wide band. And in addition to adding the beads to the outer edge a threw a few big round ones on the "across" strings.I used a 16 oz. green Sprite soda bottle. I have pretty tiny wrists so that is what fit over my hand. You may want to test drive your base cuff size. I cut it with a wavy edge.

I also had to use a large eye needle to get the Coats Aunt Lydia's Fashion Crochet Thread color black and silver #00125 through the beads, Blue Moon Beads Enchanted Planet #BM14352 Zebra round Black and White

Bringing macrame back in a cool way!

Click on Cathi's name below to see us bein' all wacky and her cool cupcake buttons.

The first Crafty Blogger Links of Spring 2009

Blisstree
Don't miss out on the second annual Collage Mania event !

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a how-to for making a Chinese Knot from Kenneth King's new book Cool Couture, a Scribble Lace scarf pattern, a woven lampshade made from scrap yarn, and 4 upcycled necklace designs.

Cathie Filian
Cathie has a dollar store do over! With a scrap of paper and a little flirty flower you can make this easy headband in under 1-hour.

Crafty Princess Diaries
The Crafty Princess catches you up on her various crafting projects and asks, "What's on your crafing plate?"

Cross Stitch at About.com
Use the free Street and Traffic Sign Motifs to decorate a cake, a child's jacket, or whatever your imagination can come up with.

Naughty Secretary Club
Jen asks the question: Would you wear an apron out on the town as a fashion accessory? According to some trendsters it’s all the rage. Join in the discussion about Apron-ology.

The Impatient Crafter
Madge is hooked on Drew Emborsky's new book The Crochet Dude's Designs for Guys! Check out her book review!

About Family Crafts
Discover some ways you can save money on your crafting without stifling your creativity!

Aileen's Musings
Looking for a new spin on store bought plastic easter eggs....Aileen offer's you a Glitzy Easter Egg Project!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Swelldesigner upcycles some old tins with Collage Pauge and scrapbook paper!

Gun Embroidery using Sublime Stitching Patterns

My guns are done! I started this embroidery project a while ago and then got busy. Ya I know heard that one before. But well I got a good kick in the butt to finish because I scored a copy of a new book that I wanted to make stuff in but I needed to finish the embroidery I had started before I could start something new.

I used Sublime Stitching's Country Cool Pattern but split the crossed guns apart and put one on each arm. I also worked my sweater surgery on this sweater. I made little tucks with running stitches to make it smaller and more fitted.
On the back I did them on a curve.

So this is the rockin' new book that I now am free and clear to start stitchin' some of the fabulous designs contained there in:

Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To

Elizabeth Taylor, Carrie Fisher, Tracey Ullman, and Laura Dern all own her work. Now, in her much-anticipated first book, embroidery pioneer Jenny Hart brings her sublime designs to everyone. Expanding on the offerings of her Stitch-It Kit, Sublime Stitching offers all the instructions, tips, and hip patterns needed to create hundreds of stylish projects. Perfect for stitchers of all experience levels, this charmingly photographed book includes simple directions and inspiring project ideas for stitching up jeans, handbags, neckties, baby bibs, and more. Best of all are the entirely original, ready-to-use iron-on patterns bound in the back. Jenny has included all sorts of delightful designs—from cheeky margaritas and maracas to classic teapots and cupcakes. These patterns are easy to remove after using, and a cinch to store in the handy pockets on the inside covers. Believe it or not, each pattern can be used up to nine times. Now that's sublime.

Off to the closet to see what needs a new look!

Crafty Blogger Links, good greeness!

Cross Stitch at About.com
Guest writer Lori Fellows presents another fun and easy Cross Stitch project. Learn to make an Easy No-Sew Vase Cover using your choice of free patterns.

Layers Upon Layers
Cyndi shares the simple steps she's used to create a collage with monoprinted papers

Naughty Secretary Club
Customized wearable cupcake toppers that look as good on your cupcake as they do around your neck!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there are 2 fun "J" ATC's made with free downloadable graphics, tons of info about the June session at the Squam Art Workshops, a minijournal made from a recycled card, a cool creative exercise and some interesting quilting folklore.

About Family Crafts
Find out how you can make your own cards, party invitations, favors bags, place cards, napkin rings, gift tags, and much more to help celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Aileen's Musings
Come help Aileen name her new Color Mists' Sorbet Collection and earn a chance to win a free Sorbet set!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Are you using Google Image Search to its fullest? Swelldesigner shows you how to find better images and information and save time while doing so!

Cathie Filian
Recycle your junk mail and old papers into beautiful handmade designs with Cathie's easy tutorial.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Jewelry Validation! Nothing gives you validation, no matter what your craft of choice is, like having someone actually purchase one of your creations.

Origami Envelope from Karen Elaine Thomas' new book Origami Card Craft

Karen never ceases to amaze me! I have known her since her Carol Duvall days and then I had the pleasure of being her producer on a bunch of other shows and she always comes up with designs that I just have to make instantly! And such is the case today.
I happen to score an advance copy (it will be available next week!)of her new book:
Origami Card Craft: 30 Clever Cards and Envelopes to Fold
and it is wonderful!

In the time it takes to pick out a card at the store, you can fold a beautiful, handmade card specifically designed for your special someone.

With Origami Card Craft, you can impress your friends with origami-inspired cards, boxes, and envelopes that pop up, fan out, and even hold hidden messages. Wow your sweetie with the Fold-Out Heart card or give a thank you to be remembered with the Pinwheel card. Here you’ll also learn to make five different envelopes to store and protect your creations. With over 25 years of experience in origami and paper crafting, author Karen Elaine Thomas shows you how easy it is to create unique cards out of folded paper, and gives you the skills necessary to read any origami pattern, in any language. With a few basic techniques under your belt and the endless opportunities that paper offers, there’s no limit to the dazzling cards you can create simply and quickly.

KAREN ELAINE THOMAS is the creative director for Yasutomo and Company. In addition to being involved in product development and education, she teaches paper crafts workshops at national trade shows and retail stores and has been a regular guest on HGTV’s Carol Duvall Show, the DIY Network, and www.crafttvweekly.com. The author of several craft books, Thomas has had her work featured in American Artist, Rubber Stamper, and Paper Crafts. Visit her at www.karenelaine.com and www.origamicardcraft.com

So ya wanna see the first envelope I had to try, yes I bet you do!
It was so easy. The directions and diagrams rocked. I made my first one (top) with a page from a magazine. I like to do this because it often takes me a few tries to get the folds just right and I don't want to waste pretty new paper. Always trying to recycle! Then I made two more. I mixed it up a bit by not doing the last fold on the "pocket" closure and added a ribbon to one and an "inchie" to the other. These babies are perfect for an ATC!

March Madness Crafty Blogger Links

Layers Upon Layers
This is "Book Arts month" on Layers Upon Layers!

Naughty Secretary Club
Every Monday in March Jen is giving away a different craft book! Read the book reviews and then leave a comment for your chance to win titles like Sew Darn Cute, Plexi Class, Canvas Remix and more.

The Impatient Crafter
Check out this video to kick off Craft Month at Crafty Nation. Madge shows you how to make a jaunty mixed media nautical pendant!

About Family Crafts
Discover how to make your own craft supplies.

Aileen's Musings
Make it a banner day and enter Aileen's blog challenge and giveaway!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Swelldesigner shares a childhood craft memory all about Scribbles Paint!

Cathie Filian
Get poppy and modern with Cathie's easy technique for making one-of-a-kind "Warholesque" art.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Exercise your brain by crafting. That's right. According to a recent study, you can make your brain smarter by crafting.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Connie has charted her favorite Irish Blessing for you to stitch and enjoy.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
There are a couple of fabulous tutorials on how to sew a cuffed hem and a paper bead, wild photos from my night with the stars at Robert Vetica's Book launch party for Good To Great Hair, an interview with Garth Johnson author of the upcoming 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse and if you want to be a part of the book the deadline for submissions has been extended to March 13th!

Phone cord bangle from Jennifer Perkins' Naughty Secretary Club The Working Girl's Guide to Making Jewelry

Well I was tickled beyond belief to get a copy of
The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry

If you prefer your jewelry subtle and serious, you might want to go ahead and set this book back on the shelf. However, if kitschy accessories made with a wink and a smile are your cup of tea, this book will have you on the edge of your chair.

The Naughty Secretary Club is packed with more than 50 kitschy-secretary-themed jewelry projects, plus lots of quirky sidebars covering hot topics such as office romance and the best secretary theme songs to listen to on your lunch break. You'll learn how to use your office supplies in a whole new way - did you know standard office fare, like binder folders and shredded junk mail, makes craftalicious jewelry? Plus, author Jennifer Perkins will teach you how to turn almost anything into a charm, including plastic gnome cake toppers, doll furniture and cast-off hotel keys.

Whatever your day job, you can be a Naughty Secretary in spirit - and in style. So cancel your afternoon meetings, take a break from watching the clock and send yourself a memo to whip up a new paperclip necklace just in time for happy hour!

Jennifer Perkins left her job as a secretary to return to her childhood love of jewelry-making. Her Naughty Secretary Club jewelry has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Elle Girl, Alternative Press, Bust, Seventeen and more. Jennifer is the host of Craft Lab and Stylelicious (both on the DIY network) and has been a guest on Craft Corner Death Match and Knitty Gritty. She has a pronounced craft following in addition to a highly visited blog and Web site, www.naughtysecretaryclub.com

I savored every page!

I love using one thing for another and she has this great project that uses old phone cords. Well I had a few things to drop off at the recycling center, stuff that I had already pillage parts off of and the rest needed to go to the other professionals in this field.

But while I was there guess what I saw? Cell phone car chargers! They have a great coil that I thought would work great to make a bangle like the one Jen designed in her book.
I followed the great directions with super photos and it worked like a charm!
I did mix it up a bit by adding a bead at the seam. For directions on how to make the bead pop on over to this post at Craftside.

I think I might use this technique for a purse handle! Thanks Jen.

The first Crafty Blogger Links of March!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Check out the cool pin-up shrine that Swelldesigner made with her Crafty Chica Love Shrine kit!

Cathie Filian
Cathie Filian has an easy idea to revamp $1 store candles with a little cha cha cha flair.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Still trying to get your studio organized? Tammy is too! Maybe this resource she discovered will help you out!

Cross Stitch at About.com
A flock of free Fairy patterns have flitted in and landed at About.com Cross Stitch. Use the charts for frilly, flirty, fun projects.

Layers Upon Layers
Making monoprint background papers is an addictive activity...

Naughty Secretary Club
Jen delves into the world of paper crafts and plays Ms. Manners making personalized thank you cards.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside has a how-to on using a doming cube from the new book The Jeweler's Studio Handbook, handwriting ideas from Creative Paint Workshop, some wild "hand" art, and a "going green" ATC made with free downloadable art from Altered Art Circus.

The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares another free fab project from her co-authored new book along with another prize giveaway!

About Family Crafts
If you are planning a party for an upcoming birthday or other occasion you have to check out some of these creative resources!

Aileen's Musings
Aileen's looking quite regal in her faux metal crown! Check out her tutorial and make your own crown or two and join her in Queendom!