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Editor: Alicia Thommas
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Thursday, 21 January 2010 03:00 |
Yesterday, I created the Valentine card that coordinates with this envelope. While the envelope looks a bit complex, it's really not difficult to make. In fact, it took me less time to make the envelope than the card. It's such a lovely way to deliver a valentine.
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Editor: Alicia Thommas
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Wednesday, 20 January 2010 03:00 |
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Using your sewing machine to sew paper and fabric together is surprisingly easy. Since I'd never tried it myself, I thought I'd start with a project that wasn't too complicated. It's a satisfying way to use up little scraps of pretty fabrics. Tomorrow, I'll show you how I made a coordinating envelope.
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Editor: Alicia Thommas
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Tuesday, 19 January 2010 03:00 |
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Create a pretty fabric mat for an inexpensive frame and turn a favorite photo into a showpiece. We patchworked eight squares from a charm pack, and added some ribbon for accent, but you can use the fabric of your choice. We think using a selection of fabrics from a wedding would make a great memory piece. Covering the mats is easy, even for a beginner, and they make a perfect gift for family and friends.
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Editor: Alicia Thommas
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Monday, 18 January 2010 04:00 |
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I'm cautious about toys for my cats, so I like to make my own catnip toys. That way, I can choose organic catnip and use up scraps of 100% cotton fabric. We made these little heart-shaped catnip mice out of charm pack squares, but they're a purrfect way to use scraps of fabric. I was pretty sure my cats would love them because I had oodles of feline assistance during their construction.
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Editor: Alicia Thommas
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Friday, 15 January 2010 03:00 |
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A little bird chirps a heartfelt message to someone special. These sweet vase wraps turn fabric scraps into your personal message board. Tweet it as we did, or say it your way.
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Editor: Alicia Thommas
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Thursday, 14 January 2010 03:00 |
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Upscale a plain cylinder vase into a sweet Valentine gift by using a few squares from a charm pack. These vase wraps are easy and quick to make. Mix and match charm squares to see the many different patterns you can create.
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Editor: Liz Johnson
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Monday, 04 January 2010 03:00 |
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Good things come in small packages, and they are especially good if the package is oh-so pretty and smells wonderful to boot. Our Valentines Heart Sachets are a little bits of elegance you can make to give away as indulgent gifts. They can hang on a closet rod, hook on a doorknob, slip into the lingerie drawer or simply show off on top of the dresser or vanity. Doesn't that sound sweet? Better make a couple extra to keep for yourself.
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Editor: Liz Johnson
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Wednesday, 25 November 2009 03:00 |
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This very cuddly, very cute fleece throw is another no-sew project to which we added a dash of sewing ... so we didn't feel so guilty about including it on a sewing site. The basic instructions could be winnowed down to two steps: 1) cut fringe around two big squares of fleece; 2) tie together. It's still just that easy, but we've added a soft appliqué to the front in the shape of a giant butterfly. This motif tied in perfectly to the fabric palette for our Pretty Prints Please teen room.
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Editor: Liz Johnson
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Wednesday, 11 November 2009 04:00 |
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The lowly bulletin or white board is so yesterday. You deserve a much more stylish way to display your notes and favorite photos and all the other stuff that's too cool to throw away. Find a frame you love, ours was a mirror in its previous life. In fact, we had two, which allowed us to leave one intact, turn the other into a memo board, then hang them side-by-side. Look at me, look at my stuff, look at me, look at my stuff. This almost counts as a no-sew project, but we decided to piece together our fabric covering, and so pulled out the machine. You could, of course, use a single piece of fabric ... but where's the fun in that?!
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Editor: Liz Johnson
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Friday, 16 October 2009 03:00 |
Make it a more Green Halloween this year by forgoing the paper and plastic decorations in favor of this cool fabric banner that can be used year after year. Sanae's Spooktactular fabric collection puts a fun and different spin on the traditional black and orange, adding purple, lime green and white. The neighborhood ghosts and goblins are sure to be impressed.
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Editor: Alicia Thommas
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Friday, 18 September 2009 03:00 |
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We made our ornaments from scraps of fabric and trim, leftover buttons and craft felt. While we used a simple hand stitch on ours, you can also sew these up quickly on your machine. The key is to use what you have and your imagination. It's a fantastic way to introduce children to the creative world of sewing. Kids old enough to use a needle and thread will have fun picking and choosing their favorite bits and pieces, and cutting whatever shapes they like. They'll be beautiful however they turn out.
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Editor: Liz Johnson
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Wednesday, 02 September 2009 04:00 |
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For each of our themed rooms, we like to have one idea dedicated to using up the scraps of fabric leftover from all the other projects. With the Stylish Baby Nursery, it's these adorable wall hangings. All you need is an inexpensive hand embroidery hoop, a square of fabric, a little glue or tape, and you're on your way to instant art.
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Editor: Liz Johnson
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Monday, 31 August 2009 03:00 |
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This is one of our favorite projects in the Citrus Holiday Living Room. Maybe it's because the tree skirt is a holiday classic. Maybe it's because we love the vibrant collection of Pop Garden fabrics set-off with bold red binding and bows. Maybe it's because it secretly reminds us of pie, and we love pie. In fact, now that I've mentioned it here, I wish I had a piece of pie. Mmmmmmmm.... pie.
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Editor: Liz Johnson
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Monday, 17 August 2009 03:00 |
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One of my favorite books as a child was a Little Golden Book version of the classic story, The Elves and the Shoemaker. I forced my mother to read it over and over until the binding split. What I loved the most, and wanted for my very own, were the curly-toed boots the little elves wore. These stockings are modeled after those very same elf boots. And they are just as cute as I remember.
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Editor: Liz Johnson
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Tuesday, 14 July 2009 03:00 |
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We always like to have at least one project that makes use of leftover fabric scraps. For our Patio Party, we created this fun party banner. Just print out the provided pennant shapes and cut out as many as you'd like from your available scraps. All you'll need to buy is a length of cording, and, if you want, colorful beads to string in between the pennants. It's a great green alternative to traditional crepe paper.
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Editor: Alison Newman
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Wednesday, 01 July 2009 03:00 |
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Today's fabrics are so gorgeous and artistic, they really belong in an art gallery. Well, that's the idea behind our No-Sew Fabric Paintings using fabrics from Amy Butler's Belle Collection. It's a no-frills project to add splashes of color to your walls – and a super easy way to coordinate your home decor from pillow to throw to wall art.
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