Scissor Quirk.

Blonde Betty Embroidery.

One of my prized new craft show display pieces is this sweet embroidery of my favorite lady, Pirate Betty! :) If you're new to my blog, you might not know that I draw her all the time. It all started a few years ago (I was going through old work notes the other day from 2007, and lo and behold - old pirate betty!) but she actually became something when I carved those linocut prints of her out at sea.

Anyhoo - I drew up this lil pattern and went to stitching! It'd been meaning to stitch her for a looong time. And I've never made her blonde, before - she's usually brown-haired when I doodle her (she's like a little self-portrait, in some ways...lol). I had lotsa fun picking out the colors for this one, though - and stitching on the slightly dimensional felt sails & the lil water splashes! So fun!

Funny: we realized at the last craft show that I have no boy pirates on hand. lol. Only girls. I had forgotten about boy pirates completely! :)

I really just want to make, like 20 more of her in all different colors...lol. :)

It's always fun to take a lil embroidery break, isn't it? I like to stitch quietly on the couch after I've just finished making a paper something.

Anyhoo - I hope you like her! She's pretty cute, but I'm biased. :)

I'm off today to pirate my way through some shops (and the impending rain!) to grab some clothes I need for Hawaii - shorts, a few summer dresses, some sunglasses, a hat...all that stuff. I *love* shopping though, and I'm a good bargain digger - fun to be had! lol. :)

Happy (pirate) Tuesday!

Fringed Arrow Cozy - DIY + Pattern

Hi guys! And, whew! Sorry for the weekend MIA-ness, around here! The craft show really wiped me out - lol. I always forget just how much work a show is until I'm doing it! Anyhoo - it was super-fun but super-tiring, and I'm taking today to both catch up a little and take it easy. :) For now:

Here's the ''Fringed Arrow Cozy'' DIY + Free Pattern!
(see it here on Crafted Love, too).

Here's what you'll need to make it:
This pattern makes the perfect size pouch to hold an ipod nano.

- The free ''Fringed Arrow Cozy'' pattern 
- 2-3 colors of felt (I used brown, yellow, and turquoise)
- 2-3 colors of coordinating embroidery thread (I used brown, yellow, & green)
- An embroidery/sewing needle & Scissors
Step 1: Cut 2 pieces of felt for the outside of your pouch from one color of felt and 2 pieces for the inside (4 pieces total) using the pattern as a guide. Trace the arrow design onto one of the outside felt pieces (using either a white chalk pencil or fabric marker), and cut it out using small scissors. The color you've choosen for the inside will now show through the arrow silhouette when you lay the top 2 pieces (inside and outside) together.
Step 3: Holding the two together (or pin them in place), hand-stitch around the arrow using embroidery thread through both layers. You can tack the little bits at the end of the arrow down using thread or glue, too - I quickly stitched them with brown thread so they stay in place.
Step 4: Stitch the two pieces together at the top with embroidery thread (to hold the inside and the outside in place so you can slip your ipod in!).
Step 5: Hold the back two pieces together and stitch the top the same as you've just done to the front - to hold the two layers together. Now, hold the back and front layers together in a little sandwich (the inside colors together inside, and the outside facing out). Blanket stitch both sides together using a blanket stitch, but stop about 1/2 an inch from the bottom and knot/tie them off - the bottom and top should be left open, at this point.

Step 6: Using embroidery thread, hand-stitch along the bottom (I did two rows of green stitching, here) through all the layers of fabric. This will close the bottom of the pouch off. Using scissors, cut a little fringe into all the layers of felt that are left at the bottom of the pouch.

And, you're all finished! Your ipod will be stylish and cozy, now! :)
Happy fringe & arrow cozy-making! :)

Fringed Arrow, Heads-up!

Dude. Thanks for all the well-wishes and sweet words yesterday, guys!! 

Turns out the day took a turn for the better after I got some coffee in me (lol), & mister husband gave me lotsa hugs when he got home. Also, I successfully dyed my hair today - ha ha- and didn't spend *all day* today sewing, though I do still have a few dolls to finish stitching up and some pricing to do tonight. :)

And on with some not-craft-fair craftyness, finally! (lol)

I did a lil ''Fringed Arrow Cozy'' DIY + free pattern that's posted over at Crafted Love today - here's a lil peek! Hop on over to check it out, learn how to make your own, & nab the pattern (and you can win the one I made, too!!).

I was going to say I'll post the full DIY here tomorrow, too, but who am I kidding?? I'm going to say it'll be here Sunday to give myself a lil break. :)

I'll be announcing the winners to Kara's giveaway, the Q & A happy mail winner then, as well - and don't forget to enter the lovely March sponsor giveaways if you haven't, yet: Giveaway one, two, and three!

Happy weekend, friends!!

Love in the Middle - Free Embroidery Pattern

Hi, guys! Sweet Mollie from Wild Olive asked me to be a part of her Valentine's themed 'Love Week' - and, craving doilies as I always do, I decided to embroider one just for the occasion for my guest post!

And share the pattern with you, for free! Download it right here.

Hop on over to Mollie's blog to say hullo & see the 'Love Week' happenings...

And then simply print out the free pattern (the print-out fits a 5.25 inch circle hoop like the one I used perfectly!), trace it onto your fabric using a fabric or disappearing ink pen (or a regular pencil, as I did...he he), and stitch away!

Whenever I don't have a fancy finishing hoop around, too, I always slap a quick little color on those plain wood ones - I gave this two coats of pink craft paint and sealed it with mod pdge - quick prettyness!

I'm going to hang my little heart somewhere around the house for Valentine's day. :) I think it would look sweet with the bright colors of my craft space - which is currently in a crazy re-organizing disarray, but it's starting to see the light! lol. I'm hoping to finish up another cute Valentine's something-something to share with you before the end of the week, to also hang in my space - and I need to make one of Heidi's cute printable cupids, too!

I think it would make a super-cute handmade gift for your crafty friend Valentine's, too - or look cute displayed at your cupcake party!

Pop by my freebie page if you want more freebies & patterns, too!

As for me, today I'm hoping to start sewing cushions for my couch. :)
I'm craving sewing like crazy!

DIY + Pattern - Quick Embroidered Ornament

Here she is for you, finally!

A little ornament DIY to whip up if you still have to decorate your tree or if, like me, you like to add a little ornament tied to the top of your gifts. :) Enjoy!

I'm a fan of the traditional round ornament shape, especially this year, and wanted to make my own (quick!) version of it that had a handmade touch or two but was easy-peasy to put together - here's what I came up with!

Click here to download the free DIY pattern, so you can make one, too!
It comes with two original ornament design options/embroidery patterns.

The goodies/supplies you'll need:

- a piece of cotton to embroider on
- embroidery thread & needle
- a sewing machine
- coordinating fabric (for the back of the ornament)
- felt scraps
- pencil or disappearing ink pen
- sharp sewing scissors
- metal ornament-hanging hooks

Step 1: Print out the free embroidery pattern (that I made based on my own sketches for my ornaments just for you), and using a light table or window & your disappearing ink pen/pencil, trace the design onto a piece of cotton.

**Make sure you trace the entire design - including all of the outer outlines - onto your fabric, and leave about 2 inches or so of extra fabric around the outside of the pattern so it's easier to sew later. The extra fabric will also allow you to embroider with a small hoop - this helps speed things up!

Step 2: Embroider your design onto the cotton in your favorite colors!

Step 3: Once your embroidery is done, cut a piece of fabric for the back of the ornament the same size as your embroidered piece (with extra fabric around the ornament design). Place the front and backside of the ornaments wrong sides together - with the embroidery and bright side of the backing fabric each facing out.

Step 4: Using your sewing machine, stitch around the outer edge of the ornament (the grey edge on the pattern), leaving an inch or so open at the top so that it can be stuffed.

Step 5: Trim the extra fabric from the sides of your ornament, using your scissors, until there's about 1/4 of an inch on the outer edge, but keep the extra fabric on the top (open) section - you'll need about an inch, there.

Step 6: Stuff a teeny bit of stuffing into the ornament using your fingers or a skinny knitting needle. Make sure you don't overstuff your ornament, or the seams will buckle in, just put enough in to give it a little body & fluff it up! 

Step 7: Using the pattern, cut 2 pieces of felt from your felt scraps in a coordinating color to be used at the top of the ornament. Take one of them, fold it in half hotdog-ways (lengthwise), and cut two slits in it with your sharp sewing scissors (this is to slip the metal hook into to hang it).

Don't cut all the way through the top and bottom, just simply make a slit on two places so that when you fold it back open, there are two side-by-side slits.

Step 8: Pin the front and back felt pieces onto the front and back of the top of the ornament (the piece with the slits will go in the back). Line up the edges and pin them together onto the ornament.

Step 9: Using your sewing machine, being very careful to keep the felt in place, stitch around all 4 edges of the felt piece. Now the top of the ornament is all in place! Just slip the metal hook into the slits on the back of the ornament, and she's ready to hang!

Cute and lovely, no? They look adorable, hung up!

Have fun ornament-making! :)

This is always the kind of thing I save for the last minute - lol - so hopefully it's helpful & inspiring to you, as you put the finishing touches on your home & gifts!

If you make an ornament, please link me up! I'd love to see!! :)