Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts

Friday, July 3, 2009

My First Floral Class


I have always wanted to learn how to make beautiful floral arrangements. I dream about making one of those gorgeous centerpieces that you find in an entryway, that has all sorts of stuff flowing out of the vase and artichokes sticking out. I don't consider that I don't even own an entryway table (yet), but the dream still lives. I had been looking for a class for some time, but had only found classes with the mega craft stores like Michael's - and then the classes were for silk flowers. It just was not quite what I was looking for. Lord knows that would not be good enough for Dorothy Draper or Kelly Werstler (just a few of my design icons).
Finally, one of my favorite little florist shops here in Minneapolis, Brown and Greene, hosted a simple floral arranging class. It just covered the basics - how to make a hand held bouquet with roses. This arrangement is usually used for bridal bouquets. It typically looks like a little round mound and is actually a quite versatile arrangement once you have the concept. We learned how to make the arrangement with simple roses. I know that the pictures do not really do it justice, but I think I did a pretty good job for my first time. It was more difficult than you would think holding all of the stems in place and twisting them around before tying off the bunch. I am excited to see how I can take this concept to the next level.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Cute Little Downloadable Postcards - FREE!


Aren't these the cutest little postcards ever? I had to share them with you. You can go to Kindred and download them yourself - for free! Thanks so much Holly and Ez for sharing these cards...and thanks to Ink & Wit for making them.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

I Must Have Been Smoking Crack When...

I decided to sign up for a Window Shades Class.  That's right.  I, who have just barely learned to sew a straight line, signed up for a "How to Make Your Own Window shades Class".  The class is designed to help you learn how to create Roman, Balloon, London, and other various types of shades.  We can bring our projects to class with us and the instructor will help us create them.  Depending on how much time we can devote to the project on our own, we should be able to complete 2 or 3 shades (I have 4 for the room I am focusing on.  The same room that Phillip is working on right now).  Actually, the project will not require a sewing machine - everything is hand work.  YIKES!  I can barely sew on a button...and it certainly does not look good when I finish.  This is going to be interesting to say the least...

I guess I better hurry up and decide on my fabric story.  Which means I also have to hurry up and make a final decision on the wallpaper.  I have to have all of this decided and the fabric purchased for the shades by next Wednesday evening's class.  What have I gotten myself into??

Saturday, January 24, 2009

A Reason to Learn How to Knit


Can you imagine driving down the road and all of a sudden coming across this tree that someone knitted?  I would probably crash my car from shock!  But I love it!!  It is so cheeky!  Of course I wish I could do this to my tree...but first I need to know how to knit...and a tree in our front yard wouldn't hurt either (which we don't have).  I wonder what our neighbors would think?  

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Adorable Baby Blocks


Are these not the cutest blocks?  I found these on Martha Stewart.com.  The directions look pretty simple, so I think I might give it a try.  I love that I can personalize these to Parker's interests.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Amy Butler Christmas

I discovered the coolest fabric store in town yesterday called Crafty Planet. They have the best selection of unique fabrics that I have ever seen. They carry a lot of fabrics from various indie textile designers. They also carry the most adorable selection of fabric for children - very vintage and very Tokyo Pop. I wish I would have known about this place when I was putting together Parker's bedroom. I would have spent a bundle!
I went there particularly for Amy Butler fabric. She has such amazing fabric - a great combination of traditional and modern, which is exactly the look I am working towards in our home. But I did not go there for a decorating project. I went there for a Christmas project. I bought the Mary Engelbreit Home Companion magazine the other day. Normally, this magazine hasn't been my sort of thing, but it had Amy Butler's home for Christmas on the cover. Amy decorated her house for Christmas EXACTLY the way I want to. So, of course, I had to get it. Surprisingly enough, she had some projects shown that you can download for free! I bought the fabric to make the tree forest for a table display. For this free pattern and more, check out Amy Butler.com. At the bottom left, you will find "Free Patterns". Select ME Holiday for Christmas ideas, but check out all of the free patterns. You never know what you find!


(image from Amy Butler Design.com)


Thursday, November 13, 2008

Crochet in a Different Way


I know I have said this before, but I am constantly amazed by people's talent. Crochet had been a craft that, until the last few years, had become a bit "dusty" and boring. But now, with a new generation of crafters and artists, I have seen some beautiful things. I found this fantastic scarf lariat on Etsy (one of my all time favorite sites). Check out the artist, Boutique Pink Designs. The shop has a great selection of scarves, scarflettes, wraps, fingerless gloves. The shop is full right now, so maybe you will find a fantastic Christmas gift.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Sewing Class


I thought that I would give you all an update on how my sewing class is going. Let's just say that I am hanging in there, but it is definitely causing me more stress at this time rather than enjoyment. With the age that Parker is right now, I am having a hard time keeping up with the "assignments". The only time I can really devote to sewing is when he takes a nap...and I have to share that time with eating, showering, cleaning house, blogging, etc...you get the picture. Tonight is the 5th class so far. I missed last week's class since I didn't have a chance to get my pattern pieces cut out (which I am still working on). We are starting work on our selected beginner's project. I selected a pair of toddler PJ's. I figured Parker is growing like a weed and can use the PJ's. Plus, if they are hideous, it won't matter because only Phillip and I will see them. I found this cute fabric with a Pirate theme for his first pair. I am struggling with cutting the fabric. I don't know if it is the scissors, my lack of knowledge, that I am left handed, or a combination of all three, but it is taking me FOREVER to cut the fabric! I mean FOREVER!! It is so frustrating. Come to think of it, when I was a little girl, my mother would sometimes have me try and cut her patterns out for her...I was never very good at it...always chopping up the fabric. Hopefully I can get all of the pieces cut out before tonight's class or my mean Hungarian teacher will yell at me in front of everyone (unfortunately, I am not joking about that).

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Head Waiter

One of the many things I did last week was make this Head Waiter for my Halloween tabletop center piece. It had quite an impact on the table but was really simple to make. This project is even easy enough for older kids to do. You can find the Styrofoam head at most beauty supply stores. I purchased mine at Sally's Beauty Supply. The project uses Mod Podge, so you won't be able to complete the project in one sitting since you have to let that paper dry. I would guess that all together, this project only took about 2 hours to complete.



My finished piece!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

I'm Going Batty!


I found this j'adorable (as Jonathan Adler would say) bat garland at Martha Stewart online. It looks so easy to make! I can't wait to try to make it. I think it would look great in my entry way and on my fireplace mantel (if I can only get Phillip to move all of his tools for the porch project out of my way).

By the way, have a great weekend!!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Sew...



I am SOOOOOOOO excited! Today I registered for a beginning sewing class. Hopefully, I will soon be able to create some of the adorable and lovely things I am always admiring from other people. My first class begins October 7. Once class begins, I will keep you posted on the progress.