Thank you, everyone, for your support throughout the year. Your lovely comments have meant so much to me. I wish you and your family joy and happiness this Christmas!
Mele Kalikimaka!
Aloha!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Magic of Christmas Never Ends and it's Greatest Gifts Are Family and Friends
Thank you, everyone, for your support throughout the year. Your lovely comments have meant so much to me. I wish you and your family joy and happiness this Christmas!
Mele Kalikimaka!
Aloha!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Cute as a Button!
If you are looking for something fun and playful to wear at your next holiday gathering, have I got the perfect project for you. I found a fabulous tutorial on Jo in TAS for a scrumptious button necklace. This is a quick and easy project to make so I hope that you give it a try.
I wanted something delicious and candy-like and decided on this colorful assortment of buttons. It reminds me of the candy necklaces that I wore as a child, minus all the stickiness, of course.
This green and brown combination is a little more sophisticated and I love how it turned out.
I am not an avid jewelry maker so I do not have necklace clasps at my disposal. Since I do have jewelry pliers and wire, I opted for an Egyptian Clasp closure instead.
I love buttons so this was the perfect project for me.
Mele Kalikimaka! May the closeness of family and friends renew your spirits this holiday season.
Aloha!
I wanted something delicious and candy-like and decided on this colorful assortment of buttons. It reminds me of the candy necklaces that I wore as a child, minus all the stickiness, of course.
This green and brown combination is a little more sophisticated and I love how it turned out.
I am not an avid jewelry maker so I do not have necklace clasps at my disposal. Since I do have jewelry pliers and wire, I opted for an Egyptian Clasp closure instead.
I love buttons so this was the perfect project for me.
Mele Kalikimaka! May the closeness of family and friends renew your spirits this holiday season.
Aloha!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Flakey Goodness
Felt snowflakes on my Christmas tree...
...with sweet sugar cookie centers. Yummy!
Wouldn't they be cute tucked into the branches of a white Christmas tree? Maybe one day.
Season's Sweet Things to you, my friends.
Aloha,
...with sweet sugar cookie centers. Yummy!
Wouldn't they be cute tucked into the branches of a white Christmas tree? Maybe one day.
Season's Sweet Things to you, my friends.
Aloha,
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Surf Kitty, U.S.A.
I couldn't make it to Waimea Bay this past week to catch the 40-50 foot momboosa waves so I thought I'd hang ten at home.
Just ridin' them waves...shootin' the curl...havin' a good old time. I'm so stoked.
Mele Kalikimaka!
Aloha,
Mousie
Just ridin' them waves...shootin' the curl...havin' a good old time. I'm so stoked.
Mele Kalikimaka!
Aloha,
Mousie
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Faux Boxwood Mini Wreath
**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**
I haven't had the time to make new tutorials lately so I thought I'd take you along for the ride as I create one of my own Christmas decorations. This little wreath can be hung on a wall or on the Christmas tree. It reminds me of the beautiful and delicate boxwood wreaths that you often see in country decorating.
To make the wreath base, you will need two 6-inch green felt circles with a 3-inch circle removed from it's center. You will also need a 5-1/4-inch circle of cardboard with a 3-3/4-inch circle removed from it's center.
Join both felt pieces together along the center circle using 6 strands of embroidery floss and a blanket stitch.
Add the cardboard circle between both pieces of felt, creating a "donut sandwich" with the cardboard acting as the filling. It is vital that you add the cardboard before you begin sewing the outside perimeter.
Begin blanket stitching the outside perimeter of the base. Lightly stuff with fiberfill as you go along. The stuffing should be placed only on one side of the cardboard. This will keep the back flat and the front slightly domed in shape.
Continue sewing until you have gone completely around the perimeter.
To make the leaves, begin with a 2-3/8-inch circle of green fabric.
Fold in half, wrong sides facing each other.
Folded both ends toward the center.
With needle and matching thread, take a running stitch close to the raw edge.
Gather, and tie off with a secure knot before cutting thread.
Make lot's of them.
To begin assembly, hot glue leaves onto the front (domed side) of the base. Stagger leaves for a more natural and eye pleasing look.
Continue gluing leaves around the base until it is completely covered.
Add decorations if you'd like or leave it plain. I decided to use mini red pony beads. Add a ribbon for hanging and it is ready to enjoy.
This wreath would look wonderful in an assortment of green fabrics. This is the perfect excuse to dig into your scrap bin and use up all of those tiny scrap pieces that you've been stashing away.
The holiday's are upon us and it is so easy to get wrapped up in the madness, especially when there is so much to do. Don't forget to take the time to sit back and enjoy the season!
Aloha!
I haven't had the time to make new tutorials lately so I thought I'd take you along for the ride as I create one of my own Christmas decorations. This little wreath can be hung on a wall or on the Christmas tree. It reminds me of the beautiful and delicate boxwood wreaths that you often see in country decorating.
To make the wreath base, you will need two 6-inch green felt circles with a 3-inch circle removed from it's center. You will also need a 5-1/4-inch circle of cardboard with a 3-3/4-inch circle removed from it's center.
Join both felt pieces together along the center circle using 6 strands of embroidery floss and a blanket stitch.
Add the cardboard circle between both pieces of felt, creating a "donut sandwich" with the cardboard acting as the filling. It is vital that you add the cardboard before you begin sewing the outside perimeter.
Begin blanket stitching the outside perimeter of the base. Lightly stuff with fiberfill as you go along. The stuffing should be placed only on one side of the cardboard. This will keep the back flat and the front slightly domed in shape.
Continue sewing until you have gone completely around the perimeter.
To make the leaves, begin with a 2-3/8-inch circle of green fabric.
Fold in half, wrong sides facing each other.
Folded both ends toward the center.
With needle and matching thread, take a running stitch close to the raw edge.
Gather, and tie off with a secure knot before cutting thread.
Make lot's of them.
To begin assembly, hot glue leaves onto the front (domed side) of the base. Stagger leaves for a more natural and eye pleasing look.
Continue gluing leaves around the base until it is completely covered.
Add decorations if you'd like or leave it plain. I decided to use mini red pony beads. Add a ribbon for hanging and it is ready to enjoy.
This wreath would look wonderful in an assortment of green fabrics. This is the perfect excuse to dig into your scrap bin and use up all of those tiny scrap pieces that you've been stashing away.
The holiday's are upon us and it is so easy to get wrapped up in the madness, especially when there is so much to do. Don't forget to take the time to sit back and enjoy the season!
Aloha!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Hexagon Flower Ornaments
**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**
I am in love with these rainbow hexagon blooms. They're so yummy and petite and measure just under 2-1/2 inches.
To create these ornaments, I hand stitched hexagons together to form two 6-petal flowers.
With wrong sides facing each other, the hexagons were joined together using a ladder stitch.
I lightly stuffed the flowers with polyfill before closing the final seam.
A button was sewn to both sides of the flower center. To give it a slightly tufted look, the thread was pulled tight as the buttons were being sewn on.
They look so cute tucked between the branches of the Christmas tree.
Hope you're enjoying the holiday season!
Aloha!
I am in love with these rainbow hexagon blooms. They're so yummy and petite and measure just under 2-1/2 inches.
To create these ornaments, I hand stitched hexagons together to form two 6-petal flowers.
With wrong sides facing each other, the hexagons were joined together using a ladder stitch.
I lightly stuffed the flowers with polyfill before closing the final seam.
A button was sewn to both sides of the flower center. To give it a slightly tufted look, the thread was pulled tight as the buttons were being sewn on.
They look so cute tucked between the branches of the Christmas tree.
Hope you're enjoying the holiday season!
Aloha!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Snowflakes in my Holly
**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**
It is exciting to add a new ornament or two to the tree each year. This is a quick and easy project that can be whipped up in no time flat and is sure to leave you with oodles of spare time to bake up those cookies and wrap up those presents.
This project requires small pieces of green and red fabric, white felt, Heat 'n Bond Ultra, cardboard, 2 white buttons, 8" piece of gold thread, pencil for tracing, hot glue, sewing needle and red thread, an iron and pressing surface, and scissors.
To create the large leaf pattern, start with a piece of paper that is 2 inches in length by 7/8 inches in width. Divide into three parts as shown in the diagram. Draw a holly leaf shape within the space as shown. Both sides of the leaf should be a mirror image of the other.
To create the small leaf pattern, start with a piece of paper that is 1-1/2 inches in length by 5/8 inches in width. Divide into three parts as shown in the diagram. Draw a holly leaf shape within the space as shown. Both sides of the leaf should be a mirror image of the other.
Cut the shapes from the paper and transfer the shapes to carboard. This will become your leaf patterns.
Along with the holly leaves, you will need a 3" circle and two 1-3/8" circles with a small hole in the center.
Trace 8 large and 8 small holly leaf shapes onto the non-glue side of a sheet of Heat 'n Bond Ultra. Iron the Heat 'n Bond onto the wrong side of a piece of green fabric. Cut out all 16 leaf shapes.
Remove the paper backing and iron 4 large and 4 small holly leaf shapes onto white felt. Be sure to leave a minimum of 3/8" between the shapes.
Cut around each leaf shape leaving a scant 1/8" margin of felt around the edges.
Turn holly leaves over with the plain side of the felt facing up. Fuse the remaining fabric leaf shapes to the felt. Bonding both sides adds stability to the holly leaves and also adds a finish to both sides.
To make the holly berries, use the 3" circle template to cut two fabric circles from red fabric.
With needle and thread, take a 1/4" running stitch around the perimeter of the fabric circle, folding in the raw edges approx. 1/8" as you sew.
Place cardboard in the center.
Gather and knot securely.
Sew a white button to the center of the holly berry. The hole in the cardboard is there to make sewing on the button easier. Repeat this process with the second fabric round.
Glue the eight holly leaves to the wrong side of the first holly berry, alternating large and small leaves as you go around. Glue the second berry on top to hide the mechanics.
Sew an 8" piece of gold thread into the felt portion of one of the large holly leaves, approx. 3/8" from the top.
A quick and easy Holly Leaf Snowflake to brighten up your tree. Imagine a white Christmas tree with nothing but these snowflakes, shiny red bulbs, and twinkling white lights. Not exactly traditional, but it works for me.
Enjoy!
Aloha!
It is exciting to add a new ornament or two to the tree each year. This is a quick and easy project that can be whipped up in no time flat and is sure to leave you with oodles of spare time to bake up those cookies and wrap up those presents.
This project requires small pieces of green and red fabric, white felt, Heat 'n Bond Ultra, cardboard, 2 white buttons, 8" piece of gold thread, pencil for tracing, hot glue, sewing needle and red thread, an iron and pressing surface, and scissors.
To create the large leaf pattern, start with a piece of paper that is 2 inches in length by 7/8 inches in width. Divide into three parts as shown in the diagram. Draw a holly leaf shape within the space as shown. Both sides of the leaf should be a mirror image of the other.
To create the small leaf pattern, start with a piece of paper that is 1-1/2 inches in length by 5/8 inches in width. Divide into three parts as shown in the diagram. Draw a holly leaf shape within the space as shown. Both sides of the leaf should be a mirror image of the other.
Cut the shapes from the paper and transfer the shapes to carboard. This will become your leaf patterns.
Along with the holly leaves, you will need a 3" circle and two 1-3/8" circles with a small hole in the center.
Trace 8 large and 8 small holly leaf shapes onto the non-glue side of a sheet of Heat 'n Bond Ultra. Iron the Heat 'n Bond onto the wrong side of a piece of green fabric. Cut out all 16 leaf shapes.
Remove the paper backing and iron 4 large and 4 small holly leaf shapes onto white felt. Be sure to leave a minimum of 3/8" between the shapes.
Cut around each leaf shape leaving a scant 1/8" margin of felt around the edges.
Turn holly leaves over with the plain side of the felt facing up. Fuse the remaining fabric leaf shapes to the felt. Bonding both sides adds stability to the holly leaves and also adds a finish to both sides.
To make the holly berries, use the 3" circle template to cut two fabric circles from red fabric.
With needle and thread, take a 1/4" running stitch around the perimeter of the fabric circle, folding in the raw edges approx. 1/8" as you sew.
Place cardboard in the center.
Gather and knot securely.
Sew a white button to the center of the holly berry. The hole in the cardboard is there to make sewing on the button easier. Repeat this process with the second fabric round.
Glue the eight holly leaves to the wrong side of the first holly berry, alternating large and small leaves as you go around. Glue the second berry on top to hide the mechanics.
Sew an 8" piece of gold thread into the felt portion of one of the large holly leaves, approx. 3/8" from the top.
A quick and easy Holly Leaf Snowflake to brighten up your tree. Imagine a white Christmas tree with nothing but these snowflakes, shiny red bulbs, and twinkling white lights. Not exactly traditional, but it works for me.
Enjoy!
Aloha!