Tutorial--Heart to Heart Valentine Tufted Pin

**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**

This is a very simple Valentines pin that can be put together in less than an hour. Change the fabrics to pastels and this could be your Easter or Spring pin. How about Christmas themed fabrics to dress up a holiday party outfit. The possibilities are only limited to your imagination.

To make this pin, you will need a needle, thread, embroidery floss, 3 coordinating fabrics, cardboard for pattern, polyester fiberfil, felt, a small button, a pin back, and a hot glue gun.

For the petals:
Cut a 3-1/2" circle from cardboard. Trace the petal pattern 3 times onto the wrong side of both coordinating fabrics. With your scissor, cut out the 6 petals.

For the flower center:
Cut a 1-3/4" circle from cardboard. Trace once onto your fabric of choice. With your scissor, cut out the circle.


To create the cardboard flower center base:

1) Cut a 1" circle from cardboard.
2) With a ruler and a pencil, draw 6 even pie-shaped pieces onto the circle.
3) With your scissor, cut a small notch where the 6 lines meet the outer edge of the circle.
4) Trim the pointy edges of the notch to form a smooth petal shape.
5) With a 1/8" paper punch, punch a hole into the center of the flower base.


Here are the components you will need to create the flower.


Take the first 3-1/4" circle, fold it in half and lightly finger press.


Fold in half again and lightly finger press.


With needle and thread, take a running stitch along the curved edge of each petal, alternating between each of your coordinating fabrics as you go along.


After all 6 petals are on the thread, clip the thread to release the needle.


Tie both ends of the thread together to form a circle of petals. Clip thread close to knot. Set piece aside.


For the flower center:

With needle and thread, take a running stitch around the perimeter of the 1-3/4" circle.


With wrong side of fabric facing up, place a tiny bit of fiberfil into the center of the circle.


Press the cardboard flower center base on top of the fiberfil and draw the fabric tightly around it, trapping both the fiberfil and the cardboard base inside. Tie off with a secure knot. Cut the thread close to the knot.


Thread 3 strands of embroidery floss onto a needle. Tie a knot on one end. Bring the needle up through the hole in the cardboard base and straight through the center.


Bring your needle around to the back and up through the hole once again. With your finger, feel for one of the notches and make sure that the embroidery thread falls into the groove. Pull embroidery thread taught.
Repeat this process 5 more times.


At this stage, the embroidery floss should still be attached to the flower base and it should also be coming out from the center top.


Thread a button onto the embroidery floss and sew it to the middle of the flower center. Tie off with a secure knot to the back of the flower center.


Gather all components together.


With hot glue, attach the flower center to the center front of the ring of petals.


Turn the flower over with it's back facing up. Apply a puddle of hot glue into the center hole. This will fill in the center of the ring of petals and also ensure that the flower center will stay firmly attached. Set aside for a couple of minutes to allow the glue to cool and harden.


Glue a 1" piece of felt to cover the mechanics.


Glue on a pin back.


All done!


Have fun with this tutorial!
Aloha!

It's That Time Again

I can't believe that it's that time of the week again. Diet Challenge check in time! Well, I am down 1-1/2 pounds this week. I have lost a total of 5 pounds since starting the challenge 2-1/2 weeks ago. Although my loss isn't as great as last week, I am very satisfied. To reach the goal that was recommended by my doctor, I need to lose another 17-1/2 pounds. It won't be easy, but I know that I can do it!

Here is an easy Sloppy Joe recipe. Who doesn't love Sloppy Joes, right? This recipe is only 457 calories per serving and will serve 4.

Easy Italian Sausage Sloppy Joes

2 tsp. olive oil
1 chopped bell pepper
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 lb. lean Italian hot or sweet turkey sausage
1 cup prepared spaghetti sauce
1 tsp. dried basil
4 (8-inch)toasted French bread rolls
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

Heat oil over medium heat. Add bell pepper and garlic, cook 3 minutes. Remove sausage casings and crumble; add to skillet. Cook until no longer pink. Add spaghetti sauce and basil and cook about 10 minutes or until thickened. Spoon on top of rolls and top with cheese. Enjoy!

On an entirely different subject...Remember when I told you how much I love makeup? Well, I recently got this bright idea of mixing up my own mica powders to create mineral eyeshadows since I love mineral makeup in general. I had been reading about how to do it online and had also viewed several clips on YouTube about it. Well, I've had my supplies for over a month now (ordered it from TKB Trading) and I still haven't tried it yet.

I purchased a ton of little jars with sifters (well, not a ton but 500) with high hopes of mixing up every conceivable color imaginable. Possibly a little over ambitious, eh?



I also purchased their Matte Texture Base. This is a blend of natural ingredients that the company put together for the purpose of making eyeshadow. Since it is already mixed for me, I just need to add it to the mica's to create the eyeshadow.


I ordered a total of 100 mica powders. The color's are all so beautiful. The mica's can be combined to create any color that you can think of.





I know, who needs 500 eyeshadows, right? Well, maybe I don't NEED it but I surely WANT it. LOL Now I just have to find the time to sit down and do it. I'm sure it will be loads of fun. At least that's what I keep telling myself anyway.

Take care!

Aloha!

Tutorial---Fancy Facial Tissue Pocket

**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**

I would like to share my method of making a facial tissue pocket. This tutorial will also show you how to create "faux" seam binding at the opening of the tissue pocket. It looks almost like the real thing, I promise, only way easier.

There are very simple pattern pieces involved. It requires as little as two pattern pieces, three if you'd like to create a yo-yo embellishment.

Please do not let the overwhelming amount of photos discourage you from attempting this project. I wanted to provide complete details in case a sewing novice would like to try this. I would estimate that this project can be put together in approximately 20-30 minutes from beginning to end, depending on your sewing expertise.

Let's begin.

You will need two coordinating or contrasting fabrics to create this tissue pocket.

For the outside of your tissue pocket:
Cut a piece of fabric measuring 6-1/4" x 6-1/2". Because both of the pattern pieces are similar in size, mark the 6-1/4" side either by cutting a couple of small notches into the edge or by marking it with a pen. These markings will come in handy when attaching this piece to the lining.

For the lining:
Cut a piece of fabric measuring 6-1/4" x 7-1/2", notching or marking the 6-1/4" edge.

If you'd like to embellish your tissue pocket with a yo-yo, cut a 2" circle from the lining fabric.



Here are the fabrics that I have chosen. Each piece has been cut accordingly and notched on the 6-1/4" edge. I have also included a 2" fabric circle as I will be embellishing my tissue pocket with a yo-yo.


With right sides together, pin the outside fabric to the lining on the 6-1/4" edge. Be sure that you have placed the correct edges together by referring back to the notches or marks that you previously made.


Sew a 1/4" seam.


Pin opposite side in the same manner.


Sew a 1/4" seam.


With an iron, press both seams open.


Turn right side out. With lining side facing down, center the outside panel so that it is equally bordered by the lining on both sides; press flat with an iron.


With the lining side facing up, bring one side of the finished seam up toward the center. Pin in place approx. 1/8" over the center mark.



Fold the other side to the center, also overlapping 1/8" over the center mark.


We will be making a French Seam to encase all raw edges to keep them from fraying.

Sew a 1/4" seam from the raw edge on both sides.


Trim seams on both sides very close to the sewn edge.



Turn inside out (lining will now be on the outside)



Sew 1/4" seam on both sides.


This is what your tissue pocket will look like with both sides sewn.


Turn right side out.


I am sure that most of you know how to make a yo-yo so I am not going to demonstrate it here. Embellish your Fancy Facial Tissue Pocket with a yo-yo and a button and fill it with your favorite facial tissue.


Enjoy!

Signs and Tags

Signage is a very important element to a craft fair table. Many people use computer generated signs. They're clean and easy to read. I choose a more cutesy, handmade approach to sign making as you will see in the pictures below.

To create my signs, I use 110 weight cardstock. I have used acid free scrapbooking paper (expensive) in a pinch but this is not necessary. Regular old cardstock (cheap) will do the trick.


Once again, Heat 'n Bond Ultra comes in handy. This stuff is not only great for bonding fabric together, but it works for paper too.


Use your paper punches for the decorative elements on your sign. You can also use a scissor to cut your shapes.


I normally cut the Heat'n Bond to the same size as a sheet of cardstock. I use an iron to adhere the Heat'n Bond to the cardstock. If you have trouble with the cardstock warping due to the heat, place the freshly bonded cardstock onto a flat surface and pile some books on top of it. When the cardstock has cooled, remove it from under the books. It should now be flat and easy to work with.

Do not remove the paper backed Heat'n Bond from the cardstock until after it has been punched. The backing has a waxy finish to it that will help it to glide easily through the paper punch. Removing the paper backing prior to punching will make the cardstock stick to the punch and make punching more difficult.


The following three photo's will show you several sign designs that I have used in the past. All elements have been attached using Heat 'n Bond. Eliminating liquid glue also eliminates the mess. Use your iron to attach each element to your sign.

This sign is a snowflake design that I have used for fairs done during the winter months.


This is a simple circle posy design that can be used all year. Notice that on this sign I have used clear contact paper over the face of the sign to protect it from over handling and also from the elements.


All you scrapbookers out there will recognize this peppermint candy design. It is made using round paper punched pieces that have been cut apart and then reassembled into a delicious looking peppermint candy. Hmmmm....wish I had one now! LOL


I also make my own hangtags. I use these types of tags on large items such as handbags. The following is a sample of some that you can easily assemble using paper and other elements. You'd be surprised at how many customers appreciate creative and interesting hangtags.

Some of you may already have paper punches in the shapes of tags. I don't, so I just cut pieces of cardstock, nip off the top corners, punch a hole in the center top, add the decorative elements and some string for hanging.

This tag is completely made from paper, Heat'n Bond and a hot iron.


Fabric yo-yo lovers have atleast a gazillion of these beauties hanging around just waiting for a project to be used on. Topped with a button, these make an interesting and eye catching tag.


The next 3 tags show you that you can use any shape to create a tag. Who says your tag cannot be round or perhaps a flower or triangular shape. Use your imagination and create something pleasing in design. Your customers will love that you've taken the time to add one more interesting and thoughtful component to your handcrafted pieces.

The paper elements on this tag have been fused using an iron and Heat'n Bond. Hot glue a button to the flower center for added visual appeal.


Scrapbooking elements, like these that were given to me by Lorraine, can also be used to create an eye catching design.


How about small silk flowers? They add a very boutique feel to your tags.


Remember, the items that I have shown you are just a few of the things that you can add to your signs and hangtags. You can use crocheted flowers, flower trims that can be purchased by the yard and then cut into individual pieces, natural things such as pressed flowers and leaves, even shapes cut from fabric. The possibilities are endless.

Thank you, everyone, for your concern and well wishes as I went through the colonoscopy. I think that anytime we go through procedures to see if everything is in good working order, we experience anxiety and fear. I know my imagination goes wild and I start thinking of all of the bad that a test can reveal. Thankfully, everything went very well. A small non-cancerous polyp was removed and I am fine. After returning home from the hospital, I dove into bed and slept the anesthesia off until the next morning.

I have to say that the worst part of the procedure is the prep. Drinking a gallon of salty liquid (the drink from hell, according to Stephanie.) within a 4 hour period wasn't pleasant at all. Stephanie's recommendation (she's an RN) to use a straw is spot on, and is exactly how I did it. Whenever I have something unpleasant to drink, I always reach for a straw. Just be very careful when putting a straw into the back of your throat as the tissue there is very soft and can easily be injured due to the straw's rigidness.

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Aloha!