Organizing Craft Space

Tags

Craft Space, Crafts

Yup, I’m organizing my craft space. After seeing this…..

this….

and this….

I’ve been inspired to get mine looking prettier and more organized! Since I live in a condo, I don’t have the luxurious space that those craft rooms have, but I can work with the space I do have:)

To get this project started, the first thing I did is take a trip to Ikea. I found a shelf that was exactly what I was looking for. I’ve put together the shelf with the help of my husband. Here it is, the first piece to my organizing process…

Once my space is complete, I will be sharing it with you, so be sure to come back and check it out!

Thanksgiving Decorating

Tags

Crafts, DIY, Fall, Mason Jars, Pumpkins

I really enjoyed putting together my Eid vignette, so I decided to put one together for Thanksgiving.

I shared the give thanks sign in my last post. In case you missed that post, check it out… I tell you how I made it and what we did with the leaves. Since the sign was mainly made using yarn, I carried out the yarn theme throughout the vignette.

Everything I used for the vignette I already had on hand. I had these pumpkins displayed elsewhere but moved them over here and added yarn and chiffon fabric scraps for the bows.

You probably will never guess what my candle holders are, so I’ll just have to tell you! They are wooden serving pedestal bowls that I just turned upside down. I probably should have taken a “before” picture! I tied yarn around them and mini pumpkins. Then I placed little mason jars on top. Since I don’t intend to keep the bowls as candle holders (the bowls are really cool as serving vessels too!), I held the jars in place with sticky dots. I placed tea candles in each jar. I have to admit that these “candle holders” are my favorite part of the vignette…they make me smile:)

Especially when the candles are lit up…so pretty!

I would love to hear your thoughts! Also, if you’ve decorated for Thanksgiving, I would love to see it!

Don’t forget to check out the linky parties I attend where you will find all these amazingly talented and inspiring crafters! Also, as always, the list of parties is in the right hand side panel.

Give Thanks

Tags

Crafts, DIY, Fall, Glitter, Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving! There’s the yummy turkey, which, if there’s leftovers, is even yummier the next day. Gotta love those left overs:) Then even better yet, the stuffing! I have to have mine directly from the turkey..it is called stuffing after all! Of course who doesn’t love the desserts after dinner?! Just give me a piece of apple pie and pumpkin pie, and I’m all set! Most importantly, though, is being thankful for God’s blessings! Of course, we should be thankful for His blessings every day. What makes Thanksgiving special to me is that it’s a time when you can have your loved ones around you and together celebrate His blessings.

My craft for you today is a “give thanks” sign.

I used a 36 inch tall wood plank and covered it in yarn. For the words I used chip board letters and painted them with acrylic paint. The paint is from Martha Stewart’s new line (I think it’s new; it’s new to me!).

Yes, I used glitter!! At least it wasn’t glitter blast this time, right? Ok, I confess, I had intended to buy Glitter Blast but the orange was sold out:( Then I remembered that at the time I bought the gold paint that Martha also had some glitter paint, and sure enough she had some in orange. It’s actually called fire opal. The result of the stuff was great, but I had to put 4-5 coats to get the Glitter Blast effect. Of course, you guys can go the old fashioned route and use glitter and glue. I was just trying to speed up the process which Glitter Blast would have done, but with 4-5 coats (and drying time in between coats) I’m not sure if I can say I sped up the process (I’m getting a head shake, aren’t I?). It’s ok though because I got to experiment with a new product and it gave me the end result I was looking for:)

For the leaves I used cardstock samples that were sent to my husband a few years ago. He used to be a book publisher, and had a binder of sample cardstock that he had no use for, so that was a score for me! They were about half sheet sizes and one color of each sample, so I hadn’t had a use for them until now! I used my handy Silhouette to cut out the leaves. I divided up the leaves amongst the four of us (the Mr., the girls, and myself), and on the back of the leaves, we each wrote what we are thankful for. I’m thinking it would be cute to read them to each other on Thanksgiving Day:)

Now, for the final component of this sign..the cute little miniature sized clothes pins! I had bought them when I had made the Eid advent calendar. At first, I couldn’t find the size I ended up using, so I bought these minis as back up. I never returned them, so they were hanging around and waiting to be used..hehe! Sure enough, I found them a job…to hold the leaves in place! I painted them the same gold as the “give”.

You can easily turn this into an advent calendar if you make the leaves smaller…that would be cute too! Maybe I’ll do that for next Thanksgiving:)

I hope you guys liked my sign. Would love to know what you think!

I’m linking up to these great parties, which you can also find listed in the right hand side panel. Go support my fellow crafters by visiting their blogs and leaving them sweet comments!

Sew Tweed!

Tags

Children, Eid, Sewing

Today’s post: Susu’s and Suraya’s Eid outfits. The inspiration: Tweed!

The moment I found the fabric I used for Susu’s outfit I envisioned a long jacket/coat and wide leg pants.

I used velour fabric for the pants. I had wanted to use wool but I had a hard time finding it in winter white. The one place I found it didn’t have enough yardage. I really didn’t think it was going to be hard to find winter white wool fabric! Eventually I found it, but would have had to drive 45 minutes to get it which I was willing to do. I had shown Susu the velour fabric (it was the back up). She loved how soft it was and wanted that instead. So velour it was!

It was pink, brown, and ivory for Suraya! I love the ruffle pants, so that was an obvious choice for this outfit! I added a flower with a pink gemstone in the center.

Every Eid I like my newest creations better than the last. Mainly because with each creation I learn something new which is always exciting! For these outfits, it was lining and a zipper. Also, it was my first time working with tweed.

The girls loved their outfits and they were a big hit!

I’m linking up to these parties, so be sure to stop by!

Eid Vignette

Tags

Crafts, DIY, Eid

Tomorrow is Eid! I’m almost all set… just a few finishing touches on Susu’s outfit, a few gifts I still need to get, and gift wrapping. Am I forgetting anything? I hope not!

Yesterday, I finally was able to put together my Eid vignette! Tell me what you think.

I did make the ruffled table runner specifically for this vignette:) It was inspired by The Shabby Creek Cottage. You can find a similar one in her shop, but without a doubt with better workmanship than mine:)

I also made a simple garland using gold and green doilies along with the same plum ribbon I used on the “E” lamb… I thought it was a fun way to bring in the colors I used in the Eid lambs. I kept the green in the garland subtle, but looking at the picture I think I should have let it peek out just a tad bit more:) Everything I used to make the garland I already had on hand!

The Kaba sitting on the gold cake stand was made by Susu about a couple years ago (or so). I actually didn’t know she had it! It was a nice touch to the set up. Just don’t open it;) Hehe. Don’t worry, all you’ll find are some of Susu’s craft supplies! I told her she can keep them in there since it’s a temporary display. I’ll definitely be using her Kaba every year!

Nope, I didn’t make the candle holders:) I was on a hunt for tall candle holders (that I can just spray paint) at all the bargain type places, but had no luck. It’s more fun to make something out of bargains…and isn’t saving also kind of the point of DIY? Anyway, on yesterday’s trip to Michael’s, I decided to check out their selection. They currently have 40% off on their candle holders (I think it was just the crystal holders). Instead of finding something I can spray paint myself, I found these purple and gold holders! They weren’t exactly what I initially had in mind, but the color was perfect and they were $7 each…not too bad for ready made! I contemplated spray painting the stems gold… What do you guys think?

Now, I’m off to finish my to do’s:D Thanks for checking out my Eid vignette! Have a happy and blessed Eid!!

As always, I’m partying here!

Eid al-Adha Gift Baskets

Tags

Crafts, DIY, Eid, Fabric Flowers, Gift Basket, Holiday Treats

I think I’ve told you guys that I love making Eid treats for the family. As much as I love making the treats, my favorite part is dressing up the treats with cute packaging:D It’s all about presentation! Who doesn’t love pretty presentation…especially a yummy treat in a pretty package! For this coming Eid al-Adha I’ve decided to do a basket with an assortment of treats. Also, I thought it would be fun to turn it into a little basket making party, so I invited my sister-in-laws to join me! Susu and Suraya too!

I’ve been thinking about Eid al-Adha’s treats since Eid al-Fitr with ideas sparking here and there, but I was unable to settle on an idea that I really loved. I knew some of the type of packaging I wanted to use and treats that I wanted to make, but the puzzle didn’t come together until the final piece arrived last week on Monday. So here it is ladies (and gentlemen, of course!), the Eid al-Adha gift basket!

Now, allow me to share each of the components that make up the gift basket. There is a story behind each item and how it came about, but to share would mean we would be here all day:P So straight to the point we shall go! First, the basket! I love the simplicity of this berry basket and the rustic look it offers. I found it here at Garnish. If you want cute, simple and unique packaging, this is a place you will want to check out!

The treats that make up the basket are pretzel treats, cake balls, and Chex Muddy Buddies. I L-O-V-E love pretzel treats! They were packaged in recycled jars. Using the left over gold spray paint from the advent calendar, I spray painted their caps gold to make them prettier and somewhat unified. The cake balls were packaged in the craft wood cylinder containers. I found these containers at Michael’s in their bargain section. They originally came with a thin faux brown leather strap that ties the container down, but I replaced it with black satin ribbon. Each cake ball was placed in a mini cupcake liner in teal and golden yellow (which I had on hand from the Wilton Tent Sale!).

The Chex Muddy Buddies were packaged using the damask treat bag. I first placed them in plastic cookie bags to keep the treats from greasing the treat bag. Then, I sewed the treat bags to seal them shut. The damask treat bags are from Shop Sweet Lulu. You’ve got to check out her shop! Talk about cuteness!! These bags were the last piece of the puzzle. Once I received them, I knew exactly how I wanted to decorate the basket!

As for the rest of the accessories…

The teal damask print clothespins are from The Shabby Creek Shop. A cute Etsy shop that is a must to check out! At the time I bought the clothespins, she was having a 40% off special on everything in her shop! A magnet was added to the back of each clothespin to give them something to do afterwards:D The cute gem stone flowers, made by Susu, were glued to the clothespin! Susu makes and sells assorted flowers for any type of embellishing…hair accessories, gift packaging, shoe embellishing, brooches, etc! The “Happy Eid” tags I made with my Silhouette using scrapbook paper I already had on hand. I couldn’t find yellow shredded paper, so I made my own…which actually ended up being A LOT cheaper! The fabric scraps and baker’s twine I already had on hand.

Each basket was wrapped in cellophane wrap and tied off with the same fabric used on the sides of the basket.

There you have it, the Eid al-Adha gift basket! I hope the recipients like them… and I hope you do too!

Linking at these awesome parties!

November 3rd update: Thanks Garnish for sharing my basket!