Hi everyone,
Did you know that MARCH is NATIONAL CRAFT MONTH?
I have been surfing the net and found some great Mixed Media projects over at
Just giving you all the heads up so that you too can be inspired by all the crafty projects over there.
xoxo
Lyn Dwyer
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To avoid being pinched, add a pop of green (and cuteness) through hair accessories and have fun in the process using high quality sewing tools and versatile shape templates!
I have designed three different accessories (plus a fun prop for the boys) that can likely be made with things you already have around the house. These are good last-minute crafts for St. Patrick's Day Eve.
T-Shirt Headband
If you don't have any hair accessories around to alter, how about an old tee you can cut up? I am quite obsessed with working with old t-shirts because I love the recycling aspect (and honestly I am just a very lazy sewer!).
1. To create the very simple band, cut a strip of t-shirt (at desired width) using a rotary cutter and acrylic ruler on a cutting mat. Place around head to get length and subtract a few inches to get a comfy fit. Simply sew the ends together. Now you are ready to embellish.
2. You can create a template if you are making more than one clover flower, or simply draw directly onto the edge of t-shirt material using a disappearing ink fabric marker. Here I created a template using cardstock. Trace the 1.5 inch circle from the Circles-1 template four times in a row with sides touching while lining up the bottom of the cardstock (or fabric) with the first grid line from the bottom on the template as shown. Trace onto tee and cut out with fabric scissors.
3. Hand sew a simple running stitch along the straight edge without any knotting.
4. Pull both ends of thread to gather the scallops to form a flower.
5. Knot threads together to secure. Sew onto band with thread and button.
Felt Shamrock Clip
Create a simple pop of color using some felt and the Hearts shape template.
1. Using a disappearing ink fabric marker, trace four 1.25 inch hearts onto green felt and four 1 inch hearts onto a lighter green felt. Cut out all hearts.
2. Using a hot glue gun (or felt glue), adhere a smaller heart onto each larger heart with the pointed ends aligned. Glue all hearts into a clover shape onto a 1 inch circle of felt base cut using Circles template. Glue button at center.
3. Stitch or glue felt clover onto a pin or clip to wear in hair.
Looped Shamrock Headband
This headband embellishment looks quite involved, but is actually simple to make using strips of felt and ... a stapler?
1. Cut 1 inch wide strips of green felt. You will need one 3 inch long strip and two 2.5 inch strips.
2. Fold each strip in half and staple near the folded edge as shown. Staple? Yes, staple. This is my super lazy way of making this a no-sew project. Of course if you plan on keeping yours long-term, feel free to stitch this part for durability.
3. Fold the opposite direction and hot glue (on low temp) the very bottom edges of the longest strip together as shown.
4. Glue the bottom edge of one of the shorter strips (inside edge) to the outside bottom edge of the heart-shaped piece.
[insert patrick_band_demo2.jpg]
5. Glue the other end of second strip to the bottom of the heart-shaped piece, forming a second heart. Repeat on other side with remaining strip.
6. Hot glue looped shamrock onto wide headband to complete.
One last accessory is for the boys. My boys are obsessed with mustaches-on-sticks. Who am I kidding, I am even more obsessed. Just so much fun and a great photo prop. So of course St. Patrick's Day deserves its very own green version!
1. Fold a piece of stiffened green felt (it's sold this way at the craft store) and trace a leaf from the Flowers & Fun template on the folded edge.
2. Cut out with fabric scissors, unfold, and hot glue to a thin dowel. It doesn't get much easier (or cuter) than that!
I challenge you to create a little something fun to accessorize with this St. Patrick's Day!
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If you are after further crafty inspiration then why not pop on over to www2Fiskars.com and check out more of Lisa's fabulous projects along with the other Fiskars Design Team projects!
xoxo
Lyn
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Do you need a little motivation? Use your tools and paper crafting supplies to create a book log & reading calendar.
Do you need a place to jot down books that are suggested by friends? Or maybe you read a passage in a book that inspires you and want to remember?
Here is a mini book created with the Fuse Creativity System. Just cut the cardstock, patterned paper, lined paper, and chipboard effortlessly with your favorite Fuse Die. It’s super simple!
Add a few tags, and other inserts for titles and quotes. This would make a great gift for a friend who is also a book lover like your self.
Celebrating a new reader and their success?
Use reading logs or forms from school as ephemera on scrapbook layouts. This will definitely put a smile on your new reader’s face.
Do you want to declare how much you love to read and your passion for books?
This banner will inspire readers and decorate a little corner of a reading room or nook.
Cut a few extra pieces from the Curvy Square Fuse Die Cut, and use them to create a banner confirming your love for reading.
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Have you dropped by http://www2.fiskars.com/Crafting/Projects/Cards lately?
There are some fabulous crafty projects over there.......so why not grab yourself a coffee , put your feet up and head on over today if you are looking for some more inspiration...................... I love dropping by over there......the Fiskars Design Team always come up with some amazing projects and ways in which you can use your Fiskars Tools.
Did you know that we also have many Make'n'takes on our Blog right here?
Just click on the Make and Take link in the navigation bar at the top of the Blog.
You can also use the Google Search button up the top right hand side of our Blog....and just type in a few words with what you are looking for....then hit the Search button......easy peasy......and a great way to search our Fiskars Craft Blog!
We also welcome NEW Subscribers anytime.....that way you won't miss a thing!
Happy Crafting!
xoxo
Lyn
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Instructions
For further inspiring projects that can be created using the FISKARS FUSE......pop on over to http://www2.fiskars.com/Inspiration-Projects/Fuse-Projects
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I must admit I love seeing Emma's sewing projects over at
At the beginning of 2012, I made a new year’s resolution to sew myself one item of clothing every month, and having successfully completed 12 handmade items, I want to continue to build on my sewing skills this year. Though each of last year’s projects were different, I gained many transferable skills that have made me a better seamstress, and with each pattern I completed, I gained confidence in my ability and in my machine! I enjoyed picking fabrics, selecting styles and discovering some great sewing tricks and tips that were previously unknown to me. As a self-taught seamstress, these are the things I have had to acquire progressively over the last year and I’m determined not to let the hard work go to waste.
Now that I currently have plenty of handmade items proudly hanging in my closet, I have decided to concentrate on sewing children’s clothing during 2013. Conveniently, I have 2 children age 8 and 6, but I shall also be trying out other patterns for friends’ children of different ages. So, my new year’s resolution for 2013 is to sew one item of children’s clothing each month.
I begin my series with an embellished hoodie for my friend’s daughter as my January project, size 12 months.
I chose the Urban Hoodie pattern by Heidi & Finn, which I have sewn several times before and love.
Sewing such small items of clothing is a GREAT way to use up some larger fabric scraps you have lying around. I’m using some sweatshirt knit I have left over from a hoodie I made for myself back in May last year.
The Urban Hoodie is lined, which makes it so warm and snuggly. I am using tee shirt knit as my lining. When cutting/sewing with knits, it is important to take note of the direction of the stretch of the fabric. The stretch must run ACROSS the body/sleeves, as marked on the pattern pieces.
Before sewing the hoodie together, I decided I wanted to liven up the gray sweatshirt fabric, and also to personalize the hoodie, so I printed out the baby’s initial using a font I downloaded for free. I experimented with the sizing to make sure it fit onto the back of the hoodie pattern piece, then traced the letter onto freezer paper.
Next, using my Fiskars® Swivel Detail Knife, I cut out the letter to make a stencil.
I then ironed the freezer paper to the back pattern piece and made certain it adhered correctly. The font I chose has small pieces inside the letter, so I stuck each small piece in the correct position before ironing.
Using a fabric paint and sponge brush, I then carefully painted over my design. It’s important to make sure the design is centrally positioned on the back pattern piece. The easiest way to do that is to fold the pattern piece in half and mark the center point with a pin and match that to the center point of the stencil.
Once the paint has thoroughly dried you can peel off the freezer paper and your design will reveal itself. Treat your fabric paints as instructed on the container.
Following the pattern directions, finish sewing up the hoodie as instructed.
The hoodie requires a few buttons at the neck opening. I’ve long since given up with matching buttons and always enjoy mixing and matching a few for an individual, unique look.
Can't wait to see what Emma does next.......make sure you drop by over at
Do you have some New Year's Sewing plans? If so...share with us!
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It seemed so grown up and exciting!
This year you can help the new generation make those memories even more
special by hosting a family friendly party. With simple and colorful
decorations, dressed-up games, and fun accessories, you can’t go wrong.
First, set the stage with bright colors and a little sparkle. Tulle
pom poms are easy to make and cost-effective. They can be either
hanging or table-top decorations.
To make the pom poms, start with two yards of tulle (add more tulle for larger or fuller pom poms). Using Fiskars scissors, cut down the fold of the fabric. After doing so, there will be two pieces of tulle the same size – one on top of the other.
With the layers of fabric together, fold the fabric back and forth – accordion style. For larger pom poms, made the folds wider.
Once folded, keeps the folds on the top and bottom edges. Gather the fabric (open edges) from each side and tie tightly in the center.
Cut the folded edges apart with Fiskars scissors. Then pull all the layers apart to create a full pom pom. Add self-adhesive jewels to the tulle for a bit of sparkle.
A party wouldn’t be a party without costumes, right? Buy glittery top hats at a party supply store and add handcrafted accents.
Cut a 12 inch long strip of paper (width can vary) with the Fiskars SureCut Deluxe Craft Trimmer (12"). Using the paper trimmer or Fiskars scissors, make even vertical cuts the length of the paper (do not cut the strip all the way through; leave approximately a quarter of an inch uncut along the top of the paper). Roll the paper up from one side to the other. Open the cut ends and then tuck the paper roll behind the ribbon band added to the party hat.
Keep the party going with a dressed-up game. Try Bingo with punched shape markers. Simply punch stars and moons from pre-glittered paper using the Starry Night Lever Punch and Medium Twinkle Twinkle Squeeze Punch.
And before you ring in the new year, don’t forget to commemorate the past year in a time capsule. Buy a clear jar and add a band of patterned paper inside the jar. Embellish the paper with Diamond Edge Border Punch and back it another band of contrasting paper before placing it inside. Then let the party goers each add pictures, notes, and other items that represent the year.
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This is just another one of the fabulous projects that can be found over at Fiskars.com
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With people mingling and mixing, I like to have a few wine glass charms on hand to make it easier for guests to keep track of their beverage. Want to make a few charms of your own?
Wine charms are simple to make with Fiskars punches. Start by gathering a collection of cardstock & patterned paper. For an extra special touch, coordinate your charm colors with the holiday, or with your party theme.
1. To begin, punch the bases of your charms with Fiskars XXXX-Large Circle Lever Punch.
2. Use the Fiskars Everywhere punch to create an open center. You’ll then make a small slit in one side to allow you to slide the charm onto your wine glass.
3. For this charm, trim a strip of patterned paper, and then punch with the Jenni Bowlin Jester Border Punch. Fold in an accordian pattern, and adhere to the base.
4. Create decorative rings with 2 sizes of Round n Round punches. Embellish with brads.
5. For a fun star border, punch a strip of cardstock with the new Stars Aligned Interchangeable Border Punch.
6. Create a “ruffle” by folding pleats into the punched border and sandwiching between two layers of cardstock.
7. Embellish with punched stars and adhesive rhinestones.
8. Create a rustic flower charm by punching patterned paper with the Fiskars Round ‘n Round punch. Lightly spritz with water, and crumple gently.
9. Layer with another crumpled circle, and form a flower.
10. Insert a large brad for the flower’s center
For an extra festive touch, save the stars from the Stars Aligned Border Punch to use as confetti!
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Last time I was out at the Dollar Tree I spotted these cute little individual serving-sized bottled of Sparkling Red Grape Juice that resembled a fancy wine bottle and thought it would be perfect to dress them up a bit to make our celebration at home feel a little more special for my kids.
I’ve put together some other quick and easy ideas for your holiday celebrating! These ideas work for a New Year’s Eve celebration, but they are also suitable for any celebration whether it be a birthday, anniversary or wedding. Of course, each of these ideas uses some of my favorite Fiskars tools in very simple ways – simple because I want you to spend all your time celebrating this holiday, not slaving over your decorations.
It’s quite traditional to wish everyone to be healthy, wealthy and wise in the coming year and I wanted to put my own spin on wishing my family well by gifting them with words of motivation and affirmation inside of a paper fortune cookie party favor.
They are quite simple to make and only need a few supplies.
First decide upon your ‘fortunes’ and print them in your word processing program. You’ll want your phrases to stretch no longer than 4.5” long and no more than a few typed lines tall. You can google ‘fortune cookie sayings’ if you need help with wording your fortune.
Then, you’ll gather patterned papers and cut a 4.5” circle for each fortune using the Ultra ShapeXpress along with the smallest circle from the Super-Sized Circle Set.
Gently fold circle in half, creasing ONLY 1” in the middle. Open circle and add a glue dot approximately ¼” away from the crease on both sides of the crease. Then pinch the circle in half in the opposite direction of the crease, but DO NOT crease.
Instead, grab the opposing points with your thumb and middle finger, while pushing inward on the crease with your pointer finger. Once the crease starts caving move your pointer finger and tuck the thumb and pointer finger in between the paper to pinch the glue dots together. Slide fortune into cookie. Once you get the hang of this process you can tuck the fortune in the cookie before collapsing the paper to form the cookie shape.
There are many other small ways in which you can put a little fun and sparkle into the occasion. For this next idea, I’ve just customized a standard bag of plain white confetti by adding small pops of color and sparkle to the mix. This is done with just a little hand exercise squeezing the ¼” hand-held circle punch! The punch collects all the little confetti dots as you punch controlling the mess as you go. You’ll be surprise at what a small amount you’ll need to punch to breathe life into the plain white confetti. (Pssst…if you can’t find plain confetti at your discount store, then raid the 2-hole and 3-hole punches at the office. They work beautifully!)
Then, to ‘ring in the new year’, I added jingle bells as a functional embellishment just tied around the top of the tube.
To decorate the ‘fancy’ kid-friendly wine bottles, I simply covered the labels by layering patterned paper, with cardstock and sparkle paper, then finished it off with some ribbons. To add a little more dimension and visual interest, I ran the turquoise cardstock through the paper crimper first. The only thing you’ll have to remember when doing this is to use a stronger adhesive when adhering the crimped paper.
A party wouldn’t be a party without and invitation, now would it!? These invitations were made super simple by using the Ultra ShapeXpress along with the Uppercase Letter ShapeTemplate Set. Cutting the letters with a template ensures that each one is exactly the same and saves tons of time if you are duplicating the design over and over.
Lastly, since it’s a party celebrating the arrival of a new year, you’ll want to play off the ‘2012’ in your décor as much as possible. A ’12 sticker placed on cardstock, then punched using a squeeze punch makes the perfect little embellishment to hang from the neck of a wine bottle, the stem of your wine glass or even as a topper on your tube of confetti.
However it is that you decide to celebrate the New Year, just know that the Fiskars family wishes you a very safe, happy and memorable New Year.
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Create beautiful bows from patterned paper!
Want to put a creative twist on your gift wrap this holiday season? Grab a few sheets of patterned paper and your favorite Fiskars trimmer, and create unique bows for all of your gift giving.
Instructions:
1. Trim patterned paper into ¾ inch strips. You’ll need three 10 inch
strips, two 8.5 inch, and one 4 inch strip for an average sized bow.
2. Twist the strips of paper to form a loop on each end. Secure with a small staple.
3. Layer the loops, starting with the largest on the bottom. Use glue dots to hold each layer.
4. Finish with the smallest loop in the center.
5. For added interest, cut decorative ribbons from patterned paper to use for the center loop.
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