Spring Forecast

I'm enjoying the calm of January, but I can't help looking forward to spring. I've been stocking up on supplies for 2015 projects, and it looks like pink may be my favorite color for the season. The print fabrics above are from Jimmy Beans Wool (of course they carry lots of beautiful yarn too). I fell in love with the colors and patterns, but I haven't decided what I'm going to make with them yet.

These new additions to my craft room are Christmas presents from my daughters: A Purl Soho gift card--which I used for embroidery hoops, mini pompoms, and other fun things--and a copy of The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin, which has given me lots of ideas and inspiration. You'll be seeing more of the hoops and pompoms soon!

More pink (and blue and yellow) in this collection of supplies, but these aren't new. They're fabrics, flosses and little things that have been hanging around in my button box for awhile. One of my new year's resolutions is to use them all--finally--in a sewing or craft project. I think the little deer button especially deserves a home. Let's see what I come up with--and how long my pink phase lasts.

Recycled Greeting Card

If you're like me, you can't bear to throw away pretty gift wrap and greeting cards. I always have a stash on hand, waiting to be put to good use. I think this project vindicates my hoarding habit. It's an any-occasion card made from--you guessed it--recycled cards and wrapping paper.

I started by choosing papers and cards that share a similar green-blue-brown palette and then cut circle shapes from them. (My circles are 1¼" and ¾" in diameter.) 

I arranged the circles on a 4¾"-by-6¾" piece of shimmery card stock, which is actually the envelope from a wedding invitation. The arrangement is simple, just small circles on large circles, but it took me the better part of an hour to get the mix of patterns and colors just right. When I was finally happy with the design, I used double-stick tape to attach the circles to the background. 

As a finishing touch, I added small brass fasteners to some of the circles as accents. For the final step, I taped the design to a blank 5"-by-7" card. 

I think I'll make more of these. Someone is always having a birthday or anniversary in my family. And I haven't even begun to put a dent in my paper stash. I'm sure I can come up with all sorts of color combinations.

Fluffy Yarn Snowballs

Christmas is over, but winter will be with us for many weeks to come. It's snowing here right now! I love snow--looking at it, not driving in it. I love how a fresh snowfall makes the world look clean and beautiful. Snow inspired this week's super-simple project--fluffy snowballs made from yarn and foam balls. They look like the real thing, don't they?

The yarn is what makes these snowballs so convincing. I used Pipsqueak™ by Bernat® in Whitey White (naturally). It's a bulky polyester yarn that has a fuzzy, super-soft texture. If you can't find it, try another novelty yarn. Making these snowballs requires absolutely no craft skills. Just tape the end of the yarn to a foam ball and wrap until the ball is completely covered. When you're finished, cut the yarn and weave the tail end under previous layers to secure it.

Make a bunch of yarn snowballs and pile them in a basket or bowl for a wintry centerpiece. You can use your yarn snowballs as decorations around the house or to stage an indoor snowball fight (just kidding--sort of).

British Tea Tote

 

After leaving us hanging for many months, Downton Abbey returned last night! I've been watching since the first episode, and I'm absolutely hooked. I think this week's project demonstrates my dedication to the Crawleys and their Englishness--it's a felt tea bag tote decorated with a cross-stitched British flag. I doubt the Dowager Countess would approve of tea bags, but that's what I use to make my tea at Downton time.

British Tea Tote Chart     ©2015 Kathleen Berlew

The first part of the project is the cross-stitching. Follow the chart at right or click here to download and print a copy of the chart. Stitch the flag design on 14-count white Aida. I used two strands of DMC embroidery floss-- #792 (dark cornflower blue) and #321 (Christmas red)--but you can use other shades of blue and red. When the embroidery is finished, trim the fabric, leaving three rows of Aida around the design.

To make the felt tote, print out the pattern and size it as necessary so it measures 3 1/2" by 7". Use the pattern to cut one tote piece from a sheet of blue felt. Position the cross-stitched flag on the felt below the flap (see the pattern) and pin it in place. Use the Aida grid as a guide and stitch one row beyond the embroidery. Be sure to sew through the Aida threads and not just the holes so the fabric doesn't unravel when you make the fringe. When the flag is securely in place, gently pull away the outer row of Aida threads on all four sides to create a fringed border around the design.

Now it's time to assemble the tea tote. Fold the bottom third of the felt piece up over the back of the tote so the top edge sits just below where the flap begins. (This sounds way more confusing than it is. If you look at the picture of the finished tote, you'll see what I mean.) Sew the sides of the tote closed with blue embroidery floss. If you like, stitch along the flap edges, too, to create a decorative edge. I used blanket stitch, but running stitch will also work. To finish my tea tote, I added a snap and used a strip of red felt to conceal my stitching. You could also use a button or pieces of ribbon for fasteners. 

As the Crawleys would say, "Splendid!" Now you're ready to tote your tea wherever you'll be watching the next episode of Downton Abbey.