Tulle Wreath Tutorial

I'm sure it happens to everyone on Pinterest at some point.  Becoming so obsessed with a DIY project or recipe pin that you must try it ASAP.

When I saw the pin for this tulle wreath:

that obsession took hold.  I was thinking of design ideas for the set of Rowan's Christmas photos and after I saw it, I went out the next day to buy tulle and a foam wreath form.  I apologize to the person who originally posted this photo to the 'net.  Pinterest wouldn't let me connect to the URL address for fear of a virus or some other nasty consequence.  A Google search turned up nothing.  I tried.  

To make this wreath you'll need:

~ 12" styrofoam wreath form.  Or check out this idea on how to make a super thrifty form. 

~ 10 m of tulle.  Check the prices at the fabric or craft store before you purchase.  Sometimes tulle can look similar but have a whopping price difference.  I bought mine for $2.50 per meter at Fabricland.

~ Scraps of white cotton fabric; enough to cover a 2 m length

~ Sharp scissors

~ Hot glue gun

~ 2" wide satin ribbon

I didn't plan on making a detailed tutorial, so I failed to take photos of each process.  Hopefully I don't lose you.  Once you start tying the tulle knots, this wreath is a perfect 'movie watching' project.  Easy, methodical and doesn't get too messy.

Cut fabric into 3" wide strips and wrap around the wreath form, gluing at each end.  Neatness doesn't matter, but you need to make sure your wreath is evenly covered.

Cut the tulle into 4" wide strips.  I left my tulle folded to make this part go faster.  I made my tulle strips 18" long, because I wanted a whispy, whimsical look.  

Tie two tulle strips in a double knot and position at the top of the wreath. 

Some of my strips ended up being a little lot shorter, but whateves.  Whimsical, right?

Scrunch the tulle close together until you've used up all the strips or have run out of room on the wreath.  Straighten the knots, trim the tulle to be somewhat even (or very even...it's all about preference) loop a long ribbon around the form and you're done!

You can fasten the ribbon in a bow as demonstrated in the pink wreath above.  I tied my ribbon around the wire on the back of the picture frame.

Refresh the wreath each year (or each season!) by changing the colour of the ribbon, adding a string of beads, a cluster of fabric flowers...etc, etc.

I don't buy many Christmas decor items new from a store, but at a recent trip to IKEA I couldn't resist these little candle holders.  The glittery tree to the left is just a paper cone smothered in glue, teeny beads, sequins and glitter.  Fun project but m-e-s-s-y!  

I might not do another blog post until the new year.  If I get my act together and make some stockings (my 'Winter Holidays' pin board is full of ideas!) I might share them.  Most of the things I'm making are gifts...so it'll have to wait.

How did the photo session go?

Very well!  Thanks Kerri for being so AWESOME.

Happy Monday!

Take Out Box Advent 'Calendar'

Bah haha.

This blog post is so late it's not even remotely funny.  Who writes about an advent calendar on the third day of December?  Moi.  Lame sauce.  To comfort my tardy soul, I should explain that this project comes together lickety split; you can have a new 'calendar' in one evening.  Or: pin it and save it for next year!

I decided on November 27th that I needed a new advent calendar.  The old one had teeny little pockets that held Lindt truffles perfectly.  Chocolate and a two year old with a memory like an elephant?  Nuh-uh.

Besides, I wanted to make this advent about doing things rather than getting treats.

For this project you will need:

24 take out boxes (I used 16 oz and 8 oz sizes)
Decorative paper
Cutting tool (like a Cuttlebug or similar) or pre-cut numbers
Circle cutter or punch in 2" and 1.5" sizes
Clear glue
24 items to place in the boxes

Cut out 24 x 2" circles and 24 x 1.5" circles out of decorative paper.  My paper came from this book of scrapbook paper, available at Michael's.

Cut out numbers (if you need to).  My crafting took place at 10pm on November 30th (hence the crap photo), I laid my numbers out to make sure I had cut the right amount (late night crafting = increase in errors) before packing my Cuttlebug away.  I used the 'Olivia' alphabet and number set.

Glue the circles and numbers on each box.

Fill with fun things!  I stuffed the boxes with tree ornaments, finger puppets, stickers, muffin liners, cookie cutters, and lots of activity tags.

The activity tags included:

Attending the Santa Claus parade
Skating (will be the first time!  Exciting for a mom who is an ex-figure skater)
Baking cookies
Baking muffins
Reading Christmas books
Watching Christmas movies
Having hot chocolate
Colouring in Christmas-themed colouring books
Making cards for family and friends

I had various ideas for displaying these little boxes: hang from a tree, string up like a garland, etc.  But ultimately, convenience and ease prevailed and I stuck them on top of a white fabric blanket on the piano.

Paired with my vintage bottle brush trees, I think they look pretty cute up there.

Today, Rowan and I have a date with a cookie cutter and cookie dough. Happy Monday!

One Hour Coffee Cozy

I'm not going to take a survey, but I'm willing to put money down that every knitter likes a project that can be done in one sitting.  One hour-long TV show, one (or two) cups of coffee or tea.  And for Mamas - one nap time.

These little coffee (or tea...or hot chocolate, or whatever it is you drink in winter) cup cozies are quick, easy and they use up scrap yarn.  Plus, they're pretty darn cute.

This is my second-ever attempt at writing a knitting pattern; so if you try it and end up making a headband...please tell me.

You will need:
5mm straight knitting needles
Worsted weight yarn
Tapestry or wool needle
Co-ordinating ribbon

Skill level: Beginner

Abbreviations:
k - knit
p - purl
yo - yarn over hook
k2tog - knit two stitches together
stockinette stitch - knit the 'right side' and purl the 'wrong side'

Pattern:
Cast on 30 stitches
Rounds 1 - 5: work ribbed pattern of k1, p1    
Rnd 6: purl, increase 3 stitches evenly across row; 33 stitches
Rnds 7 - 9: knit
Rnds 10 and 12: purl
Rnd 11: knit
Rnd 13: k1, *yo k2tog* repeat * to end.
Rnd 14: purl
Rnd 15 - 22: continue in stockinette stitch
Rnd 23: bind off, leave a long tail (30cm or 12") for sewing the seam.

When you've cut your long sewing tail, you'll have something that looks like the photo above.

Fold right sides together and sew seam.  Fasten off and weave in tail.

Weave your ribbon in and out of the little holes made in Round 13.  I would suggest sliding the cozy over a cup before knotting the ribbon; you don't want to tie it too tight!

To prevent the ends of the ribbon from fraying, melt the cut edge ever so slightly with a lighter.

Now that you're done, what will you do with it?  Gift it away?  Keep it?  Make another?  I think a little touch of homemade is on everyone's wish list for Christmas.  I would pair this cozy with a coffee shop gift card.  And just to be extra cute, ask for an extra cup, slide the cozy on and pop the card inside!

This Post Features Kittens

I thought I'd post an outrageously adorable photo of the R-man and some kittens while I wait for my iron to heat up.  Did you know they are the official alternative Easter animal when bunnies, chicks and lambs are unavailable?

That might be a lie.  At four weeks old, they're pretty darn precious.  Rowan has his keester parked on the floor of my dad's workshop and is getting an 'are-you-a-kitten-slayer' inspection from Mama Cat.  He passed.

And yes, he's also wearing a new Urban Hoodie.  Considering the pattern goes up to size 5T, you'll be seeing a lot of them!

This weekend's goal is to not go into a chocolate induced comma.  Success is unlikely.

Happy Easter!

Valentine's Day Shirt - for boys!

Elephant Shoe.

Do you know that one?  Mouth the words in front of a mirror.

'I love you'.  Saying 'olive juice' works too...but I much prefer elephants.

The fabric was given to me by a friend, who found it at Tonic Living.  But alas, it's no longer available.  The heart is stuck on there with iron-on applique adhesive and secured with some zig-zag stitching.  You don't have to do the stitching part, but it does help the applique last longer.

The lettering is also ironed on with printable transfer paper; it's found at most craft stores.  If you try out the transfer paper, make sure your lettering or picture is a mirror image before printing!

Would you like to make your own 'elephant shoe' shirt?  Just save the image above and pop it into Microsoft Word....or whatever application you like to print your stuff from.  Yeah....it's brown.  Okay, so if you don't want brown (but who doesn't like brown!?), here's what you can do:  Upload the photo into PicMonkey, click on the 'Effects' tab on the left.  It looks like a little science-y beaker (correct term is erienmeyer flask, if you are offended by my previous description).  Scroll down to the 'Tint' option.  You can make it any colour!  Save it, print it, transfer it (please, please, please follow the directions!) and you're done.

 

 Rowan has recently become obsessed with the vacuum cleaner (yes, now less enchanted with the broom), he especially likes the extension hose.  It doubles as a hobby horse on occasion.

 

Have a great weekend!

Homemade Marshmallows

Have you ever eaten a marshmallow and wondered: "how the heck to they make these things?"

Have you ever heard about someone making marshmallows and wondered: "why the heck would you make marshmallows when you can buy them?"

Well, the answer to question one can be found here.  Yes.  They're not just marshmallows...they're candy cane marshmallows.  However, if you're not a fan of peppermint, just omit the flavouring and food colouring.

The answer to question two....because it's really cool!!  And pretty easy.  Be sure to read the entire method a few times over.  You need to get the timing right - which is why there aren't any photos of the process.  I was focusing on not screwing up...sorry.  You have to whip the crap out of the marshmallow goo for 10 minutes, so electric beaters (or better yet, a stand mixer) are a must.  You'll also notice my marbling didn't turn out quite as nice as Martha's (does it ever?), but they still tasted great!

Since these marshmallows don't have any icky preservatives, they should be eaten quickly.

Or if you don't want to eat them all yourself, why not package them up...

 ...and pair them with some jars of hot cocoa mix to give away!  I gave my marshmallows and hot cocoa away as Christmas gifts, but there's no reason why you couldn't do them up all lovey-dovey-like for Valentine's Day.

Have a terrific Tuesday.

Christmas Ornament Wreath

A few years ago, I saw a Christmas ornament wreath in Canadian Living and I firmly decided that I was destined to make one for myself.  So I did!  Good story, yeah? :)

I realize that my colours are not very...conventional...but those of you who know me know that's not my style.  And it goes better with my wall colour! 

And since I made it P.B. (that's 'pre-blog', not the nut butter) I don't have any 'how to' photos to share with you.  Canadian Living has a great tutorial, but if you want a visual, you can find one here.

So...next post.  Maybe I'll get those Christmas cookies out of the freezer and try out Twenty Second Icing.  Mmmmmmm....sweeeeeeet.

Martha Stewart's Cheesecloth Ghosts

As the title suggests, this Halloween craft spook-tacular is brought to you by the fine people at Martha Stewart.  The original tutorial is found here.  All I've done is expand on the instructions.

These little ghouls are so cool, because they really do look like ghosts!

Collect the following items:

Cheesecloth (one package should make about 3 or 4 ghosts)
Fabric stiffener or liquid starch
Cardboard tubes like toilet or paper towel rolls
Pipecleaner
Aluminum foil
Newspaper
Scissors
Scotch or masking tape
Unimportant plastic container (like yogurt or cottage cheese container) - not photographed

Cut your paper tubes down to size if desired.  I used one paper towel roll and cut it so that it was divided into 2/3 and 1/3 lengths.

Scrunch a length of aluminum foil into a ball for the head.  There's not a correct amount, just keep adding more layers if necessary to get the right size.

Poke a hole with your scissors on either side of the cardboard tube, about 5 cm from an end.

Thread the pipecleaner through the holes and bend them so they stick up as arms.  You may want to reinforce the arms into position with some tape.

Tape the head down to the cardboard tube and attach the bottom of the tubes to newspaper with more tape.  Martha's tutorial tells you to clip the bottoms of the tubes and fan them out before taping to the work surface.  Either way works!

Cut your cheese cloth into strips.  You'll want the strips long enough so that when they are draped over the ghost form they kind of pool a little at the bottom on either side.  I unfolded the cloth until there were three layers of thickness.  If you do a single layer, you'll be forever soaking and draping cloth!

Pour the fabric stiffener into the plastic container, soak cloth strips, squeeze out excess and drape over ghost form.

Continue until entire form is covered.  I used seven strips for the large ghost and six for the small one.

Let dry. Amount of drying time depends on how many layers of cloth are on your ghost and how wet the strips are, but this usually takes several hours.  When completely dry, carefully remove from the form.

Et voila!