Stars and Stripes

I feel like I am one week behind.  June is going by so fast! I actually made this a couple of years ago for a display at a craft store and I just barely got it back.  I had been so excited to get this one back to use as decoration.  It came in a kit, but would be simple to make with dowels, wood stars (craft store), wood letters, scrapbook paper, wire, paint, and ribbon.

I am linking up to these parties:

Not JUST a Housewife, Giggles, Glitz, & Glam, Tuesday's Treasures, Anything Related Tuesday, Sugar Bee Crafts

Gathered Pillow

This pillow was made from the gorgeous sheet set I found at Ross.  I cut lots of 4" strips of fabric, folded them together and sewed, then turned right side out, gathered, and sewed to my pillow.  Try saying that 4 times fast!  I absolutely love this one, and the pillow is so squishy!

Ruffly Pillow

This pillow took me sooooo long to make, but it was well worth it.  I am so excited with how it turned out.  I had one reader ask me how I made it, so I will make a quick attempt to explain.  I used polyester fabric (the slick stuff), and first cut out the squares for the pillow part.  I ironed fusible interfacing to them to make the sewing much easier.  Here's the time consuming part...I cut the remaining fabric into 3X4 inch squares, and melted the edges in a candle to help avoid fraying.  Then, I gathered each piece and sewed them on, turning each piece different directions.  I put each piece pretty close together so they could stand up.  After sewing all these pieces on, I attached the front and back piece.  Whew!

Linking up to: Making the World Cuter, Made By You Mondays, Market Yourself Monday, Making Monday Marvelous 
Talent Tuesday, Take a Look Tuesday, Running With Glitter

Monogram Pillow

The main fabric on this pillow is from a sheet set.  I found it at Ross, and fell in love with it.  I think I mentioned in my "project reveal" post that I bought some pillows at Ross to use for a pattern and the stuffing.  Well, the red fabric is from one of those pillows.  Originally, I had intended on using 9 circles of red, but there wasn't enough, so I had to think of something.  I am happy with the way it turned out.  This is my first time making a monogram home decor item.  Yay!

Layered Petal Flower

This pillow was made using some cute red flower fabric I found in the quilting section at Joann's.  I just love that craft store!  I used my silhouette cutter to cut out a pattern for the felt flowers.  I used the "layered petal flower."

Melted Flower Pillow

This pillow was made using polyester fabrics in dark brown and tan.  I used red thread and red beads to add a pop of color.  Since polyester is so slick, I ironed fusible interfacing to the fabric before sewing the pieces together - this made it so much easier!  The flower was made by cutting lots of differen't sized circles and melting the edges with a candle.  As the fabric melts, it curls - just be careful not to catch it on fire!

Pillow Contest

Carlee from Ladybird Ln hosts Crafting For a Cause, aka Lend a Hand. "Ladybird Lend a Hand is a program where each month we highlight a charity, and find projects we can all do to help their cause.  We do not have a lot of money at our disposal, but we would like to share our talents to in some way do good for others."

I found out about this wonderful program a month ago.  She invited me to join in the pillow fight this month, which is a pillow contest. (I know I should have posted this sooner than the last day so you all could participate...so sorry I didn't.)  Anyways, I am entering the pillows I made in April, the same ones I previously posted, just in more detail.

                                                                    Go checkout Ladybird Ln!

Felt Playhouse

I have to say, the first time I started looking at blogs was about 8 months ago.  I had no clue how big blogland was!  A friend mentioned on Facebook that she was making a felt playhouse for her daughter for Christmas.  I had no clue what that was, so I googled it, and I found myself browsing my first craft blog, Homemade By Jill.  I absolutely loved it!  I loved the playhouse so much, I decided to make one for my son.

Here is the front view:

For the mail, I embellished the top piece with a stamp and the "address" and then sewed together the three layers, as well as the back envelope flap on.  (Sorry, I forgot to get a picture of the flap, but I'm sure you can picture it.)  To hold up the front door, I made a long strip of felt that could reach around from the inside and hold the door in place:

I used velcro to hold the strip in place and sewed a little flap out of blue to cover up the velcro, since the white velcro really sticks out.  Then, using blue again, I sewed a piece on the inside, right behind the top brick, creating a pocket that the strip could fit into.
Here is the garden side:

I had so much fun coming up with vegetables and fruit to make.  I created the watermelon so it can be opened to see the fruit inside.  I also added round beads to the peas to make them feel real.  I came up with the idea for the wheelbarrow that could hold the "picked" food.
Here is the fruit tree and flower garden:

The fruit is removable with velcro.  (I failed to mention that most things are attached with velcro -everything besides the things in pockets).  I sewed pipe cleaners into the flower stems to make them stiffer and flexible.
And last but not least, the "toy" side:

Yes, the "big boy toys" is what I meant.  My little guy loves to go four wheeling, so I made a side with a four wheeler just for him.  I added a toolbox so he could fix the thing if it broke down.  I used a grommet on the tape measure to give it a more realistic look.  I attached it using my Big Bite Cropadile (by We R Memory Keepers - I love that tool! And no, they aren't paying me to say anything).

I am linking up to these parties: Inspired By You Wednesdays,

A Window From My Past

I went to a home show two years ago and that is where my inspiration came from!  My parents are replacing old windows, so I got this one for free!  All I did was clean the window and spray-painted it white.  I found the berry wreath at my local craft store one sale.  (I had been wanting one of these for a while).  I pounded a nail in the top and hung the wreath with a piece of wire.

Here it is on my wall.  Love it!

I realize the wreath could use a little help!  These are a pain to get right...geez.  I would like to add some vinyl to the window, but just can't decide what to use.  Any ideas?  Also, I thought it would be awesome to sand the edges to give it a shabby look.  What do you think?

This week, I am partying over at a variety of places.  Check out my new "blog parties" page for some sweeeet ideas and to see where I party!