Oly*Fun Metallics Blog Hop

A few days ago I received samples of Oly*Fun Metallics from Fairfield World. It's available in 4 colors: Silver, Gold, Rose Gold and Red. I love that it's bright and shiny and, what's most important to me, I didn't have to drag the sewing machine out...    a stitch in time saves nine, but I hot glue mine (whenever possible)!  This is a very versatile fabric and can be used both indoors and out.

I received 3 of the 4 colors.  The gray shown in the photo, is the back of the silver. The back of gold and rose gold is white. I'd just purchased a new bed set for the master bedroom, but decided it needed a small decorative pillow to glam it up a bit for Spring, or until my grand daughter sees it - she's going to want this pillow for her room!

 

It was so easy to make and I finished in about 30 minutes - I love quick'n EZPZ.. 

In addition to the Oly*Fun fabric, all you need for this project is a square pillow form (mine is 12" x 12" also from Fairfield World), scissors and some tape.

1. Fold the fabric to create a 30" x 30" square then cut.

 

2.  Place the pillow form on the back of the fabric at the center. 

 3. Fold the fabric up from the bottom then down from the top to overlap. Secure with a piece of tape.

4.  Fold the ends as if you were wrapping a gift. Make sure the corners are sharp and that the points meet when pulled over to the center of the pillow at the back.  Don't tape yet.

 

5.  Cut a second color of metallic, 30" x 9" (I used gold).  Wrap around the pillow, overlapping the ends at the back. Secure with tape.

6.  Pull the sides together over the top of the gold and secure with tape.

7.  Finger gather the band of gold at the front of the pillow. Carefully wrap with a twist tie, or a small piece of covered floral wire. Twist the ends together to secure, then trim.

 

8. Cut a small strip of rose gold, about 2" by 3".  Fold the strip length ways into thirds then use to wrap around the center. Overlap then secure the ends at the back with tape.

My mum always called small, decorative pillows "scatter cushions".  For decorative purposes only, they always make a big impact wherever they land!

For more fun projects with Oly*Fun metallics, check out the list of participating designers on the Designer Crafts Connection blog.  Share a comment here, then hop on over to enter to win a 10 yd bolt of your own - your choice of color!  Enjoy!  Y'all come back now...........

Yours truly,
Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Pillow Talk

Designer Crafts Connection members were challenged to create pillows using pillow forms from Fairfield.  These are the supplies I received to work with:  2, 12" square pillow forms, a 6" x 20" neck pillow and Oly Fun fabric.

 

My mum always had lots of what she called "scatter cushions" on the sofa and chairs in our living room and lounge. They often changed with the seasons and although small, they always made a big impact on our surroundings.

Using the neck and 12" square pillow forms and 3 colors of Oly Fun I decided to create some fun scatter cushions of my own.

I love the bright colors of Oly Fun and it's a fabric I can use inside as well as out.  I especially liked the fact that I didn't necessarily have to pull the sewing machine out to make these pillows, although I must admit, if you end up using these in a pillow fight, the odds would be on the sewn pillow.  Mine are purely for decoration.

Here's how I covered the neck pillow:

1. Unroll the fabric and cut 2,12" pieces from width.  Wrap around one end of the neck pillow with about one half hanging off the edge.  Secure with a quilt pin.

 

2.  Tightly gather the fabric hanging off the end and wrap securely with a rubber band.

3. Pull the gathered end back over the end of the pillow.  It might be easier if you remove the fabric from the pillow to do this. Turn the cap inside out.

4.  Glue the overlapped edges together.  Place one "cap" on each end of the pillow.

5.  Cut 2, 5" wide strips of orange and place them across each end of the pillow, then cut a piece of pink, wide enough to cover the center. 

6.  The strips should overlap about 1/2".  Overlap the ends of each strip at the back of the pillow then glue in place.  The fabric is a little transparent, so I added jumbo rick rack from Decorative Trimmings over the area where the 2 colors overlapped.  The ends were glued in place at the back of the pillow.

7.  The square pillow is less complicated because there are no ends to cover.  I simply cut a 20" strip of fabric and wrapped it around the pillow form just like I was wrapping a Christmas present.

 

8.  I wrapped a complementary colored, folded strip of fabric and length of rick rack around the center then glued the overlapped ends together at the back.  This band held the fabric in place around the pillow, but for added security, I glued the folded ends in place.

You can see lots more ideas from other DCC members by hopping thru the webring using the blue, DCC logo in each designer's sidebar.  There's also a linky party collection on the DCC blog where you can add your own ideas!  So, come join the party!  Enjoy!  Y'all come back now........

Yours truly,
Julie :)

KEEP CALM AD CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Let's Party!

Everyone loves a party and of course we have to commemorate the happy event with a photograph...  This was taken at a 21st Birthday party - a very special day, deserving to be framed!  

 

For this particular photo, I used a 5"x7", two part acrylic Deflecto frame and added a little doodling.  I love using clear frames because you can lay the top part of the frame over any design then trace over it with a marker.  You can trace images from a book, an image stamped on a piece of paper, or even artwork from a catalog. 

Paint markers work really well on acrylic, but for this frame I used the new line of Chalk Markers from Marvy Uchida.

The first thing you need to do is to separate the two pieces of the frame then place the top piece on top of the design/images you want to use.  I traced over some letters for the word "PARTY" then added the little drink glasses along each side.  I used the white marker for the outlines, but black would work well too.  I then added color to the glasses on the BACK of the frame and blocks of color behind each letter.  It was very simple and easy to do.....  Once the chalk paint is dry, I sandwiched  the photo between the front and back pieces, re-assembled the frame and it was finished. EZPZ...  

This is just one of the projects for this month's First Monday DCC theme.  You can see what other designers have created by hopping forward thru the webring using the blue, DCC logo in the sidebar.  Enjoy!  Y'all come back now.........

Yours truly,

Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

DCC Blog Challenge: Kunin Felt/Beacon Adhesives and Buttons Galore & More

Felt is one of those materials that has been around for-ev-er........  I remember making an embroidery project with it in elementary school in the 50's and also a doll.  Now it's all grown up, just like me, and definitely not just for kindergarten any more.......

DCC members have been challenged this month to create something with felt, glue and buttons.  When I started to write this post however, and was looking for the code for the Rafflecopter Giveaway, I noticed 2 little words that had gone completely unnoticed by me before - "Home Dec".   I had felt, I had buttons, I had glue, what more did I need to know, right.......  So, my project isn't exactly Home Dec by any stretch of the imagination, but I hope it will inspire you anyway........  You have been warned, okay.

This is what I received to work with:  EcoFi felt from Kunin, Felt Glue from Beacon and buttons from Buttons Galore and More.

I think you'll understand why my head immediately knew that it wanted me to make this purse for my granddaughter.... I mean - just look at those perfect little girl colors!!!

It was quick to make (except for waiting for the glue to dry) and I didn't have to set up the sewing machine.  I used these tools and extra supplies instead:

 

If you think they look like paper crafting supplies - you are right!!!  Do you recognize the eyelet setter?

Here's how to make it:

1.  Fold the printed piece of felt, right sides together in half then glue the sides together; about 1/2" seam on each side.  Let dry.

2.  Use the ruler and craft knife to cut two, 2" wide strips of green felt across the width.  TIP:  Lay the felt on the craft mat then use the measurement guides on the mat as your measuring guide.

3.  Starting about 1/2" from one end, use the eyelet setter to punch holes at 1" intervals about 1/2" from the top edge of each green strip.  Set a white eyelet in each hole.  Glue one green strip to each inside edge of the top of the folded purse so the eyelets show.

4.  Cut a strip of orange felt about 3" x 6".  Round 2 adjacent corners which will be the front.  Glue on top of green felt then trim the green felt around the orange, about 1/4" from the edge.  Use the eyelet setter to punch three holes across the straight end then glue to the back of the purse on the patterned felt only.  Do not glue to the green strip.  Let dry then use the point of the craft knife to carefully poke through each hole all the way thru the layers of felt.  Insert a large colored brad in each hole and secure on the inside.

5.  Cut a flower from a second piece of the patterned felt and two circles, different sizes, different colors, to layer in the center.  (See photo.)  Layer together, then to make them a little "pouchy" (not flat) at the center, make a hole with the eyelet setter and fasten together with a small brad.  Glue a button on top of the brad then glue the flower to the closure as shown.

6.  I used a piece of 5/8" gros grain ribbon for the handle and anchored each end to the side seams.  I glued them in place and also used a brad for extra security.

7.  I had some iron-on embroidered letters from JOY USA, so I also added her name to a strip of green felt, matted the strip with yellow felt, then secured it to the ribbon with glue and a brad at the opposite of where the handle is attached to the side.   

 

So why are there eyelets around the top edge you may wonder....  Well, my original idea was to make a drawstring top, but the felt wasn't flexible enough for a 6 yr old's little hands.  I'd already added the tassels to the end of the cord though (1.5" x 1.5" pieces of felt, trimmed into strips to within 1/2" of the top edge, then rolled around the knotted end of the cord), and really like the way they looked, so I trimmed the cord and wrapped it around the center of the flower.  And voilà, there we have it - my non Home Dec, home dec project...............

I'm sure you'll find a lot of Home Dec inspiration as you hop thru the other DCC member blogs.  Use the hop forward button in the sidebar of each blog and enjoy the ride!  There's also a giveaway via Rafflecopter; details below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Y'all come back now..........

Yours truly,
Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!