Lanyard Tutorial

Here is the short version of the story behind making a lanyard.  I am the Girls Camp Director for my church.  I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  (Click here if you are interested in learning more about the LDS faith.)  During one of our camp prep meetings, there was a suggestions to give each girl and leader a lanyard to attach the daily agenda (small of course), award beads and charms, whistle, etc.  Now, in the small town I live in I wasn't finding much of anything.  And, if I did they were UGLY!  I then tried the trusty ol' Internet, priced out some CUTE ones, and they were more than our budget could afford.  So, what did I do?  I found some scraps of material, bought some D-Rings, and lobster clasps and went to town.  Wanna make one?  I will show you how! Total cost for this project was under $1.

Supplies

Fabric (or scraps sewn together to make the proper length)

Thread

Scissors

D-Ring ( I found them at Walmart 4 for only 78 cents!)

Lobster Clasp (At the craft store in packs of 2. Use your 50% off coupon.)

Sewing Machine

Step 1:

Cut a 3 inch by width of fabric strip.

Step 2:

Iron a 1/4 inch fold down the length of the fabric.  Repeat on other side.

Step 3:

Fold the fabric down center (lengthwise) and iron.  Both of your folded edges will be touching with the right sides facing out.

Step 4:

Sew a seam down the side where the folds meet.  I used the line on the inside of the pressure foot as my guide.  Repeat on the other side.

Your strip of fabric should now look like this.

Step 5:

Loop the fabric through the D-ring with the straight side against the fabric.

Step 6:

Fold the fabric over again, sliding the D ring down to the bottom.  The raw edge will be flush against the straight part of the ring and tucked inside.

Step 7:

Sew two straight lines along the width of the fabric to secure the ring in place.

Step 8:

Attach a Lobster Clasp on the D ring.

I had some charms on a lobster clasp all ready.  After camp, the girls can use it for their keys, charms, name badges, whatever they would like.  You could also make it shorter and use it for a key chain too!

Thinking about a Give Away....

I want to do a Great Give Away!  Is that a G.R.E.A.T idea or what?  So, I was thinking I would have to give a give away to our followers.  So, here's the deal.  Follow this blog and when we reach 50 Followers, we will randomly select one and give them one of these FABULOUS, ADORABLE, CUTER than WORDS .... HATS!  The winner will be able to choose the size (itty bitty, small, medium, large, or extra large.) and also request color/pattern choice.  I will do my best to accommodate your color/pattern choice!  Sound easy enough?  Well then, FOLLOW THIS AWESOME CRAFTY BLOG!

A Wreath From Pages of a Book?

I have seen them before and often wondered why??  And, now I know!  They are lots of fun to make, cheap, and much cuter in person than in picture.  Especially when you are looking at my pictures...because I have the WORST camera of all time and I hate it.  (This is a whole other story).  Wanna make one?  Follow these directions here.  I made mine differently by making scrolls, tying together with twine and using hot glue to attach them to a circular wire wreath.  I added a simple bow and hung it on my wreath frame. 

Wreath frame you say?  What is that?  Well check this out here.  I made this about a month ago and it is great!  I have it hanging on the wall at the end of my hallway.  I painted mine black, distressed the edges with sandpaper, and glazed over it.  It looks amazing!  The best part about that project was it was completely FREE!  We had some leftover bead board and moulding from our kitchen project. I love FREE craft projects.

Now, back to the wreath.  You have to check out all the different styles out there.  If you know you want to make one, but aren't sure which style, just google book page wreath, click on images and your bound to find one you like!

SnIcKeRdOoDlE CuPcAkEs

If you love Snickerdoodle Cookies, you are going to LOVE Snickerdoodle Cupcakes!  I got the recipe from Martha Stewart here.  I have made these cupcakes a few times and have come to the conclusion the Seven Minute Frosting Martha uses, is not my favorite.  Use buttercream frosting instead and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.  But, if you like meringue frosting, then follow her directions exactly!

Now, get to bakin' and let me know how you like them!

Double Duty

I love crafts that can do double duty and be used again, in this case, for two holidays: Memorial Day and then again for the 4th of July.

Supplies needed:

a 2x2 board from lowes or home depot, comes in 8' lengths

2x4 (i used left over piece from another project that was lying around the house)

paint (used a color called vanilla)

scrapbook paper

and embellishments

Ok, here comes the real technical part (ya right!). Cut two of the bottom lengths of the 2x2 12". Then the other three cuts are roughly 8.5" making sure the 2x4 piece fills the space nicely. I know totally confusing and I kind of don't understand from my own description, but lucky for you I have a photo which explains it all.

This photo shows you what it looks like broken down, in parts. It is a stackable flag.

Then sand, paint and cover with strips of scrapbook paper (using spray adhesive or Mod Podge) and embellishments. I used some paint to ink the edges since I didn't have a red ink stamp. Could do with less paint on the project, the ink pad might work better, but here's to using what I had on hand.

Hey, this is Julie now!  But just for a second.  Tara, the little sweetie that she is, cut me out some wood and paper strips so I could make one too!  I just wanted to add my picture to her post because I think they are so cute and patriotic.  I LOVE our country!

Back to Tara.....

Here's another double duty craft. Look familiar? It should, click here and here for details.

Keep them up and use it for month of July too!

Building Junkie

Got this off of Ana's Knock Off Wood website, seriously LOVE that girl and all her free furniture plans. It is kind of us, crafting and building things, not caring that people think we are crazy, and dreaming of the next project.....

YOU MIGHT BE A BUILDING JUNKIE IF

10)You'd rather have tools than a handbag or diamonds for Valentine's Day (julie and your birthday wishes of a table saw or an automatic nail gun, me and my mother's day sander!)

9) They recognize you (and possibly hide) at Blue or Orange

8) You buy OOOOPS paint, and mix up your own colors to save money for more lumber

7) You peek under tables to see how they were made, even when you're out to dinner on your anniversary

6) You store wet paintbrushes in sandwich bags so you can sneak out and paint after everyone goes to bed

5) It's no big deal if there is sawdust in your bra

4) You've loaded lumber into the racecar

3) You dumpster dive for pallets and reclaimed wood

2) You keep red flagging tape in the car in case you have to haul lumber hanging out your trunk

1) You use household tools for building (ie a iron steamer for bending wood, a leaf blower for blowing sawdust out of your minivan.

Gotta love it!