Friday, October 31, 2014

Jumping in the Leaves Layout featuring Authentique Paper's Grateful Collection



Hi, I'm Julie and I'm here on the blog today to share a layout I created with the Grateful collection from Authentique Paper. When I first saw this collection, I loved it for its color palette and its variety of patterns. From traditional brocade to whimsical acorns, I know you'll love it for your fall projects as much as I do. As I considered my layout, I wanted to use as many of the patterns as possible.



Jumping in the Leaves @craftsavvy @juliechats #craftwarehouse #authentique #fall #scrapbooking


Jumping in the Leaves @craftsavvy @juliechats #craftwarehouse #authentique #fall #scrapbooking

When I think about fall, I think about color and all those leaves. My family's favorite fall tradition is jumping in the leaves. So, each year on a relatively dry day, my husband rakes all the leaves into a huge pile and the kids run across the yard and jump into them. I am the photographer for this annual tradition. Some of our most memorable fall photos come from our "jumping in the leaves" days. After a few jumps, the leaves spread out and my husband rakes them all up and the jumping begins again. Sometimes there's a leaf fight, sometimes Dad tosses a rake-ful on the kids, and sometimes the kids drag Dad into the fun, like they did here.

Jumping in the Leaves @craftsavvy @juliechats #craftwarehouse #authentique #fall #scrapbooking

In order to showcase as many of the beautiful patterns as possible, I designed my layout in the Silhouette Studio software using leaves downloaded from their online store. I flipped, arranged and resized the leaves until they looked like they were being blown across the page. After cutting the leaves into the subtly patterned Gracious paper, I applied the offset feature in the program. These outlines create slightly larger leaves around each original leaf. Next, I moved the outlines to a blank page and cut them, one at a time onto different sheets of patterned paper. I mounted each offset piece with foam mounting squares, to the back side of my layout, matching each piece to its coordinating leaf. You can copy this look without a electronic die cut machine. Just search free clip art leaves on the internet. Print your favorite leaves, trace them onto the back side of your background paper and cut them out with a craft knife.

Jumping in the Leaves @craftsavvy @juliechats #craftwarehouse #authentique #fall #scrapbooking

After cutting the background, I added a strip of the Plentiful paper across the layout and placed my photo on top, between the leaves. I printed the photo in sepia tone, to coordinate with the muted, autumn tones of my layout. (The kids are wearing bright red in the original photo.) Using sepia tone is one of my favorite scrapbooking tricks. Black and white works too!  If the colors of your photo don't match your supplies, try printing your photo in sepia tone or black and white. This will create a cohesive look between all the elements of your project.

Jumping in the Leaves @craftsavvy @juliechats #craftwarehouse #authentique #fall #scrapbooking

For the title of my page, I created my own chipboard word and used some sticker letters from the collection (from the Details and Petite Type sticker sheets). I like mixing fonts and alphabet stickers in my titles. I have a step by step photo tutorial over on my blog, JulieChats, to show you how I used my Silhouette to create the script, chipboard word "leaves" that I used in this title.

Jumping in the Leaves @craftsavvy @juliechats #craftwarehouse #authentique #fall #scrapbooking

At this point, my layout needed just a couple more details. I like to add embellishments to my photos. For this layout, I cut a quick banner and added a paper die cut from the Components sheet to it.

Jumping in the Leaves @craftsavvy @juliechats #craftwarehouse #authentique #fall #scrapbooking

And, since the upper right was looking a little bare, I used one of the cardstock stickers from the Details sheet, backed with a little thin garden twine, from the home decor section at Craft Warehouse, and a placed a punched leaf to the side.
Jumping in the Leaves @craftsavvy @juliechats #craftwarehouse #authentique #fall #scrapbooking


Thanks for following along with me as I created this layout with such a beautiful paper collection. I enjoy creating one photo layouts like this, when I find papers that I just fall in love with.  But, if you take tons of photos, like I do, you may want to know what I do with my other photos.  Well, I will be putting this layout into my pocket page album, so a pocket page protector will be on the right side, complete with a few more photos and a journal card to tell the story of this year's leaf jumping extravaganza.  For more paper craft projects, check out the Learning Center on the Craft Warehouse website. Stop by my blog this month for the chipboard letter tutorial and also to see the 30 Days of Thankful album I made with the scraps from this project.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Craft Warehouse Design Team Member Julie Slaikjer


I have had the chance to get to know Julie Slaikjer through our Instagram feed. Julie is an avid Craft Warehouse crafter and customer. She loves to participate in our local store events and her enthusiasm shows in her own Instagram posts! We love that she is loyal to our store and loves to share her work with those that are excited about crafting as much as she is! I had the pleasure of meeting Julie in August and it was like she and I already "knew" each other. I love that Craft Warehouse is not only a craft store but a community!




How long have you been crafting? 

I can’t remember a time when crafting wasn’t part of my life.  I grew up on the Oregon Coast.  My parents have always been crafters or at least do-it-yourselfers.  I think my mom was Martha Stewart before there was a Martha, always making beautiful things and teaching people to make them too.  My dad was an original DIY-er and MacGyver before there was one, always making and fixing things at home and work.

So, I guess I’d say crafting comes naturally to me.  As a kid, I was in Camp Fire, with my mom as the leader.  I still have tons of those projects we made in Camp Fire and at school too.  In junior high, I learned the arts of photography and working in the darkroom and kept it up through high school.  During this time, I kept scrapbooks packed with photos and memorabilia…sort of a SMASH book of the 80’s.  Photography and design have always been close to my heart.

I was reintroduced to scrapbooking in 1993, by a friend who became a Creative Memories consultant.  I loved that more people were capturing their memories, but the rigid structure of the early CM albums, was not for me.

I don’t believe there should be any rules associated with creativity!  I was lucky to find like-minded scrapbookers at my local scrapbook store in 2000.  As few years later, I became the “marketing girl” for the store.  Over the next eight years, I also designed samples, make & takes and taught workshops.  I LOVE teaching people to find their own creativity and encourage them to “make it their own” in my workshops.

When Project Life came to retail stores in 2013, it was like new life was breathed into scrapbooking for me.  I create Project Life spreads in chronological order a month at a time.  Don’t get me wrong, I still LOVE creating traditional scrapbook layouts, but to be able to scrap quickly and still include everything I love, photos & memorabilia is wonderful!  And, traditional 12x12 layouts fit perfectly into my Project Life albums.  When I scrapbook, I scrap whatever inspires me.  I’m behind, timewise…as far as some would say, but that’s OK!

As far as papercrafting goes, I love Project Life, traditional scrapbooking, mini albums and home décor projects.  Recently, I’ve started making a few cards too.  There’s always something new in papercrafting and I love learning about it, experimenting with it and sharing it with everyone!




What inspires you to be creative?

A lot of my inspiration comes from the products I see both in stores and online.  I have huge Pinterest boards dedicated to scrapbooking, card, craft ideas, new products and tutorials.  I love looking at project samples.  I am inspired by the different ways in which people use papercrafting products.  I keep all of the projects I find on my Pinterest board to serve as inspiration for myself and others to create things.  I am not someone who keeps them to copy them though.  I prefer to use my inspiration pieces as a starting point, usually one element really appeals to me (maybe layout design or an original layering technique) and then I let my imagination run wild.

I am also very inspired by color combinations (of course, I have a Pinterest board for these too….).  I love seeing how colors come together in nature and photographs.  I really enjoy choosing supplies for my projects by thinking of these color combinations and mixing products from various collections in my projects.

What Craft Warehouse products do you love to use?

It makes me happy just to walk into a Craft Warehouse store.  Seeing everything out there, just waiting for me to make something with it is inspiring.  Craft Warehouse is a kind of “one stop shopping” for me.  I am a papercrafter at heart.  But I also enjoy making DIY home décor projects.  So, I wander down the aisles thinking of new mantel arrangements and things I can make from all that yummy fabric.  (No, I don’t sew persay, but I am handy with a glue gun!)

I always have to grab a few frames too.  I love keeping my photos and projects out where my family and friends can enjoy them.

Then, my wandering takes me to the papercrafting section.  Home.  I love that Craft Warehouse carries Project Life, so I can pick up a few supplies on each trip.  I always have to check out what’s new in the scrapbooking section.  I love seeing the collections displayed together, so I can grab a few embellishments along with my papers for a cohesive look.  Lately, my favorites have been Simple Stories, WeR Memory Keepers, Studio Calico and Technique Tuesday’s stamps.




How can you encourage others reading this column?

I have always called my classes “workshops”.  I like to teach people techniques and help them find their own style when creating their projects.  I have made too many things in classes that just sit in boxes and never get used.  And, I love to encourage people to use their own imaginations and make “their project,” not mine.  I love it when everyone’s project looks different using the same supplies.  I feel that encouraging people to be creative by giving them ideas and options when I explain my projects will help them to enjoy the process more and USE the item they created in the workshop.  Giving crafters a sense of ownership of their own creativity is a great feeling.  I like people to leave my workshops or finish my tutorials feeling that they CAN BE CREATIVE and creativity doesn’t have rules.

Join us tomorrow as Julie shares a scrapbooking layout perfect for the fall season! In the meantime, be sure to visit her blog, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for even more inspiration!

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Holiday Burlap Fabric Ribbon Paper Mache Cones






Customize these burlap fabric trees for any holiday! Add webbing for a spooky look, an owl
 clip for fall, or lights for Christmas!










Holiday Burlap Fabric Ribbon Paper Mache Cones @craftsavvy @sarahowens #craftwarehouse #diy #papermache #holiday #party

Holiday Burlap Fabric Ribbon Paper Mache Cones @craftsavvy @sarahowens #craftwarehouse #diy #papermache #holiday #party

Supplies:

• Large Paper Mache Cone
• 1-2 Spools of 10 yard Burlap ribbon
• Glue Gun
• Scissors

Directions:

1. Start Buy cutting burlap strips about 3.5” inches long for the first layer for the bottom of your cone.

2. Glue ribbon to the cone at the bottom using glue gun.

3. Cut ribbon for your second layers about 3” strips for the second and third layer and glue on to cone with a glue gun.

4. Repeat steps until you reach the top. Cut 3 2.5” burlap strips to complete the top of the cone.

5. Add embellishments to create each holiday!

Alter the design to create a Christmas tree!

Holiday Burlap Fabric Ribbon Paper Mache Cones @craftsavvy @sarahowens #craftwarehouse #diy #papermache #holiday #party

Supplies:

• 2 Large Paper Mache Cones
• Wood Stars from Lara Crafts
• 1- Red and Gold Polka Dot Fat Quarters
• 1- Green and Gold Polka Dot Fat
Quarters
• Half Yard of Burlap Fabric.
• Glue Gun
• Pinking Shears

Directions:

1. Start by cutting 1.5” squares of fabric with your Pinking Shears. Cut as many as you can get out of your fat quarters and your burlap.

2. Start gluing the fabric on to the bottom of each cone rotating burlap with your cotton fabric. Use as much or less as you would like to make your cone.

3. Once you reach the top go back through and add fabric to give it more detail or keep it as is.

4. Last glue on top your wood star!

* Paper Mache Cones 50% off from November 1st - 23rd, 2014

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Paper Mache Fall Cones


These paper mache cones are perfect for all fall seasons! Create one for a mantel or a few to place in a wood tray for fun center piece!

Paper Mache Fall Leaves Cone @craftsavvy @sarahowens #craftwarehouse #papermache #cones #diy #fall

Supplies:

3 Large Paper Mache Cones
1/2 yard of Burlap with make 3 cones
3 Strips of Leaf Garland
Beacon Fabric Tack Glue

Directions:

1. Start with covering the 3 large Paper Mache cones with Burlap fabric.

2. Create a pattern buy opening up one of your paper cones then tracing the cone on to your burlap fabric leaving 1” extra fabric around the entire cone. This will give you room to over lap the fabric.

3. After you cut the burlap for all 3 cones glue your cone back together using beacon glue.

4. Lightly spread glue around your cone, This doesn't take much glue.

5. Then roll up the cone with your burlap fabric.

6. Trim top and the extra fabric on the bottom fold into the cone giving it a little glue inside to hold the fabric in place.

7. Give the top of the cone a little glue so it doesn’t unravel.

8. Last wrap garland around cone and secure with glue at the top and the bottom of the garland.

9. Repeat steps 2 more times.

10. Place in a decorative tray to create a beautiful fall center piece. 

Paper Mache Tepee Cone @craftsavvy @sarahowens #craftwarehouse #papermache #cones #diy #fall

Supplies:

Large or Medium Triangular Cone
1/2 yard Cotton Duck Fabric
Beacon Fabric Tack Glue
4ply & 2 ply Jute String
Chevron burlap ribbon
Black Felt
Small Dowel Sticks
Glue Gun & Scissors

Directions:

1. Take the cone and open up one side of the cone so you can create a pattern.

2. Trace your cone on to the back of the fabric.

3. Cut out leaving a 1” distance between the trace mark and the outer edge you are cutting. This will give you extra fabric to over lap on the cone.

4. If you are creating more than one cone cut out your fabric now using the cone as a template. Then glue cone back together using your glue gun.

5. Cut the top of your cone about an inch down, I used a sharp kitchen knife or mini saw so the cut was straight.

6. Wrap the fabric around the cone and glue the seam with Beacon Fabric Tack glue.

7. Cut an up side down “T” slit in the duct fabric where you want your front tee pee door to be. Then glue back the flaps with fabric glue.

8. Cut a triangle to fit in the hole with black felt. Glue to the cone.

9. Glue the extra fabric to the bottom inside of the cone.

10. Take your 3 small dowels cut them to 6” length then bundle them together and wrap them with 2 ply jute 1” down from the top of the dowels. Place through the top of the cone, flip upside down and add hot glue to each dowel rod so they glue one rod to each corner of the inside of the cone.

11. Wrap Larger jute to the top of the tee pee and glue with glue gun.

12. Wrap chevron ribbon around the middle of the tee pee and glue using beacon fabric tack.

13. Place in a tray as a center piece with fall fillers, like pine cones or leaves.

*Paper Mache Cones 50% off and from November 1st - 23rd, 2014

Monday, October 27, 2014

Paper Mache Santa and Elf Cones


Paper Mache cones are fun for any occasion! These holiday cones will give your table scape or mantel a bit of whimsy!

Santa and Elf Paper Mache Cones @craftsavvy @sarahowens #craftwarehouse #papermache #holiday #diy

Elf Cone

Supplies:

Large Paper Mache Cone
Darice matt red bell
Green Felt
White Acrylic Paint
Round Foam Sponge (used for stenciling)
Glue Gun
Scissors

Directions:

1. Cut the top of your cone about a .25” , this will give you a flat surface for your bell to rest.

2. Twist wire through the hole in the bottom of the bell.

3. Place a little glue at the top of the cone, then place wire through the top of the hat so the bell sits even with the top.

4. Once glue has dried flip the cone over and from the bottom of the cone shoot in more glue to adhere the wire to the sides of the cone.

5. Keep flipped over till glue is dry.

6. With a foam sponge and white acrylic paint, paint circle dots on to your cone. Let dry.

7. Cut your felt into 2 4” strips. Glue one end together to form one long strip using your glue gun.

8. Cut a zig zag pattern to create the bottom of the hat. Then glue to the bottom of the cone cutting off the extra felt.

Santa Cone

Supplies:

Large Paper Mache Cone
12x12 Red Dot Scrapbook Paper
Acrylic Paint “Flesh” Color
White large Pompoms
White Felt
Laura Crafts Wood Plug (nose)
Aleene’s Glitter Snow
Glue Gun & Beacon Fabric Tack Glue

Directions:

1. Paint the bottom half of your cone and wood nose with “flesh” color acrylic paint. 3-4 coats.

2. Once paint is dry wrap red scrapbook paper around the cone. Cut paper to fit the cone leaving about 3” at the bottom of the cone for Santa's face.

3. Glue red paper to cone using your glue gun.

4. Cut your felt to cover the top of the hat slightly and cut out the oval shape where Santa's face will go.

5. Glue on felt to cone using Beacon fabric glue.

6. Cut of the top of the cone so it’s a flat surface and glue on the large pompom with glue gun.

7. Glue nose on to cone using fabric tack. And 2 black dots for eyes.

8. Last you are going to scoop on Glitter snow to Santa's felt beard, make it as fluffy as you would like and let cure over night.

* Paper Mache Cones 50% off regular prices from November 1st - 23rd, 2014.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Chatterbox Hostess Apron by Design Team Member Staci Wendland

 
My thanks to Craft Warehouse for welcoming me back for a second year on their Design Team!  My name is Staci, and I can usually be found over at my blog, but today I'm here to talk about a fun pattern I recently got to take for a spin.
When I received the three prints from the Windham Fabrics Oh Clementine line by Allison Harris for Cluck Cluck Sew, it immediately brightened up my sewing room, even just stacked on my table.  Also included in the box was the Chatterbox Apron Pattern from Mary Mulari Designs.  It had me at "reversible" and "only 2 yards of fabric."  Before I cut into it, I happened to visit Craft Warehouse and saw the apron sewn up and hanging in the fabric section.  I can tell you, the picture on the envelope doesn't quite do it justice.  It's so much cuter in person!


The first thing I noticed when I opened the pattern is that all of the pieces are printed on one heavy sheet of paper.  I had planned to trace the pieces, but after seeing how sturdy the paper was I had no concerns about just cutting them out.  I also didn't need to worry about losing the instructions in the process, because they're printed directly onto one of the big pieces.


Another thing I loved about the pattern was a little prompt to write down when you made the apron and who it was for.  I always intend to do this when I use a pattern, but never remember to.
 
I noticed while cutting this out that the pattern is clearly hand-drawn, rather than rendered digitally.  A designer after my own heart!  I like a simple project, and this one fits right in with its two-yard fabric requirement and six pattern pieces.
To make it even quicker and easier, the designer suggests cutting both sides of the reversible apron at the same time by stacking the two pieces of fabric.  I would have done that, except I was using three fabrics, so both sides wouldn't be exact opposites of each other.  Even so, I had the whole thing cut out in no time.   The only notion required is a piece of Velcro, but I happened to have some who-knows-how-old ric rac in an orangey-red that coordinated with the fabrics perfectly.  

  I stitched it onto the pockets and top of one side before assembling the apron.  You could do the same with ribbon or bias tape.


I didn't notice until it was too late that the daisy print was directional.  This is a pretty common problem for me.  In fact, I have a particularly hilarious pair of pajama shorts.  No worries here though.  My daisies aren't growing, they're cascading.


The instructions are very clear and the pieces all went together smoothly.  This was especially important since the method of assembling this apron was new to me, but very clever.



One bit of advice I can give you, based on mistake number two, is know where all of your straps are when you're top-stitching.  I almost made it through without pulling out the seam ripper.

These three fabrics came together to made this unique pattern even more cheerful.  I actually thought the side with the red trim was going to be my favorite.

But it actually turned out to be the side with the upside-down daisies and the ric rac.  Fun and a little whimsical.

This apron would also make a great hostess gift.  Because it's reversible, I'd love to make it  with a fall or Thanksgiving print on one side and a Christmas print on the other.  Flip it over and you're ready for the next season!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Craft Warehouse Deign Team Member Staci Wendland


Welcome back Staci Wendland, Craft Warehouse Design Team Alumni! Staci is our local seamstress! We love her classic projects that have inspired so many of our customers! Staci's heart for teaching is why we keep asking her back! She has a great way of explaining a project so that anyone - no matter if a beginner or advanced in sewing - could feel confident in trying out her designs. Here's what she has to say about what inspires her to create!



How long have you been crafting? 

I’ve been crafting so long, I don’t remember ever not doing it!  One of my first sewing memories was being allowed to help on a quilt my grandmother had made before she passed away, just after I was born.  My mother and several of my aunts were quilting it on one of those big, wooden frames and they let me quilt a small section.  I was only three or four years old, so my stitches are very wonky, but I felt so grown-up!


 
What inspires you to be creative?


Inspiration is a funny thing.  It has definitely taught me to be more patient and open-minded.  It can come from anywhere, but it will come on its own time, not mine.


 
What Craft Warehouse products do you love to use? 


I'm always a big fan of Craft Warehouse, but with my daughter's recent wedding, I was there A LOT.  We bought jewelry supplies, scrapbook paper, vinyl, paint, mason jars and accessories, frames, fabric, wood, and more.  If you need to know where to find something in that store, I can tell you!
 
 



How can you encourage others reading this column? 

Read the instructions, make sure you're within your current skill level and go for it.  But don't give up if a project fails.  I've had so many things not turn out the way I had hoped, but I have to laugh about it and move on to the next thing.  I usually hang onto those fails because sometimes, down the road, I'm able to turn it into a win.

Join us tomorrow where Staci will be our guest and show off a fun reversible apron tutorial! It is a perfect hostess gift idea right in time for the gift making season!

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Holiday Paper Mache Cones


Paper Mache Cones are perfect no matter the season! These Christmas cones are perfect for a mantel, holiday craft night, or fun gift! Make them with your girl friends or children! It is fun for the whole family!

Holiday Paper Mache Cones @craftsavvy @sarahowens #craftwarehouse #papermache #cones #christmas #diy

Santa Cone

Supplies:

A small, medium & large paper cone.
Red acrylic paint
Martha Stewart glue & fine red glitter
1 yard 1” black ribbon
1/4 yard 1/2” black ribbon
2 yards of white marabou
2 packs of Darice clear square rhinestones
Tools
Scissors
E-6000 glue & glue gun

Directions:

1. Paint the cones with red acrylic paint.  Set aside and let dry.

2. Once completely dry...take the Martha Stewart glue and apply on cone.  From there, coat in glitter.  Sprinkle off excess.  Set aside and completely dry.

3. Take your black ribbon.  Wrap around the middle of each cone.  Glue the ribbon with E6000.  Let it dry.

4. Place rhinestones on card stock paper in square formation.  Cut paper around the rhinestones to create the buckle.

5. Take white marabou (or a boa) and cut to fit the bottom of the cone.  Use up top!  Glue on and then dry!

Christmas Tree

A small, medium & large paper cone.
Christmas paper with 10-12 sheets of paper
Wood Stars
Gold glitter
Martha Stewart Glitter Glue
Red Acrylic Paint

Directions:

1. Paint the cones with red acrylic paint.  Set aside and let dry.

2. Take the scrapbook paper and cut into strips.(3”long by 1/2” wide for the large cone), (2 1/2” long by 1/2” wide for medium  cones) (and 2” long by 1/3” wide for small cones).

3. Make a loop with the paper strip.  Glue gun.

4. Glue each loop, on to the cones.  Let dry.

5. Coat the wooden start with Martha Stewart glitter glue.  From there, sprinkle gold glitter and shake off excess.

6. Enjoy your new paper holiday tree!

* 50% off Paper Mache Cones until October 27th, 2014

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Fall Pumpkin Hoops


Use your favorite fall fabric collection and these simple hoops to make a festive and fun wall decor! Change your look every season quickly and easily! Use Soft and Bright batting to give your fabric some body and the hoop art some depth!


Fall Pumpkin Hoops @crafsavvy #craftwarehouse #pumpkin #embroidery #hoop #dyl #homedecor

Supplies:

•    14” or 18” wooden embroidery hoop
•    Fat quarter of fabric
•    ½ yard of fusible fleece
•    A bag of polyester fleece
•    Iron on word* if you are creating the welcome pumpkin
•    Aleene’s Tacky  Glue
•    Americana Gloss Enamel in complimentary color
•    Twine
•    Masking tape or painters tape
•    Cardboard larger than your hoop (a cereal box is great!)
•    Pen or pencil
•    Embellishments
•    Frixion pen, optional

Directions:

1. Using the Frixion pen, trace the inner hoop onto the fusible fleece.  Center the same hoop on your fat quarter and again with the Frixion pen, trace around it.  Again with the inner hoop, trace it onto the cardboard.  Cut out each.  The marks made by the Frixion pen disappear when you iron on the fleece.

2. Using the tape, securely tape the cardboard to the inner hoop. Set aside.


3. Center the fleece circle on the fat quarter, matching it to the traced mark.  Following the fleece manufacturer’s directions, fuse the circle in place.   Don’t trim the excess fabric.

4. Mound the polyester filling in the center of the cardboard and hoop.  Center the fat quarter/fused fleece circle on top of this mound.  The fused fleece circle keeps the polyester filling from looking lumpy on the outside. (If the entire fat quarter was fused with the fleece, you would find it very difficult to close the hoop.) 

5. Slowly put the outside hoop on, smoothing the edges of fabric and stuffing the little bits of stuffing back inside the inner hoop and pulling the fabric to tighten it.  Every so often you should flip the pumpkin over to make sure you don’t need to add or subtract stuffing in different areas.  Tighten the screw at the top of the hoop to secure it and turn the pumpkin package over.

6. Begin taping the fabric to the cardboard, gently pulling the fabric as you tape.  The entire process feels like you are trying to stuff things in a suitcase and close it!  I don’t think you can over-tape the fabric to the cardboard.  When you are happy with the way it looks on the front and the fabric is securely taped on the back, remove the outer hoop. 

7. Measure 3 lengths of twine or ribbon long enough to go around your pumpkin and allow you to tie a knot to create your pumpkin segments.  Being mindful of any directional design on your fabric, tie each piece of twine in the back to create the pumpkin segments as shown.  Paint the outer hoop or glue ribbon on to it.  When the paint is dry, run a bead of glue along the outside of the smaller hoop (on top of the fabric).  Put the outer hoop back on the pumpkin and tighten the screw. 

8. Add leaves, flowers, etc. to hide the hoop screw.

Note: If you want to create the welcome pumpkin, you will need a word, a fat quarter, ½ yard of fusible fleece and a hoop.  Make sure the word will fit into the size hoop you choose. Fuse the fleece to your fat quarter.  Trace the outer hoop onto the right side of your fabric.  Add 2” all the way around this circle and cut it out.  Following the manufacturer’s directions, fuse the word onto the right side of your fabric circle. If you plan to paint the outer hoop, now is the time to do that.  Centering the circle in the inner hoop, place the outer hoop on and tighten, pulling the fabric taut as you go.  Tighten the screw as tight as you are able.  Flip the pumpkin over and trim the excess fabric off the back.  Trim the hoop with ribbon, etc.  Cover up the hoop screw as desired with flowers, leaves, ribbons, etc.


* Lowest price of the season 50% off regular prices on Embroidery Hoops, Fabric Tac Adhesive $10.88 (reg $16.99), and Soft and Bright Batting 4 oz $4.88 (reg $6.99), and 30% off Fall, Halloween, and Christmas Bolted Cotton Fabrics on sale until October 27th, 2014

Monday, October 20, 2014

Burlap Fall Leaf Table Runner


There are so many ways to incorporate burlap into your fall decor! A simple burlap runner can do wonders for your table setting. We have also used it on pillows, tied it into wreaths and wrapped it around candles! The possibility are endless! Today I am going to share with you how to create this felt and burlap runner!







This will make 1- 72” or 2 - 36” runners

You will need-

•    14”x72” jute table runner
•    3-6 colors of wool felt, 12”x18” sheets or 1/8 yard of each
•    2 ¼ yards of wool felt for under runner, optional
•    Coordinating embroidery floss, embroidery needle
•    Frixion pen
•    Aleene’s Tacky Glue

1. Cut out the 2 leaves and use as templates.  Trace 12-18 leaves onto each color of felt with the Frixion pen.  (I use Frixion pens for so many sewing and crafting projects.  Write, draw, mark-when you are done,a light touch with your iron over the ink and voila! The marks are gone!!) If you are more comfortable following a line, draw veins on each leaf. 

2. Embroider each leaf-I used a backstitch.* Cut out each leaf.  With your iron on medium heat, iron each leaf to make the pen lines disappear. 
Spritz the table runner or use steam to get the fold lines out of the jute/burlap runner.  If desired, cut the runner in half. 

3. Place the leaves in a pleasing design. Glue in place.  Let dry and enjoy!

4. Place the leaves in a pleasing design.  Do you want to use a centerpiece with this runner?  Be sure to leave room in the middle for it.  Glue in place.  

Let dry and enjoy!

Quick tip: I found it easiest to embroider each leaf and then cut them out.  There is more fabric to hold if you do it this way.

* Get the download printable for this project on our Craft Warehouse website here!

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