Turkey Day Napkins

Just in case you didn't know how to do this.

Martha Stewart has a detailed tutorial for you.

And you know you will next week!

I have been *featured*

What a DAY! I think this is pretty big stuff! I got a message from another gal on etsy that she has *featured* one of my yoga mat bags on her blog. The posting is called: Yoga Crafts - Five Etsy Finds.

Five. And I was one of the five.

Click here to see it. Looks like she is just starting up this new blog. I am so glad to be in one of the first entries. And I don't know this girl and I did not pay her either. haha

http://yogaforcrafters.typepad.com/

Up to my eyes in coffee cuffs!

Ugh! I am going insane trying to perfect my coffee cuff! I have been making these for almost a year now. And every time I make a new one, or two, I make it somewhat differently- better. And I realize, those of you who have one of these cuffs, probably think the thing is just fine. But until I like it...

Kate's coffee cuff= reusable insulated fabric sleeve for take out coffee; made out of cute fabrics

Tonight I just can't seem to get the back seam the way I like it. I am begging for opinions. So offer them up. I was hoping that I could get this thing to be 2-sided, but the inside is not looking so hot.
Option 1: Sew a "box" at the back to sew down both ends of the sleeve.
Pros: Easy. Cons: There is a rectangle stitched on the back.

Option 2: Just sew down the top.
Pros: looks nice from the outside. Cons: There is a loose end inside, so might be annoying if used in "reverse" mode.

Option 3: Fit one end inside the other and stitch up.
Pros: Looks super. Cons: Kinda tricky to stuff it in, but mostly the top and bottom edges are uneven (says Shawn).

Option 4: Just like Option 2, but add a tag inside and just tack it down.
Pros: No loose flap inside. Just a small "tack" of stitching on the outside. Cons: Annoying tag if reversed (again, Shawn).

I will leave the options with just 4.

"Painted" Leaf Garland

I LOVE fall.  Love.  it.  I love crafts.  The kids love crafts.  But I am a bit of a "real marker"- phobe (along with real paint).  Especially when S eats what ever we are crafting.  Also, real little ones can't get the hang of watercolor painting.  So this is a good craft for little ones- they think they are painting and you know they really are not!
What you will need:
- coffee filters
- markers (we used washable)
- paintbrush with water
- hole punch
- yarn
1.  Fold coffee filter in half and cut off that bumpy edge.  Then cut out a half-leaf shape (of your choosing) on that fold.  When you open up the paper you will see the whole leaf.


2.  Using the markers, draw lines dots and squiggles on the leaf.   You can even do this ahead of time so the little ones don't play with the markers.


3.  Then "paint" the markered leaves with just water.  We also tried dipping the leaves in water and misting them.  "Painting" seemed to work the best.  



4.  Let them dry.  Then hole punch where you want to string them.  Cut the yarn to the length you want and string the leaves on the yarn.   Display proudly.

Introducing...

Yep, another craft blog.  Oh, well.  Here I hope to post craft ideas and tutorials to share with everyone!  I love sewing.  Actually, I love fabrics!!  So therefore I love sewing.  I also enjoy tons of other crafts.  Since I have two little ones at home with me, I also "specialized" in crafts for little children.  Stick around with my new blog and you will get to see and learn how to do all of our wonderful crafts.

I currently have a little shop on etsy.com.  Right now I am selling some gorgeous yoga mat bags and flaxseed eye pillows.  The yoga mat bag is my very own design.  It has taken me several months of making and selling them to finally be satisfied with design.  I can tell you that every facet of the bag has been carefully thought out.  I take great pride in my craftswomanship, too, so all stitching is neat and seams are finished or serged.