What is a Fat Quarter and What Can I Make With It?

Posted on May 8, 2013 by CraftyStaci

I noticed there are lots of bloggers offering fat quarters for Giveaway Day this week, including me. If you’re a newer sewer (say that ten times, fast), you might not be familiar with the term or what they’re good for. Welcome to Fat Quarters 101.

Fabric is sold on bolts, folded in half with the selvage edges together. Cotton fabric, of the type usually used by quilters and crafters, once measured 45 inches from selvage to selvage, but the size has magically shrunk while the price tag grows. Most fabrics are now about 42 inches wide.

A yard of fabric is 36 inches, just like a yard of anything else. That means if you buy an entire yard of fabric, unfold it and spread it out, it will measure 36 inches by 42 inches. If you request a quarter of a yard at the cutting counter, you’ll receive a piece of fabric as shown below.

A fat quarter is the same number of square inches in size, but is cut differently, as shown here.

If you get the same number of square inches of fabric, why would you care which way it’s cut? Let’s say you want to make a bag. The pattern instructs you to cut a rectangle that’s 12 by 20 inches. You’d have to buy more fabric cut the regular way just to fit your pattern. There’s less waste with a fat quarter, and they’re sometimes less expensive than buying cut yardage.

Now that you know what a fat quarter is, what can you make with them? Quilters love these because they’re better suited for squares and other shapes, but they don’t have to be limited to quilting. You can find gazillions of projects out there that are meant for fat quarters. Here’s a few of my own projects that are perfectly suited to these cuts.

Now that you know what a fat quarter is, what are you going to make?

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Engagement Party

Posted on April 29, 2013 by CraftyStaci

We had a very exciting weekend around here.

Yep, the Codi in our story is my daughter. Her boyfriend, John, proposed on Saturday! Because he gave us a heads-up beforehand, our two families planned a surprise engagement party for when they returned from their hike.

They’ve been talking about this for a little while, so a few things, like wedding colors, have been discussed. They’re considering yellow and grey, so we went with those for the party decorations.

John has Celiac disease, so we’ve spent some time over the last year they’ve been dating and the couple of years they were friends before that learning how to cook gluten-free. For the party we had a taco bar and his sister made delicious John-safe cupcakes.

Because our bride and groom-to-be both have a strong sense of fun, we felt these t-shirts would be well received. And they were. I made these using the freezer paper and paint technique.

Codi and John are planning a summer wedding in 2014. By that time, John will be finished with the Fire Science program and be working full-time as a fire fighter. As a law enforcement family, we decided we loved him anyway.

I’m going to do my best to not overwhelm all of you with wedding stuff over the next 15 or 16 months, but I can guarantee it will come up. The ceremony and reception are going to be held at our home, and we’re both DIY families, so there’s a lot to do. But we couldn’t be happier about it!

Cookie Sheet Kitchen Command Center

Posted on April 17, 2013 by CraftyStaci

I mentioned the kitchenware Reuse Design Challenge at Earth911 a a while back. Well, I won! My thanks to everyone who voted. This was the challenge:

Upcycle used/old/worn out cookware (pots, pans, utensils…etc) into something completely different, but useful. We are looking for creative AND practical reuse designs, not simply decorative.

Sounds pretty easy, right? Except all I could think of were projects that were decorative. My sketch sheet is almost hilarious. Draw something, realize it’s only purpose is to look pretty, cross it out.

Luckily, my need for a good project and an actual need collided. My husband and I have started exercising regularly and trying to eat healthier. I find we eat better food if I plan it out in advance, so I wanted a menu board for my kitchen. I saw lots of kitchen command centers out there, but I have lots of windows and very little wall and they were all too big. This little cookie sheet fits the spot perfectly.

To make one of these handy boards, you’ll need a cookie sheet, an empty mint container, a flat-sided pen cup (or a small box), clothespins, a shopping list pad, chalkboard paint, acrylic paint, a silver Sharpie, flat magnets or a magnetic sheet, ribbon or cord to hang it, and, of course, chalk to write on it with.

This is probably the cheapest cookie sheet known to man, but in this case that’s an advantage. I felt like I could safely hang it on the wall without having to worry about it. Rough your pan up with some sandpaper to help the paint stick. I did this on the back, because that’s the side I chose to use. Do the same with your mint tin and pencil cup, if it’s metal. Clean everything well.

My cookie sheet didn’t have any holes in the ends, so I used a screwdriver, a hammer and a piece of wood to add a couple. It wasn’t difficult on this thin metal.

Spray all three pieces with two or three coats of chalkboard paint.

After the paint has dried completely, use a pencil to draw a menu block. Trace the pencil lines with a silver Sharpie.

Add the days of the week, if you’d like them to be permanent.

I printed my own shopping list (which you can download here) and secured them together with a piece of cardboard on the back using padding compound. I cut a magnetic calendar down to fit the back (don’t tell my insurance agent!) but any flat, sheet-style magnetic will work. Glue that to the cardboard.

Paint the clothespins with the acrylic paint and glue magnets to the back.

I also added a few details to the mint tin and pencil cup using the Sharpie and paint. Glue magnets to the side of the pencil cup and the bottom of the mint tin.

String the ribbon through the holes in the cookie sheet and tie for hanging.

The day I finished this, I just made up a menu for the photos. My son walked in while it was hanging and excitedly asked “Are we having Pad Thai for dinner?" which is his favorite. Since I didn’t even have the ingredients into the house, that wasn’t happening, and he sadly left the kitchen. I probably owe someone some Pad Thai.

Now that I have this little thing, I don’t know what I did without it. I always know where my shopping list and pens are, and my son could stop coming home and asking me what’s for dinner every night. That’s if I can ever get him to trust it again.

My Interview at The Hartungs

Posted on April 16, 2013 by CraftyStaci

Popping in to let you know there’s an interview with me right now on a lovely blog called The Hartungs. Just in case you’re interested in what I do in my free time, what I really think of my hometown of Boring or my favorite ColdStone flavor, you’ll find it all on Sheree’s blog.

While you’re there, be sure to check out some of her beautiful photos and tasty recipes!

Squidoo

Posted on April 15, 2013 by CraftyStaci

Have you heard of Squidoo? Apparently it’s been around for years, but it didn’t hit my radar until recently. The basic idea is, anyone can go there and write an article about anything. There’s a bunch of topic categories, some of my favorites being Food & Cooking, Home & Garden, Holidays and Celebrations and Arts and Design.

I’ve been contributing to Squidoo for about a month now. I was even lucky enough to be interviewed earlier this month and featured in Squidoo Debut! You might wonder why I’m writing there, since I already have a blog. There are two reasons.

First, on this blog I talk about crafts, sewing and recipes, which I love. Once in a while, something else comes up that I might want to write about, but I just don’t feel like it fits in here. Having another platform where I have different options for topics just lets me stretch my wings a little. Don’t worry, this is still my first love.

Second, sometimes I’ll look back at a project I’ve shared here and wish I had done things differently or that I could cover it again from a different angle. While that would make me feel better, I’m afraid it would bore you. Writing for Squidoo gives me the chance to look at those again and introduce them to new readers.

Here’s what I’ve written about so far:

I started off with a little introduction of who I am and what I do.

Introducing Crafty Staci

That went well, so I moved on to a favorite recipe with a new twist.

How to Make Homemade Salted Caramels

Next, I ventured into non-crafty territory with the story of the greatest vacation I’ve ever been on.

Taking a Road Trip with Teenagers

I wanted to live up to my name, so I shared an all-time favorite, with instructions specifically for Insul-Brite.

How to Sew a Reversible Fabric Coffee Cup Sleeve

Next, I combined five of my favorite cookie recipes into one article, each easily printable.

Unique Cookie Recipes

My most recent article, which I just published yesterday, is about my love for Gutermann thread.

Gutermann Sewing Thread

If you have a desire to write, but aren’t ready to tackle the challenges of your own blog, I’d recommend Squidoo. They’ve been very welcoming, it’s easy to get started and it doesn’t cost a thing. I’ve got a big list of future topics to tackle. I hope I’ll see you there!

Adding Detail to a Spring Sweater

Posted on April 10, 2013 by CraftyStaci

I’m a fan of the television show “Castle.” Mostly, I just want Castle’s ballistic vest that says Writer across the front so I can wear it on ride-alongs with my husband. But one of the other reasons I enjoy the show is the wardrobe of the female lead, Stana Katic. Of course, she’s gorgeous and could wear anything she wanted, but I love almost everything they put her in. I could picture some of it in my own closet.

I mean, just look at this coat! Photo from ABC.

One of the things that I like about her clothes are the little details. Some lacing here, a button there makes all the difference. I have a light sweater I bought a few years ago that is one of my favorites just because of the little row of buttons at the cuff.

I have another spring sweater that I want to love. It’s grey, which I’m really into right now and has a relaxed, comfortable fit, but it’s just boring.

Blah. But I realized, the detail I like on the green sweater could be easily added to the grey one with a little ribbon and a few buttons. Because I found my package of tiny buttons on clearance for $.50 and the entire spool of ribbon was only $.50 (I used 9 inches of the 18 feet), this upgrade only cost me 52 cents. Can’t beat that.

The ribbon I used is called grosgrain. It’s the stuff with the little horizontal ridges on it. Mine is 3/8” wide, because that is the width of my buttons. You could certainly go wider.

Cut 2 pieces of ribbon, each the length of the cuff on the sweater plus 1 inch. Fold the ends under 1/2 inch and press with an iron.

Flatten the cuff with the seam centered at the bottom. Pin the ribbon centered on top.

Stitch close to the edge, all the way around the ribbon. Stretch the sleeve as little as possible.

Stitch the buttons on the ribbon.

I had a few buttons left, so I sewed a few on at the bottom of the v-neck.

Inexpensive, quick and easy but I think it makes a big difference in this sweater.

Now, to go figure out if I can applique on a ballistic vest.

Felt Flowers from the Land of Oz

Posted on April 3, 2013 by CraftyStaci

I was recently asked by Undercover Tourist, a great website for Disney World park tickets, apps and info, to create a craft to celebrate the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. As luck would have it, the movie Oz, the Great and Powerful was opening at almost the same time and Disney announced there would be an Oz area in the festival. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but the beautiful flowers on the movie posters made my job easy.

I can’t show you the posters here because Disney has a lot more money than I do, but if you visit the Oz website you’ll see in many shots from the movie there is a lily-looking tropical flower. That’s how we’re going to bring home some movie magic.

To make one flower, you’ll need:

· 2 felt rectangles (about 9 x 12") in two different, coordinating colors

· 5 pipe cleaners

· 3 beads

· 1 chopstick or other wooden stick

· embroidery floss

· stem wrap tape (waxy floral tape, found in the craft store with floral arranging supplies)

· this pattern

Cut the flower shape from one piece of felt and five of the petal centers from the other. Cut along the red lines in the center of the flower, as indicated on the pattern. Cut four of the pipe cleaners in half.

Lay the flower face up and center one of the short pipe cleaners on a petal, about 1/4” from the top. Carefully add a petal center over the top, even with the top edge of the petal. Pin.

Stitch over the center and the pipe cleaner with embroidery floss, using the stitch of your choice. My embroidery floss is variegated, or ombre, which is why it looks like I used different colors.

Repeat on the other four petals. Push the ends of all five pipe cleaners through the hole in the center of the flower, bending slightly if necessary.

On the remaining short pipe cleaners, slide a bead to about 1 inch from the end. Holding the bead in place, bend the top of the pipe cleaner over it and twist it around underneath. Make three of these for the stamens.

Using the pipe cleaners, gather all five flower petals together. Push the bottom ends of the stamens into the center, making sure all eight pipe cleaners are even at the bottom. Wrap a couple of inches of the long pipe cleaner tightly around at the base of the flower. Leave the rest loose until the next step. I used a green one in this photo so you could see it better.

Slide the chopstick into the center of the stems from the bottom, pushing it as close to the flower as it will go. Finish wrapping the pipe cleaner around the stems and down the chopstick.

Starting just under the bottom of the flower, wrap the stem with floral tape, pulling slightly and overlapping as you spiral down.

Bend each petal outward with a slight curve and fan the stamens out a bit.

I made a few leaves to go with these, using the same method except a doubled-over pipe cleaner instead of the chopstick in the center.

These flowers were intended for the spring festival, but they make me feel like I can see a little peek of summer on the horizon.

Twisted Wire Carrot

Posted on March 27, 2013 by CraftyStaci

As happens to me once in a while, I walked into my sewing room for an entirely different reason, and came out with this bit of Easter décor. Most of the time I can focus on the task at hand, but sometimes I just OH…SHINY!

This copper carrot was inspired by the one I made before Christmas for my Melted Snowman Ornament.

This is a larger version with a different method for adding the greenery.

I used 18 – 20 gauge copper wire. I didn’t measure the length, but I’d guess it was about 4 to 6 feet. I would like to see this with thicker wire. It might be harder to twist, but the look might be more similar to the smaller carrot. I used green felt scraps for the greenery and a cardboard cone for twisting the wire.

Starting from the top, I twisted the wire around the cone.

I wound it too tight around the top, so when I pulled it off I tried to stretch it out, but ended up with a mutant carrot.

Fortunately, it was easy to fix. I just cut off the tip at the point where it looked more carrotish and stuck it back on the cone to bring the end to a smaller point.

I cut several pieces of green felt in different lengths, each about 1/4 – 1/2” wide.

I gathered them all together in the middle. I manipulated the wire at the top of the carrot so it was centered, then wrapped it around the center of the felt.

To make the felt stick up a little more, I pulled it together and wrapped the last bit of wire around the base.

I can’t wait to see what kind of Easter bunny shows up to eat this veggie.

Reuse Design Challenge – Kitchenware

Posted on March 25, 2013 by CraftyStaci

I’m a little competitive. Maybe more than a little. The problem is, I’ll accept a challenge, then drive myself batty trying to knock it out of the park. That’s what happened to me recently, when I was contacted by Earth911 to compete in another Reuse Design Challenge.

This is the challenge:

Upcycle used/old/worn out cookware (pots, pans, utensils…etc) into something completely different, but useful. We are looking for creative AND practical reuse designs, not simply decorative.

What I finally came up with was a kitchen command center, made from an old cookie sheet, an Altoid container, an old pen cup, wood clothespins and a custom made shopping list:

I’ll tell you more about how I landed on this project and how it was made next month. If you’d like to vote in the challenge, visit Earth911 before this Friday!

Bendable Bunny Ears

Posted on March 20, 2013 by CraftyStaci

I’d like to give you a brief insight into the life of a craft blogger on the first day of spring in Oregon. I started on the project I’m going to talk about this morning while it was a little cloudy. The clouds broke, and the sun was shining while I cut and stitched. As soon as I was finished and started looking for a little spot of light so I could take some pics the very ugly, dark grey clouds rolled in. I fought through my photo shoot and finally gave up when it started to rain. I sat down to the computer to start writing and some not-tiny hail started falling, which knocked out my satellite internet. Did I mention I also heard some thunder? Happy spring!

Anyway, Easter is hopping this way and I have a cute project to share. This was inspired by a felt flower project I’ll be showing you the first week in April. These are easy to make and, like most of my favorite projects, the details can be changed to suit your taste.

These felt bunny ears are stitched with a pipe cleaner core, so they can be wrapped around just about anything. To make a set, you’ll need this pattern, two pieces of felt (one pink and one bunny ear color), two pipe cleaners and some embroidery floss.

We’ll start with the larger set. Cut two outside ears and inside ears.

Lay the outside ear down with the pipe cleaner on top. The pipe cleaner should reach into the ear 6” from the bottom point. That sounds kinda gross. Don’t think too hard about it.

Lay the inside ear on top, centered and matching the points at the bottom. Pin in place.

Stitch down the center using the stitch of your choice. I used three different versions for the three sets I made here. Hide the knots under the inside ear.

Yep, it’s that easy. I wrapped these around the handle of a basket.

For the first set, I used pink embroidery floss to match the inside ear. On the second I used thread that matched the outside ear so that I could bend the ear over without the contrasting thread showing on the back.

To make the smaller version, cut one pipe cleaner in half (unless you’d like it longer to wrap around something larger) and it should reach 3 1/2” up from the bottom point.

I decided to stitch around the edge of the inside ear on the smaller set. The zigzag stitch in the center is my favorite of these three. They’re shown here wrapped around a headband, and can be easily removed after Easter is over.

I really like the added dimension of the embroidery but if you’re really in a hurry, you could also use a sewing machine and a zigzag stitch down the middle.

I’ll leave you with this: the sun is shining again.

Crafty Staci

Category Archives: crafts

What is a Fat Quarter and What Can I Make With It?

Engagement Party

Cookie Sheet Kitchen Command Center

My Interview at The Hartungs

Squidoo

Introducing Crafty Staci

How to Make Homemade Salted Caramels

Taking a Road Trip with Teenagers

How to Sew a Reversible Fabric Coffee Cup Sleeve

Unique Cookie Recipes

Gutermann Sewing Thread

Adding Detail to a Spring Sweater

Felt Flowers from the Land of Oz

Twisted Wire Carrot

Reuse Design Challenge – Kitchenware

Bendable Bunny Ears

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