Codi didn’t want to just say “Hey, so will you be my bridesmaid?”  She wanted to give the girls something cute to start off the little journey we’re all about to take.  I might have kinda jumped at the chance to do something wedding-related.  Since the final gifts have been delivered, I can now share with you what we did.

We started with this card.  We used a photo from the engagement (which the maid of honor got by using her ninja skills to hide in some bushes!), a photo from the party and one we took later of Codi by herself.

The next step was a container.  I happened to find these decorative, empty books at Michaels.  Codi and I had no problem matching each book to each girl.

Codi wanted tank tops for each girl similar to the ones I made for the engagement party, only they say “Bridesmaid” and “Maid of Honor” on them.  That, my friends, was a LOT of cutting to make the freezer paper stencils.

We filled the rest of the box with a little bottle of sparkling lemon juice, a tiny glass that I etched their first initial on, a silk Gerbera daisy, lemon hand sanitizer and white chocolate truffles.  We got very lucky, and everything fit perfectly.

Audra is the maid of honor, currently in Texas surviving basic training.  She and Codi have been friends since grade school.

Kate is home from her college in New York for the summer.  She and Codi have been buddies for many years and together they are a ball of energy.

Allison and Hannah are John’s sisters.  Codi is my only girl, so no sisters of her own, but she’s thrilled to adopt these two to fill the role.

These little boxes were the perfect first step into the whirlwind of wedding preparation that’s already begun.  I’m going to do my best to hang on and enjoy the ride!

Aside from Black Friday, I don’t like to plan sales for my Etsy shop.  I prefer to just have them when the mood strikes me.  It keeps things interesting.  I’m only advertising this one to my followers, so you won’t see anything about it when you visit my shop directly.  Starting today and through Memorial Day next Monday, you can use the code MEMORIALDAY2013 to receive free shipping on any order within the United States!

In case you haven’t used a coupon code on Etsy before, it works like this:  click the green “Add to Cart” button for the item you want to order.  That will take you to a page showing the item and how you’ll pay.  On the right side of the screen, under the payment options, it says “apply shop coupon code” in blue.  Click that and a box will appear.  Type MEMORIALDAY2013 into the box, click “Apply” and your shipping should show as $0.00.

This includes anything in my shop, including custom items, but I have a little bonus for you.  I have about 30 items that are completed but I haven’t listed yet.  I’m going to show you what they are here, but they won’t appear in my shop until after the sale is over.  They’ll only be available to those of you who read my blog.  If there’s something here you like, just click the link above or below the photo.  It will take you to a custom listing in my shop.  In the Note to Seller, just let me know which item shown here you wanted.  Be sure to use the free shipping code on these items too!

Camera Straps

You can purchase any of these straps through this listing.  The green with the birds has a green leaf pattern on the reverse, which you can see in the photos below.

67mm Lens Cap Pockets

You’ll find the 67mm lens cap pocket listing here.  These also work well for the smaller 52mm lens caps.

77mm Lens Cap Pockets

This is where you’ll find the 77mm listing.  This is my most popular size.

84mm Lens Cap Pocket

You’ll find the 84mm here.

Business Card Pockets

If you prefer one of these over the other, be sure to mention that when you check out through this listing.

SD Card Wallets

You’ll find the listing for the SD wallets here.

CF Card Wallets

The CF card wallet listing is here.  Be sure to verify which type of card your camera uses before ordering.

Coffee Cup Sleeves

All of these coffee cup sleeves can be ordered here, including the Father’s Day Fish (there are two of those).

If you have questions about any of these items or the sale, please feel free to contact me through email (my address is over there in the sidebar —>) or through Etsy.  Happy Monday!

I have several themes I plan to cover with these, but I’m going to start with Father’s Day.  Many dads out there like to fish, or pretend to fish while they relax and soak up some sun (or rain, depending on where they like to hang out).  Now, you can give him a fish he can always bring home, even when the ones in the river aren’t biting.

You’ll need this pattern, cotton fabric for the front and back, a 3” piece of elastic cord and a 1/2 – 1” button.  For the inner lining, I like to use two layers of ironing board fabric (the shiny silver stuff) and one layer of thin cotton batting.  You can use one layer of InsulBrite if you prefer, and leave out the ironing board fabric and batting.

Cut one fish body from the outer fabric, flip the pattern over and cut for the inside.  Do the same if you’re using the ironing board fabric.

Fold the fin in half with the wrong sides together and points touching.  Stitch around the edge, leaving the last half-inch open.  Turn right side out and press.  Press the opening to the inside.  Stitch around close to the edge, except the side with the fold.

Using the mark on the pattern as a guide, pin the fin onto the front fish body.  Stitch close to the folded edge of the fin, leaving the rest of the fin loose.

Layer the pieces as shown below:

If you’re using InsulBrite, leave out step 1, and replace steps 5 and 6 with the single piece of InsulBrite.

Pin the layers together.  Stitch around the outside, 1/4” from the edge, leaving a 2” opening at the bottom.  Add some extra stitching over the elastic in the seam allowance to secure it from popping out.  Clip the corners and clip in on both sides at the top of the tail.

Turn right side out and press.  Stitch all the way around, close to the edge.

Wrap the nose around to touch the tail, as it will wrap around a cup.  Mark the spot the elastic reaches on the nose by pulling it taut, but not stretching.  Stitch the button at that mark, sliding a toothpick underneath at the beginning.  The toothpick will create a small gap so the elastic can loop around under the button.

I’ve found the best way to apply these to a cup is to loop the elastic around the button first, then slide onto the cup from the bottom.

Fish on!

We bought a brand-new Jeep a couple of months ago, which I absolutely love, but I might be willing to give it up for this Wonder Woman Kia Sportage.  The funny thing is, my daughter drives a black Kia Soul with a big Batman symbol on the hood.  How great would those look together in the driveway?

I had my ears pierced for the first time when I was nine years old, in the bathroom at my house with almost-pointy-enough earrings.  For the next nine years, I wore any earrings I wanted with no issues whatsoever.  I even got a second row of piercings somewhere in there.  The day I turned 18 I went and had a third piercing added to my left ear.  That was the day I developed an allergy to nickel, but only in my ears.  It’s only gotten worse since then, to the point I can now only wear stainless steel earrings.  Fortunately, Etsy seller LaraOwensArt has some beautiful options for me.  And she’s in Florence, Oregon, which is where I spent my honeymoon!

When we remodeled our kitchen a couple of years ago, we included a double oven and I’m very glad we did.  It’s been really useful, especially for parties.  The one flaw is that there are two ovens, but one control panel with one timer.  I’m always scrambling to find the little timer that gets thrown in the drawer.  This Vintage Streamline Kitchen Timer at ThinkGeek is so pretty I could just leave it out on the counter.

I only discovered Fiesta dishware a few years ago, but my kitchen cabinets are pretty full of it already.  Since we’re hosting our daughter’s wedding at our house next year, I think some larger serving pieces are in order.  I love this new color, so that might just be my excuse.

My feet are always cold.  Combine that with track season spent out in the weather watching my son and these Heated Rechargeable Insoles from Bass Pro Shops are almost a necessity.

I used to always order meat well-done.  I didn’t want to see even a hint of pink.  One day I got brave and ordered seared tuna and realized I’d been completely wrong about myself.    Since then, I’ve also discovered I have a love for sushi and I can almost wield a set of chopsticks without embarrassing myself.  These Rainbow Chopsticks from the MoMA Store would be perfect with my Fiesta dishes.

I absolutely hate to have to rip out a seam when I’m sewing, but this Seam Ripper with Retractable Blade from Gingher is sexy enough to make it almost bearable.

I don’t have an official, down-in-writing bucket list, but one of the things I’d like to do before it all comes to a screeching halt is to visit all 50 states.  This USA Scratch Map from Perpetual Kid would be a fun way to keep track.

I have a tattoo.  I got it for one of my big round birthdays.  In Las Vegas, no less.  While that sounds kind of impulsive on the face of it, I actually spent months in planning.  I drew the design, got one of my artistic sisters to help me clean it up, worked out placement, researched tattoo establishments, spoke to the one I chose on the phone and talked to artists when I got there until I found The One.  I’m pretty wild.  The one thing I didn’t consider beforehand is that with my immune system disease, getting a tattoo was pretty risky, so I won’t be getting any more ink.  However, I still love the style, so I’ll just have to find other places for it besides my skin.  This Flight of Imagination design from Urban Threads (currently in their Freebie section) might find it’s way onto a shirt or bag.

Apparently I’m never going to get tired of cookie dough.  If my hips didn’t like it so much too, I could probably eat it every day.  I can’t believe the Cookie Dough Lover’s Cookbook even exists, and I want it.  Badly.

I’m off to see what kind of trouble I can get into tomorrow.  Have a fantastic Mother’s Day this weekend!

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?

“Every time I am looking at your projects online, my daughter asks “Are you going to make that for me?” Thanks for the great giveaway. I love the fabrics and buttons.”

I hope she makes something cute for her daughter!

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It’s here again!  Giveaway Day, which has morphed into Giveaway Week, begins today and I’m jumping in.  There are TONS of giveaways, so I’d encourage you to visit Sew, Mama, Sew and enter as many as you’d like before it all ends on May 10th at 5 pm Pacific time.

If you’re new to Crafty Staci, welcome!  I usually write about sewing and craft projects, recipes and end the week with a round-up of great projects I’ve found elsewhere.  I try to keep things fun and easy.

You can keep up with me at Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, Twitter, Instagram, StumbleUpon, and Flickr.  I write at Squidoo and I have an Etsy shop at CraftyStaci.

Enough about me, let’s talk giveaway!  Since I just gave away a handmade item for my blog’s anniversary, I decided to go with supplies this time.

The winner, by random drawing, will receive five coordinating fat quarters, each 18 by 21 inches, and three large buttons.  This giveaway is open internationally, but please verify that shipping fabric from the U.S. to your country is allowed before entering.

To enter, simply leave a comment here.  My favorites are funny or inspiring.  It won’t increase your chances of winning, but it will make my week better and I’ll be eternally grateful.  Ready?  Go!

If you’re looking for a gift you can make for a mom, it doesn’t get much easier than this Rice Bag Feet Warmer from V and Co.  All moms have cold feet, right?  It’s not just me?

If your mom is a bird watcher, check out this Acorn Bird Feeder from Tried and True.  It’s made using a thrifted wooden bowl and some basic hardware.

These Little Paper Houses from Just Something I Made would make a great container for a gift, but they’re cute enough to just be the gift.

If she’s a coffee or tea drinker, try these Vanilla Sugar Cubes from Chica and Jo for your mom.  Don’t make them too pretty though, or she’ll just leave them in a bowl because you made them and they’re too nice to eat.

I love a good scent, whether it’s a candle, flower or perfume, so I wouldn’t mind receiving this Solid Perfume from Bloom, Bake and Create.

Succulents are all the rage right now, but some of us can even kill those low-maintenance plants (ahem).  If your mom falls into my that category, try this Hanging Succulent Garden from Addicted to Decorating.  The secret?  Pistachio shells.

Moms have to carry stuff.  It’s just a fact.  That stuff changes as the kids grow up, but there’s always something.  This Double Flap Pouch from All Wrapped Up would be a good place to stick a few basic first aid supplies.  My “baby” is 17, so that’s where we are on the stuff chain.

I can think of several fabric prints that are on my shelf right now that would be great for this Fabric Pendant from Momtastic.

If mom’s a gardener this Summer Blooms Garden Apron from Garden Therapy makes a great gift.  If she’s a gardener-wannabe, like me, at least she’ll look nice while she’s practicing her watering skills.

When my son told me the bottom had fallen out of the bag they use to carry their shots, I figured I could probably do something about that.  He brought it home and I realized it needed to be replaced, rather than repaired.  The hardware was still good, but the fabric was shot.  Ba-dum-bum.

The original bag was made from lined vinyl, but I had some ballistic nylon lying around from one of my husband’s projects.  Either one would work, and for that matter you could also use denim or a heavy duck.

I used the old bag as my pattern, leaving out the short zipper on one side and the snaps on the top, since the boys don’t use them anyway.  I cut a circle for the bottom of the bag that measured 7” across and a piece 16 by 22 inches for the rest of the bag.  I also dug up some new webbing for the handles.  The two D-rings, two clips and plastic tube were from the old bag.

Fold the top edge (one of the 22” sides) under 1/2” and again 2”.  Press.  Stitch close to the inner fold and near the top fold.  Cut a piece of webbing 20” long.  Slip a D-ring on and fold the end under 1 1/4”.  Stitch near the D-ring.  Repeat on the opposite end of the webbing.  Measure 5 1/8” from the edge on both sides of the bag and mark.

At the mark, lay the D-ring with the ring toward the top of the bag, even with the edge, and the end of the webbing facing up.  Two inches from the bottom of the ring, fold the webbing back up over itself.  Box stitch under the D-ring.  Repeat on the other side, making sure not to twist the webbing.

Fold the bag right sides together with the handle at the top.  Stitch down the side, 1/2” from the edge.  Zigzag over the edge for added strength and to finish the seam.

Stitch the circle onto the bottom edge with a 1/2” seam.  I matched the edges as I went, but I’ll admit it didn’t match up perfectly and I ended up having to add a pleat.  It worked out fine, but you might want to pin it into place before you start sewing.  After the bottom is in place, stitch around it again in the seam allowance at least one more time.  I did it twice.  Zigzag over the edge.  Turn the bag right side out.

Cut a piece of webbing 43 inches long.  Slide a hook on one end, turn under 1/2”, then an additional 1”.  Box stitch.  Repeat on the other end.  If you have the plastic tube for carrying it on a shoulder, be sure to slide that on before adding the second hook.

Clip the hooks onto the D-rings, throw in the shots and you’re ready to go!

The bag has already attended a meet or two, and the boys are happy with it.  Because they didn’t buy it, no one has one like it and it’s easy to spot.  Score one for mom.

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!

DIY Napkin Rings from Be What We Love

From the hardware store:  PVC pipe, Dremel tool, sandpaper

DIY Neon Rope Belt from My Bloggable Day

From the hardware store:  rope, carabiner

Boys’ Hardware Accessories from House of Joyful Noise

From the hardware store:  nuts, washers

Cupcake Ring from Shades of Tangerine

From the hardware store:  wooden plug, super glue

Boxes from Paint Swatches from How About Orange

From the hardware store:  paint swatches

Sewing Organizers from Sew Many Ways

From the hardware store:  wall corner protector

Hardware Stamps from Daisy Yellow

From the hardware store:  tiny washers, plastic piping, sprinkler connectors, wood

Restyle a Goodwill Clock from ModHomeEc

From the hardware store:  wood shims, wood stain, paint, epoxy, clamps

DIY Tray from Auto Glass from The Flourishing Abode

From the hardware store:  auto glass, copper plumbing feet

Love Connection Wood Sign from SAS Interiors

From the hardware store:  L-bracket, pipe clamp, screws, picture wire, nails, wood