Giveaway at The Hartungs

Posted on April 24, 2013 by CraftyStaci

Today I’m passing along the opportunity to enter a giveaway at The Hartungs – and my lens cap pocket is one of the prizes! Take it away, Sheree!

If you haven’t already noticed – I have some pretty wonderful women on my sidebar at the moment. These women have sponsored me for the last month or so, and are generously participating in the giveaway below! The giveaway opens today, Friday, April 19th, and will close on Tuesday, April 30th. Good luck to all!

Gayle’s Social Media Links: Blog // Twitter // Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest // Bloglovin

Want to know more about Gayle? Read her interview here!

Amie’s Social Media Links: Blog // Twitter // Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest // Bloglovin

Want to know more about Amie? Read her interview here!

Staci’s Social Media Links: Blog // Twitter // Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest // Bloglovin // Etsy

Want to know more about Staci? Read her interview here!

Lex’s Social Media Links: Blog // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest // Bloglovin

Want to know more about Lex? Read her interview here!

Charissa’s Social Media Links: Blog // Twitter // Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest

Want to know more about Charissa? Read her interview here!

Sheree’s Social Media Links: Blog // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest // Bloglovin

To enter, you’ll need to click here Rafflecopter giveaway, log in and follow the instructions. If you have any difficulty, you can also enter at Sheree’s website. Good luck!

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The Natural Parents Network giveaway is also still open! Enter the NPN Flickr Photo Contest by April 30!

Recently, Natural Parents Network launched a Flickr Photo Pool and corresponding Photo Contest with over $1000 in photography-related prizes up for grabs for our readers!

Many NPN readers have already submitted photos of your beautiful families, showing us what natural parenting really looks like for you in many forms. We are loving the many images that have been added and the opportunity to see the diverse faces of our readers and fellow natural parents. There are almost 500 images added already to the Flickr Pool, and it is turning out to be a very fun way to see and share images of other parents and families like yours!

The April 30 deadline is fast approaching!
Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a fabulous prize package.

Enter your photos into the NPN Flickr Pool from your Flickr account, and favorite the photos you like best. Share the contest, and encourage family and friends to vote for your photos and their favorites.

For details on how to submit your photos to the NPN Flickr Pool and our contest, read our launch post and Photo Submission/Contest Rules.

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Yogurt Tub and Denim Drawstring Bag

Posted on April 22, 2013 by CraftyStaci

When I was asked by Earth 911 if I had any good recycled crafts they could share for Earth Day, I didn’t think I’d have any problem digging one up. I was surprised to find most of my projects that fit the bill were seasonal, and not appropriate for spring. I really wanted something that was mostly repurposed, didn’t take a lot of materials and was a little unusual. I think this bag fits.

To make this, you’ll need a clean yogurt tub (about 24 oz size), a piece of denim (a leg cut off to make shorts will work) and two shoe laces.

Ok, so I know that’s technically not just yogurt, but have you tried this stuff? Yum.

Measure around the top edge of your tub. Add 1/2” to determine the width to cut your denim. Measure the height of the tub, multiply by 1 1/2 and add 3” to determine the height. Mine came out to 14 1/8 by 9”.

You can leave a decorative seam if your sewing machine can handle sewing over it doubled.

Fold the denim with the short sides together. Subtracting the 1/4” seam you’ll sew in the next step, find and mark the center on both sides. Unfold. Measure 2 1/4” down from the top edge at the mark. Draw a 1/4” line from 2 1/4 to 2 1/2”. Stitch a 1/4” buttonhole at the line and carefully cut it open.

Fold the denim right sides touching and short ends together. Stitch a 1/4” seam down the side. Press the seam open.

Stitch over the edge at the top and bottom with a zigzag stitch or serger to reduce fraying. Fold the upper edge toward the wrong side 1 1/2” and press. Stitch 1/2” from the edge and 1/2” from the fold.

Using scissors or a razor knife, cut the lip off the tub. Slip the fabric tube over the tub, wrong side of the fabric toward the tub and the top edge of the fabric and tub even with each other.

Using a long stitch and a large needle, stitch 1/4” from the edge through the plastic and denim. Add a pleat to the denim if you need to make it fit. If you have any doubt at all about whether your sewing machine can survive this, punch holes in the plastic with an awl and sew by hand.

Pull the denim up over the tub, turning right side out. Feed a shoelace into one of the buttonholes, all the way around through the casing, and back out through the same hole. Repeat on the opposite side with the other shoelace. Tie the laces together near the buttonhole and again at the ends. Pull both sides to draw closed.

I thought I was done at this point, but when I turned around the lid was laying there. I cut a small flower from it, which I stitched on with a button on top.

I keep imagining taking this to the beach with my sunglasses, bottle of water and sunscreen in it.

If this wasn’t Oregon. In April. Maybe a snack instead?

Friday Favorites–Reusing K-Cups

Posted on April 19, 2013 by CraftyStaci

I’m just going to say it. I have a Keurig coffee maker, and it’s one of my favorite kitchen appliances. My husband has an erratic schedule, and I was always drinking reheated, burnt coffee. He also doesn’t like coconut, so one of my favorite coffee flavors was out. But with my new single-serve buddy, I can have a fresh cup of whatever flavor of coffee I want, whenever I want it. Given my addiction to my morning cup of joe, that’s a big deal.

The only issue I have with it is the waste. Each of those single serve coffees leaves us with a little empty cup to throw away. I knew there had to be something that could be done with them, and thanks to some creative crafters, I have some new ideas to try out.

Make It Easy Crafts made a K-Cup Toothpick Holder with a creative popsicle stick support system around the outside.

Crafting a Green World made a variety of creatures using yogurt cups, but the shapes would suit K-cups as well.

Here’s one to hang onto for a few months: a Recycled K-Cup Snowman Ornament, also from Make It Easy Crafts.

Earth911 made several K-cups into tiny hanging planters.

Entirely Smitten came up with several ways to reuse K-cups, including a cute pincushion.

This K-cup Sound Memory Game is also from Entirely Smitten.

PopSugar shares several practical ideas for reusing empty K-cups.

Make It Easy Crafts is back one more time with a Patriotic K-cup Flower Wreath.

ExperimentMom has a great idea for K-cupsicles. I’m saving this one for the hot weather.

Have you come across any good K-cup crafts?

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!

Friday Favorites–Glass

Posted on April 12, 2013 by CraftyStaci

A week or so ago, I posed a question on Facebook asking for any Friday Favorites topics readers would like to see. In between the crickets, my own sister piped up with two great ideas. One was the planters I shared last week, and the other was glass, which happens to be one of my favorite crafting mediums. One of these days soon, I’ll show you some of my stained glass. Until then, thanks to my sister, here are some glass crafts. If you’re anything like me, have some band-aids handy.

This first craft is incredibly simple, but I really like the contrast of the shiny glass to the rustic jute rope. Crafted Spaces shows you how to make this Recycled Glass Bottle Vase for yourself.

I like how this Wall Hung Test Tube Vase from Dream a Little Bigger spreads the bouquet out horizontally so you can see the individual flowers better.

If you’d like to make this lovely vase from Hannas Sjarmerende Gjenbruk, you should probably grab this style of light bulb while you still can. I wish I had napkin rings that were this pretty to use too!

By now, you’ve probably seen the glass staining methods using Mod Podge or glue and food coloring. They’re pretty, but you can’t actually put any water in them. These Stained Bottles from Design Folder require actual glass paint, but once they’re dry you can put anything inside.

Homework did a great job imitating milk glass with her DIY Faux Fenton Hobnail Milk Glass tutorial.

I would take these Bottles to Vases from Can Can Dancer a step further by cutting the bottoms off and using them to cover a small candle. The light shining through the blue stripes would be pretty.

I love everything about this Glass Tile Tree Mosaic from Happy Hour Projects. I clearly need to find some Mod Podge Dimensional Magic, now that I know it exists.

I will be trying this technique from trickygirlb on Crafster to make crackled marbles. My only concern is having them explode in the oven. Extreme crafting, anyone?

Living in the woods, as we do, we have a lot of birds hanging around. I think they need a Wine Bottle Bird Feeder like this one from Chicken Street.

Mercury glass is everywhere right now. 17 Apart shows you how to make it yourself.

It looks like my next project will be to, ahem, empty a few bottles. It’s my duty as a crafter to reuse containers whenever possible, and not waste the contents. Right?

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.

Friday Favorites–Creative Planters

Posted on April 5, 2013 by CraftyStaci

I love the way the outdoors looks this time of year. Flowers are starting to bloom, the leaves on the trees are unfurling and it’s still raining so it all stays green and healthy. It’s always right about now when I get an urge to plant something in a container, but that little voice in my head says “Really? You want to add to the plant body count around here? You know as soon as it stops raining, that thing is a goner.” When they make a plant that will water itself and not rely on me, it might stand a chance.

Around here, we’re wearing rain boots about now, but if you have some that have been outgrown or are no longer a pair, try these cute planters from Rosy~Posy.

I love the mini tiered garden effect created by this Tackle Box Garden from More Design Please.

We’re planning to replace the gutters on our house in the next year or so. I might have my husband save the old ones so I can make this DIY Vertical Garden with Reclaimed Gutters from Green Upgrader.

All that clear, beveled glass makes these old ceiling fixtures perfect for planters. Design Sponge shows you how.

We’ve all seen old tires used as planters, but there’s something special about the way they’re used in this park in Peru. They almost look like you could sit on them. Shared by Wallace Gardens.

Just…wow. Click through to see this Mobile Garden Dress from Foodtree on an actual human model.

We’ve pulled a few sinks out of our house, and although ours were lovely 70’s shades of avocado and light blue, they might still make great planters. Cherry Hill Cottage set hers on top of a sewing machine stand.

These Baby’s Tears in Muffin Tins from Country Living would make great centerpieces for an outdoor event.

If it’s still a little too cold to think about planting outside where you are, try this Indoor Terrarium, made using a fishbowl, from SheKnows.

Using tea cups as planters is an idea that’s been around for a long time, but the addition of the Tea Bag Plant Markers from At Home on the Bay is genius.

Just so you know, I think my lack of gardening skills has skipped a generation. My daughter was given a bamboo plant for her birthday over a year and a half ago and it’s still alive. She forgot to take it back to school with her when she left after spring break, and is worried I’ll kill it in the 5 days until she’s here again. Nothing green is safe with me.

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.