Memorial Day Sale

Posted on May 20, 2013 by CraftyStaci

How did we get so close to the end of May already? Between Mother’s Day, my son’s last track meet, helping my daughter make something special to give her bridesmaids (you’ll see those after they all do) and accompanying my husband to a police academy graduation, my week zipped by so fast I barely saw it. Since life is already in a frenzy right now, I think it’s time for a sale!

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!

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Coffee Sleeve of the Month–Father’s Day Fish

Posted on May 15, 2013 by CraftyStaci

I’m starting a new series today, one I’ve been thinking about for a while. I have a sketch sheet full of coffee sleeve drawings to prove it. I just love making these little cup cozies, and I’d like to share some of my new ideas with you. Welcome to the Coffee Sleeve of the Month!

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!

Friday Favorites–My Birthday 2013

Posted on May 10, 2013 by CraftyStaci

Since tomorrow is the day to celebrate my entrance into the world a few years ago, instead of my normal round-up of crafty goodness I’m going to share some stuff I like. Just because I can. I get a little princessey on my birthday – just ask my husband.

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!

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?

Giveaway Day 2013

Posted on May 6, 2013 by CraftyStaci

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Congratulations to the winner, Katie Avalos, who left this comment:

“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!

—————————————————————————————————————————-

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!

Friday Favorites–Mother’s Day

Posted on May 3, 2013 by CraftyStaci

I was born on Mother’s Day. Being a mother myself for the past 20ish years, I generally get to celebrate a bit more than most, as my birthday and Mother’s Day tend to blend into one another. Yes, you can go ahead and feel sorry for my poor family.

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.

Shot Put Bag

Posted on May 1, 2013 by CraftyStaci

I’ve spent the last eight springs watching one or both of my kids’ throw the shot put at track meets. This year, I’ve actually been the official at a couple of my son’s meets. Let me just say, nothing is more fun than telling teenage boys who are ten times your size what to do.

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.

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?

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!

Crafty Staci

Tag Archives: sewing

Memorial Day Sale

Camera Straps

67mm Lens Cap Pockets

77mm Lens Cap Pockets

84mm Lens Cap Pocket

Business Card Pockets

SD Card Wallets

CF Card Wallets

Coffee Cup Sleeves

Coffee Sleeve of the Month–Father’s Day Fish

Friday Favorites–My Birthday 2013

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

Giveaway Day 2013

Friday Favorites–Mother’s Day

Shot Put Bag

Yogurt Tub and Denim Drawstring Bag

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

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