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Top 100 Tutorials of 2010

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PomPom Pillow from Living with Punks.
Dip-Dye Lamp and Pillow from Design Sponge.
Simple Pillowcases from Made.
Lazy Daisy Pillowcases from The Long Thread.
Felt Flower Pillows from The Purl Bee.
Stenciled and Stitched Pillow from Artsy Crafty Babe.*
5-Minute Pillows from Grosgrain.
Floor Pillow from Living with Punks.
Cute as a Button Pincushion from Ravenhill.
Matryoshka Doll Pincushion from Maximum Rabbit.
Placemats from Handmade by Alissa.
Modern Placemats from Maggie Makes.
Quilted Placemats from Pink Penguin.
Paper Flower Pomanders from House of Smiths.
Dinner Date Quilt Block Tutorial from Film in the Fridge.
Tokyo Subway Map Quilt-along from Oh, Fransson!*
Knotted Bedspread from kojodesigns.
Eco Travel Lid from Alyson Hill.
Storage Basket from Jezze Prints.
Knitting/Sewing Basket from The Sometimes Crafter.
Jam Jar Cozies from Dottie Angel.
Ribbon Vase Sleeve from The Long Thread.*
Yarn-Wrapped Hangers from Wisecraft.
IKEA Window Shade Hack from Evil Mad Scientist.
Pouf Footstool from Design Sponge.*
Fabric Prints with Tape from How about Orange.
Silverware Garden Markers from Bunnyhill Designs.
Apron Tutorial from Ink and Spindle for the Crafts Dept.
Anthropologie Tea Towel from Lavender Kitty.
Polaroid Magnet Frame from Paper n Stitch.
Pretty Twist Ties from Zakka Life.
Recycled Paper Flowers from Maya Made.
Yarn Pendant Lamp from Pickles.
Felt Scraps Rug from the Crafts Dept.
Fabric Paper Tape from Annekata.
Little Urchin Sea Stone from Resurrection Fern for The Purl Bee.*
Doily Lights from Kootoyoo.
Paper Owl from mmmcrafts for Skip to my Lou.
Matchbook Notepads from Daisy Janie.
Plantable Paper from Alpha Mom.

For Kids & Baby
Skirt with Built-In Shorts from The Long Thread.
Custom Pet Tee from The Long Thread.
Lunch Bag from The Long Thread.
Castle Peeps Playset from Deborah of Whipstitch Fabrics.
Felt Letters from Made by Rae.
Diaper Bag from Warehouse Fabrics.
Storytime Squares Quilt from Made by Rae.
Contoured Burp Cloth from Cloud 9 Fabrics.
Library Tote from Noodleheads.
Rainbow Bunting Baby Quilt from A Pretty Cool Life for Luv in the Mommyhood.
Not Too Tutu Tutorial from UK Lass in US.
Let’s Go Backpack from Four Wise Monkeys for Sew, Mama, Sew!
Paper Puppet Theater from Bloesem Kids.
Snack Bags from Amy Karol of Angry Chicken.
Picture Perfect Bunny Patch Frame from Kata Golda for Etsy’s How-Tuesday.*
Art Notebook from How Does She?
Kids’ Drawing Case from The Long Thread.
Nap Mat/Roll from Prudent Baby.

Softies/Toys
Recycled Glove Chipmunk from Miyako Kanamori for Etsy’s How-Tuesday.
Mermaid from Hillary Lang for Martha Stewart.
Counting Bean Bags from Chez Beeper Bebe.
Gnomes from Gingercake.
Fabric Nesting Dolls from Joel Henriques for Etsy’s How-Tuesday.
Plush Seahorse from Liaspace.
Turtles from Jodie of Vintage RicRac for Whip Up.

Bags and Accessories
Blossom Handbag from Amy Butler for Sew, Mama, Sew!*
Gathered Clutch from Noodlehead.
For Pleat’s Sake Purse from u-handbag.
Patchwork Wristlet from Pink Penguin.
Pleated Pouch from Skip to my Lou.
Catch and Release Scarf from Presser Foot.
Quick Fix Grocery Bag from Between the Lines.
Lunch Money Pinch Frame Pouch from I Heart Linen for Petite Purls.
Patchwork Pencil Pouch from Little Big Girl Studio.
Etch-a-Sketch iPad Cozy from Smashed Potatoes.
iPad Case from Made by Heidi.
Pencil Case from ikat bag for Sew, Mama, Sew!
Fabric Flower Ring from V & Co.
Felt Dahlia Brooch from Not Martha for Holidash.
Tiny Tote Keychain from Kelly Rachel.

Holidays
Japanese-inspired Valentine’s Day Cards from Danielle Thompson.
Recycled Crayon Hearts and Printable Cards from The Long Thread.
Polymer Clay Hearts from Art Mind for Poppytalk.
Something Special Card and Envelope from JCasa Handmade for Sew, Mama, Sew!
Bunny Finger Puppets from The Purl Bee.
Peeps Bunny Bunting from Dana of Made for V & Co.
Chocolate Easter Surprise Eggs from Not Martha.
Pumpkin Pincushion, featured on Whip Up.*
Candy Corn Wreath from Woman’s Day.
Cross Stitched Pumpkin from Elsie Marley.
Reusable Gift Bag from The Long Thread.
Shrinky Dink Snowflake Necklace from The Long Thread.
Itty Bitty Ice Cream Ornament from Betz White.
Gingerbread House Ornament (excerpt from the book Fa La La La Felt by Lark Books).
Felt Ball Garland from Oh Happy Day.*
Straw and Pompom Garland from Elsie Marley.
Stocking Patterns from Denyse Schmidt.
Yarn Ball and Ornament Wreath from Life Through the Lens.
Plastic Canvas Gingerbread House Ornament from CraftyPod.
Printable Gift Tags from Camilla Engman.

*pictured above. Also, be sure to check out Top 100 Tutorials from other years here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Little Girls, Big Style

Last month I picked up a copy of Little Girls, Big Style: Sew a Boutique Wardrobe from 4 Easy Patterns from local Atlanta author Mary Abreu, published by Stash Books.

Since my older daughter is desperately in need of clothes and will only wear skirts that I have made her, I let her pick out some patterned corduroy from Bunte Fabrics and pulled it together with some fabric generously given to me by my friend Simone, who is moving to Singapore with her family next month. (Like I needed to come home with a car-load of fabric and sewing supplies!) I was actually surprised that my daughter chose all of these floral fabrics since she’s not such a “girly-girl”, but she is much more willing to wear things if she’s part of the process.

Anyway, I made two of the No-Hem Skirts, with varying fullness. Then I made one more basic corduroy skirt (the aqua with flowers) while I was at it. What I like about Mary’s book is that she has multiple variations on basic patterns, so you can change them up according to your own preferences or skill level. Perfect for me with two girls who have different styles. I’ll be sewing some of the Twirly Girly Skirts for my younger daughter, who likes things as frilly as possible.

You can look inside the book on amazon and read Mary’s blog here.

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Wrapping Up Christmas

Happy Holidays! I meant to get back here sooner, but Christmas came and just took over. Family in town, making gifts, a bit of snow and actually too much sleep. But I thought I’d catch you up on our handmade gifts. While both girls ended up with a doll house made in a faraway land (my younger daughter thinks China is like Santa’s workshop), there were also some handmade gifts.

I made this iPad case for my mother (pictured above), based on this pattern with a few adjustments. It should be noted that this pattern requires making cuts to masonite with a saw, so if you’re not handy with tools, you may want to substitute with another material or enlist someone’s help. I’m lucky that I made it without a trip to the ER after testing out my new hand-held jigsaw tool. I risked life and limb to make this gift for my mother! I used a Liberty of London wool print and Japanese embroidered cotton, both from Purl Soho.

I also made a simple net book sleeve for my husband (and the computer that we share), made of 3mm wool from Felt-o-rama and Filz Felt. And I’ve been re-living my childhood while scanning in photos for a family album to give to my father and brother (still a work in progress).

Then I made this simple dress for an American Girl doll, made from the sweet roses fabric by Heather Ross. There’s clearly no time for an iron around here. And yes, soon I’ll be making Barbie clothes — just trying to please my discerning audience.

I also made a wrap from this peacock Liberty of London fabric for my mother-in-law and I monogrammed some pillowcases and hand towels. And of course there were handmade gifts from our crafty venture in November. I also bought handmade gifts for the kids from Rabbit! Rabbit! Softies, Nest Pretty Things Kids, Bread and Buttons and a beautiful ceramic piece for my mother along with some handmade baby gifts from the beehive right here in Atlanta.

I hope you’re having a relaxing holiday!

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Printable Presents

Looking for last-minute presents for the little ones? Or just something to keep them entertained during these long, cold days? Here are some printable toys that would make great gifts — and even better, you don’t have to leave home.

Little Red Riding Hood and House, $5 from Maria Lunate.

Mini Me Paper Dolls Winter Collection, $6 from Lily & Thistle.

Paper Gas Station from Paper Doll by Dignav, $4.

Pink Cottage Dollhouse, $10 from Fantastic Toys.

Play Shop, $7 from Neskita.

Paper Doll Set, $10 from Sarah Jane Studios.

For free printable toys, check out these websites: Fantastic Toys freebies, Canon’s Creative Park, The Toymaker, Robert Sabuda’s instructions for pop-up cards, and HP’s Creative Studio.

See more printable toys and crafts  from my earlier posts here and here.