Monday, December 31, 2012

Scarf Hangers

This year I of course wanted to make a handmade gift for everyone. The boys got the Ninjago pillow, but then I was left with my college sister Lauren. I thought "What could she want? She pretty much bought everything she needed." So one day I was sitting in class and texted her (I know, I shouldn't be texting in school. I didn't miss anything important though!) and asked if she had enough room in her closet. She said it was getting kinda cramped. Well, when she moved out I remember her having this huge bag just full of scarves. Yes, all that was in it were scarves! So then came the idea of a scarf hanger!

You will need:
3 to 4 metal hangers
wire cutters
duct tape
hot glue gun
circular cup or jar
fabric or yarn 

Unfortunately I didn't take pictures while doing this because I decided to start working on it the night before Christmas Eve. Totally my fault, but nevertheless I will try and explain my way through it. 

Step 1) Pick the hanger that feels the sturdiest to you. This one will be the one that actually hangs onto the rod. Untwist the metal so that its not continuous, but leave the arc as the hook.

Step 2) Using the jar or cup wrap the wire around it until you have made a perfect circle (or close to). Then cut the wire and duct tape the loose end. Keep doing this until you have made the desired amount of circles.

Step 3) Using the fabric or yarn wrap around the circles so that it covers up the metal and duct tape, stopping to hot glue it every now and then to secure it. 


Let's just take a moment to hate my laptop. I have no clue why it does this! I really do upload them in the right direction! I promise! But anyways ... here is my final product. I made them into the shape of a flower but you can keep making circles and turn them into whatever your little hearts desire. I also used a jean fabric for extra stability.

Happy Crafting! :)


Friday, December 28, 2012

Ninjago Pillow

The cute turd known as my little brother, Levi, is absolutely in love with this lego + ninja creation on TV that equals out to be called Ninjago. I dunno if you've ever heard about it, but personally I don't think you're missing out on much. I'm sure many little boys (and possibly girls) would happily disagree with me, but we're all entitled to our own opinion riiiggghhhttt? But the lil' kiddo just happens to be quite dear to my heart, so I had to put my feelings aside and be the greatest sister I am and make the booger a pillow.

You will need:
1 old t-shirt in the color of the desired ninja, or solid fabric
yellow, black, and white felt
yellow thread
stuffing

 Step 1) I started out with a 12x12 square folded in half then drew the dimensions from that. The top which is actually on the left in this photo (Sorry, the rotating would not work yet again... :/) is going to be about a half an inch longer and an inch shorter than the one on the right. Then cut along the lines and unfold.


 Step 2) Cut a rectangle 3 1/2 by 7 in. and fold in half. Start a quarter of an inch from the top and slope upwards and curve back down to make a "mask" shape.

 Step 3) Fold a yellow piece of felt in half keeping the mask folded in half and cut.

Step 5) Cut out two black felt circles. i used an inch in diameter as my measurement. Then cut and set aside.

Step 6) Cut out two eye brows. I made it to where they kind of went up on the ends. You can do this to your discretion.

Step 7) Cut out two smaller white pupils. Position and pin them to the yellow felt.

Step 8) I hand stitched the white pupils to the black felt first. Then hand sewed the eye pieces to the yellow mask and lastly I sewed the eyebrows so that I could place them accordingly with the eyes. (Sorry for saying accordingly twice.. I have minimum vocab.) 

Step 9) Pin the yellow felt onto the ninja and sew using yellow thread attatching the mask onto the pillow. From here turn the pillow inside out and pin leaving an opening for stuffing. Sew.

Step 10) Turn right side out and stuff. Then, sew the opening closed.


There we have it, Lloyd and Kai. 
Masters of Spinjitzu!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Christmas Sweater Nails

Wow, I am getting good! Two posts in a row that have been in time for the holidays. Unfortunately I cannot take full credit for these wonderfully cute nails. I saw them on Pinterest at the link: http://omfgnailart.tumblr.com/post/14318734861
Although, I did do my nails myself and I am not gonna lie ... they were tricky boogers! It just takes a while especially doing the snowflake. Not to mention I ran out of nail room for the whole design, so be sure to keep that in mind. I did my nails using a toothpick. Probably would have been easier to use a design nail polish brush, but I couldn't find mine. Grrr, I know! And no, the reindeer on my thumb does not have five legs .. there's a glare. -_-
Happy Holidays! :)