Shaggy, ruffly, tshirty scarf

I found this amazing scarf idea on Pinterest. The moment I saw it, I needed to make one that worked for my team (maybe teams)!  The idea came from this webpage. 

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/other/oh-for-the-love-of-scarf-make-a-t-shirt-scarf.html#_a5y_p=849828

I didn't follow her instructions exactly though...

Here's what you need:

-3 tshirts

-sewing thread

-stich-wich and heat n' bond.

Here's what I did:

Bottom: cut tshirts into 8" strips across (this makes circles, but then you trim the ends and it made for 23" sections). I cut 2 strips of white, 2 strips of white, and 8 strips of black.

Tops: sewing the strips together with a backstitch at the ends. I sewed 2 sections of blue in the center (approx. 40") then on each end of that, I sewed white sections (23") and then black sections on those ends (18")--so altogether it measures 140" x 8". I like my scarves long! Especially when the fabric is thin, like tshirt fabric. This way, I can wrap it multiple times!

Once the strips are sewn together into really ling strips, you can start to decorate them!

Above: cut out the paw print (or any mascot symbol) using heat n' bond. Adhere. Cut around the pieces and adhere to the scarf pieces by peeling off the paper backing and pressingg with an iron. I sewed around the edges of each piece as well so that a.) it looks cool, and b.) they won't fall off!

After that, I cut 1" strips to sew onto scarf end portions. I spaced them out about an inch apart. Then I zig-zag stitched them on making sure to get through all the layers. Lastly, I sewed all the way around the perimeter with a regular stitch. 

I just LOVE it! I am so excited to get my team spirit on! Go Cougs!

Quilt Ladder

I love the idea of taking something very ordinary and truning into something fun and functional! I've been wanting a quilt rack, but all the ones I have seen in the old days are big, bulky and only hold a couple blankets. 

I found this idea on Pinterest.  http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2013/12/10-wooden-blanket-ladder.html

Her how-to is pretty good.  I will just say that I would have made it taller and spaced out the crossbars a little more.  I tried, but someone cut my wood pieces a little off, so we had to adjust. :)  Maybe I'll make anothe

Also, the sanding process is pretty intensive if you are planning on using it for nice blankets, you won't want any snaggy bits.  I may have gone overboard on the stain too, because I had to do a lot of sanding after I stained.  I think if you do a lighter layer, it would have been less time consuming.

MAP it...

This is a project my mom bought the supplies for and I went ahead and did it for her while she crocheted my some slippers when they were here visiting in July!  Ben Franklin Crafts had it on display, so we recreated it.

Here's what you need:

Canvas

Map

Paints

Stickers

Wire

Needle

Glue

Wire picture thingy in any shape desired

Here's what I did:

-First, I traced the wire map shape onto a regular paper map (another reason why beign a AAA member is worth it...free maps for...your travels or crafts!)

-Then I painted the background to kind of look like water.

-Then I glued the map down.

-Then I placed the stickers all around the map where appropriate...for example, one said Grandma's something or other, so I put that one about Montana, the peach one I put by Georgia, Iced tea by the South, etc...
-Then I mod podged the entire top and let it dry.
-Then I wrapped wire tightly around the edges and center of the wire map to hold it down, just in like 6 places.

-This is the finished product.  Mom's gonna hang it in her motor home and put pics & postcards from places they visit.

  Fun, huh?

GO TEAM!

I've been looking for a way to celebrate our favorite teams here in the Konrad household...and I think I found it!  As many people know, my husband is obsessed with Alabama Crimson Tide Football.  We named out dog after their head coach!  But, I am an huge Seattle Seahawks fan, so I decided to make a half and half wreath!

I used the idea of the fabric strips, but I only used ribbon.  Here are the ribbons I used, plus some organza shiny stuff that I found in the cheap bins at Joanne's.  I cut each ribbon into 7 inch strips and tied them around a metal ring.

Then, I painted the appropriate letters to say which teams we love (BAMA and HAWKS).

Then I carefully adhered the letters to the matching side of the wreath.

And, this is my finished product.  I didn't have a wreath for my wall for the rest of the summer, so this is what we will be using to get us excited about the upcoming football season and who knows...maybe it will go somewhere permanently.

I am pretty proud of how this one turned out.  I was a little leery with the two color schemes and the fact they they kind of don't go, but my Christmas decor at those colors too!

More B-Day Reminders

So I made myself a birthday reminder earlier in the year and I thought it would be a nice gift idea.  I made our moms each one for Mother's Day.  My mom has roosters and chickens in her kitchen, Matt's mom likes sunflowers and yellow!  On theirs I put a lot more dates than mine.

WORD!

This is a wall art duo I made for my office!  It is a verse from Philippians.  I covered a wood frame with canvas.  I painted a bit.  Then, I set to cutting out all the letters.  I have a Cricut machine so it was pretty easy, but you could use die cuts at a craft store, stickers, or even stencils and cut out, if you wanted.  I laid them out (getting them all of fit was a bit tricky).  I glued the letters down, and then added embellishments.  I used some flowers, brads, and some fabric birds that I sewed on.  It turned out wonderfully and it looks great in my office.  So many different things you could do with this craft!

Star!!!

I've always loved these big metal star thingies and in honor of the stars and stripes, I thought I would make one for the 4th of July/ Summer season.

Here's what you need:

• paper scraps
• metal star
• ink pads
• glue
• somewhere to hang your star!

Here's what to do:

1. I sorted through all my paper scraps and decided which ones to use!

2. I measured and cut each piece. 

 

3. I edged the paper pieces with dobbers and ink.  First, you add pigment from your stamp pads.  

 

 Then you rub the dobber along the edges.

4. Then, I glued the pieces to the metal star!  

6. It is hanging in the front big window with my little red lanterns!

Here are a few other things I have for the season!  I love my PartyLite Symmetry Pillar Holders.  So Versatile and we had to put baseballs in honor of our Seattle Mariner's!  Go M's!

 

www.partylite.biz/christinakonrad

My FAVORITE Holiday: July 4th!

I am not sure why, but the 4th of July is my favorite holiday!  I love it because it is a time to get together and share special moments, without the pressure of cooking a fancy meal or delivering the perfect gift.  In fact, it is a good time to reflect on the abundant blessings we have as Americans and how we can contribute to the blessings of others!  And, I have a fond love of rustic decor and red, white and blue!

Here's a couple crafts in honor of our freedom!

Supplies:

• Wreath form
• Ribbon
• 12" x 12" sheets (scraps) of scrapbook paper
• Ruler
• Paper cutter
• Bone folder
• Double-sided tape
• Buttons, assorted
• Hot-glue gun

Here's what to do:
1. Cut a sheet of paper into 6 pieces, each measuring 4" x 6", for large medallions. (To create a medium-size one, use 3" x 6" sheets, and for the small size, use a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" sheet.)  Each medallion takes two pieces of paper so if you want 3 of a particular pattern, you will need 6 pieces.

2. Fold each piece of paper going across the length of the paper in accordion-style. Use a bone folder to sharpen creases.
  

3. Fold each pleated piece of paper in half.  I tied the two halves together with a short piece of string.  Then, using double sided stickies, or glue, adhere all the separated spaces together to form a circle. Gently spread pleats apart.

 

 

 

 

I made approx 12 of each size for my wreath.

4. Starting with largest medallions, hot-glue each to wreath in an attractive pattern. Continue with medium and small sizes until wreath is covered.

 

5.  Lastly, add a button to the center of each medallion.



The finished product!

What's so great about Picket Fences?

There is a song I used to really like by Chely Wright called Picket Fences.  The chorus says:

Tell me what's so great about picket fences

Paintin' them is such a mess

And a big back yard where kids can play

I'd probably never get a moments rest

And setting the table for five at five

Only means more dishes to load

What's so great about picket fences

I guess I'll never know

I used to reflect on this idea when I was younger and still single.  I used to envy my friends who started families young and wondered if it would ever happen for me.  Well, Matt and I are going on two years married in July and we are having some fertility issues.  (Prayers appreciated!)  It makes me really think about being thankful for what I DO have and not always thinking that there must be something else/ more.  I have had many friends who have walked gracefully through this same struggle so I feel like I am handling this hurdle a bit better than I might have otherwise.  I just keep remembering, which is something we can all benefit from, that "the grass is greener where you water it!"


Well, I made a craft, also pulled from Pinterest!  It is a reminder to be thankful for the green grass RIGHT WHERE I AM!


Here's what you need:
tuna cans, cleaned (I used canned chicken cans, bigger than tuna.  I think if I did them again, I would have used regular tuna cans!)
clothes pins
spray paint
anything you might want to use to decorate them inside or out


Here's what you will do:
1. Adhere clothes pins all the way around the edge of the can.

2. Spray Paint the entire thing in a desirable color.
3. Let dry.
4. Decorate.

Spring Flower Wreath

I literally am in love with Cherry Blossom trees this time of year.  I wish I could have a ton of them, but Matt is anti-leafy trees (as he's the one that has to clean up the messes in the yard).  I might have talked him into a bush form of them, but definitely not getting a blossoming tree.

So, since I can't have them inside, I try to bring the look inside.  I have a vase fill of limbs but I wanted to round out the look with a wreath across the room.  So, I took a wreath made from twigs (found at most craft stores; this one was left over from our wedding!) and literally glued the blossoms from one bunch onto the wreath!  It was the easiest, least time consuming wreath thus far.

Easter Egg Wreath!

I have seen these everywhere for years and thought..."Hey! I can make that!"  So here we go!

Supplies Needed:

Foam wreath

grass

ribbon

lots of plastic Easter eggs (variable sizes or uniform)

glue gun and glue

Here's the HOW TO:

1. Purchase a foam wreath form at whichever size you would prefer from whichever craft store you would prefer.  We have a HOBBY LOBBY now, so I went there.  And, it has a "Made In America" stamp.  It impressed me.  Sorry, I am weird!

2. I bought a pretty big bag of pull-apart grass in a "friendly" color and began adhering it to the wreath form to just cover it a bit.  This might work well with felt or fabric too.

3. I slung a coordinating ribbon around the wreath to serve as a hanger.  I bought this one from the $1.00 bin at Michael's and I think I got 25% off if I am not mistaken.  I LOVE a good deal!!!

4. Then I began to glue eggs on, carefully spacing them out so as to not allow same colored eggs to touch.  (Something about the history teacher in me and all those political maps I colored with my hundreds of students!)  I found a bag of 42 large eggs at Walmart for less than $2.00 and a bag of 24 small eggs at Hobby Lobby for 87cents!  I used all of them...66 eggs!  There are a few small gaps that I think I will eventually fill in but it looks great as is too!

Finished Product! 

   

I like it a lot and it was WAY cheaper than any store I've seen them in.  They retail for 20-30 for this size.  Mine was about $7.00!