Today is the Day for the Seedlings Craft Boutique

Today is the Day!!! Don't let the rain keep you from coming to our Seedlings Craft Boutique! We have a LOT of items under $10!!! Great last minute Teacher Appreciation Gifts. Great Mother's Day Gifts! We have purses, picture frames, swim bags, head bands, hair clips, hair bows, hair bow holders, zipper flowers, wood photo blocks, alphabet art, temple pictures, kids aprons, banners, kids ties, dresses and skirts, hooded bath towels, kids drawing boards, crayon rolls, wallets, I spy bags, vinyl frame art, hand made soap, yummy cupcakes and much, much more!!!

Seedlings Craft Boutique

Mark your calendars for the Seedlings Craft Boutique coming up in a couple of weeks!!!! We have a lot of the fun vendors from last fall as well as new vendors for the spring!!! Visit our blog for more details!!!

Routing Wood

I posted about my new router a couple of weeks ago, but it came to my attention that I should tell a little more about routing wood. Keep in mind I am no expert, so if you would like a little more info, you could check out Wikipedia.

I bought my router because I wanted to make decorative edges on wood. I used it to make these photo blocks. I would also like to make my own picture frames some day... another project on my list. To make the groove in the back of the wood for the glass to fit into, you need a router. Basically a router has several different bits. Here is a picture of some of the designs that you can make with a router.

My brother also made it to use some shelves... he needed to make a groove in the wood for the bead board to slip into. It has come in quite handy around here.

So, here is the router that I bought at Home Depot. The rep for the company happened to be in the store that day and he helped me pick out the right router. I was just going to buy the router, but he suggested I get the table... I don't know how I would have been able to route the wood without the table. Basically a router has a bit in it similar to a drill bit..... it turns around and as it turns, it cuts the wood. With the table, you just slide the piece of wood along the router bit... and the table has guides to keep it straight. It is very easy to use..... and very messy. My husband showed me how to hook up the shop vac to it so that it sucks up the sawdust as you're routing... very loud, but much less messy.

It is very quick and very easy to use. I would recommend this router/table combo to anyone. I hope I answered any questions that you may have...stay tuned for my cake platter that I made with my router as well. -Anisa

April Wood Craft Classes

It's time again for craft class!!!!

Dates:

Wed. Apr. 14th 10am-noon

Thurs. Apr. 15th 6-9pm

Sat. Apr. 17th 10am-noon

Projects:

Wood Photo Blocks: $5 each or 3 for $12 (These are 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" blocks with a routed edge. The only thing you will need to bring is your photos, The photos are approximately 3x5". If you have specific paper or ribbon or letter stickers that you want to use, please bring them. I have a pretty good variety, but you never know. These make great Mother's Day gifts!!!) Rainy Day Boy: $18 (Can be a shelf sitter or I can make a sign to make it a yard stake) Flower Trio: $10 (stands are $5) Balloon Trio: $10 (stands are $5) If you don't live in the Salt Lake Valley, please feel free to email me at anisascholes@gmail.com for shipping prices. -Anisa

Purse Tutorial

I asked my Sister in Law to do a tutorial on her purses.... I am so excited to bring it to you. Thanks for helping us out Shellie!!!

I was really nervous when Anisa asked me to be a guest for a tutorial on my purses. I have been making these little purses for my daughter, they are super easy and super quick to sew, I even made a matching one for me... Instructions: ( All seam stitches 1/4 inch.)

1. I used 2 coordinating fabrics and cut them to the size I wanted. Note: the outside fabric and inside (Bag Lining) fabric are the same size.

2. Take your Front and back of the bag material and sew right sides together around 3 sides leaving the top open. 3. Take your bag lining fabric and sew right sides together around 3 sides: HOWEVER leave a large opening in the bottom of the bag. Somewhere between 6 and 8 inches should be plenty.

4. Flip the outside fabric so the right sides are showing, leave the bag lining with right sides facing each other. It should look something like this...

5. The straps - I cut 2 3" width strips of both fabrics. Note: The width the length depends on how long you want the straps to be on your purse, I measured my daughter.

6. With right sides facing sew down one side of the fabric, while sewing down the other side leave a 4-5" opening to flip the strips so the right side facing out..

7. Once your strap is flipped then iron the strap and sew down both sides to give it a finished look.

8. Sewing your bag together. Pin your straps to the bag, then slip the bag lining over the entire bag and pin the top of the bag together. Here is a good time to make sure your strap is not twisted.

9. Sew around the top of the bag

10. Remember that hole you left in the bottom of the bag, pull the entire bag through the hole.

11. Now Iron the bottom of the bag and sew the hole closed. Push the lining into the bag and...

You are done!!!

My new Router

My parents gave me money for Christmas. So, what do you know, I bought myself a router! Most women would buy clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc.... I buy a router. It's a woodworking tool that I have always wanted. This past week I finally got around to doing something with it. Awhile back I saw these photo blocks over at Little Birdie Secrets. I just had to make some of my own!

I basically followed their tutorial... but I have to tell you... I struggle with Mod Podge. For some reason I always get bubbles and wrinkles. I thought I had them smoothed out perfectly... and I had them displayed on my desk. Then about 5 days later, I noticed that they had started to bubble and ripple. I think that the problem with the pictures was that they were photo paper and not actual prints... but anyway, I was able to peel the paper off the block and start all over. What I ended up doing was using an actual glue to glue the picture on. I used this glue that my sister in law got at Joann's. I have to say, that I love this glue. It is almost like hot glue in that it dries so quickly and it sticks really well. The picture stayed on great and so far hasn't bubbled up or peeled off. If anyone has any great tips on Mod Podge, I'd love to hear them!!! Please leave a comment. As you can see, the routed edge is just that extra something that makes the blocks more than just a block of wood. And it made the distressing show up a lot more. I plan on trying this again with the concept of glueing the picture and paper on and then using the mod podge over the top and seeing how that works. Sometimes crafting is just trial and error. -Anisa

A Button for Punishment

I am a complete novice at jewelery making which leaves me wondering why I keep coming back to it. It's right up there with counted cross-stitch when it comes to fine motor-skill annoyance and crafts from which I get derive no pleasure.

However, I was walking through Joann's fabric store and saw some lovely over-sized buttons and immediately thought of a friend of mine whose birthday is coming up very soon. I thought that she'd really like to be able to wear those cool buttons and my only answer was jewelry.

The buttons were already 50% off so they made a really inexpensive focal point for, say, a necklace. I purchased two and some beads and began to work on them. I started with the prettiest, an ivory-colored button with a flower carved into it. I used silver wire in lieu of thread in the button holes. It was kind of sticking out the back too much so I thought it would help to lightly hammer the wire down.

The button shattered. (I tried to replace the button yesterday, but there were several blank spots in the ivory button racks so think that's a sign that she only needs one necklace from me)

I moved on to the next button and through much trial, error and advice came up with this. I applied a circle of felt with hot glue to the back of the button to cover the wire and keep it comfortable to wear. Despite being completely frustrated with the task, I'm quite happy with the result and hope that my friend likes it as well.

-C

March Snow Showers bring Fabric Flowers

It snowed this weekend. But I was in the mood for flowers. So, I used Cami's Sizzix and some super cool wool fabric that I got from my mom's stash and I made some fabric flowers. I met a girl in my neighborhood a few months ago that was wearing a fabric flower similar to these. I asked her how she made them and she kind of explained it to me. So, I thought I would do my version and see how it turned out.

For these flowers you will need 6 flowers. We cheated and cut the flowers out on the Sizzix with a flower die. You could trace and hand cut the flowers if you want. I am using different colors in my sample flower so that you can see the layering easier. Step 1: Take your first two flowers and off set them. Using a needle and thread, just pull the need through from the back. Step 2: Fold the other 4 flowers in half (I ironed mine for the picture, but don't do that. You want them to fluff up). Step 3: Layer the flowers like you would fold closed the top of a box... turning a quarter turn for every flower. Step 4: Put your layered flowers on top of your other two flowers and pull that needle through the flowers again. Sew a couple of stitches through to make sure you get every layer. Step 5: With that threaded needle still in your flower, sew a button in the middle.

Now, my multi-colored flower is a little wonky... but kind of cute. But let me show you some of my cuter flowers. Gotta love my mom's stash of fabric!!! -Anisa