Custom Towels for gift

I am still making gifts for Christmas.  Almost done. I bought some toweling fabric for a big towel for a gift because I wanted to add a cute bias tape around the edge.  I cut bias strips, then used one of those gadgets that helps fold the tape.  Pull the tape through and press as it it comes out and it is all folded and ready to sew on the project.

I added the name and embellishment and I was done.  Many ways to add a name as I have mentioned before and embellishment can also be applique if one doesn't have a embroidery machine.

One can also do this to a ready made towel, but I wanted the towel to be bigger to wrap around a little body  getting out of the tub. Not hard, took me a couple of hours to complete.

Fun Cards to Make

I really don't like the expense and generic look of store bought cards.  I keep card making stuff in a cupboard and pull down this and that at random to see what "suits".  My favorite is making wedding gift cards from the wedding invitation.  I pull off the pictures and go to town.  Here is the formula:


Prep: Take card stock, cut out dimension of card, score it with something sharp, fold and re cut edge if necessary to even out  the card.

First step:  Texturizing.  Using bubble wrap and stamp pad or a background stamp, stamp ground  on card.

Second Step:  Start laying:  Frame pictures partically or fully with cardstock, fabric, tissue, ribbon, anything fun.  I have this fibrous scrap booking stuff I use. Then glue on.

Third Step: Embellish.  Stickers, cutouts, trinkets, etc.  I like less rather than more. Glue or Stick.

Fourth:  Sometimes I will put a little saying on the front also like "Forever in Love" or something sweet.

For the inside, I write a message from me to the couple and put it into an envelope and done.

The next example is an invitation.  I used fabric and paper and fleece.  I love to texturize so I combine materials.  Instead of only gluing, I sewed most of it on for more interest.  I hope they liked it!  I had fun designing it.  I lay on my bed at night, trying to visualize my next thing I'll do until it comes to me. The fun part is trying out all the materials, playing around, seeing what looks good.  It is only worth doing it if it is fun.!.!   

The Seasons in California: Autumn

My backyard is looking so beautiful.  I had to take some pictures. The persimmon tree is gigantic again.  Its Autumn colors are glorious.  Another beautiful season, my favorite season, coming to an end.  Steve is busy picking, finding friends to give persimmons to . This year they are large and yummy.

My winter garden in the background - lettuce is ready to pick!

Fruit gift, part 2

I gave out my persimmon gifts.  So fun!  I love that.  Giving out things from my kitchen is so fun but a great presentation is funner.  Is funner a word?  I didn't have a box for the second gift so I  used a small string bag. For this gift idea the materials are: string bag, tissue paper, packing material, glue gun, white glue, computer and printer, bow.

First- download and print clip art from about.com.  Cut out image

Second- Clue clip art on front of bag with white glue

Third- Put packing material in bottom of bag (peanuts, crushed brown paper,or bubblewrap)

Fourth- put tissue over packing material, covering the packing material

Last- hot glue the bow in place somewhat on top of bag.  In my next post, I show how to make bows

Then fill up the bag and done!!

Who wouldn't love getting gifts like these?  Just a little more effort, gives it a fun presentation.

Making fruit gifts

Our tree has so many persimmons.  Did you know nice fruit makes a great gift when the packaging is nice?  I am giving away my persimmons and had some materials in my stash.  The first example is a box.  I was going to do burlap but had this nice lame type fabric scrap so went with that. First, cover the outside of the box, using a glue gun to tack it down.  Second, cover the bottom of the box with packing material like bubblewrap or whatever you have.  Third, cover the bubblewrap with tissue paper.  Last, a nice arrangement of the fruit.

I like to put a ribbon around, see future blog for making bows

Ready for presentation

Tile Coasters

I have tile from a house project and thought of an idea for the smaller tiles. I decided to make a monogrammed coaster.  I printed out the letter on printer paper, cut the fabric, a silk like number with decorative scissors and spray painted the tile.

Lined up, ready for glue

This time I decided to try Mod Podge glue, then spray with clear gloss paint.   So I modpodged on the fabric and then the letter,let dry, then several layers of clear spray paint (you can get  in the spray paint section) on top for a coating.

The finished project.  I put an embellishment (glass beads)around the tile with a glue gun.  I was happy with my first attempt.  I will next glue a piece of felt to the bottom of the tile, and it is ready for wrapping.  I also thought of wrapping a trim around the edge as an alternative, many variations are possible.  A ribbon at top or bottom,perhaps?

Thanksgiving 2012

We were invited to my favorite aunt's and uncle's for Thanksgiving.  We have soo much fun when we go down to SD to visit and eat.  Visiting and eating and music are always on the agenda.  They are getting up in years but that doesn't keep them from having fun.

Diana Nuttall Reints in the back and Steve Reints in foreground.  Sitting next to me are guests.

Smiling, eating, Steve brought the cider from Oak Glen

My cousin, who cooked, my Uncle Jim and Aunt Teresa- my daughter, Chris is taking the pix