30th Birthday Creation...Another Infinity Scarf!

Tonight after dropping my Mother off at the airport, I felt a burst of creativity!  So, I decided to take my last fabric that I purchased after getting my sewing machine and created a new infinity scarf.  This scarf is a thicker Polyester, but I love the colors and design,  It is a mixture of floral and paisley.  It is definitely a warm scarf too. Happy 30th Birthday present too me!!

 

New Scarf!!

It has been awhile since I was able to sit down and work on a project!!  Tonight I decided it was time for a new scarf!  I had only two different fabrics left, so my goal was to use one of them.  Following the same instructions as the other scarves.....a new scarf is finished!

It is a great addition!  This particular polyester fabric was a little challenging to work with. It is more slinky.  I also did not cut it down to 40" X 70.  I just decided to use all of the fabric I had.   

Also, I want to share another scarf that I created a couple weeks ago. 

It is navy blue with white polka-dots.  It goes really well with a new gold sweater that I recently purchased.

I have one more fabric to use, and then I will be ready for more!  I am hoping to begin finding spring colors and striped patterns.  Perhaps ordering from an online fabric store will be the way to go.

My Brother has arrived and I created Infinity!

Well, my Brother XL-2600 i sewing machine arrived this week!  It was a little intimidating, but I wanted to get started immediately.  So, with only my manual in hand and a YouTube video to double check my threading of the machine (Thread Brother Sewing Machine Video)...I was ready to go!!

So...for my first project, I decided to make an infinity scarf.  If you know me, I absolutely adore scarves!! It is my favorite accessory.  To be honest, being able to make scarves was the reason I decided to purchase a sewing machine.  I am hoping to branch out to other projects such as aprons, bags, and skirts.


This evening I set off for JoAnn fabrics and purchased a few polyester fabrics.  In addition, I purchased three different colors of thread (black, white, blue) and a Start-To Sew Kit (scissors, fabric tape measure, pins, pin cushion, seam ripper, etc.).  With all the tools I needed, I began my sewing adventure tonight!

I used two great blogs for the step-by-step instructions to create my infinity scarf. Check out:

• Yours Truly, G 
• DIY Raven

I must say that I am pretty happy with the turn out of my scarf.  Of course I have much room to improve, and plan to make many more!  It was amazing at the end to wrap the scarf around my neck twice and know that I created this.  I should not really run into many people with the same infinity scarf.  So, without any further wait....here is my scarf!

I do plan on wearing this tomorrow!  Feel free to let me know of any other fabric you have used to make scarves too.

~A

Coasters for my Brother's 28th Birthday!

My brother Victor turns 28 years old on January 5th.  I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to start off my DIY year!  After looking through my DIY board on Pinterest, I thought it would be great to make him a set of coasters.  Thinking of all of his interests, I decided to go with the theme of his favorite sports teams and Superman!  If you know my brother, these are pretty much the theme of his life (besides his family).  So, here are a couple of photos of the finished product:

I went with more of a retro/worn theme with a couple of them.  Overall, I am pretty pleased with how they turned out.  They are not 100 percent perfect, but I think that is okay.  In total, I would say I spent three hours creating them once I got the pictures printed.
Here are the supplies I needed:
* 6 Tiles - only $0.16 each at Home Depot
* 2 sheets of blue felt
* Hot glue gun/ glue - only $2.99 for the gun at JoAnn's!
* Modge Podge
* Brush for the Modge Podge
* Scissors
* Paper towels
* Paper- can use regular printing paper or cardstock

Steps!
1. Print out the photos the size you want for the coasters.  You can cover the entire tile or center them.
2. Brush Modge Podge on the front side of your tiles covering the entire front.
3. Quickly place your photo on the tile.  The modge podge becomes an adhesive.  Let dry for one hour.
4. Brush one thick coat of modge podge over the photo and on all four sides of the tile.  Let dry for one hour. (I left mine over night).
5. Brush a second thick coat of modge podge over the entire front side of the photo.  (You want the strokes to be even and go the same direction.)  Let dry for one hour.
6. Use the tile to measure out squares of felt.  The felt will cover the bottom of the tile to prevent scratching on the surface they will be used.
7.  Warm up your hot glue gun.  You will glue directly on the felt the side you will be placing on the tile.  (I learned that gluing directly on the tile causes the glue to dry before I could place the felt on!) Be sure to get close to the edges or you may have to go back and glue the edges once the felt is on.
8. Place the felt with glue directly on the back of the coasters. Be sure that you lay it down evenly along the edges as the glue dries almost immediately.
9. Trim any excess felt that may be hanging over the edges or visible once the coaster is right side up.
10. Admire your creation!

I am excited to mail these to my brother!  I know he enjoys having friends over to watch different sporting events, so these will definitely come in handy.  I have seen others use family photos to create coasters as well. You may also want to purchase small plastic stands that can be picked up at Target or a craft store to display the photos upright.  Excited for other creations and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy DIY New Year!

I have caught the creative bug! I think it all stems from Pinterest.  So many creative ideas, people, projects.... I would love to be able to do so many of these things. I have been thinking, well why can't I? It will take practice, perhaps a sewing class or two, but I can do this!  My new favorite letters are DIY! 

My plan is to invest in a sewing machine, sewing supplies, and miscellaneous craft supplies.  I am hoping to blog about my craft adventures, and show the various things I am able to create.  It would be wonderful to make all gifts for 2012.  Even those gifts for Ozzie's little fury friends!

Well, my DIY board is filling up on Pinterest, and I am really excited to get started!  Feel free to share projects and ideas you are working on as well.  I am excited to have a new hobby!