ArtfullyQuaint

HO HO HO .. it's Christmas DIY fun!

              

I've been a busy bee.. making my house ready for THE BIG DAY- also known as Christmas! Lots of prep for Christmas happens here at my humble abode which has taken me away from my second home.. ArtfullyQuaint. Sadly, this has left my blog rather still and silent the last few weeks :( HOWEVER.. I've been inspired to share a couple of DIY projects today that are fun and easy for any family to do which should make your home sparkle for the holidays. As always, please share any comments & ideas or if you make your own version of my DIY projects, please share photos, links or your own blog. Enjoy! ♥

              
                               Mr. & Mrs. Claus' Laundry Line Garland

The first DIY project is quite humorous to me. Don't ask me why, but I giggle every time I see Santa and Mrs. Claus' "unmentionables" hanging from the clothes line. *gasp* You DO know Santa and Mrs. Claus have to wash their clothes dontcha? Well, what better place to dry socks, underwear, hats, boots, pants, aprons etc. than to hang them on your tree as a fun and unique garland!

               

Download Santa & Mrs. Claus clothes line for printable patterns to make your own clothes to hang from your tree, today! You can find the minature clothespins  at any craft store. I used soft & pliable hemp for the clothes line and standard felt (red,white, black) for the clothes. Just trace the pattern on the felt, cut out and attach to line with clothespins. Easy as pie! You could also spruce up the clothes with glitter, facier felt, lace etc. which would make them even more adorable than they already are :)

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My second DIY project is super cool, easy and doesn't cost a fortune to make. Get your fingers ready to make.....

             
                                          Origami Paper Star Ornaments!

 

I found the DIY instructions initally at Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures but changed the stars up a bit with vintage scrapbooking paper and brads for the center which look button-like. You can do whatever you want, of course, but I think it'd be cool to also add glitter etc. to jazz them up. You can make these big or small depending on what you want to use them for. I used 12x12 paper to make the ones above so I can hang them in my windows. They measure about 5-6" when finished. If you use standard 6x6 origami paper then the finished stars would measure about 3". Instructions are found below. Enjoy!

One of my favorite ideas in the book  is a 5 pointed star.  I decided to give it a whirl and I am glad I did.  Love it. 

 

My supply list included:

12x12 sheet of cardstock scrapbook paper cut into 4 6x6 pieces of paper

Distress Ink (optional)

Decorative paper brad (optional)

Hole punch

Twine

I followed the easy instructions in the book. 
(Instructions from Ornagami: An Origami Christmas at Your Fingertips by Gay Merrill Gross, copyright Quirk Packaging 2005, 2007.) 

The instructions go back to #1 here because the first set were for a pentagon base.  The 2nd set if for the star.

This photo shows the paper brad from the back.

I rubbed the finished star onto the ink pad to get the distressed look.

The above star's instructions came from Christmas Ornagami Book. All credit for how-to instructions are given to them. Thank you!

In LOVE with ruffles...

I don't know what it is about ruffles lately.. but needless to say, I. AM. SMITTEN. It seems the sweet, innocent ruffled layers of color make me happy :) Today GussySews posted via twitter several great DIY tutorials to make your own ruffle t-shirts and bouquets (the hottest rage). I've always tried to  live by the golden rule so I thought I'd share a fun DIY ruffled pillow from FloralShowers! As you shop around you'll notice most stores put summer t-shirts on clearance... which means you may be able to spruce up your home and wardrobe - ruffle style! YAY! Please leave me a comment if you know of other ruffle tutorials or if you plan on making a ruffle goodie yourself.

Happy crafting! xo Heidi

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AQ NOTE: If you can't find large enough t-shirts or good colors, I'm sure you could buy jersey fabric from a craft/fabric store and make the pillow in the same way

Remember this cute ruffle pillow made from a t-shirt? Well, here is the tutorial. Enjoy!!You’ll need:

• an XL t-shirt (or larger)
• rotary cutter, mat, and ruler
• fiber fill or some sort of stuffing

Step 1: lay t-shirt flat on cutting mat. Cut hem off bottom of t-shirt and straighten sides out (if needed).

Step 2:  cut a 14×14 square through both layers of the t-shirt. These squares form the front and back of the pillow.

Step 3: trim off sleeves and use remaining t-shirt fabric to cut strips about 1 1/4 inch wide by 21 (or so) inches long.

Step 4: lay out strips on pillow top to determine how many ruffles you want. I wanted 10 for mine.

Step 5: set your machine to a really long stitch (called a basting stitch). Sew down the center of each strip, leaving a tail of thread, and making sure to NOT reverse stitch on either end.

Step 6: lay strips back on pillow where you’d like them (with the bobbin thread side facing down). Pin ends in place (it makes the next step easier).

Step 7: Ruffle time! Gently pull the bobbin thread (the thread on the bottom) to create the ruffle. Spread the ruffle across the entire strip and pin in place. Repeat for each strip.

Step 8: set your machine back to a regular (or slightly smaller than regular) stitch length. Sew down the center of each ruffle (right on top of the baste stitch).

Step 9: pin pillow front to pillow back, with ruffles inside. Tip: to make sure you don’t sew the ruffle in the side seam, pin bottom-most and top-most ruffles to the side.

Step 10: sew front to back, leaving a 4-5 inch gap on one side. Trim corners. Flip right side out. Stuff.EDIT: This is also the point where I would use a lint roller to get off all the tiny little balls of fabric that are everywhere…

Step 11: pin opening closed and hand sew shut.

I would show you the finished product, but I actually gave it away before I took a picture… but trust me, it was cute.

Fun finds and memories...

Just had to post a pic of my latest "fun" find today. I have a love of tin toys, old cast iron coin banks and really just anything "old" that exudes vintage charm and character. Today I came across this coin bank which is clearly a reproduction of this original cast iron bank and I HAD to get it. Why you say? Well, to make a  long story short.. it reminded me of my dear grandfather. Many years ago (1970's to be exact) my Grandpa had an old Uncle Sam cast iron coin bank sitting on his bathroom shelf.

I loved putting a penny into his hand and watch it drop quickly inside the opening red purse. It thrilled me each time I watched his bearded mouth open up.. as if saying "Thank You"  while the shiny penny dropped inside. Fast forward to 2010..  "Trick Dog" appears and reminds me of this favorite childhood memory and I decide must buy it for two reasons.  First.. I'm super sentimental and second... I have my own Trick Dog named Flick whom I adore. Seems fitting enough don't you think? Just for comparison sake.. I'm posting the picture of the original and of course.. the one I bought today.

Wouldn't you agree that most vintage items were well made? Why has quality and pride in workmanship almost disappeared nowadays? Sadly, it seems even vintage knockoffs are subject to mass production and sloppiness. Hopefully sometime soon I can repaint this knockoff and give it the love it deserves while thinking of dropping pennies inside Uncle Sam's purse.

Time for a Friday 5 minute Flick GIVEAWAY break...

 
Update: CONGRATS TO NAOMI for winning the AQ $35 shop credit! YAY! Thank you to everyone else for participating in Flick's 5 minute Friday Giveaway. It was much appreciated :) Keep your eyes open for the next giveaway at Gussy Sews later this month by following me here

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**** This post was featured  a couple weeks ago and I thought I'd repost for a new giveaway! YAAAAAAY!! Unfortunately, I didn't have anyone win the last go-around so... HERE IS YOUR CHANCE!! ****

To win a $35 shop credit, all you need to do is one or all of the following: The more you enter, the better your chance at winning :)

1) Visit my store and leave a comment here about which item is your favorite and why.

2) Leave a funny Flick caption and follow my blog 

3)Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/artfullyquaint leave a comment below 

4)Tweet the following: Etsy ArtfullyQuaint giveaway http://bit.ly/9bU1pO
and then comment here telling of this giveaway. 

You get one entry per comment, so if you do more than one of the above make sure you leave a separate comment for each. 

The comments will be randomly drawn on Friday August 13 at 9:00pm Mountain Standard Time (USA). The competition is open to ANYONE, ANYWHERE. 

So get clicking for your chance to win! 

                                           ( insert caption here:_____________________) 

It's time for a five minute Flick break. What's that you ask? Well, it's the time where I share with you pictures of my wonderful dog named Flick! He's a Yorkie and super cute! I received Flick as a present for Christmas from my sweet husband. He came tiny as a stuffed animal complete with bow on top his head.. awwwww! Flick = A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E. and that's not stretching the truth. :D He has THE best personality (full of spunk and humor) and is often the sweetest dog on the planet. So without further ado, I share a few pictures of him being.. well... humorous and a bit mischievous. I am not going to caption Flick's photos because that job will be up to you. Please leave a comment (with email for contact) as to what you think are the best captions. If I receive enough comments I'll post the best in a new post (the judges being my children) and send an AQ gift to the most humorous/witty! May the best caption win! <-- NOW AN AQ GIVEAWAY... GO AND ENTER!

                                      ( caption: _______________________________)

                                   

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