New uses for embroidery hoops

Now that I've finished up my embroidered tea towels for a certain someone, I have a couple to spare.  Looking around the web, I've compiled a few great ideas to re-purpose them around the house.

Frame some artwork:

[diycreater]

lots of cute designs from [thepennyrunner]

this one is so cute [flickr]

a cute display from [BHG]


Go Gallery Style on the wall:

I just love this from [purlbee]

Hang them in the air:

Table display from [Martha Stewart Weddings]

Looove this from [Greygreydesigns]

This last one, I really like.

Tea towels

I am so pleased at how these embroidered tea towels came together!

Sneak Peak

Here's a little sneak at one of my Christmas projects.  Felted woodland creature ornaments, made on the couch during a variety of programming.

These are my two favorite so far.  I also have an acorn and an owl done, and there is a turtle in the works.  Any suggestions of what to do next?  These will look so great on our living Christmas tree, who this year, may finally be big enough for lights!

Roundup : DIY

Inspired by so much, and such little time to do it, I have compiled a quick list of projects that I want to do.  Now the hard part is making time to start checking these things off.  

First off:

Playing with Lighting:
There are so many cool lighting project that I want to do.  I've actually been fascinated with customized lighting for awhile now, but can never make myself take the plunge to acquire parts.  And I even have teacups that are perfect for this.  [Sydney Morning Herald]

Natural Wood Projects:
There are a lot of projects that would fall under this category, including a ridiculously cute tree branch and slate table that I just saw on design sponge!  And really, my parents have already mastered this with the tree branch candle holders that they made for Christmas last year.  I just need a chainsaw . . .
Also, the guys at [Cantilever and Press] have some cool things working!

Yarn Projects:
Okay, it's about time that I learn how to knit, or crochet, or something.  There is way too much couch downtime in my life for my hands not to be busy on something so cute as this.  It's a mandrake from Harry Potter! Cuteness.
[Mr. Fox]

Air Plant Gardening:
Now to be fair, I am ready to do this project.  I even went on an air plant gathering walk at the Riverwalk yesterday, but finding air plants in SC is much more difficult than finding them in your yard down in FL.  Just saying.  These mounted air plant plaques are so cute, and they help clean the air you breathe as well.
[Terrain]

Macaroons:
Why haven't I tried to make these yet?  To be fair, they take a lot of work, patience, and preparation, which are basically the three things I hate about cooking.  But I've make it through the Liukse waffles recipe several times by now, so how bad can this really be?
Image from [Macaroon Cafe]

That is well enough to keep me busy for some time.  What projects are any of you working on?

P.S. I've written this whole post while Fosca sleeps away under my desk.  The life of a cat . . .

Nicole Tackles Sewing

Look at that beautiful seam!  I've never had as much self-satisfaction as when I finished this pair of floral pajama pants.

Let's back up.  I have had a vintage Singer on loaner to me from John's sister since September.  I was too busy to open it, and then I went to Germany for two months, and then it was the Holidays, and then I had to recover . . . so I pushed it off.  Quite recently I got the gumption to open it up and try it out.

Early experiments included sewing on brown paper bags to teach myself.  I also made some (very) cute drawstring pouches with some fabrics I had left over.  I was getting some basics down pretty quickly, not to mention, a good list of what not to do.  Armed with Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing Crafts from the library, I started on a much more ambitious project: Pajama bottoms.

I learned many new skills and even made my own bias tape from material scraps.  Check out that cool drawstring.  That's right, I made that.  Though their fit it not quite Anthropologie inspired, I can't help but look at these pants and feel such a feeling of accomplishment.  Expect many more.

Crafty Christmas in review

I opted for a very crafty, creative, and handmade Christmas for 2012.  What with all of our European living and the world not ending, I wasn't exactly in a position to go out and spend a lot of money on people.

What I did, however, was carefully set aside ideas and goals that I knew certain people would like and appreciate.  Upon return to the States and my craft supplies on December tenth, I began the craft frenzy!

The easiest, but most tedious, were Anthropologie inspired "Confetti Glasses" for my Mother.

I thought they turned out beautifully.

She also received Woodsy Twig Votive Holders.  I didn't get a picture of those because the Christmas deadline was upon me.  They went straight into the gift bag!

For my brother, a Wine Cork and Ribbon Wreath.  Also interspersed are silver jingle bells.

Corks, floral wire, and free reign to John's cordless drill!!!  This actually turned out much better than I thought and reconfirms the fact that on should never throw out wine corks.

Next year, money or not, I will repeat my rabid craft session just for the shear fun.  And the ability to add "hey, I made that" to the oohs and aahs of opening cool gifts.