SILHOUETTE MACHINE GIVEAWAY!!!!

SILHOUETTE MACHINE GIVEAWAY!!!!

At Grosgrain Fabulous!

And while you are there, check out her AMAZING site. Love it.

Canvas Art

I'm thinking of doing one that says "reach" for my girls' room.  What do you think?  Read about this project here.  And don't forget to check out her other great stuff at the Elephant's Trunk.

Balloon Wreath

Wouldn't this be fun to have in your birthday closet?  Go here for the tutorial.

Glass Etching

So, I've been toying with the idea of glass etching for a while.  The results are so classic and satisfying.  But sometimes there's that one project that tips you over the edge of dreaming into reality.  Like this one on At Second Street.

I need this quilt.

Are you with me?  I thought so.  Go here to find the tutorial.  And don't miss out on checking out more of A Pretty Cool Life.  Her photos are inspiring.

Shirring I actually like

I am in love with this dress on Etsy.  I'm worried I'm not enough of a free-spirit to pull it off, though.  We'll see.  I'll just let it simmer.

Typography

Check out this great linky party at Create Something Inspiring.  I've decided I need more inspiring images on my walls.  I have been brainstorming images that would create an environment of hope and hard work, but after looking through these, I am thinking words would be equally effective.

Sewing Table

Oh, yes.  The sides do fold down.  You should check it out on Ana-White.  She is my hero.  One day, I am going to grow up to be like Ana.  

I did make my first woodworking project the other day.  A darling little giraffe.  But the baby hit it hard against something and it broke at the neck.  (An unforeseen consequence of choosing an animal with a long skinny neck and making it with pine.)  It was just an experiment, but it turned out well enough for me to want to do more.  I've heard poplar is a nice wood choice for toys.

Flower building toy

A new one from Made By Joel.  I think it's lovely.  My husband agrees, but thinks it has too many pieces.  It's going on my list anyway.  I can always cross it out later.

Still feeling nocturnal.

Find the template for this mobile at MadeByJoel.  He makes his out of paper.  But I see a more permanent model in my woodworking future.  It would go great with my dream bedding...

Here's the original post.

Are you "owl"-ing for more?

If you haven't discovered MadeByJoel, you have to check it out.  As long as I'm loving all things owl, I thought I'd take a second to drool over his embroidery.

Want some more?



See the original post here.

What a hoot.

I fell in love with these owls at Pottery Barn Kids.



I want the bookends too.



As long as I'm dreaming, the bedding would be nice, too.



I sense a bedroom makeover coming on.

Wee Wonderfuls Wee Bunny

Get the pattern free!

Click here.  Or find it white you're exploring all of the other great stuff at Wee Wonderfuls.

Don't You Want a Molly Monkey?

Isn't she darling?  I'm considering this for my daughter's birthday.  We'll see if her love of all things monkeys lasts that long.  Find the free tutorial here.  Be sure to look around at Mmmcrafts for many more lovely patterns and ideas.

An Easy Basic Doll with Lots of Options

Find the tutorial here, and check out the whole Grosgrain Fabulous blog while you're there.  You'll love it.

After doing a little bit of searching, I found the original tutorial on MarthaStewart.com.  Here's the link.

Black Apple Doll

Find the tutorial here at Martha Stewart Living.


Here is a tip for the construction: trace the arms and legs on fabric, then sew on the line, THEN cut it out.  It is a lot easier than trying to sew little pieces.  It should also be noted that there is no seam allowance in the pattern.  Try putting rice in the bottom of the body if you want it to sit up.


Enjoy!

Milk Paint

I originally found this recipe in Do It Gorgeously by Sophie Uliano, although there are lots of different recipes in various places online.  I loved the book as a whole and highly recommend it.  You should also check out Sophie's website, it is a great resource.

1 Gallon of Skim Milk at room temperature
2 c. White Vinegar
200 g. powdered color pigment
112 g hydrated lime powder
2 glass or plastic containers with 4 cup capacity
Water
1 Large Colander
1/2 yard cheesecloth
2 1-gallon paint buckets
2 large wooden spoons

Stir vinegar into the milk.  Allow to stand overnight.  Milk solids will begin to separate.  In a separate container, mix your color pigment with an equal amount of water and form a paste.  In a third container, slowly mix together lime powder and 1 1/2 c. of water until is has formed a creamy paste.  Using your cheesecloth, separate the milk curds from the whey.  (The curds are the solid part, they whey is the whitish liquid that remains.)  Put your milk curds and lime paste into a paint bucket and stir well.  If there are lumps after stirring, wait fifteen minutes and stir again until it is smooth.  Finally, add your color pigment!  Stir well.  The paint should now be about the consistency of light cream.  If it is too thick, add a little water.  Strain the paint through the cheesecloth one last time into your second paint bucket and you are ready to go!

Using a finish over your paint job will protect your work.  Find finishes like Zero Gloss or Black Bison Paste Wax, along with pigments at Earth Pigments Company.