Cartwheels In My Mind

Handmade gift : headbands

  
 

The countdown is on and you still need a few stocking stuffers or a simple gift?  We've gotcha covered.

Here is a rockin' little idea that will just take a few minutes of creativity but will be a great handmade gift.  All you need are some stretch elastic headbands, ribbon, felt scraps, a hot glue gun and some flowers.  I got my headbands at Target.  The ribbon & flowers I had in my scrapbooking supply stash that often doesn't get used for scrapbooking.  So this project was a perfect way to use up some of those supplies.  Some of the ribbon is from Hobby Lobby and the rose ribbon is from American Crafts.  Flowers are from Prima, often found in the scrapbooking section of most craft stores.

American Crafts has this great rosette ribbon that's pretty sheer.  So lovely!  Simply handstitch the ribbon onto a handband, tacking it on here and there, for a super simple & fast headband.

 

For these next several headbands , I used Prima Flowers and some felt.  I cut out two felt circles that would fit the back of each flower.  One circle is hot glued onto the headband.  The other circle is hot glued to the back of the flower.  Then I just hot glue the circles together, sandwiching the headband in the middle to create a good solid base.  I have a photo of the back of the flower below.

 
 I used the same method here on these Prima Flowers.  Just a felt sandwich with the headband glued inside and the flower glued on top!

 

These headbands with the ribbon and beads were a bit more time intensive but still only took about 15 minutes each.  That tells you how fast and easy the others were!  First I cut a felt circle about the size that I wanted to flower to be.  Then I applied hot glue a little at a time, starting on the outside of the felt circle, glueing the ribbon a little at a time in a spiral shape toward the inside of the felt circle to create the flower.  I used a toothpick to help me glue the edges of the ribbon easily without burning my fingers.  There's no real science to this.  It's just glue as you go and it'll turn out just perfect in its own way!  Then you can hot glue beads in the middle or handstitch a few sequins if you'd like.

 

And there ya go.  A little preview of the felt sandwich on the back of the flowers.

Seriously so simple, I'm telling ya!  Fast and easy and a great way to create a few last minute handmade & thoughtful gifts to share! 

Enjoy!
Merry Christmas!

Digital frames from Andie Smith Designs. 

diy ruffle scarf

 
You know we all do it.  We wait until the last minute and end up having to go out and buy a gift because we waited too long to make the handmade gift we really wanted to give to that special friend or family member. 

Yep. Been there. Done that. 

But I'm here to tell ya, this is a simple and oh-so-fabulous gift that you can make in just a short time that is as good - oh wait, even BETTER - than any store bought purchase.  It's lovely, comfy and HANDMADE!!!!  Oh and did I mention inexpensive?!  You could seriously make a ton of these for just a few dollars. 

All it takes is a t-shirt - used or new, thrifted or straight from your closet - scissors, and some thread. 

"Whoohooo!!  Bring it on, " you say?!

I hear ya!

Let me tell ya though.  I rarely make anything - projects, recipes, etc. - and follow certain directions.  I just kind of jump in and go with it.  So that's how my instructions will be posted.  They may not be total perfection but they'll get the job done.

First things first.  Grab a t-shirt.  One that's too small, too big, in your giveaway pile or one you've picked up at the thrift store.  But choose one in a great color you'd love to wear around your neck.

Now you'll cut a few strips off the bottom of the t-shirt.  I cut two 6" strips out of the bottom of this shirt so I ended up with two loops of t-shirt.  Then I cut one side of each loop to make two long strips of t-shirt fabric.  Now you'll sew the two strips together at the ends to make one super long strip of fabric.

Once I had my strip ready to go, I folded the strip into thirds to get an idea of where I wanted to sew the stitching.  Then I placed a piece of masking tape on the sewing machine as my guide to help me keep my stitching straight.  Because see...this was the first time I've sewn since my 7th grade Home Ec. Class. Wow!!  I needed every little bit of help I could get.  I sewed two seams down the fabric, using a basting stitch.  I'm sure there are a million and one different ways to do this easier but this is what worked for me.  I set the stitch length long and the tension low.  I think maybe if I'd had it on a higher tension, it would've gathered and ruffled more on its own.  But this is my story and I'm sticking to it.
 

Once I had my basting stitch finished on each 1/3 section, I pulled the thread gently to gather and create the ruffles.  This was probably the most time consuming part of the project but easy, nonetheless.
 

When I had it gathered just the way I liked it, I went back over the seams with a straight stitch to hold the ruffles in place. And TA-DA... 
 

Seriously, if I can do this, YOU TOTALLY CAN!!!!!

Now I'm going to dig through every giveaway bag of shirts and dig around in my closet for some more fun fabrics to repurpose!  Can you image doing this with an old sweater?!  Whoohoo!!  Next project, HERE I COME!

Happy gifting!

 
Frames from Kitschy Digitals.

25 Days Of Christmas :: Bring a little JOY!

We all could use a little more JOY and a lot more sparkle in our lives, eh?  Today I have a simple and easy-to-do project to share that will really bring some smiles - because it's so easy and so stylin'!

Don't you love the shimmery Christmas banners and ornaments you see in the local craft shops?  You can easily make one of your own.  Here's what you'll need to get started:

 
SUPPLIES:
One cardboard box.
Scissors.
Letter template (I created my own on my computer!)
Elmer's glue.
Scissors.
Glitter in the color of your choice. (I used Martha Stewart glitter in white gold.)
String, twine or ribbon to string your letters.

Once I had my letters all cut out of my template, I just traced them onto sections of the cardboard box and cut away!  Next, I punched holes in the tops of each letter before I applied the glue & glitter.  I just used a tack to make the small holes.  Then, I used basic Elmer's glue to cover each letter and spread the glue around with a toothpick.  Then I sprinkled the glitter to cover each letter and let them set to dry.  Stringing on the letters was pretty simple with my raffia string from Ikea and there ya go.  A simple, easy and lovely sparkly addition to your holiday decor!

 
 

Just think of all the garlands, ornaments or packaging toppers you could make with just a little cardboard, glue & glitter!  Have at it and have fun!

 
 

SEI happiness.

We all need a little reminder here and there to simply be happy.   So I used the SEI Jocelyn line to create a happy little art piece to hang in my room.

 

 What can you create to bring a little HAPPY to your life this weekend?

 

Designer Interview...Jessica Fediw.

 

Not all creative projects have to be expensive.  In fact, there is the beauty of upcycling - taking something you already have and recycling/upgrading it to something even more fabulous!  And did you know you can sometimes create your own version of something so fabulous in that new catalog that landed in your mailbox for a small fraction of the cost?

Enter Jessica Fediw.

Jessica is the founder of Oh So Happy Together and a DIY-er extraordinaire! She is super inspiring in her do-it-yourself ways and has the best tutorials.  Really. And not only will she teach you how to do make some cool projects, but she inspires you to look at things in a new way and see potential instead of something you need to just simply toss out.

Keep reading and you'll find out all kinds of facts about Jessica, what inspires her and how she does it all!  I promise you'll be inspired to grab some scissors and thread and try your hand at some DIY clothing as well!

Where are ya from, Jessica?
Well, I was raised in Virginia Beach, VA and moved to Jacksonville, FL almost two years ago for my hubbies job (he's in the Coast Guard). We are actually in the midst of moving to Pace,FL right now for him to attend flight school. So we are living in hotels until our new house is ready.

Do you have a website &/or blog?  Where can we find you on the web?
I have a blog, www.ohsohappytogether, where I mostly write about my crafting endeavors. I sew, crochet, and play around with a lot of other crafts. I love to share what I learn and create with tutorials too. It's the "teacher" side of me.

You can also find Jessica & Oh So Happy Together on Flickr, Facebook, Twitter and she even has an etsy shop!

Tell us about your family, if you'd like.


I married my college sweetheart and he's the love of my life. I couldn't imagine being with anyone else. He's amazing. He's also super talented. He plays the guitar, drums, sings, is an excellent writer and speaker, and is good at soccer. I have a three year old daughter as well. She's a little firecracker for sure. Very strong willed and loud, but also funny and very loving. She loves to have me make her things and tells everyone that I made it for her.

So when do you start creating?
I grew up with a very crafty mom and talented grandmother. My grandma used to make me clothes and crochet beautiful things. So when I was little there were always things for me to "create" with, but it wasn't until a few years ago that I really took up an interest in things like sewing and crocheting. It was the last year of college that I really got into it (a little over 4 years ago).
 
And why do you love to create handmade projects?
For so many reasons:
1) It makes me happy!
2) I love making things for people to bless them.
3) It brings me a sense of fulfillment.
4) It provides me with a wonderful outlet.

Where do you look for inspiration?
I look for it all over the place from nature to department stores. The best inspiration is always the kind I wasn't looking for.
 
What's going on in your art space while you create?
Well, right now it's all packed up in boxes. But I am super excited because the house we are moving into will allow me to have my very own room to create in!!!! I'm so excited! I have no idea if I will ever have this again, so I'm so thankful for what I am about to experience with that.

What are a few of your FAVORITE projects you've done?
Recently, I made some crochet hair bows for my daughter and for some to sell. I just love them! So simple and cute.

And my most favorite accessory at the moment I made was this necklace. I always get a lot of compliments on it.

 
What are your go-to supplies for handmade projects?
The main thing I work with is fabric, but there are so many things that come in handy for the variety of projects I do. I could list like a whole page!

Do you have a goal for a certain number of projects per week or do you just create as it comes?
You know, I used to but then I realized that at this place in my life it is unrealistic. With the responsibilities of being a mom, wife, and homemaker, I simply do the other things when I have the time. I usually get the most done when both my daughter and hubby are asleep. I don't have anyone really to watch my daughter, so I have to strongly rely on her sleep schedule.

Any other hobbies you enjoy?
In my little bit of spare time here and there, I like to learn about photography and practice it. My #1 goal for this hobby is to capture family memories the way I want to and then #2 provide nice pictures for my blog.

Can you share a few of your favorite shops that inspire you or you just plain love?
If you follow my blog, you know that I adore Anthropologie. I just love the uniqueness of it all. I also am inspired by J Crew, Mod Cloth, Urban Outfitters and Target.

Now a few random fill-in-the-blanks...

First thing in the morning, I... wake up to "Mommy!!!! Get up now!!!!" and groggily head to the kitchen to make breakfast for the little one.

I'd love to travel to...Europe.

My favorite season is... fall because... it's cooler weather which means cuddly cardigans and boots with the thought that Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner.

My guilty pleasure...SWEET TEA. I just can't break the habit!

I love to listen to..all kinds of music.

Some artists on my playlist right now: Jason Upton, Kelanie Gloeckler and Beckah Shae.

Any hints on an upcoming handmade project you'll be featuring on your blog?
I am hoping to get some fall things up once we are settled in our new house and all. Some are decorative stuff and of course, some clothing :)

Here are a few more of Jessica's cool projects!  You can get more details and how-to's on her blog!

Thanks, Jessica, for sharing your creative story with us here at Cartwheels In My Mind and for being an inspiration for handmade designs. Gotta love handmade.
 

Photo of the Day, October 2, 2010.

(c) Rebekah Price

Eiffel Tower

A beautiful blue sky. A freshly mowed lawn. The Eiffel Tower. Summer beauty at its best.