Do you have a lot of old, unusable CDs in you house? I do. I don’t like to throw anything away so I thought I would do a little bit of research and find a way to use those old compact discs. Here is one of the crafts I found that was relatively easy to do and cost next to nothing to make.
Here is what you will need to get started:

Styrofoam Heart 6 x 1 inch
Floral quilting fabric
A serrated knife
Paraffin or a candle stub
Wide, flat paintbrush
Ruler
Paper towels
Low temp glue gun and glue sticks
White, thick craft glue

First cut three or four …read more

Today is my last day of writing for Blisstree, so I couldn’t leave without sharing some of my favorite posts through the years!
There have been posts that people have loved, some that got a way bigger reaction that I ever expected and those posts that people have said “thank you for writing, that’s helped me”.

In no particular order, here are some of my favorites…

My post about a free pattern for a Snuggie has gotten more popular than I ever imagined – apparently people want to make these… lots and lots of people!
You can’t get much easier than these ribbon roses …read more

You’re getting an early-all Halloween crafting around the web this week… how come?  Well, Halloween is on Saturday, when I normally post it – so let’s have some spooky fun, while there is still time to make Halloween crafts!

Instructables show you how to weave your own spider web.  You can make any size from teensy-tiny to gigantic – and how amazing would this look made from glow-in-the-dark yarn or thread?
I love to make my own pom-poms and this Jack-0-Lantern from Craft Passion is a particularly cute way to use them.  There are lots of different pom-pom makers on the market …read more

Because there’s always room for one more project, one more inspiring article or one more new piece of fiber artwork…

Are you unsure about a particular sewing or quilting term?  Quilting Arts Magazine has put together a great glossary of terms for crafters and fiber artists.
This technique isn’t for fabric, but it’s so cool that I couldn’t help posting it!  Matsutake has come up with a way of transferring ink jet images onto wood – using only Mod Podge and white glue.

If you want to get a head start on your Christmas crafting, check out this gorgeous strip-pieced stocking from the …read more

Knots are amazing things…
You can use them to secure your thread as you sew, or turn them into a decorative embroidery accent.  They can be used to make everything from horse equipment from jewelry.  Humans have been using everything from hair, leather, rawhide and natural fibers since… well, the dawn of humanity to make knots.
I recently came across two very unique ways of using knots to create something decorative and useful at the same time.
The first one is this great tutorial from Threads Magazine, how to make a knotted belt:

The knotting pattern looks awfully complex when you look at this …read more

Because there’s always room for one more project, one more inspiring article or one more new piece of fiber artwork…

If you need a little crafty help for organizing your desk or sewing table, why not make some pretty boxes?  Style At Home has a how-to to make a matching set.
Living Creatively has a great little stash-busting purse.  Perfect for using up little treasured bits of fabric… or to make an easy gift for someone

Sewing.org has a tutorial from Wrights for making an elegant ribbon necklace – don’t forget, the holidays are coming up soon and it’s nice to …read more

To me, spring and summer clothes should be light, airy and simple.  But when the weather gets cooler I want to bring out the more embellished, constructed and interesting clothing!
There are lots of commercial options for pre-made clothing embellishments out there.  You can find everything from fabric roses, elaborate braided trims and beaded fringes.  If you’d like to try making your own clothing embellishments, but aren’t quite sure how to start, I’ve got a few options for you.
Threads Magazine has a great how-to for making a faux fabric bows, using bias-cut fabric.   The trim gives the illusion of a …read more

Did you ever wonder how those pretty, furry pom poms were made? With it’s rather simple form, the way it was made is nothing close to complicated. Come to think of it, it’s actually a no-brainer even!
Looking at the endless possiblities of using these pom poms was the absolute component that drew me to them. I actually felt the urge to find out and understand how they were made. Gone were the days that these babies were used solely for hairclip adornments only. Through the years, the pom poms have been present in almost all craft-related projects that included table settings, scrapbook embellishment and even as a …read more

Because there’s always room for one more project, one more inspiring article or one more new piece of fiber artwork…

Jazzi McG has created her own version of fashion designer, Richard Nicoll’s grosgrain ribbon bracelets and has shared a tutorial so you can make your own.
National Sewing Month is over, but that doesn’t mean you should stop upcycling as you sew!  Thimbly Things has found a cute new use for old blue jeans – baby bibs.

SouleMama has created a charming fabric folder to keep all of her thank-you card supplies close at hand.
If you’re as big if of a button fan …read more

I know, I know. I have posted numerous flower tutorials in the last couple of weeks already. But here I am, posting yet another one. There is way too much inspiration everywhere and the loveliness of it all is darn hard to resist. I can’t help it. There’s too much joy in sharing ideas!
So, do you have room for one more fabulous flower tutorial?
Here’s another fun and inexpensive way to make shabby chic flowers out of fabric scraps by Maggie Holmes over at the Studio Calico blog. Instead of just leaving them lying all around your craftroom being forgotten and all,  pick ‘em up and …read more