Blisstree » tips-and-tricks

Stinky Rotary Cutting Mats?

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:46:26 +0000

Rotary cutting mats (those self-healing green ones) are such a great tool for quilters and fiber artists.

They allow for more accurate cuts and protect your cutting table (what, you’ve never accidentally used your rotary cutter on a wooden table?)

Unfortunately, the new ones can have a distinct odor.

A very distinct odor in fact!

For people who have chemical sensitivities it can be enough to make them quite sick. Not so helpful for creating art.

If you bring home a stinky mat, there are a few things you can do. If you have the time, let it sit in a garage or shelted place where it can air out first. If you need it right away, try mopping it down with a solution of equal parts cold water and white vinegar. Let it sit for five minutes and then rinse off using clear water. Repeat as neccessary. As with all tips, use at your own risk

image: Olfa

Post from: Blisstree

Stinky Rotary Cutting Mats?

Tips & Tricks – Organizing Embroidery Floss

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:05:26 +0000

I recently picked up an adorable cross stitch kit. I normally prefer to buy patterns and then pick embroidery floss up separately, but I just couldn’t find a pattern I liked.

The benefit of buying a kit, is that if you only need a foot of a particular color, you don’t need to buy a whole hank of floss.

Of course, the downside is trying to separate 25 different colors of embroidery floss that have been knotted together…

I like to organize my floss in bright, natural light. I find I get the best color separation in natural light – there is just no point for me to try and do it at night under a lamp!

I write the name and color code of each color of floss onto a strip of paper and then tuck it and the floss inside a mini baggie. I buy boxes of 200 baggies at my local craft store, normally quite inexpensively too.

image: C Findlay-Harder

That way I can easily tell which color is whice, even when I’m embroidering at night. You can reuse the baggies over again, which is why I don’t like to write on the bags themselves.

Now just remember to keep all the baggies together…

Post from: Blisstree

Tips & Tricks – Organizing Embroidery Floss

Excuse Me, Is Your Fabric Running?

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:24:02 +0000

I had the funniest experience in a fabric store today. I went in to pick up a couple of patterns and of course, had to take a look through the bargain bin

I found a gorgeous cream-colored drapery-weight fabric, covered with a red paisley print. It’s going to coordinate beautifully with my living room, so I bought several yards.

The unwashed fabric

The clerk was having hard time getting the fabric folded nicely, so I said not to worry about it, I’m going to toss it into the washing machine as soon as I get home.

Well! I might as well have said that I was going to light it on fire in the middle of the street. The poor woman was absolutely horrified that I was going to wash my fabric.

I explained that I have an allergic reaction to fabric sizing, and it’s much better for me to wash it, rather than put up with a red, itchy rash and feeling like I have the flu anytime I handle the fabric.

She still was shocked that I would wash it – and of course, there’s the fact that I have three dogs, anything in my house needs to be washed!

I’ve washed hundreds of pieces of fabric over the years, and not once have I had any trouble with dye running. There are a few things you can do to help – but in general, I don’t worry about it

First of all, don’t use hot water – the hotter the water, the more likely your fabric is to run.
Don’t let the fabric soak in water and soap.
Take the fabric out of the washing machine as soon as it’s finished and either dry it or hang it up.
If you’re really concerned about the dye running, you can try this old trick. Make a solution of 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup vinegar dissolved in a half gallon of cold water. Soak your fabric in it for about 30 minutes and wash as normal.

I’ve got my fabric in the washing machine right now, and I’ll post another photo later this afternoon when it’s dry.

Just remember… use these tips at your own risk!

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Excuse Me, Is Your Fabric Running?

Sharing Crafts With Kids

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:32:55 +0000

I love being able to share my skills as an artist and craftsperson with kids. I’ve taught hundreds of kids over the years (and performed for thousands as a puppeteer) and have picked up a few tips from teaching.

My number one, all time tip?

Let the kids feel like they have say in what they’re doing!

One of the first formal art classes I took as a teenager was lead by an artist who taught by having his students copy his work exactly. In fact, he had been teaching that way for many years.

Was I bored? Oh yes!

I wanted to learn techniques that would allow me to create my own vision – not reproduce his.

I’ve always remembered how frustrated I was with that and try and let my students come up with their own finish product. I demonstrate techniques – but when it comes to the final product, the kids get to be creative.

Sewing with your kids? How about letting them “shop” your stash or chose the pattern? Making crafts? Why not give your kids a little more free rein to chose their own colors or put materials together differently.

It may not turn out to be the project you had in mind – but I can almost guarantee that your kids will want to keep on crafting!

image: Stock.xchg

Post from: Blisstree

Sharing Crafts With Kids

Tangled Thread – Favorite posts of 2008

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:24:37 +0000

It’s the time of year again when I browse through my archives from the past year and pick out my favorite posts – as well as your favorite posts!

The all-time reader favorite post from this year has to be the free pattern to sew your own snuggie. This post has got to be one of the most popular ones I’ve ever written!

My ribbon roses tutorial is another top reader favorite – month after month, people still enjoy it… even though I wrote it in 2007!

In no particular order, here are some of my favorite posts from 2008:

I’ve gotten a few requests for a basic, round yo-yo tutorial, and no – you don’t need any fancy gadgets to make them!
I rescued this tutorial from a previous computer – it’s an older one, but I love to make fiber fusion and definitely wanted to share the technique with you all
Make your own hand-fringed scarf with this tutorial – it’s really quite easy!
Launching two new blogs this year was definitely exciting, here’s my announcement for The Doggy Blog.
Figuring out how to make my cutting table work better for me was very useful discovery – I only wish it hadn’t taken me so long…
Here are a few tips to make mending blue jeans a little easier.
This is one of my favorite ways to make marking button holes an easier task.

Do you have a favorite Tangled Thread post from 2008? Share it in the comments!

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Tangled Thread – Favorite posts of 2008

Christmas & holiday wreath inspirations

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:21:35 +0000

I love having Christmas wreaths on my door during the holiday (don’t forget that it’s to make this wreath into a Christmas wreath by changing the colors to festive ones) . Here are some great ideas for making your own Christmas or holiday wreath:

Got a big button stash? How about a button wreath?

image: Really Bad Kitty

Use festive fabrics to create this braided wreath:

image: Craftown

This would be the perfect project for the beginning quilter:

image: Sewing.About.com

If you change the ribbon color, this would make a gorgeous Christmas wreath:

image: The Long Thread

Post from: Blisstree

Christmas & holiday wreath inspirations

Christmas at my house

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:03:26 +0000

It’s become a tradition for the b5 bloggers to share our Christmas trees and other holiday traditions during December. I’ve shared more photos on my new dog blog, The Doggy Blog – you can see them here

Here’s what my house looks like at the moment:

Of course, it’s not Christmas without yo-yo garlands:

Yo-yo garlands seem to end up everywhere…

You’ve already seen this little guy on my tree:

I also have to have lots of hand-made Christmas ornaments – made by myself:

And by my family:

You can also be thrifty when you’re making Christmas crafts – I used leftover upholstery samples to make parts of my stocking:

I’d recommend using strong needles if you want to make your own – I snapped quite a few with this project!

all images: © C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Christmas at my house

Need more inspiration for hand-Christmas gifts?

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:07:38 +0000

We’re getting pretty close to Christmas, Hanukkah and lots of other winter festivities – do you need more gift ideas? Got someone who needs a hand-made gift, but you’re not sure quite what?

Did you know that fabric superstar Amy Butler has a great line of free patterns for quilts, accessories, fabric crafts and more?

You’ll find patterns for gorgeous scarves (for your hip cousin) business card holders (for your self-employed friend) and even quilts (for someone who’s really special!).

Want to check it out? Click here to see all the goodies.

Post from: Blisstree

Need more inspiration for hand-Christmas gifts?

Have a “Green” Christmas this year

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:53:13 +0000

Jennifer from Tree Hugging Family has put together an amazing list of Christmas crafts, holiday recipes, seasonal tips – all with a “green” or eco-friendly twist.

Sit back, browse, read, and linger in the holiday bliss!

Remember, no matter the treat or recipe, you can always green it up by exchanging organic and natural ingredients for conventional.

50 Cute and Tasty Christmas Cookie Ideas

Cherry Dot Cookies

Organic Holiday Cookies!

Hey It’s Sugar Cookie Day – worth it for the pretty snowy cookie image alone.

Bacon Nut Stuffing – don’t forget, pork is a high pesticide food item, so buy organic if you make this dish.

Top 10 Turkey Tools

Pumpkin Cheesecake – one of my personal favorite treats.

What Else Is In Your Beer? AND Vegan Beer & Wine – I know beer and wine do not make a meal, but hey, they are treats, and if you have a drink, you may as well get the best.

Don’t forget to green up your holiday crafts by using recycled materials when possible.

Making Festive Ice Wreaths

yo-yo Christmas tree ornaments

Easy Christmas Crafts for the Kids

24 Things To Make – A Crafty Christmas Countdown

Beautiful Christmas Wreath Ideas You Can Create Yourself

Quick and Easy Christmas Wreath Idea – Snowflake Wreath

Homemade Recycled Holiday Luminaries

Embroidered Christmas craft how-tos

Christmas in July Crafts for Kids

Christmas sewing & crafting tips and tricks

Free holiday projects from around the bead-osphere!

Free Holiday Projects

Favorite Christmas tree ornament tutorials, free patterns & ideas

50 Holiday Things You Can Make Yourself

Thrifty Christmas Crafting

Homemade Christmas Ornament Ideas: Pinecones

How to Make a Candy Christmas Wreath

Make Your Own Pop Up Christmas Card

Green up your homemade holiday gifts by using recycled materials and natural and organic ingredients when possible. You can apply this thinking to almost any homemade gift idea.

Homemade Eco Gifts You Can Make for the Holidays!

Fabric Covered Journal Tutorial

How To Make Your Own Bath Salts

A Gift You Can Make With Your Children~ Hot Chocolate Mix Jar

Make Your Own Solar Light!

DIY Eco Chic Soap

Make Your Own Oilcloth Bags

Cheap Christmas Spa Basket Gift – Heating Pads

When it comes to green holiday tips you can do a lot; be a smart consumer, save energy, reuse items, and way more.

Turn Cereal Boxes into Gift Boxes

Green Product Review: Green Christmas Book

Tips on Staying Healthy During the Holidays

Green Christmas Shopping – 3RLiving Exclusive Discount to Unplugged Living – 3R Living has the coolest green gear, and now, you can score it for less.

How To Reduce Your Winter Heating Bill

Weatherization Assistance Programs

Easy ways to save money when gift shopping online (conserve gas, stay at home and shop).

The First Snowfall – A Day for Fun and Quilting Inspiration

Snow! Snow Everywhere!

25 Reasons To Get Outside During Winter

Christmas Tree Coat Stand

Eco-Friendly Christmas Trees

Decorating Your Holiday Table – with the goodness of soy

Christmas Lights

Decorating Your Coffee Table for Christmas

Great Kitty Stocking Stuffers – recycled tins, natural kitty treats!

15 Unique Christmas Gifts – many recycled!

Steal This Christmas Gift Please!

Kitten Christmas Pictures – you know me; NOT a pet fan. So if I’m posting kitten pictures, you can bet your hide they’re flippin’ adorable. Even I was moved.

Best Holiday Books, 2008 – kid friendly! Use the library or share with friends to be extra green with holiday books.

Christmas Party Game Idea – Family Tree

Green Holiday Gift Guide: Great Books for Kids

Holiday Lights Video

[Image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

Have a “Green” Christmas this year

Christmas cross-stitch free patterns for marvelous minis

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:49:51 +0000

Not every Christmas project you cross-stitch or needlepoint needs to be a big one – in fact, it can be a lot of fun to work on little projects that you can finish in one or two evenings.

I’ve found some fun, free patterns for Christmas cross-stitch and needlepoint. These projects would make great gifts, labels for special presents or even hung on your tree. You could use plastic canvas or cross-stitch paper to make stiff ornaments, or use Aida cloth to make Christmas cards.

Just click on the image to view the free pattern:

image: Free Patterns Online

image: Cross-stitch.About.com

image: Needlepoint.About.com

image: The Chart Shop

Post from: Blisstree

Christmas cross-stitch free patterns for marvelous minis