Nov 182012
 

I Love! Love! Love! these gift ideas!

Any one of these beautiful casserole/pie carriers would make a great housewarming gift, or something special for a friend during the holidays. Take it one step further (or even two or three steps further depending on your budget), and add a dish and a decorative bag of ingredients, with the recipe attached. Isn’t that a great gift idea? Wouldn’t you love to receive a gift like that? I know I would!

These Casserole and Pie Carriers are the perfect tote along for holidays and events. If you’re showing up somewhere with a homemade dish, you’ll want to keep it warm and ready to eat.

Check out these casserole carrier patterns at Amazon.com – Click Here!

I also found the following websites with free instructions. Maybe you’ll find one you like.



Casserole and Pie Carrier Pattern – Click Here!


Turn your ordinary placemats into something new with the Placemat Casserole Carrier. Whenever you need to take a cooked dish somewhere, this casserole cozy will be useful. Plus, it’s easy and fun to make!

Easy Placemat Carrier Pattern – Click Here!


If you’re traveling with a dish, keep the food warm until it’s time to eat. With the Cozy Toter casserole carrier pattern you’ll have a great sewing project that’s useful and easy to make.

Cozy Toter Pattern – Click Here!


Casserole Tote: Everyone needs a handy Casserole Tote for family gatherings and parties. This casserole carrier pattern features fabric handles and easy open flaps. Make this sewing project and you’ll love the results.

Casserole Tote Tutorial – Click Here!



Casserole Carrier: Looking for a free casserole carrier pattern? This Casserole Carrier will come in handy for potluck dinners, events and parties. With a solid handle, you’ll be able to take this useful craft anywhere!



Casserole Carrier Instructions – Click Here


Insulated Casserole Carrier: You’ll find yourself needing an Insulated Casserole Carrier at some point this Summer. With all the picnics and parties coming up, don’t get caught without the proper casserole carrier. Follow this sewing tutorial and create the useful craft.

Insulated Casserole Carrier Tutorial – Click Here!


Check out these casserole carrier patterns at Amazon.com – Click Here!


And don’t forget the casserole recipes – Click Here!


Casserole & Pie Carriers on Amazon.com – Click Here!


Reversible Quilted Casserole or Pie Carrier – How-To Video

This casserole carrier is a great sewing and quilting project that makes a wonderful gift. Even better, add a nice casserole dish and favorite recipe.

Materials Needed:

  • 2 pieces of fabric 22″ x 22″ one each in contrasting colors or designs
  • 2 pieces of 100% cotton fiberfil 23″ x 23″
  • 1 strip of fabric 5″ x 22″ (this is the strap, so choose color that will complement both sides of the carrier)
  • 2 pieces of fabric 4.5″ x 7″ (choose same color as the strap)
  • rotary cutter and mat
  • ruler
  • marking pen/pencil
  • pins
  • sewing machine
  • walking foot attachment (optional)
  • iron and ironing board

Continue reading »

Nov 172012
 



How-To Make a Ruffled Flower

These adorable flowers can be used to accessorize headbands, barrettes, purses, bags, hats, scarves, brooches, etc. They are so quick and easy to make, and would be great gifts.

Materials Needed:

  • small strip of fabric 14″ long x 2-1/2″ wide*
  • heavy-duty thread
  • buttons
  • hand-sewing needle
  • scissors

You can use any fabric you choose. This video shows flowers made with polyester knit and fleece.

This ruffled flower is hand sewn, but could be easily sewn on a sewing machine if you prefer. Just set your stitch length to the longest so that you can easily gather the fabric.

Also, I haven’t tried this but I think it would be very pretty. Use Organza and Chiffon. Make several flowers, alternating the organza and chiffon. Then, layer them on top of each other and sew together. Embellish the center with a brooch or satin button.

Following is a video that shows how to make a shoulder adorned wedding flower. It is exquisite. Continue reading »

Nov 172012
 

image of The Big-Ass Book of Crafts By Mark Montano

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts
By Mark Montano

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts is packed with ideas for sprucing up your living space; concocting fabulous, all-natural body products; designing your own unique stationery; and creating countless other crafts that will convince your friends and loved ones that you’re the secret love child of Martha Stewart (only much, much cooler).

Forget crocheted doilies and itchy knit sweaters — TLC’s While You Were Out top designer Mark Montano has created stylish and imaginative projects that range from a Warhol-esque Ultrasuede iPod case to photo-adorned boxer shorts to African mask patio chairs to wooden night-light boxes. Divided into sections that include Outdoorsy (ideas to enhance your backyard), Dishing It Out (decorating plates using different techniques), You’ve Been Framed (innovative picture framing ideas), and Can I Have a Light? (creating and decorating lamps, lanterns, and chandeliers), it’s as entertaining to read as it is endlessly inspiring. With more than one hundred and fifty inventive and fun projects, The Big-Ass Book of Crafts is the perfect activity book for readers of every mood, budget, and skill level.

~~~~~~~~~~