Fine Craft Guild .com » Craft Advanced

How to Make a Parasol Bird Pillow

Fine Craft Guild — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:58:00 +0000

Today we’re starting something new: FEATURED GUEST BLOGGER CRAFT TUTORIALS. What I mean is that I’m inviting lovely and really talented craft bloggers to guest post tutorials for their wonderful unique crafts on FineCraftGuild. Our first guest blogger is the creative Beverly from Flamingo Toes, based in California.

Ahhh. Look at the sewing project she’s bringing: a 100% contemporary and unique pillow. Dare I say, it’s … Anthropologie-eque?!

Anyhow, by just looking at the pillow, you can tell how talented and creative Beverly is!! Verrrryyy. Now let’s make just as great a decorative pillow as this one, using her design and tutorial.

Over to Beverly:

“Hi! I’m excited to be guest posting today at Fine Craft Guild! I like to share with you a tutorial for my Parasol Birdie Pillow.

The inspiration for this came from a pillow in the magazine, Fresh Home. I cannot find this pillow anywhere online though. So unfortunately I don’t have an inspiration photo for you.

Isn’t he cute? I think all birdies at the beach need a parasol. It’s a must.

Bird Pillow Tutorial – Materials Needed

Would you like to make your own? Here is a supply list:

1 piece of transfer paper – with reversed image of bird and number printed on it
1 16" x 16" pillow form
1 linen square – 16" x 16"
Fabric for back and beach ball – 1 16" x 12" rectangle, 1 16" x 7" rectangle, small scraps for beach ball, about 6" x "6
Fabric for ruffle, edging on back, beach ball and parasol – 1 16" x 3" rectangle for back edging, 5" x 96" for ruffle (can be pieced if necessary), small scraps for beach ball and parasol, about 6" x 6"
Wonder Under, or other fusible web
2 buttons
small piece of jute for button loop on back, 5" long
and thread.

Step-by-Step Pillow Tutorial

Let’s get started.

1. Cut out all your fabric pieces. Draw out the design for the beach ball and parasol for your patterns and cut these out of fabric as well.

2. Cut out your beach ball and parasol pieces out of fusible web, and iron the fabric onto the web. Remove the paper on the other side. Cut out your bird and number transfers, close to the ink.

3. Lay out all the pieces on the linen and iron everything on, your fabric pieces and your transfer.

4. At this point you can either "distress" your bird or leave him solid.

TIP: Here is a trick I’ve found (by accident) to distress a transfer.

I have an old Teflon fabric ironing board cover that I use for this. I have tried it with regular fabric but it does not work. Once your bird is ironed on and you have removed the transfer paper backing, turn your piece over so the transfer is face down on the Teflon fabric.

Iron the back of your piece down, not too long, but enough to get hot. Peel up the fabric and some of the transfer will stick to the Teflon. (This is why you want to use an old piece, not your regular ironing board cover.)

You might practice this to determine how long to leave the iron on the back of the fabric. After this step your birdie looks like this:

5. Draw on your parasol handle with a fabric marking pen (that has disappearing or removable ink).

6. The next step is to sew all the fabric pieces down. I used a straight stitch for the parasol handle (about 6 lines back and forth) and a satin stitch around the beach ball and parasol, with a contrasting black thread.

7. Mark and sew on the button at the top of the parasol.

8. To prepare the ruffle, sew together any piecing you need to do to make 96". Fold your rectangle with the long sides wrong sides together. Hem the two ends of the rectangle. Sew a ruffle stitch down the raw end, or use a basting stitch and pull up the threads so that the ruffle is size of the pillow top. Pin then sew the ruffle on to the top, with a 1/4" seam allowance.

9. For the back panels, hem the smaller rectangle along the top 16" side. On the larger rectangle, for the edging piece, fold the small piece of contrast edging wrong sides together, and pin to the bottom end of the larger panel. Place the jute loop between these two pieces. Sew them together with a 1/2" seam allowance. Turn and press the edging piece down, with top panel overlapping that piece by about 1/2". Topstitch the bottom panel just above the edging, sewing over the jute loop to reinforce it.

10. Place the two panel pieces together, with the top overlapping the bottom, to make a 16" square. Baste the two sides together.

11. Pin the back panels to the front panel, right sides together, making sure the ruffle is facing in. Sew around all four sides with a 1/2" seam allowance. Turn right side out and make sure the ruffle isn’t caught in the seam anywhere. If everything is fine, turn wrong side out and clip the corners of the pillow. Turn right side out again and press the edges.

12. Insert pillow cover and mark where to sew button on the back lower panel. Sew on button and place loop of jute around it to hold it on.

13. Turn it over and admire your sweet birdie with a parasol.

14. Back of the pillow

THE END.

Thanks for letting me share this tutorial with you and visit Fine Craft Guild!”

About Beverly

Beverly writes about all sorts of things, but mostly sewing, embroidery, and the occasional attempt at photography. She enjoys meeting new friends and trying out new things. “ I’d love it if you’d come visit me over at Flamingo Toes and check out my other projects. “ she says.

This pillow is part of this set ….:

The vintage images on the pillow (the birds and cages) are from http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/.

*

Ruffle Tote Bag & Coin Purse Tutorial

Fine Craft Guild — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:39:00 +0000

It’s Tote Bag Monday and we’re featuring a beauty of a tote bag today. I love that ruffle on the front, don’t you?! If you’re a quilter with loads of matching leftover fabrics, than this is the bag for you this year.

These days we’re in love with robin egg blues and aqua greens, so this tote bag is a winner by way of color too.

The tote bag comes with a matching coin purse, which also has a ruffle front.

Bag designer:

Josephine Kimberling

(for Robert Kaufman fabrics)

Choosing Your Tote Bag Fabrics

Look at the design drawings of both bags below! It’s obvious that the Kaufman fabrics works very well together!

However, as the design of the bags are both already adorable (as you can tell from the design pictures in white on the right), I am guessing that any designer fabric patterns will do.

Just stick to a consistent, complementary color scheme for the ruffles, ribbons and the body of the bags, and you’ll be pleased with the results.

For example, here are some alternative P Kaufmann fabric colors… equally lovely together:

My Tote Bag Color Choice (& Design Mod.)

Personally, I think I might try this bag in pure white fabric. I would make a ruffling orange crochet edge, instead of the fabric ruffle. This would of course completely change the look and the bag of course. And ideally, I would want leather handles also. Can you see that? Would look great.

Free Downloadable Tote Bag Pattern

Well, over to you. This free tote bag pattern is for you. You can download it here, for both the <ruffle tote bag and the matching ruffled coin purse.

If you want more patterns and other fine craft ideas, be sure to browse our blog & to sign up for our newsletter. Do come back to the website, as we send out our newsletters very infrequently, but we post new free tutorials and design every day of the week, pretty much.

Featured in a number of wonderful craft parties! Check them out.

Tutorial Polymer Clay Bracelet & Earring Set

Fine Craft Guild — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:55:38 +0000

A fun and easy polymer clay jewelry set make a great Valentine’s Gift for a girl friend.

Tip: You can use this tutorial as the basis, from which to make more complex designer jewelry. Even changing the colors to chocolate, powder blue and off-white will shift the style of the piece to be more grown-up.

Bead & Jewelry Making Materials Needed

A. 1 oz in each of the following colors: Granny Smith, Violet, Sunseteach of Sculpey III
B. 3 oz of Sculpey Ultra Light polymer clay
C.
5-in-1 Tool &
Super Slicer &
Super Slicer
D. Large needle
E. Beading elastic and earring findings

Directions for Making Polymer Clay Beads

1. Mix each of the colors with an equal portion of the Ultra Light clay.

2. Pinch off about 1/3 of the red/orange mix and form it into a small rectangle of color. Repeat with the other 2 colors, stacking the rectangles on top of each other.

3. Cut the stack in half and re-stack the two halves together.

4. Press the stack back to it’s original size and shape. Cut the stack in half again. The layers become smaller and more numerous. Set the two stacks aside.

5. Pinch off a small portion of the green mix and roll it into a ball. Then, roll it to form it into a cylinder. The cylinder should be about the same length and height as your stack.

6. Cut even slices from your stack and lay them around the outside of the cylinder, laying them to reach from one end to another and making sure that the colors alternate.

7. Once the entire surface of the cylinder is covered, gently squeeze the cylinder, or cane to press the slices into position.

8. Place the flat part of your hand on the cane and begin to roll it back and forth on your worksurface. Grasp each end and gently pull to lengthen the cane. Continue rolling the cane until you reach the diameter you wish to make your beads.

9. Repeat steps 5-8 with the two other colors to create 3 canes.

10. Slice your beads from each of the three canes.

11. To make a hole in each bead for stringing, twist the large needle half-way through each bead. Turn the bead and repeat from the other side until the holes meet. Place each bead on a sheet of plain paper so that they don’t touch. Repeat with your other beads.

12. Roll several small round “spacer” beads from your remaining colors of clay and pierce them with your needle tool.

13. Place the sheet of paper containing your caned beads on the baking tray and then add your spacer beads. Bake according to the Sculpey III package directions. Allow the beads to cool.

Directions to Make a Bracelet

String your beads onto the jewelry elastic until you have enough beads to encircle your wrist. Tie a double knot in the elastic and pull it tight. Trim the elastic, leaving a ¼ inch selvage.

Directions to Make Earrings

Thread a caned bead and a spacer bead onto a header pin. Trim the header pin, leaving ¼ inch remaining. Grasp the top of the header pin with your round nose pliers and roll the pliers TOWARDS you to create a loop. Add your earwire before closing the loop entirely.

About Sculpey III Polymer Clay

Sculpey III has the same excellent handling qualities as regular Sculpey, only it’s softer and more pliable, making it easy to condition. It bakes to hardness in the oven at 275°F (130°C) for 15 minutes per ¼” (6 mm) thickness. It requires no painting. Individual colors are sold in 2 oz (57 g) blocks.

This polymer clay comes in 5 different sets:
1. Sampler Set — Contains 30 assorted Sculpey III colors in 1 oz (28 g) blocks. The Sampler Set is a great way to try out a lot of colors without buying individual blocks.
2. Classic Colors Set — Contains ten, 2 oz (57 g) blocks. White, Black, Chocolate, Blue, Yellow, Red, Beige, Emerald, Purple, and Just Orange.
3. Bright Ideas Set — Contains ten, 2 oz (57 g) blocks. White, Hot Pink, Purple, Turquoise, Violet, Lime, Lemon, Atomic Orange, French Blue, and Red Hot Red.
4. Naturals Set — Contains ten, 2 oz (57 g) blocks. Vanilla Cream, String Bean, Granny Smith, Just Orange, Elephant Gray, Pottery, Hazelnut, Stonewash, Tomato Red, and Sunset.
5. Pearls and Pastels Set — Contains ten, 2 oz (57 g) blocks. Gold, Pearl, Light Pink Pearl, Light Blue Pearl, Silver, Ballerina, Spring Lilac, Sunshine, Pale Pistachio, Elephant Gray.
Each set allows you to create unique jewelry styles.

You can purchase online Polymer Clay at Amazon or at Dick Blick (click on image above).

Tutorial: Sculpey, a polymer clay manufacturer

Inspiring Free Crochet Patterns

Fine Craft Guild — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Crochet Anyone? Here are the best crochet patterns out now, and they’re free. Read on… (it has cost me a ton of time to make this article, but it’s worth it… you’ll see)

A friend of mine is a crochet and cross-stitch veteran, who has been way to busy with work lately, not sewing a single stitch…

However, she expressed her dream to go back to her beloved craft again: crochet!!! To help her accomplish this goal, here is an article packed with links to the best free crochet patterns, plus an overview of places to get even more crochet patterns!

To Inspire Her …

…. and all the other crochet lovers out there in the big wide world, here is my overview of lovely, lovely crochet crafts to make. Many projects are easy and won’t take much time. Others will be finished just in time to become Christmas gifts.

Free Craft Tutorials for Inspiring Crochet Projects

After reviewing loads of directories with free crochet patterns, here are My Top Choices – Crochet Patterns.

What Inspires Me …

	1/ Free Crochet Pattern of an Irish Lace Scarf. It does NOT get better than this. Stunningly beautiful !!!!! Apparently it’s also easy to make. And that fact make this free online crochet pattern an A+. 1200 free patterns can be found on this site at lionbrand.com. Some registration is required if you choose more than 1 pattern.
	2/ I definitely love the chunky crochet flower necklace featured in this book ‘Easy Crocheted Accessories’ by Carol Meldrum: It’s 1 of the 30 fun & funky crochet patterns found in this book. This highly recommended easy crochet pattern book almost free… for sale now at Amazon for only 84 cts…. Can’t beat that… Check out the Amazon link as they’ll let you look inside the book before you buy, so you can get really inspired first.
	3/ I think I’d feel like an elf in this ‘wow, wow, wow’ anthropologie-style outfit. I sure can see myself wearing this jacket!!! Lovely. This is a ‘more involved’ crocheted cardigan – jacket – top and I would love it if someone would make this for me (as I am not sure I would be capable myself)…. Something to ask my mom… ?! Not sure. Maybe I will have to live up to the occasion myself. I actually like the color featured here as it would go well with the color of my eyes, or I’d like it in white. This free online crochet pattern is from Caron.com – an excellent site for free online crochet patterns. I am placing this at the #3 spot, only because I don’t think I could make it myself. However, in terms of lovability, well, I’d rate this pattern right up there with my rose scarf at the #1 spot.
	4/ This is an unusually sophisticated, crochet bib necklace. It looks pretty & easy to make. Absolutely for beginners. I can see me making some of these as XMAS gifts. Actually this is only one of nice lot of rather sophisticated crochet patterns to be found at Berroco.com.
	5/ Crochet cherry earrings: a fun summer craft for when your niece is in town. Find the tutorial at RoxyCraft.com.
	6/ This lovely crochet flower pillow at CrochetMe.com definitely called out ‘crochet me’.
	7/ Edgy Etsy boots. Etsy does not only feature loads of inexpensive craft articles. Some vendors actually sell craft supplies. This pattern actually no longer available, but this boot design is so inspirational, and so is the write-up by the designer of who the design came about. So, just for inspiration, I’ve included it anyway. To find an online free crochet pattern that you can adjust to look like these edgy boots, click over to any of the pattern directories that I’m referring to below.
	8/ This felted cuddly cat bed that I found on the forum at Crochetville, is absolutely adorable. This free pattern can of course be made in colors to better befit your own interior design style. Personally I can see this project done in 2 colors ‘white’: say cream and and pure white, with different rows of textures and tones. That would bring sophistication to this design. As well, it’s a home decoration crochet solution! I need several baskets of different sizes, and this pattern can be downsized to fit that purpose. Perfect. BTW. On the forum, there are ‘before & after’ pictures of the felting process, which makes you realize that felting is a ‘must’ for this project to get it to come out right: whimsical and functional.

D .. Yarn Free Crochet Pattern Registration Inconvenience

Let’s face it, all those registration requirements are inconvenient, but I reckon that these free crochet pattern directories are worth the trouble:

A. http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/ – the library of projects by this yarn seller is organized by type of project, each adorned with a picture. There are other types of free craft tutorials here as well. Well worth visiting this directory. A favorite project that I found is a lovely Christmas blanket. Super easy and fun… Oh, and I might just skip crocheting the blanket itself, and just crochet the pretty snowflakes onto a blue blanket I already own.

B. http://www.sugarncream.com/search.php?pst=c&advps=y – large list of free crochet patterns, quite a few good ones, but must sign up to see them in detail. Excellent overview with pictures so it is easy to go to what you like at a glance. This again is a yarn seller’s site.

C & D. http://www.bernat.com/ & http://www.patonsyarns.com/ – nice crochet projects with pictures but must sign up to gain access to free patterns.

E. BTW, for some reason it was easy for me to enter the lionbrand.com free crochet craft projects database without any ado (see inspiring crochet craft project #1), however, it appears that there are sign-in requirements for this site as well. As this site seems to have well over ’000 crochet and knitting patterns, well, it’s worth it.

What Did not Inspires Me

When you are feeling ‘lucky’ you can try the sites below, as they have lots and lots of projects, but no picture galleries. This means that chances are you’ll have to click a hundred times before you find anything beautiful to make. But… you might just get lucky.

http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com – there are actually some good ideas here, but oh boy, is it time consuming to find them.

http://home.inreach.com/marthac/links.html. For sure loads of links here. However, did not find anything ‘edgy’ so I stopped looking here. Instead, they have loads of projects that make me NOT want to crochet, so be warned.

My Advice

Sign up with lionbrand.com and make my #1 scarf. Then, send me the scarf (ha, ha..). No seriously, … I meant to say: send us a photo of your gorgeous crocheted scarf plus a write up of your experience with the pattern, and I’ll feature you here on the blog. OK?!

PS. If you want to more of the best free craft ideas, templates, tutorials, be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Use the sign-up box on the top left of this page.

If you refer to receive another free eBook rather than the one on watercolors, email me what free craft eBook you would like to get instead. I might have just the one for you!!

More Crochet Flowers

100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet

Couples Halloween Costume Ideas

Fine Craft Guild — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Many of the women and men Halloween costume ideas can be extended into Halloween costume ideas for couples.

Here are some special ideas to create outfit sets:

The Pirate Couple: his costume + her costume + her sexy hat
Frankenstein + his bride Costume *
Couple of ghosts costumes (Size:Large 44-46)*
Adam & Eve costume – non-sexy, good for children party *
Cheerleader
& Old Tyme baseball player costume
Beetlejuice costume & Tattooed Lady Lydia *
Cave Couple Costumes * (see future tutorial) + get this wig!
Vampire Couple with hooded velvet capes *
Bacon and Eggs Couples Halloween Costume Set
Click the title to order one, or make your own….

**

Here is how:
One of you dresses in a jumpsuit or poncho with big, bold, brown & beige stripes. The other person dresses in a big white top with a giant yellow center. You paints your face in stripes, and your partner’s in white (or vise versa).
Red Riding Hood & the Wolf costume
Jack Skellington & Sally
Viking Couple
Roman Couple
Kind & Queen couple
Doctor & Nurse couple costumes
Indiana Jones couple costume

Other Halloween Costumes

Start reviewing costume ideas now, or visit Halloween 2009

Fashion Camp New York City, This Weekend Sept. 12-13th, 2009

Fine Craft Guild — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:40:00 +0000

FashionCamp
New York City
Sept. 12-13th, 2009

We all know New York FASHION Week is ON NOW. However, FashionCamp NYC 2009 is something special and not as well known…. let me explain and you’ll know if you should pack your bags for the Big Apple today….

It is a two-day open conference in New York City on September 12th and 13th, 2009, ie. this coming weekend, that brings together the mainstream fashion community, the independent & vintage fashion community, and the next wave of wearable technologists for workshops and presentations.

Fashion-lovers from all over the fashion-map come together to talk about the future of fashion in a relaxed environment. It follows the format of a “barcamp”, a popular event in the tech community where people get together to share what they think is cool and to network.

Its goal is to discuss how online technologies are shaping fashion in the 21st century. FashionCamp is the first large event to bring together disparate parts of the fashion ecosystem to discuss and explore the intersection of fashion and technology. Over two days, fashion professionals, designers, innovators and fashion-lovers will teach and converse about the future of fashion; exploring emerging questions through workshops and presentations. FashionCampNY is organized as an “unconference” or “barcamp” — a participant-driven conference where fashion enthusiasts convene to share and learn in an open environment. Discussions, demos and open participatory workshops are attended — and run — by the participants! This is an open, collaborative environment and there is no fee to attend.

Sessions at barcamp are traditionally informal and unstructured, but that doesn’t mean they’re unplanned. Anyone can present, and its a great way to share what you’re passionate about. The best sessions usually teach something new or engender great conversation.

Fashioncamp sessions can either be a person or two speaking on a topic (“How New Textile Technology Will Affect the Runway”), a panel of a few people addressing some question (“Will New Textile Tech Really Change the Runway?”), or a hands-on “how-to” workshop ranging from “how to crochet” to “setting up a blog for your fashion business” to “How to Make a Simple Garment Using This Fancy New Textile”.

FashionCamp Topics You Can Expect

1. Techniques for Fashion & Social Media – how to use social media in the fashion world
2. Green & Eco-friendly Fashion – from fabrics made out of recycled bottles to new distribution models to giving clothes a new life as vintage–how can fashion be more eco-friendly? (THIS IS WHERE i WOULD TO GO)
3. “How to sell online” e-commerce solutions – How’s a young designer to get their product to market? Learn about various e-commerce solutions that are suitable for the fashion world.
4. PROBABLY NOT HAPPENING – WORKSHOP: silk-screening fun – Bring a garmet and lay down some paint! It would be great if we could get conductive ink and make this part of a soft-circuit project.
5. Great Outfit Photos – Many fashion bloggers take great outfit photos – and they do it by themselves! Learn from the pros on how to take the best shots, showcase your style and become a style icon yourself.
6. WORKSHOP: “Hello World” for Soft Circuits (aka “LED soldering fun”)- Do you have an idea for a light-up garment, maybe a hoodie with a glowing hood or a T-shirt with your name in lights? This will be a very basic intro to soft circuits. Participants will bring a garment and sew LEDs, a battery, and conductive thread into the garment so the LEDs light up! No tec… More
7. How to Date Vintage Pieces – Accurately dating vintage pieces is a valuable skill. Learn tips and tricks from the masters!
8.Site design, purpose, usability and how to measure results – Many designers present web solutions are equivalent to the stores cash register! Indie designers are particular on how there “store” offline is laid out! what are there needs to extend this online, what about usability, desired results and exactly how do we measure success!
9. Best Strategies for Building Relationships with Fashion Editors – What new strategies can young Fashion Designers apply to building relationships with Fashion Editors? It’s become harder to gain media recognition in the popular publications from runway shows by young designers.

It’s for you? OK! You can register for New York Fashion Camp online: rsvp.fashioncamp.org

Craft Color Planner Winter 2010/2011

Fine Craft Guild — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:00:00 +0000

The Pantone Color Planner for Winter 2010/2011 offers a ‘mosaic’ of color choices.

There are really eight color palettes for use in women’s wear, menswear, active wear, cosmetics, lifestyle, industrial design and graphics:

Molecular is an exploration into a mood that is not somber, but vibrant and glowing and in constant re-interpretation of itself. It represents a whole world built and organized around a mosaic, with faceted and unified parts. Deep, deep darks have never been more enticing, more positive, more promising and exciting to play with.

Think of old mosaic shop signage, imperial clothes and palaces, or other architectural elements. Strip away the years. With every layer that is removed, you will be closer to Byzantine. Take your time and have faith. Select special ingredients and render with precision.

Macrobiotic tones, dehydrated and preserved greens, and toasted nuances are all joined in a botanical mosaic as we open our surroundings to vegetation in Urban Field. Let it grow in our rooms, settle on furniture and items to naturalize them, and decorate our garments.

To imitate, to resemble, but also to dissimulate are key ideas in Mimetic. At close range, it can look like a disorderly arrangement of bits and touches of colors, but seen from a distance, they form an organized whole image.

Foundation colors are rediscovered and revised in Deconstructing/ Reconstructing. We need to dismantle to understand how to give a second life. Embrace familiar colors that always work – traditional navy, bottle green, pillar box red, ecru and mid grey. Don’t discard them, but blend and intertwine them in innovative ways.

In Neuro Networks, science walks in parallel with spiritual matters. Celestial and ethereal nuances are materialized in subtle high-tech or elegant raw aspects. Serene energy is conveyed through benevolent greys, transparent blues, skin beiges, aura mauve and immaterial yellow.

For Multiple Identity, think of the physical changes in skin, of how emotional or corporeal responses alter states. The texture mutates and temperatures rise or fall. Think of eye color after tears or no sleep, in bright sunlight or candlelight.

The vivid mosaic of the heavens and the great cycles that represent a continuity of genesis make up Universe. Visions of dynamic waves and veils of saturated, layered colours are studded with starry accents, all set against the beauty of black – a versatile and unusually rich palette that delivers real design gymnastics.

Mosaics can reflect cultural, geographical and political differences, yet still coordinate all these disparate themes. Mosaics are a practical and eco-efficient way of integrating previously used elements or materials to create something new and unique. While mosaics are a record of the past, new technologies continue to re-invent future usage.

The PANTONE View Colour Planner Winter 2010/2011 explores the idea of mosaics to examine the patterns of life, the environment and the imagination. It offers a multitude of surprising and unending color patterns and combinations that can be formed – whether abstract or planned, playful or studied, simple or complex, unrelated or inter-connected, accidental or organized, throwaway or precious, haphazard or interwoven, freeform or deliberate, spontaneous or thoughtful.

"In this current retail climate, thoughtful and creative uses of color are that much more important. Now more than ever, designers need to come up with new ways to attract the consumer’s attention," said Laurie Pressman, vice president of fashion, home and interiors at Pantone. "The palettes in Mosaics spark the imagination and help users create ingenious color compilations that enchant the eye and tantalize the consumer to buy. PANTONE VIEW Colour Planner provides the insightful direction designers need to make smart, savvy color decisions and thrive in these uncertain times."

Starbucks Coffee Cup Cozy ~ Easy Craft For The Beach

Fine Craft Guild — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:00:00 +0000

“One More Coffee for the Road?” my husband asked as I am putting together this free online tutorial on how to make a reusable (Starbucks) coffee cup cozy! He just confirmed the usefulness of this craft project.

Making a coffee cup cuff, holder, sleeve or cozy – whatever you like to call it – is simple to do and a delight to have. Meanwhile, Mother Nature will thank you daily as you stop wasting by using the store-supplied cardboard versions.

Handmade coffee cup sleeves are also really cool! The sky is the limit when it comes to patterned fabrics and crafty bejewelling. Keep in mind, however, that your cozy must be easily washable, fold-able and portable, so don’t go overboard on the doodling.

So …, if you wonder what to do for a whole afternoon at the beach, while the kids play in the sand?

Create a unique Starbucks coffee holder.

It’s a hand-made gift that you can give year round or get ready early for Christmas?? How is that for planning and ‘starting early’…??!!

This easy craft project is ideal for the beach. Of course, if you make plain, standard versions, they are made much faster with a sewing machine (within 15 minutes).

However, you can capitalize on the fact that the beach (or in your garden) and enjoy the extra available time and let those fantastically time consuming embellishments beckon you: mono grams, bejeweled edges, …

Cool Coffee Cup Cuffs

There are plenty samples of interesting coffee cup cozys online. Many have the same basic design, but fabrics, findings and details vary.

PinkGasoline presents sets of them monogrammed to suit an entire wedding party.

Gifts2Give dollies them up with corset ribbons, and The Cozy Corset Cuff makes them reversible. SevenSmooches and others offer coffee cup cuffs with hand-loomed blanket stitches on recycled felted wool from old sweaters ~ a more rugged look.

Others focus on fabulous fabrics. Have a look at these:


	<

Note the coffee cup cuff on the right by SoSheSews. I love it. This faux leather material is actually fused recycled plastic grocery bags, stitched up with fun text (Whip it up, baby! Make it for meeeee…) and other details. The inner layer is re-purposed cotton sweatshirt material. (Note: The SoSheSews’ cozy is no longer for sale).

Notice how the findings all vary. New and vintage buttons, ribbons & ties, … Note that this lacing isn’t just a cute accent, it’s a practical addition that allows our cozies to fit up to a pint of ice cream as well as any cup of coffee, tea, soda, beer–you name it. The felted coffee cup on the top right does not need any findings at all. So … choose felt if you want to make really a easy version of a coffee cup cozy!

Best Design Coffee Cup Cozy

While Valentine corset coffee cup cozy’s are cute, I think that, when all things considered, the key features of the BagelCreations versions of the coffee cup cozy is most practical:

1. It comes with a stretchy elastic band, so that it fits any size paper coffee cup, including non-Starbucks varieties.

2. They fabrics are fun and appropriate (albeit not ‘super wow’. This is why I still want to make my own…)

3. The elastic band goes over the cup holder when not in use, creating a neat fabric roll, which, together with the hook (spot it at the left in the photo) makes a great key chain hanger. This makes that you will actually have the holder with you when needed.

4. The inside is lined with a heat resistant fabric. Also, the holder is about 1.5” taller than the typical paper sleeves from Starbucks.

I love all these features.

They are easily embraced into your own design, using my free online craft template and tutorial, complete with step-by-step suggestions. You can modify the design of this free tutorial any way you like. And I hope that you do!

Free Basic Pattern for a Starbucks Coffee Cup Cozy

The pattern is really simple, as you can see.

Coffee Cup Holder ~ Craft Preparation

What You’ll Need ~ Before You Leave

If you are going to make this project by hand, I suggest you prep it at home. What you’ll need (to do) before you head out for the beach/vacation location:

Forms & Patterns. Keep your brown paper coffee cup sleeve from Starbucks when you get your next cup of coffee there. By golly, keep your empty coffee cup as well. Clean it. The cup will be helpful in positioning your button in the best spot. Now, use the above template to cut your fabrics.
Tip: Particularly if you are going to make many cozys (like one for each member of the family for Xmas or for all people in a wedding party) and if you are planning precise details such as an embroidered monogram, I would use the basic template below to make your own, more detailed template, marking all stitches, buttons, hooks, tags, etc. Just measure it all. It is very simple.
Fabric. Find 2 pretty pieces of pre-washed fabric of about 6" by 12", and a small piece of heat resistant lining such as Insul Bright of the same size. (check out the article I wrote on this craft material .)
Cut. Using my template or your own modified version as a guide, I’d cut the cuff at home. As you can see in my template, I allow an additional 1/2” below the paper sleeve template, an additional 3/4-1” above the paper sleeve, and an extra full 1" for the sides as I’ve cut off the glued bits from the Starbucks sleeve, and as I want some overlap. I’d also allow about 3/4" for a hem on all sides. Before you cut your second piece, … check that you cut one of the layers inside-out and that the patterns all lines up nicely etc.
Layer. When cut, pins the layers together, to prepare for later hand-sewing. If you are going to do embroidery, you might want to bring an embroidery hoop, and wait with layering. It depends on what kind of embroidery.
Crafty Details. Go through your craft cabinet, and find materials to jazz up your coffee cup holders. Look for bits that match in color and style. Refer to the examples for creative ideas. As you will want to roll up the coffee cup cozy to transport it as a keychain, don’t go overboard with heavy, large beads. Instead, opt to find some embroidery silk, small beads & buttons, ribbons, and extra bits of fabric to make a decorative tag or fabric flowers.
Don’t forget to choose some elastic band and a matching button, to close the coffee cup wrap. As well, take out ample sewing thread, a needle or 2, scissors, and a kitchen tray (so you won’t loose your iddybits in the sand).

What You’ll Need ~ At the Beach
Time. A lavish amount of suntan lotion, ample time and creativity.
Chair. The type of beach chair in which you can comfortable hold a tray on your lap.

These Starbucks coffeee cup cozy’s are great fun

as Personalized Christmas Gifts or Birthday Presents!!

I’d start with making just 1 sleeve, for myself. I’d let this experience help me lubricate my creative impulses. Then, using all great ideas that came to mind, I’d plan to do another 50 more, probably doing the basic sewing on a sewing machine and the detailing at the beach.

Craft Materials

Insul Bright

To create the best version of Starbucks coffee cup sleeves, use this craft material: Insul Bright.

A heat/cold resistant material, specially developed for the craft community to help us make functional items with our crafty endeavors. It’s excellent.

(Check out the article I wrote on this great craft material.)

Acrylic Felt by the Yard

To create the easiest version of Starbucks coffee cup cozy s, use this craft material: felt.

Excellent quality, heavy, yet pliable, this acrylic felt is similar in every way to traditional wool felt. This 100% Acrylic Felt is non-allergenic. It’s perfect for all fashion and home decorating craft projects. Easy to sew or glue with no raveling edges. Sold by the yard.
Click the rolls of felt image to Buy Now, so you can make something as cute at the below soon:

Golf Dad Greeting Card for Father’s Day – Puzzle Template

Fine Craft Guild — Sat, 30 May 2009 20:53:00 +0000

Wish Happy Fathers Day to your ‘Golf Pro’ dad with this personalized golf puzzle template / Fathers’ Day greeting card, which reads: “You swing being my Dad really well.”

Simply click on the thumbnail to download your free template. Print the page and sign it with your name and a personal message for your dad only.

Then, glue the page onto thin cardboard, e.g. from from a recycled cereal box or similar, and cut the page into large, irregular pieces into a puzzle. It looks nice if you stick to a pattern of either squares or waves, just like a store-bought puzzle.

Present your puzzle – card pieces in a pretty cardboard box to your dad, or wrap it in green paper with white polka dots.

Happy Father’s Day !

Great Golf Gift Ideas

Part of 10+ Free Printable Fathers Day Cards, Templates & Project Ideas. Click this link to see the others.

2009 Copyright photo by Brad Harrison; greeting card by Rose from FineCraftGuild.com

Father’s Day Card for a New Dad

Fine Craft Guild — Sat, 30 May 2009 20:42:00 +0000

This Father’s Day card for new fathers features a lovely baby coming fresh out of the cabbage. It is an absolutely adorable image, and yes, mom, you get to give it to the new dad.

Click on the thumbnail to download your free greeting.

Suggested Embellishment

Give this greeting in a nice-looking frame.

Suggested Complementary Father’s Day Gifts

New camera, memory stick for camera, computer photo paper, related photography gadgets, or digital photo enhancement software, such as Photoshop.

First Fathers Day Craft Ideas

This picture is an inspiration to make more pictures of your own son, isn’t it?!! So, have fun on this special day taking pictures of your own offspring in interesting outfits, with creative props.

Free Card Series

Part of 10+ Free Printable Fathers Day Cards, Templates & Project Ideas. Click this link to see the others.

This card craft has been featured in some great Craft Parties. Click link to check them out.