Felt Animals

Hi! Do you like crafting with felt? It's a material I've used several times -- for ornaments, a heart pin, flower embellishments, pin cushions, and a jewelry tray.

I saw these at a store. They are flat felt animals tucked inside an envelope. These can be mailed to a friend who's far away or as a surprise in a child's lunch box. 

Because I thought the idea was so adorable, I had to make some myself! Let me show you:

First, I chose these cool shades of blue felt.

Then I made a template out of cardboard. 

Trace and cut.  

There's one front piece (that I embroidered with a bear's cuddly face) and one back piece of felt.

I attached the front and back pieces together with hot glue for a sturdier bear.

And I made a small envelope pouch using gift wrap.

Then I put the bear inside...TADA!

Here's another version, this time a cute kitty cat.

Write a sweet note and it's ready to give away. I guarantee it'll turn your recipient's day from blah to TADA!

Salt Dough Earrings

Hi guys! Thank you for coming to hang out today.

A few weeks ago, I was playing around with salt dough to make jewelry like pendants and charms for beaded bracelets. I have some salt dough left over to make another project.

If you haven't worked with salt dough, it's like clay that you shape and bake in the oven for the pieces to harden. You'll find the recipe for salt dough here, as well as the step-by-step instructions.

I always keep salt dough in a tightly-sealed container so it doesn't dry out. When it's time to use it, just roll it out to a 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface to keep the dough from sticking.

I used a small cookie cutter to shape the dough. 

With a toothpick, I made holes where I would put the jewelry findings. 

Put these on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Bake for two hours in a 250 degree Fahrenheit oven.  

After baking, they look like this.

I added earring hooks and embellished with tassels.  

And here we have handmade earrings that you can wear or give away...TADA!

More Sidewalk Furniture

Hi there! In a previous post, I regaled you with stories about free furniture on the streets of New York City. 

Yes it's true! If only I had a truck and a warehouse, I would comb the streets for these finds and give them a totally new look. I'll probably be able to furnish an entire apartment with all that I collect! And with many folks moving out of the city as a result of the pandemic, there's a lot of free furniture on the streets. There's even a dedicated Instagram account called @stoopingnyc to alert followers of these treasures. 

Here are the ones I spotted in the West Village:

Piece Number 1: Tall and skinny shelf
Piece Number 2: Two-tier side table
Piece Number 3: Rattan end table
Piece Number 4: Four-tier etagere

Shelves and side tables in a neat row! And in good condition, too.  Had I taken them home with me, here's how I would transform them from blah to TADA!

For the tall and skinny shelf:

via Apartment Therapy

I would put it in a tight corner of my work-from-home space to store books and memorabilia.

via The Boo and the Boy 

Or position it horizontally and turn it into a storage bench...TADA!

For the two-tier side table:

via Emily Henderson

It will be useful as a bedside buddy (even if it doesn't have a matching pair).

via Cate St. Hill

I can also put it beside a favorite reading chair to hold books and a cup of tea...TADA!

Okay, two pieces down but there's still more:

Let's start with the rattan end table.

via Apartment Therapy

I would stain it in a richer brown and welcome it into a bedroom.

via Pinterest

Or paint it in a wild color as an accent piece for the balcony or a kid's room...TADA!

And finally, my ideas for the four-tier etagere (open shelves):

via Pinterest

I would paint it white -- perfect for a modern farmhouse.

via Pinterest

Or maybe in a sweet shade of sea foam or pale pink...TADA!

I hope you'll find some old furniture (in your own home or on the street) and turn them from blah to TADA!

Crafty Tip: The Secret to Sharp Scissors

Hi guys! We use scissors everywhere -- the kitchen, classroom, and in our work spaces. But how does one keep a pair of scissors sharp? 

Here's a quick crafty tip and all you need is aluminum foil.

Use your scissors to cut through the foil. Do this several times and do it every few months to keep them sharp...TADA!

Another tip that I got from Martha Stewart is to label all your pairs of scissors and use it for only one purpose (ex. paper, fabric, tape). 

And to protect your scissors, keep it secure in a case using felt or fabric. Here's how I made it: 

Start with a cardboard template and trace this on the felt (one for the front and one for the back).

Cut the felt.

Attach the front and back pieces together with hot glue and if you'd like, add a blanket stitch around for more reinforcement that also gives a pop of color...TADA! 

Do you have other ways to maintain the life of scissors? Please share!

Bible Journaling

I am very pleased you stopped by today! I always, always appreciate your company.

Today, let's talk about crafts and practicing our faith. I'm quite spiritual and prayer is always a part of my day. I read the Bible and I write down God's messages for me in my Bullet Journal. But have you heard of Bible Journaling?

via Illustrated Faith 

Bible Journaling is scrapbooking on a Bible! Yes, it feels a bit rebellious writing and adding color to its the pages. Some people sing their praises, I don't see why we can't craft our praises! And doing so helps us remember these feelings and lessons, and even share them to others in a visually appealing manner.  

Special Bibles with extra-wide margins are used. Here you can write down your thoughts, decorate with markers, and add stickers and other ephemera.

You can visit Illustrated Faith, A Pile of Ashes, Day Spring and Confident Canvas or look for the tag #biblejournaling on Instagram for lots of Bible Journaling inspiration.

I have yet to acquire my own journaling Bible. Meanwhile I made this mini scrapbook:

I call it "Conversations with God" because these words come to me during prayer time.

It's made from a variety of cardboard boxes. Instead of tossing them, I'm turning them from blah to TADA! 

I didn't bother covering these with paint or paper. The imperfection reminds me to use what I have, do what I can, and that I don't have to spend money to create something meaningful.

I'm also using scrapbook paper remnants, rubber stamps, an ink pad, scissors and glue.

Here are the pages I've made so far:

This one is a line from on a song.

These are a recurring message...a reliable reminder when I'm anxious.

This is also a line from another song.

I ask this question everyday.

Because we are created in God's likeness.

For when I'm feeling insecure.

These are also lines from a song about meekness and humility.

For all the sick people I include in my prayers especially during this time.

For when I am impatient.

For when I am extra impatient.

And I always end by counting my blessings.

I use them like flash cards, flipping through them regularly to remind me of God's promises. 

I hope this has inspired you to express your beliefs in creative ways. Have a wonderful week!