Well, somehow I found time late in the night last weekend, and here is the gift I made:

It’s an accent pillow, simply constructed with a gorgeous ribbon band around one side.  Thanks to my mother-in-law I found this amazing ribbon.

It’s got some shimmer to it, so it catches the light in such a pretty way and appears to have several shades of green in it.  I decided it would be fun to use in some holiday decorating, thus the idea of sewing it onto a pillow was born.  I used a beautiful white damask weave fabric for the pillow cover, which I think is understated but slightly sophisticated.  You can see the design on the right side of the pillow below.

It’s got a zipper closure so it can be easily removed and replaced with another pillow cover, or for washing.  It was a bit tricky to work with so many little layers of ribbon near the zipper but I think it turned out ok.

I tried to choose a size that could work well on a bed, couch, or even alone on a chair.  I think it would look pretty with any Christmas decor, but I’m hoping that since it’s only green and white it might be enjoyed during any season.

It’s in the mail and should arrive at its new home today.  I hope that my exchange partner likes it.  I’m both excited and nervous to hear that it has arrived.  In hindsight I’m really glad I participated in this exchange because it pushed me to try something new and gave me a deadline.  This guaranteed me a small window of time for creativity, something I was needing.  It’s funny how making things can make my world better.

In fact, I’m thinking about making one for our house as well…
edited to note:  I did make another one, and you can find the tutorial here…

Hopeful Homemaker

post shared here and here

All you need is ribbon, clothespins, scissors and a hot glue gun.

First I measured and cut my ribbon.  With a hot glue gun, I simply went around the clothespin and carefully adhered the ribbon to it.

Repeat the process with as many clothespins as you want!

I think they add a fun bit of personality to my topiary-turned-reminder station project.

This quick project made me happier than I anticipated.  Suddenly I’m thinking of all the places I can use these cute clothespins!  They will definitely be making appearances in more areas of my house.

Happy, cheerful, useful.  This was also a no cost project, since I used ribbon scraps and clothespins I had on hand.  If you need to buy clothespins, I found a package of 18 for $1.50 at my local grocery store.  Not bad!  (In this economy, it’s kind of fun to discover things that cost less than $2.00).

What would you use them for?

Jennifer

shared at The Inspired Room

Easter is a holiday that means more to me with every passing year but I don’t enjoy the thought of spending a lot of money on the commercialized aspects of the holiday.   I see the cute Easter baskets for sale in the stores and think that I could just make my own, but I never have… until today.

Instead of the traditional brightly colored baskets, I decided to make one in a more subdued color scheme.  I used an unbleached cotton for the outside, white on white damask for the lining, and white and cream ribbons from May Arts to decorate it.

I started by tracing a circle onto a piece of interfacing to give the basket stability.  I then ironed it onto the back of my fabric and cut the circle out.

To determine the circumference of the circle, multiple the diameter by pi.  I then added 1/4 inch for a seam allowance, and cut the piece for the side of my basket.  I ironed some interfacing onto the wrong side of this piece as well.  Folding it in half (right sides together or RST) I stitched it into a circle.

Next I carefully pinned the sides and base together, again with RST.

Carefully stitch around the edge of the circle.  I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance and went slowly so I would maintain a good curve and be sure not to have any holes.  Remove the pins and turn right side out.

Now repeat the above steps with your coordinating fabric to make the lining.  On this step, I skipped the interfacing because I felt the basket would be sturdy enough without it.  After sewing the base and side together, leave the lining inside out.  You should now have two fabric buckets that look like this:

Lining up the seams, carefully place the lining inside the basket and gently smooth it into place.  I decided that I wanted a bit of the white to show around the edges, so I folded the brown fabric down deeper than I did the white.  I also used a piece of 5/8 inch ruffled white ribbon in this seam so that there would be a touch of ruffle peeking out.

Pin in place.

Now for the handle.  Cut a piece of fabric that is as long as you want but twice as wide as you want, plus 1/2 inch.  For example, I wanted my handle to be two inches wide, so I cut my fabric 10 inches long by 4 1/2 inches wide. I then cut a piece of interfacing that was 10 inches long and only 4 inches wide.

Iron the interfacing onto the wrong side of the handle fabric.  Now fold in half lengthwise and iron, then turn the raw edges under 1/4 inch and iron.

Stitch down the edge of the handle to close it.  I usually stitch down both sides so the appearance is uniform.

Next I used more ribbon to embellish the handle.  First I sewed a strip of the May Arts suede/ruffle white ribbon that is 1.5 inches wide, and then I added a strip of the same ribbon but in a 5/8 inch width on top.  These ribbons look so pretty layered on top of one another.  It reminded me of a tuxedo shirt.

Once the handle is finished, pin it into opposite sides of the basket.

Now CAREFULLY stitch around the top rim of the basket.  This seam will hold the handles in and also secure the lining.  I set my machine on its slowest setting and went slowly, remembering that when I stitched through the handle my needle was going through 8 thicknesses of fabric, four layers of interfacing, and three layers of ribbon!  Gratefully, my machine did well and we had no broken needles!

Look how pretty the handle looks once it’s all sewn together!

Inspired by my Ranunculus from weeks ago, I wanted to create some white flowers on the basket.

I used more of the suede/ruffle ribbon in both white and cream.  With a needle and thread, I started rolling the ribbon, tucking and winding as I went with a stitch here and there to hold it in place.

To secure them to the basket, I simply used my hot glue gun.  After the rosettes were in place, I cut three suede leaves (again from May Arts), pinched one end, and glued them in as well.

The verdict?  I love it!

The project wasn’t difficult or time consuming.  Without a doubt, I’ll be making my own Easter baskets from now on.  I’m very pleased with the understated elegance of it.

The simplicity of the color scheme and the simple flowers somehow speak “Easter” to my heart better than any Easter basket I’ve seen.  I’m excited to use it!

I hope you like it, and I hope you’ll try one of your own!

Hopeful Homemaker

This project was created as a submission to the May Arts Spring Challenge.   Thanks May Arts!

I save ribbon, but sometimes wonder what to do with all these little pieces of beauty.

Today I decided to put some of them to use.  I made a bunch of napkin rings to use in anticipation of some out of town company we’re expecting for Easter.

They’re simple to make.  I simply cut scraps of ribbon into four inch lengths:

then folded each one in half (right sides together) and stitched the ends closed.

Then turn the circle right side out, roll up a napkin and you’re good to go!

I used a variety of brightly colored and pastel ribbons because I’m longing for spring.  Some of them are wired and some are not.  I found that both worked fine.  I made two of each and I like the way they all look together.

It’s a great way to dress up a simple paper napkin or add a touch of color to the table.   They’re the sort of thing you could take on a picnic or use them with cloth napkins for a more formal meal.  I think it would be fun to make a bunch for a baby or wedding shower.

Because I used scraps, the project cost me nothing.  It took about 60 seconds to make each one, and they’re the kind of thing you could store in a little ziploc bag.  Zero cost, minimal time, easy storage, pretty.  I like it when all those things combine in one project.

I can’t wait to use them!  Hope you’ll try some, too.

Hopeful Homemaker

Linked to DIY Day

Today I’m guest blogging for May Arts, and it’s all about how to use ribbon to throw a beautiful, festive party.

Click here to read it!

Jennifer

Much as I love ribbon, for years I’ve done a lousy job of storing those leftover pieces or strips of lovely ribbon off of packages of some sort.  Tired of sorting through this:

I went on a walk through my house to see if I could find something better to keep it in.  I saw an awesome ribbon organizer back at Christmas time in a local craft store, but I didn’t want to spend any money and I don’t have room in my studio for some big thing.  Then I remembered this:

This old 7-up crate hung on the wall in my kitchen at our old house.  I kept little jars in each compartment and it served as my spice rack.  It didn’t work in my new kitchen when we moved, so it’s been waiting in the basement for a new use.  Well, it just found it.

I measured the size of the compartments and cut several pieces of aqua cardstock to fit.  Then, using a bit of masking tape to secure the ends, I started wrapping.

And I kept wrapping.

Did I mention that I spent some time wrapping?

Little matter.  It took many more 5 minute segments of stolen time than I anticipated, but it’s finally done and I’m happy with it.

Wide ribbons were given a card to themselves, and narrow ones were grouped together on a card.  Organized by color (somewhat), I can now see at a glace what I’ve got, which means that I’ll actually use it!  I’m a big fan of being able to see what’s available, which is also why I opted to prop my new organizer on a little shelf in my studio.

The shelf is a vintage piece for holding handkerchiefs.  It belonged to my great grandmother.  My parents gave it to me for my birthday a couple of years ago, and it’s been hanging in a corner of my studio ever since.  It means a lot to me to have it.  I had another decoration on it which I removed to make room for the ribbon.  Below it I have framed another piece of linen from my Marghab collection, which is a post for another day.

I added my wish, hug and kiss tickets to the top and a little bird on the corner and we’re set.  I like how this corner of my studio is now bright with color.

I have to say that the current trend for re-purposing is fabulous to me.  It’s become a little contest I have with myself all the time, walking around my house in search of something I can use differently to meet a new need.   It costs nothing, but forces me to think more creatively, to focus on line, size, shape and color in new ways.  It saves money, helps us use what we have more efficiently, and the challenge brings me joy.  As it has become more mainstream, I’ve really enjoyed seeing pictures of what others are doing.

So here’s my question for you:  What have you re-purposed lately?

And if you feel like you haven’t done it at all, my challenge is to take a walk around your house and find some small way in which you can use something differently, in a new way that makes you happy.

And please, tell me about it!
Jennifer

This project was fun to do, and I may have found a new favorite ribbon in the process.

The ribbons I used are all manufactured by May Arts.  Here’s how I did it.

I began by cutting a piece of unbleached cotton to the size of my pillow for the pillow top.  The pillow I made is 16 inches high by 24 inches long.  I liked this cotton because of it’s natural color, and because the fibers create a sense of texture that sort of offset the ribbon.  It looks a lot like linen, but was much less expensive.

Next I laid the ribbon out on the fabric until I’d arranged it in a design I was happy with.  I was going for some fun stripes.  Then I pinned the ribbons in place.

I like this shot of the ribbons with ruffles on them.  This particular ribbon was SO fun to work with.  It’s 1.5 inches wide, and the center is a faux suede.  It’s really beautiful, and I loved using it.  It could be my new favorite.

Setting my sewing machine on it’s slowest speed, I carefully sewed each ribbon into place, changing threads as necessary to have them coordinate with the ribbon.  These ribbons were fairly wide, so I sewed down both edges of them.

Soon they were all sewn on, and it’s looking cute!

Next I went for a second layer of ribbon on top of the suede stripes.  I opted for the red velvet ric rac down the center of the white stripes.

Although I’d never tried it before, I cut a length of the white leaves ribbon and decided to see if I could successfully sew it on, too.

A bit tricky, but it worked!  I love it!

Now the pillow looked like this:

I felt like it needed something to help break up the stripes just a bit, so I toyed with several different shapes and decided at last to sketch a little bird (since I’m really loving bird images and a Valentine pillow could certainly have a little love bird on it, right?!).  I grabbed my favorite Valentines quilting fabric and went to work.

I added a single length of white velvet ric rac for the bird to sit on, but decided that I needed something more.  Then my eyes happened to fall on the length of suede leaves ribbon that I’d received in the mail, and I wondered if I could use some of it.  Isn’t it pretty?

I cut three individual leaves off and arranged them on the pillow.  Then I sewed across the tops of them, leaving the rest of the leaf free so that it adds some dimension.  ***Easter/Spring pillow idea bells start ringing in my brain at this time!  I also realized how versatile this suede leaves ribbon would be in so many altered art projects.  It’s neat stuff!

I traced my bird pattern on some interfacing and ironed it to the back of my fabric.  After cutting it out, I was ready to peel the backing off and iron the bird to my pillow.

After ironing it in place, I carefully stitched around the edge of the bird for stability.

I like the end result.

It was time for the backing.  I chose to piece my back with a zipper near the bottom of it because I prefer to use my pillow inserts year round with different looks.   Lay the pieces with right sides together and carefully line them up.

Pin around the edges and sew it together!  If you choose to stuff your pillow, be sure to leave a hole to do it, and if you use a zipper, be sure you open it a little so you have a way to turn the pillow right side out.

After sewing around the edges, I trimmed the excess ribbon and also trimmed a bit at the corners.  Turn it right side out, and ta da!

I quickly grabbed my feather and down insert and stuffed it inside.  Finished!

It looks great on the guest bed in my studio.

I’m liking my little pillow.  This was a super fun project!  The possibilities for embellishment with ribbon are endless.  I enjoyed tinkering around with these.  Thanks May Arts!

And another small collection on the desk (stacked on my favorite paper towel holder)

This holder is where my favorite ribbon of all time is kept.  It’s the leaves ribbon from May Arts.  I have it in both white and olive green.  For some reason, a few weeks ago I headed over to the May Arts website for some info about that very ribbon.  Imagine my delight to discover that they have a ribbon blog!  Oh, how I wish they had a ribbon STORE!

They were currently running a little contest, so I typed the first thing that popped into my head and what do you know… I won!  I swear, I’ve never won anything before!  It was kind of fun.  The prize was 3 yards each of six different ribbons, my choice.  I was so excited when they arrived!  It was very generous of them!

I have big plans for the black and white one in my guest bathroom.  The others I’m excited to play with.  All of them are beautiful.

Then May Arts announced a Valentines craft challenge.  I submit an idea, they provide the ribbon, and I get to create my project.  I joined in (and talked my two sisters into joining me).  So, another box of ribbon arrived in the mail.

How pretty it all is!  It sat like this for a while, so I could see it and consider how to use it.

I’ve been working on my project, and now it’s finished.  I’ll share more in my next post!   It was a fun exercise in creativity.

I’ve had the design figured out since she was 3 weeks old, and the supplies have sat, cut and neatly stacked ever since.

I love tidy stacks of cut paper, just waiting for something to happen to them.
These came from my stash of old scrapbooking supplies.  Perfect colors, perfect amount.  Hooray! (No shopping.)

I also used some of this lovely embossed white paper.  (Again, from the stash.)

This week I finally managed to carve out the time to assemble.

I had four pictures I wanted to use, so I made an announcement that could be opened, accordion style, to see them.  This meant I needed a strip of paper around 16 inches long, so I used strips of 12 inch paper and sewed them to 4 inch pieces that were the same width.  Before I did that, I used my dry embossing tool and made fold lines at the appropriate spots so it would be easier to sew and easier to fold.

With my paper cutter as a guide for straight folds, I made fold lines at 4 inches, and then two more spaced 3 and 7/8 inches down.  This left me with about 1/4 inch at the end for sewing my paper together.

The strip looked like this when I was finished.  You can see the faint fold line in the paper.

Next I took my stack of 4 inch long pieces,

and carefully lined one of them up with the tiny tab on the long piece.  I then placed them on the sewing machine.

I put my sewing machine on the slowest speed setting and carefully stitched the pieces together.
I now had a strip of paper that was just under 16 inches long.

I then centered the pictures and birth information in the appropriate spots, and secured them to the paper.  The birth statistics I printed on more patterned paper from my stash.

It’s starting to take shape!  Because of the fold lines, it was easy to get them folded neatly, and they lined up just right!

I guess I should mention that on half of them I added a couple of little ribbon tabs on what will be the front, but when I ran out of ribbon I didn’t worry about the rest of them.  They looked pretty either way.

Time for the final assembly!  I took my stack of pink paper which I had embellished with a strip of striped paper and her name stamped in brown, along with a little detail on the left edge.  These were half sheets of 8.5 x 11 paper, cut to be 8.5 by 5.5 inches.

Don’t you just love stacks of pretty things?

I laid a piece of lovely olive green vine ribbon down the middle of the striped paper (my ribbon was cut in 14 inch lengths).  This ribbon is my all time favorite ribbon, made by May Arts.  I feel like this ribbon was the perfect complement to the announcement.  The olive color grounds the whole project and adds balance to the dark brown ink and sepia pictures, but the ribbon itself  is very dainty and fragile looking.

Next I put a glue dot on each corner of the last section of the embossed paper (which was the part I had sewn onto the long strip)

I carefully centered it on the paper and adhered it.

I punched the final picture of her little fist using a scalloped circle punch and put it on the center of the front fold.

Lastly, I tied the ribbon in a loose knot.

Finished, at last!  Now they’re mailed and gone and I’m so thankful!

I should probably also note what a bittersweet thing it was to spend a few hours with pictures of her as a newborn.  She’s changed so much!  I love her as she is now, but I hardly noticed the changing as it happened, which reminds me how quickly she will be different again.

Part of me wants the newborn back, but another part of me is so grateful for the passage of time… it means we’re a little closer to new routines, I’m a little closer to feeling fully recovered.  I just wish she could stay the same during the adjustment!  But alas, God didn’t appoint it to be that way.  Still, I can wish, and hold her close and try to capture this moment with my heart, before it’s gone.