Author Archives: Phyllis

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Make It Merry – Christmas Crafts

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Clothes Pin Holiday Card Holders

What to do with all those holiday cards? Hold them up with clothes pins as dazzling as twinkling lights with this how-to from Kate Pullen.

Make a Gingerbread House

Ever want to create the perfect gingerbread house? Okay, I have yet to master this skill..but you can! Our Barbara Rolek will show you how.

How to Draw a Christmas Tree

Here is one that will come in handy for all those handmade cards. Master sketch artist Helen South will show you how to draw the perfect tree from start to finish.

Paint a Glass Ornament

Turn a plain glass ball into a work of stained glass art. Our Guide to Painting will show you how to create this delicate trimming.

Silent Night Cross Stitch Pattern

Don’t just get cozy, get your stitch on. Create a Silent Night design with this free pattern from Connie G. Barwick.

Stitch a Pear Trio

Hang up something special in your home for that Thanksgiving gathering. This free ‘Pear Trio’ needlepoint pattern from Cheryl Fall is just what your walls needed.

Easy Christmas Ornaments

Start a tradition for the kids to make new ornaments each year. Sherri Osborne has the shape patterns and project ideas for these ornaments that reflect Christmas traditions.

Print Thanksgiving Placecards

Add some warmth to your table with these Thanksgiving place cards that will have your guests saying ‘awwwww’. Barbara Crews has the free printable for you to personalize.

Wine Bottle Wrap Pattern

Instead of giving a bottle of wine in one of those skinny bags, make a felt wrap that the bottle can be displayed in all season. Phyllis Dobbs will show you how.

Make a Miniature Christmas Tree

Why are tiny things always so darn cute? Learn how to make a little pine tree with Lesley Shepherd.

Interchangeable Thanksgiving Pins

Sometimes you just can’t commit to just one pin. With this interchangeable Thanksgiving pin by Tammy Powley, you can tell everyone when you’re ready for pie…and when you’re overstuffed.

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

 


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Christmas is approaching – time to start with the handmade items!

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I know!  Its not even Thanksgiving yet! But when you are hand making gifts or decorations for Christmas, there is never enough time.  Between now and Christmas, I will be posting some Christmas projects.  I hope that enjoy them and even make a few – as always, I would love to see what you make.

When I am giving a gift of wine to friends or as a hostess gift,  I always look for a cute bottle bag.  But, with this easy pattern and some felt, you can make a snowman bottle wrap to use instead of the bag.  In addition, it can be used throughout the season to display a bottle of wine.  So when you are making one (or more) for gifts, make one for yourself.

Free downloadable pattern and instructions.

Happy crafting!

Phyllis

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What a sweetheart! And she’s wearing her new Sweetheart birthday dress.

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I love hearing from readers of my blog with projects they have made with my fabrics or designs.  Its always fun to see the projects!  I just have to show you the adorable dress Jessica made for her equally adorable daughter Raelyn.  In this case, it was a special honor for me, as Jessica made the dress for Raelyn’s birthday dress for her 2nd birthday.

Jessica chose the pink cow print fabric from the Sweetheart Ballerina fabric line that I designed for Quilting Treasures.  Raelyn loves cows and also had a pair of new pink cowgirl boots (aren’t they just too cute!).  Jessica made the dress to match the boots but also made it reversible as well.  She used the green ballerina fabric for the reverse side.

It looks like Raelyn had a wonderful birthday and is a fabulous model as well!  Thanks to Jessica for sharing the pictures.

Have a wonderful day and many more happy birthday’s to Raelyn!

Phyllis

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Terrorific Tuesday – Great Halloween Crafts

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Trick or Treat!
Frame and post it note holder dressed for Halloween

Costumed Kokeshi Dolls
Try out a Halloween idea for a traditional Japanese doll with Crafterella

Halloween Mask
Phyllis Dobbs created a fun and easy Halloween mask – great for adults and kids!

Fun Halloween Lanterns
Stephenie Hamen accessorizes plain paper lanterns with her paper punches.

Black Widow & Bloody Necklaces
Pattie Wack uses 3-D paint to create chokers that will creep out your party guests!

Tutu Cute Halloween Wreath
Vanessa creates an inspired wreath made of tulle!

Mad Scientist Party
Amy of Living Locurto shares a slew of fun ideas to host your own Mad Scientist Party.

Halloween Zombie Dolls
Crafty Chica shows how to add some zombie love to your decor!

Halloweenies!
Boopsie Daisy shares some of the wonderful Halloween dollies that she dreams up!

Crafty Chica’s Ghost Story!
Kathy Cano-Murillo shares a haunted crafty tale!

Halloween Cone Witches
Make these cute little paper cone witches for Halloween!

Halloween Leftovers
Mel takes the leftovers from last week’s project and makes a cool Goth choker!

Brenda Pinnick Halloween Owls
Seasonal Owls for Scaring or Delighting Trick or Treaters

The Impatient Crafter
Margot creates another spooktacular mixed media necklace with a bite.

Halloween Batty Windchime
Heidi Borchers creates a super cute windchime with personality!

Kitschy Kitschy BOO
Add some Halloween flair to your day with this cute kitschy bracelet and earring combo!

Simple Halloween Gift Tags
Studio Mama makes a strong impact with these quick and easy tags!

Strands of Beads
Melissa once again gives some pretty flower beads a Gothic makeover with this simple earring design

Costume Fun
Sharron Westerfield shares her passion for costume-making and the joy it brings her grandchildren.

Return of the Birthday Zombie
Candace is cracking herself up with this ghoulish gift box idea

Doodle Pumpkin
Swelldesigner a.k.a. Alexa Westerfield shows you how to make a fun pumpkin on the fly!

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Make an easy Halloween mask

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This Halloween mask is so quick and easy to make.  Make one for a Halloween party or just to wear when opening the door for trick-or-treating.  Make masks for the kids and let them help or make their own.

I bought a pack of 3 plain white masks (very cheap – $2) at a craft store this week.  I used green spray paint to cover the mask, then used a black Sharpie to draw the features.  This is where you or the kids can get really creative in painting the mask since Sharpies and spray paint come in lots of colors.  After everything dried, I cut the black hair from stiff felt and glued it to the back.  I cut the lips out of bright pink felt, and cut 2 tabs on the top edges.  I glued the tabs behind the mask so that the lips would dangle down.  After punching holes in the side edges, I tried some of my regular earrings but decided they weren’t chunky enough.  I made some with large beads.  If you don’t want dangling earrings, you can use large O rings to make hoop earrings.

Let your imagination be your guide to making your mask.  Go through your stash (or junk drawer) and find fun things to decorate your mask. You can make it as fun, spooky or scary as you like and you can be sure it will be an original one-of-a-kind.

Happy Haunting,

Phyllis

 

 

 

 


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Houston International Quilt Market

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I just attended another spectacular International Quilt Market in Houston and wanted to share some of it with you.  Quilt Market is a trade show filled with fabulous quilts, fabrics, fibers and all sorts of quilting supplies and embellishments as well as being a fusion of colors.  Here is a bird’s eye view of a small part of the show floor.

There are always some great quilt challenges and exhibits at Market and here are some that were spectacular. I just loved this quilt made by Maureen O’Doogan from Tallahassee FL.  Its fun and whimsical and great colors!

There was an exhibit of  kaleidoscope quilts by Paula Nadelstern.   They were simply amazing. Here are a few of them along with a close up.

Another huge and fascinating exhibit was the Fabric Forrest, a German exhibit to represent the Black Forrest. The quilts were tall and slim and were hung to represent trees.  One of the amazing aspects of these quilts was that they were double sided with both the fronts and backs equally as beautiful. My photo’s didn’t do them justice with the colors because of the space and lighting.

Now for a brief pause before I continue.  Not everything about Quilt Market is about Quilts.  I just have to show you the gorgeous red shoes my friend Jill (with Quilting Treasures) was wearing.  Aren’t they awesome! Some serious Shoe Envy here!

Games are really hot right now, especially board games.  I think I could change my middle name to “opoly” because of all the work I’ve done with “opoly’s”.  I designed and made this Monopoly quilt for Quilting Treasures booth.  They debuted the Monopoly fabric line at Market.

The DMC Corporation showcased their Quiltopoly and Stitchopoly games in their booth.  I designed the components of the Quiltopoly board and game last year.  Cilene (with DMC and a friend for many years) and I are posing in front of the game display.

In addition to all the beautiful quilts and colors of Quilt Market, Its always fun to catch up with friends including Brenda Pinnick and Debra Quartermain, and many others.  I’m already looking forward to the Spring Quilt Market!


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Terrorfic Tuesday

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Spooky Spider House
Silvia creates a miniature haunted house that is spooky and oh-so fun!

Witchy Embroidered Postcard
Sharron Westerfield brews up a whimsical witch postcard

The Impatient Crafter
Vintage plastic owls become the focal point of a charming necklace you can wear for Halloween and all year round!

Pumpkin and cat felt treat bag
Phyllis Dobbs’ felt bag that can also be made as a wall hanging or door hanger

Cheryl Ball’s Halloween Door Hangers
Create these door hangers from inexpensive gloves for Trick of Treaters

My Big Mouth
Make a creepy wire tree just in time for Halloween!

Mel’s Day of the Dead Necklace
Linked chain, skulls and spiderwebs for Dia de los Muertos

Crafty Chica’s Matchbook Shrines
Adorable little folding shrines that fit in your pocket!

Paper Pumpkin
Make a plump paper pumpkin from some strips of paper plus a little Halloween craftiness!

Polymer Clay Zombie
Candace’s diabolical plan to populate the world with zombies continues!

The Impatient Crafter for iLoveToCreate
Make a retro style styrofoam ornament into a fab Halloween Party centerpiece! Madge shows you how using iLoveToCreate products!

How to Make a Spooky Spice Rack
Come make a spooky spice rack with Crafterella, she’s sharing her unique labels with everyone!

Halloween Treat Tote
Conjure up a quick Halloween cupcake basket using new ScoreBoard dies!

Brenda Pinnick’s Halloween Banner
A little scary, a little fun, this delightful banner celebrates all things Halloween. Made using Brenda Pinnick Sizzix dies, glitter and ribbon.

Creepy Candlesticks
Pattie Wack turns mini pumpkins into a boo-tiful Halloween lighting idea!

Strands of Beads
Melissa explores the holiday possibilities in a black and white checkered bead

Glow in the Dork Wall Hanging
Turn off the lights and have a laugh with this goofy wall hanging from Alexa Westerfield!

Picture Perfect Pumpkin
Vanessa Coppola turns a traditional pumpkin into a decopauged masterpiece!

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Halloween pumpkin and cat felt treat bag or wall hanging

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Halloween!! Yes, its almost here and my candy is already bought (if I can just keep from eating it!)  To celebrate Halloween, I designed this pumpkin and cat combo using felt and  a few embellishments.  Its quick and easy to make and can be made as either a  treat bag, wall hanging or a door hanger.

Click for the free pattern and instructions to download.

Happy haunting!

Phyllis

 

 


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Free patterns for a locker caddy and notebook cover

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Enchant your kids with a whimsy locker caddy to hold their “stuff” or a whimsy notebook cover with a large pocket on the cover.  You can easily sew both of these using the free patterns on the Today’s Creative Home Arts website.

Think how fun it will be for kids to have this completely useful locker caddy hanging in their locker.  I designed it with various size pockets to hold their school supplies and other treasures.  Plus, think how neat and organized their lockers will be – oh well, one can only hope!

The locker caddy and notebook cover are more projects that I designed  using the “It’s A Dog’s Life” fabric collection I designed for Quilting Treasures.  I love sewing with these fabrics and seeing the projects come to life with personality plus! Of course, you might say I’m a little prejudiced toward the fabrics, but they still make me smile.

Using this free pattern for a notebook cover, you can cover a drab notebook.  The large pocket on the front will hold those little extra items that might be needed for class.  Again, another little step to keep them organized

I hope that you enjoy these patterns.  I would love to see a picture of your project made with them, along with the smile of the lucky recipient!

Happy Sewing!

Phyllis

 

 

 

 

 


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Celebration Quilt

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Aren’t the colors in this quilt fun and make you want to celebrate! And this quilt also helps to celebrate a worthy cause.  I wanted to show you the celebration quilt that I designed in for the recently published quilt book “Think Pink” published by House of White Birches.  Celebrate Each Step is 44″ x 52″ and is made with fabrics from Quilting Treasures.

This book is filled with projects to give comfort to women as they battle breast cancer, plus a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book goes to breast cancer research.  I hope you make this quilt and help a worthy cause at the same time.

Happy Quilting!

Phyllis