Make Your Own Paper Ornaments

Written on December 14, 2009 at 10:47 am, by DIY on the Fly (Beth Eslinger)

Creating your own custom ornaments is so simple and inexpensive. Using a mix of white papers for a snowy effect (including an embossed design, blingy glitter, and tone-on-tone floral) I created a few easy shapes using skill learned in preschool. Seriously.

To make the orb-shape design, cut 20 circles all the same size. I used 11/2 inch and 2-inch diameter drinking glasses for a template. Fold each circle into a triangle shape as shown, folding the paper to the right side. Now, it’s a matter of gluing the tabs together. When you’re gluing these, remember you need to end up with intersecting points with five triangles. (I ended up with a few sections of four and had to rework–it’s good to use a glue with a longer dry-time.) Glue in a tie of fine thread (I used a metallic thread here) and let dry.

To make the folded ornaments, cut strips of  lighweight paper (such as rice paper) in various widths: 2 inches and 4 inches were used here. Then, just start folding. The small ornament is made with a basic accordion fold with the ends glued together to secure. The larger ornaments are also made with folds, with the ends overlapping at the center and taped to finish. Snip some of the ends for a ruffled look. Use a pearl button to cover up the tape, and hang from light string.

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Ornaments for the Birds

Written on December 9, 2009 at 3:43 pm, by DIY on the Fly (Beth Eslinger)

Mother Nature dumped 15 inches of snow here in Des Moines, so with schools closed and roads pretty much impassible, we’re spending the day doing cabin fever crafts using stuff from around the house.
The first action: Little snacks for our poor feathered friends outside. Making these tasty treats is as simple as this: Tie some twine to a large pinecone, load it up with peanut butter (go for the generic variety to save some cash), roll it in fine birdseed, then head outside to hang your creations.

To minimize the mess, I hung pinecones from my chandelier, used a spatula to smear on the peanut butter, then rolled the pinecones in a bowl of birdseed and let it dry a bit over the bowl to dry before hanging outside. For a little extra flourish, string extra Thanksgiving cranberries and sliced oranges, tangerines, or whatever citrus you have to heavy string and drape it from branches outside.

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Textile Tripping through New Mexico

Written on December 2, 2009 at 9:54 am, by DIY on the Fly (Beth Eslinger)

I’m hot off a long Thanksgiving trip to northern New Mexico, and couldn’t wait to share my discoveries! This part of the county is known for unbelievable mountain scenery and amazing cuisine (did you know this is the only state with an official question: Red or Green (aka What’s your chili of preference?)). But it’s also a land of amazing artists—painters (Georgia O’Keeffe lived and worked in the region), potters and jewelers (the World Heritage Site Taos Pueblo and its resident artists are located here), and weavers (there’s a whole Fiber Arts Trail you can spend days touring).

This trip, with my new knitting obsession led to a particular focus on the region’s weaving and textile shops of Taos. Here are a few of my faves.

Weaving Southwest (www.weavingsouthwest.com)

This shop features hand-dyed yarns for both weaving and knitting. The store sells a few small-scale looms, needles, and finished goods. A beautiful spot to spend an hour. I picked up chunky variegated yarns that will look simply stunning as scarves and wraps. They sell product online for those who can’t make the trip.

La Lana Wools (www.lalanawools.com)

Down the street from Weaving Southwest, this shop also features plant-dyed yarns in amazing colors, real antler buttons and toggles for finishing your projects with major personality, and the most diverse selection of felted wools I’ve seen. This business also sells online.

Common Thread (info@commonthread.biz)

If you’re in the market for fabric, tablecloths, or art paper, swing by this store. It’s a mix of Mexican brights, modern graphics, Asian silks, and everything in-between in a well-packaged mix. This is the most dynamic, interesting fabric store I’ve seen (including the Garment District in New York City).

These are just a snippet of all the amazing shops. For more information on the trail, visit www.nmfiberarts.org.

Now, I’m thinking about starting a new obsession: Weaving. In fact, I’ve been watching this loom at Urban Outfitters. Could be the perfect holiday gift for the adventurous DIYer on your list. 

www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&navAction=jump&id=17124389&search=true&isProduct=true&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS&color=000

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Learning to knit—from YouTube

Written on November 30, 2009 at 1:02 pm, by DIY on the Fly (Beth Eslinger)

I’ve been wanting to learn how to knit. But sitting through a night class, spending a weekend with mother-in-law instruction, or figuring out knitting code from a book was just not happening any time soon. So six weeks ago I decided to learn DIY-style: on the Web (and wearing my PJs).

First things first: I picked up a few balls of medium-weight yarn, some bamboo needles (which I now love and have several sizes), and a darning needle. After an hour of surfing YouTube videos, I landed on these easy-to-follow links, and by night one had finished a pair of fingerless gloves. The addiction had started. (By the way, if you’re looking to learn how to knit, start small like I did. Knitting is labor-intensive, so if you’re looking for instant gratification, do a quick project like gloves or a neck wrap. Heavyweight yarn speeds the process, too).

The Videos

I landed on a video series from Expert Village. Easy to follow and few distractions.

1. Learn an easy casting-on stitch.

2. To create a basic knit stitch.

3. To create a purl stitch.

So over the past six weeks, I’ve dabbled in a few patterns using these basic stitches and have made several scarves, fingerless gloves (they’re hot with all the little girls in my ‘hood), a wrap, and a pillow. I’ve figured out how to switch yarn colors, and bind off so I actually can finish projects (also from YouTube). Not everything’s perfect, but that’s part of the charm, right?

Now I’m crazily knitting up projects for holiday gifts. Fingerless gloves for the little girls (check), scarves and neck wraps for the big girls (check). And for me: I get the pink wrap with the flower pin. It took me a week of nights knitting, and is oh-so my color (check).

Next month, I’m thinking about digging into hats and maybe cableknit patterns. But that’s another whole round of videos. Stay tuned for the results.

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Whip up an apron this weekend

Written on November 13, 2009 at 1:51 pm, by DIY on the Fly (Beth Eslinger)

Here’s a quick gift idea for the DIYers on your list: A utility apron embellished with fabric tool silhouettes.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Premade apron (this one’s from Restoration Hardware)
• Fabric scraps
• Fusible webbing
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Random tools to trace around

T0tal project time:

• 1 hour (sans shopping)

Get going!

Pick through your scrap fabrics, 0r if you need to buy, try quilting quarters from the fabric store (super affordable). Press iron-on fusible bond, also from the fabric store, to the fabric back. Trace shapes of scissors, cell phones, or tools to the fusible bond side. Cut out the shapes, iron onto your apron, then zigzag stitch to finish the edges. Topstitch decorative ribbon onto the apron just for fun.

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Create Pillows from Tea Towels

Written on October 13, 2009 at 8:10 am, by DIY on the Fly (Beth Eslinger)

Calling all frugalistas: If you can sew a straight stitch, you can create buku pillows for an instant sofa makeover.

Starting with more fun patterned tea towels (from Anthropologie.com and St. Louis’ Bowood Farms bowoodfarms.com), I let the graphic patterns lead my pillow designs. All are super-easy to sew (15 minutes or less) and easy to modify. Here’s what I did (starting clockwise from top).

1. Powered with Flowers

This sweet tea towel came tricked with embroidered flowers, so I simply folded the towel over, cut the shape into a square, and sewed the edges (leave an opening for a pillow form and then hand-sew the opening closed). Done.

2. Take it Off the Table

OK, so I cheated a bit and used dinner napkins to create this checked pillow. Simply take 2 napkins, place them right sides together, and sew around the edges (leave an opening for your pillow form, then hand-sew after you stuff the pillow form). Shop sales for great napkins such as these, $3 on clearance from WilliamSonoma.com.

3. Pretty Fly

This tea towel came with sweet butterfly embroidery and a calico edge. To make this design, I folded the edges over a rectangular pillow so the edges met on the pillow front (then pin). Turn wrong side out and sew the sides. To finish, turn right side out, then hand-sew the decorative edge.

4. Hello, Tootsie Roll

This towel came with pom-pom trim and a cool patchwork pattern that just screamed pillow. I folded the pillow over a bolster form and pinned (and then sewed) the right side of the fabric. Satin ribbons tied into bows finish the edges.

5. So Square

I had leftover towel from another project, so I just trimmed the scraps into a square and made this cute little accent pillow.

Total Time: 10-15 minutes per pillow

Total Cost: $25 (including the towel and a form)

Total Effect: A brand-new sofa look for under $150!

Next week: Tea Towels Take 3. See how I transform tea towels into a headboard cover!

If you’re new to sewing pillows, check out this how-to.

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Make a Designer Apron—in Minutes!

Written on October 6, 2009 at 8:11 am, by DIY on the Fly (Beth Eslinger)

I’m Beth, editor of Do It Yourself magazine and devotee of quick projects I can create in my limited spare time! This month, I’m totally obsessed with tea towels and all the great things you can make with them.
I love tea towels for their adaptable size (generally 20×26 inches), prefinished edges (making them a cinch to sew), and bargain prices (my spendiest towels cost $16, not bad for readymade design). The sizes, patterns, and motifs are perfect project fodder for pillows, artwork, café curtains, basket liners, and more!
Here, I created a designer-style apron using a fancy tea towel with decorative trim (Anthropologie.com). Purchase an apron like this, or make it yourself to slash the cost—and boost your DIY pride!

To get this look, lay an old apron over your tea towel, using the finished sides of the towel for the apron’s top, sides, and bottom edges. Trace the arm holes with a pencil, and cut out using a sharp scissors. For the ties: Easiest option—cut two pieces of 1-inch ribbon to 54 inches. Center ribbon on the arm holes and sew with right sides together using ¼-inch seam allowances. Turn under the top and bottom edges of the ribbon and sew to finish. Done, and on to some quality time in the kitchen.

Option 2: For a pro look, sew fabric ties from a coordinating fabric. Cut two 3×54-inch strips, then press all sides under ½ inch. Press the short sides in half so the strip measures 1-inch wide. Center the strips on the arm holes, pin the right side of the towel to one right side of the strip, and sew using ½ seam allowances. Turn right side out and press. To finish, topstitch through all layers of the strip.

Total time: 15 minutes for the ribbon option; 30 minutes for the hardcore sewing
Total cost: $16
Total satisfaction: 100 percent, guaranteed!

Tune in next Tuesday for more tea towel projects, including a whole pile of pillows.

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