By Your Hands

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Tuesday Tutorial - Cupcake Wrist Pincushion

I have been wanting to make a wrist pincushion for some time now and yesterday was finally the day. I am sharing it here with you today. Hope you enjoy making it as much as I did. Bette

Supplies Needed:

Jar Lid
Two Colors of Wool Felt
Matching Embroidery Thread
Lace
Ribbon Rose
Polyfil Stuffing
Velcro

I used the lid off a jar of peanuts as it was the perfect size, 2 1/2 inches in diameter, so that I wouldn't be missing the pincushion and poking my arm with pins.

Lay the jar lid on top of your felt and draw around the circle. Cut on the outside of your pencil line.

Measure around the side of your lid. Cut a piece of felt this measurement plus 1/16 of an inch extra for a slight overlap. The width of this piece will be 1 1/4 inches.
Wrap this side piece around the lid and starting at the top edge whip stitch the sides together.

Add the circle for the bottom, and whip stitch the circle to the side.

Cut a 5 1/2 inch circle from your other piece of felt. Gather all the way around. Stuff with a large handful of polyfil stuffing and pull the gathers up, leaving a quarter size opening.

The lid goes inside the bottom of the pincushion. Add some stuffing to the lid.
Push the top of the pincushion into the bottom and whip stitch the top and bottom together.

I handstitched a piece of lace around the cupcake where the two colors meet. Then I sewed a ribbon rose to the top.

Now cut a piece of your main color felt 2 1/2 inches wide by the measurement of your wrist plus 2 inches for overlapping. Fold the sides in and overlap slightly. Stitch down the seam.

Then cut a 1 3/4 inch piece of velcro. Stitch one half of the velcro on one end of the wristband and then turn it over and stitch the other half of the velcro to the other end .

Now, center the strap in the middle of the bottom of the cupcake and whip stitch it to the bottom on both sides of the band.

And that's it, you are all done. Enjoy!

Thanks for visiting today.
Bette Shaw
www. byyourhands.com

Monday, July 12, 2010

Glitter Storage

I gotta admit, I have a love/hate relationship with glitter. I love to see it on things, but if it's not stored properly when you're not using it, it can become a big sparkly mess.

I'm not sure if these bottles were made for glitter or if they're salt and pepper shakers, but I find this idea from www.organizethings.blogspot.com very functional and pretty too.

Look what Bethany has done. She's taken old vintage salt and pepper shakers and put her glitter in them... so so pretty! www.ribbonglitterandglue.blogspot.com

I found this idea at www.quillcottage.blogspot.com, she's re-purposed and old spice rack to store her glitter. I like that idea too.

Here's another one that's clever, it looks like some of these containers are parmesan cheese shakers. www.saucysprinkles.com

The ideas I'm sharing today have made me re-think my whole outlook on glitter. Hopefully, you'll be inspired too.

Thanks for stopping by!

Deena Davis

www.byyourhands.com

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Blog Party Sunday, Show Something for Halloween

Welcome to another Blog Party Sunday. Crafters seem to be gearing up for Halloween already. Do you have something in your shops already for this popular occasion?

I will start it off by showing one of my Etsy shop listings. Handmade By Bette

This is a feedsack pillow I made from an image from Ewe N Me Printables.

So now it is your turn. What do you have in your shop or on your website for Halloween shopping?

Our guidelines:

1. Just click on the Add Your Link button below, and add your Etsy, Artfire, Blog, or website url for the link.

2. Add a picture of your item.

3. If you are a blogger, please add our button to your blog and invite your readers back to join the party.

4. Family friendly items only, please.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone - Try Something New Today

Are you stuck in a rut of making the same things over and over again?

Maybe you have always wanted to try something new but didn't know where to begin?

It can be challenging and enervating to learn a new craft. You might not want to go into the business of making these crafts but it can be fun to make them for your own personal use or as gifts.

Everything you need to know to make soap can be found on Miller's Homemade Soap Pages.

A great resource for all types of candle making can be found at Grandmas Handmade Crafts.

Ever wanted to try making a purse. Here is an easy one to start with on Arts Crafts N Hobbies blog.

Lots of Crochet information can be found here at Beginner Crocheting.

Learn how to knit with these free knitting videos on Knitting Help.

These are just a few of the crafting arts. There are so many more things you can learn. Don't be afraid to try something new.

Thanks for visiting today.
Bette Shaw
www. byyourhands.com