1920's "Puttin' on the Ritz" Headpiece Inspiration

I am helping put together a Prom for the kids out here in Surprise, AZ. Our theme is "Puttin" on the Ritz"! So to help them get some ideas for headpieces, I made these examples and thought that my friends in the blog world might like to see them and maybe use the ideas for inspiration for future projects. Anyway, it has been great fun putting these items together.

FABULOUS!

How to Make Ribbon Storage Posts

Today I worked on cleaning my studio, and that always leads to finding new ways to organize. My ribbon drawer was a mess so I measured the height of the drawer, subtracted 1/2" and cut 1/2" dowels to that height. Then I picked out one ribbon roll from the primary and secondary color groups in both solid and patterned styles (plus black, white, ivory) and traced them onto some scrapbook paper. I cut the circles out and used a glue stick to adhere them to the bottom of each ribbon roll to create a base.

Then I used the glue gun to secure the dowels into the holes of the ribbon roll. This created a solid foundation for the ribbon storage posts.
Here's how a few of them looked. Aren't they pretty?

Then I thought why not use old brushes and pencils for the dowels instead? Later I found some dried out markers that would work well also. Just make sure that they fit inside your drawer or storage box BEFORE you glue everything together. (Oh yes I did! Ugh, thank heavens I only glued in 1 brush before I glued the rest of them into the other ribbon rolls!)
Here are the finished ribbon posts inside their drawer. (I actually filled 2 drawers and made similar ribbon storage posts for my gift wrapping ribbon.)

And the drawer inside the chest...
and Wa-La!

Children and Adult Kerchief Pattern

A good fellow from church asked me if I could make some "bibs" for the special needs kids that are in his class at the school where he teaches. He said that the kids do not like the word "bib" as they are not babies. There is also a great need for these KERCHIEFS in elderly care facilities too. So I made a pattern from the sample that he gave me. Here it is: 1. Take a page from your local newspaper and unfold it. From one corner, measure and mark 20" to each side.

2. Then fold the two 20" marks together and draw a line that is 90 degrees from the marks to the folded end. Mark and cut along this line. This will give you a triangle with two sides that are 20" with the longest end measuring 28 1/2" long.

3. Cut one piece of cotton fabric.
4. And cut one piece of terry cloth fabric. (The terry cloth will absorb spills and an occasional drool) I was able to cut 8 triangles out of a beach towel that was on clearance for the terry cloth fabric. It was much cheaper that buying the fabric by the yard.
5. With right sides together, sew a 1/2" seam all the way around leaving a opening of about 8".

6. Cut off the corners and turn the kerchief right side out.

7. Top stitch 1/8" to 1/4" all the way around the kerchief. (strait stitch or any decorative stitch)

8. Cut 3" of Velcro and sew onto the kerchief so that it is adjustable and easy to take on and off.
The Kerchief is reversible. I tried to find basic colors that were not gender specific. I think that this is a fabulous service project that you can work on alone, as a family or use as a beginner sewing project. It's also fun to hang out with girl friends and sit, sew and visit for a good cause. I know that you will have no problem finding a facility that needs these kerchiefs desperately. If you don't know of one, I'd be glad to help you get them where they need to be.

Free Children's Bow Tie Pattern

For my Nephew's wedding in two weeks, my sister wanted all the little boys to wear bow ties. They are hard to find, topping that with needing 8 and in a certain color to match the little girl's dresses proved hard to do. So I looked online for patterns. Some were just too time consuming and I didn't want to order one, so I measured one of my glamson's ties and made up this pattern. I have used so many patterns that fabulous bloggers have shared, so it was time again to reciprocate... Here's my pattern for you to use and/or modify: (Oops! I acidentally put 5"x10" pieces in #1 of the instructions. It should be 5x7 1/2")

My Glamsons all LOVE to wear bow ties. I think they got it from their Glampa... (along with their ears.)

Shrinky Dinks and Bottle Caps

When I was in high school, Shrinky Dinks were the new rage. Now Shrinky Dinks has a plastic you can print on. So I decided to make some charms.

But the charms turned out too big, so I covered the holes with a gem and made refrigerator magnets. Once again I thought I knew better than the directions. I should have believed the ratio of shrinkage. Oh well.

I did make some bottle cap charms for my Glamchildren Bracelet of the newest members that weren't yet dangling from my wrist.

I tested out my two inch flower punch on the Shrinky Dink plastic and after it was baked, it fit perfectly on top of Daisy's bottle cap back. (I am keeping this idea in mind when I have a beer bottle cap ((that I found of course)) and want to cover up the logo.) This time I thought I'd use Super Glue to attach the crystal. In one swift second the gem slid out of place. I couldn't pry that crystal off, so it is a little off center (which will bug me forever). So next time I will stick to the E6000!

I can't wait to add a few more darlings on!

A Bling Bracelet to Die For!!!

So I have been collecting broken vintage and new jewelry for a while and finally felt like I had enough to make this bracelet. I started off with an empty tape tube. I cut a piece out so that it was a standard bracelet size, taped it back together and then wrapped it with black ribbon. I glued the outside of the bracelet and ribbon so that there would not be a "give" when I glued the "bling" on.

I used E6000 glue. Some of the jewels were my Grandmother Bochman's and some were $1 store and thrift store finds. A few of the jewels are from the bridal section at Hobby Lobby when they were 1/2 off. This bracelet is HEAVY!!! But I LOVE it and can't wait to wear it.

Fabric Flower Pins

Last Friday my good friend Marilyn had a few of us over to lunch and do some hand sewing while we caught up. All the other gals are wiz's at quilting (in fact a few of them teach at The Quilted Apple in Phoenix) Anyway, I haven't caught on, so I made these fabric flower pins. I wore the black one to church on Sunday. I LOVE the neutral colored one with the pearls. I also just LOVE it when I finish a craft on the same day that I start one!

Paper Halloween Skeleton Pattern

I am working on some more "Halloween Stories" to share with you. Meanwhile, here is a skeleton that I drew for the glamkids to make and thought that somebody out there might want to make these for their ghoulchildren also. Just right click on the image and save it into one of your files on your computer. (I know most of you already know how to do this, but someone had to tell me once...) I included a blank head just in case there are some artists who don't like to follow a pattern.

You only have to copy each page once EXCEPT the bones below need to be printed twice since two bones are needed for each arm and each leg. (cardstock works best)

These skeletons could use some clothes.
The skeletons can be taped on the wall, or you could attach some sticky magnets on the back for your refrigerator.

Have fun! I'd LOVE it if you sent me a photo of your creations!

Busy Making Bees!

I just finished making these "Bee" bottle cap charm necklaces (see my other bottle cap jewelry here)and a bunch of paper Bees for my daughter's church girls camp. I was actually pretty proud of how well the paper Bees came out. I layered black and white ovals on top of each other to make the Bee shape and printed them out onto yellow card stock, so I was able to turn them out at record speed. Yea for my minimum computer skills!

Halloween Prescription Label Freebie

This Halloween craft is super easy and can be done in minutes! Just print out the labels below and attach to some used bottles for a fun Halloween decoration accent!

I filled my bottles with candy and plastic creatures so that no real poisonings could happen.

"Dracula's Teeth" are set in an acyclic mixture that florists use. I bought the stuff at our local craft store. The teeth go great in the quest bathroom along with the prescription bottles.

Halloween Bean Bag Bat Pattern Freebie

As I was getting out all of my Halloween decor, I came across this pattern of a Bean Bag Bat that I designed and sold in craft stores that were popular in the 80's and thought that I'd share this with you. Below are the instructions. Both pages are 8 1/2" by 11" to give you the original size, but of course you can change it to any size you want. The Bats are really cute hung in clusters with different expressions on each Bat. You can even make one for each member of the family for decor purposes or use them in a game for Family Home Evening. Enjoy!

How to Make Fairies in a Jar Instructions

I've had a lot of people ask me for the instructions on How to make the Fairies in a Jar, so here they are. You can right click on the instructions and save them to your file of Fabulous Fun Stuff to Make and print them off for yourself.

I won't be posting for a few days, as I have another virus on my computer and it keeps freezing! You don't KNOW how long it took me to get through this post. My computer Guru Comeau will be doing his magic...So now I will start to unplug the beast.