Glass Slippers

Want to get rid of those fabric scraps? Have those long pieces that you can't figure out what to do with?
Then this is your project...
WINE GLASS COASTER/COZIES/

These sweet little coasters fit on to the bottom of the wine glass. Not only do they catch the moisture, but you can use them as 'wine charms'. Since the linings are different colors, drinkers will be able to tell their glass from the other party goers. They make GREAT gifts! Add a nice  bottle of wine, and you have it made. See wine gift bags in my previous blog....

 

You will need:

1 piece of solid colored fabric for the base: 24" X 6"

1 piece of print fabric for the top: 24" X 6"

and 4 pieces of solid colors (different colors) 6" X 6" each for the lining

CD

scissors

sewing machine

sharpie markers

Use the CD to trace around the four solids, four prints and four asst. colors. You can stack them, pin in middle and trace and cut.



Put the print and the lining right sides together. Pin both sides and use your iron, fold in half to find the middle line.

 

Sew up one side of fold line, turn fabric and down the other side, about 1/4" apart. Then take your scissors and cut in half.

You will now take your iron and open up the halves, press open.

Then you will fold the solid underside under, leaving a bit showing (to differentiate from the other glasses). Now take these folded pieces and place side by side and stitch around the outer edge, about 1/4" from edge.

Now trim the excess fabric off about 1/4" from edge.

Then you will turn this inside-out, press open and voila, you have it!

Your party goers will be able to tell their own glass from the lining color peeking through the middle of the coaster. Plus the hostess will keep her table 'ring free".

Great way to use up scrap fabric. And what a wonderful gift. Make 12 or more if your recipient hosts lots of big parties. I made 20 for my neighbor's birthday for her big bashes. I used a different design for each one: zebra, parrot, stripes etc. Easier to remember your that way.

They are great, no worries about looking for coaster to set your glass on.

Then stash those wine charms. Who can remember which colored bead they had anyway!

 

Tip of the Day:

Grab one of those 6 pack cardboard wine holders from the grocery store, pick up a couple of nice bottles of wine. Then go to the dollar store, and get 4 wine glasses and a cellophane gift bag, slip on your wine coasters and wrap each glass in colorful tissue paper. Wrap up the wine bottles in tissue. Then put all 6 pieces in the holder, wrap up in a cellophane bag with a nice big bow, and you have an inexpensive (for you) yet unique and special gift for that lucky someone~!!!

 

That's all for now,

Dee

 

 

Sweet Christmas

Hi Hi Hi!
or should I say...
HO HO HO,
It's almost Christmas, the merriest time of the year. Time to craft, create and give!

Today's project is good for a
1. last minute gift
2. a project for kids to do
3. a hostess gift
4. the best White Elephant gift ever

It is a:

CANDY TREE

You will need:
a bag of wrapped candy
straight pins (the ones with round heads are the easiest to work with)
a chocolate lollipop with Santa on it
a foam cone (from the dollar store, Michaels, Joann's or Hobby Lobby)
You can add ribbons or tinsel if you wish

Starting at the bottom, pin the top of each candy onto the cone. Work your way around, then up to the top.
Stick the sucker into the very top.

tip of the day:
If you run out of ribbon, or have some little scraps of wrapping paper you can cut these into long strips, gently curl them with scissors and make a bow out of them. Stack them and staple in the middle and add to your package. Cute!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL~ and to all a good night...
that's all for this week, have a great holiday!!!
Dee

Dish it up!

I love to make new things from old stuff!



Well, it looks like Santa's workshop at my house. Trying to get as many gifts finished early so I can enjoy the holidays instead of feeling rushed and crazed! Half the fun of Christmas for me, is designing gifts that will be special for each person. I love themes too, and try to have one for every person to keep a common thread running through their presents. Today's project can have a theme, or not. That is up to you, this one is for my friend who likes wine. And the nice thing about it is that it is functional as well as pretty.

Today's project is:

a Decoupage Plate

You will need:

a clear (smooth)  plate or bowl (this can be a recycled one from your own cupboard)

ModPodge (decoupage goop)

a paper napkin (you only need one, see if your friends have any fun designs left over from a party)

1" brush

First you need to separate the napkin from its second layer. Gently pry apart at the corner and pull the white underside off of the design side. Then you have to decide whether to cut apart the parts printed on the napkin or use it whole. If you have a cocktail napkin, you may have a bit of trouble covering the whole plate. So finding a napkin with a design that is suitable for cutting apart and rearranging onto the plate may work best.

Once you have the pieces cut out and arranged to your liking, take the ModPodge and spread it onto the UNDER side of the plate or bowl. Gently lay the pieces down with their 'good' side facing down and smooth gently with your fingers or paintbrush. Be careful not to pull too hard, for the napkin will rip. If the napkin gets a bit wrinkly, that's okay, it adds to that Old World antique look.



Then you will cover all the pieces, GENTLY  brushing on the ModPodge over the entire back surface.

When it is dry you can turn it over and rub the edges with your fingers to get off any excess decoupage paste.

shown with a white paper behind plate to better see design

I like to add a decorative edge with a gold pen (available at the hardware store). Also sprinkle a bit of baby powder and work it around a bit, then brush or blow it off. This helps keep the ModPodge from sticking to anything.  This of course, is HAND WASH.

tip of the day:

When you are grocery shopping (especially in the winter and your hands are dry) I find it almost impossible to open those plastic bags to put my vegetables in. So what I do is tap my fingers on a celery wrapper or carrot package that has been 'sprayed' with the overhead water. Then it's a snap to open the bags with my moistened fingers.

That's all for today!

:D