deep cowl neck scarf tutorial

Third time's a charm . . . I'm not really sure where that saying came from, and I don't completely understand it.  But this is my third scarf tutorial of three so I figured I would start with some catchy phrase about the number three . . . so there you go.

I've made this scarf for my oldest daughter:

Then this one for my youngest Monkey:

And now it's time for Mamma to get a new scarf too:

I don't know how to knit or crochet . . . and don't know the difference between the two for that matter, but I'm loving those cowl neck scarves that I've been seeing everywhere lately.  Or at least I was loving the $30.00 one I saw in the mall last week . . . but I wasn't loving the idea of spending $30.00 for it.  So I came home looked through my pile of old sweaters in need of new life, and this is what I came up with:

The Deep Cowl Sweater

**This project easily takes less than twenty minutes**

Here's what you need:
-a sweater that needs new life

Here's what you do:

1)  Fold up bottom of sweater about 8 to 9 inches.  Cut so you have a big loop.  Then cut a slit up this loop so that you have one big long sweater strip.

2)  Fold right sides together.  Pin.  Sew along the one long edge. 

3)  Turn right sides out.

4)  Fold in one end.  Insert other end into this folded in end.  Pin and sew.

5)  Attach pin according to mood or outfit. 

Done!  Now Mamma's happy too!  I'm loving this free cowl neck sweater, and I'm getting ready to make myself an entire stack from my old sweater pile.  Woo hoo!

If you are looking for another super cute sweater scarf tutorial that is not a cowl-style scarf, check this one out from Potholes and Pantyhose.

Craft on!

pieced fleece scarf: under 30 minute tutorial

I've told you that I have a gigantic remnant addiction. 

This addiction has led to quite a pile of fleece in a variety of colors and patterns.  And fleece is perfect for soft, warm, cozy scarves.  

We are thankful to have cousins and friends who pass on their clothes, shoes and coats to my girls.  This is a huge blessing!  At the same time, I do like to be able to give my girls a few little clothing items or accessories that are new . . . not just new to them.  So rather than simply cutting a long strip of fleece and calling that a scarf, I decided to add a little more personality to this fleece scarf for my youngest.  The best part is that it takes under 30 minutes.  (Probably under 20 minutes if you aren't watching The Office at the same time.)  I can already picture her wearing this around the house on Christmas morning after "opening" her stocking.

This the second of my three scarf projects.  (For the button scarf tutorial click here.)   

Here's what you need:
-fleece in a variety of patterns and colors  

Here's what you do:
1) Cut strips of fleece 4 1/2 inches by 4 inches with pinking shears.  The number of strips you will used depends on the size of scarf you are making.  Cut two strips for each end of the scarf measuring 4 1/2 inches by 6 1/2 inches.  This two ends will be cut to make frayed ends at the end.

2)  Pin strips together.  I chose to spotlight the flower fleece by layering it on top of the light blue and red.  Sew together.  I started using a straight stitch, but it looked to plain.  So I searched for my seam ripper, (Just kidding . . . my seam ripper is right next to my sewing machine because I spend a lot of time ripping out stitches.) and ripped out the straight stitches and used a zig zag stitch instead. 

3)  Cut the ends of the scarf into five strips.

4)  Thirty minute scarf is done! 

Craft on!

Check out some of the great parties I may link to by clicking on the blog name below or visiting my "I like to party" page that shows off all the party buttons.

Weekend - a little lovely, Craft Envy, Under the Table and Dreaming, Be Different Act Normal, A Vision to Remember, 504 Main - Tickled Pink, Funky Junk Interiors, Tatertots and Jello, I heart naptime

Monday - Keeping it Simple, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, The Trendy Treehouse, CRAFT, Making the World Cuter, Mad in Crafts, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Between Naps on the Porch, Tools Are For Women,  It's So Very Cheri, Skip to My Lou, Sew Can Do, Polly Want a Crafter

Tuesday - All Thingz Related, Sugar Bee, New Nostalgia, Creative Itch, Lucky Star Lane, Hope Studios, These Creative Juices, My Delicious Ambiguity, Today's Creative Blog-Get Your Craft On!, Tasty Tuesdays at Housewife Eclectic

Wednesday - It's So Very Cheri, Beyond the Picket Fence, Blue Cricket Design, Trendy Treehouse, Tea Rose Home, Someday Crafts, My Backyard Eden, Sew Much Ado, Night Owl Crafting

Thursday -  Fireflies and Jellybeans, Life As Lori, House of Hepworths, Somewhat Simple, Seven Thirty Three, The Train to Crazy, PonyTails and FishScales, Black Kat's Design

Friday - The Sabby Nest, A Little Knick Knack, Fingerprints on the Fridge, It's Fun to Craft!, It's a Hodgepodge Life, Kojo Designs, Amy Lou Who, A Few of My Favorite Things, Simply Sweet Home, Frou Frou Decor, Remodelaholic, Foodie Friday at The Speckled Dog

a guest post and a winner

Three quick tidbits:

1)  I'm over at The Mother Lode today sharing my recipe for chewing gum.  I posted it here last May when I had about two readers . . . okay, more than two . . . but less than 100. 

2)  I still haven't gotten around to numbering my comments yet, so I was a bit thankful when RANDOM.org spit out number 2 as the winner of the crochet hat from Michell's Etsy shop.  Apparently, it's good to be number 2 and not number 1!  ;)  Of course, the entries for number 2 and number 1 were posted by the same person.  Congrats Mandy!  I'll be in touch soon!

3)  Has anyone else been having trouble with blogger?  I've noticed that blogger doesn't keep me signed into my blog anymore, so I can't make edits by clicking on the little tools under each element.  I checked my settings, and they haven't changed.  Just wondering if anyone else encountered this issue.

Craft on!

stuff your stockings saturday: mini play mat

Sisters Jeanine and Amy are the co-creators of everything crafty over at Serving Pink Lemonade.  Today for this edition of Stuff Your Stockings, we are welcoming Amy from the crafty duo.  Welcome Amy!

How exciting to be over here at twelve crafts till Christmas!  Thanks for having me Elizabeth. I've loved seeing all the other stocking stuffer crafts so far.  So many great ideas out there.  And Christmas is just months away.  Can you believe it?

Over at Serving Pink Lemonade my sister and I share the fun things we do with our kids.  You can find crafts, homemade toys, activities to keep your kids entertained while traveling, learning games, songs and stories, book recommendations, free templates and more.  We would love for you to stop by sometime.

Today I'm going to share with you a mini play mat that I made for my kids.  They're 8 1/2" x 11"--which makes them the perfect size to roll up and stick in a stocking and they're also great to bring along in the car or when traveling.

First I drew up a template. I made it the mirror image of what I wanted the end result to be.

(Click to enlarge)


Once I was satisfied with my template I placed it right under my Wonder Under and traced the different parts onto it.

I then cut around each piece. I purposely didn't cut on the line at this point. It makes it easier when cutting out the felt.

I then placed each piece on the color felt I wanted . . .

and ironed it on. I always use a press cloth when doing this. It keeps my iron from getting ruined and protects my project from melting from too much heat. Always spray a little water on your press cloth before you iron.

I then cut each piece out on the line. I find it's best to wait about an hour after I've applied the Wonder Under before I peel the backing off. If I try to do it right away it's hard to peel, but after I've given it some time to cool it come right off.

After you have all your pieces lined with Wonder Under and cut out . . .

You're ready to assemble your picture on the blue felt. Once everything is lined up and where you want it cover your project with your press cloth, spray a little water and get those pieces ironed on.

I did mine is phases, ironing and securing on the bottom layer first and then ironing the others after that.

I then trimmed the excess blue felt off, added a backing, and did a zig-zag stitch all the way around to bind them together.

All Done . . .

And ready for some serious dinosaur play!

Hope that makes sense. It really is an easy-peasy project. All you have to know how to do is trace, cut, and iron.

And for those of you who don't have dinosaur lovers in your home, here are some mini car mats that you can also find over at Serving Pink Lemonade.  They can be made using the same concept as the dinosaur mat.  When you make all four of them they can be arranged together to make one big mat.

Hope these help inspire you to make a homemade Christmas. 

Thanks Amy!

I was so inspired by Amy's felt project that I added this to the list of things to make for my nephew's busy bag.  And just for fun I made an extra mini-car mat for your chance to make it or win it. 

Here's how you can win your own 8 1/2 x 11 inch mini-car mat:

**Leave one comment for each entry.**

1)  Be or become a follower of twelve crafts.

2)  Be or become a follower of Serving Pink Lemonade.

3)  Link up an idea/stocking stuffer to the stocking stuffer idea page. 

4)  Help promote Stuff Your Stockings Saturday by posting the button (code on sidebar) on your blog or on the stocking stuffer idea that you linked up.

5)  Leave a comment with your favorite item to put in a stocking. 

Giveaway will be open for entries until Friday, October 8, 2010 @ 11:59 PM (CST).

Craft on!