Lasso The Moon

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 26 {a box to put them in}

This is  part 26 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published.

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{a box to put them in}

I was standing in front of my sister's new house, about to leave, when I noticed the big pile of scrap lumber on the curb by the road.  I have a hard time passing up lumber on the side of the road any time, but right in front of my sister's house was too much for me.  I asked if I could have some. 

Of course I could.  It was in the trash. Apparently the last people who lived there left it in the garage, and they needed the space.

I took it home and got to work.

If you want to make one, here's what you'll need:

1- 1x4 or several scraps that size.

leather belt

brad nailer (or drive your nails by hand, no thanks)

pneumatic stapler (or some other way to attach the handle)

paint

sander

wood glue

Directions:

1. Cut four pieces of wood 7 inches long.  Two of these are the base, and two are for the sides.  Cut two more 8 1/2 inches long.  These are the other two sides.  If you want them to match up perfectly, measure the long sides to match exactly.  1x4's come is lots of different thicknesses.

2. Attach the two short ends with glue and nails at the base.

3. Finish the box with the two long ends, using glue and nails at the base and where the sides join up.

4. Paint and sand the box in whatever color you want.  I buy samples of latex paint at the hardware store so I have pretty colors on hand when I want to make something.

5. Cut two pieces of leather belt about 8 to 8 1/2 inches long. I don't know how real leather workers cut leather, but that stuff is really tough! I used regular, strong, sharp scissors.  Attach the belt with glue and three staples.  Rivets would be gorgeous, too.  Apparently you can get them at the leather store.  Or find some pulls and use those for handles!  Do your own thing!

6. I added a simple arrow to the front.  I find embellishment to be the hardest decision on something like this.  Luckily, this box was for my sister, and she loves arrows right now.

This box was for my sister Abby, for her birthday.  So that trash that she put on the side of the road, just made its way back into her house.

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 25 {embroidered linen napkins}

This is  part 25 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published.

This is a simple project that doesn't really need much explanation.  The fabric I used is a linen/rayon blend.  Linen is sturdy and holds color really well.  It gets better the more you wash it, too.  It's great for napkins.  1 yard of fabric makes about 12 11-inch napkins.

Start by ripping a 1-inch strip along the grain along the cut end of the fabric.  This will give you a straight edge.  Hopefully the fabric store wasn't too off-grain so there won't be too much waste.  Measure 11.5 inches from the ripped edge, and rip again. Continue to rip the rest of the fabric this way, and then measure and rip the other way, until you have 12 squares.

Pull out a few threads from each side to make a fringe.  Then use embroidery thread to sew a simple design into each corner.  If you use a small, even running stitch, it will look almost the same on the front and back.

These napkins are easy to make, and barely take any time.  I added all of the leaf designs while watching a movie with the kids.  

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 24 {secret treasure box}

This is  part 24 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published.

Every kid needs a place to store his top-secret, most-valuable treasures.  In Ethan's case it's his wallet and his Star Wars stickers.  I made him this secret fake-out book box in just a few minutes with some every-day items from around the house.  Now his Yoda stickers are out of his little brother's reach, and out of his little sister's sight.

All you need is a small shoe box, some old book spines, and two hard-back book covers.  I used the classic Reader's Digest, of which I have plenty to spare.  I use the pages and covers for other things, so the spines were in a pile ready to have a purpose.

Glue the covers to each end of the box to disguise the contents.  Then space out the spines on the front evenly so that they look like they are books on a shelf.  If the spacing doesn't work out exactly, glue a piece of black paper to the box before adding the spines.

That's it!  Fill the box with treasures and hide it in plain sight on the shelf.

P.S.  I did not notice the position of the sock monkey's tail as I was taking this picture.  And of course now it's all I can see.  Classic.

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 23 {vintage tin monogram}

This is  part 23 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published.

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{vintage tin monogram}

I love big letters and graphics hanging on the wall or making a statement on a shelf.  All of our kids have names that start with "E", so I've had plans to make one for our girls for a while.

I bought a big wooden letter, about 22 inches, at the craft store--I think Hobby Lobby.  If you wait for the sale they aren't much at all.

The tin is left over from our headboard that Donnie made me for our tin anniversary.  We ordered the sheets from Tin Ceiling Xpress for around $7 each.  You could also find a real vintage ceiling tile at a flea market, or use any other wallpaper, fabric, or metal to cover it.  I love the texture of the embossed tin sheets.

This is  part 21 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published. - See more at: http://lassothemoon.typepad.com/#sthash.T97MtXUk.dpuf

This is  part 21 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published. - See more at: http://lassothemoon.typepad.com/#sthash.T97MtXUk.dpuf

Get some acrylic paint--craft paint or house paint and paint both the tin and the edges of the wooden letter. Sand off some of the paint from the metal to age it a little.  It helps to show off the pattern, too.

Turn the letter and the tin upside down, and trace the letter with a sharpie.  Then carefully cut it out using tin snips.  CAREFULLY!  The edges of the cut tin are really sharp, and it's super-easy to cut yourself.

Lay the tin on top of the wood, and use strong adhesive or a pneumatic stapler (that's what I used) to attach the two layers together.

After all the edges are secure, use a file to smooth them down.  This will make your arms hurt, and it will sound worse than fingernails on a chalkboard.  But I guess it's worth it to avoid the kids losing a finger.

We haven't hung our {vintage tin monogram} yet, but we are looking for the perfect place in Emma's room.

Know anybody who'd like their own giant tin mongram?

Don't forget to pin it for later!

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 22 {totebag throw pillows}

This is  day 22 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published.

This is  part 21 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published. - See more at: http://lassothemoon.typepad.com/#sthash.T97MtXUk.dpuf

This is  part 21 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published. - See more at: http://lassothemoon.typepad.com/#sthash.T97MtXUk.dpuf

This is  part 21 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published. - See more at: http://lassothemoon.typepad.com/#sthash.T97MtXUk.dpuf

This is  part 21 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published. - See more at: http://lassothemoon.typepad.com/#sthash.T97MtXUk.dpuf   

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{totebag throw pillows}

Great materials for handmade gifts are everywhere.  I found these cute tote-bags at Ross a couple weeks ago for $3.50 each.  I love canvas pillows anyway, and I don't really need another tote bag around here, so it was a win-win.  Win.

Goodness I love these.

Use the picture to decide the shape of your pillow.  Cut out the front, making sure to leave a 1/2 inch seam allowance all the way around.

Pick out a piece of fabric for the back to match the front.  These graphics were simple, so I kept the back simple with a tone-on-tone print.

Sew around the edges, leaving an opening at the bottom for stuffing.  Then find a someone to stuff them for you.  If you use polyfil, make sure you stuff it firmly so they'll be extra-fluffy!

These pillows took less than an hour to make.  And I still have the other side of the bag, since it was printed on both sides!  I'm sure this is not the last tote-bag-to-pillow transformation that will happen around here.

This is a great beginner project.  Use it to teach someone to sew a pillow, or try it for yourself for the first time. Handmade gifts don't have to take forever, cost a fortune, or require an art degree!

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 21 {rustic centerpiece caddy}

This is  part 21 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published.

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{rustic centerpiece caddy}

We are changing gears a little with today's project...from sewing and fabric to scrap wood and power tools. 

The caddy shown is made from scrap wood.  I like to keep an eye out for wood in people's trash piles on collection day.  The wood I used here was collected on the way home from carpool (with the kids in the car worrying that their friends were watching) and then it sat on the front porch in a bucket for 4 months. I'm really a delight to live with.

If you are not into scavenging for wood scraps, you could probably make this caddy using a 1x4, a 1x3, and a small piece of thin plywood for the bottom.  It's a lot cheaper to use trash though.

In addition to the wood you need:

::saw

::wood glue

::hammer and nails or brad nailer (preferred, since some salvaged wood can be really dense and difficult to get through.)

::measuring tape (essential!)

This isn't a pattern or plan as much as a guide to working with found materials. 

1. The first step is to determine the size of your caddy.  Mine was determined by the size of the plywood piece I had.  Cut your bottom piece to size. (Mine's about 5x20)

2. Measure the ends of your base, and cut two 1x4 pieces to that length.  Then measure the length, subtract the width of the end caps, and cut the sides to that length.  Connect these 4 1x4 pieces into a box shape using glue and nails.

3. Connect the bottom with more nails and glue.  Make sure to aim straight so the brads don't go through the box wall!

4.  The original purpose of this caddy was for the kids to collect odds and ends from the yard.  I was sick of knocking over solo cups full of "crystal rocks" or crushed snail shells.  So I needed some dividers.  I cut these out of a 1x3 so the tops of the dividers would not reach the top of the caddy.  That way if they have something long to collect, they can lay it across the top.  If you would rather everything be flush at the top, use a 1x4.

5.  The compartments are all different sizes, with the largest being in the middle, and the smallest on the ends.  This also, it turns out, makes it great for holding flower arrangements and cloth napkins at the table.

6. I added a little stump of 1x3 as a handle on each end, nailing from the inside of the box.  I found it already mitered like that--I love it!

I might have to make one of these for myself, as this one won't get to stay inside for much longer.  It belongs to Emma, and will soon be outside, ready to be filled with acorns, seeds, shells, or whatever odd thing she feels like filling it with.

Next time I make one, it will be wide enough to fit a mason jar.

I guess I should get out there and check out the neighbors' scrap piles!

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 20 {ruffled burlap table runner}

This is  part 20 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published.

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{ruffled burlap table runner}

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I love mixing textures and materials in an unexpected way.  The rough burlap next to the soft, flour sack ruffles is the perfect mix.

To make this table runner, you'll need:

2 1/2 yards of burlap

1/2 yard fabric for ruffles.  I used the leftover from my tablecloth dishtowels.

How to:

1.  Cut the burlap into a rectangle, 16 inches wide and 7 feet long.  This fits my 6-foot table perfectly, so adjust as needed to fit yours.  To cut a straight line on burlap, pull a string in the weave at exactly the right spot, and pull it out.

The space left over makes the perfect cutting guide.

2. Turn 1/2 inch under on the long edges, and sew using a straight stitch.  This will give your runner a nice folded edge.  ( I didn't tuck the raw edges into the fold.  That would have made it too bulky. Just leave them on the underside.)

3. Cut strips for ruffles. The strips should be 6 inches wide and 1 1/2 times the width of your runner.  My runner is 15 inches wide with finished, so I cut my strips 22 inches long.

4. Roll the raw edges into a hem on three sides of each ruffle.  Both short sides and one long side.

5. On the remaining side, stitch two long lines using your longest stitch length.  Loosen your tension if needed.  Then, holding one end of both threads, pull gently to gather until the ruffle length fits the end of the runner.

6. Pin into place, right sides and raw edges together.  Shorten your stitch length and sew along the edge, about 1/2 inch seam allowance.

7. Fold the raw edges under to the burlap side and top stitch through all layers, 1/4 inch from the end of the burlap. 

8.  Press, clip threads, and set your table.  You're done!

A table runner like this would make a great gift for a friend, your mom, or a hostess gift.  Pair it with a set of homemade dishtowels for even more impact.

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 19 {custom printed fabric from spoonflower}

This is  part 19 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published.

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{custom printed fabric from spoonflower}

Did you ever envision a project, but couldn't follow through because the perfect materials or fabric just didn't exist?  I usually have 2 or 3 ideas in my head at any given time, that I just haven't figured out all the way yet.  And then something will come along, and it just falls into place.  Spoonflower is one of those things.

Spoonflower is a company that will print your custom-designed fabric on almost any type of fabric, in almost any size.  You can order one swatch at 8x8 inches, or you can order more than 20 yards. What used to be reserved for industry designers, is now open just for you and all of your crazy awesome ideas. 

The first time I visited the Spoonflower website, I was inspired.  But I was also stuck.  I didn't know how to design the perfect repeating pattern, or translate what was in my head to the screen.  So I let it sit awhile.

But last week, it clicked.  Remember Emma's design of the rubber stamp for her school project on diversity?  If you don't, it looked something like this:

And her project turned out like this:

As I was working on ideas for this month, I kept coming back to this design.  We already used her stamps for one project, why not another?

I adjusted the drawing of the car on picmonkey to be stark black and white, by changing the "contrast" to 100%.  Then, over at Spoonflower, I played around with it, changed the lines to white, made the backgrounds different, and came up with this:

Three colors of the new design "Vroom"! I couldn't wait to hold it in my hands, so I went ahead and ordered some swatches. 

If you follow me on instagram, you've already seen this.  (And if you don't, what are you waiting for??!! It's so much fun!)

I'm not sure yet what this fabric will become, but I'm hoping to use it before the month is up.  If you have any ideas, leave them in the comments!

The swatches cost $5 each, which is almost nothing when you consider that they printed out my custom design.  On the other hand, for fabric, that's astronomical.  But it gets cheaper the more you buy.  A fat quarter is around $11, and a yard is $17.50.

But wait--there's more!  On Spoonflower, once you order a swatch and approve the colors and design, they let you offer it to the public for sale. Not only can you help me decide what to do with it, but you can order a piece of your own and make whatever you want!! 

If you'd like to check out my designs, and maybe even buy a piece of your own, here's my Spoonflower shop address.

How cool is that?  And how much fun would it be to design something at the most basic level, to give as a gift!

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 18 {new dishtowels from vintage tablecloths}

This is  part 18 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published.

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{new dishtowels from vintage tablecloths}

Here's something you can do with those sturdy gorgeous old table cloths that have a few too many spots on them to be useful as they are.  Make dishtowels!

For this project you'll need a vintage table cloth, an iron, thread, and a small scrap of grosgrain ribbon.

First, rip or cut your tablecloth into towel-sized pieces.  My sizes varied, but they were all around 20x22 inches.  Try to avoid the stained areas if possible, but if the towels are for your use, it really doesnt' matter if they have a little spot or two on them--towels at my house don't stay pristine for long anyway.

Next, make pretty mitered corners by pressing like this: (directions below)

Press each side in about 3/4 inches.  The pressed edge will be your outer edge, and you'll fold the raw edge under as you sew. 

Open up both edges at one corner and notice the square you created with the iron.  Clip off the small triangle at the corner that extends beyond the creases.  Then fold down the remaining triangle, fold raw edges under, and press.  It should make a pretty mitered-looking corner.

If you need to, stick a pin into this corner while you do the other three.

Then take your towel to the sewing machine, and using a long stitch, sew around the entire perimeter, tucking raw edges under as you go. Adjust your needle position so that the edge of the foot lines up with the edge of the dishtowel. 

Before you get back to the starting point, tuck in a fold of ribbon, about 3 to 3 1/2 inches long.  This will make it easy to hang for drying.

Make a whole stack of new/vintage dishtowels and give them as a gift.

Or even better, wrap up a big loaf of pumkin bread in one, and take it to a neighbor.

And now I'm hungry for pumpkin bread.

 

31 DAYS of Giving Handmade :: Day 17 {photo mug}

This is  part 17 of our series 31 DAYS of Giving Handmade! You can find links to the entire series, in order, on our Giving Handmade Index Page.  I'll add each new link as that day is published.

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{photo mug}

Not every gift has to be handmade from scratch.  Or take 6 months to make, or cost tons of money.  Yesterday's photo message is an example of that and today's photo mug is another.

We didn't mean to make a photo mug this month.  But it happens to be Monopoly time at McDonalds right now, and we happen to be pretty good at winning stuff.  And we accidentally won a free mug from Shutterfly!  (Neither McD's nor Shutterfly are paying me to say great stuff about them.  It's all a happy coincidence.)

The picture we used is Donnie's current favorite of him and all of the kids. The faces and messy hair are all part of its greatness.

We took it over to the Shutterfly site, but we didn't like any of the templates they let you choose, so we took it back over to PicMonkey to build our own.

How To:

1. At picmonkey, choose "Design" first.  We found a fun background that had a grid, so we set that at the back.  Then, under "overlays" (the butterfly button) we chose "choose your own" and inserted our cropped picture.  Since the space for the picture is really long, we added some words at the right of the pic.  We left the photo in a large square, since Shutterfly did not give us the final area of the available space.

2. Like this:

3. Once back on Shutterfly, we cropped it closely to the photo, and included the extra stuff on each side.  We only got a plain white mug for free, but we LOVE it.  Plus it came in the mail within a week, so this is a great last minute gift, too.

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So are you wondering how something like this could be counted as handmade?  Well, I took the picture (1) and designed it on picmonkey (2).  We feel like extra time, plus personalization is just the right amount of handmade for someone who doesn't know how to make stuff.  Yet.

Hover over the picture so you can pin it for later!