stitched heart mug cozie

Coffee or tea?  How do you choose!? 

No matter what you drink, you should drink it in a cute mug with an adorable mug cozie. Don't you agree? If you're not into sewing, you can check out my tutorial for crocheting a mug cozie. If you're into sewing... let's get started :)
what you'll need

main fabric (2 pieces both 11-1/2" x 3-1/2") muslin or other stabilizer (1 piece 11-1/2" x 3-1/2") accent fabric - 2"x8" for tab accent fabric - scrap for heart small piece of velcro pinking sheers
[1] Start by layering 1 piece of main fabric on top of your piece of muslin (pin together if you wish). Place your accent fabric heart a little off center on your fabric. Top stitch into place.

[2] Next, take your 2"x8" accent piece and fold it in half (wrong sides together). Place your velcro right under the crease, unfold your fabric & stitch it into place. Once secured, fold your fabric again (wrong sides together) and stitch down both sides to form the tab. Using your pinking sheers, trim both edges so they don't fray.

[3] To assemble the cozie, layer your fabric in the following order (see image below):

main fabric with heart facing up

tab with velcro facing up

main fabric (right side down) on top

Stitch both long sides and the short side of the cozie with the tab. Leave the other short side open. Use this open end to turn your cozie right side out. Iron cozie so that it lays flat, fold in the unstitched edge & top stitch around all 4 sides of the cozie to close it up.
[4] Wrap your "almost finished" cozie around your mug and mark where your second piece of velcro needs to go. Stitch in place.

Now that your mug cozie is finished you really only have one thing to decide: coffee or tea?

mustache stitches

Anyone else getting snowed in today? If you're anything like me, you don't mind being cooped up in your warm cozy home with an afternoon project. My projects all seem to revolve around the TV now... I've become obsessed with watching Dexter. OBSESSED. Any project that allows me to sit on the couch and watch Dexter at the same time is perfect :)

Anyway, this simple, fun DIY mustache cross stitch is a quick little project perfect for any afternoon at home. Grab your materials and get stitching!
materials you'll need: mustache pattern black and/or brown embroidery thread needle small frame cross stitch fabric
SIDE NOTE: After Christmas, my mom was cleaning out some of her decorations and was getting rid of these counted cross stitch window hangers. I wasn't too fond of the designs they had but thought the little frames could be reused (which is what inspired this project in the first place).

This fun little mustache design (that now hangs in my craft room) makes me smile every time I look at it. I think it's because it reminds me of our wedding.

Whatever this mustache cross stitch makes you think of,  I hope it helps add a little bit of fun into a room in your home. Happy stitching :)

ipad stand

Sometimes a pin pops up on Pinterest and I immediately feel the urge to drop everything I'm doing and make it! This was one of those instances. I saw this adorable ipad stand and knew I had to make one for myself.

I followed the directions pretty much step by step. I love it so much that I plan to make more to have on hand for gifts :)

Check out the directions here! I wish I would have come up with this adorable idea... :)

[p.s. this post may be linked to any number of these blogs]

chevron pillow

I'm a "small project" kind of girl. I like to start something and finish it within a reasonable amount of time. When I stumbled on this Chevron Quilt tutorial I was so amazed that I knew I had to try it. For me, a quilt was too big of an undertaking. I decided that a pillow would be a great way to test it out without the commitment to a large project. I have large project commitment issues. If you'd like to make a chevron pillow, follow along :) ___________________________________ Here is what you'll need: 2 fat quarters (complimentary fabrics) for the front enough fabric for the back panel of the pillow (mine was 17" x 17") straight pins rotary cutter & mat sewing machine pillow form zipper (optional) ___________________________________

*** NOTE: I had a bunch of old pillows on hand, so I made my cover to fit a 16" pillow form ***

[1] I really didn't know what would be the best size block to make, so I decided that a 3" block sounded good. To get a 3" block (using 1/4" seam allowance) I cut 1 3/4" strips of both fabrics. I then sewed the 2 fabrics together to get long strips. I then pressed my seems flat.

[2] Once I had about 7 or 8 strips sewed, I started cutting them into the 3" blocks. As I cut them, I laid them out into my chevron pattern. I did this by turning each square about a quarter turn from the ones adjacent to it.

[3] Once I had enough squares, I started sewing them together. I started by sewing the squares in each diagonal row together end on end. Once all of my rows were sewn together, I started sewing the long rows together. I worked block by block until everything was connected. It helped to have all of my blocks laid out in the correct pattern - that way, I could just pick up the next one in line. It helped to cut out any confusion.

[4] Once everything was sewn together, ironed everything nice and flat and cut off the extra points on all sides of my fabric to get nice straight edges. You want to end with a piece of fabric that is 1" bigger than your pillow form. In my case, my chevron front was about 17" (for a 16" finished pillow).

[5] After the front was assembled, the rest was a piece of cake. I sewed my zipped pillow cover (using a full piece of my grey fabric for the back) and admired my new pillow:

Now I need to decide where this new pillow is going to live... 

[p.s. this post may be linked to any number of these blogs]

ipad cover

Adam got me an ipad for my birthday (YAY!) and I love it. It's perfect for responding to blog comments, browsing my favorite blogs & watching netflix in bed. I knew that I wanted to make a cover for it but it was just a matter of finding the right tutorial.
A few weeks ago I stumbled on this laptop case tutorial by the cottage home. When I saw it I knew it was the one I wanted for my Ipad. I followed the tutorial pretty much step by step...but I did change a few little things. Here is what I did.
The tutorial called for the following equation for figuring out what size pieces of fabric you'd need: (L + H + 1) x (W + H + 1)
My case turned out just a bit tight, so the next time I make it I might use the following equation: (L + H +1.25) X (W + H + 1.25)
My Ipad (with the smart cover on) had the following dimensions: 

Length = 9.5 inches                   Width = 7.5 inches                        Height = .5 inches
Like I said before, I follow the cottage house tutorial almost exactly, but I made one final change. Instead of button holes, I used velcro. Yes, velcro. I like velcro and I don't like button holes. I guess I could have used this tutorial as a learning experience for sewing button holes - buuutttt... I didn't. Velcro it is! I then glued (yes, glued) a button on for decoration.

Here is my final case. I love it!

I love the fabric and I love how perfect it is for carrying around my Ipad.  What have you made lately that you absolutely love?
[p.s. this post may be linked to any number of these blogs]

crochet hook holder

I have this theory. Everything is better in it's own unique, cute, little case. Yes? Ok, maybe it's just me. Anyway, I decided to make a little case for the crochet needles I got my mom for Christmas. One of these days I am going to teach her how to crochet :) In the mean time, you can make a fun little case for your own hooks.

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Here is what you'll need:

6.5" x 35.5" piece of linen (or any other fabric)

crochet hooks

a magnetic clip

letter stamps & ink

sewing machine

wax paper & pencil (optional)

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[1] Start by prepping your fabric. Iron and cut a piece of fabric that is 6.5" x 35.5". Fold your fabric right sides together "hamburger style" (your fabric will now be 6.5" x 17.75") and sew around all sides (leaving 2-3 inches on one of the short sides for turning). Turn your piece right side out and press flat.

[2] Next, using your crochet hooks as a guide, fold the bottom of your fabric up to cover 3/4 of your hooks. Pin both sides in place.

[3] Now is when you'll  put on your magnetic clip. Follow the instructions on the package to do so. I placed my clip about 2 inches from the bottom (centered on my holder).

[4] Now, using wax paper, draw guide lines for your pouch divisions. I like to do this because it ensures nice straight lines. You can sew directly over your wax paper. When you're finished, carefully peal the wax paper off and throw it away. You'll be left with nice straight lines!

If you'd like, just go for it and sew with the wax paper. What's the worst that could happen? I used my zipper foot around my clip.

As for the sides, leave them both open for now. They will get stitched down in a later step.

[5] Moving to the top of your case, top stitch across your opening from step 1 that was used to turn your piece.

[6] Fold the top edge over a few inches and press with your iron. This length will vary based on your magnetic clip placement. Install the other half your clip under your newly created flap. Before committing to the placement, check to see that both parts of the clip line up.

[7] Once your clip is in place, sew straight down both of the sides to secure your flap and hook pockets. Decorate with rubber stamps and you have a cute little case for your crochet hooks.

Much better right? I told you everything is better in a fun little case.
[p.s. this post may be linked to any number of these blogs]