Wedding Photos

Why am I posting photos from my wedding, which was almost 5 years ago, on my crafting blog? Because I want to win a contest, the prize from which is a beautiful print from an artist whose work I've admired for over a year now. And because I loved my wedding, so looking back on it is always fun! Without further ado...

All pictures by Ellie Patrick Photography

PS--These pictures were taken with film! No Photoshopping or anything; just lovely photos!

Alphabet Wall Art

This project has been in the works for so long now. I first got the idea from my friend Meghann sometime last year, then put it off over and over and over again. When I finally got around to getting the materials, the craft store was out of what I needed, so I bought my second choice materials, which kind of took the wind out of my sails! But now, after many months of procrastination, it is finished. I chose to spell out my children's names, but you could do letters of the alphabet, a different word that goes with the theme in their bedroom, or even numbers. It is such a quick and easy project, and there's nothing like instant gratification when it comes to home decor!

The materials will differ slightly based on what you have available to you. The important thing to remember when gathering materials is that your letters, paper, and frames all have to coordinate size-wise. It won't do you any good to buy enormous letters if the only frames you can find are 5x7"! I am lucky enough to have a fantastic craft store (Ben Franklin Crafts) nearby that carries 12" square frames in the color I wanted--white--for only $6 each. So I bought fairly big letters that were also already painted white (Thank You Walmart!) and scrapbooking paper that was 12" square. I also chose to use the same size frame and letter for each panel and only varied the pattern on the paper, but it would probably look cute and whimsical to use different-sized frames and letters.

Materials:

• 1 inexpensive picture frame per panel
• 1 wooden letter per panel
  
• paint, optional (only if your frames and letters are not already the color you want)
• 1 piece of scrapbooking paper per panel
• double-stick tape
• glue (I used Tacky Glue)
  
• measuring tape or ruler, optional
  
• pencil
  

Instructions:

1. If your picture frames and/or letters are not the right color, paint them and allow them to dry completely. When I finally bought my materials, the craft store didn't have enough white frames, so I bought some that were black and spray painted them. It took many coats, but they look pretty good.
2. If your paper is not already the appropriate size for the frames, carefully cut it to the right size. The cardboard insert from a picture frame makes a great template.
   
3. Remove backing, cardboard, and glass from 1 ready-to-go picture frame. You can find some other use for the glass, but keep the backing and the cardboard.
4. Apply double-stick tape to the back of 1 piece of paper. I put 1 piece of tape on each edge, and then made a big X in the middle, so I used 6 pieces of tape on the back of each piece of paper. Place the paper right-side up on top of the cardboard insert from the frame and gently press them together. Make sure there are no wrinkles or bubbles. Put the cardboard/paper sandwich back in the picture frame and replace the backing. You should now have a lovely framed piece of patterned paper!
5. Figure out where your letter is going to go on the paper and very lightly mark the top or bottom edge with the pencil. I just eyeballed it, but you could always measure.
   
6. Carefully apply glue to the back of 1 wooden letter. You do not want glue oozing out when you stick the letter onto the paper, so apply enough to make the letter stick, but no more. Place the letter glue-side down onto the paper in the marked spot and gently press down. Allow to dry completely.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 for the remaining letters.
8. Hang on wall!

Festival Season!

There are so many wonderful things about summer: barbecues, swimming, long days, memorable vacations. One of the things we like best about summer is the festival season. We're excited to be participating in a festival this weekend in Lowell, OR. The Blackberry Jam Festival has crafts, entertainment, and, of course, blackberries! It also has a Max and Ellie booth this year! If you're in the area, stop by and see us on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, July 24th-26th.

Upcycled Library Tote Tutorial

Our lack of crafty posts would suggest that we have been idle of late. Nothing could be further from the truth, but we do have a hard time finishing projects. There are several half-written posts to go along with half-finished projects that are just sitting around waiting for their day in the sun. This cute and functional Upcycled Library Tote has been on my mind for months. About a year ago, we finally got to the stage where it seemed like a good idea to go to the library once a week or so. But trying to carry a stack of books out of the library while pushing a cheap stroller and holding hands with a toddler just doesn't work. We needed a book bag. Now there are lots of bags for sale out there, and there are cheap totes at the craft store, but being a crafty mama, I wanted to make a bag. And that is why, 9 months later, we are just now getting this thing made (I did finally buy myself a purse on Etsy because my common sense told me that if I waited until I made one, I would never, ever have a purse.)

Pillowcases are a great starting place for a tote bag because half of the sewing has already been done for you! I had a cute pillowcase from our linen closet in mind for this project, but when I finally dragged it out, I found that it had 3 huge rips across the back. The adorable striped pillowcase I ended up using came from Goodwill (brand new) and was only $2.50. I think that's probably even cheaper than a canvas tote from the craft store! 1 cute pillowcase + 1 hour of uninterrupted sewing = 1 super cute, super sturdy, super multi-purpose tote bag!

**A quick note about the pillowcase: The hemmed end (the open end you stuff your pillow into) will be cut off to form the handles. Most pillowcases have very generous hems; make sure the one you choose for this project has a hem of at least 3 inches.**

Upcycled Library Tote

Materials:

• 1 clean pillowcase
• thread
• scissors
• pins
• sewing machine
• rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat ( completely optional)
• turning tool (pencil, knitting needle, etc.)
  

Steps:

• Lay the pillowcase out flat on your work surface and/or cutting mat. Using your rotary cutter or scissors, cut the hemmed end (the open one) off. You'll want to cut as close to the stitching as possible without running into it. Set this long loop of fabric aside; it will be used to make your handles.

• Trim the rest of the pillowcase so that it measures roughly 27 inches x 15 inches. DON'T CUT FABRIC FROM ALL FOUR SIDES OF THE PILLOWCASE! If you need to trim the length, just cut more off from the side you already trimmed when cutting off the hem, and if you need to trim the width, make sure you only cut one side. When finished, you should have two open sides and two closed sides.
• Fold the fabric in half to make a 13.5 x 15 inch rectangle. Sew the two raw-edged sides shut with a 1/4-inch stitch. You should now have an inside-out bag with three closed sides and one open side.

• With the bag inside-out, and using both hands, pull the center point of the opening on each side of the bag away from each other. Before you do this, the bag will lay flat on the table with the seams running down the left and right sides of the bag. After you do this, the bag will have a strange, triangular shape, and the left and right seams will now be on top of each other right down the middle. Press the new shape with your hands to make it lie flat.

• There are now two triangular points on your bag and they lie right on top of each other. On each point, measure 2 inches from the tip and sew a short, straight line across the triangle. Make sure you sew each triangle separately; you do not want to sew them together! These new stitches should run parallel to the top of the bag. It probably seems like you aren't doing anything important, but when you turn your bag right-side out, it is now gusseted instead of being a big, flat envelope. Set the bag aside.

• Pick up the hem you cut off in the first step. It is currently a big loop of fabric; we need to change that. Turn the loop inside out and lay it flat on your cutting surface. You should have a seam running down one of the short sides. Cut that seam off. Cut the remaining fabric in half so that you have two short, fat pieces (as opposed to two long, thin pieces).

• Fold each piece in half the long way and press it, making sure that the hem stitching is visible.
• Using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew one short side and the long, open side of each handle. Turn the handles right-side out using your turning tool.
• The raw edges of the short, open end of each handle need to be tucked inside the handle. Press. Topstitch all four sides of each handle.

• The handles will be attached to the inside of the bag. The outer edge of each handle should be about 2 1/2 inches from the side, and they should extend down about 1 inch from the top of the bag. Pin handles into place. Before you sew the handles on, make sure they match up; make adjustments to the placement as needed.
• Sewing on the outside of the bag, sew one continuous line about 1/8 inch from the edge all the way around the opening of the bag. Make sure you catch your handles. Sew another continuous line 1/2 inch from the opening, again, go all the way around the bag.

• Trim all threads!
  

Father's Day Candy Bars

On Tuesday morning, I got an email from someone at church asking me what we were giving to the menfolk on Sunday. And that's when it hit me (for the 100th time, but I keep forgetting) that this Sunday is Father's Day! Since I have a fairly busy week going on, I decided to do the ole' "candy bar with a funny message" idea. We will be handing out Milk Duds with a label on the back that reads, "You're no Dud, Dad! Happy Father's Day!"

I already have a few presents for my husband from me and the kids, but once I got started with the candy bar theme, I just couldn't stop! So he'll also be getting a basket full of funny candy bars.

If you'd like to make them too, just click here and print! These labels were originally formatted to fit Avery Address Labels 8160. If you don't have or don't want to use address labels, just print them on regular paper or card stock, cut them out, and glue or tape them on.

New Aprons In The Store!

We have a few new aprons available in the store! And if your favorite fabric isn't featured in an apron, we'd be happy to do a custom order. Just let us know!

The Sushi apron--finally something unisex!



Painted Rockets



Our give-away winner chose Pears-n-Apples on Blue, so the apron pictured below is hers. But we thought it was so adorable, we went right out and bought enough fabric for another apron! If you'd like to be the owner of that super-cute apron, contact us, and we'll make sure it's the very next thing we make!

We have a winner!!!

Congratulations to Michelle, comment number 110, on winning a lovely apron from Max and Ellie! A big thank you to everyone who entered; we never thought we'd get over 200 entries!! We would love to make aprons for all of you who didn't win...they'll be for sale in our shop!