A crafter, designer and Moda Shop Baker.....

As if I'm not having enough fun designing patterns, creating and sharing tutorials and sewing up new products for our SHOP I am now whipping up "recipes" for the Moda Bake Shop! 
It's a "yummy" collection of free tutorials/patterns using Moda's great precuts like layer cakes, charm packs, jelly rolls, honey buns, etc. 
My first tutorial is posted HERE. Pop over there, take a peek and let me know what you think! 

I will be adding a "recipe" to the Moda Bake Shop once a month! 

Read More

Aged/Peeling paint technique......

We all know that a new coat of paint can completely transform a good second hand find into a GREAT find! and paint is so easy too!!!

To get that old or aged look in a "newer" item, I wanted to share a little technique I learned.

If you give this technique a try share your project in the Brassy Apple Projects Flickr Group

Materials:

Object to be painted

Paint

Brush

Bar of Soap - needs to be a pure soap like Dove or Ivory

Sandpaper

Let's start!

The soap creates a "waxy" layer that helps the paint to be sanded off easier to reveal the color or material underneath of it. Normally the edges are sanded to give some contrast to an object but this technique allows you to create more interest and age in your projects.

Determine how many layers (colors) you will have and if there are certain places that you will want the paint to be sanded off.

I chose to work with 3 colors for my project. I applied a base coat (brown color) to this large wooden letter. Once it was dry I applied a thick layer of the soap in certain areas and then applied a second layer of paint (mustard color) on top of the that.

If you don't sand that layers as you go, then be sure to apply the soap in the same area on top of the new coat of paint that you did with the first layer. I wasn't sure the look I wanted and how much of each color I would use, so I sanded to my first layer (brown) through the second layer (mustard).

Then I applied the last color (blue) leaving the areas I had already sanded exposed.

When my top coat was dry I sanded over the areas I had applied the layer of soap. You can sand a little or a lot to get whatever look fits!

I furthered the aged and weathered look of my wooden letter by applying a thin layer of brown paint with a rag onto the top coat of paint. Rubbing the paint into the cracks of the peeled paint and applying more in the corners, etc. Just apply and wipe, dab - repeat to achieve the depth of colors that you like.

And that's it! A beautifully aged piece that is new but has all the character and style of a one of a kind treasure!

Linked up with DIY day on A Soft Place to Land and Get your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog

Read More

DIY Family Memory Packet.......tutorial

As new year rings in, it's always fun to capture a bit of the excitement of the new and reminisce a bit about the old.

We crafted up a fun way to get the whole family involved together in an easy project -

The Family Memory Packet.

Whether you have a gaggle of kids, no kids, grandkids, or it's just you - this project is adaptable for all! It's a great way to preserve a bit of the present, like a time capsule, and open it again around the same time next year!

• Materials:

Large envelope (we used a 9x12)

magazines/newspapers

glue stick

scissors

paper

printer

pens/pencils/crayons

Getting started!

Before you start the project print off the "memory sheets" to be filled in by you and/or other family members.

We used 3 sheets per person:

• 1st sheet - Include a space for the

DATE:

NAME:

AGE:

WEIGHT:

HEIGHT:

If possible, snap a photo of each person that day and print off on the sheet. OR print off a recent photo and let each person cut out their picture and glue it to the sheet.

On this sheet you will also have each person trace their hand (giving assistance to younger ones). It will be fun to see how much your kids or grandkids hands have grown when the packet gets opened up NEXT year!

• 2nd sheet - Titled 2009 (past year)

Include a few questions like:

Favorite thing(s) I did this year:

Favorite place(s) I went:

What I will remember most:

Don't include too many question or your kids are likely to feel like they are doing school work instead of something fun. For those that are too small to write, simply ask them the questions and try to write down their responses word for word. They might be really funny to look back on what they said next year or the year after. It's also great to allow those just learning to read/write to let them fill in as much of their sheets as possible. They will be able to see how much their skills have improved in a year when it is reopened.

• 3rd sheet - titled 2010 (new year)

Include a few questions like:

Something I would like to do this year is:

Somewhere I would like to go is:

Something I would like to learn about is:

This sheet isn't really "goal setting" but simply stating some "wishes". It might give you some insight into what they are hoping and help you as a parent/grandparent to meet their needs/interests this coming year.

**STAPLE the 3 sheets together**

Gather the other members around the table and explain the project. Have each person fill out their sheets. Use the magazines/newspaper to create a cover for your envelope where all the information sheets will be stored for the year. (We used the title - 2009 Memory Packet) You can create your own title including the family name. Decorate it with pictures, cut-outs, color it, doodle on it, etc. The creativity is up to everyone involved but make sure this is part of the fun of the project as well! Once the cover is created and dried, slip all the papers inside and close it up.

Now where to file it away where it won't be forgotten about next year? My best suggestion is to put it into one of the Christmas boxes, somewhere easily seen when opened. When you pull out the Christmas decor next winter season, it can easily be tacked onto the family bulletin board for a few weeks until the New Year's Holiday rolls around again. Then of course you can open up the packet, reminisce, giggle, and create a NEW memory packet for the next year, thus creating a fun family tradition too! Enjoy!

Read More

Last Minute Christmas Ideas.......

Here are some great last minute DIY gift ideas.... and they are inexpensive too!

One of my favorite's for almost anyone - teachers, family members, friends, etc - is Hot/Cold Therapy Sacks. They whip up super easy and everyone appreciates them. Personalize them in a monogram, create them in all sizes, colors/patterns, and even create them using old sports t-shirts for the guys in your life!

Be "cool" with the girlies by gifting them arm warmers in a pattern they will love! Customize the length for toddlers to tweens! So easy to convert into leg warmers for babies too!

And to wrap things up there are a bunch of ebooks in the Brassy Apple Shop to craft up something unique, original and fun! You can create custom Shaggy Mosaic Jeans for the Holiday or any other season/occasion! These are great for boys, girls and women too!





Take a peek at the other ebooks and crafty appliques that can be applied to jackets, pillowcases, handbags, skirts and more! Make it Handmade Holiday!

Read More

Place cards / Tags Tutorial.......

A simple, quick project that will add some pizazz to your table, gifts and many other projects!

Materials:

scrapbook paper

fabric

spray adhesive

pencil

scissors

paper cutter

glue stick

embellishments (buttons, glitter, etc)

ruler

(Upload and share photos of your tags/place cards into the Brassy Apple Flickr Group)

Tags -

Step 1: Print your initial letters. Choose the fonts you like and the size for your project. Print the letters in reverse or turn them over onto your light table or simply use a bright window.

Trace the letters onto your paper or fabric.

Cut out your letters.

Step 2: Place the letters onto your fabric or paper you want to use for your background. Depending on your project, choose the size of your background, spacing evenly around your letter.

Cut your background piece. (Choose your shape - square, rectangle, circle, etc)

(If you are using fabric and need it to be more stiff, glue it to cardstock or heavy paper and cut.)

Step 3: Layout your tags looking at your design. Here is where you can decide what embellishments, if any, you would like to add.


Step 4: I wanted the "M" to pop more so I cut a small motif from some fabric to place behind the "M".



Step 5: Apply some spray adhesive to the back of the fabric piece following the manufacturer's instructions.



Step 6: Place and press the fabric motif to the background piece.



Step 7: Spray your letters and place them on your background pieces as well. Continue adding embellishments as you like.

And you are done! My tags mark my children's school projects/paper buckets that hang in one of your hallways.

Place cards -

Following the instructions above you can make chic place cards for your table for any event!

Layer up paper, fabric and the names of those attending for a custom look. Even going so far as to match your place cards with your handmade napkins! You are sure to have a table to remember!

The size I used for me place cards was 2" x 2". I used fabric fused to cardstock for the background piece of one and cardstock with small square of fabric glued in the middle of the other.

Then I simple printed the names on regular paper and glued them on the place cards.

Have fun and get creative with your projects! Remember there are no limits here - you design what you want and like!

Read More

Halloween Skeleton Tutorial......

Craft up a fun t-shirt for your little "ghoul" or "goblin" this Halloween season! It's easy to create your own Halloween fun this year by using a new tshirt or upcycling an older one!

Skeleton ribcage w/ Heart Applique:

materials:

Ribcage Appliques (copy/print from below)

2 Heart Appliques (copy/print from below)

Tshirt

White fabric

Red fabric

coordinating thread

Heat n' Bond or similar product

Scissors

Iron

Pencil

Click on the applique templates below, right click copy and then paste into WORD or save. You can resize (shrink or enlarge) to fit your shirt the best.

Print out your applique templates and cut out.

Take your white and red fabrics and apply some Heat n' bond with an iron according the package directions. Cut a piece large enough for your applique pieces.

Choose a heart to use and trace onto the heat n' bond. Do the same with the ribcage. Cut out shapes.

Peel the paper back off of the fabric and flip over your shapes. Position your applique pieces onto your shirt to find the placement you like. Once they are in position, take off the ribcage and iron the heart onto the shirt according to package directions.

Sew the heart onto the shirt using a straight stitch, zig zag, satin stitch or whatever decorative or simple stitch you like.

Replace the ribcage and iron onto the shirt. Sew it on following the same instructions as above.

and you are DONE!

Extra tips and ideas:

• Create it in various sizes - think baby onesies up to adult!
• Add some extra up "ghoulish" elements like worms, snakes, other organs, etc.......
• Use the applique template with other materials such as paper
• It's not just for t-shirts! Get creative!

If you craft up some Halloween items from this tutorial, upload and share your photos in the Brassy Apply Flickr group!

Read More

Restocked.....but going fast

Just stocked up my shop with more Brassy Bunchy Scarves! We've got patterns and the classic solids to choose from!

Some "Holiday" products will be debuting soon as well! Perfect for gift giving to YOURSELF or for someone you love......

Whip up alittle something handmade with my ebooks, patterns, or DIY kits!

happy shopping everyone!

Read More

Heat up your Kitchen!

Debuting this week in eBook format is my Kitschy Corset Apron pattern! It's sure to bring a little heat toyour kitchen or possibly make you feel a bit more feminine as you go about your everyday tasks.

Several design options available with this pattern! Snatch up one today OR if you want to wait a month you can grab the printed version with full sized pattern pieces!

Interested in carrying this pattern in your fabric shop? Sign up to be one of our wholesale clients!

Read More

GREAT question......

I received a great question from an interested customer and thought it would be a good idea to share with everyone else. :)

Question: "I am a newbie to using patterns. How does an ebook work? I want to purchase the LUCY pattern, but am not sure if I need to go to a Kinkos to enlarge?"

Answer: Great question huh! I hadn't thought about it since I am very familiar with ebooks and what they are, how they function, etc but it hadn't occured to me that some might not be so sure.

In the Lucy Ebook Pattern most the main (large) pieces for the apron you will construct. I provide illustrations, diagrams, measurements, etc and help you step by step. Some of the smaller pattern pieces are provided and you will simply print off, cut out and use.

An ebook requires a bit more "effort" on the customer's end. Someday there will be a printed version of the Lucy Apron with full size pattern pieces to buy. I had several customers "want it now" so that is why I did the ebook first.
--------------------

Does that help? hopefully.......

I thought I would share a few more "Lucy" photos. There were several photos I just loved from Susan , but had to pick only one for the cover! hummmm..........it's so hard to narrow it down...................

Didn't she do a great job? If you aren't up for sewing your own Lucy apron - I would be happy to send one your way..........

Read More