Hello Kirsti: crafts

I found these oversize stiff thick felt balloon shapes for under $3 each at Walmart, since it's felt I knew it would embroider well... so I grabbed two of them

Then I added "Happy" and "Birthday" to them in a thick oversize font.

I floated them in the the hoop, attached with spray adhesive and watched them pretty closely.

Then for the streamers I used Aleene's Tacky Glue and oversize ric-rac.

Of course since I'm all about the multipurpose. I printed Andrew's name in a similar font on colored paper and then cut it out in a banner shape.

It makes for a great effect.

Andrew had a great birthday and loved his new Mario Shirt!

Hey there Hello Kirsti readers! It's been a while since I put together a guest post for y'all, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy crafting. I'm a teacher, so I've been home all summer getting my craft on. I've made 2 different types of burp cloths (more on those and the advice I have for you later), minky baby blankets, gift baskets, monograms, and so much more.
Today's project was a bit of art work for our Baby Girl's room. Her furniture arrived on Wednesday and now it's time to focus on the finishing touches before she arrives.
It started with a trip to Michael's to find the right sized canvas to go over the crib. Decided on a 12 inch x 36 inch, which just so happened to be on sale for $5.99!!! And I had a coupon for 10% off everything...SCORE!!!!
Then I needed to decide what to put on the canvas. I wanted something simple and sweet, and decided to go with “LOVE”...something that would be timeless, and could be hung somewhere else down the road.
The most difficult part of this project was finding the “right” font. It was the part that took the longest --- endlessly searching dafont.com. But eventually I found the perfect one, Shardee. I've put together a pdf of the file I used to make my template, so you won't have to search endlessly! (YAY for time saving)
Download the template here!
First I printed the letters and cut them out. I used Tombow monoadhesive to hold them in place while I traced. It's hard to see here, but there are pencil lines on in this picture.

Next I started the scary part...pushing the pins in! This part takes the longest.

I found the best way was to outline first and then fill in. This project took roughly 400 push pins. It's really dependent on how you push them together.
Here's the project once it was all finished!

Can't wait to hang it in her room!
**P.S. I've tried shaking the canvas to try and get the pins to fall out but they are pretty secure. Barring any earthquakes I think they'll be just fine.**
Download the template here!
Kirsti:: Is this not the cutest!! Can’t wait to share all the things I’ve made for Bestie’s beautiful daughter!
Here’s a whole room shot =)

A million tutes are out there on this but we all think ours are cuter right?

My take was 1 side flannel 1 side minky.

I stitched the ribbons down before stitching together with a zig-gag to make sure the ribbons were secure.

Sew minky on top.

I also decided not to topstitch, love that scotty dog flannel!

So mosquitos in Nashville this summer have been ridiculous! Like every evening we’ve spent outside the following day I'm coating myself in aerosol Benadryl .(Yes it exists, yes it’s the best ever cause you don’t have to touch what you want to scratch so badly, and yes it works great!

So in my war against getting eaten my Mom sent me this photo that’s been floating around, of citronella torches gone cute.

No real directions though, so here’s my take.

Materials:

Mason Jars - from my collection. I HAD to buy some of the reissue Blue Ball ones too though. (6 for $9.99)

Cotton String to use as wick – This was the tough part, I looked a Michaels and the ‘real’ wicking was like $20 for a small spool, after some searching I found cotton string/twine at Lowe’s for $3

Citronella & Cedar Torch Fuel – Easy to find most stores with an outdoor section around $10

Standard Screw Driver – to punch hole in the lid

Pliers or Tweezers – to pick up the wick out of the fuels

Steps:

1. Make the wicks – the cotton string draws up the citronella oil, the larger the wick the more flame. So to make my wicks I cut many lengths of the string, then braided them together. I made them much longer than the height of the mason jars so they last longer. Rather than knotting them I took a scrap string and tied it, a knot would have difficulty going through the small hole.

2. Punch the hole for the wick – With the top on the mason jar carefully press the screwdriver through the lid, making a small hole, you can adjust it to the size of your wick later.

3. Wicks - Place wicks in the jars fill up with some citronella, I only filled mine up a third of the way to start. Let the wicks dunk in the oil then fish them out with the pliers and push through the lids so the braid is secure in the top.

4. Adjust & Light the wick – to start leave a good bit of the wick out to start, light the wick. At first you’ll have a large flame as the extra cotton from the end of the braid burns off.

5.Enjoy – Pull up the wick with pliers as needed between sessions. Blow out or use a small tomato sauce can as your ‘snuffer’. Keep your mason jar box as an easy way to transport in and out.

Our neighbor had a Redneck themed birthday party last weekend.

While strolling Old Time Pottery I spotted this, yup a reusable solo cup on a wine stem. A TRUE Gem!

PERFECT since she’s worked for Toby Keith’s label Show Dog Nashville.

Then I came up with the idea of Monograming it with the Cricut, what Southern Lady doesn’t love a good monogram?!?!

Then in keeping with the Redneck theme I wrapped it in what else but a paper towel and Wal-Mart bag, topped off with curling ribbon.

A easy, fun, thoughtful gift, gotta love it.

Keeping it classy in Hip Donelson. Hurray for great neighbors!

I created this super cute banner with some simple techniques.

No step by step pictures, but I do have some time saving tips:

Don’t stitch around the letters, use fusible applique, it’s not going to be washed, so you’re good.
Rather than trying to close the top seam, serge it and cover up your serge with ribbon or wide rickrack.
Make the back thin muslin so that it turns better, and to save your pretty fabric.
Method for the letters, is the same as my Birthday Applique Tee

In action =)

Cute and versatile to use over and over too!

Little darling Levi just celebrated his big first birthday!

Momma Audra contacted me with an idea and I ran with it of course.

Since this was a small amount of letters, yay short names, I didn’t break out the Cricut.

Instead I

1. Picked fonts and sized everything as word art in Microsoft Publisher (Publisher gives you better, make this 2” tall abilities").

2. Mirrored the image and printed.

3. Traced the mirrored image on the paper side of Heat n Bond Sewable

4. Snip out roughly, then iron on to back of fabric.

5. Cut out letters, shape following your lines.

6. Iron on to the shirt.

7. Outline the shirt as desired, if you used the sewable.

Easy and sooo cute!

This got covered in birthday smash cake, and is going to be featured in Levi’s first birthday shadowbox, how sweet is that?

Levi and Uncle A

When we were invited to a Batman themed third birthday party, I KNEW I needed to expand my Superman cape skills into Batman as well.

Using the same method I used in my Super Hero Cape Tutorial and a Batman outline printout, I created this, which was a total hit!
On the back side I embroidered a “3” and a heart with a “K”

Also be sure to check out his 2nd Birthday Elmo shirt Tutorial from last year!

I had to show off the cute baby hats I made with this great pattern and tutorial from Zaaberry.

I followed the direction for the most part. I made the fleece one a little larger since my fleece wasn’t super stretchy.

These zipped together with the serger quickly.

Make note that serging 3 layers of fleece doesn’t work, so in those sorta seams I serge the edges then sew them together with a zig-zag.

I put together these easy pencil cups for Bestie , they match the cute chevron valances I made for her classroom at the start of the school year.
1. Save some tin cans next time you cook and throw them in the dishwasher. Don’t forget to save the cute short ones for paper clips.
2. Spray them down with a cute color of spray paint.
3. Check your scrap collection for scraps that fit the circumference of the can. Use a marking pen to mark a straight line the height of the can.

4. Serge or hem the fabric to fit, I LOVE the look of a perfect tension serge, so I went that route, not having to glue a folded hem is easier too, but honestly you could make this no sew, I don’t think the ‘wear’ on a pencil cup will cause it to fray.
5. Use some Aleene’s Tacky Glue to glue to the can (Who remembers and misses Aleene’s Creative Living?!?

5. Let dry and fill them up!
This post is partying here.

You know my hanging headband organizer?? Still one of my most popular posts, and I’ve sold 35 of them online!

Well a scarf loving friend pointed out they’d be great for scarves and sashes, so I tried it!

It works awesome!

To make your own, follow the Hanging Headband Organizer tutorial but make it 4 feet long rather than door length.

You can also adjust the size of your loops to fit your scarf collection.

These are my guidelines:

For Silk Scarves and Ties:
- The top third has loops spaced every one inch. (Perfect for sashes)
- The middle third has loops spaced every 1.5 inches. (Perfect for squares)
- The bottom third has loops space every 2 inches. (Perfect for wider silk scarves)
For Knit Scarves:
- The top third has loops spaced every 2 inches. (For the thin cottony kind)
- The middle third has loops spaced every 2.5 inches. (For the thicker knits)
- The bottom third has loops space every 3 inches. (For the chunky knits)

The bottom elastic isn’t as needed in the scarf holder. Hang with an over the door hook or a 3M command hook.

Gotta love vertical storage solutions!

Here’s how to use it:

If you love the idea but don’t sew I try and keep them stocked in my shop or email me and I’ll make you a custom one.

This post is partying here.

This post originally appeared in SaltTree's

Hello SaltTree readers! I’m Kirstin from Hello Kirsti blogging from Nashville, Tennessee. I love to craft, just bought my first house and I’m also recently engaged, so I’m excited about the crafty opportunities these two big things will bring! Many thanks to Amber for having me and for getting us all in the Christmas crafty spirit!

Today I’m going to show you how to make a holiday mitten, this easy craft is great for adults and kids alike and each one is unique!
Materials:

Fleece or Felt
Embroidery Thread
Needle
Marking Pen or chalk
Assorted decorations (Buttons, Ribbons, Christmas lights)

Steps:
Layout your material and have it folded in half so it is doubled up.
With your fingers together but your thumb out trace around your hand with the chalk.

Cut both layers along the line.

With wrong sides together blanket stitch around the edges, except for the top. (Don’t know how to blanket stitch, here’s a good how to).

Blanket stitch each of the top edges (but not together)
Embellish!

I added several buttons and then strung miniature Christmas lights between them around the buttons. (I found the lights in the dollhouse section of Hobby Lobby)

Add a ribbon or in my case lights to the top corner of the mitten for hanging.
There are so many different ways you can take these with fabrics and embellishing, it would be so fun to have a family of them hung up in a row!

Happy Holidays!!

I made this for a baby shower of a dear friend and it turned out super cute, and using grosgrain ribbon makes it so easy and fast!