Vase Cozie

I have attempted to learn to knit-and I was fairly successful.  It only takes me a year to make one scarf! Honestly though, knitting isn't really something I am looking at working on in Summer time, but nothing says Winter like a cozy sweater. I know we are barely past Thanksgiving but people are already shaking those jingle bells-and I will admit I already have my tree up.  So to celebrate the season (and make use of a sweater my Middle daughter has out grown) I decided to make a "sweater" for a cheap vase bought at Wal-mart for about $3.00.

 It was super easy, no skill required.  Just take a good pair of scissors and snip off one sleeve. 

I slid the sleeve down over the vase so the the cuff was at the top and the cut ends were under the vase, then I trimmed off all the extra length.

I used come Tombow glue (another favorite product) to stop the knit from fraying and also to temporarily adhere the edges to the bottom of the vase.  Filled with a handful of peacock feathers, it becomes a bright and cozy accent.

The stiffer the better

First of all, this product was invented by a genius.  Sure, sure-there are many other stiffeners out there, for instance Aileen's, Crafter's Pick, and Plaid's Stiffy Fabric Stiffeners-and while I don't claim to be an expert on stiffener composition I am sure they are pretty much the same ingredients (homemade versions are just water and white glue!).  What sets Stiffen Stuff above the rest? The bottle.  I know, I know: never judge a book by it's cover, but lets face it, if you have ever had a big bowl of runny goop, that you dipped fabric into, and then had to deal with the resulting drippy mess-well, then you'd be able to appreciate the beauty of the spray nozzle that keeps it on the fabric and off your fingers.  I also love that there isn't any "craft dandruff" afterwards.   Once completely dry, there are no flakes or cracks at all! 

There are so many things you can do with this wonder-goo.  Beyond the standard bows and flowers, you can turn any fabric into an easy to apply (and easy to remove) piece of wall art!  This is perfect for home renters and apartment dwellers.  Just apply the Stiffen Stuff to the fabric shape of your choice, and let dry (or if you are like me-impatient-zap it in the microwave until dry).  Then, heat up your iron, and iron it to your wall.  That's right-IRON it on to the wall.  It won't hurt the paint, and can be peeled right off when you get tired of it!

Pullin' an all nighter!

Courtesy of Ashley Johnston, who was nice enough to share
with the world!

If you are going to be up, until after midnight anyway, rolling all over the couch, at least you won't be alone! Lately, we have been inundated with these little feathery bastards-I don't know if we can thank Harry Potter, or if the 70's are coming back- either way...I am loving it!  This too sweet pillow pal would be a great friend for any kid (of which I have 3) but my little rug rats aren't getting this cutie-he is mine all mine! Make your own damn pillow-
you can get the pattern and instructions at http://weallsew.com/2011/01/19/snuggly-owl-by-ashley-johnston/