Version: TP Tube Valentine Gift Boxes

Today I'm going to share with you how to make these adorable Valentine Gift Boxes from upcycled TP tubes!!  They take a little bit of work, but are totally worth it!!

When using another blog's tutorial as inspiration, I always like to take a moment to tell you about that blog and the original tutorial. I just think that's the right thing to do, don't you?

Today's project was created based on the

Upcycled TP Roll Burlap Stuffed Ornaments Tutorial over at The Artsy Girl Connection.

Marilyn's blog, The Artsy Girl Connection, is packed full of fun tutorials and much more!!  

  If you enjoy linky parties, you definitely need to check out "Pin'Inspirational Thursdays"!!  Also, be sure to check out Marilyn's "Causes/Projects" page where you can find her current bloggy and volunteer events.

I couldn't help but fall in love with Marilyn's Christmas-themed "Upcycled TP Roll Burlap Stuffed Ornaments" tutorial, because of my love for burlap and upcycling!!  Since Valentine's Day is fast approaching, I knew that a Valentine version would be perfect!!

Here's the TP Tube Valentine Gift Box tutorial...

SUPPLIES

TP Tubes

Scrapbook paper or cardstock

Burlap

Chipboard or grey-board

Ribbon

Glue

Step 1: CUT PAPER

Cut pieces of scrapbook paper or cardstock that will completely cover the TP tube.

Note: My pieces were 4.3"x6", but yours may require a different size.

Step 2: COVER ROLLS

Place a 1/2"-1" strip of glue from one opening in the roll to the other.

Line up your paper and press firmly.

Glue the other end of the paper down, making sure the paper is snug against the roll.

Step 3: FLATTEN ROLLS

Flatten the roll with the paper "seam" centered on one side.

Step 4: CUT BURLAP

Cut a 2.5" wide piece of burlap that will wrap all the way around the roll and have about 3/4" to overlap.

Note: I chose to remove 1-2 strands of the burlap from each of the longer sides.

Step 5: ATTACH BURLAP

Glue one of the shorter sides near the paper seam.

Wrap the burlap around the roll and glue down the other end.

Step 6: ROUND THE ENDS

Round the ends of the rolls as shown above.

Step 7: FOLD ENDS

Fold in the front and back "flaps" on each end of the tube, making sure the fold is curved as shown above.

Once folded, the tube should look like the photo below...

Step 8: ADD TAGS, FILL, & CLOSE

Cut or punch hearts out of your scrapbook paper or cardstock and out of chipboard or grey-board.

Glue a paper heart to a chipboard or grey-board heart.

Punch a hole towards the top of the heart.

Fill the box with candies or a small gift and re-close.

Thread a ribbon through the hole in the heart and tie the ribbon around the pillow box, finishing it off with a bow.

FINISHED!!

Be sure to check out Marilyn's Upcycled TP Roll Burlap Stuffed Ornament Tutorial to see the original project and to get more ideas for your own upcycled TP tube project!!

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...

Version: Quick Fabric Covered Magnets

Talk about a super quick, really rewarding craft project!!  Today I'm going to show you how to make these Quick Fabric Covered Magnets in under 5 minutes!!

When using another blog's tutorial as inspiration, I always want to take a moment to tell you about that blog and the original tutorial. I just think that's the right thing to do, don't you?

Today's project was created based on the

Fabric Magnet Tutorial over at The Life of Jennifer Dawn.

Jennifer is a super sweet woman whose blog, The Life of Jennifer Dawn, is super family friendly!!  She has a bunch of great tutorials and inspirational projects for you to browse through.

If you don' t have time to make many crafts, you should check out her Etsy shop, Bluebird Cottage Designs.  

I thought that Jennifer's Fabric Magnet Tutorial was such a great idea, I just had to come up with my own version!!  The two biggest changes you'll see in my version is that I sewed my fabric around the wooden shapes, rather than glue them.  Also, I used super cheap wooden shapes that I purchased at Michael's in a bag of a few hundred pieces for just $5!!

At the end of the tutorial, I will explain the adjustments you'll need to make in order to cover square/rectangle and heart shapes with fabric.  They can be a bit tricky so be sure to read these "adjustments".

Here's the Quick Fabric Covered Magnets Tutorial...

SUPPLIES

Wood Shapes

Fabric

Felt

Magnets

Glue

Hot glue & glue gun

Step 1: PREP FABRICS

Cut Fabric: Cut pieces of  fabric about 1/2"-3/4" larger than the wooden shape.

Cut Felt Backing: Trace your wooden shape onto felt in coordinating colors and cut out.

Step 2: COVER WOODEN SHAPE

Stitch Edges: Sew a loose running stitch around the edge of the shape.

Cinch Fabric:  Place the wooden shape in the center of the fabric and cinch the fabric around the shape.

Tie a knot to hold the fabric tight around the wooden shape.

Step 3: GLUE FELT BACKING

Using tacky glue, attach the felt to the back of the fabric-covered wood piece.

Step 4: ADD MAGNETS

With a hot glue gun, attach a magnet to the felt side of the shape.

FINISHED!!

SQUARE SHAPE ADJUSTMENTS

Trim the corners of the fabric squares so that they are a bit rounded.

Follow the rest of the steps described above.

HEART SHAPE ADJUSTMENTS

Trim the bottom point of the fabric heart so that it is rounded.

Sew a running stitch around the edge of the fabric and then cinch it around the wooden heart.

Add a stitch from the bottom of the heart to the top indent and back to the bottom; pull the thread tight so the fabric fits tightly into the top indent.

Follow the rest of the steps described above.

Be sure to check out Jennifer's original Fabric Magnet Tutorial too for more great ideas!!

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...

Version: Framed Heart Button Art

It's not too early to start working on Valentine's Day projects is it?!?  If it is, oh well!! I went ahead and did it anyway!! hehehe

In this post, I'll show you how I made this Framed Heart Button Art!!  Pretty nifty, huh?!?

When using another blog's tutorial, I always want to take a moment to tell you about that blog and the original tutorial. I just think that's the right thing to do, don't you?

Today's project was created by following the 

Button Ghost and Pumpkin tutorial over at A Pumpkin and a Princess.

Crystal is super creative and does a great job with her blog, A Pumpkin and a Princess!!  Her blog is packed full of crafty tutorials, delicious recipes, decorating ideas, storage & organizational tips, and much more!!  You gotta see this blog!!

When I found the Button Ghost and Pumpkin tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess, I knew I had to give it a try!!  Here's what Crystal's button art looked like...

I'd never made button art before, but Crystal made it look so easy!!  Since Halloween was long gone, I decided to use a heart as my button art image.  I also decided to decorate my frame a bit!!  Here's the tutorial for my version...

SUPPLIES

$1 Wooden frame

Old book pages & sheet music

Acrylic craft paint

Burlap

Cardstock (matches burlap)

Various sized buttons

Glue

Decoupage medium

Paint brush

Step 1: PREP FRAME

Remove the frame backing, glass, and anything else that came inside. You can get rid of the glass, but keep the backing.

Step 2: COVER FRAME

Cover Frame: Decoupage torn pieces of old book pages onto the frame, covering the entire front side and overlapping onto the inside and outside edges.

Note: You do not need to completely cover the inside and outside edges of the frame because you'll be painting over them shortly.

Add Accents: Add torn strips of sheet music to accent the frame.

Step 3: PAINT FRAME EDGES

Paint the inside and outside edges of the frame with two coats of acrylic craft paint.

Step 4: PREP BACKGROUND MATERIALS

Trace & Cut: Trace the frame's backing onto your burlap and a coordinating sheet of cardstock.  Cut them out. 

Glue Together: Glue the burlap onto the cardstock, making sure to line up your edges.

Place in Frame: Put the burlap/cardstock sheet in the frame with the burlap side facing out and replace the frame's backing.

Step 5: TRACE SHAPE

Trace your desired shape onto the burlap using a pencil.

Note: Make sure you choose an image that is very basic!  Choosing a complex image will be hard to make out when it's covered in buttons.

Step 6: ADD BUTTONS

Before gluing any buttons down, you will want to plan them in advance.

Place 5-8 buttons onto your shape, making sure there are no large gaps in the image.

Once you have figured out where they're going to go, glue them in place.

Cover your entire shape with buttons.

FINISHED!!

Real quick, I want to show you the first image I tried turning into button art.

This was supposed to be two hearts side by side, but ended up looking like an upside-down bikini top!!  Since it was so hard to see, I decided to re-do it as just the one heart.  So when I said, "Choosing a complex image will be hard to make out when it's covered in buttons.", I knew what I was talking about!!

Anyway, I hope you like this tutorial!!  Be sure to look at the original tutorial,  Button Ghost and Pumpkin tutorial, over at A Pumpkin and a Princess!!  There are a few differences in our tutorials, not to mention Crystal's blog just rocks and you need to check it out!!

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...

Version: Cell Phone Pocket

I have a fun and easy Cell Phone Pocket tutorial for you today that I think you're going to enjoy!!

When using another blog's tutorial, I always want to take a moment to tell you about that blog and the original tutorial.  I just think that's the right thing to do, don't you?

Today's project was created based on the original

Cell Phone Pocket Tutorial over at Fireflies and Jellybeans.

I must say that I have a great respect for Fawnda and Jeannine, the bloggers behind Fireflies and Jellybeans.   They've put together such a great craft blog that's packed full of great crafty ideas!!  I love to browse their collection over 140 tutorials!!

If you're addicted to linky parties like me, you need to add Show Off Your Stuff to your list of parties to link up to on Wednesdays!!  Each week, there are 3 categories to add your post links to - Sewing & Crafts, DIY & Home Decor, and Recipes.


When  I first saw the Cell Phone Pocket Tutorial on Fireflies and Jellybeans, I knew I had to make one!!  I just loved the simplicity of the project and the different ways you could "wear" it.  I mean, seriously, take a look at the image below and tell me that doesn't inspire you to make one!!

The original tutorial calls for a sewing machine and pinking sheers, which meant it was a no-go for me.  Then I thought of different ways I could tweak the project into a hand-sewn version that didn't require the pinking sheers!!  Here's the tutorial for my hand-sewn version...

SUPPLIES

Felt in desired colors

Velcro

Lace fabric

Lace Trim

Button

Embroidery floss

Fabric glue

Step 1: PREP POCKET FORM

Here are the original instructions on the dimensions for your felt pocket pieces:

1 rectangle of main color (about an inch wider and longer than your cell phone or Ipod)

1 rectangle + strap of main color (the rectangle is the same size as the other one - the strap is 1.5 inches by 5 inches - it should be all one piece)

Sew or stick-on your Velcro pieces to the top of both pieces (as shown above).

Step 2: CUT OUT APPLIQUE PIECES

Trace and cut out your pattern in both felt and the lace fabric.

Note: I used the template found HERE.

 Step 3: SEW APPLIQUE

Cut a 3rd piece of felt in your main color that is about 1" shorter and narrower than the smaller pocket form felt piece.

Place your lace piece on top of the felt applique and then using a blanket stitch, sew both pieces at once onto the center of the 3rd piece of felt.

Step 4: ADD LACE TRIM

Using your fabric glue, attach your lace trim under the entire edge of the appliqued felt piece.

Step 5: ATTACH TO POCKET FRONT 

Using a back-stitch, sew the lace-trimmed, appliqued piece to the front of the pocket form (smaller felt pocket piece).

Step 6: BLANKET STITCH POCKET

Blanket stitch around the bottom and two sides of your pocket form.  Do not sew the top, because you won't be able to put your cell phone in it!!

Step 7: ADD BUTTON (optional)

If you want disguise your Velcro closure to look like a button one, just sew a button on the front of the strap.

 FINISHED!!

Be sure to check out the Cell Phone Pocket tutorial over at Fireflies and Jellybeans so you can see how they made the original!!

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...