Sewing a crochet hook holder

 Sewing a crochet hook holder....

So recently I have been trying out making some smaller items with the sewing machine. I decided that I needed a holder for all my crochet hooks. I started looking through my small little stash of fabric and realized I just loved this black and white butterfly print.

 I played around with a few test pieces until I figured out how I wanted to design it. I made a couple as gifts for a few of my crochet friends as well. This was a great way to practice my strait lines, which proved to be alot harder than anticipated.

I also attempted at using the monogramming stitching on the sewing machine. That is pretty interesting but I think there are so many more possibilities when you hand stitch the lettering onto something.

I think it would be nice to make a couple more and put them up for sale in my ETSY shop. I had another friend that said they would make a great makeup brush carrier. So that is on my next todo list. I am going to make her one since she like the idea. She is coming up for a visit with her brand new baby and I have to say I am super excited to get me some baby and much needed quality friend time in.

Anyway I also did this one in a cute lady bug fabric. I can only show you part of it as I have decided to gift this one. lol.

Happy Crafting

PS just a reminder that we will be collecting blankets untill Nov 15 for the Blanket drive for the Children at Children's Hospital for more information click on the link here. Thank you to everyone who have supported us through this.

Homemade Book Cover

Ok so I am sure we all have one a big book full of our favorite patterns, craft ideas, or just a few of your favorite things. Well I wanted to make a nice book cover for my big book of crafting ideas. This is a great project for any beginner sewer.

So the first thing I did was take my measurements of the book/binder then measured out my fabric. I measured the length and width about 1/3 inch longer on each end so that you have enough room to work with. 

After I finished sewing both the top and the bottom in length I did the same for my inside pocket cover. I had changed fabric for the inside cover. 

 After my length edges were sewn up. I attached the inside pocket cover to the outside cover on the width edges and along the length edge. to make a pocket

 I slipped it over my binder to make sure everything fit ok.

 Last but not least I added a small decoration piece on the outside to give it a little contrast.

This was a very quick and easy project.

Happy Sewing

Smalltown Mama

Remember we have a free fabric giveaway going on right now. Just click on the link found on our side panal. 

Dressing up a Container

First I would like to say how sorry I am about the lateness of my posts these past few weeks. I was sick for a while there and then the hubby surprised me with a mini vaca to just get away for a couple days and relax. Wouldn't you know I left my laptop on the counter when we left and didn't realize it till 200 miles later. So I will be posting my projects the remainder of the week. I hope you enjoy.

My first project I dressed up a nestle quick container that stores my pens. This is a very fast and easy no sew project. I love containers, and I have containers to hold just about everything. Just recently I have started dressing up my containers so that they have a little more style.

I am also a big fan of pens and markers and have just about every color of sharpie and gel pen. Anyway so what I did for my pen container was take some plain white fabric, some brown ribbon, and some teal glitter. Ohh and some glue!

First I layed a line of glue down and placed the fabric right over the line.


Each time I rounded a side on the short sides I would lay a line of glue down to secure the fabric to the container

 Then I wrapped the fabric around the container enough times so that you don't see any writing. If you are using a clear container you won't need as much fabric.

After I layed my fabric down then I glued down the brown ribbon.












Next I glued the rim of the container then layed some glitter over it to just give it a little bling..

Last I labeled the container. I will eventually add some extra details as I come across them.

What do you do with your empty containers?

Happy Crafting!

P.S.  REMEMBER we have a Giveaway going on right now for a free fabric charm pack. Make sure you click on the link below to get the details on how to enter.

Fabric Week

I know that I am about a week late on posting fabric week and to our fans I am so sorry. Both PhotoJewels's house and my own have been dealing with some nasty cold and flu viruses. So Now that we are cleared up for the most part I know have some extra time to get things back in order.

So now on to the important things.........

FABRIC WEEK!!!

This one is my favorite. So their for I will be personally sponsoring this one. This week we will be giving away some of my favorite fabrics in a charm pack. I love quilting and its always good to have an extra stash here and there.

I can't wait to show you some of the neat projects I have in store for you this week.

Here are the details on how to enter

1. Follow us on our blog page and then leave a comment below that you are now following us or that you already are a follower of Smalltown Dreamz.

2. Tell us what is your favorite fabric craft is. It doesn't always have to be sewing or quilting.  

****Bonus Entry**** As we have recently found out is not allowed to make LIKING our Facebook page a requirement we do feel it would benefit you to do so. This way you can get exclusive updates and join in our private games and giveaways that we do on Facebook. 

If you do become a Facebook Follower comeback and leave us a comment that you are now one of our friends and this will get you a bonus entry into the giveaway. 


The winner will be chosen by our Mr. Random and we will announce the winner Saturday Afternoon 3/31/12.
 I look forward to another great week. 






          P.S. Happy St. Patties Day

Shaving Cream Stamping!

This has to be one of my favorite techniques when stamping! When I was gathering supplies for this project though, I realized I use glossy paper a lot when stamping. If you're like me and enjoy the glossy paper, I encourage you to check out how to do 'Polished Stone.' Its another one of my favorite and somewhat similar to this one!

What you need

• Glossy paper/photo paper
• shaving cream (not the gel)
• reinkers/ink refills of 2 or more colors
• stamps
• paper towel/cotton ball/tissue
• tooth pick/popsicle stick/flat knife

1. First, find something disposable to work with. It makes clean up a lot easier. I used a plain sheet of printer paper. Put a generous amount of shaving cream on your surface and spread somewhat flat.
2. Put a variety of drops on top of the spread shaving cream. You will find different amounts will give different results. 

     3.  Take your toothpick/popsicle stick/flat knife and spread the drops in various ways. There are so          many possibilities with this, and no two will be the same..

     4. Place your glossy paper (glossy side down) over your shaving cream and press down slightly.
     5. Remove the glossy paper. There will be shaving cream on your paper. Slowly wipe away shaving cream.

     6. When you are done, your paper should look like some variation of the picture below.

You can either leave it as is, use it as a background or stamp over it like I did in the picture to the left.

Hope you find yourself playing with shaving cream when stamping!



 Until next craft....

Local Shout-Out!!

In light of Stamp Week I was tooling around on Facebook and came across a great Facebook Shop Page for Homemade Cards, Bookmarks and other great items. Seeing how this is about as far as I have dipped my toes into the stamping world. I was truly amazed with this young girls talent. Kayla is just starting out into the blogging world and I wanted to give her a shout out. She is one of our local crafters and I always try to give our local community some much needed love.

If you get a chance go on and check out everything that Kayla has to offer. You can find her stuff for sale on Facebook and you can get there by clicking on her logo or by clicking here. You can also check out her blog page here at http://kaylas-kreations.blogspot.com/.

 Here are some other cool items she has in her shop. You all know I have a soft spot for owls. Ha Ha!




Remember we have a Mystery Stamp Giveaway (Valued at $25.00) going on here this week. Click here or on the Giveaway Button found on the sidebar to get the details on how to enter.

As always Happy Crafting!!