Pinterest Crafting: Happy Birthday America!

Welcome back to another monthly installment of Pinterest Crafting! It has definitely been quite a few months since I've created any projects that wasn't card- or scrapbook-related. (See my previous months' Pinterest Crafting posts here and here.)

I chose a project that would be relatively easy, because, let's face it, I've been a little absent from my blog and the last thing I need to do is tackle a project that will overwhelm me and have me running for the hills, swearing off blogging forever. So, something easy. Check.

When I was writing out my July blog schedule (isn't a schedule such as this called an editorial schedule?), I wanted to incorporate an American theme craft. I also wanted to stay away from a paper craft project, since that's what this blog is mostly about. I found this pin (and her corresponding blog post) a few months back. I knew back then, I was definitely going to feature this on my Pinterest Crafting series.

Now, I had to take these photos at work, with not much light (what is it about office buildings and minimum light?), AND on an overcast day. I really, really NEED a DSLR....

This felt garland is insanely simple to make. It's one of those mindless projects that can come together while binge watching shows on Neflix (I know I'm not the only one to do that).

Here are the supplies:

I purchased this felt a few months ago from Hobby Lobby. It's the default 9"x12" sheet of felt. I used crochet thread for it's strength, an embroidery needle, and scissors. That's all you need! Now, to make the strips of felt, I cut the felt sheet in half to make TWO 9"x6" pieces. I then processed to cut 1/4" strips (1/4"x6" strips). I eyeballed the width of the strips, but you'd want approximately a quarter- to a half-inch wide strips. When you string these bad boys onto your twine, thread, etc, make sure to fold the strip in half LENGTH-WISE before poking it with your needle to string them on your twine. Doing this gives the garland it's body or "fluff."

This felt garland is a quick and easy piece to add as party decor, to scrap rooms, to kids' rooms, as a holiday decoration, etc. It's all about the color felt you choose. When Mr. Sweet and I move and I have my own scrap area, I'll definitely be making a couple of these guys to brighten up my space.

If you have any questions about this project, let me know in the comments section! Now that I've shared my red, white, and blue project with you, what is your red, white, and blue project? Let me know below!

xoxo,

Heather

Inspiration Wednesday

Good Morning my lovely readers!  Sorry that I have been MIA lately.  This past weekend I had a friend in town, unfortunately for something not too happy.  I have been pretty behind in my scrap projects, hence no Project Life post yesterday.  I'm hoping to "work" overtime in my scrap room in the next few weeks to get on top of stuff.  

So now, for some inspiration!  This post will be a bit shorter than last week's post, but it's still focused on Christmas.  I have serious Christmas fever!

Starting in the top left corner and moving clockwise:

This Christmas card from Kristina Werner is part of her Holiday Card Series 2013.  She has tutorials on these holiday cards up on her YouTube channel every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  I love every card she creates, but this one is particularly inspiring as she uses Perfect Pearls to "color" the stamped image.  I have a set of Perfect Pearls I bought on clearance at Michael's at the beginning of 2013.  I've never used them.  I didn't really understand how to use them.  Kristina's tutorial showed me how!  Now I'm looking forward to getting in my scrap room tonight and busting out my Perfect Pearls, if only I can find them...

I love this floating shelf Christmas decor idea.  Michael and I got a set of these types of shelves for our wedding.  We finally got them up sometime this past summer.  Right now, I have some cute fall decorations on them.  For Christmas, I'm definitely going to do something like this on our longest shelf.  I think I'll do the word "Joy" or "Peace" depending on the space.  I really like the idea of using a wreath as the "O," so I may stick with "Joy."  I like the rustic look too.  Last Christmas season, I tried to incorporate more of that rustic look into our decor, so this idea will work well!

Chalkboard is so super trendy right now.  And I LOVE IT!  These chalkboard gift tags from Jess at The Examined Life are awesome!  For these, she painted inexpensive wood shapes with chalkboard paint.  You could find these at most craft stores.  You could also get some thin wood to die cut custom shapes.  You could do this with chipboard.  You could put them in your December albums, on scrapbook layouts, on cards.  You could make tree ornaments or decorations!  Love this idea!

Last but not least is this adorable felt quiet book.  I have been wanting to make something like this for my niece.  I don't have any sewing skills except for on paper.  I have done some embroidery, so hand stitching is a basic skill of mine.  But when it comes to using a sewing machine, I have no idea.  I found some patterns on Etsy for quiet books using hand stitching after I read this blog post from Stephanie Bryan on her older blog, Playing House.  I now have tons of ideas and want to start on a quiet book, like, right now!

Hopefully, you all have gotten some inspiration from my post today.  What's been inspiring you lately?  Let me know in the comments section!

xoxo,
Heather