Sunday, January 31, 2010

Great Idea... Project Keeper

Photo Credit Sister Diane
I love everything that comes out of the Crafty Pod, and I was not disappointed by the latest tutorial, The Oilcloth Project Keeper.  We all need a great for way to organize out projects and here is a handy solution!  For this and other great ways to craft on the run, see Craft's Crafting on the Go series. 

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Great Idea... A Heart to Hold





Every order of Oilcloth and chalk cloth comes with a few large scraps of oilcloth, here is what our friend Trisha, from Made During Sleepytime. did with her scraps!  How sweet is that?

Speaking of hearts, I have a fun heart-felt tutorial for you in a few days.  Come back and see it soon!

Wrap it up, oilcloth gift envelope

I posted this tutorial yesterday on Modern June and thought I would share it here too.... At Modern June, we offer free gift wrapping to all our customers. I just love taking the time to make a package pretty, special and reusable. I have a lot of pretty boxes and paper for just such occasions, but how can you get it to its destination, looking great without spending an arm and a leg on shipping? Enter my old assistant and friend Suzanne, from Silver Tree Art. She makes the most lovely, reusable, fabric gift bags from fabric scraps and trims. Having received several of these sweet gifts over the years, I soon realized that this was the perfect solution to gift giving and shipping!

I don't have a pattern, but I do have a method. To start with, I always use scrap fabric, usually oilcloth scraps, but cotton and paper would also be a fantastic alternative. Use what you have! If you like the look and sturdiness of the oilcloth, head on over to my other shop Oilcloth Addict for great selection.


Stuff you gotta have:
  • your gift 
  • sufficient fabric to createan  envelope and a flap. 
  • trim, ribbon, ric rac, or buttons to use as a closure
  • cutting tools
  • sewing machine

You would think that as a professional pattern maker I would do this more methodically... no way! This is a down and dirty project. D and D all they way! Simply lay your gift down and eyeball a bit of extra space around it.


Add a 1/2 inch seam allowance (S/A) while trimming off extra.


Angle cut your flap.


Flip your fabric so it's right sides out, match up your scallops and sew using a 1/2 SA.


Attach tie, in this case ric rac, leaving one end long enough to wrap around the back of the package once, then add 8 inches--the second tie will be an additional 8 inches. Bar Tack your tie in place at the 8" mark.


This time I used red ric rac as a tie, but in the past I have sewn on a button and slit a hole to close up my envelopes. Either way, it's great fun and a good way to use up what's laying around.


Add your tags and load her up! I made a heart out of some oilcloth and used it as the tag. Just make a tiny slit and slip it on.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Great Idea... Oilcloth Table Covering


photo credit, John Granen
How totally fantastic is this, an oilcloth table covering that stays put, is easy to clean and will wear well? This would be great for parents with little ones!!! If I had a cafe I would do this on every table!  So practical, so fun. The Farm Chicks do it again, they rock my world with their wonderful work. Click here for the 411 on how to cover your own table with oilcloth or better yet join me in buying the book, The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Great Idea... Journal Cover


Photo Credit, Katie Lewis


Another terrific Journal cover that would be a fantastic in Oilcloth!
Thanks to Notes from a very Red Kitchen for sharing.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Great Idea---Chalk Cloth Table Tops


photo credit John Gruen

Raina Katterlson's incredible home was recently featured on Design*Sponge--design Nirvana! While studying her interiors for inspiration, I noticed that she too had the great idea of covering her table top with Chalk Cloth!  Want to get the look?  Check out my how I created our Thanksgiving table topper out of Chalk Cloth!!!  

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Great Idea---Oilcloth Wallets!



Photo Credit The Rubber Pupkin

The Rubber Punkin has created a wonderful Tutorial for her Easy Peezy Lemon Squeezy Wallet and I love it!  This would be a fantastic wallet for OILCLOTH!!!  Years ago, I used to make very complicated wallets for Modern June they were so hard to make, but this one is sweet.  I am using the last one I made and it is showing a lot of ware and tare, I think this will be a perfect replacement.  After all it is Easy Peezy Lemon Squeezy!   I am thinking Red Paradise Lace with an aqua lining!


Thursday, January 7, 2010

Monday, January 4, 2010

Organize your purse!



Here is a great idea from Lia's space!  Lia gives a step by step instructions on how to make a removable tote organizer, a bag to move between bags.  You just slide it in whatever bag or tote matches you outfit!  I am SSSSSSSOOOOOO making one of these for myself out of oilcloth!