Tuesday Tips, Tricks and Timesavers..

Make this adorable IPOD case! The super easy tutorial can be found here. The tutorial was altered to fit an IPOD Classic and I used oval elastic in place of the ribbon. Here are the measurements I used for my type of IPOD with a hard plastic case: cut your pieces to measure 4"x14" and use 1/4" seams. When I sewed the "pocket" (the 2 side seams that will hold the elastic/ribbon down) I used an 1/8" seam allowance. Follow the tutorial but sew the buttonhole where your headphone cord is inserted.

The next 2 projects are do-it-yourself custom skins for your IPOD.

I downloaded a free template for my Classic from here. You can only use these if you have a hard plastic case for your IPOD. The other alternative is to print these on sticker paper and I'm not convinced they'll come off without leaving a residue! I got the clear hard case at the PX made specifically for my model (brand: Belkin).

This 1st "skin" was made from scrap booking paper using the template as a guide (no need for photo shop with this method). After printing out template, just trace and cut.

The 2ND "skin" was done in photo shop CS3. I opened the template, inserted my pictures, printed then cut. This was done regular printer paper. Anything thicker won't fit in your plastic case. This is the front:

And here's the back!


Here are other online tutorials for IPOD "cozy's".
craftydaisies.com
craftster.org
hipgirlie.com

Happy sewing/paper crafting!!
Jennifer

National Quilt Day

Every year in March the world celebrates the joy of quilting. In honor of National Quilt Day we wanted to share some fun crafts inspired by quilting.

Today we painted Majolica sushi plates with fun quilt patterns.

Majolica is a style of glazing where the colors are painted on top of a white base and no clear glaze is added over the top. After the colors were dry the "stitching" was added by scratching through the colors down to the white base. This technique is called scraffito.

Scrapbookers have also gotten in on the quilting fun, most notably Basic Grey who came out with a beautiful line of fabrics, the complete line for sale in the store.

Fabric designers have made the leap over to scrapbooking too. Michael Miller, Amy Butler and Heather Bailey have all debued their fabulous fabric designs as scrapbooking paper.

And if you really want to give your scrapbook pages the quilted feel, try adding some stitching to your pages. Machine quilting offers lots of different stitches, depending on your sewing machine. If you don't want to break out the sewing machine just do a little hand sewing. Click here for a simple tutorial on using embroidery floss to sew on your pages.

Don't forget today is the last day of our Quilting Sale. All fabric, books, notions and patterns are 20% off. And clearance fabric is 50% off. Happy crafting!

Framer's Friday

Here is another project by one of our self helpers. He stopped by after work to make a gift for a friend. He had the plate made in Boeblingen.

Come in, take the class, frame something.

Thrifty Thursday

In celebration of National Quilt Day on Saturday, when you bring in this coupon you will receive

50% off

your clearance fabric purchases.

Clearance fabric sold in one yard increments.

Valid 26-28 March.

What's Hot Wednesday

Our Quilt Show officially began yesterday and we have some fabulous quilts to show you! Come by the store to see all the beautiful works of art made by our customers.

Here are just a few samples.

I also posted pictures about our Fabric buying fun on Monday! Click here to see the post, or scroll down. You REALLY want to look!

Tuesday Tips, Tricks and Timesavers..

SUPER Easy Ironing Board Cover Tutorial

(photo borrowed from u-handbag)

Check out this website for a SUPER Easy Ironing Board Cover Tutorial.

You won't need to make a casing, obtain cord for ties, or even thread a cord for the casing because you are going to use the casing from the old ironing board cover (IBC).

Can't get any easier than that, right?? If you make one email us a photo! Even better if you use a fabric we carry in the store...we just might feature it on the blog!

Happy Sewing!

Miscellaneous Monday

We were rolling in fabric on Monday! Well, ok, not literally... but we felt like it! The ladies from our favorite fabric distribution company came to visit us with four suitcases full of fabric samples! Our first new shipments should be rolling in towards the end of May and have we got some gorgeous fabrics coming!!!

Here's a few samples of our fabric frenzy!

These are only a few of the fabulous lines on their way to us. This doesn't even include the GORGEOUS lines we'll be getting for Christmas this year! I could go on ... and on ... We're also getting in the complete line of Fusions Blenders.

Don't forget, this week we're celebrating the love of quilting and textiles with a great sale and a little quilt show in the store!

Saturday Scraps

Sometimes scrapbooking is more about inspiration and exploration than it is about scrapping your last vacation. Do you take time to scrap the hard times, the inner thoughts, the questions? One of my blogosphere buddies stumbled onto this site called the Digi Dare and they put up a new challenge each week. This week's challenge:

The question: If you could go back in time, to whenever you wanted, and could change ONLY ONE decision that you have made in the past, what would it be? It’s up to you how much you want to share, but it has to be a real answer, a deeper answer. You do NOT have to scrap the question, but make sure that you make the subject clear. We are going to work with symbolism also, sometimes not actually showing the full picture, but using symbolic images and words can really be eye catching and make people think.

The "darers" are of course digital scrappers, but traditional scrappers can take an inspiration from it too. Click here to view the challenge requirements.

Whatever type of scrapping you do, I dare you to take a moment for a deep thought!

Framer's Friday

Is nothing to large for our framers?

They are really jazzed about this artwork. It measures over 2 meters high and 4 meters long. Yes, they checked to make sure it would fit through the door when completed. Check out the frame shop.

There's alway something happening, you may be inspired.

Thrifty Thursday

What's Hot Wednesday?

Our new bar!!!!! That's right. Patch Multi-Crafts now sports a gorgeous bar where you can sit and drink coffee or tea, paint pottery, work on the photo kiosk, or just hang out! The bar was custom built by our very talented FMWR Construction team. Come check it out!

Tuesday Tips, Tricks and Timesavers..

In honor of St. Patrick's Day we wanted to share some "Green" crafts with you!

Make your own Pot of Gold! Directions found here.

Or a Hand-print Leprechaun! Directions found here.


Or a Pasta Rainbow!! Directions found here.

Or have a leprechaun pay a little visit to your house!

Directions found here.

Want another spin on "Green" crafts?

Check out this website for tons of crafts using recycled household products.

We especially like these (scroll down on the site) and this and this.

Have fun with your kids and show us what you come up with!

Miscellaneous Monday

You HAVE to come check out the store this week!!! We are SO excited about what's getting delivered today!!!!!!!! Here's another teaser....

Sample Sunday

We've got two more exciting weeks of classes coming up, and we want YOU to participate! Take a look at what we're offering! There's something for everyone!

Hand-Building with Clay for Kids- $60.

Learn the basics of shaping clay by hand to make bowls, plates, or vases like this gorgeous one, made by the instructor, Katelyn. 

Wednesdays, March 18th, 25th, April 1st and 15th. 3:30 - 4:30 for kids ages 6-11. 4:30 - 5:30 pm for kids ages 12 and up.

Digital Scrapbook Day - $75.

 

Learn to make beautiful (and eco-friendly) digital pages like this one, made by Heather in last month's class! You can preserve them on your computer for years to come and share with friends and family online!

This class is taught by Kelly. 

Friday, March 20th. 11 am - 6 pm.

Remember to bring your photos on a disk or USB stick!

Wire-Wrapped Jewelry - $15. 

Learn the basic and fun skill of looping wire to make links like this necklace made by the instructor, Jenny, and you'll be unstoppable!

Wednesday, 25 March. 4 - 6 pm. 

Ceramic Easter Eggs for Kids - $19.

Photo coutresy of dognutmom, found on flickr. 

Sign the kids up for this fun class where they'll learn the basics of pottery painting and create a beautiful decoration to pull out for years to come!

Thursday, March 26. 3 -4:30 pm. 

Ages 6 and up. 

Beyond Intro Knitting Course - $15 per session.

Build on the basic knitting skills you learned in Intro to Knitting to learn more sophisticated techniques with Angel!

Fridays, March 27th and April 3rd. 11:30 - 1:30 pm OR 4 - 6 pm. 

See you in the shop!!

Saturday Scraps

Lizy does such beautiful work! She's an amazing scrapper! She made three pages with my kids and the Celebration line from Basic Grey. This line is so fun!

We also did a little rearranging, as we're prone to do. We really love the Artsy.licious line from Chatterbox, but completely understood that it was just too pricey! So we decided to take all the paper packs apart and sell them as loose papers! You now have two options: a pack with one each of the seven colors in one of the artsy designs, or just one each of any of the papers. There are seven colors and each color has six designs. They are really pretty and a lot of fun on pages!

Framer's Friday

Hangin out with Collin. Collin cuts his own screens for screen printing and is starting his own line of clothing designs.

Thrifty Thursday

What's Hot Wednesday

The installation is about to begin on our very exciting new project! Photos later tonight...

Tuesday Tips, Tricks and Timesavers..

Action Tuesday!

Photoshop actions are addictive and so much fun! All you need is Photoshop and a picture. (Most actions are made for the full version of Photoshop but some can be played on Elements)

Here are the 3 sources that the above actions were downloaded from:

Pioneer Woman

Itty Bitty Actions

deviantart

(where the Toy Camera action was found)

To understand more about what actions are follow this link.

Loading actions on your computer varies by which version of Photoshop you have. The full version of Photoshop has the easiest way to install actions.

Loading The Action.

Save the file somewhere you will be able to find it when needed. To load the action open up your action window (you can find that in the "Window" drop down menu), click on the arrow in the top right hand corner of the window and go to load action. Then simply go to the folder that you saved the action in. To run the action, expand the action set in the action window and click on the action that you would like to run, then press play at the bottom of the action window. You will be prompted when something you need to do is required.

There are many tutorials on the Internet for loading and applying actions as well as many tutorials for many different techniques. You don't need to know a lot about photoshop to run actions. Just a basic knowledge of how to open a photo and press play.

To learn more about the great features in photoshop and how to do more with your photos, sign up for a Photoshop class offered in the shop.

Miscellaneous Monday

We're all busy today celebrating the imminent birth of our friend's first child. Be sure to say congratulations and good luck to Adrienne the next time you're in the store.

Sample Sunday

We're continuing to honor National Craft Month in a big way! We've got these super fun classes for everyone to enjoy, as well as some exciting "Make and Takes" for Easter. Intrigued yet? Stop by the shop and we'll clue you in on all the fun!

Adobe Photoshop Class - $75.

Master your fear of using this daunting software in a fun and productive atmosphere. The skills you'll learn will be invaluable for your future greeting card- , invitation-, and general photo-editing skills.
Tuesdays, March 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st. 5:30 - 7 pm.
Remember to bring your photos on a USB stick!

Diva Night - $15.

Leave the kids at home, gather some friends, bring some snacks, and come paint some beautiful pottery all night long in our Pottery Bar! This is not an instructional class.
Friday, March 13. 7 - 11 pm.

Introduction to Knitting - $39.

Master the basics of casting-on, the purl stitch, and other knitting skills in a three-session class taught by Angel, our resident knitting expert, consignor, and volunteer!
Fridays, March 13th, 20th, and 27th. 11:30 - 1 pm OR 3:30 - 5 pm.

Beginner Glass Fusing - $39.

Learn the basics of glass fusing while creating a beautiful tile to take home!
Sunday, March 15th. 10 am - 2 pm.
Taught by Mary.

Hand-Building with Clay for Kids- $60.

Learn the basics of shaping clay by hand to make bowls, plates, or vases like this gorgeous one, made by the instructor, Katelyn.
Wednesdays, March 18th, 25th, April 1st and 15th. 3:30 - 4:30 pm for kids ages 6-11. 4:30 - 5:30 pm for kids ages 12 and up.

Digital Scrapbook Day - $75.

Learn to make beautiful (AND eco-friendly!) digital pages like this one, made by Heather in last month's class! You can preserve them on your computer for years to come and share with friends and family online!
This class is taught by Kelly.

Friday, March 20th, 11 am - 6 pm.
Remember to bring photos on a disk or USB stick!

We hope to see you soon!

Saturday Scraps

"Holland"
Created by Lizy Valle
Credits:
Cardstock - Bazzil; Silver Frame Tape - Around the Block; Ribbon - BoBunny; "H" - undressed chipboard by Basic Grey; Letters - Pebbles, Inc; Swirly Stamp - Autumn Leaves; Chipboard - Bobunny

Want to learn more about working with chipboard? It can be as easy as "ABC." Check out Scrapbooks, etc. for a great tutorial called "26 Chipboard Ideas."

Framer's Friday

Fun in the Frame Shop with some self-helpers.

Thrifty Thursday

Miscellaneous Monday

Arts and Crafts participated in the first [annual?] Feline Fun Show hosted by Sports and Fitness. How does that relate to crafts or fitness? Well, there were a few cat herding moments... and we'll take any excess to get out with our crafts!

Here's just a few of the participants:

The distinguished judges:

And some kitty themed crafts:

If you missed the show, but love the kitty crafts (who wouldn't?!?) don't worry. Some of them will be for sale at the store this week. (Wait till you see the kitty shaped place mats!)

I can't remember all the winners (I guess I should have taken notes...) , but my daughter's cat one two places! You can read about that here. It was loads of fun and I hope we do it again!

PS. All you dog lovers out there.... I bet if you keep your eyes peeled you might see a fun dog show on the horizon......

Sample Sunday

March is National Craft Month! We're here to help you celebrate and we've got all sorts of fantastic and fun classes going on in March. Sign up for one of these upcoming classes, or stop by the shop and let us tell you what else we've got going on!

Stained-Glass Sun Catcher - $29.

Learn to make a gorgeous sun-catcher like this one, just in time for those sunny spring days!
Sunday, March 8. 10 am - 2 pm.
Taught by Mary.

Glass Mosaic Tile - $19.

Learn the basics of mosaic-making while creating a beautiful tile to take home!
Wednesday, March 11. 11 am - 3 pm.
Taught by Mary.

Mei-Tai Baby Carrier - $29.

Make a fantastic baby-carrier for yourself or for a new parent you know, in a fun atmosphere!
Friday, March 13. 12 - 5 pm.
Taught by Jennifer.

Crop n' Shop - $15

Come spend time with friends, share stories, and reminisce as you scrap your favorite photos. This is not an instructional class.
Friday, March 13. 6-11pm.

Diva Night - $15.

Leave the kids at home, gather some friends, bring some snacks, and come paint some beautiful pottery all night long in our Pottery Bar! This is not an instructional class.
Friday, March 13. 7 - 11 pm.

Introduction to Knitting - $39.

Master the basics of casting-on, the purl stitch, and other knitting skills in a three-session class taught by Angel, our resident knitting expert, consignor, and volunteer!
Fridays, March 13th, 20th, and 27th. 11:30 - 1 pm OR 3:30 - 5 pm.

Beginner Glass Fusing - $39.

Learn the basics of glass fusing while creating a beautiful tile to take home!
Sunday, March 15th. 10 am - 2 pm.
Taught by Mary.

Basket-Weaving - $19.

Learn the steps involved in making a beautiful and unique basket like this one!
Tuesday, March 17th. 9 am - 1 pm.

And don't forget, our pottery bar is open and just waiting for you to come transform this...

... into this!