Tag Archives: crafts

d.i.y holiday pom pom garland

I’ve had the past few days off of work, and instead of doing responsible things this season like Christmas shopping, cleaning my house, packing, or doing some contract work, I’ve pretty much been indulging in donuts, watching hours of The L Word, and making pom poms. At least I have something to show for it besides an expanding waistline.

So, you’ll need pom poms. I made about 30 using my tutorial, but I found a similar tutorial that uses your hand instead of a fork, which is great, especially if you don’t have a larger fork or are using a curved fork like I was, what a pain.

For the garland you’ll need: a tapestry needle, about thirty pom poms, and a thin yarn.

Thread the tapestry needle with the yarn and pierce the center of the pom pom. You want to make sure you get it through the middle that binds the pom pom together.

I just got them all on the yarn and spaced them out at the end. I thought I’d have to give them a knot to secure them, but they really stay in place.

Then hang them and be festive! I put them over my holiday display bookshelf.

Do you see that picture of Ryan and me? It’s the only one we have framed of each other, and it’s from our first Christmas. Yikes. <3

how to make a pom pom using a fork

I’ve been creating pom poms for the past two weeks to use on various Christmas themed projects. I make them using a really simple technique with yarn and a fork. The tutorial below shows you how it’s done. Also, I created an instructable on this and it made it on the instructable homepage, which was quite the moment of d.i.y. glory.

Supplies:
- fork
- yarn
- scissors

The pom poms in this tutorial are 1 inch in diamater. I created them using a regular dinner fork. If you want to make larger pom poms, you’ll need a bigger fork, like a salad fork. The image below shows the difference in pom pom size.

Step 1: Wrap your fork

Keeping the yarn attached to the ball, begin wrapping the yarn around your fork. It’s just like wrapping spaghetti. Keep your wraps tight.

For small pom poms, wrap the yarn around the dinner fork about twenty times. For larger pom poms, wrap the yarn around a larger fork around fifty times. You can play around with the size and shape of the pom pom by varying the number of wraps. The more you wrap it, the fuller it will be.

If you want all of your pom poms to come out the same size, be sure to wrap them all around the same number of times.

Step 2: Tying Off

When you’ve finished wrapping, cut the yarn on the fork and hold it in place. Cut another piece of yarn a few inches long. String this piece through the bottom of the fork, under the wrap, from front to back. Keep the yarn behind the wrap.

Once you’ve threaded it through, bring the yarn back around so the two ends meet. Then tie them together.

Step 3: Pulling it off the fork

Once you’ve tied it, push the wrap off of the fork, keeping the tie in place.

When the wrap is off the fork, pull the bow tight, so that the yarn begins to curl. Tie it one more time just to secure everything.

Step 4: Cutting the wrap

Now, take your scissors and put them under the little loops created in the rounded ball of yarn. As you cut the loops, you’ll see the pom pom begin to form.

Once you’ve cut all of the loops, go around the pom pom and cut any pieces of yarn that may be sticking out too far. Make sure the pom pom symmetrical.

Finished!

Yay! You’ve done it. These things take just a few seconds to make and create excellent cat toys.

This week I’ll be posting a few tutorials showing how I’m using these in my holiday decorations. Stay tuned.

upcycled jar lid pumpkin

I saw this canning jar lid pumpkin and knew I had to make one. Ryan and I have tons of jar lids lying around. I really love how simple this craft was. If you’re short on time, it can only take about three minutes.

Take a piece of ribbon or string and lace it through all of the lids. Ensure all of the lids are facing the same way. Tie off at the end.

canning lid pumpkin

I used a few cinnamon sticks as a stem. If you’re looking to spend a little bit more time on this craft, you can give the lids a paint of coat. Well, actually it took three, if you’re using water-based acrylic paints. Wait an hour between coats.

Painted Lid Pumpkin

I wrapped it with some brown ribbon and used a drop of hot glue to secure the ribbon. This craft took between 25-33 lids.

What do you think? It’s great for Thanksgiving decorating.

This post is linked up here, here, and here.

the weekender 6/17/2011

Have a bright and sunny weekend!

beach

Hopefully it won’t get too hot. Links to keep you cool:

I love the idea of making your own chocolate chips. She flavors them with green tea and lavender.

If you’re traveling to a beach this weekend, collect some salt water and make your own sea salt. What a unique souvenir.

Loving this Father’s Day planter idea, mostly because it’s a dinosaur!

Everything about this loft is absolutely dreamy.

What are your thoughts on reverse French manicures? You can give yourself one with this tutorial.

I thought I was over the grey and yellow color combination until I saw them used in this vintage-inspired bridal shower party.

the weekender 4/8/2011

From Moon In Her Eyes

Happy Weekend! I just got an email inviting me to a midnight picnic. What a great idea. Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?

Here are some links to get you through the Friday workday.

In fact, the just out of bed look doesn’t come from waking up in the morning, there’s a science and find out how to do sexy & tousled hair.

I love this skirt, and there’s a tutorial.

This cheap Easter craft is really brilliant.

Here’s a tutorial for a weekender bag. It looks highly useful and functional, but also pretty involved. Regardless, I want to make it.

Things to dream about: sexy and serene bedrooms.

Make something exciting this weekend: Potato Pizza with Rosemary and Brie or Hot Fudge Root Beer Cupcakes.

laser guided scissors

I didn’t pass first grade. Well, at least the part where they teach you how to cut a straight line with safety scissors. How brilliant is this?

Laser guided scissors for those of us who make puzzle edges instead of straight lines.* What do you think? Do you think this will help you with crafts?

(Image from Think Greek, via mylifescoop.com)

*Note: Both of the sewing classes I’ve taken had to re-train me how to use scissors. I’m that bad.

the weekender: 2/11/11

[via]

Happy weekend before Valentine’s Day! Do you have any plans with a special someone? I’m hoping to do a romantic (or sweaty) bike ride with a picnic. Here are some links for your weekend.

Fashion
I feel like I’m late in the game here, but the Antrhopologie Wedding Dresses are simply gorgeous. From: Glamour, Katie Armour, and A Cup of Jo.

D.I.Y.
This was a great week for crafts.

Three different types of serving trays made out of Dollar Store items. They all cost less than $5 each. Over at Tatertots & Jello.
A newspaper basket. I’ve always wondered how to make these. Via Nifty Thrifty Things.
These headboard frames are perfect for a bed that lacks an authentic headboard, like mine. I would really like to make these. Via The Elephant’s Trunk.