300th post party - Celebrate!!!!!

WOW! one year of blogging, 300 posts later and it's party time!!!! It's been way to much fun sharing, connecting, meeting and chatting with all of you and so many more who stop by quietly. I appreciate you too! So.........on with the show right? Let's go!

I know you may think I have been dragging out the 300th post - you're right. I sort of have been. I *had* this great idea and wanted to create a tutorial but I had the darnest time finding the supplies. I use to be able to get them at my local hardware store but alas, those days are gone. I searched high and low and even drove to the neighboring cities to no avail. I guess that project will need re-vamped before it gets posted. Having said that, I had to come up with a new project to share for our big event here - hence the delay. But, what better for a party than Party HATS!!!! custom of course and sooooo whatever style/theme you choose! That's the best isn't it?


Custom Party Crowns

(Be sure to upload your photos from trying this project into the Brassy Apple Projects Flickr group!)

1. Start by gathering your "royal" supplies:
fabric of choice
buttons
bias tape
rick rack
lace
extra fabric scraps
rhinestones
and other fun embelishments
You will need: fusible fleece or heavy fusible interfacing

2. Create a pattern for your crown shape using a piece of paper. If you like winging it just skip this step.

3. Fuse your fleece or interfacing to the wrong side of your fabric per the manufacturers instructions. You may want to use 2 layers for a more stiff effect/feel. Play around with what works best for you.

4. Place your crown pattern on top of the fuse area, trace and cut.

5. Now the fun begins! Embellishing! Get your children involved! they'll love it! I added complimentary double folded bias tape to the bottom edge. Just place, pin and sew. Cut out other fun fabric shapes to put on your crown too. Using craft glue, hot glue, thread, heat n' bond, etc attach your embelishments. The skies the limit so go for it!

5. Measure the crown around your childs head to find a good fit. Pin and sew your crown closed. I folded under my edge for a nice clean finished look.

6. Hold an royal coronation ceremony and crown your newest King and Queen!

Now that the royal court has been tended to, it's time for a giveaway! For stopping by and saying hello I will be giving one lucky person a free DIY kit! You can choose from any that are in stock on my website! I will draw one lucky winner on Friday!!!! So hurry and post away!!!

**Be sure to include your email addy so if you win I can contact you!!!** thanks again! xo - Meg

DIY Picture this - tutorial

(Be sure to upload your photos from trying this project into the Brassy Apple Projects Flickr group!)

I'm not sure if anything is faster than this quick DIY project. If you want to add a some color or something unique to your home decor try this!

1. Pop some fabric that you love behind a frame and you are done!
2. Group several frames together, each with a different fabric, for a more dramatic display.
3. AND these are sooo quick and easy to make a quick change when the seasons change, holiday time, etc.


Many of you have seen photos of my entryway. Don't stop at just frames! There are several options of "objects" to place fabric behind besides just picture frames - how about windows?

Here's some ideas for picture frames too! They can go anywhere in your house including the bathroom like these:

You should always surround yourself with things that you love. These are great ways to pops of color, design and pattern anywhere in your house. Now if you want to get a bit more crafty, break out the supplies and lets get started!



Framed silhouettes -



Supplies needed:

Fabrics - or patterned scrapbooking papers
fusible fleece or interfacing (optional)
iron
picture frame
fabric marker
silhouette pattern
fun things to embellish with - ribbons, etc

Step 1: Pick your fabrics. (or papers. in this project I will be referring to fabrics) You will need one for the background and one for the silhouette.

Step 2: Apply the interfacing or fusible fleece to the back of your silhouette fabric per manufacturers instructions. This step is optional but if you want to add dimension to your silhouette use the fusible fleece. If you want to keep the edges neat, crisp, clean and free from fraying without any dimension use the interfacing.



Step 3: Using your Fabric Marker, trace your silhouette on the back side of your fused fabric and backwards too. This will ensure when you flip it over it's not facing the wrong way in the case of an alphabet letter, etc. ** Your Silhouette can be of ANYTHING - an initial letter, your child, favorite animal, favorite shape. Look to magazines, books, die cut shapes, stencils, etc to help you find a pattern.



Step 4: Cut out your silhouette and place it on your background fabric. Place the glass from the picture frame on top of your design and trace around it with a fabric marker. Set the glass aside and cut out the background fabric.



Step 5: Your design might look complete now but if it doesn't and you feel it still needs alittle something - now's the time to embellish! I used black ribbon to set it off from the frame. I simply cut 4 lengths and placed them in the pattern I liked. I used a bit of a glue stick to keep the pieces in place too. You don't have to use a lot. It's just a quick easy technique to keep it together before you place it in the frame.



Step 6: Cut any ribbon, fabrics or other embellishments that are hanging over the edges and place it in your frame. Polish the glass and display!

DIY Fridge magnets and pushpins - tutorial

(Be sure to upload your photos from trying this project into the Brassy Apple Projects Flickr group!)

I love taking fabric and using it on other fun crafting projects besides just sewing or what you would typically expect. I have several projects I have done over the last couple of months and thought I would share them with you! So if you - or your kids - are itching for a little DIY project, here's a great one for the whole family!



Fridge magnets and pushpins



step 1: gathering the supplies - you will need largecrafting "bubbles" with one side that is flat. You can use any size you like. Magnets - make sure your magnets are large enough to support the size of your bubbles. If they are too small the finished magnet will slowly slide down your refrigerator when you try to use it to actually hold any papers. Small pushpins with a flat head if possible. Craft glue - I prefer E600 - it's great for many projects, is clear and dries fast too. And then of course your fabrics or patterned scrapbooking type papers if you don't have fabrics on hand. Scissors, and something to trace with - I like using a fabric marker. Fusible interfacing or fusible fleece - optional.

Step 2: Layout your fabrics and place your bubbles
over top moving it around until you find a pattern that you like. Cut around the pattern in a small square and continue with as many fabrics and patterns for the magnets that you want to make. Optional step: Fuse interfacing or fleece to the back of your precut squares on the wrong side of the fabric. This will give the back of your magnets a finished look and keep the fabric from fraying when you cut it and use your magnets.





Step 3: Trace around your bubble and cut out your circle. Repeat with all your cut squares.














Step 4: Using a toothpick, squeeze out some glue and use the toothpick to apply it to the right side of your fabric. Place a nice medium sized glop in the center of the circle. Take your bubble and place it on top of the glue and press firmly and evenly down. The glue will race for the outside edges - be sure to push out any or as many glue bubbles as you can. Set aside to dry and repeat until finished.

Step 5: Using craft or hot glue adhere
your magnets to the back and place them right side up to dry. Remember to use a large enough magnet for the size of your craft bubble.

Step 6: Once dry they can dot your fridge, metal file cabinet, etc. Another great idea is to place them in a small container like an altoids tin, wrap it up with some ribbon and you have a great personalized gift to give away! Enjoy!

Push pins

To make push pins for your bulletin board simple
use the smaller size craft bubbles and follow steps 1 - 4 as outlined above. Then, instead of gluing a magnet to the back glue a flat headed push pin. Set pin side up to dry.

If you give this project a try be sure to let me know, send pictures or blog about it too and post the link so we can all check out your handwork!