Amy Nicole Studio

Sewing * Handmade * Eco-Conscious

Reusable Utensil Pouches with Quilt Block Art

If you’ve been following me for a while you know I’m a little bit of a recycling nerd. This year I’ve been trying to shift my focus more toward creating less waste rather than managing what I do with my waste. I recently ordered some aluminum straws to combat this issue a bit, but I was a little annoyed that they came in a crappy polyester bag. Even more annoyed when the bag wouldn’t stay shut. Obviously this called for a crafty solution!

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#GreetingsNGiftwrap || Recent Handmade Cards with Fabric Scraps

Haven posted any of these in a while… here are the ones from the past few months!

One for the girls…

 One for the boys…

I used a machine stitch to create the needles on the cactus!

One for a party…

One for a wedding…

The rings are cut out of gold lame and sewn on

One for a skater girl…

Those last two were actually happy accidents with the washi tape on the fold – after I scored the paper too deep and cut through part of it I had to add the tape to keep them together.  Turned out quite nice I’d say!

I’d love to hear what you think!

#LadySeeLadyDo || DIY Stamped Fabric Ribbon

Oddly enough, I don’t remember what it was that lead me to find this adorable & easy craft by Michelle Lanning at American Crafts Studio, but I am oh-so-glad that I did.  Its so quick and simple, you can whip some up if have a last minute gift and your wrapping is lacking… or you can do what I did and make lots to give as a gift for your fellow ladies who love cute things.  Either way, you should definitely jot this one down in the idea book!

INSPIRATION:

click on image for Michelle’s tutorial!

EXECUTION:

TIME: <30 min
COST: Free! – I used stamps I already owned and long bits of muslin scraps
LEVEL: Newbie – SO easy, make several just to have in your gift wrap stash!
DO IT AGAIN? Oh yes, and next time I’ll keep ’em for myself.

See Michelle’s full tutorial here.

Stamps I used: Sewing tools, bumble bees…
….”birthday wishes” (to use for gifts), and “you’re tweet!”
Oh – and the last one is little ducks with a heart that I alternated color and orientation.  Not wild about the dual color, next time I’ll just stick to one color per ribbon.
I made a “spool” out of card stock to wrap the ribbons around to give them to my dear friend Christina.

Have a lovely day my dears!
~Lady M.

#Craft Life || Tutorial: Fabric Motif-Inspired Applique Wall Hanging

   Inspiration is everywhere.  Personally, I love looking at unique printed fabrics and letting their motif’s inspire other projects – greeting cards, gift wrap, you name it.  I know you’ve seen this Marimekko print around before, and if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I’m not a fan of pink, but this bright and cheery print caught my eye as the perfect inspiration for an applique wall hanging I made for the Gentleman’s grandmother, Elsie.  A little something to brighten up her day, she is greatly missed.

MATERIALS:
  • Muslin (about 2″ larger all around than embroidery hoop)
  • Embroidery hoop
  • Scrap fabric
  • Steam-a-Seam  – or other fusible web
  • Fabric paint
  • Fabric scissors
  • Sewing Machine
  • Corresponding thread
  • Paper scissors
  • Hand needle and thread
TIME: Approx. 1 1/2 hr.
LEVEL: Intermediate
DO IT AGAIN? Yes, but I would try a different motif or something from scratch.  It was my first time working with the steam-a-seam and it makes things super easy!



INSTRUCTIONS:

I just love applique, dont you?
Happy crafting!
~Lady M.
Linking this project here:

Hope Studios

Crafty Confessions

  


#CraftLife || DIY Moleskine Planner Cover

    As a fun little summer project I wanted to make myself a cover for my Moleskine Planner.  It has a friendly reminder on the front to brighten my day when I go to check my calendar or add a to-do to the list.  It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, its amazing the difference making an effort to just take it a little slower can make.
    One of my favorite things about this project is it’s a great way to use up some scraps you have laying around.
    Pattern diagram and instructions after the jump!
Green Crafts Showcase


MATERIALS:

  • Fabric Scraps
  • Sewing Machine
  • Alphabet Stamps & Ink (optional)
  • Scissors
  • Planner
  • Scrap paper
  • Iron and Ironing board.
DIFFICULTY: Newbie
TIME: <1 hr.
DO IT AGAIN?  Yes!  If this one wears out (or I just need a change) I’ll definitely make another one.  Maybe I’ll make one for each season!
INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. Trace your planner onto a piece of scrap paper, I recommend doing this while the planner is closed, tracing one side and then flipping it over and tracing the other, leaving space where the spine is.
  2. Copy the diagram below to create your trace into a pattern.
  3. Cut out one piece of the full pattern in fabric, making sure to trace the marking where the elastic strap will go through (if this applies to your planner). Note: you see in my pictures there is a seam across the front, I used multiple scrap pieces to have a big enough piece for my planner, this is not part of the pattern.
  4. Cut out two pieces of the inside sleeve pattern
  5. On your cover piece of fabric, sew a scrap of muslin or plain white fabric on the front side (this was completely eye-balled for me, use your judgement based on your desired phrase), if desired you can stamp your phrase first, but I chose to do mine after.
  6. Stamp (or write in marker) a fun/uplifting phrase onto this scrap of fabric.
  7. On the back side of the cover piece, follow your markings to make a very large button hole with your sewing machine to allow the elastic strap to come through. (if this applies to your planner)  There is a pretty good tutorial on buttonholes here if you aren’t sure about them.  This is a great trial project if you’re a button hole newbie!
  8. On the inside edge of each of your sleeve pieces, fold back the 1/4″ seam allowance and edge stitch down.
  9. With right sides facing, sew each of the inside sleeve pieces to the outer cover piece.
  10. Trim down seam allowance at corners.
  11. Flip right-side out and iron. (This will also heat-set your lettering)
  12. Edge stitch the remaining seam allowance of the outer cover to the inside. (In the middle where the inside sleeves do not reach).
  13. Slip onto your planner and enjoy!!!

Happy slow days my dears!
~Lady M.

Check where I’m Linking up:

#CraftLife || Quick & Easy Fathers Day Cards

Still haven’t gotten around to making those Father’s Day cards yet?  You still have time!  These were so quick and easy I made them in about 1 ½ hrs and with things I just had laying around in my studio.  In fact, I made them so fast that I forgot to take pictures as I went.  But no worries, my step-by-step instructions (after the jump) are super easy to follow.

I got the idea for these cards from my dad (who else).  Every year for Father’s Day I try to make my cards really unique and inspired by him.  Which is tricky, because he’s not your traditional suit-and-tie type dad so the go-to father’s day images don’t really work.  The goatee was my Dad’s staple facial cut for several years… so even though he’s clean shaven now… a goatee will forever make me think of him!
Click through the jump for instructions and a goatee printable.
I blurred this one because I didn’t want to give away the surprise 🙂 .. but I wanted you to see the post-card style I did on the back.
Do you have a goatee dad??

 
MATERIALS:
  • Modge Podge (I used the fabric kind which works quite nicely.. but if regular is all you have that would work fine too)
  • Paper Scissors or Exacto
  • Black fabric scraps
  • Parchment Paper
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Fabric chalk
  • Rubber Stamps & Ink (optional)
  • Corner rounder (optional)
  • Ink Pen
  • Heavy cardstock
TIME:  approx 1 1/2 hrs 
LEVEL: newbie
DO IT AGAIN? I try not to  repeat card designs, but I will definitely revisit this technique.
INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. Print out my goatee image below (or draw your own mustache according to your dads face..or your grandpa’s!) and cut it out.
  2. Iron your fabric and lay it flat over a piece of parchment paper big enough to have at least a 3″ wide space around all size of the fabric.
  3. Brush fabric generously with Modge Podge until total surface is covered and saturated.
  4. Leave to dry.
  5. While fabric is drying, cut out your card stock. (Mine are postcard style 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 – I got 4 from each sheet of paper, you could also do them foldy-card style)
  6. If desired, draw “postcard lines” on one side of card using ruler and ink pen/marker.  I just eyeballed this step, trying to stay consistent with each card.
  7. I also used the drying time to go ahead and write messages & addresses on each card.
  8. Cut corners with corner rounder (if desired)
  9. Once fabric is dry, peel off parchment paper & trace goatee stencil on back.  Trace as many as you need with fabric chalk.
  10. Cut out with fabric scissors.
  11. Coat back of facial hair with Modge podge and stick onto card while still wet.
  12. Let dry.
  13. Pass out to all the great fathers in your life!
Goatee:

Now go show those Dads some love!
~Lady M.

April’s Re-make of the Month: Adventure Bag Re-Vamp

This month’s re-make is very dear to my heart.  But before I get to the details lets look into the back story.  Do you ever see something at a store and you aren’t sure whether it’s ugly or adorable but never-the-less you completely fall in love?  That’s what happened when I came across this lovely backpack at a vintage store when I was still living in Houston.  I decided it was the perfect bag for traveling and adventures.. hence the name “Adventure Bag” was born.
This bag and I have been through a lot, and seen so many cool places, so when it started deteriorating I was quite sad.  I of course could never get rid of it, so a re-make was surely in order.   Let me know what you think of it’s new makeover!

There are actually two “before’s” for this project, as my first attempt at a re-make was not quite suited for an Adventure Bag:

The Gentleman – such a smarty, that man – saw my crunchy rotten mustard paint job gone awry and wisely suggested “Why don’t you try covering it with fabric?”… Of course!  Fabric is my favorite medium, I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before!  I got this beautiful fabric scrap from the Gentleman’s grandmother and thought it would be perfect for an Adventure Bag.  I used a rub off technique with muslin (which I learned from this book) to create a pattern for the flap, positioned the muslin over my fabric to decide the placement of the print, cut it out and sewed it on.  I’m regretting I didn’t take more pictures of the process.  The edges are just serged, folded over, and edge-stitched in place.

Do you have a re-make that’s “Re-make of the Month” worthy?  I’m now accepting submissions for this series!  Contact me with a link to your project for consideration!

Happy Re-making!
~Lady M.

Easy Easter Cards with Fabric Scraps

I have never really made easter cards before, but I got this cute idea using fabric scraps (of course) and egg shaped cards.  It was super easy to do.  You could really replicate it just by looking at the pictures but if you need a diagram follow the link for the jump for a little more instruction.  If you aren’t comfortable with a sewing machine you could easily do a modge podge variation as well!

Hoppy Easter everyone!
~Lady M.

MATERIALS:
  • Card Stock
  • Fabric Scraps
  • Sewing Machine + Thread
  • Fabric Scissors/Rotary Cutter
  • Paper Scissors/Cutter
  • Alphabet Stamps and Ink
TIME: 1 hr
DIFFICULTY: Medium – although a newbie could do it with modge podge easy.
DO AGAIN: Of course!  These are so fun, cute, and easy!
1. Cut a full sized sheet of card stock in half.
2. Fold each half piece in half again, follow directions on diagram for egg shape.
3. Arbitrarily cut out shapes from fabric scraps to use as egg decoration.  (I traced my egg card onto a scrap piece of paper, cut it out, and then cut out wavy shapes from that to use as guides.)
4. Place wavy shapes as desired onto the top side of your card.
5. Sew around edge of card (about 1/8 in away from edge) while holding scraps in place, catching ends of each wavy piece.  (You might prefer to temporarily tape the scraps in place, but I found holding them to work just fine).  I used a size 2 stitch, any bigger and rounding those curves might be a little difficult.
Modge Podge Variation:  Instead of sewing scraps on, glue them in place using modge podge.
6. Complete card with Easter message using alphabet stamps.
Linked Up At:

five days five ways | feature friday free for all monogram

Craft Life: Fabric + Studs Barrettes Tutorial

 I made these this past summer for my dear friend Brynn’s birthday.  I think they have just the perfect dose of cute + rock.  Whats better is they are another great project for using all those scraps!

Full tutorial after the jump.

MATERIALS:

  • Fabric Scraps in coordinating colors – I used 3 different color groups
  • Barrettes/hair pins
  • Needle + Thread
  • Fray Block (or similar product)
  • Metal studs – these were in my craft supply from a belt I deconstructed, but you could find them at any craft store.
  • Glue
  • Fabric scissors
TIME: >1 hr, depending on how many you are making
COST: around $3 for the barrettes
DIFFICULTY: Newbie
DO IT AGAIN?  Yes!  Super fun and easy, and I still have plenty of studs left.

I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below,
Happy crafting everyone!
~Lady M.

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