I wanted to make something simple, fast, and feminine the other day.  I found this vintage seam binding in my stash and a simple shell-like button.  In about 5 minutes, I had this cute little bracelet.

It's pretty simple, really:

1) Cut your lace to the right length to fit around your wrist.
2) Fold over one corner.  I laid a pin across the end of the lace where I wanted to make the fold, then used my finger to fold it over and press it down.
3) Repeat for other corner.
4) Use matching thread to sew the folded edges into place.
5) Add a small button to one end and a loop of thread to the other end.
I've got a ton of ribbons, lace, and fabric strips in my stash that would look super cute as bracelets.  I bet you do, too.

In the space between putting on my shoes and leaving to see a movie this flower got attached to this bag.

I'm usually pretty frugal and practical.  I never wear makeup because it makes me look old.  But a couple of years ago at the mall I convinced myself that I needed some moisturizer, tinted SPF face stuff, and an eyeshadow/blush set.  Why?  Because I love the name Stila, I loved the set was called Fire Bloom and it came in autumnal colors, and their packaging is AMAZING!  I think it says it all that I still have the boxes but not the products that came in them. :)

Then there is this perfume.  I really hate perfume.  Only once or twice have I ever smelled anything I'd wear.  Thank goodness I liked this because there was no way I was going to walk out of the store without it.  Just look at that adorable origami-folded top!

This kind of packaging just makes me weak in the knees.

When my necklace collection started exploding out of the little jewelry boxes I have, I headed to Home Depot for a solution.  I'd planned on building an elaborate thingamajig out of dowels and fabric, but when I saw this tie rack for under $10, I was persuaded to forgo the craft project.  I love that they are all out.  I definitely wear them more now that I see them all the time.

I posted more shots of my necklaces in the afternoon sun on my Flickr.

I used our old CD shelved as my shoe rack.  The upper shelves hold some mini drawers for my spill-over earring/bracelet collection.  We have another one of these that Andrew uses as a book shelf next to his computer.  They are super useful because they are very compact but still have a lot of shelves.

We don't use the CD shelves anymore because we ripped all the songs from our CDs and moved them into storage books.  We don't even use CDs anymore and hardly ever buy them.  We get most of our music on eMusic.  I just realized we don't have a single cassette tape in the apartment.  Nor a way to play them.  How weird is that?

I like using a mattress pad.  And, although the tops are always nice and padded, the sides are either way too tight, or, like my last one, made of some sort of pantyhose type material that started running the first time I washed it.  I've actually broken fingernails while wrestling on a mattress pad.  They've been driving me nuts for years.

Recently, we wore out my favorite easy-to-put-on fitted sheet and I had a light bulb moment.  Why not just sew the mattress pad top to the fitted sheet?  Well, it wasn't easy, but it's totally worth it, because now it's super easy to put the mattress pad on now.

Here are the steps I took:

1) Cut the sides off the mattress pad so you are just left with the pad.

2) Put fitted sheet on the bed and lay the mattress pad on top.

3) Pin the mattress pad to the fitted sheet using a ton of pins.  Take care to not pin the whole thing to the mattress (like I did a couple of times).

4) Sew around the edge of the mattress pad.

5) cut out the center part of the old fitted sheet that is under the mattress pad.  I did this partly because the sheet was already fraying and partly to not have too many layers covering the mattress and keeping it from breathing.

I didn't do a perfect job, but it's hidden under the sheets, so no one except me (and you) knows.  The best part is that the mattress pad doesn't *snap* off while I'm making the bed or sneak off the corners in the middle of the night anymore.  Yay!

I've been walking around for days saying to anyone that will listen that I've been craving a sugar cookie with icing.   And then yesterday in the mail ... I GOT SUGAR COOKIES.  They didn't have icing, but they were button shaped and had sprinkles.

Khadija of Baraka Life sent them to me as a thank you for donating my neopolitan blanket.  She found a home for it with Project Night Night.

Her post about Project Night Night said that we should expect a little Thank You in the mail ... but I never read that post.  In fact, I have 628 unread posts in my bloglines and 47 posts where I clicked the "Keep New" box with the intention of going back to comment later.

I also have over 100 un-answered blog comments.  I feel like I have the hugest circle of crafty friends.  You guys are so hilarious, inspiring, sweet, and thoughtful.  I wish wish wish I had the time to email you personally right now, but I don't.  So here I am telling you (yes you!) that I totally appreciate every comment.

Your comments are exactly the reason I keep stealing time to post ... even though I should be doing something else ... and that "something else" is probably more important ... but it's not nearly as rewarding. :)  So, keep sticking with me, my crafty conspirators.  You are my sunshine!

Now that my sugar cookie dreams have been fulfilled, I'd like to suggest to the universe that maybe it's next task should be to grant my wish of unlimited time and money.  I mean, it would really cut down on the work the universe will have to do for me later, because unlimited time and money would pretty much take care of all the rest of my dreams, too.  Let's get cracking, universe!

I'm still having fun making swatches from the patterns inCrochet Patterns Book 300.  This is my favorite (foot for scale).  I remember my mom making a white crochet cotton thread table topper in a similar pineapple pattern.  I like it super big like this.  I think it looks a little peacocky, too.

I'd like to make a light summer blanket for our bed in an open, lacy pattern.  Obviously not for *this* summer...

Lots of these patterns are in the running.

The latest issue of The AntiCraft just came out, and it's entirely devoted to bacon.  Remember the bacon project I teased you with?  Well, now you can make your own Bacon Of Hate.  Well, what are you waiting for? :)

This is the present that Ester sent me for her 1 Year Specky Surprise.  It's just as wonderful and amazing as it looks!  The rainbow balloon is made of shiny beads, and Amitie has pink blushing cheeks.  So cute!  I was wondering why she called it a Specky Surprise, and the cute little tag around my gift cleared things up:


How super sweet is that?!?  It's decaying, as she would say. :)

Ester probably has no idea how *happy* she makes me all the time.  I still carry around the owl needlebook she made for me -- and it makes me smile every time I see the hand stitched "Hoot Alice Hoot" on the front.  Her comments are always so full of sunshine that they are almost too bright to read.  And she's totally hilarious.  Her current header tag line is, "whimsical crafting and lousy thoughts." :)

And, her creations are so wonderful and inspiring.  She creates the most intricate, delicate, and whimsical tiny felt houses, like Blue and Enchanted and this brown and green one.  And look at this pile of handmade gifts she made for a swap.

You should definitely add Ester's blog to your reader.  She'll delight you in so many ways!

This tutorial was originally posted on Whip Up August 2007.  Now that everything's blooming, I thought it was a perfect time to post it here, too.

Quick Felt Daisy Tutorial

Here's a quick way to make cute daisies from felt.

Supplies

* White and Yellow Felt
* Yellow Floss and a Needle
* Disappearing Ink Pen (or some other marking fabric marker/pencil)
* Two round things to trace: one big one little
*Scissors, and manicure scissors, if you have them


Directions

Trace your big round thing on the white felt. I used the cone that came with a pound of yarn. I used a purple disappearing ink marker to trace the circle.

Trace the little circle in the middle of the big circle. I used the cap from an "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" spray bottle. I use the bottle (filled with water) to spray stuff I'm ironing ... that's why it was handy. :)

Cut out around the large circle.

Cut from the edge towards the center on the top and bottom side of the circle. Only cut up to the center circle line for these and all the rest of the cuts.

Cut from the edge towards the center on the left and right.

Cut between each of the four cuts. You now have eight cuts.

Cut between each of the eight cuts. You now have 16 cuts.

I used my cuticle scissors to cut the curve at the top of each petal. I have a pair of manicure scissors just for crafting. They are great for cutting small details in felt.  Especially in this case, since the blades are curved.

After I go around the circle cutting the right edge of the petals, I flip the daisy over and cut the other side of the petal.

This is what your daisy will look like after all the petals are cut.

To make the daisy center, trace your small circle on the yellow felt and cut it out.

Attach the yellow circle to the daisy petals with French knots.

Now your daisy is ready to be attached anywhere you'd like.  I’m put mine on a blue crochet handbag.