A Creative Tutorial soon...

Dear Friends..thank you for the sweet comments. I have had an overwhelming response even at church for the place mat bags.

If you can sew a straight line on the sewing machine..

YOU CAN DO IT! YES YOU CAN!!

I took pictures of the latest one made for a friend and will post these after the New Year.

The above photo and below is my very own version of card making without all the STUFF! I drew a pic of a coffee cup on brown card stock, cut it out and VOILA..a personalized card to go with my "coffee theme" gift basket for a recent house warming.




I am having a breast biopsy Monday the 28th with results on the 30th. I have a very suspicious spot that needs to be determined.

GOD knows..and I am HIS.

God bless and see you soon..
HOPE

..a little more creativity

Though I am on a BLOG break..I can't help not posting these fun crafts that others might enjoy making!

Here are the bags I've made from PLACE MATS!! and ribbon with a cute assortment of buttons it has endless possibilities. I love them! They are perfect to carry your Bible and a notebook etc. Or whatever you choose. The ribbon is actually quite sturdy. I used Gross grain..but on the brown for my mother I found a woven type ribbon.

I made a plastic insert for the bottom of the bag to hold it up a little better. I then made a slipcoverer to coordinate with the purse. Works great!



Also on the red..I decided to try the ribbon with the wire and it worked fine. This wire ribbon was not real stiff so it was just enough to hold the bow shape very nicely.

ENJOY the pics! The next one to make is for my friend Kelly having surgery today. She gets a Black with pink polka dot and pink Argyle button to fight Breast Cancer!

See ya soon..
HOPE

Lilly's brother Zeek!

Introducing Zeek! He cracks me up! These sock monkey's each take on their own "personality"...his ears hang low...but that's okay..That's Zeek!




Here is his little friend we found over Thanksgiving at Cracker Barrel restaurant..our favorite when traveling. What a FIND!!!! You know I had my sock monkey radar on as I entered the store (I mean eatery!) I did go there to eat breakfast..right?





I didn't realize he looked like a bandit with his eyes on the blue strip! Guess o' Zeek is going to be my mischievous little monkey! (you don't have any in your house do you?)

I'm not crazy about button eyes..but for Zeek it worked pretty good.

And there you have it...my little monkey family is growing!! More little "guys" to come!

Enjoy!
HOPE

Double Fun..sock monkey!

Okay...I know...I just had to post this for you. These are soo much fun to make!

I'm thinking I like the names Lila and Lilly for these gals! What do you think?




I was a little disappointed in the argyle socks quality and these cost more than the other pair! I thought from a shoe chain they should be good..um..well. Anyway..I will keep Lilly for myself. Not kid quality. But, the other I believe is also an acrylic sock? and had more stretch that was nicer for stuffing.

Hope you like her...and I might just have to post when more come along!



I think she is soo cute~ puts a SMILE on my face~

Now... that I have you looking everywhere at SOCKS!!!

Try making your own..or I might just make some to sell? we'll see.

God bless...
HOPE

Fun Sock Monkey!

yes..I did it! I have joined the ranks of making the infamous SOCK MONKEY!

A local gift shop has the CAAUTEST sock monkey's I've ever seen...so colorful! Though the traditional grey and red is a cutie too.

I searched online for a pattern and found a tutorial as well. I had no idea all this time (YEARS!) how easy and FUN these are to create.



In my search however..locally...I only could find this ONE pair at Kmart. I would have preferred an all over pattern (they look better) but she did turn out pretty cute even if she does have the measles (husband's input!)...but her Measles sure made good eyes (I added eyelashes) and her ears almost appear to have earrings!


This is the sock pattern I began with...and the beginning steps. I did a search and found a great YouTube....find the one by mandybentley her blog didn't come up in my search but it is under DIY YouTube sock monkey's. Her instructions are very clear...

I also found a print out pattern by http://lennytaylor.freeyello.com if you don't link go to your search engine and type in lenny taylor sock monkey pattern. This is the one I followed.


Some monkey's have stitched X's for the nose or eyes..some had buttons. Some times the button eyes can look scary...so I pondered what to do..and decided why not TRY making eyelashes. I was so pleased it turned out. Some have the cutest little caps with fringe. Some of those take more than one sock for parts. So if you were to purchase three sets of the same sock pattern you can make TWINS!



Some of the tools needed...the polyfil came with a stick for pushing the filling..but I found my CHOPSTICK worked better as it was a little thicker and the end was more square.



It wasn't quite as easy stuffing as I had expected...so if your hands are arthritic..make the opening a little larger... Here is her body getting STUFFED!



So let me know what you think? Any suggestions on future Sock Monkey's..as I plan to make bunches! Just have to search for the cute socks. I heard that Children's Place probably carries them. Kmart's price was perfect at $2.99 and the batting a huge bag for the same price and I still have tons left for more Monkey's.

And here she is.....All dressed up!


My CREATIVE HEART can't wait to make more of these cuties! and now I'm not so intimidated by the pattern...just give her eyelashes and it makes it! (I think so!)

Blessings..

HOPE

Simple Pleasures

I put together this simple little gift to WELCOME a young couple into our neighborhood. Sweet newlyweds and military. We chatted for a while and I invited them to church. I also let them know we are prior military, so we understand the separation times and are nearby if they need us for anything.

I didn't want to give a food item since you never know if anyone has food allergies or on a DIET! like most of us are! So, as I pondered around in the store....I thought about potpourri smelling nice in a new house! I looked around and loved this little container.

I went back and forth on colors...then decided the smell of this potpourri was refreshing and so went with the brown and teal ribbon to match. Popular colors now..so maybe it'll fit



I had purchased the little sticker on my (humble) little homemade card a while back and how handy it was for this gift. The perfect touch.



They were very surprised when I came over with gift in hand!! and as I was leaving...Adam said....

"Thank you, thank you very much! this really means a lot!"

As I walked across the street back to my home, I thanked the LORD for the opportunity to not only show kindness and friendship, but also invite them to church...and have such a positive response! Praise the LORD!!

I thought about the many parents who have Prodigals out of church and pray daily for someone to encourage them or invite them to church!!

Maybe..just maybe...I was someone's answer to prayer! (a nice thought!!)

A Creative Heart...can also be a Loving Heart...and a Giving Heart!


HOPE~

Busy Hands...

A couple of my grandsons collect pennants. I decided to try my hand at making my own..and personalize them for the boys. I hope they are pleasantly surprised!



I found some heavy duty felt at the store. This has a sticky backing, but I chose to leave on the removable paper backing. It gave it a little more stiffness by leaving it on. If peeled off, it is very sticky...definitely would be permanently affixed somewhere!


I also found some peel and stick felt letters! Perfect! I chose to put the boys birth year along with their names.




Since their mom just redid their room decor in shades of blues...I also chose a piece of fabric to edge the pennant in shades of blue with stars.... for the STARS!

(one note of caution: I used up two sewing needles due to the "sticky" backing...I was able to stitch one pennant and then had to replace the needle, due to sticky residue left on the needle...luckily, I have an abundant supply of sewing machine needles!)


...and one more new adventure I've taken on...

Crocheted cotton dish cloths! I LOVE THEM! They are theeeeee best to use! and WHITE is perfect to bleach out any stains and still look great.




This is the first time I've made them and now I can't stop...my family is going to find a few in future "goody" boxes!!!


It is so rewarding to work willingly with your hands...and then to pass on the creation is all the more rewarding for the SMILES in return.

Blessings..
HOPE~

Sewing for FUN...

I've had this French Provincial looking fabric for a couple of years now and still adding to the collection of different fabrics...waiting to make a Quilt...

In my latest sewing frenzy!! I decided I'd like to make a kitchen curtain to cover the bottom half of my window above the sink.

Instead of looking at the neighbors fence..how 'bout the SKY above the window!


I bravely and hesitantly CUT this gorgeous fabric...thankfully I had purchased several yards so there is actually enough left for QUILTING!! I have to make myself a French Provincial Quilt...one of these days!

But, for now..it's a French Country Kitchen!!



I'm not a huge fan of the color yellow..but this time...it was perfect and cheerful..and it matches my kitchen decor perfectly!



A little French Country rooster...here and there...





~VOILA~WELCOME to my French Country Kitchen!!



Stay tuned for more of this burst of energy that has come upon A CREATIVE HEART!!

Blessings...
HOPE~

A Horse of Course!

Oh yes...A Horse of Course...for Haleigh. She LOVES horses and I can't wait til she gets this package with her horse appliqued jumper.

I also included a very nice book with information on all the types of horses, what they are used for ...riding styles and even a section about saddles. She is going to be so elated.

This is the applique before sewing...


Unfortunately, the shape distorted some in sewing...



I found I had this suede rope and safety pinned it from the back. Perfect!


I also handmade these little pencil holders. Saw this idea on M. Stewart's site. Just a fun quick project.


I love fixing up goody packages...just wish I could be there to hear the squeals of delight!

A Creative Heart is sent with every loving package!

HOPE~

Sewing with LOVE continued

I loved making this sweet dress. My g'daughter requested a GUS applique instead of the purchased poodle I had planned on. We do like GUS much better don't we?



I think he will be quite pleased to be the center of attention in this little girls life.




I included a PINK bow also to replace the black check..if she decides one day, she would like the doggie to be our dear departed Heidi.

To make the applique...I ventured into trying my own freehand drawn GUS with a white marking pencil...I was very suprised at how well he turned out! Thankful!!! on the first try...whew~




How fun to use my Creative Heart...for such special little girls!


I can just hear Genevieve right now...

"This is GUS.....SEE!"

Quick fun gift...

Labor Day weekend we went to visit my son and daughter in law. I brought her a gift I had made and she liked it so much we decided to make one together for her friend.

The above plate was created by US! and we used the simplest items.

Molly wasn't sure if we'd use all the stickers shown...in the end we chose just the chair and seagull. PERFECT. Simple yet nice.

We found the plate at Old Time Pottery...LOVE THAT STORE! and stickers and plate holder at Michael's Craft Store...and she owned a Sharpie pen. That's it!

I practised a little on a piece of paper the words..WELCOME HOME...and let Molly choose which one she liked.


I then just wrote right on the plate. It dries and is permanent...unless you scrub. But for a table decor you need not scrub it clean..simply dust lightly. VOILA.

Here is the one I surprised Molly with...


My plate is from Walmart and the plate stand. There are so many fun plates to choose from..the possibilities are endless!!

Sooo...my friends can be expecting Personalized gifts this year!

Sharpie's also come in many colors! How 'bout a kids personalized plate with cute colored polka dots!

Can't wait to see your Creative Heart plates! Hey...I need to make ME one!!

HOPE~

The "Curly" Girls

I'm still busy sewing for my g'daughters..but took a break today to make these cute Sewing Spool Dolls. These are going in the pkg. with the new dresses.

I found this at The Idea Room..this gal is amazing and has the nicest blog with crafting ideas that will keep you busy forEVER! So I took her idea and made a little family. She painted her hair...I decided to try this..a bit curly, but the girls will like it. Next time I think I will paint on the hairstyles. Gluing the curls was a bit cumbersome, with Elmer's..maybe a glue gun would have been better. I also chose to use fabric pieces. I used a sharpie for the black feet on one...might paint the others to match their outfits..it was a fun, quick project.



I love the BRIDE...


Her bridal dress train...

The Bride and her Mom

Chatting together...

The whole family...


I just might make the boys a set of BOYS...mmm? Army men..use camy scraps and paint on a cover (hat)...or make cowboys using denim...the possibilities are endless...

HAVE FUN with... your creative heart!...and make a set!

HOPE~