Organized My Fabric Scraps

Like the title implies... I have finally taken back control of my sewing room (mostly, just don't look at my desk right now) and organized my tiny fabric scraps... by color.  Squeee!!

 Just lovely. 

A guaranteed smile every time I walk in the room and I just can't wait for every excuse to pull down a jar and start digging though it!!

Pink and Red in Jar #1
Orange and Yellow in Jar #2
All shades of Green in Jar #3

Jar #3 again
Blues in Jar #4
Purple and Mixed Colors in Jar #5

And my Neutrals... white, beige, browns in this awesome mushroom!

How do you organize your teeny tiny fabric scraps?  --also sharing at Fabric Tuesday with Quilt Story!

Fabric Covered Jar/Pot

This fabric covered jar is a cinch and would be a really cute gift for Mother's Day, birthdays, and can even be used as personalized storage!

Ready?  Let's grab a few supplies and a few free minutes and pull one of these together!

I started with this empty queso jar.  You could use any container really, but the cool thing about using this is... it a fun way to 'upcycle' what would otherwise be considered trash/recycle.  Bonus... it's low cost!!!

I also grabbed a handful of fabric scraps I have saved from other projects and a medium sized paint brush.

Last ingredient is that sticky awesome glue called Mod Podge!!  I used the outdoor variety for this project since I wanted to make sure the final jar was water proof.  Just imagine all the uses!! (hint: flower pot!)

Start by removing any stickers (or not) and then slather mod podge glue all over the surface of the jar.

Now, start layering the scraps on in any design.  I was going for crazy random, so just started picking up pieces and placing them on.

It's ok if the pieces overlap.  And feel free to dab extra glue where you need it to help the pieces stick.

Once the fabric scraps cover the surface of the jar...

Yes! Slather on the mod podge!!  Lots and lots.  It dries clear, so it's ok to lay it on a little thick in order to make sure all the edges are glued and covered.

Last step.  Find a place for the jar to dry.  I tipped my upside down on a screwdriver tucked into my pen holder.  You are basically looking for a spot away from doggy hair and tongues... and Little's fingers. 

After a short while the glue started to set nicely and clear up.  Just look at all those pretty scraps!!

You know it's ready to go when it's no longer tacky to the touch.  And voila!!  Your very own fabric covered jar!

I discarded the lid, but you could give the lid the same fabric treatment if you like.

Then it's just a matter of filling the jar with something {...candle, candy, small cookies, trail mix, a cupcake, a love note, bubble blowing liquid, or even dirt...} and wrap with a ribbon for the thoughtful and reusable gift!

I'm willing to bet that kids + glue = a fun time for all!

Hope you give this a try... and I would certainly like to see what you make, feel free to share a link below so we can all see!!

I will show you what I put in my jar tomorrow right here!

--Linking to---
All About You Monday at Texas Monkey
Making the World Cuter Mondays
Midweek Blues at The Dusty Cellar
Letting the Creative Juices Flow
Take-a-Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee
Talent Tuesday at Vintage Wanna Bee
What's Up Wednesdays at Sew Woodsy
Your Way Wednesday at Elle Belle Creative

I've Gone Martha -- don't judge.

Yes, as in Martha Stewart.  Really it's all Greenbean's fault since I saw the idea there first and she made it sound so darn easy (link to Martha's version)!  And it was!

[A tease for You Can Sew-a-thon at the end of this post!!!]

I also can't usually resist a reason to use a mason jar and fabric together.  Plus, I had a tiny tray I am using to organize all this and needless to say the stuff is outgrowing the tray.  So here goes...

I started with a very pretty small mouth mason jar.  I like this one for the size and design, but the nice thing is that the lid created by this project can be put on any other small mouth jar... so if I want to switch to a shorter jar in the future it's as easy as twisting the cap onto a shorter jar. 

Next, I traced the lid on cardboard (inserts from a beer case) and cut out the circle which left me with the results below. 

The hardest part of this project was picking out what fabric to use.  Uhhh, I agonized.  Seriously, spent way to much brain power, but in my defense we are still up to our eye balls in house DIY for the new breakfast bar/kitchen pass through and re-painting more than 1/2 the house.... my brain has been on reduced power from it all.

I landed on this pretty red flowered fabric which had those cutie patootie caterpillars on it that I showed you here... deciding that the small print would be best appreciated on the small cushion.



Then I went a little crazy with the batting.  I save every last scrap of batting, so pulled out a bunch of pieces and decided I wanted a very fluffy cushion.

I cut the batting in squares and then even rounded the corners a bit. 

Are you reading this thinking how is that all going to fit in the limited space in that tiny ring?... if not, then you are like me... I was so optimistic that I would have the fluffiest pin cushion, only to realize after a large amount of hot glue was in place that this wasn't all fitting.  Go me!

I think one or two layers are plenty to fill in the limited space in the ring.  You have to remember to leave room to still screw on the cover (doy! I really have no idea how I let the batting take over my brain during this part, ha!)

Once I came to grips with my space vs. batting wants I ended up with a very nice looking cushion!  It is as easy as Martha says.  Secure fabric to top of ring with hot glue, then put cardboard on the bottom and wrap the fabric on to the cardboard and secure with more hot glue.

Or, my version... I used the cardboard to wedge the fabric and batting into place above the first inner ring mark, then I just a used a tiny dob of hot glue to hold the fabric down on the corners.  Voila!

I was able to put my random sewing machine parts ('left over' from when I took it apart here), extra feet for free motion quilting and zippering, and my spare sewing machine needles in the mason jar. 

I don't use this stuff a ton, but it's nice to have it within arms reach when I am setting up for each sewing session.

So, now my little wooden tray is feeling way more organized!  Bobbins, safety pins, and thread all have their own separate cubical. 

And, I am already enjoying my new pin cushion!  The height works nicely, I like how the pins can't get lost in the stuffing, and the little red flowers bring a smile to my face!

What have you made lately that has made you smile bit?  Or what project have you dropped everything for in order to bring a bit more organization to your creative space?

You Sew Can-a-thon
And! I have been stewing a bit and will have details for a fun You Sew Can-a-thon coming on Wednesday!  Are you as excited as I am to make a cute hand/machine sewn something or other for say Valentines Day or an upcoming birthday? 

I am!!

Origami Puff Balls Tutorial

Paper treat that's fun

to make. Grab a square and fold.

Puff to make the ball.

original haiku poem by me!

Thank you so much for all the love you given my pine tree origami tutorial!  I think these may become a weekly thing... I'm having so much fun getting back into this!!

Here is another fun origami tutorial for a festive Puff Ball (also known as the waterbomb)

Squeee! How cute are these?

Step one. I started with some left over wrapping paper (left) and make a nice 5 inch square (right).  You can use whatever size you like for these.

Step two. We will start the way we did last time.  Fold one corner to the other to create a diagonal fold (left) and then unfold (right).

Step three. Now, fold the opposite corner to the other to create a diagonal fold (left) and then unfold (right).  Your unfolded paper will now show an X.

Step four. Fold the flat edge to the other flat edge (left) and then unfold (right).

Step five. Fold the last flat edge to the last opposite edge (left) and unfold (right).

Step six. You are now looking for the triangle shape and you want to begin pulling in the remaining paper behind it along the creases we just made.

Step seven. Your triangle should look like the picture on the left.  You will want to re-crease all the edges again here.


Step eight. Pull the left bottom corner of the triangle up to the top of the triangle like I did in the picture on the right.

REPEAT Step eight on the right lower corner by bringing it to the top of the triangle.   It will now look like the picture below.  And flip over your shape now.  You're doing great!!

REPEAT Step eight on the back side to both the left and right lower corners by bringing them to the top of the triangle.  Your shape will now look like a diamond!!  Bling bling!

Step nine. Fold the left arm (remember we talked about arms!) to the center where the paper naturally has a split (right).

REPEAT Step nine on the right arm.  You guessed it, we now do the same thing on the other side.  When you are done it should look like the picture on the right!

Step ten. Take the little wing on the top left of the shape and bring it down toward the point that the arm just lined up with in the middle.  Wait till you see where this little wing ends up!!

REPEAT Step ten on right top wing again bringing it down to the middle meeting point.  When you are done it will look like this picture below.  You now have two arms and two wings all meeting at the center.

Step eleven. Ok, you are going to take the left wing and fold it down toward where my finger is pointing.  This step is just meant to make a crease to make the next step easier.  Once you made the crease, you can lift it back up.

Step twelve.  Here where a little magic happens!! I've taken the arm (that was folded to the center) and I am pushing down on it to show you there is a pocket there.  You want to put you finger in the pocket to open it up and now put the wing into the pocket.

Go ahead.  It takes a little finesse.  When it doubt just shove and press.  Remember it's just paper!

REPEAT Step twelve. You see how the wing is tucked into the pocket now (left)?  Magic! Exciting!  Whoohooo!  Now, do the same thing on the wing and pocket on the right!!

Yes, and then repeat this tuck, shove, and press move on the other side of the puff.

Last step. On the bottom (part below the pockets) there will be a teeny, tiny little hole.  Pucker up your lips and blow a little air into the hole.

And the whole thing blows up into a puff!!

So adorable how the face of frosty worked out to side of this origami puff!!

What can you do with these you ask me?  Well.... so glad you asked!!

• Put a little ribbon on the top and it becomes like a little present decoration.  
• Add a hanging string and it becomes a sweet little ornament for your tree.
• String a bunch of these together for a festive garland
• Make a stack of three of these puff (one on top of each other) to make a puffed up origami snowman or the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man (think Ghostbusters movies!)
• They are cute from festive paper.  They are cute from any paper really!
• They would be really snugly sitting in a bowl or vase together
• They are cute with buttons and in jars!
• They make a nice touch when wrapping up presents with a few pieces of ribbon!
• Oh oh oh... imagine putting numbers on these cubes and using them to count down to Christmas... or birthdays... or anniversaries!!

The sky is the limit for what you can do, but no matter what I'm hoping that means you made up a bunch of these and had a bunch of laughs at the same time!!

Next week we will be making a sweet little turtle dove by request, hope you drop by and make a few with me!

I would also enjoy seeing what you've made.  Link up your picture or post to show off what you did with either your pine tree or puff balls!!  Let your creativity ride! Go origami!!  Go origami!!  Whoop whoop!!