DIY Project: Piercing Template for Scalloped Edges

by evie s. on February 20th, 2008

A couple days ago I wrote about the sweet sophistication of scalloped edges. Today, I’m posting a piercing template that you can use for panel cards and whatever else your heart desires. I created it to fit perfectly on a 3.25 x 5.25 card, but you can use the design and modify it for your own purposes. My turquoise Mode de Paris G.Lalo cards were the perfect choice because the blank, one-sided panel was crying out for some customization! Download the free template using the link below.

Scalloped Edge Piercing Template from evie s. - PDF Download
Size: 30 kb

You can see more pictures here.

Free PDF Download: “Love in Lights” Valentine Postcard

by evie s. on February 1st, 2008

And finally, here is the third Valentine’s Day postcard in the series. Just download the PDF using the link below and simply cut and send.This one is my favorite.

Love in Lights Postcard from evie s. - PDF Download
Size: 86 kb

You can view a full-size image of the postcard here.

Free PDF Download: “Classic Heart” Valentine Postcard

by evie s. on January 30th, 2008

As promised, here is the second Valentine’s Day postcard in the series. Just download the PDF using the link below and simply cut and send.

The “Classic Heart” design is a simple heart encircled in a sweet message of surrender.

Classic Heart Postcard from evie s. - PDF Download
Size: 38 kb

The next card, “Love in Lights” will be available soon…so watch for it! If you need some inspiration for romance, just read a good love story.

You can view a full-size image of the postcard here.

Free PDF Download: “Vintage Romance” Valentine Postcard

by evie s. on January 24th, 2008

Inspired by the season of love, I will be releasing a series of lovely postcards that you can download and print out on an 8.5 x 11 piece of heavy weight card stock. Just download the PDF using the link below and simply cut and send. What better way to send your sweetie a quick message, then with a beautiful postcard that says it all.

First in the series is the design called, “Vintage Romance.” The design has taken cues from a deeply romantic era that says “I LOVE YOU” in an elegant way.

Enjoy, and stayed tuned for the next Valentine’s Postcard in the series, “Classic Heart.”

Vintage Romance Postcard from evie s. - PDF Download
Size: 59 kb

To view a full-size image of the postcard, you can go here and here.

Craft Beauty: DIY Accessories

by evie s. on January 16th, 2008

Something about the approach of spring motivates me to create. I’m definitely going to be trying out this tutorial by Minding Prismera for making Lace Earrings. Also on my list is the Chain and Paper Collage Necklace from Crafty Chica and the Fabric Headband from Altered Cloth.

Here’s to creating beautiful things!

A Completed DIY Project: Reupholstering a Vintage Chair

by evie s. on January 11th, 2008

When I was around 16 or so and developing my own sense of interior style, I found this gold vintage chair in a rundown antique store for $30. I had big dreams of reupholstering it, and now almost 10 years later, I finally did it.

It was pretty simple to do, but very time consuming. The chair was expertly constructed (not sure who the manufacturer is) and the fabric was stapled about a thousand times to the frame. I started with the bottom and worked my way up, saving each piece that I removed to use as a template for later.

The only part I sewed was the tufted back, which wasn’t too difficult. I did use fabric glue on some parts where I didn’t want an upholstery staple showing. Everything considered, I’m pleased with the results. My expectations were pretty low with this being my first big reupholster.

Chocolate brown fabric $18 + vintage chair $30 + sense of pride for completing a 10-year old goal = priceless.

Hand Painted Porcelain

by evie s. on December 27th, 2007

I hope everyone had a pleasant holiday filled with joy, love, and giving! I’m happy to be getting back in the groove of things but still enjoying an easy pace before the New Year hits.

I tried out this craft from Martha Stewart Living and wanted to share the results. These salt and pepper shakers were painted for my mother to match her other red table accessories. We used them for our Christmas Eve dinner, and they fit in nicely with the festive theme. They were plain white porcelain shakers from Pottery Barn, but really any kind will do as long as the surface is smooth. It is such a fun and easy project, and I hope to make myself some hand painted porcelain to enjoy on my holiday table next year.

See the full-size photo here.

Free PDF Download: Christmas Tree Decoration

by evie s. on December 19th, 2007

Are you looking for some cheap and easy table decorations for your Christmas Eve dinner? evie s. has created a free downloadable graphic Christmas tree that you can easily print out on an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper. These paper trees are so festive and such a great craft to make! And I love how simple they are. They would also look great among a miniature wintry Christmas village, like this one or this one.

Just download the PDF using the link below and simply cut around the pattern and fold where indicated. We recommend using a medium weight card stock to help it stand on its own.

Paper Christmas Tree from evie s. - PDF Download
Size: 187kb

You can see full-size photos of the tree here.

Give Your Desk Some Bling

by evie s. on December 6th, 2007

One day I was looking at my plain (but beautiful) wood desk thinking it needed an inspirational, decorative touch. It also needed protection, as my keyboard is wireless and I’m constantly moving it, which produces some faint scratches. Remembering the vintage wallpaper I had grabbed several months ago from an estate sale, an idea started to form. Quickly, I gathered some materials: foam board, glue, scissors and my wallpaper. I measured the space on my desk that I wanted to cover and cut the foam board to size. Then I cut the wallpaper with a little excess and wrapped the foam board with it, making this simple but nice desk pad. The pattern inspires me, and my precious investment is protected. Problem solved, and my desk got some graphic bling!

DIY Project: Ribbon Christmas Trees

by evie s. on December 3rd, 2007

Here’s a project for all you crafters and do-it-yourselfers. This is a fairly simple project to make, and it only takes on average about 20 minutes to do one tree.

Supplies you will need:

• Styrofoam cone (large is 12″ tall and medium is 8″ tall)
• glue gun, glue sticks
• ribbon - 2.5 yards for large tree and 2 yards for medium (I chose Martha Stewart Crafts ribbon in Gold-Porcelain Metallic weave, Green Agate-Gold Fancy Swirl ribbon for the accent, and Brownstone Wood Grain Embossed velvet ribbon for the base)
• scissors
• wooden spool
• acrylic brown craft paint, paintbrush

For the base, I just used a wooden spool that you can get from a craft store. Paint it brown and set aside. You can also glue the wood grain ribbon around the spool to create a more woodsy feel. For the tree, you will need to measure around the circumference of the Styrofoam with the ribbon and then cut to the appropriate length. You will need to measure and cut each ribbon individually and glue in the back, slightly overlapping them to create a layered effect. This will create a seam, so you will want to create the tree for a specific location where the seam can be hidden from view. (Note: Any ideas to eliminate this seam are welcome.) Continue this process until you get to the very top. You can finish by gluing the wooden spool to the bottom of the tree.

Voila! A very shimmery, classic handmade tree that you can enjoy for years to come.