Yoga Socks

This project is definitely in the quickie crafts category, taking less than 10 minutes to make~

These little foot covers are meant to keep your joints warm and cozy but still give you room to grip your yoga mat while stretching out into all your crazy yoga poses.

Here's what you need to make your own Yoga Socks in no time flat.

Materials:
-stretchy material like T-knit or fleece
-measuring tape
-scissors
-standard sewing kit
-optional: if your fabric isn't stretchy enough just add some elastic to this list

Steps:
1) You'll need to take a couple of quick and easy measurements before you get started.  First of all, measure from the bottoms of your toes up to where you want your socks to end on your leg.

2) Now measure around your leg where you want your socks to end.

3) Using these two measurements cut 2 pieces of fabric into a square as shown below.

4) With right sides together, fold the fabric into two long rectangles.

 5) Using a 1/2" seam allowance sew the long cut edge so that you make two long tubes.

6) Turn right side out.  Slip the tube onto your foot and mark approximately where your heel hits the seam allowance (place the seam allowance along the bottom of your foot and back of your leg).

Take the tube off and the cut across half of your tube so that you have a slit in the back.

That's it!  You're done!

Now, when I have more time and I redo this project I will most likely finish my cut edges with a seam and maybe cut my rectangles so that they curve in a bit at the ends so they fit a little more snugly.

Also, if you find that your socks are slouching down on you, just make a small casing at the top of the top and thread in some elastic to keep them in place.

Are you a yoga master?  To be honest I'm more of a pilates girl myself but I know these will still come in handy while I'm doing my hundreds.

Namaste everyone~

PS....don't forget to enter the giveaway going on RIGHT NOW!  (Closing October 21, 2014)

Headbands

I don't have little "back to school" kids to blame, but I just didn't get into the craft room much this week.  I did however make some neat scrapbusting headbands for my niece while she was here the week before:

These are fun to make and take no time at all.  I tried them out in knit fabric and cottons and both fit nicely.

I used THIS pattern and directions from Maddie Moes.  Her measurements seemed large to  me, but actually they're right on.  The pattern is for headbands for a little girl, but really these fit perfectly on my little head too!

Have a crafty week everyone~

Don't forget....Make it Monday starts this weekend!!  Hope to see you there~

Beaded Bowls

Are you always looking for a place to throw hair pins or keys or other trinkets?  Try making these pretty little bowls and you'll never lose your bits and bobs again!

I was actually hoping that I'd be able to peel the clay off the bowl once it was baked, but no such luck.  It's a happy mistake though because I like them like this just as much as the picture that was in my head~

Here's what you need to make your own beaded bowls:

Materials:
-polymer clay
-seed beads (you could try glitter or small buttons - just nothing flammable)
-small glass bowl
-plastic clay knife
-pasta maker for clay.  If you don't have this you can just roll the clay out, just don't ever use your rolling pin for food afterwards.

Steps:
1) Break out some clay.  Warm it up in your hands and roll it around to condition it.

2) Once it's nice a soft, shape it into a sort of oval rock shape.  Gently glide it into your pasta maker at a wide setting.  Keep putting it through at smaller settings until you get it nice and thin.  Make sure to rotate the clay or you'll just get on long skinny piece that keeps getting longer each time you put it through.

3) Drape your flattened clay over the outside of your little bowl, gently stretching it to cover as much as you can.

4) Cut the edge with a plastic clay knife or other tool and then roll the sides of your bowl around in some beads.

5) Gently push the beads down to make sure that they're embedded right into the clay.


6) Bake your clay as per the directions on the package.  I like to double bake my clay pieces.  I'm not 100% sure but I think it makes the clay just a little bit more sturdy once it cools down.

You can ruffle the clay a bit like a did on the grey one above.  If you're really talented you could even scallop the edge.  This is a nice little craft buster if you have some extra beads or clay that you want to use up too!

What would you put in your little bowls?  Leave a comment below~

Musty Buster

So, the bad news is that I started 2014 out on about as bad a foot as you can.  I've been sick in bed since New Years Eve with what is easily the worst flu I have ever had.  If you haven't gotten your flu shot yet, then I strongly encourage you to get out there and get one.  You do not want this super bug.

As you may recall, I was sick off and on for the month leading up to New Year's Eve as well.  All this means that I am waaay behind on all my plans for 2014, especially the ones that involve getting ready for an overseas trip in a few weeks.

When I pulled my trusty backpack out of storage in the basement it was smelling just a tad more musty than I would like, so excuse me while I take care of some housekeeping business in today's first project of the year.

These little packs are great for airing out shoes, coats, backpacks, etc...anything that has the distinct musty odour that things can sometimes pick up from being stored in the basement.

Here's what you need to make your own.

Materials:
-scap of cotton or muslin (must be a breathable fabric)
-thread, scissors, ruler(optional)
-ribbon (also optional)
-kitty litter (not shown)

Steps:
1) Cut your fabric into a rectangle.  Mine is approximately 9.5" X 6.5" but any size will do.

2) Fold your fabric in half, right sides together and stitch the bottom and side closed in a 1/4" seam.

3) Turn your little bag right sides out and attach a ribbon in the middle of the backside, approximately 1.5" down from the upper edge.

4) And now my medication must have kicked in because I stopped taking photos from some reason, but really it's beyond easy....just fill your bag with kitty litter, but don't go above where you stitched your on ribbon.

Then just fold over your top edge and stitch it down.

Now you can tie your musty buster onto a hanger or stuff it into your shoes and the kitty litter will start to soak up any offending smells.

I made another not so snazzy looking one to throw into my backpack in the hopes that it will do it's magic by the time I have to fill it (with light summery clothes and swimsuits!!!)

So there you go, one task down and about 20 more to go before I'm anywhere near ready to get on the airplane.

Oh! I almost forgot to tell you the good news....with such a lamo start to 2014, I figure it can only get better from here :)

Send me some good, healthy, vibes so I can get on with starting my new year, finally~

Paper Pendant

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but my blogging schedule has sort of been blown to pieces lately.  For someone like me who likes routine, and has been in this particular routine for the past two and half years, you can imagine how this sits with me.

My real life job, yeah the one that pays the bills around here, is getting in the way so I hope you'll bear with me while I figure out how to fit it all in.

In the meantime...I hope you enjoy this week's fun and super easy project!

 You only need a few supplies to make your own pretty accessory:

Supplies:
-Pretty medium/heavy weight paper
-optional template
-craft knife and cutting mat
-standard jewellery making kit: pliers, jump rings, chain, closure
-small hole punch
(In the picure you also see a glue runner, but I decided not to use it so just pretend it's not there)

Before we get started I have to tell you about my template.  I picked it up at the dollar store and got 4 different templates for a whopping $1.25!

I was originally drawn to the mailing/gift tags but this project uses the leaf pattern:

 So, you don't have to use a template for this project but it will sure simplify things for you if you have one.

Steps:
1) Choose 4 different papers and decide how you want to layer them.  It's important to use heavier weight paper so that your pendant doesn't bend or fly around while you're wearing it.

It's hard to see but some of these
have sparkle!

 2) Starting with your bottom paper, cut out your largest shape.

 3) Now just move through your papers cutting smaller and smaller (but same) shapes until you get a pretty stack.  Line them up with all the points matching to see how it will look.

4) Using a very small hole punch, punch a hole through the top tip of the shape, getting as close as you can to the edge without tearing the paper.

 5) Line your papers up and once again, starting with the bottom piece thread them onto a jump ring.

6) Now just add your pendant to a chain and add a closure and you're done!

So easy!  You can use any type of shape.  This is a great paper buster for all those little bits of scraps you keep from past projects too!  If you want to add more body to your shapes add a layer of Dimensional Mod Podge before you put it all together.

I'll try to have more to share next week.  Until then...don't be afraid to leave a comment~

Check out my other (very popular) paper jewellery project HERE!