Category Archives: Hand Crafts

Craft: Pet Name Tags

I have kitties.

Lots of kitties. Okay four, that’s lots, right?

My fur babies all stay indoors, but I still feel safest if they’re wearing a name tag with our address and phone number on it in addition to their city tags. They’re sneaky, ya know?

After numerous lost collars, a couple of which turned up years later under a pile of boxes in the garage, I started making replacement tags instead of buying. It’s easy and inexpensive.

The first one I made is about two years old now and is still in perfect shape!

You’ll need:

Polymer clay (like Sculpey or Fimo; also called polyclay)
polymer clay pasta machine OR poly clay rolling pin
**please note: if using a pasta machine, it needs to be used only for polymer clay. DO NOT use the same machine that you’d make pasta with**
parchment paper
1 to 1 1/2″ cookie cutter with a uniform shape (don’t be tempted to make the tag larger, the larger it is, the more likely your pet will be able to get into his or her mouth)
Bic Cristal Pen lid
toothpick or skewer
alphabet stamps (optional)
small cookie sheet
regular or toaster oven
acrylic paint
large jump ring
Sculpey Glaze

Knead a small amount of clay, then roll out with a clay roller or pass through pasta machine on the next to thickest setting. On my machine, that’s an 8.

For more information about handling polyclay see Working With Polymer Clay on Crafts-For-All-Seasons

Place clay on a small on the parchment paper. Press the cookie cutter straight down, making one blank. If you’re making more than one, now is a great time to cut them all out.

Tag blank.

If you have alphabet stamps, use them to stamp on your pet’s name by gently pushing the stamp straight down and lifting straight up. Shown are jewelers stamps, which need to be cleaned well if used with polymer clay.

If not using alphabet stamps, use the directions for finishing the back of the tag.

Finished front with a fun star stamp added.

Take the lid off the Bic pen. It makes a perfect circle cutter for the jump ring hole.

Press the pen lid down into the clay, removing gently to avoid distorting the tag shape. Remove the plug from the lid with a toothpick.

For the back (and the front if you don’t have stamps), use the toothpick to gently write your address or phone number.

Place parchment paper with tag(s) on cookie sheet and bake according to manufacturer’s directions.

Once the tags are cool, rub a small amount of paint onto the front and backs with a paper towel, wiping away the excess. This will make the letters stand out. Allow that paint to dry for a few minutes (it won’t take long) and then coat with glaze. Allow to dry.

Add jump ring.

Because your pet will be wearing this and safety is always first, let the tag dry at least 24 hours before attaching it to his or her collar.

Merlin, wearing his custom kitty tag

As always, if you make any pattern or craft from sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the Friends of sewhooked flickr group.

Happy crafting

also posted on cut out + keep

Don’t forget about the Friends of sewhooked challenge!

Deco-“paged” Hobbit Wall

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When I was in high school, I read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings for the very first time.

Tolkien’s world wrapped me up and captured me. I fantasized (and still do!) of taking off for middle earth, walking the road with Bilbo and visiting the elves.

Once a fandom girl, always a fandom girl.

Part of my Hobbit collection

When my hubby and I bought our home ten years ago, I had already been stockpiling paperback copies of the The Hobbit. I’ve been collecting interesting Tolkien covers for years and have a lovely collection. More than one sad, falling-apart copy of The Hobbit came home with me, just to have for that special project I knew I’d be doing some day.

It’s been a good seven or eight years ago that the “The Reading Room” came in to existence. I still remember the wicked happiness I had knowing that I was permanently attaching words from one of my very favorite stories onto a wall in my house. Part of it was the joy of Tolkien, and part of it was rebellion at years in rental places with cream colored walls!

When we have new visitors for the first time, and they ask to use our restroom, it’s always with a bit of glee that I direct them to the proper door. Most people hold on to their calm until they’ve exited the room, but we get the occasional guest that will shout out through the door after they’ve entered. It’s incredibly striking to stand face to face with a wall that is book pages top to bottom!

And hey, we’ve always got something to read in the bathroom!

Decoupaged Wall with pages from two copies of The Hobbit

Note: This is a permanent application. Do not use this technique unless you are absolutely sure you want a permanent change.

Supplies

● books (something you’re willing to recycle paper back books, maps, picture or comics, newspapers or letters) – amount will vary depending on the size of the wall and the materials used to cover it

● Minwax® Polycrylic® Protective Finish or other clear protective finish

● High Quality Paintbrush (check finish container for suggested brush)

● parchment paper

● large piece of cardboard

● masking tape

● newspaper or drop cloth

● latex gloves

● mineral oil

● rags

Instructions

Protect floor, baseboards, etc, with newspaper or drop cloth and masking tape.
Gently remove the book cover (I framed mine and hung them in the same room as the deco wall).
Peel apart the individual pages (this works best with paperback books).
Tape a large piece of parchment paper to the cardboard.
Wearing the latex gloves, put place several book pages on the parchment paper.
Using the paintbrush, cover each with Polycrylic.
Start applying pages to the wall. For a neat effect, line pages up side by side, or overlap and vary (as shown) for a more staggered effect.
“Cut in” by placing pages side by side or slightly overlapping to frame your wall then working your way in.
Use the brush to smooth out any air bubbles. You only have a minute or so to work with each page, so make sure you’re happy with it before moving on.
Allow pages to dry and then apply another coat of Polycrylic over the wall.
Use mineral oil and rags for clean up. Be sure to follow all manufacturer’s safety instructions.

Thror’s Map, a reproduction that hangs in “The Reading Room”
drawn by Jennifer Ofenstein, 2003
black inck on tea stained paper

As always, if you make any pattern or craft from Sewhooked, share it with the Sewhooked flickr group for a chance to see it posted right here on sewhooked.com!

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also posted on cut out + keep

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Friends of Sewhooked Challenge

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If you know me, then you know I like contests, challenges and drawings. I have a drawing every month on my Livejournal group, hp_paperpiecing, with a Challenge thrown in whenever I can manage it.

It’s about time the love is spread to the rest of my crafty universe! I’m proud to announce the first ever Friends of sewhooked challenge!

If you’re a Friend of sewhooked (which equates to a friend of Jennifer!), all you have to do to participate is to post a photo of something you’ve made from Sewhooked to the Friends of sewhooked flickr pool by Monday, February 16, 2009, 10 am, CST (U.S.).

Follow any pattern or tutorial and then share your photos…that’s it! I’ll draw a name from the pool and notify the winner via pm or email. Please, no cross-posting entries for the hp_paperiecing challenge. I know you won’t, but I had to say it…just in case!

The winner’s craft will be features on the Sewhooked and that person will receive a hardback copy of Scrap Basket Crafts: Over 50 Quick and Easy Projects to Make from Fabric Scraps.

If this works out, I’ll have another drawing in the future. Fun, fun, fun!

Craft: Recycle Last Year’s Calendar

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I admit it… I keep everything that I might be able to use or recycle later on.

If it’s pretty, cool, or unique, it’s somewhere in a plastic bin or drawer waiting to be reimagined.

I’ve been recycling my paper calendars as long as I can remember. Each December, I start eyeballing the soon-to-be-obsolete model, wondering what it will be in a month or so.

In the past, old calendars have become postcards and gift boxes. My favorite by far is envelopes. Calendar pages, especially really cool calendar pages, make great envelopes!

You’ll need:

an old calendar, the bigger, the better!
envelope template – cut out, and transferred to a piece of lightweight card stock or cardboard
staple remover
scissors
pencil
double stick tape OR a glue stick
Blanket mailing labels (optional)

Remove staples from the calendar

Separate pages and tear apart along the crease line

Position the template on a calendar page and trace with a pencil.

You might want to fussy cut here, if part of the page is more interesting than the rest.

Using scissors, cut along pencil lines.

Repeat for all pages.

Fold bottom of envelope up towards top, aligning with the bottoms of the side flaps.

For heavier paper, use your template or a ruler to crease. If you have paper-folding tools, this is a great time to use them!

Fold side flaps, making sure they’re even with the top and bottom.

Fold bottom flap out.

Place double stick tape, or use a glue stick, on the side flaps, leaving 1/2″ to 1″ at the top without adhesive.

Fold top flap down.

Finished envelope from the front.

Optional: for darker papers, add a self adhesive mailing label.

Repeat until you have a pile of gorgeous envelopes!

For sealing, use double stick tape, a glue stick or fun stickers.

The same template, different calendar.

Same envelope from the front.

Now, what to do with the gorgeous thumbnails on the back of this calendar?

How about buttons?!

Have more pretty calendars? Keep recycling!

Recycled Envelopes to gift.

Happy crafting!

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

Monique Baby Blanket

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Print this Pattern

Monique is one of my favorite blanket patterns to make for The Linus Connection.

It’s easy, relatively fast, works well with just about any yarn and can be adapted to be a smaller or larger size. Make it with all one color or use up your leftovers!

I’m not including yarn amounts here because it really varies on what size you’d like to make and what kind of yarn you choose. The one shown is made with Caron Simply Soft.

You’ll need:
The yarn of your choice, I prefer a soft worsted, like Caron Simply Soft. Please note that the amount will vary
depending on your brand choice
I hook – this is my preference, but it works with any size hook from G up to about a J, depending on yarn weight.

Ch 122 (or any multiple of 3 + 2)
Row 1: 1 hdc into third ch from hook, skip 1 st *(1sc, ch 1, 1 dc) in next st, sk 2 sts*, rep *to*, end of row, 1 sc in last st, ch 2,
turn.
Row 2: 1 hdc in first st, (1 sc, ch 1, 1dc) in ch sp of the previous row. 1 sc in ch 2 space, ch 2, turn.
Rep until blanket is approximately square or slightly rectangular.
For edging, continue pattern in ch sp around remaining 3 sides. Join with sl stitch and finish off.

Print this Pattern

edging detail

completed blanket

signature-2016

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updated 01/06/2015

Way Back Craft: Harry Potter Bookcase Mural

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It’s hard to believe I’ve never blogged about this project!

Years ago, I had a website called Jen’s Crochet and Crafts. It eventually morphed into sewhooked. The Harry Potter Bookcase Mural was originally posted there, along with the story of how it came to be.

When my almost-14-year-old-daughter was about to turn 8, she asked for a Harry Potter-themed room for her birthday. Being a big HP fan myself, I was as excited as she was to take on the project. Among her requests were castle walls, an enchanted ceiling, The Fat Lady on her door, red and gold hangings for her bed and a magical bookcase. I managed all of those things, but the bookcase remains my absolute favorite part of the project.

The original bookcase was drawn freehand with chalk. I’ve since made a map for use on an overhead projector, or, if you have a steady hand and feel up to it, to use as a free-hand guide.

Supplies:

Bookcase Mural Template printed on clear acetate
Overhead projector
Pencil or chalk
Masking tape
Dark semi-gloss paint for background
Paint roller and pan
Paint brushes, multiple sizes and shapes
Acrylic craft paints in multiple colors
List of books from the Harry Potter series
Permanent markers, various colors, fine & medium tips
optional: yardstick or long straight-edge
optional: egg cartons

You need a clean dry surface to start with. If painting on an older surface, you may want to paint with primer first.

Print the template on clear acetate and project the image onto the selected area. Position the bookcase where you’d like for it to appear. Use masking tape to outline the area that will become your bookcase.

Use semi-gloss paint and the paint roller to paint the taped-off area.

Paint a second coat if necessary. Allow to dry overnight.

Using a pencil or chalk, trace the bookcase (not the contents), adding a border if needed or desired. A ruler or yardstick comes in really handy for this step.

Paint bookcase shelves and allow to dry.

Starting with the top shelf, trace contents.

bottom left, close up

After tracing, paint contents using a variety of colors. An egg carton works great to have multiple colors available at once.

Repeat for all shelves, allow to dry overnight.

Using a variety of permanent markers, add book names using this list of books provided.

v
bottom right, close up

Randomly place books where you like, except for The Standard Book of Spells. Look for these on the second shelf from the top, on the right side. The seven books are more or less together, each with a line across the top of the binding (only 6 books are listed in the HP series, but I’m assuming there would have been a seventh if Harry had returned for his final year of school).

top left, close up

Add embellishments; names on potions bottles, cat whiskers, etc. with permanent markers.

Stand back and admire your work!

More photos from the Harry Potter bedroom with instructions on sewhooked

If you make this or any sewhooked crafts, I’d love to see a photo! Email me or add it to the Friends of sewhooked flickr group.

Happy Crafting!

Also posted on The Leaky Cauldron and cut out + keep

Sewing: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle a Thrift Store Sweater into a fun bag!

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The Recycled Sweater Bag isn’t quite old enough to be considered a Way Back Craft. I first started making this bag last year. It works great with a felted thrift store sweater, but you can also make this bag out of denim, upholstery fabric, or just about any other heavy duty material.

The bag size will vary based on the size of your sweater.

Do I need a reason to make a new bag? Not really, but recycling is a darn good incentive!

Use the written instructions below or watch the video. (Please note this video tutorial was posted in 2008, and the quality reflects that).

You will need:

1 old (or thrift store) 100% wool sweater – felted
fabric for lining & pockets
magnet purse snap
2 buttons
sewing machine
thread
scissors
chalk
pins
rotary cutter (optional)
walking foot (optional)

I used a 1/2″ seam allowance throughout. If your sweater is bulkier, go a little wider or use what works for you.

First up – let’s prep our fabrics!

Cut a square or rectangle out of the body of the sweater, cut the same dimensions from lining fabric, remove sweater arms.

Split sleeves up seam and cut off the tops for pockets.

Cut rectangles out of the sleeve tops, cut same dimensions +1.5″ in length for lining.

Using the remaining scraps, cut out 2 circles and trim the circles into free-form flowers.

Cut 2″ squares out of the bottom left and right, repeat for lining fabric.

Now, let’s make the lining!

Cut a square the same width and length from lining fabric for inside pockets. Fold in half and stitch along the fold.

Pin pocket to inside and mark center with chalk for stitching line.

Pin sides and bottom of lining, stitch, leave 2″ corners open, leave opening in the side or bottom for turning.

Match boxed corners (the notches in the bottom of the bag), pin & stitch.

Press seams then turn right side out. The bottom and pockets of your lining should now look like this.

Add magnetic snaps to your lining following the manufacturer’s directions. Leave enough seam allowance at the top for stitching around. I recommend 1″ or more of space. Add a folded piece of scrap fabric to the back to reinforce the snap. Stitch around the snap to reinforce extra fabric.

Time to work on the outside sweater pieces!

Pin sweater pocket piece to lining pocket piece, right sides together (lining should be 1.5″ longer), stitch ends.

Line up bottom of pocket, pin, then stitch sides. Leave an opening for turning.

Trim corners, turn pocket and pin openings.

Stitch side seams of bag, leaving bottom open.

Turn the sweater bag body right side out, matching seams. Pin pockets over the side seams, then stitch to attach.

With right sides together, stitch across sweater bag bottom.

Fold in boxed corners, matching side & bottom seams, pin & stitch.

The inside bottom should look like this.

Time for Sleeves!

Trim sleeves to desired width for strap, I like a wider strip so tend to cut about 5″. This includes seam allowance. Remember, this is your bag, and this width will vary based on your sweater, so the dimensions are all yours!

Pin ends of two sleeves together, stitch and trim seam.

Fold lengthwise, stitch, leaving approx. 6″ open for turning

Turn right side out and smooth opening.

Stitch closed with a tight whip stitch.

Center and pin straps to side seams, being sure to match right sides. Stitch in place.

Ensure the straps are inside and pin the lining to the sweater (outside of the bag), right sides together. Stitch around the top.

Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining.

Pin opening in lining. Stitch closed.

Turn lining inside, smooth and pin. Top stitch.

Stitch flower to center of each side over snap, stitch button on top. We are DONE!

What a fun way to recycle an old sweater!

Here’s a fun one I made with a cute purple sweater!

Happy Crafting!

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

Craft: Earring Hanger/Organizer

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I don’t make many New Year’s Resolutions, but I do start each year trying to be more organized. I’m starting with my personal spaces this year; my jewelry, make-up, and the like.

I love big, swishy earrings, handmade, hand-beaded, felted, you name it. I have loads that were made by friends and a few made by myself, and those are definitely my favorites.

Storage has gotten a bit precarious, and I’m usually trying to disentangle the mess and find a missing earring.

For quite a long time, I’ve used a small earring organizer to keep my studs and other small earrings that have a stem and a back. It was time for a new, bigger version so I could finally find all of my fabulous earrings!

You need:

a picture frame with no glass (recycled or raw wood)
plastic canvas
hot melt glue
scissors
ribbon
stapler (a staple gun works great if you have one) or thumb tacks
optional: paint & glitter

Cut the plastic canvas to fit inside your frame.

Optional: Paint the frame the color of your choice. If the frame is recycled and has a finish, you’ll need to give it a light sanding before painting.

I’m particularly fond of glitter…so I sprinkled some on my frame while it was still wet.

Once the paint and glitter are dry, place the plastic canvas inside the back of the frame. Go around all four sides with hot melt glue.

Cut a piece of ribbon long enough to reach from one corner of the frame to the other, plus a little for turning under on the ends. The length here depends on how you want your final product to look and how much of the ribbon you’d like to show. Turn the ends under and staple or tack in place.

Hang on the wall and add all of your lovely dangly earrings! Works best with French hook earrings.

Smaller, desk version

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

Faux “Knit” Crochet Hogwarts Scarf

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Printable Pattern

In July of 2006, I enjoyed one of the best trips of my life to Las Vegas, Nevada. My friend Hope and I went to Lumos, the first Harry Potter conference I attended.

I was still fairly new to the online Harry Potter fandom, though I’d been part of the HP world since 1999. I was a new moderator for Harry Potter Crafts (2006-2008) and was not yet working for The Leaky Cauldron as a Crafty Witch (2006-2007).

Lumos changed everything. Suddenly, the names of people I knew online had faces, and voices and hugs!

Prior to the conference, I went into a crafting frenzy. I’m a Ravenclaw, and of course needed a house scarf! I wanted to my scarf to look knit…but I’m not a knitter. It’s my daughter’s craft, and I have left it alone because it makes her happy to be able to do a craft that mom doesn’t!

Anyhow, I wanted a knit-look scarf and had played with Tunisian crochet before. After working out the width of the bars, I went to work. This is the result. It’s a narrow scarf because I wore it in Las Vegas…in July. Can you say HOT?

Faux “Knit” Crochet Hogwarts Scarf

Scarf as modeled in 2006 by my dearly departed Prissy

Uses the Tunisian “knit” stitch: Tutorial on Stitch Diva and on Crochet Cabana (there are lots more, use the one that works for you)
Example made in Red Heart worsted weight – Soft Navy & Carrot (for Ravenclaw)
“I” afghan or other long crochet hook (gauge varies by size – work with what you like best)

narrow scarf =ch 15, “movie” size=ch 42

Row 1: ch 15 for a narrow scarf, or 42 for wider “movie” size. Insert the hook into the 2nd ch from hook, yo, and pull loop through the chain stitch (2 loops on hook). *Insert hook into next chain, yo, and pull loop through ch*, rep *to* to end of row, leaving all loops on the hook. The number of loops on the the hook should be the same as the beginning foundation chain. Do not turn.

Row 2: Working from left to right, yo and pull through first loop on hook, *yo, and pull through next 2 loops*, rep *to* to end of row (1 loop left on hook).

Row 3: *Insert hook between the 2 double vertical strands of each loop (from front to back), below the chain formed by row 2, yo and pull through a loop (loosely)*, rep *to* across row.

Row 4: Repeat row 2

Repeat row 3 & 4 for pattern. When changing color, attach at end of even row at “1 loop left” so that the remaining loop is the new color. You can easily count the rows you’ve made by the ridges on the back of your work – each ridge equals 2 rows.

*1- 28 in MC 29 (14 ridges)

32 in CC (2 ridges)

33 – 38 in MC (3 ridges)

39-42 in CC (2 ridges)

43- 66 in MC (14 ridges)

Repeat 13 times. You should have 14 sets of “captured” bars and each end should be 28 rows long. Fold the entire scarf in half and whip stitch. The seam can be in the back or on a side – your choice. Whip stitch the ends closed and add short fringe all the way across.

*some resources describe Tunisian crochet with each ridge, or every two rows as one row. If you want to count like that, then think 1-14, 15-16, etc. when counting.

Add your Sewhooked-related photos to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post!

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This is part of my “Way Back Craft” series; patterns, crafts, tutorials and general crafty memories before the days of this craft blog.

This pattern is also available on The Leaky Cauldron.

Ministry of Silly Walks Stencil

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Here’s a fun stencil that I made for my son. It’s a fairly simple stencil and a great conversation starter!

My family are huge Monty Python fans, so much so, that I ended up making a shirt for my hubby,too.

From the classic Python sketch, Ministry of Silly Walks:

Supplies:

A t-shirt (or other item to be stenciled)
Freezer Paper with Ministry of Silly Walks Stencil (updated version also for great for embroidery, 2014)
Foam Brush
Fabric Paint (I like Lumiere or Tulip Soft)
Exacto Cutting Tool
Cardboard or newspaper
Cutting Mat

In lieu of individual photos of the process, take a look at my how-to video for stenciling, which you may remember from this post or from The Cullen Crest post.

Pre-wash t-shirt without fabric softener.
Print stencil (or alternative updated version) onto freezer paper (matte side).
Carefully cut out with an exact-o knife. There are loads of fiddly bits, so take your time and be careful.
Set iron to medium.
Place cardboard or newspaper inside t-shirt.
Place stencil on t-shirt with a piece of blank paper on top (that keeps the tiny pieces in place) then carefully press with the iron.
Use the foam brush to gently paint on the fabric paint.
Allow a few minutes to dry, then carefully remove the stencil. For small pieces, use a straight pin to help get them started for easier removal.
Finish drying according to manufacturer’s directions.

Black on White Silly Walks

kirstencan’s Silly Walk tee from the flickr group

Add your Sewhooked-related photos to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post!

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also posted on craftster and cut out + keep

The black Ministry of Silly Walks tee was one of the winners of the Knitted Icons contest on cut out + keep. (Knitted Icons was the prize…the craft didn’t have to be knitted)