1. With all the upcoming fall holidays, table runners are a simple way to add a seasonal decorative touch to your dining room table or entry way console.  Better homes and Gardens offers a great tutorial that can be found here.  Simply stated, gather some leaves to use as templates, trace them onto the felt, cut out and simply glue to a felt or other fabric runner.  You can add details such as buttons, beads and ribbon to the leaves and the edges of the runner for a finished look.
2. The kitchen often gets left out when it comes time for holiday decorating.  One easy way to bring the feel of fall into the kitchen is to hot glue some fall motifs cut out of felt to the front of clear glass containers.  To please the kids (or your own inner child) you could choose pumpkin and spider motifs and fill those jars with candy corn and licorice “eyeballs”.  If you are looking for a design that will last throughout the fall season, consider acorns or pinecone designs and fill those glass jars with nuts, unpopped corn kernels or a variety of colorful beans.
3. An easy to sew (oops..I said no sewing…) throw can be made from felt that can then be embellished with embroidery, buttons, ribbon etc.  There is a wide range of colors to choose from so select a patchwork of colors or just one solid color that coordinates with your home decor.  This blanket is perfect for those chilly afternoon naps (lucky you) or to toss around the kids when they are watching TV.  Since felt is machine washable there is no worry about spills and stains.
4. If you are expecting a large crowd for Thanksgiving dinner, felt napkin rings are so simple to make.  Since felt does not fray, small rings can be cut out and the ends glued together.  Use decorative scissors to add a bit of detail to the edges.  You can then hot glue an initial to identify each person, a fall motif such as leaves, acorns or even a small turkey applique or a sprig of real berries and leaves.  This is also a great way to involve the kids in the holiday preparations.
5. Easiest way to use felt is to simply wrap a sheet of felt around a potted plant, tie with some raffia ribbon and you have an instant fall decoration.  No hot glue, no sewing…

Do you have any suggestions on how to use felt for fall decorations?  We would love to see your photos….

Etsy is one of the leading sites for talented people to sell their crafts online. I can testify from personal experience that it is a great venue to market on; it is inexpensive and easy to use.

The upcoming craft party is the second one Etsy has held. It sounds like a lot of fun. Get together with your friends and family to create fabulous crafts.

Gift cards can be purchased and sent electronically for the techno savvy Moms out there or you can purchase an actual card that can be wrapped as a gift or added as a little surprise inside her Mother’s Day card.  This link will take you directly to the order page.

Your Mom is sure to be thrilled with this card.  So much so that you might even convince her to help you with some of your projects!!

The wearing of the green is fast approaching. Aye, I must admit that I am more than a wee bit fond of St. Paddy’s Day. If you are Irish like me or want to be Irish for the wearing of the green on St. Patrick’s Day, you will love these St. Patrick’s Day fabrics.

These quality cotton prints can be made into a variety of projects. How about a lovely vest with shamrocks to show your Irish spirit? Take a peek at these darling frogs in their Irish finery. They’d make cute placemats and children’s items. Most of these fabrics would be great for tablecloths, placemats, napkins, and pillows.

Kids big and small will love this lips pillow from the sofa garden shop on Etsy.com
High Quality Photo

Nothing subtle about this pillow from Alexandra Ferguson.com
High Quality Photo

This cute vase could be used year round and is available from firecat on etsy.com
High Quality Photo

And don’t forget all the pretty fabrics available to make throw pillows, basket liners, gift bags, picture frames, etc., etc.  You guys are more creative than I so share any Valentine’s Day ideas you have with us.

Photo by Jason Frank Rothenberg, publisher Hachette
High Quality Photo

Has winter got you down?  Does the mere mention of a “snow day” fill you with panic?  Have you run out of ideas on how to keep all the kids occupied for yet another day off of school?  “Simple Times–Crafts for Poor People” , written by Ann Sedaris just might be the answer.

Written with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, this is a fun, colorful book that features chapters on topics that range from How to Create a Craft room to wonderful craft ideas and inspiration.  She offers advice on simple things like what type of glue to use in projects or how to make money on your crafts (with no guarantees, of course).  Have you been wondering how to make felt eyeballs  or a macaroni alien mask for next year’s Halloween party? (and who hasn’t?) It’s in here.  Need some new napkin rings for your next dinner party?  That’s in here, too.  And who doesn’t need a pair of new moccasins this winter?  (yep..those directions are in here as well) 

We can only hope that winter has no more surprises for us but, if she does, this book will be there to  help you get through those long snow days and just might put a smile on the kid’s faces.  (even those hard to smile tweens).

How about these great stadium ponchos for the entire family. Complete with a pillow which has a pocket for the poncho, this pattern would be great in fleece.

These handy bags for walkers, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters can be made with twill, tapestry, denim, or canvas.

There are hundreds of Simplicity craft patterns on sale. Grab some and some OFS fabric and start crafting.

Want to make some interesting felt craft projects with the kids and teach them how to go green at the same time. Use recycled felt. It is available by the yard in 72” widths and it is also available in several colors in adhesive felt squares which are great for craft projects.

Several charity sewing patterns can be found at http://www.sewing.org/html/charitysew.php including a walker pouch, a wheelchair pouch, and a cute teddy bear.

The Sewing and Craft Alliance also sponsors a program to <a href=":“>train sewing instructors.

Sewing & Craft Alliance
PO Box 369
Monroeville, PA 15146
412-372-5950