Teacup Pincushions

I am always looking for shops that have unique gifts and treasures. Daises and Co. has just that! The shop is full of the sweetest handmade toys, banners for your home among other items. My favorite is the teacup pincushions. 

When I saw these, I knew I had to pick up one for Mother's Day (and myself!) My Mom has such a gorgeous timeless creative style, I like to match that when I pick out a gift. I love how Daisies and Co. teacups are so vintage, affordable, and well made!

You can visit the Daisies and Co. Etsy shop here! Check it out, it will definitely brighten up your day. :) Have you picked out a gift for your mom yet? It can be hard to pick out the perfect gift for such wonderful lady! I'll be sharing a couple more last minute ideas!

Heirloom Recipe Painting

We all have those special family recipes our moms or grandmas always used to make. There are a few I have asked my mom to send me lately so I could make them now too! These special recipes bring back so many memories of growing up, they should stay in the family and be passed down. 

For Mother's Day, I decided to document a recipe from each of my Grandmothers in a painting that could become a family heirloom. This Italian Lemon Cookie Recipe is one my grandmother knows by heart. I love having it written down now to keep always. I hope this painting will be a special way to honor her and the love she has poured out on her family over the years through her teaching, compassion, sweetness, and cooking too. ;)

I am taking custom orders for paintings of your special family recipes! Visit our Etsy shop to order. :)
8x10" Paintings are $40 + shipping.

How To: Monogrammed Embroidery Hoop

Wreaths can be pretty pricey, so this Spring I went with a different style for my door that cost less than $10! A monogrammed embroidery hoop is simple to make and does not require many materials. 

You will need:

1/4 yard of burlap

8.5" Embroidery hoop or larger if desired

1" wide ribbon of desired color (I used approximately 36")

Print out of desired capital letter in Times New Roman

Acrylic or Craft paint to match ribbon

Paint Brush

Sharpie

Scissors

1. Print your initial out as a 4x4" Times New Roman capital. I just Googled an image of mine. Another font can be used if desired as well. 

2. Place the burlap centered over the letter, and trace the outline with a sharpie. 

3. Fill in your outlined initial with paint. Be sure to paint over the entire letter to cover the sharpie outline. The paint will bleed through the burlap so keep a sheet of paper underneath. I painted about 3 coats to create a vibrant color. 

4. Once the paint dries, center the back portion of the embroidery hoop underneath the burlap. 

5. Prior to securing the front of the hoop, tie the ribbon in a bow around the hoop, but leave about 8" of slack to hang the hoop.

6. Slide the bow down to the top of the hoop, leaving the slack above the bow. Then, loosen the fastener, press the hoop down over the burlap, and tighten. Be sure to pull the burlap taut and keep the initial centered. 

7. Turn the embroidery hoop over and cut off the excess burlap. Finally, hang on your door!

How To: Corduroy Elbow Patches

I am so happy that Spring is here! We had a very mild winter, so I can't complain, but all the blooms and green growing has me ready for summer weather. We are still having chilly mornings and rainy days..even a little snow, so I haven't put away all my long sleeves yet!

I love the detail of corduroy elbow patches, and have been eyeing a few sweaters with them all winter long. I never wanted to put up the dollars for any of them, so I picked up an inexpensive long sleeve at Costco, and decided to add my own detail for a comfy "go to" on brisk mornings. 

The patches were simple to iron on. I added a button stitch for extra security, but they adhered pretty well without the stitching too!

You will need:

Long plain long sleeve shirt or sweater

1/8 yard of Corduroy fabric

1/8 yard of Fusible bonding web

Scratch paper

Pencil

Scissors

Stick pins

Iron 

Ironing Board

Hot pad

1. On a sheet of scratch or grid line paper, draw out your patch. Mine was a 3x4" heart. I folded my paper down the center of the heart before I cut it out to ensure that it was symmetrical. Cut out 2 identical patch patterns. 

2. Use your pattern to cut out 2 patches out of your corduroy. Cut out 2 identical pieces from your bonding web as well. 

3. Place your pattern where desired on your shirt sleeves while one a flat surface. Using pins, attach the patterns to the sleeves. Be careful to only pine the patterns to the back of the sleeves, not all the way through to the front. Try your sweater on to ensure that the patterns are even on both sleeves and that your elbows hit exactly in the center of the patches. Adjust as necessary. You may need the help of a friend to eyeball the spacing while you try the sweater on. 

4. Once the patterns are pinned exactly where desired, lay the sweater flat on your ironing board. Place a folded hot pad inside the sleeve under the patch to avoid the bonding web bonding the sleeve shut. 

5. Carefully remove the pins from your pattern without moving the pattern's location. Line up your bonding web and patch. Place down on desired location while simultaneously sliding out the pattern from under the patch. 

6. Iron your patch on according to your bonding web's instructions. Repeat on the other sleeve of your sweater. 

7. Add a stitch around the edges of your elbow patches if desired. Otherwise, you're done!