Mitzi's Miscellany

Crochet Covered Pumpkins: My Most Popular Craft

Back in 2011, I created some faux pumpkins and gourds covered with vintage crochet doilies.  Of all the craft projects I've presented on my blog, it's been the most popular.  Better Homes and Gardens Online  picked it up a while back, and it was featured in Daphne's Diary, a magazine that's popular just about everywhere except the U.S. (oh, well!)  It's a favorite at FaveCrafts, an online craft magazine, and because I used Mod Podge for Fabric for the project, it popped up at Mod Podge Rocks, too.  

Because of the popularity of my "Crochet Covered Pumpkins," I thought it deserved a re-run this year, for those of you that haven't seen it.

If I Ever Made A Bridal Bouquet.....

I was just thinking the other day, if I ever made a bridal bouquet, it would have to be something different.  I've seen some of the wonderful bouquets made from vintage brooches, and have been so inspired by them.  But they've been done already, so I'd have to think of something unique....

 

Today, I Decapitated A Clown

I've done a lot of things in the name of crafting, and today I had to decapitate a clown!  Let me explain.  I had a clown comprised of fabric yoyos that were extra special.  They were satin yoyos in lovely colors.  I decided I wanted to create little flowers from them, so I dismembered Mr. Clown.  Here are the flowers I created:

Making Jewelry with Fabric Yoyos

Over the years I've bought and sold vintage yoyos by the thousands, but I'll admit right now I've never made a yoyo from scratch.  I sell loose yoyos for crafting in my Etsy shop in bags of 100.  For those of you that want to learn how to sew a yoyo, there's an easy tutorial HERE.

I've created many things with yoyos in the past, including yoyo covered pumpkins one autumn, yoyo flowers, and wreaths embellished with yoyos.  For lots of fun yoyo ideas, visit my Pinterest board "Crazy for Yoyos."

Today I want to show you how I created a little "statement necklace" using some fabric yoyos, buttons, and other embellishments.

  

Chandelier Crystal and Vintage Wallpaper Pendant Tutorial

I love making jewelry from unexpected materials, and, if you haven't noticed by now, I'm a little obsessed with vintage wallpaper.  This project combines vintage wallpaper and chandelier crystals which makes it right up my alley!

You are going to need chandelier crystals that are somewhat flat on one side.  Most of them are.  You are also going to need some vintage wallpaper, although pretty scrapbook paper or wrapping paper would also work for this project.  Other alternatives include laser jet copies of pretty postcard images, trade card images, or other pendant-worthy images you would like to use.

 

Vintage Wallpaper Flower Pots

If you've been reading my blog for any period of time, you know how much I love vintage wallpaper.  I've used it in a variety of craft projects and keep a Pinterest board of ideas using it that you might like to visit.

Today I'm going to show you how I use vintage wallpaper to dress up everyday terra cotta flower pots.  Most of the time when I use old wallpaper, I suggest that scrapbook paper can be a good substitute, but for this project I recommend using pretty gift wrap paper as a substitute instead.  I think scrapbook paper would be too stiff to work well.  Vintage wallpaper, the kind that's not pre-pasted, is perfect for this project.  It's somewhat brittle but very porous and adheres to the flower pots nicely.

Fabric Scrap Garlands Craft Tutorial

I've been cleaning and organizing my craft room this summer, and part of the process has included straightening out fabric I've accumulated.  I buy most of my fabric inexpensively at estate sales.  I look for cotton mini-prints made in the 1960's and 70's.  I've used these fabrics in several of my past craft projects, and today I have one more I'd like to share.

There are so many versions of fabric scrap garlands on blogs and Pinterest, I've been inspired to try one myself.  Many of them involve looping fabric strips over a length of twine.  The version I'm sharing today involves tying the fabric strips on a thick rope base.  This results in a fluffier garland instead of a fringe-type garland.  

Fabric Scrap Topiaries Craft Tutorial

I've posted a couple craft tutorials using fabric scraps, such as a fabric scrap wreath and fabric scrap brooches.  Here is another project that uses small pieces of fabric.  I like to use multiple pieces in the same color family, but you might want to use all the same color/fabric, or totally mix it up.  It's all up to you!  The bases are just painted terra cotta flower pots:

Another Way to Make a Crown

Have you seen the creative ways people have been making crowns on various crafting blogs?  I've been saving creative crown ideas on a Pinterest board that you can view HERE.  A crown isn't exactly an item one needs, but on the other hand, I think every woman should have at least one, and if it's handmade, that makes it more special.  I'd like to show you my version of a handmade crown (below):

Vintage Garage Sale Lamp Makeovers

 Here's an easy "up-cycling" project that makes a big impact. It's easy to find a couple garage sale "brass" (typically, they are only brass finished) lamps or other inexpensive lamp bases this summer.  The important thing to look for is good wiring.  Also, if marked Stiffel, it's a better quality solid brass lamp that probably should be left alone.  Otherwise, it's probably fair game for a makeover.....

This is what I created with an old lamp base I painted hot pink, and a lampshade I jazzed up with some ruffles.  The fabric is also second-hand, so none of the materials are from the craft store except the hot glue used to adhere the ruffles to the shade: