Top 100 Tutorials of 2009

 I've been under the weather for about a week now, so I haven't got much to say unless you want to talk about sleeping.  Since I don't have anything new to show you, I found this wonderful list of craft tutorials for you to try out.  I plan to try the clothespin dolls soon!

 

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It was a good year in the online crafting world. Here’s a list of 100 craft and sewing tutorials of 2009, not ranked in a particular order. I made a similar list last year that continues to be popular. This year I decided to include my own tutorials! Feel free to comment and link to your favorites, as I’m sure that I’ve left many off the list. It’s amazing how much creativity is out there. So go make something in 2010. Happy New Year! Those marked with an asterisk are pictured above.

BAGS, POUCHES & PURSES

Buttercup Bag from Made by Rae.*

Phoebe Bag from Artsy Crafty Babe.

Diana Hobo from Think Liz.

Ruffled Messenger Bag from Between the Lines.

Basic Messenger Bag from Mmmcrafts.

Lunch Bag from Amy Karol for Etsy’s How-Tuesday.

Kate’s Notebook Lunchbag from Design Sponge.

Reusable Snack Bag from We Wilsons.

Apple Backpack from Alpha Mom.

Perfect Box Pouch from Indie House.

Zakka-inspired Pencil Pouch from Noodle Head.

Zippered Pouch with Reverse Appliqué from Orange Flower.*

Fuzzy Felty Flex Frame Purses from Nicole Mallalieu Design.

Wild Things Tote from Courtney Russel for Bloesem Kids.*

Fat Quarter Tote Bag from Cicada Daydream.

Drawstring Gift Bag from A Little Red Ribbon.

Shoe Bag from Betz White.

The Everything Pocket Bag from Chickpea Sewing Studio.

Earth Day Spa Set from Stardust Shoes for Michael Miller Fabrics.

Little House Pouch from The Long Thread.*

Boat Tote from The Long Thread.

Water Bottle Tote from The Long Thread.

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

Glasses Case from Design Sponge by Kata Golda from her book Hand-Stitched Felt.

Rose Petal Tee from Appliqué Your Way by Kayte Terry for Etsy’s How-Tuesday.

Spring Ruffle Top from Made by Rae for Sew, Mama, Sew.

Ruffled Scarf from Craft.

Merfish Necklace from Resurrection Fern.

Tool Apron, excerpted from Lexie Barnes’ new book Sew What! Bags for Etsy’s How-Tuesday.

10-Minute Pillowcase Apron from from Betz White.

TOYS & SOFTIES

Kokeshi Stuffie from Melly & Me.

Fabric Checkerboard from Rashida Coleman-Hale for Sew News.

Mouse Softies “Jofus and Lally” from RicRac.

Warm Fuzzy Mammal Finger Puppets from Soto Softies.

Clothespin Doll Tutorial from Going Sew Crazy.*

Boo-boo Buddy from Simple Up.

Tooth Pillow from Mmmcrafts.

Love Bird from Molly Chicken.

Bunny Bowling from The Long Thread for Etsy’s How-Tuesday.

Little Red Riding Hood from The Long Thread.

One-Hour Softie from Ric-Rac.

How to Make a Socktopus from CraftStylish.

Felt Food by Dana of Made for So You Think You’re Crafty.

Alphabet Block Magnets from Plum Pudding.

CHILDREN’S CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

Smocked Sundress from Heather Ross of Weekend Sewing for STC Craft.

Clothespin Hairclip Holder from Nested.

Corduroy Flower Skirt from Tea Rose Home.

Pocket Bib and Burp Cloth from Prudent Baby.

No Sew Scrap Scarf Tutorial from Grosgrain.

Owl Costume from Alpha Mom.

Flower Hair Clip Tutorial from A Hoot and a Holler.

Child’s Artwork Tote Bag from The Long Thread.

Dress-up Crown from The Long Thread.

SEWING ACCESSORIES

Hex Pincushions from A Stitch in Dye.*

Miniature Patchwork Pincushions from The Purl Bee.

Knit Pincushion from Kristin Roach for Craft.

Wrist Pincushion from The Long Thread.

FOR THE HOME

Log Cabin Wash Cloths from The Purl Bee.*

Bed Caddy Organizer from Sew4Home.

Fabric Scrap Bowl from Linda Permann at Craft Stylish.

Reversible Tissue Box Cover from Pink Penguin.

Summer Tweets Bird Mobile from The Red Thread.

Yarn Basket from A Friend to Knit With.

Knot Trivet from Design Sponge.

Anneli’s Rag Pillows from Design Sponge.

Portrait Bookmarks with Amanda Blake Soule for Mothering magazine.

2010 Tea Towel Calendar from Just Something I Made for Dollar Store Crafts.

Magazine Paper Decorations from Jeffery Rudell for CraftStylish.

DIY Cake Stand from Tangarang.

Reversible Wine & Gift Bags from Sew4Home.

Paper Wine Bag from Daisy Janie.

Little Pink House Embroidery Hoop Frame from Checkout Girl for Sew, Mama, Sew!

Nesting Boxes from Oh, Fransson! for Sew, Mama, Sew!

Pintuck Pillows from The Long Thread.

Crooked Coasters from The Long Thread.

Cereal Box Journals from The Long Thread.

TECHNIQUES & STITCHING

Stitch-a-Day from the Hand Embroidery Network.

Stencil and Potato Printing with Lotta Jansdotter for CraftStylish.

Little Mushroom Girl Embroidery Pattern from One Red Robin.

HOLIDAYS

Mushroom Ornament from Cathy Gaubert.

Doily Window Decorations from Martha Stewart.

Little Forest Quilt from The Purl Bee.

Cereal Box Cardboard Houses from Bella Dia.*

Surprise Ball Ornaments from Skip to my Lou.

Furoshiki Basics from Etsy’s The Storque.

Book Wreath from Living with Lindsay.

Felt Balls Wreath from Pickles.

Yarn Gift Tag from A Little Hut.

Christmas in July Advent Calendar from Elizabeth of Oh Fransson! for Sew, Mama, Sew!

Sweater Stocking from The Long Thread.

Felt Ornaments from My Fantastic Toys.*

Winter Holiday Decorations from Wisecraft for Value Village.

Easter Basket adapted from a Zakka Sewing pattern, from Disdressed.

Spring Basket from Maya Made.

Felted Egg Tutorial from Wool Pets.

Fabric Easter Eggs from Retro Mama.

Fabric Pompoms from Once Wed.

Candy Corn Cone from Zakka Life.

Jack O’Lantern Hoop from Betz White.

Paper Bag Halloween Bowls from The Long Thread.

Valentine’s Day Heart Plush Toy from The Long Thread.

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My New Year's Art Manifesto

I found this video on a blog for a contemporary Folk Artist and decided that this is exactly the idea I need to keep in mind this year.  I need to just do art for art's sake, not to "make" anything. I love watching this video!  I even just watch it without any sound and it is still fantastic.  This artist is absolutely joyful, playful, energetic, delighted, and talented.  Those are all qualities I aspire to have but would settle for having those qualities in my artwork.  Enjoy the video!

Here's what happens when I have time to read art blogs

 I spent quite a bit of time this morning perusing my favorites and especially my favorited art blogs.  I have not visited some of them in a month and I was feeling a bit guilty.  I love looking at all the talent out there.  I am always inspired by what these talented people accomplish and share online.  One site had a really inspiring video about creativity that I have now watched twice.  Here's a great video that will make you think about yourself and your creativity:



Then on another site I found this wonderful video about art journaling that I hope you like:



This is from a wonderful blog that I hope you will visit because she is going to have an online class about painting faces that you can sign up for.  She says she will be starting it in a few weeks, so I hope you get a chance to join.  I am seriously considering signing up for it myself.

Happy New Year!

So far this year is starting out with a bang.  I got up and showered and dressed to go to work and at 0545 the hospital calls me and cancels me due to decreased census.  Yea!!!!!!  I have a cold and was feeling pretty miserable anyway, so this is just a gift from the gods.

After I take a long nap, I plan to get up and work on my paper mache bunny.  I still haven't finished him and I really want to, so since I have a gift of this day, I think I should do it!  I will post pictures of the completed bunny when I get it finished. 

I went to the library the other day and checked out three wonderful books on art dolls.  I highly recommend them.  The first is The Art Doll Chronicles, the next is 500 Handmade Dolls, and the last is Sculpting in Paperclay.  They are delightful books full of beautiful pictures.  They do inspire me.

I'm still working on my New Year's Goals.  I know what they are, but I want to break them down into doable steps and plot them out during the year.  That is the only way I think I will get myself moving.  So, I'll let you know how that goes, too.

Setting realistic goals for 2010

Image by randihausken via Flickr

With Christmas behind me, I find myself thinking more and more about the new year.  I have never really been much of a resolution type of person, but I do believe in setting yourself goals--kind of a roadmap to get where you want to go.  Granted, sometimes the goals you set are simply unrealistic or unattainable, but at least you have a focus and a direction.

I am thinking more and more about both professional and personal goal setting, which is not the norm.  I usually do the "lose weight, give up bad habits, get more sleep" kind of goals just like everyone else but this year I am thinking more globally.  As a nurse for the last 20+years, I have really just tried to keep my head above water and for me just getting to work on my scheduled days was a great goal.  Now, I find that won't work for me.  If all I want to do is get myselft there, then I need to find something else to be doing with the rest of my life.

Personally, I have just "let things happen" for way too long.  This next year, I would like to feel that I am at least at the helm of my own life.  The years have a habit of getting away from you if you let them--marriage, motherhood, work, social life, etc.  Before you realize it, the time has passed and you have not gotten any of your personal goals accomplished.

So--this year I plan to make some very serious and very detailed goals for myself.  I will break each goal down into monthly parts and break those goals down even further into weekly goals.  Maybe I can actually get something done this next year toward my desire to go to school, get another job, encourage my artistic side, relearn to play and laugh.  I'll try to keep you posted on how I'm doing.  Won't you let me know what you are planning in the New Year?

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Image by Truthout.org via Flickr

Today is finally Christmas and I am so glad it's over.  I worked today and it was a really sad day to spend with my patients.  I am constantly reminded that life is hard and sometimes a simple quirk in time can mean all the difference in the type of life you get to live.

So, today I am very grateful for my life--my family, my work, my health, my pets, my friends,--simply my life.
I know that I am very blessed.  I know that there are people in the world who love me and care about my happiness.  I know that for my age, I am in extremely good health.  I am thankful for it all.

I hope you too will do some internal searching and discover the bounty of your blessings.  May Christmas live in your life all year long. 

Merry Christmas!

The Santas are finally finished and on the tree!

Well, I wasn't sure these would be done in time, but I got bored today while I waited for someone to come by that never did.  While waiting, I went ahead and finished the santas and hung them on the tree.  I took some liberty with the project instructions and I added dimensional paint for the beard and used black ribbon to attach the legs.  But, I have to say they turned out quite well.  I like the way they look on my tree. 

I may be starting my own Christmas tradition.  Last year, I made the snowflake ornaments that are up on the tree.  This year I made the Santas.  Wonder what I will make next year?

Here's some pictures of the santas: