Karin Jordan Studio

New Book Giveaway: Stitch Zakka!

I'd preordered a copy of Stitch Zakka and it arrived the other day. I was able to sit with a cup of coffee and look through it this morning, and I enjoyed it enough to want to give a copy away!

The contributor list is incredible; there are projects from 22 designers from all over the world. The diverse projects range from a needle case, tablet and e-reader cases, wall hangings, pillows, bags, pincushions, a doll, a sampler and even a mobile! Gailen Runge of Stash Books has put together 143 pages of eye candy.

Don't be afraid if you're new to embroidery! There are illustrated how-tos for the stitches necessary to complete the projects. And there's a list of all the designers blogs where you can go to learn even more. 

I am going to keep this giveaway open for an entire week. Comments will be closed on Monday July 8th at 5 pm EST. It's my happy 4th of July to you!!! To enter, all you need to do is comment below with what your first (or next!) embroidery project might be. Please be sure to enter an email address so I can contact you if you win!! While not required for entry, I'd love for you to follow Leigh Laurel Studios on Facebook, Twitter and/or Pinterest. :)  

If this is your first visit to my blog, thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a moment to browse around, comment or ask a question. I do my best to respond to everyone. For those of you in the US, I hope you have a wonderful long 4th of July weekend!

Cheers,
xo Karin 

 

 

Remember These? This Weekend's Journal Cover Sew Along Will Disguise Them and Make Them Cool(er)

I ran out to Staples last night in the crazy rain (wearing flip flips - oops) to pick up black-and-white composition books. These things have been in production forever, instilling fear and trepidation in students far and wide. They've reached iconic status in the school supply arena. I'm not planning on taking any classes (well, maybe something on Craftsy), but I am participating in this weekend's Darling Adventures Journal Cover Sew Along! 

There's a terrific video tutorial that takes about eight minutes to watch. Decorating possibilities are endless! I don't journal in the traditional sense, but I do jot down a lot of notes and make sketches. 

Check back Monday or Tuesday to see what I've come up with. I can't wait to see all the completed projects!

xo Karin

 

Goodbye Google Reader. . . Hello Bloglovin'!

Google Reader is almost defunct. There are a few days left to change to a different subscription service. I've been using Feedly for the past few months but I decided today that I will be using Bloglovin'. I simply like the interface better for managing my favorite blogs. I'd hate to lose a single subscriber because a much-loved service is shutting down! I appreciate each and every one of you! Click here to follow Leigh Laurel Studios on Bloglovin'.

Many thanks!!

xo Karin

 

How to Make Ice Cream Bowls Even More Fun

In the event bowls of ice cream aren't enough to make the kids smile with pure joy, I thought I'd personalize them with their nicknames. "Goof" and "Bubs" now have their own bowls, complete with drawings of ice cream cones.  

 You will need:

-Porcelain pens. I used the same Pebeo Porcelaine 150 markers I used to decorate the white on black pet bowls in this post.
-Plain bowls. I saw these at the local dollar store and fell in love with the handles.

I used five colors for this project: Brown, yellow, orange, red and turquoise. The ice cream cone design goes around the back. I did not paint anything on the inside of the bowls, and I plan on hand washing them. 

These pens dry 'tack free' in minutes, but prepare to leave 24 hours to fully dry. For better permanence, bake in the oven at 350F for 35 minutes after the 24 hour drying period. If you're not going to put them in the oven, allow the paint to dry for at least 72 hours and wash lightly without soaking. Additional product info can be found here.

It was humid and in the 90s out when I was taking these photos so the ice cream was melting quickly. Our favorite ice cream flavor is still vanilla. Yum! Vanilla bean? Even yummier. Something tells me these bowls will be getting a lot of use..

xo Karin

PS - I watered the succulents in the PVC pots for the first time since I planted them (see this post). They're doing great in their sunny window, and two of them are even flowering! Follow Leigh Laurel Studios on Facebook! Go here and hit 'like'. :)

 

How to Paint Personalized Gift Tags

I love manila shipping tags and always have some on hand. When I owned a home & garden boutique, I stamped them with the logo and used them for hand-written price tags. Decorated, they make unique gift tags. I thought it would be nice to personalize them with the gift recipient's initial.

Materials:

-Avery manila shipping tags. I used the 2.75 x 1.375" size.
-Several colors of acrylic paint
-Letter stamps, black marker or paint
-Rubber stamp with a stem and leaves, or you can hand paint (I used an old letterpress stamp)
-Fine tipped paint brush
-Foam paint brushes for applying paint on stamps 

Step 1: Stamp or paint the grass, stem and leaves first with green acrylic craft paint.

Step 2: Add the letter at the top of the stem. 

Step 3: With a fine tipped brush, paint a circle around the letter in a color of your choice, then add the petals.

Step 4: Allow to dry, write a message on the back and tie around the bow of a gift! 

Happy Summer! What plans do you have for the warm weather?

xo Karin

P.S. Thanks for reading. I'd love to have you as a subscriber. Simply click this link and choose how you would like to receive updates!

 

How to Make a Washi Tape Welcome Banner

Annabel planned a tea party for her Calico Critters cats in her dollhouse. I surprised her while she was in school with this washi tape welcome banner. She loves it and asked if we could leave it on.

You will need:

3 colors of washi tape
Baker's twine
Scotch vinyl electrical tape (or a 4th color of washi tape)
X-acto knife 
Cutting mat
Pencil

Since I'd gone a little crazy with a recent washi tape sale at Consumer Crafts (see this post), I had plenty to choose from. Red, green and blue seemed festive for the pale green house. 

I had a few small rolls of baker's twine and thought the red would work best. Love baker's twine.

I cut 2 1/2" strips and put eight pieces on, evenly spaced. It's easier to fold the washi tape over the twine if the twine is taut. Try putting the washi sticky side up to apply the twine before folding. I alternated red, blue, green from the left. 

 I taped it onto the dollhouse but it seemed a bit plain. 

I had yellow washi, but I thought this plastic-y tape by Scotch would be easier to cut into letters. I found it at a hardware store next to the colorful duct tape display. It's basically vinyl electrical tape.

I lightly stuck a strip of the yellow tape on my cutting mat, hand drew letters and cut them out one by one. After I'd cut around one letter, I sliced between the letters and carefully peeled off the background with the tip of the knife. It's okay if the letters aren't cut perfectly on the lines! The remaining pencil easily wipes off with a slightly wet paper towel. 

There was room for the word 'welcome' and an exclamation point! The cats had a wonderful tea party. It's so nice to be able to help ignite Annabel's enthusiasm. I love to take her ideas and participate by adding my spin and then watching her run with it.

What will you be welcoming with your washi?

xo Karin 

PS - I've switched from Feedburner to FeedBlitz for subscription services. There should be fewer boo-boos with subscriptions now, so it's a great time to subscribe! Click here to do so either via email or rss. Thank you!

 

How to Paint Pet Bowls with a Porcelain Pen

I've been seeing a lot of black Sharpie or porcelain pen on white ceramic but haven't seen any white on black. For our new cat bowls, I thought black bowls would be nice. 

The two plain black bowls are from the local dollar store. I found the white Pebeo Porcelaine 150 marker online.  

I drew the designs inside the bowl freehand and added a ring of dots around the outer rim. Practice first to see how fast the ink flows and how to control the pen. If you mess up, you can wash it off immediately with a paper towel and water. Allow ceramic to dry before redrawing your design.

The 'meow' bowl will be for water.

The 'please refill' bowl is for dry food.

Did I mention that they match the cat?

There are a variety of porcelain markers to choose from. I opted for the Porcelaine 150 because I'd read good reviews. Instructions vary by brand, but this dries 'tack free' in minutes. It takes 24 hours to fully dry. For better permanence, bake in the oven at 350F for 35 minutes after the 24 hour drying period. If you can't or don't want to put it in the oven, allow the paint to dry for 72 hours and wash lightly without soaking. If you plan on using your project as pet bowls, you'll need to bake them as the water bowl will be 'soaking' permanently! You can find additional product information here.

I hope the cat isn't offended by my portrait of him. :) Have fun!

xo Karin 

Don't forget to 'like' Leigh Laurel Studios on facebook!

 

 

 

 

Three Generations of Rock Skippers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spent the past five days in Western Pennsylvania visiting Jason's parents. With limited internet access and spotty cell phone service, we were forcibly unplugged. We skipped rocks (or threw them in with a big kerPLUNK), watched ducks, spotted a baby bunny nibbling some breakfast, and kicked balls. Someone said MOO every time they saw a cow (which was often). We sat on the screened porch and listened to the wind rustling the leaves. Best of all, it was great to be with family, and to see grandparents laughing at their super goofy grandchildren. 

Happy Father's Day! I hope you have the time to enjoy the splash of a rock in some water and watch the ripples until they disappear. 

xo Karin

 

How to Turn an Ordinary Bear into Super Bear! With the Option of Adding 'B STRONG'

Give a stuffed animal super status at your house by making him or her a superhero costume! This pattern includes a cape, wrist bands, belt and mask.

This cute white bear was feeling a bit ordinary and was often overlooked by the kids. With some bias tape I had leftover from making Annabel's apron (see that post here), I was inspired to make a cape. The other accessories soon followed. 

You will need:

-Four colors of cotton fabric
-Bias tape or fabric to make bias tape
-Steam-A-Seam2 fusible web
-Felt for mask
-Elastic for mask (I used a purple beading elastic) 
-Small pieces of velcro
-Pins or clips (I love my Clover Wonder Clips)
-Rotary cutter and/or fabric scissors
-Ruler
-This free pdf
-Ordinary stuffed animal*

*The white bear in the picture is 16" high. You can enlarge or shrink the pattern to fit your animal!

Step 1: Cut two 7 x 7" squares of cotton fabric. One will be the outside of the cape (I chose purple) and the other will be the lining (the orange and white chevron). Wrong sides facing, place the two squares on a cutting mat. 

Step 2: Measure one inch in on both the left and the right sides of the top. Mark lightly with disappearing marker, chalk pencil or whatever pen you have. If you make the mark at the very top, it will be covered by the bias tape. With one end of the ruler at the bottom right corner, and the other end of the ruler on the mark you just made, cut along the straight edge. You'll be cutting through both pieces of fabric at once. Repeat for the left side. Now the bottom of the cape is 2" wider than the top.

 

Step 3: Make the bias tape or use bias tape that you've purchased. You will need 3 3/4 feet of 1/2" bias tape. A terrific tutorial on making bias tape can be found here at Made. Clip or pin the bias tape along the left, bottom and right sides of the cape. Sew along the three sides, being careful to tuck the corners in neatly as you go.

Step 4: Center the remaining piece of bias tape on the top of the cape. Clip along the entire piece of bias tape. Double fold the ends in and stitch down. Sew along the entire length of bias tape, making sure the cape doesn't come out as that part goes into the sewing machine.

Step 5: Print this free pdf. Cut the shapes out along the lines. Trace the shapes onto the fusible web, making sure to trace the letter backwards. I have included all 26 letters if you would like to use something other than 'B'. Trace one of the larger star and four of the smaller star (I added two additional stars after I took the above photo.)

Step 6: Peel off the blank side of the fusible web. Apply to fabric pieces, Press to adhere.

Step 7: Following the lines you traced, cut out all the shapes.

Step 8: Remove the paper from the back of the fabric. Arrange the circle, the letter and the two stars. Press to adhere. 

Step 9: Measure around the waist of your stuffed animal. Add two inches and cut a strip of that length by 2 1/4" inches wide. Fold the fabric, aligning the raw edges along the length. Stitch with a 1/4" seam, turn and press. Double fold the ends of the belt and stitch. Remove the paper backing, center the smaller circle and the star on the belt. Press to adhere. Add the velcro, making sure to size for fit.

Step 10: Repeat step 9 for the two wrist cuffs, but make the strip 2"wide instead of 2 1/4".

Step 11: Trace the mask onto the felt. Cut. Make sure the eye holes fit your stuffed animal. Adjust as necessary. Make two small holes in either side of the mask, put the elastic through the holes and knot it on the inside so that the knot is hidden. Be sure so it fits the head of your animal before tying the second knot. 

This bear was fairly neglected until he achieved superhero status. Now, Super Bear flies around during the day with the kids and fights crime at night.

My husband had the great idea to put the word "strong" under the "B" on the back of the cape, so that it would read "B strong" in remembrance of the Boston Marathon tragedy. His office is two blocks away from the bombing site, and we knew many people running or volunteering. If you would like to add "strong" to your cape, download the free pdf here. Use the same technique as described above, being sure to trace the letters backwards, cut them out individually and place them in a semi-circle under the "B". Enjoy your B Strong Super Bear!

I hope you have fun with this pattern!

xo Karin

PS - Leigh Laurel Studios now has a facebook page! Please visit and hit 'like'. :)

 

A Great Way to Display Your Child's Art

A few years ago I stumbled upon these cabinet art frames by Lil Davinci. You hang them on the wall like any other frame, but there is a door on the front that opens and you can store up to 100 pictures!

As your child creates new masterpieces, all you do is open the door and add their new work. We have one for Colton and one for Annabel. When they become full, we'll have collections of their best work all in one place.

These frames make terrific gifts for your friends with kids. They come in three sizes. It would also be fun to use them to display photos of your kids doing goofy things.

xo Karin