Design by Night

Often when I need cards, I find myself making them from paper and scraps of supplies I have around my office instead of purchasing them but for some reason I usually purchase envelopes for these cards. I have plenty of paper that usually gets put in the recycled bin, why am I buying more paper in the form of an envelope? So I worked up a template to make easy envelopes from a standard size piece of paper, therefore envelopes can me made from most magazines that would usually be placed in the recycling bin. This template will make an A2 (4-3/8" x 5-3/4") envelope but keep in mind that you are hand making it and the dimensions might be slightly off. What you will need: 2-3 pieces of magazine or newspaper approx. 8.5” x 11” Scissors or and Exacto knife Paper glue Printer (to print templates) Pencil Bonefolder or butter knife Ruler Instructions Download Envelopetemplate.jpg and print it out full size (a scale has been placed on each jpg to help with printing at the correct propo...

The forecast for Saturday, September 11 is supposed to be a beautiful 82° so get outside and visit me at Hampdenfest 2010 . Saturday, September 11, 2010 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On the Avenue, 36 St. between Falls and Chestnut My table will be in front of Kiss and Makeup (and after the festival Kiss and Makeup will sell Design by Night Accessories!) HampdenFest is a neighborhood arts festival that draws visitors, as well as local residents, to enjoy the community of merchants on and around West 36th Street. Sponsored by the Hampden Village Merchants Association , in partnership with The Hampden Family Center, HampdenFest features 3 stages of music and art performances, an activity area for the kids, an emerging artists exhibit and a film festival, as well as four blocks of arts and crafts vendors, antiques, and other wares from a wide range of merchants and artists.

I was very excited this morning when I browsed some of the blogs I read regularly and found out that I am the featured blogger on Crafting a Green World ! You can check out the post by clicking here.

Instructables is a great website that features instructions of everything from making meatloaf on a stick to a boomerang. For years I have used the site as plentiful resource for all sorts of DIY projects but have never contributed any myself. Well yesterday I did and my Ruffled Headband Tutorial became one of the featured "Instructables" for the day so I thought I would share.

Puppy puddle? Chips not strong enough to hold the salsa? Drippy pancake batter? I am constantly reaching for paper towels. Inevitably our recycling bin has it’s fair share of craft paper cylinders that make up the core of paper towels and toilet paper rolls. For years my idea of repurposing the tubes was to use them as an amplifier and howl in them, driving my dogs crazy and earning an eye roll from my husband. However, recently I was struck with an idea. The curve of the cardboard would lend itself well to making paper flowers, hence this tutorial was born. Sorry it is a little lengthy… Tools & Materials 1- paper towel roll core Scissors Button Paper glue Page of paper (can be recycled from an old book or magazine) Brown paper shopping bag 28 gauge wire (or wire that you can bend and manipulate that is heavy enough to hold up a paper flower) Wire cutters White craft paint (optional) Small paint brush (optional) Instructions Cut the paper towel roll lengthwise (fig. A). From the cu...

Flowers and football usually do not go together. But in preparation for the upcoming season I have been sewing up Baltimore Raven's Frayed Daisy Brooch/Clips. For those of you who don't have casual Friday's at work, this clip still offers the opportunity to show your team spirit! Who says football can't be fashionable or crafty??

If you pick up any fashion magazine or browse the racks of you favorite store, you will notice that ruffles are really “in” right now. But if you are like me and like the look but are low on funds I have a low budget solution…a ruffled headband. To make this headband you can use any lightweight material. I used an old chiffon skirt. Tools & Materials • Approximately a quarter yard of lightweight material (chiffon, organza, cotton, etc.) • Scissors • Sewing needle and thread in appropriate color • Wide headband (needs to be wide enough to glue ruffle to the headband, about 1/2" at least) • Hot glue gun • Straight pins • Ruler • Piece of paper • Pencil/pen • Buttons (optional) Instructions 1. Take paper and make a circle with a 2.5” diameter, cut out this circle to use as a pattern. 2. Cut out 30 circles using the fabric of your choice (fig. A). 3. Thread needle with about a foot of thread, tie a knot at the end. 4. Take a circle and fold it in half (fig. B), then i...