Dress Up Your Table With Ric-Rac Cloth Napkins

I love summer gatherings. Especially when good food and fun casual table settings are involved. When hosting small events (12 people or less), I like to use cloth napkins. They are cheerful, earth friendly, and just feel nice. I came across today's tutorial for the most darling napkins last year but never found time to make them. I finally drug them out of my unfinished project drawer (well, some would say it is actually a closet) and made them for a class I hosted at my house last week. I love them and just have to share them with you! They are a little tricky to make because of the ric-rac, but so worth the little bit of extra concentration. Here is the link to the tutorial on one of my favorite blogs, The Purl Bee. Purl Bee Ric-Rac Napkin Tutorial Actually, I found that after a little trial and error, the ric-rac is much easier to work with if you use the medium or jumbo size. If you are looking for a way to add flair to your picnic, cookout or get-together, you cannot go wrong with these cuties. They also wash nicely and do not require ironing!

Advice from a 1949 Singer Sewing Manual

My friend, Laura sent this to me today and I just had to share it.
My arts and crafts summer would be seriously compromised if I followed this advice. I am so happy to be a woman in 2012! Next week I will share another tutorial that I'm cooking up. In the mean time, I am getting ready for a  jewelry class at my house on Sunday. Kim O'Neill from Rock Out Jewelry is coming to teach a fabulous etched metal bracelet. Check out her website here or look her up on Face Book. My friend,Vicki, is on her way over to help decorate! I can hardly wait!

Tile Coasters

Summer is a time for frosty beverages. Here is a little tutorial for some gorgeous coasters you can make using natural stone tiles. These make wonderful hostess gifts or favors for a garden party, too.

Supplies:
natural stone tiles ( I used travertine tiles because I love the natural imperfections)
StazOn Ink (craft store)
rubber stamps
sticky back felt pads

Here we go!
First, make sure your tiles have a clean surface. I washed mine off and left them to dry over night.

Place your rubber stamp face up on a flat surface. If you are using a stamp without a wood back, use an acrylic stamp block or a rigid surface.

Ink up the stamp with a StazOn Ink pad or any other permanent ink. I find I have better success if I pounce on the ink rather than rubbing it on.

Place your tile face down on the stamp and press firmly.

Pretty!

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. This sets the ink so you don't have to seal or treat the finished tile.

Add sticky back felt pads to back.

Done!

These are so fun to make! You are seriously going to love them. See you next time!

Art E-courses

You don't have to travel beyond your own home to access interesting classes to feed your creativity. On-line courses are affordable and allow the flexibility to work on projects anywhere. You don't have to leave home to learn new things from great teachers! I thought I would share the arts and crafts  E-courses I am taking this summer. Click on the captions beneath each badge to link to the websites:

21 Secrets E-Course

Even though this course has already started you can jump in anytime and work at your own pace.

Letter Love E-Course
 Learn how to make fun fonts with your own handwriting! 

And last, a class I just discovered through my friend, amberomega blog. Thanks, Amber!

Jeanne Oliver E-Course

This course begins June 18th and I am so excited about it. Examples of some of the fun things we will be learning are metal stamping, creating vintage journals from old books and creating mixed media vintage girls! 

Hope to see you in class!