simply sublime

"Silk" Acorns

Before the ground is covered with snow, and your acorns are lost until Spring, gather up a few and make some colorful versions using pretty embroider floss.  

You'll need about one skein of thread per acorn.  I love the rainbow of hues embroidery thread comes in -- I usually get DMC Cotton Embroidery Floss, which they sell at Michael's and other craft stores for about 39 cents!  All you have to do is wind the thread into a ball, as if it were a tiny ball of yarn.

Now just pop off an acorn cap (use a craft knife, such as an X-acto knife, to separate the cap from the body if need be.)  Add a dab of hot glue to the ball at the thread's end, then attach the cap.  Squeeze the ball with your fingers to create an "acorn" shape.

These make cute present toppers and ornaments, or fill a small bowl with them to add a splash of color to a dresser or coffee table.

 

Horsey Draft Dodger

It's starting to get chilly, so this draft dodger pillow is just what you'll need to keep out the cold. It's inspired by a project in Dianna Rupp's super cute book, Embroider Everything Workshop.

(photo via Country Living/Burcu Avsar)

Dianna's book is filled with all sorts of adorable stitching projects, but I made this pillow sans embroidery for the November issue of Country Living.  The horses look like they've been silkscreened onto the linen fabric, but actually I just used iron-on transfers for DARK fabric. (Using transfers made especially for dark colored cloth is the key to creating these opaque designs.)  The complete how-to's can be found on Country Living's website along with several other projects that will keep you busy and warm.

No-Carve Pumpkins

I meant to get this post up a lot sooner...and certainly before Halloween!  But then the storm hit, and we lost power and internet (and ended up having Halloween in the dark.)  So, maybe this will spark an idea for next year or even for your Thanksgiving table!  A big thank you to Ladies' Home Journal for giving me the opportunity to whip up some funky "funkins" for their October issue.

I had so much fun coming up with these no-carve pumpkin ideas.  The image below is actually a "tattooed" pumpkin and is very easy to make.  (You know I love tattooing things...)

This chalkboard pumpkin is made using chalkboard spray paint and a skull image from one of my favorite sites, The Graphics Fairy.  

(images via Ladies' Home Journal/Jennifer Causey)

For instructions and supply information check out the full story on the Ladies' Home Journal website.  Halloween will be here again before you know it!