Taylor, Author at TaylorMade

Mini Journals

January 13, 2012 By Taylor 2 Comments

I’m still catching up on all of my gift posts that I couldn’t show you because I was way to busy to blog about anything they were gifts and I didn’t want to ruin the surprise :) I found this tutorial for Journal Covers at a blog called Bloom. It’s a cute blog about gardening and quilting but I seriously fell in love with the Journal Covers she made. I actually wanted to make an exact replica but it was the night before my son’s school party and I was under prepared. So I came up with these for his teachers. They are so sweet to him and because I used to be a teacher I know about teacher gifts. I mean I know its the thought that counts and I’m not complaining but I don’t really trust baked goods from your house that traveled an hour with your 7 yr old before they got to me… just saying.

It took me no time at all to whip these two up and I think they really loved them. Head over HERE to find the full tutorial. (I’m telling you the original is much prettier and I will be making one in the future :)

In the original tutorial she mentions a certain art journal that I have never seen, but I think she is located in Australia… kinda far from Texas. So I found these at Walmart and had to just figure out the correct dimensions.

And Finn helped me wrap them too, so cute.

Happy Journaling.

Another Camera Strap Tutorial

January 4, 2012 By Taylor 7 Comments

First tutorial of the year, yay. I made another Camera Strap as a gift for Christmas. This one is a cover which I love because you can take it off to wash it… and I get sick of things really easily. It also includes lace which is always a good thing. Firstly, you need to measure your own camera strap and because this is a cover, it needs to fit snug.What you need:-1/4 yd fabric for front of strap-1/4 yd fabric for back of strap-lace or trim-thread Add about one inch to the length and one inch to the width of your current camera strap. Once you have your dimensions, cut a piece of the fabric for the front and a piece for the back. I did the same fabric for both. Also, I used fat quarters so I actually sewed two pieces together to get the length.

I serged the ends and hemmed them but if you don’t have a serger, just fold, press and hem.

Pin the lace to the right side of the fabric on the front strap, lining up the edges.

Sew the lace to the front piece.

Pin right sides together and sew.

Lastly, flip the strap right side out and top-stitch the lace down.

A cute and easy gift, and once again, I need to make myself one :)

Also… shout out to my husband on his birthday… love you babe! Birthday wishes for him are welcome.

More Casserole Carriers

December 29, 2011 By Taylor 57 Comments

My last Casserole Carrier was such a big hit that I have been busy. My original has gone crazy on Pinterest – you can find the first post HERE. I found the pattern from Two Little Hooligans and I love it, clearly… I made five more for Christmas! HERE is the pattern, really easy to follow and much easier in bulk because you can do an assembly line :)

I also said this in my last post but I followed Homemade by Jill‘s post about the cotton belt straps. I like the look of it better and I think it’s easier.

And of course I etched the last names into all of the pyrex. PS… not even kidding, I went to three different parties during the past month and brought a dish in an unetched, naked pyrex. I need one for myself, hello… the life of a crafter always making things for other people, I’m so noble.

Pin It

Christmas Candy Tablecloth

December 20, 2011 By Taylor 51 Comments

Just four days left until Christmas and I’m sure I’m not the only one crafting into the wee hours to get everything done. Sure, the majority of my gifts are store bought but I always like to have at least one homemade thing for everyone. Homemade gifts are always better! The only bad part- I can’t share them on the blog yet. I literally have a folder full of projects that are blog ready… but they will have to wait. So, I give you a tablecloth that I made a year ago. I was scrambling then too, imagine that! I had great plans for a tutorial but when the night before my dinner party came and I had no tablecloth, I thought… these crafty people can figure it out on their own :) This is what I did:-started with red tulle and trimmed it up-made wide bias tape with green and white polka dot fabric-sewed the bias tape all around the tulle-made “Christmas candies” out of felt-glued (with fabric glue) the candy into the overhanging part of the tablecloth-used a piece of felt cut to the exact size of the table under the tulleFelt “Candy”gumdrops in blue, yellow, green and purple with clear sugar beads

candy canes and peppermints – duh

Christmas Cookies

My favorite/hardest part was the bias tape binding. I love the final product, it’s really cute but it really wasn’t easy. A single layer of tulle is really hard to see haha! It kept slipping and I didn’t even know… clearly I’m still bitter a year later.

I had more candies planned too but due to my time constraints/tulle issues I didn’t get them on. Even still, I love the finished product. What else should I add? It’s a work in progress… maybe it will be done by Christmas 2012?

Pin It