A Little Tipsy

Creative Tips & Ideas

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Feature Friday-Needle In A Haystack (Free patterns and giveaway)

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Our Feature Friday today is Shelli from

I met Shelli (a contributor to youcanmakethis.com and swakembroidery.com) at the Mom’s Who Make It Conference a few weeks ago (which was amazing by the way, thanks Quinn!). Someone asked me what my blog was and when I said “A Little Tipsy”, she said “You are the Tipsy girl?!” I was so excited to actually meet one of my followers in person! And come to find out I had bookmarked some of her cute ideas too! Small world! So I got to know her over lunch, but here’s your chance to acquaint yourself with the one-minute interview (It was Shelli’s idea to spice it up with some photos. Great idea!):

  • What is your favorite crafting tool or secret weapon? Hmmm…tough question. I have so many, but for my stitchery business in particular, one of my favorite tools has to be my light box. When I first started my business years ago, I used to tape my patterns to a sunny window to develop and trace them, and it worked just fine. But for my birthday one year, my sweet friends pitched in and bought me a “Light Tracer”. It changed my world! It’s a flat *box* with a hard surface and a light inside that allows me to trace my patterns right on top of it. I use it multiple times a day when I’m developing new patterns or when I’m tracing them onto fabric. It’s a super simple tool, but a lifesaver for me.
  • Where is your favorite vacation spot? Well, we just returned from the Oregon Coast this summer, and that is currently at the top of my list. The beach is incredibly beautiful and unique, as well as the forest that fringes it. There are so many extraordinary places to explore, that we couldn’t even get to them all in the time we had. Beach-combing, skim surfing, kite flying, hiking, and exploring the tide pools were some of the things we enjoyed the most. My family already wants to go back. I highly recommend it. It was amazing!
  • How do you come up with your cute patterns? Good question! Wow. I have to think about that. I guess truthfully, I’m inspired by several things, but really, I try to soak in what’s around me and turn it into something on paper that makes me happy. Most of the time, a quote or phrase that I like inspires me to begin a new pattern and is the jumping off point for me. I then build my art work and lettering around it to add emphasis to the feeling or meaning of the words.
  • When I created, “No Greater Joy,” I simply began because I loved the scripture from 3 John 1:4 that stated, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” I wanted to create something for my home that could be a part of our furnishings and something my children could read and be reminded of frequently. I wanted to embellish the words with something that felt solid and strong, and pine trees came to mind. I drew two trees to one side to represent my husband and myself, and then four more along the other side to represent each of my children. It is such a simple design, but I wanted the emphasis to be on the words, and the whole image is meaningful for me and my little brood, and that’s what I was shooting for. It’s completely customizable for your family as well.

  • Often I’ll see a new line of fabric that reminds me of something or stirs up some creative thoughts. When I created the “Groovy Love” pattern, it was totally inspired by a line of fabric by Amy Butler. I was trying to come up with a pattern for Valentine’s Day, and when I saw this fabric it was so fresh and funky, it got me thinking of all the affectionate and sometimes crazy terms of endearment we call our loved ones at times. I experimented with a variety of writing styles and sizes, and “Groovy Love” was born.

  • How many pairs of shoes do you own? This is a question I’ve never been asked before, so until now, I’ve never actually known. But I can now say, I have 23 pairs of shoes.

To learn more about Shelli, read the *s in this post. I am totally creeped out my earwigs too, Shelli!!

These adorable burp cloths and receiving blankets were displayed at the Mom’s Who Make It Conference and guess what…Shelli has the patterns FOR FREE. You luckys. What I love the most is they have the cute fabric on one side and the ever absorbant cloth diaper on the other. She’s got smarts!She’s showing me up with the burp cloths, but c’mon my ribbon burp cloths are still good for not sewing in 15 years right?!

Back to school is here and we all end up with that one giant pic in the package of school pictures. Go ahead, take them out of the package this year and display those school pics on clipboards like Shelli. What a fun simple idea and so easy to update with new pics or art projects!

In this next post, Shelli shares a touching story she learned from her Father about recognizing the special things surrounding us. The story is titled The Golden Windows. It is short and sweet, but a really good reminder. I hope I can leave lasting memories and values like this for my kids.

Speaking of fathers, I had to share this idea because I am IN LOVE WITH IT!! I wish I had time to do it for my Dad’s bday next week because it is…well there is not a word to describe, that is how much I love it. See for yourself.

This Father frame is the perfect portrait of how I think of my Dad. He was an LDS seminary teacher, Bishop and now Stake President so I saw my Dad in a white shirt and tie most of my life.

Shelli celebrated Christmas in July (we’re a little late… blame it on the rain, ya ya) and is sharing two free patterns, a free e-book, and a backstitching tutorial with us. Phew, that is a lot of free. I love a good tutorial especially for something I think is so cute, but I am so inept at. Get your needles ready!

Lucky for us, Shelli is also doing a Christmas in July giveaway right now (ok, so it is august now, just count yourself lucky that it is still open for entries)! Head over and leave a comment by Sunday, August 9th at midnight to win this adorable Christmas Pillow!

The one thing I love more than a good tutorial is winning something already made for me. And yes, I entered, and I’m going back to enter again since I believe this counts as posting about it on my blog. he he.

Great ideas and free stuff Shelli! You are now entered in to the Hall of Fame as Tipster of the Week!

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4th of July Kids Craft-Finger Paint a Flag

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This is a great paint craft because it easy enough for toddlers (with a little help), but is fun for the bigger kids too. It is super fast and uses things you may already have in your house! This was inspired as a simpler version of this hands and feet flag by Serendipity. My son’s attention span is a little too short at this point to do the other.

Supplies needed:
White Card stock
Red & Blue Finger paint

I covered the table and floor with newspaper and wore an apron because I am paranoid. The little one wore his t-shirt paint smock.

We used a hand print for the blue and an index finger for the stripes of red. We had to dip it multiple times for each stripe, but I love how it turned out. It looks like the flag is waving in the wind.

We made two finger paint flags, one for us and one as a gift for Grandma and Grandpa. We will be visiting them for a family reunion on the 4th.

I let him do a piece of his own artwork too. I wouldn’t want to hamper his creativity!

Here is my little finger paint flag’s home for the next little while. My little guys first piece of framed artwork. Ahhh. 🙂

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Decorate for the 4th of July (some more)

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Has she gone crazy you may ask. Well, maybe, but once you get going, you just can’t stop! I am telling you I really have a thing for this color scheme!

Here is another little display I made by shopping my house. Who knew I had a world series ball sitting around? I got the bear in my Boyd’s Bear collecting phase. The red is a folded cloth napkin I got from who knows where, there is only one.
For the candle, I used a vase and some blue glass stars I bought at the dollar store for a baby shower coming up. I added the white candle, a piece of ribbon, and some red plastic bead bracelets I wear on occasion. Do you like my denim quilt drying from the use on the lawn in the background? 🙂

I needed something for the front door, but didn’t want to spend too much time and money on it since I would not have it up for long. I got these stars in a Pack of Nine at the dollar store. I also got the RWB patterned curling ribbon there. I had the raffia on hand. I just layered three of the stars with glue dots and hung them up. Easy 5 minute 4th of July door decor!
The blue polka dot pots are from a recent project. Also, if you voted on the painting your front door post a few months ago you can see I chose option 2. Though, don’t get too comfortable with it because I think I may switch to option 1. I think it looks kinda funny right now. As for Uncle Sam, he came from D.I. for $1.50.

I did a little garland with the rest of the stars, raffia, and ribbon. Sorry, it’s hard to see. They are tied across on a string of ribbon with raffia bows at the top of each star. They hang with glue dots so I don’t have to use nails for something so temporary.

We’ll call this next one shopping your house..the remix. Truck was a gift to my son from his grandparents for his Transportation nursery. Medal is one of my husband’s from high school I guess. Reliving the glory days for you hon! Bear is another from the Boyd’s collecting phase. He usually resides in the nursery along with the striped one.

I questioned putting the shoes in, but I loved the shoes in this post by treasures from the heart and since I only wear them once a year they are not in bad shape for display (and they don’t stink).

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Decorate for the 4th-shop your house

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I have been really in to shopping my house lately. You know finding stuff you already have that can be used elsewhere to make it look like something new. So I was feeling the need for some patriotic goodness around my kitchen and since I did not have all the supplies needed for the fun things from the 4th of July Decor and Crafts post yet, I did a little in home shopping (not on QVC).

Here is what I came up with:

These little beauties (from Ikea, inherited by way of my little sis) had not been updated since Easter, remember. They were on top of the fridge, but have migrated to the space between my microwave and my cupboards. They are the perfect size! I love dual function, decor and treat all in one.
I had kind of a hard time finding blue treats that I would actually eat. These candies are blue raspberry Jolly Ranchers, Apple Strawberry Lifesavers and Hot Tamales. I plan to put some stars on the lids in coordinating papers, but did not get to it yet.

Here is the grouping, that’s right I did a grouping, on top of my fridge. The frame with the bow is a gift from a friend for Christmas. The plant is from my kitchen table (remember the one string plant). The stars are from the Target dollar section. I had another pic in the frame on the right with a lavender background and had that pic in another frame with snowflakes?! Weird. I did a little switcheroo framed it in red and there you go. Immediately pulls out the pop of color from the flag in front of the Salt Lake LDS temple and it now screams “My country tis of thee.”

So now I am enjoying Life, Liberty (from an un-star spangled kitchen), and Pursuing Happiness. Does our nation not have the best colors? I love our flag!!

I almost forgot about my entryway flair. This is a plain garden hat I bought from Target for Trek. I then added some flower hair clips that my friend brought me for my birthday.

*edit Kimm at Reinvented and I must have kindred spirits because she had the same idea! See the rest of the idea link ups on her Trash to Treasure Tuesday Independance Day addition.


What do you have sitting around your house that you could use?

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