Source

The post Watermark Tee Tutorial appeared first on U Create.

…I’m in love with it and I will cherish it forever. Isn’t she so talented? If there was a fire I would go straight for this right after the kids! It is now a family heirloom.

Okay, back to my idea. I saw these wooden coasters and thought I should turn them into mini quilt blocks coasters for mom!

The fun part? I loved how much fun they were to make that I’m going to play with more designs! I hope mom loves them.

DIY QUILT BLOCK COASTERS

Supplies:

• wooden coasters (set of 4)
• acrylic paint (Testors paint found at Walmart, Jo-Ann, Hobby Lobby)
• ruler
• paintbrushes
• Mod Podge acrylic sealer
• pencil

Directions:

1. I started by painting my coasters white. Front and back. 2 coats. Let dry.
2. Now you’re ready to draw on your design. If you want designs similar to mine I sketched the patterns below for you to follow. I began by drawing one-inch squares and erased the lines I didn’t need – makes it so easy!
3. After you draw your design you are ready to paint!
4. When they’re completely dry you are ready to smooth the edges and surfaces!
5. Make sure to wipe off all of the sanding dust!
6. The last step is to seal the coasters with an acrylic sealer (you don’t want to skip this step because coasters will get wet and spilled on and you want to protect them so they last!).

I’m going to put them in a cute little box and I have a gift for mom that she is going to love!

CRAFT TIP: You can use this same technique to make wooden quilt art to display as home decor, too. I have a 12×12 piece of wood I’m going to try this on next!

If you make a set please share them! Tag @ucreateblog on Instagram or feel free to send me an email!

POST BY: Kari Sweeten

The post DIY Quilt Block Coasters appeared first on U Create.

You’ll find comfortable masks in all styles and sizes!

Have you tried a mask pattern that you absolutely love? Do you have a favorite fabric you use that is more breathable?

Please share your tips and tricks in the comments below. Thanks!

The post 10 Comfortable Mask Tutorials appeared first on U Create.

Recently I was talking to a family who spends plenty of time at the Children’s Hospital to undergo some radiation/chemo treatments.  The little one mentioned how boring it can be to wait at the hospital.  Thinking about that statement and trying to think of fun things kids can do besides play on the iPad or color in coloring books, I decided to mass produce some fun little MONSTER BOOKMARKS craft kits.

These kits are perfect to create and drop off at places kids have to wait…like the Children’s Hospital.  I have included a free printable template for you to quickly mass produce some for your area.

Download this Free Template to create your own monster bookmark or to make craft kits for classrooms, hospitals, womens shelter, etc.  Please share pictures of your completed crafts and tag us on social media @ucreateblog.

The post Monster Bookmarks with Printable Template appeared first on U Create.

My daughter is having some sensory issues and gets over-stimulated by her surroundings very easily. When having something like this to concentrate on it provides her relief. I bring her iPad everywhere for this samereason.

I wanted something less tech, but sensory-friendly so I grabbed some coarse glitter, empty snow globes (Michaels Craft) and clear Karo syrup to create sensory glitter globes. My daughter had a great time creating them together.

You can buy empty snow globes in different shapes and sizes on Amazon.

Directions:

1. Dump a whole vial of glitter into the globe.
2. Fill 3/4 of the globe with clear karo syrup.
3. Fill the rest of the globe with water.
4. Add buttons, beads, Legos, etc…basically, whatever your child likes.
5. Use E6000 glue to seal the lid and let it sit for 24 hours while the glue dries.

Craft Tip:I tried three different types of glitter and my daughter liked the coarse glitter better because she could see it move better.  The blue globe is called our Frozen Globe because it has snowflake buttons inside and they float all around.  The fine embossing powder is her least favorite because it moves so slowly.

I tried the Sensory Glitter Globes with the Elmer’s Glue…this is when I happened upon the Aqua Balls I bought at the gas station by my home. I seriously didn’t care what drink was in them, I had to have them. Luckily my kids LOVED the flavored water and I got to keep the Aqua Balls.

To make this version of the glitter globes, I dumped an entire bottle of the glitter glue into the empty drink bottle and filled it the rest of the way with water.  For the pink glitter globe, we added buttons.  For the purple glitter globe, we added half a vial of the glitter (from above)…DON’T do that.  The added glitter sticks to the sides of the bottle, thanks to the “glue” part of the glitter glue.  It still works just fine, but takes a lot more shaking.
The end result:  my daughter prefers the glitter globes with Karo syrup rather than the Elmer’s glue.  Maybe I need to add more water to the ones with glitter glue to make it more liquidy. However, both ways work just fine.

If you make some glitter globes, I would love to see what you create…tag @ucreateblog on social media!

The post DIY Sensory Glitter Globes appeared first on U Create.

I don’t know why I’m not as motivated at other times of the year to organize my life, but with the brand new year here it does something to me and gets me in that get-my-life-in-order kind of mood!

I recently swapped my craft room with my daughter’s room and so that pretty much means I’m starting over and trying to find a new place for everything.

Let’s start with my very favorite organizition idea…ever.

SKETCHING STATION

I found a new passion for drawing and sketching last year and didn’t really have a place to put all of my new craft tools like:

• sketching pencils
• watercolor pencils
• erasers & sharpeners
• rulers
• Sharpies, etc.

When I saw this little, white craft caddy at Michaels I FELL IN LOVE. I knew exactly what to do with it. It has 4 little drawers for smaller items like erasers, clips, etc. Tons of compartments for writing utensils, and a large center for big items like rulers, scissors, etc. Now instead of my items shoved in a drawer, I can see exactly what I have and it’s inspired me to sketch even more!

Now, my full craft room isn’t quite finished but here is one section where I keep my sewing machine, cutting machine, and iron. I use colorful baskets to store bulky items like embroidery hoops, yarn, felt, and other large items.

I LOVE these storage baskets and I bought 6 for $10 at Michaels. Great deal right?! Now I had to go to a few different Michaels because I have a total of 20 (they’re going on my other craft wall, too). I label the front and fill the boxes with basically anything that will fit. Some items are:

• sewing thread
• glue guns/sticks
• stamps
• adhesives (glue runners, dots)
• washi tape
• brushes
• ribbon
• glitter
• sewing machine tools – you name it!

I love the loo of the white because they match my craft bins. You can also find them in all sorts of designs by holiday, color, trend,…oh, they have kraft colored and chalkboard ones, too!

I ALWAYS keep a little notebook on my craft desk. I write down things I need to buy if I’m running low on a craft item, inspiration, or anything I need to remember!

Over the years, I’ve collected many patterns and craft magazines! Grab a filing cabinet or two and they store perfectly inside! You can label them by craft and know exactly where your patterns are when you need them.

Lastly, I want to show you what I’ll be hanging on one of my walls. I am SO THRILLED about this. My amazingly, talented mother surprised me Christmas morning with this GORGEOUS spool quilt she made.

I cried. I was so shocked because I know how many hours she worked on this. This is one of those things you receive and think that if your house is ever on fire your going straight to it (well, maybe after the kids)!

I will cherish it forever and it will be my favorite craft room decor!

POST BY: Kari Sweeten

The post Favorite Craft Organizing Tips appeared first on U Create.

They are so easy to make. You can decorate them for the holidays or with any theme you’d like for year-round fun! Many of these use socks or sweaters you might have in your dresser or closet – don’t have any? Hit your local thrift store!

First, let’s start with these long, skinny hat gnomes!

Next, the fun thing about Elaina’s gnome is she filled it with lavender to have a nice scent in her office!

How adorable is this farmhouse gnome? Sarah has tons of gnome ideas on her blog and this little guy really stood out to me. Great for year-round decor, too!

This holiday gnome was inspired by Caroline’s Scandinavian heritage. How adorable are these long skinny legs?

This next version is made mostly of wood. Love the curly beards, too!

Next up? This Nordic-inspired gnome has the cutest nose! This version was made from a sweater and filled with rice!

Ugly Christmas sweaters are for gnomes, too! Another gnome version from the talented Ruffles and Rainboots blog!

Ready for some mini gnome-cuteness? Heather made these to go on a darling wreath, but they’d also make a cute little gnome village! Beyond adorable.

Make DIY gnomes with your friends and have a craft party! Loving the huge poms on the hats and fluffy hair! Can we also notice how darling those gnome throw pillows are? She shows you how to applique them, too!

Let’s end with this adorable gnome ornament tutorial! Crochet many of these with any color of hat you’d like! Perfect addition to a Christmas tree.

I hope you’ve been inspired to create your own gnomes and put your own personal twist on them!

You might also like…

Christmas tree inspiration…

The post 10 Gnome Tutorials appeared first on U Create.

Now many of you are thinking, “What in the world does a UFO have to do with crafting?”

Let me tell you.

In the crafting world, especially among quilters, there is a term used to describe the many unfinished projects that are left behind or forgotten. These projects are known as “UFO’s” and the acronym stands for unfinished objects or projects. If you’re a crafter you probably have many UFO’s lying around your home or craft space!

Life happens. Priorities come up and those creative projects get to sit on the back burner. It happens to all of us! I’m a pro at piling up the UFO’s. My biggest reason for letting them pile up is because I get too excited to start a new project without waiting to finish my current one.  I have a problem. I cannot even count all of my UFO’s! Let’s talk about the different kinds of unfinished projects that are common.

Examples of UFO’s might include:

• quilt tops without backings and bindings
• supplies you sorted to make a pretty piece of jewelry that is still lying around in a baggie
• half-painted art on a canvas that is hidden in the back of the room
• a scrapbook that has a few layouts created and a container of photos lying next to it
• printables lying around that you’ve been meaning to frame or display
• a pile of yarn projects as high as your new balls of yarn
• and many other examples are out there! (feel free to share yours in comments below!)

Why do we hold onto projects that we haven’t looked at for months, years, or even decades?

Reasons crafters hold on to their UFO’s:

• the supplies were expensive (“How can I get rid of that?”)
• was excited about project in the beginning, but no longer have the same style or taste.
• was making it as a gift, but birthday/wedding/event passed
• thinks project wasn’t good, but will fix it someday now that I’m more skilled.
• told someone I would make this for them, but can’t get the motivation to finish it.
• plans to finish it someday when I have more time (this is the most popular excuse and my personal favorite!)

How to Organize or Let Go of Your UFO’s

So…what do we do with all of these projects? Some of them might cause us actual anxiety when we look at them. We might get upset with all the space they take up or even feel hopelessness at every finishing them because they’ve been around for so long.   I promise you that you’ll feel better and be more inspired to create what you love when you let go of some of those UFO’s – even though it might be difficult or out of your comfort zone.

Keep It or Let It Go?

Ask yourself these 3 questions.

1. Do you love this project and are you excited to work on it again?
2. Does this project hold true sentimental value to me?
3. Do you see yourself working on or finishing the project this year?

If you answered yes to any of the above question – KEEP it.

If you answered no to questions #1 or #3 LET IT GO. Give it away, sell it, or in some cases trash it. You can do it. It will free up space in your life and will inspire you to create. You got this!

Unfinished to Finished!

The good news? After you’ve asked yourself the above questions and you have decided which projects have made the “KEEP IT” test, you can turn those unfinished projects into finished projects with a plan!

Print this sheet out today. Make a list of any supplies needed or steps to take to finish your project. Decide on a completion date. Stick to it!

Download: Project Plan Sheet 

Do you have some tips and tricks or any advice to share about your unfinished projects? Please share below in the comments!

POST BY: Kari Sweeten

Interested in making a Creative Bucket List? Check this out…

Quilt Lovers this is for you…

The post How to Organize your UFO’s appeared first on U Create.

I’ve created two patterns. The simple sewing machine…

…and the dress form pattern. The great thing about these patterns is they are easy enough to teach beginners and kids!

Use the colors provided in the pattern or change it up with your favorite colors to give it a new look!

Place in a hoop or frame as a gift, sew on a pillow, quilt, etc.! So many fun things you can create with these patterns!

POST BY: Kari Sweeten

The post Free Sewing Machine Cross Stitch Patterns appeared first on U Create.

I found this little pallet fence and saw some wooden numbers and this li’l DIY Address Planter idea came into my head. I needed something to freshen up my front porch and I’m so excited with how it turned out!

SUPPLIES:

• pallet fence or thin pallet (found mine at Michaels in the wood area)
• numbers (you could use wood or metal)
• small box
• paint (or stain would look great, too!)
• brushes
• wood glue (staple or nail gun if you want a more secure hold for the box)
• ruler

DIRECTIONS:

Paint your fence and your letters. I did two coats to get it nice and covered.

Let dry completely.

Next, grab your ruler and align those numbers before glueing them on!

Glue on the letters and the box with wood glue.

I ended up putting a couple of screws in the back of the box to make sure it was really secure.

When the planter is completely dry you can plant!

I chose to plant succulents because I love the look of them and they are hard to kill, but the fun part is you can plant whatever you’d like!

Hang and display!

I used these metal hooks…

…and secured them with my glue gun!

I love the result!

Make sure to check out these fun floral projects…

Summer Floral Decor

Floral Jars and Succulent Plants 

POST BY: Kari Sweeten

The post DIY Address Planter appeared first on U Create.