kaytet

linda this i so pretty! i might do this the lazy way and use a doily but yours is gorgeous!!!

hi wannasew-
i don't think you need quilting experience for this just some quilting tools. if you want to make this super simple, you can just cut four equal 4" squares and sew them together.
the most important parts of this project are ironing (make sure to press the seams in the direction of the darker fabric) and cutting (the rotary cuter and quilting ruler make for very easy perfect squares).
i think that just jumping in to a small project like this is a good way to start learning patchwork. it really only takes an hour or two and if you screw it up, then you can easily try try again!

Hey Jennie C- Yes, I used Solvy by Sulky. It's strange that they don't advertise the ironing as a feature on the website but they do have instructions for it in the package.
Good luck!!

hey sunchile-
believe it or not, we have no crafty chain stores here in New York, so I'm not sure. The most popular brand name from water soluble stabilizer is Solvy by the company Sulky. I guess i would just say to call ahead and see. They should definitely have it at Joann.

such a great idea! i love the giant rick-rack!

I love Patrick Dougherty! His work is so beautiful!

thanks ladies!

thanks guys! they were super-fun to make!

so lovely!!! the detail is just awesome!
and mscraftypants, that's a great idea!

super-cute susan!
and thanks for the shout-out!

thanks ladies!
ooh half price cashmere sweaters!!! sign me up!

linda that's great! i saw bowls made this way at a museum and thought the same thing. but you actually made them!!!

Thanks for putting this up Michaela!
I hope you guys like it!

hey cal-
i'm going to give them to her this weekend so we'l see...

jnjewel- i totally agree! i think it's much safer to make toys yourself. i made sure to use all natural materials (cotton and wool) making these because I don't want my pets eating anything weird and plastic!

hey smartstyle!
not too long, i did it in an afternoon (but i also had to design the pattern, so that's a big extra step!). but if you want to cut some steps you can either do the stencil on a pre-made bag or use printed material for the bag and skip the stencil part.
also, keep in mind that the freezer-paper stencils work on anything and it's a really easy way to print on clothing, home decor, accessories, etc, so you can take the stenciling technique and use it for something else!

rubykitty- that's such a sweet idea!!

lovely!
i just bought some of that really great snakeskin paper from kate's paperie to do something very similar in my living room!

yay erika! what a talent!!!

these are great!!

ritaprojecta-
i buy my lavender from the san franscisco herb company, which does mailorder but you can also get it at health food stores.

oh gertie looks so flipping cute in that sweater!
great tutorial too!

this is totally great! i am going to make this!

hah! and i was so excited by the bowl that i didn't even notice the pincushion that i gave you!!

this is so great linda! i am so glad you posted the instructions!!!

Jennifer- I am so sorry to hear about Mac Dady. What a handsome devil he was.
Losing a pet is so hard. I don't have kids so my pets are really family. Crafting is so healing for me too. It's very soothing to get lost in a meditative craft.

so great! i need to make some floor pillows too and this is a good idea!

i love pouches!
great ideas, especially the zipper one!

eveh- i love the candy cane idea and yes, valentines day cards would be cute too!
palady- i have made envelope before from all sorts of things. you can either get an envelop template (they have them at craft stores often) or take apart an envelope and make a template from that. have fun!

eiluj- i love the catnip idea!

i've been a subscriber for a few years now and i treasure my marie claire magazine collection. i subscribe through amazon. it's super-pricey but worth the splurge!

amazing!!! look at all those beautiful ribbons!

to everyone who commented about the problems with printing: the issue appears to have been fixed. i am so sorry for the inconvenience!

secretsugar- i'm glad you like them! i think they're a great gift for girls of all ages!

rebecka-
that looks great! i love the colors you chose and the extra sewing accent!

thanks for the shout-out! this is so so cute!

this is just lovely! and it looks great on you!

jamikath and tamdoll- i love that you both came up with such different uses for these! so great!

msparrow- hmmm...not quite sure what would have happened in the printing. i don't really know what the problem would be so let me find out from the web people and see if something weird happened.

so pretty! i love little details like this!

in his path, i am a big tea person, so i promise i will come up with a tea cozy project for you!!!

hey crafty gal-
here are a few places to get wool felt:
http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/woolfeltcentral.html
and http://www.magiccabin.com/magiccabin/product.do?section_id=0&bc=1004&pgc=185&cmvalue=MCD|0|Normal%20Search%20Result|P1

i think they both have great felt! you can use craft store felt too but it's not as durable.
another solution is to make your own felt by throwing wool sweaters in the wash on hot and then in the dryer.

hope that helps!

That's so cool and very helpful for a bride! I am flattered you were inspired by my cards!
I decided to make my own thank you cards for my wedding and it was quite an undertaking. I wish i had recruited some friends to help!

so cute diane! i would love to try this sometime!

thanks guys! my only suggestion sofia is to make sure you get ribbon with a little stretch if your lampshade has any curve to it!

that is totally totally amazing!!!
so jealous! i want to walk around wearing fuzzy bear hats with bill murray. did you guys make a date to meet some time in the future?

thanks cal! i always handstitch my hems and it takes forever!

thanks guys!
jen- one of the best parts of doing tutorials all the time is having an excuse to have pretty nails!

i love this! if i ever have time to craft for myself again, i'm totally going to try this!

cute! i love yule logs! i made one for the holidays last year!

i totally agree! i love when someone takes an idea i had and adapts it to their needs! it's so cool to see what people come up with!

i love these!
i was wearing my loomed flower hairpins yesterday!

i love this!!! such a great idea

oh thanks! i have made quite a few of these now and i really love making them!

that is so so adorable!

thanks for your responses ladies!
it's always interesting to hear about what other people do when they hit a crafty wall.
jen-i totally cleaned out my closet when i was on deadline for my book! i just couldn't focus until it was done!

oh i'm so glad i inspired you! i just love japanese craft books!

thanks for the shout-out susan!!

linda, this is amazing!