Patchwork Pattern Maker

A little bit ago, I found this super neat Patchwork Pattern Maker from the Victoria and Albert Museum while browsing the blogosphere. You can upload a photo of anything and it creates a pattern for you. You can crop the photo, change the shape, decide how many different colors you would like to use, and determine the complexity of the piece. 

Here's a quilt made from a picture of precious little Humphrey.

Before

After

Here's one of me making a funny face.

Before

After

Cool huh?

Last Minute Gift Idea

I'm sure y'all are already stocked up on presents. I bet they are all wrapped up pretty and everything. This year's shopping has been so hard for me. I have acquired some really amazing friends this year and I reeeeaaally wanted to get each and every one of them some super special handmade or local present- something really well thought out that would show each of them how much I really appreciate them. But I've just drawn a blank all season. I literally can't think of anything at all- not even for my sister. Buying presents for people is pretty much my most favorite thing ever. What is going on here??

Well I settled on writing everyone heartfelt cards which, in hindsight, was actually quite hard. I'm not so great at openly expressing my feelings like that. But it was good practice and I hope my friends see how wonderful they are and how thankful I am for them. If I could do it over, I think I would make aaaaalllll of them super special Blurb books filled with pictures and memories and drawings and letters. Blurb is this really great site where you can make all sort of books. I made my cousin one about four years ago when her first baby was born. It was filled with all the pictures I had taken. I got to design everything from the layout to the color scheme. It's easy and affordable (I think the small soft cover book I made was $12 or something). Plus you can share the book you've made and buy books other people have made.

And if you need a last minute stocking stuffer, Blurb has gift cards! I want one : )

Your Pretty Little Ghosts!

Oh my I was so excited to get all your pictures of your pretty ghosts. I had such a fun time doing this little project and I am so happy you folks liked it! I hope we can continue this! Anyways, now that I have professed my love for you all and your mad crafty skills, here are pictures of all of the pretty ghosts people made!

Meghan over at Twisted Tree made these pretty ones- I love the glasses: )

Lisa at Good Knits made this cutie. I love the fabric so much!

Barbara from Mephaela made these- check out that lace! And the monocle!

Kara from Sunshine Cupcakes made these ghosties with the help of some friends. I loooove their faces!

Stephanie of Craft Inspiration made these cute ones with her daughter. The made small ones, put them on the top of pencils and are giving them to her daughter's teachers- brilliant!

Jessica from Chloe the Doxie Love made these pretty girls. Look at their cute little mouths!



Be sure to check out these ladies' lovely blogs and say hello!

Thanks again to everyone. I love you all to pieces! Have a fabulous Monday : )

Virtual Craft Night Part 1

I'm so so excited that y'all were down to do a virtual craft night! With the help of the amazing Kara of Sunshine Cupcakes, virtual craft night is just about here.

So here's how it will work. On Friday I will post the DIY on how to make these precious little ghosties. That way you'll have plenty of time to gather up supplies and start working. Monday evening (still working on the time- I'm thinking around 5pm AZ time) we will have a live twitter chat (using the hashtag #merrymay). It is easiest, I've found, to have one tab open with your personal twitter home page and another open to the #merrymay search page (if you have any suggestions please share). During this live chat we can get to know each other, discuss and questions or issues we might have, and share ideas and inspiration! Then you will have a week to finish up your little ghost friend and send pictures to me. Monday October 25th I will post all of our creations here on my blog! Grab a badge ( <---) and tell your friends!

Check out this super cute video my sister and I created! I am so excited.

Easy Peasy Fall Wreath DIY

I found this awesome DIY last year around this time. I liked it because its super easy and made with empty toilet paper rolls- I love making treasures out of trash!

The DIY is to make wall art but, as I was making mine, I thought it would be cute to make a leafy little wreath.

So here's what you need:
Empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls
Scissors
Glue
Paper clips, laundry pins, or bobby pins
(optional: paint, glitter, fake flowers, ribbons, or other decorative items)

Now all I did was squeeze the towel roll so it looked a little leafy and cut it into about one inch pieces. You can measure and mark where you want to cut if you want it to be precise but I cut mine all different widths to add dimension.

Then I randomly glued them all together piece by piece. I created the inner circle shape first, gluing each piece and holding them together with pins. Then I added additional pieces to  fill out my wreath and create an interesting shape (I swear, the hardest part was deciding which configuration I liked best!).

After the glue dries you get to decorate it! You can paint it, add glitter, maybe glue on some creepy Halloween bugs. I added some orange and yellow flowers and a big bow made from black rick rack, orange textured ribbon, and my favorite polka dot ribbon.

Cereal Box Houses

Boy, am I glad it's the weekend! This week has been crazy busy. I started off the weekend right by grabbing dinner last night with my sweet friends Traci (co-owner of Butter Toast Boutique), her boyfriend Brad, and Amber (who re-purposes vintage and sells her adorable things at Butter Toast). It was such fun to be able to unwind with great people after such a jam-packed week. I woke up this morning with NO agenda and it feels fantastic.

Here's a fun project I found over at Bella Dia. (Wouldn't these be totally adorable for holiday decorations?)

All you need is:

cardboard box from the pantry
straight edge
pencil
scissors
thick white glue
something to score with

Optional:
clamp, clothespins, or painter's
tape for holding pieces until
they dry

Easy peasy. Click here for really great step by step instructions.

What are you doing this weekend? Anything exciting?

Quick and Easy Wardrobe Refresher

In honor of craft night tonight I thought I would post this fun how to I found on the Martha Stewart website. I am a sucker for the cheap canvas grandma sneakers. My sister and her friend dyed their canvas shoes and they turned out really great. You can often find canvas shoes at thrift stores for mere pennies. Super cute, super easy.

Tools and Materials
Large basin or bucket
Liquid fabric dye
Salt (if needed; check dye directions)
White canvas sneakers, laces removed

Dyed Sneakers How-To
1. Fill basin with hot water. Add dye, and salt if specified, to water, following manufacturer's instructions for sink or bucket dyeing.

2. Wet sneakers with hot water, and place in dye bath.

3. Stir for amount of time stated on dye bottle. Rinse as directed.

4. Air-dry shoes, or place in dryer.

5. Clean basin immediately to avoid staining.

P.S. I have this terrible love/hate relationship with Martha (Don't get me started! Lol). I normally am pretty opposed to promoting big corporations and the like; I would much rather promote the amazing DIY , indie community... Please forgive me!