Last Minute Crafting

Some craft projects are thought about long and hard and executed after hours of hard work and creative problem-solving.  Others are created out of an immediate need.  This is one of those projects.

I came home the other day and it was particularly stuffy in the apartment.  You see, we have only one window in the living room and this gorgeous double door out to the deck.  However, the door doesn't have a screen, so if you want to open the door to let in a breeze but don't want to let in the bugs, it is nearly impossible.  And thus instant craft time ensued.

Have you ever seen those insta screen doors?  Like this one.  Well, it gave me an idea...so I gathered supplies and got to work.

I actually ended up not using the cardboard, but forgot to retake the picture.  It was a pretty simple project with a pretty simple idea.  Plus it was the best kind of project because it used things I already had around the house, including some leftover nylon screening.

* Cut screening the length of the door plus about six inches.
* Fold over the top 3" to create a casing, and stitch.  I decided to use some fun embroidery floss to add some interest.

* Slide the tension rod through the casing and adjust to fit at the top of the door.

You can also create a casing at the bottom of the screen and slide in some cardboard, weights, or anything you can think of to weigh the bottom down.  I left enough extra at the bottom to do just this, but I was desperate for some cool air and decided to add that feature later.

Somehow I got lucky enough that the screening we had was the exact width of the doorway.  Not sure how that happened, but I sure am glad it did!  If your screen is too wide, just trim it down a bit before you start.  You want to make sure it will fit from side to side with a bit of extra to close any gaps.  Now, this does not work for keeping cats in or out (it took Annie about 2 minutes to figure out if she headed to the corner she could just push it back).  However, that might change depending on what we use to weigh it down.  But it did significantly cut down on the house flies and flying insects that came into the house.

So, yay for instant crafts, a cooler house, and a project using nothing but found supplies!!!



Have you done any instant crafts lately?  Become so desperate you just have to finish a project right now?  Or just any home improvements?  Or, in our case, removable apartment improvements? 

Valentines for my Valentines

Last year I made my parents a Valentine at our family program at work.  It was not my best card, to say the least.  But, as parents always do....they loved it!  I was reminded of this funny Valentine when I was home for Christmas and saw it proudly displayed on the refrigerator.  So, this year I decided I had better make it a good one.

I ventured forth to make Valentines for my parents, and both of my sisters...but I cannot tell you whose is whose because I still want them to be surprised when they arrive in the mail.  First I had to gather up supplies: paper flowers, doilies, stamps, and some cute little birds I cut from a scrap of fabric.

Each Valentine got a super special touch.  One recieved a carefully crocheted garland of flowers using embroidery floss.  It was hard to do it so small, but since I just used a simple chain stitch, it did not take too long.

The end result could not have been more adorable.

I used a combination of bits and pieces for the next one: a snippet from an old button paper, embroidery floss, and a couple of buttons...

(Don't tell the others, but I think it turned out to be my favorite)

The final Valentine got decorated with a bit of stitching, pieces of a paper doily and two little love birds.

I think they all turned out pretty cute!  Any one of these would make a nice addition to the refrigerator. 

I hope the recipients enjoy getting them as much as I enjoyed making them!


Are you making anything special for Valentine's Day?