Friday, February 27, 2015

Dance Team Candy Bar Favors Made Super Simple!

It's state dance team competition season here in Oregon, so I thought I'd share a super simple dance team favors I made using pre-made Library Pockets. I purchased these chevron cuties at my local JoAnn's, and they had several designs to choose from including solid colors. Now, if you've read my blog you know I have a thing for PrintShop2 (I've yet to upgrade to the latest!), and that's where I've started with this project too. I've included the .pdf files to share of the two images I made. I printed them on cardstock, but you can print them on labels if you've got them. I formatted the sheet as if I was printing diskette labels Avery 6490 (2-2/3" x 2").




So, once the labels are printed, simple cut and glue to the front of your library pocket, and slip in the candy bar...done! (Oh, and I put a dab of hot glue on the back of the candy bar to hold it to the pocket.) 

Here's the finished product, hope you like 'em!










Thursday, February 12, 2015

Dance Team Travel Pillowcase DIY


Here is a beginning level sewing project that could be made as a team gift, or in my case to sell at the team's competition gift table. It's a simple travel size pillowcase.
Cotton Yardage

I bought some nice cotton cloth (100% Made in America line) in cute prints at JoAnn's, made a simple case and embellished it with letters cut on my Cricut. For those of you without a cutting machine, simple use iron-on letters purchased at your local sewing or craft store. Here are the details:






Step One:  Leaving fabric folded in half (selvage edges together), cut a piece 14" wide (on selvage edge). It will be approximately 23" in the other direction (folded) if your fabric is a standard 44-45" in width. 

Step Two:  Now, normally I would cut off the selvage edge, but since it's just a pillowcase I wasn't too worried! I just used it as a guide to make a 1/2" fold, pressed with the iron. 

Step Three:  Fold again, 2 3/8" deep and press. Top stitch along edge at 1/8" (See photos.) 

Step Four: Next, sew wrong sides together (we're making French enclosed seams here), with 1/8" seam allowance. Turn wrong side out so right sides are now facing. Press again. Sew along sides a second time with a 3/8" seam allowance. Turn right side out.

Done! Your pillowcase is now ready for embellishment. My letters were made of satin remnants backed with heavy duty Heat n' Bond on my Cricut, but as I said earlier you can purchase letters as well. Be sure to use a ruler for straight rows of letters, and use a pressing cloth (like an old pillowcase). Happy Trails!


Step Two
Step Three, part one














Step Three, part two

Step Four, part one
Step Four, part two






Embellish with custom lettering!

Great for a early morning bus ride to competition!




Thursday, February 5, 2015

"Your friendship is golden!" All Occasion Favors



A quick post on this rainy (typical winter's day in Oregon!) Thursday afternoon...
If you've been following along lately, you'll know I'm busily preparing things to sell at my oldest daughter's dance team's competition gift table. Here's another low cost little goodie...also would work for a gold & black party, a non-traditional Valentine, or for St.Patrick's Day.




"Your friendship is golden!"

A quick supply list:

  1. Gold Coin Candy (I purchased mine at WinCo in bulk.)
  2. Wilton Pretzel Bags (Purchased at JoAnn's.)
  3. Metallic Gold Card Stock (Also JoAnn's.) Cut into 2"x 6" Strips.
  4. Black Ribbon (Or any color of your choice!)
  5. Tags (I made mine on the Cricut using print & cut feature, but you could buy blank round tags and simply write the message in gold ink.)