Designs by Vanessa: Tutorial Roundup

I only have a few more days left on this blog and I thought it would be fun to recap the tutorials that I've shared over the past year on Designs by Vanessa. Don't fret, I already have some fabulous new tutorials lined up for my new blog! I hope you've been inspired to create something!

Shirt Full of Posies Tutorial

Fabric Wall Art Tutorial

Upcycled Yarn Vase Tutorial

Apple Crisp Recipe


Picture Perfect Pumpkin Tutorial


Tutu Cute Wreath Tutorial


Shark Infested Jello Tutorial


Worms and Dirt Pudding Tutorial


Fabric Leaf Place Cards Tutorial


Chex Party Mix Recipe


Upcycled Gift Wrapping Tutorial

Tutorial Roundup: Baby Crafts

Any crafty weekend plans? I'm hoping to finish up a few nursery projects. Here are some tutorials that I found to inspire you:

Baby Boy Onesie from Omi Creates
Crib & Toddler Bed Sheet Tutorial from luvinthemommyhood
Name Book Tutorial from forty-two roads

Tutorial Roundup: Mother's Day Gifts

Still on the search for the perfect Mother's Day gift? Check out these fun tutorials for some last minute crafty ideas...

Mom Necklace Tutorial from Epheriell Designs
Stitched Postcard Tutorial from Sew, Mama, Sew
Blueberry Pancake Recipe from Smitten Kitchen
Fingerprint Pendant Tutorial from The Crafty Crow

Tutorial Roundup: Earth Day Crafts

Happy Earth Day! How will you celebrate our earth today? Check out these fun eco-friendly tutorials I found at Minieco:

Recycled Glove Chipmunk
Recycles Crayons
Handmade Cardboard Toys

Tutorial Roundup: Baby Crafts

Happy Crafting! Check out last week's tutorial roundup HERE.

Burp Cloth Tutorial from Sew She Sews
Poopy Clutch Tutorial from ISLY
Hair Clip Tutorial from Paper Seed

Tutorial Roundup: Baby Crafts

What will you be making this weekend?

Fabric Ball Pattern from Grand Revival Designs
Hooded Towel Tutorial from ISLY
DIY Nursing Cover from Prudent Baby

Valentine's Day DIY

Check out how incredibly cute these tissue cozies are! The talented Holly of Stitch Craft Creations made these for her son's preschool class, what a great reusable Valentine idea (especially during cold season)! I could use one of these right now, I'm still sniffling and sneezing over here. While you are on Holly's website, check out the super cute Valentine's Day charms she whipped up.

Be My Valentine (but keep your germs to yourself)

“Knock, knock.”

“Who’s there?”

“Ah-choo!”

“Ah-choo who?”

“Ah-choose YOU for my Valentine!”

How To: Chex Party Mix

So I have to admit that I've been a bit of a scrooge this Christmas when it comes to decorating and baking. I promise to make up for my lack of crafty inspiration in 2010! Chex Party Mix was the closest that I came to baking this year and I got the recipe right off of the Chex box. Martha Stewart would scoff at my Party Mix but I will still share the yumminess with you. It is super easy, takes a little over an hour and healthier than cookies (yes, that is my excuse for not baking and I'm sticking to it...now to find an excuse for not decorating).

Love,
The Grinch

Ingredients:

3 cups Corn Chex® cereal
3 cups Rice Chex® cereal
3 cups Wheat Chex® cereal
1 cup mixed nuts
1 cup bite-size pretzels
1 cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Oven Directions:

Heat oven to 250°F. In large bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In ungreased large roasting pan, melt butter in oven. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in cereal mixture until evenly coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container.

Upcycled Gift Wrapping

Happy Holidays my crafty friends! Check out my latest tutorial that I wrote for Craftzine: Upcycled Gift Wrapping. Happy upcycled wrapping!



Add your Upcycled Gift Wrapping photos to the Designs by Vanessa Tutorial Flickr Group.

Christmas Tutorial Roundup

Check out these fabulous holiday tutorials I found on some of my favorite blogs. Are you doing anything crafty this Christmas?

Denim Christmas Tree Tutorial - Day to Day
Partridge Ornament Tutorial - Retro Mama
Bauble Ornament Tutorial - Lupin
Paper Christmas Wreath Tutorial - The Red Thread

How To: Fabric Leaf Place Cards

This mini tutorial is my poor attempt at an apology to Thanksgiving for snubbing it and going into full Christmas mode without showing the turkey the proper respect it deserves . I blame the 24/7 Christmas music on the radio and the shiny new Christmas craft supplies they put out before Halloween is even over. I'll try to hold off listening to any more Christmas songs until November 27th (today doesn't count)...

Materials

Cardstock
Fabric Leaves
Buttons
Hemp String or Yarn/Ribbon
Paper Cutter
Hole Puncher

Directions

Step 1: Determine how large you want your card tent and use your paper cutter (or scissors) to cut your card stock down to size. Fold your cardstock in half to make a card tent. If you don't feel like cutting or folding, you can always buy ready made tent cards at your local craft store.


Step 2: Punch a hole through your card tent and fabric flowers (these can be found ready made at a craft store or make your own using a leaf cookie cutter as your stencil). I have a nifty hole puncher that punches 2 long skinny squarish holes but if you don't have this type of puncher, no worries, you can punch 2 side by side holes or hand-cut 2 slits.


Step 3: Place hemp string through your holes, connecting your leaves to your card tent, and finish off with an up-cycled button.


Step 4: Enjoy your festive place card! Instead of names, I will be writing meaningful quotes on these cards and setting them around the table.


Add your Fabric Leaf Place Card photos to the Designs by Vanessa Tutorial Flickr Group.

How To: Worms and Dirt Pudding

Halloween is almost here and I don't know about you but I'm getting super excited! There is actually a chill in the Arizona air right now and it is finally starting to feel fallish. Mr. Designs by Vanessa and I are headed to a Halloween party tonight (as Jon & Kate Plus 8) so I whipped up this super easy dessert to share.

The Equipment:
Mixing Bowl
Whisk
Ziploc Freezer Bag
Mixing Spoon
Serving Bowl

The Ingredients:
Chocolate Jello Pudding (serves 6)
8oz Cool Whip Light
1 Package of Chocolate Oreo Cookies
Gummy Worms
Fat Free Milk


Step 1: Prepare the Jello pudding as directed on the box. I used fat free milk to cut down on the calories (the Oreos will have enough calories to go around).


Step 2: Chill your pudding in the refrigerator and start crumbling up those cookies. You can stick a few cookies in a ziploc bag and use a rolling pin (or your hands) to crush them. Kids love to help with this part.


Step 3: Mix in half of your crumbs and the full tub of cool whip into your pudding.


Step 4: Spoon into your serving dish (or you can keep the mixture in your mixing bowl) and top with the rest of your crumbs and gummy worms. It is difficult to tell how big the bowl is by the picture but this should serve around 10 people.


Step 5: Enjoy your worms and dirt! For birthday parties you can use a new flower pot as your serving bowl and add a fake flower to the top.


Add your Worms and Dirt Pudding photos to the Designs by Vanessa Tutorial Flickr Group.

Terrorific Tuesday

Trick or Treat!
Frame and post it note holder dressed for Halloween

Costumed Kokeshi Dolls
Try out a Halloween idea for a traditional Japanese doll with Crafterella

Halloween Mask
Phyllis Dobbs created a fun and easy Halloween mask - great for adults and kids!

Fun Halloween Lanterns
Stephenie Hamen accessorizes plain paper lanterns with her paper punches.

Black Widow & Bloody Necklaces
Pattie Wack uses 3-D paint to create chokers that will creep out your party guests!

Tutu Cute Halloween Wreath
Vanessa creates an inspired wreath made of tulle!

Mad Scientist Party
Amy of Living Locurto shares a slew of fun ideas to host your own Mad Scientist Party.

Halloween Zombie Dolls
Crafty Chica shows how to add some zombie love to your decor!

Halloweenies!
Boopsie Daisy shares some of the wonderful Halloween dollies that she dreams up!

Crafty Chica's Ghost Story!
Kathy Cano-Murillo shares a haunted crafty tale!

Halloween Cone Witches
Make these cute little paper cone witches for Halloween!

Halloween Leftovers
Mel takes the leftovers from last week's project and makes a cool Goth choker!

Brenda Pinnick Halloween Owls
Seasonal Owls for Scaring or Delighting Trick or Treaters

The Impatient Crafter
Margot creates another spooktacular mixed media necklace with a bite.

Halloween Batty Windchime
Heidi Borchers creates a super cute windchime with personality!

Kitschy Kitschy BOO
Add some Halloween flair to your day with this cute kitschy bracelet and earring combo!

Simple Halloween Gift Tags
Studio Mama makes a strong impact with these quick and easy tags!

Strands of Beads
Melissa once again gives some pretty flower beads a Gothic makeover with this simple earring design

Costume Fun
Sharron Westerfield shares her passion for costume-making and the joy it brings her grandchildren.

Return of the Birthday Zombie
Candace is cracking herself up with this ghoulish gift box idea

Doodle Pumpkin
Swelldesigner a.k.a. Alexa Westerfield shows you how to make a fun pumpkin on the fly!

Trick or Treat?

After discovering these yummy tutorials, I pick treat! Can you tell that I love Halloween? Well I do! I mean, come on, how often do you get to dress up and go around asking for candy (without seeming creepy that is)? By the way, I promise to blog about something other than Halloween after this week...maybe!

Halloween Cupcakes - Bakerella

Halloween Marshmallows - Distracted Gourmet

Pumpkin Party Glasses - Holiday Crafts and Creations