Easy Embroidery Project Ideas for Beginners

A couple of Easy Embroidery Ideas from Beth.

Before Deflecto, Design Team Member Beth Watson used to store all her embroidery supplies in plastic bags. Beth says, "Now that I have all my Embroidery Supplies neatly arranged in the Deflecto Stackable Caddy Organizer, I can take my stitching with me where ever I go, like from my studio to my couch."

Materials Needed:

• Embroidery Hoops – I prefer wooden ones
• Embroidery Floss
• Pearle Cotton Spools
• Pearle Cotton Skeins
• Embroidery Needles
• Needle Threader – this one is a must!
• Scissors  
• Cotton Fabric Fat Quarters – pick a fun print
• Muslin Fabric  
• Kunin Felt Craft Cuts
• Stamps and Stamping Ink

Featured Storage:  Stackable Caddy Organizer

Project One:  A Stitched Sampler

The stitch sampler is my recommendation on the best way to begin your embroidery journey. It will give you hands-on experience with basic stitches as well as be a reference guide for future projects. 

Project Two:  Stitched Felt Ornaments

Felt is an easy and forgiving medium that is sturdy and won’t fray. Cut these bright colors of Kunin Felt into basic shapes, then layer, and then join together with a variety of fun and quirky stitches. Perfection is not a goal with this project, but rather let the rustic nature of the felt and embroidery shine through. Stephanie Ackerman has a great tutorial for Stitching with Felt and using what you have over on her blog Homegrown Hospitality.

For more embroidery ideas and how Beth organized her supplies, visit Beth's blog here.

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Simple Backyard Garden Harvesting

Now that we've all planted and the backyard gardens have been growing for a bit. 

It's time to start thinking about harvesting and turning that Deflecto Garden Caddy into a Garden Harvest Caddy.

Sneaking a peek into Design Team Member Erin Reed's garden. 

Erin uses the Deflecto Caddy Organizer to help gather her fruits and veggies. She pulled the lids off the top of each section to make it easier to pick her fruits and vegetables. They go right back on when she's finished harvesting.

Featured Storage:  Deflecto Stackable Caddy Organizer

Erin said..."The Deflecto Caddy Organizer made it easy to pick my fruits, veggies, and herbs and keep everything separate since it has four sections."

The Deflecto Stackable Caddy goes from Craft Room to Workroom to Garden and now Harvest.  The Deflecto Stackable Caddy Organizer is one hard-working Caddy.  So much, you might want to have more than one.

For more great ideas from Erin, you can visit her blog here.

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Making Pet Rocks

Are you looking for projects to keep the kids busy this Summer?

Making Pet Rocks is a fun and creative Summer project for kids of various ages.  

There's not a lot of expensive materials needed.

And, it's a great way to allow them to show their imagination.

Materials Needed:

• Smooth Rocks in a Variety of Sizes 
• Acrylic Paint
• Small Paintbrushes
• Mod Podge Outdoor Sealer
• Optional:  Googly Eyes

Featured Storage:  Deflecto Stackable Caddy Organizer

The Deflecto Stackable Caddy Organizer makes the perfect Pet Rock Station.

How to Make a Pet Rock:

1. Gather up rocks from around the house.  Lots of different sizes, but not too big.  Take notice of marks and bumps that can be used for a mouth or nose.   
2. Wash or wipe the rock to clean away any dust or dirt.
3. Pick your paint colors and decide on your design.
4. Get creative with faces and patterns.
5.  If the rocks will be living outside, seal the rocks with a coat of Mod Podge Outdoor Sealer. 

The Pet Rock Station was created by Design Team Member Nadine Carlier.  

For more fun projects visit Nadine's blog here.

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Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Themed Party

Bold Stripes and Bright Stars...

It doesn't matter if your party is big or small.
It’s easy to throw together a Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Themed Summer Party.

Gather up some hotdogs, burgers, and brats for the perfect Summer BBQ Get-Together.

Here are a few Ideas to make the Summer Holidays fun and special.

Grab and Go Party Ware.

Bring Deflecto to your next party.  The Deflecto Stackable Caddy Organizer is perfect for  holding tableware and condiments for easy grab and go.

Celebrate the Red, White and Blue...

Every party needs a few yummy desserts.  The 3 Tier Dessert Stand from Deflecto is perfect for displaying cupcakes and other goodies.  It is easy to put together, adjustable, and folds flat for compact storing.

All three tiers on the stand have holes for holding cake pops.  They were the perfect size for inserting small flags and the handmade banner for the top.

How to make the Banner…

• Cut two bamboo skewers 6″ each.  Wrap the ends with decorative washi tape.  The washi tape helps keep the skewers securely in place when inserting in the stand.
• Die-cut or hand-cut 5 banners out of decorative scrapbook paper.
• Tie a piece of blue and white twine on each end of the bamboo skewers.
• Fold banners and adhere to the twine.
• Apply letter stickers on the front of the banners.
• Stick on each side of the top tier in the holes made to hold cake pops.

Little details make everything more festive.

Make a few star picks to stick into the cupcakes.  A fun project that the kids can help you make.

• Create the picks by punching or die-cutting several blue and red stars.
• Add adhesive to the back of the star and place a toothpick in the center.
• Adhere a second star on the back.
• Decorative the stars with additional small foil stars.

Featured Storage:  Caddy Storage Tray

The Caddy Storage Tray is perfect for organizing small items.  The tray nests securely inside the Stackable Caddy Organizer.

The Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Themed Party was designed by DT Member Sue Eldred.  
You can read more on her blog Sue's Creative Workshop.

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