I actually had this post in my draft list for a very long time, and since hopefully I’ll finish the tutorial section for this pattern soon, I wanted to show you all one of the patterns I worked on while in vacations.

I made them using some leftover fleece and stuffed them with my old t-shirts scraps. I designed the pattern so with just a few adjustments the little duck can be sitted or laying down, and also an optional bow clip or tie =] I had so much fun making them, I think they could be great Christmast presents!

So let me introduce you Mr. & Mrs. Joyful duck, they are a very soft couple that love kids and pets =] and if you want to go the extra mile, you can leave the bottom with a button to have a little bag filled with rise and cinnamon so you can microwave them and heat it up for cold nights, Curly has one now!

I am hoping to list the pattern next week, it has 2 variations (standing or laying down) and it will be a downloable multipage PDF file so you can enlarge it in case you want =] I hand sewed mine, one on the inside and one on teh outside so I can show how cute they look both ways!

I hope you guys like them =]
XO

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While I was on vacation I worked on several projects – I know it sounds weird but vacations are my time to work on personal projects hehe. I’ve been planning on a change for the look of HowJoyful for quite some time. If you remember, the last blog-face-lift was for my HowJoyful’s first blogoversary (Too long ago, right?) And even tho there is still a good 6 months before the second blogoversary comes around, I just can’t wait that long to give a facelift to my little blog =]

Of all the previous changes I’ve made, this is definitely the most radical. I decided to start from scratch and even change my logo/header completely (even tho I still like the old one) I hand-drafted the words and played with them for a long, long time – because you know I am my WORST client! It’s so hard to design for myself =[ - I also decided to change the colors because lately I've been really into turquoise, I just love how vibrant and playful it feels. So here's a little reminder of what this blog used to look like:

I am SO EXCITED to finally reveal the new logo and blog! I added a few new features, like the tab box in the top to make it easier to subscribe and browse the contents. I also left a widget with the featured categories and added pages to the sidebar as well as the menu. So now let me show you the new color palette:

Like in any web design update, there will be some tweaks in the next few days so don't worry if some things don't look right, I am working really hard to make everything as perfect as possible, as soon as possible =] And if you see a mix of the old and new design, just refresh the page and clear your cache, that should fix everything! Let’s get rid of that old red blog, ok?

So if you are reading this in your reader, come on over to check it out and share what you think about it =] I am always open to suggestions!

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Hello new friends! I’m so excited to be blogging over here on How Joyful. Thanks so much for having me! My name is Brooke, and I’m the one-woman show behind the blog Killer B. Designs. You may also recognize me as Mrs. Sand Dollar from Weddingbee, if any of you followed Mrs. Poodle over here. I’m also the proud new mama of a beautiful baby girl, who we like to call Charlie. Today I’m chatting about how I was bitten by the carpentry bug, and why you should get infected too.

It all started just over a year ago. Well, that’s not entirely true. I dabbled in it back in ’08, when I needed to furnish my brand-spankin’ new bachelorette pad in Dallas. I hit up the typical cheap-o furniture stores, looking for style on a dime. And though I absolutely adored that place, I can tell you one thing: all I have left furniture-wise are the two bookcases I built myself. And you know why? Because I made them! Duh! Just kidding. The real reason is because when you build for yourself, you have the option to use 100% real wood, and build it so sturdy that you know it will stand the test of time. It’s true. A friend joked that I could probably store car engines on those bookcases, and trust me, they weigh enough that I think he’s right! Want to see them?

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A few weeks before I left for my Chile vacations MIL took me to one of my now favorite stores 99c! it’s crazy how much stuff they have all for 99c. And even tho I would not buy things I need quality, why not get the ones I need quantity? I got 2 bags of 50 chopstick for $1.98 pretty good huh? – But the best part with what I made with it, a pretty lampshade for my craftroom =]

MATERIALS

- Old lampshade wires or thick wire to make your top loop
- 1 or 2 chopstick bags (50 units) depending on the size you want – I used 1 1/2 bags
- hemp twine
- Ruler, pen, hot glue & scissors

Step Uno - First you will need to start marking your chopsticks, I marked 1/2″ on the top and the bottom, do that very light on the back of the chopstick (the plain side without the center crack) but depending on how you want it to look you can do it the other way, I just really liked the pattern left when they were all together.

Step Dos - Cut 4 long pieces of hemp twine, mine were about 3 feet, but I end up cutting a long excess, but I would recommend you to have a long extra than missing so 3 feet is always save =] make a loose knot at the beginning, use the mark in the chopstick to hug it with the hemp, place a tini drop of hot glue in the back of the chopstick to secure the hemp twine to the chopstick.

Step Tres - Repeat the same process for the bottom, I found it easier to do 3 at a time. Tie 3 on the top, then do the bottom and repeat. Remember to always cross your two pieces of hemp twine in the same direction to have a clean look.

Step Cuatro - Now repeat and measure how long you will need your piece to be, I didn’t use all my chopsticks because I was happy with the size I had, if you are using an old lampshade use it as a reference and measure with it.

Step Cinco - Once you have the length you need, untie the knots you did at the beginning carefully.

Step Seis - After that start hot gluing (I would recommend you to start in the center and then go to the ends) your chopsticks to the old lampshade frame or your wire if you want to do your own structure. I did but on my next I will use an old lampshade for sure because I didn’t really like making my own when I can get the structure for a dollar or so at a thrift store.

Step Siete - Once at the end, what I did was double cross my hemp twine from my fist and last chopstick, like shown in the picture. Repeat that in the top and the bottom. for a clean look I cut and hot glued the ends on the inside.

I love the raw feel that the wood and the hemp twine have together, but I was thinking about making a different one and play with bright colors or maybe just a tint for a darker brown.

I hope you all enjoy and I’d love to see pictures if anyone attempts this cute and simple lampshade =] Since winter is coming, this was my first attempt making a tutorial at night to test my indoor pictures, that way I have no excuse to not make tutorials when the days and gray (my less favorite days ever) – So I hope you like it!
XO

* This tutorial is provided for personal, non-commercial use only.
Check the Site policy at the bottom for further information, Thank you!

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