Flip Flop Classes

Take a look at the class schedule at Joann's for the times of both the adult and children's flip flop classes. They're fun! Here are a few samples of what you can make. Aren't they adorable?

If you'd rather just wear them and not make them, they're also for sale. As you can imagine, there are all kinds of color possibilities. Just email me or comment if you're interested. The beaded ones are $9.50; the ones with the flowers or buttons are $8.00. All made to order in whatever colors you choose.

Father's Day Apron Idea

I made this apron for my friend, Jeff, for his birthday. I will be making more of them just like this for Father's Day($24.95). There is such an array of sports themed fabrics, and prints that are well suited for men, so I will be using lots of them. If you want to order one, or want to see some fabric selections, comment or email and let me know. I'm also working on one of these that is going to have a photo on it. I'll post that soon.

Be thinking of Father's Day and Mother's Day gifts and order early.

Wine glass inspired by Allison and Mimi

I'm trying to work on taking better photos of my pieces and I'm not off to the best start. I just finished painting a dozen one glasses. Coming up with ideas for each of them takes me more time than anything. Here's one, inspired by Allison and Mimi. The photos don't do it justice, but I think you can get the idea. It's a tropical setting with sand, water, sun, and two palm trees on one side, and a caption in gold on the reverse that reads "I'm in my happy place." What do you think? Any photography suggestions?








































These glasses are hand-painted and every one is a unique piece of art since no two pieces will ever be identical. They're painted in enamels and baked for a lasting finish that can be hand-washed. According to the paint manufacturer, they're even safe to wash in the top rack of the dishwasher, but I don't recommend it.

All of my painted wine glasses are $14.95, but look for the ones currently in my Etsy shop to go on sale soon. Customization is available, usually at no additional charge. Pick your colors, design, and text or add a monogram or a name. Swarovski crystal embellishments are also available at an additional charge. Email me to place your order.

Aching, Painting, and getting caught up

I was pinning and basting fabric on a swing seat on Monday and bent a little too much and did a number on my back. It's had me out of commission all week until today. I feel almost all better, just a little slow moving still, but I should hopefully be fully recuperated by the weekend.

That allowed me to do some much needed painting today. I painted a dozen wine glasses. I'll take pictures tomorrow and post them here. Then on to sewing. I am so behind on so many projects and losing three days with a back-ache did not help one bit.

I hope everyone has a good weekend. There's so much going on!

Don't forget to sign up for remaining April classes

There's still plenty of time. If you're thinking about taking a class, now's the time to sign up. If you have any questions, please email me or call me.

To my painting students, I have a class at Joann's on May 7 from 6 - 8 PM. It's the One Stroke Hydrangeas class and it's a beginner's class. If you already took one class previously, there's still lots for you in this one. Check out the bird house sample next time you're in JoAnn's. That's what we'll be painting. Sign up! There's one person in the class as of right now. You know what happens when there's only one person! :)

Hello to my new painters!

We had a terrific painting class today with some promising new artists in it! I hope you all had fun and learned what you were hoping to learn from it. Don't forget to practice, practice, practice and you will get better every time. If you want more classes, just let me know and we will get you set up.

Be sure to check back here often for updates. Also, take a look at my Etsy store at the bottom of this page. I think you might recognize a few things. :) Also, on the slide show on the left, you'll see quite a few of my other painted items, including some fabric painting.

Thanks so much for coming to the class! I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Samples for Painted Fabric Class

Here's some samples of the types of items you'll learn to paint at the fabric painting class at Joann's this Thursday afternoon. I wish I had taken a better photo of the denim visor. The blue and purple flowers on it are so pretty. If you see the actual samples in Joann's, you'll see these are also embellished with heat set crystals. The addition of the crystal embellishments is optional, though. So pick your project surface and let's paint!

Supply List for Fabric Painting Class

Folk Art One Stroke Get Started Brush Set (here's a link so you can see what it looks like)

Folk Art Acrylic Paints:
Wicker White
Thicket
Fresh Foliage
School Bus Yellow
Berry Wine
Blue, Purple or other colors of your choice -- Optional

(Here's a link so you can see what they look like.)

Now, you can purchase the Folk Art Fabric paints in the exact same colors, but I think it's a waste of money. Buy the regular paints and you can use them on other surfaces, too. We'll use a textile medium-- which I'll provide-- with the regular acrylic paints.)

Dimensional Paint Writer in Gold (plus other colors, if you want)
Here are some samples of what these look like. This one. Or this one. Or this one. You just need one bottle, but you can have fun using as many as you like.

Fabric surface of your choice to paint (pre-washed, if washable.)
Water basin for rinsing brushes
Paper towels
Styrofoam plates or paint pallette (optional)

If you want to embellish with crystals or stones, bring a package of crystals of your choice. If they are to be heat set, be sure to bring a hotfix gun to set them. Otherwise, bring glue/adhesive made for setting gems/stones.

If you have any questions, please call me at 281-338-0960.

April Sewing and Painting Classes

To the Claremont residents, welcome to MaureenMakesIt.com! New classes are now forming for all ages and skill levels. Class size is limited.


The adult and teen Introduction to Sewing class is Tuesday, April 21 from 6:30 - 9:00 PM. Bring your sewing machine, even if it's never been out of the box, and I'll teach you how to use it. You'll learn basic sewing skills, as well as what the various tools are and how to use them, some basics on patterns, and you will make a lovely decorative pillowcase. (Look at older posts here to see pictures.) The cost is $30.

Introduction to Sewing for Kids teaches the exact same skills as the adult class, but for ages 8-13. Bring your machine and I'll have you sewing projects you'll be proud to show off in less than two hours. You'll make a pillowcase so unique, yet so easy, you'll be wanting to make them over and over again. The next class is Wednesday, April 22 from 4:30 - 7:00. The cost is $30.

Already know how to use your machine and do a little sewing? Then you're ready for Sewing II where you'll use a pattern to make elastic waist capris, pajama pants, shorts, or a skirt. The garment is your choice and I'll help you with pattern selections that are suitable to the skill level. This class is for teens and adults and will be held Thursday, April 23 from 6:30 - 9:30. The cost is $35.

For the age 8-13 year old sewing students who have completed the Introduction to Sewing class, or who already know how to use their machines and basic straight stitch and zig zag sewing, I offer Kids Sewing II where students will learn how to make elastic waist shorts or pajama pants. This class is Saturday, April 25 at 9:00 AM until noon. The cost is $35.

On Thursday, April 23, I am offering the first in a series of home decor sewing classes, Home Decor- Curtains. Some sewing experience is required, such as the Introduction to Sewing class. If you know how to use your machine and basic sewing supplies, and you know how to straight stitch and zig zag, you're ready for this class. We will make a simple lined rod pocket panel curtain. This class is at 9:00 AM until noon. The cost is $40.

Introduction to Decorative Painting will teach you the basics of the One Stroke painting method and is broken into a series of classes. Take one or all three, but they must be taken in order-- I, then II, then III. The first class will focus on leaves, stems, grass, daisies, supplies, and methodology. The second class will focus on roses and rosebuds, wisteria, grape vines, and script liner strokes. The third class will teach how to do sunflowers, hydrangeas, more leaves, and some cute insects like bees and ladybugs. Each of these classes is $30. Class I, Monday, April 20, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Class II, Friday, April 24, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Class III, Wednesday, April 29, 10:00 to noon.

Decorative Painting for Kids is also being offered but dates have not yet been determined. Please check back soon or contact me for more information.

For the sewing classes, I do have one extra machine available that may be used by a student for an additional fee of $5. Please be sure to reserve the machine when you register. Please email me at maureen@maureenmakesit.com if you would like to register. I will email the registration form and supply list to you. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to call me at 281-338-0960.

Sewing Class Thursday, April 9

I know it's short notice, but just wanted to share with you that I'm having a class tomorrow night at my League City home. It will be a quick review of the sewing basics you already learned in the pillowcase class, and the project is going to be making basic curtains. The class is from 6:00 - 8:30 PM. The cost is $30. I have room for three more people. If you're interested, please email or call me at 832-385-2174. If you tell me your window measurements, I can also tell you how much fabric you'll need.

This is a great project for making use of bed sheets, by the way. If you've ever wanted to coordinate your bedding with your windows, all you need is an extra matching flat sheet or two and you've got a nice custom look that is easy, easy, easy.

One Stroke / Decorative Painting Class today

I am teaching a painting class this morning and am looking forward to it. So few people are taking the painting classes lately and I wish more would. They're a lot of fun and the skill enables you to do so much. I'll post some pics later of today's project.

Mothers Day and Fathers Day

Plan ahead! Order your aprons for Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts now. I have some amazing fabrics and some new designs. I do all kinds of cusomization too. Check out this awesome apron. What Mother or Father wouldn't love a picture of their kids or family on an apron like this? I can put any photo you want on an apron, up to size 8x10.

Look how cute this is. It's loaded with details. It's fully lined and reversible. It has two fabulous pockets with bias trim accents, and my trademark photo i-pocket which is perfect for holding your i-Pod or phone while you're busy doing other things.

From Maureen Makes It

From Maureen Makes It

From Maureen Makes It

Look how cute the captioning is above the photo. It says "Sisters." That's also fully customizable.

From Maureen Makes It

Look at all the detailing on that i-pocket. The image is transferred to fabric and then lined with the same fabric that lines the apron. I added more contrast bias just like the two side pockets and then even added some adorable red rick rack.

From Maureen Makes It

To keep your photo always looking as beautiful as the day you bought your apron, the pocket attaches with my patent-pending signature velcro attachments. That's right, just take the pocket off and throw the apron right in the wash. Cool, huh?

From Maureen Makes It

I have so many different themes to make these aprons, from flowers, to golf, patriotic, fishing, wine, retro, sports, teapots and on and on. So just contact me and let's design something spectacular together, custom made for a one of a kind unique gift.

Let me know what classes you're looking for

It's hard to keep up with all the requests I get for different classes and to have a sense of how many people are interested in the same classes. Please let me know if there's something you're looking for that you haven't found listed on my blog. I teach painting and sewing. I teach at JoAnn's in Webster, at my League City home, and at places requested by my clients. That includes Friendswood, Clear Lake, Houston, Kemah, League City, Pearland and just about all of the surrounding areas. I have private classes that I will often do for just one student and it's probably a lot less expensive than you think. I will also do groups at my home or the place you choose, and I can provide machines and certain supplies.

The possibilities are endless so just let me know what you're looking for and I'll do my absolute best to accomodate you. Email me, leave a comment here, or call me at 281-338-0960.

My spacing problem is fixed!

I have spent more hours than I can even count trying to figure out all this formatting and html lingo and everything else you need to know to create a blog that looks the way I want it. I finally found out how to get my columns from overlapping and I'm elated. My blog is looking so much better! Just a few more tweaks and I think I might actually be finished messing with it. Woohoo!

As soon as I finish, I think I'll do a giveaway to celebrate. Stay tuned!

Encyclopedia of Crafts?

I was pretty excited about this book coming out, but my excitement has been tempered a bit upon realizing that sewing, knitting, crocheting, and a number of other very popular crafts are not included. Now, it's not that there aren't plenty of books available on these subjects, but a book that excludes them is by no means an "encyclopedia" of crafts.

From what I've read, though, it still looks like a great craft book. Is anyone else planning on getting it, or do you have it already? Thoughts?

I don't know how to post the link to it, but you can find it on Amazon.com and read the reviews and comments about it on there.

From Maureen Makes It

I'm adding a section on books

There are so many great books that I love browsing through when I'm in the bookstore. I wish I could own them all! I do own a few, though, and I enjoy them so much. I read them over and over and learn so much from them. I'm going to start posting some links to some of the books and other items I like that I find on Amazon-- one of my favorite places on the internet.

I've always enjoyed reading cookbooks. I read sewing and painting books too and I love getting lost in them and getting my creative juices flowing.