Take these,
all those lttle strips that you get when you're trying to straighten the edges of your fabric (lots of them in my case, I never manage to square up my fabric in one go).
Cut out two donuts of cardboard, (I'm sure everybody already knows how to make a pom pom, but you know, just in case somebody doesn't, I'll run through it)
Mine measured approx 6cm diameter, smaller circle 2.5 diameter.
Wrap wrap wrap your fabric around both circles (use a large crochet hook to pull the fabric through when the hole gets tiny).
Snip snip snip through all layers.
Get a long strip of fabric and tie tightly between the two cardboard circles.
Cut away cardboard and hang pom pom somewhere.
I choose this corner of Molly's room, being very careful not to break my neck negotiating the mess on the floor.
Bad girl, she's not nice and tidy like me.
Cough cough.
While I think of it, somebody e-mailed me to ask if they could use one of my tutorials to make a Softie for Mirabel, somehow I've lost the e-mail, but yes of course, any of the tutorials here can be used for any charitable cause anytime.
Have a great weekend everybody.
P.S. Typepad, I am still not happy with you.
they look sweet. i'd never think to do that.
your stash looks a little bit like mine. all over the place. i'm notorious for pulling things out and then never putting it back!
Posted by: Peta | June 13, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Such a great cute idea.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | June 13, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Gorgeous idea!!!!! And as for being such a tidy mummy - I applaud you! I'm tidy like that too!!!! (choking quietly over here!)
Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | June 13, 2008 at 02:12 PM
What a lovely idea!
...and I think your stash looks a whole lot tidier than mine ;D
Posted by: Christine | June 13, 2008 at 02:23 PM
*Gasp* this is the first craft room stash I have seen that looks like mine - I thought everyone else had neatly folded and stacked shelves. Phew. Thanks for the pom pom idea - I love it!
Posted by: Anna | June 13, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Wellcome back!
The pompons are great!
Posted by: méri | June 13, 2008 at 02:42 PM
I knew there was a reason I was keeping them!
For some reason typepad still haven't upgraded me! I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing!
Posted by: Gemma | June 13, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Now those are worth taking the scissors to my leftover bits for! Genius.
And Molly's quilt is so Oilily. If I had something wonderful on my bed, perhaps I'd keep my room tidy. I know where my boys get their messy habits, unfortunately.
Posted by: Ali | June 13, 2008 at 02:51 PM
What a great idea for all those scrappies! And I'm not happy with Typepad right now either....
Posted by: Meryl | June 13, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Brilliant!!
Posted by: Alesia | June 13, 2008 at 03:15 PM
the pompoms are BRILLIANT! great idea!
Posted by: Karmela | June 13, 2008 at 03:30 PM
They are so wonderful! What a great idea.
Posted by: alice | June 13, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Neat-o! (um, maybe not the room so much, but then mine is not so tidy either) I've been wanting something to hang up here and there and this is perfect-o!
Posted by: jenny b harris | June 13, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Hi:
I think your blog is adorable!!! Your "attitude" is super. I love your kitten's names, the title of your post "Alternatives to locking your children in a cupboard" and your artistic creations!!!
Your daughter's room is so cool.
Thanx for the pom pom tutorial; been a good refresher one : )
Peace
carole from california
Posted by: carole | June 13, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Love them! I'd like a whole Christmas tree of your little fabric baubles. Love the room too, looks like you've been very busy. Are those blue peonies on the wall? Gorgeous.
Posted by: joanie | June 13, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Great idea! They look so sweet.
Posted by: Mary | June 13, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Thank you for the pompom idea and for a realistic view of a craft area!
Posted by: Barbara | June 13, 2008 at 05:03 PM
Thank you for the pompom idea and for a realistic view of a craft area!
Posted by: Barbara | June 13, 2008 at 05:03 PM
I love this idea! Now I'm going to have to get another box for those type of scraps. That's how I "organize". :)
Posted by: Stacey | June 13, 2008 at 05:58 PM
GENIEARSE. Wow, I might even manage to make one of those!
Although I imagine it helps to have such a gorgeous collection of fabric scraplets, tidy or not. (That glass cabinet is yummy too). :)
Posted by: Kitty | June 13, 2008 at 06:24 PM
Love those pom poms...I've used those strips for crochet and rug hooking....Molly's quilt is fabulous....any chance you could show the whole thing?..with detail?..I am in LOVE with it...Love your writing....I always look forward to it. Thank you.
Susan
Posted by: Susan Jonsson | June 13, 2008 at 06:30 PM
Must. See. Quilt. My daughter and I are drooling over it--and the whole room.
Posted by: Amy | June 13, 2008 at 06:49 PM
cute!, am relieved i'm not the only one whose fabric is all a bit messy!
Posted by: lucykate crafts | June 13, 2008 at 07:10 PM
wonderful idea! thanks for sharing this.
Posted by: amanda | June 13, 2008 at 07:39 PM
What a beautiful quilt. I love the pom poms too!;-)
Posted by: Sal | June 13, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Thank you so much for sharing! The pom poms are an adorable idea.. and I'm one of the few that didn't know how or has ever made one. I'll have to give 'er a try :) Thanks again!
Posted by: Lisa | June 13, 2008 at 08:04 PM
These are adoreable - what a great idea for using up scraps :-)
Posted by: Samsara | June 13, 2008 at 09:04 PM
CUTE idea!
Posted by: yvette of chandelierpicnic | June 13, 2008 at 10:45 PM
woww really cool idea
Posted by: julia:] | June 13, 2008 at 11:26 PM
OMG - my sewing room looks JUST like yours! LOL Love the scrap pom-pom idea. Definitely going to do that with my millions of scrap strips!
Posted by: Bree | June 14, 2008 at 01:15 AM
That is a great idea, and thank god-I though I was the only one who crafted in chaos. And that really is the most beautiful quilt.
Posted by: angharad | June 14, 2008 at 03:23 AM
very cute pompoms and I'm with you about typepad...they should know better then to release a new tool without good "real" people testing!
Posted by: carolyn | June 14, 2008 at 04:08 AM
Love, love, love this idea! Also I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one with such an organized fabric stash!!!
Posted by: Bobbi Wynn | June 14, 2008 at 05:01 AM
This is the most beautiful girl's room I've ever seen! And I have to give a try to the pom poms they look fantastic!
Posted by: caminin | June 14, 2008 at 07:29 AM
Very effective pompoms, will certainly try this would like nice on the top of presents! I call workrooms like that crative chaos, if it was too tidy it would be creepy and your little girls room is a lovely colour. The doll bed looks good never seen a bunk bed like that before. Good to see one of your tutorials.
Posted by: Andrea | June 14, 2008 at 02:51 PM
Those pom poms are great.
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one without an immaculate house. There's a reason why most of the photos on my blog are taken outside...
Posted by: Lil' d | June 14, 2008 at 05:36 PM
wow, what a simple idea, but those pompoms look awesome, so much cooler than ones made with yarn :o
Posted by: Natch | June 14, 2008 at 06:22 PM
I love those pom poms - I'm definately going to make some..
I had a dolls bunk bed just like Molly's - I loved it and my cousin emptied talcum powder all over it and my dolls - I haven't quite got over it yet....
I love the paintings on the wall behind Molly's bed - did you do them?
Posted by: christine | June 14, 2008 at 07:58 PM
What a lovely room! The Pom-poms are fab!
Posted by: Sharon | June 14, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Oh my goodness! Can I come over to play? lol What a beautiful bedroom, and all that yummy fabric!
Posted by: Kyla Nicole | June 15, 2008 at 03:54 AM
What an amazing quilt, Great photo of the bed,you have such an eye for colour :)
Posted by: Cele | June 15, 2008 at 10:47 AM
What a wonderful idea, thanks for sharing......
Sue
Posted by: Susie | June 15, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Thank you VeRy MuCh for this idea ! And cheer up : all this COULD be messier, couldn't it ?
;o)
Posted by: Claitte | June 15, 2008 at 02:51 PM
That's a lovely idea,
and the result is so pretty !
Posted by: mycraftyways | June 15, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Thanks for the pom pom idea - I love it!
Posted by: naturline | June 15, 2008 at 04:34 PM
What a beautiful idea!!!
Thank you!! :-)
Posted by: Fanfreluches&co | June 15, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Love the quilt and love the piles of fabric. I keep all mine in boxes in a cupboard - quite neat until you open the cupboard, of course.
Posted by: Fiona | June 15, 2008 at 09:50 PM
I am a little confused. I came on this website looking for a chicken to make friends with - since I am a stuffed duck I though Molly might be my friend. Molly please let me know on www.bestplushlife.com where I have my own blog.
Love
Paula
Posted by: paula | June 16, 2008 at 12:44 AM
LOVE LOVE LOVE the pom poms! I can hardly wait to rip up some fabric just to make these, seriously they are genuis! And that quilt is gorgeous, oh the colors, simply delicious. As for your fabric stash, messy or not, it still has me drooling over the lovely colors and prints you have in there, I just love fabric. Truly, really, happily, love it!
Posted by: heather | June 16, 2008 at 02:20 AM
WHAT? That easy? I MUST make some ASAP!
Thanks!
Posted by: Cherry Tree Lane | June 16, 2008 at 05:27 AM
What a brilliant idea, thanks for sharing it! And your mess looks so inviting, you have such a lovely fabric stash!
Posted by: Christine | June 16, 2008 at 11:15 AM
What a great idea for using up scraps and so pretty too!
Posted by: countrybliss | June 16, 2008 at 02:56 PM
While we make lots of pompons here, I have no idea why I never thought of using fabric! They are adorable! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Gail | June 16, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Those are AWESOME! I am going to make a ga-jillion of those....great idea!
Posted by: Tracey | June 16, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Fantastic! Who knew all those bits of fabric could become something so lovely.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Adriana | June 16, 2008 at 03:18 PM
You are hilarious!!!!I just love the idea and love your creative mess!!!Very similar situation over here;)
Posted by: Katarina | June 16, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Love the pom pom idea and your daughter's room!
Posted by: Carrie | June 16, 2008 at 06:22 PM
I love the pom poms, such a wonderful idea! I am definetively gonna make some ^^
Posted by: Amanda Köhlmark | June 16, 2008 at 11:24 PM
The pom poms are just too cute for words. I love the idea. I hate wasting ANYTHING when it comes to fabric. They just look gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing.
Posted by: Jen Happy Stash | June 17, 2008 at 03:20 AM
I have made lots of yarn pom poms... I don't know why I never thought of fabric... You are so clever... I love it.... I love your blog... Thank you so much for sharing...
Posted by: Shelly G. | June 17, 2008 at 03:57 AM
Great Pom Poms! Did you know there is an easier way to make them. Check out Clover Products
http://www.clover-usa.com/product.html#40
they come in size XS 3/4"- XL(4 1/2") Now that is on big pom!
Theresa
Posted by: Account Deleted | June 17, 2008 at 05:53 AM
Love the Pom Poms!
Did you know there is an easier way using Clover's Pom Pom makers?
Size XS (3/4") up to XL (4 1/2")
now that is one big Pom!
http://www.clover-usa.com/product.html#40
Theresa
Posted by: Account Deleted | June 17, 2008 at 05:58 AM
Sweet idea - sweet pom poms - thanks sharing!
Posted by: Astrid | June 17, 2008 at 10:18 AM
on my flickr i put a pompom from your tutorial!
http://flickr.com/photos/esthermokka/2587071508/
Love it! Btw maybe it's me but I had cut a lot away to make a nice round ball....
One of these days I make a top ten from you're most LOL post.
Every time when I feel a little gloomy I go to your blog and then I laugh and everyting is fine!
Posted by: esther | June 17, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I like your filing sytem :) its like mine
Cool pom poms!!
Posted by: sammyjo | June 17, 2008 at 03:37 PM
How nice and I love that quilt!
Posted by: Traci Hudson | June 17, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Wunderbar! Something to use all my thin scraps for...what a great & pretty idea. I knew there was a reason why I kept them. Thanks muchly!
Posted by: tammyCA | June 18, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Love the pom pom idea, and what a fabulous quilt on your daughter's bed. I'm still totally hacked off with Typepad too - what the
*!%@ are they playing at?
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 18, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Fabric pom-poms will now be everywhere!
Posted by: muffin | June 18, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Ooh I love those pom poms! And tidy people are dangerous. At least that's what I'm going with today.
Posted by: Wonders Never Cease | June 19, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Hey, this is a great idea, thank you. I shall get the kids cracking on to this straight away. Love Molly's room, especially the blue fireplace. Glad to see you are in as bigger mess as I am. It never ends!
Posted by: thevintagemagpie | June 19, 2008 at 09:55 AM
My english speaking is not ok but I can say "Ilove your blog".
All the things you have done here are really very nice.
Posted by: lise | June 19, 2008 at 07:20 PM
My english speaking is not ok but I can say "Ilove your blog".
All the things you have done here are really very nice.
Posted by: lise | June 19, 2008 at 07:21 PM
a relief to see someone else that can't throw anything away and can see endless possibilities in little things!
I have to show BF your room so he can stop complaining about mine. Lol:)
Posted by: Grace Garton | June 19, 2008 at 08:47 PM
cute! I had forgotten about pom poms. I use to make them out of yarn when I was a cute. But from the looks of it, fabric works much better. That for refreshing my memory. xoxo, Joanna
Posted by: Joanna | June 20, 2008 at 01:11 PM
If typepad answers can you tell him (it certainly isn't female!) that I'm not happy either.
I LOVE your pompoms. At last I can use all those little bits I can't bring myself to throw away (and the cats usually eat and subsequently throw up UGH)
Posted by: gillie | June 20, 2008 at 01:46 PM
I love your little girl's room. Perhaps you could indulge me and blog a picture of the beautiful quilts on her bed and the dolls bed. I would also love to see a picture of the lovely canvas on the wall. Very inspiring! Do you have any tips for where to buy similar patchwork fabric?
Love popping in to read your news!
Best wishes Emma
Posted by: emma | June 20, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Wow! I love the pom pom idea! So cute and a perfect way to use leftover scraps. I'm thinking of making some in Christmas fabrics and putting them on gifts as bows. After the unwrapping, they can go on the tree! Thank you for the idea!!
I've been reading your blog for a while, but this is the first time that I have commented -- You're really talented!
Posted by: Sue | June 21, 2008 at 08:58 AM
What a great idea! I think I'll make lots for Christmas ornaments. Your daughters room is adorable. x
Posted by: AnyoneCanQuilt | June 22, 2008 at 12:35 AM
oops, I am supposed to square up the edges of my fabric?! lol, I am not much of a perfectionist :)
The pom poms are super cute!
Posted by: Annie | June 22, 2008 at 07:16 AM
Thanks for the great tutorial. I have TONS of these little strips. It takes me a few tries to straighten the fabric edge too-even with a good quilting ruler! LOL!
Posted by: Carla | June 22, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Your pompoms look so cute! What a great idea - thanks for sharing the tutorial with us :)
Posted by: Emma | June 23, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Love your pompoms, we make them all the time with the kids, but to use fabric is a great idea!
Love your messy rooms.
Posted by: heleen | June 23, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Great pompoms!!!! Thanks for tuhe tutorial.
Glad to see you back again!
Posted by: rid | June 24, 2008 at 09:28 PM
wow. you've done it again. beautiful! yes, typepad is persnickety lately, isn't it?
Posted by: tifanie | June 25, 2008 at 07:00 AM
Love it!!!! I have a bag of those little things in the closet! THanks!
Posted by: Mary | June 25, 2008 at 12:33 PM
i am so going to make some pom poms!
Posted by: amy | June 25, 2008 at 08:36 PM
You have just a amazing blog! I hope I can show it to my readers?!
Posted by: Helena at ROOM&serve | June 26, 2008 at 03:21 PM
GREAT WORK/ LOVELY IDEA. THANKS/
Posted by: RACHEL | June 26, 2008 at 05:13 PM
I wanted to tell you that just today I have finally finished a doll dress from your "Ruby's dress" pattern (Nov. 2006). The dress for my daughter's doll has been languishing, half-finished, for over a year, but I'm on a kick to finish things, so...
The pattern is great. I'm going to make a big one to make a sassy coat for my daughter (she's 7).
You're a dear.
Stephanie
Posted by: Heels | June 26, 2008 at 09:43 PM
Just stumbled across your blog from a link at the melly and me website. Made me feel slightly homesick as I've just moved to australia from the uk. Didn't realise i missed attics and little period fireplaces! - just as well we have no attic in our 70's house with a tin roof -no doubt some hideous poisonous creature would be waiting to leap out and eat me. Anyway your comments made me laugh out loud (which can be quite exhausting in 35degree heat) loved the pom poms will attempt to make some with my daughter also named Molly! Thanks
Posted by: Lesley-Anne | June 27, 2008 at 01:49 AM
Seriously gorgeous! So cute. Must try for my little girl's room.
Posted by: Rosalind | June 27, 2008 at 01:08 PM
The pom poms are beautiful. Now I won't feel as guilty having little strips left over from projects.
For the maker you can also use old CD's. Cut out the center hole and you have a set the size of the large clover yo-yo maker.
Posted by: Joan | June 27, 2008 at 04:34 PM
what a great idea! I love the pom pom's! My sewing room looks not to far off from yours.
Posted by: Kristi Van Os | June 27, 2008 at 08:04 PM
HI,
What a great ideas you have!!!
Lovely blog
regards Laura
Posted by: laura | June 28, 2008 at 03:13 AM
Funny pom poms! I really thougt about saving my strips yesterday when I was straightening fabric, maiking a skirt for my daughter...But I don´t know where to put them while I´m waiting to get many enough...
Posted by: skapasaker | June 28, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Love the pompoms, oh i wish i had that much fabric. Great blog. Thankyou.
Posted by: Mrs | June 29, 2008 at 07:49 AM
These are such sweet objects and such a novel idea. gorgeous
Posted by: vic | June 29, 2008 at 11:44 AM
¡¡Great idea!! So lovely.
^_^
Posted by: Silvia | June 29, 2008 at 09:03 PM
My eldest told me there is nothing he can do about the mess in his room. 'he was born that way'.
Right.
Oh great pom pom idea!!
Posted by: monica | June 30, 2008 at 04:44 PM