Archive for the 'craft' Category

It all started….

Published on October 4, 2009 in Creating, Iz Sewing, birthdays, craft, family and sewing with kids. 1 Comment

when she was mad and she slapped my arm.  Hard.

Ouch.

I let her know that it hurt and it was not ok to hit me or anyone else.  She did it again.

I told her the same thing again and let her know that there would be absolutely no movie tonight.  You see, we have a bit of screen time before bed time.  It’s our way of slowing down a bit before getting into bed and reading books.  Not long, but long enough to sit still.

But not tonight.

You know if I could spend the rest of every minute in my life sewing or making something I would.  So what did we do instead?  We got out the fabric box and sewing machine.  In a few days it would be cousin Siena’s 2nd birthday, and what were we going to make her? (our goal is to make as many, if not all, of our gifts).  Izzy wanted to make her a doll.  GREAT!  Let’s draw a picture of what we should make, no mom, I don’t need to.  (So me before I decided I had to absolutely plan everything out.)  Ok, I could do this without a plan…so first we looked at the fabric and she suggested we start with a triangle.  I cut a triangle (on the fold).  Then I cut out rectangles for arms or legs.  I got out the bag of feathers and Iz sat at the sewing machine.

Sewing Project

Sewing Project

Once the body was all stitched up, I cut circles out and she worked on the eyes.

Sewing Project

Sewing Project

Voila!  Siena’s Owl.

Siena's Owl

I was pretty proud.  She was too.  We had so much fun together (we always do…).  She loves to make as much as her mom and dad do.

Don’t Worry, You Won’t Miss The Next One.

Published on November 14, 2008 in Creating, Jewelry, art, craft and favorites. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Today was the start of another of Lulu Smith’s Online Gallery days.  A lot has already sold, and if you are quick, you might be able to get this:

or these:

I’m sure there will be one in December.  You can sign up on her website to be notified of the next one and enter to win a free pair of earrings.  If you aren’t familiar with her work, well, what are you waiting for? And be sure to check out her blog.  That’s where you can find things like this, that I keep clicking on.

Hmmmm, What To Do With Those Nasty Plastic Bags

Published on November 12, 2008 in art, cool ideas, craft, design, favorites, green and inspiration. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , .

Turn them into beautiful and delicate lace creations like Laura Ann Marsden.

or delicate wall adornments

or cushions.

I’m glad someone out there is making those nasty plastic bags pretty.  I’m glad they won’t be in the landfill and can still be useful.  I think the organic shapes are very pretty, I’ve always been inspired by lace, so delicate and carefully made.

Thanks to designers block for introducing me to Laura Marsden.

Cloth Kits and Patterns

Published on November 10, 2008 in Creating, art, blogs I read, craft, design, kits and sewing. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , .

My blog friend Heidi always finds the most interesting and beautiful art and events to read about and see.  I love checking in and seeing what she’s found, and today, well, it made my heart beat a bit faster than usual.  In fact, I almost have to think she posted it just for me!

These wonderful animal illustrations from Louise Elliot.  She’s got 12 Animals of the World that you can download (free), give to the kids to color, or as Heidi suggests, use them as crewel patterns. As I like to stitch most of my gifts, I’ve been thinking about stitching animals for kids, and I think I might have to use these!

But as I explore even more, I am just swooning over her doll and animal kits.  I am totally drawn to these.  I think it is because they are printed on fabric (if you know me, I am obsessed with anything printed on fabric, and well, just fabric in general), and two, I am completely drawn in to each design, I just love her illustrations.

I am really intrigued by cloth kits.  Some, I must be honest, I wouldn’t make, but I would make Louise Elliot’s kit in a heartbeat, and anything from clothkits especially:

this Rob Ryan skirt.  SWOON CITY!!!

Wanting a Wreath…

Published on October 25, 2008 in Creating, craft and holidays. 1 Comment Tags: , , .

I’ve been trying to wrap my brain around the holidays now, instead of during, so I can make a few things.  One project on my list is a wreath.

I remember making wreaths with mom and my grandmother.  I remember the evergreen wrapped to a metal wreath with a red ribbon.  I remember collecting pine cones and acorns and gluing them to a plywood wreath form.  I think Iz would love to make a wreath this year too!

Here’s a little inspiration gathering I’ve been doing.

Wanting Wreaths

Clicking on the photo will take you to Flickr and you can click on the links in the caption to learn about each individual wreath.

Wreaths 101.  Loopy Paper Wreath.  Wreath Hanger.  Gingerbread Man Wreath.  How To Create Embossed Velvet Leaves. Gumdrop Wreath. Trailer Park Christmas Fabric Softner Sheet Wreath.  Recycled Magazine Christmas Wreath.  Geek Wreath.

Quilt List

Published on October 8, 2008 in Creating, craft, inspiration, projects and quilts. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Glaze Samples

I love those “paint it yourself” pottery places.  They are not the cheapest thing to do on a rainy day, but they sure are fun.  This one in Poulsbo, had glaze samples velcro’ed to a tile, and I couldn’t take my eyes off them.  I played with the little tiles over and over, and as I look at this photo longer, I want to make a quilt out of it.

Then it I get lost in quilt land.  I’ve always loved quilts.  Madly.  I loved making Iz’s quilt and the little scrap quilt for her doll.  Grandma Ruby quilts and belongs to a quilt club which keeps her busy.  I love the Virtual Quilting Bee.  When we were working on our Eco Quilts at LuckyStitches, We read about the quilts of Gee’s Bend, and I couldn’t stop pouring over the images of each quilt.

I have dreams about making another quilt (jeez, among other things, my list keeps getting longer!), and with Christmas approaching fast, I’m thinking the quilt idea is going to have to wait until the new year.  Which is ok, day dreaming about quilts, looking at fabric, working in the notebook is all fun too.

I’m also really interested in free pieced quilting.  I don’t think I could stick with following a pattern and cutting tons of squares, triangles, etc.  But I could make it all up as I go along.  I like what happens when you wing it (sounds crazy doesn’t it, coming from a control freak!), but I find I’m most creative then.  I guess you could look at it like playing with fabric and stitches and just letting it all happen.  (I am so talking myself into this!)

You could think of this post as part of my Take Pictures and Plan plan. More lists later…




The Holiday List

Published on September 17, 2008 in Creating, cool ideas, craft, green, inspiration, link love, napkins, projects, sewing and tutorials. 6 Comments Tags: , , .

Every year I talk about doing it, but this year I’m going to talk about it now instead of 2 months from now. I want to make my Christmas gifts this year. I have a list of ideas (not matched up to the recipients mind you..)but a list of wonderful useful projects that I’m using as a starting point. Of course it will evolve according to wish lists and such, but I’m excited about it none the less.

Felted Sweater Coasters : See these and these and these, oh and these, gosh I love these

Blankets:  I love this one, this one,

Napkins: This is my fave tutorial because I LOVE bias tape. Here’s a tasty one not using bias tape.

Freezer Paper Prints: The ideas have been percolating over here (in my head…), I’m eager to attempt a few….here’s a cute tute, and a bunch of great ideas on Flickr.

Pillows:  In a perfect world I’d love to get some fabric printed and make some groovy pillows.  But I have other ideas for pillows too. here, here, and all of these here.

Bags: The possibilities are just endless.  But this season I’ll probably focus on fabric shopping bags….. I love my EnviroSax, but I think I love my flip&tumble bag more, it’s easier to carry…., but I also love making bags out of found clothing/bedding/fabric.

Looking for your own ideas?  Check out SewMamaSew.  There are so many Handmade Holiday tutes, you are sure to find something for everyone on your list. But start now. Or the list over at down—to—earth.

You don’t have to sew to make your gifts either.  I’ve been cooking up a storm and have been tossing around food gift ideas, maybe a collection of my fave recipes, or ingredients in a jar for my fave soup or cookies.

The possibilites are endless, so I’m making my list and checking it twice, going through my supplies and doing a little bit every week.  I’m hoping to get together with some of my fellow craftettes and plow through the project list so I’m not late!

What are you going to make for the holidays?

AH HA! Sewing Kits

Published on May 31, 2008 in Creating, Learning To Sew, birthdays, craft, projects, sewing and sewing with kids. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .

You might have noticed that part of my evil plan is to get the rest of the world sewing. And that’s everyone. Two of our little friends had birthdays and I thought it was time for them to start sewing too!

AH HA! Sewing Kits

There are my first go at little kits. One for Miss A (turning 3) and one for Mr. H (turning 4). Each kit is quilted, so it’s nice and soft. Lots of little narrow pockets, a piece of felt for pins and needles, a happy tie and monogrammed so they won’t be lost. I put in little safety scissors, for fabric only of course, a tape measure, marking pencils, tapestry needles a few glass head pins and a rainbow of embroidery floss. I was so excited.

Exploring Her New Sewing Kit

The kits were really, really easy to make. Each one took me less than an hour. I think the next round will be a little different, The bias tape edge wasn’t as fabulous as I had envisioned, and a little flap over the pockets will make sure the scissors don’t fly out of the kit.

Little LuckyStitcher

The biggest thank you anyone could hope for? Little Mr. H (is he not just the cutest Little LuckyStitcher you’ve ever seen?), stopped by to show me his stitchery. A kitty and a carrot. Mom helped with the outlines, and Mr. H filled in. Suitable for framing in my book. Happy Sewing.

Scrap Projects

Published on May 3, 2008 in Creating, HomeSchool Sewers, LuckyStitches, Scrap Project Research, craft, green, projects and scrap projects. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Scrap Projects

I find that being the mom of a 3 year old, I am getting much better at dealing with the time I have to do projects.  I find myself working through my creative ideas while doing the dishes, preparing meals, driving to the grocery store.  I dream about my projects, practice them in my mind, make a prototype in my dreams, all this so when I have the five minutes to try it, I can actually make it.

I’ve been spending the last month on what to make with all our scraps from our Eco-Quilts.  I’ll eventually post a list of all the projects I’ve researched – so you can use your scraps too.  But I’m really excited about what we’ll be making over the next couple of weeks in our HomeSchool Sewing Class.  Week one, we’re making Scrap Flowers (just in time for Mother’s Day).  Week two, Fabric Beads.  I think the LuckyStitchers will be all scrapped out by then, so we’ll be making a bucket hat during the latter part of the month.

What I really, really love about my classes at LuckyStitches, is that each person walks away with their very own creation.  Each quilt we’ve made last month is completely unique.  There was no set pattern, only a technique that was introduced.  These creative minds can explore cutting and sewing so they can dream about it too and create their very own items, articles and art.  Nothing is wrong.  Everything is right and wonderful.

At the end of next week I’ll post our Scrap Flowers and let you know how we did it, so you can make your own too (or for the mom in your life…Mother’s Day is coming!).  They are really, really quick.  In the meantime, go grab your scraps.  If you are sewing this week, don’t toss your tiny scraps, keep them.  They work perfectly for these next two projects!

One Stitch At A Time

Published on March 11, 2008 in Creating, Iz, Iz Sewing, Learning To Sew, craft, embroidery, family, sewing and sewing with kids. 0 Comments

I wonder all the time what Iz will remember.  What will she tell her kids, grandkids about her life and experiences?  What will she cherish?  Being a parent has really opened my eyes to things I wouldn’t have seen before.  The wonderful little things that she might comment on, or want to hold or wear or read or listen too.   I love these fresh experiences.

Breakfast Table Sewing

I gave Iz a canvas with a hoop attached, a tapestry needle with some floss (she picks the colors) and look what we’ve been doing:

Iz Sewing at a Sew-Cial

Iz Sewing with Help

Iz Sewing

Iz Sewing - detail

I can’t tell you how excited I am. All three of us sitting together and working on stitches. We all have embroidery projects going and it’s been really, really fun. We share stitches, I taught Rob the French knot, Rob helps Iz tie a knot and she picks all the colors. She’s only 3 and already we can sit and sew together.