Archive for the 'inspiration' Category
I love to give presents. I love shopping for presents. I love to make presents.
Sometime’s it’s just so overwhelming, I can’t stop. Sure, I make my lists throughout the year, but so many good ideas and not enough resources, and the whole thing falls apart, and the gifts are late or don’t make it.
Well, I keep remembering this post from the fabulous DesignMom herself, over at RealSimple. And it’s just so freakin’ simple.
Here’s Gabby’s amazing rule: Something to read, something to wear and something to play with.
Keep in mind, if you have kids, this is a great guideline, and it can certainly apply to the adults you give to as well. This was also written with holiday gift giving in mind, but I’m going to try to remember it all year long.
This wonderful advice will also help me stay focused and make sure the gifts I make/purchase are useful and will last. There’s nothing worse than a pile of chotchkes that collect dust or end up in the bin (or even re-gifted!
Getting letters and things in the mail is one of those things that makes my heart beat even faster. I’m not excatly sure what it is about mail art, perhaps the passion that goes into making something for someone special, or the travel part, or the postage part (I LOVE stamps). But I do love it. I spied this today and had to share.
You can see all the rest on Riitta’s site, along with her other projects. I especially love the snowflake project.
via FFFFOUND!
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.
I’ve been thinking about my holiday cards this year. Actually, I haven’t sent any out in the past few years, I start too late, and making most of my gifts, the cards get pushed aside. This year though, I have an idea, a greener idea, that involves email, but hopefully won’t be deleted. (Not that any of my family or friends would EVER delete one of MY emails) I’m thinking a “card” that can be emailed, and printed out and hung on the tree, or mantle or framed to be KEPT FOREVER.
Then, this morning, while clicking around, I found these:
I would keep these forever, wouldn’t you?
found at MoCo Loco
I’ve always been fascinated with charts and information. I love how each item is carefully placed on the page, either illustrated amazingly well or photographed beautifully.
The two images above were found on BilbiOdyssey, which is an extensive collection of images and information, prepare to spend HOURS.
From Morbid Anatomy.
I could pour over the antique and vintage wall charts.
Have you seen the Cabinet of Curiosity, a Flickr group where you can find similar charts and collections of curious things. Also, Organized Collection, another Flickr group, perhaps the modern version of the older wall charts. Collections. Vintage Science. Cool Data Visualization Techniques. Diagrams. The Walker Treasury Project. Museum of Samplers.
We love our Sharpies at our house. Passionately. Sometimes, they are the only tool of choice for Iz. We decorate pumpkins with them, made Christmas cards, and made lots of other art. I was thrilled to read about the basement decorated in Sharpie. Via DesignMom and Cookie.
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…
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?
We are getting settled at our dear friends house. Our little room downstairs is feeling like home. I bought a little portable closet from Ikea and stashed away our suitcases. Unpacking has made me realize I only brought 1 long sleeve shirt. It’s a bit chilly. The movers took all my cool/cold weather gear, so until we find a house and get our boxes out of storage, I’ll have to make do. Unless, of course, I get sewing. My sewing machines are in storage too, but I betcha I could find one here somewhere…
First, I want to make Iz some clothes. She starts in about a week and a half. (GASP!) I want to avoid the “let’s go get a new wardrobe school is starting” thing for as long as possible (she’s 3, but probably won’t notice until she’s 12? maybe 8? I dunno…). She does need some new clothes, she’s a growing girl. The other day I was catching up on my blog reading and found the pattern for this lovely dress from Sugar City Journal. I ordered it right away! I love reading their blog, I find it so relaxing and inspiring. (The patterns sold out quickly, but there will be more patterns in their shop next week!) Iz only seems to be wearing dresses these days, so I’ll probably make a few more to wear over a t and pants, it’s a bit chillier here, you know with that marine layer and all…
I want to make myself some shoes. No really, I do. I’ve been daydreaming about it for a while, and soon I’ll put pen to paper and sketch out some ideas that have been brewing. It will be a while before that happens, but shoes are definitely on my list.
I’ve thought about making myself another pair of jeans. I’ve lost a few dress sizes since making my first pair and of course, can’t wear them after all the lovely work, but it wasn’t the fit I was looking for. I might head to Nordies for those. (not today, don’t worry Rob)
I need a few more days to think about what to make for myself, I just have Iz dresses and pants on the brain. Regardless, I am ready to start making things again. I looked up fabric shops in Seattle and think I want to visit Stitches. I’ll certainly head to Nancy’s Sewing Basket and Pacific Fabrics and Crafts, as they have been favorites since the last time I lived in Seattle.
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