I had planned on making my little I-guy some felt food for his birthday, but time got away from me. Fortunately, my lovely sister came to the rescue with some felt food for him from Oceantribes on etsy. Yay! There were more veggies in the mix, but they are missing in action.
I made a burlap bucket (pdf pattern from Maya Made) for him to keep all his play food in. He uses it to “go shopping” and it fits perfectly under the sink of his play kitchen.
I made these bookmarks to giveaway as Valentines. There are a few more on my table that are half done. I used some old vintage fabric that I picked up at a thrift store a long time ago. The fabric pieces were small, perfect for accenting the canvas.
A few people are doing Valentine exchanges and I wanted do the same. I thought it would be fun to make something that you can use all year long, maybe as a marker for a project in your favorite sewing, art or craft book.
I have 6 left to exchange, so if anyone would like to make me a Valentine in exchange for a Valentine book marker, let me know and we can exchange addresses and hopefully get these in the mail before Valentine’s day. Just to clarify, I am looking for 6 different people to exchange with. Leave a comment saying that you are interested and I’ll get back to you. (thanks!)
If you’d like to make your own bookmarks, here is my ‘how to’.
You’ll need:
Canvas (heavy cotton duck)
pretty fabric scraps
glue stick
white glue
scissors
paper clamps
iron
sewing machine
thread
letter stamps
ink
1. Cut canvas into strips about 2.5 inches wide x 9 inches long.
2. For the back, cut pretty fabric into strips,1 inch (or so) shorter than the canvas and glue to one side of the canvas using a glue stick. Iron. (This step is optional, but it does add some extra sturdiness to the book marker). The bottom inch that isn’t covered with fabric will be the fringe.
3. Fold the top into a point, glue and use paper clamps to keep in place until dry.
4. Cut a small heart (or any other shape) out of fabric. Glue into place with glue stick and iron. This just keep everything in place while sewing.
5. With your sewing machine, sew freestyle around edges. Sew around heart too.
6. Pull threads of canvas to make fringe on the bottom edge.
7. Using stamps and ink (I use versa magic inks), stamp any message you desire. I thought it would be fun to make some that said “reading is sexy”. Heat set with hot iron.
8. Give to your favorite bookish friends for Valentine’s Day.
I am waiting, waiting, waiting for some fabric (for my origami wrap) to come in the mail~ oh the agony!
So, while I’ve been so patiently waiting, I decided to play with some rust colored baby-rib knit that I’ve had for ages. I didn’t quite have enough for the origami wrap, but was able to squeeze out enough to make this wrap.
I used an old long sleeve t shirt that I love and kind of traced it’s shape making an extra wide front that I cut in half. It has a wide drape-y collar that I love. It still needs some modifications and the edges are still rough. I may either hem up the edges or do a rolled hem with my serger.
Next time, I will make the arms a little wider and add enough fabric on the collar to make a hood (if there ever is a next time). I think this would make a great cover-up for when you are going yoga class. Ha, the yoga class in my dreams!
First lets announce the winners of the Craft Monthly giveaway! They are …….
Please send me an email (see side bar for address) with your snail mail. Congrats!!
I finished my small stack of tea wallets. I love little stacks of handmade things. But, now it is a very small stack because my friend came by and bought a couple. I’ll be putting what is left in my shop tomorrow.
relax ~ be well ~ drink some tea ~ rejuvenate ~ replenish
I really do enjoy combining my love of sewing and of painting in one little item that you can take everywhere with you. Normally I don’t enjoy sewing the same thing over and over again. But with these, I really enjoyed the process. I started with mini paintings on canvas, which are then sewn onto fabric and made into tea wallets. I love using my stash of vintage linen for the inside pockets.
I made one for myself a while back and I take it to work with me and on trips. I can carry up to eighteen packs of tea, if I want, and have plenty to share with others. I always carry Echinacea Plus, Throat Care, Tazo Chai , Mayan Spice and Green tea Kombucha. It’s so nice to offer a cup of tea to someone who might need it. Mmmmmm, I think I’ll make a pot right now!
You still have time (until midnight tonight) for a chance to win this awesome little craft zine. I received one in the mail yesterday and I was thrilled to see all the crafty goodness inside. There are recipes for food and relaxation, knitting and crochet patterns, zen tips, bookmark and ornament making instructions. Lots of good stuff!! Well worth the 7 bucks!
Today I have been painting and sewing up a few tea wallets. A friend at work had requested a few so I thought I’d make several.
It was a perfect day to sew. My little guy was by my side all day cutting pieces of felt to make into pictures, asking lots of questions and finally deciding that a sewing machine had to go on his holiday wish list. Gosh, I just love that kid! Some music, tea and the continuous snacking was just icing on the cake.
I bought the Green Craft Magazine over a week ago with my 40% coupon at JoAnn’s. It was hidden under a bunch of other magazines so I was thrilled to find it. I couldn’t resist, especially after seeing it on so many other blogs. It’s right up my alley, with the whole green theme.
It inspired me to use two thrifted tshirts to make this polka-dot tote for my friend Alexandra. She’s been away with her family up in Oregon and I was so happy to see her, I showered her with gifts and yummy food. The bag? It’s double layered with reverse applique for the dots.
Here are some of my favorites from the magazine.
Since I had the sleeves left over from the thrifted tshirts, I decided to try making the tshirt necklaces. It’s soooo fun. I just cut several rings from the sleeve and gave them a good pull. It’s like magic. Perfectly tubular! I tied a bunch together and that’s it. I’m not sure If I could pull off wearing this, maybe with the right shirt? Hmmm.
Today little I-guy started the day with some drawing which led us right into sewing.
How could I refuse a, “can we make him?” complete with big begging eyes.
He picked everything of course. He is a guy who knows exactly what he wants. Green and yellow, pocket, buttons nose and eyes, ribbon trimming and even the color of the thread. He was especially thrilled to find a triangle shaped button in my stash.
He is very proud of his design and plans on keeping his new cat close by, especially at night. He says that the pocket is for crackers. Oh boy, I better be checking that little pocket before bedtime.
I’ve had a lot of things half finished for the past 6 months that I needed to get done in order to move on with other craft stuff. Pincushions in need of buttons and birds in need of wire and beads. I finished them all and couldn’t be more pleased. They are all in my shop now. I’ve had a goal to list at least one thing a week and to get at least 50 things in my shop before October 1st. I have 41 now so I think I’ll be able to make it.
I also have lots of ideas for Day of the Dead stuff floating around in my head. Autumn, DOTD and Halloween are my most favorite time of the year. I’m hoping to be able to work on that now that I’ve finished this other stuff.
Also, my Eyeball t-shirt show on Martha Stewart will air again tomorrow, Aug 27th. Weird. I am a re-run.
I had this vision of a cute little pecil case and then I made this:
It’s not what I had in mind. First of all, it’s a teeny bit hard to open and get the pens/pencil out and it doesn’t a but. I just HAD to put one on.
I like the fabric a lot though. And, it still keeps my pens/pencil in one place instead of me having to fish around for them in my purse. I might have to have another go at it and not make individual pockets and no button either. Any suggestions or tutorials that might help with a better design?
My little I-guy was quite insistent that I make him a placemat like his brother’s. He picked the fabric, buttons and ribbon and led me into the craft room, sat down and waited for me to make him his placemat! Then I had to show him all the stitches that my machine makes which led to a long discussion about sewing toys, clothes, and other things.
After watching me go back and forth from cutting board, iron to sewing machine, he did some careful contemplation (he has a great thinking look) and decided that he too needs an iron, sewing machine and round cutter thingy (rotary cutter). I suggested that we could just share (as long as mommy is around to help). I really do need to get my old machine in working condition so the boys can have a go at sewing.
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own:
2 ~ 14 x 17 inch pieces for the mat with 3/8 inch seam allowance.
2 ~ 3.5 x 6 inch pieces for the pocket with 1/4 inch seam allowance.
1 ~ 14 x 14 inch piece for the napkin with 1/4 inch double rolled hem (HERE is a good tutorial).
1 large button
18 inch piece of ribbon, cord, tie, etc.
scissors, thread, sewing machine, rotary cutter, cutting mat
1. Cut and iron all pieces.
2. Take the two largest pieces, place right sides together and sew all around using a 3/8 inch seam allowance leaving a 4 inch gap. Clip corners, turn right side out, poke corners out and press flat. Sew zig-zag stitch all around the edges.
3. Take two pocket pieces, place right sides together and sew all around using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave a 2 inch gap on the bottom short end. Clip corners, turn right side out, poking corners out, and press flat. Place pocket piece on placemat — right or left bottom corner about 1 inch awary from edge, or where-ever you would like it to be. Pin in place and sew around sides and bottom edge with a straight stitch leaving top edge open.
4.Fold and roll the mat up and pick a good place to attach the ribbon (I folded the top third of the mat down over the utensil pocket the rolled it up from the utensil side). Hand stitch one end of the ribbon in place then hand sew the button on top.
5. Make napkin using the above tutorial, sit down and enjoy a nice little lunch!
