Canuck Craft

Easy, fast, cheap and guaranteed to entertain

2010-06-23T10:49:00.000-04:00

Okay... I saw this somewhere, at some point, but have no memory where. My disclaimer. Yeah, my brain is a sieve.

At least I remembered this activity book and hopefully some of you will throw one together and reap the same rewards that I have.

Okay. This could NOT be easier.

Step #1:

Get 3-ring binder. Old, new, used... whatever.

Step #2: Buy/find plastic binder sleeves.

Step #3: Find/buy dry erase markers.

Step #4: Gather some blank paper, colouring books, activity books, photos, etc. and fill the binders sleeves.

Step #5: Let your favourite artist/puzzler-solver loose on the new activity book.

Step #6: Once the fun is done, wipe the whole book down with a cloth or wipe and it's fresh and ready for the next time!

Is that the easiest and the best?! Imagine the possibilities... I'm thinking photos of family faces where the artist can add mustaches, eyebrows, etc. Or what about sudoku (or other math related games), practising letters, tic tac toe... It's endless.

Now, a quick word about dry erase markers. Don't really know what they're made up of, but I know they are not 'washable' in the crayola-sense... and not specifically made for kids. So, use your judgement. If the marker is likely to end up in the artist's mouth, save this for a few years.

Great travel tool for the older kids.

Enjoy!

Mama's got a brand new (felt) bag

2010-05-31T19:44:00.000-04:00

In between selling our current house, buying our future house and planning Mr Canuck's 36 day work trip, the crafting-life has fallen by the wayside.

Egged on by my caregivers request for a donated item for a charity auction I started to seek inspiration. It didn't take long to find this picture circulating on the ol' crafty sites:

I knew as soon as I saw this picture from the cover of this beautiful looking new book, that I was going to use this bag as my inspiration.

I haven't worked with felt before, but it's such an appealing product that I thought I'd go for it. Plus, I've recently found a bunch of different coloured felts at the thrift store. (Fun and cheap!! woowoo!)

Now, many sites, like Craft, are featuring write-ups of this book and a link to a free pattern for this bag. I'm all about the free patterns, but I have no patience. So, I took a look at it and then 'drafted' my own onto the back of a discarded Shreddies box. Yeah... I'm classy like that.

I'm sure it's not really too far off from the measurements of actual pattern, but I couldn't say for sure. And guessing at that bottom piece was a fun experiment. (My point?: Just print out the darn pattern).

Anyhoo... so taking this image and blending in my head with those cute Swedish painted, wooden horses:

...I came up with this:

It's all hand-done except where I reinforced the double-layer of felt. (I used Heat'n Bond to adhere the two layers together, but it isn't so great with felt... the extra stitches just backed it up).

I taught myself the blanket stitch for this with a great little video on youtube. What a world we live in! Can you imagine ol' Laura Ingalls searching youtube for a tute on handstitching. Hi-larious.

My husband wonders at my sanity to spend so much time on a project headed for an auction, but as I always tell him "it's the process, not the product". So off it goes, assuming she likes it and wants to add it to the benefit.

That's all from here. I'm seriously starting another one of these bags right away. I think they are too fun and I have a feeling that a certain sister of mine will love it's wonky charm. Right?

Happy Mother's Day... early

2010-04-21T09:33:00.000-04:00

My mom and dad spend half the year on the east coast, so I don't get to see them during the summer months. (Unless I visit, which I hope to!)

Their departure is in the next couple of weeks, so I thought I would make my mom a Mother's Day present now to send along.

She recently made me a scrapbook of all sorts of items from my youth... report cards, letters and drawings. Some of them are so funny, especially this one:

Crazed Mom!

I drew this for her in around 1977, just about the time she was cranking out babies and generally living a chaos-filled life. I think I captured the era quite well in that expression.

I've seen crafts where people take their children's art and re-create it into something more permanent, like a doll or a transfer.

I thought I would make my mom a shopping/beach/all-purpose bag that had her image (as seen by a 3 or 4 year old) emblazoned on the front.

My method for transferring images is to trace them from my computer screen onto Glad Press'n Seal, and then adhere the wrap to the fabric I'm stitching. It sticks really well onto the fabric and then you just tear it out after you're done stitching.

Here is a shot of a hand anatomy tracing I did from an old textbook onto the Press'n Seal:

It's a great option for those of us who aren't the best free-hand drawers. Just don't steal someone's creative property. Just had to say it...

Here's a dinosaur skeleton I did using this method:

It's not an advert for Glad...it's just the only product I know that does this.

My original idea for this came from Urka on the Craftster site. Click here to see the hilarious onesies she made using the technique.

Anyway... back to the bag!

Detail of the stitched pocket

My first satin stitch attempt.

All lined and ready to go...

...with a handy snap on the pocket!

I didn't use a tutorial for the bag... I've made enough of them now... but if you're looking for a good one, check the Morsbag site.

And Ma? If you see this, Happy early Mother's Day... you get it on the weekend. xo

'Tis the time for eggs

2010-03-23T10:18:00.000-04:00

With Easter right around the corner, I thought this was a good time to talk about pysanky. Pysanky, which I think translates to something like 'eggs with writing on them', is the traditional Ukrainian egg decorating method.

I haven't managed to partake in this craft for a few years, but I have kept my little egg babies from before children. Believe me, once you invest this much time in an egg, you hold on to them! I'm afraid you will have to be very organized and very motivated to take up pysanky when you have little ones running around the house.

I won't go into the details of the 'how-to's' of this amazing craft, because it's been well covered on the internet by people wiser than me. (Here's a good link if you're curious.) In my experience of teaching others the art of pysanky, it seems that people fall into one of two categories: Those that get it, and those that don't. I'll explain.

Pysanky is basically drawing on the egg with melted wax. It's almost the exact same technique as batik, but on a different medium. So you start with a naked egg and apply wax to everywhere you want the egg to stay white. (Assuming, of course, you're using a white egg). Then you dye it your first colour... say, yellow. Then you apply wax to everywhere you want the design to stay yellow. Then you dye it again. And so on.

It's not really complicated, but it is a long process. My experience is that some people have a very hard time with the 'negative' view (meaning, covering the parts you want to stay a certain colour). Or call it the 'backwards' design. I can't really explain it, but some brains can't seem to do the design backwards. Hey! If that's you, don't sweat it. It's just eggs after all!

My approach over the years has been to explore traditional designs, but also look at other inspirations. Quilting, which I also love, is a great design resource for decorating eggs. This book is my absolute favourite for stretching the boundaries of egg-design. (My husband would call me a mega-nerd for just writing that sentence... that's me, Ol' Egg-Head Mc Nerderton).

So, on with the eggs!

Here are a few of my favourites:

There is a definite need for a 'zen' philosophy when you work on something as fragile as a real egg. They can smash at any point! I've been 99% done a design and have it crack, or drop it, etc. There is something meditative about the process, but it's also a little hard on the back. Just try and do pysanky without getting a stiff neck!

I always liked finding the smallest sized eggs, because they just look so darn cute when they're done. Brown eggs are a nice route to go too. I always blow out the contents after they're done so that the shells aren't full of dye. There's lots of options, including leaving the contents in, but I was never that brave. I always imagined them breaking at the stinkiest point and living with rotten egg smell forever!

Good luck to all who give it a go! Happy decorating.

Car Caddy for a 3 year old

2010-03-20T16:40:00.000-04:00

My nephew turns 3 next week, so I made him a traveling car caddy for his birthday. I can't take any credit... it's completely based on the great tutorial by Jill at homemade by jill.

It turned out great and my eldest and I went out and bought the cars for it. Filled up and ready to go! How perfect is that for a vehicle obsessed boy?!

All rolled up and ready for delivery.

It took about 2 hours to make once I had my things together. Pretty quick and easy.

Now I'll have to adapt it to fit trains for my boys!

Wow!

2010-03-02T20:20:00.001-05:00

What a crazy week. I can't BE-lieve my pompom flowers were featured on Apartment Therapy!!! Like, are you kidding me?!? This blog usually get about, oh, 5 visits a week and, let's just say there were many more this week.

So, first off, let me give some late credit to Domestifluff. While I used Poopscape Projects tutorial to make my flowers, I'm sure I must have seen Domestifluff's flowers at some point too. Late cred, but better than ever.

The Model and the Flower

I've been busy with other things too. I made some homemade playdough for the boy-o's to play with. It's nice to make your own. If they eat it, it won't hurt them (but, mega-ewwwwwwwwwwwww). And you can just sweep up the crumbs and throw them in the greenbox.

It's pretty easy to make. Just use 2 flours, 2 waters and 1 salt. So, to make a big batch, use:

2 Cups flour

2 Cups water

1 Cup salt

Throw in a few tablespoons of vegetable oil and a tablespoon of cream of tartar (for stretchy-ness).

Throw it all in a pot and stir it on warm until it pulls away from the sides. Take it out, let it cool and then knead it 'til smooth.

At this point I add some food colouring to some of the chunks.

Then, I unleash the monsters and let them at it.

Oh, and I made this (slightly lame) train cake for my boys on their birthday. Oodles of sugar, candy and icing. Disgusting for grownups, heaven for pre-schoolers.

Currently I'm working on a triangle quilt. I find triangles super-tricky, so I'm trying a new technique. We'll see if it looks less wonky than my previous efforts.

Check out this inspiration from Film in the Fridge:

Awesome!

Loving this from Journey into Unschooling:

Oh Dreamy! Oh Fransson! (click to see her great stuff).

That's all from here. Thanks to all who visited from Apartment Therapy. Nice to have you!

Flowers for February

2010-02-23T12:54:00.000-05:00

I made some yarn and twig dandelions, from inspiration here. They are so quick and easy and quite chipper on a snowy February day!

See the link above for really great instructions. It's a good think I don't have any other colours of wool here, because I might get carried away...

Grey world

2010-01-20T08:27:00.000-05:00

January in Ottawa is cold, dark and grey. I need to infuse some colour into my crafting.

Here's my inspiration for this week:

I'm using these nautical flags as a start point to a new project. They are so chipper and bright. I think there's a fun project to be done with spelling out words with them.

Updates to come.

Oooh, broken promises!

2010-01-16T08:22:00.000-05:00

A little pillow case I made for my sister, because she likes the Santorini fabric

Remember at the end of the last post when I promised 'more posting, more often'? Well, that was clearly not the truth.

So, here I am.

Let's see... in crafting news, I received a new Pfaff sewing machine from my husband! It's pretty awesome and about 7000% better than what I was sewing on before. Pfaffy and I just have to make friends and figure each other out and then I'm sure I'll get rocking on that.

As a practice run on the new machine I made some cloth napkins. I think they are a great thing to make because they are environmentally friendly, take virtually no time take virtually no fabric and, once mastered, will make a great house-warming present, etc. (Not to mention, a possible craft business item!)

Don't have the photos taken yet. Spent the bulk of the week alone as hubby was traveling for work, so I'm afraid that crafting is always the first thing to go during busy times. Sad, but true.

Will post a cloth napkin mini-tute when I get rolling again.

Here are a few things that have been inspiring me these days:

Vintage Cateye glasses onesie, by Ashley Ann

Craftzine's Top 100 craft tutorials of 2009

Make it and Love it's Gathered Flannel Scarf Tutorial

Oh! The inspiration is not missing, that's for sure. Just time. Always time.

Holi-delay

2010-01-01T13:00:00.000-05:00

Forgive the absense of new stuff, but I've been so busy with the holidays, the move across the continent, the travel to see family, etc, that I haven't had much posting time.

That being said, I'm super-excited about getting settled and fully unpacked and getting to work on some new crafty projects. My goal for 2010 is to make some money from crafting. I'm really curious about the process and to find out how hard it will be to make a go at it.

If my friend Phil's reaction to his crafted gift is anything to go on, I would make a mint. I think he's a special audience though. I had very high expectations of his reaction, and was not disappointed. Take a look:

Phil was house-sitting for us while we were away and so we got to spend the last 2 weeks 'over-lapping' as he waited to get into his new place. Having him here for Christmas morning was a great gift and the boys loved having him. His move out starts today and job #1 is to get the "Phillow" over safely.

It was my first embroidery project ever, and I couldn't have laughed more.

Happy New Year to everyone. I'll be posting much more often now, so watch for my new stuff.

Googily!

2009-12-21T12:25:00.000-05:00

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about this post. The fact that I'm typing this up means that it all came to fruition in a wonderful way.

I have two little boys, aged 3 1/2 and 1 1/2. They are avid readers (or being read-to-ers, I suppose) and one of their very favourite books is "Jumpy Jack and Googily" by Meg Rosoff.

I don't want to go on a big gush-fest about Meg Rosoff and her books, but let me just say that when people ask the "who would you most like to have dinner with in the whole, wide world?" question, she is my answer.

I love all her books but as you can imagine, the picture books are a big deal in our house at this stage of the game.

With this in mind, I emarked on a crazy project of making Googily for my boys for Christmas. I went into this never having made a soft toy before and just winging it. (Googily is the blue monster... so you know).

I would love to make Jumpy Jack too, at some point, but the construction of a snail is a bit daunting to me.

I worked quite a while on Googily and all his parts. He turned out looking very much like his 2-D self:

My absolute favourite part is his hat, which is attached with a hidden magnet. I would have gone crazy for that little hat when I was 3!

The really, really, REALLY great part about making, and finishing, him, (in addition to actually giving him to my kids on Christmas morning) is that this gave me an excuse to write Ms. Rosoff.

I couldn't find a direct email, so I wrote her literary agent and crossed my fingers. Amazingly she received my note quickly and had written back within the day. Sigh! I knew she would be just that cool. She loved the doll and wants to see pictures of the unveiling on Christmas morn!

I am so happy with this whole process. I am pleased that my hard work turned out looking so much like the real Googily and that I got to exchange emails with his creator. I'm smiling just thinking about it.

Now, I sure hope my boys like him! I'm sure they will.

Thanks for reading my tale of Googily-joy.

Others excellence

2009-12-19T09:51:00.001-05:00

Since I'm on crafting hiatus until I can dig out from the move, here are a few of my favourite tutorials I've found in the last while. Do you read one pretty thing? That has to be one of my favourite websites. The hosts scours all the crafty world and posts the best things up daily. I get so much inspiration from that site. She even posted one of my creations once off the one pretty thing flickr group!

Anyway, thanks to that site, and many others, I have bookmarks coming out of my virtual ears. I have lists of things to make to keep me busy for years.

Here are a few, high on the list:

This felt circle pillow from Presser Foot is so cute and is something I think people would actually want on their couch.

Or how about these cute pouches from Noodlehead. While you're there check out the camera case too.

Oooh! I love these pompom flowers from domestifluff so much!

And I love this car litter bin from violet thistle on the craftster board. I could use about 10 of these... just for my car.

There you go. Nothing from me, but some great stuff from others. Can I assume that all your crafting is wrapping up (ha ha) at this stage too? Or are you crafting up to the last minute?

Book-spiration

2009-12-18T13:36:00.000-05:00

I might just be a fussy, picky crafter, but I find most craft books to be aimed at a target audience far from me. Far, far away. I picked one up from the library yesterday and it showed a tutorial on making a poofy valance. Seriously. (If you happen to have a poofy valance, that's all good... Just not my thing.)

But! In my pile of fresh library books were these two gems:

Simple gifts to Stitch, by Jocelyn Worrall

Stitched in Time, by Alicia Paulson

Ah! Finally! You open a project book and say yes to that project and yes to that project, and YAY! I'm going to make a few things out of each as soon as we get past the holiday fervour and back into everyday life again. Plus, maybe I'll get some fabric on sale after Christmas!

Just returned to our regular home in Ottawa after 4 months in Montana. Having only re-discovered my sewing passion while we were there, I'm now going through my fabric stash here with renewed eyes. It's making me eager to start new things, but I'm going to force myself to hold off and get settled and sorted here first. (SO much less fun!)

That's all for today. I have an exciting craft update to come soon, but I have to wait for one piece to fall into place before it's reveal. Stay tuned.

Argh Matey! Nautical pillows

2009-12-16T10:58:00.000-05:00

Here are some pillows I made for my nautical obsessed little sister. I used this amazing technique I found from Urka on Craftster. It really opens up a whole world of crafting possibilities!

I love the Odyssea fabric, for Moda. It's such a fun, aquatic theme.

I almost hate to give away that method, because it shows how easy it is! Have fun with it.

How did I live?

2009-12-14T13:39:00.001-05:00

How did I craft before I knew about Heat 'n Bond? Seriously... I just learned about this stuff. Applique = scary no more!

Here's a little onesie I whipped up for my new nephew Jack.

My stitching leaves something to be desired, but I'm getting better.

The possibilities are endless! Look at this faux applique idea from Roots and Wings. I can't wait to try something like that.

For now I must face the reality of leaving in 2 days to move back home. Packing up the house, while looking after the 2 wee ones, doesn't leave any time for new crafts. Canada, here we come! So long mountains!

A little purse for a little girl

2009-12-12T23:37:00.000-05:00

made this purse for my 6 year old niece. It's slightly scary, because 6 year olds are not like they used to be... they are waaaay cooler. (Or, at least, cooler than me).
This purse is decidedly girly and young-ish, so hopefully she won't see it, roll her eyes and ask where her Fendi is.

I didn't use a pattern, just cut a shape out of flannel and a lining from a thrifted man's shirt, and went from there.

Now, what to put in it?

My easy toddler mittens

2009-12-10T21:34:00.000-05:00

I hesitate to even call this a tutorial, because it's such basic info., but in case it helps out just one person, here goes:

If you're anything like me you have kids (me = 2 boys, 3 1/2 and 1 1/2) or know someone with kids. If you're like me you live in the northern part of the world where winter is a chilly, snowy reality. Also, if you're like me your children lose mittens like crazy. Or lose just one of the mitts.

Winter is enough of a pain without spending time searching for mittens. My solution was to make a bunch, all the same, so that we're never short.

You don't need much fabric for this; I've found fleece remnants and even made some out of this great thrifted felt I found at Goodwill for a steal!

Here is how I go about it:

Step #1:

Make a template. I used some cereal box cardboard and an existing mitt. (The only one left of the pair... imagine that!)

Here are my template measurements, to give you an idea:

6 1/4" cuff to top
3" across the finger area
2 1/2" wrist width
3 1/4" cuff width
2" approx. thumb length

This size fits my 3 1/2 year old and my 1 1/2 year old.

You can see the template's shape in the first photo.

Step #2: Use template to trace shape onto fleece as many times as you want. Make sure, if using one piece of fabric that you're leaving enough to fold over for the other side.

Step #3: Fold fabric over and pin in place. Fleece sticks to itself pretty well, so I just use one pin.

Step #4: Sew the mitten up, starting at the cuff and sewing all the way around. Make sure to backstitch a couple time at the start, as that part of the mitt will get pulled on a bit.

Don't sew up the bottom!

Step #5: Now you should have a bunch of sewn up, soon-to-be mitts.

Step #6: Cut out the mitts. I cut quite close to the stitches so that there aren't bulky seams when it's turned inside out. It's really important to snip the space between the thumb and finger area, or it will pucker when turned inside out. Just don't cut the stitches. I also snip the corners at the bottom just a little so they won't hang out.

Step #7: Turn right side out. You may need to use a poker (pencil, chopstick, etc) to get the thumb turned out. Don't use anything too sharp or you'll rip the seam and have to turn the whole thing inside out again to fix it!

The end! Again, if you're anything like me, you'll make a big stack to keep or give away. They are super quick to make. I made this bunch in 30 minutes from start to finish. (That was with taking picture too!).

These mittens are reversible and interchangeable. Yay! If you lose a lefty, just flip a righty over. They are going to win any awards for cuteness, but serviceable? Yes indeed.

You can see from the photos that I don't even bother hemming the bottoms, because fleece don't fray and can be cut cleanly. By all means, if you are more patient and have more time than me, hem away! Also, it goes without saying that these could be decorated with ribbon, trim, applique, etc. I would do that in the early steps, because they are sewn together, because there's no getting a hand into these babies once they're sewn up.

Here's the bunch that I first made. They've been in constant service for a few weeks now. I'm sure I've lost a few along the way, but with 12 mitts, I should be good for a while.

Here are a couple pair I made out of thrifted felt. They don't have the stretch of fleece, so you have to factor that into the sizing, but they are nice and warm.

That's the tute. Hope it helps at least one of you survive the Mitten Madness a little easier.

Winter has arrived full-force here in our temporary home of Montana, and back in our real home, Ottawa. Might as well accept that we have 4 months of mitts ahead of us.

Reusable Lunch bag, with beaver

2009-12-10T11:09:00.000-05:00

When I asked my sister what her boyfriend would like for Christmas she was amazingly vague. She said "he likes shirts like Dad would wear" and "he likes the outdoors". Not much to go on, for sure.

I looked through my fabrics and found a thrifted man's shirt that fit the bill. But what to do with it?

Well, everyone needs to eat, right? So using the great tute from The Purl Bee I made him a lunch bag.

Here it is:

The B3 = Brian's Beaver Bag.

I used Heat 'n Bond to secure the brown fabric. One suggestion would be to remember to do the work on the front panel (be it applique, embroidery, etc) before you start to assemble the bag. That way, you won't see the stitches on the inside when you're done. (Of course, this only applies if you use a lining, which I did).

I'd love to see any bags you guys come up with.

So busy here. We're packing up, having been away from home for the last 4 months, and we're heading back home in 6 days. Must stop sewing and start preparing.

Later!

Ruffles!

2009-12-08T16:53:00.000-05:00

Following this great tute from Floralshowers, I took a boring $1 man's t-shirt from Goodwill and turned it into this:

Cheap! Easy! Quick!

Try it.

Lil' Stuffie

2009-12-07T14:00:00.001-05:00

This is my first stuffed toy effort ever! I think he's pretty charming and he's destined for my new 3 day old nephew.

I didn't use a pattern, just traced an outline and started sewing. I'm new to embroidery too, so the face was the first time I've applied felt.

He makes me laugh! His name is Berkie, because that's what my brother and his wife called their son when he was in utero.

Presenting! Berkie!

I'm all inspired to make more! I guess I'll start with toys for my own neglected kids. ha ha.

I'm back and I've been busy!

2009-12-07T13:17:00.000-05:00

I've been a bad, bad craft blogger lately. My excuse? Too busy making stuff. I finally have some pictures of a few of the things I've been working on. Leave it to say that having no t.v. creates ample evening time to create. Once the boys are in bed, I've been putting in an extra shift.

I'm really proud of some of my creations. I haven't really spent any time over the last few years crafting. Having boys, back to back, eliminated that possibility. But, now that they are older and going to bed (and actually sleeping) I find myself in a position where I have both the energy and desire to start up again.

First up is a quilt that I made for a friend's baby. They are actually friends of my husband, who I have never met, but it was this friend's mom who lent me the sewing machine I've used while in Montana, so I thought I'd make a present for lil' Molly, who's only a few days old now.

I used Moda's Authentic fabric, which I think is one of my favourite collections ever. It's certainly non-traditional for a baby quilt, but I love it and think it suits the baby of writers just perfectly.

All packed up and ready to go! I'm quite sad to say goodbye to this little blankie!

More project pics to come. Promise.

Bibs and bits

2009-11-17T18:35:00.000-05:00

So I've been chuggin' along with all my projects. I've found a great grad student from the U who has been taking the boys out a few afternoons a week. I kiss them goodbye and then run to the sewing machine. Must craft while the crafting's good.

Above are two of my denim bibs, inspired by thimbly things great post. My bibs are destined for a niece (a bit girly for my boys, dontcha think?). They have been named the "Audrey" bibs, because I decided they're what Audrey Hepburn would have worn, bib-wise, had she had a choice in toddler-hood.

I'm on my third pair of Goodwill jean, re-purposing the denim. It's amazing what you can make out of a pair of 48's!

I still have a million project on the go and forming in my mind. Like this purse, from Little Birdie Secrets and this cute card project from zakka life.

Oh, and I'm working on an embroidery project that has the potential to be the funniest Christmas present ever. Seriously.

So, must go. Boys and Hub will be home soon and must sweep up my sewing debris and think dinner.

I keep saying this...

2009-11-07T14:58:00.000-05:00

...But I really am going to try this project: Fall Pillow, by Cluck Cluck Sew. I've never used applique material before, but it does look pretty simple (and beautiful). I mean, I can use an iron? Right?

Beautiful. Nice work, Cluck Cluck! I'm thinking the the Moda Arcadia fabric would be soooo dreamy with this Fall theme:

Of course, this is a big step above my thrifty, recycled material-norm. I just love that fabric so much.

In other projects:

Work on the Berkie quilt (soon to be new niece or nephew) is almost done. I obviously haven't pressed it yet... gee can ya tell? If there's any doubt of my newbie-ness, it will be banished when you see these. I just tell myself that I get better every project.

The fabrics are mostly from Moda Hushabye and Moda Odyssea. Beau-ti-ful.

I'm also hard at work on my thimbly-things inspired denim bibs. This one was a 'practice bib' so there isn't any decoration on the front. I love how they look and they certainly seem sturdy and washable.

I made them 'toddler sized' for my big boys because I'm allll about the full-coverage.

Just found some zebra-print flannel at the local thrift store yesterday ($1!!) so my plan is to make a few more and back them with it.

Thems updates folks.

More of "someone else's coolness"

2009-11-05T14:36:00.001-05:00

Loving this look. It would be such a nice change from the traditional seasonal wreaths.

Find the tut from Living with Lindsay here. And, may I say, a noble use for a less-than-award-winning romance novel.

On the "will definitely try this sometime" list

2009-11-02T21:21:00.000-05:00

I think this is so great! I can't wait to have the time/supplies/pattern-inspiration to try this one:

Rug Mod, by Matsutake

So creative. And cheap, which I totally dig.

My current project

2009-11-01T19:51:00.001-05:00

Here's what I'm working on right now. (Well, one of the things.)

Denim Bibs

thimbly things post about this is so appealing that I might have made them even if I didn't need them. But, boy! I do need them. My boys are so messy. You'd think that you would reach a point when they would stop slopping food everywhere, but I haven't reached that point yet. I'm making my bibs big and sturdy to cover a lot of boy. If they turn out well, there's a whole whack of other kids in the extended family that can look forward to some.

We'll see if they turn out as beautifully as thimbly things:

Ooh! I forgot to mention that I bought a pair of size 48 jeans at Goodwill on the half-price rack! They are going to make 8 bibs with good size scraps left over.

Felted Stone Rug

2009-10-30T14:17:00.001-04:00

I'm loving this project. How beautiful is that?

Some great places to visit

2009-10-28T13:28:00.001-04:00

There are countless craft sites to peruse, and many of them are updated daily. I know I manage to find something I'd love to work on at least once a day.

Here are some links from my favourites list:

Today featuring hand-shaped meatloaf!
Craftzine blog

Today featuring Super Mario cross-stitch!

Craftster.org

With her adorable 'Where the Wild Things Are' inspired banner
Matsutake

This site totally appeals to my super-frugal nature.

Dollar Store Crafts

Too cute! And made from scraps!

Sew Mama Sew!

Many, many paper toys to make. Love!

Toy-A-Day

Obviously, I could keep this up all day. I can't, of course, because there are boys to feed and rooms to clean and life to keep up with. I've got a few small crafty things on the go, and hopefully I'll have something that I've actually made in the near future.

Until then, enjoy the links.

Why craft?

2009-10-26T00:07:00.000-04:00

Next project! A currently non-assembled selection of prints for a baby quilt.

Have you ever tried to explain your craftiness to non-crafter-types? It's painful. For everyone. The non-crafters don't understand the time and effort taken. It seems so boring to them.

I don't know what to say in this situation. I love to take on a craft challenge or project.

How do you explain something so fun, so gratifying and so rewarding? I guess you don't.

What I would love the most is more time to take on new projects.

I have 2 little boys, aged 3 and 1, and I'm a stay-at-home mom. The whirl-wind of the last 3 1/2 years has made time a blur and leisure projects a pipe-dream. But, recently, it seems like there might be a tiny light at the end of the tunnel. It's still crazy here, but it's almost like I can foresee a creative window opening in the near future.

This blog will be primarily dedicated to projects and artists and pieces that I love, with an occasional entry of something I managed to do myself. There are so many inspiring craft places to visit on the web, it seems a shame not to pass them along.

Thanks for looking.

Lee