Crafty Things

crafty things…share & tell

I wanted to share some of the awesome projects and tools I happened upon this week while I was perusing my usual blogs.

Inchmark [this blog is beautiful and inspiring, and it's one my favorites] offered up this great game of memory using scraps of fabric.  A Little Hut is selling the template for this calendar project which you can use more scrap fabric or patterned paper. And SF Girl by Bay provided a link to Poladroid, a software you can download to give your digital pix that Polaroid border and color. 

These projects should keep you busy this weekend.

Have fun,

F&N

Crafty Things…Sneak Peek + Back-Tack Show & Tell

I think it's safe to share some of the gifts we've been churning out over the last few weeks.

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Many napkins, place mats, and tablecloths!


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Close-up of the fabrics. From left, Alexander Henry "Heath", Joel Dewberry "Ginseng", Joelle Hoverson "Net of Jewels" and Kaffe Fassett "Shot Cotton".

By coincidence, the "Heath" fabric perfectly compliments our wedding stoneware. For years now, I've been hoping to replace it with Heath Ceramics, but have met with strong resistance by husband. Not a very sentimental thought I know, but we never had a full set. So as a Christmas gift to hubby, I rounded up the missing components on replacements.com and ebay.

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Of course, our handiwork wasn't for adults only…


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some Annabel and Andy aprons for D and friends. Annabel is the daughter of a friend for whom I first made the apron, and I don't know an Andy, but I like alliteration…so there you have it.


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Kidlets courtesy of JCHandmade


Finally, some pix of my back-tack efforts. The theme was gold, frankincense and myrrh.

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Jingle Bell wreaths. An effort by the three of us.


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Lavender sachets…handmade…by someone else.


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My most favorite of all…stockings!


Wow, it's been a busy crafting time! I'm not quite sure how we got it done, but we did. The project list for 2009 is growing. First on the list is…an apron…for me! After that, some room improvements for D., a handbag, and some costumes for a party!

Have a Merry Christmas!

Peace & Love,
F&N


Got it!

I just received my back-tack package from pillarboxred! A very exciting moment indeed, especially since the package has journeyed from Scotland.

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I was the lucky recipient of some lovely handmade, delicious and aromatic gifts! What an early Christmas gift…

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A gorgeous painted and clever card. The pictures don't do it justice, inside the black cut-outs spells Merry Christmas.


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My treasures waiting to be opened


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My treasures…opened! A very sweet doll, the best shortbread [REALLY!] that is light and flaky and not too sweet, an intricate beaded purse and notebook inside, a beaded star that smells just like Christmas should, and an awesome scarf with a huge button that is perfect for me.


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The scrumptious shortbread survived the long journey perfectly in this little pail…not a single one broken!


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The doll in detail…I think I'll name her Pilar!


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Again, the picture just doesn't do this star justice. First of all, you can't smell the wonderful spices inside, and secondly, the color scheme and quality of the fabric don't come through. Trust me, it is quite elegant, and I can't wait to put it on our tree.

Did I mention that EVERYTHING was handmade? Thanks so much R for the gifts!

Happy Holidays!
F&N


Crafty Things…Halloween Treats

It appears another Halloween will pass that I have not made a costume for my boy. However, I finally admitted to myself that this is my fantasy, not his. The good news is he likes to decorate AND make decorations…woohoo!

Here are two quick and fun projects to do with kids…or alone.

Jack-o-Lantern Trick or Treat Bags

This is a project I did with several kids. I wanted to do something they could take away and use for Halloween, plus have them create something unique. The solution was a trick-or-treat bag. In order to make the project run smoothly, I did most of the prep work prior to meeting with the kids.

Pumpkin bags

What you'll need:

Orange and black felt
Black grosgrain ribbon, approx. 1 3/4" wide
Fabric glue

What to do:

1. Trace and cut pumpkin pattern onto folded fabric. Pin top and bottom together.
2. Sew contour lines onto both front and back pieces. Just eyeball your lines from top to bottom. They'll look good and very pumpkinish if not too perfect.
3. Sew grosgrain ribbon to inside of top and bottom piece. I used a zigzag stitch, but not necessary.
4. Cut out facial features from black felt.
5. Let kids design their jack-o-lantern using the black felt pieces. When they are done arranging the pieces, have them glue the pieces down with tacky glue, fabric glue or even a drop of elmer's. Make sure to get a glue that dries clear!
6. Top stitch/edge stitch the black felt pieces onto FRONT of jack-o-lantern only. Align front and back of jack-o-lanterns and top stitch all around leaving an opening at the top for treats!

TIPS:
I used jack-o-lantern face templates from Martha Stewart and just scaled them to fit my pumpkin pattern. I've included both the pumpkin pattern and the face templates in the file below. It's great to let the kids choose the pieces and make their own faces!

Download Pumkin_bags.pdf

Halloween Bunting

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With all the left over felt from the trick-or-treat bags, we made this Halloween bunting. Pretty basic and super easy. I was worried an orange and black bunting would look like it belonged in a gas station or a high school gym, so I incorporated three different size triangles and added a printed paper triangle with clip art from Martha Stewart [again!].

A rotary cutter and a straight edge can cut through several layers of felt at the same time, making this a quick project. I used more of the 1 3/4" grosgrain and folded it in half while I was sewing the triangles in the middle. Binding could work too. If you intend to hand it on a wall where the back won't be visible, I'm sure you could just sew it to a narrow ribbon. Since I am planning on hanging this bunting from a ceiling where both sides will be visible, I used the folded grosgrain. If you intend both sides to be seen, make sure you print twice the amount of triangles with images, one on each side.

Not that I think any of you are daft, but I've also included a pattern for the triangles. This is for those of you who want to get started ASAP and not mess around with drawing the triangles first. Here is a link to Martha Stewart clip art.

Download halloween_bunting.pdf

Happy Halloween!
F&N

Crafty Things…a Small Smock

I've been observing and following the crafting community via the internet for a year now. Two blogs, which are tremendously popular, have been a constant source of inspiration and information for me, angry chicken and purlbee. It's amazing how much people love to share their handiwork, ideas and tips. So, I've decided to participate in this huge and sharing community by giving back.

Sharing topic #5…Crafty Things.

DISCLAIMER
Before I proceed any further, I'm going to state my disclaimer [or CYA note as we like to call it]. I am not a formally trained seamstress or pattern maker. I took a sewing class in 8th grade, I disliked it tremendously. It was boring and slow and full of girls. I much preferred my woodshop class with hand tools, power tools and testosterone. I also loved the precision of a hard material that you could shape and form. So, I gave up sewing after one semester and never looked back…until college.

Long story short…I studied industrial and product design in school. I designed a theoretical product that was made from fabric. I had to learn how to make a tangible object that fits the body from a sketch. I LOVED IT! So, here I am today, still trying to sew things from my sketches. I learn from books, blogs and just ripping things apart. It's extremely gratifying to me when I complete a project, big or small. I look forward to acquiring more skills and knowledge as I continue this pursuit.

With all that being said, please feel free to use any project here as a guide or starting point. I will do my best to give enough information to complete the project I have posted.

A Small Smock

This smock was originally made for kindergarten students, meaning they had to be able to put it on and secure it without assistance. I used velcro tabs for easy on and off, but feel free to experiment with buttons or ties. The project is very basic and ready for embellishment. Have fun!

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What you'll need:

Download smock_pattern.pdf


• Fabric
• Bias tape approx. 4 yards [more if doing a pocket]
• Velcro, ribbon, buttons, or anything else you want to do with the "closure"

What to do:
1. Print out pattern. I am assuming most people print 8.5" x 11", so you will have to "tile" the pages together.

2. Trace or pin pattern to fabric and cut.

3. With RIGHT sides together, stitch across shoulders.

4. Sew the shoulder seam flat on the WRONG SIDE. This is my lazy method for a fell seam.
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5. Cut pocket if using and sew bias tape across top. Pin in place.

6. Sew bias tape around neckline.

7. Make tabs for closure. Cut [2] 4" x 5" pieces of fabric. Fold in half, RIGHT sides together, along 5" side and sew across bottom and one side. Turn right side out and top stitch around 3 finished sides. Sew loop side of velcro [approx. 2" long] at finished edge of tab. Repeat for other strap.

8. On WRONG side of the back piece, pin tabs where indicated on pattern. Make sure to pin the unfinished edge of tab to align with the edge of the smock and loop side of velcro facing DOWN. Pin other tab.

9. Sew bias tape around unfinished edge of smock. I usually use one long piece of binding about 3 yards. If using the pocket or tabs from the pattern, make sure the edges are sewn between the binding.

10. Flip tab over so loop side faces up and away from smock. Stitch down the tab along outside edge of bias tape. Repeat for other strap.

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11. Sew hook side of velcro to front of smock. DONE!

TIPS:
The bias tape on the red smock is "hand made" as opposed to store bought. I love to make binding because most of my projects are simple, so a patterned binding adds detail without being fussy. Purlbee has a great tutorial on making your own bias tape. And, check out Angry Chicken's hilarious demo on sewing with bias tape.

Cheers,
F&N

Introductions

As a kid, did you ever release a balloon with your address and a note attached hoping someone in some interesting place would receive it and respond? I did once and got a lovely note from an older couple saying when and where they found it. Initially, I was very excited that my balloon was found, but soon disappointment arrived when I realized my balloon had only gone a few blocks.

Anyhow, I've released the "balloon" once again, but this time with wonderful results. I submitted this blog to back-tack, a blog where you exchange crafty things with a random partner and fellow blogger somewhere in the world. My partner is pillarboxred hailing from the UK. For us Americans, this is a pillar box.

Thanks,
F&N

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crafty things…Kindergarten and kindercones

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Do you remember your first day of kindergarten? I do. It was horrible…standing at the bus stop crying with my grandma standing nearby. I wish I could say the tears were for fear of going off to school by myself, on a bus on which I did not know anyone. Instead, I was crying because I had watched Winnie the Pooh before leaving the house, and poor, poor Eyore was being ostracized. This is the only thing I remember about kindergaten!

Naturally, I wanted D's first day [and year!] to be sweeter and filled with loving and tasty memories. So I made this… Schultüte.

Actually, I made three. The picture below is from my friend who was smart enough to take pictures BEFORE giving it. Pretty nice goodies inside…postcards, stickers, stamps, markers, and a great alarm clock [to which I will give its own post].

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I got the idea to make these while browsing through this catalog. Of course, I HAD to make my own, because it would be more special…right? Not really. It's just my freaky "control freak" personality getting the best of me. Plus, I just needed to sew SOMETHING!

This cutie pie got the third schultute. You can get an idea of the size and shape.
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By all accounts, all three kindercones were well received. I'm not sure if the tradition is giving the cones just for kindergarten or for the beginning of every new school year, but I made them out of fabric so they can be used for the next 12 years…I hope!