A little festive

We are playing with paper and little lights,

working on 3 page letters to Santa,

and making important decisions.

What are you up to?

Making my list

As we swing into this bright and shiny new year, I am still making my list. My list of goals and hopes and dreams I guess. What wonders will this year hold, what adventures? I am going to be brave this year, I am going to do new things.

Like learn a new craft/art.

...and spend some time with an old flame.

What is on your list?

I will be back later today with my day 3 of 10.10.10 - that is if the rain lets up just a little.

The Lost Art of Letter Writing

Some time ago, Denise from A Bun Can Dance, organized a letter writing swap. I thought it a rather swell idea as I have so missed receiving honest to goodness letters in the mail. Lovely, tangible, pen to paper landing in the post makes for an excitement and anticipation - that in this push button world, is sadly lacking. I wistfully recalled my younger self penning sheafs of longhand letters to friends and family. Wouldn't it be grand to get back to those nearly forgotten times? So, join up I did and waited for my partner to be revealed.

The very lovely Pia from Stockholm, Sweden, was my letter swap partner. She has a wonderful blog and takes amazing photos, go check her out! I am delighted with my swap partner, through her, I am learning more about the beautiful place that she lives and having the opportunity to get to know a new and lovely woman. She crochets stunning things, makes fantastic jewelry, and as I said before, takes gorgeous photographs.

I just received her letter the other day, I was filled with that same excitement and anticipation that I remembered from times past. What a wonderful package of happiness!

There was a sweet tote bag, some delicious smelling tea and chocolate (which I am saving for a quiet moment to try), a guide to Stockholm and of course, a handwritten letter of many pages. I waited till everyone was in bed and read the letter while curled up on the couch, such a treat.

She also included a pair of over the moon pretty earrings and a crocheted wrist cuff that she made. I have been wearing them since they arrived, oh lucky me!

I have to admit that letter writing is a habit not easily revived. I struggled with my own letter and found that the letter I wished to write had trouble finding it's way out of my head and onto the paper. It used to be so easy, or that is how I remember it, and it makes me a little sad that I have lost that. If I could just keep at it and cultivate that habit once again...

Despite getting some really awesome stuff in the post, the part that I have found most exciting about this swap, is the new friendship with someone I may have never known if it weren't for the swap. Many thanks to Denise for putting this together.


Have a grand, safe, and spooky weekend. I will be back on Monday with tales of thrifting goodness!

Royalty

What do you do when the weather has gone all dark and stormy? What do you do when the wee lass throws a drama of the utmost kind begging for a new princess to play with "the one with all the sparkly stuff, in a married dress and, and, pleeeeeeeze!"? What do you do when you tell the wee lass that perhaps she can put it on her list for holiday gifts and the suggestion causes even more drama? What do you do when an explanation about "a challenge of the utmost kind" falls on determinedly stubborn 4 year old ears?

You pull out some clothes pegs, a fine tip Sharpie pen (no craft paints on hand), and a bit of lace. Then you quickly bring to life Princess Peg, who then needs a Prince...and then as if by magic - wee lass spends the next few hours playing happily with The Royal Pegs. It doesn't even matter that Mama's drawing skills are less than.
...and Mama gets to enjoy her morning cuppa jo.

I must give thanks to the Aussie Waffler for the inspiration.

AARRRRR!!! It's a pirate tutorial!

Ahoy mateys! It's coming up on pirate season and I thought I would share this super easy tutorial for a Pirate Pouch. It slips onto a belt, perfect for a wee pirate's treasure.

Here's what you need:
cut one= 7" X 13" rectangle of felt
cut two= 1.5" X 4.5" felt rectangles
Extra felt scraps for embellishment
Thread



Take your large rectangle and fold into thirds (letter fold), press folds with an iron. (If you are using synthetic felt use the synthetic setting on your iron or finger press folds).


The small felt rectangles will be your belt loops.
Now, press under short ends of small rectangles by 1/2 an inch. Place belt loops on the back center panel of the large rectangle about 1" from the edge and Pin.


Stitch 1/4" from folded edge of belt loop to secure in place. Back stitch at both ends of stitch lines.

Next, I embellished the top panel by cutting a simple Jolly Roger out of colored felt and hand embroidered it to the pouch.


Fold up the bottom panel to meet the middle panel, pin and stitch close to edges creating a pocket.

Yes, I know this is a different color, I somehow missed taking this shot when I made the original.

Because we are working with felt, there is no need to finish the edges. You could even sew them using a blanket stitch for an interesting detail.



Oh look, you're done! I told you it was super easy. Now just slip your pouch onto a belt and 'Tis truly a fine pouch for ye loot!



You could line your pouch with fabric if you like, use a sew on patch for embellishing, and even adjust the size. Have fun and keep your eyes peeled for pirates!

Beer Rocks!

I mean Bierocks.

From Wikipedia:
Bierocks are meat-filled pocket pastries originating in Eastern Europe, possibly in Germany or Russia, as the dish is very common among the Volga German community in the United States and Argentina. They were brought to the United States in the 1880s by German Russian Mennonite immigrants.

In the U.S., bierocks are found in Kansas, North Dakota, Colorado, Northwest Oklahoma, and the western states of California, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. The bierock is closely related to the Runza, primarily found in Nebraska.

So now you know

My husband is from a smallish Kansas town with a strong Mennonite presence. I was introduced to these little treats on a trip to Kansas to visit with family. I finally got around to trying them out at home. I used the recipe from here, you have to scroll down a bit. I added 2 tsp. Worcestershire to the filling and be careful to not overcook. Pretty good for my first shot. We like to eat them with ketchup and they do go great with beer!

In Other News

Operation Chicken Coop has been stalled due to rain. So, I turned my obsessions to something else. I am knee deep in a massive overhaul to my work space. I wouldn't call it an 'Extreme Makeover', as my budget is about $25. Still, upheaval and mayhem. The actual making has come full stop until it all gets sorted out. The craftiest thing I have gotten up to lately is a stenciled shirt for Mr. Nova's kick ball season. Their team name is The Angry Dragons.



Oooh, that dragon is so angry!

When Good Chickens Go Bad

First, let me tell you, it was not the chickens fault. It was completely seamstress error. I was feeling pretty pleased with myself after the success of the fabric egg pattern and little bear. So, since I have chickens on the brain, I thought why not whip up a little chicken softie, how hard could it be? I drew up a pattern and somewhat carelessly started piecing her together. I should have known, I had that feeling in my gut that something wasn't quite right but, I blundered along anyway.


I mean what was I thinking with that tail? I know, I know...chickens don't technically have tails...wait, do they? The back plumage then? You should have seen the beak before I cut it down! The seams are all wonky and I did not allow myself enough wiggle room to even sew her shut. Poor dear.



Still, I see great promise in her. I will have another go, and another if necessary. She deserves that much. This little gal has pluck!

Frantic Friday

I have been wanting to share with you some pictures of the eggs Lizzie, from One Girl's Opinion, made using my pattern.


Aren't they sweet, I love the fabrics, very Easter festive!

Go check out her Etsy shop, she makes the most darling hair clips and other lovely things.

I'm taking a break from the making of things this week. It's been a little frantic around here. I am investing some time in a good Spring Clean and wrapping up some other busy work. The weather is supposed to be decent this weekend so, I think I will get my hands dirty in the garden, I can't wait!

There is still time to enter the give away here so, if you haven't left a comment, now is the time!

Well, the spiders have been very dedicated lately, leaving no corner un-webbed, I'll be off now to eradicate their handiwork. Apologies to the eight legged wonders but, it must be done.

From The Scrap Lab: Experiment #2 It's a Give Away!!

For an upcoming project I needed to sew a test sample for a bear. I don't often work in 3D, so I was excited to give this a run through. Of course I pulled from the scrap box, and I found this soft and foresty (my own word) quilters flannel that was left over from a baby quilt I made for my girl before she was born.
Oh lord yes, - I have scraps of fabric from long before I was even born.




He turned out so sweetly. He is a little skwooshy (my daughters word), in the good way, he's got just enough flop to make him interesting, he's a wee cockeyed (because he's an optimist), he has been told that he bears a slight resemblance to a Mr. W. Pooh - especially in the belly area, and he needs a new home.

I've been wanting to do a give away for ages and I thought this would be a great opportunity to do so. So...

All you have to do is leave a comment for this post and you will have a shot at the bear. Oh, that didn't sound right. What I mean is, you comment - I put your name in a hat - my lovely assistant will randomly select the recipient of little bear. I will check posts through Sunday, April 5th, 7:00 PM (my lovely assistant goes to bed at 8). I will announce who gets little bear on Monday the 6th. Tell your friends.

Details: Bear is about 15", made from 100% cotton quilters flannel, stuffed with poly, and his eyes are embroidered on so he's safe for the babies.



When my daughter saw little bear she said, "Oh, it's for me?"
I told her that the bear was for someone else.
Then, in her best Clint Eastwood, she looked me up and down and said, "Just who is this someone else?"

It could be you!

Felt Egg

Just a quick post as a follow up to the egg pattern. I have to thank Feltorama for reminding me that I had wanted to test out my pattern on felt. I am excited to say it worked great! In the photo you can see that I'm not done yet. I think I might add some embroidery decoration.



A couple of tips using the egg pattern with felt:

Because felt is thicker, I definitely recommend clipping your curves (making sure not to clip though your stitches).

Also, leave as big an opening as you can, making it easier to turn right side out.

I will show you more when I finish.

From the Scrap Lab: Experiment #1 Fabric Eggs - Free Pattern!

Remember when I said I was gonna have a make-fest out of my scrap box? Well, this was experiment #1. I have been thinking about fabric eggs, actually eggs in general, a lot lately. So I conjured up a pattern and commenced to sewing some up. I thought I would share this pattern with you all. What better timing with Easter hopping down the bunny trail? I didn't quite make it to the pdf so, just click on the picture below and print the page. You can enlarge as you see fit but, this should be pretty close to the original size.



Funny thing about this is, after I did all the work with the pattern and then the sewing up and the instructions (and was rather pleased with myself), it finally occurred to me to look up such a thing on the www. Turns out there are a couple of similar eggy things floating about. Not eggsactly (groan) the same though, so feel free to whip some up.

More experiments are on the way!

Edited: I fixed the instructions a little, they still aren't very detailed but at least they have less typos. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Thanks

Tales From the Scrap Heap

Check out this sweet little doll quilt The Lovely Miss K made for my girl. I especially love it because many of the squares were from my grandmother's scrap box. I gave them to Miss K for another project but, they ended up in this vibrant quilt that is ready to make any dolly comfy and cozy.


Speaking of Scrap Boxes...

Here is mine. Once upon a time it was a well organized, neatly folded, color coded, not filled to the top box of pleasant. Now...well, I am on a mission to re-configure and gussy up my work space, which means I must organize and deal with some of the detritus of my crafty world.

So, I have given myself the challenge of creating my next project entirely out of this box. I don't have any ideas yet, no direction known - chances are an experiment in improvisation may be afoot. Think scrappy thoughts for me and I will keep you posted on the progress.


P.S. Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement during The Big PINK. I think I have actually aquired a new appreciation for my daughter's favorite color.

Half A Bubble Off Plumb

I saw this great tutorial here and remembered that my girl had asked for a PINK crown for her birthday...





...at 10 pm, the night before the party, recovering from the flu...yup - that's just crazy.

I swear, the birthday stuff is almost over. Pretty soon no more pink...
for a little while anyway.

Still in the Pink & Something to Crow About

Yes, it's dress #2 in the world series of PINK. Here you can see the closeup of the wool felt flower charm I made to go with the dress.
...and the dress in it's entirety

No, it isn't all pink all the time but, it is pink enough to make the qualifying round.
I used a pattern for this one. Onion 20026 with of course, some alterations. I loved putting this together, a great pattern! I will have to get some other Onion patterns and try them out as well. I used a Michael Miller print for the bulk of the dress and a Kaffe Fassett cotton for the cuffs and hem.

Now, in other news...


The Lovely Miss K and I finally had our Tuesday Craft Date. Last week's was cancelled due to illness. The craft du jour was freezer paper stencils.


This is a very satisfying and simple craft. There is a great how to here. Miss K painted poppies on a T-shirt and I chose some crows for a piece of cotton calico. We used Jacquard fabric paint and paint brushes to apply it. Miss K took hers home to dry so, I don't know what the finished result looked like. I am hoping she will sport her new shirt soon so I can check it out. Here are my crows (I have a little thing for crows), they will be used in an upcoming project.



I love that a group of crows is called A Murder of Crows!

Let Me Introduce You

This is Elsie.
She is a present for my girl for her 4th Birthday. I find it's hard to wait to give this dolly to her but, wait I will. Though I have made my share of softies, I haven't made up many dollies. Elsie is sweet. I think she could have done with a bit more stuffing, I had to use poly quilt batting which was what I had on hand so, she is a tad lumpy in spots. Still, I am a bit fond of her. I hope my girl is as well.

Now it's back to the pink mess in my sewing nook. The dress is taking shape slowly, how it will turn out I can not say. The mad scientist in me will be experimenting with zipper placement today and ruffles. Egads ruffles and zippers, best to have a seam ripper at the ready.

Edited to give credit: oops, I forgot to mention that Elsie was inspired by these dolls, I saw these and created my own version. Hers are lovely.

I Felt It

One more quick post before I leave on a jet plane tomorrow. Lola Nova has been featured on the Felt-o-rama blog! April has done an amazing job with this blog, it is full of wonderful information and fantastic inspiration. I definitely recommend you taking some time to poke around over there. It is the companion blog to her shop www.feltorama.com where you can find beautiful Hand-Dyed Wool Felt, Eco Felt, embellishments, books and patterns as well as needle felting supplies. So, go check it out and tell her Lola sent you.

Lovebirds #2

Oh yes, more of the sweet tweets.

These come with a template you can download and instructions, hurray!

O.K. I actually debated whether or not to post this project. I just didn't have the time to do it justice but, I wanted to get it up before I went on vacation. Yup, I'm going on vacation (more about that later). So, I just whipped it up in a flurry. Since I have been promising free patterns for the people, I figured I'd better - as my grandma Alta used to say on canning day, "put up or shut up!"

Here is the finished piece of Love Bird loveliness.


What you will need is some felt scraps, small scissors and thread.
The background felt piece I used is 11"x8 1/2". You could easily use a piece of fabric instead. In fact, my original intention was to applique the birds directly onto one of my girl's jean jackets, until she tried on said jackets and discovered them much too small.

Next you will need to download The Love Birds Template here which looks like this.
Now, print out the template. Cut the shapes from the paper and pin them to the felt or trace them onto your felt. Cut the shapes out of the felt following the cutting guide given for each shape with small scissors. Once I have all my pieces cut, I like to lay them out how I want the finished piece to look.


Next I sew the wings onto each bird body. I simply used a straight stitch on my machine and stitched close to the edge, slowly.

For the next step I used a glue stick to set the pieces how I wanted them. You could also use a spray adhesive for fabric. I then stitched again, close to the edge of each piece with a straight stitch on the machine. I finished with a french knot embroidery stitch for the bird eyes, and voila!

This would be darling worked with hand embroidery. Make it into a pillow, sew it on a jacket or applique the birds and hearts onto a tea towel.
I made mine into a little Valentine Treat Bag for my girl since I wont be with her on Valentines day. I will fill it with special treats and fun stuff for grandma to give to her on the 14th.

If anyone wants directions for the bag, I would be happy to share that as well. Just leave me a comment or send me an email and I will get it to you.
Happy Crafting!

Lovebirds #1

Stained Glass Lovebirds

Today I was trying to come up with an artsy craftsy thing to do with my girl. With the holiday of hearts just around the corner I was thinking of other symbols of love. So, I pulled out the old art of ironing crayon shavings between two pieces of wax paper. (I found a link to some directions here but, I don't think Martha has a 3 year old on staff, so hers look a little more polished than ours.) I wanted some shapes that weren't hearts and thus the lovebirds were hatched.




We ended up with a huge mess,I will be days in cleaning up errant crayon bits. The truth is, sometimes a good mess is just what you need. I had a great time and the Little Bean thought it was pretty cool too.



They look so sweet with the afternoon sun coming through the curtain.