Showing posts with label craft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label craft. Show all posts

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Crafty Jars

This is a super easy craft that will cost under $5 to make (even less if you already own all the supplies!).

And its quick. Real quick. And cheap. and cute. etc.

You need:
3 (or more) glass jars collected from various things you eat eg. jam, chutney, marinade sauces. Different sizes and shapes works best.
White paint. I used Jo Sonja's as its about $3.50 a tube (sometimes less) and I love the vibrancy of the pigment. This is titanium white. You can mix any colour you like really.

Simplicity is the middle name of this craft.


Blob some paint inside a clean, de-labelled jar. 


Use your brush to paint the insides of the jar

Allow to dry and then apply a second coat.

Tie some thin ribbon, lace or raffia around each jar.

Sigh and pat yourself on the back for being so clever. 

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Sewing Updates

I am currently working on a list of sewing projects and trying very hard not to spend any money on sewing gear during April.  Actually, Awesome and I are trying not to spend anything much during this month, but more on that later.


Here is an update on the things I am sewing in April!


Hand sew two baby blankets 
- adjust halter dress I made not long ago
- Turn one skirt that didn't work into a halter dress
- Finish 2 baby toys for babies on the way 
- 2 headbands and matching flowers
- Bloomers and matching singlet with headband for a bubba 
- and something like this with something from my stash....http://www.sewweekly.com/2011/03/the-when-...muus-dress.html



I thought I should start with a few pics of my crazy, portable, go-through-four-boxes-til-you-find-the-thing stash






Here are the completed so far items!  One of my expectant friends has a love of cats, so what better for her baby than a funky cat toy?



Who doesn't love ruffles? I adapted the simple baby bloomer pattern from Meet Me at Mikes to add some girly ruffles for Awesome's-cousin's-new-baby-girl.  I think they totally rock!






Another Blinky using the free pattern found here (the link is to a different template - I clipped the original from a magazine).  This one is for a bubba who arrived today and was sewn while her mumma laboured away bringing her into the world! 






Awesome named Squeaky.  And it's true - lollypops and carrots are Squeaky's favourites! 


So, my updated list is now:

Hand sew two baby blankets - 1/4 quarter done!
- adjust halter dress I made not long ago
- Turn one skirt that didn't work into a halter dress
- Finish 2 baby toys for babies on the way 
- 2 headbands and matching flowers
- Bloomers and matching singlet with headband for a bubba 
- and something like this with something from my stash....


Can I get this all done in April? I'm just not sure!!  

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Pencil Bag Tutorial

Sometimes you need to write it out. 


You need a place to keep those pesky, roly poly, disappear-y pencils.


You could make one like this...


pick some pencils and cut two pieces of fabric that will be long enough for your pencils. 
hem long edges of each piece, fold top 1cm (1/3 inch) and sew as shown - repeat on other piece


(scuse the red nails - was having a la dee da day!)  pin long edges right side facing  leaving the folded section unpinned.

like so. 

sew all three sides (double stitch for strength)

that top bit is still open...!

turn right side out, thread ribbon through one side of opening and back to the other side

pin ribbon to itself

repeat with second piece of ribbon going the opposite way - it will tie on the other side

like so

ta da!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Mr. Blinky - progress

Hmmm... I'm having a sewing day today! 


But I'm a little confused.  


I am trying to make one of these:


Sew a modern doll accompanying image 


(Pattern Here


But I didn't get his face right.... so I'm back to the drawing board. I tried using calico for the face instead of felt, but it didn't work. I think polar fleece will be too fluffy... poor faceless Blinky. 


I shall post photos of completed Blinky... when he has a face. 

Friday, June 25, 2010

Photos on a Friday: The Potter's Hand








  Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
       We are the clay, you are the potter;
       we are all the work of your hand.

Isaiah 64:8 (New International Version)



Family Long Weekend Activity at a Pottery Studio in Berrima

Friday, May 7, 2010

What I've been making...




I seem to have more hours in the day for planning sewing projects than I do for sewing them! I have hurt my neck recently and can't spend long periods sewing or typing or sitting really so I have just been planning mostly! As soon as I'm better I'll be blogging my sewing efforts!

Here are a couple of things I have made in the last couple of months that I've been meaning to post!

Baby Blankets

Babies everywhere at the moment and I have been stitching away with some polar fleece blankies.

Patchwork fleecy for baby Ryan, wrapped up (above) and unwrapped (below)
This print was too cute to cut up, so I just stitched the edges (after a very unsuccessful attempt to sew blanket binding around the edge, Awesome said "Just do that stitchy thing you do, it'll be quicker", and it was, only an hour and a half in front of the TV!). This was a remnant that I found at Lincraft in the remnant box, (love that!) and only needed 1/2 for the blanket - all up it cost me about $2.50!


A close up of the stitching around the edges

With Mothers' Day here I thought I'd show you the little purse I made for my Granny.

This is a purse from a pattern in Pip Lincolm's book Meet Me At Mike's. I love this book and have been busy making things from it (I sadly lost the photos of the bird and flower coasters and another purse like this I made for a friend). The fabric was left over from other projects and the button was from a bag of thrifted vintage buttons I bought at a church fete in bowral (bargain - about 50 buttons for 50c!). All up it probably cost less than $2!

There are still many, many things on my to make list.. and I seem to be adding them faster than I am making them. I am getting a little faster at sewing though (although I have to be careful not to go too fast and cut corners!). Here is a skirt I made by adapting this pattern (which I love and will make a shorter version of soon), while Stu was taking a shower before we went out for dinner. Yep, a new skirt in less time than it would take for me to park at the shops!
(sorry about the photo - Awesome was sleeping). The fabric was given to my by my Mum as an off cut of something she was making, the bias binding was also a find in a bag she was getting rid off and the elastic was from the Lincraft remnant box again ($4 for a bag of about 20 pieces of various elastic!) so all up it cost me practically nothing to make! Even if I had bought all the bits myself the skirt probably comes in at under $10. Bargain!


Lovin' my sewing machine! What are you making?

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

January Wrap Up

The first month of the year has flown by already and I am still just nutting out the details of my goals ...!

I have finished the first of my books on the 30 excellent books list.

Guidance and the Voice of God by Phillip Jensen and Tony Payne is a simple and easy to read overview of the way the Bible outlines God's guidance for us. I was particularly encouraged to read about the way God examines our choices. When we are faced with two 'right' choices (for example, choosing between two great churches) we need not fear that we will miss the 'path' that God has set for us. Already I have had the opportunity to discuss this very subject with friends, and I was thankful to have read such a clear outline on the topic. The book also examines cases studies of church, work and marriage as models for the way God guides us and speaks to us.

I recommend this book highly!

In the sewing realm I have started on some of the sewing projects I had lined up for Kindy. There are more to do, but I really need to find a more permanent place for my sewing machine! I wonder if I can angle for the spare desk that hubby is using for his models? We'll see! I was given a beautiful book called Meet Me at Mike's for Christmas and it has me thinking about several more projects to be added to my list! All in good time though!

I have recently found a friend who is willing to be my accountability partner in my 2010 goals. I will be hers also! We have emailed each other a list of our goals, measurable, specific and achievable, and will be writing out a timeline (this was her idea, and a wonderful one - it will help keep me on track). Then each week we will meet up briefly before bible study or call each other and check on each other's progress, update prayer points and encourage one another. We start next week and I am all ready looking forward to it!

This week I am aiming to get my house under control after a week in Fiji and organise a healthier fridge and meal plan for the week. I'll keep you posted!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Sewing Projects I have Lined Up

I have quite a few projects lined up for my sewing machine this year. Here is my get-started list:

  • Playsilks for kindy
  • I have purchased patterns for projects from here - flirty skirt, fling top, the versatile wrap and discovery bags (that one is for kindy too)
  • Aprons and book bags for gifts
  • Alter a tablecloth we were given for our wedding to fit our much smaller table and use the off-cut for napkins
  • Love this pattern for a halter top but will have to save up I think!
Just a few things to get me started!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Creative Play for Little Hands

I have been searching for ideas for open-ended toys for the children at Kindy. We have a lot of equipment that needs replacing in the next 3 years and I want to make good - lasting choices about the kinds of things that we can choose to give the children.

My criteria are the following;
- must be durable and long lasting - 45 children a day, 52 weeks a year
- preferably open-ended or multi-purpose
- cover a range of developmental areas
- no small parts - most toys in the center are used by children from 6 months to 6 years
- easy to clean and meeting Australian standards where required
- low environmental impact where possible
- cost-effective or low cost

Gee! I don't ask for much do I!

This is what I have come up with so far:
  • Playsilks
  • Discovery Bags - will have to alter the pattern as the plastic beads would be a choking hazard
  • Bilibo - I love this idea, but I think it is financially too expensive for the centre (we would ideally need 6-8 of these)
  • Home-made Dollhouse furniture that we could make ourselves with the children
  • Tyre Garden Bed (see below) we already have tyres for free from a local tyre store. We just need to organise soil and plants!


















Do you have any other ideas of things that we could make or provide for the children?

Monday, December 28, 2009

God-Sized Dreams

2010 Goal Setting

  • Find time to have quiet time with God everyday
  • Use less internet each day - create stillness in the home
  • Have less junk in my life - physically and spiritually
  • Read 30 excellent books
  • Complete the first level of the Preliminary Theological Certificate
  • Plan meals to manage the budget more effectively
  • Memorise Ephesians this year
  • Remember more and forget less!
  • Complete sewing projects for gifts and for the house

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Advent


In our over-full apartment there is no room for our beautiful 2m fake Christmas tree, and for the past few years my mum has had it up as their tree anyway (seeing as it is stored in their garage).

So how to do Christmas on a small scale?

I got inspired by this and started hunting round the house for suitable items.


I decided to make simple cards for each verse and put a different one out each Sunday night when we light the next advent candle.

Looking forward to Christmas - not long now!



Saturday, November 7, 2009

My New Love


It's second hand and whirrrs a bit when it gets going, but I don't care! I love it! I have so many projects lined up for my new baby :)


10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
~ Proverbs 31: 10 - 31

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Getting Organised




Being right-brained, I dread the thought of traditional to-do lists. Staring at a page of things I know I should be doing seems overwhelming. I struggle to think of where to start, do all the unimportant tasks first and then break big tasks into a million little uncompletable pieces. Its maddening to have almost the same amount of work to do each day without really achieving anything.

I was thinking of doing some research into online to-do lists and free services for organising your life and I tripped across this. No need to reinvent the wheel!

I started out by regisitering to use Remember the Milk. Apart from spending the first couple of minutes using code and reading the help menu, it is off to a successful start and I have already begun on my first task of the day - getting through the enormous pile of washing I have to do!

Last night, while I flaked out on the lounge (still haven't really caught up on sleep yet), my husband went on a little cleaning journey and packed away my craft things, flung all over his computer room as I searched for something in the bottom of the cupboard. I really need to improve the organisation in that area of the house! His effort made me realise just how little I have done this week at home. Work has definitely demanded the best of me, and I'm not happy with that.

So, on to my list goes organisation! You can set priority for tasks, and expected duration (I have 4 hours of tasks listed already - although this includes meeting a friend for coffee). We shall see how just how much time I spend writing tasks into the list compared to actually completing the tasks!

Over the next few days I'll be exploring some other anti to-do list options for improving my motivation and staying on task.

How do you manage your daily tasks? Are you a traditional list person or a little more creative?

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Super Cute Palm Sunday Craft

We have just got back from a weekend down the coast camping. It was our first camping trip together - a very interesting experience as I love camping but my husband is not so keen! We had a great weekend although tired we are gearing up for creche at church tonight.

It is Palm Sunday so we have decided to tell the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem. I found a super cute template and colouring in pages for our youngsters here. There are lots of cute resources. I'm not up for reinventing the wheel so I'm more than happy to 'borrow' someone else's material!

I have cut the palm fronds out myself so the little ones can play with them and attached bbq skewers with tape to make stems.