Stay.See.Make.Do.

Playsilks dyed with Kool-Aid

These were a gift for baby's first birthday, but frankly, everybody likes them.  They are pretty, soft, and light.  They are great for peek-a-boo and superhero capes.  They are incredibly easy to make, and compared to the real thing, about half price.  And it only took about an hour.

I mostly followed the directions in this post at Artful Parent, except I only used two packages of Kool-Aid per scarf instead of three.  As far as I'm concerned they're still plenty bright.  I think I should've gone for a blue one but I knew I had to have a pink one and I'd only ordered six scarves, so there ya go.

Puppet Theater

I'll be adding to this post in future, but Typepad is not letting me get more photos on here, and it's eating my text. 
Hopefully it'll be working for me tomorrow...

This is the puppet theater I made based on directions in Amy Karol's book Bend the Rules Sewing.  I used half of a thrifted sheet to save on some seam stitching, and I replaced her curtain ties with buttons and elastic loops.  The casings for the dowels were made with blanket binding, one on the front to make a visual base for the window, seen here with curtains tucked in.  Not the best pic, but the puppeteer is sure a doll.

Hello, Oobie!

Out to lunch

Back in half an hour half a month.

Taking a break to spring clean, prepare for some birthdays, sprout some seeds, enjoy some sunshine.
Keep me in your blog reader - I can't wait to show you the Emmeline Aprons I'm making.
And to share more of my vintage books - kids' crafts this time!
And to show you the projects currently in the works for the upcoming birthday celebrations!
(Bunting and puppet theaters and smocks, oh my. Not to mention, felt food, if I can find some decent felt.)

Thanks for your patience, everyone.
TTFN

Berry snappy

I stopped at a small craft show the other day and couldn't pass up this strawberry pincushion for $3.  Cute and clever.  Made, I believe, of wool felt.  She had two small baskets of these in different sizes.  Love those seeds!

(Oh, beets.  The photo won't load.  I'll add it tomorrow.  Sorry!)

In other news, have you seen this?  You can now use Photoshop Express online for free!  Yippee!  As soon as the internet access starts behaving itself here, I'm in.

Sassy Apron Saturday

I read somewhere (?) that my partner (Hi, Aimee!)

actually did receive this package, so I feel safe in posting pictures of the contents that I sent for the Spring Sassy Apron Swap (see button on sidebar for Swap link).  That's a magnetic notepad, some vintage rick rack, an origami folded box (link to directions again on sidebar) with two naturally green and two quail eggs (blown), heart pins, and the folded apron.

Can you imagine paying 13 CENTS for a package of rick rack?  From Penney's?  Awesome.

This apron was made from a pattern that had a much wider waistband like an inverted V, but when I made it up that way, with a matching pocket no less, it looked terrible! And when I tried it on I just said "blech".  So I took it apart and changed the pocket and narrowed the waist.  Ahhh, much better. Thanks to my partner for her patience in having to wait for her package.

(That tree really leans, doesn't it?  Or else it's our house.)

A Blessed Holy Saturday and Happy Easter to you all.  See you in a few days.

Don't O.D. on the chocolate!

Felt play

I cut several basic shapes out of felt and my kids make pictures with them all the time.  Inexpensive, easy and fun.  If you want a background, use spray adhesive to glue a large piece of felt or flannel to some foamcore or homosote.  Or just thumbtack it to the wall.  Pellon (interfacing) also works, too - and is incredibly inexpensive.  And Pellon can go through your printer!

Next I think I'll make a felt tangram.

Vintage Sewing Books

I do love cookbooks, but even more I love books about sewing.  My favorites are the ones that are older than I am  (go ahead and guess at that number).  So am I crazy?  My husband thought so when I stacked these up the other day to photograph them. 

Him:  "What are you doing?"
Me:  "Taking pictures of my books."
Him: "Why?"
Me:  "For my blog, of course."
Him:  "????" 

He does not read my blog.  Probably a good thing.  But I know someone out there will enjoy seeing these, right?  So here they are.  If you want to know more about any of them, just ask and I'll spill.  Actually...

...I might have to highlight a few of them in future posts even if you don't ask.  Really, how can I resist sharing these with you?

Better Homes and Gardens Sewing Book (love that $3.95 price tag on there)

The Spadea Sewing Book

Vivienne Colle's Make-It-Yourself Boutique

The New Encyclopedia of Modern Sewing (copyright 1943)

Singer Sewing Book

Dolls in Miniature

How to Design Your Own Clothes and Make Your Own Patterns

The Woman's Day Book of Soft Toys and Dolls

Readers Digest Complete Guides to Sewing and Needlework

McCall's Needlework Treasury, A Learn & Make Book

Cardboard box with lid

Hello angry chicken readers!  Thanks for clicking through to find me!  I was thrilled to be mentioned on Amy's blog today - I don't usually get many hits, so this is like winning at Bingo.  Please look around and if you like what you see leave a comment and/or add me to your Bloglines or Google Reader.  Thanks!

As I promised previously, here is another box tutorial.  This one is made in a shape of your choosing from a recycled cereal box.  I set it up in a photo album; let me know if you need clarification on any of the steps.

Origami box with divider

Well, this afternoon my project was to make the box, lid and divider and take pictures for a photo tutorial.  I uploaded all the steps to an album here so I wouldn't have to put them all in a post.  I hope this works for you; be sure to click on the pictures to see the captions.  When I figure out how, I will put a link to it in the sidebar.  That may be awhile.  My learning curve for Typepad has been pretty steep compared to Blogger because Typepad doesn't do it all for you!

If you like this tutorial, please leave me a comment.  If you find any mistakes, let me know please!
Happy folding.*

*Just to make things clear - the directions for the box I linked to in a previous post are for a project very similar to this one except that it involves cutting.  That is known as Kirigami, whereas this project is Origami=folding only.

Re-use that box

While I am waiting for the planets to align to give me a spare moment to show you how to make those boxes with lids, I thought I'd share another concept.  This is not a legitimate "make a box" post, but it is my favorite reduce-reuse-recycle tip for mailing packages:  Turn a printed box inside-out.

I don't remember where I picked up this idea, but I use it all the time.  Cereal boxes are perfect for this, especially the big ones you get from Costco or Sam's Club - just open up the glued seams, lay the box flat, and refold it so the pictures are on the inside.  A little lot of tape and presto!  A beautiful plain box, all ready for an address.  If it's too tall, while it's still flat you can just cut off the top flaps, use them for a template to make new flaps where you want them.

Aimee, don't look too closely but this toaster pastry box is for you for the Sassy Apron Swap.

If anyone needs to see this idea step by step, let me know.