A baby to love and other pretty things
Every once in a while I participate in a craft swap. It is interesting to get a package in the mail from another participant, sometimes from across the globe. As a matter of fact, the partner I send to this time lives in the Philippines. Anyway, it gives me an excuse to make a couple things, including these paper-covered binder clips (first seen here). I cut out small pieces of origami paper, added a little glue on the clip body and then wrapped and pressed the paper around it. Pretty!
When I was visiting Colorado for the wedding, I came across an old wooden name puzzle from when Andrew was a kid. I loved it – the colors, the size of the pieces, and more importantly, the font. The maker’s name was stamped on the back, but an internet search came up empty, which is no surprise since it’s probably almost twenty years old. Then, just yesterday when we were over at a friend’s house for dinner, I noticed their little boy had his own name puzzle, too (I meant to take a picture, but I forgot). Anyway, here are a few that I’d consider for Chloe:
mooo.com.au $30.95 for 5 letters, $14.95 for box
personalizationmall.com $5.95 per letter
My sewing machine has a new dress! The ugly plastic one it came with finally got the heave-ho. Looks nice, doesn’t it? I got all ambitious and added a back pocket and a hole on top for the carrying handle, except I couldn’t figure out how to properly fold inside corners with bias-tape. It ended up oval, except I had already cut a rectangle in the fabric and the bias-tape didn’t “catch” the corners. I fixed that with a little fabric glue. Just don’t look too close.
Before Chloe, the “spare” room (that is now her nursery) used to be where we kept the TV, the sewing table, and the futon. With Chloe’s arrival, we had no choice but to move the TV into the living room and the sewing table into our bedroom, wedged between the dresser and the hamper, because there was literally nowhere else in our little house to put it. Luckily, it folds down really small, as you can see. I also took a photo of the table fully opened.
I was this close to using Alexander Henry’s Mocca for the sewing machine cover, but after walking it and the Joel Dewberry Ginseng into the bedroom, I realized right away the Mocca wouldn’t jive with the serenity of the bedroom. Much the same way that I wouldn’t have been able to stand the TV in the bedroom. The walls are white, the curtains white, and my favorite duvet cover is white with only a few oversize, very abstract, pale blue, taupe and brick-colored butterflies. It was meant to be.
Good tutorials and inspiration for making sewing machine covers can be found at Chez Larsson, Spool, and Creative Reveries.
I finished this child’s Blossom Blouse for Chloe over the weekend. It is a pattern from the book Sew Liberated: 20 Stylish Projects for the Modern Sewist
It is hard to see, but what drew me were the 3/4 bell sleeves with the little gathers just above the elbow. I love details like this, even for my own clothes. However, mine didn’t turn out quite right, because I couldn’t get my stitch to lengthen to the specified size, even though I turned the thread length indicator as high as it would go. I’m okay with that though, for a first try.
Now that I’m feeling a little of that “I’m sorta getting it” feeling, I’m trying to decide what to make next. Maybe a new sewing machine cover to replace the ugly plastic one. Or maybe a matching, mommy-size Blossom Blouse…
I am happy to find myself with a number of reasons to be thankful for my friends lately. To express my gratitude, I made more thank you cards using my trusty butterfly punch and pieces of Chloe’s finger paintings. Just one more way to spread the baby artwork love (even on the inside – see bottom photo).
It is hard to see, but the Fastenator staple on the card in the second photo says thank you. The first photo uses a rub-on, which worked pretty well considering the cardstock has a little bit of texture. I haven’t used a rub-on transfer since I was a kid, but it was a nice option when working with dark paper.
Postscript: I just read a great idea on Twig & Thistle that an easy way to sharpen your punches is to use the punch on some aluminum foil. Sweet! See the post here.
I found a very interesting book on the new arrival shelf at the library yesterday. A book called Build Fun Paper Cameras: Take Eye-Catching Pinhole Photos
So, I’m curious. I decided to check the book out and experiment. What if I had to physically rely on myself to manage the exposure (and not just tell my digital camera how long to do it for me)? I mean literally open and close the shutter by hand, and not with the press of a button? What would it be like to manually make my own equipment? And wind the film myself? I’m guessing the worst that can happen will be that none of my photos come out, but even so I’ll have made some pretty nifty little paper cameras. So, if you’ll excuse me – I have a Coke can to cut and pierce, film to find and purchase, and 8 sheets of freshly printed card stock to cut, fold and assemble.
To be continued…
More Free Printables – Follow these links to more Valentine printables…
Origami Love – Paper is truly a remarkable material, and an inherent part of Valentine’s Day! How about spreading a little love around by folding a batch of these beauties to share…
Hair Accessories + Giveaway – If only I could get my baby to grow more hair, she might be wearing a set of these conversation heart hair clips some day. For now, I’ll just have fun making them. And guess what? One lucky reader gets to keep them! Just leave a comment on this post for your chance to win and I’ll announce the winner on Saturday the 13th. Want to make your own hair clips? It’s easy! Here’s a link to my hair clip tutorial. If you’re not the crafty type, below are links to several adorable handmade hair accessories available on Etsy.
Heart Ponytail Holders (set of 2)
Sew it up – If sewing is your strong suit, then you can take advantage of these links to some pretty, heartfelt how-tos:
Little Love Notes – Get inspired by some of these links to sweet ideas and let a loved one know he or she is extra special:
Sweet Tooth (downloadable template)
Chocolate Wrapper Love Note (downloadable template)
Handmade Stamps – I’ve always liked stamps, but I’m pretty picky about the few I end up buying. I need to know I’ll use them again and again. Heart and love stamps can be particularly useful, from cards and envelopes to gift wrap and fabric. Here are a couple fun ideas and tutorials to make your own, or you could buy one handmade.
This winter I’ve been a very lucky girl in the necklace department. I was perusing Etsy for Christmas gift ideas when the Ice and Snow necklace popped up. I hemmed and hawed about buying it for myself, since I was supposed to be looking for gifts to give, not to keep. A while later I found it again, but the price had gone up. I hadn’t realized that it had been on sale! A quick convo to a very understanding Erin brought the price back down, and that pretty much sealed the deal for me. I love the balanced trio of coin pearl, white topaz briolette and the handstamped silver snowflake charm.
The center Skipping Lilies pendant was given to me by my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Aundrea. I am looking for a chain to wear with it, although it would look equally good on a simple leather or silk cord. The style is based on a stained-glass technique and seals tiny dried botanicals within its casing. I know it will get a lot of wear, plus the solder is lead-free which makes it safer around baby.
The third necklace was handmade for me by my sister-in-law, Liza. You can see some of her other lovely jewelry creations here. This particular necklace is moonstone with pearl and iridescent grey beads. It is quite elegant and unlike anything else I own. I always feel good wearing it, which is the point of nice jewelry, don’t you think?
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