We pulled a rabbit out of the hat this year!

The deceptively simple easter egg flower hat/fascinator for 8 year old.

From the other side.

You can see our inspiration here.

Both hats cost less than $8.

Mummy was really happy with the outcome, and the girls had a great time.

It’s something of a spectacle to see 730+ kids, plus a good number of teachers, getting creative.

Magical rabbit in the hat. Designed by 5 year old. Made with lots of help from 13 year old.

Commission for Sue: Name Plates.

Bunting for Bronte.

New room bunting made from a lace tablecloth, reclaimed yellow and blue cotton and ribbon.

Similar idea to this one I made for Sascha at a similar time a couple of years ago.

Wall hanging for Angus.

Angus’ wall hanging made from a man’s shirt, reclaimed cottons (yellow and blue) woven tape and a recycled button.

As Sue wanted them all different I went for the shirt covering the squares rather than ties… which I usually use.

A patchworked name picture for Lachlan.

Lachie’s picture is made from reclaimed men’s ties and woven cotton fabric.

….a new idea not made before.

Still working out how to photograph finished work at the new house.

Quite liking the greeniness of the fence and the corkscrew vines poking through.

Favourites anyone?

 

 

 

Idea of the Day: Jacob’s Ladder.

Jacob's Ladder by Duo fiberworks.

They make these with wood…. but I think thick cardboard would work.

Let me know if you have a go and it works out …. or doesn’t.

 

Three upcycled outfits in 3 days.

Day 1: Big smile in her skirt into dress....oh and a sneaky owl!

Day 2: A Mary Poppins impersonation before leaving home. Another skirt made into a dress.... yes and am "Over it" Brooch to finish it off.

Day 3: Orientation done! I think a song is in order. Men's shirt into a skirt and top.

Leading up to orientating 5 year olds to school, she began getting very excited about upcycling skirts into dresses.

We had made one in the past, and she really enjoyed wearing it….bit small now…

On a recent trip to the Op Shop, 5 year old bought me the two ladies skirts and suggested we make dresses for her ‘try out days’. She called them this because  she was under the impression that she would try it…ask the teachers a few questions (Like what is 2+2… because if they didn’t know, then she thought they wouldn’t make very good teachers)…..

Anyway we thought we would turn it into a fun activity together. She would pick some pieces from the Op Shop and I would make her some things to wear. While I sewed she sat on the floor and floated around watching and learning what Mummy does.

These are what we ended up with!

The first one is simply made by attaching ribbons to the top of the skirt and tying them together at the shoulder.

With dress two, I made fixed straps with ribbon and attached the ties. I also added a little ribbon on the skirt yoke to draw the ribbon print into the overall dress.

The skirt and top is a little complex to explain in a sentence, but I hope to share a tutorial of how to do it soon. It’s a great (cheap) way to introduce children to sewing…..

34 Handmade Gift for Little Boys + Little Girls….. with Tutorials

Ideas for Little Girls 

1. Upcycled Knit Pom Hair Accessories by Lil Blue Boo.

2. Puffy Bead Bracelets by Running With Glitter.

3. Non Slip Hair Bows by Make It and Love It.

4. Little Girl Romper by Make It and love It.

5. Braided Headband by Skip To My Lou.

6. Bonsai Tree Applique by Lil Blue Boo.

7. Lazy Days Skirt by Oliver and S (download).

8. Black Apple Dolls by Martha Stewart.

Ideas for Little Boys 

9. Upcycled : Shirt to shorts by Saltwater Kids.

10. 'Gak' by Make It and Love It.

11. Picture Matching Word Cards by Canon.

12. I Spy Bag by Make It and Love It.

13. Boys Shorts with Cargo Pockets by Craft Passion.

14. Upcycled Fused Plastic Belt by Lil Blue Boo.

15. Green Robot Stenciled T-shirt. by Lil Blue Boo.

Little Kids 

16. Personalised Memory Game by Momtastic.

17. A frame play tent by My Cakies.

18. Alphabet Wall Art by The Handmade Home.

19. Owl And Elephant Collages by Martha Stewart.

20. Kids size Ironing Boards by Duo Fiberworks

21. Rolling Pin Stamps by Redefining Creativity.

22. Nesting Dolls by the ETSY blog

23. Stick Horse by Light Blue Grey.

24. Felt Cookie Presents/Playfood by Redefining Creativity.

25. A Matching Game (Tutorial and Download) by Lil Blue Boo.

26. No Sew Pennant Banner by Place To Bloom.

27. Libray Totes by Noodle Head.

28. Dr Suess Activity Blocks by Sugar Bee Crafts.

29. Painted Block Puzzle by Momtastic.

30. Window Garland by Noodle head.

31. Accidental Painting by Lil Blue Boo.

32a. Thrifty Fort Building Kit by Saltwater Kids.

32b. Fort Building Kit ( all packed up) by Saltwater Kids.

33. Birthday (or Picnic) in a Suitcase by Funky Time.

34. Fabric Dollhouse (or Barn) by UK lass in US.

Sing Choirs of Angels!

Angels... harrysdesk decoration 2011

As in past years I have used my favourite medium , men’s neckties, to make a decoration for the coming Christmas season.

This year was no exception.

I love how often the angelic crowd are mentioned in the biblical Christmas story, and so they have become, for our family one of the big symbols we associate with Christmas.

Every year we give the girls an angel each to hang on the tree, or sit on the mantle piece. It’s a reminder to them that God is much bigger than they can imagine, that there are things in this life they don’t yet understand and that we are all called to be messengers of the good news…… just like the angels were on the first Christmas.

Siver and Sky Blue..... no two the same.

My great friend Cathy McKay has written the poem this year, and I am so thankful to her for that.

Each angel comes with a printed poem for you to hang or use in your advent activities.

All for $12

....made from reclaimed neckties, buttons and ribbon.

Time weary waiting

On the long silent God to speak

Angel voices split cold, black silence

Saturating the void with glory

.

The dust-bound tremble, breaking under glory’s weight.

.

Fear flees with a word

God has left the glory of the highest

Slipping to the cold, dark earth

In the cold, black silence

Speaking, being, bringing peace.

.

Previously I have made stars and trees.

The angels, stars and trees can now be purchased via

• my etsy store,
• Recycled Market.
• …..or contact me directly.

13 Handmade Advent Calendars…. with Tutorials

1. Pottery Barn Inspired Advent Calendar by Hallelujahs for Joy.

2. Bucket Advent Calendar by Curbly.

3. Pocket advent Calendar by Noodlehead.

4. Advent Tree How To by Paige + Russell.

5. DIY Advent Calendar (Burlap) by Funkytime.

6. Advent Calendar Tutorial (House) by See Mommy Sew.

7. An idea to adapt for Advent Calendar by Hambley Screen Prints.

8. Countdown Calendar by Maya Made

9. Button Advent Calendar by Craftstylish.

10. Fabric (Paper Type) Advent Calendar by Roots and Wings.

11. Simple Advent Bags by Moment to Moment.

12. Burlap Sack Stocking Advent Calendar by Making the world cuter.

13. Giving Advent Baskets by Molly Piper.

….no tutorials for these but I think you get the idea!

14. IDEA: Advent shoes by Great Craft Disaster.

15. IDEA or Purchase Advent Calendar Printed Pouches by nuvonova.

16. IDEA Printable labels by Poppy Talk.

16. IDEA Parcels in a parcel by Women bible Life.

More Ideas from Last Year

What our family did in 2010…including contents ideas.

What our family did in 2009….. including contents ideas.

Cathy’s content’s ideas from Women Bible Life (a simpler and more complex version….. keep going to the end of the post for the easier one!)

Ruth’s ideas via 168 hours

Jesse (Jesus) Tree reading ideas from the voice.

REPOST: Decorations to make and give.

Below are some instructions I wrote for my friend Nic at 168hrs about 3 years ago.

I though as part of my Christmas decorations post, I would share them with you also.

ANGEL BEAD ORNAMENT INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut wire about 60cm long.
2. Fold in half.
3. FEET : thread 1 small bead onto one thickness. Stop bead at bend in wire.
4. SKIRT: holding both wires together, thread 1 ‘drop’
5. BODY: holding both wires together, thread 1 medium bead (with large inner
hole).
6. WINGS: separating wire, thread approx 15 seed beads into one side, thread
wire back into the ‘body’ bead. Repeat for other wing.
7. HEAD: holding both wires together, thread 1medium round bead for head.
8. HALO: with both wires together, thread 1 bead cap (or daisy spacer bead)
9. FINISHING OFF: holding both wires together thread 1 seed (or metallic
bead)
10. Holding both wires thread one crimp piece and squash.
11. Using the same beads as used for wings, thread beads for about 10cm on
each wire.
12. With wires together again thread 1 crimp (and close) 1 seed bead and 1
crimp (close).

The sweetheart kissing ball from the Cupcake Cuppy.

Use the same idea to make Mary and Joseph.... if Santa doesn't take your fancy. Martha Stewart.

Image from kellishouse. A great instructional video at Activity TV

Upcycled stockings from Martha

Upcycled Christmas card balls. Martha Stewart.

Mmmmm.... Yes Please! We need a new wreath! This idea from Kiddley

Totally beautiful and downloadable. Thanks again Martha

Sweet simple table decorations as place settings. Or attach a ribbon for hanging decorations. Martha Stewart.

A great idea from Reese Dixon to make with the kids.

Beaded snowdrops. Thank you Martha Stewart.

Classically beautiful and made of hankies, by none other than Martha Stewart.

I know a lot of these ideas come from Martha Stewart. I do look elsewhere, but I always come back because she just has a gift!

Many of the ideas have downloads so they are as easy as they can be. Some have video tutorials and all of them are very doable…. even with little people or the craft challenged.

I would love to hear what you are planning on making, or if you have found other great ideas out there.

I am hoping I have inspired you do make just one thing for your family and friends this Christmas.

All images used in this post are from the websites they link through to. Just click on the photo and you are half way to made.

Like a Bear with a Sore Head!

Giant bear heads by Ribbonesia...... Image theirs.

Gotta hand it to Japanese Artist/Designers……they are tricky.

I love  how their quiet sense of humour echoes through their designs.

To see more of Ribbonesia  

Another Penhall!

Silvery grey Penhall..... with floral lining.

I’ve just posted this new one on etsy

It’s the second promised bag made using the colours inspired by you. You can see the green and blue version here.

I’m loving it, and was glad of the opportunity to put a silver grey bag together….as I have been wanting to use this colour combo for a while.

So thanks…..

The repositional rosette....

....and the back.

...the oval base with pleats...

The bag is also completely reversible. The other side is lined with a liberty-esque floral in blue green and grey tones with a touch of pink….so it’s a bit girlie.

...a peek at the inside....